Recent News

“The Skeleton Twins” Expands to 50 Theaters Today and You Should Go See It

September 19, 2014

bill hader, craig johnson, kristen wiig, luke wilson, the skeleton twins

The Skeleton Twins has played in LA and NYC for the week to a great critical and commercial reception and there’s definitely a reason, if not several, for why that’s happening.

The top billing from Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig doesn’t disappoint as they show how fun both of them hanging out during SNL rehearsals can be, but also they throughly go to dark places and make us want to follow them all the way there and back. Luke Wilson is also played beautifully as a stark contrast to their misanthropic, self-destructive duo. Co-writer-director Craig Johnson manages to take something that, on paper, could be just intensely dark and heavy, and presents with a deft, caring hand.

Constantly switching gears between the hysterical and the cathartic, it’s definitely worth checking out, especially since it expanded to 50 theaters this weekend.

Hannibal Buress Has a New-ish Book Deal

September 19, 2014

book deal, conan, hannibal buress, landlord

While on Conan last night, Hannibal Buress revealed the details, well, some details about a book deal that he got somewhat recently. Apparently, he needs a little inspiration to get the book off the ground.

Hopefully, whatever the book ends up being, the text message conversation between him and a past landlord ends up in it as well as the wonderfully accompanying pictures.

W. Kamau Bell Announces Giant Nationwide “Oh, Everything!” Comedy Tour

September 19, 2014

comedy tour, oh everything, w kamau bell

From Sept. 21st (that’s this Sun.) to Jan. 21st, 2015, W. Kamau Bell will be touring in over 30 cities including Kansas City, Los Angeles, Tempe, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York City, Little Rock, Eugene, Knoxville, Spokane, and way more.

There’s probably a good chance he’ll be playing near you in that run and you should do yourself a favor and catch him when he does.

Tickets are available here.

CC:Studios Shows You The Best/Worst House to Live in with “300 Sunnyside”

September 19, 2014

300 sunnyside, barry rothbart, betsy sodaro, brian huskey, cc:studios, chris reinacher, comedy central, cornell reid, nick rutherford

The gathering of Barry Rothbart, Betsy Sodaro, Brian Huskey, Cornell Reid, Nick Rutherford, and Chris Reinacher under one roof makes for batshit crazy house. It also makes for a very funny web series that was just released at CC:Studios called 300 Sunnyside.

Watch episodes one, two, and three now and be thankful that you get to watch the insanity at their house from the comfort of YouTube rather than actual live it.

Vote to Pick The 2014 Andy Kaufman Award Finalists

September 19, 2014

andy kaufman, andy kaufman award, comedy contest

One of our favorite comedy competitions around is the annual Andy Kaufman Award. With such noted winners as Kristen Schaal, Brent Weinbach, Nick Vatterott and Reggie Watts, it’s a distinction of those who are so incredibly unique in their comedic voice that they’re impossible to ignore.

The semi-finalists have been picked and you can now vote for who moves on to be a finalist. Among them are the likes of the very funny Robert Buscemi, Mary Holland, Jim Hickox, Nathan Min, and more.

Get a kick out of watching all of their clips and then please vote (and do so before Sept. 21st when voting closes).

Watch Terry Gilliam’s Earnestness vs. Stephen Colbert’s Wit on The Colbert Report

September 20, 2014

colbert report, monty python, stephen colbert, terry gilliam, zero theorem

On the promotional track for Zero Theorem, Terry Gilliam appeared on The Colbert Report complete with kimono and took his positive vibe and message against the wit of the Stephen Colbert character.

The result was pretty damn fun. Also, Colbert does a Monty Python “walk from the desk to the interview table”. Watch it here.

The Daily Show Gives a Classy Send Off to Michael Che After Only a Few Months of Che Being a Correspondent

September 20, 2014

daily show, jon stewart, michael che, Saturday Night Live, snl, weekend update

Michael Che is off from The Daily Show to co-anchor Weekend Update at Saturday Night Live and he just had his last appearance on The Daily Show last night.

So, of course, they gave him a send-off even after just three months as a correspondent. Watch it here.

LA Comedy Rundown 9/20/14

September 20, 2014

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
LA Podcast Festival @ Sofitel Fri. Sept. 26th-Sun. Sept. 28th $29 Fri. pass-$99 Weekend pass
Simon Amstell @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre Tues. Oct. 7th 8:30PM $30

COMEDY CRAWL
The Last Show I Do Before I Go On Medication @ Double Decker Bus that leaves from Pantages Theatre 7PM $25
Matt Kirshen @ Flappers Claremont 7PM/9PM $20
The Noble Experiment @ Silverlake Lounge 7PM FREE
Enter Laughing/The Comic @ Aero Theatre 7:30PM $11
Jim Jefferies @ City National Grove of Anaheim 8PM $39.50-$42.50
How Did This Get Made? LIVE w/Paul Scheer @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8PM/10PM $30 (stand by only)
Ithamar Has Nothing to Say @ Second City Hollywood 8PM $10
Punchline Punchout @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Booze Cruise @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8:30PM FREE
Brew Haha @ Marissa’s Backyard 9PM Donations accepted
Extreme Gaming Championship @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10
Howard Kremer & Friends @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $15/2 item min.
12 Shiny Nickels @ Westside Comedy Theater 11:30PM $10
Tournament of Nerds @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5 (stand by only)
Tomorrow w/Ron Lynch Presents Crapshoot @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8

OPEN MIC RUN
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 2PM/Ends 4PM/First come, first served/Hosted by Trina Roderick
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 3:30PM/Starts 4PM/Ends 6PM/5 min./One item min
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 4PM/Ends 7PM/First come, first served/5-10 min./Hosted by Marty Wurst and Jeanne Whitney
MAKAI COFFEE 2771 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 4:30PM/Starts 5PM/First come, first served/5-7 min./No purchase necessary
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/First come, first served/5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Kasey Koop and Jenny Young
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
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/https://www.facebook.com/ComedydeBasement/First 20 spots guaranteed on Facebook/Lottery for remaining spots/Hosted by Pablo Avion & Eric Bustamante/5 min./1 drink min.
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Lottery/One item min./Hosted by Sam Jae and Kat Yeary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts around 11:30PM/lottery/3-5 min.

Bill Hader Talks How to Get Serious with Kristen Wiig and Is Hosting SNL This Season

September 20, 2014

bill hader, nbc, Saturday Night Live, skeleton twins, snl

The Skeleton Twins with Bill Hader is playing in a few more dozen theaters this weekend and you should definitely catch it if you can. When Hader was on Late Night with Seth Meyers this week, he talked about how much fun he had with his former SNL castmate Kristen Wiig and how they had to kept together for the movie’s intense moments.

Bill is also hosting the third episode of Saturday Night Live this season on Oct. 11th and we wonder how Stefon would potentially deal with Colin Jost and Michael Che.

Watch Andrew Solmssen’s Moth StorySLAM Winning Story

September 20, 2014

andrew solmssen, mulholland, storyslam, storytelling, the moth

For storytelling and stand-up, Andrew Solmssen has been around both scenes in LA for years sharing his very personal, funny, introspective experiences and been a long time coming that he get some recognition for it.

Recently, he won the Moth’s StorySLAM with this amazing story and will be going on to compete in The Moth’s GrandSLAM soon. We wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won that as well.

Jerrod Carmichael Going on ‘Love at the Store’ Tour

September 20, 2014

comedy tour, hbo, jerrod carmichael, love at the store

In addition to his upcoming HBO stand up special ’Love at the Store’, Jerrod Carmichael is going on a Love at the Store tour, stopping in Philadelphia, NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington D.C. from 9/24 to 11/15.

Tickets and details are here and we highly suggest you don’t miss out on any or all of these.

Here’s a New Red Band Trailer for “The Interview”

September 20, 2014

james franco, kim jong-un, north korea, red band trailer, seth rogen, sony pictures, the interview

Over the last couple of a months, there has been tension from North Korea over Sony PIctures’ The Interview starring Seth Rogen and James Franco.

Yesterday, a red band trailer was posted that gives us all a better picture of what North Korea is getting so steamed over as well as the duo, reminiscent of when they teamed up in Pineapple Express, that Rogen and Franco are playing that are tasked with assassinating Kim Jong-Un.

So, maybe they don’t like all the rampant sexual innuendo?

There’s a Strong Possibility That You Could Get Showtime Completely Online

September 21, 2014

cbs, les moonves, showtime

While people are clamoring for a standalone HBO GO, CBS CEO Les Moonves has taken note and made serious considerations in offering Showtime direct to consumers online. Nothing has been specifically planned, but it’s definitely a move that should be taken as another sign of the times that the barriers between the Internet and TV are quickly fading away.

Currently, Showtime is home to such comedies as the award winning Episodes, Inside Comedy, and Web Therapy as well as various stand-up specials. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend starring Rachel Bloom is also being made into a pilot at the premium cable network.

Being able to binge watch a lot of those series and more to come online would definitely be a great move for Showtime.

LA Comedy Rundown 9/21/14

September 21, 2014

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Judd Apatow & Amy Schumer’s Benefit for MS @ The Comedy Store Wed. Sept. 24th 10:30PM $40/2 item min.
An Evening with Dan Telfer & Friends @ Second City Hollywood Fri. Sept. 26th 7PM $5

COMEDY CRAWL
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Hey Buddy @ The Echoplex 7:30PM FREE
Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction @ The Virgil 8PM FREE
UnCabaret @ First and Hope 8PM $20-$30
Harmontown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
Top Story Weekly! @ iO West 8PM $5
Sucker Punch @ The Improv Space 8:30PM FREE
Cash Lair Comedy @ Corner Bar 9PM FREE
French Toast @ Taix 9:30PM FREE
Power Violence @ Theatre 6470 9:30PM FREE
Shut Up! I Hate You @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $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.
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 4:30PM/Starts 5PM/Lottery/5 min./Hosted by Lizzy Pilcher
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/First come, first served/5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Mark Alexzandr
LYRIC HYPERION THEATRE 2106 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary
SORRY NOT SORRY @ WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd St. Promenade and 4th St.)/Starts 7:30PM/Ends 9PM/Lottery/Stories only/6-8 min./Hosted by Ethan Stanislawski
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./One drink min.
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 IMPROV SPACE 954 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 10:30PM after booked show/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Amir Kalil
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

Tom Lennon Had a Quick, But Important Announcement to Make at The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail

September 21, 2014

comedy central, the meltdown with jonah and kumail, thomas lennon, tom lennon

While doing comedy live is well and good, there’s always a bit of housekeeping to do to ensure everyone has a good time. Often, that is making announcement about what happens after the show.

In Tom Lennon’s case, while at The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, he invited people to hang, and then some, after the show.

YouTube to Spend More on Its Top Content Creators

September 21, 2014

content creators, digital space, youtube

As the digital space gets more and more flooded with content from all angles including Netflix, Funny or Die, Hulu, Amazon, etc. in addition to many networks offering their content fully online, YouTube is no longer the ubiquitous place to watch original content online as it once was.

In a recent announcement, YouTube has stated that will be investing more in their top content creators in order to let them generate more videos as well as keep them around at YouTube instead of being lured somewhere else.

The amount and how it will be divvied up has yet to be determined, but seeing that YouTube has to increase their spending in order to compete online is yet another sign of the migration of viewership from TV to the Internet.

Also, YouTube’s stars might just have a budget soon to make funny viral videos outside of their rooms away from the front of their computers a little more often.

Go Behind the Scenes of The Comeback’s Comeback

September 21, 2014

lisa kudrow, the comeback

HBO is, as you very well might know, raising their series The Comeback from the dead almost a decade later with almost everything and everyone that was in the first season.

Here’s another, better look at what’s to come from Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow and hopefully stick around for a lot longer.

Billy Crystal and Jimmy Fallon Trade Robin Williams Stories

September 21, 2014

jimmy fallon, robin williams, tonight show

While on The Tonight Show, Billy Crystal and Jimmy Fallon reminisce over the times they had with the late, but great Robin Williams.

Of course, they all revolve around Robin saying something hilarious, lightning quick. Watch the clip here.

LA Comedy Rundown 9/22/14

September 22, 2014

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Crave in Silverlake Thurs. Sept. 25th 9PM $10
Varietopia with Paul F. Tompkins @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre Sat. Sept. 27th 8:30PM $30

COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s “@midnight w/Chris Hardwick” @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM FREE w/RSVP
Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal @ The Virgil 8PM $5 in adv., $8 at door
The Black Version @ Groundlings 8PM $17
Straight White Males @ Club Fais Do-Do 8:30PM $5
Burnouts @ The Airliner 9PM $5 suggested donation
FRINGE with JC Coccoli @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Fresh Out: Stand-up Comedy @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
NERDMELT SHOWROOM 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/Lottery/No purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served
SARDO’S 259 N. Pass Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/Ends 8:30PM/7 min./First come, first served/15 guaranteed spots/1 drink min.
ROCKPAPER COFFEE 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/End 8PM/First come, first served/One 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
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:15PM/Lottery/One item min./Hosted by Jay Weingarten
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
BREWDOG PUB 8300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:45PM/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/5-7 min./Hosted by Pamela/1 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
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up 9:30PM/Starts 10PM/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary

South Park Shows They Still Can Satirize with The Best of Them with This Season 18 Preview

September 22, 2014

comedy central, season 18, south park, washington redskins

South Park will getting into its 18th season this Wed. Oct. 24th at 10PM on Comedy Central. After years of being the amazing animated satirical series, they don’t show any signs of slowing down.

Just look at this clip where they take The Washington Redskins controversy to task.

John Oliver Gives a In Depth Analysis of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Recent Address

September 22, 2014

john oliver, last week tonight, nfl, roger goodell

Last Week Tonight and John Oliver do another bang up job breaking down what might be a confounding news story.

In this case, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gave an address regarding the recent controversies surrounding NFL players and rampant incidents of domestic abuse.

Oliver shows how Goodell makes an address like a politician trying to not upset his constituency, but also avoiding making any promises. Watch it here.

If You Thought the Sky Mall Magazine Was Too Ridiculous To Parody, Sky Maul 2 Will Prove You Wrong

September 22, 2014

dan klein, james reichmuth, john reichmuth, parody, robert baedeker, sky mall, sky maul 2

If you’ve flown on a plane in the last several years, you might have noticed a catalog amidst the magazines and safety guide in the pocket in front of your seat. That catalog known as Sky Mall has become infamous for its wide and varied offerings for things your probably don’t need and most certainly don’t need to buy while you’re thousands of feet in the air.

Whether it be an upside down tomato garden, stairs for your dogs, etc., Sky Mall somehow has it all and that’s why Robert Baedeker, Dan Klein, John Reichmuth, and James Reichmuth have created the parody of it, Sky Maul 2: Where America Buys His Stuff.

In their parody, set to come out Oct. 21st, you can stuff like a “Personality Alert Bracelet” and other things you absolutely should want, but have no need for. So, make sure you pre-order this right now

Bob Odenkirk’s Amateur Hour Featuring Brandon Wardell Coming Out Nov. 25th

September 22, 2014

amateur hour, ast records, bob odenkirk, brandon wardell, comedy album

For those of you wondering what’s going on with Bob Odenkirk’s upcoming album, mark down Nov. 25th as the release date of Amateur Hour from Bob Odenkirk featuring Brandon Wardell off of AST Records.

There will be a bonus track as an added incentive to all, but especially to those handful of people that got to go to the taping at Meltdown.

Watch JFL Gala Clips of Jon Stewart, Mitch Hedberg, Chris Rock, Bill Hicks, and More

September 22, 2014

bill burr, bill hicks, chris rock, dave chappelle, gala, jfl, jon stewart, just for laughs, louis ck, mitch hedberg, montreal, stand up

That YouTube channel that Just For Laughs was launching with unseen stand-up clips from so many of the greats like Bill Hicks, Mitch Hedberg, Chris Rock, Louis CK, and more is finally here.

Watch the likes of Jon Stewart doing stand-up from 1992 or Chris Rock from 1987 or Hicks from 1990 or Chappelle from 2000 or Bill Burr from 2004 or CK from 2003 or Hedberg from 1998.

You’re likely to get hooked on this and just know that there’s more on the way.

NBC Buys 2 Comedies from John Krasinski

September 23, 2014

john krasinski, nbc, pilot season

After playing Jim Halpert for 9 seasons on The Office on NBC, John Krasinksi is getting back into business with NBC as he has just sold two comedy projects to the network.

They’re both single camera projects, one following a law student turned to garbage collection, and the other following start up company formed by a former ad agency exec in his garage.

While Krasinksi could easily fit into roles for either, there’s no one attached to star in either of these comedies yet.