Recent News

Kurt Braunohler to Launch His Comedy Central Web Series at Riot LA

January 6, 2014

cc:studios, comedy central, comedy festival, kurt braunohler, riot la

Kurt Braunohler to Launch His Comedy Central Web Series at Riot LA

We’re not too sure what the fantastic Kurt Braunohler has in store for his upcoming web series at Comedy Central/CC:Studios called Roustabout, but we have no doubt that it’ll be groundbreaking silliness of the highest degree.

If you’re in attendance at Riot LA this weekend (get tickets here), specifically Jan. 11th @ The Smell, like us, you’ll get exactly an idea of what Kurt’s up to in a special live preview.

Watch Richly Absurd Detail in ‘The Spoils of Babylon’ Theme/Opening

January 6, 2014

ifc, spoils of babylon

Eric Jonrosh’s The Spoils of Babylon coming to IFC this Thurs. Jan. 9th looks so rich accented with plenty ludicrous detail. From fake names to obvious model towns, this looks really promising.

Watch and see in the opening sequence/theme.

The Goddamn Dave Hill Show Premieres Tomorrow at WFMU

January 6, 2014

best show on wfmu, dave hill, wfmu

The Goddamn Dave Hill Show Premieres Tomorrow at WFMU

Without barely wasting any time at all, the slot previously occupied by The Best Show at WFMU with Tom Scharpling will continue to be taken up by great comedy in the form of The Goddamn Dave Hill Show.

It starts 6PM PST tomorrow and will have H. Jon Benjamin as a guest, so we don’t even need to tell you to get on board ASAP.

LA Comedy Rundown 1/7/14

January 7, 2014

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Camp! One Year Anniversary @ The Clubhouse Fri. Jan. 10th 11:30PM FREE
Top Floor Comedy Sat. Jan. 11th 9PM FREE w/RSVP

COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s “@midnight w/Chris Hardwick” @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM FREE w/RSVP
Not Safe For Work @ Del Monte Speakeasy 8PM FREE
TNT Improv @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Drunk on Stage @ Akbar 8PM $5
Comedy Night @ Best Fish Taco in Ensenada 8PM FREE
Greg Proops: Smartest Man in the World @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
Put Your Hands Together 1 Year Anniversary @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Happy Contest TIme @ 3 Clubs 8:30PM FREE
We’re Having Fun Here @ The Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE
Sleepaway Camp @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/Stand-up, sketch, improv all welcome/5 min.
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 5:45PM/Lottery/20 spots available
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
THE MOTH @ ZANZIBAR 1301 5th St., Santa Monica, CA/Doors at 7PM/Starts 7:30PM sharp/stories on theme of “vices” only/5 min./10 spots only/$8 cover
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/First come, first served/One item min.
CAFE UNURBAN 3301 W. Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 9PM/Sign-up is lottery/No purchase necessary
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/5 min.
PEDONE’S PIZZA 1332 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 7:45PM/Ends 9:30PM/5-7min.
THE OTHER DOOR 10437 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/To get a booked spot, email mouthypants@gmail.com by Monday at 5 PM/20 names will be chosen at random/Sign-up for 20 lottery spots starts at 7:30 at the show/Go to facebook.com/mouthypantscomedy for more details
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
JON LOVITZ COMEDY CLUB 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA/Sign-up 9:15PM-9:45PM/Starts 10PM/Lottery/4 min./No purchase necessary/Valet parking w/validation $3
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 9PM/Starts 10:30PM after booked show/Ends 12AM/No purchase necessary
PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9:45PM after booked show/Lottery
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
THE COMEDY STORE BELLY ROOM 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 11PM/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary/Roast battle between 2 comedians at end/Hosted by Brian Moses and Rell Battle
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107-A El Centro Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts around 11PM after TNT Improv/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary

Here’s a Small Taste of Patton Oswalt’s Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time

January 7, 2014

comedy special, epix, patton oswalt, tragedy plus comedy equals time

Patton Oswalt’s latest comedy special Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time is coming to Epix on Jan. 17th. It’s been a few years since Finest Hour, which is why we’re excited for this to come out and also wonder the other forms of that comedy equation (i.e. Time Minus Comedy Equals Tragedy, Tragedy Minus Time Plus Comedy Equals Zero, etc. etc.)

For now, just watch this preview on what the state flag of Florida should be.

Lena Dunham Was Really Surprised to Get 3rd Season

January 7, 2014

cbs, girls, hbo, late show, lena dunham, letterman

During her interview on Letterman, Lena Dunham revealed that she was thoroughly delighted to get a 3rd season of Girls (premiering this Sun. Jan. 12th 10PM on HBO) considering everything she did in season two, suspecting that she had gotten away with enough according to HBO.

With that in mind, Letterman gives her a little more encouragement on doing her own show. Watch the clip here.

Sasheer Zamata Joins ‘Saturday Night Live’ As New Cast Member

January 7, 2014

lorne michaels, nbc, sasheer zamata, snl, television

Sasheer Zamata Joins ‘Saturday Night Live’ As New Cast Member

After the wave of criticism of the lack of diversity at SNL, then a sketch making fun of said criticism last year, Lorne Michaels “secretly” auditioned a group of black female comedians to be cast members.

Yesterday, it was announced that, from that group, Sasheer Zamata will be the newest cast member at Saturday Night Live. We hope that she kills it in her first episode.

Brighten Your Day with Ron Funches on The Pete Holmes Show

January 7, 2014

pete holmes, pete holmes show, ron funches

The Pete Holmes Show is still currently on hiatus, but the magic from an interview/hang out between Pete Holmes and Ron Funches will, at the very least, make today or whatever day you watch this pretty great.

Watch the interview and feel better about things in general.

Craig Robinson’s Mr. Robinson Going to Series at NBC

January 7, 2014

craig robinson, mrs. robinson, nbc, series order, television

Craig Robinson’s Mr. Robinson Going to Series at NBC

NBC has just ordered a handful of episodes from Craig Robinson’s pilot Mr. Robinson to air, which, according to the description, sounds a lot like School of Rock as a TV series starring Craig Robinson.

Anyone taking bets for whether they’ll do a parody of the song Mrs. Robinson at some point?

Louis C.K.’s Next Big Thing Is Selling His Movie “Tomorrow Night” on His Website

January 7, 2014

louis c.k., movies, tomorrow night, tonight show, trailer

Louis C.K. has been noted over the last few years with reinventing the wheel of media by selling his own comedy special on his website for $5, doing every job on his TV show that’s humanly possible along with getting final cut, etc.

His latest milestone will be selling a movie, shot in black and white, that he made partially on his own dime, Tomorrow Night, on his own website. He made this announcement last night on The Tonight Show and revealed that it never got distributed anywhere in 1998.

In 2014, black and white seems to no longer be a deal breaker for audiences and with all the acclaim that CK has gathered since 98, it’s probably a good time for this.

Here’s the trailer for Tomorrow Night; you might know a few people making cameos like Conan O’Brien or JB Smoove.

LA Comedy Rundown 1/8/14

January 8, 2014

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Drunken Tales of Shame & Glory @ Monty Bar Mon. Jan. 13th 8:45PM FREE
The Super Serious Show with Beth Stelling @ The Virgil Wed. Jan. 15th 8PM $7 in adv., $10 at door

COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s “@midnight w/Chris Hardwick” @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM/6:30PM FREE w/RSVP
The Highland Park Show @ Cafe De Leche 7:30PM FREE
Room 101 Improv @ The Flight Theater 8PM FREE
Pints & Puns @ Angel City Brewery 8PM FREE
Comedy Central Showcase @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $5
Entendre! Entendre! @ The Cat & Fiddle 8PM FREE
Meltdown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8:30PM $8 (stand by only)
Radio Picture Show @ The Virgil 8:30PM $5
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Extra Credit @ The Clubhouse 10PM FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
PANINI GARDEN 2715 Main St., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 9PM/First come, first served/5 min. or 8 min. w/purchase/Hosted by Jordan Likover
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
DANGERFIELD’S 3 2524 1/2 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Lottery/3 min./$2 cover
ICE HOUSE STAGE 2 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6PM/4 min./Lottery/No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/First come, first served/One item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
CORKY’S LOUNGE 5043 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA/No walk ins/Must sign-up in advance at jaketaveren@monkeyheadconcepts.biz/Starts 7PM/pre-booked spots 10-12 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Daniella Arce
ZOEY’S CAFE 185 E. Santa Clara, Ventura, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/10 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Samantha Ross
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/Ends 9PM/Lottery/6-8 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 w/one drink min./Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
O’HARRA’S BAR 1000 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM after booked show/Lottery/3-5 min./No purchase necessary
THE OYSTER HOUSE 12446 Moorpark St., Studio City, CA/Starts 10PM/Ends 1AM/First come, first served/5 min./Hosted by Gary Carver
HOUSE OF TACOS 5616 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ THE FLIGHT THEATER 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts around 11PM after Room 101/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/First come, first served

There’s a Whole Documentary About Improv Everywhere

January 8, 2014

charlie todd, comedy documentary, documentary, improv everywhere

One of the more fascinating things in comedy over the last several years has definitely been Charlie Todd and his happy cohorts known as Improv Everywhere. They blur the lines between performance art/flash mob/live comedy and have done so very well with things like the No Pants Subway Ride or pranking a TED talk.

Now, there’s a whole documentary about them called We Cause Scenes: The Rise of Improv Everywhere that you’ll probably buy after you watch this trailer.

TBS Renews The Pete Holmes Show for 13 Weeks

January 8, 2014

pete holmes, pete holmes show, renewed, tbs, television

TBS Renews The Pete Holmes Show for 13 Weeks

Many of you we were wondering what the word was on The Pete Holmes Show when it went on hiatus last year.

Luckily, the word is “renewal”.

The Pete Holmes Show just got picked up for 13 more weeks and returns to TBS on Feb. 24th, incidentally (or not so incidentally) the same day as Late Night with Seth Meyers premieres.

Harland Williams Gets Supremely Silly Per Usual on Conan

January 8, 2014

conan, harland williams, television

Harland Williams is one of our favorite late night guests usually evidenced by his unfiltered tomfoolery while on Conan.

Here’s another great example of it in his latest Conan appearance.

Sara Benincasa Writing ‘Agorafabulous’ Pilot for USA Network

January 8, 2014

agorafabulous, agoraphobia, diablo cody, pilot, sara benincasa, television, usa

Sara Benincasa Writing ‘Agorafabulous’ Pilot for USA Network

The wonderful Sara Benincasa has gotten her book Agorafabulous!: Dispatches from My Bedroom optioned to be a pilot for the USA network along with Diablo Cody on board as a producer.

Hopefully, we’ll hear about it getting green lit before too long.

FX Tries For Another Rock Comedy with Pilot From Denis Leary

January 8, 2014

denis leary, fx, fxx, pilot, rock comedy, television

FX Tries For Another Rock Comedy with Pilot From Denis Leary

Two years ago, FX had Dana Gould and Dave Grohl developing a rock comedy, which we’re really excited about, but ended up not going very far beyond development.

In 2014, a force behind one of their longest running series in Rescue Me, Denis Leary, is taking another crack at a rock comedy in a pilot called Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.

Perhaps, this one will fare a little better.

The Next Burning Love May Be The Hotwives of Orlando on Hulu

January 8, 2014

angela kinsey, casey wilson, hot wives, hulu, kristen schaal, parody, paul scheer, web series

Hulu announced this morning a slate of original programming to come out this year featuring many comedy series.

One of those comedy series is The Hotwives of Orlando that has a cast boasting Casey Wilson, Kristen Schaal, Angela Kinsey, Andrea Savage, Matt Besser, and more as well as being executive produced by Paul Scheer and Jonathan Stern.

Just watch the trailer and see the potential for The Hotwives of Orlando to be the next reality TV parody phenomenon.

LA Comedy Rundown 1/9/14

January 9, 2014

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
The Tomorrow Show w/guest hosts Katie Crown & Davey Johnson @ Steve Allen Theater Sat. Jan. 11th MIDNIGHT $8
Auggie Smith @ Hollywood Improv Sat. Jan. 18th 10PM $15/2 item min.

COMEDY CRAWL
Big Money @ The Virgil 7PM FREE
DC Pierson Will Steal Your Girlfriend @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5
Harland Williams @ Irvine Improv 8PM $22/2 item min.
Impro(vs)tand Up @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5
Westside Comedy Laugh Party @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Little Joy @ Little Joy Cocktails 8:30PM FREE
The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Lounge Art Gallery 9PM FREE
The Comedy Palace @ The Palace Restaurant 9:30PM FREE
Mantzoukas and… @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
The Vault @ The Clubhouse 10PM FREE
RIOT LA Passes $85-$500
Kumail Nanjiani @ Downtown Independent Theater 8PM $20
Sklarbro Country @ The Smell 8PM $15
Best of Riot LA @ Five Star Bar 8PM $15
8 Ball with Ron Funches @ The Lexington 8PM $10

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./First come, first served/25 spots only/counts as audition/No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/lottery
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign up is 12PM at Facebook page/See http://www.facebook.com/BombShelterComedy for more info and to sign up/First 23 spots guaranteed on Facebook/Lottery for remaining spots/Starts 7PM/One drink min./5 min./Hosted by John Silver & Ryan Pfeiffer
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Lottery/4 min./1 item min.
FANATIC SALON 3815 Sawtelle Blvd., Culver City, CA/Starts 7PM/Ends 9:30PM/$5 cover/7 min./water and coffee provided/Hosted by Lydia Robinson
LOADED 6377 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Ends 9PM/15 spots only/7 min./No purchase necessary
RAFA’S LOUNGE ART GALLERY 1836 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/10 spots/Lottery/3 min./Mixed in with booked spots/Hosted by Scott Luhrs
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
IT’S A GRIND 247 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served
INDIA’S FLAVOR 156 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA/Sign-up 9:15PM/Starts 10PM/Hosted by Atif Myers
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM after Main Room show

UAE to Release Shez Cassim After 9 Months of Imprisonment Over an Internet Parody Video

January 9, 2014

free shez, free speech, human rights, shez cassim, UAE, united arab emirates

UAE to Release Shez Cassim After 9 Months of Imprisonment Over an Internet Parody Video

After months of wholly undeserved jail time and a recent public outcry, Shez Cassim, the maker of an Internet parody video on youth culture in Dubai, will be released and come home to the U.S.

Good job, Internet.

Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo Moving to Earwolf

January 9, 2014

comedy podcast, earwolf, jimmy pardo, never not funny, podcasts

Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo Moving to Earwolf

That’s right, the trailblazing podcast known as Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo, which you had to pay to listen to, is now moving to Earwolf and will be free to all to listen to.

Only a select few (Conan O’Brien, Patton Oswalt, SF Sketchfest, Scott Aukerman) are up from the hundreds upon hundreds of episodes Pardo’s recorded, but we’re sure you’re like us in being excited for Pardo goodness for all.

Even at 12AM, Chris Hardwick Has To Know How To Navigate Censors

January 9, 2014

censors, chris hardwick, comedy central, fcc, midnight, standards and practices, television

Comedy Central’s “@midnight w/Chris Hardwick” is on at midnight, which should be late enough to not censor most words/images.

Yet, those FCC rules still hold up for some reason as you’ll see Hardwick explain during a taping of “@midnight”.

Oh, you’re watching “@midnight” right? It’s back on four days a week on Comedy Central at the self-titled time.

Louis C.K., Modern Family, The Colbert Report and More Get DGA Awards TV Nominations

January 9, 2014

bryan cranston, dga, directors guild, louis ck, modern family, nominations, television

Louis C.K., Modern Family, The Colbert Report and More Get DGA Awards TV Nominations

Along with 30 Rock, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel Live, all the above got DGA Awards nominations for television and their respective directors.

Interesting to note: One of those Modern Family nominations is for Bryan Cranston.

Patton Oswalt Drives Around, Sort Of, With Jerry Seinfeld in a DeLorean

January 9, 2014

comedians in cars getting coffee, delorean, jerry seinfeld, patton oswalt, web series

Patton Oswalt Drives Around, Sort Of, With Jerry Seinfeld in a DeLorean

Jerry Seinfeld breaks out his DeLorean collection for the Patton Oswalt episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

Besides, Patton taking Jerry to Handsome Coffee Roasters in the Arts District in downtown and the DeLorean perhaps not working so well, need way say more to watch (do so at the link)?

Steve Coogan Talks Pulling Off More Dramatic Film Philomena with Humor

January 9, 2014

movies, philomena, steve coogan, the daily show

The hysterical Steve Coogan appeared on The Daily Show this week to talk about his critically acclaimed latest work Philomena, which isn’t really a comedy for the harrowing story it tells. Yet, Coogan put humor into the film to make the weighty topic of coerced adoption more palatable.

Watch him explain the balance during the interview here.

The Spoils of Babylon Premieres Tonight on IFC

January 9, 2014

eric jonrosh, ifc, kristen wiig, mini series, premiere, spoils of babylon, television, tobey maguire

The Spoils of Babylon Premieres Tonight on IFC

What might be the most epic comedy mini series (it certainly has the look for it) on TV, The Spoils of Babylon starring Tobey Maguire and Kristen Wiig premieres tonight on IFC at 10PM.

Let’s see if it’s a hilarious cross between The Heart She Holler and There Will Be Blood that we think it very well might be.