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Recent News

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TCB Debriefing 7/19/23: Adult Swim Festival, Killing It S2, Barbie Pre-Sales, Only Murders in the Building
July 19, 2023
News
adult swim, adult swim festival, barbie, hulu, killing it, only murders in the building, peacock

1. Due to the double strike, the upcoming Adult Swim Festival in San Diego had to amend their schedule (i.e. much of their series experiences/meet & greets had to be canceled) Check the full schedule here.

2. Craig Robinson and Claudia O’Doherty return as one of TV’s most unlikely, but still charming duos with the second season of Killing It, due out Aug. 17th on Peacock. Get your first look here.

3. Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie is the best pre-selling movie this year since Avatar: The Way of Water (Deadline). One can only hope that Gerwig’s take on Barbie is The LEGO Movie of 2023.

4. The cameos of Only Murders in the Building only get better and better. Take a gander at Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd character posters, then set a reminder for Aug. 8th, the season premiere date on Hulu.

5. At this moment in time, is public speaking (and, by proxy, stand-up comedy) still anyone’s greatest fear?

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 173: Allison Goldberg & Taking on Patriarchy & AI Through Fun
July 19, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
ai, allison goldberg, comedians vs ai, comedy game shows, love isn't blind

Allison Goldberg, creator of things to be enjoyed comedically, not only has a knack for showing a crowd a cracking good time through her own comedy driven game shows, but making a point with them at the same time. Goldberg pointedly made a feminist twist on the classic Dating Game format with her show, Love Isn’t Blind, where the bachelors aren’t allowed to speak and is exploring the extent (or limits) of AI when it comes to doing comedy with Comedians vs. AI. This week’s TCB Field Report explores Goldberg’s journey with addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time, but doing so with the tasty, tasty sugar of comedy.

Follow Allison @alli_goldi on IG and check on everything that she is up to at allisongoldberg.com. Tickets for Comedians vs. AI @ 7/20 available at comediansvsai.com.

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

Pick of the Day: Jeff Hiller: Middle Aged Ingenue (in NYC) 8/4, 8/7, 8/9
July 19, 2023
News
jeff hiller, joe's pub, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

For comedy folks in LA and NYC, Jeff Hiller has dazzled crowds for decades with his comedy prowess on intimate, underground stages (remember the early days of UCB?). Thankfully, a plethora of folks have gotten charmed by him on HBO’s Somebody Somewhere. He is on the rise and deservingly so and, as he points out, found overnight success after 25 years of performing for free.

So, it stands to reason that Hiller will take center stage at one of NYC’s most beloved stages, Joe’s Pub, to share a captivating evening of stand-up and stories from his ascension in comedy on stage and screen. Jeff Hiller: Middle Aged Ingenue will offer up 5 shows over 3 nights next month to put the spotlight on Hiller and Hiller alone (and you really ought to be there to see it). Tickets are $25 (plus 2 drink or 1 food item minimum) and one show is already sold out. So, go get your tickets here quick.

Showtimes:

Fri. 8/4 @ 7PM & 9:30PM

Mon. 8/7 @ 7PM & 9:30PM

Wed. 8/9 @ 9:30PM

 

TCB Debriefing 7/18/23: Liz Miele’s JET-LAGGED, Rebel Wilson’s Bride Hard, This Fool S2, Jena Friedman/AI
July 18, 2023
News
abortion jokes, ai, jena friedman, liz miele, rebel wilson, this fool

1. The delightful Liz Miele captured a beautiful snapshot of what exactly it’s like to 1) tour as a comedian on your own, 2) tour internationally, even in non-English speaking countries, and 3) what it’s like to “do crime” abroad with her docu-series JET-LAGGED. Watch, learn, and enjoy here.

2. Though the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes have effectively shut down all of Hollywood, a handful of indie productions can apply for waivers to continue. Rebel Wilson’s Bride Hard was just granted said waiver from SAG-AFTRA (THR). Bride Hard sounds like a studio rom com and we’re thoroughly curious what Wilson has up her sleeve with this being an indie (maybe it’s a little more wonderfully chaotic?).

3. In case you’ve got caught in strike news, don’t forget that the second season of the already critically acclaimed This Fool is due out on Jul. 28th on Hulu. Get your first taste of what should be an Emmys contender very soon here.

4. Jena Friedman, a comedian who has written some of the best abortion jokes in all of comedy, asks AI to write abortion jokes and here’s what happened.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by jena friedman (@jenafriedman)

5. If you’re thinking about buying tickets to a comedy show, please do so sooner rather than later. Comedians/comedy producers love pre-sales and get anxious about people buying tickets last minute.

Pick of the Day: Murderfist (in LA) 9/23
July 18, 2023
News
dynasty typewriter, la comedy, murderfist, sketch comedy

One score ago, a rag tag crew of FSU students banded together to take their college party hijinks and antics and honed it into the no holds barred comedy sketch lore gifted to us mere mortals by those that shall be known as Murderfist.

Yes, John Moreno, Walter Replogle, Holden McNeely, Henry Zebrowski, Jackie Zebrowski, Amber Nelson, Ed Larson, Jared Warner, Kelan Maloney and Adam Wirtz together made something of the most absurd, satirical, hard hitting sketch comedy that has ever been under the moniker of Murderfist. You can watch their stuff of legend here and read an oral history of their exploits (albeit from 10 years ago) from Paste Magazine here.

The group is coming upon 20 years since their creation and the venerable members of Murderfist, all individually successful in their own right, are reuniting once more for what should be a show for the comedy history books. Come Sat. Sept. 23rd at 10PM, Murderfist will take over one of LA comedy’s classiest venues, Dynasty Typewriter, with their hysterically dark comedy (perhaps, some of the darkest in all of sketch comedy?).

Tickets are only $20 for such a momentous event and you really better snag tickets now right here.

 

TCB Debriefing 7/17/23: Dr. Strangelove, The Holdovers, Comedian Leading UK Protest, Theater Camp, Christmas Actually
July 17, 2023
News

1. Master auteur of political comedy Armando Iannucci is switching gears oh so slightly and mounting a live stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick‘s iconic Cold War dramedy Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Deadline). Finally, Martin McDonagh might have some competition in dark comedic theater.

2. Alexander Payne and his muse, Paul Giamatti, reunite for another showcase of how fun Giamatti is when yelling out of existential frustration with The Holdovers. This time, Giamatti plays a despised teacher tasked with looking after students who have nowhere to go during winter break and chaos (and heart-to-heart vulnerability too). Perhaps, a Breakfast Club for 2023?  Please enjoy a very retro style trailer for The Holdovers here, then look for its limited release come Oct. 27th.

3. For some comedians, the more dark and absurd the world is, the more they are called to push back with every bit of satire they can muster. That’s why UK comedian Dom July was seen leading a protest against illegal immigration to Great Britain dressed as Mickey Mouse (Variety). As to whether Disney cares about this use of Mickey Mouse, Disney CEO Bob Iger thankfully has bigger problems on his hands (WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strike and the Gov. of FL).

4. Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman‘s sensational debut/love letter to theater kids everywhere, Theater Camp, makes for Searchlight‘s best speciality box office numbers since JoJo Rabbit (Deadline). That should slightly make up for co-star Ben Platt side-stepping a question about nepo babies from Rolling Stone.

5. Love Actually‘s writer/director Richard Curtis is doing a live variety show called Christmas Actually that, apparently, has nothing to do with Love Actually in support of his charity Comic Relief (Deadline). If there is a running gag about how this isn’t related to seminal rom com Love Actually, they’ll probably raise more money.

6. Get ready for a bunch more comedy benefits supporting the Entertainment Community Fund and strike related mutual aid and to go and support.

Pick of the Day: Heart of Darkness: DARKNESS FOREVER (in LA) 9/29
July 17, 2023
News
greg barris, los angeles comedy, zebulon

Comedian/mystic/raconteur Greg Barris has been gallanting from city to city and engaging in comedic deep healing for decades now, often under the banner of his otherworldly variety show Heart of Darkness.

If you’re a long time comedy fan out of NYC and LA, we hope this news won’t make you feel too old, but Heart of Darkness is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. That’s 20 years of Barris spreading comedic joy, forgiveness (there’s usually a forgiveness song where audience members get forgiven), ethereal tunes, and more in many different places, but always to such an open-hearted crowd.

This Heart of Darkness: DARKNESS FOREVER 20th Anniversary/2o Years of Darkness is set to revel in the darkness at Zebulon in LA on Fri. Sept. 29th at 7PM with the likes of Amber Coffman, Nick Thune, Moshe Kasher, Kurt Braunohler, and Pete Harper. The show might be a ways away from now, but “20 years of darkness” deserves to be sold out in advance. Go get your tickets for $22.25 a pop here.

TCB Debriefing 7/14/23: Deadpool 3 Stopped, Command Z, Mrs. & Mrs. Smith
July 14, 2023
News
deadpool 3, donald glover, maya erskine, mrs and mrs smith, steven soderbergh

1. A minute past midnight is when history was set and SAG-AFTRA went on strike, joining their fellow union, the WGA in arms, for a fight for fair wages, which pretty much shuts down the entire entertainment industry in its tracks. Case in point, Deadpool 3, which was in the middle of filming, has been ceased production (Variety). Get ready for plenty more announcement likes this.

2. Steven Soderbergh, one of cinema’s auteurs most dedicated to always switching things up, is coming out with a time-travel (with a souçon of Being John Malkovich) comedy called Command Z. Michael Cera is a floating virtual head and beloved NYC comedian Chloe Radcliffe makes her feature debut along side Roy Wood Jr. Oh yeah, the time travel, body inhabiting machine is a dryer(?) This ought to be fun. Watch the trailer here.

3. Once a lesser known Hitchcock film, then a seminal movie for both Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and now a TV series for Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is coming soon to Amazon Prime. Get a tiny glance of this latest incarnation of the Mrs. & Mrs. here.

4. Note to all comedy photographers from comedians: please stop taking pictures of comics from the side/profile. It’s almost always our worst side.

Yes, Jackie Kashian’s Latest Special “Looking Back” Was Shot Though the Rear View Camera on Her Car
July 14, 2023
News
comedy special, experimental comedy, jackie kashian, rear view camera, stand up comedy

Having seen stunt comedy specials that were done in the desert to no audience, presented as ASMR, or even done to a camera on a darkened soundstage almost like a dramatic monologue, one might think that we would have seen at least a few comedy specials done in the rear view camera of a car by this point. The novelty alone, especially after having gone through the pandemic, is tempting and, thankfully, one of our favorite stand-up comedians working today took on the challenge.

Yes, Jackie Kashian had a camera record the heads up display when the car is in reverse, showing Jackie with a mic standing in the middle of a street/alleyway to make a special. Sure, in-person performances have been happening for awhile now, but that doesn’t change the fact that the comedy special format still needs to be pushed, broken and remade, redefined, etc. With the deluge of specials that have found their way to YouTube in the last several months from comedians at all levels that were pretty much just the classic doing an hour in front of an intimate audience, Jackie performing to her film crew (yes, there was a crew for this) is a very refreshing and jaunty experiment.

It’s not an hour and it’s not even Netflix’s 15 minute version of a special, but just a tad bit over ten minutes in total. That’s enough canvas to actually do a set and revel in the sheer ridiculousness of the entire concept, which Jackie juggles beautifully (as she is one of the best writers that stand-up comedy has these days). Of course, Jackie can draw up a great 10 minutes for rear car camera and she does and, on top of that, opted for a title that’s almost too perfect, Looking Back.

It’s a tiny comedy special, but Jackie Kashian: Looking Back was more enjoyable than several hours of comedy that we watched over the last few months. Please delight in it here.

Pick of the Day: Socialist Comedy Hour (in NYC) 7/19
July 14, 2023
News
mutual aid, nyc comedy hour, socialist comedy hour, variety show

As a result of the double WGA/SAG-AFTRA Strike, a historic precedent in labor that was made official today, you might be looking to be in better spirits, not spend a lot money, and also, if you can, do something to spread the wealth/affirm solidarity with folks.

If this is the case for you (is there AMPTP brass reading this?) recurring Brooklyn-based Socialist Comedy Hour might be the the very show you’re looking for. Boasting a true-to-their-word variety show spanning stand-up, characters, music, and more, The Socialist Comedy Hour also supports, via donation, CHIPS, a homeless shelter located right in Brooklyn.

Mark down Wed. Jul. 19th @ 9PM to be at Young Ethel’s if this is possibly the perfect thing for your Wednesday night next week. Thus far, Kylie Brakeman, Shatha Yas, Hayley Harrington, Justin Thompson, and Luke Herbermann will bring their comedy and music wares for any and all.

Get more details/RSVP/etc. here and keep up with @thesocialistvarietyhour on IG.

TCB Debriefing 7/13/23: JFL Montreal, SAG-AFTRA Strike, Quiz Lady, Kill Rock Stars, WWDITS
July 13, 2023
News
awkwafina, jfl montreal, just for laughs, kill rock stars, papp johnson, quiz lady, sag-aftra, sandra oh, strike, what we do in the shadows

1. JFL Montreal 2023 line-up (minus New Faces of Comedy, of course)

2. SAG-AFTRA will go on strike just past midnight tonight, joining the WGA in their fight for a fair contract from the AMPTP. All union productions will cease that haven’t been shut down already, which includes plenty of comedies and film festivals and film premieres might as well have tumbleweeds roll down the red carpet until a new contract is agreed upon. This will absolutely affect comedies in production, coming up for release (no more fun Barbie press events), and potential upcoming projects (especially since SAG-AFTRA covers voiceover work as well). Get ready for a bunch of reality TV and game shows, even more than what is already being shoved down our collective throats.

3. Quiz Lady, a buddy road comedy starring Awkwafina and Sandra Oh, is set to premiere Nov. 3rd (Deadline) and hopefully both strikes will be over by then and the duo can have a fun late night appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

4. Famous punk record label, Kill Rock Stars, are relaunching their comedy division and starting off with an album release from Papp Johnson. Here’s a sneak peek here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kill Rock Stars (@killrockstarsofficial)

5. Just a friendly reminder that What We Do In the Shadows, one of the most enduringly funniest shows on TV, returns for season 5 tonight on FX and Hulu. It’s mandatory viewing as far as we’re concerned, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the Television Academy.

6. With both professional writers and actors going on strike, you better bet that stand-up comedy is going to even more crowded than it already is.

Pick of the Day: Elefante [FREE] (in LA) 8/6
July 13, 2023
News
elefante, improv comedy, long form improv, los angeles comedy, ucb

Since pretty much all of Tinseltown is shut down due to the WGA going well into their third month of striking and SAG-AFTRA officially going on strike starting after midnight tonight, it might be helpful to point out/give a reminder of some of the great free offerings of comedy in and around town.

ASSSSCAT, UCB’s long standing, foundational improv show, back in the old days of UCB Franklin, used to go up every Sunday, free of charge. Since UCB’s return in LA, they now call their marquee long form improv show based on a monologist’s stories (that are based off an audience suggestion), Elefante. The show still takes UCB’s most veteran performers and favorite rising improv stars and showcase the very best of UCB improv, but just under a different animal-based moniker.

There is still a free edition of the show (normal tickets cost $20 a pop), but it happens once a month on a Sunday instead of every week. The next free Elefante is on Sun. Aug. 6th at 8:30PM @ UCB Franklin. To attend, you have to RSVP for a free ticket here, then line-up early enough to get in as admission is first come, first served.

TCB Debriefing 7/12/23: Emmy Noms, Barbie in Philippines, Andy Kaufman Movie
July 12, 2023
News

1. Comedy Nominees for 75th Primetime Emmys. Full list here. Note that Daniel Radcliffe and The Weird Al Yankovic Story got nods as well as Nicole Byer for Nailed It! Also, no love for What We Do in the Shadows? That’s criminal.

Best Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
Barry
The Bear 
Jury Duty
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Only Murders in the Building
Ted Lasso
Wednesday

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate (Dead to Me)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face)
Jenna Ortega (Wednesday)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Bill Hader (Barry)
Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)
Jason Segel (Shrinking)
Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)
Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Carrigan (Barry)
Phil Dunster (Ted Lasso)
Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso)
James Marsden (Jury Duty)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear)
Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary)
Henry Winkler (Barry)

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Ayo Edebiri (The Bear)
Janelle James (Abbott Elementary)
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary)
Juno Temple (Ted Lasso)
Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso)
Jessica Williams (Shrinking)

Best Writing for a Comedy Series
Barry (Barry Hader)
The Bear (Christopher Storer)
Jury Duty (Mekki Leeper)
Only Murders in the Building (John Hoffman, Matteo Borghese, Rob Turbovsky)

Best Directing for a Comedy Series
Barry (Bill Hader)
The Bear (Christopher Storer)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amy Sherman-Palladino)
The Ms. Pat Show (Mary Lou Belli)
Ted Lasso (Declan Lowney)
Wednesday (Tim Burton)

Best Talk Series
The Daily Show With Trevor Noah
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night With Seth Meyers 
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
The Problem With Jon Stewart 

Best Animated Program
Bob’s Burgers
Entergalactic
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal 
Rick And Morty
The Simpsons 

Best Scripted Variety Series
A Black Lady Sketch Show
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Saturday Night Live

Best Variety Special (Live)
The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage
Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium
The Oscars
75th Annual Tony Awards

Best Variety Special (Pre-recorded)
Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love
John Mulaney: Baby J
Lizzo: Live In Concert
Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter
Trevor Noah: I Wish You Would
Wanda Sykes: I’m An Entertainer

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Jon Bernthal (The Bear)
Luke Kirby (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Nathan Lane (Only Murders in the Building)
Pedro Pascal (Saturday Night Live)
Oliver Platt (The Bear)
Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso)

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Becky Ann Baker (Ted Lasso)
Quinta Brunson (Saturday Night Live)
Taraji P. Henson (Abbott Elementary)
Judith Light (Poker Face)
Sarah Niles (Ted Lasso)
Harriet Walter (Ted Lasso)

2. In the ongoing controversy surrounding a single map (showing China’s occupancy of the South China Sea) that’s depicted in the upcoming Barbie movie from Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the movie will not be banned in the Philippines, but the map might be blurred (THR). Thus, Barbie joins in a very small group of films that includes The Interiew and Top Gun: Maverick that have caused geo-political disputes in Asia because of the content of the movie.

3. There is an Andy Kaufman documentary in the works, fully in cooperation with The Andy Kaufman Estate (Deadline). Clay Tweel is set to direct and we can only hope this both leads to an amazing Kaufman doc and a revitalization of the once great Andy Kaufman Award.

4. At comedy shows, are we always going to ask the audience twice if they’re having a good time even if they did, in fact, make more than enough noise?

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 172: JoAnn Schinderle & Being an Upright Citizen
July 12, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
emmys, joann schinderle, ucb

It’s kind of a sweet spot if you, as a comedian, can have your day job also be in comedy. JoAnn Schinderle has managed to land there with being the Venue Manager at UCB Franklin in addition to being a wonderful stand-up in the LA scene (and even making some dough from commissioned erotic fiction). Switching gears between all three and whatever falls in between can be a challenge, which is why we talk to her all about how she pulls it off (as well as what’s going on behind-the-scenes at Upright Citizens Brigade these days).

Also, “hot”/hot takes on this year’s Emmy nominees.

Follow JoAnn @joann.schinderle on IG

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

Pick of the Day: My Momma Told Me (in NYC) 8/26
July 12, 2023
News
bell house, big money players, david gborie, langston kerman, live podcast, nyc comedy

Though saying that there’s “no conspiracy here” is a great way to start a conspiracy, there’s no conspiracy as to how or why David Gborie and Langston Kerman‘s exploration of black conspiracies on their podcast My Momma Told Me is so damn fantastic and popular. Simply, both Gborie and Kerman talking up anything would be an enthralling laugh riot and conspiracy theories, no matter the origin, true or not, are pretty much a never ending gold mine for comedy.

The live tapings of My Momma Told Me are especially a raucous good time and one shouldn’t miss the chance to bear witness to one. For those in NYC, you’re going to get your chance to catch a live My Momma Told Me next month on Sat. Aug. 26th at the Bell House at 7:30PM. Tickets are $25. 42 and you best go get them here before they sell out.

 

TCB Debriefing 7/11/23: This Fool, Elysian AD, How to With John Wilson, Silverman Suing Against AI, Meta Zombie Comedy “Final Cut”
July 11, 2023
News
final cut, how to with john wilson, sarah silverman, the elysian, this fool

We used to round comedy news up items as part of our singular daily post, The Comedy Bureau Morning Debriefing, at the very beginning of The Comedy Bureau. Since that post included all the info we wanted to share all at once (including shows and mics), it took too long to post (i.e. it would never be in the morning).

That said, the news cycle is even faster than it was 2010, and we’re doing a modified version of it to make sure you don’t miss any of the things that are happening at this very moment in comedy (that don’t need 500 words of analysis). So enjoy our recurring rundown, The Comedy Bureau Debriefing, once more, including a final bit of food for thought like we used to do in the early 2010s.

1. Hulu’s This Fool is only coming up to its second season with nothing but accolades (no surprise from the team behind Corporate plus Chris Estrada and Frankie Quiñones and Michael Imperioli), which means we’ve waited too long for its release. New season due Fri. Jul. 28th, but watch trailer for season 2 here.

2. LA comedy’s bright shining experimental comedy theater, The Elysian, has a new Artistic Director in Jacquelyn Landgraf (who has extensive experimental theater experience)and a brand new side room/mini theater called “The Skunk Room” right next door. Look forward to The Elysian to continue its trail blazing ways (and maybe even more so with a smaller room at its disposal).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Elysian (@elysiantheater)

3. It has been such a lovely run for John Wilson and his bewitching docu-series, How To with John Wilson on HBO. We all do get treated to a final season of the most magically assembled b-roll of NYC that has ever been assembled, but that will all that John wrote for How To with John Wilson when all episodes aired on HBO/put up at Max. Watch and delight in the final season trailer here. Premiere is Fri. Jul. 28th.

4. Sarah Silverman is suing Meta and OpenAI for using her memoir to train AI language models w/o consent or compensation (Variety). This feel likes the tip of the iceberg in regards to problems we will run into with AI not only in comedy, but with any and all creative work.

5. 12 years after receiving the Oscar for Best Directing for The Artist (in addition to nabbing Best Picture Oscar too), Michel Hazanavicius is coming out with a daring new, genre-be-damned meta French zombie comedy that’s equal parts Why Don’t You Play in Hell? and Shaun of the Dead. Take a gander with the trailer here. Limited theatrical release begins Fri. Jul. 14th.

 

6. What is late night now with the Writers Strike continuing to stand strong? Just Hot Ones, YouTube clips of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and whatever garbage is festering out of Greg Gutfeld’s mouth? If so, damn.

Pick of the Day: Puppet Up! (in LA) 7/14-7/16 & 7/21-7/23
July 11, 2023
News
henson alternative, henson studios, los angeles comedy, puppet up, puppets

Puppet Up! is finally back. The Henson Alternative is assembling once again to bring you some of the best puppetry getting into the sort of chaos and mischief that isn’t really for kids. Pretty much every year, lucky LA folks will have a chance to not only step foot on the legendary Henson Recording Studios lot, specifically on the Charlie Chaplin Soundstage, immersed in Hollywood history, but also get to see many of the very best puppeteers/comedy folks (including Colleen Smith, Donna Kimball, Drew Massey, Geneviève Flati, Grant Baciocco, Raymond Carr, Ted Michaels, and music from Dan Ring) cut loose and go blue.

This 2023 edition of Puppet Up! will run from on the weekends for the next two weeks on Jul. 14th-16th & Jul. 21st-23rd with early and late shows on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $75 and you best go get them here right now.

Pick of the Day: Hotsy-Totsy tribute to What We Do In The Shadows (in NYC) 7/13
July 10, 2023
News
burlesque, hotsy totsy, nyc comedy, what we do in the shadows

One of the most unquestionably funny shows in all of television, What We Do in the Shadows, returns for its fifth season on FX/Hulu starting this Thurs/Fri. It also probably one of the more raunchy comedies on TV, even more so than the sequel series to Sex and the City, making it unequivocally one of the few series actually worthy of appointment viewing.

To honor these notions, venerable NYC burlesque troupe Hotsy Totsy are doing a What We Do in the Shadows burleseque tribute at The Slipper Room this Thurs. Jul. 13th at 8PM. This actually lines up perfectly if you’re going to, like most folks, watch WWDITS on Hulu the very next day since the linear TV premiere is on the very same night on FX (then put on Hulu the following day).

Tickets for such a lovely and dark and silly and sexy evening are sold out, but there will be limited tickets at the door, so maybe show up plenty early (or try turning into a bat to sneak in).

First Line-Up for 10th Annual High Plains Comedy Festival
July 7, 2023
News
denver, denver comedy, high plains comedy festival

The High Plains Comedy Festival, Denver’s premier comedy festival (and still one of the best comedy festivals in the country), is coming up pretty soon (thank goodness) from Thurs. 9/21-Sat. 9/23.

In retaining such a high status, they just announced its first round of brightly shining comedy stars that will be in attendance in Mile High City for their 10th edition that includes many of our very favorite comedians from LA, NYC, Denver, and elsewhere in the U.S.

That will include:

  • Beth Stelling
  • Chris Gethard
  • Ian Karmel
  • Vanessa Gonzalez
  • Dave Hill
  • Shane Torres
  • Caitlin Peluffo
  • Will Miles
  • Katrina Davis
  • Jonah Ray
  • Usama Siddiquee
  • Giulia Rozzi
  • Daniel Van Kirk
  • Katie Hannigan
  • Adam Cayton-Holland
  • Kenice Mobley
  • Ben Roy
  • Clare O’Kane
  • Billy Wayne Davis
  • Andrew Orvedahl
  • Nori Reed
  • David Gborie
  • Sam Tallent
  • Samantha Ruddy
  • Sean Jordan
  • Emil Wakim
  • Mishka Shubaly
  • Graham Kay
  • Victoria Vincent
  • Rafe Williams
  • Simon Gibson
  • M.K. Paulsen
  • Brad Wenzel
  • Troy Walker
  • Emily Panic
  • Jordan Doll
  • Shaunak Godkhindi
  • Chris Chapentier
  • Shannon Norman

And, there’s plenty more grand comedy to be announced in the coming weeks and months leading up to September. If you’re enticed (and should be) festival passes for High Plains are on sale now for $150 and you can (and should) go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Charlie and Richard: Secret Project (in NYC) 7/15
July 7, 2023
News
Charlie Bardey, experimental comedy, nyc comedy, richard perez

With I Have To Do This, Richard Perez and Charlie Bardey have already created a comedic treasure. The nuance pulled from even the most minuscule movement or facial expression by Perez in every intimate vignette of a relationship was an absolute laugh riot. Both Perez and Bardey honed I Have To Do This to such a painstaking degree that even the initial setting of a chair on stage is pretty damn funny.

So, it should stand to reason that you’ll want to be witness to their latest collaboration, whatever it may be. Bardey and Perez are indeed putting on another show, though they’re not revealing a single damn thing about it and going so far to call it “Charlie and Richard: Secret Project”. Without a doubt, whatever Charlie and Richard come up with for the Union Hall crowd next Sat. Jul. 15th at 5PM will be something special.

Tickets are $11.55 and you can (and should) go get them here and you really ought to alter whatever your plans were to go see exactly what Charlie and Richard have up their sleeves.

 

Go Watch and Delight in Asteroid City, Especially If You’re Sick of Multiplex Big Budget IP Tentpoles
July 6, 2023
News
asteroid city, wes anderson

Asteroid City has been out on the festival circuit and in theaters long enough to dissect its exemplary quality as a specimen of comedic auteur Wes Anderson’s body of work. Color palate, symmetry, über-niche props and set dressing with equally complex characters to match, the negative space of pacing, the twee score, an embarrassment of riches of an ensemble cast, etc. all make for the seemingly esoteric charm of a Wes Anderson film. What stands out with Asteroid City is Wes awareness of his own auteur-ship (and the accompanying send-ups of his signature style), then unabashedly embracing his own beautiful ridiculousness in a farcical meta manner; detractors and edgelords be damned.

Again, there are plenty of reviews digging far deeper into these notions and the like whether they walked away from viewing Asteroid City with a big grin on their face (like us) or confounded at what exactly is Wes Anderson up to becoming even more Wes Anderson-y than usual.

Instead, we’d humbly point out that the inevitable bubble of Marvel/comic book/studio tentpole movies is starting to burst as evidenced by projected big box office losses on such marquee titles as The Flash and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. For decades now, the predictability of box office from adapting IP (including anything from a comic book to LEGO) was disturbingly reliable, resulting in the incessant deluge of cinematic universes that we’ve gotten at our local multiplexes. With the disruption of what should have been a “sure thing” for summer movie fare is the general public voting with their feet/dollars.

In that spirit, one could point towards a brighter future with going to see the brightly shining delight that is Asteroid City (already doing quite well in its opening weeks in the speciality box office). If the fatigue with comic book movies is real and people aren’t going to see them, eventually even the most profit driven studios will have to change tactics and focus in on more original stories/visions that folks will go out to see on the big screen rather than wait for it on streaming or not watch at all.

Sure, that might end up resulting in something like a Wes Anderson Cinematic Universe, but isn’t that more charming and aesthetically enthralling than the MCU?

 

Reservation Dogs Season 3 Trailer Promises More of What Everyone Loves About Reservation Dogs
July 6, 2023
News
fx, reservation dogs, season 3, sterlin harjo, taika waititi, trailer

Finally, in less than a month, Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi are returning with the third season of Reservation Dogs starting Wed. Aug. 2nd. This latest round of their critically acclaimed and award winning FX series follows the eponymous Reservation Dogs finding themselves yet again, though, back at where their started (not to tip the hat to those who haven’t binged their way through the first two seasons already).

From the looks of this first official trailer for this latest season, more of the magically real, offbeat indigenous humor and captivating pathos are on display, so much so that it might actually make up for the bad taste that Taika’s latest Thor movie has left in our mouths.

See for yourself with a first full length at season 3 here and try and see if there’s something to FX focusing on the name “Bear”. Again, look for this latest season of Reservation Dogs to get going on Aug. 2nd.

Pick of the Day: Mentioned You. (in NYC) 7/13
July 6, 2023
News
adam gilbert, andrew casertano, caroline hanes, daniela mora, dating show, john kennedy, nyc comedy, ray devito, ryan long, the stand, tommy bayer

A competitive dating show is a tried and true formula. From The Dating Game to F Boy Island, the entertainment value is kind of undeniable, especially in regards into unintentional (or maybe intentionally “unintentional”) comedy that gets run through the gauntlet on the Internet and lives on forever in meme vernacular.

So, why not up the ante with having comedians competing against each other in a dating show format? Well, that’s exactly what is happening with Ethan Terzi’s “Mentioned You.” where 5 comedians square off to win the love (or more accurately, momentary attraction?) of 1 bachelorette. NYC comedy’s Ryan Long, Andrew Casertano, Adam Gilbert, Caroline Hanes, Ray DeVito, and Tommy Bayer will be the suitors with John Kennedy and Daniela Mora presiding over what should be the best version of a Dating Game/Bachelor format.

So, look out for Mentioned You. @ The Stand on Thurs. Jul. 13th at 10PM. Tickets are $18.69 and you can (and should) go get them here.

 

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 171: Matt Catanzano & Six Degrees of Comedy
July 5, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

Matt Catanzano, not unlike us, does a lot of wonderful stuff in comedy. Perhaps, too much? Both Matt and TCB’s Jake Kroeger are too busy to really ruminate on that, but they do have time to talk how Matt amazingly balances doing and running stand-up and sketch shows on top of making his own short films and writing anything else in order to have every other comedy base covered (and the essentially genetic connection between comedy and horror).

Also, “hot” takes on the search for the British “Simpsons”, an A24 take on Barney, and more.

Follow @mattcatanzano and @protectedunderparody and @illpreparedcomedy all on IG

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by @dusty.zone

Pick of the Day: You’re Cordially Invited (in LA) 7/7
July 5, 2023
News
lexie koss, lilliana winkworth, los angeles comedy, ucb, wedding season

We’re in the thick of wedding season and this is a great opportunity to not only see the nuptials of a couple sanctifying their love under the eyes of the government, but also hear a bunch of speeches from, very likely, a whole host of people who have public speaking as one of their greatest fears.

With that in mind, a bunch of UCB folks led by Lexie Koss and Lilliana Winkworth will be highlighting the comedy gold that so often is presented with earnest, but misguided attempts at celebrating newlyweds with improvised wedding speeches (based off suggestions) at a new show at UCB Franklin, You’re Cordially Invited. Speakers/players include Andrew Knox, Skarlett Redd, Elizabeth Andrews, Damon Royster, Sophie Delaney, Jess Uhler, Ellie Race-Moore, Paul Heredia, and Matt Newman and you should save this Fri. Jul. 7th at 10PM (and $10) to join in this improvised wedding party.

You can (and very much should) get your tickets for this momentous occasion here.

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