Tim Heidecker Brings 'On Cinema' Live Tour to Denver
The comedian and his co-host Gregg Turkington return to the Paramount Theatre for the second half of their current national tour.
By Jillian Foster ·
Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington will perform the live version of their web series at the Paramount Theatre in Denver on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The event marks the second half of the Certified Five Bags of Popcorn Tour, which travels to various cities across the country. The duo has been hosting On Cinema at the Cinema for 17 seasons, a show that features fictional movie reviews and satirical skits. The live show aligns with the current season of the web series, which is set in Lake Havasu.
Heidecker previously performed in Denver in 2021 with his Two Tims tour. That earlier performance blended standup comedy with folk rock music. He recalled that specific night vividly, noting that the band arrived in Boulder after driving through the Rockies all night in bad weather. He described stepping off the bus and feeling as though he had woken up in a heavenly environment, citing the mountain air and the quiet atmosphere of the city after the long drive.
In the show, Heidecker plays a character named Tim who has little interest in film criticism. His character is easily distracted and often suffers from head injuries that interfere with his ability to watch movies. Turkington plays Gregg, a character obsessed with movie trivia, runtimes, and arbitrary facts. The duo uses a rating system called the Popcorn Bag scale, where fewer than five bags indicates a poor film. Heidecker said the low ratings are often used to mock one another rather than to reflect genuine aesthetic criticism.
Heidecker explained that the live show requires a slight suspension of disbelief regarding the location, but the content is current with the ongoing season. He noted that his character has recently adopted a new identity and name, New Amato, which continues a long history of identity shifts in his work. He traced this approach back to his early fascination with Andy Kaufman and the concept of using one's own persona as a comedic character.
The comedian said he does not intentionally try to confuse audiences but aims for pure, real-feeling satire. He acknowledged that some viewers may initially miss the context of the show, particularly those who expect straightforward movie reviews. He hopes those viewers will eventually understand the format through community discussion and become fans. He emphasized that the core comedic structure relies on classic timing and dynamics, similar to Abbott and Costello, so detailed knowledge of the web series is not required to enjoy the live performance.
Heidecker said he has become somewhat softer in his comedy as he has aged, paying more attention to who is being mocked. However, he said he still possesses a vigor directed at power structures. He described the On Cinema characters as a way to process personal fears and existential questions, making the work more interpersonal and psychological than purely satirical.
The performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, located at 1621 Glenarm Place. The tour poster promises expert opinions, movie expertise, and award-winning music.
