Norm MacDonald isn’t one for mincing words. That’s why the commencement speech he just gave is to the point and hones in on a poignant advice.
Watch it here at Funny or Die.
Citing creative differences, Edgar Wright has left his post as director of the upcoming Ant-Man movie from Marvel Studios. Of course, a search for his replacement has been immediately underway with the aforementioned names of Adam McKay, Ruben Fleischer, and Rawson Thurber being floated around.
Many of you probably know McKay’s filmography/Funny or Die over Fleischer’s or Thurber’s, but know that Fleischer and Thurber helmed Zombieland and Dodgeball, respectively. Wright leaving the project is sad, but we’ll be intrigued what any one of the three will do.
CBS Cancels The Arsenio Hall Show
Though it was slated for a second season, The Arsenio Hall Show will be no longer moving forward.
Joining in with The Pete Holmes Show, this will be the second late night talk show to be cancelled this year, on top of Chelsea Handler planning to leave Chelsea Lately this summer.
This leaves whoever is going to replace Craig Ferguson a more intriguing choice than it already is.
ON THE HORIZON
Comedy Is Dead @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery Fri. Jun. 6th 8PM $20
Del Close Marathon Preview Show @ UCB Theatre Sun. Jun. 22nd 9:30PM $5
COMEDY CRAWL
Thrilling Adventure Hour: web series + live performance of Sparks, Nevada, Marshall on Mars @ New Beverly Cinema 7PM $20
Set List @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
Channel 101 @ Downtown Independent Theater 8PM/10PM FREE
Chatterbox Comedy @ The Chatterbox 8PM $5
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Surprise! with Rob & Sofiya 2 Year Anniversary 9PM $5
Steve Agee @ Steve Allen Theater 9PM $12
Michael Kosta @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $18/2 item min.
Thomas and TJ @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10 (stand by only)
12 Shiny Nickels @ Westside Comedy Theater 11:30PM $10
The Walsh Brothers @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5
Tomorrow with Ron Lynch Presents Five Minutes or Die @ 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
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/Lottery/Mixed in with booked spots/Hosted by Megan Koester and Alison Stevenson
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served
FLAPPERS BURBANK YOOHOO ROOM 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Starts 4:30PM/First come, first served
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd St. Promenade & 4th St.)/Sign-up 5:45PM/Starts 6PM/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Graham Rodgers and Scott Schnurr
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 6:45PM/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Jenny Young and Kasey Koop
GROUNDWORK COFFEE 1501 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served/5 min./One item min./Hosted by Raab
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
Comedy Central Releases Some Details on The Minority Report with Larry Wilmore
Set to debut next year, The Minority Report with Larry Wilmore will not only feature Wilmore going through the news Daily Show style, but will possibly feature a panel that goes through topical issues in a more open discussion and perhaps bring a guest into it too.
Comedy Central is seeing this as an opportunity to showcase talent and perspectives they feel don’t get enough exposure. We’re definitely more intrigued now for The Minority Report’s premiere.
Set List The Improvised Stand-up Show continues its run on The Nerdist YouTube Channel with another never before seen set list. Andy Haynes gets a crack at running through a “set list” that includes racism and chimps and not coming off racist at all.
Jimmy Dore’s New Book “Your Country Is Just Not That Into You” Now on Pre-Order
Scott Rogowsky has been hosting his own live late night talk show Running Late for years, but made history recently by using said talk show to find a roommate.
He made a listing for an open house, then notified people that there would be cameras documenting them for a “project on NYC housing”. He didn’t explain any further and had potential roommates walk into a talk show set in a living room complete with guests Gilbert Gottfried, Andrew WK, and music band leader The Gregory Bros.
He made a whole web series as a result of this experiment that you can watch right here.
ON THE HORIZON
Hot Valley Nights in North Hollywood Thurs. Jun. 5th 7:30PM FREE w/RSVP
Jon Dore @ Hollywood Improv Sat. Jun. 28th 8PM $15/2 item min.
COMEDY CRAWL
2 Girls 1 Pup @ Tailwaggers 7PM $5 suggested donation
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Uncabaret @ First and Hope 8PM $20-$30
Harmontown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
Sucker Punch @ The Improv Space 8PM FREE
Neal Brennan & Friends @ Westside Comedy Theater 9PM $5
Punchline Punchout @ Neon Venus Art Theatre 9PM FREE
Gravid Water @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Top Story Weekly! w/Jesse Popp @ iO West 10PM $5
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)
OPEN MIC RUN
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 4PM/Ends 6PM/5 min./One item min.
THE SATELLITE LA 1717 Silverlake Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/Lottery/Mixed in with booked spots/Hosted by Megan Koester & Alison Stevenson
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served
LYRIC HYPERION THEATRE 2106 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./No purchase necessary
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./One drink min.
PIG N’ WHISTLE 6714 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/6 to 8 min./Mixed mic/5 min.
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Mark Alexzandr
HIKE MIC @ LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (at street lamp art sculpture/installation)/Starts 8PM/Meet at Urban Lights-street lamp art sculpture/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Rob Schultz & Jason Van Glass
THE PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 8:45PM/Lottery/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Harry Moroz, Pedro Salinas, and Sarah Morisano
COCK N BULL 2947 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 8:45PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/5 min./No purchase necessary
THE COMEDY STORE BELLY ROOM 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 11:30PM/Lottery/3 min./Hosted by Erik Marino and Brian Moses
Several weeks ago, Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham from the very funny series Playing House performed an evening of long form improv at the UCB Theatre here in LA. They rounded up the hilarious likes Zach Woods, Jason Mantzoukas, Brad Morris, and Joe Wengert to join them on stage for their scenes, which they made clear that they won’t be from the show, but will be like how they write the show.
We just hope TV shows with wonderful improvisers keep doing this sort of thing. Give part of a scene a watch here.
Here’s the May 2014 Edition of Channel 101
Channel 101 continues its legacy of independent, 5 minute television with the only judges being the audiences and what series they vote to keep going. It’s been going for over 10 years in case you were wondering.
Long time favorite Car Jumper has made it to their 18th episode (i.e. lasted 18 months). Watch all of this month’s top finishers and anything else at the link above.
The 12 Annual LA Improv Festival Begins Today
iO West is putting on, for the 12th year, their Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival. Starting from today, it will go all week and spans all three stages they have with plenty of improv, sketch, workshops, and even a stand-up competition.
Rather than check out all the tourists and what they’re doing on Hollywood Blvd., this would definitely be more worth seeing.
ON THE HORIZON
Tom Segura @ Brea Improv Thurs. Jun. 5th-Sun. Jun. 8th 8PM $17/2 item min.
Guy Branum Presents Talk Show: The Game Show @ Nerdmelt Showroom Sat. Jul. 5th 9PM $8 in adv., $10 at door
COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s “@midnight with Chris Hardwick” @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM FREE w/RSVP
Jim Bruce and Paul Goebel Want You To Have a Good Time @ Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe 8PM FREE
Dirty Birdie Story Hour @ Eros Station 8PM FREE
Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal @ The Virgil 8PM $5 in adv., $8 at door
Swallows Comedy Hour @ Spitz Los Feliz 8:30PM FREE
FRINGE with JC Coccoli @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5
OPEN MIC RUN
NERDMELT SHOWROOM 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/Lottery/Special Playboy Jazz theme night-fancy wear, robes especially, encouraged/No purchase necessary
SARDO’S 259 N. Pass Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/Ends 8:30PM/7 min./First come, first served/1 drink min.
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/5 min./First come, first served/1 item min.
IO WEST 6366 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Starts 6:30PM/Ends 8PM/Lottery/3-5 min.
ANCHOR BAR 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, CA/Starts 7PM/Sign-up at evan@dudelyjones.com/4-5 min.
THE WAREHOUSE LOUNGE 4499 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA/Starts 7PM/Ends 7:45PM/First come, first served/5 min./8 spots only/No purchase necessary
THE GOOD NIGHT 10721 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 7:45PM/Ends 9:30PM/Lottery/3-5 min./1 item min./Hosted by Ever Mainaird, Lisa Laureta, Ryan Walker, and Caitlin Bergh
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7:30PM/Mixed mic/No purchase necessary
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
JON LOVITZ COMEDY CLUB 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA (2nd Floor in Universal City Walk)/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/Lottery/4 min./No purchase necessary (purchase gets priority spot)/Valet parking with validation $3
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:15PM/Lottery/One item min.
THE PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:45PM/Starts 9PM/3 min./Lottery/1 item min./Hosted by Meg Swertlow, Wanjiko Eke, Chloe McGovern
JIMMY’S PLACE 1623 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 9PM/First come, first served/Mixed mic/Hosted by Nikki Wantz
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up 9:30PM/Starts 10PM/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107-A El Centro Ave., Los Angeles, CA #110/Starts around 12AM after One Love Improv/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary
Nathan For You Returns to Comedy Central Next Month
The second season of Nathan For You featuring one of the greatest pranksters of our time, Nathan Fielder, is premiering on Jul. 1st on Comedy Central.
Even in the promotion leading up to the season premiere, you should all be excited to see what Nathan is going to try to pull off.
Daniel Van Kirk rolls out another great episode of his Nerdist web series DVK. Van Kirk, along with the great Matt Braunger, Jason Nash, and Lindsey Barrow present the man at the TSA who is just looking to connect with someone rather than go through your luggage.
Monty Python’s Live Reunion at O2 Arena Will Stream in U.S. Theaters
Made official today, the legendary sketch troupe Monty Python and their live reunion show at London’s O2 Arena will indeed stream in select U.S. theaters thanks to Fathom Events.
Jul. 20th, the performance will be broadcasted live and subsequent rebroadcastings will happen on Jul. 23rd & 24th and maybe more dates.
You can and should get your tickets here.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver continues its roll of informative, interactive, and most importantly, damn funny pieces on important issues of our time.
This week, Oliver tackles Net Neutrality and does so quite well. Watch the whole segment here.
Garfunkel and Oates to Premiere on IFC in August
On Aug. 7th at 10PM, IFC will finally premiere Garfunkel and Oates, the series, which has been in the works for a while now.
In the meantime, enjoy all of their wonderful music videos over and over again.
I Am Road Comic will be the follow up to Jordan Brady’s documentary I Am Comic that follows the travels of comedians performing on what is commonly referred to as “the road” with all of its peaks and valleys.
Tales and words of wisdom will come from comedy road veterans such as Maria Bamford, Doug Benson, Wayne Federman, Pete Holmes, Kyle Kinane, TJ Miller, Marc Maron, Jen Kirkman, Judah Friedlander, Nikki Glaser, Tom Rhodes, W. Kamau Bell, Traci Skene, Auggie Smith, Alysia Wood, and more.
Key & Peele To Have Hillary Clinton’s Anger Translator Next Season
One of the most popular sketches on Key & Peele is Obama’s Anger Translator and they will be now expanding it to have an “anger translator” for Hilary Clinton.
With thin in mind, we can only hope that Key and Peele will do their version of the press conference where Clinton had something thrown at her.
ON THE HORIZON
Baby Talk with Dan Levy @ Nerdmelt Showroom Sat. Jun. 7th 7PM $8 in adv., $10 at door
Sun Club in Echo Park Sun. Jun. 8th 5PM FREE
COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s @midnight w/Chris Hardwick @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM FREE
Casey and Woods @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5
TNT Improv @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Comedy Night @ Best Fish Taco in Ensenada 8PM FREE
Rise Up! @ Three Clubs 8PM FREE
Put Your Hands Together @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5
Steve Benaquist’s Big & Tall Show @ The Lash 8PM FREE
Babe Island @ Bigfoot Lodge 8:30PM FREE
Sleepaway Camp @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE
Happy Contest Time @ 3 Clubs 9PM FREE
College Humor Live LA @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Frankenmatt @ Second City Hollywood 10PM $10
Glendalia @ The Complex 10:30PM 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.
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
THE MOTH @ ZANZIBAR 1301 5th St., Santa Monica, CA/Doors open 7PM/Starts 7:30PM sharp/Stories on theme of “deadlines” only/Lottery/5 min./10 spots only/$8 cover
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM/Ends 9PM/First come, first served/4 min./20 spots only/Hosted by Jenny Yang
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
John Oliver Crashes FCC Comments System After Net Neutrality Segment
Well, John Oliver seems to not only be doing one hell of a funny show, but affecting actual change. He did a segment on net neutrality this past Sunday, which was then online on Monday, that called for Internet commenters to go to the FCC comments section to leave their thoughts on legislation against net neutrality.
While it was Peter Capaldi who said it in Armando Ianucci’s genius In The Loop, John Oliver has shown he can “summon all the media forces of darkness to hound you into an assisted suicide.”
Netflix is trying to keep their original content streak rolling and have set their next series to be Bojack Horseman. It’s an animated series that follows the life of a former sitcom star that is also a horse. Will Arnett voices Bojack Horseman joined by the voices of Amy Sedaris, Aaron Paul, and Alison Brie.
We’re definitely getting a sort of GOB Bluth as a horse vibe here, which we’re completely on board for. Watch the trailer and mark Aug. 22nd on your calendar, the date when it comes out on Netflix.
Marry Me with Casey Wilson and Ken Marino Premieres in October on NBC
Of the new crop of sitcoms coming this fall, one of the most promising ones seems to be David Caspe’s Marry Me starring Casey Wilson and Ken Marino.
While it’s a romantic comedy like so many of the others, it’s concept new and that cast, as you might have already surmised, is pretty damn good. Look out for the series premiere of Marry Me on Tues. Oct 14th at 9PM on NBC.
Superego takes on a roll call of the G.I. Joes or, rather, a roll call of ones that we weren’t aware of in the latest animated episode over at Nerdist’s YouTube channel.
The wonderful Paul F. Tompkins joins into the half the battle hijinks too. Watch it here.