Recent News – Page 85 – The Comedy Bureau

Rachel Bloom Is Coming Out with a Book “I Want To Be Where The Normal People Are”, This Fall

August 21, 2020

i want to be where the normal people are, rachel bloom

One of the main reasons for Rachel Bloom‘s comedic brilliance is her knack for being so incredibly vulnerable about her own mental health including her OCD and depression and working it into very fun, elaborate musical numbers and sketches, especially when it came to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend or her OCD Dance.

That spirit is going into her upcoming book, I Want To Be Where The Normal People Are, that’s due out later this year, in November that will represent a whole myriad of cross sections Bloom’s comedic psyche. Supposedly, Rachel is making an entire amusement park map, just for this book that will also feature plenty of personal essays and other works.

For our money, we’ll look forward to thiis book to keep us a little sane while the election approaches.

You can, if you’d like, to pre-order I Want To Be Where The Normal People Are right now, right here.

HBO Max Announces a New Trio of Specials from Colin Quinn, Phoebe Robinson, and Aida Rodriguez

August 21, 2020

News

aida rodriguez, colin quinn, comedy special, hbo, hbo max, phoebe robinson, stand up comedy

Hot off the heels on releasing four different stand-up specials yesterday, HBO Max has just announced three more (in addition to the back half of the Team Coco specials whose production got interrupted by lockdown).

One will be a drive-in special curated, directed, and headlined by Colin Quinn taped in Brooklyn. Quinn’s line-up has yet to be announced (but we’ll keep you in the loop)

Another one will be Phoebe Robinson’s debut special (done solo from Jessica Williams and 2 Dope Queens).

Lastly, Aida Rodriguez will have her very first hour special where she will get to put her brand of unfiltered, calls-it-like-she-sees-it comedy on its biggest stage yet.

This trio of specials is a more than solid addition to their comedy programming slate over at HBO.

We are pondering about one small thing: are there going to be those hybrid comedy specials done over at HBO and HBO will just use HBO Max for more conventional stand-up specials? We’ll just have to wait and see at this point.

Pick of the Day: Channel 101’s First Virtual Screening 8/29

August 21, 2020

News

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Channel 101 is fully back in action.

OK, it’s still virtual, done over Twitch, but everything else including the ten 5 min. shows (5 returning favorites, 5 new pilots), the audience vote to renew 5 shows, the two screenings, and the hysterical, mind-and-genre bending madness (that made Channel 101 into the indie TV/comedy/animation institution) is all back.

Please join in for Channel 101’s very first (hey, this will be historic as well) virtual full-length (by Channel 101 standards) screening next Sat. Aug. 29th at 8PM PT/11PM ET and 10PM PT/1AM ET, all for FREE, over at twitch.tv/channel101official.

Showtime Orders Up Astronaut Workplace Comedy “Moonbase 8” With Armisen, Heidecker, and Reilly

August 20, 2020

News

fred armisen, john c reilly, jonathan krisel, showtime, tim heidecker

Joining in with Space Force and Avenue 5, there is going to be another space-centric workplace-ish comedy, time time coming from Showtime. Entitled Moonbase 8, it comes from the minds of series stars Fred Armisen, Tim Heidecker, and John C. Reilly and Jonathan Krisel who was instrumental to Baskets and Portlandia behind the camera.

Is it a trend of not-so-distant-future live action workplace comedy that is coming? It might be too early to tell, but three of them (and countless others that are undoubtedly in development) certainly signals networks sharing in a vision with their programming/development slates.

The quartet of Armisen, Heidecker, C. Reilly, and Krisel does excite us to think of a subtle, yet out-there comedy that tangles with the strangeness, in their own niche of strangeness, of attempting to go to the final frontier. Moonbase 8 is set to premiere in the fall and, with A24 attached, we can’t wait to see what super-stylish look they come up with for this.

Beth Stelling’s Debut Hour Special “Girl Daddy” Shows Beth at Her Best Yet

August 20, 2020

News

beth stelling, comedy special, girl daddy, hbo max, stand up

Beth Stelling‘s debut hour special Girl Daddy exemplifies all the things that we’ve known and loved about Stelling for years and years. The magnetism of her stage presence is undeniable, she’s balanced in how silly/clever and how genuine/vulnerable she is, and we can’t help but want to just keep hearing her talking about whatever she wants to talk about.

Girl Daddy shows off all those qualities no matter how dark or how fun loving Beth goes with her stories and observations. Often, Stelling will switch between the two extremes in the same breath and do so flawlessly. In fact, she exudes nothing but a sense of command and confidence throughout this hour that make any sudden tonal shifts completely work. Also, Beth’s material really highlights the power and resilience of women through her experiences with men (both good and bad), her family, and the entire world, expertly accented by Beth’s unshakeable poise and calm.

Beth Stelling: Girl Daddy is now streaming on HBO Max and you really ought to go watch it ASAP.

Pick of the Day: A Benefit for Guns Down America 8/26

August 20, 2020

News

adam conover, cameron esposito, guns down america, josh johnson, nick guerra

Gun control, unfortunately, is still an issue in the U.S. amongst every other crucial issue that’s happening in the country right now. That being said, that also means that there is organizations and people that are still striving for a better future in regards to that issue (and that there is comedy benefit to boot).

So, Josh Johnson, Cameron Esposito, Adam Conover, Nick Guerra (and more TBA) will convene (virtually) at the Nowhere Comedy Club this coming Wed., Aug. 26th at 5:30PM PT/8:30PM ET to support Guns Down America, “a community powered organization that brings together Americans from across the country to solve our national gun crisis in strategic and creative ways.”

Given the actions of NRA as of late (and throughout the last several years), striving for real movement on gun control is imperative and this ought to be one sweet show in supporting efforts to make that happen.

Tickets are $25-$50 and you can (and should really) get tickets here.

Sofia Coppola Taps Bill Murray Once More and Rashida Jones for Latest, “On The Rocks”

August 19, 2020

News

a24, apple original, bill murray, on the rocks, rashida jones, sofia coppola, trailer

One of Sofia Coppola’s breakout works in her filmography is Lost in Translation that also ended being one of the more iconic roles for Murray following a career of iconic roles. Thusly, it wouldn’t be the only the twain should collaborate on something. Coppola ended up doing a Christmas special a few years ago centered around Bill Murray, A Very Murray Christmas, which was a definite departure from Murray wandering as one of the most famous people in the world in Tokyo. Now, Coppola’s latest film, On The Rocks, pairs Bill Murray with Rashida Jones for a father-daughter dramedy that follows a marriage between Jones and Marlon Wayans that might be exemplary of the title.

From the trailer, it would seem that there’s some sort of continuation of some spiritual/emotional arc of Murray’s Bob Harris from Lost In Translation with Murray’s role here; a quest for redemption via preventing similar mistakes that he made with love from happening again. It might be far fetched to call it a spiritual sequel, but it’s undeniable that there’s a niche that both Coppola and Murray fill in for each other. Throwing the comedic nuances of Rashida Jones and Damon Wayans (seemingly in more low key role than usual) makes for an atypical love triangle we’d really like to see.

Look for yourself in the trailer here.

On The Rocks is set to come out on Apple TV + in October.

Pick of the Day: Weirdo Night with Dynasty Handbag 8/30

August 19, 2020

News

blasia discoteca, dynasty handbag, hedia maron, Morgan bassichis, patti harrison, sarah squirm, smiling beth, weirdo night, zebulon

The beloved Weirdo Night with Dynasty Handbag at Zebulon is doing a virtual edition of their monthly gathering of all sorts of weirdo performers from all sorts of wondrous corners of performance (though it’s mostly in and around comedy). The live-stream will be in support of the performers on the show as well as Zebulon, which is probably still one of LA’s hippest venues after all these months in lockdown.

For this virtual edition of Weirdo Night, the line-up includes:

Blasia Discoteca
Hedia Maron
Morgan Bassichis
Patti Harrison
PonySweat
Sarah Squirm
Smiling Beth

It’s one of the most uniquely, splendid nights in all of LA, which is something we don’t say lightly. This latest Weirdo Night is set for Sun. Aug. 30th at 7PM PT/10PM ET. Go get tickets for $22.60 here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 21: Emma Willmann & Outside

August 19, 2020

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

austin sketch festival, calise hawkins, comedy podcasts, eddie griffin, ellen, emma willmann, hasan minhaj, joe list, lilly singh, patriot act, richard jeni, super serious

Emma Willmann has pioneered, like so few have, into the great unknown of doing stand-up in person in an indoors venue under the shadow of COVID-19. She also has driven all around the the U.S. of A and getting tested and quarantining from coast to coast. As this week’s guest on TCB Field Report, she zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger about her hopping from city-to-city and the caution she observes in an ever-changing landscape of even thinking about doing stand-up in person in this current moment. Also, they get into some quick-ish takes on the cancellation of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, the developing crisis at Ellen, Lilly Singh’s upcoming new sketch special, and an entire sketch festival going virtual from Austin, TX.

Follow Emma @emmawillmann on Instagram and listen to Emma’s Bunker and Inside the Closet

Shout Outs: Calise Hawkins Is 40 AF, Super Serious, Joe List “I Hate Myself”, Richard Jeni, Eddie Griffin

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

Quibi’s Got a Part 2 to Their “Reno 911” Run

August 18, 2020

News

part 2, quibi, reno 911, trailer

While the pandemic has certainly thrown a wrench in Quibi’s master plans, they did manage to secure some Emmy nominations and are pushing forward with their quest for mobile streaming domination.

Part of that plan is the high profile get they scored with Reno 911!, which debuted with new episodes just a few months ago. Perhaps, in anticipation of an uphill battle for subscribers to pay for their exclusive content, they have a second part to their run for the long standing cop satire.

Seeing the incompetence of law enforcement happens to be pretty popular right now and there is certainly plenty of that in this trailer for Part 2 of Quibi’s Reno 911! See for yourself here, then, if you have access to Quibi, check out the whole thing on Mon. Aug. 24th.

Lilly Singh Set to Do Two Part Sketch Special Where She Plays Every Character at NBC

August 18, 2020

News

a little late, keisha zollar, lilly singh, sean o'connor, sketchy times

(via Deadline)

Save for the unfortunate cancellation of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, the rest of late night has gotten back to some semblance of production. A number of late night hosts have even ventured back into studio or will do so soon.

Well, actually, A Little Late with Lilly Singh has yet to do a remote version of her show on a regular basis like her other late night counterparts. Instead, she has just gotten the go-ahead over at NBC to do a two-part sketch special Sketchy Times with Lilly Singh where she will play every character and will be shot entirely at her home. Writers Sean O’Connor and Keisha Zollar will help Singh write these sketches and make for another intriguing foray into attempting to make comedy television during this pandemic.

Having Singh play every character is a clever workaround for social distancing purposes and will be the latest big time sketch comedy produced during this pandemic since the end of last season’s Saturday Night Live. To see what Singh attempts and subsequently pulls off from making an entire sketch comedy special from her home has us very intrigued.

There’s no premiere date as of yet, but we’ll keep you posted here at TCB.

Pick of the Day: Santé D’Or Presents The Comedy For Kittens Cat-Astrophe Fund Show!

August 18, 2020

News

christina catherine martinez, colleen green, jared logan, kevin tit, kurt braunohler, nikki glaser, paige weldon, sante d'or, zach carper

There is so much in this world that needs saving right now, especially if it was something that needed to be saved before COVID-19 took hold of the world. The Santé D’Or Foundation in Los Angeles does so much as a volunteer run animal adoption agency and often does comedy benefit shows to support their efforts.

With the presence of the pandemic, rescue animals needing to find a home is more crucial than ever as space and staff to take care of them is extremely limited. So, they are still doing a benefit show, Comedy for Kittens Cat-astrophe Fund Show, but doing so virtually with the lovely aid of Dynasty Typewriter.

Thurs. Aug. 27th at 6PM PT/9PM ET, a line-up of NIKKI GLASER (Netflix), KURT BRAUNOHLER (The Big Sick), PAIGE WELDON (Late Late Show with James Corden), CHRISTINA CATHERINE MARTINEZ(FX’s Cake) , and KEVIN TIT(Hard Times) wash over you, and revel in the musical reprieves by COLLEEN GREEN and ZACH CARPER (FIDLAR) will join host JARED LOGAN (Best Week Ever) for this special evening in support of Santé D’Or.

Tickets are $5-$20 and you can (and should) go get them here (live-stream link will be sent after purchase).

Coastal Elites Trailer Shows HBO’s First Socially Distant Original Production

August 17, 2020

News

coastal elites, dan levy, hbo, issa rae, jay roach, kaitlyn dever, paul rudnick, Sarah Paulson, trailer

The complete unveiling of HBO’s first socially distanced original production is just around the corner. Pretty quickly into quarantine, HBO put Coastal Elites into production with director Jay Roach and writer Paul Rudnick and very, very star studded cast of Bette Midler, Kaitlyn Dever, Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson, and Issa Rae.

The prestige of a network such as HBO wouldn’t dare settle for a simple lo-fi Zoom look even though every cast member has to perform a monologue to camera by themselves. So, as you can see in this very first trailer, they really make use of very dramatic lighting and subtle (or not so in Paulson’s case) set decoration to give some sort of stately, theatrical look.

It does come off as sort of a stage play with individual performances that exude the title “Coastal Elites”, but the more than capable cast has us drawn in just to see exactly what Roach, Rudnick, and HBO are attempting to pull off.

We won’t really find out until Coastal Elites premieres on Sat. Sept. 12th on HBO, but you can get a very sweet, but short taste in the trailer here.

Austin Sketch Fest Is Going Virtual for 2020 with Adomian/Atamanuik & Jamie Loftus Headlining

SXSW was cancelled.

Moontower was originally postponed to next month, but then got postponed to next year.

So, it would seem that Austin, TX was going to be without a comedy festival for 2020.

Cue ColdTowne Theater’s Austin Sketch Fest, which has stepped up to the virtual plate and will be live-streaming their festivities this week on Thurs. Aug. 21st and Fri. Aug. 22nd. Sketch groups and performers from all around the country are taking part including James Adomian and Anthony Atamanuik who will do the 2020 version of their beloved Trump vs. Bernie pairing and will go up as Trump vs. Biden (Adomian, of course, has a pitch perfect Biden impression) and the ever inventive and splendidly mischievous Jamie Loftus with her solo show, Boss Whom Is Girl, that expertly parodies tragic entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes.

Along side them will be these sketch groups: Secret Crush, Archnemesis, Victrola, Latinx Comedy Pechanga, TV Party, Pendulum, Royale, Rat City, The Executives, Self Esteem Party, Dynamo, Chlane, Red & Yellow, Prayer Circle, After School Snack, and Pete Parsons.

Best of all, you’ll be able to stream this at ColdTowne’s Twitch channel for FREE. Tune in on 8/22 at 4:30PM PT/6:30PM CT/7:30PM ET and on 8/22 at 3:30PM PT/5:30PM CT/6:30PM ET.

A Marvelous Night at the Drive-In 8/20-8/23

August 17, 2020

News

amy sherman palladino, drive in theater, los angeles, marvelous mrs maisel, rachel brosnahan, screenings, the grove

Many of the drive-in events in LA, especially as relate to comedy have been on the outskirts of town (or on the outskirts of LA county or beyond). Thankfully, there are pop-up, drive-in events that are coming around to the actual Los Angeles proper, one of which is four nights of the critically acclaimed, award winning series The Marvel Mrs. Maisel at The Grove.

The period piece comedy that follows the rise of Midge Maisel as a comedian in the sixties, since its series premiere, has garnered so much praise and effectively been the face of Amazon Prime’s original comedy slate.

From Thu. Aug. 20th-Sun. Aug. 23rd at 8:30PM, The Grove, in collaboration with Street Food Cinema, will have a drive-in screening of season 3 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, two episodes per night. You can buy tickets/reserve your spot here (they’re sold out right now, but we’d urge you to keep checking throughout the week to see if they release tickets).

Oh, FYI, “guests will receive complimentary concessions, dinner, cupcakes and gift bags.”

There Will Be a Marathon of Chris Gethard’s Failed Comedy Central Series “Big Lake” for Charity

August 14, 2020

News

big lake, chris gethard, connor ratliff, george lucas talk show, griffin newman, patrick cotnoir, planet scum live

The archives are definitely being cleaned out while quarantine continues. So many artists of all ilks have been digging through their past works and sharing pieces that have been rarely seen or not seen whatsoever.

This Sunday, The George Lucas Talk Show will be airing Big Lake, the incredibly short lived sitcom on Comedy Central that was supposed to be Chris Gethard’s big debut as a TV star. Connor Ratliff, Griffin Newman, and Patrick Cotnoir of TGLTS have managed to dig up all 10 episodes and will binging them on a marathon this Sunday on Gethard’s digital comedy network Planet Scum as well as talking to cast and creators, no less. For those that miss the days of the old school The Chris Gethard Show, this Sunday afternoon will be for you.

Of this event, Gethard comments, “Up until now, the episodes have been notoriously hard to find. I have no idea how the gang obtained them, let alone how they are distributing. I do know for a fact they tried to upload them to a porn website and they were removed for copyright violation. Big Lake: the show so bad even pornographers won’t trifle with it.”

Also, this Big Lake marathon will be raising money for water.org to bring access to clear water around the world. Tune in at 12PM PT/3PM ET at Planet Scum to join in on the binge watching and inevitable shenanigans at Gethard’s expense.

Pick of the Day: Mandee Johnson In Conversation with Christina Catherine Martinez About ‘Super Serious’ 8/20

August 14, 2020

News

book release, chris garcia, dave anthony, mandee johnson, sara schaefer, super serious show

While one of our actual favorite monthly shows has to be in hiatus for now because of, well, you know why at this point, that isn’t stopping The Super Serious Show from keeping the ball in the air with something inventive, substantive, enlightening, and fun.

We’ve already gave you the low down on Super Serious: An Oral History of Los Angeles Independent Stand-Up Comedy and why it’s very likely our favorite coffee table book in recent memory. It’s currently up for pre-order and shipping out next week, Tue. Aug. 18th.

Once again, you really ought to get it if you like comedy at all.

As part of the book’s release, Mandee Johnson will be doing an exclusive event via Book Soup on Thu. Aug. 20th at 6PM PT/9PM ET that will be a conversation about the breadth of LA comedy history within the book, but also feature a damn fine line-up of guests including Dave Anthony, Sara Schaefer, Chris Garcia, and Christina Catherine Martinez as the pro art critic/comedian moderator.

RSVP for the event (and order the book from Book Soup) here.

Photos by Mandee Johnson

Please Get and Enjoy Calise Hawkins’ New Album “Calise Hawkins Is 40 AF”

August 13, 2020

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With stand-up comedy, the closer in proximity in time a comedian is to their material, the fresher and more resonant it will undoubtedly be. Calise Hawkins‘ new album Calise Hawkins Is 40 AF really runs with that idea as Calise recorded this new hour on her 40th birthday.

Hawkins stories and observations about being a 40 year old single mother really are celebratory in a way that you rarely hear in comedy. Most comments on being middle aged or older usually lean towards pretty self-deprecating to terribly self-deprecating. Calise has a few slick lines cheekily poking fun at her current moment in her life, but it’s pretty clear that she revels in joy with the present, being 40, and having a 13 year old kid. As a result, Calise’s lust for life is pretty infectious as she even recounts the struggles of her love life in her situation and attempting to raise her teenager while sharing a room with her. The lining up of her 40th birthday and talking about her age and her experience gives a snappy energy on this record that is so charming.

Also, Calise’s bit where she shares her own interpretation of the creation myth is pretty damn fun and subversive too.

Calise Is 40 AF is available from Blonde Medicine wherever you get comedy albums this Friday. You can (and should) pre-order it on iTunes here.

DCA LA Now Accepting Submissions for COVID-19 Emergency Response Program for Individual Artists

August 13, 2020

News

artist grants, covid 19 relief, department of cultural affairs, los angeles, submissions

For the past few months, Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs has been issuing grants for various art programs and organizations specifically affected by COVID-19. As of this week, they’re now opening up this fund that was initially earmarked from public arts events that, of course, can’t happen the way they were originally conceived.

$340K has been set aside for this specific initiative, awarded to individuals at up to a one-time grant of $1500, “must be willing to make their artworks and services available through real-time, virtual and online platforms, and in some instances the artwork may appear in a physical public space.”

The breadth of who can apply is pretty wide (and definitely can include comedy in so many ways). They’re looking for submissions from “any person who works greater than quarter-time for income as a creative producer (actor, animator, craft-maker, designer, dancer, DJ, literary writer, musician, painter, poet, photographer, playwright, sculptor, videographer, etc.)”.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 1st at 11:59PM. Get more details and apply here.

Pick of the Day: Pen Pals Podcast LIVE! on Zoom 8/28

August 13, 2020

News

daniel van kirk, pen pals podcast, rory scovel

One of the most calming, reassuring, life affirming, and podcasts that we’ve enjoyed pre- and during this pandemic (and will undoubtedly enjoy well after all of this is over) is Pen Pals. The duo of Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel answering letters genuinely, though, often, with a very healthy dose of silliness is a refreshing break from everything.

For those have yet go to #F2F, you should really get into the podcast here (you’re going to want to start from the beginning if you want to know what #F2F is and, more importantly, get a chance to get in line and go #RRGT).

In any case, you really ought to enjoy the camaraderie, community, and mirth in a live-over-Zoom version of Pen Pals that will be happening Fri. Aug. 28th at 6PM PT/9PM ET. You can (and very much should) RSVP here to get specific instructions on purchasing tickets.

Please Enjoy Trailer for New Buddy Road Comedy at HBO Max “Unpregnant”

August 12, 2020

News

barbie ferreira, haley lu richardson, hbo max, trailer, unpregnant

HBO Max seems to be coming with the goods to make up for the transition of HBO having a new arm and folding HBO GO and HBO Now into the exclusive streaming service. They’ve got Team Coco stand-up specials coming around the corner, a new season of Search Party on the horizon, and a new buddy road comedy, Unpregnant from director/co-writer Rachel Lee Goldenberg and writers Ted Caplan, Jenni Hendriks, William Parker, and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.

Starring Haley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferreira, there seems to the same sort of promise of a fun loving coming-of-age journey as Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart offered last year, though with more focus on getting an abortion rather than having one last chance at partying properly.

See for yourself in the trailer for Unpregnant here, then, if you dig it, look for it on HBO Max on Thurs. Sept. 10th.

Ziwe Fumudoh Scores Deal for Book of Personal Essays

August 12, 2020

News

abrams books, ziwe, ziwe fumudoh

Since Ziwe Fumudoh‘s rise with her IG Live show Baited (again, it’s the only thing you should be watching on Thursdays at 5PM PT/8PM ET @ziwef), we’ve been wondering when, not if, the industry would be begin bidding wars over developing something with her.

Finally, some of that is starting to happen as Ziwe has just signed a book deal with ABRAMS Books for a book of personal essays that will also probably be a pretty good guide to being a guest on an episode of Baited. Ziwe is underway on writing the book, but a release date is TBA for the time being.

In the meantime, you can get your Ziwe fix with her album Generation Ziwe, watching any and all of Baited (including the original YouTube episodes), and catch Desus & Mero.

I'm writing a book with @ABRAMSbooks pic.twitter.com/O0MnAlTheU

— ziwe (@ziwe) August 12, 2020

Pick of the Day: A Black Lady Sketch Show Roundtable Discussion w/Cast & Creators 8/14

August 12, 2020

News

angela bassett, ashley nicole black, dime davis, gabrielle dennis, quinta brunson, robin thede

Undoubtedly, you’re exploring the vast swaths of content across whatever streaming services you have access to while in quarantine. Perhaps, one of the things you should dip into is HBO’s latest sketch series, A Black Lady Sketch Show.

If you do so this week, you’re quite in luck as Variety’s Streaming Room is putting up a roundtable discussion live-stream featuring creator/EP/writer/star Robin Thede, stars Quinta Brunson & Gabrielle Dennis, writer/star Ashley Nicole Black, guest star Angela Bassett & director Dime Davis. They’ll revisit some of the series’ best moments and give the inside look at what was going on behind the scenes/the thought process behind something like a “Bad Bitch Support Group”.

Variety Streaming Room’s A Black Lady Sketch Show Roundtable Discussion is set for Fri. Aug. 14th at 4PM PT/7PM ET. RSVP for the live-stream here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 20: Kyle Kinane & Tranquility (Sort Of)

August 12, 2020

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

amc, boogie monster, cherubic, george carlin, hey girl, judd apatow, kyle kinane, mike carrozza, niva, peacock, running the light, sam tallent, sara schaefer, save our stages, stand up, trampoline in a ditch

The brilliant Kyle Kinane hops on Zoom with TCB’s Jake Kroeger for this week’s Field Report with just having released his latest album, a comedic work of grandeur called Trampoline in a Ditch. Jake and Kyle talk the thought behind releasing a 100 minute comedy album and the phenomenon of the podcast fan via Kinane’s shows that he co-hosts, The Boogie Monster and Hey Girl. They get into some quick takes (and some hot tangents) on AMC doing true crime comedy, Judd Apatow doing a George Carlin doc, and Peacock’s latest comedy programming line-up. Also, there’s quite a bit of reminiscing of Kinane’s comedy throughout his career that you really ought to look up when you get the chance.

Follow Kyle @kylekinane and get into the Boogie Monster co-hosted by Dave Stone and Hey Girl co-hosted by Matt Braunger. Support NIVA at saveourstages.com.

Shout outs: Mike Carrozza’s upcoming album Cherubic, Sara Schaefer’s Grand: A Memoir, and Sam Tallent’s Running the Light.

Go Get Sara Schaefer’s Grand: A Memoir

August 11, 2020

News

grand, memoir, sara schaefer, simon and schuster

We love Sara Schaefer and her comedy for so many reasons over so many years. The attention to detail and the overall artisanship she puts into all of her comedy has been an absolute to delight to revel in whenever we have gotten to see or hear it. As such, she’s Emmy nominated for her writing. Also, her Hobby Lobby story on her last album Live Laugh Love is one of the best, most thoughtful stories we’ve heard in stand-up in recent memory.

Schaefer’s latest work is a cleverly wrought memoir, Grand: A Memoir. It follows Schaefer’s journey going rafting on a vacation with her sister through the Grand Canyon as someone who is both afraid of whitewater rafting and reflects on a life-altering family scandal throughout holding on for dear life on a turbulent raft. The way that Sara weaves own internal dilemmas and psyche through narrative is quite beautiful and makes Grand really stand out from most comedian memoirs.

Grand: A Memoir is out today, fresh off the presses from Simon & Schuster and you can (and should) go get it here.

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