Dave Chappelle Starting “The Midnight Miracle” Podcast with Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli; Maybe It’ll Be Chappelle’s Show 2.0?

April 22, 2021

dave chappelle, luminary, podcast, talib kweli, yasiin bey

Dave Chappelle shook up the world of comedy when going to Africa in the middle of the production of Chappelle’s Show 3rd season. It was 2005 and Dave Chappelle was unequivocally the biggest name in comedy back then and lines from the show’s sketches were probably quoted several times a second by people around the world.

As you well know, Chappelle took a long hiatus and then gradually started making his way back into stand-up probably clocking more stage time than any other comedian in history by doing shows or drop-ins that were infamous for often going far past two hours. Then, there was the official return with a whole row of Netflix specials and continuing to do stand-up, even releasing a “very special” special at the height of last Summer’s protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd.

Still, Dave has not taken the reins to his own show since 2006 and it hasn’t been the same since.

That all might change with the arrival of a new Luminary podcast The Midnight Miracle that Dave is doing with two of the most renowned rappers around, Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli. It “will feature conversations punctuated with sketches, impersonations, archival audio clips, a musical soundtrack and guest interviews.” (via Deadline). This teaser doesn’t reveal much of anything, but one can see how it very much be a continuation of Chappelle’s Show with that particular mix of things.

As to what exactly The Midnight Miracle will be, if it’ll even take on more of Dave’s more sobering tone these days than the more sarcastic and satirical nature of his legendary sketch series from over 15 years ago, and how much it will affect comedy history will just have to be seen when the podcast drops.

"To the one who has created the all…"
Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey, and Dave Chappelle welcome you to The #MidnightMiracle. pic.twitter.com/dHBF1wJIYf

— Luminary (@hearluminary) April 21, 2021

Pick of the Day: Bad Trip Watch Along with Live Commentary (on Clubhouse) 4/25

April 22, 2021

News

bad trip, clubhouse, eric andre, watchalong

Bad Trip served as a bright spot when it dropped on to Netflix at the end of February with Eric Andre being, well, Eric Andre and strangers showing kindness at a time where we most of us would need to see the humanity in people again.

Also, it’s one of the more ambitious prank films to have been released in recent memory considering how much they involve real folks in their insane storyline.

With all of that in mind, Andre and director Kitao Sakurai will be doing a watch-a-long with live-commentary for their creation, Bad Trip, on Clubhouse that will offer up stories/details/behind-the-scenes that you would very likely not get anywhere else.

All you have to do to get the watch-a-long live commentary is have Clubhouse, follow Eric, Kitao, or IHEARTCOMIX on Clubhouse, and tune in at 7PM PT/10PM ET after you’ve cued Bad Trip up on Netflix. Then, let Eric and Kitao’s chaos reign for your enjoyment.

Pick of the Day: We Called Your Mom with Beth Stelling and Diane Duval 5/8

April 21, 2021

News

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It shouldn’t come as surprise that Beth Stelling would do something as sincerely precious as start a podcast with her very own mother, Diane Duval, where they call the mother’s of comedians/artists and talk up their children. The podcast is perfectly titled, We Called Your Mom.

Beth and Diane will be doing a very, very, very, VERY special live-stream episode via Dynasty Typewriter wherein they’ll actually be reunited in person for the first time in a year (since you know what started) and “there will be hugs, announcements, stories, songs and more.” Also, they’ll be chatting with the hysterical Yassir Lester and his mom, Vicki!

Think of this as both a heads up on what will be a truly lovely show and a friendly reminder that Mother’s Day is on that weekend.

We Called Your Mom goes live on May 8th at 6PM PT/9PM ET. Tickets are only $15 and you absolutely should go get them right this moment right here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 56: Jessica Watkins & Getting Through

April 21, 2021

News

annie mumulo, cinderella, jessica watkins, kristen wiig, livenation, seth rogen, specialish, ticketmaster

Far before the pandemic ever began or was even a whisper of a thing, Jessica Watkins took it upon to herself to simultaneously make a stand-up comedy special and walk across America. She did indeed accomplish both, but it was not at all what she expected, which is a very timely experience to have as we’ve all had to go through the intense journey of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watkins’ captured her entire experience in a documentary called SPECIALish, a stunningly beautiful portrait and meditation on having purpose and drive in comedy, art, and life. After finishing the journey in 2014, the doc has been set for release on May 11th and, of course, TCB’s Jake Kroeger talks to Jessica all about that especially in relation to that journey in 2014 and how things have been comparatively in the terrifying specter of 2020/2021. Also, “hot” takes on Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumulo’s Cinderella evil stepsisters movie in the works, potential anti-trust case for LiveNation/Ticketmaster, and Seth Rogen’s silent action comedy passion project.

Follow Jessica at @ajessicawatkins on IG and Twitter and look out for SPECIALish on streaming platforms on May 11th.

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

FYI, We’re the Jury for a Special Showcase at The Las Vegas 420 Cannabis Comedy Festival

April 20, 2021

News

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As you might have heard, there is a week long comedy festival, The Las Vegas 420 Cannabis Comedy Festival run by our great pals at Rampantly kicked off on Cannabis Day, 4/20. It’s a week of specially curated showcases that bring together the comedians that have thrived doing stand-up virtually over this last year.

We’re honored to take part as a special jury for the festival that will actually handpick our very own line-up for an extra special Comedy Bureau All-Stars on Sat. Apr. 24th at 6:45PM PT/9:45PM ET. All of our staff will have our ears to the ground and eyes wide open (virtually, of course) through all the primetime stand-up shows through Friday at The Las Vegas 420 Cannabis Comedy Festival to select our personal best of the fest line-up.

We’ve gotten to judge plenty of comedy shows/festivals/competitions, but we have the esteemed privilege of getting to make a special show of our favorites rather than just deliberate with our judges to pick just one winner. It ought to be a very special evening for all TCB loyal (and comedy fans in general).

The Las Vegas 420 Cannabis Comedy Festival is actually underway as of this post and going on every night through this Saturday (including our Comedy Bureau All-Stars showcase). Get more info about the fest itself at Rampantly.la and more info on our show here.

Please Enjoy Emmy Blotnick Espouse the True Joys of Weighted Blankets on The Tonight Show

April 20, 2021

News

emmy blotnick, late night, stand up, tonight show, weighted blanket

As things are supposedly reopening for the umpteenth time, there does seem to be, at least partially, a sense that we can pick up right where we left off long, long ago at the beginning of 2020.

There is world beyond the pandemic (even though it’s still not over) and, in regards to doing stand-up comedy on late night, which is probably as topical as stand-up comedy gets on linear television without your very own show, there is room to talk about things like weighted blankets.

(Also, if you’re worried about people not talking about “what’s going on”, trust that there will be more than plenty of comedy about COVID-19, white supremacy, etc. that will be written and performed for several years to come.)

Case in point: Emmy Blotnick‘s absolutely terrific latest late night appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon wherein she details the marvelous virtues of owning a weighted blanket. It’s among one of the funniest sets of stand-up sets we’ve seen in awhile and it’s almost like you could have seen this in Jan. 2020 just like you’re watching it now in Apr. 2021 and it’s just as sharply funny in both times and places.

That’s a testament how damn funny Emmy is. With that said, enjoy Emmy Blotnick on The Tonight Show here.

Pick of the Day: Gilbert Gottfried Does Set List Live! 4/23

April 20, 2021

News

carmen morales, gilbert gottfried, improvised stand up, nowhere comedy club, set list

Before lockdown, when international comedy was able to be done in person, there was a phenomenon known as Set List that challenged comedians ’round the world to improvise stand-up based off of absurd, never-before-seen topics as if it was a part of their long-standing, best-selling act. It had played almost every single comedy festival in existence and had been a TV show in both the UK and Australia.

Of course, in person comedy has taken a “sabbatical” due to the pandemic, but the virtual space has provided for plenty of new avenues and innovation and transition in comedy. Set List, given it’s reach and the fact that both comedians and audience discover a never-before-seen topic together makes it kind of a dream for virtual comedy, which is why we’re thankful to see the iconic Gilbert Gottfried do a whole Set List show (with Carmen Morales opening) this Friday at 5:30PM PT/8:30PM ET via Nowhere Comedy Club.

Gottfried speaking on completely random topics, after all of what the world has been through, really ought to be one of the more thrilling comedy experiences throughout the entirety of this virtual era of live comedy.

Tickets start at $10 and you can (and very much should) get them here.

FX Is Trying Its Hand at a Another Talk Show with Artist David Choe

April 19, 2021

News

choe show, david choe, fx

(via Deadline)

Even though there has been more ripples in the world of late night over the last few years (Desus & Mero, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, The Amber Ruffin Show), the Jimmys and the classic talk show format laid out by the original Tonight Show in the 50s still represents a good deal of what late night is in 2021.

That said, Conan O’Brien is ditching that format for something more akin to sketch on HBO Max, John Oliver/Sam Bee/Trevor Noah represent a whole relatively new political wing of late night, and there has been plenty of new short lived new comers that were poised to potentially shake things ups (Hasan Minhaj, Busy Phillips, VICE Live!)

FX has had a pretty great batting average with their programming in the last decade in terms of acclaim and loyal viewership and some of that has to do with really going against the grain in the TV landscape and developing one-of-a-kind shows like Atlanta and The Americans. With that in mind, they’re poised to try a bit of an experiment with the talk show (and ostensibly, late night) realm by giving rabble rouser/artist David Choe his own interview/talk show, The Choe Show. He’ll be interviewing guests while painting a portrait of them and that’s as far as the format has been outlined. This, at this point, seems like a far cry from their own past attempts at late night with Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and Brand X with Russell Brand.

Choe is definitely a dynamic personality with plenty of spicy takes on pop culture that could potentially be enough to drive a talk show (especially with the portrait angle). He definitely has shown his irreverence on Ugly Delicious or his own various projects he has done with VICE. FX’s willingness to take the sort of chances that others were weren’t willing to take, again, has proven to really work out for their very savvy network brass. Having Choe rather than a comedian or established stage/screen actor/personality (James Corden) is a fascinating choice and we’re curious to see what both FX and Choe have up their sleeve, even if just for sheer novelty. Of course, we think that there’s probably much more to that and there is undeniably a lot of potential that could be had with a portrait being a standing part of the interview for the show.

We shall see what that might be when The Choe Show premieres on Jun. 25th.

Pick of the Day: ‘Stand Up for Asian Americans’ to benefit Red Canary Song 5/14

April 19, 2021

News

Calamity Chang, comedy benefit, Damian Dragon, Frankie Sharp, Jasmine Rice Labeija Poppy Liu, livestream comedy, margaret cho, red canary song, Telly Leung

We say this a lot on our podcast, but there are so many causes to support at this time. There’s rallying against anti-Asian hate, supporting working rights, and decriminalizing sex work in order to properly support sex workers to just name a few.

Stand Up for Asian Americans is big live-stream comedy benefit that will support all those issues above through the wondrous org that is Red Canary Song, a grassroots collective of Asian & Migrant sex workers organizing transnationally. That alone should peak your interest in supporting their efforts through tuning into this comedy live-stream set to go live on Fri. May 14th at 5PM PT/8PM ET.

Yet, this show gets better as the one and only Margaret Cho will be headlining and be joined by a slew of fantastic Asian American comedians and performers including Telly Leung, Jasmine Rice Labeija
Poppy Liu, Calamity Chang, Damian Dragon, Frankie Sharp. So clear out your plans for at least one night that weekend as Stand Up for Asian Americans will go live on 5/14 and have repeat airings on 5/15 5PM PT/8PM ET and 5/16 at 4PM PT/7PM ET.

Tickets are only $20 and 100% of net proceeds go to Red Canary Song. So, go get more info and your tickets already!

Kristen Wiig & Annie Mumulo Are Now Working on a Live Action Cinderella Evil Stepsisters Movie for Disney

April 16, 2021

News

annie mumulo, cinderella, evil stepsisters, kristen wiig

(via Deadline)

Even though Wiig and Mumulo would have to work in the confines of both Disney and the Disney canon and that they will likely not play Cinderella’s infamous stepsisters themselves, the prospect of any of Annie Mumulo and Kristen Wiig’s next projects, following the instant classic that is Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar, are incredibly enticing.

The fact that they are working to develop a movie focused on those very same evil stepsisters of the legendary Cinderella has our mind racing for all the possibilities. We hold any hope that Disney will allow them to be as weird and offbeat and non sequitur as they want to be. That free-wheeling absurdist sense of humor is at what at the core of the Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Truly, if Wiig and Mumulo get to make whatever this project ends up being on their terms, it would most certainly to stand alone in Disney’s catalog, but what a grand standalone movie this would be.

Pick of the Day: The Anti-Influencer Hour with Rachel Resnik Anniversary 4/17

April 16, 2021

News

anti influencer hour, character comedy, clowning, rachel resnik, sketch comedy, virtual comedy

The Pack Theater has been a rare success story during a dark time for live performance/comedy venues doing a big fundraiser at the beginning of lockdown here in America, then full tilt transitioning into a virtual venue several weekly shows and a healthy offering of classes.

One of the recurring shows that has been party to this success is Rachel Resnik’s Anti-Influencer Hour, which originally was organized and live-streamed while Rachel was in Paris, France and, as such, sourced comedians, sketch folks, clowns, etc. from all over the globe to do wonderfully out there bits and characters (the sort that would make up for us all not being able to go to the Edinburgh Fringe in person for another year).

This Saturday Apr. 17th at 7PM PT/10PM ET, The Anti-Influencer Hour celebrates a year of live-streaming some delightfully off-beat comedy on The Pack’s Twitch Channel. Join them in their first anniversary as, best of all, it’s free to watch (they’ll be taking donations as well).

You’re Watching James Adomian’s Brilliance as My Pillow’s Mike Lindell on Kimmel, Right?

April 16, 2021

News

james adomian, jimmy kimmel live, late night, mike lindell, my pillow

For so long, late night was relegated to MacGyver-ing its shows due to the pandemic, having to do interviews over Zoom and doing their take on a lack of audience on top of dealing with America and the world being more in crisis than it has been in a very long time. There were a lot of growing pains and even as they figured it out as the months wore on, it just wasn’t the same late night irreverence that the whole time slot is meant for.

Honestly, the tonal and format issues were a bit of a problem even before the pandemic, but part of that did have to do with a notable lack of the comedic brilliance of one, James Adomian. Noted for his characters, impressions, his own stand-up, and a litany of treasured podcasting (please revisit The Underculture), Adomian has, in our opinion, not gotten his due even though he was Bernie Sanders opposite Anthony Atamanuik’s Trump and is the voice of so much of your favorite animated series.

Thankfully, Jimmy Kimmel Live tapped Adomian to play My Pillow founder Mike Lindell as Lindell has really seemed to become more unhinged and wild as of late, even more so than his desperately earnest My Pillow ads. Adomian has been doing an impression of Lindell for years and it’s truly a blessing that it’s now getting put to good use with one of the best late night bits in however long it has been since March 2020.

Let’s hope this means we get more of Adomian anywhere and everywhere (maybe give him his own sketch show already?).

Enjoy Adomian as Lindell on Kimmel in his two appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live here and here.

Pick of the Day: High & Mighty 1st Annual 4/20 Mega Sesh

April 15, 2021

News

4/20, adbullah saeed, gilli nissim, high and mighty podcast, john flynn, jon gabrus, mark rennie, matt besser, mike glazer, miles gray, shaun diston

While the pandemic does have us all stuck at home, that does not actually stop any and all of us from getting blazed. Well, maybe it’s a little harder if it’s not entirely legal or decriminalized where you live and for that, we’re truly sorry and we hope that changes very, very soon.

That said, the hysterical Jon Gabrus is going to celebrate this very special 4/20 in 2021 via The High & Mighty podcast with the very first High & Mighty 4/20 Mega Sesh that ought to be a grand ol’ time of cannabis-fueled hijinks and riff seshes with many of the best and your favorite funny folks.

That will include:

Abdullah Saeed & David Bienenstock (Great Moments in Weed History)
John Flynn & Mark Rennie (Two Old Queens)
Mike Glazer & Mary Jane (Weed + Grub)
Ry Prichard (@CannibasEncyclopedia)
Gilli Nissim (We’re Gross w Gilli)
Shaun Diston (The Church of Shaun Diston)
Matt Besser (improv4Humans)
Miles Gray (The Daily Zeitgeist)

Sounds more than chill, right? Of course it does. High & Mighty 1st Annual 4/20 Mega Sesh goes live on Tues. Apr. 20th at 6PM PT/9PM ET. Tickets are only $10 and you need to go snatch them up here.

Pick of the Day: Laughs for LLS 4/18

April 14, 2021

News

atsuko okatsuka, brad wenzel, debra digiovanni, fundraiser, kimberly clark, leukemia lymphoma society, mk paulsen, Troy Walker

A line-up of Debra DiGiovanni, MK Paulsen, Kimberly Clark, Atsuko Okatsuka, Troy Walker, Brad Wenzel, and hosts Lynn Maleh and DJ Paul Antonio is such a fantastic, wide-ranging, hysterical collection of comedians from wire-to-wire that’s very much worth good money, end of story. Just take our word for it if you’re worried about what their “credits” might be.

This coming Sunday, April 18th, you’ll get a chance to see this crackling line-up from wherever you are during this pandemic and you get the added bonus of supporting the critical work of the LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) that has been fighting blood cancer around the world since 1949 via Chelsea Derkacz’s Woman of the Year Fundraiser.

Laughs for LLS will go live on Sun. Apr. 18th at 5PM PT/8PM ET. Tickets are going for $20 and you can (and very much should) go get them here.

White House Correspondents Dinner Cancelled Again (Though It’s Just Because of COVID-19)

April 14, 2021

News

whca, white house correspondents dinner

It’s yet another year without the top shelf roast of the first, second, and fourth estate. The WHCA announced today that their annual White House Correspondents Dinner will be yet again cancelled. Though, at least it’s not because we’re politically divided as much as we have ever been and mostly due to COVID-19.

Throughout Trump’s administration, the specter of the White House Correspondents Dinner very much remained a ghost of its former self. Many experts often point to Trump’s lambasting by Seth Meyers at a White House Correspondents Dinner as the spark that lead to his presidential run and eventual victory in 2016.

Of course, as Trump is a wimp and coward and can’t nearly take it as much as he can dish it out, the lauded “nerd prom” that hoisted a comedian to roast all of news media and both sides of the political aisle through the zeitgeist was not something Trump was ever going to take part in. So, for the last few years, it hasn’t really been the same leading to a historian taking the reins to the evening one year and alternative events such as Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’s Not the White House Correspondents Dinner.

Whatever you think of President Biden, he is more along the lines of past POTUSes that were game for such an affair, but gathering en masse for such an event is still not such a great idea since the pandemic isn’t over and we’re not anywhere near herd immunity yet.

Like most big time events, we’ll just have to wait for 2022.

WHCA will not hold 2021 dinner, plans spring rollout of other salutes to journalism. Details here: https://t.co/kETPNnFalo

— WHCA (@whca) April 14, 2021

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 55: Eli Green & Decentralization

April 14, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

arclight, clubhouse, conan o'brien, crazy good fun, eli green, The amber ruffin show

Commercial/music video director and Clubhouse maven, Eli Green, joins TCB’s Jake Kroeger for a truly in-depth conversation on the nature of comedy, especially at this time, especially on Clubhouse. Green is the creator of the “Crazy Good Fun” club on Clubhouse which has spawned dozens and dozens of irreverent rooms in addition to juggling the prospect of making “fun” commercials throughout the pandemic. It’s a grand, sprawling conversation spanning trying to execute being funny for poorly thought out ad campaigns to tinkering with the very things that make comedy work. Also, “hot” takes on Conan O’Brien Needs a Fan, The Amber Ruffin Show expanding it’s staff, and ArcLight Cinemas closing.

Look into all of Eli’s work at eligreen.com and join the Crazy Good Fun on Clubhouse to see what new hijinks Green and the collective are getting into.

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

Mythic Quest Season 2 Gets Its First Full Trailer

April 13, 2021

News

apple tv plus, charlotte nicdao, danny pudi, megan ganz, rob mcelhenney, season 2

Mythic Quest is one of a growing number of series that is legitimizing Apple TV+’s place as a streaming service in the streaming wars. Taking the energy and verve of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and putting it into a video game studio has been a more than refreshing departure from the litany of fish-out-of-water sitcoms that get marched out and subsequently cancelled every TV season.

Even taking on a “very special episode”/dramedy tone for their quarantine episode, creators Rob McElhenney and Megan Ganz have conjured up a lovable cadre of very flawed misfits (some are lovable in spite of their shortcomings) in Mythic Quest that we’re genuine want to follow into whatever chaos they rustle up.

Thankfully, season 2 is just around the corner (May 7th on Apple TV+) and you can get your first full taste of what’s to come here.

Pick of the Day: Naomi Ekperigin Works It Out 4/28

April 13, 2021

News

aparna nancherla, dynasty typewriter, jo firestone, naomi ekperigin, stand up comedy

Naomi Ekperigin, for our money, is still one of the most magnetic, dynamic, engaging, and thoroughly hilarious comedians to watch on stage and is someone we can’t wait to see live, regardless of the stage being virtual on in-person. Look her up on Comedy Central, on 2 Dope Queens, and on Mythic Quest.

She has stayed connected to us all comedically through her lovely live-stream and podcast, Couples Therapy, with her JewBoo, Andy Beckerman, but she has some time coming up to actually do some classic stand-up and work out some brand new material. Ekperigin’s presence and succinctly pinpointing the absurdities in minutia are, frankly, timeless.

She’ll be live-streaming this very special night of Naomi Ekperigin Works It Out via Dynasty Typewriter and will have a stellar pair of friends/contemporaries, Aparna Nancherla and Jo Firestone, joining her.

Don’t miss out on Ekperigin’s night on Wed. Apr. 28th at 6PM PT/9PM ET and get your tickets, starting at $10, here.

Please Enjoy Short “Zigman vs. The Spacecraft” Where Being a Super Hero All the Time is Kind of Tiresome

April 12, 2021

News

brain dead, demorge brown, jonny look, randy liedtke, reebok, short film

No matter what type of super hero one may be, the reality of having to be super all the time is taxing, maybe even impossible?

That is more than clear in Jonny Look‘s latest short film, made specifically for the launch of Brain Dead x Reebok’s latest sneaker, that follows Zigman (DeMorge Brown) and his companion (voiced by Randy Liedtke) who will not take even a little bit of a break from being on the job of saving the world, no matter what the “crisis” may be. The balance between nostalgic otherworldly-ness (going back to 90s style Power Rangers) and the grounded minutia of everyday life is that off-beat sort of wonderful you get from Jonny Look.

Give it a watch and enjoy Zigman vs. The Spacecraft here.

Pick of the Day: James Adomian Live! 5/7

April 12, 2021

News

james adomian, nowhere comedy club, stand up comedy, virtual comedy

We miss so much that went away from just over a year ago. That’s especially true when it comes to a good majority of comedians that took the last year as a hiatus/a nap/a break/a period of renewal/soul searching. One comedian we very much miss seeing regularly is the comedic force that is James Adomian.

Adomian’s mastery of voices/characters coupled with his sharp, whipsmart, pointed world view always had us busting up in stitches whether it’s as Bernie Sanders or even his latest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell.

Fortunately, Adomian will be doing a virtual headlining gig at Nowhere Comedy Club on Fri. May 7th at 6PM PT/9PM ET and it’ll be quite the opportunity for any and all to see James’ take the (virtual) stage once more .

Tickets start from $10 and you can (and very, very much should) go get them here.

Shiva Baby Was So Good, Writer/Director Emma Seligman Is Developing Sugar Baby Series with Adam McKay

April 9, 2021

News

adam mckay, emma seligman, hbo, hbo max, shiva baby

(via Deadline)

It has been a week since the official release of the dark, satirical comedy Shiva Baby and not only is earning bountiful praise, but it’s garnering more interest for projects from the mind of Emma Seligman, the film’s writer and director.

Specifically, Adam McKay has teamed up with Seligman to develop a series on being a “sugar baby”, a core element of Shiva Baby, over at HBO. The whipsmart-ness of Seligman’s sensibilities were a more than refreshing arrival to the growing mountain of content that’s available to us all that we felt compelled to watch as the pandemic is still very much not over yet. The juxtaposing of the bisexual triangle with Rachel Sennott playing a “sugar baby” all at a shiva was so deftly handled with the the awkward hysterics being turned all the way up from the very first moment to the last.

Seligman’s voice deserves to be heard way more loudly and way more often as evidenced by all the great noise that has come with the release of Shiva Baby. An HBO series following the world of “sugar babies” is a great place to start (especially with McKay who has seemingly been dead set on making political satires like Vice) and we can’t wait to see both the series and what else it will inevitably lead to.

Oh yeah, let’s not forget that Seligman and Shiva Baby star Rachel Sennott are already working on another movie, a juicy lesbian comedy together, Bottoms, too.

Pick of the Day: Super Horses, Wild Ego 4/19

April 9, 2021

News

dynasty typewriter, erin whitehead, improv comedy, jeremy carter, lauren lapkus, livestream, mark mcconville, mary holland, matt gourley, paul f tompkins, stephanie allynne, superego, wild horses

Alright, OK, well, well, well… two of the best improv groups in comedy history are coming together for a very, very special, exclusive virtual performance presented by the wondrous Dynasty Typewriter.

The improvised comedy powers of Wild Horses (Lauren Lapkus, Stephanie Allynne, Mary Holland, and Erin Whitehead) and Superego (Jeremy Carter, Matt Gourley, Mark McConville, and Paul F. Tompkins) that truly do represent so much of the crème de la crème of improv comedy are becoming the portmanteau of Super Horses, Wild Ego for this special night on Mon. Apr. 19th at 5PM PT/8PM ET.

No matter what platform or wherever this would be happening, this is most certainly a comedy event not to be missed. Fortunately, you’ll be able to live-stream this from the comfort of wherever you’re comfortably (hopefully) not gathering. Best of all, tickets are only $5-$10. Best go get’em here.

ZIWE’s Official Trailer Is Here (Stop What You’re Doing/Watch/Share)

April 9, 2021

News

showtime, trailer, ziwe

When all is said and done with this COVID-19 era of comedy, one name will shine brightly as a undeniably fiery star that rose through the trials and travails of having to do comedy virtually while the world stayed at home, fearful of what they might catch outside.

That name, of course, is the now iconic mononym, Ziwe.

Her name was already one that was on the minds of comedy circles around the country before lockdown. Ziwe was writing on Desus & Mero, put together some satirical bangers, and had done the YouTube version of her now famous, Baited. The IG Live version of the show shot her to fame as the undeniably iconic IG Live show of 2020 (even though it only ran weekly for a few months). Cornering comedians and celebrities alike with race-baiting questions was so deftly and hilariously handled by Ziwe that it scored her a book deal and the eponymous Showtime series that is set to premiere next month.

You’ll be absolutely thrilled to know that there’s more Baited to come on Ziwe (her guests include Fran Lebowitz, Adam Pally, and Cole Escola to name a few) as well as a great mix of sketches and interviews that is both the comedy that America needs AND deserves.

Get your first taste and get hooked (if not already) here. Then, set a reminder for the iconic time of Sun. May 9th at 11PM to watch the series premiere of Ziwe on Showtime.

Pick of the Day: Vanity Fair Cocktail Hour 4/13-4/15

April 8, 2021

News

amanda seyfried, cecily strong, judith light, kathryn hahn, laura dern, maya rudolph, movie picture television fund, phoebe robinson, sacha baron cohen, vanity fair, ziwe

Vanity Fair is trying, with as much as they can muster, to put as much glitz on a virtual fundraiser festival in support of the Motion Picture & Television Fund, and, for what they’ve got lined-up, it’s pretty damn nice.

Billed as The Vanity Fair Cocktail Hour, it will be three days worth of “inspiring conversations, innovative gatherings, and irresistible beverages, all experienced in the comfort of your home.” Yes, there’s a tier of tickets that you can buy a “Grey Goose Essences Cocktail Kit”.

Those conversations will be between the likes of Sacha Baron Cohen, Ziwe, Kathryn Hahn, Cecily Strong, Judith Light, Phoebe Robinson, Laura Dern, Maya Rudolph, Amanda Seyfried, and so many more stars, intriguing voices, etc. along with host Radhika Jones. Of the conversations that you’re privy to these days, you really might not want to miss these. You can get a full schedule/details here.

This Vanity Fair Cocktail Hour is set to go live throughout Apr. 13th-15th and tickets range from $19-$49 (depending if you want an all access pass or not). Go snag them here.

Jon Stewart’s New Apple TV Plus Series To Be Called with “The Problem with Jon Stewart”

April 7, 2021

News

apple tv plus, jon stewart

(via THR)

In the years since Jon Stewart’s departure from The Daily Show, the late night world has expanded, gotten way more political, and even more diverse if you can believe it (though Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj not getting renewed and the arrival of Gutfeld! doesn’t help).

Stewart is now on the verge of returning to behind(?) a desk to dive into specific issues in a way that doesn’t seem too dissimilar to former Daily Show colleague John Oliver and his award winning Last Week Tonight.

It is actually interesting that this announcement does come on the heels of the premiere of Fox News’ very own nightly late night talk show this week with their funny(?) pundit, Greg Gutfeld. Stewart’s return doesn’t happen until later this fall, but it’s hard to not see how polarized comedy has become when it comes to being topical. Now, to be fair, we don’t know the how or the what in regards to tone, execution, etc. that will be brought with the cheekily named The Problem with Jon Stewart, especially now that Trump is an ex-president. Stewart remains a much missed voice in the arena of political comedy and late night and one has to wonder what sort of Jon are we going to get.

Is there going to be the Jon that crucified Mad Money’s Jim Cramer and took Arby’s to task on a regular basis or is it going to be the Jon that pleaded for some sanity and peace on Crossfire or is this going to be sort of like when Gandalf returned in white in the Lord of the Rings’ tragedy with a much more sobering demeanor?

Again, like most things with this particularly insane time in human history, we’ll just have to wait and see.

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