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The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 182: Kyle KA & Don’t Tell Comedy Tell All
September 20, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
don't tell comedy, kyle ka

1000 shows over 100 cities in a year sounds like something that the likes of Live Nation could only pull off for some sort of huge touring act. Well, Don’t Tell Comedy will have notched in 3000 shows over 140 cities by the end of 2023. They’ve accomplished that with only doing stand-up comedy shows in secret locations, often backyards, all around the country and, just recently, the world, with secret line-ups, often featuring great up and coming comedy talent. We get the lowdown on all things Don’t Tell Comedy for this week’s TCB Field Report from Don’t Tell’s founder and CEO, Kyle KA.

Follow Kyle @donttellkyle on IG and Don’t Tell Comedy at donttellcomedy.com

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Matt Misisco

Pick of the Day: Little Secret Climate Fest (in LA) 9/30
September 20, 2023
News
adam conover, climate action, little secret, los angeles comedy, variety show

Today, the UN has convened for a climate summit that supposedly will address the dire circumstances that the entire global population faces from undeniable climate change. Only four years ago, Greta Thunberg had assembled the largest climate protest in Manhattan and, as you can see in the headlines, natural disasters around the world have only gotten more violent since then (minus those few months during COVID-19 quarantine where everyone stayed inside, for the most part).

That’s all to say that a lot more has to be done, which is why Little Secret is throwing a big climate action bonanza at the end of this month. The best comedy, music, and climate focused minds will be coming together for Little Secret Climate Fest on Sat. Sept. 30th at 8:30PM.

On the bill thus far are Adam Conover, Leah Bonnema, Echo Kellum, Lance Bangs as well as Jenny O., Escape Artist of Lovers (feat. Rain Phoenix), Grace Mckagan, Amanda & Shepard Fairey, and many, many more. Proceeds will benefit the work of @sunrisemvmtla & @ycstrikela.

For all of this, tickets are only $10. Plus there’s a really kicking after party, per usual at Little Secret, going late.

Go get tickets here (address given 48 hrs. before event w/purchase of ticket).

TCB Debriefing 9/19/23: Dream Scenario, John Waters, Heather McMahan, Russell Brand, Among the Dead, Second City NYC, Jena Friedman
September 19, 2023
News
among the dead, dream scenario, heather mcmahan, jena friedman, john waters, nicholas cage, nyc comedy, russell brand, second city, walk of fame

1. It seems like the Nicholas Cage from Weather Man (i.e. an entrancing balance of nuance and “going full Cage”) is back in Dream Scenario, a comedy of literal dreams, from rising star Norwegian director Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself). Simply put, Cage plays a rather ordinary professor who, all of sudden, starts appearing in everyone’s dreams. If that’s not the perfect role for Cage, we don’t know what else would be. Take your first gander at Dream Scenario here.

 

2. When the word “cult” is being used an appreciative adjective rather than a disturbing noun, there might not be a name more synonymous with that iteration of the word than filmmaker and cultural icon, John Waters. As such, it’s about time that he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and this week saw that momentous event come to pass. Unsurprisingly, Waters gave what very well be the best Hollywood Walk of Fame acceptance speech ever.

John Waters speaks at the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: "Here I am, closer to the gutter than ever!"

Watch our digital cover story with John & his #Hairspray star @RickiLake: https://t.co/Uj7eFevZ0f pic.twitter.com/Yfzbk3sKi1

— TheWrap (@TheWrap) September 18, 2023

3. Heather McMahan will be the latest beloved, headlining comedian to go the route of self-producing their special and then Netflix buying it as Netflix announced the release of her hour Son I Never Had slated for Oct. 17th (THR). Has Netflix finally gotten closer to the bottom of what seemed like bottomless pockets?

4. With multiple investigations going into allegations of sexual assault, rape, and emotional abuse by Russell Brand, both the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK have removed all content featuring Brand (Deadline). They cited the reasoning of it “…falling below public expectations,” which makes some sort of sense since Brand never really outdid his performance in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (where he played a sex obsessed rock star, mind you).

5. The zombie film and TV subgenre is so expansive that it very well could almost be its own genre separate from horror. Case in point, there is a Japanese, English-language zombie mockumentary in the works from Japanese comedian Shinagawa Hiroshi  and writing duo Midnight Pizza called Among the Dead (Variety). Like the depictions of zombies themselves, zombie films are getting smarter and more complex.

6. Following recovery from both the pandemic and an internal reckoning that changed the entire structure and ownership of legendary comedy institution, Second City, it’s beautiful news to hear that Second City NYC will open its doors on Nov. 16th (Brooklyn Vegan). We’re even more thrilled to hear that former Asylum NYC AD, the amazing Alan Kliffer, will be their Artistic Director.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alan Kliffer (@klif)

7. No one does dark humor quite like Jena Friedman, which is why you should take every opportunity to go out and see her shows. Here are four shows she’s lined up for her “Not Funny” Tour, but we won’t be surprised if more dates get added.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by jena friedman (@jenafriedman)

8. We’ll leave you with this: If you do 10,000 hours of bad stand-up, you’ll be mastered at bad stand-up.

Pick of the Day: Burning Clown: A One Hour Festival (in LA) 9/24
September 19, 2023
News
burning clown, clown, los angeles comedy, pack theater

Burning Man is over, done and dusted, but that doesn’t mean the spirit of it has faded (even if you couldn’t even afford it or have enough outrageous attire for you to appropriately go). Certainly, the clowns of the LA comedy scene revel in the wild and ethereal energy that Burning Man provides and want to keep it going (though there’s no official affiliation between the playa and clowning).

Thus, they’re having Burning Clown, a one hour clown comedy festival, coming to the Pack Theater @ The Broadwater this Sunday. The humor, light, and vulnerability of Jet Eveleth, Il Fungo, Freak Nature Puppets, Jill and Geri, and Cole Saleh will be on display starting at 7:50PM on Sun. Sept. 24th and go for an hour (and hopefully realign your vision of the world).

Tickets are only $7.50 and you can (and very much should) go get them here.

 

TCB Debriefing 9/18/23: CCSUF, NYCF, Talk Shows Pause Return, Russell Brand, Barbie, Jonah Kills
September 18, 2023
News
barbie, bill maher, comedy central, drew barrymore, jax media, jonah kills, new york comedy fest, russell brand, stand up comedy, wga strike

1. The latest round of Comedy Central’s digital stand-up showcase, “Featuring” or more explicitly “Comedy Central Stand Up Featuring” just announced its New York line-ups for its latest taping. The likes of Ayanna Dookie, Sam Morrison, Chinedu Unaka, Homles, Randall Otis, Lucas Zelnick, Kate Sisk, Tommy Brennan, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Usama Sidiquee, Mark Smalls, Mav Viola, Asha Ward, Ethan Simmons-Patterson, and Eagle Witt will be taking the Cutting Room stage on Thurs. Oct. 5th. Admission is free so long as you RSVP to the early or late show here. Thank goodness this came along and the arrival of Comics Unleashed on CBS won’t be on the only short form stand-up you’ll see from a TV network.

2. The New York Comedy Festival, running from Nov. 3rd-12th, just made a big announcement for their line-up and schedule which includes:

Get the full schedule/line-up/tickets all at nycomedyfestival.com/schedule

3. Both Drew Barrymore and Bill Maher have paused their return of their respective talk shows, The Drew Barrymore Show and Real Time with Bill Maher (NY Times), following controversy stemming from the ongoing WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes. Considering negotiations are to resume on Wednesday; let’s hope this is a good omen for talks to pick up in earnest and bring the strikes to an end with fair deals all around.

4. Russell Brand is facing allegations of emotional abuse, sexual assault, and rape during the “height of his fame” and nearly every project and endeavor has been put on pause (BBC). We would wonder how has it taken this long for this to come out, but the story of survivors is so frequent that it’s common knowledge that it could take years and years and years for them to step forward when processing trauma.

5. Barbie has just surpassed The Avengers as the 11th highest grossing domestic release in film history with $626 million in U.S. theaters (Variety). If it makes $30 million more at home, it’ll beat the far less raved about Jurassic World to be in the top 10.

6. Showtime is lining up its ducks for when the strike ends, starting with a UK comedy from UK theater impresario Clem Garrity called Jonah Kills (Deadline). Fingers crossed that this is another sign that we’re nearing the end of the strikes, which has lasted 139 days.

7. We’ll leave you with this: Elon Musk is thinking of starting to charge for use of Twitter/X concluding that it might be the best way to combat bots on the platform. It’s also the best way to finally sink Twitter into oblivion besides trying (and kind of failing) to change its name to X.

 

Pick of the Day: Kumail Nanjiani is Doing This Again (in LA) 10/3
September 18, 2023
News
kumail nanjiani, largo, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy

It has been seemingly an eon and a half has passed since hundreds of folks would gather at the back of Meltdown Comics to see Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani helm one of the best weekly comedy shows in the country. While the physical space that housed The Meltdown with Jonah & Kumail is now slated to be another overpriced apartment building in LA, we’re over the moon to see Kumail’s return to stand-up comedy after becoming a legitimate movie star.

You’ve might have seen Kumail in and around LA popping up as a special guest, but he’s taking over a whole night at Largo at the Coronet (a short drive from Sunset x Gardner) on Tues. Oct. 3rd. The show was just announced today and bound to sell out. So, get your tix at $46 a pop here quick.

TCB Debriefing 9/15/23: Joe Pera Special, Derrick Brown Album, Spaghetti Fest, Thank You For Coming, Conan on Trump, Hasan Minhaj
September 15, 2023
News
bollywood, comedy festival, conan o'brien, derrick brown, hasan minhaj, joe pera, spaghetti festival, thank you for coming, the elysian

1. The most gentle soul in comedy, Joe Pera, is releasing his very first special, self-produced and set to be released on YouTube on Fri Oct. 6th. True to his spirit, it’ll be called Slow & Steady and very likely be the sort of soothing and surprising glee with the way the world is these days. Please enjoy Joe’s announcement here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @joepera

2. The multi-talented, multi-faceted, very funny and very evocative Derrick Brown has just come out with his first album, A Close Shave with Heaven, fresh off the presses from Pretty Good Friends. We’ll fill you in on Brown’s synchronous blend of comedy & poetry soon, but enjoy the record (and amazing cover) as it has dropped today (wherever you get your comedy albums).

3. The Elysian‘s Spaghetti Festival (AKA Forget About Spaghetti Fest) is set to return with completely original new, never before seen comedy productions come Nov. 1st-11th. Tickets, details, and line-up to come soon!

4. One of the gala films at TIFF is a Bollywood sex comedy that takes aim at the patriarchy cheekily called Thank You For Coming (Variety). A female empowerment comedy hailing from Bollywood is a pretty big deal and we hope Thank You For Coming finds its way to American theaters soon.

5. Preach, Conan O’Brien, preach.

6. Hasan Minhaj admitting to embellishing his stories in service of comedy is actually very much at the heart of the art form of comedy itself; artistic expressions that are, above all, in service of the joke.

Pick of the Day: The George Lucas Talk Show (in NYC) 10/9
September 15, 2023
News
bell house, connor ratliff, george lucas talk show, griffin newman, patrick cotnoir

The arrival of Ahsoka on Disney+ should signal an especially special time for The George Lucas Talk Show since the significance of Ahsoka being a main player in the Star Wars Universe is all at the behest of George Lucas himself. Truly, any excuse for Connor Ratliff to don a beard and a slick, custom souvenir jacket and join a Watto-fied Griffin Newman and Patrick Cotnoir for GLTS is all good with us.

The hysterical, very meta talk show is not as regularly scheduled as it once was, which is why we feel particularly tasked with highlighting when it does come around, especially when it’s playing such a venue as The Bell House. Come Mon. Oct 9th at 7;30PM, Ratliff and company will assemble for GLTS and, who knows, maybe even strike a deal between the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, AMPTP?

Only one way to find out. Go get tickets for $25.42 here before they sell out.

TCB Debriefing 9/14/23: Henry Sugar, Adam Sandler Tour, Diffidate delle Imitazioni, Murray Hill, Big Mouth, Mr & Mrs Smith, Our Flag Means Death
September 14, 2023
News
adam sandler, big mouth, Diffidate delle Imitazioni, donald glover, henry sugar, mr and mrs smith, murray hill, our flag means death, rai tv, wes anderson

1. It shouldn’t really come as a surprise that a Wes Anderson film adapted from a Roald Dahl book would seem to be an utter delight and yet another colorful addition to Anderson’s storied filmography. We’re thrilled that it was only a few short months ago that Asteroid City came out and we’re now treated to another helping of Wes Anderson so soon. So, without further adieu, take your first gander at The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar starring Benedict Cumberbatch, due out on Netflix on Sept. 27th.

2. Adam Sandler is going back on tour from Oct. 12th-Dec. 12th (Billboard). His last tour and special were some of Sandler’s most cherished work to date, especially outside of things like Uncut Gems.

3. Diffidate delle Imitazioni (literally translated as Beware of Imitations, but will be called Fake Show in English) is a brand new Italian comedy game show, ordered by Rai, where Italian celebrities will improvise based off of suggestions and prompts generated by AI (Deadline). Though it might try, AI will not best Clive Anderson as an improv show host.

4. Frequent scene stealer Murray Hill (Live & Beth and Somebody Somewhere) is coming out with his very first memoir, Showbiz! My Unexpected Life as a Middle-Aged Man, which appears to have more than just a story of making it in the Big Apple. It’s set for 2025 release, but we’re sure we’ll get tid bits and morsels leading up to that day.

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A post shared by Murray Hill (@murrayhill)

5. Just a little more than a month of waiting before you get Big Mouth season 7 (specifically, Oct. 20th on Netflix).

6. The premiere of Donald Glover and Maya Erskine‘s Mr. and Mrs. Smith is delayed due to the ongoing strike and its prohibition of promoting certain big time movies and TV series (THR). If the studios do end up going rogue from the streamers and tech giants, we might have to wait even longer to see this.

7. This full length trailer for season 2 of Our Flag Means Death almost makes you want to go back in time to make piracy more like it is between Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby. Season 2 sets sail on Thurs. Oct. 5th.

8. Nothing Bill Maher does on this writer-less return of Real Time will top Conan O’Brien spinning his wedding ring.

Pick of the Day: Luke Null: Live Special Taping (in LA) 10/2
September 14, 2023
News
dynasty typewriter, los angeles comedy, luke null, musical comedy

For all the well earned misgivings that come with musical comedy, especially the kind done with a guitar, Luke Null is a bright and shining exception. He subverts the songwriting form in a subtle, but masterfully comedic way and has penned and sung some of the best comedy songs we’ve heard in recent memory. Innovative, poignant, and devastatingly satirical, Null makes up (and then some) for so much hackneyed guitar comedy that you’ve very likely been subjected to over the last several years.

With that in mind, you really need to be at his taping to see and laugh at and tap your toe with on Mon. Oct. 2nd at Dynasty Typewriter. There are two tapings, 7:30PM & 10PM, and you can (and very much should) get tickets at $20 here and here respectively.

TCB Debriefing 9/13/23: Comedy Gives Back Healthnet, Real Time with Bill Maher, Strike Force Three, Luenell, Meme Fighter Hiring
September 13, 2023
News
bill maher, comedy gives back, healthcare, luenell, meme fighter, netflix, real time, strike force five, wga strike

1. Comedy Gives Back, the 501 (c)3 non-profit dedicated to serving comedians and the comedy community, has just launched Comedy Gives Back Healthnet, a proposed low-cost alternative to healthcare (a thing that many comedians have to pay for out of pocket or, often times, just skip altogether). It’s not full on healthcare, but it’s $200 a year for:

-Smart Virtual Care ™, where you input your symptoms to receive advice from GigSafety.net’s network of healthcare professionals who check your symptoms and recommend a plan of action.
-One free telemed appointment annually (additional telemed appts vary depending on level of care needed, but start as low as $25)
-Access to low-cost and transparent pricing for prescriptions (existing and new)
-Access to low-cost and transparent pricing for Specialists, Hospital stays, X-rays, and more
-Access to virtual mental health therapy
-Access to a self-led recovery treatment program
-Access to risk-sharing health coverage  (at an additional cost).

Get more details at comedygivesback.com/cgbhealthnet

2. Real Time with Bill Maher is set to return to air without its writers since they continue to be on strike. (Deadline). This means that late night will now consist of Bill Maher and Greg Gutfeld, which is almost as sad as how long the strike has gone.

3. The other hosts of late night are staying union strong for now and are opting to a live podcasting taping with the Jimmys (Kimmel and Fallon) and Colbert on Sept. 23rd in Vegas (Variety). Seth Meyers and John Oliver won’t be in attendance making it a “Strike Force Three” event though proceeds from the taping will go to the hosts’ respective staffs. If they really want to sell tickets they’ll have the majority of the conversation focused on Fallon and the past years at The Tonight Show.

4. Dave Chappelle’s name is actually not causing controversy today as his name is attached to a brand new Netflix special from the great Luenell, due out Sept 26th (Billboard). You’ve seen Luenell in countless TV shows and movies and you’ll now get to see her take center stage for her first Netflix special later this month.

5. Want to make memes as a job? Well, Meme Fighter is looking for you.

Meme Fighter is hiring for a part time MEME CONTENT CREATOR.

You read that right. We’re hiring someone to make memes for us.

Details, application instructions and more details here: https://t.co/KcKso0krSW

— Meme Fighter (@MemeFighterApp) September 13, 2023

6. We’ll leave you with this: comedy is richer when you have a life outside of it.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 181: Nataly Aukar & NYC Mornings
September 13, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
nataly aukar, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

For those who that pine catching someone’s ascension in comedy as it’s happening, one might not need to look further than NYC comedy staple Nataly Aukar. From Lebanon to NYC to all around the world, Nataly has worked her way through the comedy ranks, refined her skills, found her voice, and crafted her story with plenty of punchlines to tell on stages all around the U.S. and around the world (she’s playing Dubai later this month). This week’s TCB Field Report has a beautiful chat with Aukar about her process and perspective on comedy, both within herself and all around her.

Follow Nataly @natyourcolor on IG

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Carly Hoogendyk

Pick of the Day: An Untitled Evening with Ikechukwu Ufomadu (in NYC) 10/1
September 13, 2023
News
ikechukwu ufomadu, littlefield, nyc comedy

When we use the adjectives “innovative” and “sensational”, we don’t want to ever use them lightly as many a press release has overused such words to boost up whatever comedian they’re talking about. That said, we’d like to use those two modifiers and pair them with “absurd” and “ornate” when describing the comedy of Ikechukwu Ufomadu, a strange, but very true gem of NYC comedy.

Ufomadu subverts much of the traditional trappings of stand-up, but does so with such a refined execution that there is a satisfying otherworldly-ness of his performances, especially if you’re a fan of Emo Philips or Andy Kaufman. That’s why you shouldn’t really miss out on him presenting An Untitled Evening with Ikechukwu Ufomadu at Littlefield in Brooklyn come Sun. Oct. 1st 8PM. He and Eudora Peterson, Pat Burtscher, and Edy Modica will bring you a night of comedy that you will very likely never forget (yet another saying that we don’t want to use lightly).

Tickets are only $15.54 and you can and should go get them right now right here.

A Very Special Episode of The Green Room with Paul Provenza, Live from Paul’s Very Own Backyard
September 12, 2023
News
andy andrist, annie lederman, doug stanhope, henry phillips, kristine levine, paul provenza, the green room

Even though it was over a decade ago since it first premiered and ran for two seasons, The Green Room with Paul Provenza still resonates with any and all comedy fans/nerds/obsessives that come across it. The premise was simply to be a fly on the wall for all those “green room” conversations that happened backstage at a comedy club or theater where some one-of-a-kind comedy gold was spun. During its run, Paul moderated conversations between amazing panels that include Bo Burnham, Marc Maron, Kathy Griffin, Eddie Izzard, Kumail Nanjiani, and more.

All that said, it has been awhile since those magical two seasons aired and folks have had a chance to visit The Green Room with Paul Provenza. Well, that while has come to a close with Paul starting to do shows in his very home, dubbed The Green House, (he “blames” us here at TBC for his backyard becoming a venue, FYI) and sometimes, that includes special, live, outdoor versions of The Green Room, produced by the original pairing of Provenza and Babs Romen (and, full disclosure, we have a hand in running the 1s and 2s too), . If you haven’t had a chance to see one of these special Green Rooms, they are magical.

To show you why The Green Room is so special, here is the latest happening of it that gathers many comedians who are sexual assault/abuse survivors, namely Andy Andrist, Annie Lederman, and Kristine Levine along with Doug Stanhope and Henry Phillips for a truly unbelievable conversation about processing some of the darkest trauma into comedy for both inner peace and hope and solidarity for others.

*TRIGGER WARNING for those sensitive to the topic and discussion of sexual assault/abuse/rape as this conversation dives explicitly into survivor experiences and humor.*

 

TCB Debriefing 9/12/23: Young Love, Ridiculousness Unionizes, Simpsons, CK Doc
September 12, 2023
News
louis ck, rebel wilson, ridiculousness, simpsons, union strong, young love

1. Spun off from Matthew A. Cherry‘s Oscar winning short film, Hair Love, Young Love follows the same family, but in full length animated series form, complete with Issa Rae and Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi) as the lead voices. Issa has made her footprint in almost every space in entertainment and she has just added animated TV show to her the list. Take a gander at Young Love‘s first official trailer here, then look for it on Max on Thurs. Sept. 21st.

2. They took a vote and, surprise, surprise, Ridiculousness‘ staff have officially unionized (THR). Wouldn’t it be great if Dyrdek had to take time to acknowledge that, perhaps with some appropriate clips of the WGA strike.

3. With the unveiling of this trailer, The Simpsons is on the threshold of their 35th season, set to premiere on Sun. Oct. 1st. Apologies for elder millenials and Gen-Xers that felt a pang of their age just now.

 

4. Thanks to Greenwich Entertainment, a doc about Louis CK‘s sexcual misconduct appropriately called Sorry/Not Sorry is getting distribution in North America (Deadline). Hopefully, they release before CK has another hour special.

5. How many more years need to pass before all comedy is referred to by our collective parents and extended family as “skits”?

Pick of the Day: Chatterday Nite (in LA) Starting 10/7
September 12, 2023
News
chatterbox, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy

Though still far from what travel guides what consider the “hip” neighborhoods in and around LA, West Covina still remains home to one of the LA comedy scene’s best weekly nights of comedy at The Chatterbox. Partially due to its distance from LA proper as well as their well-earned group of regulars, Chatterbox Comedy, is well worth the trip to further reaches of the Greater LA Area for both comics and comedy fans.

Starting Sat. Oct. 7th at 8PM, you’ll have more chances to see what a great room they’re running out East as Chatterbox is launching a weekly Saturday night show for headliners (as opposed to their showcase format of 6-7 comics). This Saturday night show, which will be called Chatterday Nite, will go with a more traditional headliner format of host, feature, headliner and starting off with the amazing homegrown talents of Chris Estrada, Scott Luhrs, and host Corina Sagun.

Chatterday Nite will be every Saturday night, pairing quite nicely with the Sunday night show. So, make plans to head out to The Chatterbox starting, again, on Oct. 7th after you get your tickets for $10 a pop here. Keep up to date with all things Chatterbox Comedy @chatterboxcomedy on IG.

 

TCB Debriefing 9/11/23: Rotting in the Sun, Yorgos Wins Venice, Daniel Van Kirk, Comics Unleashed
September 11, 2023
News
byron allen, comics unleashed, daniel van kirk, jordan firstman, poor things, rotting in the sun, sebastián silva, venice film festival, yorgos lanthimos

1. If you’ve been wondering what Jordan Firstman has been up to post-Search Party and beyond his IG characters, he’s been part of one of the more meta-films to come out in recent memory. In what might be the latest Sundance gem Rotting in the Sun, Firstman plays himself trying to collaborate with esteemed Chilean director Sebastián Silva (and then some) who is played by none other than Sebastián Silva. The trailer promises something equally trippy and sharply satirical, which proved to be buzzworthy at Sundance. Take a gander for yourself here, then look for Rotting in the Sun in limted release now and then on MUBI beginning Sept. 15th.

2. All hail comedy auteur Yorgos Lanthimos and his latest work, Poor Things, for winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival (i.e. the best film a la the Palme D’or at Cannes). We have a sneaking suspicion that Poor Things could be this (or next) year’s Triangle of Sadness.

3. The unforgettable Daniel Van Kirk is going all over the U.S. of A for his Rose Gold Tour (that’ll culminate in a taping of his latest special in Chicago), spreading his homespun, yet sharply crafted tomfoolery far and wide. Get in on that tickets right now at danielvankirk.com.

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A post shared by Daniel Van Kirk (@danielvankirk)

4. Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed is coming to late night (THR). The end of The Late Late Show and the double strike has CBS (and every other network) at an impasse with what to put on their programming schedule after 10:30pm. The long standing comedian showcase, Comics Unleashed, where Byron Allen often just brings up the topic of a comedian’s joke to make it seem like they’re having a panel discussion, will not only fill in for a late night slot, but will, in its just-ordered limited run on CBS, be the only instance of new stand-up comedy on linear TV.

5. Speaking of the double strike, NBCUniversal Studio Group (guess Comcast NBC Universal wasn’t that catchy?) has suspended their deal with almighty Lorne Michaels (Deadline). Perhaps, this will amount to an actually edgy season of SNL whenever it comes back?

6. So, the AMPTP’s angle is to try to pretend like the strike’s not happening at a Drew Barrymore Show taping? We could have swore that they hired a new crisis PR firm to better their image, but, with shenanigans like this, maybe not?

Pick of the Day: (Return of) Tuesdays at the Red Room (in NYC) Starting 9/12
September 11, 2023
News
emily wilson, kgb bar, nyc comedy, tuesdays at the red room

Emily Wilson has been busy dazzling audiences across the pond at the Edinburgh Fringe with her absolutely riveting solo show, Fixed, over the last several weeks. While she had quite the Summer month in Scotland (including a big interview/write-up in the Guardian), that did mean that Emily’s spectacular Tuesday night show at the KGB Bar’s Red Room had to take a brief hiatus.

That hiatus will thankfully be over starting tomorrow, Sept 12th at 8PM. Tuesdays at the Red Room will resume being one of the best NYC comedy spots on Tuesdays. Emily has stacked her return line-up with Nataly Aukur, Michael Hirsch, and Asad Benbow. Keep up with the show @tuesdaysattheredroom on IG, buy tickets here at $9.26 a pop, and this be part of your weekly routine yet again.

TCB Debriefing 9/8/23: Typist Artist Pirate King, Tiffany Haddish’s Pay for Movie Debut, Hasan Minhaj Tour, Julie Seabaugh
September 8, 2023
News
hasan minhaj, julie seabaugh, tiffany haddish, typist artist pirate king

1. While the Brits were the originators of “kitchen sink realism”, perhaps their M.O. now is more accurately described as “bathroom sink irony”, a more deeply personal, yet acutely satirical view on British life that’s either wryly bittersweet or woebegone hilarious. The latest entry to join this wave might be Carol Morley’s Typist Artist Pirate King, a dramedy following the latter days of celebrated real life artist Audrey Amiss and a journey she took with her psychiatric nurse. Kelly MacDonald and Monica Dolan star here in the newest UK comedy export to make you feel all the feels. Take a gander at the UK trailer here for its UK rollout (and maybe VOD?) to start on Oct. 27th.

2. Before launching in to undeniable stardom in Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish didn’t get paid a cent for the first movie she starred in as it was a non-union role leaving her nothing more than a handful of DVD copies of the movie from the producers for her to sell (Variety). Just a friendly reminder about the importance of staying #unionstrong.

3. These are the dates and cities for Hasan Minhaj’s Off With His Head tour. Get tickets here quick as they’re already going very, very fast.

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A post shared by Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj)

4. Our good friend Julie Seabaugh, who just happens to be, for our money, one of comedy journalism’s most preeminent voices, just published a book of her best interview and pieces, many of which are in their unedited, full form (i.e. everything that should have been fit to print). Wonderfully titled A Tight 20: Two Decades of Comedy Journalism, it is a must read/have for comedy fans of all kinds.

5. We remember a showrunner once telling us that it’s “show business, not show art”, though it’s clear now, more than ever, that the show business can’t really run without the show art.

Pick of the Day: Goodstock ’99 (in LA) 9/9
September 8, 2023
News
elysian theater, los angeles comedy

If going to the Elysian is one of your favorite ways to beat the heat in LA (and we’ve really been feeling it this Summer thanks to climate change), then you might want to turn up this Saturday, Sept. 9th to their big one-day comedy & music festival extravaganza. Called Goodstock ’99, the Elysian is gathering many of their favorite folks from all over town to raise money for their A/C system, a crucial part of the theater, especially with the record temperatures we’ve been getting in the Greater LA Area.

They’re running from 12PM all the way to midnight with a jam packed schedule as follows:

  • 12:00PM: Vendors Open
  • 2:00 PM: Childrens Hour w / Kate Micucci, Joybell & Brother James
  • 3:00PM: Kyle Helf
  • 3:30PM: Zoog Dabbity
  • 4:00PM: BBY DRE
  • 4:30PM: Johnny Ass
  • 5:00PM: Pearl Charles
  • 5:45PM: George McAuliffe
  • 6:00PM: Pearl Derringer
  • 6:30PM: George McAuliffe
  • 7:00PM: Myke Wright
  • 7:45PM: Roxanne Starnick
  • 8:15PM: Gentleman Cowboys
  • 8:45PM: Softer
  • 9:30PM: MIRTHQUAKE
  • 10:15PM: World Destroyers Pleasure Club
  • 11:00PM: Number One Popstar

There will be food and fashion vendors as well all for the nice price of $25. That will directly go towards A/C repairs, refrigeration, and more to have the Elysian be it’s very best for it’s glamorous audiences.

Get more info and tickets right here.

TCB Debriefing 9/7/23: Quiz Lady, Atsuko Okatsuka, Sam Jay, Dreaming Whilst Black, Fallon
September 7, 2023
News
atsuko okatsuka, dreaming whilst black, hbo, jimmy fallon, quiz lady, sam jay, tonight show

1. Awkwafina and Sandra Oh join forces for what could be a very, very fun buddy road comedy that vaguely echoes Little Miss Sunshine in Quiz Lady. Take a gander with the trailer here, then look out for it on Hulu starting Nov. 3rd.

2. The marvelous Atsuko Okatsuka is about to go back out on the road for her Full Grown Tour. So, you better go get your tickets ASAP before they sell out.

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A post shared by Atsuko Okatsuka (@atsukocomedy)

3. If you’ve been wondering what Sam Jay has been up to since it has been a minute since Pause with Sam Jay, you have your answer in the trailer for her brand new hour special, Salute Me or Shoot Me, the long awaited follow-up to 3 in the Morning. Look for it on Max starting Sept. 23rd.

4. Your favorite new British dramedy might be right around the corner with Dreaming Whilst Black from Adjani Salmon. Take a full look with its first full length trailer here, then look for it on Paramount+ (yes, this is where Showtime Anytime was headed) starting tomorrow.

5. Several of the rumblings and rumors you’ve heard from former Tonight Show staff over the last several years were effectively confirmed following a personal apology from Jimmy Fallon himself in response to a damning article published in Rolling Stone. We’re guessing that there’s more to the story of the “freak accident” of how he broke his finger and had to have a huge cast on his hand while hosting for several weeks. If you’re not already listening to Strike Force Five, now is probably a good time to get into it.

6. Apologies for missing out on a debriefing yesterday. We’re putting on two shows this month, one of which is our 13th anniversary (it’s invite only, but let us know if you want to come!).

Pick of the Day: Jay Larson Live Taping (in LA) 9/17
September 7, 2023
News
comedy store, jay larson, live taping, los angeles comedy, stand up

One of the keenest observers and storytellers in comedy is, without a doubt, Jay Larson. To this day, he still has one of the most popular sets on Conan and, for our money, has some of the best crowd work questions. Larson has been the type of comedian for several years now, making his performances a delight whenever/wherever they happen.

With that in mind, Larson is doing a very special taping of his “signature bits” in the intimate space of the Belly Room at The Comedy Store. Don’t miss Jay essentially doing his “greatest hits” once more on Sun. Sept. 17th at 7PM & 9:30PM. Tickets are only $10 (+ 2 drink min.). Go get them here and here, respectively.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 180: Beth Lapides & Conversation Sanctity
September 6, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
alternative comedy, beth lapides, los angeles comedy, uncabaret

For an independent comedy show of any kind to last a year is a feat in such a city as Los Angeles. UnCabaret, created by Beth Lapides, has lasted for around 30 years and is very much continuing to foster a special community with its sort-of-light-bulb-moment-focused storytelling/stand-up show. It’s an undeniable institution in comedy and foundational to alternative comedy as we know and love it. This week’s TCB Field Report talks to Lapides and the history of her beautiful gathering that she has created and what goes into keeping conversation, especially the sort that’s had between performer and audience, sacred.

Follow UnCabaret @uncabaret across socials and Beth @beth_lapides on IG.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Pick of the Day: How to Start a Fire with Sydnee Washington (in NYC) 9/20
September 6, 2023
News
nyc comedy, solo show, storytelling, Sydnee Washington, union hall

Though Sydnee Washington has indeed returned to NYC, she is far from a prodigal daughter. It was wondrous having her comedic spirit in and around LA for her limited stint, but, alas, her heart is in New York and is at home.

To mark her momentous homecoming, Sydnee is putting up her fantastic solo show, How To Start a Fire, once again at Union Hall. For the uninitiated, yes, the title is literal (and a little metaphorical as well) and a damn great collection of stories from Sydnee’s early years leading up to the eponymous event.

Welcome Sydnee back to NYC and please enjoy/re-enjoy this solo show on Wed. Sept. 20th at 10PM. Tickets are $18.98 and you can and should go get ’em here.

TCB Debriefing 9/5/23: Beth Stelling, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Hasan Minhaj, Woody Allen/Cancel Culture, Meme Fighter LIVE
September 5, 2023
News
beth stelling, chicken run, hasan minhaj, meme fighter, shane gillis, woody allen

1. Following up one of the best comedy specials in recent memory, Girl Daddy, the brilliant Beth Stelling just announced a new hour special, If You Didn’t Want Me Then,  exclusive to Netflix, due out just under a month from now on Tues. Oct. 3rd. Definitely set aside time to watch/revel/laugh/enjoy this the second it comes out.

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A post shared by Beth Stelling (@bethstelling)

2. Also due out on Netflix is the latest from stop motion animation legend Nick Park, the sequel to the unequivocally charming Chicken Run, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. By the way, if you’re feeling out of sorts these days because of, well, the world, a deep dive into the Nick Park universe is a pretty great pick-me-up.

3. Make sure you’re at the ready tomorrow morning when tickets go on sale for Hasan Minhaj‘s latest tour, Off With His Head. That will mark the third hour in a trio of hours entitled Homecoming King, The King’s Jester, and, now, Off With His Head. A la Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s Cornetto trilogy, will this be a sort of a ‘Royal Court’ trilogy?

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A post shared by Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj)

4. Woody Allen claims to not know what it means to be canceled during the screening of his latest movie at Venice Film Festival (Deadline). He hasn’t every really stopped working and putting out movies (and that Amazon series that was very quickly forgotten), so was he ever really canceled (even if his work from the last several years have been his least acclaimed)?

5. Once again, we’re doing a very special live game show, Meme Fighter LIVE! on 9/23 in LA, with the good folks at brand new meme-making-app, Meme Fighter. See Dylan Adler, Ify Nwadiwe, and Jenny Zigrino try and claim comedy supremacy with only memes at their disposal with Nick Gligor presiding over the battle of memetic wits. Tix now on sale HERE.

6. Ironically, Shane Gillis, who is no stranger to controversy, told essentially the same joke that Bill Maher got in trouble for right after 9/11 in his new hour special, Beautiful Dogs. We’re pretty sure it’s parallel thought, but Gillis won’t experience anywhere near the heat for the joke in 2023 and, given how schadenfraude-obsessed edgelords and their fans are, it isn’t necessarily because 9/11 happened over 20 years ago.

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