July 2011
53 posts
June 2011
78 posts
Jon Dore And Rory Scovel Perform Simultaneous Comedy Acts On Conan
Last night on Conan Jon Dore and Rory Scovel were apparently double booked as the comedian for the night. So rather than re-booking one of them, the two comedians appeared on stage together and delivered their sets simultaneously. It’s pretty amazing watching the pair work simultaneously yet not at the same time.
Who knows if this was planned all along or inspired by an actual double booking, nonetheless, it’s still entertaining along with great execution.
Talking Stand-Up Comedy With With Tommy Johnagin
Comedian Tommy Johnagin has been doing standup for over 9 years. In any other business, he’d be considered a veteran; but in comedy, he’s still a rookie. Johnagin’s been getting some big breaks though, namely stints on David Letterman and a second place finish on this past season of Last Comic Standing. We got the chance to talk to him about all these things, his new comedy album Stand Up Comedy 2 and his penchant for jokes about babies.
What was the experience like for you on Last Comic Standing?
It was all positive, obviously right up into the losing part but I really enjoyed it. I think a lot of people that didn’t know about me before, that show kind of allowed me to build fans. I’ve been doing stand-up for 10 years now so it’s kind of; I like the opportunity to introduce more people to it.
It seemed like this season was a lot different. They didn’t have any challenges like the other seasons. Do you think that would have helped maybe?
I think it helped. That was the big reason I did it. I wouldn’t have done it if they were still doing the challenges; to me it’s not what I got in to do. They concentrated on finding guys that have been doing stand-up for quite a few years as opposed to just kind of characters that would do well in these challenges. I think the people that watched the show this year; probably more people were fans of stand-up as opposed to just reality shows.
Are you allowed to do it again? I know many people go back.
You can’t do it again after you make the final 10. You can do it again if you make the semis, which I did in ’07. But when you make the final 10 you’re not allowed to be on it again.
What initially got you into comedy?
I would say watching David Letterman as a kid. That’s the person I looked up to and just enjoyed the way he did his comedy as kind of the dry, sarcastic guy he is. And that’s what I wanted to do as a kid.
So a major career goal is to be a talk show host?
That’s the reason I got into it, yeah, that’s kind of the long-term goal. It’s something I think about every day but I don’t really talk about every day. That’s definitely the end game for me. At this point, I think that’s the end game, before I wanted to sell out shows doing stand-up. Kind of like Seinfeld before he had Seinfeld; he was a theater act doing stand-up. Either from being on TV more or just from touring a lot, I’d like to sell every ticket to every show I do.
How many times have you been on Letterman, three or four?
Yeah, I just did the fourth one in April.
What was the experience like being on that show?
You know, it’s still, you don’t get used to it. It’s very surreal. No matter how much TV you do, you can’t get comfortable doing TV…at least for me. Nothing prepares you for Letterman sitting 10 feet away from you.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhyIR578tIs[/youtube]
I listened to your new album Stand-up Comedy 2 last night. I love how you talk about recording the album inside the album.
I appreciate it. To me I like the show to be real, at least in the moment of that night to the people listening to it know they’re hearing a recording but the people that were there at the live show. I wanted them to know what they were being a part of it whether it’s joking or mentioning them. I think that’s what I wanted. I wanted a true live show and if I were recording a true live show, I would mention it.
Did it seem like it was just any other live show other than that part?
No, it was initially the hard part. In the past, I tried capturing the live show and not feeling the pressure of the CD. On this one I was concentrated on the audience in the room that night and I wanted to give them the best show possible. And if they got the best show possible but it wasn’t good enough for a CD, I just wouldn’t have done a CD that night. It just worked out that I liked the show on the recording and I was able to release it.
And it was just the CD, right? There’s no DVD.
Yeah, it’s just the CD. We just did the CD.
Was there any reason why you didn’t want to do a video element as well?
I liked comedy albums and CDs. I talked about doing a DVD, like a special with some overlap from that and a CD. But I felt a CD should be recorded in a comedy club and a special or DVD should be recorded in a theater. I didn’t want to record an album in a theater. I wanted get that comedy club album out and whether I do an hour special next year or two years from now, I have a comedy club album recorded.
How’s the album doing? I just saw it was #7 on the comedy album charts right now.
Yeah, it peaked at six and it’s probably still in the top 10 right now. I don’t get any numbers but the response is good. I’ve had a couple good reviews and positive feedback from the people at Comedy Central. So I think people are liking it and it seems like its selling. I mean, I’m not gonna sell them all this week, it’s gonna be out there forever so I would like to sell a good amount every week.
I think what makes you different from everybody else is you can say creepy jokes and still never come off creepy. What’s the secret to that?
I don’t know. I’m glad I have it though because you’re not the first that’s said that. Honestly, it may be my Midwest roots. I feel when you come from New York, LA, or something maybe you can’t do it? I don’t know. Maybe everybody can do it but I just use it more than they do. It’s hard to explain I guess, but it definitely does work and I’m aware of it.
How would you describe you if no one ever heard of you before?
I think “dry” and “sarcastic” would come up, and then I just tell jokes or stories or whatever of stuff that happened to me and I feel like that’s pretty relatable to other people. I tend to steer away from cursing but I will still talk about adult subjects.
I noticed that you seem to have many opinions about babies.
I don’t even know how that happened. It’s funny, when I was listening to it and then we started titling tracks, I was like, “there’s a chunk of babies in there for some weird reason. That’s not normal.” Laughs
Another bit that stood out was that you just like to drink enough to dance now and not worry about getting laid anymore. That line just stood out as well.
When I did that bit, my friend was standing next to a guy who goes, “oh, I don’t even get that.” My buddy said, “there’s nothing to get, it’s true.” I think as I’ve gotten older, there are things you can’t do in your daytime life and there are things you can only do with the aid of alcohol. I think dancing is the only one. For some reason I love it, but I will not do it without some help. I didn’t even think it would be relatable to people but I think it does come off that way.
I’m sure you are asked this a lot, but is it hard when people just want you to be funny all the time?
Yeah, you know what? That happens but it doesn’t happen to anyone that I spend any amount of time with. I think it’s one of those things, if you’ve ever been in line at the DMV or Wal-Mart or something, and you ask a question. And the employees answer in a way you can tell 50 people have asked them the same question that day, and they give you attitude. You’re just like, “well that’s the first time I’ve asked.” I don’t even know those other people. And I think I really try to be aware of that when people ask me or try to do things that I’ve heard a million times. You know, I try to just answer them because that’s the first time they’ve ever asked me. So there’s no reason to be rude about it. I just try to cut it short if I can.
Are you out on tour right now?
Yeah, I’m always touring. I just moved to LA so usually I would do almost every week on the road just at a club somewhere, or a theater, or a college. Now I probably average about two weeks a month, two weekends, two weeks a month on the road.
What are you planning next? Are there any big things that you can talk about right now?
There’s a few things I can’t talk about yet just because they’re in the beginning phases. I think the next step is to figure out the time to record an hour special. That seems like the next good goal to have. Then hopefully get on TV as much as possible.
I have to ask, what was it like working with Natasha Leggero on Last Comic Standing?
She was super nice. It’s funny that people ask. She was really, really, nice like no joke. On camera I think she was being told things by producers in her headset or whatever. But it did appear like she and I had tension. But all the judges were incredibly nice, especially her. She would get up and find me, and talk to me afterward and always tell me “you were very funny” and “nice job.” So I think maybe she kinda got put into a character on judges table that made her seem not nice.
Did the addition of the cameras change any of your comedy at all?
No, I just wanted to do what I do and then… cause if you change anything then you risk not being able to recreate it. I’m just like, “I’ll do what I do” and if people like it then that’s good and I’ll want them to come see it live.
Do you have any other comedy idols besides David Letterman?
Brian Regan, Chris Rock, and I think Richard Pryor is probably the best. Obviously, there’s no Chris Rock or Richard Pryor in my act but I still think those are the best. And Jake Johannsen. There are people like Nick Griffin and Robert Hawkins; I just love to be in the room when they do stand-up.
How does being from the Midwest help your comedy?
To me, being in the Midwest, helped initially because I was so close to many comedy clubs. Comedy clubs you could work and make a living at; that’s how I started. I grew up and lived near probably 30 comedy clubs within driving distance. I started touring full time when I was 20, right before I turned 21. And I’d do 50, 51, 48 weeks a year, 50 weeks a year and I did that for three years without ever getting on a plane.
A couple years back, comedians like Patton Oswalt seemed against the comedy club idea and started touring music clubs because there was no two-drink minimum. Do you have thoughts on that?
I love comedy clubs. I’ll do comedy clubs until I bump up into theaters on my own. A comedy club is a place designed for and laid out for comedy. Some of them are too big and have the two-drink minimum, but places have to stay open. I have no problem with people trying to have a business plan. A rock club, a lot of time it’s just a concrete floor with some chairs spread out. I’ve seen fun shows there, but for the comedian lifestyle I just like comedy clubs.
Tommy Johnagin’s new CD Stand Up Comedy 2 is available now. For more information and tour dates visit his website www.tommyjcomedy.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @tommyjohnagin.
Rob Corddry Talks Childrens Hospital With VBS TV
Center Stage: Axis Of Awesome
Axis of Awesome is Australia’s contribution to the comedy music scene. Whereas The Lonely Island might get away with hardcore raps and hooks sung by celebs, AOA get away with clever wordplay and pop parodies, tunes that would line up more with Flight of the Conchords or Tenacious D. In fact, if you imagine Jack Black fronting Flight of the Conchords, you got yourself a pretty damn close comparison to Axis of Awesome.
The trio (Jordan Raskopoulos, Lee Naimo, and Benny Davis) has become a bit of a phenomenon in their hometown, videos of their song are in the 20+ million views range, with them nipping at the proverbial heels of Rebecca Black, for viral video dominance. They’ve also raked in a bunch of awards at Australian comedy festivals including “Best Australian Act” at the Sydney Comedy Festival and a Moosehead award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I[/youtube]
They are also about to release their first US album, Animal Vehicle, which will be available through iTunes on July 12th and they are out on the road, touring the states in support of the album’s release.
Axis Of Awesome Tour Dates
July 12 - Largo at The Coronet, Los Angeles (Album release party)
July 15,16,17 - Laugh Out Loud, San Antonio, TX
August 1 - 30 - Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland
September 16 - Drew University, Madison, NJ
September 27 - George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville, AR
October 14, 15 - Cap City Comedy Club, Austin, TX
October 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI
October 22 - Cinema Grill, New Hope, MN
October 27 - Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEfp2HuU20s[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkqBQ2CQkhI[/youtube]
Nick Kroll Will Have A New Sketch Comedy Show
The Nick Show Kroll, yes that is the name, will feature some of Nick’s most popular characters including Bobby Bottleservice, Fabrice Fabrice, and El Chupacabra. Sketches in the pilot episode included “The PubLIZity Girls,” with Kroll and Jenny Slate as publicists on the verge of a breakdown while arranging a swanky event for a client; “The Ed Hardy Boyz,” featuring Bobby Bottleservice who, along with Peter Paparazzo (Jon Daly) solve mysteries for Christian Audigier. An inappropriate basketball ref who tries to hang out with the players after the game; “Rich Dicks,” which sees Kroll as Aspen Bruckheimer, son of Jerry, who, along with his old moneyed friend Wendy (Jon Daly) are rich, on the prowl and ready to party at a moments notice - oh yeah, they’re also the biggest dicks in the world, and man-on-the-street interstitials from Fabrice Fabrice.
It’s been a pretty big year for Kroll, he kicked off the year with a new stand-up special in January, got another season renewal for his show, and most importantly… was interviewed by us! During said interview with Kroll, he mentioned that he was big into The Muppets when he was younger and modeled his stand-up special around that show and we’re thinking the format of sketch would work beautifully into this for The Nick Show Kroll.
Jim Gaffigan Is Performing At Summerstage Tonight
The Central Park Summerstage comedy series chugs along, last week, it was Reggie Watts and Natasha Leggero, and tonight, Jim Gaffigan will stop by and perform a set for the New York Masses. This will be a different performance for the NY masses than Gaffigan has been doing recently since the comedian just recently made his Broadway debut in the play That Championship Season alongside Chris Noth, Brian Cox, and Keifer Sutherland. Ya know… newbie actors.
Jim Gaffigan at Central Park Mainstage w/ John Pinnette
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 8:00pm
Free
Gaffigan’s latest comedy CD and DVD King Baby is in stores now. And any comedy special when someone talks about the terribleness of Waffle House is a-ok in my book.
[adult swim] Made A Mastodon Music Video
And now they are making music videos for some of these bands, case in point the new Mastodon video for “Deathbound” an unreleased song from the band’s latest album, Crack The Skye.
In addition to putting together a weird Mr. Rogers-meets-Muppets and explosions video, the track is also available for download on [adult swim] website.
[adult swim] also stated:
Mastodon and Adult Swim have been working together for a long time. We asked them for a song for our Adult Swim Singles Program (fun fact: not a dating service). When they sent us this incredible jam, we knew we had to make a video for it. So we called our friends at Authority Films, and of course, the first thing they thought was “puppets!” Just watch.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLbSRrlOsRA[/youtube]
Watch Stephen Colbert Sing Stuff With Jack White
Last week Stephen Colbert hosted a week of music called Stephest Colbchella ‘011 on The Colbert Report. Throughout the week, Colbert talked to Jack White about his record label, Third Man Records. By week’s end Colbert had a full blown return to music with the follow-up to his first single “Charlene (I’m Right Behind You)” with his song “Charlene II (I’m Over You)”.
Colbert performed the song with the Black Belles, who are a band currently kicking around Third Man and performed “Charlene I” as the B-Side of the record.
Katt Williams' Apparent Meltdown On Stage In New Mexico
Fans are reporting that the comedian instead showed up very late, didn’t tell many jokes, took off a some clothes, and did some push ups. He was eventually removed from stage by his people as his speech became more and more incoherent.
Following up on the show’s ticket page, many fans expressed their outrage about the event, citing Williams was more than 4 hours late, didn’t perform anything near comedy, and wanted their money back.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqgyboOAQJU[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF9PWGvgTJs[/youtube]
There’s no question an appearance like this would anger fans and have many of them ask for refunds. We got a press release posted as a comment that looks like an official statement from the show’s promoters, Str8lace Entertainment (though we cannot confirm at the moment). The release states as one would expect, they are not responsible for the act the talent puts on, rather all the other things (promotion, marketing, getting the acts to the venue, etc). They stated that Str8lace isn’t responsible for ticket refunds legally (which makes sense), especially since Williams showed up and “performed,” and contractual obligations were met. Though they are probably correct about this, we doubt it makes it easier on the fans that shelled out good money to see the comedian in action.
For Immediate Release
Official statement from Str8lace Entertainment
RE: Katt Williams Show 06/25/2011We would like to start by explaining our position in regards to the Katt Williams Concert on June 25, 2011. We have recently been inundated by questions and requests for ticket refunds due to the lack of professionalism displayed by Mr. Williams at the recent concert. We are equally upset by the antics that were displayed for whatever personal reason Mr.Williams might be experiencing. We went above and beyond normal measures to ensure Mr.Williams was in Albuquerque and went onstage. Our expenses in doing so far exceeded our original budget and ticket sales revenues, due to the extra expense brought on by delays, over time rent on the venue, sound, labor, etc. As promoters we did our job as per our contractual obligations. We booked, paid for and promoted the show. ALL of the acts Showed up and performed. Some better than others, but they were all there and performed. We have no control over the content or quality of their performances. While we are disappointed, we feel the liability lies in the hands of Mr.Williams himself. We feel your frustration, and are in the same space financially, At a loss. So we will not be offering refunds of any kind. We are very sorry for the circumstances.
Because we are a small locally owned Promotions company we would in good faith like you to keep your Katt Williams ticket stubs for discount on a soon to be announced show we will put on in an effort to show good faith and give something to our community that were effected by Mr.Williams “Performance”. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Str8laced Entertainment.
SEM LIVE
Review: Christopher Titus "Neverlution!"
On his fourth comedy album, Neverlution!, the comedy veteran wails against all major current events of the last ten years. He harps on Osama bin Laden using goat farmers to attack the World Trade Center, and the more recent aviation attacks, including the sneaker and underwear bombers. His theory is that terrorism is over is highlighted by the inept Times Square bomber of last year. As Titus puts it, “I’ve been doing comedy for 25 years and I’ve NEVER been that funny.”
While at times heavy on applause breaks, Titus’ humor is based on the people he perceives as jerks who are allowed to roam free and cause havoc. These people also happen to be politicians who have abused their power. Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush II, all white men who did things that negatively affected the country. He even asks white people if they trust white people. “You know you don’t,” he says mockingly. Titus then goes after popular culture icons such as Lady Gaga, who is “proof that David Bowie raped Carol Burnett.”
Titus is so hyperactive; the audience can feel the chaos that is his life. Nothing is easy and it’s his job to weed out the people who he thinks are wasting his oxygen supply. It isn’t sit back and relax humor. Titus wants to engage the audience and make people think. He has a very spitfire delivery that never quite stops. He will pause, but then he’ll start right up again. It’s the pro-lifers who go on shooting sprees because they don’t approve of certain doctors. It’s the people whose lives are consumed by texting or talking extra loud on their cell phone. It’s also the people who are afraid to punish their children and keep them in line. He doesn’t suggest beating kids, he just suggests accidentally elbowing them in the face.
As a comic veteran, Titus is equal parts comedian and historian. He discusses the first black people to make history, including Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, and the doctor who performed the first open heart surgery, Daniel Hale Williams. I’m willing to bet most established comics don’t know who Hale Williams is. Titus’ comedic rage also serves as history lesson for his audience. He takes the edginess that is Denis Leary and molds it around his own life experiences. He makes the audience process the stories he tells, and if you are shocked by what he says, he knows he’s doing his job.
Adam Ullian is a contributing writer and founder of YuletideSnapper.com
"Jerry Seinfeld Ruined My Life"
Howie Kohlenberg, an entrepreneur, appeared on The Marriage Ref with his wife Christine during the show’s first season run. Since then, Kohlenberg’s business failed and his wife left him to try to get into a Hollywood reality show and he blames Jerry Seinfeld.
The couple were apparently happily married but had money issues for their business, a spa in NYC. They did the show to drum up business and were promised to promote their business on the show and it didn’t happen. Kohlenberg also claims the show’s producers focused on simpler marital issues than the real issues. And when the show began taping, his wife got a swollen head and then came dreams of becoming an actress, moved to LA and tried to star in some reality shows.
“Now she’s getting this huge head. She wants to do Playboy. We almost got kicked off the show because she was putting racy photos on Facebook…I’m not saying our marriage was perfect, but it put it in a whole new direction. It was the nail in the coffin. [NY Post]
So there you have it, if you appear on a reality show and think you will become famous, the obvious and logical next step if to blame Jerry Seinfeld. I see it, this all makes sense.
This Week In Comedy: America's Comedy
Forth of July weekend is a time when there’s lots of big movies released for us all to enjoy but take note of the comedy that’s been showing up on television as of late. Last week FX kicked off its dark new comedy Wilfred and returned for a second season of Louie. Showtime launches it’s Monday night comedy block. But it should also note that Comedy Central is bringing out some big premieres this week with a new season of Ugly Americans as well as two new stand-up specials from John Pinette and Christopher Titus which bookend a long weekend of consecutive stand-up specials from your favorite comedians. So as you fire up your grill and Google “America Fuck Yeah,” you got yourself some laughs to cover the weekend.
NEW IN STORES
Christopher Titus: Neverlution! [CD]
Forgetting Sarah Marshall Unrated [Blu-ray/DVD Combo]
Hot Fuzz Ultimate Edition [Blu-ray/DVD Combo]
Knocked Up Unrated [Blu-ray/DVD Combo]
Kurt Metzger: Talks To Young People About Sex [CD]
The 40-Year-Old Virgin Unrated [Blu-ray/DVD Combo]
Uncle Buck [Blu-ray/DVD Combo]
ON TELEVISION
Monday, June 27th
Bert Kreischer on Late Show with David Letterman
Louis C.K. on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Dennis Miller on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Christ Hardwick on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Brad Wollack on Chelsea Lately
Jason Sudekis on Conan
Larry The Cable Guy on Lopez Tonight
Weeds season premiere on Showtime
The Big C season premiere on Showtime
Tuesday, June 28th
Hannibal Buress on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Louis C.K. on The Daily Show
Jo Koy, Loni Love, Gary Valentine on Chelsea Lately
Wednesday, June 29th
Larry David on The Tonight Show
Kevin Nealon on Jimmy Kimmel Live
John Caparulo, Chris Hardwick, Heather McDonald on Chelsea Lately
Cedric The Entertainer on Lopez Tonight
Thursday, June 30th
Ben Gleib, Fortune Feimster, Josh Wolf on Chelsea Lately
Ugly Americans season premiere on Comedy Central
Friday, July 1st
Jason Sudekis on The Tonight Show
Cedric the Entertainer on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Larry The Cable Guy on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Greg Fitzsimmons, Jen Kirkman, Whitney Cummings on Chelsea Lately
John Pinette: Still Hungry premieres on Comedy Central
Sunday, July 3rd
Christopher Titus: Neverlution! premieres on Comedy Central
Kurt Metzger Talks To Young People About Sex
Besides stand-up comedy, Kurt Metzger currently holds down a steady job of voicing Randall the zombie roommate in the Comedy Central animated series Ugly Americans.
His debut comedy album, Talks To Young People About Sex will be in released digitally on June 28th via Comedy Central Records. If you recognize the album art then you are paying attention because it was animated by the same people that animate Ugly Americans. Consider this all tied in.
Check out a track from the album now.
George Carlin Radio Airs This Weekend On Sirius XM
It’s been three years since we lost the legend, George Carlin.
Carlin is perhaps the most respected and honored comedian ever. His body of work spans over 50 years and what better way to honor the man’s work than to play as much of it as possible? Sirius XM is doing just that this weekend by creating “George Carlin Radio.” They will devote a channel to George, who died on June 22, 2008 at 71. This year also marks the 40th anniversary release of Carlin’s album FM & AM.The exclusive channel will air Saturday, June 25 starting at 6:00 am ET through Sunday, June 26 at 11:59 pm ET on channel 104.
There are also plans for “George Carlin Radio” to include interviews with Carlin’s daughter, brother, and business partner.
Anthony Jeselnik on Standards and Practices
Punchline Magazine: Christopher Titus: Neverlution →
punchlinemagazine.tumblr.com
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players…auditioning for another sequel to Jackass: Yup, that about summarizes the thesis of Neverlution, Christopher Titus’ latest riotous eruption from Comedy Central Records (available on June 28). The companion television…
A Wet Hot American Summer Prequel? David Wain Says It Could Happen
Believe it or not, Wet Hot American Summer is nearing the 10 year anniversary of its release. Since coming out as a limited run in 2001, the camp comedy spoof has become a cult classic and favorite among comedy fans. On top of that, half of the film’s cast (including Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, and Amy Poehler just to name a few) went on to become big stars in their own right. So naturally, some sort of sequel or prequel would be of high interest for a lot of people. Much to our surprise, though, such a thing could very well happen, according to the film’s co-writer/director David Wain (who also is a member of the sketch groups Stella and The State).
Ricky Gervais Teases New Comedy Show, "Life's Too Short"
The new series Life’s Too Short will feature Warwick Davis in a faux documentary style show that’s supposed to be a cross between The Office and Extras. It might be a bit redundant to stat that these days since we’re dealing with a well recognized comedic tone at this point.
Louie Returns Tonight! Prepare Yourself
The time is nigh, for tonight at 10:30 on FX the second season of Louie premieres. Louis C.K., the show’s creator, writer, director, editor, and star will be back with more hilarity about a middle-aged stand-up comedian working in New York and raising children.
It’s been a busy year for the comedian, he just released a new stand-up special, Hilarious which is/was/will continue to get rave reviews and the first season of Louie show was just released on DVD this week
This all is putting us in a Louis C.K. mood. The man has a tremendous stand-up career, so we figured we’d put together a cheat sheet to our favorite Louis C.K. moments from these two projects he currently has.
PILOT OUTTAKE FROM LOUIE
Here’s an outtake from Louie’s pilot featuring Nick Dipaolo, Rachel Feinstein, Todd Barry, and Rick Shapiro. It’s an example of the great moments of the show where Louis just sits around with his stand-up friends, talk about whatever, and just make you laugh.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzbzQdeUfbs[/youtube]
“GIVE IT A SECOND” FROM HILARIOUS
Modern cell phone technology is wasted on the shittiest generation of assholes we have. I find myself quoting Louis all the time with this instance, “Just give it a second!” Now, you will too!
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p>
LOUIE INTRO
The intro to the show is so pitch-perfect, you can’t help but watch it, it’s mesmerizing though nothing happens. It’s just Louis emerging from a subway, walking a few blocks to the Comedy Cellar, stopping to eat a slice of pizza as a reworked version (by Reggie Watts) of Hot Chocolate’s “Brother Louie” plays with simple credits. Perhaps the most interesting part of the opener is the random passerby flipping off the camera as C.K. eats pizza. It happens so fast, you might not catch it at first. There’s a quick reaction from C.K., but the decision to keep the whole scene off the cutting room floor is a tell that the show is going to try to be as honest as possible while still being totally off.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhHcqM6dpoU[/youtube]
“THE MIRACLE OF FLIGHT” FROM HILARIOUS
How can someone complain about something they didn’t know existed 30 seconds ago? Technology is awesome and we sometimes loose track of this.
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p>
THE POKER SCENE FROM LOUIE
This is another great example of what I love about Louie and it once again features some of his comedian friends. In this case, Nick DiPaolo, Hannibal Buress, Jim Norton, and Nick Crom are involved as a poker conversation turns to homosexuality. It’s also a subversive way of highlighting Louis C.K.’s take on the use of hot button words in comedy. With the recently reignited debate about homophobic slurs used by comedians like Tracey Morgan and Jo Koy, this is an terrific example of context and why its so important to comedy.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-55wC5dEnc[/youtube]
“HOT GIRLS IN BARS AND THEIR DUDE COUNTERPARTS” FROM HILARIOUS
Another pitch-perfect summation of young people. The dudes that want to go get laid and what happens when attractive women say no to them.
THE CHRIST EPISODE OF LOUIE
This episode of Louie was probably the weirdest of the first season, it featured very little of the star, was told as a flashback, wasn’t designed to garner laughs, and dealt with the heavy topic of religion. It wasn’t a shocker of an episode but meant to point out things Louis saw as funny about religion itself. It was a pretty bold move for a sitcom and had many people talking after the episode aired.
THE POT SMOKING SCENE FROM LOUIE
It was such a bizarrely hilarious scene and demonstrated the sometimes absurdity of the show’s comedy. Whether it be Chelsea Peretti ducking out of a date with Louis via helicopter, or the random pummeling of a car via waterbottle. Louis C.K. isn’t afraid to go random on the show and this is a great example of it working.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D-PFdCup2E[/youtube]
“MY 3-YEAR OLD IS A 3-YEAR OLD” FROM HILARIOUS
Louis discusses a lot of family on Hilarious and this bit is perhaps the greatest example of putting all of his subjects of comedy together in one moment of flat out funny storytelling.
Louie premieres tonight on FX at 10:30 tune in. In the meantime, pick up Hilarious on CD and/or DVD.
8 Reasons We Will Miss Sports Show With Norm Macdonald
Wait! What?
Well it looks like Comedy Central isn’t staying in the sports game as they announced the cancellation of both Onion Sports Dome and Sports Show with Norm Macdonald. While we never really watched the former, we’re pretty damn bummed about the latter. Norm was pretty much hitting his stride with the show creatively, but averaging only around 1 million viewers wasn’t enough to warrant a second season.
We’ve compiled eight memorable things about the show that certainly feature Norm’s unique style of comedy his fans have grown to love over the years. We will miss these things about the show and maybe they should be arguments for why the show deserved a second season.
Review: Tommy Johnagin "Stand Up Comedy 2"
On his second album, Stand Up Comedy 2, Tommy hilariously delves into the life of someone who has nothing special to impress anyone with. He has a Midwest style where he can talk about any life experience in an almost absurd yet thoughtful way. He’s entertaining because his humor is the stuff we’ve all experienced yet he finds a new way to look at a situation.
Johnagin tells his audience he’s had trouble kissing women because he’s not sure how to do it. There’s always awkwardness of two people locking lips with different ideas of where their lips should be. Not only is this scenario not romantic, it’s confusing and creates comedic tension. “Get your FACE away from my FACE!” he extorts into the mic. With family life, Johnagin is convinced most of his relatives are accidents. “If you ever meet a Johnagin, you probably weren’t supposed to.” Johnagin has a laid back but assertive style. He’s aware of his weaknesses, and isn’t concerned what others think. When he goes to the club, he’s not there to get laid, he just wants to dance. Johnagin goes on to detail his amazement at childbirth. “I have no experience having a child, but there should be a better way for the baby to come out.” He calls it an “inconvenient exit.” “There should be a side baby door or something.”
Johnagin’s comedic style is very deliberate, but he also likes to be repetitive for the sake of exclamation. He doesn’t just tell a story about sleeping with a girl, he’ll say “we were going to have SEX, we were going to have SEX, that’s right, SEX.” His style is suggestive of a guy you’d want to hang out with because you know there will be an adventure involved. It’s kind of like Revenge of The Nerds, except Johnagin isn’t so much nerdy, he’s just a young guy with seriously funny life stories. Sometimes his delivery is so great it’s as if he’s not going for a punchline, rather just as confused about a situation as the audience would be and working through it. He’s a comic who likes to find a nonsensical solution for everyday problems, and as he explains it so matter-of-fact, you’re tempted to believe anything he says would work.
Stand Up Comedy 2 is in stores now, make sure to pick it up now.
Adam Ullian is a contributing writer and founder of YuletideSnapper.com
Just For Laughs Chicago: Louis C.K., Seth Meyers, Martin And Martin
Laugh, Smile, and be Merry Damn It!
The best part of the festival is that size doesn’t matter. From enormous auditoriums to petite stages, comedians brought their strong sense of story telling and routines to break audiences’ everyday mundane schedules. The festival has done a great job of reminding audiences to smile and to bring happiness into the lives of people they interact with. Just For Laughs has been an extremely fun event to cover as positive vibes were alive within each venue.
The Vic Theatre created the setting for the funny Saturday Night Live cast member/head writer Seth Meyers to set free his hilarious stories and observational humor. Seth brought a strong sense of charisma to the stage as he recently was the keynote speaker at the White Houses’ correspondent dinner.
Meyers shared hilarious stories from how he messed up shaking hands with the president to his modern day interpretations of classic stories such as Moby Dick.
Unique to the festival and his performance, Seth read news headlines that were originally intended to air on SNL yet were cut and censored due to being too vulgar. Multiple jokes about similar topics caused the audience to erupt with laughter as he flawlessly delivered the jokes in reporter like fashion.
Jumping in a cab and cruising downtown to the stunning Chicago Theatre, it was time to catch yet another exceptional show.
LOUIS C.K. & THREE VERY SPECIAL GUESTSPerforming for a sold out crowd of 3,600, Louis C.K. amused thousands in attendance as his routines were relatable to many. He was likeable on stage as he joked about growing old, eating, family, sex, race, and so on. Recently releasing his new stand-up special Hilarious and with his FX sitcom Louie heading into its second season, C.K. had fans pointing up at stage saying “That’s me up there!”
Said to be one of the best stand-up comedians in the country he grabbed the audience and took them on a thrilling ride they will not forget.
Yet what can get better than Louis C.K.?
How about adding Jake Johannsen, Richard Lewis, and Steven Wright…aka the Three Special Guests!
Each comic said to be major influences of C.K.’s style, all three comedians brought their unique sense of humor to the stage. Following Louis’ opening act was the observational humorist Jake Johannsen.
Maybe not known by everyone in the audience, Jake spent the last twenty years touring the nation as he is a prime example of the late 80’s stone faced type of comedian.
The unyielding self-hatred of Richard Lewis caused the crowd to cry with laughter as he violently paced back and forth across the stage. Unlike other performances his routine caused audiences to laugh at different moments of his set as they had to catch up to his quick delivery. Personal tangents and self-insulting thoughts ran wild as audience members related to specific pieces of his routine.
Last but not least was the classic Steven Wright. Completely opposite from Lewis, Wright delivered his bizarre humor in a low key monotone way. Nonstop one-liners riffled from Wright as sporadic laughs continually spread throughout the crowd, much similar to Lewis’ response. This all-star lineup was a true surprise as many in the audience found a personal connection to all the comedians.
Back in a cab and back to the north side as it was time for a change of pace.
Star of the Comedy Central series Big Lake and frequent UCB performer, Chris Gethard brought his college type humor to the esteemed iO Theatre. The show was unlike any of the festival as two improvisation teams, one from New York and one from Chicago, took audience suggestions and battled for their approval. The penalty for loosing was to be blind folded and shocked with an adult sex toy.
Sparks flew from this intense instrument as it touched faces and hands, clearly causing pain to its victims. The audience was just as twisted as they cheered for more as it was hard not to laugh at this extreme form of comedy.
Together this tag team duo appeared onscreen in the Three Amigos and Father of the Bride as they brought a unique type of performance to the sold out Chicago Theatre.
Two red flush recliners sat center stage as clips from the past played on dual projectors. Audiences laughed and reminisced about these classic moments as Steve Martin and Martin Short strolled out, both wearing lavish suits and ties.
Stack of prepared questions stood in a pile as each Martin interviewed one another. Adlibs and intelligence filled the moments as both comedic geniuses’ challenged each others stature. Reminiscing about triumphant times of their lives, Steve recalled stories of meeting Elvis Presley while the King concealed three loaded handguns and Short reflected on struggles of avoiding the Jimmy Carson Show.
Music also filled the evening as Short performed a song about killing Osama Bin Laden while Steve took a nap on a pull out bed. When it was time for Steve to play his banjo, Short ran off the stage shouting lyrics from his song. Currently on a bluegrass tour, Steve elegantly performed songs as he shared his love for music.
Returning in full force, Short arrived back on stage yet in the form of Jiminy Glick. In true Glick fashion he asked off the wall interview questions to the laughing Steve Martin. Steve could not hold in the hilarity as Glick asked “Do automatic toilets know when you are done or do they just get lucky at guessing?” and “Steve, why don’t you eat some donuts with me?”
After another projected slide show of past moments in both of the comedian’s careers, the stars arrived back on stage to take impromptu questions from the audience. Standing ovations at the beginning and the end of the show revealed deep love and respect for these two time honored comedians.
5 Moves We'd Like To See Dave Chappelle Make
After all of the commotion from this past week about the rumor of Dave Chappelle’s rumored return to TV died, it got the hamster wheels in our The Laugh Button brains spinning.
Damn, we miss Dave Chappelle and hope he will make a bigger return to comedy for the masses and not just a random stand-up gig here and there. Dave’s been showing up sporadically at comedy clubs for a while to perform material, performing at marathon lengths sometimes. But the idea of him returning to TV or something grander in scale is really what we hope Chappelle can make happen. So the question is this…what else would we like to see the comedian do?
So without further adieu, here are 5 things we’d like to see Dave Chappelle do in the near future:
1. PLOT A STAND-UP TOUR WITH FOLLOW-UP ALBUM/TV SPECIAL
Since leaving his Chappelle Show behind, he’s been mainly focusing on performing stand-up. So it would naturally make sense want to see Dav-o kick off a full, nationwide stand-up tour, that isn’t too far out of the realm of possible is it?
Following up the tour, he could record a few of the final shows and would then be able to turn it into an hour-long special that Comedy Central, Epix, HBO or Showtime would be clamoring to air. This would be completed with a new album and DVD that would wear pretty damn well to repeated viewings/listens.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j55mozVwDM[/youtube]
2. LAUNCH A SKETCH COMEDY TOUR OF JUST HIS CHARACTERS
While we’d love to see him perform some of his famous characters and impersonations from Chappelle Show and Half Baked just a few more times. He could tour intimate improv venues around the country and do some Rick James with the local sketch troupe. We’re more in favor of such an endeavor if for no reason than to give Charlie Murphy work.
3. MAKE THE NEXT GREAT COMEDY MOVIE
Besides the stoner comedy classic Half Baked, Chappelle hasn’t really had too much luck with movies (oh Undercover Brother…). That doesn’t mean, though, that we wouldn’t like to see him give motion pictures another shot. Chappelle might be able to catch a similar break as Zack Galifianakis in a comedy film, and the fact that he’s a big name already helps his chances getting whatever the hell he wants greenlit. So we could see him take a risk and write/produce the next great comedy, stoner or not.
4. LAUNCH A WEBCAM SHOW
Watching Chappelle ramble on a web cam for five minutes would be more entertaining than most of the things anyone else would be able to do on the web. It wouldn’t be as large a commitment as the recently rumored Netflix show that was shot down, but we need better webcam entertainment than what another ex-TV star gave us.
Other comedians are doing live video shows but damn if Dave’s wouldn’t probably be more hilarious than most of ‘em.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZRflz-93JA[/youtube]
5. STOP WORKING OUT
No seriously, have you seen him lately? There are lotsa talks that Dave’s been working out and is now jacked. I mean he’s not a thick-necked bodybuilder, but he’s definitely bulked up the muscle. Especially considering our normal image of him is as a fairly skinny man on stage in shirts he seems to be swimming in. But hey, good for him working out and staying healthy.
Now you know what we’d like to see Chappelle do next. Let us know what you like to see him do in the comment section below.
Have Tea In The Park With Reggie Watts
We’re officially in summer. It’s time for summer shows and outside festivals, and what better way to kick off the summer season with some free comedy shows in New York City?
Well start tonight with Reggie Watts who will be making two appearances this week as a part of New York’s SummerStage, the city’s annual performing arts festival. The show is free so show up and laugh your ass off.
Central Park, NY at the Mainstage (w/ Natasha Leggero)
Wednesday, June 22nd at 7:30Red Hook Park
Brooklyn, NY at Red Hook Park
Friday, June 24th at 7pm
Reggie’s album Why S#!+ So Crazy? is in stores now on CD and DVD. Ever since its release, Watts has won both critical acclaim and adoration from fans across spectrum. Watts opened Conan O’Brien’s tours, recorded an album for Jack White, and showed up at Madison Square Garden to play with LCD Soundsystem during their final run of retirement shows. And that’s just within the last year.
Just For Laughs Chicago: Ross Roasts And The TBS LOL Lounge
Just like a dog marking its territory, The Just For Laughs comedy festival is leaving it’s stain all over the city of Chicago. The funniest names in the business continue to bring their A-game as audiences fill close to fifteen different venues every night.
After recently ripping apart Donald Trump, Roast Master General Jeffery Ross focused his sarcasm and vulgar humor on the windy city. Even though boo’s and heckles resulted from the lame opening act, MC Mr. Napkins, Ross took stage with full force and quickly won over his audience.
This live performance was unique in many ways as Buddy, a local guitarist playing on stage, chimed in with short guitar riffs. This supplied Ross with a steady supply of ammunition as instant attacks toward the musician sounded like:
“Who is this guy, lead performer from the group Gay-C/DC?”
Following traditional roasts, he brought on stage Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Demster for a true Ross bashing. Even though his jokes were strong, loud slander was shouted from Chicago White Sox fans in attendance as they clearly expressed their hatred for their cross town rivals.
Unique twists in the show happened when Ross roasted prominent figures of history that he wished could have been in attendance. From Abe Lincoln to Adolf Hitler, audiences’ moaned and groaned at some of the raunchiest jokes ever told.
Also unique to the Just For Laughs roast of Chicago, Ross welcomed up a dozen members of the audience as he trialed a new form which he called speed roasting. All of the volunteers and brave souls went up in good fun as nothing was held back from the quick wit of Jeffery Ross.
Inside the trendy comedy club The Red Bar, comedians took center stage as four shows were being taped for presentation on justforlaughschicago.com. Hosted by Are We There Yet? star Christian Finnegan, twenty rising comics delivered their stories as they were finalists from the fourth annual Rooftop Comedy National College Comedy Competition presented by TBS.
At this show I had the privilege to sit next to and talk with SNL head writer and Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers. In between ladies throwing themselves at Seth and flash photography which appeared like strobe lights, I had great conversations with this down to Earth guy.
“Comedy is all about finding out who you are and what you can bring to the table,” he explained in between photo shoots. “Determination is what it takes for upcoming comics to crack the scene and that’s why I’m here. To support their hard work.”
After further discussions about The Second City, iO Theatre, and Comedy Sportz, we both laughed at the original performances being delivered by these talented individuals.
FUN OFF THE STAGEFrom midnight bowling to professional baseball games, comedians relaxed at different events throughout the week. In these photos Tim Minchin prepares for some serious bowling activity, George Lopez throws out the first pitch at the New York Yankee vs. Chicago Cubs baseball game as Seth Meyers performs the 7th inning stretch.
"Jackass" Star Ryan Dunn Killed In A Car Wreck
TMZ reports that Dunn and an unidentified passenger were headed down Route 322 around 3am in West Goshen Township, PA when his Porsche 911 GT3 crashed and caught fire. Authorities said the car was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived on the scene.
April Margera, mother of Jackass and Viva La Bam co-star Bam Margera, confirmed the unfortunate news to WMMR 93.3’s Preston and Steve morning radio show, she also told Radar Online that she, “felt as if she lost her own son.” Dunn just turned 34 years old on June 11th.
Dunn may be best known for the stunts he performed on the long-running Jackass and Viva La Bam comedies, including the infamous car toy segment that he partook in during the first Jackass film. In addition Dunn appeared in numerous films including all 3 wildly popular movie versions of the Jackass series, and TV shows, he also hosted an MTV spinoff show in 2005 called Homewrecker and most recently G4TV’s Proving Ground. Our condolences to Dunn’s family and friends.
The timing of this is pretty eerie as well since, in an interview with Pitchfork that ran today, Louis C.K. discussed the virtues about the comedy of Jackass.
Pitchfork: Most of the time you’re able to turn that back in on yourself so that you become the punchline, too.
C.K.: Definitely. If you’re using dangerous words, as long as you’re turning the gun on yourself, nobody cares. The Jackass movies are honestly some of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I laugh so hard at them. Those guys are geniuses. If they had grown up with a different group of people, they could’ve been performance artists at Bard College, and people would be writing papers about them. There’s a real beauty in it, and there’s a release to watching those movies. But it’s because they’re doing things to each other as friends. If they were going around and hitting old ladies in the head, it would be horrible. What if Hitler had won the whole thing and we were all living in Nazi earth? There would probably be a version of Jackass where they’re doing that shit to Jews. That would be funny to Hitler, but it wouldn’t be funny to me— not because it’s anti-Semitic but because it’s just not good comedy. But I don’t think I should always humiliate myself on stage, I just find a laugh at the end of that rope a lot.
UPDATES: Dunn’s close friend Bam Margera has yet to release a statement. Just a few moments ago Jackassworld.com has updated their site with this statement:
I don’t really know what to say right now everybody because the sadness is overwhelming, but today we lost one of our own. Our brother Ryan Dunn has passed. He died in a car wreck in West Goshen, Pennsylvania this morning at 3am. Goddamn that’s tough to write.
As we get more info we will let you know, but right now our hearts go out to his family and to his beloved Angie. Ryan will be missed and remembered by us all. Thanks for the kind words of support everybody.
Sincerely and Love,
Knoxville,Tremaine, and the entire Jackass Family
Other reactions from the Jackass crew.
Johnny Knoxville
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Jason “Weeman” Acuna
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Dave England
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Weird Al Yankovic's Video Spoof Of Lady Gaga Has Been Hatched
Al’s new album Alpocalypse is in stores this week, June 21st if you’d like to be specific.
Emotional Rescue: Marc Maron Finds There's No Place Like Home
Marc Maron can talk. The caffeinated comic has been earning stand-up badges of honor since the late ’80s with an act that’s brutally self-aware, relentlessly self-obsessed and emotionally bare-ass naked. At times he’s political (he was an Air America host for a time), but mostly, it’s personal. Yep, Marc Maron can talk – about divorce, despair and dirty texts. But as his riveting podcast, WTF, approaches 200 episodes, it turns out Marc Maron can do more than just talk; he’s also no slouch at two-way conversations.
Most episodes of WTF are recorded at his home (the Cat Ranch, he calls it) in the garage where the likes of Conan O’Brien, Amy Poehler, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Judd Apatow, Aubrey Plaza and more drop by not to plug their work, but to talk openly about what it’s like to be funny, famous and flawed all at the same time.
WTF is getting a boost via Public Radio Exchange, which has recently begun broadcasting repackaged versions of some prime episodes. And if his good fortune keeps up, this whole podcasting in his garage just might turn into a TV show.
It sounds like you’re having a lot of fun talking to all these funny people.
It’s just a blast. In a way the comedy community has saved my life after everything I’ve been through in the past couple of years. Doing the podcast functions as a way for me to get out of myself and to talk to people and to listen to other people’s stories and to learn how to laugh again. I had Richard Lewis the garage the other day and it’s pretty thrilling to be sitting there talking to Richard and connecting with him on an emotional level. I remember seeing him on Letterman for the first time. I mean, when I was in college and Richard Lewis came out I said, “who the fuck is this guy!?” There was this intensity of pace and timing and neuroticism… to have him in my house, it felt very warm. And to make him laugh… it was very rewarding and very sweet. I’d like to hang out with him as a friend.
It seems like you’re able to get your guests to open up quite a bit. Is it because you’re always so open and un-filtered?
I tend to make myself pretty emotionally available on stage and in the garage and in my life. For most of my life it’s been an aggressive availability – which is a nice way to say “neediness.” But it’s by no genuine design that my guests are forced into a dynamic that’s not just about them talking - instead it becomes a conversation. What I’m after in these interviews is some real conversation about anything as long as were engaged. So I assume people who are listening will be engaged as well.
This morning I noticed you were basically doing customer service on Twitter for a listener. Can you talk a little about what the relationship is like with your fans?
The interesting thing about what I’m doing is that if they listen to the podcast, many of them have never seen my stand-up. They may not know me as a stand-up, but they know me intimately because I offer a lot of myself and they have a relationship with me and it’s very genuine. I have this desire to be equally myself onstage and off. So I find myself asking fans “Was I myself?” after a show. And I do appreciate the fact that I have a fairly intimate relationship with them even though I don’t know them. I try to be as present and as gracious as my emotions will allow. When they bring me stuff and want to spend time and take pictures, I will do that until everyone is gone.
I guess when you’re really being yourself on stage, it’s harder for someone else to steal your material.
Hey, it’s hard for me to do my material.
Well Marc, sometimes it’s sometimes hard to watch!
Yeah, that’s what I hear. I remember Time Out New York, years ago when I was workshopping during my divorce and they reviewed it - the one line I’ll never forget is they said “the great thing about this show is that Maron has no hindsight; you really feel like you’re going through what he’s talking about.” I thought, well that’s pretty honest. There’s a thrill to that you know, but it’s not always hilarious.
You sometimes bring up stuff from the past with comics you’ve known for a while, like Louis C.K., where it seems like you’re trying to figure out how much of a dick you might have been back then.
Because of this common thread of comedy - and because the people I know in comedy remain in the public eye and in my periphery - even if it was just a 15 minute conversation 20 years ago, I feel emotionally connected to them. I have these deeply emotional connections with people I don’t know at all and my conception of them doesn’t really match up at all with who they are or what they’ve been through. But still I assume that we’re connected. I’ll do something that’ll stick in my head and I know how I behaved around people and I think that I’m so important that I had this major impact on them that they’re carrying this grudge. And a lot of times I ask and they’re like, “yeah you were kind of a dick, but I don’t really remember.” But, in my mind, I thought I had a tremendous impact on them.
So the podcast is now a pilot with you and Ed Asner and Ken Joeng?
In a very unorthodox way, we put together a top-notch crew of actors and a director (Oscar winner Luke Matheny). The pilot came about from doing the podcast and a lot of people in the industry enjoying it. You can talk about fictionalizing the idea, but the concept is that I talk to celebrities in my garage and I’m not lying. The truth is that my arc in this business has landed me in my garage and Ben Stiller comes to the garage and that’s the reality. We got some momentum around it – shot in like two days and four or five locations – a few in my house and a veterinarian’s office…
So this means your cats are involved?
They sorta have to be involved, but unfortunately they aren’t actors so we had to bring in a cast. I had to break it to my cats and one of them shit on my bed because I locked them in my room during a shoot, so… I got mine.
Marc Maron’s WTF is available on iTunes and at www.wtfpod.com. Follow Marc on Twitter @marcmaron.
It's Aziz Ansari Cursing In The 30 Minutes Or Less Red Band Trailer
Ansari plays a teacher, who ya know, curses and likes to help his buddies rob banks, that’s just how he rolls.
This Week In Comedy: Just For Laughs...
The fallout of the Tracy Morgan homophobic rants during a stand-up show continues to happen. Yes, all the right moves have been put in place to rectify the situation, and people have given their opinions. Perhaps the most interesting of them seems to come from Louis C.K. who in a recent interview with Slate defended Morgan’s actions in the name of comedy, he also makes really good arguments that everything heard is hearsay and “nobody gets to say that they represent anybody and they’re offended on behalf of the whole world.” And then this argument against C.K.’s statement.
While on the subject of Louis C.K. the second season of his fantastic series Louie premieres this week. Color us psyched!
COMEDY IN THEATERS
Bad Teacher
Cars 2
NEW IN STORES
Cedar Rapids [DVD]
Cedar Rapids [Blu-ray]
Happythankyoumoreplease [DVD]
Happythankyoumoreplease [Blu-ray]
Louie: Season One [DVD & Blu-Ray Combo]
Rocko’s Modern Life-Season 1 [DVD]
Tommy Johnagin: Stand Up Comedy 2 [CD]
Visioneers [DVD]
“Weird” Al Yankovic: Alpocalypse [CD]
COMEDY ON TELEVISION
Monday, June 20th
Larry the Cable Guy on The Tonight Show
Thomas Lennon and Weird Al Yankovic on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Greg Proops, Chris Franjola, Natasha Leggero on Chelsea Lately
Tuesday, June 21st
Jim Florentine on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Charlie Day on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Jo Koy, Josh Wolf, Sarah Colonna on Chelsea Lately
Larry The Cable Guy and Reggie Watts on Conan
Simon Pegg on Lopez Tonight
Wednesday, June 22nd
Kevin James on Late Show with David Letterman
Louis C.K. on The Tonight Show
Larry David and Molly Shannon on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Nick Frost and Simon Pegg on Last Call with Carson Daly
Arden Myrin and Matt Braunger on Chelsea Lately
Rob Corddry on Conan
Thursday, June 23rd
Season premiere of Louie on FX
Wilfred Series premiere on FX
Kevin Hart on The Tonight Show
Greg Fitzsimmons, Jen Kirkman, Whitney Cummings on Chelsea Lately
Nick Kroll on Conan
Friday, June 24th
Mo Mandel, Loni Love, Brad Wollack on Chelsea Lately
Tom Papa on The Tonight Show
Sunday, June 26th
Season 2 of The Marriage Ref premieres on NBC with Tom Papa, Jerry Seinfeld, and Ricky Gervais
Just For Laughs Chicago: Demetri Martin, Messing With A Friend, And POB
Laughing Cramps Continue
You ask for comedy, you get comedy and that’s exactly what the Just For Laughs festival is delivering, raw ass humor. Each show continues to deliver new and unexpected laughs that audiences clearly enjoy.
Back at the beautiful Chicago Theatre, Demetri Martin took stage along with some special comedian friends of his. Demetri is known for his hit series Important Things with Demetri Martin and for his past contributions to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He shared his unique play on words with thousands in attendance as his calming pace and delivery resulted in straight up humor.
In from LA and originally from Pakistan, Kumail Nanjiani took the audience on a foreign ride explaining Koran falsehoods and how crazy it is to watch a Cobra and Mongoose fight to death…at a kids birthday party. A twist in the action took place when David O’Doherty jumped on stage wearing a long blue cape and carrying a small keyboard. Arriving from Scotland, David mixed unique stories with homemade songs as he rocked the shit out of his beat box music machine.
In between hilarious sets, Demetri talked to audience members and at one point pulled a guest up on stage. It was a rant back forth on whose t-shirt was funnier as both seemed to lose the fashion battle.
Writer for 30 Rock and SNL, the ever so funny Hannibal Buress hit nothing but home runs. His direct and straight forward approach was well received as the pain in my side started to intensify from laughing so hard. No joke. I was in pain from laughing my ass off.
From the hit show The Flight of the Conchords as well as voiceovers in Toy Story 3 and The Simpsons (just to name a few) the very funny Kristen Schaal danced out in a sparkly jacket and a bright colored dress. Jumping from innocent school girl to a hardcore sex addict, Kristen moved the audience in many ways. She brought the house down with laughter when she delivered her taint-alogues, which was a modern day twist of the popular vagina monologues.
The show was a hit and it still wasn’t over.
Demetri took stage once again which caused that sharp pain in my side to prolong. Explaining mock fliers he hangs in coffee shops across America, I along with the audience cheered for more.
Our request was answered as Paul F. Tompkins confidently strolled out in a three piece suit and solid mustache.
“Since I’m the last act, I’m entitled to all these waters” Paul explained as he bear hugged the remaining water bottles on stage. This caused a front row heckler to chime in and beg for a drink. With out missing a beat, Paul called attention to this drunken woman as he quickly won the audience on his side. His humor was spot on as he preached to the audience much like a professor in a college lecture hall.
Weaving through the crowd as I left the venue I hopped on a train to travel twenty minutes north to the ever so funny Annoyance Theatre.
The rustic Chicago brick walls of this venue speak volumes as this prestigious stage is an outlet for many talented improvisers. The spotlight was on the venerable Chicago improv staple Susan Messing as well as her guest, Private Practice’s Michael Patrick Thronton.
Coming straight from a Steppenwolf performance, Michael immediately locked on to the comedic genius of Susan. Both started the improvisation performance in wheel chairs as they made light of new medical procedures with face transplants, challenges of being loved by your mother, and the life long problem of being followed by cats due to being tossed in a dumpster as a child
With laughs, sighs, and moans from the audience, their performance was memorable and one of a kind.
After another train ride, it was time the watch SNL writer and Second City alum Michael Patrick O’Brien experiment new material at iO Theatre. This cabaret-style show was really something special as SNL’s Seth Meyers made an appearance to join the fun.
Sitting next to paying audience members, some of the biggest comedians showed up to see this magic live. In attendance was Jeffery Ross, Scott Adsit, John Lutz, and Hannibal Buress, just to name a few.
From lonely aliens missing their girlfriends to overly obsessive female bowlers, O’Brien and Meyers delivered a superb show which caused the laughing pain in my side to deepen. Just For Laughs festival is in full swing as kick ass shows are continuing through out the weekend.
Stay tuned…
Gotham Comedy Club To Expand It's Content Into Retail Spaces
SeeSaw Networks just announced a content partnership with New York’s Gotham Comedy Club to put Gotham’s comedians/content into SeeSaw’s “place-based media network.”
Gotham will put together 10 minute short video packages of their comedians performing clean, evergreen material called, “The Gotham Moment” which will then be able to be placed anywhere SeeSaw does business like venues, malls, bars, college campuses, clothing stores, or places in the mall.
Gotham founder/owner Chris Mazzilli stated, “We are very excited about our agreement with SeeSaw Networks,” and “This is a great opportunity for us to further the Gotham brand on a national level.”
[via The Comic’s Comic]
Catch Rose Kleinberg At New York Comedy Club Tonight
Go check out the very funny Rose Kleinberg perform at 9:30pm.
New York Comedy Club
241 E 24th St.
New York City
(212) 696-5233
Kyle Kinane, Let's Not Grab Life By The Balls
And to top if off, the lumberjack look is working for him.
Mike Birbiglia Doesn't Like Jumping Out Of Trees
Birbigs also told his great story about how his parents managed to get some porn viruses on their computers, since all parents are computer savvy.
Just For Laughs Chicago: The Anti-Social Network, Adsit And Lutz
A Night of All-Star Comedy
The venue was the prestigious 3,600 seat Chicago Theatre.
The line up consisted of comedic powerhouses Dave Attell, Jim Breuer, Bill Burr, with host Jim Norton.
Audience feedback was flippin’ badass!
These all star comedians took stage with full force as the packed house chugged their drinks and cheered for comedy. Comedian Jim Norton not only warmed up the crowd but continually heightened the overall experience as comedians rotated in between sets. Lighting issues and music mistakes created the perfect atmosphere for Norton to flex his comedic muscles.
The audience cried laughing when he hollered, “Who is running the lights around here, Michael J. Fox?” His spontaneous eruptions and rants tied in realisms found in the world as the audience followed him through out the show.
Strobe lights flashed and clouds of makeshift fog floated across the stage as comedian Bill Burr ran out in full strength. With specials on Comedy Central as well as reoccurring roles on The Chappelle Show, Bill made people fall out of their seats laughing as he compared living with his girlfriend to forms of modern day torture.
Comedian Jim Breuer, past SNL cast member and actor in Half Baked, brought a style of physical comedy and truth to the stage. His signature laugh added flavor to his set as he went on rants about Tracy Morgan, struggles of having three children, and after thoughts of cleaning his father after he pooped his pants.
Breuer’s dirty jokes created the perfect transition for the malicious Dave Attell. Standing in a black ball cap and black jacket, he brought the same type of humor found on his television show Insomniac. From calling attention to members of the audience to creating funny innuendos with food products and body parts, Dave delivered a hilarious set that will not be forgotten.
Dave lit a cigarette as all four comedian joined on stage to wrap the show. This was one powerful lineup in one beautiful venue yet it was time to travel north to the esteemed iO Theatre.
With multiple theatres and training facilities at iO (formerly known as Improv Olympics) this venue is a breeding ground for some of the worlds funniest actors. Tonight it was all about performers Scott Adsit and John Lutz from the Emmy Award-winning comedy 30 Rock.
The tag team duo did an hour long improvised show which blew the audiences mind. From lawyers who lie the wrong way to suicide helpline employees who provide inadequate support, the callbacks and character developments created by Adsit and Lutz were out of this world.
Both comedians will be performing additional shows at iO and additional information can be obtained at www.justforlaughschicago.com
Tommy Johnagin's Next Stand-Up Album Is Imminent
Tommy Johnagin is poised to release a new stand-up album on June 21st. The Last Comic Standing finalist will drop Stand Up Comedy 2 and we’re pretty sure it’s going to be a sequel, ya know because there’s a “2” in there. So think of this release as Johnagin’s Empire Strikes Back of sorts.
Johnagin recorded the follow-up album this past March at Go Bananas Comedy Club in Cincinnati, OH. You can preview some of the album before it hits digital retailers on June 21st.
Here’s a video clip of Johnagin’s last appearance on Late Show with David Letterman.
Jon Benjamin Has A Van, Mocumentary At Its Finest
Jon Benjamin has stolen the hearts of many a person, he’s a major favorite. When his Comedy Central show was announced, the comedy scene was more than interested. Benjamin has done tons of voiceover work over the years from Dr. Katz, Home Movies, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force to current raves in the FX and FOX hits Archer and Bob’s Burgers. But this would be his first real foray into live action comedy that’s all his (he was a regular on Important Things with Demetri Martin amongst others).
The show itself, Jon Benjamin Has a Van pits Benjamin hosting a show that travels wherever it needs to to get the story to you, the viewer. The format is part Onion News Network part Borat. I suppose the official term would be “mockumentary” but you get it with me just saying Borat, right? Jon hosts various gigs all involving interviewing or talking to people in not too normal circumstances. Like, talking to those who are going to the bathroom and actively trying to participate in Cash Stall. Normal.
The show’s opening segment is of the very first ever documented person with pre-traumatic stress disorder. Jon interviews a man (Delocated’s Jon Glaser) who is terribly frightened by just the thought of war so much, that he loses his voice. He was in training to go, but never actually went. After the interview, there’s a commercial of American heroes of war who have lost their arms and leg, then the bravest of them all, the man who lost his voice. Would you be proud to be an American after seeing that commercial?
Another segment is about Jon pushing his producer, Rob (Matt Walsh), across the Mexican border…as a prank of course. They were only there to work on an assignment, but why not have some fun? Jon refuses to give back Rob’s passport, leaving him there to fend for himself. Standard procedure is then to stay there for a year, like Rob has done. When Jon visits him again, Rob is happy, peaceful, and living in a house with his wife and baby. Jon has an assignment and wants to see if Rob could help with the language barrier - since Rob speaks fluent Spanish equipped with a Spanish accent. They reach their destination and Jon quickly pushes Rob across the Guatemalan border, as a prank…again. See you in a year Rob!
The last segment, Jon is on a dangerous assignment and meeting with El Monte Blanca, a Guatemalan drug lord and—unbeknownst to him—aka Rob. Their peaceful meeting—which included Rob shooting his father in the head for wearing a wire and snitching—is interrupted with men holding guns bursting through the doors. A car chase ensues, ending with Rob begging Jon to do the joke and push him across the El Salvador border to escape. He happily obliges and Rob is yet again in another country, this time on his terms. Just when you think everyone’s happy, Rob reveals he has Jon’s passport and won’t give it back. Sound familiar? Rob screams loudly and into the sky, “Borderrrrrrr!” also the name of the episode.
This show has had a lot of good talks around it. Clearly for good reason. It is great and funny. The humor is snarky in a good way and leaves you wanting more. I’ll be sad when it’s over tomorrow. Boo hoo. But, I know I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Cash Stall.
Jon Benjamin has a van airs on Wednesdays at 10:30pm on Comedy Central.
Review: Norm Macdonald "Me Doing Standup"
But therein lies the beauty of Norm. The man is at his best when he has the avenue to dissect what he’s saying at the exact time he’s saying it. For someone that also likes to play poker, it’s a wonder he wins any money because his comedy hits when the tells are all over his face. But in that also lies a problem; trying to review just an audio recording of Norm Macdonald comedy. Although stand-up should be the perfect opportunity to get to know Norm Macdonald, you really can’t get to “know” Norm Macdonald just by hearing him talk.
The just released CD Me Doing Standup, his first stand-up comedy record, is basically a string of one-liners, a pause, and then you hear the audience laugh. The jokes range from topics like Tiger Woods to mortality, to homosexuality, to alcoholism with Macdonald saying things we’ve all at least thought even if briefly in passing. One example: murder. Initially he stated that he’d never murder someone and then posits, “I know I say that now, I don’t really know. I can’t predict the future.” See: Nicolas Cage in Con Air. Even with those shining moments though, you still end up feeling like you’re missing something and everybody’s in on it but you. But that’s what makes MacDonald so brilliant; he’s a one-man Kennedy/Nixon debate. If you saw this exact same routine on television, Macdonald wins. If you only heard the album, then Nixon wins. So thanks for Vietnam, Norm Macdonald.
But, you’re in luck. There’s a DVD as well! So ultimately this is a four-paragraph review telling you to get the DVD instead of the CD. Although the CD does come with more content, the DVD contains deleted scenes that didn’t air originally on the Comedy Central special - his segment from the before mentioned Bob Saget roast, the pilot from his sitcom Back To Norm. Though the CD is doesn’t pull off the complete experience, Me Doing Standup the DVD is quite an impressive debut for someone who should have been churning these things out for years. Norm Macdonald is one of the funniest comedians out right now and it comes so effortlessly that he probably doesn’t even need to write jokes to prove it.
Just For Laughs Chicago: An Evening With Tim Minchin
All week long we will be bringing you dispatches from the Just For Laughs festival in Chicago. We’re on the ground in the Windy City to report on the best in stand-up.
TIM MINCHIN AT LINCOLN HALL
Not only were my questions answered, I quickly became a strong supporter and fan.
Kicking off his ninety minute set, he wailed on the ivories as he sang about being a wanna be rock star as well as the love for his wife. Like an old thermostat on the wall, he slowly turned up the heat of hot topics as he took the audience on a wild ride through his mind.
With an even mix of stand up routines and songs, Tim hysterically made light of religious traditions, racial stereotypes, and moral decisions we face everyday. Weaved in between all the jokes and laughter, he revealed a deeper overall message. His point was to encourage everyone to explore their own spirituality yet not to be hypocrites by preaching their views onto others. His message was well received with a standing ovation.
Tim is performing all week at the beautiful Lincoln Hall during the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Chicago. For updates on Tim Minchin, check out his website at www.timminchin.com
Tosh.0 Will Return For 4th Season, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate, And Todd Barry Will Appear On Ugly Americans
Today Comedy Central announced some updates to some of the popular shows on their network that aren’t The Daily Show and/or The Colbert Report:
That’s right, 26 more episodes of watching him mock whatever web video he wants are going to inhabit the 4th season of the clip show. And rightfully so, the show is just starting to really hit its stride, coming up with dress themes each season, the quick final gag at the end of the show, and of course…a XXX parody…nothing says “look ma, I’ve made it” than a porno parody of yourself. The new season will start in January 2012.
Daniel Tosh will continue with deliciously twisted abandon to take on infinite offerings of the Internet as Comedy Central orders a fourth season of the weekly hit series Tosh.0, it was announced today by Kent Alterman, head of original programming and production Comedy Central. The fourth season of Tosh.0 will consist of 26 episodes and premiere in January 2012.
The show already hosts terrific comedic talent with Kurt Metzger and Natasha Leggero supplying vocal talents. They will also be joined by Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate, Todd Barry, and Christine Baranski. All of which will spend some time animated in monster New York City.
Other second season episodes include Callie getting a younger, hotter sister; Grimes’ Mummy (Christine Baranski) coming back from the grave to nag him; Twayne dealing with an aggressive Drill Sergeant (Rob Riggle) at basic training; and Mark’s old girlfriend (Jenny Slate) coming back into his life. Throw in a sexually inadequate dragon (Todd Barry) and Mark has got his work cut out for him in this new season full of otherworldly, adventurous fun.
Watch Anthony Jeselnik's Appearance On Conan
Oh look, there’s also a shoutout to the Punchline Magazine folks by Conan too.
If you haven’t already, pick up Anthony’s latest album Shakespeare, it’s damn funny. We spoke with him last year about the album to find out all about it.
Andy Samberg To Host Shark Week
Last year it was Craig Ferguson, this year it’s Andy Samberg. I think the Discovery Channel is onto something when it comes to comedians and their ability to improv with sharks.
Samberg will serve as host aka Chief Shark Officer for the 24th annual series slated to start on July 31st.
As part of his duties as host — or ”chief shark officer” — for Discovery’s 24th annual Shark Week, which begins July 31, the Saturday Night Live star swam with Caribbean reef sharks in his own Aug. 4 special. ”They were biting chum right next to me, and then one of them actually did take a little bit of a nip at the surfboard, right where I was hanging out,” Samberg says. ”That was kind of when I decided to call it a day.”[EW]
Here’s a picture from shooting the special Samberg shot that’s scheduled to air on August 4th. It does kinda beg for Andy to say something like “Hey shark! How’s it goin’!? Say hello to your mother for me.”
9 Comedy Shows To See At Just For Laughs Chicago 2011
You can check out an entire rundown of each show over at the festival’s site, while we’ll be bring you highlights from each day throughout the week. However, we wanted to kick things off by sharing a few stand out shows that aren’t to be missed by those in attendance.
TIM MINCHIN
June 14 - 18th 10pm at The Lincoln Hall
Tickets
The self proclaimed “pianist, singer, songwriter, actor, comedian, pervert and wannabe rockstar” will be making his Chicago debut at Lincoln Hall with not one but five shows (June 14-18). This is a great chance to see why everyone is fussing about the British/Australian comic/musician. At the very least, it’s probably the only time this week you’ll get to sing along to a song about boobs.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVN_0qvuhhw[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bEGLbCNRqw[/youtube]
THE ANTI-SOCIAL NETWORK
June 15, 7:30pm at The Chicago Theatre
Tickets
Hosted by Jim Norton, The Anti-Social Network features an all-star bill of Norton, Dave Attell, Jim Breuer, and Bill Burr. The four sold out shows together at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City and the MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut back in 2010. After high demand for more, The Anti-Social Network is hitting the road this Summer on a national tour, and is making a special stop during the festival’s second day (June 15) at The Chicago Theatre.
DEMETRI MARTIN & SPECIAL GUESTS, WHO ARE ALSO COMEDIANS AND FRIENDS OF HIS
June 16, 7:30pm at The Chicago Theatre
Tickets
In case you couldn’t guess from reading the title, this is a must see show for any fan of Important Things With Demetri Martin. The show’s star himself will be hosting a comedy showcase featuring an all star lineup of alt comedians. David O’Doherty, Hannibal Buress, Kristen Schaal, Kumail Nanjiani, and Paul F. Tompkins will be joining Martin at The Chicago Theatre on June 16.
WHITNEY CUMMINGS
June 16, 7:30 at The Vic Theatre
Tickets
To say that Whitney Cummings is having a hell of a year is an understatement. After breaking out through her Comedy Central Roast appearances, Cummings is about to star in her own NBC sitcom Whitney, while 2 Broke Girls (which she created with Michael Patrick King) is set to premiere this fall on CBS. With her popularity rampantly growing, this is a great opportunity to see the stand-up comedienne live during her set at The Vic Theatre on June 16.
JEFFREY ROSS ROASTS CHICAGO
June 17, 7:30 at The Vic Theatre
Tickets
The King Of Roasts is making his way to the Just For Laughs festival, and while he usually takes shots at well known celebrities, this time he’s going after the entire city of Chicago. Jeff Ross’s no holds bar show at The Vic Theatre on June 17 will likely leave you in stitches…literally. Just look at what he did to Flavor Flav.
FRIDAYS WITH BREUER
June 15, 1pm at Rocket Bar & Grill
In addition to performing at The Anti-Social Network showcase, Jim Breuer will be taping his SiriusXM comedy show Fridays With Breuer on Friday at the Rocket Bar & Grill at 1pm. Fans will get to hear the taped show later that day (4 pm & 9 pm ET) on SiriusXM’s Raw Dog Comedy, channel 99.
SETH MEYERS
June 18, 7:30 at The Vic Theatre
Tickets
It’s not too often that you’ll get to see Saturday Night Live’s head writer perform outside of his Weekend Update segments. Now you’ll get the chance to see Seth Meyers returning to his Chicago roots with his stand up performance at The Vic Theatre on June 18.
LOUIS C.K. & THREE VERY SPECIAL GUESTS
June 18, 7:30 and 10:00 at The Chicago Theatre
Tickets
It’s probably no secret that Louis CK is one of our favorite stand-up comedians. We simply can’t get enough of his TV show Louie and his latest stand-up special Hilarious. So if you don’t catch at least one of C.K.’s shows at The Chicago Theatre on June 18 (one at 7:30 and another at 10:30, how perfect!), then you’re truly missing out.
STEVE MARTIN AND MARTIN SHORT IN A VERY STUPID CONVERSATION
June 19, 7:30 at The Chicago Theatre
Tickets
Talk about a hell of a way to end a week long comedy festival! Comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short will be perform together at The Chicago Theatre on the festival’s final night. It’s surely going to be a packed house, namely because of the billing’s star power and the fact that it’s the only show of the day. You could skip the show and beat the traffic, but then you’d be missing a truly once in a life time performance. Fingers crossed that they’ll give the audience the Three Amigos salute at least once.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSCYmV3_r6k[/youtube]
That’s all for today, we’ll be bringing recaps from the festival all week so check back frequently.
South Park Creators Sweep The Tonys With "The Book Of Mormon"
Well now you can change that to “Tony Winners,” as last night the musical won 9 Tonys awards, including “Best Musical,” “Best Original Score,” and “Best Book of a Musical.” The wins made The Book Of Morman the top Tony-earner of the 65th annual awards, falling slightly short to The Producers’ record breaking 12 wins in 2007.
You can watch the cast’s performance of “I Believe” during the CBS broadcast last night here.
These guys are close to earning the EGOT.
Marc Maron Shot A TV Pilot With Ed Asner As His Father
Marc Maron has released some details about a new TV pilot via his WTF with Marc Maron podcast today (with guest Amy Poehler). It’s going to be pretty heavily based on his life. On today’s podcast, Maron mentioned he just finished shooting a pilot for the show based on his life as a comedian who, ya know hosts a podcast out of his garage. It’s a stretch but we’re pretty sure Marc has a firm grasp on his character. The best part is probably that the pilot was shot in his house as well. So he’s got a lot happening over at that compound.
Maron stated that he’s grown from obscurity the last few years because of his podcast netting him this chance to do the show as well as a new book deal and the podcast being added to public radio.
Another big piece of news is Ed Asner will play Maron’s father on the show. I’m thinking we have a hit here because Ed Asner as Marson’s dad just screams funny. There’s also a great play for many guest stars to show up on the series since they can easily be written in as guests on the podcast.
Maron didn’t specifically mention if/when/where the show was going to air but he did mention that the pilot also features Ken Jeong (The Hangover, Community) playing himself as a guest. Matt Jones (Breaking Bad), Seth Morris (Funny or Die), Erin Daniels, Aaron Jones and fellow comedians like Angela Trimbur, W. Kumau Bell, and Sean Patton.
UPDATE: Maron told Punchline that the pilot was shot for Fox TV Studios with the production company being Apostle, run by Denis Leary and Jim Serpico.
