Gorgeous black and white video-graphy, a character obsessed with modernist architecture, absurdest-lite stories…what’s not to like about Mr. Glasses?

Mr. Glasses is the brainchild of Mitch Magee, a hypnotic-eyed comedian and artist based in NYC. The story revolves around an oddly quiet and sometimes disquieting fellow named, “Mr. Glasses” a modernist architect trying to make it post-modernist times, and his troop of merry employees: Kitty (played variously by Ellie Kemper and some other tart whose name I can’t seem to find the talented Shelly Stover), Hard Hat (played laconically by Rob Lathan) and Sean (played by Ben Rodgers, Will Hines and Brian Barrett).

The video work is truly beautiful – shot in the style of a one of those classic black & white films from the 40’s and 50’s and the music, the costumes and the dialogue all ape the same time period. The feeling of the shows (6 8 episodes and counting) is retro absurdest…(and I’m not even sure that there is such a thing).

Magee has at least two other productions under his belt: Welcome to my Study (an even more absurd mix between Mr. Rogers World and ESL class…funny but almost unwatchable) and Sexual Intercourse American Style (a weird look play on swingers and romantic televisions shows and just as strange anything else he’s made) but it’s Mr. Glasses that I find most appealing.

Being a video tech-geek I have to praise the near flawless production. Video, sound, editing…it’s all great in these shows. That being said, I’m certain that not everyone will like the show. It’s not hyper-kinetic, there’s no one falling down and only one boob shot in the entire series (episode 6). I don’t think that the typical Youtube audience will find much to like here…dare I say, it’s too smart (or just not pedantic enough).

The Bottom Line:

5 out of 5 stars for this excellent and almost technically flawless. It’s not for everyone – Magee’s world is certainly out there, but I loved it.