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TCB Debriefing 1/27/24-1/30/24: Laurie Kilmartin, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, Jackie Fabulous, Thelma, Kate Micucci
January 30, 2024
News
jackie fabulous, kate micucci, laurie kilmartin, the second best hospital in the galaxy, thelma

1. When she wrote for Conan O’Brien for years, it was true that Laurie Kilmartin was one of the best joke writers the comedy had. That’s absolutely still true and her latest hour special Cis Woke Grief Slut is a testament to the comedy prowess of Laurie. Already, she did a whole album dedicated to her father that passed away and has done amazing material from the passing of her mother. If anything, Cis Woke Grief Slut is a splendid showcase of how Kilmartin’s exacting, dark sense of humor can be applied to more than just deaths in her immediate family. Truly, we’re always amazed (and laughing hysterically) on how Laurie has just the perfectly measured mixture of cleverness and vulnerability to get away with something as daring as satirizing dog parents’ obsession with their pooches. Cis Woke Grief Slut is streaming now thanks to Comedy Dynamics. Please enjoy it here.

2. Between Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, and the return of Futurama, interstellar adult animated comedy is having a moment and a half. From the looks of it, there is still more room for this niche subgenre as Cirocco Dunlap, Maya Rudolph, and Daniel Renfrew Behrens‘ The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy, a workplace hospital comedy in outer space with Stephanie Hsu and Keke Palmer leading off a stacked, ensemble cast is set to premiere on Amazon Prime on Feb. 23rd. Take your first gander at The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy here.

3. Jackie Fabulous is true to her name and then some. Go see her live wherever she’s playing. Get tix at jackiefabulous.com/tour.

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4. Thelma, the comedy with June Squibb that seems to be part Mission Impossible, part Beekeeper, part Nebraska (2013) just got bought up at Sundance by Magnolia Pictures (Variety).

5. Kate Micucci is finally having her very own animated series complete with her starring and doing the theme song and more (Deadline). Whenever this premieres, this very well might be so adorable that it would give Marcel the Shell with Shoes On a run for its money.

6. We’ll leave you with this: No one has learned the lessons of Downhill and A Man Called Otto in regards to making American adaptations of hit foreign comedies.

Pick of the Day: I Cast Them Off Craigslist (Presented by Blake Rosier) (in LA) 2/16
January 30, 2024
News
blake rosier, craigslist, experimental comedy, los angeles comedy, yard theater

Though it may seem unlikely, experimental comedian Blake Rosier somehow manages to find a way to outdo himself/up the ante. Over four shows, he has embarked into the great unknown by co-hosting a show with a complete stranger that has little to no performance experience, sourced from Craigslist, that is devised within an afternoon and put up in front of a live, paying audience that very same night. Rosier has gone so meta with it by making accompanying documentaries that capture the delightful strangeness of it all.

Rosier is now bringing this grand comedy/performance experiment to its peak by reuniting with all four Craiglist strangers-turned-Rosier-collaborators on to one show for what should be the absurd, yet most enthralling reunion you see all year (any and all reality TV reunions included). This very special conclusion to I Cast Them Off Craigslist is set for Fri. Feb. 16th at 9PM and tix are only $12. Please go get them here before they sell out.

 

TCB Debriefing 1/25/24-1/26/24: Jacqueline Novak, George Carlin/AI, Rachel Kaly, JFL Moontower Austin, Solar Opposites, Honey Don’t
January 26, 2024
News
ai, george carlin, honey don't, jacqueline novak, jfl moontower, netflix, rachel kaly, solar opposites

1. Over the last several years, we have had the expressed privilege of seeing the profound comedic mind of one Jacquline Novak fine tune what is now a transcendent victory lap of the most poetic defense of a certain type of fellatio (and female agency within sexual congress). The first iterations of Get On Your Knees started pre-pandemic, then, well, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and then, after some time, Jacqueline embarked on and off again with this brilliant, most poetic hour of comedy, doused in heather gray, a simple canvas to Jackie’s exuberance and litany of philosophies behind blowjobs and everything else in the orbit of BJs. The special edition of Get on Your Knees is the culmination of years of Novak’s unstoppable enthusiasm, a true testament to her will as a performer and the splendor of this particular hour.

Even though we’ve seen it live three times already, we still laughed heartily right out the gate with “the Hound’s Way”. So, without further delay, please enjoy Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees on Netflix now.

2. The George Carlin Estate is officially suing over the AI generated George Carlin special that came out earlier this month (NBC News). Undoubtedly, this will set precedent for AI generated comedy and, honestly, it only makes sense that Carlin is still setting benchmarks well after he’s left this mortal coil.

3. Rachel Kaly impromptu free-styling (or kind of just talking?) over a Hamilton karaoke after blistering rounds of crowd work is kind of pure joy. Please enjoy it here.

4. Moontower Just For Laughs Austin, MFJLA, the amalgamation of Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival and JFL, just announced their 2024 line-up. What a world we live in where Andrew Schulz and Shane Gillis get a bigger font than The State. Badges are on sale right now.

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5. Last year, it was Harley Quinn, this year it’s Solar Opposites that have you covered if you’re apathetic about Valentine’s Day. Take a gander at the trailer for the Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day Special, set to premiere on Feb. 5th exclusively on Hulu.

6. If Aubrey Plaza, Margaret Qualley, and one of the Coen Brothers are making a comedy together, the question one might be wondering is how dark will this comedy be? Guess we shall see soon enough with Honey Don’t (Deadline).

7. We’ll leave you with this: Who knew that George Carlin and Taylor Swift would be fighting on a united front?

Pick of the Day: Comedy Central Featuring (in LA) 1/31
January 25, 2024
News
amberia allen, amy silverberg, andrea jin, comedy central, derrick stroup, gus constantellis, kalea mcneill, la comedy, lodge room, lorena russi, madison sinclair, morgan jay, orion levine, papp johnson, sean patton, stand up comedy, sydney castillo, zach noe towers

Comedy Central is still indeed a center for comedy in 2024. This will be reaffirmed by the their latest round of tapings for their short form stand-up digital series, Comedy Central Featuring, taped beautifully in gorgeous venues in LA and NYC. The latest round of CCSUF will return to LA’s Lodge Room complete with its ornate wood accents and warm atmosphere on Wed. Jan. 31st.

On the bill is a combo of all time favorites and great newcomers including Sean Patton, Morgan Jay, Zach Noe Towers, Amberia Allen, Andrea Jin, and more for a hot 5-7 minute set that will find its way to YouTube probably months from now.

Per usual, it’s free to attend (with RSVP) and an open bar for an hour. There are two tapings, one at 7PM and another at 9PM. Make sure you’ve got a reservation here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 200: Natasha Mercado & The Clowning Life
January 24, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
clowning, Natasha Mercado

There’s way more that goes into being a clown than just doing something wild on stage with only a few things planned and messing with the audience, especially if you want to make a legitimately living as a clown. Rising star in LA comedy’s clown scene, Natasha Mercado, is not only working on her latest solo show to tour, but is also juggling teaching clown classes and guiding incarcerated youth into the world of clown and doing several other clown shows including a completely G-rated, family friendly one, and directing multiple other solo shows.

It’s all in a days work for a clown and we talk to her all about it on this week’s TCB Field Report.

Follow Natasha @champagnetashi and get tix to #1 Son from 1/30-2/1 here.

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

Pick of the Day: Golden Spiral (in NYC) 1/24
January 24, 2024
News
golden spiral, nyc comedy, stand up

Even in 2024, things from the reaches of 2019/2020 are still making a comeback.

One of NYC’s delightfully offbeat stand-up shows, Golden Spiral, is taking a stage once again. Not only is it the sort of indie stand-up show that sources the treasure trove of astounding up and coming NYC stand-ups, but plays off the name of the show in regards to the famous Fibonacci sequence (the mathematical and natural progression of a spiral) by giving sets that are 5, 8, 13, and 21 minutes long and audiences can pay what they can along the same numerical path. There’s a comedy show angle you don’t see ever, right?

The line-up for their first back will see hosts Mindy Raf and Katie Compa take the helm once more with NYC staples Josh Godelman, Kofi Thomas, and Julia Shiplett. Do not miss the grand return of Golden Spiral and get tix here and keep up to date on all things Golden Spiral @goldenspiralcomedy on IG.

TCB Debriefing 1/19/24-1/24/24: Jon Stewart, Oscars, Paul Danke, Ramy, Steven Wright, SNL 1975, Jean Claude Van Damme, Richard Pryor
January 24, 2024
News
colbert, jean claude van damme, jon stewart, late show, oscars, paul danke, ramy youssef, richard pryor, snl 1975, steven wright

1. Jon Stewart is returning to the role that made him the voice of a generation, kind of. Stewart will resume hosting duties at The Daily Show on Mondays and then serving as an EP all the other days, leaving the rest of the correspondents to switch off hosting duties (NPR). There’s a lot to hope for here as Stewart is returning in an election year when he, somewhat infamously, left during the 2016 election cycle with a potential to have to deal with Trump running under the GOP banner. Also, we’re to assume that he’ll be able to talk freely about China and AI, seemingly two topics that seemed to be dicey while he was at AppleTV+ with The Problem with Jon Stewart.

2. This year’s Oscars might be the most comedy highlighted one in history with American Fiction, Barbie, The Holdovers, and Poor Things all garnering Best Picture nominations and accompanying noms in Best Acting, Writing, and Directing categories. Perhaps, a tip of the cap is deserved to last year’s Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once taking home all the awards to make high art comedies be taken seriously.

Also, Greta and Margot getting snubbed in their respective categories for Barbie is pretty objectively wrong.

See the full list of Oscar nominations, announced this morning, here.

3. Paul Danke has been one of the most reliable fixtures in LA’s vast, decentralized stand-up scene. For several years, Danke has only refined what was already an exacting comedy sensibility that finesses rhythm, specificity, attitude, and self-awareness that he has taken to stages DIY and pristine all over LA county (and CA and, well, the country). He has a knack for making specificity in observation accessible whether it be regarding the fate of the Dodger Dog or Jimmy Buffet’s legacy because of his unassailable cool even if he is taping an hour at a place as “out there” as Humboldt, CA. You can hear all of that and some 70’s soaked tunes on his brand new album, Mad River, fresh off the AST presses. Please enjoy Mad River right now right here.

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4. Ramy Youssef will have “more feelings” (on a new A24/HBO special) that will (probably) not have a solid British accent from the acclaimed Poor Things actor (and celebrated 21st century comedian).

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A post shared by ramy youssef (@ramy)

5. Steven vs. Stephen is quite the fun time and a reminder that Steven Wright is one of the best last night guests. Feel free to go down a YouTube rabbit hole to watch Steven Wright on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson after watching his Late Show interview here.

 

6. Rachel Sennott will be one of the stars of an SNL origin film from Jason Reitman, SNL 1975 (Deadline). If one of the cast of this movie ends up hosting SNL to promote this movie, it should stand to reason that they just redo 1970s SNL sketches for today.

7. The Muscles from Brussels, Jean Claude Van Damme is seemingly sticking with comedy (after his lauded, self-reflexive movie JCVD) with Le jardinier (Variety). Possible crossover with Le jardinier and The Beekeeper in the not so distant future?

8. After decades of trying to get some sort of biographical adaptation of comedy icon Richard Pryor’s life on screen, it looks like Kenya Barris might be the one to do with it an upcoming 10 part series (Variety). At this point, an entire doc could be made on trying to doing some sort of biopic on Pryor’s life.

9. We’ll leave you with this: Kids heckling clowns, the serious kind, is priceless.

Pick of the Day: Guys We F****D Live in LA 2/14
January 22, 2024
News
comedy store, corinne fisher, krystyna hutchinson, live podcast

Without a doubt, when all is said and done, one of the best, most revered podcasts about dating will be Krystyna Hutchinson and Corinne Fisher‘s Guys We F****D. So, it would stand to reason that a special Valentine’s Day live taping of their lauded, unfiltered dating and relationship show at the world famous Comedy Store should not be missed.

That is actually happening, by the way. Krystyna and Corinne are doing a live Guy We F****D on Valentine’s Day at 8PM in the Main Room of The Comedy Store and tickets are almost gone. You best go get them at $25 a pop (plus 2 drink min.) right now right here.

 

Pick of the Day: Mortified Live: Doomed Valentine’s Day (in LA) 2/15
January 19, 2024
News
los angeles comedy, mortified, storytelling, valentine's day

The prospect of Valentine’s Day and the entire gravity that comes with it is fast approaching as we’re nearing the end of January. Whether it’s a moment of celebration or digust or indifference (as a result of resolving your disgust with the holiday), it’s undeniable that a day dedicated to love is going to come with, shall we say, baggage.

That’s where Mortified, the storytelling show that hones in on teen diaries and young angst of successful comedians/writers/performers,  might be the perfect thing, especially the day after Valentine’s at The Lodge Room in Highland Park.

Whether you’re rolling solo or not, this would be the perfect thing, we think, to go the day after Valentine’s. Tickets are $20 right now and you best go get them here.

TCB Debriefing 1/17 & 1/18/24: Josh Gondelman, Suncoast, Nitecap, JoCo Cruise, Clone High S2, Schmigadoon/Rap Sh!t
January 18, 2024
News
clone high, joco cruise, josh gondelman, nitecap, rap shit, schmigadoon, suncoast

1. Josh Gondelman should run for office, mostly because he’s the sort of deeply and genuinely good person that would never want to run for office with the way American politics is run. Also, he is so damn funny. See all of what we’re saying with his Don’t Tell set here.

2. Hulu scored big with dramedy with all the wins racked up by The Bear, so they’re leaning in even more. Case in point, their latest feature release, Suncoast that sees a lonely, trauma drenched teen befriend a grizzled Woody Harrelson (is there any other kind these days?) here, then look for it on Hulu on Feb. 9th.

3. One of the coolest spots for comedy in Burbank, Nitecap, will be back in business starting next weekend.

4. Defying logic, the JoCo Cruise is the cool cruise for comedy fans and wondrous nerds alike and it’s set for its 2024 voyage on Mar. 9th. Peep a fraction of the stellar line-up, then get tickets at jococruise.com.

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5. Both Schmigadoon and Rap Sh!t have just been cancelled by Apple TV+ and Max respectively. Guess networks have it out for music based comedies.

6. Despite Max bringing down the ax today, cult favorite Clone High has been spared and is due for a second season on Max on Feb. 1st. Take your first gander of the alt history hijinks coming to season 2 here.

 

7. We’ll leave you with this: After nearly two years of not having a host on The Daily Show, Comedy Central says that they’re going to announce “new steps” for the show that just garnered another Emmy win. Sounds like they’re still not sure.

Pick of the Day: NYLaughs.Org Presents Laughter at the Lodge (in NYC) in Jan.
January 17, 2024
News
ny laughs, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

Starting this evening, the do-gooders at NYLaughs.org, who tap the rich resources of the NYC comedy scene and bring it to public spaces for the good denizens of the five boroughs are doing their latest event starting tonight until the end of the month.

They’re shacking up at Bryant Park’s lovely Lodge in their Winter Village and putting on three stacked comedy shows featuring the likes of Jordan Carlos, Ophira Eisenberg, Marina Franklin, Caitlin Peluffo, Harrison Greenbaum, Damien Lemon, and way more.

Yes, it’s all free too. Just get to Midtown Manhattan to The Lodge at Bryant Park’s Winter Village by 8PM on Jan. 24th and 31st for two more grand free shows. Keep abreast of all things NY Laughs at @nylaughs on IG.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 199: Atheer Yacoub & Finding Palestinian Comedy in the American World
January 17, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
atheer yacoub, palestine

Atheer Yacoub has survived starting in and coming up through the NYC comedy scene over the last 15 years, which is a daunting feat unto itself. Yacoub also happens to be Palestinian and has survived living in Palestine under the shadow of an ever-encroaching Israel, bringing her comedy to the forefront at this current moment.

As one of the headliners of the upcoming 20th Arab American Comedy Festival, Yacoub talks, on this week’s TCB Field Report how the Arab visibility brought about by that very festival (where she now is on the bill) was a big turning point for her comedy and how the last year has galvanized her Palestinian identity in her stand-up.

Follow Atheer @atheeryacoub on IG and TikTok and get details and tickets for The 20th Arab American Comedy Festival at arabcomedy.com.

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

TCB Debriefing 1/16/24: Emmys, Atsuko Okatsuka, Kumail Nanjiani/Emily Gordon, will.i.am, Resident Alien
January 17, 2024
News

1. Considering that The Bear, Succession, and Beef really blur the lines between comedy and drama and vice versa and seem to be rewarded for it (the three represent the big winners at this year’s Emmys), really calls into question genre classifications (especially since White Lotus probably has more jokes in it than The Bear).

2. Atsuko Okatsuka is an international comedy superstar now. Get tickets for her shows on the other side of the world at atsukocomedy.com.

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A post shared by Atsuko Okatsuka (@atsukocomedy)

3. Comedy power couple Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon have another rom com in the works (Variety). Considering that they won an Oscar for their first one, maybe this one will get them a couple more letters in an EGOT.

4. If you wonder what an ai co-host would be like, will.i.am is going to answer that question for you since he is doing an AI themed talk show (THR). The theme song will undoubtedly be an AI cover of Grimes’ AI anthem “We Respect Power”.

5. Alan Tudyk might be having more fun than anyone else on television (save for the cast of What We Do in the Shadows). Just look at this trailer for season 3 of Resident Alien, premiring  and how much he clearly enjoys contorting his face and nailing an extraterrestrial “accent”. Look for s3 on SyFy

6. We’ll leave you with this: We overheard this late last night, “Bro comedy is making a comeback. People are ready to laugh again,” and our collective hears broke.

TCB Debriefing 1/14/24: Critics Choice Awards, AI Carlin, Get on Your Knees, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Laurie Kilmartin, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Jenny Slate, Wes Anderson, Laid, Snowflakes, Drew Barrymore
January 14, 2024
News
ai, critics choice awards, curb your enthusiasm, donald glover, drew barrymore, george carlin, jacqueline novak, jenny slate, kelly carlin, laid, laurie kilmartin, maya erskine, mr and mrs smith, snowflakes, stephanie hsu, wes anderson

1. Barbie and The Bear win for Best Comedy, film and TV show respectively, for the Critics Choice Awards. Barbenheimer was Summer 2023 and Winter 2024 will be “The Barbear”?.

2. AI tried impersonating George Carlin for a whole hour and called it a “George Carlin special” only to offer a disclaimer that it was an impersonation. Suffice it to say, it didn’t go well (stick to original, human Carlin) and Kelly Carlin responded in “kind”.

3. Witness the poesy of fellatio in the celebrated Jacqueline Novak solo show Get On Your Knees that’s due out as a Netflix special on 1/23.

4. The Donald Glover/Maya Erskine version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith is different than the Brad and Angelina version (and definitely the Hitchcock one), but, then again, is it? (it is, it’s more grounded and they’re not such expert level spies) Take a gander at the first full-length trailer here, then look for it on Amazon Prime starting Feb. 2nd.

5. Laurie Kilmartin is coming out with her latest special, the wonderfully named Cis Woke Grief Slut on Jan. 30th, which will probably make it the first noteworthy special of 2024 (sorry Pete Davidson).

6. Here’s the trailer for season 12 of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which is supposedly the final season, but, then again, how many Cher farewell tours were there? Look for what might be the final episodes of Larry David on Curb starting Feb. 4th on Max.

7. Jenny Slate makes shorts classy as they’ve ever been in the first look of her new special Seasoned Professional. Take a gander here, then look for it on Amazon Prime on Feb. 23rd.

8. Wes Anderson already has a cast so stacked that it would be more than enough star power as is with Bill Murray, Michael Cera, and Benecio Del Toro (Deadline). Expect at least 10 more of Hollywood’s biggest stars to sign on.

9. Stephanie Hsu will be the star of Peacock’s latest comedy series, Laid, from Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna (Variety). Since it’s a comedy that involves confronting the past as a result of all of her former lovers dying all of a sudden, it’s a pretty nice middle ground for Hsu between Everything Everywhere All At Once and Joy Ride.

10. Since Atlanta is over and who knows exactly when the next round of What We Do in The Shadows will be coming, you might be wondering what’s going on with comedy at FX. Cue in the Nick Kroll produced pilot from Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, Snowflakes (THR).

11. Guy Maddin, the mind behind one of the trippiest documentaries/meta pieces of art we’ve ever seen (My Winnipeg), has a G7 comedy in the works called Rumours with Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander already attached (Deadline).

12. Drew Barrymore is getting a fifth season of her daytime talk show (Variety). Daytime is still way more diverse than late night. Weird, isn’t it?

13. We’ll leave you with this: Maybe Jo Koy should have opened with AI written jokes to set expectations lower before launching into his Barbie joke?

Pick of the Day: Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head (in LA) 2/2 & 2/3
January 13, 2024
News
hasan minhaj, la comedy, off with his head, stand up comedy

It’s very rare that a comedian gets to headline the Pantages Theatre in LA. It’s a big lift, mainly reserved for the likes of Hamilton and Book of Mormon, and we think we can count, on one hand, the folks that have done it during our tenure here. Sebastian Maniscalco, Taylor Tomlinson, Jerry Seinfeld, and now, Hasan Minhaj.

Yes, Hasan is stopping in at the Pantages for his Off With His Head tour for not only one, not two, but now, three shows. Minhaj is running this latest hour with an early and late show on Feb. 2nd and a just added show on Feb. 3rd.

Tickets start at $52 and you best go get them here before they all sell out (and don’t depend on a 4th show getting added).

Pick of the Day: Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour (in NYC) 2/29-3/30
January 12, 2024
News
jack tucker, nyc comedy, parody, soho playhouse, solo show, stand up comedy, zach zucker

If you’re a loyal reader of what’s written here at TCB, you’ve probably seen us badger you about watching Stamptown, the wildest transcontinental comedy variety show in existence. Led by Jack Tucker, the rambunctious stand-up-comedy-uncanny-valley alter-ego of Zach Zucker, Stamptown somehow always pushes its own boundaries, joyfully going off the rails with the best clown, sketch comedy, stand-up, dance, music, etc. etc.

Now, Zuck—we mean Tucker has his very own solo endeavor getting a nice big run at The Soho Playhouse where he’ll get truly run amok with beautiful comedic chaos (as well as what must be the most sound cues of any comedy show of all time). Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour will be running from the very end of February on the 29th through Mar. 30th, Wed.-Sat. (except for the 3/6 & 3/9). Tickets are $46.50 and you best go get them here.

 

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 198: Jeremy Culhane & What Makes for Good Improv
January 10, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
improv, Jeremy Culhane, short form improv, the harold

When one goes to see an improv show, the supposition is that your going to see comedy gold being born out of thin air, something that’s almost beyond a veritable comedy alchemy. If you’ve gone to enough improv shows or taken classes, you ought to know that there is a precision and structure applied to much of improv to make it seem magical. One of LA improv’s favorite sons, Jeremy Culhane, joins us on this week’s TCB Field Report to break down the importance of the Harold, what makes good improv (especially short form), and, most importantly, whether bad stand up or bad improv is worst (apologies for one of the mics cutting out for the last 15 min. or so and doing this podcast at our favorite Gelato place, Pazzo Gelato).

Follow Jeremy @jazzy_jelly on TikTok

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Strikethrough Project

TCB Debriefing 1/10/24: Wolves of Glendale, Golden Globes, Creative Arts Emmys, Tina Fey, Carrie Coon, Our Flag Means Death/Julia
January 10, 2024
News
carrie coon, creative arts emmys, golden globes, our flag means death, tina fey, white lotus, wolves of glendale

1. Umm, apologies for the irregular schedule here. We have two full time jobs now (artistic directing a theater is the other) and while we’ll do our best to have a Debriefing M-F, it’s just going to fall through sometimes. Again, sorry about that, but all the news you need to know will just be in the following debriefing. Also, go to everything at the Lyric Hyperion; no reason in particular.

2. Now, for a musical comedy break from the beautiful, dulcet harmonies and (ridiculous ass lyrics) of the Wolves of Glendale in a decidedly peppy and absurd Don’t Tell Comedy set.

3. Jo Koy wasn’t great, but hosting any awards are either a death sentence or a gilded cage (see Billy Crystal, Bob Hope, and, currently, Jimmy Kimmel). All hail Poor Things for Best Musical or Comedy Film and The Bear as the TV series and boo and hiss to Ricky Gervais being awarded a statue for his droll special. If you HAVE to go with a white guy special from 2023, you should have gone with Maron or Joe Zimmerman.

3. Mulaney, I Think You Should Leave, and Carol Burnett all winning Creative Arts Emmys should make a case for including more categories in the actual Primetime Emmys telecast.

5. Tina Fey is reviving a starring in an 80s comedy, The Four Seasons (THR). Curious to see if this is a slick way to make sure to have five star accommodations while shooting or riding the coat tails of the critic beloved White Lotus.

6. Speaking of luxury hotel based comedies, one of the best actresses of our time, Carrie Coon, has just confirmed to be on the season 3 cast of The White Lotus (Deadline). May she live through at least five episodes.

7. Aaaaand, speaking of dying, both Our Flag Means Death and Julia got canceled at Max. Even through the strikes are over, Max is still dishing out the ax. It’s a damn shame.

8. We’ll leave you with this:

Pick of the Day: Not That Bad (in LA) 1/11 & 1/14
January 10, 2024
News
catherine mccafferty, la comedy, not that bad, solo show

As we all stare off into the far reaches of what 2024 might be, there’s a lot to worry about both globally and the things that are happening right at this very moment right in front of us all. Catherine McCafferty‘s solo show covering a lot of the lowlights of her life, but done so with humor and grace in a way that beautifully shows what it’s like to be on the other side of the worst times of your life.

McCafferty already took this for a run at the world famous Edinburgh Fringe and is continue to fine tune it and it’s a special sort of thing that you shouldn’t miss out on. The two latest performances of Not That Bad are at the Lyric Hyperion on Thurs. Jan. 11th at 9:30PM and Sunday Jan. 11th at 7:30PM. Tickets are only $10 right now and you best go get them here.

Pick of the Day: iL FUNGO presents Saturnalia: A Holiday Bacchanal (in LA) 1/20
January 9, 2024
News
clown, clowning, il fungo, la comedy, yard theater

With LA being kind of an epicenter of clown in recent times, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that LA has a premier bouffant troupe with costumes that rival those on The Masked Singer. Lucky for us, we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the rambunctious, often meta hijinks, of iL FUNGO (with Deidre Scott, Grant O’Connell, Grayson Morris, Joshua Kilcoyne, Mike Rose, Starlette Cravens, Tiffany Lawrence and Tyler Ramirez) time and time again and have a had such a damn good time (credit once again to the genius clown brain of Dean Evans).

In fact, we put them on our 100 Best List of 2023 and, with that in mind, you shouldn’t miss out on their reprise of their holiday show, Saturnalia, at the Yard Theater on Sat. Jan. 20th at 9PM. Tickets are only $12 and probably will sell out soon. Go get yours here.

Pick of the Day: Tim Platt: Teeth Like Beak ALBUM RECORDING (in NYC) 2/29
January 8, 2024
News
absurdist, brooklyn, comedy taping, musical comedy, nyc comedy, tim platt, union hall

It has been true for awhile and it will very likely continue to be true for years to come: Tim Platt is one of the most original voices in NYC comedy. Oscillating between absurdist characters and jokes as Tim and the same for his sweetly personal songs, Tim has so many enthralling facets to his comedy and it feels like he has, perhaps, only scratched the surface.

With that in mind, you should go to his album taping for TEETH LIKE BEAK coming to Union Hall on what will be a very special Thurs. Feb. 29th at 7:30PM & 10PM. Tickets are only $11.55 and you best get tix here.

TCB Debriefing 1/5/24: White Lotus S3, Minx, Taylor Tomlinson, In the Know, Katherine Blanford
January 5, 2024
News
in the know, katherine blanford, minx, peacock, taylor tomlinson, white lotus

1. The cast of the acclaimed dramedy White Lotus season 3 has just been announced and it will star Leslie Bibb, Tayme Thapthimthong, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, and Jason Isaacs. Anyone have a death pool or running yet odds on what sort of sex escapades will happen this time around?

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2. Minx just got canceled (again) and it opting to not go for another season (Variety). Pour one out for a wild, yet nuanced look at gender and sexuality with fantastic 70s fashion and hope it ends up on some streaming service that you already have.

3. In addition to taking the reins to the late late slot at CBS, Taylor Tomlinson is premiering her latest special, Have It All, on Feb. 13th on Netflix. 2024 might be a year ruled by two Taylors.

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4. Peacock is really cementing itself in the high concept niche when it comes to original comedies. Following up Poker Face and Mrs. Davis will be the animation/live action hybrid that seems to be lovingly skewer NPR called In The Know. Take your first gander at the show here, then look for it on Peacock on Jan. 25th.

5. Call us crazy, but we think Katherine Blanford is probably going to have a pretty damn good 2024. Go see for yourself on her Prison Barbie Goes on Tour with dates going through the Summer. Get tickets here.

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6. We’ll leave you with this: May you all be successful enough in comedy that you talking mad shit on a podcast is the leading news of the day.

Pick of the Day: Joe Pera: Drifting Off Live (in NYC) 2/24
January 5, 2024
News
drifting off, joe pera, live podcast, murmrr theatre, nyc comedy

The peace that Joe Pera brings with his comedy, especially with his critically acclaimed podcast, Drifting Off, is almost a necessity in times like these. The unfettered, even burgeoning chaos of the world seems distant when Pera is on stage and on the mic and Drifting Off makes it feel even more serene. Oh, and, of course, Pera is just so damn funny being the most understated comedian, perhaps, of all time.

Now, for 2024, it would seem we’re all getting a gift of Pera doing his podcast live and if the one time we got a piece of pie, a coffee mug, and some great socks from watching a special screening of Joe Pera Talks With You, a live Drifting Off ought to be a true delight.

For New Yorkers, you can (and very much should) get tickets for Drifting Off Live coming to Sat. Feb. 24th at 8PM at the Murmrr Theatre. Tickets are going for $35-$45, but probably not for long to be honest.

TCB Debriefing 1/4/24: After Midnight, Hacks, Eric Andre, Lisa Frankenstein, Funny Woman, Roy Wood Jr., Emmys, Mean Girls, Don’t Tell Comedy
January 4, 2024
News
after midnight, don't tell comedy, emmys, eric andre, funny woman, hacks, lisa frankenstein, mean girls, roy wood jr

1. Taylor Tomlinson officially announces the premiere date of @fter Midnight, following The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, beginning Mon. Jan. 16th with a touch of murder(?).

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2. Hacks. Spring. Be ready.

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3. Eric Andre’s latest special, ERIC ANDRÉ LIVE NEAR BROADWAY, is going where he’s most at home, Adult Swim, come Jan. 18th at midnight. With this being at Adult Swim and Eric seemingly having carte blanche there, we hope this will somewhat resemble his legendary b day parties.

1482600 The Eric Andre Show Live – Philadelphia

4. The latest trailer for Lisa Frankenstein further suggests that Diablo Cody has still got it. Please enjoy, then look for it in theaters near you starting Feb. 9th.

5. PBS is essentially doing their own British version of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel called Funny Woman starring Gemma Arterton that’s not actually based on a real person. Take your first look here.

6. While Comedy Central is still figuring out what the hell they want to do with The Daily Show, go out and see Roy Wood Jr. be so damn funny all across the country. Tickets available at roywoodjr.com/tour-roy-wood-jr.

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7. The Primetime Emmys reinstated Writing for a Variety Series as a category, making it so certain shows won’t have to compete against the TV institution that is SNL (Variety).

8. Maybe, just maybe, this musical version of Mean Girls will be worth it? Just see for yourself in this final trailer. At the very least, if you didn’t know the name Reneé Rapp, you will going forward from 2024.

9. We’ll leave you with this: Peep these numbers put up by Don’t Tell Comedy in 2023 alone. Damn.

Pick of the Day: Mike O’Brien Porn Plays (in LA) 1/28
January 4, 2024
News
experimental comedy, la comedy, mike o'brien

One of the most delightfully off-kilter minds in comedy today belongs to the head of one Mike O’Brien. A true comedy multihypenate (AP Bio, I Think You Should Leave, SNL, stand-up), you can always count on Mike to delightfully come out of left field with whatever he’s doing on stage or screen.

Cue Porn Plays, Mike’s latest experiment where he is taking real dialogue from real pornos then writing the entire other half in the form of one act plays AND having zero nudity or sex be part of the actual shows. If there’s to be an uncanny valley in the form of writing, this might be it.

Witness Mike’s creation on Sun. Jan. 28th at 7PM at The Elysian. Tickets are only $16 right now and you best go get them here.

 

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