Recent News – Page 58 – The Comedy Bureau

Pick of the Day: The Sarah Vaccine Live + In the Flesh (in LA) 9/23

September 6, 2021

brain dead studios, courtney pauroso, dynasty handbag, jamel johnson, la comedy, maylee todd, natalie palamides, sarah squirm, sarah vaccine

Sarah Squirm‘s epic, delightfully twisted short, The Sarah Vaccine, is getting it’s very own in-person night, which is perfect for all of us waiting for that booster shot.

Squirm will be “IN THE FLESH” as will a fantastic line-up of comedians and performers from every freaky little corner in LA. That’ll include Jamel Johnson, Natalie Palamides & Courtney Pauroso, music from Maylee Todd, and a Dynasty Handbag original video (and there might be more to come). This sure-to-be-never-forgotten evening will take place at Brain Dead Studios on Fairfax, which rose from the long smoldering ashes of Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre on Thurs. Sept. 23rd at 8PM PT.

Tickets are $14, all said and done, and you really best get them here.

#Pick of the Day: DeAnne Smith’s DeAnarchy (in NYC) 9/15

September 3, 2021

News

brooklyn, deanne smith, Dylan Adler, ever mainard, lgbtq, martin urbano, ny comedy, stand up comedy, union hall

The wonderful and amazing DeAnne Smith has just switched coasts from LA to NYC (and NYC, you should feel so lucky). Smith originally hailed from up North in Canada and has, for the last few years, been a marvelous addition to the LA comedy scene.

Now, she’s in NYC, New Yorkers will get the expressed privilege of getting to see the undeniable charm and warmth that Smith brings in with her finely honed humor.

She’s doing her very own show, DeAnne Smith’s DeAnarchy, at Brooklyn comedy stronghold, Union Hall, on Wed. Sept. 15th at 7:30PM ET with a fantastic line-up of guests (Dylan Adler, Martin Urbano, and even LA’s own Ever Mainard). Tickets are $12 right now (and will be $15 on the day of). Go get ’em here.

Whether it be this night or another one, please, NYC, go see and book DeAnne.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 75: Kelly McInerney & The New Landscape of Comedy

September 1, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

comedy scene, la comedy, ms. pat, steve harvey, uk comedy, what we do in the shadows

There is a vast new landscape to comedy as things may or may not continue to open up for live comedy here in the U.S. and across the world. Navigating this new world of comedy is, it would seem, as daunting as starting over, which is why we talk to LA staple Kelly McInerney about how she is figuring her way through a scene she already knew (and possibly looking across the pond to the UK for more opportunity). She’s also reviewed movies while stoned on the podcast she co-hosts, IMDWeed, leading to what movies they’ve missed out on watching high (2001: A Space Odyssey?!?). Finally, “hot” takes on Ms. Pat getting an hour special, What We Do in the Shadows’ After the Shadows, Steve Harvey getting his own court show.

Follow Kelly @hollyweirdo on IG and Twitter and listen to IMDWeed wherever you get your podcasts.

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

Pick of the Day: Alison Leiby: Oh God, An Hour About Abortion 9/28

September 1, 2021

News

abortion jokes, alison leiby, solo show

Given the truly surreal rolling back of reproductive rights as of late, we’d like to highlight the very funny Alison Leiby‘s whole hour on abortion that is so wonderfully named, Alison Leiby: Oh God, An Hour About Abortion.

The unfortunate narratives that anti-abortion advocates push seem to deny the humanity of EVERYONE involved when it comes to a pregnancy (not to mention the agency that women inherently deserve over their own bodies). Leiby’s hour gives you a humor fringed window into what a real person goes through when it comes to considering abortion.

She has been doing one-off performances here and there around NYC and her very next date is set for Tues. Sept. 28th at Caveat at 9:30PM ET. Tickets are only $15 right now and we highly urge you to go get your tickets right now here.

Ms. Pat Gets Very First Hour Special at Netflix

August 31, 2021

News

comedy special, hour special, ms. pat, netflix, stand up comedy

(via Variety)

Ms. Pat has lived through so much life that she could probably do several hours/solo shows/etc. and they’d all be captivating. Yet, it’s 2021 that’s proving to be a banner year for Ms. Pat as she has already gotten a lot more radars with The Ms. Pat Show and Netflix just announced today that she will be given her hour long stand-up special by the streaming giant.

If you’ve seen her do stand-up, listened to The Patdown, or heard/seen any sort of public appearance of hers, you’d know that an hour long Ms. Pat special was overdue. Her effortlessly unflinching and hilarious honesty about her past life dealing drugs and current life with all of that behind her make for some of the best stories we’ve ever heard on stage.

The hour long special ought to be chock full of such tales that will very likely feel tall, but are, most probably, very, very true.

The taping of Ms. Pat’s first hour special will tape at Atlanta Comedy Theater on Sept. 25 in case you’re in GA at the end of next month.

Pick of the Day: Rory Scovel – Improvised Stand-Up (in LA) 9/20

August 31, 2021

News

improvised stand up, la comedy, largo, riffing, rory scovel, stand up comedy

We sincerely, sincerely hope that you’ve seen Rory Scovel: Live Without Fear, the amazing documentary comedy special that captured the very special lightning in a bottle that comes with so many Scovel performances, especially if he’s improvising the whole thing.

If you haven’t, we then hope you’ve at least caught some of Rory mixing whimsy and complete honesty in the moment in person over the last several years. For us, watching Rory is always something revelatory and hysterical and we very much don’t miss any chance we have to go watch him live.

With that in mind, Rory will be doing a very special, exclusive, improvised stand-up performance at Largo at the Coronet Theatre on Mon. Sept. 20th at 8PM PT. In case it wasn’t clear already, clear out that night and make sure you go to this. Tickets are $46 (includes service charge) and you best go get them here before they sell out.

Pick of the Day: Merry Goodnight [Fridays] (in LA)

August 30, 2021

News

andrew friedman, Grace Freud, kate mccarthy, la comedy, midnight show, Steven Kreager, variety show

While stand-up comedy is very much back in Los Angeles, other forms of comedy have quite yet returned with such fervor to the LA comedy scene. Improv and sketch and other delightful comedy oddities are scarce compared to the plethora of shows that happened pre-lockdown.

Also, live comedy at the midnight hour wasn’t the biggest thing in LA, but there were always a few things you could count on. That too is very, very hard to find these days.

Fortunately, there has been a magical late night oasis of coloring-outside-the-lines comedy every Friday night at an adorably tiny backyard in Highland Park. Merry Goodnight is the sort of loosey goosey fever dream of a live comedy show that you’d be looking for at midnight on Fridays (especially because they absolutely don’t allow stand-up on their show). The unfiltered silliness of Grace Freud, Steven Kreager, Andrew Friedman, and Kate McCarthy pervade the midnight hour along with special guests from in and around LA to do that sort of wild comedy you’d only see past 11PM at UCB or on The Tomorrow Show or at Lyric Hyperion in general.

It’s free to attend, so long as you have your proof of vaccination and, with all of that in mind, you better get yourself to 6166 York Blvd. on this Friday night and every Friday night going forward. Get more info/details here.

Pick of the Day: Pop Show with Ziwe (in NYC) 10/8

August 27, 2021

News

bell house, brooklyn, donwill, jen goma, live comedy, musical comedy, ny comedy, ziwe

Ziwe, the icon of IG Live turned iconic disruptor in late night/sketch on premium television, is doing an exclusive show at Brooklyn’s comedy haven, The Bell House.

We shouldn’t have explain any further for you to buy tickets, but, just in case, we will continue.

Pop Show will have Ziwe gather her favorite comedians in the city to perform their very own original pop songs as well as “pop presentations” to exude the most pop-stardom possible in one live comedy show. On the bill thus far is Jen Goma and DJ Donwill, but more will be announced very, very soon.

Pop Show with Ziwe will take place, iconically, on Oct. 8th at 7:30PM ET at The Bell House. Tickets are $25/proof of vaccination required (and they will sell out). Go get them here right now.

IHeartRadio Is Looking, Once Again, for The Next Great Podcast

August 26, 2021

News

iheartmedia, iheartpodcast, iheartradio, open submissions, the next great podcast

If you’re one of the many, many people that started a podcast, comedy or otherwise, during lockdown or, at the very least, were someone who really fleshed out what you wanted to do with a podcast rather than just thinking about it in passing, you have a pretty great opportunity coming your way thanks to iHeartRadio and Tongal.

Just like they did last year with The Next Great Podcast, they’re taking pitches for such a podcast from now until Sept. 17th. One show from however many submissions they get will be rewarded with being developed into a full fledged show on the iHeartPodcast network.

Here are the specific details:

You can pitch us your podcast here through noon PT on September 17, 2021.
Pitches will be evaluated by a panel of podcast luminaries, led by head judge Dan Patrick.
10 semi-finalists will each receive $1,000 to produce a 10-minute pilot and fans all over the globe will vote for their favorite.
ONE show will be named The Next Great Podcast 2021, and its Creator will be interviewed by legendary broadcaster Dan Patrick and work closely with iHeartRadio to develop their series for The iHeartPodcast Network.

Hear a little more and get to pitching here.

Ilana Glazer’s Going to Have a Big Variety Comedy Special “Comedy on Earth: NYC 2020-2021” Next Month

August 26, 2021

News

comedy central, comedy on earth, comedy special, ilana glazer

Again, comedy specials aren’t as plentiful as they once were in the before times. Maybe that’s a good thing in the sense that it’s yet another we’ll appreciate now that we don’t have it so readily available in our lives? Also, not every comedian needs to do new hour special every year or two. Thank goodness we’re breaking away from that model.

With all of that in mind, Comedy Central’s latest live comedy special will be a variety special presented by the one and only Ilana Glazer. From the looks of it, it was a year in the making and will feature sketch, stand-up, and more (from the gracious likes of Lacey Jeka and Kristen Buckels, Larry Owens, Alison Leiby, and Sydnee Washington just to name a few).

We hope that it’ll be a much needed reset from a plethora of traditional stand-up specials as well as a look into how folks even pulled off comedy in NYC from last year to this year.

Look for the premiere of what will be called Ilana Glazer Presents Comedy on Earth: NYC 2020-2021 on Fri. Sept. 10th at 11PM on Comedy Central.

Even in the darkest times, comedy finds a way.@ilazer Presents Comedy on Earth: NYC 2020-2021 premieres September 10 at 11/10c on Comedy Central. pic.twitter.com/u3YbjGQzn0

— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) August 25, 2021

Pick of the Day: Jamel Johnson & Megan Gailey (in LA) 9/10

August 26, 2021

News

comedy show, dynasty typewriter, jamel johnson, la comedy, megan gailey, stand up comedy

Both Jamel Johnson and Megan Gailey have been, time and time again, an uncompromising delight to watch the numerous times that we’ve seen them go up, both in and around LA and on Conan. Essentially, you will be charmed by them and they will hysterically not let up until that happens (in the best way possible, of course).

So, it’ll be quite a night at Dynasty Typewriter next month when Jamel and Megan co-headline. Sure, we’ve seen them on plenty of line-ups together, but never just as the main attractions as they will be on Fri. Sept. 10th at 8PM PT.

Do not miss this special co-headlining night at Dynasty Typewriter. Tickets are $20 right now and $25 on the day of. Best go get them ASAP right here.

Los Angeles Officially Marks 8/18 as Brody Stevens Day

August 25, 2021

News

brody stevens, brody stevens day, los angeles

(via Jewish Journal)

This week, Aug. 18th or, more appropriately 8/18, was designated by the City of Los Angeles as Brody Stevens Day to honor the late comedian for what he meant to both LA and comedy itself.

Of course, one of Brody’s many many catchphrases was “818 ’til I die!” a reference to being born and raised in the Valley and its area code being 818; thus 8/18 was the day picked to honor Stevens’ memory.

The very special, undeniable positivity and energy that Brody brought to the stage was a true phenomenon, unmatched by anyone that we’ve ever seen in our tenure watching comedy at TCB. That’s part of the reason why so many comedians and die hard fans alike would always make sure to watch Brody go up and run through his catchphrases or compare mental health prescriptions with audience members or mention that he was in The Hangover or do his one-of-a-kind warm-up for TV tapings or just simply drum on a chair.

The other reason is that his positive energy was infectious and it was something that you always just wanted to be around.

Brody’s horrifically tragic passing by suicide took Brody from this mortal coil, but his spirit very, very much lives on (even in just people’s utterances of YES! in Brody’s cadence).

So, going forward from this moment, don’t forget 8/18 each and every year to pay your respects to Brody (and probably do your very own impression of him) and, every day, to ENJOY IT!

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 74: Julie Seabaugh & 9/11 Jokes

August 25, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

9/11, 9/11 jokes, brody stevens, comedy documentary, julie seabaugh, sept. 11th, too soon

For our money, Julie Seabaugh is the preeminent comedy journalist out in the world and we’re so lucky to have her on TCB Field Report this week. Her expertise and depth of comedy knowledge are so far reaching, which came in quite handy for the upcoming documentary she co-directed, Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11. As such, we talk about the effect 9/11 had on comedy and, conversely, how comedy’s healing properties dealt with the aftermath (not unlike what’s happening right now). Also, “hot” takes on SF Sketchfest returning, Showtime’s updated comedy slate, and Brody Stevens Day.

Follow Julie on IG @julieseabaugh, get more info on Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 (premiering on Vice on Sept. 8th) at toosoondoc.com and get a Brody Stevens pin from Rockin Pins here.

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

Pick of the Day: Vulture x Union Hall: Pretty Major (Tuesdays in NYC) 9/14

August 25, 2021

News

jay jurden, live comedy, Marcia Belsky, ny comedy, stand up comedy, union hall, vulture, zach zimmerman

The importance of a stalwart, landmark weekly comedy show in a comedy scene is so vital. It acts as a linchpin for the scene itself, a platform for deserving talent to brightly shine, and a very fun lab for the bunch that takes on the hallowed duties of hosting such an endeavor. Names such as The Meltdown, Butterboy, Comedy at the Knit, Hot Tub, and Put Your Hands Together might come to mind in this regard (feel free take a moment to get nostalgic about any and all of those shows if you were ever in attendance).

Vulture is now looking to join those ranks by embarking their very own curated weekly live comedy show Pretty Major at the revered Brooklyn stage that is Union Hall every Tuesday at 7PM ET, starting on Sept. 14th. A fantastic cadre of Marcia Belsky, Jay Jurden, and Zach Zimmerman will be presiding over as hosts and, already, we have a pretty good feeling about this.

Just look at the month of line-ups they’ve announced and you’ll know you’re in for a treat of their favorites of the best of NYC comedy.

9/14: Please Don’t Destroy, Taylor Garron, Kylie Brakeman, Sydnee Washington, Francesca D’Uva, and more!

9/21: Jaye McBride, Larry Owens, Jes Tom, Devon Walker, and more!

9/28: Catherine Cohen, Nore Davis, Fareeha Khan, Mary Neely, Martin Urbano, and more!

10/5: Zack Zucker, Spike Einbinder, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Chris Gethard, and more!

Tickets are only $12 and you can (and really, really should) go get them here. They’ll likely sell out pretty quick.

FYI, to out of towners that Vulture’s own Jesse David Fox knows and loves:

FYI: Union Hall is handling the booking. HOWEVER, if you are an LA comedian I know and you're going to be in town or a SURPRISE DROP-IN type, please please please reach out to me. Love, Jesse https://t.co/chis8DNXkG

— Jesse David Fox: Battle Angel (@JesseDavidFox) August 25, 2021

SF Sketchfest Announces Dates for 2022, Open Submissions, and Will Require Proof of Vaccination

August 24, 2021

News

improv, open call, podcasts, sf comedy, sf sketchfest, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, submissions

SF Sketchfest snuck in one of the last big festivals in 2020 right before lockdown and then went virtual for 2020 and, we’re glad to say, is back for a full-fledged, in-person festival for 2022.

Specifically, one of the world’s foremost comedy festivals, both in duration and depth and variety of comedy, will be taking place from Jan. 7th-23rd, 2022 all throughout San Francisco. Even though that’s a ways away, you’ll be glad to know that they’re taking proper precautions by requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for everyone involved including attendees, performers and staff.

Tickets go on sale in November, but, more importantly, you can submit for consideration be part of the SF Sketchfest (and they pretty much accept any and all types of comedy) up until midnight PT on Oct. 15th.

Get more details, submit, and more at sfsketchfest.com

Pick of the Day: Daniel Sloss: Hubris (in NYC & LA) 10/15 & 11/10

August 24, 2021

News

beacon theater, comedy show, daniel sloss, kai humphries, la comedy, nyc comedy, orpheum, stand up comedy

Though it has been a bit of time since Jigsaw, the mark of Daniel Sloss‘ special is still indelible. When it comes to stand-up comedy dealing with relationships, perhaps the most well-trodden territory in comedy, Sloss special was not only enjoyed by millions, but inspired many of those folks to take more stock in themselves, their lives, and what they want out of a relationship.

Naturally, we can’t wait to see what Sloss has to serve up next, especially with everything the world has been through and continues to go through at every waking moment of this time. Luckily, he is set on his Hubris tour that is currently working its way through the world and has dates scheduled through spring 2022.

For New Yorkers and Angelenos, Sloss will be coming in with this highly anticipated tour on Fri. Oct. 15th at NYC’s Beacon Theatre and on Wed. Nov. 10th at LA’s Orpheum Theatre. Tickets start at $49 and proof of vaccination will be required. Best go get your tickets now here.

Here’s the First Full Trailer for Teenage Euthanasia, the New Adult Swim Comedy Set in a Mortuary

August 23, 2021

News

adult swim, bebe neuwirth, jo firestone, maria bamford, teenage euthanasia, tim robinson, trailer

Given how out there and dark Adult Swim has gotten with their series, both animated and live action, one might be surprised that they haven’t done a comedy that’s set in a funeral home until now. Teenage Euthansia, from creators Alissa Nutting and Alyson Levy, will indeed be that very series that not only takes a coming-of-age, family sitcom into a mortuary, but really take it several steps more absurd with having the mother of family coming back to life to make up for being a mom who ran out on her family, though undead on this go around.

Also, the cast is truly top notch with the voices of Maria Bamford, Jo Firestone, Tim Robinson, and Bebe Neuwirth. It really seems like it has all the makings of a great dark family comedy. See what exactly that would look and sound like with this first official trailer for Teenage Euthanasia here.

If this is your jam, then look for Teenage Euthanasia to premiere on Adult Swim on Sun. Aug. 19th at midnight.

Pick of the Day: Shut Up & Laugh: A Comedy Benefit Fundraiser for Rescue Efforts in Afghanistan (in NYC) 8/24

August 23, 2021

News

afghanistan aid, atheer yacoob, benefit show, ismael loutfi, mohanad el-sheiky, ny comedy, sarah suzuki harvard, usama siddiquee

The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan right now is undeniably horrifying to see, let alone to actually go through. So many Afghans are fleeing and only certain pockets of the country are resisting the takeover by the Taliban and, as such, one can feel existentially helpless in doing anything about the situation.

That said, there are a myriad of relief efforts to support, one of which can be done through just going to a comedy show.

This Tuesday, at one of NYC’s new favorite underground spots, SESH Comedy, will be hosting an exclusive live comedy fundraiser, Shut Up & Laugh, presented by Nervous Laughter, with an amazing line-up of many of NYC comedy’s finest to aid rescue/resettlement efforts.

On the bill:

Usama Siddiquee
Ismael Loutfi
Mohanad El-Sheiky
Atheer Yacoob
Sarah Suzuki-Harvard

The show starts at 7PM ET and tickets are only $10. So, go get them right here and let’s sell this thing out for a great cause (and, also, have a damn good comedy show).

Jena Friedman’s Latest Show “Indefensible” to Premiere on 10/14

August 20, 2021

News

comedy, indefensible, jena friedman, true crime

The latest intersection of true crime and comedy (you know that there are several, especially when it comes to podcasts, right?) is coming up in just under two months from the one and only Jena Friedman.

Coming off fresh from being nominated for an Oscar for writing on Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm (on top of being a true crime junkie herself), Friedman is going to take an even more unflinching dive into true crime stories that dig deeper than someone getting convicted for a heinous crime and then getting put behind bars in this brand new series, Indefensible. Though she has interviewed plenty of controversial figures including “the Cannibal Cop” and a heavily guarded and armed John McAfee, Friedman says this is even more intense.

One can only wonder what that could really mean when Jena had The Cannibal Cop be the mystery bachelor on a twisted version of the dating game or how dark she gets in this late night set that’s purely on true crime.

We cannot wait to see what Jena has up her sleeve this time. Look for the premiere of Indefensible on Sundance TV and streaming on AMC Plus on Oct. 14th at 8PM PT/11PM ET.

I have a show airing on @SundanceTV @AMCPlus Oct 14 at 11 pm ET called “Indefensible.” It’s about the criminal justice system and it’s a little more intense than my other stuff. We’re still in the edit & so many great people are working on it. I hope you get a chance to see it.

— Jena Friedman (@JenaFriedman) August 18, 2021

Pick of the Day: Guilty Treasure (in LA) 8/27

August 20, 2021

News

albert hickman, andy wood, bryan cook, charlie paxson, david wain, dylan gelula, guilty pleasure, langston kerman, laraine newman, musical comedy, rick wood

Thankfully, another show that we are so dearly glad that survived to this side of the pandemic. We tried very hard to never miss Guilty Treasure pre-lockdown as hosts Bryan Cook and Andy Wood assembled many of LA’s funniest individuals to revel in their favorite guilty pleasure songs (and, of course, filling us all in on the background of said song).

Hearing those covers of said songs after hearing what sort of journey a comedian has been on with it usually, for our money, makes it way better.

So, we’re very, very glad to tell you that Guilty Treasure is set for their first in-person show since long, long ago on Aug. 27th at 8PM PT at the Eastside’s Permanent Records Roadhouse (the improbable, but very real hip bar/record store/music & comedy venue). Their line-up, by the way, is worthy of you just going no matter what they’re doing. Slate for the evening is David Wain, Laraine Newman, Albert Hickman, Dylan Gelula, and Langston Kerman. Bryan, Andy, Charlie Paxon, and Rick Wood will make up the band that will be dishing out the guilty treasure hits.

Tickets are $10.

Get Your First Look at the PEN15 Animated Special

August 19, 2021

News

animated special, hulu, pen15, trailer

Even though it’s deeply personal and honest and vulnerable in its examination of early teen years right at the turn of the millennium, there is also something magical about PEN15. Maybe that’s a credit to Anna and Maya playing their tween versions of themselves or just how special their friendship really is.

In any case, the prospect of seeing the duo drawn up for a very, very special episode of PEN15 makes us curious how much more magical (and hysterically resonant to all millennials) their bond can be. From the looks of this trailer for the PEN15 Animated Special, we’re all about to go deeper into Maya and Na’s world than ever.

See for yourself here, then look for the premiere of the PEN15 Animated Special on Hulu on Fri. Aug. 27th.

Pick of the Day: Eddie Pepitone (in NYC) 10/4

August 19, 2021

News

city winery, eddie pepitone, ny comedy, stand up comedy

We have oft praised Eddie Pepitone for his comedy mastery and reaffirmed the idea that you should go see him at any and all times. For the longest time, our shout outs of his shows were relegated to LA dates, but, since we now cover comedy in NYC, we’re thrilled to tell you that Eddie has a headlining NYC date in the not so distant future.

On Mon. Oct 4th at 7:30PM ET, Eddie will play City Winery (w/JT Habersaat featuring). Truly, you should not miss a chance to see Eddie roar with his seemingly prophetic, yet always self-aware comedy (especially since the NY Times named his special For the Masses, the funniest comedy special of 2020).

Tickets are only $25 and you best go get them here right now.

Mark Your Calendars for 9/8 when “Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11” Premieres

August 18, 2021

News

9/11 jokes, comedy documentary, documentary, gilbert gottfried, ian edwards, jeff ross, julie seabough, laurie kilmartin, matthew broderick, nathan lane, Nick Fituri Scown

Sept. 8th, 2021 will see the arrival of one of the best documentaries not only about comedy, but about the very DNA of jokes, the audiences hearing them amidst a historic tragedy, and the truly undeniably healing power of laughter.

Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11, co-directed by Nick Fituri Scown and Julie Seabaugh, has been long in the works aiming for a release nearing the 20 year anniversary of the events of September 11th, 2001. Even in the excerpt of their doc that recounted the story of The Onion having to put its first issue out after moving offices to NYC after 9/11, we were spellbound by the depth and scope of perspectives weaved together. The feature length Too Soon goes all over the place covering comedy in the days leading up to it, as it happened, and, of course, the fallout/the discovery of ways to joke about/laugh about one of America’s darkest days.

Interviews range from Gilbert Gottfried, who was lambasted for his 9/11 jokes being akin to the doc’s title, to Nathan Lane & Matthew Broderick, who were doing a run of The Producers on Broadway at the time, to Scott Thompson, who attempted a terrorist themed solo comedy show, to Jeff Ross, Laurie Kilmartin, Ian Edwards, and numerous other comedians and people in comedy.

When it comes to joking about the taboo, this doc really shows how much people just need and utilize humor to get through the darkness (not unlike the current and perpetual moment of COVID-19).

With that in mind, you might want to catch it Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 on Sept 8th on ViceTV.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 73: Mikala Knezevich & Working the Comedy Matrix

August 18, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

ny comedy, ny comedy festival

Going from coast to coast more than once, Mikala Knezevich has built quite the reputation for producing comedy. She got the comedy bug after seeing one live comedy show and then asking for a job at the comedy club that very night and just wanted to be in and around comedy at all times. That has led her to taking on a plethora of shows in NYC, many of which are weekly. If you know the ins and outs of the production side of live comedy, which Mikala and TCB’s Jake Kroeger go into here, you ought to know that it’s such an ambitious undertaking to do one weekly show. Thus, you’ll be delightfully surprised to discover that Mikala paints as well.

Also, “hot” takes on the NY Comedy Festival, What We Do In the Shadows getting renewed, and Wyatt Cenac’s deal at Warner Animation/Cartoon Network Studios.

Follow Mikala @mikalalk on IG

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

Pick of the Day: The Return of George Lucas Talk Show (on Planet Scum) 8/21

August 18, 2021

News

connor ratliff, patrick cotnoir, planet scum live, virtual comedy

Without a doubt, one of the most dynamic and ever-surprising live-streams during lockdown was The George Lucas Talk Show on Planet Scum. Adapting from the long running live show version, Connor Ratliff and sidekicks Patrick Cotnoir, and Griffin Newman brought all sorts of Lucas universe fueled ridiculousness including entire marathon watch-a-longs that were often done for charity.

Doing a virtual George Lucas Talk Show every Sunday was a tall order, so there was a break a few months back, especially as some things started to open back up. Yet, that wasn’t the last word of GLTS on Planet Scum as, this Saturday, Ratliff is donning his George Lucas attire once more to interview the one and only, venerable and renowned Paul F. Tompkins.

Per usual, the show is free to stream on Planet Scum. Tune in this Sat. Aug. 21st at 5PM PT/8PM ET on Planet Scum.

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