Key & Peele Won a Peabody Award
In case you’re wondering how great of a sketch comedy show Key & Peele is, they just won a Peabody Award.
Comedy represents a very small percentage of the winners of this prestigious honor and we’re glad it went to such a deserving show like Key & Peele.
HBO Developing Kristin Gore-Jay Roach Comedy Project, Women In Space
Jay Roach, in addition to The Brink, is piling more on his plate with Women In Space, written by Kristin Gore, Al Gore’s daughter, which is a comedy project at HBO following women exploring outer space.
You might be interested to know that this isn’t the only space exploration themed comedy in development as Will Ferrell’s Mission Control is a comedy pilot at NBC.
Comedy Central’s Mobile App With Plenty to Watch
Comedy Central’s mobile app finally launched today the features dozens of episodes from the likes of South Park , The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, stand-up specials, “@midnight”, and even new shows Trip Tank and Comedy Underground with Dave Attell.
Best of all, it’s free.
DirecTV Orders First Original Comedy Series
Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight will be the first original comedy series that will air on DirecTV’s own channel, The Audience Network.
It’s based on a the award winning Peter Ackerman play of the same name and has yet to reveal any of the cast. If you take away anything from this announcement, note that creating original comedy content is where so many networks, channels, service providers, online channels, etc. are going.
Of Course, Brendon Walsh Had Something Pretty Great Up His Sleeve for April Fool’s
If only more signs/billboard were designed by Brendon Walsh, the world would be a much better place.
Amazon Picks Up ‘Mozart In The Jungle’ and ‘Transparent’ To Series, Renews Alpha House
From their latest crop of original pilots, Amazon picked up 6 new series, two of which are the comedies Mozart In The Jungle starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Jill Soloway’s Transparent.
On top of that, Amazon is bringing back one of their first comedy series in Alpha House from Garry Trudeau for a second season.
So, together, this means that Amazon is quietly building up their resume of original series, especially with regards to comedy, and might be getting to the level of Netflix.
Season 3 of Comedy Bang! Bang! Guest Stars Your Usual Favorites, Tony Hawk, Jenny Lewis and More
Even though season 3 of Comedy Bang! Bang! on IFC doesn’t have the massive episode order that season 4 will with a whopping 40 ordered in 2015, the guest star list for this season is still pretty great and pretty big.
Your usual suspects of Paul F. Tompkins, Bob Odenkirk, Lizzy Caplan, Nick Offerman, Fred Armisen, Weird Al Yankovic as well as the likes of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, Jenny Lewis, Aimee Mann, Kate McKinnon, and more will be stopping by to have a moment with Scott Aukerman and Reggie Watts next month, starting May 8th.
Congratulations to Grant Lyon Taking 1st Place at Skullfest
Atlanta’s Laughing Skull just held their annual comedy festival along with the comedy competition that goes along with it and we’re happy to say that the very funny Grant Lyon took home the top prize.
So, with that in mind, check out Grant live when you can. He’s based in LA, so you should have ample opportunity.
Chelsea Handler To Not Renew Contract at E!
Chelsea Lately has had many a great comedian on, either as writer or panelist, including Greg Proops, Matt Braunger, TJ Miller, Fortune Fiemster, Jen Kirkman, Kurt Braunohler, Ryan Stout, and way more over the last several years during Chelsea Handler’s stint at E!.
However, Handler is looking to move her show elsewhere once her contract is up at E! around the end of this year, which might offer an expanded format (i.e. radio, etc.). Wherever she ends up moving, it will be a big move, especially as the only female late night host.
Randy Liedtke Has a Kickstarter for An “Office Trash Can Art Installation”
Prankster extraordinaire Randy Liedtke is now asking for money for a new art project.
He want to make an art installation out of an office trash can placed in his home office. Liedtke’s going to livestream the rewards, which all feature using the art installation (i.e. throwing stuff in the trash).
Of course, Randy’s raised the $60 he needs.
The latest batch of Channel 101 is here and, along with it, is more wondrous absurdity from Car Jumper, NY Stories, a Car Jumper spin-off, a self-proclaimed finale for Aegis and more.
Enjoy this with your Sunday coffee/mimosa/bloody mary/PBR/etc.
NBC Announces Summer Premiere Dates for Amy Poehler Series, Undateable, and More
This Summer, Amy Poehler co-produced Welcome to Sweden, Undateable, and more are coming to NBC Thurs. May 29th 9PM and Thurs. July 10th 9PM, respectively.
Keep a watch out for both.
‘Shameless’ To Hop Emmy Categories From Drama to Comedy
If you’ve taken note from The Golden Globes this year, the terms that define “comedy” in regards to awards categories are really being stretched, especially when In The Loop and Midnight in Paris are the only pure comedies that The Oscars have take note of over the last several years that immediately come to mind.
In contrast, with the flood of wonderful comedy on TV, that’s been less of a problem. Yet, this move of Showtime‘s Shameless to be considered for comedy rather than drama, despite it a move to possibly have more of a chance to be nominated, presents the same dilemma of genre blurring that makes it hard for quality shows, comedy or drama, to get the notoriety they deserve.
Though, it may be a little cumbersome for voters, we’d think a solution very well might be to expand the nominee cap and lump comedy and drama together.
Get First Look at Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair’s USA “Playing House”
Though their series Best Friends Forever was short lived, Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair are making their return to TV on the USA Network Tues. Apr. 29th 10PM with their brand new show Playing House.
You can get a preview at the link, which also features co-stars Keegan-Michael Key, Zach Woods, and more.
Dave Chappelle to Play Radio City Music Hall
For any of those worried about another lengthy hiatus from Dave Chappelle doing stand up after his run during last summer’s Oddball Comedy Festival Tour, Dave Chappelle is about to play NYC’s Radio City Music Hall on Jun. 6th.
As this will be Radio City Music Hall and it’s not the NFL Draft, we’d assume there would be no issue in taping his set or general obnoxiousness.
RiffTrax Next Live Show Will Be Riffing on Sharknado
In addition to their riffing over National Geographic for a few hours on April Fool’s Day, a match made in cult movie heaven is in the works as RiffTrax is set to do their next big live event via Fathom Events (i.e. you’ll be able to watch them live via live streaming in participating theaters across the country) will be riffing over The Asylum’s Sharknado.
They’ll be doing so on July 10th and tickets will be available May 2nd.
While you’re waiting for this latest season of Veep to premiere next week on Apr. 6th, pick up the box set for season 2 and catch up now.
You’ll feel better not borrowing someone’s HBO GO password.
Steve Coogan Horror Comedy Series to Premiere on FearNet
We really don’t care where a post apocalyptic buddy comedy co-produced by the amazing Steve Coogan will land. We just care that it will happen and happen soon.
Luckily, FearNet is that place and Save Our Skins, something along the lines of I Am Legend meets The Trip, starring Nat Saunders and Chris Hayward, Peter Serafinowicz, and Hannah Spear will air next week, starting Apr. 1st.
Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil 2 Is In The Works
For all you fans of the first comedy, horror indie Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil, it’s been announced by Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk themselves that a sequel is on the way.
Hopefully, this happens ASAP.
Get Key & Peele Seasons 1 & 2 DVD or Blu-Ray Box Set
Our only question about this is how long are you going to wait before you go buy the first two seasons of Key & Peele?
The only exception to this would be waiting for the next box set to come out.
Eddie Izzard To Do Force Majeure in 3 Languages
Eddie Izzard can perform his latest show in English, French, and German and is going to do so all in one evening in France. We’re simultaneously amazed at the prospect of that and disgusted at our linguistic skills that can only be used in ordering tacos at food truck.
Patton Oswalt to Host The Webby Awards For Third Time in a Row
Though The Webby Awards hasn’t been around as long as The Oscars, they have might have what the Oscars found with Billy Crystal in Patton Oswalt. Oswalt has just been tapped for a third time to host the ceremony, which might becoming a regular thing for him as he just hosted The Spirit Awards earlier this year.
We wonder if he’s going to start pulling more stunts like he did with birds at the Spirit Awards.
Archer: Vice To Go Back To Just Being Archer
Archer is getting out of the drug game and back into the world of goofy espionage. As they have gotten picked up by FX for two seasons, you’ll get plenty more of Sterling Archer showing the intelligence community a thing or two about being a spy.
Nick Frost To Star Opposite Justin Long in Fox Comedy Pilot ‘Sober Companion’
Though Sober Companion is centered on another self-destructive lawyer, the fact that Nick Frost is the star opposite Justin Long has us hooked.
Good casting, Fox.
Doug Stanhope Auctioning Off Un-cashed Residual Checks and More For Charity
Starting now through Apr. 1st, you can bid for Doug Stanhope’s stuff that he doesn’t want or need on eBay and Stanhope is going to give some of the money charitably to someone who is really down on their luck versus some organization.
Buy some cool memorabilia and it will probably be on hell of a story behind the person Stanhope is going to donate to.