netflix – 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.

TCB Debriefing 7/7-7/20: Bob Newhart, Emmys Noms, Hulu Comedy Specials

1. R.I.P. Bob Newhart, 1929-2024. Never forget that Newhart had the first #1 Billboard charting comedy album with The Button Down Mind of Bob Newhart. Honestly, can’t remember the last time that happened since then.

2. Noms for this year’s Primetime Emmys were announced this week, which saw Ryan Gosling get nominated for breaking a bunch of times on SNL and The Bear getting a record number of nominations as a comedy with almost no comedy in it (don’t get it twisted– it’s a brilliant, astounding, paradigm shifting sort of show). Thank goodness What We Do in the Shadows got nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. Their honors are long overdue.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES NOMINEES:
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Hacks
Only Murders in the Building
Palm Royale
Reservation Dogs
What We Do in the Shadows

Full list of Emmy noms here.

3. Hulu, alongside Amazon, is gunning for Netflix’s big comedy fish, which, this week, includes Bill Burr and Roy Wood Jr. At one time, getting an HBO special was the gold standard for comedians, then it shifted to a Netflix special. The time for some new standard might be nigh.

4. Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson (who we hope you would have seen in Under the Skin) take a different approach to facing off in A Different Man, the latest dark comedy from A24 and director Aaron Schimberg. This very well could be a hallmark episode of The Twilight Zone, but with what seems like a hilariously satirical twist. Please enjoy the trailer for A Different Man here, then look for it in limited release this Fall.

5. Inside Out 2, at $1.37 billion in global box office, is now the second highest grossing animated film of all time (Collider) only to The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Don’t be surprised if it gets #1 and if Disney Pixar has to figure out how to do sequels that cover Riley’s college and early twenties.

6. Oof, what a time for Tenacious D to cancel a tour and put all creative endeavors on hold because Kyle Gass said “Don’t miss next time,” referring to the recent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, during a concert. It almost seems like they will actually have to legitimately come up with the greatest song in the world to fix this mess.

7. Rachel Bloom‘s high concept comedy special, “Death, Let Me Do My Special” is going to find it’s way to Netflix (Variety). It’s kind of criminal that Bloom has gone this long without top billing after Crazy Ex-Girlfriend went off the air.

8. Star Wars, one of the most popular franchises of all time, went anime and now it’s Rick and Morty, one of the most popular animated franchises in the 21st century. Thursdays at midnight, starting on Aug. 15th, Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith will be a bit more stylistically animated and probably even zanier with this anime bent to the series from Takashi Sano. Adult Swim will be airing both English and Japanese language versions. Take a gander at the trailer here.

9. Futurama just keeps Futurama-ing (perfectly skewering the present time thousands of years in the future) and we like it that way. Peep the trailer for season 12 here, due out July 29th on Hulu.

10. The one and only Margaret Cho has just been bestowed the Vanguard Artist-in-Residence at Joe’s Pub that will allow her to handpick and personally curate a fair chunk of programming at one of NYC and NYC comedy’s most cherished stages (THR). Maybe this’ll lead to Cho opening up her own venue at some point?

11. There’s quite a bit major reshuffling in LA comedy theaters over the last couple of weeks. The Ledge Theatre in LA is coming to a close at the end of this month with The Pack Theater relocating from The Broadwater in Hollywood to their current space in Los Feliz. There’s a lot of dust to be pardoned here, but make sure to go support the Ledge while you still can and patronize the Pack when it gets up and running just a few doors down from The Clubhouse.

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12. Variety announced it’s first Comics to Watch line-up that would have to forego a victory lap at JFL Montreal. Hats off to this year’s picks Asif Ali, Ralph Barbosa, Jackie Fabulous, Rachel Feinstein, Tina Friml, Troy Iwata, Preacher Lawson, Leslie Liao, Nathan Macintosh, and Saul Trujillo, all comics that you have probably seen on TV more than a few times already or come up endlessly in one of your social media feeds.

13. Those missing Darcy C’Arden and Will Forte on the reg, fret not, as they will be the stars of a dramedy following a tanning business gone out-of-control called Sunny Nights (Deadline). One tiny detail is that it’ll be streaming on Aussie streamer, Stan, so, umm, you’re going to have to find a way to get access to that.

14. Jennifer Lawrence is staying in the comedy lane with Why Don’t You Love Me? (Indiewire). It’ll be from A24, so, as a comedy, you can count on reality probably being bent in some way shape or form (and we’re here for it).

15. Upcoming Tubi comedy series, Z-Suite (has nothing to do with zombies unfortunately), possibly sounds like a PG-rated update of The Lord of the Flies (Deadline) with Gen-Z’ers suddenly in charge at a NYC ad agency.

16. We’ll leave you with this: Mr. Show might play differently with Jay Johnston with being a Jan. 6th insurrectionist.

TCB Debriefing 4/26-5/3: SF Sketchfest, Ian Abramson, Dave Merheje, Peabody Awards, Alex Edelman/Tonys, Keke Palmer/SZA, Scooby Doo, Chonga Girls, The Ugly Stepsister, Netflix, Jerry Seinfeld

May 3, 2024 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

alex edelman, chonga girls, dave merheje, ian abramson, jerry seinfeld, keke palmer, netflix, peabody awards, scooby doo, sf sketchfest, sza, ugly stepsister

1. SF Sketchfest, one of the biggest comedy festivals in the entire world, is now taking submissions for (pretty much) anything and everything for next year’s festival (Jan. 16th-Feb. 2nd). Find out more details, deadlines, submission fees, and more at sfsketchfest.com/get-involved.

2. Ian Abramson has told jokes in a shock collars controlled by the audience, challenged comedians to perform in an empty space while an audience watch a live feed from a remote location (and this was well before the pandemic), and even created his own DIY version of SNL when COVID-19 indefinitely postponed Saturday Night Live in 2020. With such daring feats, it’s almost unbelievable that Ian hasn’t done the simple, tried and true format of a comedy special (especially since Ian is one of the most original and purely silly comedians working today). Thank goodness for Heist, Ian’s first hour special that was just released by Comedy Dynamics, which, effectively is a greatest hits of the beautifully intricate absurdist comedy that Ian has perfected. Many a time there is a dual joy to be had from an Abramson bit in the mere spectacle of him being able to do it (or survive it in the case of the shock collar) and how surreally and deeply funny it really is. Suffice it to say that if you’re pining for the stand-up of 70s Steve Martin, get into everything Ian Abramson right now.

3. Dave Merheje continues his well deserved ascent in comedy with a killer Don’t Tell set. Per usual, Dave blurs the line between being off-the-cuff and doing material better than almost anyone since he’s so extremely present on stage. Please enjoy his set here.

4. The Career Achievement and Trailblazer Award for this year’s Peabody Awards are going to comedy with the honors going to the comedy legend Mel Brooks and potential comedy legend in the making Quinta Brunson (Variety).

5. Alex Edelman will be getting the T of EGOT covered very soon because of the brilliance of Just For Us.

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6. Don’t be surprised if the upcoming Keke Palmer and SZA buddy comedy from Issa Rae is the buddy comedy you didn’t know you were waiting several years for (Deadline).

7. Though it’s far from a sure thing, Tinseltown is dead set on cashing in on live action versions of animated IP, hence another go at a live action Scooby Doo (Deadline).

8. Fingers crossed that The Chonga Girls will have the magical ingredient to make multicam work (it’s a long way to fall from Seinfeld to Big Bang Theory, FYI) as a concept again with their CBS project in development (Deadline)

9. If you were wondering if there was going to be some sort of gritty reboot of all the Disney canon following Winnie the Poo: Blood and Honey, indeed that is a thing. Just check the villain origin story vehicle that is The Ugly Stepsister coming as the first feature from Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt (Variety).

10. Netflix is sticking with their stars by giving specials to pretty their biggest stars (that don’t keep tripling down on problematic trans jokes) Ali Wong, Bert Kreischer, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy and Michelle Buteau. Wonder if they’ll ever get back to their roots when started off with a not-yet-famous Ali Wong, Tom Segura, and Jen Kirkman.

11. We’ll leave you with this: Jerry Seinfeld is still not over not being able to do his iPhone bit at colleges?

TCB Debriefing 4/14-4/19/24: The Office, Nikki Glaser, WGA Awards, Hacks, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, The Chair Company, David Jonsson

April 19, 2024 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

chair company, david jonsson, hacks, netflix, nikki glaser, queer comedy, the office, wga awards

1. So, one, the possibility of a new version of The Office from Greg Daniels and Michael Koman is coming closer and closer to fruition and two, this possibly new Office, will star Domnhall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore (Deadline). The enduring popularity of the U.S. iteration of The Office across generations almost definitively makes it more popular than previous sitcom monoliths like Seinfeld and Friends, but one has to wonder if a new Office is going to be like What We Do in the Shadows brilliantly spinning off the movie or more like Joey. The casting of Gleeson and Impacciatore is curious as it feels as though Scranton, PA will not be where this new Office will be set. Are they going back to the UK? Will it be in the EU? Maybe it’ll be in somewhere even more removed (Topeka, KS?). We probably won’t have to wait too long as we’re guessing this will be fast tracked through development.

2. Thank goodness we’re getting a new hour special from Nikki Glaser, who, for our money, has one of the best joke deliveries in comedy today. Coming soon to HBO will be her lovingly titled new hour, Someday You’ll Die, and you can see what we’re saying just in this trailer here. Look for the hour to premiere on HBO on May 11th (and presumably be on Max at the same date).

3. Comedy dominated the WGA Awards (i.e. won outside of the comedy specific categories) this year. The comedy winners are as follows:

Comedy Series–The Bear

Original Screenplay-The Holdovers

Adapted Screenplay-American Fiction

Episodic Comedy–Poker Face

Comedy Variety/Talk Series–Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Comedy Variety/Sketch Series–I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson

Comedy/Variety Special–Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love

Animation-The Simpsons

TV & New Media Motion Pictures-Quiz Lady

Thank goodness I Think You Should Leave is finally getting its due. See the full list of winners here.

4. One of the best comedies about stand-up comedy in quite some time, Hacks, with award worthy turns from Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder is finally returning for its third season. Behold its first trailer here, then look for .

5. Netflix is starting the corporate push for Pride Month early with the trailer for their doc about queer comedy pioneers, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, due out Jun. 18th. Take a gander at what will be important stories/history lessons from Todd Glass, Margaret Cho, Guy Branum, Bob the Drag Queen, and so many more here.

6. We were already sold on Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin’s HBO project, The Chair Company, by virtue of the fact that Robinson and Kanin, but this pilot has gotten even more intriguing with the addition of frequent John Early/Kate Berlant collaborator Andrew DeYoung coming on to direct and EP (Deadline).

7. From the ultra charming Rye Lane to making his very own show, things are coming up David Jonsson (Deadline).

8. We’ll leave you with this: Maybe Rob Schneider isn’t for anyone?

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.

TCB Debriefing 1/25/24-1/26/24: Jacqueline Novak, George Carlin/AI, Rachel Kaly, JFL Moontower Austin, Solar Opposites, Honey Don’t

January 26, 2024 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

ai, george carlin, honey don't, jacqueline novak, jfl moontower, netflix, rachel kaly, solar opposites

1. Over the last several years, we have had the expressed privilege of seeing the profound comedic mind of one Jacquline Novak fine tune what is now a transcendent victory lap of the most poetic defense of a certain type of fellatio (and female agency within sexual congress). The first iterations of Get On Your Knees started pre-pandemic, then, well, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and then, after some time, Jacqueline embarked on and off again with this brilliant, most poetic hour of comedy, doused in heather gray, a simple canvas to Jackie’s exuberance and litany of philosophies behind blowjobs and everything else in the orbit of BJs. The special edition of Get on Your Knees is the culmination of years of Novak’s unstoppable enthusiasm, a true testament to her will as a performer and the splendor of this particular hour.

Even though we’ve seen it live three times already, we still laughed heartily right out the gate with “the Hound’s Way”. So, without further delay, please enjoy Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees on Netflix now.

2. The George Carlin Estate is officially suing over the AI generated George Carlin special that came out earlier this month (NBC News). Undoubtedly, this will set precedent for AI generated comedy and, honestly, it only makes sense that Carlin is still setting benchmarks well after he’s left this mortal coil.

3. Rachel Kaly impromptu free-styling (or kind of just talking?) over a Hamilton karaoke after blistering rounds of crowd work is kind of pure joy. Please enjoy it here.

4. Moontower Just For Laughs Austin, MFJLA, the amalgamation of Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival and JFL, just announced their 2024 line-up. What a world we live in where Andrew Schulz and Shane Gillis get a bigger font than The State. Badges are on sale right now.

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5. Last year, it was Harley Quinn, this year it’s Solar Opposites that have you covered if you’re apathetic about Valentine’s Day. Take a gander at the trailer for the Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day Special, set to premiere on Feb. 5th exclusively on Hulu.

6. If Aubrey Plaza, Margaret Qualley, and one of the Coen Brothers are making a comedy together, the question one might be wondering is how dark will this comedy be? Guess we shall see soon enough with Honey Don’t (Deadline).

7. We’ll leave you with this: Who knew that George Carlin and Taylor Swift would be fighting on a united front?

TCB Debriefing 12/14 & 12/15/23: Blair Socci, Poor Things, Carol and the End of the World, Critics Choice/Spirit Awards/Black List, You’re Dating a Narcissist

December 15, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

blair socci, carol and the end of the world, comedy special, critics choice awards, dan guterman, emma stone, martha kelly, netflix, poor things, ramy youssef, spirit awards, the black list, yorgos lanthimos, you're dating a narcissist

1. The voice and the attitude alone make Blair Socci the sort of comedian that you can’t ignore, whether you’re paying for two drinks to sit at a cramped comedy club table or hanging in the back as a comedian. Socci’s delightful cartoon-esque voice and penchant for unfiltered truth are kind of a perfect comedic contrast. In her first hour special, Blair goes in hard on the follies of men, the Disney hegemony versus Only Fans, and, of course, the crime that is the existence of Triscuits and we’re willing to bet that you’d enjoy even if you’re the target of the joke because Blair is just that undeniably funny. Thank goodness a crisp, minimalist special Live from the Big Dog (even though it was shot at Hollywood’s Bourbon Room) is here to give the shine that Blair has deserved for far too long. Blair Socci: Live from the Big Dog is streaming on demand on Veeps. Peep it here.

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2. To say something is Yorgos Lanthimos‘ most ambitious work to date is truly saying something considering landmark dark comedies The Lobster and The Favourite are also in his filmography. Yet, Poor Things boldly stands tall and dreams as absurdly big as possible, highlighting everything beautiful and grotesque in truly being alive (a la being reanimated by a obsessive surgeon), especially as a woman in 19th century Europe, or a pastel colored, dreamy nightmare version of it anyway. Emma Stone delivers yet another performance of a life time as Bella Baxter and Lanthimos sagely utilizes the talents of comedians Ramy Youssef and Jerrod Carmichael for the 2023 comedy that will stick with you, having you stew about all of it’s incisive and fiery commentary on, well, everything in life/society/culture/existence for weeks (and probably months) after the credits roll. Poor Things is playing in limited release now and opens wider on 12/22. Oh, you probably won’t hear a more unique score in any other movie this year thanks to Jerskin Fendrix.

3. Martha Kelly could very well be the voice of us all in the impending end times (and the lead voice in the Dan Guterman Netflix animated series Carol and the End of the World–get your first look here; due out Dec. 15th)

4. All hail Barbie and American Fiction for nominations at The Critics Choice Awards and Spirit Awards coming next year. Honorable mention for Poor Things and Bottoms as well. Comedy is running real strong this awards season.

5. Whole bunch of clear cut (and often dark) comedy in this year’s Black List, the annual list of the best/most popular unproduced screenplays, including the top script which follows a rescue dog suspecting his owner is a serial killer, Bad Boy by Travis Braun, and Alex Kavutskiy & Ryan Perez‘s super meta High Concept. Peep the whole list here.

6. Marisa Tomei, Sherry Cola, and Ciara Bravo are starring in an upcoming rom-com that hones in on a psychologist trying to talk a daughter out of marrying a narcissist, aptly called You’re Dating a Narcissist (THR). The marquee trio is enough to peak interest here, but the atypical rom com structure has us colored very intrigued.

7. We’ll leave you with this: OK everyone, how much longer are we going to woo and cheer for Nicole Kidman during the AMC pre-roll? It’s getting tiresome, especially if it’s coming right before something like Godzilla Minus One.

TCB Debriefing 11/28/23: Dream Scenario, Verified Stand Up, Eddie Izzard, Beautiful Anonymous

November 28, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

beautiful anonymous, chris gethard, dream scenario, eddie izzard, netflix, stand up comedy

1. Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario makes Nicholas Cage plays one of his best roles yet as an unremarkable professor that everyone starts seeing in their dreams. It’s trippy, terrifying, and all sorts of hysterical, but also cuts very deep into the human desire for belonging and community. Come to think of it, there is a similar vibe to Cage’s Paul Matthews here and his role in The Weather Man where Cage deftly plays someone who wants so badly wants to find meaning/purpose in his life all while believing his remarkable and ignoring how unremarkable he is all the same time. Dream Scenario is playing a limited release at a theater new you.

vvfv v2. Netflix’s version of Premium Blend for 2023, Verified Stand-Up, has arrived, featuring stand-up from TCB faves like Leslie Liao, Vanessa Gonzalez, Robby Hoffman, and Sabrina Wu. We’re pretty sure that much of the showcase series has sets so good that you’ll forgive how out-of-touch the name is.

3. Eddie Izzard is doing Hamlet all by herself in NYC (AP). Being a living legend in comedy, doing stand-up comedy in at least three different languages, running a football/soccer team, running for public office, and regularly running marathons just wasn’t enough for her, was it?

4. Chris Gethard’s Beautiful Anonymous has graduated to a full on subscription service, hence the name Beautiful Anonymous +. After 400 episodes, what started as an idea that Chris thought would bait prank callers has turned into one of the most beautiful, hilarious, enlightening, heartbreaking, comforting tapestries of humanity that has been committed to record. Yes, there is a tier that allows you a better chance at being one of the callers.

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5. We’ll leave you with this: Wonder if there will be shows that are marketed as “no-crowd work” for those folks that want to watch stand-up, but, under no circumstance, want to be singled out.

TCB Debriefing 11/16 & 11/17/23: Maria Bamford, SF Sketchfest, Nathan Fielder/Kimmel, Verified Stand Up, Eric Andre, Taika Waititi, David Letterman, Dex Carvey

November 17, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

david letterman, dex carvey, eric andre, jimmy kimmel live, maria bamford, nathan fielder, netflix, sf sketchfest, taika waititi, verified stand up

1. A slight break from the horrors of the world is coming because Maria Bamford is coming out with a new special, Local Act, next month, taped lovingly at one of LA comedy’s most intimate venues, Public Displays of Altadena.

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2. SF Sketchfest, one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals, just made its first (of many) line-up announcements, and it’s already more than stuffed than any stocking will be this holiday season. Take a peep at (many of) your favorites coming to SF from Jan. 18th-Feb. 4th. Tickets go on sale this Sun. at 10AM at sfsketchfest.com.

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3. Nathan Fielder calls out NY Times for correction for calling his acting “stale” on Kimmel alongside Emma Stone. Please enjoy Fielder looking like Leon the Professional and forcing Jimmy to call the NY Times after hours here.

4. Take a gander at the trailer for Netflix’s latest stand-up series that, per usual, has the most bland sounding, uninspiring name, Verified Stand-Up, but pretty great comics in Asif Ali, Dulcé Sloan, Gianmarco Soresi, Isiah Kelly, Leslie Liao, Nimesh Patel, Robby Hoffman, Rosebud Baker, Sabrina Wu, and Vanessa Gonzalez. Look for it on Netflix on Nov. 28th. *Please never forget that Netflix could come up with something slicker and catchier that could be translated into however many dozen languages they stream in.

5. Eric Andre is headed out on the road once again with The Eric Andre Show Live next month, which means America better get ready for a bunch of desks getting annihilated. Get tickets at ericandretour.com.

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6. Taika Waititi won’t be doing a Thor 5 even if the MCU wants to do one (THR). Given the reception of Love and Thunder and the MCU’s lukewarm 2024, it’s best that they go back to the drawing board for their next phase (or reimagine the idea of doing 10 years of movies that coalesce into one 20 minute battle scene).

7. David Letterman will be the guest on a post-Thanksgiving ep. of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after nearly 9 years after signing off from the Ed Sullivan Theater. Any takers on if he’s going beard or no beard for his big reunion?

Eight and a half years after David Letterman signed off as host of CBS’ The Late Show, the comedian is returning to the Ed Sullivan Theater on Monday, Nov. 30, to be interviewed by his successor, Stephen Colbert, for the first time https://t.co/fCYuTJnojI

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) November 17, 2023

9. We’ll leave you with this: R.I.P. Dex Carvey, who made his way with a full heart through the LA comedy scene over the last several years.

Dana Carvey’s eldest son, Dex, died Wednesday evening from a reported drug overdose, according to a statement from his parents. He was 32 https://t.co/KBC2hwNcIA

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) November 16, 2023

TCB Debriefing 11/14 & 11/15/23: David Drake, Chicken Run, John Oliver/Pūteketeke, Jon Stewart, Coyote vs. Acme, Jimmy Kimmel/Oscars, Kevin Hart

November 15, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

aardman, annapurna, chicken run, coyote vs acme, david drake, jimmy kimmel, john oliver, jon stewart, kevin hart, mark twain prize, netflix, oscars

1. Though self-deprecation is one of the most common modes of stand-up comedy, very few comedians are actually good enough to pull it off as an entire facet of their onstage persona. This is where NYC staple David Drake thrives. Drake’s debut hour, That’s It, special showcases the precarious balance that he achieves of savagely making fun of how crestfallen his life is, but being cool, calm, and collected about it all the same time. Drake’s career as an under-the-table mover or an existential love crisis involving some M or AO rated video game is shared with enough candor, but enough comedic/emotional distance to illicit big laughs/applause for the whole hour. Essentially, the simple, but very hard trick of making fun of yourself as a comedian is getting the audience, on an unconscious level, to know that you’re actually OK (but not so OK that it sounds like you’re flat out lying). A la the name of the special, ‘that’s it’ and Drake does that pretty flawlessly. Enjoy That’s It now for free at your convenience on YouTube here.

2. The charm of Aardman remains undeniable as the sequel to Chicken Run, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, unveils its first official trailer. Their charm as a studio is so strong with stop animation and delightful British sensibilities that we’d wager this will probably fare better than the MCU’s The Marvels and Pixar’s Elemental when all is said and done.

3. John Oliver succeeded in running away with New Zealand’s Bird of the Century contest as the Pūteketeke won with a resounding landslide to the tune of 300K votes (2nd place didn’t cross the threshold of 20K votes) (NPR) after doing a segment on Last Week Tonight, buying billboards all across the planet, and appearing on Fallon to promote. This is proof positive that American/British meddling in the rest of the world is alive and well.

4. Apple might not get away with citing “creative differences” in cancelling The Problem with Jon Stewart this year (Reuters). Stewart’s commentary on China and Apple’s business ties in China might amount to some very (deserved) hot water in Congress for the tech giant.

5. After being shelved as a tax write-off and drawing the ire of a strike-weary Tinseltown and Internet, Warner Discovery has changed course on the live action/animation hybrid Coyote vs. Acme being shopped around for another distributor, which should mean that the general public will get to see it somewhere in the not so distant future (Deadline). To add insult to injury to AMPTP poster boy, David Zaslav, preview screenings from Hollywood/comedy luminaries Phil Lord and Chris Miller only garnered praise making the attempted write-off seem even more brazen and ridiculous.

6. Jimmy Kimmel will return to host The Oscars in 2024 marking his 4th time hosting the legendary awards ceremony (Variety). That still leaves plenty of room to catch up to Billy Crystal and Bob Hope, but we honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Jimmy surpasses both of them (after all, his studio is only across the street from where the awards have happened for so long).

7. Kevin Hart will be the latest recipient for the Mark Twain Prize for Humor, one of comedy’s most prestigious awards, specifically awarded to a comedian that can be credited with changing public discourse with their comedy. Any takers on how many presenters will bring up The Oscars in their speeches “honoring” Hart?

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8. We’ll leave you with this: We’d like to wholeheartedly remind you that comedy is, truly and very deeply, subjective.

TCB Debriefing 11/1/23: After Midnight, John Wilson, Jenny Zigrino, Mike Birbiglia, HBO Fake Twitter Accounts,

November 1, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

after midnight, fake twitter accounts, hbo, jenny zigrino, jimmy kimmel live, jo firestone, john wilson, mike birbiglia, netflix, old man and the pool, taylor tomlinson

1. The newly minted version of @midnight, which will be called After Midnight, will be hosted by Taylor Tomlinson and have Jo Firestone as the head writer and Jack Martin from the actual @midnight as showrunner (THR). Aside from the Jimmys, Stephen, Seth, and John, After Midnight will be the representation for diversity in late night whenever SNL is not on the air (or if/when The Daily Show picks a replacement, presuming they don’t go with an old white guy).

2. Like his HBO series How To with John Wilson, John Wilson is pure human magic on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

3. Jenny Zigrino is a stand-up comedy force to be reckoned with. Go reckon with her on her winter tour all over the U.S. Get tix now at jennyzigrino.com/live.

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4. If you didn’t have the coin to catch Mike Birbiglia on Broadway (because you probably never had the coin to catch anything on Broadway), fret not. His latest Broadway show, The Old Man & The Pool, is coming out in Netflix special form on Nov. 21st and you can take your first look at it here.

5. Oh, HBO. How the mighty have fallen and resorted to spam Twitter accounts to troll reviewers (THR). The question now is whether Showtime, Hulu, Roku, or someone else will do a slapdash drama about this revelation.

6. We’ll leave you with this: Anyone looking to open up a bar, please do it right next door to any and all comedy venues, for the love of whatever you believe in.

TCB Debriefing 10/19/23: The Problem with Jon Stewart, Jon Stewart, Dilli Dark, Chris Rock/Kevin Hart, The Egyptian, Tix Winners, Beth Stelling

October 19, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

beth stelling, chris rock, dilli dark, dina hashem, headliners only, jon stewart, kevin hart, leslie liao, netflix, the egyptian

1. We’re losing Jon Stewart yet again. The Problem with Jon Stewart has just been cancelled before going into its third season with the industry’s most passive aggressive excuse of “creative differences” being cited (NY Times). More specifically, disagreements over covering topics such as AI and China lead to said differences and that should be a good indicator as to where Apple, a company so rich that it’s effectively its own sovereign nation.

2. Take a gander at the very clever Dina Hashem and her latest special, Dark Little Whispers, which will be the latest stand-up comedy offering from Amazon. Due out Fri Nov. 10th.

3. The Dibakar Das Roy and the title Dilli Dark might not mean much to you now, but that will all change when you see what the black immigrant experience is like in a dramedy set in India (spoiler alert: not to dissimilar to the one in the US). Hopefully, this will find its way to U.S. theaters soon.

4. Leslie Liao is, in our minds, an undeniable rising star and now is the time to go catch her ascent and brag to everyone that you knew her before whatever star turn is going to come her way. Good thing she’s on a global tour. Get tix at leslieliao.com.

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5. Chris Rock and Kevin Hart are two of the biggest names in all of comedy and are synonymous with the art form with two different generations (including plenty of overlap). So, why not play MSG for four shows? That’s exactly what happened and Headliners Only is the behind the scenes documentary that captured what that entire week was like. Take a gander at it here, then look for it on Netflix on Tues. Dec. 12th.

6. The Egyptian had a small run when Netflix initially took over the celebrated revival/arthouse movie palace smack dab in the heart of Hollywood a couple of years ago, but it has laid dormant for quite some. Come Nov. 9th, it will officially reopen, which counts as one more theater that Los Angeles didn’t lose during the pandemic (Indiewire). Fingers crossed for a 2024 Arclight Hollywood reopening.

7. Congrats to Darren Roth and Kenneth Rudnicki for winning our ticket giveaways for Ramy Youssef and Daniel Sloss this weekend. FYI, you just have to pay attention to the debriefing here for future giveaways.

8. We’ll leave you with this: If any network/streaming service is aiming to shake up late night/take a chance on a talk show, please go with Beth Stelling (if that something she wants to do). It’s criminal that she isn’t on TV most nights of the week.

TCB Debriefing 10/16/23: American Fiction, James Hamilton Album, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, The Daily Show, Dana Snow

October 16, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

American fiction, ast records, comedy album, cord jefferson, dana snow, james hamilton, jeffrey wright, netflix, scott pilgrim, stand up, the daily show

1. Jeffrey Wright has been doing amazing work in supporting roles from being James Bond’s American counterpart to a reliable scene stealer in Wes Anderson’s latest works. Wright is about to take center stage in what looks to be a formidable and hysterical satire called American Fiction from writer/director Cord Jefferson. Wright plays a down on his luck author that creates an “urban” nom de plume as a joke for a publishing industry that rewards stereotypes and ends up finding more success than he ever has. Maybe a 2023 comedy version of The Invisible Man? See for yourself in the first official trailer here. Then, watch closely for a December release in theaters.

2. NYC comedy darling James Hamilton has made one of THE observational comedy albums of 2023 with I Don’t Deserve These Deals. Oh, you thought that observational comedy was passé? Well, let the perfectly distilled minutia of Hamilton’s life delivered with such arresting cool assure you that comedically exploring “what’s the deal” with things is still alive and well in comedy and can be thorougly enjoyed by the most snobbish of comedy fans. Please get into I Don’t Deserve These Deals fresh off the presses at AST Records here.

3. Here’s the first, full length, full-anime/fighting game-effect look at Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (complete with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World voice cast). Mark up your calendars in neon and pastels for Fri. Nov. 17th when it drops exclusively on Netflix.

4. FYI, The Daily Show returns tonight at Comedy Central (yes, it’s still a channel whose content you will probably watch on YouTube the next day) with Michael Kosta leading off at the host desk.

5. We’ll leave you with this: R.I.P. Dana Snow, an LA comedy staple. who passed away this weekend. Service for Dana will be held at Tao Comedy Studio in Koreatown on Sun. 10/29. Details below.

TCB Debriefing 10/4/23: Beth Stelling Special, The Drew Barrymore Show, Chloe Troast on SNL, Moshe Kasher, Zainab Johnson,

October 4, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

beth stelling, chloe troast, comedy special, moshe kasher, netflix, snl, stand up comedy, the drew barrymore show, zainab johnson

1. The long awaited follow up from Girl Daddy, a special that will be remembered as one of the best of this decade, is finally here. That’s right, Beth Stelling brand new special, If You Didn’t Want Me Then, has just been released on Netflix this morning and delivers on the high expectations that were riding on it. Stelling is somehow even more self-assured in this hour (when that’s already her specialty), commanding the theater and anyone watching it as a special on Netflix with such ease and casual grace. It’s that sort of ever present sense of calm (reinforced by her choice of tea rather than the standard issue bottle of water on the stool) that makes her punchlines and tags and asides pop so acutely. Her continued, evolving portrait of herself as a woman in this day and age is so rich and full even though it feels like an old friend (albeit, your funniest friend) is just catching you up to speed over the last few years. Just give Beth her own late night talk show already. While we wait for that to happen, enjoy If You Didn’t Want Me Then now streaming on Netflix here.

2. The Drew Barrymore Show is now set to return after the debacle of trying to return during the WGA Strike, then rescinding the announcement. That said, her head writers Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon and Liz Koe have declined the offer to return as a result of not only Drew trying to get back on the air during the strike, but finding out via social media ticket giveaways (THR). So, expect at least one, if not a few, “very special episodes” of The Drew Barrymore Show when it finally makes back to TV

3. Chloe Troast will be SNL’s newest cast member and, as of this debriefing, the only new cast member to be added this season. We hope this signals a continuation of SNL getting weirder and wilder as it has with Sarah Squirm, Please Don’t Destroy, James Austin Johnson, and Bowen Yang.

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4. Some folks actually did get around to their King Lear during lockdown. One of those folks is the brilliant comedian Moshe Kasher. Moshe already has one astounding memoir under his belt with Kasher in the Rye and is set to release his next one, Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes, on Jan. 30th. Kasher is such an exquisite writer and storyteller that he shouldn’t have to make a promo on IG to promote the book, but he did anyway so you can enjoy something until the book’s release. Pre-order Subculture Vulture here.

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5. Take your first gander at Zainab Johnson‘s very first hour special, Hijabs Off, due out on Oct. 24th on Amazon Prime. It’ll be the perfect time to watch it as you probably also try to get two day shipping on whatever last minute costume you’re coming up with for Halloween.

6. We’ll leave you with this: Should we rebrand the term “gallows humor” as “2020s humor”?

TCB Debriefing 9/20/23: COVID-19 Gets Shepherd/Kimmel, Luenell, Ryan Reynolds, Ms. Pat, Nate Craig, Voy! Voy! Voy!

September 20, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

covid-19, jimmy kimmel, luenell, ms. pat, nate craig, netflix, ryan reynolds, sherri shepherd

1. Sherri Shepherd, Jimmy Kimmel, and the staff of a Steve Martin/Martin Short show all got COVID-19 and have had to postpone/cancel whatever shows they were doing (THR). This is great time to remember that “endemic” doesn’t mean “disease free”.

2. Take a gander at the Luenell‘s Netflix special, Town Business, with the official trailer. Curiously, not only is it presented by Dave Chappelle, but branded as Chappelle’s Home Team. Wonder if they have a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy with pronouns on that team.

3. Ryan Reynolds will be the latest recipient of the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter in support of Glenn Close’s Bring Change to Mind org, a children’s mental health NPO (THR). They would have to probably not invite Deadpool to this, right?

4. Ms. Pat will add judge to her resume by taking up a gavel and presiding over Ms. Pat Settles It on BET on Oct. 18th (Deadline). If there’s eventually some sort of competitive reality show that will pit Ms. Pat against Judge Judy and Chrissy Teigen, we won’t be surprised in the slightest.

5. Nate Craig, who released one hell of a special this year with Live at the Green Mill, has got some tour dates all around the country. Go get tix at natecraig.com/calendar.

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6. Another country is going to submit a comedy to AMPAS for Oscar consideration. This time, Egypt is going with Omar Hilal’s Voy! Voy! Voy! a sports comedy about a man with normal vision trying his fortunes playing blind football (Deadline). Honestly, it should get some sort of distribution deal on the premise alone.

7. We’ll leave you with this: Guess Vegas is still aggressively relaxed on their COVID-19 measures.

TCB Debriefing 9/13/23: Comedy Gives Back Healthnet, Real Time with Bill Maher, Strike Force Three, Luenell, Meme Fighter Hiring

September 13, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

bill maher, comedy gives back, healthcare, luenell, meme fighter, netflix, real time, strike force five, wga strike

1. Comedy Gives Back, the 501 (c)3 non-profit dedicated to serving comedians and the comedy community, has just launched Comedy Gives Back Healthnet, a proposed low-cost alternative to healthcare (a thing that many comedians have to pay for out of pocket or, often times, just skip altogether). It’s not full on healthcare, but it’s $200 a year for:

-Smart Virtual Care ™, where you input your symptoms to receive advice from GigSafety.net’s network of healthcare professionals who check your symptoms and recommend a plan of action.
-One free telemed appointment annually (additional telemed appts vary depending on level of care needed, but start as low as $25)
-Access to low-cost and transparent pricing for prescriptions (existing and new)
-Access to low-cost and transparent pricing for Specialists, Hospital stays, X-rays, and more
-Access to virtual mental health therapy
-Access to a self-led recovery treatment program
-Access to risk-sharing health coverage (at an additional cost).

Get more details at comedygivesback.com/cgbhealthnet

2. Real Time with Bill Maher is set to return to air without its writers since they continue to be on strike. (Deadline). This means that late night will now consist of Bill Maher and Greg Gutfeld, which is almost as sad as how long the strike has gone.

3. The other hosts of late night are staying union strong for now and are opting to a live podcasting taping with the Jimmys (Kimmel and Fallon) and Colbert on Sept. 23rd in Vegas (Variety). Seth Meyers and John Oliver won’t be in attendance making it a “Strike Force Three” event though proceeds from the taping will go to the hosts’ respective staffs. If they really want to sell tickets they’ll have the majority of the conversation focused on Fallon and the past years at The Tonight Show.

4. Dave Chappelle’s name is actually not causing controversy today as his name is attached to a brand new Netflix special from the great Luenell, due out Sept 26th (Billboard). You’ve seen Luenell in countless TV shows and movies and you’ll now get to see her take center stage for her first Netflix special later this month.

5. Want to make memes as a job? Well, Meme Fighter is looking for you.

Meme Fighter is hiring for a part time MEME CONTENT CREATOR.

You read that right. We’re hiring someone to make memes for us.

Details, application instructions and more details here: https://t.co/KcKso0krSW

— Meme Fighter (@MemeFighterApp) September 13, 2023

6. We’ll leave you with this: comedy is richer when you have a life outside of it.

TCB Debriefing 8/21/23: Sandy [Honig] Stock, Wolves of Glendale, Hannah Einbinder Tour, Bill Burr Movie, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast

August 21, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

bill burr, channel 4, hannah einbinder, how to get to heaven from belfast, lisa mcgee, netflix, sandy honig, wolves of glendale

1. The very, very, very funny Sandy Honig of Three Busy Debras fame also happens to be amazing at photography (@sandyhonigphoto) and is bringing the two together with her subversive stock photography zine, SandyStock™ Zine. Please buy and enjoy at Heavy Manners Library.

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2. One of the best musical comedy groups around, Wolves of Glendale, has a new jam (and anthem) for those whose finances are getting the better of them. Please enjoy, Just Give Me Cash.

3. The marvelous Hannah Einbinder is going on her Everything Must Go tour next month. Do not miss out on some of the best horticulture and silly high concept comedy around today. Get tickets right now right here.

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4. Bill Burr has gone from revered comedian to lauded podcaster to acclaimed acting to acclaimed adult animation to sports commentating to, now, filmmaker with Netflix picking up his directorial feature debut Old Dads (Deadline). It’ll follow Bill as a man trying “…to navigate a changing world of culture, career and fatherhood,” so kind of an extended, cinematic act out of his stand-up.

5. One of the most beloved UK comedy series over in these parts is Derry Girls and Derry Girls fans ought to be thrilled to know that creator Lisa McGee has just set up her latest series at Channel 4, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (Variety). It’s a comedy thriller that follows a mystery arising from the death of an old friend. Between this and Sharon Horgan’s Bad Sisters, it’s nice to know that Ireland’s dark sense of humor is well intact.

6. Don’t become a slave to your nostalgia.

TCB Debriefing 8/16/23: Scott Pilgrim Anime, Beth Stelling Tour, Beautiful Anonymous, Another Barbie Record, Please Don’t Destroy

August 16, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

barbie, beautiful anonymous, beth stelling, chris gethard, netflix, please don't destroy, scott pilgrim

1. Take your first gander at the Scott Pilgrim anime series coming exclusively to Netflix on Nov. 17th. The voice cast is pretty much the one from the seminal Edgar Wright movie from 2010 and Wright even has a hand in this. So, we’re hoping for the best out of a spin-off/sequel/adaptation that very likely has the highest of expectations right out of the gate.

2. Have Beth Stelling in your town? Do travel. Girl Daddy will live on as one of the great comedy specials of our time.

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A post shared by Beth Stelling (@bethstelling)

3. Chris Gethard‘s landmark podcast Beautiful Anonymous is opting to go independent after finishing up its contract with SiriusXM/Earwolf (Variety). While he is sure to score better deals with how much of a juggernaut this particular show is (Gethard has a fan base that’s purely dedicated to Beautiful Anonymous), don’t be surprised if he ends up launching his own network. This is somewhat reminiscent of the route that My Favorite Murder took all those years ago.

4. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has officially become the all time top grossing domestic movie for Warner Bros., no other adjectives needed (Deadline). It’s such a cultural milestone that it’ll very likely be the top grossing movie of the year, again, with no other adjectives or caveats needed.

5. With no idea when exactly the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes will end, you also don’t have any idea when SNL will return. Thankfully, there will be a Please Don’t Destroy movie out on Peacock come Nov. 17th.

6. APB to all comedy venues: please have a bar/restaurant right next door if you don’t already have one in your establishment.

TCB Debriefing 8/10/23: Ali G Doing Stand-Up, Ben Roy, El Conde, I Used To Be Funny, Blooper Reels?

August 10, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

News

ali g, ben roy, el conde, netflix, Rachel Sennott, sacha baron cohen

1. Apparently, Sacha Baron Cohen is not working on a new movie (because of, you know, the Strikes) and is, instead, working on a stand-up tour where his legendary character, Ali G, will make an appearance (Variety). Is the twist that he will be performing at whatever jail Trump might be going to?

2. Ben Roy‘s astounding and hilarious hour special, Hyena, is now streaming on YouTube here. If you need more convincing, read our thoughts here.

3. Pinochet reimagined as a vampire in what could be a period piece spin-off of What We Do In the Shadows set in Chile? Yes, very much, please. Get your first look at the latest from Pablo Larraín (No, Jackie) , El Conde, here. Due out on Netflix on Sept. 15th.

4. Rachel Sennott continues her well deserved ascent into comedy film stardom with the latest Sennott vehicle, I Used To Be Funny, directed by the amazing Ally Pankiw (director of what’s probably your favorite episode from the new season of Black Mirror) scoring a U.S. distribution deal at Utopia (THR).

5. Oh, so you’re resorting to blooper reels for promotional content now, AMPTP? Sounds pretty desperate to us.

TCB Debriefing 7/20/23: Krapopolis, Ben Roy, They Cloned Tyrone, Minx, Praise Petey

July 20, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

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1. It seems like Dan Harmon’s latest work, Krapoplis, has been teased for years at this point, especially since it has scored a third season without even having premiered, but the arrival of a group of petty gods trying to guide civilization is nigh. Please enjoy the first official trailer here, then just wait a bit more for Sun. Sept 24th for its actual premier on Fox, then streaming on Hulu the next day.

2. Ben Roy‘s fantastic new hour, Hyena, is available to rent here as a special (which includes a digital copy of the album version) right now from 800 Pound Gorilla, and then will be able to stream on YouTube, free for your convenience beginning Thurs. Aug. 10th. Per usual, Roy’s prismatically expressive looks into his own life and the lives around him are, yet again, a reliably refreshing jolt from one of comedy’s most arresting performers. More detailed review to come soon.

3. FYI, if you’re out of luck of seeing Barbie and/or Oppenheimer this weekend, you’ll be glad to know that you can catch the slick sci-fi thriller comedy They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix and season 2 of Minx on Starz beginning this Friday.

4. The series premiere of Freeform‘s latest comedy (to hopefully make up for cancelling their critical darling Single Drunk Female) Praise Petey is also this Fri., Jul. 21st (next day on Hulu). Take a gander at the comedy following the most unlikely, reluctant of cult leaders from the brilliant Anna Drezen here,

5. Anyone think that movies and TV will soon be marketed as “AI Free” or “a Completely Original Story”?

I Think You Should Leave Season 3 Promises More Delightful Chaos from Tim Robinson (Trailer)

May 24, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

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We don’t want to speak for everyone, but, as far as most of the folks we know, Tim Robinson screaming and writhing wildly is kind of a panacea for the ever burgeoning chaos of our times. The first two seasons of I Think You Should Leave have left an indelible mark in culture as well as comedy history (especially if you look at the timeline of sketch comedy leading up to now).

With that said, there is only so many times we can watch Coffin Flops or Dan Flashes on repeat before we need a new season of I Think You Should Leave. Lucky for all of humanity that season 3 is right around the corner, a week away in fact with a premiere date of Tues. May 30th. Netflix announced the date and released the first official trailer for this latest season and it has plenty of Tim and company losing it (especially while in a car) to the nth degree.

Please enjoy it here and know that you’ll only have to wait a week to watch the latest season.

Through Addiction, Rehab, and Divorce, John Mulaney Is Still Joyfully John Mulaney in “Baby J”

April 28, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

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There’s a vision of honesty in stand-up that commonly conjures up a lone spotlight, the comedian on a stool, slouched over, and taking a drag off a cigarette or, conversely, taking a swig from a water bottle. It’s the trappings of being ultimately honest and confessional as a stand-up comedian or, at least, that is what is stereotypically expected.

When it comes to John Mulaney, however, what is expected is a well tailored suit, a sharp haircut, and charm so beaming that not even a shambolic chain-of-events and an often domineering shadow side to bolster said events can deter it. The tabloid fodder that John Mulaney not only was addicted to narcotics, but admitted to rehab and was going through a divorce shattered, for many, a pristine image that Mulaney had for the majority of his career in comedy. Mulaney fans and the comedy world alike pondered what the “real” Mulaney would be like in his stand-up since so much of this particular part of his life was on public display.

Suffice it to say that Mulaney isn’t one for perching on a wooden stool with only one light shining on him. This latest Netflix hour stand-up special, Baby J, encapsulates Mulaney both at his most-honest-self-to-date and also as the dashing, sharply considered comedian that has a quip or perfect line for seemingly any moment. If you were expecting something more frank and startling in John Mulaney discussing his stint in rehab, you’d be better off just watching any special by Marc Maron. Mulaney’s need for validation at all times (an admission that he makes at very top of Baby J) is an inalienable part of the showman that is John Mulaney (even to the child that’s, for some reason, in attendance at the Baby J taping).

Throughout the whole special, it’s clear that the Mulaney we knew and love is still very much intact, but is now being presented with his other side as a more clear portrait of the man, warts and all. Sure, it’s presented at John’s discretion and he even admits that one of his addiction stories is one that he’s willing to tell, quietly suggesting that there are darker incidents in his time as a junkie. The truism that we all contain multitudes emphatically applies here and, perhaps, Mulaney is just starting to let us all know who he really is, which could be a path that’s, for all Mulaney fans’ sakes, several specials long.

For our money, Baby J might be the best comedy special thus far that addresses problematic behavior with warmth and candor. Mulaney gives a very candid, but undoubtedly very funny glimpse into how his drug addiction had him spinning out of control and he makes sure that he’s not the hero of almost any story he shares here. Conversely, Louis CK attempt to explain/”apologize” for his admitted pattern of sexual misconduct in a special from a few years ago felt trite at best. Aziz Ansari did a bit better in his apology with Right Now, but it had a performative air with Aziz ditching the suit for a Metallica T-shirt, utilizing Spike Jonze as a director, having it mostly shot at a jaunty angle, etc. to the point where it felt like someone entirely different than Aziz was on stage. Even with the distance that Mulaney from his troubled past through rehab and work on himself, John doesn’t really shy away from how he is still a work in progress (i.e. human) via admitting being annoyed that he has to be grateful to everyone at his intervention for the rest of his life. This might be a good blueprint going forward for other comedians that are looking to make a comeback after controversy and directly addressing said controversy (though some of the ilk of Cosby are far beyond the pale at this point).

John Mulaney: Baby J is streaming now, exclusively on Netflix.

Get Your First Look at Hannah Gadsby’s Third Netflix Special “Something Special”

April 26, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

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Nanette set the comedy world ablaze. Douglas was a craftily devised follow-up that put any controversy about the legitimacy of Hannah Gadsby’s comedy to rest.

Now, Gadsby has her third Netflix special premiering next week and she promises it to be a “feel good” special. That should say a lot considering how blisteringly funny Douglas was. Of course, Gadsby, being one of the most precise comedians in that all of her stories and bits seem to be perfectly measured for maximum effect (whatever effect it may be that Gadsby desires), the concept of a “feel good” special could mean many things (in addition to it being an hour of hard punchline packed jokes).

In any case, Something Special ought to live up to its name and will likely be one of the highest profile specials of 2023, a year that has already seen a live Chris Rock special, Marc Maron‘s latest, and Mulaney’s new hour where he details rehab.

Get your first look at what Gadsby had up her sleeve for the live audience at The Sydney Opera House and for the rest of us on Netflix come May 3rd here.

A24’s Latest Will Be an All-Out Rage Feud Comedy Between Ali Wong and Steven Yeun in “BEEF”

March 16, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

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A24’s riding high off one hell of an awards season right now. Between Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, The Whale, and Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, the brand already almost did no wrong in the eyes of their fervent followers and probably feel even more vindicated now.

With that in mind, it’s a great time for A24 to introduce their newest project, a juicy revenge dark comedy series, BEEF, that gets as petty and off-the-rails as class warfare can get between two people who are really great at channeling rage into their performances, Ali Wong and Steven Yeun. Created by Lee Sung Jin (Undone, Dave, Tuca & Bertie), this series shows lots of promise, especially given the zeitgeist favors revenge-fueled phenomenons like John Wick and Succession.

Take a gander for yourself here with the official trailer here, then look for all episodes of BEEF to drop on Netflix come Thurs. Apr. 6th.

I Think You Should (Remember May 30th Before You) Leave

March 10, 2023 by jakkro_6rz8x4

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triples is best. I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON. season 3. may 30. pic.twitter.com/qVEbTwyNkx

— Netflix Is A Joke (@NetflixIsAJoke) March 10, 2023

Almost without argument, the two seasons of I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson represent some of the best sketch comedy of the past decade and, very likely, this century. Robinson’s unhinged characters, all seeming to build towards and very much past a boiling point, living up to the title of the show, are almost a perfect panacea to the very real chaos that we’ve been living through since the show premiered on Netflix in 2019.

It’s a great reminder that there is sketch comedy television these days outside of SNL, especially when a mind like Tim Robinson’s gets to run wild.

So, with that said, you very much should set several reminders that Tues. May 30th (i.e. midnight on Monday) will be when you should start binging season 3 of the critically acclaimed, award winning, abjectly absurdist sketch series I Think You Should Leave.

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