"Desus & Mero": Is Bigger Better for the Bodega Boys?

If you donamp8217t know Desus top left and Mero top right are two relatable quintessential New York types from the Bronx who are proficient in humorous hot takes on everything from pop culture to politicsamp160 Their quick wit and downtoearth swag are the reason that as they like to put it amp8220the brand is strongamp8221 amp160Iamp8217m a huge fan of what they do as I mentioned in my previous column about their work and theyamp8217ve consistently brought a very raw and for me familiar New York voice to the pop culture personality game amp160They also interview important people in sports entertainment and the media as well as other public figuresLike the transition from their weekly podcast on Complex Desus vs Mero to their stint on Viceland so is their transition from Viceland to Showtime amp160Thereamp8217s an overall streamlining of the previous formats with an emphasis on visuals that reinforce that New York Cityborough corner store feel that the guys are known for being Bronx natives amp160Thereamp8217s also a lot of upgrading in both cases amp160The Complex gig had a green screen backdrop and the duo sat on crates then Viceland stepped them up to a modest studio with a single table in the center and the true centerpiece the stuffed brown bear wearing Timberland boots and a fitted cap Classic amp160Now Desus and Mero have a comparatively huge stage a budget to blow and a studio audience to bootThe point is while the guys themselves are still personally keeping it as real as they did from the jump I think part of their brandamp8217s appeal lies in how their product is delivered amp160For example in the iteration of the show where the two cohosts sat together at a table when they had a guest that person would sit between the two of them forcing all three to not only be facing the camera all the time but also to have to turn to back and forth to look at each other when talking amp160It might not sound like an ideal arrangement and it probably wasnamp8217t but there was a more communal feel a togetherness even amp160This of course is something I only became aware of recently when I noticed the new formatamp8217s placement of both Desus and Mero on one side of the set a surprisingly nice basement somewhere in New York with the guest in a chair sitting across from them amp160In comparison it feels a tad oppositional however unintentional that might beAs far as actual content goes the shift in format has kind of affected that as well amp160The previous version saw the topics in list form each one hilariously tackled until the inevitable interview with an amp8220illustrious guestamp8221 amp160Thing is their illustrious guest was usually sitting just offscreen on a couch to the left allowing them to occasionally chime in during the duoamp8217s commentaries Ambient laughter could also often be heard from behind the camera as well as there was always a small crew etc in the room amp160This gave it kind of an intimate effect as if one was actually in the room listening to these people just shoot the shit about whatever clip they were watching or celeb they were flamingOn the new show both Desus and Mero sit on a stage in a couple of nice armchairs with a side table between them amp160They do have a lot more space around them than before and the set is nothing to put your nose up at either but Desus and Mero are able to do sketches nowamp160 Theyamp8217re also doing remotes amp160They are literally out here in these streets amp160There are also Chappelle Showesque guest performances now which is cool but I donamp8217t necessarily need themSo yes with a bigger studio and a studio audience maybe some of that intimacy is gone and yes maybe allamp160the rainbows have been replaced with neon signs Google it but ultimatelyamp160I think we got the better end of the deal amp160These two dudes are the real thingamp160and I love seeing minorities come upamp160 Anyway so as long they keep winning I feel like we all do tooDesus ampamp Mero is telecast Thursdays at 11 pm on ShowtimeClick the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writersamp160

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"Desus & Mero": Is Bigger Better for the Bodega Boys?

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Ainsley Andrade

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"Desus & Mero": Is Bigger Better for the Bodega Boys?

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