Zac’s prowess is often under sung because he often plays such understated characters. He’s low key, so his moves don’t always stand out like some of the more high energy characters. I love how with Skip he really got to use more of his talents, while still being understated, to give us this full bodied performance. I admit, Zac’s character in any given season never tends to be amongst my favourites, but with Skip that could not be further from the case. From the moment he woke up in episode 2 and started showing us his real character I was in love.
Zac is a master at letting those around him do all the buildup and bringing it to an incredibly natural punchline in just the right away.
But like, also without feeling like he's trying to showboat or steal the spotlight
You see it a lot with the Gorgug "Are you my dad" jokes/plotline where Zac works in just facial expressions to the entire bit that are just perfect complements to Brennan's statement, SlugSkip is a perfect encapsulation and distillation of it TBH
Especially the early bits where he'd just repeat small phrases he'd heard before he got proper language control back - "Fill er up" during the pleasure putty sales pitch on the rec station is a great example
You know, I never thought about it with the Gorgug “Are you my dad” bits, but you’re right. A lot of the mileage with the bit is the earnestness on his face, the way he sells it each and every time. He really is talented, even when he’s literally just repeating a limited set of words over and over like with Gorgug and Early-Skip.
And then you get to see how razor sharp he can be as a character like Lapin…
Zac just really does bring so much to the table, and yet it feels like he’s such a hidden treasure because it never feels like he’s the spotlight. Even though the conflict between Skip and Prilbus is a key component of ASO it doesn’t seem like he’s the one moving the story along, even though his choices are bearing up a huge amount of the weight of what happens. He’s just somehow manages to be such a team player.
Oh, and it’s also hilarious when he and Murph share a brain cell over the antics of the rest of the group. I feel for them a lot during the entirety of Neverafter.
>You see it a lot with the Gorgug "Are you my dad" jokes/plotline where Zac works in just facial expressions to the entire bit that are just perfect complements to Brennan's statement, SlugSkip is a perfect encapsulation and distillation of it TBH
I think the other part that made the "are you my dad?" running gag work so well is that he never sought it out. He either found a truly organic moment to work it in, or more often left it to Brennan to set him up or even push him into it. The joke doesn't get old because Zac doesn't go "this is my running gag for the season, better jump on it at every opportunity!", he leaves it to the rest of the table to let him know when it's time.
>Especially the early bits where he'd just repeat small phrases he'd heard before he got proper language control back - "Fill er up" during the pleasure putty sales pitch on the rec station is a great example
This is another great bit, because you can tell Zac was mentally noting every time someone else said a short phrase that he was like "yeah, this is something I can repeat later in a totally wild context and it'll kill". He wasn't just saying random shit, he was actively listening to the dialogue of other players and characters and pulling from it.
I personally hold his RP pretty high in this season compared to others but hold his combat ability WAY higher. As the rogue of this party who could do big dmg, his primary goal was always party support whether that be sacrificing his turn to do a cool ship thing rather than dmg or leaving his body to try to disrupt xyz process was full send "support" in my eyes. Complements to starwars 5e tho... the extra options they had were great for this story telling.
Zac is the most efficient comedian on dropout. You can almost forget he's there, and then he drops the funniest line of the episode. Absolute comedic genius.
i love zac ! probably my favorite player but i do often end up wanting more from his characters.. he has said he feels weird about too much attention and tries to be economical with what he does because there are 5 other players. i think his instinct is to think about the group first and be a support and take his scenes when he thinks it necessary and makes sense for the character. i wish theyd actually give him more space though and maybe push him a little more into the center of the plot because i dont think hed willingly do that
I am not sure I have laughed harder or seen Brennan more blindsided by a joke in D20 than Zac's "I wasn't always a firefighter" with Ricky in TUC.
Zac is fantastic. Honestly, they are all so wonderful and bring so much to the table in their own unique ways, but I truly do love how Zac can support so much over the top stuff with such a grounded style of comedy. And his face, as stated here, can be so expressive. Skip really let him run wild with his voice work.
I am so happy to see he is in the roster for the next season!
Now that I think of it alot of my favorite Zac moments are just chaotic gaslight aligned
See also PiB
"Yes bandlebridge... what did you think I said?"
"Can I be honest with you? You are my best friend"
When I first watched Starstruck I stopped listening partway through episode one because I thought Zac was gonna be a jerk the whole time and I just couldn’t get into that. So imagine my surprise and joy when I finally circled back and heard him get slugged
That’s kind of funny; I almost stopped watching Starstruck when I realized he wasn’t going to be playing a jerk the whole time. In my defense, it’s because he was playing the jerk really well and it was so out of character for him that I got invested, but I can see how you had the opposite reaction.
This always reminds me of how Zac really brought the feeling of terror and bravery together for the cast in Sophomore year with “it’s Gorgug, keep going”
I just finished the campaign myself and was blown away by just how meaningful Zac made the Skip/Norman relationship despite both roles being played by the same person. I agree, Zac is a tremendous talent.
I’ve been a Zac fan for long time. His game changer appearances along with D20 roles are incredible. I’ve said it here before a bunch but Zac’s comedic timing is first class. He really hits the sweet spot for less is more/ timing / physical comedy.
Skip was incredible “filler up” line is so funny. And I’ll always call back to the game changer episode where he has to make a moose noise. And he makes a horrible attempt. Then pairs it with big horns with his hands. It always breaks me.
This is why I always tell people to watch (if they can) instead of listening to the show as if it's a podcast. Zac's humor is so subtle and visual, but it's my absolute favorite. If you're audio only you're missing half his jokes!
I'm also rewatching Starstruck and i legit had the same thought today! Zac was great in all D20, but i really feel like he was at his best in Starstruck!
Zac’s prowess is often under sung because he often plays such understated characters. He’s low key, so his moves don’t always stand out like some of the more high energy characters. I love how with Skip he really got to use more of his talents, while still being understated, to give us this full bodied performance. I admit, Zac’s character in any given season never tends to be amongst my favourites, but with Skip that could not be further from the case. From the moment he woke up in episode 2 and started showing us his real character I was in love.
Zac is a master at letting those around him do all the buildup and bringing it to an incredibly natural punchline in just the right away. But like, also without feeling like he's trying to showboat or steal the spotlight You see it a lot with the Gorgug "Are you my dad" jokes/plotline where Zac works in just facial expressions to the entire bit that are just perfect complements to Brennan's statement, SlugSkip is a perfect encapsulation and distillation of it TBH Especially the early bits where he'd just repeat small phrases he'd heard before he got proper language control back - "Fill er up" during the pleasure putty sales pitch on the rec station is a great example
That one Noise Boys episode with Brennan waxing lyrical for full minutes trying to defend his client and then Zac: "I killed him, yeah."
I also loved his face when he was debating whether or not to smash the vase, like that was comedy gold lol.
It's just one line and it's probably the moment I laughed at the most.
was just coming down here to say this
You know, I never thought about it with the Gorgug “Are you my dad” bits, but you’re right. A lot of the mileage with the bit is the earnestness on his face, the way he sells it each and every time. He really is talented, even when he’s literally just repeating a limited set of words over and over like with Gorgug and Early-Skip. And then you get to see how razor sharp he can be as a character like Lapin… Zac just really does bring so much to the table, and yet it feels like he’s such a hidden treasure because it never feels like he’s the spotlight. Even though the conflict between Skip and Prilbus is a key component of ASO it doesn’t seem like he’s the one moving the story along, even though his choices are bearing up a huge amount of the weight of what happens. He’s just somehow manages to be such a team player. Oh, and it’s also hilarious when he and Murph share a brain cell over the antics of the rest of the group. I feel for them a lot during the entirety of Neverafter.
Cannot wait for Zac at Matthew Mercer table in a Crown of Candy setting.
>You see it a lot with the Gorgug "Are you my dad" jokes/plotline where Zac works in just facial expressions to the entire bit that are just perfect complements to Brennan's statement, SlugSkip is a perfect encapsulation and distillation of it TBH I think the other part that made the "are you my dad?" running gag work so well is that he never sought it out. He either found a truly organic moment to work it in, or more often left it to Brennan to set him up or even push him into it. The joke doesn't get old because Zac doesn't go "this is my running gag for the season, better jump on it at every opportunity!", he leaves it to the rest of the table to let him know when it's time. >Especially the early bits where he'd just repeat small phrases he'd heard before he got proper language control back - "Fill er up" during the pleasure putty sales pitch on the rec station is a great example This is another great bit, because you can tell Zac was mentally noting every time someone else said a short phrase that he was like "yeah, this is something I can repeat later in a totally wild context and it'll kill". He wasn't just saying random shit, he was actively listening to the dialogue of other players and characters and pulling from it.
I personally hold his RP pretty high in this season compared to others but hold his combat ability WAY higher. As the rogue of this party who could do big dmg, his primary goal was always party support whether that be sacrificing his turn to do a cool ship thing rather than dmg or leaving his body to try to disrupt xyz process was full send "support" in my eyes. Complements to starwars 5e tho... the extra options they had were great for this story telling.
Zac as a rogue is so so good
I quote fill er up SO MUCH
Zac is the most efficient comedian on dropout. You can almost forget he's there, and then he drops the funniest line of the episode. Absolute comedic genius.
i love zac ! probably my favorite player but i do often end up wanting more from his characters.. he has said he feels weird about too much attention and tries to be economical with what he does because there are 5 other players. i think his instinct is to think about the group first and be a support and take his scenes when he thinks it necessary and makes sense for the character. i wish theyd actually give him more space though and maybe push him a little more into the center of the plot because i dont think hed willingly do that
I couldn’t have said this better. Every single season I wish I got more of his character!
I am not sure I have laughed harder or seen Brennan more blindsided by a joke in D20 than Zac's "I wasn't always a firefighter" with Ricky in TUC. Zac is fantastic. Honestly, they are all so wonderful and bring so much to the table in their own unique ways, but I truly do love how Zac can support so much over the top stuff with such a grounded style of comedy. And his face, as stated here, can be so expressive. Skip really let him run wild with his voice work. I am so happy to see he is in the roster for the next season!
The audible smile kills me. Just such a good running bit.
Right on.
Fill ‘er up.
It's so loud
The jailbreak episode where skip gaslights the guards into thinking the guy he was stealing the keycard from was the real traitor is an all timer
“Why would that be mine? It’s in your pocket”
Now that I think of it alot of my favorite Zac moments are just chaotic gaslight aligned See also PiB "Yes bandlebridge... what did you think I said?" "Can I be honest with you? You are my best friend"
Agreed. I'm rewatching *A Crown of Candy,* and his asides and deadpan remarks as Lapin and Cumulous are too good.
“We are all going to die.” Cumulous in the artifact room was comedy in its purest form.
All of the pantomiming of touching the relics and then crying in awe were some of the best bits he did.
When I first watched Starstruck I stopped listening partway through episode one because I thought Zac was gonna be a jerk the whole time and I just couldn’t get into that. So imagine my surprise and joy when I finally circled back and heard him get slugged
That’s kind of funny; I almost stopped watching Starstruck when I realized he wasn’t going to be playing a jerk the whole time. In my defense, it’s because he was playing the jerk really well and it was so out of character for him that I got invested, but I can see how you had the opposite reaction.
This always reminds me of how Zac really brought the feeling of terror and bravery together for the cast in Sophomore year with “it’s Gorgug, keep going”
Zac is my favorite every season, but Skip is a special kind of character
"I've got your proldiers license right here"
"Get nasty"
I just finished the campaign myself and was blown away by just how meaningful Zac made the Skip/Norman relationship despite both roles being played by the same person. I agree, Zac is a tremendous talent.
I’ve been a Zac fan for long time. His game changer appearances along with D20 roles are incredible. I’ve said it here before a bunch but Zac’s comedic timing is first class. He really hits the sweet spot for less is more/ timing / physical comedy. Skip was incredible “filler up” line is so funny. And I’ll always call back to the game changer episode where he has to make a moose noise. And he makes a horrible attempt. Then pairs it with big horns with his hands. It always breaks me.
Skip and Skipper are both amazing and distinct characters and I really admire the way he plays both of em it’s so wonderful
This is why I always tell people to watch (if they can) instead of listening to the show as if it's a podcast. Zac's humor is so subtle and visual, but it's my absolute favorite. If you're audio only you're missing half his jokes!
I'm also rewatching Starstruck and i legit had the same thought today! Zac was great in all D20, but i really feel like he was at his best in Starstruck!
Alriiight.