TV

SXSW Comedy gets its close up in two-part stand-up showcase special on Showtime

If all of this talk about and from Montreal’s Just For Laughs has you feeling left out of what’s hot in the comedy game right now, no need to fear. You can see who’s hot right now on your cable TV, thanks to the first-ever stand-up special recorded this spring at that other great comedy bash, Austin’s SXSW.

SXSW Comedy with W. Kamau Bell debuts the first of two close-up stand-up profiles tonight on Showtime.

Produced by Audible’s Rooftop Comedy, the first episode features Bell hosting stand-up performances from Beth Stelling, Nate Bargatze, Iliza Shlesinger, Mark Normand and Matt Braunger — plus scenes filmed in the streets of Austin during SXSW with Stelling, Todd Glass, Jeff Ross, Ron Funches and more.

A second installment coming next month will feature Joe DeRosa, Rachel Feinstein, Jon Huck, Wyatt Cenac, and Glass.

It’s directed by Steven Feinartz and produced by Audible’s Rooftop Comedy. I attended one of the tapings this March during SXSW and can attest to not only the quality of the comedy, but also the coolness of the cinematography set by Shane Kelly.

SXSW Comedy with W. Kamau Bell premieres tonight on Showtime, and will be available July 25 on Showtime On Demand. An audio version of the specials will be released later by Audible.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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