Watch Sound Advice

Sound Advice was a comedy web series produced by Above Average, a comedy collective owned by Broadway Video (SNL, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon). The show premiered in 2013 and starred Vanessa Bayer, a Saturday Night Live alum, as the host of a music interview show where she played an inept media coach trying to help musicians with their careers.

The premise of the show was that Vanessa Bayer played Janessa Slater, a media coach who boasted an impressive client list but had no actual credentials to back up her advice. Throughout each episode, Janessa would sit down for an interview with a different musician, ranging from indie artists to well-known bands. Her advice, however, was often misguided and inappropriate, leading to awkward exchanges that were played for laughs.

The show featured a great roster of guest stars, including Sara Bareilles, Tegan and Sara, and Sara Schaefer, who played Janessa's long-suffering assistant. In one episode, Janessa even had a run-in with Drake, who had trouble understanding her somewhat convoluted advice.

The show had a fun, irreverent tone that blended elements of mock interviews, celebrity roast, and musical performance. The production values were impressive, with each episode featuring a different set and costume design that matched the theme of the interviewee. The performances by the musicians were always live and unedited, which added a sense of spontaneity and energy to the show.

One of the standout episodes of the series featured the Haim sisters - Este, Danielle, and Alana - who were promoting their debut album at the time. Janessa's attempts to give them feedback on their sound were predictably off-base, but the sisters' quick wit and chemistry made for a hilarious back-and-forth.

Overall, Sound Advice was a clever and well-executed web series that showcased Vanessa Bayer's comedic talents and featured some great musical performances. While the premise of the show could have easily worn thin, the variety of musicians and the absurdity of Janessa's advice kept the show fresh and engaging throughout its run.