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This Better Be Funny Ep. 64 with Cornell Reid

This Better Be Funny Ep. 64 with Cornell Reid

This week’s This Better Be Funny is with Cornell Reid!

Finally, after a two-week-completely-unplanned hiatus, Jake and Jeremy are back to business as usual with This Better Be Funny with this week’s hysterical guest Cornell Reid (The Comedy Garage). Of course, by “business as usual”, what’s meant is suggesting South Central LA isn’t that dangerous to walk around, saying things that, heard out of context, would be bizarre at best to real strangers walking by as an example, and discussing the finer points of “pathetic loser” etiquette of placing dollars on the stage at a strip club. It’s good to be back, no matter how many unsuspecting pedestrians they seemingly creeped out, which is kind of hard to do in a hip place like Echo Park.

Required Online Comedy Reading List 3/18/13

andy kaufman, eddie pepitone, interviews, jimmy pardo, reading list, stewart lee

It’s that time again for our round-up of great online articles, interviews, etc. about, for, or dealing with comedy because, honestly, we just had too many of these great reads saved to look “at some point”. So, we read them and made this list.

Included in this edition are great road stories with Jimmy Pardo by John Roy, wonderful absurdity from the hilarious mind of Andrés du Bouchet, Pete Holmes interviewing Anthony Jeselnik, and much much more.

–Mutants of the Post Apocalypse: A Handy Dandy Guide by Andrés du Bouchet
–Eddie Pepitone-Global Phenomenon-Brings the House Down in Oslo by St. Paul’s Lifestyle
–Exclusive Interview with Dinosaur Company by Moveorama Blog
–Stewart Lee Is Not Amused at Monopoly Control of TV Comedy by Oliver Duggan for The Independent
–Talking to Dan Harmon About Harmontown, Community Season 4, and His New Shows by Bradford Evans for Splitsider
–Watching Ernie Kovacs Host One of TV’s Strangest Morning Shows by Ramsey Ess for Splitsider
–Three Tales of Jimmy Pardo by John Roy
–Pete Holmes and Anthony Jeselnik Talk Dark Jokes for Vulture
–Dying Alone-The Life You’ve Chosen by Jeremy Paul for The Higgs Weldon
–For Our Consideration: Why Understanding and Embracing Easy Pop Culture Targets Beats Deriding Them by Nathan Rabin at The AV Club
–Funny or Die’s Billy Eichner on How To Be Fearless, and Maybe a Little Rude by Joe Berkowitz for Fast Co. Create
–I Shall Be Heard by Alex J. Mann for The Morning News
–Couples Therapy for Comedy and Feminism by Amy Hawthorne
–6 Reasons to Quit Your Podcast by Caleb Bacon for Huffington Post
–What Is A Writer Today by David Dean for Thought Catalog
–Can a Video Game Ever Be a True Comedy? by Noah Davis for Splitsider
–My Dearest Stand Up Comedians by Briana Hansen

Here’s The Teaser for Christopher Guest’s HBO Series “Family Tree”

christopher guest, family tree, hbo, teaser

We’re sure many of you have been waiting for something new from Christopher Guest besides just a sketch at The Oscars for years, but it’s only coming closer since Guest got the greenlight for his comedy series “Family Tree” from HBO.

Now, it’s even closer with this teaser full of your favorite comedy folks like Fred Willard, Michael McKean, and more. Watch now.

Thank Goodness Jess Lane and Lee Rubenstein’s ‘Queer Bones’ Beat Reality TV to a Show About Otherworldly Novelty Shops

jess lane, lee rubenstein, margot leitman, paranormal, reality tv, web series

Comedians Jess Lane and Lee Rubenstein have made a great spot on reality TV parody in her new web series, “Queer Bones”. Following a store of the same name selling novelty items from other dimensions with the very funny Margot Leitman , we’re all in luck this is just a made up satire of a thing that we can laugh at instead of an alternative programming executive giving an oddities store their own show.

Watch Full Trailer for Season 2 of Veep

full trailer, hbo, julia louis dreyfus, season 2, veep

More political wit, repartee, and malicious fun are set to come from the brilliant comedic mind of Armando Iannucci as can be seen in this full length trailer for Season 2 of Veep.

Set your reminders/calendars for Sun. Apr. 14th at 10PM HBO.

LA Comedy Rundown 3/18/13

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
JFL Montreal Showcase @ Flappers YooHoo Room Tues. Mar. 19th 9:30PM $10/2 item min.
JFL Montreal Showcase @ Westside Comedy Theater Fri. Mar. 22nd 8PM/10PM $10

COMEDY CRAWL
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Harmontown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen @ The Virgil 8PM $5
Oh Boy… @ Lola’s 8PM FREE
Jack Daniel’s Classic Comedy @ Brennan’s Pub 8PM FREE
Monday Night Improv @ The Clubhouse 8:30PM FREE
By the Way, In Conversation with Jeff Garlin w/Tig Notaro @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $30
C’mon Up Comedy @ Barbarella Bar 8:30PM FREE
Keep It Clean Comedy @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Dat Shit @ Westwood Brew Co 10:30PM FREE
Razoksky & Clifford @ Westside Comedy Theater 10:30PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 4PM/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HAPPY HOUR STORY EXPERIMENT @ HOLLYWOOD STUDIO BAR & GRILL 6122 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6:30PM/Storytelling only/One item min.
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 5PM/Ends 7PM/5 min./First come, first served/1 item min.
CAFE BOOGALOO 1238 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5-8 min./Booked show in middle/No purchase necessary
ANCHOR BAR 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5 min.
PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz)/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/No purchase necessary
RAINBOW BAR & GRILL 9015 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up before 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/$2 cover/mixed mic
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:15PM/Lottery/15 5 min. spots/15 3 min. spots/One item min.
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up 9:30PM/Starts 10PM/Lottery/4 min./No purchase necessary
OUTPOST 1624 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.

Funny or Die’s First Feature Length Film About Steve Jobs

funny or die, steve jobs

Funny or Die’s First Feature Length Film About Steve Jobs

Set to debut next month, “iSteve”, a Steve Jobs parody biopic, will be Funny or Die’s foray into feature length content. It’ll be interesting to see if they connect this to all the Steve Jobs and Tim Cook videos they have made in the past.

Conan’s Prop Master Bill Tull Gives Great Budget St. Patrick’s Day Tips

budget, conan, st. patrick's day, tips

If you’re strapped for cash, but still want to delve into today’s festivities, then look no further than the propmaster over at Conan, Bill Tull, for some great tips and tricks as well as you’re own ability to control your own gag reflex.

Watch and learn now.

Passes For the 2013 LA Comedy Shorts Festival Are Now Available

downtown independent, la comedy shorts film festival

Passes For the 2013 LA Comedy Shorts Festival Are Now Available

Not only does the LA Comedy Shorts Festival cover a specific, yet ever burgeoning niche, but it’s one of the more legit comedy festivals in the country (also, it’s held at the awesome Downtown Independent Theater home to plenty of awesome comedy events). Screening nothing but comedy short films (sketches, online videos, short films, etc.) over 4 nights along with panels and more, it’s something worth checking out especially since you can get a weekend pass, day pass, or tickets to one individual screening.

Check out the schedule for Apr. 4th-Apr. 7th and get tickets here.

LA Comedy Rundown 3/17/13

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Stampede @ Nerdmelt Showroom Fri. Mar. 22nd 8PM $8 in adv., $10 at door
James Adomian @ Hollywood Improv Thu. May 2nd 8PM $10/2 item min.

COMEDY CRAWL
Bonjour Mr. Lewis Pt. 3 +The Errand Boy @ Cinefamily 4PM $12
Crashbar Improv @ The Clubhouse 7PM FREE
Somebody Up There Likes Me w/Q&A w/Nick Offerman & Director Bob Byington @ Cinefamily 7:45PM (moderated by Zach Galifianakis)/10:10PM (moderated by Megan Mullally) $12
Hey Buddy @ Bootleg Bar 7:30PM FREE
Catsby Improv @ The Asylum Improv 8PM Donations Accepted
French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE
Neal Brennan & Friends @ Westside Comedy Theater 9PM $5
Top Story Weekly w/Lizzy Cooperman @ iO West 9PM $5
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)
Lady to Lady: St. Patty’s Edition @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS CLAREMONT 532 W. 1st St., Claremont, CA/Starts 3PM/First come, first served/25 spots only/counts as audition/No purchase necessary
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/4 min./no purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 5PM/Ends 7PM/5 min./First come, first served/1 item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 4PM/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
NERDMELT SHOWROOM 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:15PM/Lottery/No purchase necessary
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/mixed mic
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./One drink min.
WESTWOOD BREW CO 1097 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Lottery/15 spots only/No purchase necessary
ACME COMEDY NOHO 5124 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Starts at 9:30PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS CLAREMONT 532 W. 1st St., Claremont, CA/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107-A El Centro Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts around 9:45PM after Crashbar/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary

It Would Seem Comedians Have Been Waiting For Something Like Vine

The six second .gif/stop motion animation/short film hybrid web app, Vine, has really taken off, especially when it comes to people involved in comedy. The short burst moving picture media seems to be perfect for those one-liner style jokes in a great new visual way.

Don’t think so? Check these two round-ups of funny Vine movies from Vulture and Serial Optimist, especially the ones from Steve Agee and Jake Fogelnest.

Conan Associate Producer, Jordan Schlansky, To Do Reddit AMA Next Week

conan, jordan schlansky, reddit

Conan Associate Producer, Jordan Schlansky, To Do Reddit AMA Next Week

If you might remember both Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The WGA Strike a few years back, Conan had one of the most hilarious dinners with one of his associate producers Jordan Schlansky wherein Schlansky ignored every insult Conan leveled at him continuing to tell him about Italian culture ad nauseum.

Watch the infamous dinner here and get ready for Schlansky to do a Reddit AMA on Monday for the inevitable questions you’ve saved up either for years or after seeing him be pretentious about his espresso machine earlier this week on Conan.

10 Years Later, David Brent From The Office (UK) Is Producing Music?

david brent, ricky gervais, the office

Ricky Gervais reprised his role, for Comic Relief, as the one and only David Brent who, of course, annoying the hell out of people. Somehow, a decade later, he’s producing rap music.

LA Comedy Rundown 3/16/13

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
5 Seconds Films @ Mohawk Bend Tues. Mar. 18th 9PM FREE
Stardumb w/Bil Dwyer @ Comedy Central Stages Wed. Mar. 27th 8PM FREE w/RSVP

COMEDY CRAWL
Somedybody Up There Likes Me w/Q&A w/Nick Offerman & Director Bob Byington Moderated by Jason Schwartzman @ Cinefamily 7:20PM/9:45PM $12
Treasure Trove @ Moving Arts Theater 8PM $5
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Greg Fitzsimmons @ Hollywood Improv 8PM/10PM $20/2 item min.
McGroundlings Irish Pub @ Groundlings 8PM/10PM $20 (stand by only)
Horrible Movie Night @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
BJ Novak: Uncollected Stories @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10 (stand by only)
12 Shiny Nickels @ Westside Comedy Theater 11PM $5
Tournament of Nerds @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5
Tomorro’w w/Ron Lynch & Special Guest Co-Host Emo Phillips @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK YOOHOO ROOM 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Starts 4:30PM/First come, first served
DANGERFIELD’S 3 2524 1/2 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Lottery/3-5min./$2 cover
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd and 4th St.)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/no purchase necessary/4 min.
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts around 11:30PM/lottery
ACME COMEDY NOHO 5124 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Starts at MIDNIGHT/First come, first served/No purchase necessary

Watch Steve Coogan Try to Come Up With Title For Movie in Movie’s Teaser

alan partridge, steve coogan, teaser

As his character Alan Partridge, the hilarious Steve Coogan debates what the title of the Alan Partridge movie should be in this teaser.

Oh yeah, there’s going to be an Alan Partridge movie too!

IFC Opens Up a West Coast Office in Santa Monica, CA

ifc, santa monica, west coast

IFC Opens Up a West Coast Office in Santa Monica, CA

You figure that Comedy Bang Bang, Maron, The Birthday Boys show produced by Bob Odenkirk, Will Ferrell’s “Spoils of Babylon”, and more are more or less based out in LA and this makes sense.

The comedy community in Los Angeles will surely be happy.

Ricky Gervais To Make More Content Just For His YouTube Channel

ricky gervais, youtube

Ricky Gervais To Make More Content Just For His YouTube Channel

Perhaps following on the tails of JASH, Ricky Gervais is going to up his content on the web by making original videos, etc. specifically for the web.

We do have to say that funny people with big online followings capitalizing on them by producing original content is no real surprise here.

Ron Funches Cast in NBC Pilot ‘Undateable’

nbc, pilot season, ron funches

Ron Funches Cast in NBC Pilot ‘Undateable’

Hopefully, America will get to know the wondrous low key hilarity, and it is wondrous, of Ron Funches if this gets picked up.

Kristen Schaal Live to Premiere on Comedy Central on April Fool’s Day

comedy central, kristen schaal, stand up

Kristen Schaal Live to Premiere on Comedy Central on April Fool’s Day

Kristen Schaal’s first hour long stand-up special is finally coming to Comedy Central and we’re just glad of that news. It’s even more special, in a way, that it’s going to premiere April 1st, April Fool’s Day.

LA Comedy Rundown 3/15/13

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
The Super Serious Show w/Tom Segura @ Club Fais Do Do Thurs. Mar. 21st 8PM $10 in adv., $15 at door
Mustaches & Manhattans @ Bar Lubitsch Wed. Mar. 27th 8:30PM $5

COMEDY CRAWL
Brand New Ball @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5
Somebody Up There Likes Me Opening Night w/Nick Offerman & Director Bob Byington @ Cinefamily 7:30PM/9:30PM $12
Unnecessary Evil @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
McGroundlings Irish Pub @ Groundlings 8PM $20
The Joe Starr Show @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
The Swarm @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10
Nancy & Beth ft. Megan Mullally & Stephanie Hunt @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $30 (stand by only)
Lady to Lady Variety Show & Dance Party @ Echoes Under Sunset 9PM FREE
The Ho Ho Show @ Hollywood Hotel 10PM No cover/1 drink min.
The Jesse Miller Talk Show @ Hollywood Hotel MIDNIGHT $5/1 drink min.

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-5:40PM/Starts 6PM/lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/5 min./One item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/4 min./no purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
SABOR Y CULTURA 5625 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is a lottery/5 min. with 3 min. work-in’s/No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ CLUBHOUSE 1107 N. El Centro Ave., Los Angeles, CA Ste. 110/Starts around 10:30PM after Manifesto Show/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ MIDDLE THEATER COMPANY 6605 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, Ste. 110/Starts around 11PM after Hot Improv Nights/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/lottery
ACME COMEDY NOHO 5124 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Starts at MIDNIGHT/First come, first served/No purchase necessary

‘The Farm’, The Spin-off From ‘The Office’, Airs Tonight

dwight schrute, rainn wilson, the farm, the office

‘The Farm’, The Spin-off From ‘The Office’, Airs Tonight

Of course, it had to be revamped, but it’s interesting to think that this could have happened to so many spin-offs throughout the years.

NBC 9PM Tonight.

Watch a Mini-Doc About One of Our Favorite Storytelling Shows, Two-Headed Beast

dave ross, documentary, jake weisman, storytelling, two headed beast

A monthly storytelling show at Stories-Books and Cafe, Two Headed Beast, was started by the very funny Dave Ross and Jake Weisman that we very much enjoy attending as much as we can. Here’s a nice little documentary behind the show and how great it is to see comedians, writers, interesting people tell stories in the patio of a book store in Echo Park.

Apparently, Steve Carell and Justin Timberlake Were Also in a Canadian Soap Opera with Jimmy Fallon Using Fake Arms

fake arms, jimmy fallon, justin timberlake, steve carell

One of the best bits on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is when Fallon brings up that they worked on a Canadian soap opera, “Jacob Patience”, and the guest being interviewed was hard to work with because they demanded to use fake arms.

Here’s an edition with Steve Carell and Justin Timberlake that’s worthy of having a part one and part two.

The Nerdist Returns to BBC America Mar. 30th

bbc america, chris harwick, nerdist

Just under 2 ½ weeks until The Nerdist officially kicks off being a TV seris at BBC America.

For now, you’ll just have to watch this promo and wonder which of your friends has cable.

Bo Burnham’s Cryptic Tweet Explained by His MTV Show Premiering May 2nd

bo burnham, mtv, zach stone is going to be famous

This tweet that comedian Bo Burnham sent on Monday was slightly confusing to downright cryptic, as Bo writes himself. Luckily, news came, not to far from then, that what Burnham meant was that he has a show called “Zach Stone Is Going to Be Famous” on MTV premiering May 2nd.

Another solid choice to add to their comedy line-up at MTV, which I’m sure all of you will check out.