The Definitive Guide to Comedy
We make a big deal in the comedy industry about “New Faces” in Montreal because the comedy industry makes a big deal about it. TV credits are nice, but “getting Montreal” still feels like the prize aspiring comedians are reaching for, whether or not the development deals (six figures or …
Is 2013 the year that every famous comedian decided to get back into stand-up, or does it just seem that way? There’s definitely something in the water enticing them all to wade back into the scene. Just in the past couple of weeks, we’ve heard word of the first stand-up …
We thought we knew Jason Sudeikis had performed for his last time as a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live back in May. But we couldn’t tell you for sure, positively, definitively, 100 percent certainly until last night — because that’s when Sudeikis finally announced he had left SNL …
Hugo Medley turns one year old today. That’s hardly big news in baby news globally — certainly the possible future King of England’s birth and naming (George) dominated both mainstream and social media discussions. But for the Medley family, it’s a significant milestone. And a significant reminder of how far …
The scene at Montreal’s Just For Laughs can seem a bit overwhelming, whether it’s your first trip to the comedy festival or you’re a native who has lived through three decades of hahaha dot comedy. Your attention naturally may be drawn to the Galas, the biggest-venue, biggest-staged events with the …
Sinbad sees what Kevin Hart’s stand-up concert films have done at the box-office in the past two years, and he’d like to be in the new wave of stand-up specials to be special enough to be seen on the big screen. Too soon? Too cute? Regardless, it’s happening as sure …
After several years in the planning, talking and writing, the co-founding leaders of the Upright Citizens Brigade finally accomplished the publishing stage of their effort to write their own book on improv comedy. Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh, alongside “UCB Four” co-founder Amy Poehler, unveiled “The Upright Citizens …
Kevin Downey Jr. was the first of the six comedians to perform in the quarterfinals of 2013’s edition of America’s Got Talent. A pre-taped package on Downey showed him at home with a Howie Mandel record (!), and him saying: “You play it safe and no one’s ever going to …
Craig Ferguson’s latest stand-up special, I’m Here to Help, is out today on CD and/or DVD via New Wave Dynamics, and I’m here to help you win a free copy! But first, here’s a free track for everyone to enjoy. This is Ferguson’s take on Shark Week, which is coming right …
Congrats to the new class of New Faces for Montreal’s Just For Laughs, showcased for the comedy industry this week. I’ll file full reports from all of the showcases later this week in Canada! NEW FACES Byron Bowers, Gina Brillon, Kevin Christy, Pete Davidson, Chris Distefano, Sean Donnelly, Derek Gaines, …
