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Get Your First Look at Chris Gethard’s Comedy Special/Road Doc “Half My Life” (Part of Which Takes Place at Gatorland)

May 3, 2021
News
chris gethard, half my life, special, trailer

In the grand tradition of Chris Gethard being completely untraditional, Gethard has his latest comedy special as part stand-up special, part road comedy doc with his opener Carmen Christopher and his wife Hallie and their child, and part exploration of America’s vast, vast swath of subcultures.

So, you’ll get to see Chris do stand-up in underground comedy spaces, art spaces, at pancake breakfasts, and even in a place called Gatorland (and it’s called that because, you guessed it, they have a bunch of gators) all on Half My Life.

It’s set for release on Tues. June 1st via Comedy Dynamics, but you can catch a glimpse of this Gethard style chaos in the trailer for Half My Life here.

Dave Chappelle’s Drops “8:46”, a Raw 27 Min. Special About George Floyd’s Murder in 8 Minutes and 46 Seconds

June 12, 2020
News
chris dorner, dave chappelle, george floyd, netflix, special

First, just go watch it. It’s free on YouTube here.

The moment we’re living in is one of extended, acute trauma. It’s everything happening all at the same time, bearing down on the entire globe.

So, what is comedy’s purpose in this time, especially when it has been already redefining itself as an art form under the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s a question that we have been pondering for weeks, especially since having the energy to attempt to be funny seems to be on short supply.

Cue Dave Chappelle and his nearly half-hour special 8:46 that was recorded only last week (outside with a socially distanced crowd in face masks) and released last night. Chappelle has never shied away from talking about crucial issues in his stand-up, sometimes in a controversial way, but he has gotten lengthier in his analysis of them in these years, especially when he released his first special after leaving Chappelle’s Show.

8:46, of course, denotes the amount of time that Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd’s neck murdering him in broad daylight with three other officers standing passively by him. That is the entire focus of the Chappelle’s set, which Dave notes is material that he’s working out. It is as raw as Chappelle has ever gotten and often it’s not necessarily hysterical, but that is sort of the point. The tension is clear and we’re all meant to sit in it as we have been to feel it together within a space that is normally reserved for well-crafted bits, jokes, and social satire met with laughter and applause.

However, it’s illuminating in a way that comedic thinking can often highlight contradictions. In 8:46, Dave makes a brilliant connection between the saga of Christopher Dorner and George Floyd and the global outcry for justice. Ironically, Chappelle even confesses that he shouldn’t even be the one speaking out as the streets are doing a much better job of that. Dave utilizes the platform of 8:46 as a “comedy special” to juxtapose, as comedy so expertly does, disparate things that, actually, may be not be so disparate for a salient point. For now, that’s definitely something comedy can do in this historical moment.

“John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch” Hysterically Strikes the Perfect Amount of Strange

December 26, 2019
Uncategorized
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Leading up to its release, John Mulaney’s latest work, a “traditional” children’s musical TV special called “John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch”, really had us pondering how much would this be for kids and how much this would be subversively and meta-textually be for adults.

We are not kids here at TCB and haven’t been for quite some time, so we can’t speak to their reception of it (we suspect the very charming performances by the kids here would indeed delight other kids), but boy-oh-boy, John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch is so, so damn funny to us grown-ups. 

Mulaney and co. do their due diligence and including all the traditional trappings of a children’s special with musical numbers, fun, loose choreography, and colorful, interactive interstitials. However, several threads of hilariously bizarre self-awareness (i.e. Mulaney making fun of the fact that he and his very hyper specific sense of humor are making a children’s special) that run rampant throughout the Sack Lunch Bunch. The absurdity of the premise is even twisted further with both genuine moments (the kids of the Sack Lunch Bunch earnestly discussing their fears) and the inclusion of other perfectly out-of-place guests like Richard Kind, David Byrne, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Even the interstitials get their own weird twist with trivia that almost no kid (and maybe some adults) today would know. 

Somehow, Mulaney has outdone himself yet again with John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch, which is quite the feat following his stand-up specials and Oh, Hello. In fact, if Lorne Michaels ever steps down from SNL and John’s up for it, Mulaney now has got our vote for running SNL.

John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch is now streaming on Netflix. Go watch it and bring yourself some joy.

W. Kamau Bell’s Private School Negro, Wherein He Delightfully Proves Trump Is Racist, Is Now Streaming on Netflix

June 26, 2018
Uncategorized
netflix, private school negro, special, stand up, w kamau bell
image

For a couple of years now, W. Kamau Bell has been primarily focused on his critically acclaimed CNN series United Shades of America. Just in case you forgot, Bell is a very fun stand-up to watch even though he’s a very overtly political comedian (having a warm, inviting demeanor might be a good place to start when doing effective political comedy these days).

His new hour Private School Negro is a great reminder how jubilant and jovial Kamau can be while delving into potentially divisive material and still make it all work. Even though he spends several minutes on a bit focused on Trump undeniably being a racist (and his supporters who say you can’t really call him a racist), it’s done up in such a playful way that those exhausted on Trump humor might still enjoy it. 

Another way that Kamau deals with talking about politics and race so well in this special is that he brings humanity to it, specifically in sharing stories about raising his daughters who are biracial. It’s both sweet and offers perspective in what is, often times, mostly an ideological fight.

All in all, Kamau has made a political comedy special that is very much of the time, but, thankfully, has some legitimate hope in it.

W. Kamau Bell: Private School Negro is now streaming on Netflix.

In Hannah Gadsby’s Hour “Nanette”, Gadsby Reveals and Undoes the Seams of Comedy to Properly Tell Her Story of Sexual Assault

June 21, 2018
Uncategorized
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image

Much of 2018 is left, but we’re already thinking that Aussie comedian Hannah Gadsby and her new special Nanette, now streaming on Netflix as of this week, will be talked about for quite some time.

There are so many facets to it that, we think, demand such attention.

First off, Gadsby, like the recently released Rape Jokes from Cameron Esposito, confronts the topic of sexual abuse and assault by sharing her story. Gadsby does so by joking about it and then stripping away the humor to reveal the truth (and to also get closure for herself and make other victims of sexual abuse and assault feel less alone). 

The contrast between the two angles lends to Gadsby also sharing her personal philosophy on how comedy exactly works, down to the very DNA of it. From this almost critical dissection of comedy, Gadbsy goes on to suggest that she might have to step away from comedy as she wants to present the truth, warts and all, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

With this mix, Nanette is an hour that really is dramedy more than it is a simply labeled stand-up comedy special. There are funny, charming bits and passages that are incredibly intense and effective, both of which Hannah manages to weave in her expertise in art history as well.

So, we highly urge you to go see all this for yourself in Gadsby’s Nanette on Netflix.

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee to Have Special Bus Episode This Wednesday

July 18, 2016
Uncategorized
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Too much has gone on in the world during Samantha Bee’s hiatus, so thank goodness there is this special episode of Full Frontal coming this Wednesday at 10:30PM on TBS.

Here’s a promo.

“Robot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship” Premieres Tonight

October 18, 2015
Uncategorized
dc comics, magical friendship, robot chicken, special

Midnight on Adult Swim.

While you’re still waiting for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, something to watch in the DC Comics Universe will be the third Robot Chicken DC Comics special, premiering tonight.

Since it’s the Robot Chicken crew cracking jokes with stop motion animation, we’re almost sure that there’ll be way less controversy than Batman v. Superman has caused.

“The Robot Chicken DC Comics Special 3″ Released Another Trailer for New York Comic Con

October 12, 2015
Uncategorized
adult swim, aquaman, batman, dc comics, flash, robin, robot chicken, special, superman

Earlier this summer, Robot Chicken teased their upcoming 3rd DC Comics Special at Comic Con. 

With the New York Comic Con on hand, they’re continuing to tease the special as there is a great, brand new trailer. 

Fortunately, this time around, we only have to wait a week until the premiere.

Finally, Conan O’Brien’s Remote Segments Are Getting Their Own Primetime Special

November 20, 2014
Uncategorized
comedy special, conan o'brien, conan remotes, primetime, remote segments, special, tbs

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Almost a year ago, we wrote a piece about how Conan O’Brien’s remote segments throughout his tenure as a late night host are some of the funniest things to be done on TV and there should be an entire show dedicated to just that. That includes Conan visiting places around the world, dealing with Jordan Schlansky, Clueless Gamer, and more.

Well, it just so turns out that we spoke something into the ether (along with millions of other people most likely) and TBS will air an entire primetime special on Thurs. Dec. 18th at 10PM of the best of these remotes.

We don’t believe in the power of attraction necessarily, but this special happening doesn’t help our case.

DC Pierson Has Put Up His One Man Storytelling Show, DC Pierson Is Bad at Girls, Online for Free

March 9, 2013
Uncategorized
bad at girls, dc pierson, special, storytelling

In addition to the 30 min. of stand-up the very funny DC Pierson did live at Echoes Under Sunset, he also recorded his DC Pierson Is Bad at Girls show that very night. Suffice it to say that it was one hell of an evening.

Luckily, you can enjoy DC’s one man storytelling show for free too right here.

Louis CK HBO Special to Debut April 13th

February 28, 2013
Uncategorized
hbo, louis ck, special, stand up

Louis CK HBO Special to Debut April 13th

Well, mark your calendars for CK’s latest special as well as the inevitable and highly anticipated appearances on the late night circuit.

By then, maybe HBO will let you subscribe to HBOGO only?

Morning Debriefing 3/11/11

March 11, 2011
Uncategorized
battle of 1739, comedian, comedy, comedy central, comedy shows, deadline, evil genius, hannibal buress, hollywood, james adomian, jay larson, kumail nanjiani, kyle kinane, last comic standing, los angeles, los feliz, mash-up, matt braunger, nbc, paul f tompkins, presents, sean green, special, steven wright, tj miller, tom scharpling, twitter, ucb, ultimate free and cheap la comedy list, wisepix

1) Once again, congratulations to James Adomian landing a role on an NBC pilot!

2) MORE GOOD NEWS!!! Comedy Central is developing Paul F. Tompkins’ scripted show Evil Genius!!! [via Deadline]

3) Not sure where he’s going with this story/novel, but perhaps comedian Steven Wright is purposely playing against type. Follow him @stevenwright and find out.

4) The Ultimate Free & Cheap LA Comedy List 3/13-3/19. Thanks Wisepix.

5) Mash-Up is finally here, though at midnight, it’s here w/Matt Braunger, Hannibal Buress, Kyle Kinane, Kumail Nanjiani, and Host TJ Miller on Comedy Central! Jay Larson’s Comedy Central Special right before at 11:30PM.

5) On Monday Mar. 7th, there was the Battle of 1739 (Public House), here’s some video of comedian Sean Green murdering one of the hecklers, if you can only imagine just being there…

6) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL
Timeline B (Sax Carr’s CD Recording) @ Meltdown Comics 7PM FREE
Risk! True Tales Boldly Told! @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5
Patton Oswalt @ Galaxy Theatre 8PM $25
Featuring @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5 
The Also-Ran Comedy Hour @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10:30PM $5
The Garfunkel and Oates Hour @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

7) OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/given set list to improv off of
iCANDY 1708 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/$3 min.
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM 
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Starts 7PM
GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/Starts 8PM   

8) On cracking jokes about the Tsunami in Japan-RT @joshcomers When tragedy strikes, jokes on Twitter feel like weird tumbleweeds.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Morning Debriefing 3/10/11

March 10, 2011
Uncategorized
alhambra, attack of the show, billy mays, comedy central, comedy palace, comedy show, eagle rock, free, g4, garfunkel and oates, hermosa beach, hollywood, jay larson, los angeles, megan amram, patton oswalt, presents, santa monica, special, vice magazine, west hollywood

1) The Comedy Central Promo by Jay Larson for Jay Larson’s Half Hour Special this Fri. at 11:30PM… or is it?

2) Well, this doesn’t happen too often anymore, but it’s happening tonight… Patton Oswalt for free on the Comedy Palace at the Palace Restaurant.  Doors are at 8:30PM. Show starts at 9PM and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be packed to standing room only.  Or you can see him for the nominal fee of $25 at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana at 8PM tomorrow.

3) [How to get rid of] Stains! by Megan Amram. Eat your heart out Billy Mays! [via Vice Magazine]

4) Garfunkel and Oates on Attack of the Show!!!

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL
Dirty Bird Comedy @ On the Rocks 7:30PM FREE
Everybody’s Talkin’ @ Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
8PM $5 suggested donation
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE 
Glenn Wool @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5 
Rest in Peace @ Hollywood Hotel 10PM FREE 

6) OPEN MIC RUN
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM 
THE SANDWICH SPOT 3101 Ocean Park Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 7PM
CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/10 min. guaranteed
TKO SHOW @ 212 CAFE 212 Pier Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 9PM   

7) I found out that comedy is in fact more nerdy than video games as I had a girl intently interested in playing video games then blow me off once I brought up comedy to talk to a gay friend of mine.  Comedy is that nerdy.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

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