What's new and making news in the comedy world? Let's take a look-see and find out.
- Jerry Lewis is going to be making his Broadway directorial debut, a musical version of The Nutty Professor, with Marvin Hamlisch composing. (Variety)
- Just For Laughs Montreal will hold a "Comedy Conference" for the second straight year during its summer fest this July 23-25. In addition to honoring Todd Phillips as "Comedy Director of the Year" for The Hangover, JFL Montreal will award Etan Cohen as "Comedy Writer of the Year." Other highlights of the upcoming Comedy Conference include panels such as Comedy's Next Generation of Writers: A Look Ahead; The Web: Comedy's New Wild West; Breaking New Ground: Adult Animation Grows Up; Producing Great Comedy: The Secret Sauce; The Business of Comedy on Television: What's Up?; and Late Night: In the Writers Room. (JFL Montreal)
- The Associated Press surveyed how some comedians, the late-night TV talkers, and The Onion, responded to Michael Jackson's death. (AP)
- Dane Cook's sister-in-law was arraigned along with her husband (Cook's half-brother) for allegedly embezzling millions from the comedian. (Boston Globe)
- Gary Owen, hot off of a deal with Martin Lawrence and Starz to develop a sitcom based on his own life, also has signed a holding deal with Tyler Perry to develop a spinoff for his character from House of Payne. (THR)
- There's another comedy festival in Aspen this summer??? Yes, and…some of the old USCAF folks are testing out a new comedy panel talk show onstage there this week called The News Has No Clothes, with panelists including D.L. Hughley, Lewis Black and Larry Wilmore. (THR)
- Remember Chris Kattan? He's back on network TV, hired by ABC to join the cast of the new sitcom, The Middle. (THR)
- Remember when up-and-coming stand-up comedians would get a taste of the bigger-time onstage late at night at the Comedy Cellar in NYC? Well, that's going to start happening again, late Fridays (1 a.m.), starting July 10, with The Buzz. (Upcoming)
- Maybe NYC lawyer-turned-comedian Alex Barnett might want to read up on The Buzz? He details how it ain't always easy to launch yourself a career in stand-up, particularly in the big city. (NYDN)
- Were you wondering what the comedy scene is like around Wilmington, N.C.? Well, now you have someone providing an updated look at that. (Wrightsville Beach Magazine)