The Definitive Guide to Comedy
The 2009 edition of New York's Funniest Stand-Up contest has compiled its field of 30 semifinalists who'll take part in two groups next week. The semis will be held Oct. 27 at Stand-Up NY and Oct. 28 at Gotham Comedy Club, with the five best from each group moving on …
It's that time of year again, people. What time is it? Miller Time? Stop. Hammertime?! Nope. Almost time to fall back from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time. Comedian Nick Thune has something to say — nay, to sing — about that, and sing he did on last night's episode …
I don't know if or how you remember Soupy Sales, but if you do, likely there was an open doorway and a pie to the face involved. Sales died in a New York hospice on Oct. 22, 2009. He was 83. Sales, born Martin Supman, delivered a subversively simple and silly …
As someone who has experienced 50 hours of continuous stand-up comedy as a patron saint of comedy blogging, I can tell you that it is a dizzying thing (see my Comic Strip Live Marathon coverage for background). There were some unexpected moments there, to be sure. The UCB's Del Close …
Is the Internet the new new path to a TV sitcom, or the new spin on an old path, or something else entirely? The answer isn't the same for all comedians, because some of the performers already have the credits and knowhow to get it done. Cases in point? We …
Before we get into the review, I think it's very important to point out that Jeff Dunham knows what he's doing, and has been doing it for a long time. How long? Long enough to perform and do panel with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show back in 1990. Let's …
Last fall, New York comedy writers Scott Rogowsky and Neil Janowitz launched a hybrid variety show that included videos, sketches, stand-up and interviews, all revolving around sports. Their 12 Angry Mascots debuted at the UCB, moved briefly to a Chelsea theater/art space, and have found a more comfortable monthly home …
All of this talk about ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and his new Comedy Central series got me thinking about another man and his puppets. Particularly since his DVD was staring at me from behind my laptop. It's time to take a look at Terry Fator, 2007 million-dollar winner of NBC's America's …
Jon Reep is a self-described "Metro Jethro." It's his term for a rural Southern boy who finds himself living in the big city. People know he's from Hickory, N.C., because he has said it more than once or a billion times before, during and after winning Last Comic Standing. His …
The Second City has released more details about its upcoming 50th anniversary celebration in Chicago this coming December. I earlier reported about their extra-special SCTV Reunion Show that's happening Dec. 11. Well, plenty of Second City Mainstage alums are coming back to party and participate in a series of panel …