search party – The Comedy Bureau

Search Party Finds Dory Starting a Cult in Season 5 Trailer

December 21, 2021

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It has been far too long since the last season of Search Party to see what the hell they were going to do for the final season. In truth, any moment longer than the last frame of season 4 felt too long (especially as it seems like we’re going back into some sort of lockdown again due to Omicron).

Thankfully, season 5 is just a few weeks away and this latest look at the fifth and final season is especially juicy and ripe for the daring, often unhinged (in a great way) satire that Search Party has become. After trying to find and rescue various characters over the seasons, it looks as though Dory is lost yet again, but not in the physical sense so much as lost herself in leading a cult (and partnering with a dubious Jeff Goldblum) in the process.

If you thought that John Early’s Elliott pretending to be a Gay Republican conservative news pundit or how Dory was kept captive by a psychopath was wild, it would seem this season has a lot more in store and might just be as crazy as what the real world is (yet thankfully, very fictional).

Get a taste of what’s to come with the season 5 official trailer here, then look for the series to begin streaming on HBO Max come Fri. Jan. 7th.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 85: Skyler Higley & Where We Are with Adoption Jokes

November 10, 2021

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It is National Adoption Awareness Month and, for those that don’t know TCB’s very own Jake Kroeger‘s story, he’s adopted. So, we thought it would be a perfect time to have both a great comedian on who is an adoptee and also talk about adoption jokes from the adoptee perspective (and how hopefully it’s no longer a punchline to suggest someone is weird or stupid).

That’s why Skyler Higley joined in with us this week for TCB Field Report all the way from Chicago. Skyler’s journey as black kid adopted by white parents in Salt Lake City and being raised Mormon all factors into a lot of the great comedy he has put out (much of which has found it’s way to Conan, Clickhole, and The Onion). It’s a great, deep philosophical conversation on the nature of identity and how it indelibly ties into comedy, even if you’re pretty in the weeds about what your identity is.

Also, “hot” takes on Alanis Morrisette’s CBS comedy, Dave Grohl’s Studio 666, and season 5 of Search Party being the final season.

Find Skyler @skylerhigley on IG and @skyler_higley on Twitter

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

The Final Season of Search Party Premieres in Jan. 2022 and Has Jeff Goldblum, Kathy Griffin, and John Waters

November 9, 2021

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Search Party is only a couple of months away from unveiling its fifth and final season. That’ll be such a gift when 2022 arrives and the pandemic still isn’t over and new Search Party will be a very welcome respite from that.

Jan. 7th, 2022 will be when HBO Max rolls out new episodes every week and we’ll dive in once again with Dory, Drew, Portia, and Elliot for another round of chaos of desperate searching for something, both literally and figuratively. This time, they’ll be joined by yet another stunning cast of guest stars including the aforementioned Jeff Goldblum, Kathy Griffin, and John Waters, which has our mind furiously pondering what sort of absurdity G. Charles Rogers and Sarah Violet Bliss convinced them to do on this show (just check the first look images) that has really gone to the most unpredictable places from where it started in season one. Many of our favorite folks in comedy will also be joining in for this swan song of Search Party including Aparna Nancherla, Angela Trimbur, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Greta Titelman, Joe Castle Baker, Larry Owens and Michelle Badillo.

The holidays will very likely be more hectic than they have ever been with the world actually, kind of being open and, thankfully, this will be on the other side of it.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 46: Aristotle Athiras & Keeping Up During COVID

February 10, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

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Aristotle Athiras is the rare sort of comedian that has actually flourished in improv, sketch, and stand-up and also worked in front of and behind the camera as performer and director. With such a diverse quiver of skills, Aristotle has found opportunities and managed to stay working, as a director for Will Smith’s home show, and very much look forward to be prepared for where the next thing in comedy might be (i.e. Clubhouse). Athiras zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger about his time in lockdown and the future of comedy as well as “hot” takes on Munawar Faruqui getting arrested on suspicion of jokes, Melissa Villasenor hosting The Spirit Awards, Search Party getting renewed, and the pilot for a live action reboot of Powerpuff Girls at CW.

Check out Aristotle’s work as part of Goatface Comedy here (this is the specific sketch we kept talking about during the episode)

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

Search Party Season 4 Has Set the Bar for TV Comedy in 2021

January 25, 2021

News

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It can be argued that we’re in strange, yet slightly familiar territory just a few weeks into 2021. Biden has succeeded Trump as POTUS and, while there are signs of Biden picking up where Obama left off, the threats of the ongoing pandemic and economic crises are keeping things plenty off-kilter.

Yes, there are very likely spoilers here, FYI.

In a similar vein, Search Party has gotten six episodes into its fourth season, now at HBO Max instead of TBS, and has lifted its own formula, turned it inside out, and really swung for the fences in how outlandish, dark, and absolutely, unapologetically absurd it’s willing to get (having Dory now go missing and being kept captive in a padded wall version of her apartment kept permanently lit for daytime). For that, it has unquestionably come out the gate for 2021 as the best comedy series thus far (and it’s going to be pretty hard to top).

The balance of the sinister kidnapping of Dory by Cole Escola’s brilliantly demented Chip and how satisfyingly ridiculous every single character is in the series (especially John Early’s Elliott Goss, both in attire and character arc as a turncoat conservative sellout) is something we’re left in awe of. Following the B-story of a mini-series adaptation of the events of the first three seasons Search Party with Meredith Hagner’s Portia playing Dory within these season 4 episodes ratchets up the hysterical bizarreness of the whole world even further. Often, you might be left breathless for how the show deftly shifts its tones, even better and more acutely than it has in the past, and how so much of the dialogue is so brashly funny.

It’s very clear that we’re still in dark times, but there are peculiar bits of light here and there and, for our money, this latest season of Search Party meets the moment we’re still stuck in and, most importantly, gives us something really damn good to watch on TV while quarantine continues.

Six episodes of S4 of Search Party are currently streaming on HBO Max and the final four are due out on Thurs. Jan. 28th.

See the Full Extent of Cole Escola’s Stalker/Captor in Season 4 of Search Party

January 5, 2021

News

alia shawkat, cole escola, hbo max, john early, john roberts, meredith hagner, search party

Just a week and a change from now, we’ll get another season of the hit thriller/dramedy Search Party and embark on a search for Dory who entangled everyone into searching in the first place.

Part of the reason that Dory is the subject of the search for this new season is that (we’d say SPOILER here, but watching the trailer for this season will also somewhat spoil the last three seasons, so there you go) she has been kidnapped by a deranged stalker played by the brilliant Cole Escola. This full season 4 trailer reveals a bit of how much Dory is in trouble (and maybe getting her comeuppance?)

We’re really looking forward to a few more of hours of lockdown being spent with Elliott, Drew, Portia, and Dory starting on Jan. 14th at HBO Max.

Search Party Season 4 Finally Has a Teaser

December 15, 2020

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Quarantine has lasted so long that we almost forgot a brand new season of the amazing dark comedy thriller series, Search Party, was on the horizon. It’s not on TBS anymore, so you’ll have to have HBO Max or “have access” to HBO Max, but the prospect of Dory now missing for this latest season has us really jonesing for this fourth season of Search Party to premiere already.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until Thurs. Jan. 14th, 2021 until we get our Search Party fix. Until now, we can obsess over this teaser that poses a whole new game for Elliott, Portia, Drew, and a Dory that might just be getting her long overdue comeuppance.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 15: Christina Catherine Martinez & Aesthetics

July 8, 2020

News, Slider, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

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This week, TCB’s Jake Kroeger zooms with the beloved comedy and art world hybrid Christina Catherine Martinez. Even without a pandemic, Martinez has managed to imbue her comedy with her professional art critic sensibilities to create marvelously absurdist, subversive, high brow, yet incredibly silly bits, stand-up, and characters. Her and Jake discuss what her detailed plans for translating her conceptual comedy to live-streaming platforms like Zoom on IG Live, the extension of her Aesthetical Relations brand/universe (even revealing plans for a special), and an attempt at a quick rundown of Groundlings’ controversy, MTV animated series revivals, and Comedy Central’s order of two new John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch specials.

Also, here’s John Cage’s 4:33 to get that John Cage joke at the end.

Follow Christina at @xtina_catherine on Twitter and IG and visit christinacatherine.info to delve into all things Christina Catherine Martinez. Get the e-book version of Aesthetical Relations here.

Shout outs: I May Destroy You, Search Party, and Nore Davis’ Live From The Comedy Traphouse

TBS Reups Search Party and The Last O.G.

April 24, 2018

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This week, TBS officially renews the genre-bending Search Party for a third season and pulls the trigger quickly on another season of the Jordan Peele/John Carcieri created, Tracy Morgan starrer, The Last O.G.

Within the comedy space, TBS’ programming line-up manages to continue to get more and more formidable presence in the comedy space.

Search Party Season 2 Has an Even More Insidious Hijinks-Filled Mystery

September 16, 2017

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If you thought that the gang of Alia Shawkat, John Reynolds, Meredith Hagner, and John Early lost sight of the forest for the trees in season 1 in Search Party, season 2 has them seeing the forest and think the trees are somehow watching them, if that makes some sort of sense.

In any case, this trailer for season 2 looks even more delectable as it definitely seems like they have all dug themselves into a bigger hole.

Search Party season 2 premieres on Sunday, November 19th on TBS.

TBS Ordering Second Seasons of People Of Earth and Search Party

December 13, 2016

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TBS Ordering Second Seasons of People Of Earth and Search Party

At this point, it’s getting harder to remember the TBS of old and that’s a good thing.

High concept ensemble sitcoms, Sam Bee, Conan globetrotting, and more have proven a great move for the cable network and we look forward to People of Earth and Search Party getting to push forward with their genre-bending premises in their second seasons.

TBS’ Search Party Starring Alia Shawkat Premieres Tonight and Is Also Streaming the Whole Season Online Right Now

November 21, 2016

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TBS’ Search Party Starring Alia Shawkat Premieres Tonight and Is Also Streaming the Whole Season Online Right Now

You can watch the amazing writing-directing duo of Charles Rogers and Sarah-Violet Bliss present their latest work in a back-to-back episode series premiere of Search Party. There are very few people who nail millennials quite like Rogers and Bliss in a way that’s both organic and satirical.

In the show, Alia Shawkat leads a literal search party for a missing “friend” when she herself is pretty lost as is.

If you’re already hooked and have a cable login, you can watch all ten episodes right now at the link above. If you’re watching it the old school way on air, the premiere is at 11PM on TBS.

The Series Premiere of Search Party Is Now Streaming on YouTube Thanks to TBS

November 7, 2016

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The premiere of the long-awaited off-kilter caper comedy Search Party is still a couple of weeks away (Monday November 21st to be exact).

That being said, TBS was nice enough, just like they did with People of Earth, to put the full first episode on YouTube for probably the most convenient way to watch it.

So, start to see why the hell Alia Shawkat is so obsessed with finding this girl named Chantal here, then, on the premiere day, you can binge the whole first season.

TBS’ Search Party Gets Its Most Screwball Trailer Yet and Announces That You’ll Be Able to Binge Every Episode

October 27, 2016

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Among TBS’ line-up, one of the more mysterious shows coming up is Search Party from Charles Rogers and Sarah Violet Bliss.

Many teasers and trailers have been released over the last several months, but the mystery comedy starring Alia Shawkat, but the show itself is very much a mystery. Maybe, it’s better that way?

This trailer definitely suggests a more screwball vibe to the show, which we’re up for and highlights potential scene-stealer, John Early.

In any case, on Monday, November 21st, you’ll be able to binge every episode and possibly get to the bottom of, along with Shawkat, where Chantal is.

New Trailer for TBS’ Search Party Shows a Search Party That Needs to Find Itself

August 1, 2016

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Charles Rogers and Sarah-Violet Bliss’ series Search Party has gotten a brand new trailer that shows off an unofficial search party for a missing person lead by Alia Shawkat that is starting off with people that might a little lost in their own lives.

Watch the trailer here, then look for the series premiere on Monday, November 21st on TBS.

Watch New Trailer for TBS’ “Search Party” Starring Alia Shawkat

March 19, 2016

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Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers’ new TBS series Search Party got a new trailer this week. The millennial comedy mystery starring Alia Shawkat gets slightly more uncovered, but not too much.

This is part of why we’re digging TBS’ new look.

“Punching the Clown” Sequel, Mike Birbiglia’s “Don’t Think Twice”, Richard Linklater’s “Everybody Wants Some”, and More Comedy Screenings You Might Want to Catch at SXSW

February 4, 2016

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(via Deadline)

Oh, you didn’t think all the indie comedy was just going to screen at just Sundance, did you?

SXSW is almost a month away and the line-up for the film portion of the film festival has just been announced. While you probably already know about Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, and Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some premiering down in Austin, TX, you might also want to take note of a new film from Mike Birbiglia “Don’t Think Twice”, the long awaited sequel to Henry Phillips’ Punching The Clown.

Here are some more of the comedy films and TV series that are screening down at SXSW. Check out the full line-up at Deadline.

Before The Sun Explodes
Director: Debra Eisenstadt, Screenwriters: Debra Eisenstadt, Zeke Farrow
After his wife kicks him out, an anxious comedian is lured in by an intriguing woman with a stalker.
Cast: Bill Dawes, Sarah Butler, Christine Woods, Michael Rivkin, Amir Arison, Kerri Safran, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Gene Serritella, Kristin Slaysman, Eric Fillipkowski (World Premiere)

Don’t Think Twice
Director/Screenwriter: Mike Birbiglia
An improv group loses the lease on their home theater at the same time that one of their cast members gets chosen for the biggest sketch comedy show on TV.
Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Mike Birbiglia, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher, Chris Gethard (World Premiere)

Everybody Wants Some
Director/Screenwriter: Richard Linklater
In Richard Linklater’s anticipated “spiritual sequel” to Dazed and Confused, a group of college friends navigate their way through the freedoms and responsibilities of the wild final weekend of the summer of 1980.
Cast: Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Blake Jenner, J. Quinton Johnson, Glen Powell, Wyatt Russell (World Premiere)
* SXsports screening

Pee-wee’s Big Holiday
Director: John Lee, Screenwriters: Paul Reubens, Paul Rust
In Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny.
Cast: Paul Reubens, Joe Manganiello, Jessica Pohly, Alia Shawkat, Stephanie Beatriz (World Premiere)

Black Mountain Poets (UK)
Director/Screenwriter: Jamie Adams
Two professional con artist sisters go on the run and assume the identities of The Wilding Sisters, guest stars of the a poetry retreat in the depths of the Black Mountains. A romantic comedy drama about love, crime, spirituality and soul.
Cast: Alice Lowe, Dolly Wells, Tom Cullen, Rosa Robson, Richard Elis, Laura Patch, Roger Evans, Hannah Daniel, Ben McGregor, Claire Cage (North American Premiere)

My Blind Brother
Director/Screenwriter: Sophie Goodhart
Love for the same woman causes conflict between an over-achieving blind athlete and the brother who made him that way.
Cast: Adam Scott, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, Zoe Kazan, Charlie Hewson, Maryann Nagel, Greg Violand (World Premiere)
* SXsports screening

Rainbow Time
Director/Screenwriter: Linas Phillips
A developmentally delayed 40-year-old man named Shonzi is sent to live with his brother Todd. But when Shonzi developes a crush on Todd’s new girlfriend Lindsay, he threatens to reveal past secrets that could ultimately tear the couple apart.
Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Linas Phillips, Timm Sharp, Tobin Bell, Lauren Weedman, Artemis Pebdani, Jay Duplass, Reagan Yates, Austin Fryberger (World Premiere)

Slash
Director/Screenwriter: Clay Liford
Neil is a questioning teen who secretly writes erotic fan fiction about popular sci-fi characters. When his classmate Julia discovers his writing, she leads him down a rabbit hole deep into the world of ‘slash’ fiction. Cast: Michael Johnston, Hannah Marks, Michael Ian Black, Missi Pyle, Jessie Ennis, Peter Vack, Sarah Ramos, Robert Longstreet, Tishuan Scott, Lucas Neff (World Premiere)

War On Everyone (UK)
Director/Screenwriter: John Michael McDonagh
Two corrupt cops in New Mexico set out to blackmail and frame every criminal unfortunate enough to cross their path in this volatile jet-black action comedy.
Cast: Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgård, Theo James, Tessa Thompson (North American Premiere)

Thank You Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon
Director: Todd Bieber
Fifteen years after Del Close’s death, thousands of comedians (both famous and unknown) gather to celebrate modern comedy’s most important person that no one knows. (World Premiere)

Jules and Dolores (Brazil)
Director: Caito Ortiz, Screenwriters: Lusa Silvestre, Caito Ortiz
Jules and Dolores is a pop comedy about the theft of the World Cup Trophy that occurred in Brazil in 1983. Curiously enough, nobody truly knows the details surrounding this unbelievable event, until now.
Cast: Paulo Tiefenthaler, Taís Araujo, Danilo Grangheia, Milhem Cortaz, Fabio Marcoff, Pedro Wagner, Álvaro Diniz, Thelmo Fernandes, Otto Jr. (World Premiere)
* SXsports screening

Karaoke Crazies (Republic of Korea)
Director: Kim Sang Chan
Welcome to ADDICTION KARAOKE and let’s sing till the end! (World Premiere)

Operator
Director: Logan Kibens, Screenwriters: Sharon Greene, Logan Kibens
JOE, a programmer and obsessive self-quantifier, and EMILY, a budding comedy performer, are happily married until they decide to use one another in their work. Operator is a dark comedy about love, technology, and what can’t be programmed.
Cast: Martin Starr, Mae Whitman, Nat Faxon, Cameron Esposito, Retta, Christine Lahti, Kate Cobb, Kristopher Lofton, Tim Hopper, Trevor Dawkins (World Premiere)

SERIES

Search Party
Directors/Screenwriters: Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers
Search Party is a dark comedy about four self-absorbed twenty-somethings who become entangled in an ominous mystery when a former college acquaintance suddenly disappears.
Cast: Alia Shawkat, John Early, John Reynolds, Meredith Hagner (World Premiere)

Vice Principals
Directors: Jody Hill, David Gordon Green, Screenwriters: Danny McBride, Jody Hill
A dark comedy series that tells the story of a high school and the two people who almost run it, the vice principals, who are engaged in an epic power struggle for the top spot.
Cast: Danny McBride, Walton Goggins, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Georgia King, Busy Philipps, Shea Whigham, Sheaun McKinney (World Premiere)

You Me Her
Screenwriter/Showrunner: John Scott Shepherd
An impulsive “date” between suburbanite Jack and escort Izzy spins into a three-way affair including Jack’s wife Emma, posing the question: What if your truest, happiest life looked nothing like you imagined? Would you be brave enough to live it?
Cast: Greg Poehler, Rachel Blanchard, Priscilla Faia, Jarod Joseph, Melanie Papaila (World Premiere)

And Punching the Clown

Director: Gregori Viens, Screenwriters: Henry Phillips, Gregori Viens
Comedian Henry Phillips is lured to LA by a renowned TV producer who wants to bring his story of failure to the screen. But when a major network gets involved, Henry must decide whether he wants to make jokes for a living, or be the butt of them. Cast: Henry Phillips, Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro, J.K. Simmons, Jim Jefferies, Ellen Ratner, Mike Judge, Mark Cohan, Clifton Collins (World Premiere)

Here’s a Trailer for the New TBS

January 7, 2016

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Once a network that you primarily just knew for Conan, TBS is looking to start anew in this ever changing landscape of TV, especially when it comes to comedy.

So, with the likes of an entire new line-up of shows including the Steve and Nancy Carell’s Angie Tribeca, Jason Jones’ The Detour, People of Earth from Conaco, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Search Party from Charles Rogers and Sarah Violet Bliss (the duo behind Fort Tilden), and Wrecked.

From the looks of this trailer that rundowns this new line-up, they might have a good shot at finding a new niche.

TBS Shows Off Their New Look with New Dark Comedy Series “Search Party” Starring Alia Shawkat

November 3, 2015

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alia shawkat, charles rogers, john early, sarah violet bliss, search party, tbs

Starting next year, TBS will have their “very funny” branding fading off into the distance in their rear view mirror. They’ve got a new snappy logo as well a Jason Jones sitcom and a Samantha Bee hosted late night talk show on deck.

Today, they unveiled their new series, Search Party from Charles Rogers and Sarah Violet Bliss, the folks behind the brilliant Fort Tilden, starring Alia Shawkat.

Charles and Sarah have a really great sense of how to examine millennials in an honest, raw sense without making it seem that they’re just doing a two-dimensional caricature of young people, so we’re excited to see what they’ve concocted in this show with their latest batch of self-obssessives, one of which is the great John Early, looking for a friend that’s gone missing.

Get a taste of Search Party as well as a glimpse of the new TBS logo (and a sense of the new and improved TBS) in this trailer.