R.I.P. Richard Bain, 1982-2020

May 25, 2020

Today, comedy lost a truly, unabashedly, unique voice in one Richard Bain. Bain’s relentless commitment to being silly made him stand out in any room he played. His unshakeable calm juxtaposed with how utterly zany he could get was something we’d look forward to any time he took the stage or was even just hanging in the green room/wings/bar/party/etc. Bain was just a delightful constant in and around comedy.

The first time we even heard the name Richard Bain was the second time we went to the Bridgetown Comedy Festival up in Portland. As several things fell through in going up there (namely, a car breaking down, running several hours behind schedule, and not having a place to sleep), we found ourselves at the long running Portland open mic at Suki’s. From what we had heard from the Portland comics that we knew, it could be a not so inviting open mic, especially if you were not part of the scene in Portland.

It just so happened that we went to Suki’s on the one night that they were dedicating the open mic as a farewell to Richard Bain from Portland down to LA. The warmth that Richard exuded was definitely flowing through the room. From the candor that the comics had for Richard, we could sense that Richard was something special. We still think about his joke about saying Barack Obama’s name a la Down With the Sickness.

Please go explore Richard’s comedy whether it be on YouTube, Twitter, or Instagram to honor his memory and enjoy his incredible dedication to being comedically ridiculous.

Tim Dillon Shows That COVID-19 Is Feeling Lonely and Depressed Too

May 25, 2020

News

covid-19, sketch comedy, tim dillon

The global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought an unprecedented level of isolation and depression. The far reaching mental health effects from all of us being quarantined away from each other is more tangible than ever before.

In fact, even the COVID-19 virus itself is suffering from being cut off from any sort of life (outside of being a incredibly deadly virus).

Tim Dillon “shows” how the virus is living and how it’s feeling the loneliness like the rest of us (in addition of being a terrifying, destructive force that is unlike anything the majority of us has ever gone through). Also, Dillon shows how “man on the street” bits might go while socially distanced, especially if you have the guts to dress up as COVID-19 and walk around right now.

Enjoy Dillon’s sketch here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tim Dillon (@timjdillon) on May 23, 2020 at 8:32am PDT

Pick of the Day: High Priestess in Cyberspace 5/27

May 25, 2020

News

bri giger, bri pruett, casey ley, daniel rugg webb, sara june, tarot reading, tessa skara

For most months, High Priestess has served up LA a bewitching offering of live comedy, weed, and tarot. Hosts Bri Pruett and Sara June always brought together a beautiful line-up of LA’s best and presented their show in intimate, enchanting spaces.

LA’s still on lockdown, so that can’t necessarily get you to those intimate spaces yet or provide you with weed through the screen, but High Priestess is still aiming to bring you a great witchy comedy experience via live-stream. High Priestess in Cyberspace, their first live-stream show, will have a grand line-up of Casey Ley, Daniel Rugg Webb, Tessa Skara, and Bri Giger and live tarot as well all over Zoom on Wed. May 27th at 8PM PT/11PM ET.

So, you can (and very much should) RSVP for High Priestess in Cyberspace here.

What We Do In The Shadows Renewed for Season 3 at FX

May 22, 2020

News

fx, renewed, season 3, what we do in the shadows

It has been decided. The vampires that rule over a block of two of Staten Island in What We Do In the Shadows on FX are beloved so much that they’re going to get a third season. Currently, they’re in the middle of a fantastic second season filled with so much exquisitely dark silliness.

Thus far, this might be one of the best movie-to-TV series adaptations in recent memory (maybe even further back) as the FX series has faithfully maintained the spirit of the original Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement movie and being able to stand on its own.

In any case, if you need a reason to continue to make it through these times, a third season of What We Do in The Shadows is a pretty damn good one (especially if they get to the origin story of Colin Robinson, energy vampire).

They have risen…and been renewed for Season 3 of #ShadowsFX. pic.twitter.com/ec5I8VeuEH

— What We Do In The Shadows (@theshadowsfx) May 22, 2020

John Krasinki’s Some Good News Is Going to CBS All Access (With a Different Host)

May 22, 2020

News

cbs all access, john krasinksi, some good news

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

We can’t entirely be sure if John Krasinski envisioned Some Good News, a show that essentially could have been a very involved quarantine project, instantly becoming a viral sensation and something that a good chunk of the Internet looked forward to watching, making fan art for, and sharing due to it’s wholesome and heartfelt surprises.

Yet, it’s hard to say that selling the show to CBS All Access is entirely surprising either. The appeal of Some Good News that stretches across several different demographics while still being family friendly is very tempting for a network to bring onto their schedule.

Interestingly, Some Good News‘ move to CBS’ exclusive streaming service CBS All Access will have Krasinski step back to mostly an executive producing role, leaving room for a new host (or maybe a rotation of hosts?). Our votes are for John Mulaney, Baron Vaughn, and/or Beth Stelling.

We’ll just have to wait and see what exactly happens as the date for this network version of SGN is TBD.

Tuca & Bertie Is Being Revived at Adult Swim

May 22, 2020

News

adult swim, ali wong, tiffany haddish, tuca and bertie

It’s pretty clear to us that Tuca & Bertie, the animated series from Lisa Hanawalt that featured Ali Wong and Tiffany Haddish’s voices as birds didn’t get enough of a chance over at Netflix. It was such a wildly imaginative, colorful, unique, funny world with a very lovable duo of Tuca & Bertie (that may be the successors to Broad City’s Abbi & Ilana for female friendship on TV?).

Announced this morning, Tuca & Bertie will be getting the greater chances that they deserve over at Adult Swim with an entirely new season due next year. That’s all the details for now, but, go watch/rewatch the inaugural season of Tuca & Bertie over at Netflix to get transported to the wild, lush, and nuanced universe that Hanawalt created.

View this post on Instagram

TUCA & BERTIE IS COMING BACK!!! New eps on @adultswim in 2021. Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #tucaandbertie

A post shared by Lisa Hanawalt (@lisadraws) on May 22, 2020 at 9:42am PDT

Pick of the Day: The Goddamn Dave Hill Show (Weekly Starting 5/25)

May 22, 2020

News

dave hill, live stream, the goddamn dave hill show

The latest addition to the live stream comedy fray will be a live-stream version of The Goddamn Dave Hill Show. Dave Hill’s radio show put Hill in the driver’s seat as a full fledged live on-air program, complete with live calls, guests, etc. It’s the sort of format that lets Hill’s talents shine (his endless charisma, wildly silly wit, and his musical prowess). If you loved Hill’s recently released The Pride of Cleveland, you’re for quite a weekly treat with this announcement.

Starting on Memorial Day, The Goddamn Dave Hill Show will make a return, albeit a virtual one via Facebook and Twitch, and going live every Monday at 6PM PT/9PM ET. His first guest will be Monster Magnet’s Dave Wyndorf and it looks like Dave will keep this going as we’re all still prohibited, with very good reason, from gathering in such dark, intimate places where one would normally watch Dave do his “goddamn thing” in person.

Maria Bamford Delivers Another Fantastic Commencement Speech, Though This One Is a Bit More Meta

May 21, 2020

News

adult swim, commencement speech, maria bamford

Three years ago, Maria Bamford delivered one of the best commencement speeches of 2017 when she helped pay off some student debt with her speaking fee and made her whole speech for the University of Michigan Class of 2017 centered on the gesture.

This year’s graduation season happens to coincide with the historic COVID-19 pandemic, making commencement speeches vastly different and more challenging to nail in such weird times. Still, Maria managed to pull off the speech that all classes of 2020 need right now and even get more abstract and meta with it. Even though it’s for Adult Swim as opposed to an actual educational institution, Bamford’s candor and honesty is, as it always is, simultaneously so beautiful and hysterical.

Please enjoy Maria Bamford’s episode of Adult Swim’s Commencement Speaker Series here.

The Simpsons’ Aspect Ratio Fixed at Disney Plus So Sightgags Won’t Be Cut Out

May 21, 2020

News

aspect ratio, disney plus, simpsons

(via Variety)

Cultural touchstone animated comedy The Simpsons began airing when TV and broadcast technology was a far cry from where it is now. Thus, it was created and distributed in the 4:3 aspect ratio without any the thought that visual jokes might get cut out when aspect ratios would change for higher definition TV in the future.

The arrival of The Simpsons at Disney’s streaming service Disney Plus brought up this very issue as almost no new content is in 4:3 and translating the format to 16:9 indeed cropped out many of the visual gags that are signature part of The Simpsons as well as stretched. Today, Disney Plus, after suffering the ire of Simpsons fans, announced that it would be reverting back to the original aspect ratio as to preserve the integrity of The Simpsons back catalog, which lives exclusively at the streaming service now.

As the streaming services amass more and more content, specifically entire classic sitcoms as far back as the 60s, we’ll be curious to see if this will continue to be an issue. If so, will a “horizontal letterbox” become a thing?

Please Enjoy Lane Moore’s 1-900-REASSURING-MOMS Hotline

May 21, 2020

News

hotline, lane moore, moms, sketch comedy

We all want any modicum of comfort or reassurance right now in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Even if that comfort comes from someone who is playing the role of your mom as opposed to your actual mother, that’ll do.

Thus, Lane Moore (Tinder Live) made a reassuring mom “hotline” to fill this very crucial need. Please enjoy this sketch here (and maybe you’ll call your real mom because you, perhaps, forgot to do so on Mother’s Day?)

1-900-REASSURING-MOMS. Call now💋 pic.twitter.com/yOIxr7VgF2

— Lane Moore (@hellolanemoore) May 19, 2020

Pick of the Day: Thrilling Adventure Hour 5/23

May 21, 2020

News

autumn reeser, busy philipps, janet varney, keegan michael key, marc evan jackson, mark proksch, nathan fillion, paget brewster, paul f tompkins, thrilling adventure hour

Another edition of the beloved old timey radio program, the Thrilling Adventure Hour, is coming around the corner (and their proceeds are, once again, going to benefit food banks across America, for which they’ve raised $50K already). If you’re still unfamiliar, a smashing cast reads a classic 1930s-40s style radio show that’s cleverly and hysterically written by Acker and Blacker.

The WorkJuice Players will all be in attendance including: Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster, Busy Philipps, Joshua Malina, Janet Varney, Hal Lublin, Annie Savage, Craig Cackowski, Mark Gagliardi, Autumn Reeser, and Marc Evan Jackson. Also, the likes of Nathan Fillion, Keegan-Michael Key, and your favorite energy vampire Mark Proksch will be joining in this round of TAH.

This latest Thrilling Adventure Hour is set to stream on this Sat. May 23rd at 5PM PT/8PM ET. Tickets are only $6.30 (includes service fee) and you can and very much should buy tickets here.

Amy Sedaris Goes Down Memory Lane and Crafts Stick People with Stephen Colbert

May 20, 2020

News

amy sedaris, colbert, late show

The pure, unfiltered joy of Amy Sedaris is a beacon of hope, not unlike a lighthouse, and it’s a blessing that her splendidly bizarre crafting-ish series At Home with Amy Sedaris is returning to TruTV tonight.

Leading up to the season 3 premiere, Sedaris chatted remotely with her dear old friend who just happens to be the host of The Late Show Stephen Colbert reminiscing about their salad days. The benefit of Sedaris being at home is that she can actually show every memory that she has collected. Also, she gets to show how nifty she can really be at crafting, leaving Colbert a bit in the dust.

Enjoy Sedaris’ whole lovely interview on The Late Show here.

Three Busy Debras Renewed for Season 2 at Adult Swim

May 20, 2020

News

adult swim, alyssa stonoha, mitra jouhari, sandy honig, three busy debras

The ultra-absurdist feminist satire Three Busy Debras has done so well that it’s getting a second season over at Adult Swim. That means more of the rambunctiously dark comedy from Debra, Debra, and Debra (Sandy Honig, Mitra Jouhari, and Alyssa Stonoha) in their overly bright, overly picturesque neighborhood.

Congrats to all three of the Debras on getting to stay busy and for this absolutely gorgeous renewal announcement card (if that’s not a thing yet, it should be).

In the meantime, you can stream or re-stream their first season over at AdultSwim.com.

View this post on Instagram

AHEM! Thrilled to announce our announcements got back from our stationers in Italy. They reopened the economy just for us! Ciao Bella! – Debra

A post shared by Three Busy Debras (@threebusydebras) on May 20, 2020 at 8:20am PDT

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 8: Jackie Kashian & Adaptation

May 20, 2020

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

One of TCB’s all time favorite comedians and podcasters, Jackie Kashian, is this week’s guest on the TCB Field Report. Kashian, from the get go in quarantine, has been doing live-streamed shows as much as humanly possible, gaining more live-stream stage time than almost other comedian right now. Her and TCB’s Jake Kroeger talk about how much Zoom is too much Zoom, prepping to do a brand new hour of stand-up during pandemic times, this week’s premieres/releases, and more.

Follow Jackie Kashian @jackiekashian across platforms and at her site. Also, listen to her two wonderful podcasts The Dork Forest and The Jackie and Laurie Show.

Shout Outs: Brandie Posey’s Opinion Cave, Jared Logan’s My Brave Battle, Erin Foley’s Lady with Pockets, Solar Opposities, Cocktails & Dreams, The Great, and Freeway to Hell.

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).
Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

Pick of the Day: PUNDERDOME 6/4

May 20, 2020

News

game show, livestream comedy, punderdome, puns

Sheer, silly absurdity is one of the best ways to get a respite from everything else right now. Puns are one of the best ways to get to that sort of absurd fun and PUNDERDOME, as you might guess from the name, is nothing but puns.

Going on for nearly a decade in NYC, PUNDERDOME was started “…by a ‘Rodney Dangerfield impersonator’ and his alleged daughter (Fred and comedian Jo Firestone)”. Now, they’re thankfully doing their first virtual live-stream show, which means it’ll get to expand its reach all over the country (and globe).

This first virtual PUNDERDOME is set for Thu. Jun. 4th at 4PM PT/7PM. RSVP w/donation to get the live-stream link here.

« Recent News

Older News »