The Definitive Guide to Comedy
After electrifying the Las Vegas audience with his extended introductory performance of "So F–king Rock," Tim Minchin said this was his first time in America. Well. Not quite. I’d seen Minchin earlier this year when he wowed the crowds in Aspen. "Aspen’s not America, really," Minchin told me backstage after …
Through methods not entirely spelled out — although, really, anything associated with the late Andy Kaufman should go without any easy explanations — eight comedians from across America got invites to Las Vegas to perform in front of Kaufman’s dad, Stanley, and his manager, George Shapiro, for the coveted award …
I had the chance to watch Chris Rock try out new material twice in recent months in the intimate environment of the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village, so imagine my delight and surprise (not to mention the 4,000-plus people at Caesars Palace) to hear him deliver even newer riffs Friday …
If people were tired of seeing Jerry Seinfeld seemingly everywhere this month, it didn’t show Friday night for either him or the 4,000 cheering fans at Caesars Palace for The Comedy Festival, where he was introduced to the stage as "the star of the number one movie in America." After …
Could relatively unknown sketch comedy groups compete with national headlining comics for eyeballs, attention and laughs at The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas? That was the challenge for "Unprotected Sketch!" a series of sketches hosted by NYC’s Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal. Kurt and Kristen, who host Hot Tub at …
Lots of great exclusive information to share with you from The Comedy Festival over the weekend in Las Vegas, but before I get to that, I thought it might be helpful to bring you back up to speed on some of the many encounters I’ve had with comedians over the …
Tim and Eric Nite Live hit the road last night with a special show in Las Vegas as part of The Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace. I ran into Eric and friends (including Neil Hamburger) later at the festival lounge and they remained very playful. Enjoy. Actually, wait. Enjoy is …
Frank Caliendo seemed and sounded rather composed for a guy about to perform his first major TV stand-up special and launch his own series on TBS. Frank TV debuts Nov. 20. And Caliendo had the same reaction to his incessant TBS promo ads that you likely had. "To all of …
I’m in Las Vegas this weekend covering The Comedy Festival. Access issues may prevent me from providing you with a full report until Monday, so please be patient. Thank you.
Sometimes you really should see the Upright Citizens Brigade in the UCB Theatre. Particularly if you’re talking about ASSSSCAT, the improv show that features UCB founders Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh and all-star guests. This past Sunday night, the show moved to Irving Plaza’s Fillmore to …