FringeReview USA 2025
Elliot Wengler: Jokémon
Elliot Wengler
Genre: Comedy, Solo Show, Stand-Up, Storytelling
Venue: Brown Venue
Festival: FringeReview USA, Orlando Fringe
Low Down
“Jokemon does what it says on the tin. It’s jokes and a lot of puns (and I mean a LOT of puns) about Pokemon for Pokemon fans. Your enjoyment of the show depends mostly entirely on how tragic you found Butterfree dumping Ash in the Pokemon movie. If you don’t know what I’m talking about — best to skip this one. If you do, you’re a nerd (like me) and should see the show.”
Review
Pokémon is the highest-grossing brand of all time. No other brand has managed as much profit, appeal, and universal love as Pokémon with their ever-expanding lines of plushes, cards, games, and jet planes. Now, thanks to Elliot Wengler and his show Jokémon, Pokémon has invaded the fringe circuit.
Jokémon does what it says on the tin. It’s jokes and a lot of puns (and I mean a LOT of puns) about Pokémon for Pokémon fans. Your enjoyment of the show depends mostly entirely on how tragic you found Butterfree dumping Ash in the Pokémon movie. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, best to skip this one. If you do, you’re a nerd (like me) and should see the show.
Wengler’s encyclopedic knowledge of Pokémon is quite educational and funny for us Poké-nerds and Poké-curious. When Wengler shifts into personal stories such as his criminal record at Toys R’ Us, his real talent shines. Those stories showcase WHY we love Pokemon and highlight Wengler’s heart and humor. I wish there were more of those personal anecdotes and less puns (though, as any friend of mine knows, I HATE puns.)
That’s my tentative trouble with Jokémon. At points, it feels like going down the list of a Buzzfeed article titled: “The very BEST there ever was puns for all 150 Pokémon.” Some are good, some are real bad, a few hilarious, but all taking away from time I feel to be better served getting to the heart of what attracts people to the fandom. Wengler has good material and stories to tell but allows more generic observations about the fandom take away from the uniqueness of his own voice. Wengler is a talent to watch out for and I’m excited to see him continue to develop his comedy.
