natasha rothwell – The Comedy Bureau

TCB Debriefing 7/21-8/10: Roy Wood Jr. on CNN, Inside Out TV Series, Saturday Night Trailer+++

1. Roy Wood Jr. will be hosting his own topical panel show on, not Comedy Central, but CNN with Have I Got News For You. While The Daily Show did get Jon Stewart back, there is an unmistakable feeling that they missed out here.

2. Disney’s own version of Comic Con, D23, is this weekend and the big takeaway is that Mickey and company will be sticking with their big hits from Pixar in the form of an Inside Out series, another sequel to The Incredibles, and another sequel to Toy Story (which begs the question how much more existential crises can they explore through the nature of sentient toys).

3. Let’s call that a take 2 on Studio 60, but this time, from Jason Reitman that actually tackles the origin story of SNL head on (and it looks pretty damn great). Take a gander at the trailer for Saturday Night here, then look for it in theaters come Oct. 11th.

4. Adam Sandler took a big leap into the Safdie Brothers’ world when diving into Uncut Gems, and Josh Safdie is returning the favor by directing Sandler’s latest stand-up special, Love You (take a look at the trailer here). Let’s see if this leads to a Safdie Brothers slapstick comedy. Love You will hit Netflix later this month on Aug. 27th.

5. The High Plains Comedy Festival in Denver, CO is still one of the very best comedy festivals around (and is coming up soon on Sept. 19th-21st). Peep their first line-up announcement! THEN, go get your fest passes here.

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6. Given how truly insane the winds of change feels these days, a wave of absurdism/non-sequitur/unapologetic deconstructionist satire in a comedy special (as opposed to more litanies of crowd-work-fueled comedy specials) feels more than needed. Fortunately, Carmen Christopher has come through with his latest and very hilarious special Live from the Windy City that serves up many shots of all those ingredients in addition to thankfully showcasing Christopher’s stand up chops in a non-COVID-socially-distanced setting. If you’re any level of fan of I Think You Should Leave, you might recognized Carmen from a sketch or two and, as such, you’re really going to dig Live from the Windy City (after all, Tim Robinson does have his name attached to this special). Live from the Windy City is now streaming on VEEPS and you can (and should) stream it here.

7. While Abbott Elementary has the hearts and minds of America’s primetime viewing audience, FX is giving the high school work place comedy its own treatment with English Teacher from Brian Jordan Alvarez (that seems to have the same very satisfying bite that Election had over 20 years ago). Also, Sean Patton as Markie might be TV’s latest scene stealer. See for yourself with the trailer here, then look for the premiere on FX/Hulu on Sept. 2nd.

8. James Adomian, who voices many of your favorite adult animated series, is one of comedy’s best minds and voices and has been for years now. Thankfully, his very first hour special is due out on 800 Pound Gorilla on Aug. 16th and then, for everyone, on Sept. 19th. Please enjoy his retro comedy special trailer for Path of Most Resistance here.

9. After having some of the very best moments in season 1 of White Lotus, Natasha Rothwell is taking center stage with her very own series How to Die Alone, a comedy following a carpe-diem-turn for a woman who is afraid to fly, but works an airport. See what Natasha has up her sleeve with the trailer for How To Die Alone here, then look for it exclusively on Hulu come Sept. 13th.

10. Both Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney are leaving SNL, which means the new cast announcement for the next season might be big (and plenty diverse).

11. Ramy Youssef has signed a first look deal with Netflix, which is yet another step for the rising comedy star. Note that this doesn’t mean he has the answer to achieving peace in the Middle East (only great jokes about it).

12. Quinta Brunson and Stephanie Hsu are teaming up on a comedy feature for Universal. No plot details are available at this time, which leaves us to assume that it’s about a multiverse of public schools that also don’t have enough funding.

13. It’s about time there was a Mitch Hedberg documentary especially considering that he set an intention of telling jokes without references so he could be timeless. Keep an eye out for this doc from 222-2222 Films.

13. While Chloe Radcliffe is in Edinburgh right now racking up well deserved acclaimed for her marvelous solo show, CHEAT, let’s not forget that Chloe is really damn good at stand-up. See her Don’t Tell set here for proof.

14. Not only is the fifth season of Solar Opposites around the corner (Aug. 12th on Hulu) and it just got renewed for another season, but it seems as any lingering controversy with Justin Roiland’s exit is well in the rear view mirror. All looks like a well oiled machine in this trailer for the new season.

15. In addition to Sam Morril making his Amazon debut with his brand spankin’ new special You’ve Changed, there’s, essentially, a bonus track of crowd work/material available exclusively on newly forged comedian streaming platform PunchUp called “Buying Drinks”. If you loved Sam’s rooftop stuff, you’ll love this.

16. In addition to doing a sharply honed high school comedy, it would seem FX is angling on a Gen-Z version of Friends with their new series, Snowflakes. Shout out to comedian Malik Elassal has is kind of having a banner year in 2024.

17. We don’t know how many seasons What We Do In the Shadows will ultimately go, but thank goodness Danny McBride is getting to work on adapting his own vampire comedy from Grady Hendrix’s book The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

18. While a return to pure comedy might seem unlikely for acclaimed horror director Jordan Peele, him taking on prank series Scare Tactics is a welcome dip back into comedy. Look for Peele to possibly revolutionize prank shows later this Fall on USA Network.

19. We’ll leave you with this: Free tickets to John Early @ The Bellwether on 9/17 anyone? Yes? Hit us up at thecomedybureau@gmail.com and we’ll see if we can hook you up.

Get Into Mike White’s Latest Biting Satire at HBO, “White Lotus” (Teaser)

June 10, 2021

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It has been quite some time since the force that was Enlightened came through and perhaps helped usher in the dramedy portion of this latest golden age of television. Mike White’s corporate and self-help satire hit such a great nerve back then (and is still so timely ten years later).

So, we’re grateful that it won’t be much longer before we get the latest Mike White series (it’s still pretty astounding that White was the teacher that Jack Black filled in for in School of Rock) and it looks like it’s going to have pretty sharp teeth that are going to sink into the absurdities of, well, rich white folks.

Jennifer Coolidge looks especially splendid here, by the way, and if Steve Zahn’s last line in this teaser doesn’t hook you, then we don’t know what else to tell you.

Give this all a watch with the first teaser for Mike White’s White Lotus here, then look for it on HBO Max starting July 11th.

Get First Look at Amazon Comedy ‘Eulogy’ Special “Yearly Departed”

December 14, 2020

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amazon prime, bye 2020, comedy special, Natasha Legerro, natasha rothwell, patti harrison, phoebe robinson, rachel brosnahan, sarah silverman, tiffany haddish, yearly departed, ziwe

Though eulogies don’t really cross into the territory of comedy specials, this year hasn’t been a time for anything normal. Actually, 2020 is the focus of said special entitled, “Yearly Departed” and is a good-riddance send-off to the year that has and continues and will traumatize all of us living through it.

For 2020 getting kicked to the curb, this special has a marvelous and feisty line-up of comedy folks including Rachel Brosnahan, Tiffany Haddish, Patti Harrison, Natasha Legerro, Sarah Silverman, Natasha Rothwell, Ziwe, and Phoebe Robinson hosting for the evening.

It’s a roast of 2020 at 2020’s funeral and it sure looks like the socially distanced party had a hell of a time letting 2020 know what they thought of it (even though we’ll have to likely deal with so much of 2020 for a good chunk, if not most of, 2021).

Get your first look at YEARLY DEPARTED with its trailer here, then look for it to stream on Amazon Prime on the Eve of New Year’s Eve, Dec. 30th.

Upcoming Book “Notes from the Bathroom Line” Has One of Hell of a Line-up of Contributors

If you’re looking for something way in the future to look forward as a way to potentially have something to get you through the end of the year all the way into 2021 when maybe, possibly, hopefully there will be a vaccine that we all can get for COVID-19, there will be a magnificent collection of essays, poetry, toons, short stories, art, and so much more for well over 100 of the best women in comedy (from all corners including stand-up, writing, sketch, acting, podcasting, musical comedy, and more) in Notes from the Bathroom Line: Humor, Art, and Low-grade Panic from 150 of the Funniest Women in Comedy.

Amy Solomon (producer on Silicon Valley, Barry) curated the incredibly impressive literary gathering for this book and we really can’t wait for Mar. 16th, 2021 when Notes from the Bathroom Line is set for release.

Thus far, slated to contribute are:

Lolly Adefope, Maria Bamford, Aisling Bea, Lake Bell, Rachel Bloom, Rhea Butcher, Nicole Byer, D’Arcy Carden, Aya Cash, Karen Chee, Margaret Cho, Mary H.K. Choi, Amanda Crew, Rachel Dratch, Beanie Feldstein, Jo Firestone, Briga Heelan, Samantha Irby, Emily V. Gordon, Patti Harrison, Mary Holland, Jen Kirkman, Lauren Lapkus, Riki Lindhome, Kate Micucci, Natalie Morales, Aparna Nancherla, Yvonne Orji, Lennon Parham, Chelsea Peretti, Alexandra Petri, Natasha Rothwell, Amber Ruffin, Andrea Savage, Kristen Schaal, Megan Stalter, Beth Stelling, Cecily Strong, Sunita Mani, Geraldine Viswanathan, Michaela Watkins, Mo Welch, and Sasheer Zamata.

More contributors will be added down the line for a book that’s so much more promising than a lot of what 2020 has given us.

By the way, you can pre-order Notes from the Bathroom Line here.

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

April 20, 2020

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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.

For just an ounce of hope in something and an opportunity to see what should be an unforgettable night of comedy, some of the brightest comedy stars on stage and screen will act out scripts written by fifth graders all in support of underserved youth arts organization, Young Storytellers.

Tickets for The Biggest Show are $25 for student/$50 for adult (balcony) and $50 for student/$150 for adult (floor) and you can (and should) get them here.

Natasha Rothwell Upped To Regular On ‘Insecure’ and Will Also Develop Her Own Comedy At HBO

November 18, 2016

Uncategorized

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Natasha Rothwell Upped To Regular On ‘Insecure’ and Will Also Develop Her Own Comedy At HBO

You might have seen Natasha Rothwell on Netflix’s comedy mini-series Characters, but she’s now on her way to bigger things.

She just got bumped up to being a regular on Insecure, which just earned itself a second season pickup, and, even more impressive, will be developing her own project at HBO that she’ll be writing and starring in.

If everything goes according to plan here, HBO’s comedy line-up will have a much more diverse look than a couple of years ago.

While it’s a pretty bold statement to call something The Biggest Show, this benefit for Young Storytellers might actually get into some superlative territory.

Seth Rogen, Jordan Peele, Nasim Pedrad, Tony Hale, Thomas Middleditch, Natasha Rothwell, Charlie Day, John Cho, Yvonne Orji, Martin Starr, Danny Pudi, Busy Phillips, Max Greenfield, Georgia King, Kimberly Herbert Gregory, and hosts The Sklar Brothers will all perform scripts written by 5th graders for this Biggest Show.

Proceeds go to Young Storytellers, which is a non-profit that connects film and TV professionals with public school students in order to foster their own short screenplay.

The Biggest Show 2016 is set for next week on Thursday, October 20th at 8PM at The Novo DTLA in LA Live. Tickets for standing room are available for $25 and you can (and should) get them here.

Watch Trailer for Netflix’s “The Characters” Featuring Kate Berlant, Dr. Brown, Paul Downs, John Early, Lauren Lapkus, Tim Robinson, Natasha Rothwell, and Henry Zebrowski

February 1, 2016

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dr brown, henry zebrowski, john early, kate berlant, lauren lapkus, natasha rothwell, netflix, paul downs, the characters, tim robinson

Like they’ve been doing all along, Netflix is upping their comedy game by having an entire series of character based comedy and featuring some of the best in the game right now to boot.

Basically, Kate Berlant, Dr. Brown, Paul Downs, John Early, Lauren Lapkus, Tim Robinson, Natasha Rothwell, and Henry Zebrowski all get their own episode of The Characters, which is not unlike how Comedy Central does The Half Hour.

Watch the trailer for The Characters here, then look for all the episodes to start streaming on Netflix on Fri. Mar. 11th.