Recent News – Page 17 – The Comedy Bureau

Pick of the Day: Arti Gollapudi Performs the Real Book Like a Real B*tch (in NYC) 8/8

August 3, 2023

Arti Gollapudi, joe's pub, musical comedy, nyc comedy, solo show, storytelling

One of the most marvelously spirited comedians in NYC, Arti Gollapudi, is bringing her past and present to the very immediate future in what should be a beaming delight of a raunchy, yet classy affair at NYC’s venerable Joe’s Pub.

For what she’s calling “Arti Gollapudi Performs the Real Book Like a Real B*tch“, Gollapudi will be doing jazz standards with some of her favorite musicians throughout the city (canteenkilla, Talk Bazaar, Syl Dubenion, and Koa Ho) while weaving in her stories of trying to find love and chronic uterus pain and everything else in between in the life and times of Arti. Very special guests El Kempner (Palehound) and Karolena Theresa will be joining her throughout the evening too.

So, get your best jazz attire, get your $15 tickets (plus 2 drink or 1 food item min.), and head to NoHo to the one and only Joe’s Pub on Tues. Aug. 8th at 7PM to catch what will likely be the most unforgettable night of jazz and comedy that you’ve seen in quite some time.

TCB Debriefing 8/2/23: Dreaming Whilst Black, Barbie in Middle East, Reservation Dogs, Caitlin Cook

August 2, 2023

News

barbie, caitlin cook, dreaming whilst black, off broadway, reservation dogs, showtime

1. First look at Showtime’s new UK dramedy, Dreaming Whilst Black, from Adjanai Salmon here. If you’ve been dreaming of Insecure with British accents, you might want to get into this starting Sun. Sept. 10th at 10PM on Showtime.

2. Barbie might be banned in the Middle East because, well, it’s probably too queer (and everything) for them (Variety), but actually might surpass that $1 billion mark that Margot Robbie dreamed of at the box office in the next few days (Deadline). That means Barbie might be the most commercially successful Oscar winner since LOTR, even without Middle East box office receipts.

3. A friendly neighborhood reminder that the critically acclaimed, award winning Reservation Dogs is back for its third and final season starting tonight on FX/Hulu.

4. The best show you’ll ever see about bathroom graffiti, The Writing’s on the Stall from Caitlin Cook is set to make it’s Off-Broadway debut at the SoHo Playhouse on Wednesdays-Saturdays in September. You will never look at bathroom art the same way ever again. Go get tix right now right here.

5. Stand-up comedy crowd work needs to evolve past asking “Where are you from?” and “What do you do for a living?”

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 175: Mike Bridenstine & All Star Picks New Faces to Watch

August 2, 2023

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

comics to watch, jfl, jfl montreal, just for laughs, new faces of comedy, variety

Despite their being several more months of the year left to go, right around now is the time of each year when a big share of the “comedians to watch” lists come out. Namely, the Just For Laughs Montreal New Faces of Comedy and Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch came out recently, highlighting what are supposed to be 2023’s class of comedians you should be paying attention to if you haven’t done so already.

That said, there is much more nuance that goes into picking the many dozens of comics between those two lists (FYI, Vulture’s Comedians You Should and Will Know List has yet to come out) and we enlisted comedy expert and historian and beloved comic Mike Bridenstine to make choice picks from those already highly selective picks. Essentially, Bridenstine and us do an all-star line-up of JFL and Variety’s all-star line-up in this very special episode of TCB Field Report.

Follow Mike @mikebridenstine on IG, pre-order his book The Perfect Amount of Wrong and get info/tix for Microdose and Flagship here.

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

Pick of the Day: Free Screening of “Strange Man Bicycle Caper” In Celebration of Pee Wee (in LA) 8/5

August 2, 2023

News

dynasty typewriter, la comedy, pee-wee herman

With millions still mourning the loss of one dear Paul Reubens, there are all sorts of tributes honoring his memory, especially when it comes to Pee Wee Herman.

So, with that in mind, we hear that the good folks down at Dynasty Typewriter are doing a special free screening of “Strange Man Bicycle Caper” this Sat. Aug. 5th at 10PM. Is that a certain famous movie about trying to find some sort of two wheel dedicated mode of transporation or not? You’d have to (and probably should) go see for yourself.

There is an RSVP, but admission is still first come, first served. No matter if you make it in or not, you should ready a red bow tie, just in case.

TCB Debriefing 8/1/23: This Fool, Two Dykes and a Mic, Toast of Tinseltown, Disenchantment, Seth MacFarlane

August 1, 2023

News

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1. The second season of one of our favorite comedies right now, This Fool, not only premiered last week, but dropped all episodes on Hulu for your binging pleasure. Get into it and you might just find a great poke at The Bear and Burning Man.

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2. Rachel Scanlon and McKenzie Goodwin, hosts of one of the best queer podcasts around, just kicked off a gigantic Two Dykes and a Mic tour across North America that will last you almost the way to Thanksgiving. Go get tickets right now right here.

3. If you can’t get your Matt Berry fix quick enough when waiting for the next episode of What We Do in the Shadows, be thrilled to know that Toast of Tinseltown is now streaming free, at your convenience, on Roku.

4. Matt Groening’s Disenchantment is going to come to a close with season five on Netflix come Sept. 1st on Netflix. Five seasons is more than most shows last these days, but it’s unfortunately far from Groening’s other show, The Simpsons, which is currently at 34.

5. Kudos and cheers and applause to Seth MacFarlane as he just made a $1 million donation the Entertainment Community Fund to support those entertainment industry workers directly affected by the historic WGA/SAG-AFTRA Strike (Deadline). You don’t need to give a million, but you can donate to the ECF here.

6. In LA, let’s have a moratorium on calling any new comedy shows, Mixtape. There are too many already.

After Everything We’ve All Been Through Since 2019, Ben Roy Delivers Yet Again with “Hyena”

August 1, 2023

News

800 pound gorilla, ben roy, comedy album, comedy special, stand up comedy

Nearly 20 years in, Denver comedy luminary Ben Roy has nearly perfected his euphoria-fueled-shot-in-the-arm style of comedy that combines the energy of a Battle of the Bands showdown with the vivid and expansive detail of an impressionist painting. Roy’s comedy is a true thing of raw hilarious beauty. That sentiment continues to be true with his latest hour, fresh off the presses from 800 Pound Gorilla, Hyena.

Many a comedian over the last year or two have released what will likely be their one and only special that will touch on the COVID-19 pandemic and, as such, there is more than plenty of well-trodden territory when it comes to dealing with COVID and post-pandemic life. Roy visits said territory, but he’s such a satisfying force of nature to watch and nails the specificity and details in his writing that Hyena isn’t going to make you go through another tiresome COVID chunk. If anything, Ben’s firebrand persona makes him even stand out here when talking why he’s pro-vaccine, but for reasons that are hilariously political and transparently self-serving. More so than most other “catch-up from 2019” specials, Ben’s take/observations on the last three years are what we hoped such a comedy special would be in 2023.

We’ve talked about the vast spectrum of color that Ben uses with his pen (probably one of those tactical ones that can break through a car window) before with his past hours. It’s so mesmerizing (e.g. his game show pitch for “It’s Asbestos”) that it’s worth noting once more. Roy conjures up imagery not unlike Patton Oswalt, but goes at it with his punk rock conviction giving some sort of feeling that you’re laughing at the color palate of a nuclear tinged horizon at sunset. That’s one of the big reasons Hyena as well as every other Ben Roy release before this are so compelling to watch/listen to.

At the moment, you can rent Ben Roy: Hyena exclusively from 800 Pound Gorilla to see Roy murder at one of most comedians’ all time favorite comedy clubs, The Comedy Works in Downtown Denver for only $10. Come Thurs. Aug 10th, you’ll be able to stream Hyena for free, at your convenience, on 800 Pound Gorilla’s YouTube Channel.

Pick of the Day: “Close Calls” Near-Death Stories LIVE Taping (in NYC) 8/4

August 1, 2023

News

brooklyn, close calls, kevin casey white, live podcast, lizzy cassidy, nyc comedy

Remember when I Survived was the one of the most talked about shows and our current obsession with true crime had only just gotten started? T’was such an innocent time compared to now where people wanted to be captivated about stories of the living, despite the world around them doing everything it can to have them die earlier than they would have liked.

For our money, those stories are still pretty astounding and given a pretty tried and true formula of “fascinating story” + comedy = splendid podcast, NYC comedians Kevin Casey White and Lizzy Cassidy have essentially made a comedy version of I Survived with their podcast Close Calls, which actually makes stories of surviving natural disasters, freak accidents, murderers, and more a more manageable level of terrifying (and all the more entertaining).

They’ll be doing a special live version so you can share in the gasps and guffaws together with a crowd at Brooklyn’s The Gutter this Fri. Aug. 4th at 8PM. Tickets are only $10 and you really ought to go get them here, have yourself a great start to this weekend, and, perhaps, gain a new appreciation for living.

TCB Debriefing 7/31/23: RIP Paul Reubens, Friars Club, Daniel Sloss, Two Dykes and a Mic, Barbenheimer

July 31, 2023

News

barbenheimer, daniel sloss, friars club, paul reubens, pee-wee herman, sirius xm, two dykes and a mic

1. RIP Paul Reubens, (1952-2023). Undoubtedly, there will be screenings of Pee Wee movies at a theater near you in his honor. Take the opportunity to pay your respects and honor his memory by treasuring his work with a crowd of strangers in a movie theater.

2. For the first time ever, the venerable comedy institution known as The Friars Club (a group that help perfect the art of roasting far before Comedy Central, Roast Battle, etc.) will be airing their exclusive, legendary roasts for a month on Friars Club Radio (SiriusXM channel 109 and on the SiriusXM App). Specifically, these roasts that were only privy to their membership can be heard from Aug. 6th-Sept. 2nd (and probably will be behind a pay wall afterwards). Don’t miss out on roasts like Sarah Silverman going in on Jerry Lewis if you have SiriusXM.

3. One of the most biggest touring international comedians, Daniel Sloss, has just announced a U.S. tour coming this Fall running from Oct. 6th-Nov. 3rd. It’s about time Americans got a reminder from a Scotsman on how to do dark comedy.

4. Barbie/Barbenheimer continues to set box office records (THR). Perhaps, when Margot Robbie says a movie is going to be a billion dollar movie (even if she doesn’t know if it’s true), maybe there’s something to it.

5. Does Elon Musk resigning to remove a giant X sign on a building mean the death of the letter “X” being cool?

Pick of the Day: Pee Wee’s Big Adventure Alamo Bike Tour (in NYC) 8/5, 8/7, 8/9

July 31, 2023

News

alamo drafthouse, nyc comedy, paul reubens, pee wee's big adventure

Today brought the sad news of the passing of Paul Reubens, known and beloved by millions as Pee Wee Herman. His iconic performance in Tim Burton’s iconic film debut of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure will live on in cinema history for ages to come as something that was able to put a smile on a face of nearly anyone who watched it, no matter their age (far before Pixar figured out how to do that).

The good folks at Alamo Drafthouse already had a very special run of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure screenings at their NYC theaters (Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island) complete with the one and only legendary bike.

Unsurprisingly, tickets for the Brooklyn and Manhattan screenings are sold out, but there are a literal handful of tickets left for the Staten Island screening on Sat. Aug. 5th at 7PM for $15.50. At the very least, we’re betting the bike will probably be in the lobby for you to admire as well as honor Reubens’ memory.

Never one to disappoint, Alamo Drafthouse made a great little trailer for this very special event:

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TCB Debriefing 7/28/23: Emmys Postponed, Donald Glover/Lando, Curious Creators Grant, This Fool, How To With John Wilson

July 28, 2023

News

curious creators, donald glover, emmys, how to with john wilson, lando, sag aftra strike, star wars, this fool, wga strike

1. Though the 75th Primetime Emmys were slated for Sept. 18th, they have been postponed due to the double WGA/SAG-AFTRA Strike (BBC News). Whenever the next Emmys happens, we would bet people are going to go far over their time for speeches. Get ready for the most grandstanding over music that the Emmys has probably ever seen.

2. Donald and Stephen Glover are writing a Lando Calrissian series for Disney+ (Variety). We’re not sure what the Glover brothers have up their sleeve or what Kathleen Kennedy will let them get away with, but we hope that the Glovers will end up making something that’s the Legion of Star Wars.

3. If you happen to be looking for some grant money for doing comedy, why not try applying to Curious Elixirs‘ Curious Creators Grant that will award $1,500 cash to 8 artists in support of their work. Deadline is midnight ET on Sept. 8th. Get details/submit here.

4. The return of both critically acclaimed and fan favorite comedy series This Fool and How To With John Wilson are happening tonight on Hulu and HBO, respectively. This Fool premieres its second season John Wilson is bowing out with his third and final season of one of the most unique and entrancing shows in TV history.

5. Any takers on which network/studio/streaming service will do a limited series about the double strike and how long after the strike they’ll wait to do it?

Pick of the Day: Skin Contact (in LA) 8/9

July 28, 2023

News

bar covell, los angeles comedy, los feliz, rachel pegram, stand up comedy

LA is getting another weekly comedy show that’s going to make Wednesday nights even more of a comedy festival than it already is. In addition to the several great, affordable/free shows that make hump day a night to go out and catch many of LA’s comedy best, Skin Contact will take over the very chic, speakeasy style space in Bar Covell in Los Feliz.

The hysterical Rachel Pegram is leading the charge with this brand new Eastside show and already has three weeks on the books (Aug. 9th-Aug. 23rd). If folks are into Skin Contact enough through those three dates, expect to see Pegram keep it going and that will be part of your LA comedy regimen every week.

The inaugural Skin Contact will feature Carmen Christopher, Brian Bahe, Taylor Ortega, Ellory Smith, and Dani Lyle. Also, tickets are set at the nice price of only $5. Go get them now right here.

TCB Debriefing 7/27/23: Righteous Gemstones, Norman Lear, Brett Gelman, Harley Quinn

July 27, 2023

News

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1. America’s new favorite corrupt power hungry family (since Succession is over), The Gemstones, will return for season 4 on HBO.

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2. Happy B Day and kudos to comedy and TV legend Norman Lear for his 101st birthday!

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3. Comedian provocateur Brett Gelman is exploring new frontiers, even by his standards, by publishing a collection of short stories, The Terrifying Realm of the Possible: Nearly True Stories; due out Mar. 19th. As should be expected from Gelman, you’ll likely find yourself uproariously laughing in equal parts out of catharsis and nerves. Pre-order it here.

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4. When hope seems lost with comic books adaptations on the big and small screen, season 4 of Harley Quinn has just arrived on HBO Max to give a glimmer of what sort of joyful bedlam can still be had in the genre. Get into the new season now (or binge the whole thing if you’ve not had the pleasure of watching one of the most subversive adaptation of comic book IP we’ve ever seen).

5. We’re only two weeks away from 100 days since the WGA went on strike. Seems like it’s going to go on a lot longer and Greg Gutfeld will get to pathetically keep calling himself the King of Late Night (on top of the AMPTP putting profit margins over sustainable livelihoods).

Pick of the Day: Blake Rosier’s Bad Show (in NYC) 8/5

July 27, 2023

News

blake rosier, brooklyn, nyc comedy, talk show, union hall

We’re thrilled that Blake Rosier, one of the bolder, daring comedians (e.g. doing shows with permitted tomato throwing at the performers, performing/living in theaters for a whole week) in the LA comedy scene right now, is currently on tour across the country. Rosier’s penchant for experimentation and knack for absurdity and commitment to vulnerability have made for some of the most memorable, enthralling, and hilarious shows we’ve seen in awhile.

Come next week, Rosier’s tour with his “bad” show will find its way to Union Hall in Brooklyn and New Yorkers can delight in Blake’s special kind of controlled chaos. Blake Rosier’s Bad Show will take place on Sat. Aug. 5th at 10PM and you ought to nab your tickets at $15 a pop here.

TCB Debriefing 7/26/23: Futurama, Louis CK Doc, Only Murders in the Building, TMNT,

July 26, 2023

News

barbie, futurama, hulu, louis ck, only murders in the building, teenage mutant ninja turtles, tiff

1. Futurama is back (again), baby. It’s as clever as ever and well aware of how ridiculous it is to be revived yet again, this time on a streaming service (after having its first resurrection on basic cable). The first episode of what will be season 11 is on Hulu now and expect new episodes on Mondays.

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2. A lot of headlines about this year’s Toronto International Film Festival will be made about the lack of star power present due to the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes, but the premiere of a documentary about the accusers of Louis CK ought to be not overlooked in the slightest (Variety). Remember that he barely apologized, if you can even call the circumlocution about what happened a few specials ago “an apology”.

3. Here’s the first full trailer for s3 of Only Murders in the Building. Guest stars Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep do what they do best and will likely steal all the scenes that they’re in. Look for it on Hulu starting Tues. Aug. 8th.

4. Ahead of its international rollout, the latest iteration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has already scored a sequel and a Paramount+ series (Variety). One has to wonder what sort of formula between ticket pre-sales and trailer views and social media engagement equals multiple greenlights.

5. Ted Cruz and Ben Shapiro are predictably and pathetically mad at Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (HuffPo). Unknowingly, they just gave some of the best pull quotes for the movie that will undoubtedly translate to more box office success.

6. For any sort of live comedy event (or any live event for that matter), can we stop having just a door time and no start time? Please do both.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 174: Mark Vigeant & Finding the Path to a Solo Show

July 26, 2023

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

edinburgh fringe festival, mark vigeant, solo show

A spirited, hysterical performer, Mark Vigeant, has been making his mark on the LA comedy scene in the short time that he’s lived in Los Angeles. In fact, Vigeant is about to go international as he is taking his lauded solo show, Mark Pleases You, for his debut run at the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

This week’s TCB Field Report gets into Mark’s long journey in taking his darkest moments and sourcing joy in the form of a vibrant, silly solo show and why you one should go across the planet to perform said show as much as you physically can.

Oh yeah, Mark truly and deeply highlights the importance of self-love in the creative process, especially as it relates to doing comedy about your life.

FYI, the rest of JFL Montreal’s New Faces of Comedy can be found here.

Follow Mark @mark_vigeant on IG

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

Pick of the Day: Sandy Honig’s SandyFest (in LA) 8/3

July 26, 2023

News

echo park, film screening, heavy manners library, la comedy, sandy honig, short film

Whether it’s through Three Busy Debras, her very own comedy, her works as a filmmaker, or her stunning photography portfolio, you really ought to know the name Sandy Honig if you don’t already. Honig is an endlessly innovative, creative voice and force that LA comedy is lucky to have these days.

Another reason to know her name just popped up with the introduction of her own evening of short films, SandyFest at Echo Park’s magical art and design book resource, Heavy Manners Library. It’ll be a very special, exclusive night of the absurd, the out-there, and the hysterical and captivating of short films, handpicked by Sandy, from many other original visionaries whose names you should know. That’ll include Phoebe Parsons, Philip Steiger, Graham Mason & Ike Ufomadu, Joe Pelling, Eytan Boclin & Liam Klinkenberg, Sarah Squirm, and, of course, Sandy Honig.

SandyFest is set for Thurs. Aug. 3rd with doors at 7PM. Pay what you can for admission and get more details here.

TCB Debriefing 7/25/23: Comedy Store Paid Regulars, Strange Planet, Rachel Bloom, Poor Things, Craig Ferguson, Sam Bee

July 25, 2023

News

apple tv, comedy store, off broadway, paid regulars, poor things, rachel bloom, samantha bee, strange planet

1. The Comedy Store just celebrated Names Night, christening their latest round of Paid Regulars. That includes Dulce Sloan, Luke Schwartz, Hormoz Rashidi, Saul Trujillo, Matt Lockwood, Dave Waite, King Congdon, Sara Weinshenk, Bruce Gray, Shapel Lacey, Laura Peek, Amy Miller, and Quincy Weekley.

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2. Strange Planet, the webcomic sensation turned best selling book is now going to be the latest reason that you’ll have to go in on if you don’t already have it. See for yourself with the first official trailer here with what might be the best comic adaptation we’ve seen in quite some time (yes, that does mean shots fired at MCU and DCEU).

3. Rachel Bloom set the TV world ablaze with the beautifully genre-bending, hilarious Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and is set to do the same with her one-woman musical comedy, Death, Let Me Do My Show at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, Off Broadway (Deadline). Bloom’s time on Broadway or on Off-Broadway is far past due. Previews begin Sept. 6th, so you best watch for tickets on her socials very soon.

4. Poor Things, the latest work from one of the great comedy auteurs of our time, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be an early holiday gift as the release date just got pushed back to Dec. 8th (Collider).

5. A mockumentary feature about producers not getting their act together gets a SAG-AFTRA waiver to move forward with production (Deadline). Can’t imagine this being done without addressing the strike and AMPTP.

6. A brand new podcast for iHeart simply called, Joy, marks the official entry of once late night talk show mainstay Craig Ferguson into the podcast realm (even though he did a SiriusXM radio show that you could listen to like a podcast online). Just a polite reminder here that some of the best interviews and monologues in late night came from Ferguson and CBS barely put any of it on YouTube.

7. Though Full Frontal has been gone from TBS for some time now, Samantha Bee is still front and center with her current live show Your Favorite Woman: The Joys of Sex Education. If you’re just hearing about it for the first time, fret not, as she has just extended her tour by adding 17 more dates in North America (Deadline).

8. Speaking of late night, it’s undeniable that there’s a bit of a void without topical jokes being delivered in some fashion on a nightly basis by someone who isn’t Greg Gutfeld.

Please Enjoy a Damn Fine Debut Hour from Tom Thakkar, “Thakkar Noir”

July 25, 2023

News

800 pound gorilla, comedy special, stand up comedy, tom thakkar

Tom Thakkar inalienably has fun on stage.

It’s a simple notion to be sure, but it’s beyond evident that he has so much fun doing all of his bits and act-outs and asides to the crowd in a way that seems atypical of so many comedians these days. Many of the hour specials and albums that end up in our inbox at TCB often highlight how much a comic that is going through the motions, merely trying to never do this hour again and, consequently, seeming disconnected from the crowd in front of them. In contrast, Thakkar gleefully revels in getting into his material for his latest hour Thakkar Noir, much to the endless delight and applause of the live crowd at The Comedy Fort in Fort Collins, CO, that you can’t help but get charmed into joining in on the laugh riot.

Tom’s voice is so animated, at times even sounding like a classic Morning Zoo-esque DJ, that it comedically compliments his sharp, satirical tongue. From dissecting the experience of his ethnically ambiguous biracial background (and making fun of the mostly caucasian crowd in front of him on top of it) to enlightening everyone on the benefits of a “hot people tax”, Thakkar often has a subversive depth to his material. It’s the proverbial medicine with a very sweet spoonful of sugar.

Tom pokes and prods his audience when he gets into material that could be divisive, but contains such a warmth that he more than gets away with it. Having a genuine smile through most of your special also helps in that regard as well as very nimble, fast-paced delivery that never ever feels exhausting (even with his absurd Welcome to the Jungle/Margarita Madness bit).

Thakkar Noir is a rollicking hour that signals lots more to come from a comedian that many comedians already loved and, hopefully not too long from now, many others in and out of tight knit comedy circles will love too.

Tom Thakkar: Thakkar Noir is now streaming on select platforms, including YouTube, now. Please take your pick and enjoy it thoroughly and repeatedly here.

Pick of the Day: Raaaatscraps 2 Yr. (in NYC) 8/6

July 25, 2023

News

caveat, improv, nyc comedy, raaaatscraps

Since the return of live long form improv in NYC, Raaaatscraps has dutifully filled in the gap of NYC comedy needing a marquee improv show with scenes based off of esteemed guest monologist (you guys remember ASSSSCAT, right?) that gives New Yorkers top tier improv every week. That was an especially tall order considering UCB’s absence in NYC for the last three years (don’t worry, there’s a new space coming to Manhattan later this year) and the coming and going of many a comedy venue.

That said, Raaaatscraps has planted its roots at Caveat and simulcasts their live, in-person performances and have been making Sunday nights an improv in NYC, especially in LES for quite some time now. They’ll be celebrating two years of being one of NYC’s go to improv shows on Sun. Aug. 6th at their normally slotted time of 7:30PM ET/4:30PM PT. Tickets will still be $8 and they will very likely have an unbelievably special monologist for this one.

Go get your tickets right now right here.

TCB Debriefing 7/24/23: Chris Fleming, JFL New Faces, Barbie Sets Records, Residuals, Comedy Cellar Streaming

July 24, 2023

News

barbie, chris fleming, comedy cellar, jfl montreal, just for laughs, new faces, peacock, regal cinemas

1. It has been far too long since we’ve gotten a special from the dazzling Chris Fleming. That time is coming to a close soon with the wonderfully named “Hell”. Get your first look at Hell here, then look for it on Peacock on Fri. Aug. 18th.

2. JFL Montreal announces their New Faces of Comedy for 2023. Congrats x 66.

3. Barbie set a lot of records for this Barbenheimer weekend including, Largest Domestic Opening of 2023 so far, Largest Grossing Day of 2023 so far, Largest Domestic Opening Weekend for Gerwig, Robbie, and Gosling, Largest Opening Weekend for Movie Based on a Toy (Deadline). Maybe Margot Robbie will end up being right about this being a billion dollar movie?

4. The Comedy Cellar, one of the world’s most famous comedy clubs, will be breaking new ground by live-streaming two of their shows from the venerable stage to Regal Cinemas on Aug. 5th. If you’re looking for a way to get around the 2 drink minimum at the Cellar, this would be a good one.

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5. One might have thought it couldn’t be done, but Elon Musk might have made the letter X uncool for awhile.

Pick of the Day: Secret Third Thing (in NYC) 7/27

July 24, 2023

News

brooklyn, nyc comedy, rubulad, secret third thing, variety show

In the vast NYC comedy scene, there are a plethora of comedy clubs and theaters and even more bars that will host comedy nights throughout the five boroughs (though mostly in Manhattan and Brooklyn). As far as stranger spaces for comedy go, there are some, but they are precious and we wish utilized a little more often.

That’s what we’re glad to find a comedy variety show happening in a community art space in Bushwick, the fantastical Rubulad (just take a gander at their IG and you’ll see what we’re talking about). Secret Third Thing is the name of the evening that gathers comedians of all ilks, cartoonists, musicians, and more to convene for a beautifully hilarious and ephemeral happening in Brooklyn.

This edition of Secret Third Thing is happening this Thurs. at Jul. 27th at 8PM with the talents of:

Will Duncan
Annie Blackman
Fareeha Khan
Felipe Di Poi Tamargo
The harsh noise, nonsense, and deep jams of GROOMING
The smooth groovings of your DJ – DJ Jenny Rabies
All hosted by Siah

Tickets are only $12.71 and you best go get them here.

TCB Debriefing 7/21/23: Harley Quinn S4, Barbie Previews Best of 2023, Solar Opposites S4, Rick & Morty, Problemista, Danny Masterson

July 21, 2023

News

a24, barbie, greta gerwig, harley quinn, julio torres, justin roiland, problemista, rick and morty, solar opposites, that 70s show

1. Harley Quinn, over 3 seasons, has managed to give a hysterical redo to a character that Margot Robbie has already mastered in live action DCEU. It’s one of the most subversive and raunchiest animated series on TV and season 4 is just around the corner. Take your first gander at the fourth season with this trailer, then look for it to stream exclusively on Max starting Jul. 27th.

2. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie scores the best previews box office best all year thus far with $22.3 million take between Wednesday and Thursday (THR). Going from Lady Bird to Little Women to Barbie, could Gerwig follow the roads of Richard Linklater or Steven Soderbergh and put her stamp on nearly every film genre possible? If that happens, we hope her body of work still ends up being mostly comedy because she’s really damn good at that.

3. Solar Opposites gives a more extended look/listen at/to Dan Stevens replacing Justin Roiland as one of the principal aliens on the show, Korvo, and being fully self-effacing about the whole thing. To be honest, it’s kind of really working for us. See for yourself with the season 4 trailer here, then look for the premiere exclusively on Hulu come Mon. Aug. 14th.

4. Speaking of replacing Justin Roiland in things, Rick and Morty are just going to cast soundalikes and not try to justify a whole character/voice change (THR). Knowing that many of the unprecedented amount of episodes that have been ordered and written and have yet to be animated (along with their still being a WGA strike right now), that’s probably the best choice. Best of luck to whomever will have to deal with Rick and Morty‘s rabid fanbase.

4a. Oh, let’s not forget that there’s an anime version of Rick and Morty coming out from Japanese anime director Takashi Sano and Telecom animation. So far, Morty seems more heroic and Rick seems less drunk, but there appears to be just as much multiversal chaos as ever. Get your first look at Rick and Morty: The Anime here.

5. The highly anticipated a24 comedy/Julio Torres vehicle, Problemista, which had been slated for release in just a couple of weeks, has had its release paused due to the double strike (Indiewire). This is somewhat ironic considering there is so much in Problemista that highlights how hard it is to make a living being a creative (especially if you’re an undocumented immigrant).

6. Fresh off of getting convicted of sexual assault, Danny Masterson has been almost entirely omitted from That 70’s Show activation at Comic-Con (Deadline). Whenever they get to That 2020’s Show, they better write a joke addressing this.

6. Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan should do the next AMC screening pre-roll because of the wild popularity of Barbenheimer and it’s irrefutable display of the majesty of cinema as well as that Nicole Kidman one that been overplayed for awhile now (and people still keep gleefully clapping for it).

Pick of the Day: The Bananas Podcast Splitty in the City 1K (in LA) 7/29

July 21, 2023

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bananas podcast, elysian theater, kurt braunohler, live podcast, los angeles comedy, race, scotty landes

Many a years ago, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Kurt Braunohler to bring the extraordinary into many of our humdrum lives. Whether it’s introducing every comic the same way on Hot Tub because it’s Groundhog Day, making it snow in LA, jet skiing the Mississippi River, etc., Braunohler has a knack for bring sublimely ridiculous.

Well, he’s at it again as the podcast he co-hosts with Scotty Landes, Bananas, is not only doing a live episode next weekend, but having it be preceded by a 1K downhill jog (pointedly being called an “un-race”) right before the recording/show. Participants are highly encouraged to appropriately dress as bananas, take the race at their own comfy pace, and enjoy the sweet sounds of that turn-of-the-millennium classic Who Let the Dogs Out? by the Baja Men on repeat.

This splendid bit of absurdity is set to take place on Sat. Jul. 29th with registration & bib pick-up at The Frogtown Brewery between 2PM-3:30PM with the un-race beginning at 3:50PM. The actual live Bananas will happen at 4:30PM at The Elysian where the 1K finishes.

Go get your tickets ($25 a pop) for what should be one of the most beautiful comedic sights in LA this year here.

TCB Debriefing 7/20/23: Krapopolis, Ben Roy, They Cloned Tyrone, Minx, Praise Petey

July 20, 2023

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ai, ben roy, hulu, krapopolis, minx, netflix, praise petey, they cloned tyrone

1. It seems like Dan Harmon’s latest work, Krapoplis, has been teased for years at this point, especially since it has scored a third season without even having premiered, but the arrival of a group of petty gods trying to guide civilization is nigh. Please enjoy the first official trailer here, then just wait a bit more for Sun. Sept 24th for its actual premier on Fox, then streaming on Hulu the next day.

2. Ben Roy‘s fantastic new hour, Hyena, is available to rent here as a special (which includes a digital copy of the album version) right now from 800 Pound Gorilla, and then will be able to stream on YouTube, free for your convenience beginning Thurs. Aug. 10th. Per usual, Roy’s prismatically expressive looks into his own life and the lives around him are, yet again, a reliably refreshing jolt from one of comedy’s most arresting performers. More detailed review to come soon.

3. FYI, if you’re out of luck of seeing Barbie and/or Oppenheimer this weekend, you’ll be glad to know that you can catch the slick sci-fi thriller comedy They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix and season 2 of Minx on Starz beginning this Friday.

4. The series premiere of Freeform‘s latest comedy (to hopefully make up for cancelling their critical darling Single Drunk Female) Praise Petey is also this Fri., Jul. 21st (next day on Hulu). Take a gander at the comedy following the most unlikely, reluctant of cult leaders from the brilliant Anna Drezen here,

5. Anyone think that movies and TV will soon be marketed as “AI Free” or “a Completely Original Story”?

Pick of the Day: Club Video (in NYC) 7/29

July 20, 2023

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club video, experimental film, nyc comedy, short film

When it comes to making community out of watching weird comedy videos, LA has gotten to enjoy the long standing institution of Channel 101 and the IYKYK underground Show & Tell for several years. The same can’t necessarily be said for NYC (even though there was a NYC off-shoot of Channel 101 for awhile).

Thankfully, there are some fine East Coast folks (Whitley Watson, Micah Phillips and Marshall Louise) under the banner of Club Video that are changing that. They’re gathering as many filmmakers (some are beloved NYC comedy staples) as they can to show off all things indie/experimental/comedic when it comes to short form videos/films in and around NYC. They really go out to make it a big time offbeat film hang as they’re going to open their upcoming live, in-person Club Video with three local bands (Star80, Coal Bed, and Matthew Danger Lippman) and then having over 25 different creators/filmmakers share their video wares.

That line-up includes:

Matthew Albino
Andrew Bourne and Connie O’Connor
Kate Costello
Grier Dill
Emily Wirth and Annie Downey
spike einbinder
Isaac Ingle & Christine Fiala
Theo Frorer
Will Duncan & Jake Gibson
Lucas Harvie
Hotel Art Thief
Jake and Adam
Tej Khanna
Simeon Kondev
Let Me Think… Coco Pink!
Marshall Louise
Ben McCarthy
Tim Myer
Victoria Pandeirada
Andrew Shearer & Liam Paris
Reece Parsons
Public Access
Sarah Bex Rice
Matthew Saucedo
Sam Schild
Alex Senti
SODAKYS
Stark Brothers Productions
Whitley Watson
Skeeter Stevenson with Kevin Wingertzahn
@soygoblin fka Miranda Amey

This iteration of Club Video is going to happen Sat. Jul. 29th at 8PM in East Williamsburg at 79 Grattan Street. All this show/community/fun is all to be had for just $10 at the door. Get more details and info on their IG @clubvideoshow.

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