Left of Center (Sketch Comedy)

Left of Center is an American sketch comedy group and television show formed in 2004 by comedians David Allen, Jason Hardwick, and Alex Mangen in their home state of Ohio. Several of the shows sketches have been outsourced to other sketch and clip shows including MTV's Short Circutz, CW's Online Nation, and frequently featured on viral video sites. In addition, because of its cinematic format, the show was honored at the Gene Siskel Film Institute in the Summer of 2007.

Production

The show's production style differs from other sketch comedy shows because there is no set cast of performers. Each sketch is cast like a film, with its respective writers and performers. Many sketches are also produced on film which purposly clashes with other sketches show on various forms of [video] and [HD].

History

2004 - 2006

Prior to 2004 a very young David Allen began assembling talented locals for a sketch project in Dayton,OH. The live-to-tape sketch project stalled several times as a more serious crew began assembling. Among them was, at that time Wright State University Film student and comedian, Alex Mangen. Together, the two quickly executed the original show plan only to immediately scrap it and start from scratch. With that came the Film format, the name Left of Center, and the addition of, fellow Wright State student, Jason Hardwick. The pilot episode took two years to produce and premiered at The Neon cinema in Dayton,OH to sold out audiences.

2007 - Present

In early 2007, David Allen and Jason Hardwick moved to Los Angeles,CA to pursue other ventures. Left of Center continues to produce popular sketches - One titled "Soothing Nature Day Spa" or "Lick it Up" that appeared on Nick Cannon's Short Circutz in 2007.

Episode 101

The pilot episode premiered at The Neon in Dayton,OH on July 1,2006. It last ran at The Gene Siskel Film Institute on June 15,2007.

Sketch name

Writer

Prod.Year

Ballet Dropout

Alex Mangen

2004

Girl Talk

Alex Mangen

2006

Rock Climbing

Jason Hardwick

2006

Cell Phone

2005

Branson Hills

David Allen, Adam Moorman

2005

Scranton's 1

Alex Mangen

2004

Bed Ridden

Alex Mangen

2006

Single

Alex Mangen

2006

Ted Hart

David Allen

2005

Sad [...] Song

Jason Hardwick

2005

Invisi-Bandages

Jason Hardwick

2005

Scranton's 2

Alex Mangen

2004/06

Ted Hart 2

David Allen

2005

Abortion

Alex Mangen,David Allen

2004

Adventure Coffee

David Allen, Adam Moorman

2002

[...] Art

David Allen

2004

The Bathroom

Jason Hardwick

2004

Theme Song

Left of Center's theme song titled "LOL" was created by Brian Baker / Grizzzy Bear in May 2006

DVD Releases

An Official First Episode DVD was released in 2007 to select independent USA stores. Extras include: Commentary, Cut Sketches, and comedic short clips.

DVD Name

Ep #

Release Date

The Complete First Episode

1

Jan 31 2007

The Complete Next Episodes

2 + 3

TBA