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Recent News

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Nate Bargatze Just Did the First Late Night Stand-Up Set During the COVID-19 Pandemic Last Week
October 12, 2020
News
comedy history, nate bargatze, tonight show

Since lockdown started, late night talk shows have been holding on any which they could to keep going, though they have had to experiment with every facet of their format to do so. Not being able to have guests in studio with them or even being in studio has hindered a lot of what late night used to be, especially when it comes to featuring stand-up comedy.

Stand-up comedy, as it was traditionally done, especially on late night is one of the last things that will get to return to “normal” if that even is in the cards post-pandemic. Still, that doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen again or that it can’t be reimagined or done differently to keep the art form, and its performers that are bound to it, going.

Just this past week, the delightful Nate Bargatze got to perform stand-up on The Tonight Show, the first set in all of late night since March before everything shut down. Bargatze was in another venue altogether and not even anywhere near NYC, back in studio where Fallon was broadcasting from. Bargatze was in Huntsville, Alabama at Stand-Up Live with a limited capacity, socially distanced audience.

Not much is seen of the crowd in the set, but this does seem a far cry from that unfortunate set by D.L. Hughley at Zanies Nashville where he fainted on set. This set up isn’t too dissimilar from how Jimmy Kimmel Live was featuring stand-up by taping sets in Vegas at Kimmel’s comedy club before COVID-19 (maybe he’ll do that again?)

Nate doesn’t miss a step with his signature cool, calm, collected observations about the minutia of life right now, which is more impressive with a deadly virus still holding its grasp firmly on the world’s population. As far as a first late night stand-up set during this pandemic to set a tone, a benchmark, it’s pretty damn good. It underscores the importance of comedy in processing tragedy and horror in not only giving catharsis to folks on collectively shared tension, but connecting us on such common ground at a time that we’ve all been as divided and isolated as we’ve ever been.

Please enjoy Nate’s latest set on The Tonight Show and the first stand-up set on a late night talk show since the pandemic started in America here

Joey Clift Highlights 25 Native American Comedians for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 12, 2020
News
illuminative, indigenous peoples day, joey clift

Joey Clift has not only dedicated his life to doing some of the most insane, imaginative bits and concepts on stage (ranging from an entire talk show about cats to finishing Sufjan Stevens’ States project to taking a bamboo stick to the back), but as a proud member of the Cowlitz tribe, Clift has pushed for visibility and representation for native and indigenous talent in comedy and elsewhere. Over the last several months, the importance of BIPOC representation has finally come to the forefront and it’s crucial to keep that going.

For years, he has put up a big showcase highlighting native and indigenous talent at UCB as well as upping their visibility and representation through his own lovely comedy career (see this short film).

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Clift got to handpick a list of 25 Native American and indigenous performers for Illuminative that gives a bigger, deserved spotlight to the likes of Brian Bahe (Tohono O’odham Nation/Hopi/Navajo), Kaitlyn Jeffers (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota)), Monique Moreau (Cree/Saulteaux), Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux Tribe), Lucas Brown Eyes (Oglala Lakota), and many more.

So, please go check the full list here and check out all of their work.

Pick of the Day: Get Salty 10/16
October 12, 2020
News
beth stelling, cystic fibrosis, joel kim booster, reggie watts, sarah silverman

Not only are there so many causes that need your help and support, but there are so many accompanying comedy shows, even if they have to be done virtually, to support them.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (FYI, Cystic Fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system) is having a big time benefit live-stream comedy show, Get Salty, to support their efforts against Cystic Fibrosis this Fri. Oct. 16th at 6:30PM PT/9:30PM ET.

On the bill, just as of right now, are:
Sarah Silverman
Reggie Watts
Beth Stelling 
Joel Kim Booster 
Hosted by Richelle Meiss

Tickets are $35, but you can get VIP tickets featuring face-to-face with the comedians after.

Go snag your tickets right here, right now.

Enjoy James Austin Johnson’s Take on Trump’s Absurd Call to Fox Business About Dealing with COVID-19
October 9, 2020
News
fox business, james austin johnson, maria bartiromo, parody, satire, trump

James Austin Johnson‘s Trump impression has been one of the best around and is starting to get more and more notoriety as such, especially with JAJ’s understanding how Trump gets lost in doing non-sequiturs and tangents while attempting to speak extemporaneously. The experimental drugs that Trump is currently on due to testing positive for COVID-19 seem to having speak even more insane than he usually does, allowing for JAJ to really get off the rails with his impression.

Earlier this week, Trump called into Fox Business to speak with Maria Bartiromo and went off about he didn’t feel contagious. JAJ made a more enjoyable (potentially less terrifying?) take on it. Please enjoy it here.

View this post on Instagram

Don seems to be experiencing grandiose delusions under the influence of steroids and experimental drug cocktail

A post shared by James Austin Johnson (@shrimpjaj) on Oct 8, 2020 at 2:36pm PDT

The 2021 Spirit Awards Is Calling for Entries
October 9, 2020
News
call for entries, film independent, spirit awards

The Spirit Awards attempt to represent the best of the indie side of film and, for the first time starting in 2021, “the indie side” of television. As such, comedy tends to get more of a fair shake than it does with the Oscars and, it’s clear that some of the best television in recent years has come under the umbrella of comedy.

Also, given the closure of movie theaters, many a movie, whether indie or not, has had to opt to release via a streaming service, which might very well open the berth of consideration for films a little wider than it has in the past (most big time film awards require entries to have screened at a brick-and-mortar movie theater for an entire week). It would seem that the requirements suggest that’s the case for both film and television as well.

So, if you’ve got an indie film or brand new TV series that got put on a streaming platform where people had to pay to watch it, you might have a shot at getting nominated for Spirit Award  (also, the submission fees for the Oct. 13th early deadline start at $300 for Film Independent Members and $350 that aren’t).

Get more info and submit to the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards here.

Pick of the Day: 25th Annual State of the Industry Address with Andy Kindler 10/10
October 9, 2020
News
andy kindler, jfl montreal, just for laughs, state of the industry

For decades, one of the indisputable highlights of the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival has been Andy Kindler’s annual State of the Industry Address wherein Kindler roasts the entire comedy industry-at-large. He’s very much one of the best at satirizing comedy itself, especially when it comes to its organization and structures and it’s essentially a new album/special from Kindler that we can expect each year.

Since JFL Montreal opted to do a paired down virtual edition for 2020 due to the pandemic, we’ll still get the legendary irreverence of Kindler, though it will be done via a live-stream. We have no doubt that Kindler will bring that up in his address. In fact, this year’s State of the Industry Address ought to be something special as comedy has changed more than it ever has in recent memory in the matter of a few months.

Best of all, it’ll be free to tune in and you don’t actually have to go to Montreal, get an overpriced hotel, and try and figure which one of several different festival passes will actually get you into watching Kindler do what he does best.

Alive from home! Andy Kindler’s 25th Annual State of the Industry Speech: finally, i’m alone is set to stream on Sat. Oct. 10th at 3PM PT/6PM ET right here.

Please Enjoy Hampton Yount’s Unaired Conspiracy Theory Comedy Pilot “Man of Truth”
October 8, 2020
News
conspiracy theory, hampton yount, parody, satire, syfy, time travel

As film and TV production gets prolonged and paused and shut down, the quest for more content has led to unveiling and releasing of things that the general public would never get to see like unaired pilots, even if they were actually funny enough to warrant the public getting to see it and potentially pushing for more of it to be made.

Hampton Yount made one such pilot for SYFY called Man of Truth that put Yount position to investigate the most ridiculous conspiracy theories, but taking them as serious as any of the real ones like COINTELPRO or the Military Industrial Complex. The topic he deep dives into for the pilot if celebrity time travelers and his quest to get a hold of Matthew McConaughey is so worth a series green light by itself.

Go see the truth for yourself here.

 

Watch The Forty-Year-Old Version Trailer, Get Charmed By It, Then Watch It on Netflix Tomorrow
October 8, 2020
News
forty year old version, netflix, radha blank

If you haven’t caught wind of her or the movie yet, NYC multi-hyphenate Radha Blank seems set to make quite the feature film debut as writer/director/star with The Forty-Year-Old Version that drops on Netflix tomorrow. It had a very nice run on the festival circuit back at a time when film festivals didn’t have to figure out whether to do all their screenings online or risk doing a limited capacity, socially distanced, masked affair. Now, it’ll have as wide as a release as a feature can have right now via Netflix.

The film follows a once-promising playwright who gets a mind to capture glory once more by venturing out as a rapper at 40, all shot in gorgeous black and white. The trailer itself is very, very promising (an unfortunate rarity in comedy movie trailers these days) with this comedic redemption story and should make you want to block out time tomorrow (or late, late tonight when it starts streaming) to watch The Forty-Year-Old Version as soon as you can.

Take a look for yourself here, then set a reminder for this Fri. 10/9 when The Forty-Year-Old Version is officially on Netflix.

Pick of the Day: Young Storytellers Presents The Biggest Show 10/27
October 8, 2020
News
aparna nancherla, baron vaughn, biggest show, jason mantzoukas, judy greer, marcel spears, randall park, tony hale

Even though they won’t get the gorgeous space of a venue like the Theatre at the Ace Hotel, Young Storytellers will still put on their annual, pull-out-all-the-stops evening, The Biggest Show, that combines your favorite actors and comedy folks with the best stories written by students in their program in benefit of Young Storytellers’ upcoming programs.

This year, they will be doing The Biggest Show virtually with a cast that’s just as biggest and wonderful as any other year. That’ll include Jason Mantzoukas, Aparna Nancherla, Baron Vaughn, Judy Greer, Marcel Spears, Randall Park, and Tony Hale.

This virtual edition of The Biggest Show is set for Tues. Oct. 27th at 6PM PT/9PM ET. Tickets to the live-stream come with a donation of $10 or more. Get access and support the lovely program that is Young Storytellers here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 28: Jamel Johnson & The LA Outdoors
October 7, 2020
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
jamel johnson, outdoor comedy, second city, snl

Jamel Johnson was one of the first comedians to record a special in all of quarantine during this COVID-19 pandemic with the audience-less Friend or Foe. He’s also done a remote segment on Conan, kept up a basketball podcast going during the NBA Playoffs, and managed to do some of LA’s newly minted outdoor shows, which means he has maintained himself working as much as he can and being so damn funny while doing so. Jamel zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger to discuss all such things as well as SNL managing to have a live audience, Second City being on sale, things to think about in doing in-person shows during a pandemic and more.

Follow Jamel on IG @broccolihouse & Twitter @nonprofitcomic and listen to his podcasts Air Buds and Sorry We Love Football. Get and watch his special, Friend or Foe.

Shout outs: Michelle Buteau’s Buteaupia. Chinedu Unaka’s Mostly Kidding, and Josiah Johnson

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: Rise Los Angeles 10/9
October 7, 2020
News
aidy bryant, amy poehler, Ayo Edebiri, benefit fundraiser, demi adejuyigbe, green new deal, jane fonda, joaquin phoenix, julio torres, mitra jouhari, rise los angeles, sandy honig, sunrise movement la

There are so many issues on the table right now that it’s almost too easy that such monumental issues like climate change can be easily forgotten about. Thus, plenty of folks running for public office are taking up the mantle of pushing the tenets of The Green New Deal and combatting climate change in addition to every other fight that needs to be fought and need support.

That’s why there’s a huge benefit live-stream this Friday, Oct. 9th at 7PM PT/10PM ET presented by Sunrise Movement LA to benefit the campaigns of Green New Deal candidates at all levels of government for Los Angeles. To support them, a very stellar, stacked line-up including Amy Poehler, Jane Fonda, Aidy Bryant, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Adejuyigbe, Julio Torres, Ayo Edebiri, and more will be performing virtually along with hosts Sandy Honig and Mitra Jouhari of Three Busy Debras fame.

Make a donation here, so you won’t miss out on Rise Los Angeles this Friday night.

The Second City Is Up for Sale
October 6, 2020
News
the second city

(via Variety)

The Second City is one of America’s most renowned comedy institutions having been around since the 50s, launching the careers of dozens and dozens of stars, and expanding its brick-and-mortar schools/theaters across the continent.

Yet, the pandemic and its subsequent shut down of live performances has strained every venue, some to the point of having to close permanently. Improv Olympic, another legendary comedy school and theater, based in Chicago like Second City, had to shudder its doors completely a few months ago. Now, The Second City is up for sale, which calls into question what potentially lied ahead in the future had Second City not gone on sale as well as who might buy it and what they will do with it.

This announcement just further underscores the restructuring of comedy on all levels due to COVID-19, especially when it comes to the monolithic ones. Supposedly, UCB is in the process of becoming a non-profit after having to close the doors of all of its NYC venues. Second City is so established that it would be hard to imagine it not getting bought up by someone and continuing on to a time where it will get to reopen its doors (Second City Toronto is already having limited capacity shows), but, then again, the tentative nature of these times makes everything, especially the fate of live comedy, unsure.

Vulture Festival’s Virtual 2020 Edition “In The Nest” Announces Line-Up
October 6, 2020
News
henry winkler, how to with john wilson, new girl, rachel bloom, sam bee, vulture, vulture festival, whoopi goldberg

The annual Vulture Festival is probably one of the best collections of panels, screenings, and other strange, but splendid events with cast/creators/icons/etc. (several of whom are comedy folks) who are deep in the cultural zeitgeist (i.e. an AIM chat with PEN15 stars and co-creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle that they did last year).

So, ever the inventive festival, Vulture is going virtual with Vulture Festival: In The Nest for this year and they will feature yet another very impressive stack of live-streamed events including:

Rachel Bloom in conversation with her fifth-grade bully
Vulture Honorary Degree: Whoopi Goldberg
The Winkler Method: A Henry Winkler Acting Class
State of the Union with Samantha Bee and Rebecca Traister
Screening of HBO’s new series How To with John Wilson
A Night with The New Girl Boys

This time, we’re all blessed with not having to find parking in or around The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood Blvd. and rushing in and around from room to room so you won’t miss too much of any one of these events.

Vulture Festival: In The Nest is set for Mon. Oct. 26th-Fri. Oct. 30th and passes are on sale now starting at $30. Go snag ’em here.

Pick of the Day: Thundercat and Hannibal Buress at Rose Bowl Drive-In 10/24
October 6, 2020
News
drive in show, hannibal buress, live comedy, los angeles, pasadena, rose bowl, thundercat

As far as drive-in shows have gone in the LA area, The Rose Bowl is kind of as high class as it gets thus far. As such, Comedy Dynamics went ahead and shot four different comedians for specials that will be released on a date TBD. Later this month, the fun and funky co-headlining pair of Thundercat and Hannibal Buress will be taking the drive-in stage at The Rose Bowl.

Buress and Thundercat together, drive-in or not, make for an unforgettable night of grooves and shenanigans that is worth the price per car and/or person and making the trek to Pasadena. There are two shows lined-up for Thundercat  and Hannibal on Sat. Oct. 24th at 4:30PM and 8:30PM. Tickets are almost sold out for the late show, so they just added an afternoon show.

Tickets per car (price per person ranges depending on size of car) start from $120 and go up to $325 for VIP tickets. Go snag them before they’re all gone here.

Audio Production Continues To Expand Under COVID-19 as Team Coco Signs Overall Deal with Audible
October 5, 2020
News
audible, team coco

Whether it be television or movies, the prospect of production moving forward during the pandemic is still largely uncharted territory, which is why there are still plenty of stops and starts with devising, observing, and reevaluating safety protocol with crews and talent gathering to shoot something.

So, the allure of production that can largely be down remotely and with very few people gathering has gone up. Plenty of shows that were live action have done special animated episodes or gone with a very special episode that has a high end Zoom look/feel to it.

Audio productions, limited series or podcasts, have also ticked up as they indeed can be entirely done remotely and Team Coco is taking advantage of that angle. They just signed an over-all deal to develop and produce all sorts of audio projects whether they be scripted, unscripted, docu-series, or something else altogether. They’ve already broken ground in this area with the likes of the delightful Frontier Tween, not to mention the massive success of  the podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.

Already, Team Coco has their first series lined up with A Total Switch Show takes a more darkly comic turn on the well-trodden premise of two very different people switching bodies, though they won’t get to switch back no matter what they do or how much they grow. Real life mother and daughter Lea Thompson and Zoey Deutch are set to star for this Team Coco x Audible series.

We have no doubt that Team Coco’s already burgeoning audio empire will burgeon even more following this deal.

Here’s a List of Precautionary COVID-19 Questions We Will Keep in Mind in Consideration of In-Person Comedy Shows
October 5, 2020
Uncategorized
covid-19, in person show, live comedy, precaution, protocol

Note: this appeared in our TCB Weekly Debriefing newsletter, which you can sign-up for here.

Outdoor comedy shows, drive-in comedy shows, etc. that are live and in-person have been and are happening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We figured that would happen.

You might have noticed that we’ve been hesitant to list such events as they have been taking place here in Los Angeles or elsewhere. There is a responsibility we feel the need to be mindful of in spreading the word about such events in light of COVID-19 still being as infectious as it ever was and the timeline for a full vaccine that will be available to everyone is still very uncertain.

We have been quietly checking out outdoor shows, drive-in shows, etc. that have happened over the last several weeks, even listing some as we think they’re both taking a great amount of precaution and are also putting on a great comedy show.

Again, more of these shows will be bound to happen and we’ll do our best to keep you in the know about the ones worth checking out that are extensively striving to not further the transmission of the virus.

Specifically (and we know that we are not epidemiologists, government officials, and we’re not trying to lay down guidelines here), we’ll be asking ourselves about the following details about current and future live shows/open mics when considering them for listing at TCB:

-Is it outdoors?
-How will people be socially distanced?
-Will there be signage for distancing/precautions?
-Are there measures for contract tracing?
-What are plans for entrances and exits, both for audiences and performers?
-Will there be temperature checks?
-What will the protocol be for face coverings/masks (especially if there’s food or drink available/being sold)?
-What will the protocol be for using mics/mic stands/etc. for performers?
-What is the “green room” situation for performers/staff?
-Will there be a COVID officer/point person checking in on social distancing and masks?
-What is the bathroom situation? How many will there be? How often will they be cleaned?
-Is there clear language about accountability in regards to something like getting infected with a virus?
-Are performers being compensated (especially if it’s a ticketed show)?

Whether you’re thinking about going to or putting on an in-person show/mic, we’d strongly urge you to think about these questions as well before making a decision to move forward and also keep in mind that the best way to not further the spread of the virus is to not irresponsibly gather in big groups.

Pick of the Day: The Jen Kirkman Dysfunctional Xmas Show 12/4
October 5, 2020
News
christmas show, jen kirkman, live stream, on location live, xmas show

Every year, our least favorite time of year rolls around, the holiday season. There’s a variety of reasons for why that is and we won’t get into that right now, but a definite bright spot, for us, during the holiday season is Jen Kirkman’s Annual Dysfunctional Xmas Show.

Kirkman usually holds her holiday show that is for all of those folks that normally feel despondent about December because of their family, being alone, etc. at the Hollywood Improv. She truly makes a wondrous variety show of comedy, story, song, and, sometimes, reimagining what a holiday movie could be that even holiday cynics can revel in. Of course, putting up the Dysfunctional Xmas Show at a comedy club isn’t likely for 2020, so Jen has opted to do a live-stream from her lovely living room on Fri. Dec. 4th at 6PM PT/9PM ET. 

Tickets for Jen Kirkman’s Dysfunctional Xmas Show are $21 and $42 for 1-on-1 video meet-and-greet and they just went on sale today (because you might as well move on to Christmas since who knows how Halloween is going to go this year). Go get your tickets here.

Please Revel in James Austin Johnson’s Impression of Trump with COVID-19
October 2, 2020
News
covid-19, impression, james austin johnson, parody, trump

Sure, so many impressions of Trump have arisen over the years of this seemingly interminable administration of his presidency. It can be hard to parse out the folks that truly nail the impression (not to mention that you probably try to manage how much you intake of his voice as possible at this point).

That being said, Donald Trump being infected with the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 presents a rare time where Trump probably doesn’t want to be on camera or even be interviewed if he’s really sick. So, we’d like to point out James Austin Johnson‘s brilliant, spot-on take of Trump (that he has done so many fun things with in the past including speaking in Radiohead lyrics) as he bedridden with COVID-19.

We can only hope that Trump has such a cough as depicted here for your convenience to revel in.

View this post on Instagram

The virus virtually affects nobody! I look forward to full, speedy complications from the batman virus. Thank you White Christians for your Magic Prayers to Mr. God and Mr. Jesus for quick recovery and violent strength in my convalescents! We're doing GREAT BIBLE in America, Everyone going to heaven in droves like you've never seen before!

A post shared by James Austin Johnson (@shrimpjaj) on Oct 2, 2020 at 12:36pm PDT

Watch Daniel Sloss and Beth Stelling Dissect Their Conan Sets on “The Set Up”
October 2, 2020
News
beth stelling, conan, daniel sloss, jp buck, late night, stand up comedy, team coco

Stand-up comedy, as you might now from following/reading us, is quite the particular art form. Within that form, a comedian’s set on a late night talk show is an even more particular part of the art form that is so painstakingly crafted as it’s often a comedian’s intro to the world and it has to accomplish showing who one is as a comedian in a very small amount of time.

Yet, many a great comedian pulls such a feat off.

To further show how detailed the process is with a late night set, Conan has started a series The Set Up where longtime, beloved booker JP Buck chats with some of his favorite comedians and his favorite performances of his on Conan. There are already two episodes featuring the brilliance of Daniel Sloss and Beth Stelling that you ought to give a watch to here and here respectively.

#PickoftheDay: Dent for Coroner 10/3
October 2, 2020
News
anna valenzuela, benefit show, dent for coroner, gareth reynolds, ian dent, jackie kashian, keith carey, local elections, rivers langley, roy wood jr

So much of the upcoming election isn’t only just about getting ousting Trump as POTUS and having to deal with Biden as a result. So many state and local elections that often have a greater effect on the lives of individuals than what happens at the federal level are very crucial in this  election too.

That’s why the likes of a top notch comedy showcase including Roy Wood Jr., Gareth Reynolds, Jackie Kashian, Brandie Posey, Anna Valenzuela, Keith Carey, and Rivers Langley are putting on a live-streamed comedy fundraiser for one Ian Dent and his campaign to become the first transgender coroner in the U.S. Dent is specifically running for County Coroner in Indiana and it’s the sort of change that the U.S. needs on all levels right now.

The fine folks over at Hold The Phone are hosting this event this Saturday at 5PM PT/8PM ET accepting donations throughout the show. Tune in at holdthephone.tv .

Here’s an Insane Teaser (as You’d Expect) for Season 5 of The Eric Andre Show
October 1, 2020
News
adult swim, eric andre, season 5, teaser, the eric andre show

The Eric Andre Show has long been a wild break from this plane of reality and certainly a twisted-fun-house-of-mirrors reflection of the world of late night. With each of his four seasons at Adult Swim, Eric has managed to up the ante from past episodes while refining his grasp on controlled chaos (i.e. being a little more aware of how to get arrested less during sketches).

This fifth season looks to keep up the absurdist, dadaist vibe going strong, but, this time around, as it is 2020, the world seems actually more crazy than the world of the show. With that in mind, it would still be a nice break from the sort of lives we’re all afforded in quarantine.

See for yourself  with this teaser for season 5 of The Eric Andre Show here, then look for the season premiere on Sun. Oct. 25th at midnight.

#Pick of the Day: Lapkus and Tompkins of the Dead 10/5
October 1, 2020
News
dynasty typewriter, improv comedy, lauren lapkus, long form improv, paul f tompkins

Well, October is here and it would only be appropriate if we hipped you to a spooky comedy event, especially since trick or treating and your traditional overcrowded Halloween party seems like a bad idea.

So, this coming Monday, Oct. 5th at 5PM PT/8PM ET, two of the most brilliant improvisers around, Lauren Lapkus and Paul F. Tompkins, will perform a set of long form improv as a duo that is taking on a bit of that said spooky theme for this evening is being coined as Lapkus and Tompkins of the Dead. The show will be a live-stream presented by the one and only Dynasty Typewriter and tickets for said show are only $5-$10.

You can and very much should snag them up here.

Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm Trailer Has Arrived
October 1, 2020
News
borat 2, borat subsequent moviefilm, mike pence, sacha baron cohen

Of course, the movie that was officially entitled Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan would not simply have a title of Borat 2. 

The follow-up to the original Borat will be indeed called Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm and it’s set for an Oct. 23rd release on Amazon Prime, just over a week and half away from the election. The trailer just dropped this morning and it would seem that there might really be some political implications with this sequel given Borat’s crashing a Mike Pence event.

As whispered about in announcements of Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm, Sacha Baron Cohen dons his famous Borat character, and then goes into other characters in different costumes as Borat (in order to not be recognized). Even though it still kind of sounds like Borat, Cohen amazes with what he’s still able to get away with.

See for yourself in the very first trailer for Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm here.

Heroes Act That Now Includes $10 Billion Earmarked to Benefit Indie Venues Introduced in House of Representatives
September 30, 2020
Uncategorized
heroes act, save our stages act

(via Variety)

Guidance on reopening live entertainment venues across the country (and world for that matter) are still largely non-existent. So, the uncertainty of a return necessitates a serious financial aid package if these venues are to survive to the other side of this pandemic.

An attempt at such relief has been made with the Save Our Stages Act, introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, which has now been tucked into the new  national stimulus package, the Heroes Act, with a provision for $10 billion to go to “grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on certain live venues”.

So, so many comedy venues unfortunately are in the indie venue category and have been stricken very hard by the pandemic and will need any assistance they can get to be able to reopen when that will be allowed (which will probably only when a full vaccine is available to everyone). Already, the likes of Improv Olympic, Cap City Comedy Club, and the Satellite LA have had to shudder their doors permanently for live shows.

We would very much like that to not be the case for so many other places around the country and we can only hope that get this or some sort of financial relief soon (and that it’ll be enough to survive). That will be all up to Congress of course to get their act together to pass the latest stimulus package.

Michelle Buteau’s First Hour “Buteaupia” Channels Living Your Best Life Into a Comedy Special
September 30, 2020
News
buteaupia, michelle buteau, stand up

The pure things in this world right now seem to be such rare finds (and, even at that point, who knows how really pure it is with some quick Internet research). Undoubtedly, some would point to that skater lip synching Fleetwood Mac as one of those rare pure things.

We would like to point you to Michelle Buteau and her very first (long overdue) hour stand-up special, Buteaupia.

Buteau has been and is a pure manifestation of celebration and this special shows this off beautifully. She truly exudes the idea of  living her best life whether she shrewdly and slickly talks about the cultural differences between her and Dutch husband or working with one of her idols, J. Lo. Michelle’s energy is infectious. It’s very hard to not be charmed by her presence (and that glimmering ensemble she dons for this special).

In addition to such a radiance and cleverness in all of her personal observations, Michelle does something that so few comedians do by really sending a message of personal empowerment in a very genuine, non-self-help-book, way to the audience and anyone else watching Buteaupia later. Whether she’s talking to the crowd or weaving that sentiment into bit, Michelle ties off her special in a manner that leaves you smiling in such a pure way.

Michelle Buteau’s Buteaupia is streaming now on Netflix and it might the thing  you need to watch right now.

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