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Dan Soder’s HBO Comedy Special “Son of a Gary” Gets a Trailer

November 14, 2019

comedy special, dan soder, hbo, stand up comedy

Sure, you know Dan Soder as Mafee on Billions, but we hope you also know that Dan contains multitudes in characters, voices, and life experience.

You’ll get a chance to see a more whole Dan Soder with his wonderfully titled, upcoming HBO special, Son of a Gary. In fact, Soder’s special might just stand out on HBO as it seems like it’ll be mostly just a straightforward comedy special in contrast to HBO’s exciting row of comedy special experiments (most of which we really enjoyed) over the last year and a half or so.

Get a taste of what’s to come with Dan Soder: Son of a Gary with this trailer, then look for its premiere on Sat. Dec. 7th at 10PM on HBO.

Get Your First Taste of the Brand New “National Lampoon Radio Hour”

November 13, 2019

national lampoon, national lampoon radio hour, preview

The National Lampoon Radio Hour represented one of the many cornerstones of National Lampoon during their ascent into comedy history. It was a sketch comedy radio hour that reveled in National Lampoon’s devil-may-care sense of humor at the time and featured the likes of Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and more.

Now, with the revival of National Lampoon in the works as you read this, the National Lampoon Radio Hour is coming back with a grand cast of:
Cole Escola (Emmy-nominated At Home with Amy Sedaris, Difficult People)
Jo Firestone (Adult Swim, The Tonight Show)
Brett Davis (Andy Kaufman Comedy winner, Podcast For Laundry)
Alex English (The Rundown, Night Train)
Maeve Higgins (Maeve in America: Immigration IRL, 2 Dope Queens)
Aaron Jackson (UCB, The Opposition)
Rachel Pegram (The Week Of, Don’t Think Twice)
Lorelei Ramirez (Comedy Central: Up Next, Pervert Everything)
Meg Stalter (Vulture: Up-and-coming Comedian of the Week, The Meg Stalter Show)
Martin Urbano (Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central)

We’re all about that line-up and this preview shows us they’ve got something real fun cooking up over at Forever Dog (where this new iteration of the National Lampoon Radio Hour as a podcast will live). Listen and get a nice, great taste of what’s to come here.

‘Full Frontal With Samantha Bee’ Renewed at TBS for Fifth Season

November 13, 2019

full frontal, samantha bee, tbs

‘Full Frontal With Samantha Bee’ Renewed at TBS for Fifth Season

This renewal at TBS will definitely mean we’ll get to see Samantha Bee and company do their thing through the 2020 election and, potentially, be in a world post-Trump?

It almost sees like a world of infinite possibilities for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (and all of late night for that matter) if that indeed happens (well, depending on who gets elected).

November 13, 2019

comedy show, experimental comedy, green screen, johnny pemberton, los angeles, matt o'brien, stand up comedy, steph tolev

So, Matt O’Brien has devised a way to have comedians act out a scene with a green screen, then finish a video with a background suggested by the audience before that comedian finishes a normal stand-up set.

For us, it sounds like some beautiful chaos and something you should definitely check out (especially with a great line-up of Julia Hladkowicz, Johnny Pemberton, JB Ball, Andrew Johnston, Steph Tolev).

This madness will be called Green with Matt O’Brien and happening on Fri., Nov. 22nd at 10:30PM at UCB Sunset. Tickets are $7 and you ought to go get them here.

Please Enjoy Andy Haynes’ Set on Corden

November 12, 2019

andy haynes, james corden, late late show

Andy Haynes served up quite the set last night on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Haynes powers of observation and subsequent skill of distilling them into wondrous, colorful comedic portraits are fully on display here, especially when it comes to the pro-anti-depressant bit that he closes with.

So, watch and enjoy Andy Haynes on Corden here.

November 12, 2019

bake stuff, comedy show, experimental comedy, lindsay adams, los angeles

While so many reality cooking shows skirt the edges of the human condition via near impossible cooking and baking challenges given to people desperate for a win of some kind, Bake Stuff with Lindsay Adams takes it to the next level by confronting the past directly with a very specific recipe.

Last time, Lindsay made a revenge themed cupcake that was step-by-step designed to shade her HS bully, which Adams hilariously filled us on the whole way through. Also, it should be noted that you get to snack on truly delicious baked goods the whole show.

Bake Stuff with Lindsay Adams is happening once again, this time in the beautiful Rita House near the Grove on Fri. Nov. 22nd at 7:30PM. Tickets are $15 and space is very, very limited. Go purchase some tix here while you still can.

Please Enjoy Joey Clift’s Short Film/PSA “Telling People You’re Native American When You’re Not Native Is A Lot Like Telling A Bear You’re A Bear When You’re Not A Bear”

November 11, 2019

animated short, animation, cultural appropriation, joey clift, native american, native american heritage month, psa, short film

While it’s Native American Heritage Month right now and it’s pretty opportune timing to post something like this, Joey Clift’s animated short film “Telling People You’re Native American When You’re Not Native Is A Lot Like Telling A Bear You’re A Bear When You’re Not A Bear” is pretty damn great during any time of year.

In fact, it just wrapped up a great festival run and even got to screen at the Smithsonian.

So, enjoy, listen to, learn from, and enjoy some more of “Telling People You’re Native American When You’re Not Native Is A Lot Like Telling A Bear You’re A Bear When You’re Not A Bear” here.

The Soup with Jade Catta Preta Set for 2020

November 11, 2019

jade catta preta, the soup

The Soup with Jade Catta Preta Set for 2020

Yes, the former pop culture digest juggernaut The Soup will be returning once again on E!, this time with an exciting new host in stand-up comedian Jade Catta-Preta.

This move intrigues us a whole bunch as E! has continued to try to find their next franchise series where a comedian takes on the pop culture news of the day. They didn’t give Busy Tonight! enough of a chance to be such a show and are looking towards reviving one of their longest running series in The Soup to achieve that goal and are betting on Jade, a rare comedian that has risen through the comedy ranks performing both in English and Portugese.

Arguably, The Soup was the pretty much the predecessor to Tosh.0, and a veritable genre of clip shows. Now that there has been oversatuation of such shows, our curiosity is peaked in regards to how E! is going to tweak the original format of the show. Supposedly, there’s an updated take on the series (E! wouldn’t have Jade just watch clips from the Internet and make fun of them only, would they?), but it’s not quite clear what that might be or what exact format they’ll go for.

We’ll be very eager to see what E!’s cooking up this time around, hopefully something that can last as long as The Soup with Joel McHale did.

November 11, 2019

comedy show, daniel simonsen, los angeles, lyric hyperion, stand up comedy

A true, curious treasure from Norway, Daniel Simonsen has honed and imbued his marvelously offbeat sense of humor and rhythm in NYC, even recently getting a set on Colbert.

Simonsen has popped up in LA every now and again, but later this month, he’ll be doing headlining in a special limited engagement at the Lyric Hyperion that you absolutely should catch.

As of now, Daniel is slated for Fri., Nov. 22nd and Wed., Nov. 27th, both at 10PM. Tickets are $7 right now and you really ought to go get them here.

Conan O’Brien Gets a Fantasy Coffin and a Movie Poster Designed by an Artist Who Has No Who He Is While in Ghana

November 9, 2019

conan ghana, conan without borders, ghana

In this era of truly stupid American diplomacy, there are a few bright shining lights that remind the everyone that America isn’t all bad.

Sure, it may require one Conan O’Brien making a fantasy coffin in the shape of himself or commissioning a movie poster from an artist who has never seen any of Conan’s late night tenure or even know who he is. If that’s what it takes to spread goodwill around the world from the U.S. of A., so be it.

Oh yeah, Conan Ghana, the latest installment of Conan Without Borders, is yet another great rollicking adventure of O’Brien venturing far outside the studio where Conan works his magic and builds bridges between cultures in a time where burning bridges seems to be the order of the day. How none of this is winning Emmys in the late night categories is beyond us.

Enjoy Conan Ghana in full here.

Good Cop Great Cop Is Back with “Cube”

November 8, 2019

charlie hankin, good cop great cop, matt porter, sketch comedy

One of our all time favorite sketch duos is Good Cop Great Cop, comprised of the quiet brilliance of Matt Porter and Charlie Hankin. For years, they made so many damn great sketches, then made a great CC digital series with New Timers, then seemed to be on a sort of hiatus.

Thankfully, they’re back on releasing new videos pretty regularly. This latest one “Cube” is particularly great. Watch and enjoy it here.

November 8, 2019

best worst songs, comedy show, guilty pleasure, james urbaniak, janet varney, los angeles, musical comedy, randy sklar

Andy Wood and Bryan Cook’s night of celebrating the best of the worst songs as chosen by very esteemed guests and has been one of our favorite shows to catch since its creation.

So, please join them to mark their Two Year Anniversary over at The Virgil later this month Thurs., Nov. 21st at 8PM with very special guests Janet Varney, Randy Sklar, and James Urbaniak.

Tickets are only $10 right now and you can (and should) get them here.

Please Enjoy the Great, Super Dry Comedic Stylings of Emily Catalano on Conan

November 8, 2019

conan, emily catalano, late night, stand up comedy

There is a certain finesse that comes with working in the realm of dry humor. It’s akin to the artful arranging of negative space in a photograph or painting. When comedians can pull it off, it really is amazing to see how they cleverly play with that energy just like Emily Catalano did in her late night debut on Conan.

Watch and see Catalano work her wry/dry magic here.

Eric Andre Gets to Fully Realize an Eric Andre Show Sketch with ‘Rapper Warrior Ninja’ at Quibi

November 7, 2019

eric andre, quibi, rapper warrior ninja

Eric Andre Gets to Fully Realize an Eric Andre Show Sketch with ‘Rapper Warrior Ninja’ at Quibi

One of the bits that sticks from The Eric Andre Show that sticks with us the most is when Andre had rappers Killer Mike and Action Bronson rap battle each other while on treadmills.

So, It was announced today that Quibi’s latest series will be a reimagining of that bit as rappers will get to battle with both bars and take on an American Ninja Warrior style obstacle course at the behest of Eric Andre.

We have no doubt that this controlled chaos at what will be called Rapper Warrior Ninja will either have literally epic freestyle raps and/or epic fails of rappers trying to make it through an Eric Andre Show influenced obstacle course.

Score another very enticing show for the still yet to be officially launched streaming service, Quibi.

Please Watch and Enjoy “The Lot”, a Short Film from David Gborie and Steven Feinartz

November 7, 2019

david gborie, james austin johnson, short film, steven feinartz

The tapestry of David Gborie’s life is full of many a colorful, colorful threads (some of which are a little darker than the others) that each have their own very enticing story.

Even the time that David spent gathering shopping carts for a grocery store has a great tale to it. Hence, the short film “The Lot” from Gborie (whose is the voice of Comedy Central and has a half hour special this year) and co-writer/director Steven Feinartz (The Bitter Buddha, director of many a great comedy special) hilariously draws from that particular vignette in the life of David Gborie (and just scored itself a Vimeo Staff Pick).

So, without further adieu, please enjoy this short film The Lot here.

November 7, 2019

comedy store, eric andre, los angeles, stand up comedy, sunset strip, weho

It’s so rare to seem someone great actual headline in LA, much less at The Comedy Store.

So, you really ought to not miss your chance to see the one and only Eric Andre, harbinger of (comedic) chaos, do his latest hour up in The Comedy Store’s Belly Room next Fri., Nov. 15th at 8PM. We’re not sure exactly what’s going to happen, but that is part of the thrill of seeing Eric Andre live these days, especially on this Legalize Everything Tour.

Tickets are only $15 (+ 2 item min.). Go get them before they sell out here.

This “Joe Pera Talks With You” Season 2 Teaser Means We’ll Be Getting More Joe Pera Calming Us All Down and Making Us All Laugh Very Soon

November 6, 2019

adult swim, joe pera, joe pera talks with you, season 2, teaser

Joe Pera Talks With You easily one was of the best shows last year for its warmth, originality, and genuine unique humor that came from such an undeniably sweet place. It’s somehow so damn funny and soothing at the same time.

This little teaser means that season 2 of Joe Pera Talks With You is just around the corner, Fri., Dec. 6th at midnight specifically, and we can’t wait.

Please Enjoy Megan Gailey’s Set on The Tonight Show

November 6, 2019

late night, megan gailey, stand up comedy, tonight show

Megan Gailey just released a great album this week, My Dad Paid For This and offered a more fine comedy wares with her set on The Tonight Show from last night.

This set is a pretty great bookend to the album as Megan demands that she be engaged on her album by the time of its release and is now, in fact, engaged. Gailey’s just a few steps ahead always.

Please enjoy the set here.

November 6, 2019

casey ley, dtla, ever mainard, guy branum, in heroes we trust, lgbtq, los angeles, mk paulsen, redline, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, todd masterson

So many of LA’s best queer comedians will be assembling for a mad dash of a stand-up show, A Night of a Thousand Queers, next week. They’ll all be doing two minutes or less, so you can see as much amazing LGBTQ comedians (many of our favorites are on there FYI) as possible.

The show is free to attend leaving you very little reason to not make your way downtown to In Heroes We Trust Gallery next Saturday. Get more details here.

David Wain and A.D. Miles Look to Revolutionize the Sitcom Format with a Daily Sitcom “Today’s Special”

November 5, 2019

ad miles, david wain, sitcom, today's special

David Wain and A.D. Miles Look to Revolutionize the Sitcom Format with a Daily Sitcom “Today’s Special”

Rather than churn out another topical late night show or a fish-out-of-water multi-cam sitcom that will get cancelled before reaching the end of its first season, WarnerMedia Entertainment is letting the likes of David Wain and A.D. Miles, two very beloved comedic minds, do something truly ambitious (maybe even more ambitious than the two-hour live late night variety show Vice Live).

So, Today’s Special is set to be a sitcom with a new episode released daily (probably four or five a week) that takes place entirely at a diner with its staff and patrons talking about the day’s events, but in a sitcom form. It’ll have a single camera feel, which essentially means that every episode will likely have to be a “bottle episode”, which could make for something revolutionary as a sitcom, especially with Wain and Miles at the helm. If anything, they could be more on the ball about making topical jokes in a sitcom format than South Park does.

Technically, it’s at the pilot stage, but 4 episodes have been ordered as the show’s ambitious format kind of demands it.

Off the concept alone, we’d love to see this go to series just so we all can see what Today’s Special would actually be like.

So, Armando Iannucci Won’t Be Making That Trump Satire… For Now

November 5, 2019

armando iannucci

So, Armando Iannucci Won’t Be Making That Trump Satire… For Now

Via a Tweet from a year ago, comedy genius Armando Iannucci (Veep, In The Loop, Death of Stalin) not only teased the Internet with a possible satire he could do of the Trump Administration, but also made real life executives sprint to make him offers for such a movie.

Iannucci, in a recent interview at a TV conference in London, told the crowd that he turned them down. Yet, he didn’t completely kill the idea of doing a movie where Trump is taken from the actual White House to a fake one to make his presidency a staged one. Perhaps, it’s too soon for all of us to properly take on a such movie, which is why Iannucci said he would have to hold off for a few decades before approaching this project.

With late night covering the bulk of making fun of Trump (in addition to whatever the Internet as a collective consciousness says in being obsessed with him), it might indeed be best if some time passed before Armando actually moved forward with this idea. Undoubtedly, Armando Iannucci will have plenty of stuff in store (like his new movie The Personal History of David Copperfield) to keep us occupied until then.

‘Del & Charna’ Biopic, Directed by Kay Cannon, Will Follow Founding of Long Form Improv in Chicago

November 5, 2019

charna halpern, del and charna, del close, kay cannon

‘Del & Charna’ Biopic, Directed by Kay Cannon, Will Follow Founding of Long Form Improv in Chicago

When it comes to the world of long form improvisational comedy, the names Del Close (whose name you might often heard coupled with the title of ‘the father of modern improv’) and Charna Halpern are crucial to telling that story. As that sort of improv has undeniably shaped modern comedy, their influences even felt at this moment in so many movies and TV shows that we all watch, they deserve to have their story told in how they broke new ground for comedy in Chicago, ImprovOlympic, and more (as well as created an entire new discipline within the art form of comedy).

So, it’s nice to hear that this biopic of said story Del & Charna will be handled by the very talented and capable hands of Kay Cannon with a script from Rich Talarico and Alex Fendrich. Cannon’s last feature was the very satisfying Blockers and we’re very intrigued to see what she’ll do here.

Please Enjoy’s Chris Garcia Late Night Network Debut on Corden

November 5, 2019

chris garcia, james corden, late late show, late night, stand up comedy

At this point, it’s kind of crazy that Chris Garcia hasn’t done late night until just last night. Chris has a half hour special on Comedy Central, a handful of great TV appearances, and been even featured on This American Life. All throughout those times, he has been so damn funny with his distillation of his identity as a Cuban immigrant with immigrant parents.

Still, a chance for Garcia to take the stage is one to be relished and we hope you enjoy Chris’ first (of hopefully many more) late night sets here, taped on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

November 5, 2019

indian wedding, los angeles, lyric hyperion, silverlake, variety show

It has been quite some time since the comedy variety extravaganza presented as a portion of an Indian Wedding got to take place, but the hosts played by Amritha Kaur & Neal Dandade are finally both back as Pinky and Neel to present a truly special evening of comedy, dance, storytelling, music, and more (as well as a chance to get a bit of an experience of what you might be missing at an Indian wedding).

Tickets are $12 right now and you really ought to get them here.

Conan O’Brien Interviews Stephen Colbert on Late Show

November 4, 2019

conan o'brien, late show, stephen colbert

Well, no matter the format, Stephen Colbert and Conan O’Brien in a room together is magic.

It was magical on Colbert’s episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and it was magical once more this past week when O’Brien took over Colbert’s desk to interview him.

Please enjoy it here.