Recent News

Ivan Reitman Passing Ghostbusters Director Torch To Someone Else

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Ivan Reitman Passing Ghostbusters Director Torch To Someone Else

With the passing of Harold Ramis, director Ivan Reitman felt it appropriate to step down in directing the reboot of the beloved franchise. This means that the reboot of Ghostbusters set to start shooting next year will not have Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, or Bill Murray.

Before you get skeptical, let the casting decisions and director attachments be made as they may be good ones.

Wrestlers Still Don’t Take Off Their Mask (Actual and Emotional) During Therapy

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Wrestling Is presents a look into the lives of wrestlers outside the ring, specifically in their therapist’s office. Called Ring Psychology, it’s probably what you hope a therapy session would/could/should be like.

Watch Ring Psychology here.

FX/FXx Picks Up Billy Crystal-Josh Gad Series ‘The Comedians’

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FX/FXx Picks Up Billy Crystal-Josh Gad Series ‘The Comedians’

The premise of two eras of comedy colliding, more disparate than those of Funny People with Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler, is now going to be the newest show at FX/FXx will have Josh Gad as a younger, edgier comedian working for vet comedian played by Billy Crystal (who is making a long awaited return to TV here) on a sketch show.

As this is another show dealing with the sort of the behind the scenes of comedy under the umbrella of FX, we immediately wonder if they or Louie would do a crossover of any kind.

National Geographic Is Having Rifftrax Riff on April Fools’ Day

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National Geographic Is Having Rifftrax Riff on April Fools’ Day

You read that right. The National Geographic Channel is going to having some of it’s programming commented or, more appropriately, riffed on by none other than riff masters from Rifftrax comprised of former members of MST3K.

So, if you’re not busy pulling a prank on someone else, you should probably watch this on April Fools’ Day.

LA Comedy Rundown 3/20/14

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Surprise with Rob & Sofiya Sat. Mar. 22nd 8PM $5
Henry Phillips @ Hollywood Improv Thurs. Apr. 24th 8PM $14/2 item min.

COMEDY CRAWL
Big Money Presents a Half Hour with Kurt Braunohler @ The Virgil 7PM FREE
The Evening Hour with Sean Conroy @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5
Doug Benson Movie Interruption: Jack Reacher @ Cinefamily 7:30PM $14
Live Read of Groundhog Day, Directed by Jason Reitman @ LACMA 7:30PM $40 (stand by only)
Book of Mormon @ Pantages Theatre 8PM $35-$165
Bright Colors and Bold Patterns by Drew Droege @ VS Theatre 8PM $15
Bryan Callen @ The Comedy & Magic Club 8PM $18/2 item min.
Crabfeast Stand-Up Show @ Brea Improv 8PM $12/2 item min.
Set List @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Lounge Art Gallery 9PM FREE
Little Joy @ Little Joy Cocktails 9PM FREE
The Tinkle Twins @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
The Comedy Palace @ The Palace Restaurant 9:30PM FREE
Hound Tall with Moshe Kasher @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5

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
ZAPATA VIVE 101 S. First Ave., Arcadia, CA/Sign-up 6:45PM/Lottery/Only 20 spots available/5 min./Hosted by Paula Johnson
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign up is 12PM at Facebook page/See http://www.facebook.com/BombShelterComedyfor 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
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
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

Parks and Recreation Renewed For 7th Season

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Parks and Recreation Renewed For 7th Season

Amidst NBC’s numerous moves to reconfigure their comedy branding over the last couple of years, we’re glad to see that Parks and Recreation is sticking around for a seventh season.

Just in case you didn’t know, Greg Daniels and Michael Schur are killing it with their sitcom track record and have been doing so for awhile now.

IFC Renews Comedy Bang! Bang! For 40 Episodes, Birthday Boys and Orders Two New Series That Have American in The Title

birthday boys, college humor, comedy bang bang, ifc, lorne michaels, rob huebel

IFC Renews Comedy Bang! Bang! For 40 Episodes, Birthday Boys and Orders Two New Series That Have American in The Title

IFC just unveiled its upcoming programming slate for 2015 and man, it’s a doozy.

They’ve ordered Comedy Bang! Bang! for an unprecedented 40 episodes (for perspective, most broadcast sitcoms get maybe 22 episodes for a full season order), another season of The Birthday Boys, American Storage (Rob Huebel plays a guy who lives at a storage facility by choice), an awards special from College Humor, American Documentary (a mockumentary series from Lorne Michaels), and two half-hour scripted comedies in development entitled Westside and The Bank.

Watch Good Cop Great Cop’s “Apples”

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Good Cop Great Cop’s latest sketch is best served if we just say that you never ended up using what you learned in first grade the way you thought you would. Also, it’s pretty funny.

So, watch “Apples” here.

FX Networks & U.K.’s BSkyB to Co-Develop Comedies

bskyb, comedy development, fx, fxx, uk

FX Networks & U.K.’s BSkyB to Co-Develop Comedies

For years, U.S. TV networks have developed many shows by adapting them from British formats. Most famously, The Office was adapted into a U.S. version from Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais’ UK original, but several pilots a year are indeed U.S adaptations of successful UK comedies.

With that in mind, FX and BSkyB might be cutting the adaptation part of that process and just develop comedies together for both sides of the pond. Hopefully, this will mean that we’ll get to see the likes of great UK comedy (Steve Coogan, Peter Serafinowicz, Stewart Lee, Dylan Moran, Daniel Sloss, etc.) in the States more often.

Watch Eugene Mirman Do Stand Up and Show Off His Paintings on Late Night

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Seth Meyers has kept up a nice routine of featuring stand up on Late Night since he’s taken over. As of right now, Hannibal Buress, Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Che, and Eugene Mirman have performed on The Tonight Show.

Watch Eugene tell jokes and that show his Brooklyn themed paintings off.

Netflix to Debut Rhys Darby’s Mockumentary Series ‘Short Poppies’

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Netflix to Debut Rhys Darby’s Mockumentary Series ‘Short Poppies’

The amazing Rhys Darby is getting his own show on Netflix set for a release next month, specifically Apr. 3rd.

Short Poppies should be a good thing to queue up next in your binge watching list.

Andy Kindler and Aimee Mann “Hold” SNL Band Auditions

aimee mann, andy kindler, auditions, dc pierson, nbc, Saturday Night Live, snl

It’s unmistakable when you hearing the opening and closing theme of Saturday Night Live and immediately upon hearing it, you harken to the legendary sketch show. However, you hardly think of the band playing that theme and what they go through.

Flavorwire gives us a “real” inside look into that world, specifically when it comes to casting a bass player for SNL. Also, give a round of applause to Aimee Mann, Andy Kindler, and DC Pierson for this wonderful bit of “behind-the-scenes”.

Night Cap @ Goorin Bros. Is Tomorrow Night 3/21! Lizzy Cooperman Added!

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Night Cap @ Goorin Bros. Is Tomorrow Night 3/21! Lizzy Cooperman Added!

In addition to the fantastic comedic stylings of James Adomian, Sean Patton, and Aparna Nacherla, the amazing Lizzy Cooperman (The Soup TV, Eric Andre Show) will now be joining us our wondrous evening intersection of comedy and hats Night Cap.

Also, know that there’s still a nice, little hat giveaway from Goorin Bros. Hats if you attend the show.

Space is limited and pre-sale tickets are still available at the link above, so don’t miss out on the best night of comedy and hats around (even if you’re not a hat person).

Fri. 3/21 9PM (Doors at 8:30PM)
Goorin Bros. Melrose (7627 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA)
$5 online, $7 at door ($6 if wearing hat)

LA Comedy Rundown 3/21/14

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Jimmy Pardo @ Hollywood Improv Sat. May 3rd 8PM $18/2 item min.
Varietopia with Paul F. Tompkins @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre Sat. Apr. 26th 8:30PM $30

COMEDY CRAWL
Brand New Ball @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5
Thai Rivera @ Flappers Claremont 7PM/9PM $20
The Big Lebowski/Almost Famous @ Aero Theatre 7:30PM $11
The Manifesto Show @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Book of Mormon @ Pantages Theatre 8PM $35-$175
Lost Moon Radio Gets a Job @ Hudson Theatre 8PM $15
Matthew McComedy @ Karma Lounge 8PM FREE
The Swarm @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10
Downtown Stand Up Comedy Salon 8PM FREE
Night Cap @ Goorin Bros. Melrose 9PM $5 in adv., $7 at door ($6 if wearing hat)
Eddie Pepitone’s Bloodbath @ Fake Gallery 9PM $10
Multi: a multimedia comedy show @ Echoes Under Sunset 8:30PM FREE
Your Mom’s House Podcast @ Comedy & Magic Club 8:30PM $12/2 item min.
Crave: The Comedy Rave @ Secret Westside Location 9PM $10-$15
Thurs, The Musical LIVE @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
The Latest Show @ Hollywood Hotel 10PM FREE
Diamond Lion @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5
This Friday Forty @ Westside Comedy Theater 11:30PM FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/First come, first served/must improvise set of never before seen provided set list/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 5:45PM/Lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./One item min.
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/Lottery/4 min./One item min.
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
BOB’S ESPRESSO 5251 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
SABOR Y CULTURA 5625 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is a lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary
TAO COMEDY STUDIO 7466 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/5 min./$5 cover includes drink
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107 El Centro, Los Angeles, CA Ste. 110/Starts 10:30PM after Manifesto Show/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary
INSIDRE JOKES @ TCL CHINESE 6 THEATRES 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/4 min./No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/lottery

Disney Pixar is Making a Sequel to The Incredibles

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It’s hard to say “one of the most beloved franchises” when it comes to film properties at Disney Pixar, but you’ll undoubtedly be excited to know that The Incredibles is finally getting a sequel.

If anything, we want to see Jack Jack grow to his full potential.

Eric Andre Cast in Jay Baruchel FX/FXx Pilot Man Seeking Woman

eric andre, fx, jay baruchel, pilot

Eric Andre Cast in Jay Baruchel FX/FXx Pilot Man Seeking Woman

Eric Andre will possibly get back to simultaneously not only being on two shows, but also being two way different personalities on either show with being cast in FX/FXx pilot Man Seeking Woman starring Jay Baruchel. When Don’t Trust the B in Apt. 23 was on the air, Eric was mild mannered compared to his anti talk show host character on The Eric Andre Show.

With this FXx pilot though, as a “cocky best friend”, Eric will be playing slightly closer to the Eric-Andre-Show Eric.

Get Todd Barry: The Crowd Work Tour Special at LouisCK.net Now

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Get Todd Barry: The Crowd Work Tour Special at LouisCK.net Now

Todd Barry’s experimental tour called The Crowd Work Tour where he only did crowd work was made into an entire comedy special that was pretty damn amazing and really funny.

It’s now available at LouisCK.net for that price you’ve come to know and love, $5. Get it now.

Michael Fassbender Wears a Fake Head as Avant Garde Pop Front Man For ‘Frank’

lenny abrahamson, maggie gyllenhaal, michael fassbender, tinker tailor solider spy

If you told me that a weird, road, cult pop comedy from the writers of The Men Who Stare at Goats and Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan respectively, featured Michael Fassbender wearing what appears to be a paper mache head nearly the whole time as a more than eccentric front man, then we’d definitely be interested.

Thankfully, Frank from director Lenny Abrahamson is just that and comes out May 9th. Watch the trailer here.

Dan Harmon Is Having a Garage Sale Benefitting 826LA

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Dan Harmon Is Having a Garage Sale Benefitting 826LA

As you’d imagine the man behind or with a significant role in making Community, Rick and Morty, Channel 101, Starburns Industries, Harmontown and more, Dan Harmon, has plenty of great memorabilia probably lying around his house/office/etc.

Well, Harmon is auctioning it all off live, QVC style, via Cogo.tv to benefit 826LA this Sunday. So not only will you be impulse buying, but you’ll be supporting a good cause.

The E Trade Baby Voiced by Pete Holmes Quits E Trade

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The E Trade Baby Voiced by Pete Holmes Quits E Trade

The letter of resignation at the link might very well be, ironically, the very last words that E Trade Baby speaks. Some of you might know that Pete Holmes is the voice of the E Trade Baby (if you don’t, perhaps you might just have had your mind blown for a second) and, from this last spot, you will know that the E Trade Baby doesn’t share the spotlight, especially with cats.

Your guess is as good as ours as to whether this has something to do with Pete hosting his own late night talk show, keeping his immensely successful podcast going, and continuing to do stand-up.

LA Comedy Rundown 3/22/14

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Hannibal Buress @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre Tues. Mar. 25th 8:30PM $30
Tig Notaro Presents Krullapalooza @ The Wiltern Tues. Apr 1st. 8PM $48.50-$98.50

COMEDY CRAWL
Book of Mormon @ Pantages Theater 2PM/8PM $35-$195
Seems Legit @ Nerdmelt Showroom 7PM $10
Thai Rivera @ Flappers Claremont 7PM/9PM $20
Surprise! with Rob & Sofiya 8PM $5
Andrew Donnelly @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $12
Graham Elwood @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $18/2 item min.
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Prompter! @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM FREE
The Armando Show @ iO West 9PM $10
Top Floor Comedy 9PM FREE w/RSVP
Lost Moon Radio Gets a Job @ Hudson Theatre 9:30PM $15
Heart of Darkness @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $10/2 item min.
Middleditch + Schwartz @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10 (stand by only)
Dr. God w/Special Guest Emo Phillips @ iO West 10:30PM $10
12 Shiny Nickels @ Westside Comedy Theater 11:30PM $10
The Walsh Brothers @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5
The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch Presents Crapshoot @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8

OPEN MIC RUN
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 3:30PM/Starts 4PM/Ends 6PM/5 min./One item min.
FLAPPERS BURBANK YOOHOO ROOM 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Starts 4:30PM/First come, first served
THE NUNNERY 131 S. Rampart Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:15PM/Ends 7PM/Lottery/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Mt Yanker and Chrysanthe
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 5:45PM/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Jenny Young and Kasey Koop
BREWDOG PUB 8300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/First come, first served/Hosted by Doug Reed
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 item min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts around 11:30PM/lottery

NBC’s ‘Last Comic Standing’ Returns May 22

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NBC’s ‘Last Comic Standing’ Returns May 22

Once thought cancelled and gone forever from the auspices of NBC, Last Comic Standing is returning in exactly two months two to the peacock.

Details and contestants have yet to be announced, but we can only hope that they can find a group like they did last season with folks such as James Adomian, Tommy Johnagin, Laurie Kilmartin, Myq Kaplan, Mike DeStefano, and more.

If You’re Going to Watch a Movie This Weekend/Soon, Watch Grand Budapest Hotel and/or Bad Words

bad words, grand budapest hotel, jason bateman, wes anderson

Both Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel and Jason Bateman’s Bad Words, in very different ways, are wonderful and really, very funny. They are so much so, that we don’t feel it necessary to further explain why.

Just trust us, they’re both worth your time and money for an afternoon/evening of hearty laughs and cinematic euphoria.

To save you a little time, here are LA showtimes for Grand Budapest Hotel and Bad Words.

Alison Brie Set For Two Movies and Producing Her Own Comedy Pilot

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Alison Brie has already captured our collective attention as Annie Edison on Community and Trudy Campbell on Mad Men, but she is on her way to having a banner year with three projects she’s set in motion.

So far, she’s going to co-star with Adam Scott in Sleeping With Other People, joining the cast of Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart’s Get Hard, and also producing her own comedy pilot Teachers at TV Land.

This is only 3 months in to 2014, so who knows how much higher she’ll go.

Adult Swim’s ‘Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell’ Renewed For Second Season

adult swim, henry zebrowski, your pretty face is going to hell

Adult Swim’s ‘Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell’ Renewed For Second Season

As far as networks establishing their comedy brand, Adult Swim has done a really great job cementing their brand of great, high concept, absurdist comedy series.

Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell getting a second is a perfect example of this.