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Amazon to Spend Over $100 Million in Q3 on Original Series

amazon, amazon studios, original series, red oaks

With the success of series exclusively released through online streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon is upping their bet on producing original content.

This next quarter, they’re setting to spend over $100 million on producing their original series, though we’re not sure how that’s divvied up between their new pilots and returning series. Hopefully, such a bank roll for Amazon Studios will bring more enticing original comedy series like the enticing Stephen Soderbergh and David Gordon Green pilot Red Oaks.

Kurt Braunohler & Joe Zimmerman’s Half Hour Specials Premiere Tonight on Comedy Central

comedy central, comedy special, joe zimmerman, kurt braunohler, stand up, the half hour

Tonight, Comedy Central’s The Half Hour continues with specials from Kurt Braunohler and Joe ZImmerman. We hope that you would know Kurt from his most recent jet ski trek down the Mississippi River from Chicago to New Orleans and Joe from his fantastic Andrew Jackson joke, which we’re pretty sure you’ll probably get to hear tonight when you, of course, tune in.

Kurt’s special is up first at 12AM followed by Joe’s at 12:30AM on Comedy Central.

One of Our Favorite Jokes From Ian Edwards Gets the Animation Treatment

bruce lee, comedy album, conan, conan o'brien, enter the dragon, ian edwards, team coco, team coco records

Ian Edwards’ joke on Bruce Lee is one of favorites of his ever expanding catalog of material and we’re more than glad to see that Conan’s Team Coco gave it a full animation treatment thanks to Dilara Karabas.

After enjoying that, do yourself a favor and get Ian’s entire album 100% Half Assed from Team Coco Records.

Community Probably Returning Sometime After Christmas

comic con, community, dan harmon, sixseasonsandamovie, yahoo

(via Entertainment Weekly)

Yesterday, there was a panel for Community at Comic Con and series creator Dan Harmon remarked that the return of the show would probably come after Christmas at their new home at Yahoo.

It might be a few months to wait, but we have a feeling that it will be worth given the fact that Harmon isn’t necessarily bound by 22 min. running time for a half hour sitcom or as stringent language/content restrictions.

LA Comedy Rundown 7/25/14

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Tomorrow w/Ron Lynch Celebrates the 9th True Anniversary & Going to Scotland @ Steve Allen Theater Sat. Jul. 26th MIDNIGHT $8
Guy Branum Album Recording @ Nerdmelt Showroom Thurs. Jul. 31st 9PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Brand New Ball @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5
The Shit Show @ Good Nite Bar 7:30PM $5
The Manifesto Show @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Unnecessary Evil @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
Search History @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Tom Segura & Christina Pazsitzky @ Ontario Improv 8PM/10PM $17/2 item min.
Seems Legit @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
Whatever @ Center For The Arts, Eagle Rock 9PM $5
Da Deuce! @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/First come, first served/must improvise set of never before seen provided set list/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 5:45PM/Lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./One item min.
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
BOB’S ESPRESSO 5251 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM/Lottery/One item min./4 min.
SABOR Y CULTURA 5625 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is a lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary
TAO COMEDY STUDIO 7466 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/5 min./$5 cover includes drink
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107 El Centro, Los Angeles, CA Ste. 110/Starts 10:30PM after Manifesto Show/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/lottery/3-5 min.

Patton Oswalt Coming Out with Book About His Film Addiction

film addiction, memoir, patton oswalt

Though Patton Oswalt is maintaining his social media silence this summer, his latest book chronicling his obsession with watching film in tandem with coming up as a comedian and writer.

Entitled Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film, it’s is set for a release at the beginning of next year, but is now on pre-order.

HBO Making a Wimbledon Mockumentary with Andy Samberg and Kit Harrington

andy samberg, hbo, kit harrington, mockumentary, wimbledon

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

HBO is pushing forward with their comedy branding by doing a sports mockumentary, specifically of the legendary tennis tournament known as Wimbledon. Andy Samberg and Kit Harrington will star as rival tennis players and Fred Armisen, Lena Dunham, Karen Gillan, Michael, Sheen, and more have also been cast.

This is being billed as an one-off comedy event at HBO, perhaps similar to those Greatest Events in Television History at Adult Swim.

There’s a TV Trailer for Heart of Darkness with Greg Barris

greg barris, heart of darkness, trailer, variety show

Greg Barris’ traveling variety show Heart of Darkness that features comedy, music, ideas, and spirituality(?) now has its own TV trailer.

We’re not sure what that means other than that it might be a TV show. What channel or network it’ll be at and when it will premiere has yet to be announced, but it’s still good news as far as we’re concerned.

Watch the trailer here.

John Oliver Apparently Making Thai Government Feel Uneasy

hbo, john oliver, junta, last week tonight, thai, thailand, vice

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver has been blazing quite a trail ever since its premiere on HBO, not pulling any punches with any of its segments or jokes. As a result, POM Wonderful, a marketing company responsible for an ad for Oregon’s healthcare website, the FCC’s Tom Wheeler, and more have actually and very publicly responded to Oliver’s jabs at them.

The latest in this group reportedly happens to be the Thai government that doesn’t at all appreciate John Oliver’s jabs at Thailand’s Crown Prince. Vice reports that the junta that’s currently in power is “paranoid” about a segment that lambasted the Crown Prince.

Do note that there are laws in place in Thailand where you could go to jail for any such mockery of the royal family.

Watch Conan O’Brien’s Cameo in Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda as Well as Respected Thespian Gary Oldman’s Reaction To It

conan, conan o'brien, gary oldman, sharktopus vs. pteracuda, syfy, team coco

Next week, the premiere of Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda will finally arrive at SyFy, but Conan O’Brien graciously presented his one and only scene in the movie last night as well as Gary Oldman’s reaction to it after a private viewing.

All we can say is that both Conan and Oldman showcased their acting amazing talents here.

Edgar Wright Moving on to ‘Baby Driver’ For His Next Project

baby driver, cornetto trilogy, edgar wright

After abruptly leaving Ant-Man, director Edgar Wright is on to his next project that will “be in the vein of his Cornetto Trilogy that he made with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost”.

So far, he’ll be co-writing the script and is in talks to helm the feature as director.

We’re just glad to hear that Wright is back.

Nathan Fielder Tries to Help Out Liquor Store with “Reserved” Alcohol

comedy central, liquor store, nathan fielder, nathan for you

A liquor store is Nathan Fielder’s latest goal in helping small, local business out on Nathan For You. His plan is to have teenagers buy alcohol that they will then have a claim to when they turn 21 and be able to legally drink it.

Before you imagine all the possibilities of how right this idea can go, watch it unfold here.

LA Comedy Rundown 7/24/14

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Greg Proops Film Club: Bull Durham @ Cinefamily Mon. Jul. 28th 7:30PM $12
Today’s Special @ Nickel Diner Wed. Jul. 30th 8PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Double-Barreled @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5
Big Money @ The Virgil 7:30PM FREE
Comedy Courtyard @ Rockwell Table & Stage 8PM $10
Glory Hole @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Risk! True Tales Boldly Told @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Lounge Art Gallery 9PM FREE
Little Joy @ Little Joy Cocktails 9PM FREE
The Comedy Palace @ The Palace Restaurant 9:30PM FREE
Loud Village @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $10/2 item min.

OPEN MIC RUN
THE COMEDY STORE PATIO 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 4PM/Ends 6PM/Lottery/4 min./Hosted by Josh Martin
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./First come, first served/25 spots only/counts as audition/No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/lottery/Hosted by Sara Mostajabi
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served
LOADED 6377 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/Ends 8:15PM/15 spots only/5 min./No purchase necessary
HYPERION TAVERN 1941 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM/LotteryHosted by Tyler Meznarich/No purchase necessary
DEL REY CHURCH 8505 Saran Dr., Playa Del Rey, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Must be family/church appropriate/Mixed mic/6-7 min./12 spots only/Hosted by Emil B. Smiley
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign up is 12PM at Facebook page/See http://www.facebook.com/BombShelterComedyfor more info and to sign up/First 23 spots guaranteed on Facebook/Lottery for remaining spots/Starts 7PM/One drink min./5 min./Hosted by John Silver & Ryan Pfeiffer
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Lottery/4 min./1 item min.
FANATIC SALON 3815 Sawtelle Blvd., Culver City, CA/Starts 7PM/Ends 9:30PM/$5 cover/7 min./water and coffee provided/Hosted by Lydia Robinson
RAFA’S LOUNGE ART GALLERY 1836 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/10 spots/Lottery/3 min./Mixed in with booked spots/Hosted by Scott Luhrs
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
YE RUSTIC INN 1831 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 9:30PM/First come, first served/3 min. w/o purchase/7 min. w/purchase/Mixed in w/booked spots/Hosted by Martin Rizo
THE CHATTERBOX 934 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, CA/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/Lottery/5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Steve Hernandez & Ellie McElvain
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
IT’S A GRIND 247 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served
KNUCKLEHEADS 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Ends 11PM/5-7 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Dan Fawcett
55 DEGREE WINE 3111 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 9PM/Starts 9:30PM/Lottery/4 min./Hosted by Logan Guntzelman & Rachel Maczuzak
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM after Main Room show

The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail Premieres Tonight on Comedy Central

comedy central, jonah ray, kumail nanjiani, meltdown, meltdown comics, nerdmelt

After years of amazing shows in the actual back room of a comic book store, Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail will be premiering as a TV series on Comedy Central tonight.

Clear out whatever you’re doing at 12:30AM to Comedy Central and make sure you’re watching what’s been one of the best comedy shows in LA ever since it started.

As with the regular live show, artist Dave Kloc made an amazing poster for the premiere episode.

NYU’s APA Institute To Have Hari Kondabolu as an Artist in Residence

artist residency, asian pacific american, hari kondabolu, new york university, nyu

Even with a comedy boom going on, it’s not often that you hear that a university will have a comedian as an artist in residence.

Yet, rather than a performance artist or accomplished musician, New York University’s Asian Pacific American Institute has gotten the very funny Hari Kondabolu to be an artist in residence for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year.

That’s right, comedians are artists in case you didn’t know.

MTV’s Next Comedy Pilot To Be Ken Jeong Made Me Do It

comedy pilot, ken jeong, mtv

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

After getting rid of Nikki & Sara Live and Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous, MTV is still trying to figure their angle for comedy. Their latest pilot is centered on Ken Jeong playing himself as a role model in a coming-of-age comedy.

It’s called, and perhaps you guessed it, Ken Jeong Made Me Do It. We’re curious to see if this will touch on Jeong once being a full fledged medical doctor.

Weird Al Yankovic Scores His First #1 Billboard Album

1, billboard, comedy album, mandatory fun, weird al yankovic

Billboard has just reported their official chart toppers and it Weird Al Yankovic has indeed made it to #1 with his latest album Mandatory Fun. This is an overdue first for Weird Al.

We’re not surprised given how well crafted both the album and music videos were as well as Yankovic’s release strategy across the wild plains of the Internet.

Even more impressive than that is Mandatory Fun now rests as the sole comedy album to reach the top of the charts this millennium as the last #1 comedy album was released in 1963 with Allan Sherman’s My Son, The Nut.

Dave Attell Is Not Your Typical School Photographer on Teacher’s Lounge

dave attell, hollis james, teachers lounge, ted alexandro, thundershorts, web series

Dave Attell guest stars in the latest episode of Hollis James and Ted Alexandro’s web series Teacher’s Lounge as a school photographer that’s obviously never been a school photographer before (i.e. he isn’t PC whatsoever).

The Late Show Will Stay at Ed Sullivan Theater When Stephen Colbert Takes Over

cbs, ed sullivan theater, late night, late show, nyc, stephen colbert

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Not that it should surprise you, but the upcoming Late Show with Stephen Colbert will stay in NYC at The Ed Sullivan Theater where David Letterman has been for several years taping The Late Show.

With The Tonight Show back in NYC, Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Kimmel will be the only late night shows that tape in LA in 2015. Well, that does all depend on what CBS plans on doing with Craig Ferguson’s slot and where Chelsea Handler does her Netflix show down the line.

Spoils of Babylon’s Matt Piedmont To Direct AMC Comedy Pilot ‘We Hate Paul Revere’

amc, matt piedmont, pilot, spoils of babylon, we hate paul revere

AMC is moving forward with their potential foray into comedy as the comedy pilot We Hate Paul Revere has just got itself one fine director in Matt Piedmont. Piedmont co-created, co-wrote, and directed the fantastic mini-series Spoils of Babylon on IFC.

Given AMC branding and Piedmont’s pedigree, we’re incredibly curious to see what the end product is here and how great, like Spoils of Babylon, it will look.

Carl Reiner One Ups the Selfie By Making the Selfishie

carl reiner, conan, conan o'brien, selfie, selfishie, team coco

Even at 92, Carl Reiner is keeping up the ever changing tides of the Internet. When appearing on Conan last night, he took the first ever “selfishie” with Conan O’Brien and we wouldn’t be surprised at all if it caught on.

Watch and see what it exactly is here.

And Here’s JFL’s Unrepped New Faces for 2014

jfl, just for laughs, montreal, new faces

Earlier this week, we posted the Just For Laughs Montreal’s picks for New Faces of Comedy for stand-up and characters. They also have an unrepped portion of New Faces featuring comedians that somehow don’t have any representation.

So, congratulations to:

Alex Stone
Brendan Eyre
Brian Frange
Cody Hustak
Jason Saenz
Liza Treyger
Noah Gardenswartz
Richard Bain
Sam Evans
Troy Walker
Zainab Johnson

LA Comedy Rundown 7/23/14

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Double-Barreled @ UCB Theatre Thurs. Jul. 24th 7PM $5
Bo Burnham & Friends @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre Fri. Aug. 15th 9PM $30

COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s “@midnight w/Chris Hardwick” @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM/7:15PM FREE w/RSVP
Lachlan Patterson @ Comedy & Magic Club 8PM $15/2 item min.
The CrabFeast Podcast Live Recording @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
The Future Show of The Future @ Echo Chamber 8PM $5
Meltdown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8:30PM $8 (stand by only)
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)

OPEN MIC RUN
THE COMEDY STORE PATIO 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 4PM/Ends 6PM/Lottery/4 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Josh Martin
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
ICE HOUSE STAGE 2 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6PM/4 min./Lottery/No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/First come, first served/One item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign up is 12PM at Facebook page/See https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Alibi-Open-Mic-at-the-Hotel-Hollywood/545741885530183 for more info and to sign up/First 23 spots guaranteed on Facebook/Lottery for remaining spots/Starts 7PM/One drink min./5 min./Hosted by Paco McCauley & Evan Kessler
CORK’S LOUNGE 5043 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA/For spot 7PM-8:30PM must sign up in advance at jaketaveren@monkeyheadconcepts.biz/For spots 8:30PM-10PM sign-up at venue before pre-booked show/First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Danielle Arce
PALADINO’S 6101 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, CA/Starts 7PM/Ends 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Thomas Fraser
OPEN MICHELLE @ WILDE THISTLE 3456 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Female performers only/5-7 min./One item min.
THE GRANDVIEW MARKET 12210 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 6:45PM/Mixed mic/4 min. for comics/1 song musicians/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Monika Scott and Morgan Jay
ZOEY’S CAFE 185 E. Santa Clara, Ventura, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/10 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Samantha Ross
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/mixed mic
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM w/one drink min./Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
O’HARA’S BAR 1000 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Lottery/3-5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Justin Williams
THE OYSTER HOUSE 12446 Moorpark St., Studio City, CA/Starts 10PM/Ends 1AM/First come, first served/5 min./Hosted by Gary Carver
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts 10:30PM/First come, first served/1 item min.
KARMA LOUNGE 3954 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 10:30PM/Mixed mic/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Adam Feuerberg
HOUSE OF TACOS 5616 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/First come, first served

Sony Pictures Animation Full Length Feature Adaptation of ‘Manimal’ Could Be The Next 21 Jump Street

adam mckay, gary sanchez, ian roberts, jay martel, key & peele, manimal, sony pictures animation, will ferrell

A short lived 80’s TV series known as Manimal following a man who could morph into different animals and fight crime has been in development to be adapted into a movie by Sony Pictures Animation for some time now. Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez, and Jimmy Miller’s Mosaic have now hopped onto the project and it will hopefully have more traction in the next year or so.

In fact, Jay Martel and Ian Roberts, whose work you’re probably well acquainted with on Key & Peele, are set to write the script and this has so many elements to be every bit the fun meta comedy romp that 21 and 22 Jump Street has been.

Neil Hamburger’s First of Dismay Featuring Live Gags and Musical Numbers of Both Classic and Original Status Now Available

comedy album, drag city records, neil hamburger

America’s Funnyman Neil Hamburger is at it again with his latest album First of Dismay that was just released today from Drag City Records.

Indeed, the album will be a mix of live performances from Hamburger as well as songs done in studio like Endless Roll, a tribute to Neil’s hate of Kirkland Signature trash bags.

It’s about time those trash bags got taken down a notch in an entire song.