julio torres – The Comedy Bureau

TCB Debriefing 5/19-6/1: Hacks/Hannah Einbinder, JFL, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Fantasmas, Ali Clayton, Ali Siddiq, Clare O’Kane, Paul Scheer/June Diane Raphael, Am I OK?, Make Some Noise, Ren Faire, Jenny Zigrino, The Undervale, Steph Curry, Aubrey Plaza/Joe Wengert, Laid, Steve Carell

1. Well, everything is coming up Hacks (and, by extension, Hannah Einbinder). Coming hot off the heels of a blisteringly hot 3rd season, Hacks, has been renewed for a fourth season (Zaslav allowed a good creative decision to happen?). On top of that, Hannah Einbinder’s very first comedy special, Everything Must Go, just released its first special and set the premiere date of Jun. 13th on Max. Taped live at LA’s El Rey Theatre, it truly was something marvelous, especially as a goddamn debut special (the ingenuity, poise, and sharpness would make one believe this is far past her first hour special). Take a gander with the trailer for Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go here.

2. Just For Laughs indeed has filed for bankruptcy protections in Canada as they were operating with millions of dollar of debt to their name. They have begun the sale of select assets to ensure they stay afloat, which still sounds uncertain (THR).

3. Maybe you didn’t get to see Everything Everywhere All at Once in theaters (or at all for some ungodly reason), but thankfully, you’ll have a chance to see the Oscar Best Picture Winner in IMAX come August (Indiewire).

4. While Los Espookys is long gone, Julio Torres is finally on the track he should be on with nothing but accolades for Problemista and more magically real, beautifully funny absurdity with his HBO series, Fantasmas. Take a gander at what he has up his ethereal sleeves with the trailer here, then look out for it’s premiere on HBO/Max come next week on Jun. 7th.

5. Ali Clayton has arrived. She has done so in quite the fashion too with her debut album, Country Queer, that dives deep into discovering herself and her queer identity being from the South. Clayton’s drawl, warmth contrasted with her candor and vividly colorful writing is one of the best ways to kick off Pride this June. Please enjoy and listen to Country Queer now, fresh off the presses from Blonde Medicine here.

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6. It’s a rare feat to tell a story over the course of an hour and it be so thoroughly engaging that it makes for a captivating special, especially when it’s a hilarious take on your journey through the criminal justice system here in the U.S. of A. Ali Siddiq has not only achieved said feat, but done a hat trick with part 3 of Domino Effect, which might be the first legit comedy special trilogy that is narratively tied altogether. Siddiq’s poise and uncanny ability to find the comedy gold in his time going to prison are so solid that you kind of don’t notice the special is almost 90 minutes long. Please enjoy Domino Effect Part 3: First Day of School, now on YouTube, here.

7. Clare O’Kane is yet another shining example of someone who did write at SNL and has yet to show off their true potential in comedy (Tim Robinson anyone?). Fresh off Eugene Mirman‘s Pretty Good Friends Records, Clare’s sophomore album, Everything I know how to do, maintains a delightfully bubbly spirit while wading into the deep end of many personal anecdotes about polyamory, pansexuality, rejected SNL sketch pitches, sharp feet, and more often with Clare’s ironically silly flourishes. You can and should listen to Everything I know how to do here.

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8. Paul Scheer and June Diane Raphael are taking the next step in their ascent as a comedy power couple by co-hosting an awards show, The Humanitas Prizes, this year in September (Variety).

9. Speaking of comedy power couples, Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne are co-directing their first feature together, Am I OK?, that seems like it’s probably taking a lot of cues from early on in their relationship with a sort of lost Dakota Johnson finding that she might be into women after having nothing but misfires in dating men. See how close they come to real life with the trailer here, then look for it on Max come Jun. 6th.

10. Dropout might have gameshows better figured out than GSN as you can see with the season 3 trailer of Make Some Noise. This game show in particular has such a beautifully simple game, but gets many of the world’s very best improvisers to twist and contort the show into some Dropout magic.

11. Ren Faire, a doc coming to HBO seems like King of Kong, but for one particular Ren Faire in Texas. See for yourself in the trailer here, then look for it on HBO/Max come this Sunday, June 2nd.

12. A good amount of the country will have a chance to see the amazing Jenny Zigrino live coming up and a good amount of the country should not miss out.

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13. CBS’ Ghosts will have some competition at Netflix with The Undervale (not to mention that it will have the guiding hand of Dan Harmon as a producer) (Variety).

14. Let’s see if Steph Curry can best LeBron and Space Jam: A New Legacy with GOAT, Steph’s animated sports comedy feature (THR).

15. There’s more animated comedy worth keeping track with an animated series order for Joe Wengert and Aubrey Plaza‘s Kevin that follows a cat that wants to not live with humans anymore (THR). Not sure whether Joe or Aubrey (or someone else) would voice the cat, but either of them would be the perfect voice for an wonderfully anti-human cat.

16. The Stephanie Hsu comedy Laid that follows the mystery of formers lovers all strangely dying has gotten a stacked supporting cast now featuring John Early, Chloe Fineman, David Denman, and Andre Hyland (Deadline).

17.. Steve Carrell will be returning to a comedy series that ISN’T the revival of The Office, but, instead, takes him to a college campus with the producing hands of Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses (Deadline).

18. We’ll leave you with this: Sorry for taking so long. Turns out that running a theater while running a bureau is a lot of work.

TCB Debriefing 3/5-3/8/24: Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda, Problemista, JFL Montreal, SXSW, Alex Edelman, Good One, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, Steve Martin, Something Wicked, Noah Baumbach, Murderbot, Jermaine Fowler, Kenny DeForest

1. Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda is simultaneously a concession by Netflix to make up for continuing to let Dave Chappelle to be their highest paid TERF as well as a beautifully curated showcase of comedians from all ’round the world that are both genderqueer and so damny funny and proof positive of the healing connective powers of comedy. If you sit and watch the Gadsby-handpicked line-up of Jes Tom, Chloe Petts, DeAnne Smith, Asha Ward, Krishna Istha, Mx. Daheli Belle, and ALOK, you’ll see a different color of the fabric of humanity in all of its comedic absurdity, but very and incredibly human all the same. The observations and issues of all the comedians in this special may not be the sorts that you encounter in your own daily life, but their jokes exquisitely highlight a sort of universal ridiculousness of life (especially when it comes to the gender binary) that any open minded, open hearted soul can get behind. Of the comedian showcases that Netflix has done, this very well might be their best (and most affecting) one yet.

Please enjoy Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda on Netflix right now.

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2. Problemista is the sort of work that has to make one wonder what sort of magic did Lorne Michaels shoot down at SNL when Julia Torres wrote there. Torres and co-star Tilda Swinton make an unforgettable duo in a magically real fish-out-of-water, coming-of-age, critical immigrant tale that perfectly showcases Julio’s penchant for the subversive nuance in everyday minutia (i.e. pitching toys that have more dramatic tension and emotional complexity). Don’t be surprised if it’s this year’s Everything Everywhere All at Once (it is an A24 movie after all) with having all the trappings of an ambitious arthouse indie comedy that’s set for wide release on Mar. 22nd. Go get tickets to see and enjoy this treasure if it’s playing in your city right now right here.

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3. JFL Montreal is cancelled this year and looking for creditor protection (CBC), which means, for the first time in decades, there likely won’t be any sort of New Faces of Comedy handpicked by Just For Laughs. That said, it has been the reality for quite some time that JFL New Faces, while a prestigious honor, was one milestone on what is usually a still very circuitous road in the career of a comedian. The fate of JFL Montreal and New Faces along with it have yet to be decided, but we now wonder what will become JFL’s stake in everything else (Moontower, London, Toronto, etc.).

4. SXSW just kicked off today and they have a comedy festival that is alive and well with the expected stacked line-up of comics and shows including:

Aida Rodriguez • Andrew Rannells • Annie Lederman • Beth Stelling • Brian Simpson •
Cazzie David • Chris Fleming • Chris Gethard • Christina Catherine Martinez • Conan
O’Brien • Courtney Pauroso • Doug Benson • Dulcé Sloan • Dustin Ybarra • Erin Jackson •
Frank Oz • Hannah Einbinder • Ikechukwu Ufomadu • Jaboukie Young-White • James
Adomian • Joe DeRosa • John Leguizamo • Jon Gabrus • Jourdain Fisher • Judd Apatow •
Leonard Maltin • Lilly Singh • Lucia Aniello • Luisa Omielan • Lynne Koplitz • Matt Besser •
Napoleon Emill • Natalie Palamides • Nathan Macintosh • Nick Kroll • Nick Thune •
Orlando Leyba • Pamela Adlon • Paul Scheer • Pete Lee • Punkie Johnson • Rich Vos •
Rick Glassman • Robert Smigel • Samantha Bee • Stuart Goldsmith • Tone Bell •
Yamaneika Saunders • Zach Zucker

A.I. Johnny Cash & A.I. Friends Hootenanny • ASSSSCAT • The Comedian’s Comedian •
Entre Nos Presents Comedy Crossroads • Comic Relief US • The Creek and The Cave •

Doug Loves Movies • Famous with a Baby (and Other Sh*t that Didn’t Work Out) • Girl
Cop: A Clown Drama • Gotham Comedy Club • Hollywood Improv • improv4humans •
Maltin on Movies • The Origins of Whatever You Call What We Did with Conan O’Brien
and Robert Smigel • Reel Funny: Creating Comedy from the Director’s Chair • Riffs and
Riff-Raff with Nick Thune & Friends • Samantha Bee Presents Wits End • Stamptown •
The Street Meat: A Comedic Celebration of Food Trucks, Grease Pits, and Sandwich
Shops • The Unfinished Orson Welles Roast of Hollywood • Vanessa 5000 • Variety Power
of Comedy • Yamaneika Saunders Presents: Maestra •

5. To say that Alex Edelman’s Just For Us is critically acclaimed is kind of understating just how much acclaim it has gotten. It’s not often that someone at Alex’s age gets to do their solo show on Broadway after doing several runs Off-Broadway then tour all over the country, yet his special and Alex himself really had something, dare we say, special with the story of him infiltrating a White Nationalist meeting as a Jew. Thankfully, you and the rest of the world that has access to HBO/Max will get to see it this April. Watch the teaser for Alex Edelman: Just For Us here, then get ready for it be released during Worldwide Comedy Month.

6. If you’re obsessed with process in the art form of comedy, you might already be obsessed with Jesse David Fox‘s Good One podcast. Mike Birbiglia is one-upping the podcast by giving an unprecedented look at how he came up with a whole new hour/special/solo show from start to finish as a Good One documentary. Take a gander at what you’ll get to see, then watch Good One: A Show About Jokes on Peacock starting Mar. 26th.

7. Ramy Youssef has More Feelings (as well as a new special) and, from the looks of it, it’s going to be quite timely (you know, Ramy’s MO as a comedian and artist especially in regards to Muslim representation in media/comedy/world). See for yourself here, then watch it exclusively on Max on Mar. 23rd.

8. If you thought Jerrod Carmichael had left it all out there with Rothaniel, just you wait to see his reality show Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show that seems to be dedicated to the actual reality part of the Reality TV genre in a way that Vanderpump Rules or Keeping Up with the Kardashians aren’t. True to his form of breaking down form conventions, it would seem Carmichael is doing a docu series of the aftermath of his special and what he hath wrought in his own life and calling it a reality show. Take a look with the first trailer here, then immediately set a reminder for Mar. 29th to watch this on HBO or Max.

9. This two part documentary for legendary comedians is starting to become a trend. Garry Shandling, George Carlin, and now, Steve Martin with Morgan Neville’s STEVE! (martin) coming to Apple TV+ on Mar. 29th. Take a gander of the latest comedy nerdery must see doc here.

10. A new witch comedy, Something Wicked, is in the works with the one and only June Diane Raphael taking the lead role and Dickinson creator Alena Smith at the helm (Deadline). Fingers crossed that there will be some witchy Hotwives energy present in this show.

11. Following being roped into the box office boffo and critical juggernaut that is and was the Barbie movie, Noah Baumbach is headed back out on his own with his next movie at Netflix that will sports a shiny, shiny ensemble cast of Adam Sandler, George Clooney, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, and Riley Keough (Deadline). Those are all the details for now, but from how much we loved White Noise, we won’t be surprised with a jocular satire that feels, perhaps, all too relevant.

12. Award winning book The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells is not only going to be adapted into an Apple TV+ series (Deadline), but going to do so with Sabrina Wu leading off an ensemble cast of Tattiawna Jones, Akshay Khanna, and Tamara Podemski. A show following a sentient android that wants to watch soap operas will do well to have Wu on the cast.

13. The very next Foot Fist Way may come from Jermaine Fowler and Zach Bornstein, though trade out Tae Kwon Do for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Deadline).

14. We’ll leave you with this: RIP THIS Bald King, Kenny DeForest. Please watch and enjoy his last Don’t Tell Comedy set here.

Pick of the Day: Showgasm (in NYC) 1/11

December 26, 2023

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ars nova, experimental comedy, julio torres, nyc comedy, variety

Ars Nova, one of the most groundbreaking places for performance and comedy in NYC, is kicking off 2024 on Thurs. Jan. 11th at 7:30PM with their wild party staple variety show, the appropriately named Showgasm. The one and only Julio Torres will be hosting the very first one of the year and will undoubtedly have something very special and precious and amazing to send off Showgasm into 2024.

Another lovely reason to go to this pulling-out-all-the-stops show is that it’s a name your price show (starting at $5) where 100% of the single ticket revenue goes to the artist on stage. The suggested ticket price is $20, but, after two strikes and a pandemic, people understandably could be short on cash.

In any case, all the things seem to be aligning here for Ars Nova to be one of your first comedy destinations in 2024. Go get your tix at your price here.

TCB Debriefing 7/21/23: Harley Quinn S4, Barbie Previews Best of 2023, Solar Opposites S4, Rick & Morty, Problemista, Danny Masterson

July 21, 2023

News

a24, barbie, greta gerwig, harley quinn, julio torres, justin roiland, problemista, rick and morty, solar opposites, that 70s show

1. Harley Quinn, over 3 seasons, has managed to give a hysterical redo to a character that Margot Robbie has already mastered in live action DCEU. It’s one of the most subversive and raunchiest animated series on TV and season 4 is just around the corner. Take your first gander at the fourth season with this trailer, then look for it to stream exclusively on Max starting Jul. 27th.

2. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie scores the best previews box office best all year thus far with $22.3 million take between Wednesday and Thursday (THR). Going from Lady Bird to Little Women to Barbie, could Gerwig follow the roads of Richard Linklater or Steven Soderbergh and put her stamp on nearly every film genre possible? If that happens, we hope her body of work still ends up being mostly comedy because she’s really damn good at that.

3. Solar Opposites gives a more extended look/listen at/to Dan Stevens replacing Justin Roiland as one of the principal aliens on the show, Korvo, and being fully self-effacing about the whole thing. To be honest, it’s kind of really working for us. See for yourself with the season 4 trailer here, then look for the premiere exclusively on Hulu come Mon. Aug. 14th.

4. Speaking of replacing Justin Roiland in things, Rick and Morty are just going to cast soundalikes and not try to justify a whole character/voice change (THR). Knowing that many of the unprecedented amount of episodes that have been ordered and written and have yet to be animated (along with their still being a WGA strike right now), that’s probably the best choice. Best of luck to whomever will have to deal with Rick and Morty‘s rabid fanbase.

4a. Oh, let’s not forget that there’s an anime version of Rick and Morty coming out from Japanese anime director Takashi Sano and Telecom animation. So far, Morty seems more heroic and Rick seems less drunk, but there appears to be just as much multiversal chaos as ever. Get your first look at Rick and Morty: The Anime here.

5. The highly anticipated a24 comedy/Julio Torres vehicle, Problemista, which had been slated for release in just a couple of weeks, has had its release paused due to the double strike (Indiewire). This is somewhat ironic considering there is so much in Problemista that highlights how hard it is to make a living being a creative (especially if you’re an undocumented immigrant).

6. Fresh off of getting convicted of sexual assault, Danny Masterson has been almost entirely omitted from That 70’s Show activation at Comic-Con (Deadline). Whenever they get to That 2020’s Show, they better write a joke addressing this.

6. Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan should do the next AMC screening pre-roll because of the wild popularity of Barbenheimer and it’s irrefutable display of the majesty of cinema as well as that Nicole Kidman one that been overplayed for awhile now (and people still keep gleefully clapping for it).

A24 Has Their Next Fantastical Comedy Lined Up with Julio Torres’ Problemista (Trailer)

May 26, 2023

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a24, julio torres, problemista, tilda swinton

For 2022, A24 really pulled off some magic with having Everything Everywhere All at Once winning nearly everything it was nominated for and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On receiving heaps of critical acclaim and some awards wins as well. The exuberant imagination brimming through both comedies might be the tip of the iceberg with what lies ahead with their comedy slate including Julio Torres‘ already buzzy Problemista.

Just on paper alone, stand-out comedian and former SNL writer Torres made something eye-catching in his filmmaking debut, Problemista, that’s a magical realism/immigration/art world dramedy co-starring one of the greatest actors of our generation, the ethereal Tilda Swinton. Julio has dreamt up a story of an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador attempting to getting the right to work in the United States only to find that to be Sisyphean task guided/impeded by a manic art curator play by Swinton. Woven throughout are fantastical details and consequences such as immigrants vanishing from the face of earth if they don’t get their Green Card in order in an otherwise very grounded universe.

Otherworldly dramedy might just be A24’s forte and we’re on board for it. See all of this and more for yourself in the first official trailer for Problemista here, then look for it in theaters soon.

Get Your First Look at Los Espookys’ Season 2

July 29, 2022

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ana fabrega, fred armisen, hbo, julio torres, los espookys, season 2

Long ago, in the Summer of 2019, Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, and Fred Armisen unleashed the horror fantasy comedy series Los Espookys into the world. The mesh of all those genres were only starting to come into prominence (and What We Do in the Shadows definitely hadn’t gotten its due yet) and Los Espookys, especially with the original voices of Torres and Fabrega, was truly unlike anything that had been on television before.

The macabre has never been this trippy and funny and, on this side of the pandemic, it might be the perfect thing for Summer 2022. You can see for yourself in the first look at season 2 here, which is finally coming over 3 years after its series premiere.

Then, make a reminder on your phone for Fri. Sept. 16th when Los Espookys officially returns, exclusively on HBO.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 69: Luke McGarry & No Straight Lines

July 21, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

animation, bo burnham, cartoonist, festival supreme, illustration, julio torres, luke mcgarry, mary tyler moore, tenacious d

Prolific cartoonist/illustrator/animator/musician Luke McGarry, who has done all sorts of wonderful comedy and music posters and art (including for Festival Supreme and MAD Magazine), joins in for this week’s TCB Field Report. Luke runs us through his winding path to being one of the go-to illustrators, especially when it things get imaginatively silly, and the wide, wide, very wide myriad of projects he has coming up (graphic novels to tour art to much much more). Also, “hot” takes on Julio Torres’ A24 movie, The Mary Tyler Moore Show doc, and Bo Burnham’s Inside getting a theatrical run.

Follow Luke @lukeymcgarry on IG and at lukemcgarry.com

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

Julio Torres Gives Ziwe Permission to ADR Lots of His Interview However She Pleases

June 7, 2021

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julio torres, ziwe

In a very short time, Ziwe has become noted for her interview style, which some interviewees see as walking through a devilishly fun minefield of getting baited on any sort of controversial topics.

Her latest guest on this past Sunday’s episode of Ziwe, comedian, SNL writer and Los Espookys co-creator Julio Torres opted a new, pandemic friendly tactic with engaging with Ziwe’s often sharply barbed questions by keeping his face mask on the whole time and encouraging Ziwe and her staff to ADR (automated dialogue replacement) any of his answers as to make them much more spicy and problematic.

Please enjoy how much this interview is augmented here. Also, you really ought to be watching Ziwe every Sunday on Showtime (or streaming on Showtime Anytime). Truly, we can’t say that enough for how damn funny it is.

Pick of the Day: Padma Puts On a Virtual Comedy Show 12/17

We told you that there would be plenty of big time comedy benefit shows for the Georgia Runoffs and, lordy lordy, there sure are. This latest one is being put up by the one and only Padma Lakshmi that’s very explicit in this regard by being called, “Padma Puts on a Virtual Comedy Show for the Georgia Runoff Elections: An Evening to Benefit FairFight”.

Stacey Abrams’ FairFight was instrumental in registering voters and contributing to Biden’s 2020 Election win and will undoubtedly be crucial in the upcoming special Georgia Senate Runoffs.

So, they tapped Padma for a live benefit show and she, in turn, got one hell of a line-up that includes:

Hasan Minhaj, Phoebe Robinson, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Peretti, Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, Benito Skinner, Mike Birbiglia, John Early, Roy Wood Jr., Julio Torres, Michelle Buteau, Patton Oswalt, Aparna Nancherla, Caleb Hearon, Wanda Sykes, Joel Kim Booster, Tituss Burgess, Meg Stalter, Patti Harrison, Nikki Glaser, Ayo Edebiri, Jo Firestone, Amber Ruffin, Dulce Sloan, Naomi Ekperigin, W. Kamau Bell, Mitra Jouhari, Sydnee Washington, Marie Faustin, and Andy Cohen.

There will also be music from King Princess, Perfume Genius, Waxahatchee, Brittany Howard, Local Natives, Aloe Blacc, and Cautious Clay.

Lastly, the evening’s virtual festivities will be hosted by none other than the Las Culturistas themselves, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

Reads like a festival line-up, doesn’t it? Well, we still can’t do that in person right now, but you can enjoy this gigantic Padma Puts on a Virtual Comedy Show comedy live-stream on Thurs. Dec. 17th at 6PM PT/9PM ET at youtube.com/padmalakshmi and donate to FairFight here.

Pick of the Day: Helltrap Nightmare x Nolympics x LA Tenants Union: Food Not Rent Fundraiser 11/13

Famed horror comedy troupe Helltrap Nightmare did so much leading up to this most recent election in support of local candidates and organizations. Thankfully, their work is continuing on with intersecting affecting change on a local level and putting on extravaganzas of live-stream comedy fundraisers.

This Friday, Nov. 13th, Helltrap Nightmare is partnering with LA local orgs NOLYMPICS and LA Tenants Union to support the Food Not Rent fund for their latest show. Rental assistance for Angelenos has simply not been enough during this pandemic, especially with the end of it continuing to be uncertain and this is great way to give relief to many vulnerable folks at this time.

Slated to perform for this Food Not Rent live-stream are: John Early, Kate Berlant, Everything Is Terrible!, Julio Torres, True Anon’s Bruce Belden, Liz Franczak, Seth Bogart, Jeremy Levick, Rajat Suresh, Nick Ciarelli, Brad Evans, Claywoman, Ian Sweet, Naomidrome, Lou Wilson, Thu Tran, Anna Seregina, Mister Wallace, Drac and the Swamp Rats, and more with hosts Meg Stalter and Sarah Squirm!

You can get access to the live-stream with a donation of anywhere from $5-$420 or more to the Food Not Rent fund. Do so here and make your Friday that much better.

Pick of the Day: Rise Los Angeles 10/9

October 7, 2020

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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.

Pick of the Day: Lorelei Ramirez-Art Is Easy-Citizenship Day Celebration

September 8, 2020

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benefit, bowen yang, julio torres, karen chee, lorelei ramirez, new american economy, new americans campaign

In honor of Citizenship Day (U.S.) on Thurs. Sept. 17th, Lorelei Ramirez will be doing a very special edition of her Art is Easy that will tie together comedy, art, and an extensive look at immigration in the U.S. It’s a hysterical, mind-bending sort of show unlike really anything that you’ve gotten to see anywhere else on the Internet (unless you’ve been joining Lorelei with their Art Is Easy live-stream).

Joining Lorelei will be the likes of such comedy and art luminaries as Julio Torres and Bowen Yang, both from SNL, and Karen Chee from Late Night with Seth Meyers. It very well may be one of the more enlightening nights of comedy you’ll ever get to experience.

This edition of Lorelei’s Art Is Easy as part of a Citizen Day Celebration is set for Thurs. Sept. 17th at 4PM PT/7PM ET. RSVP here (donations, $10 is suggested, will be accepted for New Americans Campaign to help mitigate the costs associated with citizenship)

Pick of the Day: You Had Me at New York 5/31

May 18, 2020

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benefit show, bowen yang, cynthia nixon, dsa, jaboukie young white, julio torres, nyc, sarah silverman

It’s more than obvious right now that we need a big change in many of our leaders, especially elected officials. The NYC chapter of the DSA is working hard to make that happen. They’re aiming to have four specific candidates to fill state level offices namely, Jabari Brisport, Phara Forrest, Marcela Mitayanes, and Zohran Mamdani.

To accomplish this, there will be a big telethon-ish variety benefit show called You Had Me at New York featuring a line-up that’s stacked on top of being stacked. Slated for this extravaganza are:

Jaboukie Young-White, Bowen Yang, Sarah Silverman, Julio Torres, Cynthia Nixon, Nina Turner, Philip Agnew, Patti Harrison, Jerry Paper, Larry Owens, Kate Berlant, John Early, Madison McFerrin, Aparna Nancherla, Nina Turner, Balún, Dynasty Handbag, Ruby McCollister, Cole Escola, Micheal Cavadias, Sarah Sherman, Chani Nicholas, Una Osato aka ExHOTic, Other, Jennifer Vanilla, Jeremy & Rajat, Tommy Pico, Joey De Jesus, Kiko Soiree, Simone Norman.

Subversive delights Lorelei Ramirez and Morgan Bassichis are presiding as hosts for the whole event and we can’t imagine that this night will be anything but unforgettable, mesmerizing, and, dare we say, transformative.

You Had Me at New York is set for Sun. May 31st at 3PM PT/6PM ET. Tickets start at $15 and you absolutely should go get tickets right here right now.

Julio Torres Reveals a Rejected Sketch and One of His Oddest Moments at SNL

September 7, 2019

Uncategorized

julio torres, late night, seth meyers, snl

Julio Torres is on his own comedic wavelength (ex. My Favorite Shapes, Los Espookys) and not easing up for anyone, which makes him all the more wonderful.

This clip from his most recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers is further proof of his otherworldly charm wherein he shares a sketch that he never got to make at SNL and how he freaked out one of the interns. Please enjoy here.

Julio Torres’ My Favorite Shapes Takes Prop Comedy to a Personal Level That It May Have Never Been to Before

August 13, 2019

Uncategorized

comedy special, hbo, julio torres, my favorite shapes, prop comedy

As we suspected, Julio Torres has done something groundbreaking with his new comedy special My Favorite Shapes. Torres has managed to make prop comedy vulnerable, deep, personal in the way that the rest of stand-up comedy has been for the last few years.

Prop comedy usually conjures up some sort of mysteriously big box that some sort of high energy comedian picks weird, often Frankenstein-ed items that are a visual punchline/aid to some cheesy one-liner. It’s so hackneyed that it’s often made fun of by many other comedians playing a prop comic that has some sort of breakdown in the middle of their intentionally cheesy set.

Every detail of My Favorite Shapes seems so stylized in a some sort of ethereal-80s-parallel-universe way, coming from the very soul of Julio Torres to be cleverly shared in little joke morsels. The shapes do operate similarly as any sort of comedic prop, but the structure and narrative of the show and the consideration to have this conceit of Julio “sharing his favorite shapes” brings into Julio’s mystical, weird, and wonderful world (that’s often in miniature). Also, for all the supposed pretension one might think is running amok in this special, it’s pretty accessible and self-aware of its own indulgence, which is a pretty fun gag in its own right. To our knowledge, we haven’t seen props used so frequently to such great comedic and emotional effect.

My Favorite Shapes, for our money, is something that will indeed move the needle forward for the art form of comedy. Additionally, we like the big chances that HBO is taking in comedy specials recently (Drew Michael, Feelings, Home Videos).

Go watch and enjoy and revel in My Favorite Shapes on HBO GO or HBO NOW.

Julio Torres Previews His Upcoming Special “My Favorite Shapes”

August 7, 2019

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Julio Torres has been having quite the 2019 with Los Espookys, writing on SNL, and his own stand-up.

Perhaps, his own upcoming comedy special, My Favorite Shapes, set to premiere on HBO this Sat. Aug. 10th at 10:30PM will be the biggest splash for Julio this year as he is doing an entire special where he, as the title suggests, presents his most favorite shapes.

You’ve seen a bit of what he has in store in the My Favorite Shapes trailer, but Julio gave an extended preview of what to expect on last night’s Tonight Show and it was pretty glorious.

In fact, Julio might have just brought the avant garde to prop comedy.

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

July 12, 2019

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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.

Get a Closer Look of What’s Going on in “Los Espookys”

May 28, 2019

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The trailer for Los Espookys already had us very excited for what could be one of HBO’s most intriguing new, high-concept comedies in awhile. Still, there is still plenty of mystery as to the characters, stories, etc. that Fred Armisen, Ana Fabrega, and Julio Torres have cooking.

Conveniently, this behind-the-scenes inside look into the world of Los Espookys just got posted and, we have to say, we’re even more enticed for what’s to come.

May 20, 2019

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Already, the trailer for Los Espookys has us hooked for the possibilities of what weird horror comedy that creators Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, and Fred Armisen all have up their sleeves.

The premiere will be on Jun. 14th, but you’ll get a chance to see Los Espookys up close and personal at The Regent downtown just a few days after. Go get your tickets now for $30 (they kick up to $37.50 day of).

Los Espookys Trailer Shows That HBO Might Have Some Special on Their Hands

May 17, 2019

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If you follow the comedy of Los Espookys creators Fred Armisen, Julio Torres, and Ana Fabrega, you’ll know that you’re in for something delightfully off-kilter with whatever they’re doing.

They’re bilingual comedy horror series Los Espookys is no different as it follows a latinx group that gets hired to give folks terrifying experiences (some of which might be a little too real?). This trailer really whet our appetite for this is so vastly different from anything else on TV right now. See for yourself here.

If you’re digging Los Espookys like us, make note of the premiere date, Fri. June 14th at HBO.

Julio Torres Is Getting an HBO Special

April 26, 2019

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We’re really digging HBO’s pick for their next comedy special with Julio Torres and his current hour entitled “My Favorite Shapes”. Everything about Torres (his presence, timing, writing, etc.) is so wonderfully unique and hysterical that an hour special will definitely be worth setting a reminder to watch.

Here’s a refresher, in case you need it, to show you why we’re excited for the arrival of My Favorite Shapes on HBO.

HBO Orders Spanish-Language Comedy ‘Los Espookys’ Written by Fred Armisen, Julio Torres, and Ana Fabrega to Series

July 2, 2018

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HBO Orders Spanish-Language Comedy ‘Los Espookys’ Written by Fred Armisen, Julio Torres, and Ana Fabrega to Series

Well, this is a much welcome surprise to find its way to HBO.

In case you didn’t know, Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega have been been off-beat English language comedy gems for quite some time and we can only imagine what will come with a Spanish language comedy that they’re writing with Armisen. They’ll also been co-starring in Los Espookys with Fred as well as Bernardo Velasco and Cassandra Ciangherotti.

From the sounds of it, Los Espookys sounds kind of like Atlanta on FX, but done in Mexico City and focuses in on trying to make it in the horror genre rather than rap. That’s pretty much all we need to hear to wait with bated breath for the first teaser/trailer.

Please Enjoy Another a Wonderfully Dry Julio Torres Late Night Set on Tonight Show

April 30, 2018

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Julio Torres has a honed a cadence and delivery that’s so deliberately dry and measured that his mere presence has your attention fixated on him. It’s a great thing to behold on top of his carefully constructed jokes.

Watch the set from last week’s Tonight Show here.

And Here’s Your First Look at “Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents”, the Latest Round of Comedy Central Half Hour Specials

September 9, 2017

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Julio Torres, Joel Kim Booster, Jenny Zigrino, Solomon Georgio, Sam Jay, Adam Cayton-Holland, and Shane Torres are just a bit of who you’re going to get to see grace the new season of Comedy Central’s half hour stand-up specials.

Even though it’s not called The Half Hour anymore, you know the drill.

Get a taste of what’s to come here.

Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents premieres this Friday, September 15th.

Julio Torres Puts on a Deadpan Comedy Clinic in Late Night Debut

April 5, 2017

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These days, deadpan comedy is having a bit of very satisfying uptick.

Case in point: Julio Torres and this late night stand-up debut on last night’s Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Watch and enjoy the silliness and stillness blend together effortlessly here.

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