Uncategorized

For Comedians, It Definitely Doesn’t Get Better, It Gets Worse

comedy, it gets better, it gets worse, psa

While the decision that DOMA is unconstitutional has made a promise from the “It Gets Better” campaign true, comedians don’t get the benefit of that maxim. Comedians Grant Lyon and Dave Waite have put together a web series of talking heads of several very funny people that you may or may not know, but hopefully do, like Andy Peters, Lachlan Patterson, Jim Hamilton, Ryan Singer, Tony Sam, Heidi Hayward talking about how doing comedy has almost never gotten better (losing jobs, relationships, getting various things thrown at you, being told you’re not funny etc.) except for the fact that they don’t want to do anything else.

Take it as a PSA to not do or do comedy or something where you witness how delusional we all have to be to keep doing comedy, but watch It Gets Worse because it’s pretty great. Also, you can submit your own story of comedy getting worse; details at end of each video.

Here are parts one, two, three, and four.

Kumail Nanjiani’s 1-Hr. Comedy Central Special Called “Beta Male” & Will Be Available July 23rd

comedy central, comedy special, kumail nanjiani

Kumail Nanjiani will have his first 1 hour stand up special on Comedy Central July 20th at Midnight, “Beta Male”. A CD/DVD of the whole thing, extended and uncensored of course, will be available the following Tuesday, July 23rd.

Our advice: Get in on both.

If There’s One Person That Should Be Talking About Celebrities on TV, It’s Bill Burr

bill burr, conan, paula deen

Celebrity dish and the hundreds of shows that cover that and overall celebrity culture/obsession usually don’t peak our interest. However, brilliant comedic minds like Bill Burr’s can not only make it palatable, but hilarious and insightful like he did on Conan last night commenting on Paula Deen.

Watch the clip here and then let’s hope Bill gets a TV show where he talks about anything and everything (you know like his podcast).

Bo Burnham’s Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous Is Cancelled

bo burnham, cancelled, mtv, zach stone

Bo Burnham’s Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous Is Cancelled

We’re not exactly sure of the combination that did in Bo Burnham’s vastly underrated MTV series “Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous”, but we’re going to guess that there’s probably a bridge to gap from MTV’s Jersey Shore/Jackass audiences into some territory that is more along the lines of IFC or FX.

You can watch the final three episodes by tuning in tonight for one at 11PM and on Saturday also at 11 for the other two.

Still, if this year, or even the last few years, has taught us anything, it’s really hard to permanently kill a show if a group of people like it.

Jenny Johnson/@JennyJohnsonHi5 Signs Book Deal

book deal, jenny johnson, twitter

Jenny Johnson/@JennyJohnsonHi5 Signs Book Deal

Jenny Johnson is one of those rare people that have figured out Twitter comedy-wise on their terms and have built quite the following. As both Megan Amram and Kelly Oxford are writing/have written published books, we’re glad the trend to prove that funny things can be brought out of tweeting and thus rewarded is continuing.

Ken Marino Joins Eastbound & Down For Final Season

eastbound and down, hbo, ken marino

Ken Marino Joins Eastbound & Down For Final Season

Though we know that he wasn’t a regular cast member on Eastbound & Down, we, for a brief second, were really surprised that Ken Marino wasn’t already on the show just based off of recent performances in Burning Love and Wanderlust.

Either way, with news like this, we’re looking forward to the show closing out strong.

LA Comedy Rundown 6/27/13

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
The BEATdown Los Angeles @ UCB Theatre Sun. Jun. 30th 9:30PM $5
Entertaining Julia w/Beth Stelling & The Puterbaugh Sisters @ Nerdmelt Showroom Fri. Jul. 5th 9PM $8 in adv., $10 at door

COMEDY CRAWL
A Night with Nathan Rabin @ Nerdmelt Showroom 7PM $10
Big Money @ The Virgil 7:30PM FREE
Street Cred @ The Lexington 8PM FREE
Glory Hole @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
Lost Moon Radio at Hollywood Fringe Festival @ Fringe Mainstage 8PM $15
Patton Oswalt Residency @ The Fake Gallery 8PM FREE w/RSVP (e-mail fakegallery@earthlink.net)
The Business LA @ Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe 8PM $5
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Set List Takes Over The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Lounge Art Gallery 9PM FREE
Risk! True Tales Boldly Told @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
The Comedy Palace @ The Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE
The Fogelnest Files @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
All Star Comedy @ Hollywood Laugh Factory 10PM $20-$30/2 drink min.
The 11th Hour Show @ The Clubhouse 11PM FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
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
HI DE HO COMICS 1431 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6:15PM/Lottery/15 spots/4 min./3 min. work-ins
ROCKPAPER COFFEE 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/lottery
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
COFFEE BEAN 16101 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA Suite 180/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/Mixed mic/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Jason
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Lottery/4 min./1 item min.
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 12PM at FB page/First 23 spots guaranteed/Starts 7PM/5 min./lottery spots for walk-ins/one drink min.
IT’S A GRIND 247 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA/Starts 7:30PM w/possible featured performer/Open mic from 8PM-10PM/First come, first served/Hosted by Shayne Michael
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
CAFE UNURBAN 3301 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 9PM/No purchase necessary
INDIA’S FLAVOR 156 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA/Sign-up 9:30PM/Starts 10PM/Hosted by Meline Tovmasian
JARAGUA 4493 W. Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 10:45PM/Starts 11PM/Lottery/5 min./No purchase necessary
PALMS BAR 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 11PM/First come, first served/One drink min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM after Main Room show

Jim Gaffigan to Write a Second Book

book deal, jim gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan to Write a Second Book

We’re excited that Jim is following up Dad Is Fat with another book. Not that we wouldn’t read it, but we hope that it’s something slightly different than something like “Dad Is Fatter".

Comedy Line-up for Bumbershoot 2013

bumbershoot, comedy line-up, festival, marc maron

Comedy Line-up for Bumbershoot 2013

From your Marc Marons to your Matt Bessers to your Morgan Murphys to your Jerrod Carmichaels to your Emily Hellers and even your Spicy News Networks and Competive Erotic Fan Ficitons, you’ll probably you get your comedy fix at this year’s Bumbershoot in Seattle, WA in Aug/Sept.

Check full line-up at link

Danger 5 Will Get a Season 2

danger 5, second season

Danger 5 Will Get a Season 2

In another story of a great web series turning into a TV show of sorts (it was broadcast in Australia) Danger 5 will get a second season. If you don’t know about the hysterical retro-spy-alternative-history-farcical comedy then catch up on Hulu.

More details to come soon.

Apparently, According to This Kickstarter, There Are No XL Socks and That’s a Problem

allan mcleod, argyle socks, kickstarter

Argoz Socks are seeking out to make cool socks for bigger people. Whether or not you knew that was a problem, it is, as explained by hilarious people like Allan McLeod.

Watch Kickstarter here.

The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos 6/25/13 at The Nerdist

intentionally funny, nerdist, top 5

The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos 6/25/13 at The Nerdist

Check our picks for this week’s 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos at The Nerdist including Josh Fadem, Nailed It w/Nick Douglas, Sean Patton, and more.

If you wish to be considered for a future 5 MIFV, please read the rules before submitting.

Micah Sherman and Myq Kaplan Sing How Micah Could Be a Not So Great Looking Movie Star

celebrities, micah sherman, movie star, myq kaplan

Micah Sherman and Myq Kaplan release their latest fun music video in an animated version of ‘Movie Star’ wherein they strategize how Micah can get to be a movie star without looking like a glamorous one. We said ‘latest’ above because they have a whole album of really funny songs called “Please Be Seated”, which you should buy and get into if you haven’t already.

Seth Rogen To Go From Apocalypse Comedy to Assassination Plot Comedy in North Korea

north korea, seth rogen

Seth Rogen To Go From Apocalypse Comedy to Assassination Plot Comedy in North Korea

Following his directorial debut of This Is The End, Seth Rogen already has his next project lined up involving taking down the leader of North Korea. Maybe Rogen may have started cutting a niche for himself as a director with action comedy with more emphasis on the comedy.

LA Comedy Rundown 6/26/13

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
The Walsh Brothers @ UCB Theatre Sat. Jun. 29th MIDNIGHT $5
Prompter @ UCB Theatre Fri. Jul. 12th 8PM $10

COMEDY CRAWL
Gonzo @ Hayworth Theater 7:30PM $5
Literary Death Match @ Hammer Museum 7:30PM FREE
Hour of Power: Presented by Devastator Magazine @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $5/2 item min.
The Blind Barber’s Secret Show @ Blind Barber 8PM FREE w/RSVP
God Hates Figs @ Comedy Central Stages 8PM FREE w/RSVP
Room 101 @ THe Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Meltdown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8:30PM $8
Dylan Moran @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $30 (stand by only)
The Parlor Social Comedy Show @ Echoes Under Sunset 9PM FREE
SRLSY LOL @ Malo 9PM FREE
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Dot Comedy @ Hollywood Laugh Factory 10PM $20-$30/2 drink min.

OPEN MIC RUN
PANINI GARDEN 2715 Main St., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 9PM/First come, first served/10 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Gabby Tary and Jordan Likover
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
DANGERFIELD’S 3 2524 1/2 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Lottery/3 min./$2 cover
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/$3 min.
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
DAVE’S CHILLIN’ AND GRILLIN’ 2152 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM//First come, first served/No purchase necessary
CORKY’S LOUNGE 5043 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM or in advance at jaketaveren@monkeyheadconcepts.biz/4-6 spots for walk-ins/pre-booked spots 5-10 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Daniella Arce
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
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Mixed mic/No purchase necessary
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/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
BREWDOG PUB 8300 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Ends 10PM/5 min./Lottery/1 item min.
HOUSE OF TACOS 5616 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107 El Centro, Los Angeles, CA Ste. 110/Starts 10PM after Room 101/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/First come, first served

Julia Lillis Was Detained at British Immigration While Trying to Live Out a Romantic Comedy

cc:studios, comedy central, romantic comedy, storytelling

The latest story in the This Is Not Happening series over at CC:Studios follows Julia Lillis trying to do in real life what usually only happens in romantic comedies by flying across the planet to be with the one you love. Unfortunately, unlike a romantic comedy, you might get detained for several hours by immigration.

Tips on How To Make Your Morning Go Faster From Josh Fadem

josh fadem, life hack, physical comedy

We’re not really into the term “life hack”, but we’re pretty sure Josh Fadem’s latest short film is much the epitome of a life hack, especially if you hate the time between eating breakfast and getting dressed.

A Scotch Irish Chat with Dylan Moran on Ferguson Involves Fear of Bees

craig ferguson, dylan moran, late late show

Craig Ferguson is a very funny Scottish comedian and Dylan Moran is a very funny Irish comedian and, apparently, when they meet on late night, they discuss the pointlessness of reading a Stephen King book. That’s a stereotype, right?

Watch the whole interview here.

There Will Be a Sequel to Steve Coogan’s ‘The Trip’ Sequel

ifc, sequel, steve coogan, the trip

There Will Be a Sequel to Steve Coogan’s ‘The Trip’ Sequel

If you’re unfamiliar with Steve Coogan as you’re on this side of the pond, please acquaint yourself with his work, then get excited for this sequel to The Trip that IFC will be distributing, a sort of Before Midnight without any of the relationship drama because they’re too busy making up jokes as they’re driving along.

LA Comedy Rundown 6/25/13

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Underbelly LA @ Echoes Under Sunset Sat. Jun. 29th 9PM FREE
Jimmy Dore @ Flappers Burbank Fri. Jul. 5th & Sat. Jul. 6th 8PM/10PM $20/2 item min.

COMEDY CRAWL
Star Dreck @ Nerdmelt Showroom 7PM $8
This Is Spinal Tap/Waiting for Guffman Double Feature @ New Beverly Cinema 7:30PM $8
TNT Improv @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Breaking Balls @ Hollywood Laugh Factory 8PM $20-$30/2 drink min.
Performance Anxiety @ Pleasure Chest 8PM $7
Nice Show @ Hayworth Theater 8PM $5
Put Your Hands Together @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5
Quote Unquote @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $5/2 item min.
Graceland @ Malo 8:30PM FREE
Dylan Moran @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $30
Holy Fuck @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE
Warp Zone Comedy @ The Virgil 9PM FREE
Comedy Central’s @Midnight w/Chris Hardwick Test Show @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM FREE
The Apple Sisters @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
Bertie Stands Up @ The Palace Restaurant 10PM FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/Stand-up, sketch, improv all welcome/5 min.
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM-5:40PM/Starts 6PM/lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
CHEERS BAR & GRILL 717 S. San Gabriel Blvd., CA/Sign-up 6;45PM/Lottery/10 spots available by drawing at venue/10 spots available at Facebook page-https://www.facebook.com/thejokegym/5 min/Hosted by Paula Johnson
IO WEST 6366 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Starts 6:30PM/Ends 8PM/Lottery/5 min./1 drink min.
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/First come, first served/One item min.
WESTWOOD BREW CO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/5 min.
PEDONE’S PIZZA 1332 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 7:45PM/Ends 9:30PM/5-7min.
THE OTHER DOOR 10437 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/To get a booked spot, email mouthypants@gmail.com by Monday at 5 PM/20 names will be chosen at random/Sign-up for 20 lottery spots starts at 7:30 at the show/Go to facebook.com/mouthypantscomedy for more details
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
BLUE GOOSE LOUNGE 5201 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/1 drink min.
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
DAVE’S BAR 708 Broadway, Glendale, CA/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/one item min./8-10 min.
BYBLOS 1964 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Ends 11PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 item min./Hosted by Chelsea Greaux
PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/Ends 10PM/Lottery
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 9PM/Starts 10:30PM after booked show/Ends 12AM/No purchase necessary
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd St. Promenade and 4th St.)/Sign-up 9:45PM/Starts 10PM/lottery/$1 cover
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107 El Centro, Los Angeles, CA Ste. 110/Starts 11PM after TNT Improv/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary

This Better Be Funny Ep. 77 w/Ron Funches

This Better Be Funny Ep. 77 w/Ron Funches

This Better Be Funny

This episode opens up on a confession of love from a homeless man that guest Ron Funches (Conan, Undateable) gave money to and Jake and Jeremygo from there trying to top that oath of friendship, albeit a paid one, for the rest of the conversation. Whether the story of how Ron got kicked out of E3 and Jeremy giving out “street” financial advice does indeed top that is up to you to decide leaving you to listen to this episode and make this life changing choice.

Also, Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce is, yet again, apparently the consumer product that this podcast is proactively plugging this week in hopes of being sponsored at one point.

Watch New Trailer for ‘Prince Avalanche’

david gordon green, emile hirsch, paul rudd, prince avalanche, trailer

The entire story behind David Gordon Green‘s intriguing and promising Prince Avalanche is still a little mysterious with how a literal road comedy with Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch will work.

Still, this latest trailer gives a little more of an idea of what, again, could be really great, almost like a loosely tangential sequel of Kings of Summer (which you should go see if you haven’t).

Win Tickets To The Atlantic Ocean Comedy & Music Festival Cruise

atlantic ocean, cruise, riot la, win tickets

Win Tickets To The Atlantic Ocean Comedy & Music Festival Cruise

We’re not one for cruises, but this one is going to be one hell of an exception with the likes of Marc Maron, John Hodgman, Kurt Braunohler, Eugene Mirman, and more on board this September.

Next year’s Riot LA Comedy Festival has a pass for this cruise for two and all you have to do is enter your e-mail. Sounds pretty great to us so get it on it already.

Maria Bamford Releasing Comedy Central Album “Ask Me About My New God!”

comedy album, comedy central, maria bamford

Maria Bamford Releasing Comedy Central Album “Ask Me About My New God!”

It’s a brand new performance of much of her Special Special Special, but it’s not just her parents in the audience this time around.

Ask Me About My New God! comes out July 16th on Comedy Central Records and for how amazing the Special Special Special was, we can’t wait for this.

Watch Jon Stewart’s Amazing Interview on Al-Bernameg, Egypt’s The Daily Show

9/11, al bernameg, egypt, jon stewart, the daily show

Watch Jon Stewart’s Amazing Interview on Al-Bernameg, Egypt’s The Daily Show

While on his break from The Daily Show, Jon Stewart stopped by Al-Bernameg, an Egyptian TV show like The Daily Show, for a pretty amazing interview covering the power of comedy, his own preconceived notions relating to 9/11, and how few Arabic phrases Jon knows.