Day: June 1, 2011

The Friars Club announced today the 10 finalists, plus alternates, who will compete for big cash prizes in the second annual Friars Club Improv & Sketch Competition [FrISC] Five groups made the cut in both improv and sketch categories, after a review by the Friars Club selection committee (disclosure: myself among them). They'll be competing live at the UCB Theatre in NYC on June 24-25, before a live audience and judges. The winners each receive $5,000 to make a short film to debut in October at the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival. Without further ado…the envelope please… FrISC Improv Finalists Big Black Car (NYC)Death By Roo Roo (NYC)Doppelganger (NYC)The Mantzoukas Brothers (NYC)Standards & Practices (Toronto)1st alternate: Middle Age Comeback (Chicago)2nd alternate: Brothers Hines (NYC) FrISC Sketch Finalists Onassis (NYC)Paulilu: The Paul Downs Syndrome (LA)Political Subversities (NYC)Somebody‚Äôs in the Doghouse (Boston/NYC)Stone Cold Fox (NYC)1st alternate: Oh, Brother! (LA)2nd alternate: BoF...

The New York Comedy Festival will continue to get nationwide exposure via Comedy Central, as the fest and the network announced a three-year extension of their partnership. The 2011 NYCF will take place from Nov. 9-13, 2011, with the lineup announced in August. Working together allows some of the NYCF shows, produced by Carolines on Broadway, to be streamed online at comedycentral.com or broadcast on the cable network. The 2010 festival, for example, hosted Patrice Oneal's one-hour special, as well as live-streaming showcase for Jokes.com. Quotes from the press release… From Mitch Fried, Comedy Central's senior v.p. of live entertainment: ‚ÄúThe relationship with the New York Comedy Festival for the past few years has been hugely successful. This strategic alliance affords both New York City-based companies the ability to showcase incredibly talented performers through a multitude of media opportunities.‚Äù From Caroline Hirsch, the Caroline of Carolines on Broadway comedy club: ‚ÄúWe‚Äôre thrilled to be extending and expanding our partnership with Comedy Central, and we‚Äôre looking forward to elevating the Festival and comedy to even greater heights over the next three years. New York is such a special place for comedy, and the festival has become one of the city‚Äôs most successful and highly anticipated events with Comedy Central.  This year‚Äôs festival promises to be a very special week for comedy throughout the...