Sketchy ‘Acme Schmacme’ Has Its Moments

The Acme Players, whose sketch comedy revues are similar in format to Groundlings shows, started a new schedule last weekend that also closely resembles that of the Groundlings.

The first-string companies of both groups are now up against each other at 8 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays (the Groundlings do a 10 p.m. Saturday show as well). Both of the second-string companies now perform on Sundays. Acme has eliminated its third-string company.

Unfortunately, “Acme Schmacme,” the initial first-string show on the new schedule, misses as often as it hits.

Most of the better sketches are in the first half and are relatively realistic. Jamie Kaler and Antoinette Spolar are amusing as a couple with conflicting ideas on how to spend an evening at home; he desperately wants her to see and appreciate a video of his favorite movies--parts 1 and 2 of “The Godfather.”

That’s followed by Audrey Rapoport’s depiction of two aging Jewish couples who get together for friendly catching-up interrupted by periodic rounds of bickering. Each member of this quartet is a well-sketched character. Alex Alexander wrote about a similar couple for a second-act sketch, and they’re almost as funny.

Ted Hardwick’s duet about a couple driving to Solvang for their first date has its moments, as does Jeff Lewis’ opening sketch about an office hero who gets no respect.

Most of the other sketches are slightly off or simply fail to transcend stereotypes to make a bigger, funnier point. A clever celebrity impersonation sketch is two-thirds of the way there, but the presence of the third celebrity makes no sense in this context. A piece about a musical based on the Challenger disaster makes no cogent satirical point for an audience that hasn’t seen the “Titanic” musical on Broadway. An aimless druggie sketch seems ancient.

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* “Acme Schmacme,” Acme Comedy Theatre, 135 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends Aug. 1. $14. (213) 525-0202. Running time: 2 hours.