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Please Watch and Revel in the Beautiful Humor of Jenny Slate: Stage Fright

October 22, 2019

comedy special, jenny slate, netflix, stage fright

Jenny Slate is pure magnetism in such a beautiful, magical way in this very first (which is almost unbelievable given her body of work up until now) hour special Stage Fright and it’s almost as if this special is the sort of platform that Jenny has been ready to take on for quite some time.

Slate’s mere presence is crackling with energy, even before she gets into her myriad of fantastical voices/characters/impressions, and we found ourselves truly entranced by her performance on Stage Fright. The vignettes she presents of her life, whether it be on stage, in a candid interview with family, or via home videos, really make Slate shine even in her vulnerable moments discussing her relation to the name of this special. Also, she just might have more candor than we’ve seen recently with all the deep observations on her life and what she’s willing to share and Stage Fright is all the more powerful for it.

There is a certain mastery of “being in the moment” that flows throughout her entire performance here. Even though this all material that has been worked out to a certain degree, Jenny truly makes this hour feel alive and like you’re seeing something, well, special.

Go see it for yourself as Jenny Slate: Stage Fright is streaming on Netflix as of today.

Liz Climo Continues to Delight All Ages with Her Latest Book “Please Don’t Eat Me”

October 22, 2019

books, children's books, liz climo, please don't eat me

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the character artist and storyboard revisionist of The Simpsons can make several fine children’s books (that has humor good for adults and comedy aficionados like ourselves).

Liz Climo has been that special person for years now and, as her latest work, Please Don’t Eat Me, has just been released, we feel obliged to hip you to Climo and her perfect illustrations of inter species animal jokes. Truly, it’s better than most comic strips (if that’s something you keep up with in the physical newspaper).

So, please go get and enjoy the wonders of Liz Climo with her latest, Please Don’t Eat Me.

October 22, 2019

bob baker marionette theater, comedy show, eagle rock, highland park, los angeles, puppets, when puppets are your only friends

A new Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Eagle Rock has its doors open now and, along with it, one of its best shows, When Puppets Are Your Only Friends has returned as well.

Join multi-talented puppeteer/comedians Molly Fite and Jared Ramirez for their latest edition of the show in Bob Baker’s new spot next week on Mon. Oct. 28th. Joining them for puppets, bits, songs, and more (meant for 18 and older FYI) will be Wesley Doloris, Karl Herlinger, Eli Presser, Nox Berf as well as Bob Baker Marionettes and Joe Selph of Rene & His Artists.

Tickets are $20 and you can (and very much should) get them here.

Greener Grass Is the Movie 2019 Needs Right Now

October 22, 2019

dawn luebbe, greener grass, ifc, jocelyn deboer

Greener Grass, the debut feature film of comedy duo Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe is a very, very, very refreshing break from almost every norm imaginable. Arguably, amidst a never-ending conveyor belt of film adaptations and sequels, this hysterical, pastel-saturated fever dream is the film, we feel, that we need right now.

Every inch and every second of Greener Grass, from the color palate, to the shot selection, the pacing, rhythm, perfect crack-in-the-veer performances from the entire cast, and the plethora of golf carts seems so carefully orchestrated, yet done with a rebellious abandon that we happen to really dig.

We could go on and on with the echoes of David Lynch, Todd Solondz, and so many more influences, but Greener Grass achieves it own offbeat identity that is so charmingly weird, even in its most absurd and tragic moments.

So, go see Greener Grass wherever you can (and push for it to play in wider release if you can).

Trailer for Silicon Valley’s Sixth and Final Season Goes for Broke (Literally?)

October 22, 2019

hbo, silicon valley, trailer

In a word, after watching this trailer, whoa.

This sixth and final season of Silicon Valley is really upping the ante with disrupting the whole tech world to a greater degree than ever before making Pied Piper, Hooli, and more have avoid complete ruin.

It will be curious if this is a glimpse into the not so distant future of tech (breaking of the biggest companies in the world, ad space taking over your video games, etc.).

Get a taste of what’s just a week away (season premiere on Oct. 27th) with this sixth and final season Silicon Valley trailer here.

Mike Birbiglia’s The New One to Come Out as Netflix Special Right Before Thanksgiving

October 21, 2019

mike birbiglia, the new one

Mike Birbiglia’s The New One to Come Out as Netflix Special Right Before Thanksgiving

If you didn’t get a chance to catch Mike Birbiglia’s latest show The New One on Broadway on here in LA, you’ll have a chance to see it in the form of a comedy special over on Netflix starting Tues., Nov. 26th.

Apparently, Birbiglia shot the special in secret awhile ago and also, according to this announcement, wants you to cancel Thanksgiving. For Birbiglia, we’re down with that.

On a separate note, anyone notice that Netflix is going really lo-fi, albeit personal, with these announcements for their biggest comedy specials?

October 21, 2019

georgia hardstark, karen kilgariff, musical, my favorite murder, unauthorized musical

One of the many signs that you’ve made it in the biz is that people start to make unauthorized musicals about you or the thing you do.

Such is the case now with international true crime comedy podcast phenom My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Some of UCB’s best musically inclined performers are really gathering to do a staged reading of an actual unauthorized My Favorite Murder musical (though Karen and Georgia have seemed to retroactively authorize it?). In this production (the full scale thing is coming next year), Karen and Georgia will actually solve a murder!

The folks that are daring to do this unauthorized My Favorite Murder Musical are:

Writers: Dahlya Glick and Michael O’Konis.
Director: Andrew Young
(featuring additional songs by) Allie Jennings, Joseph Porter, and Gregory Lawrence Smith Esq..
&
CAST:
Dahlya Glick
Maddi Fraser
Nicole Lauria
Joseph Porter
Anna Garcia
Lindsey Moore Ford

My Favorite Murder: The Unauthorized Musical will take place on Tues., Oct. 29th at 10PM at UCB Sunset Inner Sanctum and admission is FREE! Get more details here.

Jojo Rabbit Is a Great, Definitive Piece of Satire for 2019 and Cements Waititi’s Legacy as an Auteur

October 19, 2019

jojo rabbit, taika waititi

Even though you probably are well aware of JoJo Rabbit’s premise of a fledgling Nazi Youth, who has a goofy Hitler as an imaginary friend, having to confront the inherent flaws in his ideology and its branding as an “anti-hate satire” (and that they’ll be playing David Bowie’s Heroes at some point), Taika Waititi still manages to delight, surprise, pull your heart strings oh-so-tight, have you double over laugh, and question your own biases and tolerances with his latest film.

Waititi makes a very effective piece of satire (almost Jonathan Swift-life in concept) for our times and also manages to be both edgy and uplifting at the same time. Such a range might actually be his signature style as an aforementioned auteur and wonderfully singular voice in comedy when all is said and done. Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do in Shadows, Thor: Ragnarok and now JoJo Rabbit do make for a damn fine resume.

Also, the whole cast, Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson, Taika, Thomasin McKenzie, and Sam Rockwell put on performances that will definitely stand out (as they balance Waititi’s sense of play and the horror of the Third Reich in WWII) in the breadth of their filmographies, which are already pretty impressive as is.

JoJo Rabbit is in now playing and you can (and should) get tickets for a theater near you.

Office Ladies, The Office Recap Podcast with Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer, Has Just Launched

October 18, 2019

angela kinsey, comedy podcasts, earwolf, jenna fischer, office ladies, the office

Even after years of being off the air, the American version of The Office still endures as millions of people’s favorite comedy that they will rewatch again and again.

So, the idea that The Office stars Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer would want to recap the series and share insider details seems like a home run. Indeed, Office Ladies, their recently launched podcast on Earwolf, does just that. They’ve just dropped their first episode recapping the pilot and, from listening to it, it’s clear that if you love The Office at all, you’ll very easily want to subscribe and so many already have. The love that Kinsey and Fischer have for the show (and for each other) makes for a sort of warm, nostalgic, quilted blanket that features so many details that you might have not noticed until they told you about it.

So, get into Office Ladies here or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

October 18, 2019

community, macgruber, party down, pen15, vulture, vulture fest, vulture festival

Vulture’s annual shindig, Vulture Festival is back for another round and plenty of stuff that you’ll really want to make the effort to get to the Hollywood Roosevelt for.

Their schedule already includes a Party Down reunion, a Community reunion, a Good Place panel, an AIM conversation with PEN15 creators, a MacGruber screening with live commentary from Will Forte, and a showcase of Vulture’s annual Comedians You Should and Will Know list*.

That very, very stacked schedule sounds pretty swell, right? Well, you best go get your tickets before they inevitably sell out here.

*Comedians You Should Will and Know showcase to happen at Dynasty Typewriter instead of Hollywood Roosevelt

Gayme Show with Matt Rogers And Dave Mizzoni Is Coming to Quibi

October 17, 2019

dave mizzoni, gayme show, matt rogers, quibi

Gayme Show with Matt Rogers And Dave Mizzoni Is Coming to Quibi

Say what you will from this brand new, from the ground up, streaming service Quibi, they’re picking up some really intriguing comedy properties. Already they have projects in the works with Joel Kim Booster and Guy Branum.

Now, they have one of most entertaining comedy game shows that we’ve seen in quite some time, Gayme Show with Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni. The format has straight men tested on their knowledge and familiarity of LGBTQIA+ culture. Rogers and Mizzoni have really perfected the segments, games, bits, and more and we can’t wait to see this be made into a full-fledged series.

Comedy Central to Stream 20 Years of Stand Up Comedy Over 24 Hours Tonight

October 17, 2019

24 hours of stand up, comedy central, livestream, stand up

Leading up to their latest run of half-hour comedy specials for this year, Comedy Central is running back a score’s worth of stand-up featured on their network in a 24 hour livestream.

Starting tonight at Oct. 17th at 8PM PST, it ought to be one hell of a trip up through memory lane as you can see in this promo clip here.

If you’re into this 24 Hours of Stand Up, you can stream it here on Comedy Central Stand-Up’s YouTube Channel.

Stephen Colbert to Host “The Late Show” Through Summer 2023

October 17, 2019

cbs, late show, stephen colbert

Stephen Colbert to Host “The Late Show” Through Summer 2023

As Colbert’s nightly taking-POTUS-to-task has seen him rise to the top of late night, CBS is making sure to secure their late night star right up until the next presidential election cycle (after this current one for 2020) in 2023.

The news, no matter if you read it or watch it or do both, makes it so hard to have any sort of sense with what’s going to happen in the next year and who will get elected (or reelected). With that in mind, CBS must be hedging their bets.

We do now wonder what The Late Show with Stephen Colbert might become if, let’s say, Elizabeth Warren were to become the 46th President of the United States. Less politics? More bits and remotes? Let’s hope we can get to ponder that idea more realistically.

October 17, 2019

comedy show, groundlings, jennifer tilly, laraine newman, los angeles, rob reiner, will forte

The premise of an autobiography being acted out by someone else definitely has a spark for comedy. To have celebrities act each other’s autobiographies takes it to another level and that’s exactly what the internationally acclaimed live show Celebrity Autobiography from Eugene Pack (with Dayle Reyfel) aims to do. With this particular line-up that includes the likes of Will Forte, Jennifer Tilly, Rob Reiner, and Laraine Newman, this particular edition of Celebrity Autobiography ought to be a barnburner of a comedy show.

Tickets for this edition, set for The Groundlings next month, are going for $25 and you can (and should) get them here.

Will Ferrell and iHeartMedia Team to Launch New Podcast Network “Big Money Players Network”

October 16, 2019

big money players network, comedy podcast, iheartmedia, podcast network, will ferrell

Will Ferrell and iHeartMedia Team to Launch New Podcast Network “Big Money Players Network”

Big Money Players Network certainly sets a tone much different from names such as Earwolf, Headgum, Starburns Audio, Forever Dog, Audible, Midroll or even Exactly Right, but we guess that would be the point of a podcast network launched by living/breathing comedy institution Will Ferrell and media giant iHeartMedia.

“The Big Money Players Network will tap top comedic talent and feature both scripted and unscripted podcasts.”

So, it’s very easy for us to imagine A-list talent that frequently worked with Funny or Die and Gary Sanchez might just pop up here, which will make for an interesting inclusion into the podcast eco-system. Team Coco and Conan O’Brien has shown that quality podcasts from big names seem to be sure bet, but we’ll just have to wait and see exactly what Big Money Players Network, Ferrell, and iHeartMedia actually come up with.

Mossack Fonseca & Co, The Law Firm at the Center of The Panama Papers Leak, Is Suing Netflix for Libel and Defamation and to Stop Release of Panama Papers Satirical Comedy “The Laundromat”

October 16, 2019

netflix, panama papers, steven soderbergh, the laundromat

Mossack Fonseca & Co, The Law Firm at the Center of The Panama Papers Leak, Is Suing Netflix for Libel and Defamation and to Stop Release of Panama Papers Satirical Comedy “The Laundromat”

We’d bet that if Mossack Fonseca did indeed score an injunction to stop the release of The Laundromat (which we’d bet won’t happen given the state of the firm’s reputation after the release of The Panama Papers-the real life international scandal that came after a leak of a multitude of documents that pointed to rampant tax evasion of some of the wealthiest people on the planet) that the film would have to be leaked on principle, right?

Realistically, this is probably some of the best promo that the movie could have gotten.

Taika Waititi Talks How He Came to Play Hitler in JoJo Rabbit and Details of New Thor Movie on Kimmel

October 16, 2019

jimmy kimmel, jojo rabbit, taika waititi, thor love and thunder

In this chat with Jimmy Kimmel, Taika Waititi really showcases the sort of magnetism and charisma that one would need to play Hitler in a daring and innovative satire and also helm the funniest corner of the Marvel universe amongst many other things.

Even while sleeping, it’d seem that Taika is still pretty damn adorable.

Watch and enjoy the whole interview here.

Please Get and Enjoy John Hodgman’s Latest Book “Medallion Status”

October 16, 2019

book, john hodgman, medallion status

Often, memoirs and autobiographies can seem self-aggrandizing and overly indulgent. Yet, the curious life of one John Hodgman and the charming way in which Hodgman himself examines it really makes him exempt from such a notion.

This latest book, Medallion Status, offers up another fun dive into Hodgman’s life where he’s famous, but not quite too famous and the sort of surreal experience that can be.

It’s almost like if a much less toxic (and definitely human) character on BoJack Horseman succinctly and delightfully recounted how they racked up an astonishing amount of frequent flyer miles.

Medallion Status by John Hodgman is out now and available in hardcover, Ebook, audiobook from Penguin Random House. Get it here.

Please Watch and Enjoy Matt Kazman’s Latest Short Film “Father Figurine”

October 15, 2019

amy landecker, David rasche, katherine reis, matt kazman, Ryan Foust, short film

Matt Kazman, who we really dig around here (ex. his last film “Killer”), has a brand new short film, Father Figurine, that, once again, is, in a word, magnificent.

Kazman manages to soak up marvelously dark humor from the driest, tension filled moments in this latest work. It’s no surprise to us that Kazman is getting to round the film festival circuit yet again with Father Figurine.

So, without further delay, please watch and enjoy Matt Kazman’s Father Figurine here.

October 15, 2019

comedy show, greta titelman, joker, liza treyger, los angeles, megan gailey, mitra jouhari, parody, sarah sherman, satire, silverlake, stand up comedy, the jokey show, whitmer thomas

Dubbed as “The Jokey Show”, Whitmer Thomas is indeed taking his monthly slot at The Satellite and having all the comics dress up as the fictional character from DC Comics, The Joker (which will even be more intriguing considering nearly all of the line-up is comprised of women). Apart from that, we’re guessing some of them will be doing a normal stand-up set, but, then again, maybe they’ll try doing stand-up as some iteration of The Joker, anywhere from Cesar Romero to Joaquin Phoenix.

In any case, we’re fully on board for this stunt and whatever it ends up being and definitely think you should be in attendance to see what happens. Also, the line-up is fantastic with-or-without a Joker costume. Get tickets here.

Sarah Silverman Scores Both a Late Night Pilot Order and a Stand-Up Comedy Special At HBO

October 14, 2019

hbo, sarah silverman

Sarah Silverman Scores Both a Late Night Pilot Order and a Stand-Up Comedy Special At HBO

We really dug I Love You, America and we’re glad that Silverman’s getting another shot at hosting her own talk show to finish what she started, which seemed to be connecting with people. In that regard, it’s interesting to note that she’ll be taking video calls in this pilot, presumably with all kinds of folks like she did with her last show.

Also, Silverman, as we’ve seen her around LA doing stand-up, is at a wonderful creative point in her career where she’s more reflective, introspective than ever, making for some of her best material ever.

So, overall, we’re really hyped to see what Silverman has got brewing for HBO (and hope that her late night show goes to series).

Desus & Mero Are Finally Back on Showtime Tonight

October 14, 2019

desus and mero, desus nice, kid mero, showtime

Desus & Mero are, as far as we can see, the freshest thing in late night (they’re riffing and rambunctious vibe is like nothing else on at 11PM) and we’re damn glad that they’ll be back from hiatus and on the grind Mondays and Thursdays on Showtime at 11PM starting tonight.

If you’re not quite sure what we’re talking about (and that would be weird considering we really dig them here at TCB), do yourself a favor and do a deep dive/binge on their YouTube channel here.

Here’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 3 Trailer

October 14, 2019

alex borstein, amazon prime, amy sherman palladino, marvelous mrs maisel, rachel brosnahan, season 3, trailer

Well, Midge looks to be as magnificent as ever in her adventures as a rising comedy star in this trailer for season 3 and the award winning pedigree that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has attained seems like it will stick with this upcoming third season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel coming Friday, December 6th to Amazon Prime.

Get a great taste of what’s to come from Amy Sherman Palladino and co. with the trailer here.

Please Enjoy Amy Sedaris Interviewing Stephen Colbert on The Late Show

October 11, 2019

amy sedaris, stephen colbert

You didn’t read that wrong. Stephen Colbert, for a bit of a change of pace on The Late Show, took to the guest seat and had his long time friend and compatriot, the great Amy Sedaris fire off questions and anecdotes from all angles.

As with the dynamic of their relationship pretty much from the start, Amy pokes and prods Stephen just right to loosen him up in a wonderful way.

Please watch and enjoy it here.

October 11, 2019

comedy show, experimental comedy, improv comedy, los angeles, loz feliz

The Murge, which already has been a highly experimental improv show that pretty much had no rules, is going to follow even less rules in their new form as Murge Zero without former Murge director John Gilkey.

So, a collection of LA’s favorite idiot performers, will fly as close to the sun as possible with fourth-wall-less improvised bits and scenes that are daring, sometimes dangerous, hysterical (sometimes literally), and almost unbelievable.

Murge Zero is
Sethward Allison
Ian Bratschie
Lucia Brizzi
Chad Damiani
Meera Kumbhani
Kevin Krieger
Joe Mitchell
John Norris
Claire Woolner
John Wyatt

Don’t miss Murge Zero at The Clubhouse this Sun. Admission is donation based FYI. Get more details here.