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You Can (and Should) Binge All of “Robbie”

May 12, 2020
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anthony king, beau bridges, comedy central, mary holland, robbie, rory scovel, sasheer zamata, scott moran, stu jenkins

In the comedic tradition of seeing idiots not getting what they want, Rory Scovel revels in his starring role in Robbie. Akin to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the schemes of Scovel’s Robbie seem to be doomed from the start and the inevitable approach of his consequential failure is pretty damn ridiculous and fun. Also, Scovel and company (Stu Jenkins, Scott Moran, and Anthony King) have really showcased how fun it can be to watch someone who deserves to lose do so at every turn.

In fact, Robbie has the uncanny ability to screw things up just when they couldn’t be screwed up any further with Sasheer Zamata, who plays his co-parent Ava, and especially Beau Bridges who plays his dad, Robbie Sr./Coach. If you’ve ever seen Scovel do stand-up and go into one of his myriad of wild characters, we picture Robbie as a glorious, extended version of that.

We’d like to note that the hilariously offbeat-ness of the dialogue and timing shine here (accented perfectly by the jazzy, single note theme song). Several scenes get heightened in their absurdity as a result, especially whenever Robbie is arguing with his girlfriend Janie (Mary Holland) who always seems to be having a slightly different conversation than the one being actually had.

Robbie dropped online last weekend in its entirety and Comedy Central was even nice enough to let the whole series stream on YouTube here allowing you to binge all 8 episodes in one fell swoop.

Natasha Rothwell Is Getting Her Own Animated Comedy Pilot “Malltown” at Comedy Central

April 20, 2020
News
abbi jacobson, comedy central, ilana glazer, natasha rothwell

(via Deadline)

Natasha Rothwell has been quite the hysterical scene stealer for quite some time now, especially in her role as Kelli over several seasons of Insecure on HBO. With her position as a writer and producer as well on the series (in addition to having done her own Characters comedy special over at Netflix), Rothwell has definitely been ready for her own show.

Thankfully, she is getting that opportunity over at Comedy Central with an animated comedy pilot called Malltown. Rothwell is even getting Broad City creators and stars Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson attached to executive produce. The show will follow Libby, voiced by Rothwell, and her experience in a mall that’s on it’s way down, effecting an allegory for America.

Of the sort of shows that can even go into production right now while the overwhelming majority of the continent is in lockdown, animated series are amongst the most feasible without having to get clever or relying on capturing Zoom meeting footage or something that’s self-shot. We won’t be surprised if a bunch of animated series get green lit in the coming months, but we’re glad to hear that a Natasha Rothwell vehicle might be one of the first ones to get a series order.

Please Enjoy This Recent (from the Before Times) Set from Jena Friedman

April 16, 2020
News
comedy central, jena friedman, refinery 29, stand up

Before everything got locked down, there was a good deal of stand-up done in the way where it used to be done without social distancing, going out, etc. One of those collections of stand-up that was recently released, Taking the Stage, comes from Comedy Central x Refinery 29 and just so happens to feature one of our all time favorites, Jena Friedman.

Jena Friedman has always managed to find comedy right in and around the edge. Impeccable writing, pinpoint delivery, and an unflappable sense of composure have served her dark sense of humor very well. While this set does revel in dark, prescient humor, it’s intriguing to see and hear it right now when, comparatively, it seems somewhat less dark.

In any case, Jena delivered a splendid set. Please enjoy her it here.

Ian Abramson’s 7 Minutes in Purgatory Gave a Preview of What Comedy Would Be Like During COVID-19 Pandemic

April 9, 2020
News
bobcat goldthwait, comedy central, experimental comedy, ian abramson, jon dore, maria bamford, michelle buteau, stand up comedy

When it comes to comedians performing without a traditional audience like is the temporary norm for now, you might have heard references to comedy specials recorded years ago from Drew Michael or Harland Williams (Michael recorded it on a sound stage for HBO and Williams stood on a rock in the desert and did his hour).

We’d actually like to point you to something that is an even more apt comparison and a pretty spot on precursor to what how live comedy is performed and consumed right now. The ever innovative Ian Abramson put himself on the map a bit with ultra-innovative (at the time) live comedy show called 7 Minutes in Purgatory where comedians had to perform remotely, though near an actual venue without any chance to hear the laughs of the live audience that was in attendance for the show.

For the crowd, they were treated to watching a live feed of the comedian in the remote performance space and got to watch them try and perform. If you’ve seen a stand-up comedy show on Twitch, Instagram Live, Zoom, etc., you ought to know that 7 Minutes in Purgatory gave us a preview (even though it was unaware of doing so) of what was to come.

It was and is a great show and a daring comedic experiment that had comics recalibrate their act, try a daring bit that leans into the format, or automatically go into uber self-deprecation (exactly like they do now).

As an artifact of the before times, it’s even more fascinating to see what doing comedy in the way we have to do right now was like when we didn’t have to do that.

Get into the Comedy Central digital series version of 7 Minutes of Purgatory, that includes performances from Michelle Buteau, Jon Dore, Maria Bamford, Bobcat Goldthwait & Caitlin Gill, and more here.

Watch Entire “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens” Pilot

January 25, 2020
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Several years ago, a music video for a track entitled “NYC Bitche$” by one Awkwafina somehow found its way into one of our recommended feeds. Brash, loud, and silly, we really dug it and was curious was to come of rapper Awkwafina. Perhaps, something that was a little more expansive to the tone and attitude was in store for the nascent rap star?

You might very well know that Awkwafina AKA Nora Lum ascended into film stardom via Ocean’s 8 and The Farewell and now, her own semi-autobiographical series Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens premiered on Comedy Central this week. The series itself, from watching the pilot, makes good on the sort of bold, fun spirit we had first seen out of Awkwafina all those years ago.  

Awkwafina really gets to shine as herself and it’s pretty damn fun to watch. So, get into the pilot, which Comedy Central was nice enough to put on YouTube, then make a reminder that new episodes of Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens airs Wednesdays at 10:30PM on Comedy Central.

‘Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens’ Renewed For Season 2 at Comedy Central Before Premiere

January 14, 2020
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‘Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens’ Renewed For Season 2 at Comedy Central Before Premiere

Comedy Central is doubling down on its latest series a week before it even premieres on the network. Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens is getting a 2nd season and the first season has yet to premiere (series premiere is set for Jan. 22nd).

Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens already has a lot going for it with the titular Awkwafina coming off a pretty great 2019, especially with all the accolades she garnered for The Farewell. It’s obvious that the network is looking for its next critical/commercial hit and we’ll just all have to wait and see if that will be the case for Comedy Central’s latest scripted series.

Certainly, the trailer shows promise, especially if you’ve been following Awkwafina since her exclusive rap days.

“Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens” Trailer Shows Off Awkwafina’s Expanding Empire Moving Into TV

December 2, 2019
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Originally, just a rapper, Awkwafina/Nora Lum has now expanded her reach into starring in movies (Ocean’s 8, The Farewell), both in comedy and drama, and, as of Jan. 22nd, leading off her own semi-autobiographical TV series about growing up in NYC as the one and only Awkwafina. 

From the looks of it, not only is this Awkwafina maintaining a wide acting range, furthering her star power, and offering up something that looks pretty enticing to us, but it also seems as Comedy Central has the perfect series to follow-up Broad City with. 

Take a look for yourself with the Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens trailer here, then look for the series premiere on Comedy Central on Wed. Jan. 22nd.

Please Enjoy Rachel Mac’s Set on Lights Out with David Spade (that Includes a Joke She Got Fired from Her Day Job for Telling)

November 15, 2019
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comedy central, david spade, lights out, rachel mac, stand up comedy

So, Lights Out with David Spade has worked in stand-up into their late night slot at Comedy Central and, it would seem, really letting the comics go blue.

Rachel Mac offers up a really great, hysterical set here that definitely wouldn’t make it past censors on nearly any other late night show that would feature stand-up. 

Mac herself dives into the nightmare that can be teaching affluent kids for some real comedy gold. 

So, please watch and enjoy Rachel Mac’s set on Lights Out with David Spade here.

Comedy Central Orders Bobby Moynihan Animated Digital Series “Loafy”

October 28, 2019
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Comedy Central Orders Bobby Moynihan Animated Digital Series “Loafy”

“Loafy, which hails from Propagate Content’s Big Breakfast, is an animated comedy about a weed-dealing manatee that runs a drug empire from his tang at the Center Park Zoo.”

Imagining Bobby Moynihan as a drug kingpin manatee is an image that is making Monday better (as we continue to be in the thick of LA’s fire season). This will be a digital series from Bobby as well as a pilot potentially set for actual television on Comedy Central’s cable network. 

Anyone else visualizing what sweater (perhaps, only slightly different from Drunk Uncle) that Moynihan might wear? 

Comedy Central and All Things Comedy to Make a Patrice O’Neal Documentary

October 23, 2019
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all things comedy, comedy central, documentary, patrice o'neal

Comedy Central and All Things Comedy to Make a Patrice O’Neal Documentary

It’s curious to think of how Patrice O’Neal and his comedy would be handled in 2019 if he were still alive. One might jump to a conclusion that the revered comedian who passed away in 2011 might be crucified. However, O’Neal might have ended up like his contemporary Bill Burr whose last special Paper Tiger was received fairly positively for Burr’s extensive self-examination after a very contrarian opening. There’s no way to truly tell, but O’Neal will be held up as a comedy legend for years to come even with much of his controversial material.

The prospect of a Patrice O’Neal documentary examining his life and legacy is fascinating and we can’t wait to see it.

Comedy Central to Stream 20 Years of Stand Up Comedy Over 24 Hours Tonight

October 17, 2019
Uncategorized
24 hours of stand up, comedy central, livestream, stand up

Leading up to their latest run of half-hour comedy specials for this year, Comedy Central is running back a score’s worth of stand-up featured on their network in a 24 hour livestream.

Starting tonight at Oct. 17th at 8PM PST, it ought to be one hell of a trip up through memory lane as you can see in this promo clip here. 

If you’re into this 24 Hours of Stand Up, you can stream it here on Comedy Central Stand-Up’s YouTube Channel.

September 5, 2019
Uncategorized
anna drezen, asif ali, chris fairbanks, comedy central, comedy show, free show, free taping, kate willett, moses storm, pete lee, rae sanni, shane torres, silverlake, stand up comedy, the satellite, tv taping, zack fox

Comedy Central is doing more rounds of their digital stand-up showcase Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring, which highlights nice and tight sets of folks that you both, hopefully, already know and love as well as some newcomers that you absolutely should know (lord knows that we’ve sang the praises of almost all of these four line-ups.

It’s free so long as you RSVP. 

8PM on 9/11 is already sold out, but you can snag tickets for the other shows here:
10PM Wed. Sept. 11th
8PM Thurs. Sept. 12th
10PM Thurs. Sept. 12th

FYI, it should read Jenny Zigrino and Logan Guntzelman where the flyers cut off.

South Side Renewed for Second Season at Comedy Central

August 29, 2019
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comedy central, renewed, season 2, south side

South Side Renewed for Second Season at Comedy Central

Today, both A Black Lady Sketch Show and South Side got renewed for a second season, which gives us a lot of hope for scripted comedy on TV and it genuinely looking more diverse, both in appearance and style.  

Also, congrats to Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin for creating South Side and bringing something delightfully offbeat, distinct, and probably what Comedy Central needed right about now.

‘Drunk History’ Gets a Season 7 and Comedy Central Signs First Look Deal with Co-Creator Derek Waters

August 26, 2019
Uncategorized
comedy central, derek waters, drunk history, renewed, season 7

‘Drunk History’ Gets a Season 7 and Comedy Central Signs First Look Deal with Co-Creator Derek Waters

Quietly, Drunk History has now become one of Comedy Central’s longest running series. Starting out as a full-fledged TV series in 2013, Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner’s hybrid unscripted-sketch-variety series has now run so long that it’s on its way to the upper echelons of Comedy Central’s long running programming alongside the likes of Dr. Katz and the early seasons of MST3K. 

Of course, Waters’ brilliant edutainment (that has spawned countless “inspired shows” or straight rip-offs) definitely deserves to go as long as Waters and Konner want to keep it going. Also, Comedy Central’s smart to keep Derek Waters around to see what else his delightful brain might want to develop.

Watch Trailer for Latest Comedy Central Half-Hour Specials Featuring Jaboukie Young-White, Sara Schaefer, David Gborie, and More

August 22, 2019
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Well, here’s your first look at and reminder of the upcoming Comedy Central half hour specials (now branded as the third season of Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents) for:

Jaboukie Young-White, Sara Schaefer, Vanessa Gonzalez, Joe Kwaczala, Charles Gould, Will Miles, Nore Davis, Tom Thakkar, Dulcé Sloan, Allen Strickland Williams, Mia Jackson, and David Gborie.

From what we can see, it looks like it’ll be a good season. Check for it on Comedy Central starting Oct. 18th.

Phoebe Robinson Getting Her Own Interview Series at Comedy Central

August 15, 2019
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Phoebe Robinson Getting Her Own Interview Series at Comedy Central

Comedy Central is really making a push for something in an interview format. Anthony Jeselnik already has Good Talk coming up at the network and now, Comedy Central has just ordered another show that will feature a comedian interviewing guests one-on-one, this time the comedian will be Phoebe Robinson, one of the 2 Dope Queens.

Obviously, Robinson will have a much different take, approach, feel, tone to her show than Jeselnik’s, which makes us wonder what Comedy Central’s ultimate game plan is here between these shows (and maybe even more?). 

It’s hard to say now, but we’re excited to see what sort of delightful panache Robinson will bring in interviewing people here.

Enjoy the Wild World of “South Side” in This Series Premiere Episode

July 30, 2019
Uncategorized
comedy central, south side

Comedy Central was nice enough to put the series premiere of their latest scripted series South Side from Diallo Riddle, Bashir Salahuddin, Sultan Salahuddin. 

This inaugural episode is very fun intro into a universe that’s absurd and silly and, at the same time, holds tight to what life in the South Side of Chicago might be like and how people, no matter where they come from, are just doing the best they can (even if that’s comedically ridiculous). 

See for yourself in the premiere episode of South Side here, then look for new episodes every Wed. at 10:30PM on Comedy Central.

By the way, Riddle and Salahuddin are definitely on the rise with this show and their other, high concept sketch show Sherman’s Showcase over at IFC.

Comedy Central Teaming Up with Sundance Institute for Two Fellowships

July 27, 2019
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Comedy Central Teaming Up with Sundance Institute for Two Fellowships

$10K, customized mentorship, and a “year round ecosystem of support” will go to two lucky recipients of the newly minted Comedy Central Fellowship (one will be for the Sundance Institute’s Episodic Lab and one for their Screenwriters Lab) over the next couple of years. 

If this sounds pretty nice to you, get all the details here.

Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik Trailer Aims for a Much More “Serious” Sort of Talk Show

July 25, 2019
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anthony jeselnik, comedy central, good talk, trailer

Anthony Jeselnik is not only returning to TV with a brand new show, but doing so in much more classed up (and more vulnerable?) way. 

Rather than all flash and histrionics of The Jeselnik Offensive, his new talk show, Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik puts on much more refined airs (just look at all that dark wood interior) and has Anthony, as advertised, having a good, “serious” talk with comedians. This will likely show a bit more of the ever elusive “real” Anthony as well as something a tad bit different in the talk show realm (you can’t imagine Anthony just doing a “normal” late night interview, can you?). 

Just see for yourself in the trailer here, then look for Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik to premiere on Comedy Central on Sept. 6th.

Please Enjoy Steph Tolev and Debra DiGiovanni Being Themselves in “Steph and Deb”

July 23, 2019
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Steph Tolev and Debra DiGiovanni are two of the funniest comedians exported from Toronto to LA in recent memory. Wherever they take the stage around town, they’ve always crushed it by unapologetically being themselves on stage. 

So, this Comedy Central digital series Steph and Deb takes a cue from that and fully realize some of their best bits and stories. Get into it here.

Julio Torres’ My Favourite Shapes Trailer Shows Julio Sparing No Indulgence For His HBO Special

July 12, 2019
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comedy central, experimental comedy, hbo, julio torres, stand up

Lots of folks are trying a lot of things with their comedy specials these days in order to, thankfully, mix things up, try something new. 

Julio Torres has got something really, delightfully out there with his upcoming HBO special My Favourite Shapes with Julio literally commenting on his favorite shapes and forms. In fact, it might just be the most lavish presentation of shapes ever, which sounds pretty grand for a comedy special.

See for yourself in this trailer here, then look for the premiere of Julio Torres’ My Favourite Shapes on Sat. Aug. 10th on HBO.

Ian Edwards’ Latest Special to Be a TED Talk Parody “IanTalk”

July 12, 2019
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comedy central, comedy special, ian edwards, parody, stand up comedy, ted talk

We’ve always enjoyed the sharp and clever stand-up of Ian Edwards over the years and we’re delighted to see that he’s throwing a bit of a curveball with his latest special, IanTalk.

Presented by Bill Burr, Ian will be doing his material in the style of a TED Talk presentation, but with “ideas not worth spreading”. See exactly what Ian has up his sleeve in this trailer.

Then, look for the premiere of IanTalk on Comedy Central, this Saturday at midnight.

Comedy Central Orders Anthony Jeselnik Interview Series ‘Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik’ to Series

June 25, 2019
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Comedy Central Orders Anthony Jeselnik Interview Series ‘Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik’ to Series

For six episodes that include chats with the likes of Kumail Nanjiani, Kristen Schaal, Nick Kroll, and Tig Notaro, Anthony Jeselnik will be an interviewer, perhaps on a more peer-to-peer level. 

In fact, this might be your best chance to see Jeselnik drop the “heel comedian” persona a bit/break kayfabe, but we can’t say for sure right now. The mystery of how that might go is intriguing enough for us to want see Anthony has up his sleeve this time.

Get a Sneak Peek at Full Episode of Comedy Central’s Newest Sketch Show “Alternatino”

June 18, 2019
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The Arturo Castro fronted Alternatino will be Comedy Central’s latest foray into sketch comedy and hopefully pick up the torch from where Inside Amy Schumer left off.

You can see a bit of whether that rings true for you with this full ep. that Comedy Central so nicely put on their YouTube channel. As far as we can see, there’s a lot of promise here with a sharp sense of humor that weaves in and around the modern idea of latinx identity and an explicit narrative arc, a rarity in sketch series.

Alternatino premieres on Comedy Central this Tues. Jun. 18th at 10:30PM.

And Now for a Clusterfest ‘19 PSA

May 24, 2019
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clusterfest, comedy central, comedy festival, san francisco

Comedy Central has been throwing a pretty nice shindig of a festival up in San Francisco for a few years and the latest edition of Clusterfest seems like it’ll be no different. 

Here’s Patton Oswalt, Ilana Glazer, Nicole Byer, Craig Robinson, Jonathan Van Ness, Jeff Ross, Guy Branum, Nick Thune, Quinta Brunson, Chris DiStefano, and Matteo Lane to give you a “PSA” about it. Of course, that’s only a fraction of the line-up (which also includes Amy Poehler, John Mulaney, My Favorite Murder, The Roots, Chelsea Peretti, Courtney Barnett, and way more).

Get more details about Clusterfest (happening Jun. 21st-23rd) here.

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