I feel much more excited about Conan's move to the Tonight Show now that Andy Richter is re-joining him! Yaaaay!
Tom Scharpling's great WFMU radio show The Best Show should be good tonight, with Patton Oswalt and Robbert Popper guesting. Listen on wfmu.org or podcast.
Also, Tig Notaro is nominated for the funniest comedy clip of 2008 at Comedy Smack. I don't know how prestigious the title is, but I do think this is the funniest clip, so I'm plugging it! Vote. I love her.
And yes, I got all this news via Twitter. I'm an addict.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Don't take my word for it...
I want to post about how much I enjoyed all the comedic live-twittering going on during the Oscars, and I will tomorrow, but quickly: Michael Ian Black declares twitter-war (twar?) against LeVar Burton! He's always making the internet more exciting by sticking it to the man. In this case the man is a major supporter of early literacy and was in Roots, but STILL. Follow Black here.
I've been talking a lot about Twitter, I know. But only because it's the future of entertainment! Just ask Ashton Kutcher.
I've been talking a lot about Twitter, I know. But only because it's the future of entertainment! Just ask Ashton Kutcher.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Michael and Michael Have Issues
Athough Black announced this a month ago on his blog, and then quickly deleted the post, Comedy Central has finally officially announced picking up Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter's new show, Michael and Michael Have Issues.
I know that you'd rather hear what I think than read about the show itself, so let me just say I could not be more excited. These guys are incredibly sharp and creative, and I think the premise and format of the show will be really fun for them to work with and for us to watch. To read more, click on any of the above links.
I find this brief article about the show pretty funny for its inaccuracies. If I read more of people writing about other people's work, rather than getting most of my information either from the source or really, really nerdy people, I'd probably see this more and wouldn't find it so amusing, but so many holes in the research! First of all, the hilarious The Michael Showalter Showalter is not a partner project, but is Showalter's show(alter), on which Black has guested twice. It doesn't sound to me like MMHI is based on the web series at all, and I haven't read that anywhere else. Also, while it is true that both Michaels have appeared on Reno 911! and that Stella had a Comedy Central Presents special, let's not forget that they also had a SERIES on Comedy Central. Cancelled after one season, yes, but definitely a cult hit, and the network has to have made some money off DVD sales. Lastly, while it is true that Black co-founded The State, Showalter was also a co-founder, which seems pretty relevant to this article.
Anyway. That was really nerdy of me.
I wonder if I have some photo of the Michaels laying around somewhere I could post as a reference point...I wonder...oh wait! Here's one:
I will use this blog as more than a pictorial bragging outlet, I swear. I also use it for self-promotion: here is a more convenient link to my first Mondo article about SF Sketchfest. Second and third chapters to come.
I know that you'd rather hear what I think than read about the show itself, so let me just say I could not be more excited. These guys are incredibly sharp and creative, and I think the premise and format of the show will be really fun for them to work with and for us to watch. To read more, click on any of the above links.
I find this brief article about the show pretty funny for its inaccuracies. If I read more of people writing about other people's work, rather than getting most of my information either from the source or really, really nerdy people, I'd probably see this more and wouldn't find it so amusing, but so many holes in the research! First of all, the hilarious The Michael Showalter Showalter is not a partner project, but is Showalter's show(alter), on which Black has guested twice. It doesn't sound to me like MMHI is based on the web series at all, and I haven't read that anywhere else. Also, while it is true that both Michaels have appeared on Reno 911! and that Stella had a Comedy Central Presents special, let's not forget that they also had a SERIES on Comedy Central. Cancelled after one season, yes, but definitely a cult hit, and the network has to have made some money off DVD sales. Lastly, while it is true that Black co-founded The State, Showalter was also a co-founder, which seems pretty relevant to this article.
Anyway. That was really nerdy of me.
I wonder if I have some photo of the Michaels laying around somewhere I could post as a reference point...I wonder...oh wait! Here's one:
I will use this blog as more than a pictorial bragging outlet, I swear. I also use it for self-promotion: here is a more convenient link to my first Mondo article about SF Sketchfest. Second and third chapters to come.
Friday, February 20, 2009
David Wain is live-blogging the Oscars! Should be much more entertaining than the show itself, which is hosted by...Hugh Jackman? Is that true?
I really enjoyed the premiere of Important Things with Demetri Martin on Wednesday night. While I like his stand-up (and don't really agree with the Steven Wright comparison in the globe article I linked to, despite Martin's dryness), it was especially great to see him more animatedly doing sketches. Particularly since he was joined by Jon Benjamin, who heightens anything he's in. Also promising is that John Mulaney (see Mondo article) is a writer. The format is getting a lot of talk, but I think it works. Apparently this was Comedy Central's biggest premiere since Chappelle's Show. Kudos to you, Demetri Martin, kudos to you.
Tonight is Conan's last show! Kind of sad, even though I haven't watched it reguarly for a really long time. I can't even comment on the quality now, because I watch it so infrequently, but I very clearly remember discovering it as a hard-to-please adolescent, and realizing there was actually weird, funny stuff on late night. I've been re-watching (well, listening to) Mr. Show commentary over the last few nights, and it's great to hear Bob Odenkirk and Dino Stamatopoulous talk about writing with Conan pre-Mr. Show, re-emphasizing how much weirder and darker his own sense of humor is than someone like, say, Jay Leno. So I'm glad he's replacing Jay Leno, one of my least favourite people to ever tell a joke, and I'm very glad that Jimmy Fallon is replacing Conan, with A.D. Miles by his side as head writer. Fallon talks about hiring him here. I believe in you, Jimmy!
I'm really enjoying Eugene Mirman's book The Will to Whatevs so far. I'm impressed that he was able to capture his somewhat disjointed (in a good way), conversational stand-up style on paper while keeping the book cohesive. It's hard to make non-sequiturs work on paper, I think, and he manages to do it. Via The Apiary, here's a video:
And another:
I really enjoyed the premiere of Important Things with Demetri Martin on Wednesday night. While I like his stand-up (and don't really agree with the Steven Wright comparison in the globe article I linked to, despite Martin's dryness), it was especially great to see him more animatedly doing sketches. Particularly since he was joined by Jon Benjamin, who heightens anything he's in. Also promising is that John Mulaney (see Mondo article) is a writer. The format is getting a lot of talk, but I think it works. Apparently this was Comedy Central's biggest premiere since Chappelle's Show. Kudos to you, Demetri Martin, kudos to you.
Tonight is Conan's last show! Kind of sad, even though I haven't watched it reguarly for a really long time. I can't even comment on the quality now, because I watch it so infrequently, but I very clearly remember discovering it as a hard-to-please adolescent, and realizing there was actually weird, funny stuff on late night. I've been re-watching (well, listening to) Mr. Show commentary over the last few nights, and it's great to hear Bob Odenkirk and Dino Stamatopoulous talk about writing with Conan pre-Mr. Show, re-emphasizing how much weirder and darker his own sense of humor is than someone like, say, Jay Leno. So I'm glad he's replacing Jay Leno, one of my least favourite people to ever tell a joke, and I'm very glad that Jimmy Fallon is replacing Conan, with A.D. Miles by his side as head writer. Fallon talks about hiring him here. I believe in you, Jimmy!
I'm really enjoying Eugene Mirman's book The Will to Whatevs so far. I'm impressed that he was able to capture his somewhat disjointed (in a good way), conversational stand-up style on paper while keeping the book cohesive. It's hard to make non-sequiturs work on paper, I think, and he manages to do it. Via The Apiary, here's a video:
And another:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Back in the Habit
After five days with no access to celebrity gossip or comedian twittering, I have my computer back! I have some stuff to say, but am determined to stay in schoolwork-mode for a few more hours. However, there's always time for a little self-promotion. Check out my first of three articles about SF Sketchfest in Mondo Magazine here: http://www.mondomagazine.net/?p=4137.
I've forgotten html already.
I've forgotten html already.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I hate Twitter
Oh, pain! Comedy bloggers and joke-tellers alike (including Tompkins, who is also facebooking) are twittering from Eugene Mirman's book release show in Brooklyn, making non-attendees like myself drool in jealousy. Sounds like a fantastic event, featuring Paul F. Tompkins, Sarah Vowell, John Hodgman, Kristen Schaal, John Oliver, etc. Hmm, what was that one other thing I am reading (in real time!) about the event...that thing that made me look to the gods in desperation...who is in the audience...oh yeah, just David Cross. With Amber Tamblyn. Death!
Brooklyn comedy fans who aren't at that show can likely be found at Seth Herzog's weekly SWEET show, with a special Valentine's Day edition this week. The very funny Craig Baldo is performing, as is the one and only David Wain (actually, I think he's DJing, according to what I remember from his Twitter post. Twitter has become my primary source of information/pain). SWEET is NYC's longest continuously-running weekly comedy show, always featuring a great lineup as well as the likelihood of getting to see Seth Herzog dance.
My copy of Mirman's The Will to Whatevs arrived today, and I am very, very excited to read it. Mirman ended his SF Sketchfest performance at the Stella show by playing a few videos of pieces from the book, and they were extremely funny. However, I am not letting myself read it until I can do so without feeling guilty about the pile of schoolwork across the room. Or tomorrow, whichever comes first.
Edited to add: Punchline Magazine is now twittering that David Cross is performing, and just prior to that, Kristen Schaal did a choreographed dance routine to Britney Spears' Toxic. That's just great.
Brooklyn comedy fans who aren't at that show can likely be found at Seth Herzog's weekly SWEET show, with a special Valentine's Day edition this week. The very funny Craig Baldo is performing, as is the one and only David Wain (actually, I think he's DJing, according to what I remember from his Twitter post. Twitter has become my primary source of information/pain). SWEET is NYC's longest continuously-running weekly comedy show, always featuring a great lineup as well as the likelihood of getting to see Seth Herzog dance.
My copy of Mirman's The Will to Whatevs arrived today, and I am very, very excited to read it. Mirman ended his SF Sketchfest performance at the Stella show by playing a few videos of pieces from the book, and they were extremely funny. However, I am not letting myself read it until I can do so without feeling guilty about the pile of schoolwork across the room. Or tomorrow, whichever comes first.
Edited to add: Punchline Magazine is now twittering that David Cross is performing, and just prior to that, Kristen Schaal did a choreographed dance routine to Britney Spears' Toxic. That's just great.
First Post! Yaay!
I just taught myself basic html! Awesome. Why not start this thing off with a little Showalter...this NYT Weekender commercial spoof made its way around the internet universe within hours, so chances are you've already seen it. Though we don't have the Weekender commercials in Canada, so some of the humour may be lost, we can put two and two together and enjoy the buffet of NYC comedians (Michael Ian Black, David Wain, Jon Benjamin, Paul Rudd, Mike Birbiglia, Zak Orth, Kate Comer, Jacqueline Novak, Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman, Andrea Rosen, Leo Allen, Chelsea Peretti, Shonali Bhowmik). It's actually an ad for arts and community centre 92Y Tribeca, which is pretty much the best place in the world. Why, WHY don't I live in NYC??
Closer to home, Twitter alerted me to the fact that Comedy News actually ran a story about a "nasty" comic showcase in Toronto. Though I tend to enjoy 'nasty' humour, I guess, whatever that means, I didn't recognize any of the names because I am a horrible comedy snob who only pays attention to American and (to a lesser extent) British comedy. I am determined to change this by getting out to experience some Toronto comedy. Any suggestions?
Closer to home, Twitter alerted me to the fact that Comedy News actually ran a story about a "nasty" comic showcase in Toronto. Though I tend to enjoy 'nasty' humour, I guess, whatever that means, I didn't recognize any of the names because I am a horrible comedy snob who only pays attention to American and (to a lesser extent) British comedy. I am determined to change this by getting out to experience some Toronto comedy. Any suggestions?
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