quibi – The Comedy Bureau

Roku Buys Up Quibi Library That Includes Flipped and Reno 911!

January 8, 2021

Among the multitudes of things that came to an end in 2020, last year saw the launch and shuddering of the mobile only streaming platform Quibi. Plenty of money was invested to produce tons of “quick bite” (i.e. that’s the etymology of Quibi, FYI) content featuring some high profile projects like making new episodes of Reno 911! or taking a chance on trailblazing shows like Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni’s Gayme Show!

Despite how Quibi’s expectations were very far from being met, there were a lot of interesting things brewing over at Quibi and were set for release following Quibi’s launch in the Summer. Flipped starring Will Forte and Kaitlin Olson, a show following how a home makeover couple got caught up in doing what they do best for organized crime, received critical acclaim and even garnered an Emmy nomination.

The closing up of shop at Quibi near the end of 2020 meant the fate of all those shows, ostensibly watched by very few, was up in the air until this week when non-mobile exclusive streaming platform Roku announced they’d be taking on Quibi’s library of content. As to exactly what will be included in the sale has yet to be revealed in full, but it would seem that Roku will be absorbing most Quibi originals including the aforementioned Reno 911 and Flipped. It’ll be a bigger screen, but odds are you won’t be able to turn the screen from landscape to portrait as you pleased, as was one of the “perks” of Quibi.

Hopefully, some of the more high concept comedy series that were on Quibi get a legitimate second chance to gain some notoriety (so long as you have Roku).

Quibi's big stories are coming soon to a bigger screen for free on The #Roku Channel ➡️ https://t.co/f44RUQHV0i pic.twitter.com/48YSYE2Jd3

— Roku (@Roku) January 8, 2021

Quibi Is Officially Done

December 1, 2020

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quibi, r.i.p.

As of today, Quibi, the mobile exclusive mobile streaming service, is no more. So much money was raised by founder Jeffrey Katzenberg and CEO Meg Whitman, so much A-list talent recruited, and, as far as we’re concerned, so many projects from the folks we love were green lit.

There was a Joel Kim Booster take on Jane Austen, GAYME SHOW from Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni, Will Smith’s This Joka stand-up showcase series, Atsuko Okatsuka’s Let’s Go Atsuko, new episodes of Reno 911, a Guy Branum take on How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and the return of Arturo Castro’s Alternatino, just to name a few.

Unfortunately, the launch of Quibi coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic tightening its grip on the world, especially in the U.S.. Similarities in the trajectory of another shuddered streaming service, Seeso, makes us think that the pandemic wasn’t entirely to blame. The angle of providing “quick bite” (i.e. the origin of the name “Quibi”) sized content on mobile devices only (as well as pushing the selling point of switching between watching something in landscape and portrait mode in real time) seems short sighted and, ultimately, not unique enough to keep subscribers after their free trial ended.

One can only hope that the mountain of content that they built will all find a home somewhere. So much of the content we mentioned as well as projects that were in development from the likes of Nikki Glaser, Allen Strickland Williams, and more is something we would eventually like to see, though probably on a laptop or TV.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 26: Fifi Dosch & Being Out/Getting Out

September 23, 2020

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

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Fifi Dosch has taken one hell of a road to get where she is now as a trans woman who, after achieving her goal of getting to the status of paid regular at one of the most legendary comedy clubs in the world, The Comedy Store, found that there was something still very much missing in her life. Dressing up as a woman on stage brought Fifi to the realization that of who she really was and prompted her transition to being an out trans woman. Additionally, that was followed up with, just a week or so before recording this very episode, a decision by Fifi to move on from stand-up entirely, despite being well on her way to her previous goals, to focus on writing and spending more time with the simple pleasures of her life. Fifi takes TCB’s Jake Kroeger through this whole journey as well as dishing out hot takes on this year’s Emmy winners in comedy, SF Sketchfest going virtual for 2021, the “rally to reopen”, and Jenny Slate’s newest hosting gig at Quibi.

Follow Fifi at @fifidosch on Twitter and IG and please listen/subscribe to Fifi Quest.

Shout outs: season 2 of PEN15, The Art of Self-Defense, Little Nicky starring Adam Sandler

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

Jenny Slate To Host Docu-Series About Organic Aphrodisiacs, “Sex Plants”

September 22, 2020

News

jenny slate, quibi, sex plants

(via Deadline)

Though Quibi has been having quite the tough time launching and getting their sea legs (at a time when the entire entertainment industry is trying to get a new set of sea legs in the world under COVID-19) and are entertaining the idea of potential options to keep going (i.e. a sale or new sources of funding) and, very likely, The Social Dilemma is encouraging people to spend less time on their phones (i.e. the only place you can watch Quibi), they did manage to score some Emmy nominations and a couple of wins as well and they do keep ordering very intriguing things.

Today, the announced another very interesting thing with the order of travel docu-series, Sex Plants. Comedian/actress/writer/voice of Marcel the Sea Shell with Shoes On Jenny Slate will be serving as host and touring the world to explore natural aphrodisiacs as well as having open conversations about, of course, sex. Slate’s vulnerability and frankness should be a pretty entertaining pairing with this topic.

It’s series order like this from Quibi that makes us wonder if they’re going to keep access to their content library limited to mobile devices only.

Quibi’s Got a Part 2 to Their “Reno 911” Run

August 18, 2020

News

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While the pandemic has certainly thrown a wrench in Quibi’s master plans, they did manage to secure some Emmy nominations and are pushing forward with their quest for mobile streaming domination.

Part of that plan is the high profile get they scored with Reno 911!, which debuted with new episodes just a few months ago. Perhaps, in anticipation of an uphill battle for subscribers to pay for their exclusive content, they have a second part to their run for the long standing cop satire.

Seeing the incompetence of law enforcement happens to be pretty popular right now and there is certainly plenty of that in this trailer for Part 2 of Quibi’s Reno 911! See for yourself here, then, if you have access to Quibi, check out the whole thing on Mon. Aug. 24th.

Please Enjoy Trailer for Paula Pell and John Lutz’s Mystery Comedy “Mapleworth Murders”

August 6, 2020

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annie mumolo, Ben Warheit, d'arcy carden, drew tarver, fred armisen, ike barinholtz, jack mcbrayer, James Anderson, john lutz, mapleworth murders, Marry Holland, maya rudolph, pam murphy, patton oswalt, paula pell, quibi, tim meadows

Quibi really did snatch up quite a bit of content when amassing their war chest before their launch a few months ago. Even though so many folks that opted in for a free trial didn’t stick around after said free trial ended, Quibi can still stand tall with some recent Emmy nominations and still having shows up their sleeve that might just catch your eye once they roll them out.

One of those series is coming very soon, Mon. Aug. 10th in fact, from Paula Pell and John Lutz called Mapleworth Murders. From the trailer, the series not only trails murderers in a humble, sleepy town, but also calls into question why (as with so many similar mystery/crime shows) have so many murderers in one place. Mapleworth Murders boasts quite the ensemble cast with Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, D’Arcy Carden, Tim Meadows, Patton Oswalt, Jack McBrayer, Pam Murphy, Ben Warheit, Annie Mumolo, Ike Barinholtz, Marry Holland, James Anderson, and Drew Tarver.

Whether or not you’ve got or still have Quibi, you can certainly enjoy Pell and Lutz’s joyful send-up of Murder She Wrote with its official trailer here.

Arturo Castro’s Alternatino to Return on Quibi

May 13, 2020

News

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(via Deadline)

One of Comedy Central’s last sketch series, Alternatino, created by and starring Arturo Castro, really didn’t get the due it deserved. The sort of pointed, satirical humor that Comedy Central had gotten with Key & Peele was present in Alternatino, but, unfortunately, it didn’t quite catch on the same way as its predecessor.

Thankfully, Quibi has given Arturo Castro a whole second season on their mobile streaming platform. They’re a month into having launched and we’re thankful that they’re still seeking for shows that vary from a lot of typical TV comedy offerings.

Details on when and how production will exactly get underway have yet to be announced. We’re curious as to what that might be as well what potential Alternatino pandemic themed sketches might be.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 7: David Gborie and Chilling Alone

May 13, 2020

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

all fantasy everything, alternatino, bob's burgers, comedy central, david gborie, faded la, jerry stiller, peabody awards, quibi

Comedian/podcaster/voice of Comedy Central David Gborie is this week’s guest on the TCB Field Report. Gborie goes on Zoom with TCB’s Jake Kroeger to run through the last week’s news stories including the passing of the great Jerry Stiller and renewals of Bob’s Burgers and Alternatino and get into how Gborie has maintained a great level of chill, productivity, and his hysterical self all while quarantining alone.

Shout out to: Robbie
Follow David Gborie @thegissilent on Twitter and @coolguyjokes87. Tune into Faded’s Quaranstream every Friday during quarantine 7PM PT/10PM ET and listen to David on the fantasy draft of the anything and everything podcast, All Fantasy Everything.

Quibi’s Reno911 Finally Gets a Full Trailer

April 30, 2020

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Quibi is nearing a month since their launch and, it would seem, that they’ve still rolling out their top-billed shows. Namely, the revived Reno911 has yet to make it to the mobile only streaming platform, but that will change next week.

On Monday, May 4th, if you’re not obsessed with whatever is happening with Star Wars that day, you’ll be able to enjoy brand spankin’ new tomfoolery from Reno’s finest in the new “quick bites” episodes of Reno911. We’ve only got small sneak peeks here and there thus far, but you can now great a great look at what insanity is in store for this new season with this official, full Reno911 Quibi trailer.

Quibi Developing Nikki Glaser Comedy Called “Cancelled”

April 22, 2020

News

nikki glaser, quibi

(via Deadline)

We have a firm stance here at TCB that Nikki Glaser should always have her own show on TV. Glaser’s razor sharp sense of humor and candor is something that we’ve loved for years and it’s a real shame that Not Safe with Nikki Glaser or even Nikki & Sara Live didn’t get to continue.

Yet, Glaser might be having her own TV show once again (in addition to her radio show You Up w/Nikki Glaser) as Quibi just put a scripted project entitled Cancelled starring Nikki into development. Written by Cindy Caponera and Nikki, Nikki will even play a comedian that’s named Nikki who flew too close to the sun (i.e. having a public meltdown that went viral), going from the threshold of stardom to having to move back in with the folks.

It has been a minute since we’ve gotten a new sitcom following the life of a comedian, but one that would follow a comedian being played Nikki Glaser is one we’d absolutely would want to follow. Also, if this goes to series, it’ll be a clever way to get around looking up if Nikki ever got actually “cancelled”.

Even Reno911 Is Going on Zoom Meetings (and Will Have New Episodes May 4th on Quibi)

April 10, 2020

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ben garant, carlos alazraqui, cedric yarborough, ian roberts, joe lo truglio, kerri kenney, mary birdsong, niecy nash, quibi, reno 911, thomas lennon, wendi mclendon covey

Of the offerings that Quibi has since its launch this week, one of the more high profile things coming to mobile only streaming platform is brand spankin’ new episodes of the beloved cop mockumentary Reno911.

It was announced today that Thurs. May 4th will be officially when new Reno911 episodes will come to Quibi and, if you can’t wait that long until that date, you can enjoy some mini-sodes that have been made while in self-isolation over Zoom (as even Reno’s “finest” is observing social distancing).

First Look of Return of Reno 911 at Quibi

March 23, 2020

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If the intriguing short form streaming service Quibi indeed gets to launch next month as planned, we’ll all get to see the return of Reno 911, the beloved parody of long running docu-series Cops.

Looks like the whole cast is back in action and their dynamic is picking up right where they left off. See for yourself in this sneak peek here.

As it stands right now, the current launch date for Quibi is April 6th, but, as with everything right now, that is subject to change.

Quibi Picks Up Joel Kim Booster’s “Trip” to Series

March 11, 2020

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(via Deadline)

Even when it was announced that it was in development, we were very excited for Joel Kim Booster‘s modern-day, gay rom com inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

As far as we’re concerned, Booster’s wickedly sharp sense of humor needed to be in a show somewhere and it’s finally going to happen as the upcoming mobile only streaming service Quibi just ordered it to series.

We’re sure that people will be binge watching everything as they stay indoors and consequently run out of things to watch soon enough. So, it’s nice to know something this unique is on the horizon.

Yes, Quibi Will Be Having a Stand-Up Series “Hot Off the Mic”

March 4, 2020

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Yes, Quibi Will Be Having a Stand-Up Series “Hot Off the Mic”

For a platform that’s only for mobile and touts featuring heaps and loads and endless rows of content that’s ten minutes or less, it would just make sense that they have their own stand-up comedy series, right?

Well, Quibi is that exact platform and they’re already on to making a stand-up comedy series exclusive to their platform called Hot Off The Mic. There’s no word yet to who will make Hot Off The Mic’s line-up, but you can buy tickets to the live tapings that will be taking place at The Hollywood Improv’s Main Room all this month. Do so here.

Let’s Go Atsuko Picked Up at Quibi as Series via National Lampoon

March 2, 2020

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Let’s Go Atsuko Picked Up at Quibi as Series via National Lampoon

For quite some time, we’ve been hoping that the charming, whip-smart Atsuko Okatsuka would get to host her own show on TV.

She has more proven her mettle as a host of a viable TV series format with Let’s Go Atsuko!, a “woke Japanese game show”, both as a podcast and a live stage show. The trivia series explores the complexities of social cues in this day and facing fears all while being as silly as possible.

So, since partnering up with the new and improved National Lampoon, Atsuko has gotten a series order at Quibi for Let’s Go Atsuko, which is probably the perfect thing for the 10 minutes or less, mobile only format.

Again, we’re mostly excited that Atsuko is getting her own TV (albeit, non-traditional) show.

Get Your First Look at a Quibi Comedy with This Trailer for “Flipped” with Kaitlin Olson and Will Forte

February 4, 2020

Uncategorized

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Up until this weekend, you’ve mostly come to know Quibi via a bunch of intriguing announcements of acquisitions, series orders, and additions to their development slate.

Yet, this past weekend, we got our first legitimate look at a scripted comedy series, Flipped, that honestly looks pretty fun. Kaitlin Olson and Will Forte is a pretty great pairing and a series that forces them to renovate the houses of drug cartels and other baddies has our curiosity peaked. Certainly, the trailer gives us some sort of sense if the Bluths of Arrested Development tried some scheme involving HGTV and we’re on board for that.

Even though there is a lot more to see before we can truly make a call on Quibi, they do continue to impress us.

See for yourself in the trailer for Flipped here, then keep a look out for it on Quibi on Apr. 2020.

Justin Roiland Sets Claymation Series “Gloop World” Following the Lives of Blobs at Quibi

January 6, 2020

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Justin Roiland Sets Claymation Series “Gloop World” Following the Lives of Blobs at Quibi

If there’s anyone in the world to find a way to explore the emotions and complexities of two anthropomorphic blobs to the point where they can make a TV show about it, it would be Rick and Morty’s Justin Roiland.

Called Gloop World, Roiland will indeed delve into the lives of two blobs named Bob Roundy and Funzy. We only have this much info as to what Gloop World will entail, but this whole idea does make us think of that Terryfold song.

Also, count this as another very, very intriguing get for the still yet-to-be-launched Quibi. They only get more and more enticing every other week or so with a new, crazy acquisition to their slate.

Reno 911! to Ride Again at Quibi

December 6, 2019

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Reno 911! to Ride Again at Quibi

Quibi is really good at keeping their hype up in the air. Their curious, niche projects from very funny people (amongst dozens of other genre projects they’ve got in development) have drummed plenty of anticipation for the short form streaming service.

A full on revival of Reno 911!, as far as their comedy slate is concerned, might be their biggest get yet and one that makes their future even more interesting (and viable?). Reno 911!’s Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon, and Kerri Kenney-Silver are set to return both as writers and cast members and perhaps what was born as a parody of the long-running reality series Cops very well might translate from half hour episodic to short form.

We’ll all just have to wait and see how this plays out when Quibi officially arrives as a streaming service, but, again, they’re doing a pretty job of keeping people curious and talking about them thus far.

Allen Strickland Williams’ ‘Unmatched’ in Development at Quibi

November 20, 2019

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Allen Strickland Williams’ ‘Unmatched’ in Development at Quibi

Once more, Quibi scores another bleeding-edge cool comedy project, this time from Allen Strickland Williams with a show about rebelling against a perfected dating app for the sake of sexual freedom and personal agency.

Coupled with the debut of his half hour special at Comedy Central, Williams is having a pretty swell November.

Let’s hope that Unmatched makes it to series to see what ASW has up his very fancy sleeves.

Eric Andre Gets to Fully Realize an Eric Andre Show Sketch with ‘Rapper Warrior Ninja’ at Quibi

November 7, 2019

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Eric Andre Gets to Fully Realize an Eric Andre Show Sketch with ‘Rapper Warrior Ninja’ at Quibi

One of the bits that sticks from The Eric Andre Show that sticks with us the most is when Andre had rappers Killer Mike and Action Bronson rap battle each other while on treadmills.

So, It was announced today that Quibi’s latest series will be a reimagining of that bit as rappers will get to battle with both bars and take on an American Ninja Warrior style obstacle course at the behest of Eric Andre.

We have no doubt that this controlled chaos at what will be called Rapper Warrior Ninja will either have literally epic freestyle raps and/or epic fails of rappers trying to make it through an Eric Andre Show influenced obstacle course.

Score another very enticing show for the still yet to be officially launched streaming service, Quibi.

Gayme Show with Matt Rogers And Dave Mizzoni Is Coming to Quibi

October 17, 2019

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Gayme Show with Matt Rogers And Dave Mizzoni Is Coming to Quibi

Say what you will from this brand new, from the ground up, streaming service Quibi, they’re picking up some really intriguing comedy properties. Already they have projects in the works with Joel Kim Booster and Guy Branum.

Now, they have one of most entertaining comedy game shows that we’ve seen in quite some time, Gayme Show with Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni. The format has straight men tested on their knowledge and familiarity of LGBTQIA+ culture. Rogers and Mizzoni have really perfected the segments, games, bits, and more and we can’t wait to see this be made into a full-fledged series.

Joel Kim Booster Developing ‘Trip’, Inspired by Pride & Prejudce, Set in Modern Day, at Quibi

September 25, 2019

Uncategorized

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Joel Kim Booster Developing ‘Trip’, Inspired by Pride & Prejudce, Set in Modern Day, at Quibi

Jeffrey Katzenberg’s upcoming streaming service Quibi continues to have a more and more intriguing slate that it really has us chomping at the bit as to what all of this will look like.

This latest addition of a potential series, Trip, from the hysterical Joel Kim Booster (along with Jax Media producing) with his modern day take on Jane Austen’s landmark novel Pride & Prejudice only bolsters their Quibi’s profile from where we’re standing. Already, we’re enjoying imagining Joel’s razor sharp writing within a Pride & Prejudice framework.

Hopefully, we’ll get a glimpse of Trip, pending a series order or not, and everything else that’s peaked our interest at Quibi relatively soon.

Quibi’s Flipped Has Will Forte & Kaitlin Olson Doing Home Improvement for Drug Cartel

August 27, 2019

Uncategorized

andy garcia, arturo castro, eva longoria, flipped, kaitlin olson, quibi, will forte

Quibi’s Flipped Has Will Forte & Kaitlin Olson Doing Home Improvement for Drug Cartel

This is yet another very intriguing entry into the upcoming short form streaming service, Quibi.
Having “self-proclaimed” home renovations experts played by Will Forte and Kaitlin Olson who are forced to renovate a drug cartel’s homes is the sort of HGTV show we want to see.
Also, Forte and Olson’s names are Jann and Cricket Melfi, which are perfect names for them and the weirdos that they have to play, and the cartel members will be Andy Garcia, Eva Longoria, and Arturo Castro, making for one hell of a cast for a “short form” series.
Truly, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s Quibi is making a compelling case for adding another subscription service to your bundle.

Guy Branum Will Be Writing an Adaption of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” for Quibi

August 1, 2019

Uncategorized

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Guy Branum Will Be Writing an Adaption of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” for Quibi

1) If you haven’t been tracking what Jeffrey Katzenberg’s curious ad-supported, short form streaming service is up to, you might want to check in on that because they’re buying up a lot of very intriguing properties.

2) Comedian/writer Guy Branum doing anything is absolutely worth your time, but his version of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days might be a shot in the arm that rom coms need right now.

3) This adaptation also means that the zeitgeist can enjoy Morgan Murphy’s brilliant How To Lost a Guy in 10 Days joke once more.