• Events
    • Los Angeles Open Mics
    • Los Angeles Shows
    • New York Open Mics
    • New York Shows
  • Book A Tour
  • Venues
  • News
  • Podcast
  • About
    • About The Comedy Bureau
    • Contact
    • Consulting
    • Digital Wall of Trustees

showtime

divider

TCB Field Report Ep. 32: Chris Estrada & Making the Most Out of 2020

November 4, 2020
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
abc, bill burr, Bless the Harts, chris estrada, entre nos, fox, hbo latino, hbo max, how to with john wilson, latinx, paper tiger, sam jay, showtime

LA scene favorite Chris Estrada was poised for a great 2020 before the pandemic took hold. Now, 8 months into lockdown, Estrada is, thankfully, still getting some great things that he deserves coming his way like a HBO Latino Entre Nos special premiering later this month. Estrada zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger about weathering the world throughout this year and keeping the flame of his comedy alive whether it be on Zoom, at an outdoors comedy show, or on his first stand-up special. Also, they dish “hot” takes on new series developments at ABC, Showtime, and Fox as well as representation for Latinx in comedy and the label of Latinx itself.

Follow Chris @chrisestrada85 on Twitter and @chrisestradacomic on IG.

Shout-outs: Bless The Harts, Bill Burr: Paper Tiger, Sam Jay: 3 in the Morning, and How To with John Wilson

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

Please Enjoy Borat on Desus & Mero

October 26, 2020
News
desus and mero, desus nice, kid mero, showtime

It’s inevitable that Sacha Baron Cohen would make the rounds on late night as his renowned character Borat Sagdiyev to promote the recent release of Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm on Amazon Prime, the follow-up to the groundbreaking first Borat moviefilm.

Borat’s latest appearance was on Desus & Mero and the blend of Sacha’s antics as the most famous Kazakh journalist and the irreverence of Desus Nice & The Kid Mero’s riffing make for the rambunctious interview that you’d hope for (which is even harder to achieve when done over Zoom).

So, enjoy Borat and Desus and Mero mixing it up here.

Ziwe Scores Her Very Own Variety Series at Showtime

October 21, 2020
News
baited, showtime, variety series, ziwe

At the point, even if you’re trying to actively not look up the name Ziwe after seeing it repeatedly posted all over the place (justifiably so for many, many great reasons), it’s a name that simply can’t ignore. The comedian and writer (and aspiring pop star) found herself in the limelight via IG Live with her weekly interview series, Baited with Ziwe, while also working as a staff writer at Desus & Mero.

That has scored her numerous comedic accolades in quarantine, a book deal, and, as should have happened already by now, a show of her own. Showtime has officially ordered a variety series that will essentially let Ziwe do whatever she wants. As it’ll “feature interviews, sketches and more – including unscripted and unpredictable real-world rendezvous between everyday people,” we can only imagine what Ziwe has hidden in her very stylish ensemble for us all.

Perhaps, a version of Baited that’s a little like Billy on the Street (when we can talk to each other not at a distance on the street because of COVID-19)? Maybe there will be a bit of her rocking out her single Universal Healthcare?

Whatever Ziwe’s show ends up being, you can be assured a good percentage of the world/Internet is looking forward to it more than whatever just got postponed/unrenewed by a network or studio.

 

Showtime Orders Up Astronaut Workplace Comedy “Moonbase 8” With Armisen, Heidecker, and Reilly

August 20, 2020
News
fred armisen, john c reilly, jonathan krisel, showtime, tim heidecker

Joining in with Space Force and Avenue 5, there is going to be another space-centric workplace-ish comedy, time time coming from Showtime. Entitled Moonbase 8, it comes from the minds of series stars Fred Armisen, Tim Heidecker, and John C. Reilly and Jonathan Krisel who was instrumental to Baskets and Portlandia behind the camera.

Is it a trend of not-so-distant-future live action workplace comedy that is coming? It might be too early to tell, but three of them (and countless others that are undoubtedly in development) certainly signals networks sharing in a vision with their programming/development slates.

The quartet of Armisen, Heidecker, C. Reilly, and Krisel does excite us to think of a subtle, yet out-there comedy that tangles with the strangeness, in their own niche of strangeness, of attempting to go to the final frontier. Moonbase 8 is set to premiere in the fall and, with A24 attached, we can’t wait to see what super-stylish look they come up with for this.

Desus & Mero and Jon Stewart Have a Bit of a Heart to Heart About Doing Late Night Comedy in the Face of Tragedy

July 10, 2020
News
desus and mero, jon stewart, showtime

The first part of this full interview (approximately the first six minutes) with Jon Stewart on Desus & Mero is one of the better, more frank conversations about the purpose and philosophy of comedy when times of strife, tragedy, and horror strike.

As we are beset with all three very acutely every single day of the pandemic, doing a recurring late night talk/satirical news show is as tricky as it has ever been. What can you do to talk about the world and lift spirits? How up would you even be given the the weight of the world already being unbearable, but getting heavier every few hours or so? Stewart and Desus & Mero relate their experiences with The Daily Show and this current time that’s a maelstrom of so many awful things all at once to get to some answers to those questions.

Please watch and listen to here

Desus & Mero Returning July 5th & Moving to Sundays and Thursdays

June 18, 2020
News
desus and mero, showtime

Of the late night shows that are on right now attempting to do comedy and satire about the times we’re living in, we’ve been sincerely missing the takes of Desus & Mero who have taken a bit of a hiatus. Even in the more tense times, both Desus Nice and The Kid Mero have managed to stay true to themselves, honestly comment/riff on the moment we’re living in, and somehow find their way to punchlines and tags.

So, we’re glad to hear that Desus & Mero are coming back to Showtime on July 5th (even though we wish they were back sooner). They’ll still be going twice a week, but they’re moving their schedule to Sundays and Thursdays, FYI.

We were already enjoying how they were handling doing their show in quarantine (they officiated a wedding remotely) and we can’t wait to see what they’ll do with the uprising for Black Lives Matter and against police brutality.

Miss us, Bodega Hive? #DESUSandMERO returns to @Showtime Sundays & Thursdays starting July 5. ?

Stream here: https://t.co/GruWLQ8Lda pic.twitter.com/kwtitlyMtC

— DESUS & MERO on SHOWTIME (@SHODesusAndMero) June 18, 2020

Abby McEnany’s Work in Progress Is Streaming All on YouTube for Free

June 15, 2020
News
abby mcenany, showtime, work in progress

Though it premiered at the beginning of December, you might have not access to Abby McEnany’s brilliantly and hysterically dark comedy Work in Progress. The series follows Abby herself and a journey that she has in the series through one captivating relationship with a trans man. There is so much humanity in the show in how it explores all corners of Abby’s human experience and perspective while also being so darkly funny.

As quarantine still persists and it’s Pride Month, Work In Progress, is one show that would be great to binge while you’re stuck at home right now and, fortunately for us all, its first season is streaming on YouTube, courtesy of Showtime.

So, go get into Work In Progress here.

First Look at Jesus Trejo’s First Hour Showtime Special “Stay at Home Son”

April 27, 2020
News
comedy special, jesus trejo, showtime, stand up comedy

Jesus Trejo‘s very first hour special is coming in the not so distant future (perhaps when a good majority of states in the U.S. have loosened some of their precautionary measure that flattened). Still, whether you’ll be staying in or out congregating outside, Trejo’s debut hour stand-up comedy special Stay at Home Son on Showtime will be premiering at the end of May and you should watch it.

We had the esteemed privilege and luck to see Trejo work out this hour in LA, often little bits here and there enjoying the start contrast between Trejo’s gravel-y voice and his playful observations and personal stories.

Get a sense of what’s to come from Stay at Home Son with this clip.

THEN, look for the premiere on Wednesday May 29th  at 9PM on Showtime.

Please Enjoy an Animated Interview of Malcolm Gladwell by Desus & Mero

April 7, 2020
News
animated, cartuna, desus and mero, interview, malcolm gladwell, showtime

As if a chat between Desus & Mero with celebrated journalist and author Malcolm Gladwell wasn’t enough for you to satisfy you, the wonderful artists over at Cartuna put the icing on the cake by animating the interview.

In the animated world, they really play up the contrast of Gladwell in Desus & Mero’s world and also lets you imagine a current day conversation that doesn’t require social distancing. Enjoy it here.

Desus & Mero Return to Air (from Home) on Showtime This Coming Monday

March 26, 2020
News
desus and mero, desus nice, showtime, the kid mero

Desus & Mero are joining in the rest of ranks of late night by continuing to tape new episodes, but doing so outside of their studios from the comfort of their own homes without an audience. They’ll be back on their normal schedule of 11PM on Mondays and Thursdays on Showtime starting March 30th.

The duo of Desus Nice and The Kid Mero pretty much just riff back and forth for the majority of their episodes (partially with a guest) and, from the looks of it, that will definitely remain intact in this remotely done version of their groundbreaking late night show.

Also, it looks you’ll get a sneak peek into Desus’ sneaker collection.

You Knew That Desus & Mero Do Their Own Warm-Up on Their Show, Right?

March 9, 2020
News
desus and mero, late night, showtime

If you wonder how unstoppable Desus Nice and The Kid Mero are when it comes to riffing, you should know that, in addition to riffing their way through their own Showtime show and their podcast, The Bodega Boys, they warm-up the crowd themselves on their own show.

Almost 100% of the time, a stand-up comedian that isn’t definitely not the host of the show does some combo of explaining the rules, doing some stand-up, and some crowd work to the audience in attendance in order to bring the energy of the room to higher, cohesive point.

Yet, Desus & Mero can do that all by their damn selves. Thankfully, Showtime has put all of that online, for your convenience, on the Desus & Mero YouTube channel. Dig in and enjoy.

Taika Waititi Horror Comedy “The Auteur” Starring Jude Law in Development at Showtime

February 20, 2020
Uncategorized
development, jude law, showtime, taika waititi, the auteur

Taika Waititi Horror Comedy “The Auteur” Starring Jude Law in Development at Showtime

After JoJo Rabbit, it seems as though Taika Waititi will be given an infinite sandbox to play with (as it should be). This latest project (adapted from the eponymous graphic novel from Rick Spears, James Callahan, and Luigi Anderson) will star Jude Law, but also follow a production of horror movie gone gonzo as the cast and crew get stuck with a serial killer on the backlot where they’re shooting. With Waititi’s touch, we’re sure that, if this gets a series order, it’ll be some truly twisted fun (maybe a bit like Sion Sono’s Why Don’t You Play in Hell? where a filmmaker makes a mob movie during a real mob war). 

Truly, we would love to see what Waititi gets to do with a potentially even darker than What We Do In The Shadows horror comedy. 

Desus & Mero Return for 2020 Tonight

February 3, 2020
Uncategorized
desus and mero, showtime

The freshest, legitimately fun (and that goes for the audience, the viewer, and Desus & Mero themselves) late night show is finally back for their second season/first episode of 2020/returning after a break that was too long for our taste. 

If you haven’t gotten into the unbelievably rambunctious fun of Desus Nice and Kid Mero riffing in studio or on the street, please acquaint yourself with their YouTube Channel.

Then, get into Desus & Mero’s return properly tonight at 11PM with one of their biggest guests thus far (and perhaps a rite of passage in the realm of late night), David Letterman.

Desus & Mero Judge Their Staff’s Thanksgiving Potluck

November 29, 2019
Uncategorized
desus and mero, desus nice, kid mero, showtime, thanksgiving

You may have a lot of feelings about the spread that Desus & Mero get served by their staff, but it’s probably filled with more twists and turns your (probably) pretty good Thanksgiving dinner/lunch.

Also, this could be proof-of-concept for a Desus & Mero food review show? Enjoy it here.

Desus & Mero Renewed for Season 2 at Showtime, Which Will Premiere Feb. 3rd

November 21, 2019
Uncategorized
desus and mero, renewed, season 2, showtime

The freshest show in late night, Desus & Mero (truly, no one is doing it up in late night like Desus Nice and The Kid Mero), will be back for a second season at Showtime come this February (Mon. Feb. 3rd to be more specific).

Congrats to them and we can’t wait to see what they try to get away with a whole other season ahead of them.

Work In Progress Trailer Suggests That Showtime Might Have Something Special on Its Hands

October 31, 2019
Uncategorized
abby mcenany, showtime, trailer, work in progress

This new, upcoming series Work in Progress from Abby McEnany (co-creator and star), a staple of Chicago improv, looks to have lots of promise from this just released trailer.

We’re getting vibes of Paul Giamatti at his self-deprecating best, but it’s clear that Abby, “45-year-old self-identified fat, queer dyke” (that’s from the show’s own description FYI) is something wholly original and something we’re very much looking forward to seeing.

Once again, see for yourself in the Work in Progress trailer, then look for the series premiere on Sun. Dec. 8th at 11PM on Showtime.

Desus & Mero Are Finally Back on Showtime Tonight

October 14, 2019
Uncategorized
desus and mero, desus nice, kid mero, showtime

Desus & Mero are, as far as we can see, the freshest thing in late night (they’re riffing and rambunctious vibe is like nothing else on at 11PM) and we’re damn glad that they’ll be back from hiatus and on the grind Mondays and Thursdays on Showtime at 11PM starting tonight.

If you’re not quite sure what we’re talking about (and that would be weird considering we really dig them here at TCB), do yourself a favor and do a deep dive/binge on their YouTube channel here.

October 3, 2019
Uncategorized
comedy show, comedy special, jesus trejo, los angeles, north hollywood, showtime, stand up comedy, tv taping

The latest stand-up special that Showtime has lined-up has us pretty damn excited as it will be for Jesus Trejo.

Trejo has perfected his craft, climbing his way carefully up through the LA comedy scene for years, to become a paid regular at The Comedy Store and having a great set on Corden. Personally, we enjoy his mix of grounded, personal observations, penchant for a bit of silliness, and his cool, gnarly voice.

So, please make yourself present at the taping for Jesus Trejo’s first special Stay at Home Son for Showtime. There are two tapings (7PM and 9:30PM) at NoHo’s El Portal Theatre and you can RSVP here.

Desus & Mero Return on Oct. 14th

September 19, 2019
Uncategorized
desus and mero, showtime

We don’t discuss snubs too much around here, but Desus & Mero definitely should be much more in the conversation (perhaps nominated throughout awards season) when it comes to recognizing excellence in late night.

Thankfully, they’ll be back on Showtime on Oct. 14th to everyone on notice for the freshest voices on the far side of 11PM. They were on tour were they just riffed for around two hours for sold out crowds and we can’t wait to see what sort of energy that brings when they come back next month.

May 9, 2019
Uncategorized
comedy show, desus and mero, desus nice, dtla, kid mero, los angeles, showtime

Desus and Mero are definitely on the come up in the late night world (and we would hope you’re on board at this point). Moving from Viceland to Showtime, getting bumped up to two nights for the summer, and bringing a refreshing edge to late night has gotten them much deserved praise.

They’re based out of NYC, but come August, you’ll get a chance to see the duo live at The Theatre at Ace Hotel and see what the phenoms are all about in person. Tickets just went on sale and you can (and very much should) go get them here.

‘Desus & Mero’ Expands to Two Episodes a Week at Showtime for the Summer

April 29, 2019
Uncategorized
desus and mero, desus nice, kid mero, showtime

We’re thrilled to hear that the one late night show that really stands up from all the rest is getting to go to two nights a week for the summer. 

Desus & Mero have apparently made their higher-ups at Showtime happy enough to take on Monday and Thursday nights starting next week until the beginning of August.

Desus Nice and Kid Mero’s voices are very refreshing, legitimate shake-up to the late night landscape. If you haven’t gotten a chance to see what the duo’s up to over at Showtime, may we suggest binging through their official YouTube Channel.

Watch Desus & Mero Keep Their Freewheeling, Rambunctious Energy Up in Their First Episode on Showtime

February 22, 2019
Uncategorized
desus and mero, desus nice, showtime, the kid mero

Desus Nice and Kid Mero had made waves in late night with their undeniable exuberance and the way they trash talk what’s in the zeitgeist rather than do traditional one-liner jokes in a traditional late night monologue on the Viceland version of their show.

With the upgrade of being on Showtime that premiered last night, Desus & Mero stay true to that dynamic while upping their profile with a sketch (a righteous parody of Green Book) and a remote segment (making Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s D.C. office feel more like the Bronx). Through it all, they stayed true to their gritty, yet fun vibe. Perhaps, one of the only small differences we noticed is that they ask guests what they would want a neon sign to say (superimposed later in post) as opposed to their original question of what a guest would want a rainbow to say. It’s really just a higher-powered version of their original show.

We’re genuinely excited to see what good sort of ruckus the duo can raise in the weeks and months to come.

See for yourself as Showtime put the whole first episode on YouTube, then tune in to catch them weekly on Showtime on Thursdays at 11PM.

Desus & Mero Have Their Showtime Debut Tonight

February 22, 2019
Uncategorized
desus and mero, desus nice, kid mero, premiere, showtime

At 11PM tonight, Showtime will be stepping into the late night arena and the arena itself will get a fresh, new spark introduced to it. Desus Nice and Kid Mero already made quite the splash with their own unique take on late night over at Viceland that emphasized riffing and a more down-to-earth vibe than all the other glossier late night talk shows.

Now, Desus and Mero have got an upgrade in moving to Showtime (even an actual set with a live audience versus a conference room at Vice). From the looks of this remote segment, they have hit the ground running.

Check ‘em out at 11PM on Showtime (or, more likely, on their YouTube page tomorrow here). 

Desus & Mero’s First Guest on Showtime Will Be Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

February 14, 2019
Uncategorized
alexandra ocasio cortez, aoc, desus and mero, showtime

Honestly, there’s been a certain emptiness since Desus & Mero have taken a hiatus from late night in transition to Showtime from Vice. Their banter that’s pretty much them as opposed to the traditional format of set-up punch monologue jokes and desk pieces was very refreshing. 

Thank goodness, that wait is almost over as they return to TV next Thurs., Feb. 21st at 11PM on Showtime. Also, they landed the perfect first guest in Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, a representative from the Bronx. The BX gets a lot of love from Desus Nice and The Kid Mero and for how forward thinking the show is, AOC should shine like she has been. 

We mean, just look at this promo.

Trailer for Showtime’s “Black Monday” Looks Like a TV Series Prequel to the Wolf of Wall Street Starring Don Cheadle

October 19, 2018
Uncategorized
black monday, showtime, trailer

In short, that’s enough for us to get on board.

Martin Scorsese’s Wolf of Wall Street did cover the infamous stock market crash known as Black Monday, but this upcoming eponymous Showtime series from Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, David Caspe, and Jordan Cahan is entirely dedicated to it. 

In fact, we could almost see this as a spiritual prequel to both Wolf of Wall Street and, in a way, especially because of star Don Cheadle, House of Lies.

Get a taste or, in this case, a line off the table of what’s to come on Sun., Jan. 20th 10PM on Showtime here.

« Recent News
Older News »

Recent News

divider

  • The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 277: Ethan Stanislawski & Being Timely in Comedy (Whether You Like It or Not) - When divisiveness is the order of the day, some of the best bridges are the… Read More
  • The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 276: Andy Sandford & Keeping Jokes as Tight Possible - Andy Sandford's philosophy of trimming all the fat from all his comedy has served him… Read More
  • The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 274: Spaghetti Festival & Sticking on the Wall (Together) - The Spaghetti Festival @ The Elysian represents a wholly rejuvenating spark of imagination and creativity… Read More

Sign up For The Newsletter

Copyright © 2020 The Comedy Bureau
All rights reserved