Recent News

Comedy Winners at 2012 Primetime Emmys

September 24, 2012

Last night, this year’s primetime Emmys were presented and we’re pretty OK with nearly everything that won. Louis C.K. won two Emmys, The Daily Show won one, and Modern Family is still cleaning up network tv awards as expected and we can definitely dig that. Below/past the jump are the full comedy results.

Outstanding Comedy Series-Modern Family
Outstanding Variety Series-The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special-Louis C.K.-Louie C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series-Julia Louis-Dreyfus-Veep
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series-Jon Cryer-Two and a Half Men
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series-Steve Levitan-Modern Family
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series-Julie Bowen-Modern Family
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series-Louis C.K.-Louie
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series-Eric Stonestreet-Modern Family

Of Course The Daily Show Emmy Acceptance Speech Involves a Bit with Colbert and Fallon

September 24, 2012

When announced that The Daily Show won for Outstanding Variety Series for this year’s Primetime Emmys, Jon Stewart and company made their way to the stage, but not without some of the other nominees clawing it out to the very end. Specifically, we love how this bit continues despite the telecast’s narrator pushing through their nominee notes.

Cue Up Your Rage, Nikki Finke Has an Opinion on Comedy That No One Should Care About

September 24, 2012

Cue Up Your Rage, Nikki Finke Has an Opinion on Comedy That No One Should Care About

“Listen up, Hollywood: Beautiful actresses are not funny. They don’t know how to do comedy … Only women who grew up ugly and stayed ugly, or through plastic surgery became beautiful, can pull off sitcoms or standups … Because it’s all about emotional pain and humiliation and rising above both by making people laugh with you instead of at you. So stop casting beautiful actresses when you should be giving ugly women a chance.”

Nikki Finke/A person who thinks comedy can only be done one way/A person who thinks they understand how comedy works, but doesn’t/An unfortunate person that has a massive news media outlet

Who’s on Late Night (Week of 9/24)

September 24, 2012

Throughout the late night world, it’ll be a nice week for comedians doing stand-up/panel interview:

Tonight:
Steve Martin on The Late Show with David Letterman CBS 11:35PM
Jordan Peele on Conan TBS 11PM

Tuesday:
Jerry Seinfeld on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon NBC 12:35AM
Bill Burr on Conan TBS 11PM

Wednesday:
Ricky Gervais on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon NBC 12:35AM
Jamie Lee on Conan TBS 11PM

LA Comedy Rundown 9/25/12

September 25, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Channel 101 Screenings @ Downtown Independent Theater Sat. Sept. 29th 8PM/10PM FREE
Bruin Up Some Laughs @ Kerckhoff Sun. Sept. 30th 8PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
The Dork Forest Live w/Jackie Kashian @ Nerdist Showroom 7PM $10
Set List Tapings @ Vanguard Hollywood 7:30PM/9:30PM RSVP full
Performance Anxiety @ The Pleasure Chest 8PM $7
This Is New… @ Jump Cut Cafe 8:30PM FREE
Comedy Bang Bang @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Holy Fuck @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM-5:40PM/Starts 6PM/lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 5:30PM/Stand-up, sketch, improv all welcome/5 min.
CLUB FORBIDDEN 8512 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/lottery/One item min.
PALMS BAR 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Ends 7:55PM/5-7 min./First come, first served/One drink min.
WESTWOOD BREW CO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
PEDONE’S PIZZA 1332 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 9:15PM/5-7min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
ATWATER CROSSING KITCHEN 3245 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/Lottery/5 min./No purchase necessary
DAVE’S BAR 708 Broadway, Glendale, CA/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/one item min./8-10 min.
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd St. Promenade and 4th St.)/Sign-up 9:45PM/Starts 10PM/lottery/$1 cover
ACME COMEDY HOLLYWOOD 135 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 9:30PM/Starts 10:30PM/First come, first served/5 min./No purchase necessary

The Gorburger Show: A Talk Show w/TJ Miller as Blue Monster Who May or May Not Destroy Everything

September 25, 2012

Though a musical guest talk show with a blue monster that looks like it came from Big Trouble in Little China as the host by way of just eating the crew on the previous show might sound like a crazy idea, it makes total sense when TJ Miller is the voice behind said blue monster. The Gorburger Show is a new series on The Warner Sound w/Funny or Die where Gorburger/Miller interviews recording artists and the first two episodes just dropped with Tegan & Sara and Mariachi El Bronx.

We wonder if there will be a Gorburger/Mash-Up crossover where Gorburger wears a suit and tells jokes?

Go Buy ‘Humblebrag: The Art of False Modesty’ Because Even Good People Deserve a Laugh

September 25, 2012

The famous Humblebrag Twitter account has gone into physical print with Harris Wittels curating some of the most faux humility ever tweeted into a book, Humblebrag: The Art of False Modesty. A promo for it is on Funny or Die right now with some of the cast of Parks and Recreation with great examples of humblebrags if any of you are unfamiliar.

FX Developing ‘Fargo’ TV Adaptation with Coen Brothers

September 25, 2012

FX Developing ‘Fargo’ TV Adaptation with Coen Brothers

Almost every piece of comedy news we come across about FX, we just want to give a slow clap to.

Myq Kaplan and Micah Sherman Attempt to Make a Radio Hit

September 25, 2012

“Please Be Seated” the musical comedy album from Myq Kaplan and Micah Sherman was just released today and better than a description of the cleverness and silliness of the music, watch their music video for Bop 25, Myq and Micah’s try at making a radio hit that is catchy and repetitive without too much message behind the lyrics (well, not too much).

NBC Universal Wisely Keeping Tina Fey Around

September 25, 2012

NBC Universal Wisely Keeping Tina Fey Around

4 year deal will give Tina Fey coming up with more comedy for the peacock and eclipse(?).

LA Comedy Rundown 9/26/12

September 26, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Guy Branum Presents Talk Show: The Game Show @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10:30PM $5
Ryan Stout @ Hollywood Improv Sun. Sept. 30th 9:30PM $14/2 item min.
Funches & Friends @ Nerdist Showroom Thurs. Oct. 4th 8PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Not for Nothin’ @ Little Modern 8PM FREE
Meltdown @ Nerdist Showroom 8:30PM $8
For Shame! @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5
Beer in the Shower 2 Year Anniversary @ Dreams Bar & Cafe 9:30PM FREE
Hamclown @ Little Modern 9:30PM FREE
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/lottery/One item min.
REDWOOD BAR & GRILL 316 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA (Downtown)/Starts 6:30PM/No purchase necessary
THE SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Starts 7PM/lottery/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
TRIBAL CAFE BEVERLY 3253 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/6 min./No purchase necessary
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/mixed mic
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts

The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week 9/25

September 26, 2012

The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week 9/25

Here’s our picks for our Nerdist weekly meant to be funny video series that, this time around, features Tig Notaro, Nick Vatterott time traveling, Key & Peele, and more. If you’d like to get in with the 5 MIFV, submissions are taken every week under the rules listed at the link.

Portlandia Season 2 Now on DVD

September 26, 2012

IFC’s hit series Portlandia has its second season now available to buy on Blu Ray and DVD complete with both specials ‘Brunch Village’ and an ‘Introduction to Portlandia’. Get it now and you can show people why you aren’t crazy for putting birds on things.

Fallon Does Impression of Seinfeld, Bill Burr Knows Who We Should Vote For

September 26, 2012

It’s definitely a big milestone in comedy when someone will do an impression of you on their late night talk show, but also be embarrassed to do it and take notes just like Jimmy Fallon did last night with Jerry Seinfeld on Late Night.

Though there’s plenty of really funny ranting about how baseball has gone too soft, Bill Burr’s panel interview appearance on Conan last night, for us, was highlighted by his joke about how neither political party is right and who we should vote for.

Season 2 Premiere of Key & Peele is Tonight

September 26, 2012

Season 2 Premiere of Key & Peele is Tonight

At 10:30PM tonight on Comedy Central, Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s hilarious sketch series returns to television and then every Wed. at the same time. Perhaps, we’ll get to see more of Lil’ Wayne getting shanked.

Don’t Ask Questions, Just Pick Up Tom Segura’s New Album “White Girls With Cornrows”

September 26, 2012

Pretty much everything Tom Segura does is hysterical including one of the best sets we’ve seen on Conan. That should go to encourage you all the more to just pick up his new album that was just released White Girls With Cornrows and enjoy life with less worry.

Tig Notaro Live (The Verb, Not the Adjective) Out on LouisCK.Net Oct. 5th

September 26, 2012

Photo by Robyn Von Swank

Last week on Conan, Tig Notaro announced their her set at her latest show at Largo at the Coronet Theatre would be released through Louis CK’s website. CK tweeted about the set describing it as “masterful” and now the buzzed about set where she opened with announcing having cancer will be available as “Tig Notaro Live” (not LIVE the adjective for Tig’s amusement) for purchase on LouisCK.net on Oct. 5th.

We have a feeling that this might be a landmark comedy album, so you might want to mark your calendars.

LA Comedy Rundown 9/27/12

September 27, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
The Myq and Micah CD Release Show @ Nerdist Showroom Fri. Sept. 28th 8PM $8 in adv., $10 at door
Dog Day Afterwork @ Los Angeles Brewing Company Wed. Oct. 3rd 7:30PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Set List Tapings @ Vanguard Hollywood 6:30PM/8:30PM FREE w/RSVP
Murray Valeriano & Friends @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $5/2 item min.
Chicken Shit Shack Show @ Santa Monica Little Theater 8PM $5
Billy’s Fish Fry and Community Social @ La Luz de Jesus Gallery 8PM FREE
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Lady to Lady: A Talk Show by Ladies for Everyone @ Little Modern 9PM FREE
The Comedy Palace @ The Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE
The Fogelnest Files @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
Hello Giggles Presents @ Hollywood Laugh Factory 10PM $10-$25/2 drink min.
Midnight at the Improv w/Wayne Federman @ Hollywood Improv MIDNIGHT FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
CAFE AMERICANO 5770 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
PALMS BAR 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Starts 6:30PM/First come, first served/One drink min.
ROCKPAPER COFFEE 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/lottery
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 6PM/3 min./Counts as audition/No purchase necessary
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
SANDWICH SPOT 3101 Ocean Park Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/first come, first served
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6:30PM/pre-booked 5 min. spots by lottery by e-mail/3 lottery 3 min. spots available if show up/One drink min./
COFFEE BEAN 12930 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA/Starts 7PM/mixed mic/lottery/No purchase necessary
CAFE MUSE 259 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
CAFE UNURBAN 3301 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 9PM/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT

IFC’s Bunk Ends, But Christopher Guest’s HBO Series Casts Willard, McKean, & More

September 27, 2012

Recently, IFC announced that it’s canceling “the anti game show” show Bunk with Kurt Braunohler and won’t be bringing it back for another season. That is really unfortunate as we really enjoyed Braunohler’s hosting barefoot and the absurdist system of points and prizes like “your real parents”, but much of America apparently thought otherwise.

However, not to fret, the Christopher Guest project at HBO, Family Tree, will now have the usual Guest suspects of Fred Willard, MJ McKean, and Ed Begley Jr.

So, there is balance in the television comedy universe, at least, for this week.

Jamie Lee Makes Her Wonderful Late Night Debut on Conan

September 27, 2012

The delightful and sharp Jamie Lee finally made her stamp on the late night talk show world with her stand-up debut on Conan last night and she had us give up an applause break while watching this online this morning.

Give it a watch and some hardy laughs here.

Forget “Your First Time”? Here’s a Hilarious Reminder from Jesse Case & Courtney Kocak

September 27, 2012

Bad music, the wrong music, not knowing how to take off clothes, not wanting to take off clothes, crying, and more are staples of the first time you have sex. Jesse Case and Courtney Kocak’s web series Normal gives us a really reminder of funny that time was, especially since it happened awhile ago and not to us.

Bill Burr’s Latest Special Going from Netflix to Digital Download

September 27, 2012

Bill Burr’s Latest Special Going from Netflix to Digital Download

Monday Oct. 1st 12PM, Bill Burr’s “You People Are All The Same” can be yours (and definitely should be) to watch whenever and wherever you want as opposed to having to get a Netflix subscription and watch on your computer.

Also heed Burr’s missive that if you’re going to steal it, just admit your stealing it. NOTE: Just buy the fucking thing because it’s really funny and deserves to be paid for like all great comedy.

LA Comedy Rundown 9/28/12

September 28, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
The Walsh Brothers @ UCB Theatre Sat. Sept. 29th MIDNIGHT $5
Freelance Beatdown Pilot Reading @ Little Modern Sun. Oct. 7th 5PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Peachy Keen @ Bar Lubitsch 8PM FREE
Love Good @ Little Modern 8PM FREE
The Myq and Micah CD Release Show @ Nerdist Showroom 8PM $10
The Fake Show @ Fake Gallery 9PM $10
Dave Anthony @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $18/2 item min.
Rick Overton & Friends @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $10
The End of the World Show @ Lyric Hyperion Cafe 10PM FREE
The Middle Show @ Hollywood Hotel 10PM

OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/given “set list” of topics to do jokes off of/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
UCB THEATRE 5919 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/5 min./Lottery/10 spots only/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM-5:40PM/Starts 6PM/lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/5 min./One item min.
LITTLE MODERN 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Starts 6:30PM/lottery/10 spots only/5 min./No purchase necessary
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/4 min./no purchase necessary
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Starts 7PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
SABOR Y CULTURA 5625 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is a lottery/5 min. with 3 min. work-in’s/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery

Jerry Seinfeld and Michael Richards Ride Around in a Rusted VW Bus and Show Up at Random Houses

September 28, 2012

For the final episode of this season of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld called upon one of his oldest friends and co-stars Michael Richards. No surprise that it’s the longest episode (17 min.) of the web series and one of the most wild ones, especially since there is a warning at the beginning that claims nothing is set up here.

R. Kelly’s Trapped in the Closet Continuing at IFC

September 28, 2012

One of the most bizarrely funny things ever created, R. Kelly’s Trapped in the Closet, is keeping the adultery laden saga alive now at IFC this fall. We’re not sure whether Kelly means it to be funny or he’s just being sincere like Tommy Wiseau, but it’s engrossing and we can’t help but laugh.

Fun fact: Michael K. Williams/Omar from The Wire played a cop in one of the first chapters.