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The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 85: Skyler Higley & Where We Are with Adoption Jokes
November 10, 2021
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
adoptee, adoption, alanis morrissette, cbs, dave grohl, national adoptee awareness month, search party, transracial adoptee

It is National Adoption Awareness Month and, for those that don’t know TCB’s very own Jake Kroeger‘s story, he’s adopted. So, we thought it would be a perfect time to have both a great comedian on who is an adoptee and also talk about adoption jokes from the adoptee perspective (and how hopefully it’s no longer a punchline to suggest someone is weird or stupid).

That’s why Skyler Higley joined in with us this week for TCB Field Report all the way from Chicago. Skyler’s journey as black kid adopted by white parents in Salt Lake City and being raised Mormon all factors into a lot of the great comedy he has put out (much of which has found it’s way to Conan, Clickhole, and The Onion). It’s a great, deep philosophical conversation on the nature of identity and how it indelibly ties into comedy, even if you’re pretty in the weeds about what your identity is.

Also, “hot” takes on Alanis Morrisette’s CBS comedy, Dave Grohl’s Studio 666, and season 5 of Search Party being the final season.

Find Skyler @skylerhigley on IG and @skyler_higley on Twitter

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

Stephen Colbert to Host “The Late Show” Through Summer 2023
October 17, 2019
Uncategorized
cbs, late show, stephen colbert

Stephen Colbert to Host “The Late Show” Through Summer 2023

As Colbert’s nightly taking-POTUS-to-task has seen him rise to the top of late night, CBS is making sure to secure their late night star right up until the next presidential election cycle (after this current one for 2020) in 2023. 

The news, no matter if you read it or watch it or do both, makes it so hard to have any sort of sense with what’s going to happen in the next year and who will get elected (or reelected). With that in mind, CBS must be hedging their bets.

We do now wonder what The Late Show with Stephen Colbert might become if, let’s say, Elizabeth Warren were to become the 46th President of the United States. Less politics? More bits and remotes? Let’s hope we can get to ponder that idea more realistically.

CBS Developing UN Workplace Comedy ‘UNprofessionals’ Produced By Seth Rogen & Lionsgate TV & Written by The Sklar Brothers and Andy Schwartz
August 27, 2019
Uncategorized
cbs, seth rogen, sklar brothers

CBS Developing UN Workplace Comedy ‘UNprofessionals’ Produced By Seth Rogen & Lionsgate TV & Written by The Sklar Brothers and Andy Schwartz

Though it’s CBS (a place where that they haven’t been too keen on edge with their sitcoms), we hope that the influence of Seth Rogen, Lionsgate, The Sklar Brothers, and Andy Schwartz can make this show somewhat resemble the insanely funny scenes from In The Loop that take place at the UN.

If they can pull that off (and we have faith that they can), it’ll definitely be worth tuning in.

Kurt Braunohler Has a Multi Cam Sitcom “Dad vs. Father” in Development at CBS
November 14, 2018
Uncategorized
cbs, dad vs father, kurt braunohler, multi cam

Kurt Braunohler Has a Multi Cam Sitcom “Dad vs. Father” in Development at CBS

If there someone to subvert the tropes of the multi cam sitcom, it might just be Kurt Braunohler. 

Having hosted an absurdist game show, navigating the Mississippi River on a jetski, and driving across the country w/a giant double-sided butt sculpture, we can only wonder what Kurt has up his sleeve here. Also, we’re curious if and how his dads against dads joke might figure in here.

Hopefully, it’ll get a green light and we’ll find out.

Tom Segura & Christina Pazsitzky Get Put Pilot Order for “The Little Things” at CBS
August 17, 2018
Uncategorized
cbs, christina pazsitzky, pilot, the little things, tom segura

Tom Segura & Christina Pazsitzky Get Put Pilot Order for “The Little Things” at CBS

Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky, both very funny stand-ups in their own right (go watch the four Netflix specials between the both of them in case you’re not familiar), are now in development for making a sitcom based on their lives married to each other and raising kids. 

Fans of their hit podcast Your Mom’s House ought to be especially excited as there is a decent chance you might get to see them together on screen in a scripted series as opposed to just a recording studio.

Also, we’ll be curious to see what they’ll be able to do/get away with over at CBS (or maybe CBS is getting set to be a tad bit more edgy with their sitcoms?).

What Late Night Has Planned After Trump’s First State of the Union
January 30, 2018
Uncategorized
cbs, colbert, comedy central, daily show, jordan klepper, late night, late show, sotu, state of the union, the opposition, trump

The very first State of the Union Address will be delivered by President Trump tonight live at 9PM EST/6PM PST. 

Of course, late night will not miss an opportunity to get right in on the aftermath as soon as POTUS finishes attempting (maybe) to speak like an adult.

So, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air immediately after coverage ends on CBS (meaning it’ll be primetime here on the West Coast). He’ll have the hosts of Pod Save America: Tommy Vietor, Jon Favreau & Jon Lovett, 2 Dope Queens’ Jessica Williams & Phoebe Robinson as guests.

Trevor Noah and Jordan Klepper will go for a one-two punch by both going live after the State of the Union with The Daily Show and The Opposition at 11PM EST/8PM PST & 11:30PM EST/8:30PM PST respectively.

Oh, don’t forget that Jimmy Kimmel will being interviewing Stormy Daniels, the porn star that is making claims to have had an extramarital affair with Trump tonight as well at his normal time of 11:35PM.

CBS Secures Digital Multicast Rights for All 11 Seasons of ‘The Carol Burnett Show’
January 16, 2018
Uncategorized
carol burnett, carol burnett show, cbs

CBS Secures Digital Multicast Rights for All 11 Seasons of ‘The Carol Burnett Show’

It’s kind of hard to imagine that The Carol Burnett Show wouldn’t stand the test of time. It’s one of the comedy institutions on which much of the comedy you enjoy today, especially sketch comedy, can trace its roots back to.  

So, CBS has rights to digitally distribute all 11 seasons of The Carol Burnett Show however they please. Let’s hope that they put it up for streaming in the very not so distant future.

CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase Director Rick Najera Resigns After Harassment Allegations
October 27, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, diversity showcase, rick najera, sketch comedy

CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase Director Rick Najera Resigns After Harassment Allegations

Every day since Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and rape claims got a deservingly harsh light shone on them, it seems Hollywood has been cleaning house, corner by corner.

Unfortunately, every corner seems to need thorough cleaning. 

Yesterday, CBS made a statement that they have investigated claims of the man responsible for the CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase (a program that many comedians around the country, but especially in LA, work very hard to get in on) Rick Najera harassing performers of said showcase. 

Since this has become public, as stated above, Najera has resigned. 

What will happen with the CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase going forward and who will run it has yet to be announced, but we’ll keep you in the loop as more details emerge.

“Superior Donuts” Is Taking Over the Laugh Factory for a Night (and We’re Got Tickets If You Want ‘Em)
October 24, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, david koechner, hollywood, jermaine fowler, laugh factory, maz jobrani, rell battle, stand up, sunset strip, weho
image

Next month, the cast of CBS’ Superior Donuts (we’d hope as a TCB reader, that you’re a big fan of Jermaine Fowler) will take over the Hollywood Laugh Factory for a few hours and we have a handful of free tickets for you (i.e. all you have to do is enter the password “Williams1979“ here on Eventbrite). 

We do have more than a pair for all of you, but way less than a hundred, so get in on this ASAP.

*Laugh Factory’s 2 drink min. still applies

2017 Emmys Winners in Comedy
September 18, 2017
Uncategorized
atlanta, cbs, emmys, master of none, winners

Outstanding Comedy Series–Veep 
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series–Veep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series–Atlanta, Donald Glover as Earn Marks
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series–Saturday Night Live, Host: Jimmy Fallon, Directed by Don Roy King
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series–Master of None-Thanksgiving, Written by Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series–Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Written by Kevin Avery, Tim Carvell, Josh Gondelman, Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeff Maurer, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Jill Twiss, Juli Weiner
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series–Saturday Night Live, Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump
Outstanding Variety Sketch Series–Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series–Atlanta, Donald Glover
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series–Saturday Night Live, Kate McKinnon 

Take note of the following:
-Julia Louis-Dreyfus won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the sixth consecutive time
-Veep won Outstanding Comedy Series for the third consecutive time
-Lena Waithe is first African-American woman to win for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
-Donald Glover is first African-American man to win Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

See full list of last night’s Emmy winners here.

CBS All Access Picks Up “No Activity”, a Drug Cartel Comedy from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay to Series
August 2, 2017
Uncategorized
adam mckay, cbs, cbs all access, no activity, will ferrell

CBS All Access Picks Up “No Activity”, a Drug Cartel Comedy from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay to Series

What seems fun about this series, based on the Aussie series of the same name, is that it takes the dynamic of a “buddy cop comedy” to the next level. 

No Activity specifically “…follows two low-level cops who have spent too much time in a car together; two criminals who are kept in the dark; two dispatch workers who haven’t clicked; and two Mexican tunnelers who are in too small a space considering they’ve only just met.” It’s a buddy comedy on all sides of the law.

Ferrell and McKay’s Gary Sanchez and Funny or Die will be producing it with CBS to be seen on CBS’ digital platform, CBS All Access.

Since it’s a digital series and has a Ferrell and McKay stamp on it and the original Aussie star Patrick Brammall is starring in this American version, we are crossing our fingers that this will get to seem less like the multicam sitcom fare that represents most of CBS’ comedy brand and that another original cast member, the amazing Sam Simmons will be brought on as well. 

Colbert Announces “Russia Week” for The Late Show
July 11, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, late show, russia week, stephen colbert

When you saw that mysterious picture of one Stephen Colbert in Russia, it was unclear as to what exactly Colbert was up to.

Last night, Colbert announced that they’ll be doing a “Russia Week” a la “Shark Week” on The Late Show next week.

We have no doubt that there will be some gem remote segments of Colbert being let loose around Russia, so keep a close eye to see what exactly Stephen got away with starting next Monday and going through Friday. 

The FCC Will Not Fine Stephen Colbert for That Somewhat Explicit Monologue
May 23, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, fcc, late show, stephen colbert

The FCC Will Not Fine Stephen Colbert for That Somewhat Explicit Monologue

Finally, this FCC does something we’re on board for. 

Despite FCC Chairman Ajit Pai initially brushing off the blowback from Colbert’s comments about Trump in one recent opening monologue, thousands of complaints made them see if there was anything that could be subject to a fine. 

Since late night has a little bit more breathing room in regards to content, there was nothing objectionable that the FCC found and they have thus decided to take no action on the matter.

So, we’re going to count this as a win for Colbert, free speech, late night, and, as a whole, comedy. 

Colbert’s Late Show Midnight Confessions to Be Made Into a Book
April 14, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, confessional, late show, midnight confessions, simon & schuster, stephen colbert

Colbert’s Late Show Midnight Confessions to Be Made Into a Book

In addition to Colbert’s rise to the top of late night in these tense times, Colbert and company have found a reliable go-to recurring segment with “Midnight Confessions”. 

The bit that has Stephen Colbert in an confessional admitting to the audience and viewers what he doesn’t have time to do at an actual church is one of the longest enduring segments on the show.

Now, it’ll be a book coming out later this year on September 5th from Simon & Schuster. As the book probably won’t be just one-liners the whole way through, you’ve got to wonder what other sort of “confessions”, stories, etc. that Colbert will have in there. 

The audiobook version that will accompany this release ought to be a really fun bonus as well.

H. Jon Benjamin, The “Jazz Daredevil” Who Still Doesn’t Really Know How to Play Piano, Jams Out with Stephen Colbert and Jon Batiste and Stay Human
March 23, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, h jon benjamin, how to, how to not, jam session, jazz, jazz daredevil, jon batiste, late show, play jazz, prank, stay human, stephen colbert

One of the silliest things that H. Jon Benjamin has ever done in his illustrious career as a professional silly person is recording an entire jazz album with real jazz musicians without really knowing how to play jazz (or an instrument for that matter). 

The album was called “Well, I Should Have…* Jon Benjamin-Jazz Daredevil” and the session players really didn’t know what was going on before they started recording.

On last night’s Colbert, Benjamin did a rare live performance from the album with Colbert’s house band Jon Batiste and Stay Human as well as Stephen Colbert himself on trumpet*. 

*Stephen also says he doesn’t know how to play the trumpet.

Enjoy some top shelf goofing around here.

Also, you can get your own very copy of “Well, I Should Have…* Jon Benjamin-Jazz Daredevil” here.

CBS Signs Overall Deal with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Co-Creator/Showrunner Aline Brosh McKenna
March 16, 2017
Uncategorized
aline brosh mckenna, cbs, crazy ex-girlfriend, overall deal

CBS Signs Overall Deal with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Co-Creator/Showrunner Aline Brosh McKenna

We hope this means that CBS will shake things up with some new comedies that are on the order of genre-bending, high concept nature of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. 

If they’re letting Colbert curse more during his monologues, maybe they’ll start earnestly exploring territory beyond multi cams. 

Ratings Wise, “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” Continues Ascent and Colbert Now Edging Out Fallon
February 18, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, fallon, full frontal, late show, ratings, samantha bee, stephen colbert, tbs

(via Variety)

Holding the Trump Administration’s feet to the fire is finally taking precedence over non-topical games. 

Since her debut on TBS, Samantha Bee has almost tripled her ratings with her weekly show “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee”. Though trailing Fallon and The Tonight Show since taking over The Late Show from David Letterman, Stephen Colbert has taken a slight nightly ratings lead over Jimmy in these recent weeks after Trump’s inauguration and the whirlwind insanity of executive orders, overturned bans, resignations, etc. have dominated the news. Stephen has not wavered in taking Trump to task and didn’t jostle his hair when Trump went on The Late Show. 

That being said, The Tonight Show has got a bit edgier recently with having Jo Firestone play Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. 

Additionally, there seem to be an uptick in Colbert dropping F-bombs in the opening monologue as an appropriate expression of his feelings about what’s going on in The White House. There might not be a correlation with the new ratings lead, but it’s a shift in tactics from when Stephen used to just make fun of sidestepping explicit language because of being on CBS at 11:35PM. 

Going forward, Bee will undoubtedly get more latitude to do even more of what she wants and Colbert might just increase his lead with being a more defiant Colbert. We’re sure that’s the Colbert that will be hosting when The Late Show goes live after the February 28th Trump address to Congress.

For Bob Odenkirk’s Latest Meta Late Night Bit, He Makes a Movie Where He Trades Places with Stephen Colbert
February 17, 2017
Uncategorized
bob odenkirk, cbs, fake trailer, inception, late show, meta comedy, movie within in a movie, stephen colbert

For every Bob Odenkirk late night appearance, it isn’t satisfactory enough to just do a straightforward panel interview. 

The co-creator of Mr. Show has to sneak in some mischief in some way, shape, or form and Odenkirk opted for taking the idea of “trading places” and adding a Mr. Show-With Bob & David twist to it while on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 

Watch it here.

Stephen Colbert to Host the 69th Emmy Awards
January 23, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, emmys, stephen colbert, television academy

Stephen Colbert to Host the 69th Emmy Awards

Fallon has The Golden Globes, Kimmel has the Oscars, and now, Stephen Colbert will host The Emmys. It’s his first time hosting the Primetime Emmys, but no one should be surprised if it goes well enough for him to keep the gig for awhile.

This year’s Emmys will be broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Downtown LA on Sunday, September 17th at 5PM PST on CBS.

While the Emmys telecast will be on CBS at an earlier time slot than The Late Show, one can only ponder what Colbert might say or do with the Emmys podium and stage at his command and wherever we’ll be during the Trump Administration, especially since he’ll most likely be watching it. 

Watch Jen Kirkman’s Interview on Colbert Which Includes an Update to Her Tattoo
January 6, 2017
Uncategorized
cbs, interview, jen kirkman, late show, tattoo

Jen Kirkman is on the talk show circuit in promotion of her new Netflix special, Just Keep Livin’?, and is making it damn fun while doing so.

Watch her interview on last night’s Colbert and you’ll see why.

Jermaine Fowler’s Superior Donuts To Get Special Thursday Preview with The Big Bang Theory as a Lead-In
December 16, 2016
Uncategorized
big bang theory, cbs, jermaine fowler, superior donuts

Jermaine Fowler’s Superior Donuts To Get Special Thursday Preview with The Big Bang Theory as a Lead-In

It’s good to see that CBS wants to kick-off its sitcom from Jermaine Fowler (also a sitcom that’s noticeably different than the other new CBS sitcoms The Great Indoors, Kevin Can Wait, and Man with a Plan) by potentially having the most eyes on it when it first airs (The Big Bang Theory still draws huge ratings). 

This special preview will happen on Thursday, February 2nd at 8:30PM, then have the series follow 2 Broke Girls with a slot on Mondays at 9PM.

CBS Developing Comedy Based on ‘Totally Laime’ from Elizabeth Laime and Tami Sagher
October 18, 2016
Uncategorized
cbs, elizabeth laime, podcast, tami sagher, totally laime, tv adaptation

CBS Developing Comedy Based on ‘Totally Laime’ from Elizabeth Laime and Tami Sagher

Podcasts continue to not only stick around, but are getting mined more and more for TV adaptations.

Elizabeth Laime has built a mini-podcast empire from The Totally Laime podcast and has now gotten to the much coveted next level with developing a show based on her audio dispatches. 

Tami Sagher, who you probably saw in Don’t Think Twice this summer, will be writing the project with her and we can only hope that this makes far in the development process to offer some more contrast considering CBS’ new comedy line-up this fall is heavy on white male leads that have to put up with annoying millennials in Kevin Can Wait, The Great Indoors, and Man With a Plan.

Samantha Bee Reminisces with and Talks Wanting the Election to Be Over with Stephen Colbert
October 2, 2016
Uncategorized
cbs, election, full frontal, hillary, interview, late show, samantha bee, stephen colbert, trump

These Daily Show with Jon Stewart alums, Samantha Bee and Stephen Colbert, seem to be in the highest of highs with comedy hosting their own big time shows.

As such, when Bee stopped by on Colbert they got a bit nostalgic for both their time at The Daily Show and the days of their lives that didn’t have to focus on the election.

Watch it here.

Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, and Seth Meyers Are Going Live Tonight After Debates
September 26, 2016
Uncategorized
cbs, comedy central, late show, nbc, presidential debate, seth meyers, stephen colbert, the daily show

In case you need an immediate palate cleanser, just wait an hour (give or take a few or more extra hours depending on what side of the country you live on).

In order to get the very first jokes on TV about the first 2016 presidential debate, three late night programs will be going live after the debates. 

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 11:35PM on CBS
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah 11PM on Comedy Central
Late Night with Seth Meyers 11:35PM on NBC

For the East Coast, these will actually be live as opposed to West Coast delay, so if you have access to an the EST feed of CBS, Comedy Central and NBC, try and watch it at 8PM PDT.

Also, keep in mind that Full Frontal with Samantha Bee is airing on Wednesday this week in order to fully soak in the debate for their episode. #CUNW

CBS Greenlights ‘Superior Donuts’ for Midseason Debut
September 21, 2016
Uncategorized
cbs, jermaine fowler, judd hirsch, superior donuts

CBS Greenlights ‘Superior Donuts’ for Midseason Debut

As it had to go through being a pilot twice, we were worried for a second that Jermaine Fowler’s sitcom wasn’t going to see the light of a TV screen.

That’s right, Superior Donuts, starring Fowler and Judd Hirsch will go to series midseason for 13 episodes. Knowing how much truth finds itself in Jermaine’s comedy, we hope that this will be another multicam that just break the mold of all the multicams of yesteryear, especially given how much the rest of CBS’ new comedies represent those types of sitcoms.

Oh, the supporting cast also boasts the likes of David Koechner, Katey Sagal, Maz Jobrani, Anna Baryshnikov, Darien Sills-Evans, and Rell Battle.

We can’t wait to see what this becomes when it premieres.

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