HBO Renews ‘Veep’ and ‘Silicon Valley’
That’s right, HBO is re-upping both Veep and Silicon Valley. The two fantastic comedy series will be getting a 4th season and a 2nd season respectively as they completely deserve.
This news also kicks off a week where Last Week Tonight with John Oliver premieres on HBO. So, you probably know this or have just figured it out, but HBO is on a roll with comedy.
On May 14th, LinkTV, KCET, and Pivot will all be airing the stand-up documentary series Stand Up Planet that has host and great comedian Hasan Minhaj delving into how comedy finds its way into every corner of the world and how it opens up discussion on issues in places that most of us would think it would be near impossible to do so.
It features international comedy acts and comedians that you probably know and love from here in the U.S. such as Aditi Mattal, Mpho Popps, Loyiso Gola, Kagiso Lediga, Tanmay Bhat, James Adomian, Nate Bargatze, Michelle Buteau, and John Vlismas as well as the likes of legends Norman Lear, Carl Reiner, and Bill Cosby.
John Oliver Talks ‘Last Week Tonight’ on ‘Today Show’
There’s been little that we’ve actually gotten to see out of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver that premieres this Sun. Apr. 27th at 11PM on HBO, but, as there’s only a few days before that happens, Oliver is going to appear on plenty of talk shows to promote it.
The first one up is The Today Show (watch it at the link) and, rest assured America, John Oliver does not care about boys asking supermodels out.
ON THE HORIZON
Seems Legit @ Comedy Central Stages Thurs. Apr. 24th 8PM FREE w/RSVP
Play by Play @ UCB Theatre Fri. Apr. 25th 7PM $5
COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s “@midnight with Chris Hardwick” @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM FREE w/RSVP
Doug Loves Movies @ UCB Theatre 7PM FREE
An Evening with George Schlatter, TV Comedy Pioneer @ Cinefamily 7:30PM $12
TNT Improv @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Pints & Puns @ Angel City Brewery 8PM FREE
Rise Up! @ Three Clubs 8PM FREE
Book of Mormon @ Pantages Theatre 8PM $35-$165
Marc Maron @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $8
Penthouse Comedy @ The Comedy Store 8PM $10/2 item min.
Put Your Hands Together @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5
Steve Benaquist’s Big & Tall Show @ The Lash 8PM FREE
Sparks Nevada Earth Day Celebration @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $30
Blamblamblam! @ R-Bar 9PM FREE
An Evening with Byron Bowers @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $5
The Know Show @ The Know Where 9PM FREE
We’re Having Fun Here @ The Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE
Sleepaway Camp @ Downtown Independent Theater 9:30PM FREE
The Garlin and Schwartz Experiment @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
JFL Montreal Stand Up Showcase @ Westside Comedy Theater 10PM $5
Frankenmatt @ Second City Hollywood 10PM $10
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.
GRINDHOUSE CAFE 1051 N. Havenhurst Dr., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/First come, first served/5 min./Hosted by Steve Hernandez and Paul Laier
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
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/4 min./20 spots only/Hosted by Jenny Yang and Atsuko Okatsuka
THE MOTH @ LOS GLOBOS 3040 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Doors at 7PM/Starts at 7:30PM sharp/Stories on theme of “secrets” only/5 min./10 spots only/$8 cover
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
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.
33 TAPS 6263 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/First come, first served/4-6 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Doug Dixon and April O’Connor
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
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
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/First come, first served
Chris Gethard’s very first comedy album, succinctly titled My Comedy Album, is available now for your listening pleasure from Don Giovanni Records. It’s a hilariously dark winding road through the life and times of Gethard stopping through bad tattoos, I Survived, and more colorfully detailed misfortunes.
Pick up a copy and give it a listen.
Here’s another daily dose of Eddie Pepitone from his JASH YouTube channel, this time, from “his mom”.
You are getting your daily recommended amount, right? If not, you need to catch up here.
NBC’s ‘Last Comic Standing’ Hit With Editors Strike
The editors of this current season of Last Comic Standing are on strike for a union contract that would include health insurance and pension benefits. There is no word on whether this will halt the premiere of the latest season.
We’re guessing that NBC would like to keep that hush hush for as long as possible. Let’s hope that matter gets resolved agreeably and many comedians who deserve the exposure get on national TV.
So, Amy Poehler wears a mask of recording artist Pitbull and is led around by Billy Eichner to surprise people that she is indeed not Pitbull, but Amy Poehler in Billy On The Street’s latest game.
Of course, the results are great. Watch here.
The Goonies 2 Is in the Works with Story Reportedly Written by Steven Spielberg
You might be immediately skeptical just reading this headline, but with the potential return of nearly everyone who worked on the original Goonies, a Goonies 2 could be really great.
The cast, director, and story writer, Steven Spielberg are either currently involved or have expressed interest in a sequel.
HBO’s Silicon Valley Made a Real “Pied Piper” Site
There are plenty of reasons why Silicon Valley just got a second season at HBO. One of them is, of course, how damn funny it is.
A perfect example of how funny they are is the faux website they made for the shows own fictional website/application “Pied Piper”.
Absolutely Pre-Order Megan Amram’s “Science… For Her!”
The hilarious Megan Amram’s long awaited science textbook for ladies is almost here. Science… For Her is undoubtedly chock full of tons of scientific facts* that are made in an easy-to-understand magazine stand style.
Please pre-order ASAP.
*in this context, what are facts, really?
Respected news anchor Brian Williams has had clips of him chopped up and reassembled into rap songs for years by Jimmy Fallon and his staff such as this rendition of Snoop Dogg’s Gin and Juice.
Having had about enough of this, Williams came on to The Tonight Show and had a conversation with Fallon about this whole phenomenon. Watch parts one and two now.
Brian Williams continues to not only be a respected name in news, but one of the late night guests in the late night talk show game.
ON THE HORIZON
Channel 101 Screening @ Downtown Independent Theater Sat. Apr. 26th 8PM/10PM FREE
Howard Kremer’s Summah Summit @ Nerdmelt Showroom Sat. May 3rd 9PM $8 in adv., $10 at door
COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s “@midnight with Chris Hardwick” @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM/6:30PM FREE w/RSVP
Super Secret Comedy Show @ Lyric Theatre 8PM $8-$15
Book of Mormon @ Pantages Theatre 8PM $35-$165
Distressed @ Hollywood Improv Wed. Apr. 23rd 8PM $25/2 item min.
Meltdown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8:30PM $8 (stand by only)
Eddie Izzard @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 9PM $30 (stand by only)
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./Hosted by Jordan Likover
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
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
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
THE GRANDVIEW MARKET 12210 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:45PM/Starts 7PM/Mixed mic/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Morgan Jay and Monika Scott
OPEN MICHELLE @ WILDE THISTLE 3456 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Female performers only/5-7 min./One item min./
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
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.
THE OYSTER HOUSE 12446 Moorpark St., Studio City, CA/Starts 10PM/Ends 1AM/First come, first served/5 min./Hosted by Gary Carver
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts 10:30PM/First come, first served/1 item min.
HOUSE OF TACOS 5616 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
O’HARRA’S BAR 1000 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Lottery/3-5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Justin Williams
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/First come, first served
Comedy Central’s Review with Forrest MacNeil got a submission for a review that simply read “there all is aching”. Of course, Forrest (Andy Daly) doesn’t turn anything down and thus went forward with reviewing whatever he thought “there all is aching”
Forrest finds something he wasn’t expecting with this review. Watch here.
Comedy Central Picks Up This Is Not Happening with Ari Shaffir to TV Series
Here’s another great case of where a great web series that has cultivated quite a following gets picked up to air on actual TV. The darkly humorous storytelling show This Is Not Happening with Ari Shaffir has done two great seasons at CC:Studios and now will be a full fledged TV show.
Not only are we looking forward to when this premieres on TV, but we’re excited on how Comedy Central has been expanding their branding over the last couple of years.
Mitch Hurwitz Inks Multi-Year Deal With Netflix For New Series
Netflix is making sure to keep Mitch Hurwitz, creator of Arrested Development, around and went ahead and gave him a big multi-year development deal. Hurwitz will be focusing on developing new series and consulting in general with Netflix on other comedy series.
On reading this, we’re all highly anticipating whatever Hurwitz is coming up with, which might be worth the newbie Netflix price hike.
‘Last Comic Standing’ Editors’ Strike Ends with Union Deal
The editors of Last Comic Standing at NBC got to unionize under IATSE and the show will move forward, as far as we can tell, and still premiere on May 22nd.
WIth this deal, the strike only lasted two days, which will hopefully become more the case in future entertainment strikes.
If you’ve wondered what TJ Miller hosting a late night talk show sans a blue demon costume would be like, wonder no more. Miller filled in for Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately last night and definitely brought his wonderfully absurd comedic sensibilities with him.
Watch him open the show and interview Whiz Khalifa and make a case for being a host of a certain 11:30PM spot that will open up next year at Comedy Central should TJ be up for such a thing.
Universal Sets The Nest with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler For December 2015
The buddy party movie The Nest with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will be coming around next Christmas time, just in case you were making your Christmas lists for this year already.
Don’t worry, Fey and Poehler will have hosted The Golden Globes again in case you were worried that you weren’t going to enough of them both in your life before then.
John Oliver stopped by The Tonight Show last night and talked about getting mentally ready for the premiere of his show this Sun. Last Week Tonight on HBO. Specifically, Oliver is disappointed there isn’t as much graffiti on Last Week Tonight posters and shares his one time getting heckled when playing for the troops.
This latest episode of The Walsh Brothers Great and Secret Comedy Show has them patrolling the streets of the downtown LA making sure we’re all safe in the presence of matching denim jackets, boots, and purple berets.
Before Strangers with Candy, Stephen Colbert was writing and submitting all over the place. In fact, in 1997, he wrote his own Top Ten List for The Late Show, which he read off on Letterman last night.
Apparently, he was almost an intern and now he’s going to take cues from Dave when he gets behind The Late Show desk in 2015.
ON THE HORIZON
Billy Wayne Davis @ Flappers Yoo Hoo Room Fri. Apr. 25th 7:30PM & Sat. Apr. 26th 7:30PM/9:30PM $15/2 item min.
Paul Danke AST Album Recording @ Nerdmelt Showroom Fri. Apr. 25th 9PM FREE
COMEDY CRAWL
Big Money Presents an Hour with Eliza Skinner @ The Virgil 7PM FREE
A Kevin & Zach Show @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 7PM $40 (stand by only)
Casey & Woods @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5 (stand by only)
North Star Comedy Hour & Meat Raffle @ Genghis Cohen 7PM $8
Book of Mormon @ Pantages Theatre 8PM $35-$165
Glory Hole @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
Henry Phillips @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $14/2 item min.
Seems Legit @ Comedy Central Stages 8PM FREE w/RSVP
Left, Right, and Ridiculous @ Fake Gallery 8:30PM $10
Material: Comedy & Music @ Vlad the Retailer’s 8:30PM FREE
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Risk! True Tales Boldly Told @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
Set List Takes Over The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Lounge Art Gallery 9PM FREE
Little Joy @ Little Joy Cocktails 9PM FREE
Prom Night @ Nature’s Brew 9PM FREE
The Comedy Palace @ Palace Restaurant 9:30PM FREE
Loud Village at the Improv @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $10/2 item min.
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
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
THE CHATTERBOX 943 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, CA/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/Lottery/5 min./No purchase necessary
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
Don Rickles cracking a joke at your expense is, in many ways, considered a high honor in comedy. That’s why Jimmy Kimmel and so many other people he jokes about relish every moment of Rickles ribbing them.
Mel Brooks Doing His Own One-Man Show
Mel Brooks: Live at The Geffen will be a one man show where Mel Brooks shares his vast wealth stories throughout his legendary comedy career. It’s a one-off performance that is already sold out, but it seems as though it will be filmed and possibly released in one way or another for the rest of us to enjoy.
We also may not have to wait that long as the performance is next week.