Recent News – Page 18 – The Comedy Bureau

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

July 26, 2023

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

News

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

News

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

News

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.

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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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?

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