The Definitive Guide to Comedy
Actor Dustin Diamond died Feb. 1, shortly after revealing he had been hospitalized with stage 4 small cell carcinoma. Diamond was 44. Diamond was best known for his breakout teen-aged role as Screech in NBC’s Saved By The Bell in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Dustin Neil Diamond was born Jan. …
Marc Wilmore, a comedian, writer and younger brother of Larry Wilmore, has died at 57. Marc Wilmore died from COVID-19, although his older brother said Marc had suffered from a variety of pre-existing health conditions ever since undergoing a kidney transplant in the 1990s. Marc Edward Wilmore was born on …
The producers of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2021 with the launch of a spin-off festival for coemdian. Big-name comedians, including Kevin Hart, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps, Rickey Smiley, Craig Robinson, JB Smoove, have performed or appeared at the film festival in …
We’re getting our first wave of winners from the new scholarship program that Saturday Night Live has introduced in partnership with four of the biggest improv/sketch programs across America. The Second City last week announced its first four scholars, having had to pick from upward of 1,300 applicants. They are …
Disney General Entertainment Content (DGE) has selected 13 writers selected for its 2021 writing program, including recipients of Disney Channel’s Eunetta T. Boone Comedy Writer’s Scholarship, established last year by the network in honor of the late writer/producer for diverse and aspiring comedy writers. Created in 1990 in partnership with …
Jordan Klepper has followed Trump supporters for years now for Comedy Central. But Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, was different. As Klepper reported that day near the Washington Monument: “You can tell these people really love America by the number of weapons they brought to hurt other Americans.” He also Tweeted …
Denis Leary has brought the “Dogs Playing Poker” paintings to life, sort of, through a new series of animated shorts that began running this month as part of FOX’s NFL playoff pregame coverage. Co-written by Denis Leary and Jim Margolis, the shorts feature the voices of Leary (Brownie), Elaine Hendrix …
The 10th annual Streamy Awards took place remotely, obviously, thanks to 2020, with hosts Trixie and Katya on a party bus. You can watch the whole thing here: But here are the comedy-related winners who might pique your interest as honored influencers for the past year: COMEDY: Sarah CooperTwitter • …
There’s a new Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, and it’s got Netflix written all over it. The flavor is called Punch Line. What’s in it? “A Comedic Duo of Brown Butter Bourbon & Almond Ice Creams with Roasted Almonds & Chuckles of Cherries.” Supplies are limited, tho. So get …
Despite all of my funny friends who recorded funny albums and submitted them for consideration by the Grammy Awards, the big-time awards continue to only have room for the big names in comedy. But there will be no four-peat by Dave Chappelle. His only release this year was via YouTube. …
