Comedy Crawl All Updated for Next Week
Comedy Crawl All Updated for Next Week
Whether you’re into Valentine’s Day or not, we’re guessing you’ll need a laugh. If you’re in the Greater LA area, we got you covered.
Dark Musical Comedy Series Loosely Based on John Roberts’ Life Being Developed by Universal and Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite for HBO
There are so many great ingredients that are at work here. Called Edison, this project seems to lean towards Roberts taking the bubbly musical elements that he gets to play with on Bob’s Burgers and bringing them into a live action world with the sandbox that HBO allows and the latitude that a dark comedy bent brings.
Oh, we should mention that Roberts’ Bob’s Burgers co-star H. Jon Benjamin is co-writing and also executive producing this project too.
Excited for this possibly being HBO’s next comedy yet?
Jena Friedman Is Set to Write and Direct Her First Feature “Serial Dater”
Jena Friedman Is Set to Write and Direct Her First Feature “Serial Dater”
Comedy multi-hyphenate Jena Friedman is both a crucial voice in comedy and in today’s cultural landscape. Through her stand-up, work on The Daily Show, and way more, Jena has carved out a great niche for her dark, outspoken comedy.
Now, she’s on to making her first feature length film as a writer-director with a stellar cast of Imogen Poots and Timothy Simons. Called Serial Dater, the film will focus on a forensic pathologist who suspects she might be dating a serial killer.
By the way, Jena’s excellent web series that she wrote and directed, Ted and Gracie, is a great quasi-preview of what might come of this project.
Kristen Wiig and Jack Nicholson Reportedly Attached for English Language Remake of Hit German Comedy Toni Erdmann
Even though Toni Erdmann was a rare comedy that managed to be life-affirming at a time when cynicism and sarcasm are key ingredients in comedy, perhaps it being in German (though there is a decent amount of English in it for a non-English language comedy) and nearly 3 hours long made it, very unfortunately, hard for American audiences to go out and watch it.
Wiig and Nicholson are pretty good choices for Sandra Hüller and Peter Simonischek, but we’re going to cross our fingers really hard that the other key creatives adapt Toni Erdmann to English faithfully.
Dozens of Literary Agents Are Holding an Open Call for Submissions from Muslim Writers
Dozens of Literary Agents Are Holding an Open Call for Submissions from Muslim Writers
Normalizing those minority groups that are under threat in these turbulent times is one way to push forward against unjust discrimination. More exposure through TV, film, books, etc. of Muslims will properly inform the American people that they shouldn’t be triggered by the words “Muslim” or “Islam”.
So, literary agent Clelia Gore has compiled an growing list of dozens of literary agents from several different literary agents that will take submissions from Muslim-heritage writers.
With that in mind, we’d love to see plenty of Muslim comedy writers, authors, comedians get to write a book and share their story from this opportunity.
See the full list of agents you can look up and contact if you fall into this category here.
Vulture Made a “100 More Jokes That Shaped Modern Comedy” List
Vulture Made a “100 More Jokes That Shaped Modern Comedy” List
Vulture’s comedy maven Jesse David Fox just made follow-up to their excellent 100 Jokes That Shaped Modern Comedy list in 2016. That list covered a lot of comedy’s heavy hitters throughout the decades of American comedy.
This 2017 list of 100 More Jokes That Shaped Modern Comedy covers more nuances that inform the landscape of the art form of comedy today.
We ought to know as we were lucky enough to contribute to it.
Included in the list are anything from Weird Al Yankovic to Jackie Chan to Dorothy Parker to Sam Kinison to Peanuts to Waiting for Godot to the Masturbating Bear on Conan.
Between both lists, you’ll get one amazing look at the threads that make up the incredibly tapestry that comedy is right now.
Chili’s Lifts Permanent Ban on The Office’s Pam Beesly Halpert
Chili’s Lifts Permanent Ban on The Office’s Pam Beesly Halpert
Season 2 of the U.S. version of The Office saw Pam Beesly get 86′d from all Chili’s worldwide for drinking other people’s cocktails after she had been cut off during “The Dundies” that Michael Scott was holding for his Dunder Mifflin Scranton employees.
All these years later, well after the series finale, Jenna Fischer posted a pic outside of a Chili’s pondering whether should she go in. In the zeitgeist of opposing bans, Chili’s responded and issued a real press release that nixes the ban on Pam Beesly Halpert from any Chili’s establishments.
It may only be a ban on a fictional character from a series that ended awhile ago that has been lifted, but we’ll take any good news that we can get right now.
Scott Aukerman Explains The Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special
Scott Aukerman Explains The Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special
Tomorrow, to prep for Valentine’s Day, Scott Aukerman and Akiva Schaffer have directed a holiday special that Scott claims will get you in mood.
They have enlisted the services of the one and only Michael Bolton to make “Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special” and in this interview with The Wrap, Aukerman explains how much of an aphrodisiac he wants the special to be.
Ali Wong Set to Publish a Book of Collected Letters to Her Daughter
Ali Wong Set to Publish a Book of Collected Letters to Her Daughter
Random House and Ali Wong have a struck deal for Ali’s first book, which will feature stories and lessons that Ali has learned throughout her life. All of that will be within the frame of letters to her baby daughter.
With Ali’s unapologetic brand of comedy, the letters might just be as satisfying to her daughter as any and all readers that pick up a copy.
The book doesn’t have a title yet, but it will be released sometime in 2018.
Judd Apatow Is Making a Documentary About Garry Shandling
Judd Apatow Is Making a Documentary About Garry Shandling
The loss of Garry Shandling last year was devastating. The reverberations of his work are still being widely felt throughout comedy, especially when it comes to The Larry Sanders Show.
To honor his legacy, writer/director/producer Judd Apatow will be making a documentary about Shandling. In fact, Apatow is looking for any photos, videos, etc. that might help in the making of said doc.
No details as to when or where this might be released, but we will update you as soon as we can.
Comedy Crawl & Open Mic Run All Updated for Next Week
Comedy Crawl & Open Mic Run All Updated for Next Week
Whether you need an emotional chaser for however you’re feeling after the Super Bowl or you need a laugh in general or you need a place to work your craft or get something off your chest (in a comedic way), we’ve got you covered within the Greater LA Area.
Comedy Crawl All Updated for Next Week
Comedy Crawl All Updated for Next Week
If you need a laugh somewhere in the greater LA area, we got you covered.
There Is a The Bowling Green Massacre Victims Donation Page That Does Lead to Something That Is Real and Worth Your Support
Kellyanne Conway has caught a lot of flack recently for citing the “Bowling Green Massacre” in defense of Trump’s travel and immigration ban. The flack comes from there not being any such thing as the Bowling Green Massacre.
The Internet as a whole has been having fun throwing shade on Kellyanne and this non-existent tragedy. One of the best “pranks” is this legitimate looking donation page that raises funds for the “victims of The Bowling Green Massacre” that just leads to the donation page for the ACLU.
By the way, BowlingGreenMassacre.com also leads to the ACLU homepage.
Oh, in case it wasn’t obvious, you should, if you can, donate to the ACLU.
ABC Orders Pilot of Multi Cam Sitcom “Household Name” Starring Carol Burnett and Produced by Amy Poehler
A family moves into their dream house that just happens to come with a larger than life actress played by none other than living comedy legend Carol Burnett.
The project called, “Household Name” just got a pilot order from ABC, but with Burnett and Poehler involved and broadcast networks still looking for the next big multi cam, it would be hard to imagine this not getting a series greenlight.
Todd Solondz’s Next Movie to Be an Oedipal Dark Comedy Starring Penélope Cruz and Edgar Ramírez
Todd Solondz’s Next Movie to Be an Oedipal Dark Comedy Starring Penélope Cruz and Edgar Ramírez
With films like Weiner Dog and Welcome to the Dollhouse, an oedipal dark comedy is just another day at the office for Todd Solondz, right?
Called Love Child, it’s currently in pre-production and will be looking for distribution at the upcoming European Film Market.
Chris Gethard’s Solo Show “Career Suicide” Will Air on HBO in May
Chris Gethard’s Solo Show “Career Suicide” Will Air on HBO in May
When it comes to comedy specials, HBO still is a force to be reckoned with.
Despite Netflix nabbing specials from Chappelle, Rock, Seinfeld, and Schumer for this year, HBO choosing to release Chris Gethard comedy special from his Off-Broadway show could bode very well for them.
Also, please note how ironic the concept of something called “Career Suicide” being an HBO special is.
Rick and Morty Created a Site for the “Galactic Federation”
Rick and Morty Created a Site for the “Galactic Federation”
The details about season 3 of Rick and Morty are still murky, especially with the cliffhanger that they ended with.
However, Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland have made up an entire website for the interstellar governing body within the show known as the Galactic Federation. It offers up message boards and satirically parallel Internet articles that are supposedly from millions of light years away. Whether it be digging for clues or just enjoying the nuances of the Rick and Morty universe(s), it’s one step closer to season 3.
Explore it all here.
Up Until April 15th, New Harmontown Livestream Subscriptions Will Be Matched with a Donation to the ACLU
There is plenty that you miss out on if you’re not seeing what is going down on the weekly live Harmontown podcast tapings at Nerdmelt. For that alone, it might be worth $5 a month, which includes access to a video archive of past tapings and a video blog from Dan Harmon himself.
Now, you’ll have an even better reason to subscribe now, if you haven’t done so already, as the podcast will match all the money it gets from new subscriptions until April 15th in the form of a donation to the ACLU.
If you’re interested in signing-up, do so here.
NBC Renews The Good Place for Season 2
NBC Renews The Good Place for Season 2
With a second season on the way, series creator Mike Schur can take his most high concept comedy yet in The Good Place and take into even more daring territory.
If you look how Schur’s Parks and Recreation progressed over the seasons, there’s a lot to be excited for the future of the show.
Hasan Minhaj’s Homecoming King Will Now Be a Netflix Special
Hasan Minhaj’s Homecoming King Will Now Be a Netflix Special
From The Moth to Off-Broadway to touring around the country, Hasan Minhaj’s amazing Homecoming King show will be a comedy special on Netflix.
Not only does Hasan spin this particular thread of his life into a very funny tale, but it also features an interracial romance that couldn’t be more timely. There is no premiere date, but we hope that it will stream very soon at Netflix.
Comedy Crawl All Updated for Next Week
Comedy Crawl All Updated for Next Week
From 1/29 onwards, we got plenty of stand-up, improv, sketch, experimental comedy, musicals, podcasts, etc. worth checking out in LA.
SiriusXM Has Agreed to Two Year Deal for “The Craig Ferguson Show”
SiriusXM Has Agreed to Two Year Deal for “The Craig Ferguson Show”
For our money, Craig Ferguson was one of the best interviewers in late night and him getting a show to do essentially do whatever he wants for two years is a great thing.
During weekdays, Craig will host a two hour live show from 3PM to 5PM PST starting Monday, February 27th.
Ferguson has a knack for making conversation interesting even when guests weren’t bringing a lot to the table. He also had hysterical rapport with the likes of Steven Wright, which is comparable to the chemistry that Conan O’Brien and Norm MacDonald have.
We’re absolutely looking forward to a freewheeling Craig coming back on his own terms.
RIP Mary Tyler Moore, 1936-2017
RIP Mary Tyler Moore, 1936-2017
Gee, it still feels a lot like 2016 still.
Icon Mary Tyler Moore from, of course, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show, has just passed away today.
Take time to watch whatever you can of the groundbreaking sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in honor of Moore’s memory.
Stephen Colbert to Host the 69th Emmy Awards
Stephen Colbert to Host the 69th Emmy Awards
Fallon has The Golden Globes, Kimmel has the Oscars, and now, Stephen Colbert will host The Emmys. It’s his first time hosting the Primetime Emmys, but no one should be surprised if it goes well enough for him to keep the gig for awhile.
This year’s Emmys will be broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Downtown LA on Sunday, September 17th at 5PM PST on CBS.
While the Emmys telecast will be on CBS at an earlier time slot than The Late Show, one can only ponder what Colbert might say or do with the Emmys podium and stage at his command and wherever we’ll be during the Trump Administration, especially since he’ll most likely be watching it.
CAKE Comedy Now Using Kickstarter to Tour City by City
CAKE Comedy Now Using Kickstarter to Tour City by City
Carrie Gravenson, Abbi Crutchfield, Kaytlin Bailey, and Erin Judge, otherwise known as CAKE Comedy, having been touring together across the U.S. since 2012.
Now that it’s 2017, they’re looking to streamline their touring model via Kickstarter.
Basically, they’ll be selling tickets for a show directly through Kickstarter and if they meet their goal, a pretty great show will happen. If not, everyone walks away with no cost to them and then CAKE Comedy can move on to the next show.
Their first show that they’re crowdfunding is in Philadelphia on April 24th, but their deadline to raise money is 12 days away (as of this post). They’ve got $577 raised out of the $1000 goal.
Please support them as you’ll be supporting independent live comedy, women in comedy, and overall good comedy.