Link – The Comedy Bureau

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

March 4, 2020

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.

Annie Murphy from Schitt’s Creek To Star in Meta AMC Comedy Series ‘Kevin Can F*** Himself’

February 24, 2020

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Annie Murphy from Schitt’s Creek To Star in Meta AMC Comedy Series ‘Kevin Can F*** Himself’

For a show that follows the multi-layered life of a sitcom wife from a poorly wrought and executed multi cam sitcom, series creator Valerie Armstrong and EPs Rashida Jones and Will McCormack might have just perfectly cast their star for Kevin Can F*** Himself.

We were already excited for an AMC series to satirically examine the three-dimensional life of what has historically been an unrealistic one-dimensional character archetype, the sitcom wife. Annie Murphy already stole hearts with Alexis Rose on Schitt’s Creek and, we think, she might have another landmark role here.

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

February 20, 2020

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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.

Tom Segura Set For Two Netflix Comedy Specials, One in English and One in Spanish

February 19, 2020

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Tom Segura Set For Two Netflix Comedy Specials, One in English and One in Spanish

Arguably, doing comedy in another language other than your native tongue could be the highest mark of fluency in that language. Not only do you have to understand speech, grammar, pronunciation, slang, idioms, etc., but you have to be able to play with them in a way that’s particularly obtuse for comedy (oh yeah, you already have to be funny too).

This is happening more and more these days with the likes of Gad Emaleh, Rafi Bastos, Carmen Lynch, and, of course, Eddie Izzard (he’s done some of his hours in at least three different languages if not more)

Tom Segura is indeed already one of the funniest comedians working today and has been bilingual for pretty much his whole life. So, it stands to reason that, in addition to a brand new English language stand-up special, that he would eventually do one in Spanish, which he is currently crafting right at this very moment.

The English special is set for Netflix streaming on Mar. 24th and the Spanish one will come out later this year. We’re so curious as to what that might be, sound like, feel like (though we’re sure Segura’s cutting observational humor will still shine through).

The Safdie Brothers and Nathan Fielder Are Making a Showtime Comedy Pilot “The Curse”

February 19, 2020

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The Safdie Brothers and Nathan Fielder Are Making a Showtime Comedy Pilot “The Curse”

Throwing The Safdie Brothers, Nathan Fielder, throwing tinges of Nathan For You’s Ghost Realtor into a cauldron and seeing what comes out of it is pretty damn exciting. That seems to be what Showtime has ordered up with the comedy pilot for The Curse.

Projects for either The Safdie Brothers or Nathan Fielder undoubtedly have the attention of the whole industry these days, but all of them assembled together has our (and probably many folks’) wheels really spinning as to what madcap, meta, gonzo show their going to create. Thus far, The Curse will follow a troubled HGTV show that may be “cursed”. Also, Fielder will star as a husband of a couple that hosts said HGTV show and Benny Safdie will star as the show’s producer.

Given how both the Safdies and Fielder know how to ratchet up tension, we’d say that you should prepare yourself if this project gets the series greenlight from Showtime.

White House Correspondents Dinner Returns to Having Comedians with Kenan Thompson and Hasan Minhaj

February 18, 2020

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White House Correspondents Dinner Returns to Having Comedians with Kenan Thompson and Hasan Minhaj

It would seem the shift to having a historian preside over the White House Correspondents Dinner didn’t really stick for a night that essentially celebrates our (supposed) American rights to free speech and freedom of the press.

Kenan Thompson will be set up as host and, as Trump is a vain coward and will never change and will very likely sit this one out once more as a vain coward only to tweet how unfunny it is (because he’s, again, a vain coward), Hasan Minhaj as the featured speaker, returning to the WHCD stage once more.

We’d imagine that Minhaj will scorch the earth as he hosted the White House Correspondents Dinner, but we are curious how Minhaj and Kenan Thompson will balance/focus both of their monologues. It’s historic as two comedians are essentially hosting the WHCD and will undoubtedly be double the amount of hate-tweeting from Trump.

In any case, we can be assured that all the jokes will be picked apart by news outlets when decorum in politics hasn’t been the standard for years now.

The stage for the White House Correspondents Dinner is set for April 25th.

HBO Line-Ups a Comedy Special with Yvonne Orji

February 14, 2020

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HBO Line-Ups a Comedy Special with Yvonne Orji

HBO just continues adding on to their growing list of intriguing stand-up specials. They already have the very intriguing The Golden One on deck from Whitmer Thomas.

Now, they’ve added an hour special from Yvonne Orji AKA Molly from Insecure. Apparently, there is footage shot in Nigeria, her birthplace, which will be intercut with her upcoming live performance here in America at HBCU, Howard. Our best guess is that it’ll be somewhat like Gulman’s HBO special The Great Depresh in switching Orji’s material and then remote segments getting more personal about her life, especially in Nigeria.

So, it’s pretty clear now that HBO has taken to a more high art/solo show-esque path with their comedy specials compared to their competitors and we’re pretty on board for that.

Avenue 5 Renewed for Second Season at HBO

February 13, 2020

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Avenue 5 Renewed for Second Season at HBO

Armando Iannucci has been given reign to another season of letting rich people devolve while lost in space in his new series Avenue 5 at HBO.

Not that hey didn’t have free reign to do whatever he wants, but imagining what Iannucci would do with a whole other season with his highest concept work to date has us pretty damn excited.

Congrats to any and all of Avenue 5.

Gary Gulman Set to Write Memoir ‘K Through Twelve’

February 1, 2020

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Gary Gulman Set to Write Memoir ‘K Through Twelve’

Gary Gulman has already established himself as one of the best stand-up comedy’s best artisans and his HBO special The Great Depresh really laid out how wonderful Gulman can be when getting deeply personal about his past and struggles with depression in his comedy.

We can only imagine that him weaving an entire memoir out of his childhood would be one hell of a beautiful book. Thus, we can’t wait for K Through Twelve to hit shelves, both real and digital.

HBO Max Developing Aida Rodriguez Comedy with Tiffany Haddish Attached to EP

January 30, 2020

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HBO Max Developing Aida Rodriguez Comedy with Tiffany Haddish Attached to EP

Of the lives of a comedian that you could explore in a sitcom, Aida Rodriguez sure has one hell of a life where she fought tooth and nail to get where she is now.

Just listen to her ep. of The Crabfeast and you’ll get a pretty get sense of how compelling her story is. Knowing that Haddish will be EP’ing and that Rodriguez will get to star and co-write this project that follows, “an Afro-Latina comedian (Rodriguez) who is trying to kick start a career while raising two very different teenagers on her own over multiple time zones,” has us pretty intrigued.

Additionally, HBO Max’s development slate just keeps getting more and more enticing.

Wes Anderson’s Latest ‘The French Dispatch’ Release Date Set for July 24th

January 29, 2020

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Wes Anderson’s Latest ‘The French Dispatch’ Release Date Set for July 24th

For all the beauty, symmetry, warmth, candor, humor, delightful peculiarities of a Wes Anderson movie, it’s something that we’d really like to see right now as we enter the thick of an election year.

We have no doubt that this movie that recounts stories from a fictional American magazine from fictional French city that boasts a cast of Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Lea Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothee Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Stephen Park, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson will be everything that you’re looking for in a Wes Anderson movie.

Our mind swirls as to what all of these elements together will look and feel like and we almost can’t wait (though we will) for July 24th.

HBO Max Orders an Unlikely Friendship Comedy Pilot From Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky & Mike Schur

January 28, 2020

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HBO Max Orders an Unlikely Friendship Comedy Pilot From Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky & Mike Schur

The combination of Broad City alumni Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky and a significant portion of the forces behind The Good Place, creator Mike Schur along with that has a Vegas diva mentor an “outcast 25 year-old” seems to be the sort of thing that a lot of streaming services are looking for right now.

While this pilot order did come from HBO Max, we could see such a series get developed at Hulu, Quibi, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, etc. etc. All of that is too say that many streaming services are clearly aiming at younger cord cutter viewers that also have somewhat discerning taste in comedy. If that’s so across the board (in the realm of streaming), perhaps that means cheesy multi-cams will be no more? Only time will tell.

In any case, this pilot definitely is intriguing with very, very funny people in charge and we kind of can’t wait to see who they cast as the leads.

Titmouse Animation Signs Overall Deal at Netflix

January 28, 2020

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Titmouse Animation Signs Overall Deal at Netflix

Netflix has done quite well with its adult animated series offerings including Big Mouth, BoJack Horseman, and F Is For Family.

So, they’re dipping their toes deeper into the adult animation pool with this overall deal with Titmouse Animation, the studio behind Big Mouth as well as the upcoming trippy adult animated series, The Midnight Gospel (that just so happens to be set to stream at Netflix in the not so distant future).

As far as we can see, Netflix really wants to be a 1-for-1 synonym for television, though the proliferation of streaming services is making this goal of TV domination a whole lot harder. At the very least, Netflix can dominate little pockets here and there and they definitely have become one of the dominant players in the adult animation space along side Adult Swim and Fox.

In any case, we’re very very curious to see what Titmouse comes up with under this deal and how much they’ll push the envelope.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Newly Minted Production Company Will Be Called Wells Street Films

January 23, 2020

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Newly Minted Production Company Will Be Called Wells Street Films

The big thing to note her is that Phoebe Waller-Bridge, as part of her big overall deal at Amazon, has set up a production company and has decided to name it Wells Street Films. It’s a name that you ought to keep in the memory bank as we have no doubt that Waller-Bridge will be having several irons in the fire very soon (on top of the many irons she already has in said fire) and probably continue to push the boundaries of comedy as an art form and genre and tone.

Again, keep an eye out for anything from Wells Street Films.

Rob McElhenney Says “We’re Going to Keep Doing It Forever If People Keep Watching” in Regards to the Future of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”

January 21, 2020

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Rob McElhenney Says “We’re Going to Keep Doing It Forever If People Keep Watching” in Regards to the Future of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”

While at over 150 episodes and 14 seasons deep, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia stands as sort of a marvel in a day and age where making it to even six seasons as a TV series is considered to be rarefied air. The dark sitcom that started so bare bones that it often shot multiple episodes simultaneously has built a veritable empire and certainly launched the careers of Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, and Kaitlin Olson as well as brought Danny DeVito into a whole new wonderfully despicable role.

To hear that McElhenney say that they’ll keep it going so long as people watch is interesting as the simplicity of “the gangs” dynamic leaves a wide open canvas for so many storylines and arcs. Just imagining what season 25 or 30 of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia does have us curious and, if McElhenney makes good on his word, maybe they’ll beat out Gunsmoke’s record of 480 episodes.

Hank Azaria Is Stepping Down from Voicing Apu on The Simpsons

January 18, 2020

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Hank Azaria Is Stepping Down from Voicing Apu on The Simpsons

Hank Azaria has actually been willing to step down from voicing Apu for over a year now (as said during a Colbert appearance), but his exit from the character was officially announced today. While this decision was collectively made by Azaria and the heads of The Simpsons, the future of the character has yet to be known.

Much of the controversy behind Azaria voicing Apu came when Hari Kondabolu released his groundbreaking documentary The Problem with Apu in 2017, which sought to bring to light a conversation about race and representation in media.

As you probably guessed, Hari had something to say about today’s news and tweeted the thread below.

It’s interesting to think of The Simpsons, a series that has been very prescient about so many things over decades of being on the air, is now taking a step to address their own problematic element of their show. What lies ahead will be even more intriguing and perhaps, the legendary show is set on a fascinating new direction.

A Steve Martin & Martin Short True Crime Comedy Series Ordered Up at Hulu

January 17, 2020

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A Steve Martin & Martin Short True Crime Comedy Series Ordered Up at Hulu

Steve Martin, Martin Short, and a third will be a trio of friends that are obsessed with true crime (curious to see if they drop a murderino reference for that) and discover that they’re in the middle of developing true crime story.

We’re pretty sure that Steve Martin and Martin Short together again would make any premise work, but it’s intriguing to see the legendary comedy duo tap into the zeitgeist and get in on the world’s current fixation on true crime. Will their be echoes of Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid or will it be something a little more grounded and darker. It’s not clear at this point, but we’ll be intrigued to see what is clearly a big get for Hulu whenever this begins streaming.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Inks Overall Deal at Apple TV Plus

January 17, 2020

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus Inks Overall Deal at Apple TV Plus

While it’s been a bit of clunky start for Apple TV Plus, this is a huge get for them and we can only hope that Apple makes good on putting their money on Julia Louis-Dreyfus and that Julia will get to EP and star in something(s) that will usher in what could be considered a third golden age of JLD (the other two being Seinfeld and Veep).

NBC Announces Peacock’s Development Slate Featuring MacGruber, a Soccer Comedy EP’d by Amy Poehler and Abby Wambach, a McElroy Fantasy Series, and a Laverne Cox Vehicle

January 16, 2020

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NBC Announces Peacock’s Development Slate Featuring MacGruber, a Soccer Comedy EP’d by Amy Poehler and Abby Wambach, a McElroy Fantasy Series, and a Laverne Cox Vehicle

The streaming wars are sure getting fierce. As each respective streaming service is building their army of content, the announcement of what’s to come is becoming more and more crucial.

Today, NBC’s upcoming streaming service Peacock came out swinging by announcing for Peacock’s development slate:

-a series based on the cult comedy MacGruber from Will Forte

-Division One, a women’s soccer comedy that follows a former-champ-turned-coach trying to recapture some former glory (with both Amy Poehler and US Women’s Team World Cup Champion Abby Wambach attached as EPs)

-the McElroy Brothers of My Brother, My Brother, and Me doing an entire fantasy series that combines their D&D podcast/graphic novel series The Adventure Zone

–Expecting, a Mindy Kaling comedy that imagines a new sort of nuclear family

–Clean Slate, that has Laverne Cox playing a formerly estranged son that returns home as an amazing trans woman (a role perfect for Cox)

It’s an enticing line-up, but we’ll just have to wait and see how it’ll fare against everything else (Netflix, Hulu, HBOMax, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, etc. etc.).

‘Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens’ Renewed For Season 2 at Comedy Central Before Premiere

January 14, 2020

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‘Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens’ Renewed For Season 2 at Comedy Central Before Premiere

Comedy Central is doubling down on its latest series a week before it even premieres on the network. Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens is getting a 2nd season and the first season has yet to premiere (series premiere is set for Jan. 22nd).

Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens already has a lot going for it with the titular Awkwafina coming off a pretty great 2019, especially with all the accolades she garnered for The Farewell. It’s obvious that the network is looking for its next critical/commercial hit and we’ll just all have to wait and see if that will be the case for Comedy Central’s latest scripted series.

Certainly, the trailer shows promise, especially if you’ve been following Awkwafina since her exclusive rap days.

Pop TV Orders “Mother Mary” Pilot Starring Betsy Sodaro as a Modern Day ‘Mother Mary’

January 14, 2020

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Pop TV Orders “Mother Mary” Pilot Starring Betsy Sodaro as a Modern Day ‘Mother Mary’

More props should be given to Pop TV for taking a chance on Schitt’s Creek and, as such, more credence should be paid to whatever is on their slate going forward.

For our money, a sitcom that stars the purely funny Betsy Sodaro (the mere sound of her voice and cadence has us giggling) as a millennial bestowed with “the Immaculate Conception” in a project developed by a stacked team of Sodaro, Rachel Bloom, Dan Gregor, and Casey Feigh could land anywhere and we’d be pretty excited for it.

So, Mother Mary with Sodaro landing a pilot order at Pop TV is pretty damn intriguing to us. Perhaps, it’s the next thing that Pop TV will focus on after Schitt’s Creek closes out as a series later this year.

President of Brazil’s Supreme Court Reverses Decision on Porta dos Fundos’ Controversial Gay Jesus Special “The First Temptation of Christ” and Allows It Back on Netflix

January 13, 2020

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President of Brazil’s Supreme Court Reverses Decision on Porta dos Fundos’ Controversial Gay Jesus Special “The First Temptation of Christ” and Allows It Back on Netflix

Last week, it was such disheartening news to hear that Brazilian courts were banning free speech on the basis of Christians being offended, specifically about a satire depicting an alternative vision of Jesus Christ from Brazilian comedy group, Porta dos Fundos.

Thankfully, the President of Brazil’s top court has overturned the original decision claiming that one satire alone can’t undermine the values of a centuries old religion practiced by millions. The First Temptation of Christ will be thus allowed back on Netflix (and we’re sure a bunch more people are going to watch The First Temptation of Christ this time around just to see what all the controversy was about).

So, maybe Brazil hasn’t gone entirely too far right just yet?

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Will Host the 2021 Golden Globes

January 13, 2020

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Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Will Host the 2021 Golden Globes

Ever since The Golden Globes started having hosts for their awards ceremonies, it certainly seems like a very Star Wars-ish arc has been taking place over the last several years.

Ricky Gervais invites some chaos every time he hosts The Golden Globes, making it an all out roast on his end. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler then balance that energy out with grace, poise, and endless cleverness to the ceremony and it might just keep going that way (especially considering that Fey and Poehler have already said that they were done hosting The Golden Globes years ago).

In any case, more Tina Fey and Amy Poehler together in this role, as they will be in 2021′s Golden Globes, is a net positive for all.

‘Atlanta’ Season 3 Set for Jan. 2021, Then Season 4 Later That Fall

January 10, 2020

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‘Atlanta’ Season 3 Set for Jan. 2021, Then Season 4 Later That Fall

Though it will be quite the wait between season 2 and season 3 (s2 ended in May 2018 FYI), we have no doubt that Donald Glover is taking all the time he needs to dazzle and surprise us yet again with new episodes Atlanta the way we’ve been just over two seasons of mind and genre-bending dramedy.

Announced at the TCA Press Tour, the latest batch of Atlanta will be dropping a year from now.

Also, the facts of seasons 3 and 4 will be referred to as “Parts 1 and 2″ and some production taking place out of the U.S. leads us to believe that Glover has more than a few things up his sleeve.

When all is said and done, we won’t be surprised if Atlanta ends up being one of TV’s most ambitious and daring shows (that pulled it off) of all time.

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