The Definitive Guide to Comedy
How are we supposed to make any sense out of this year in comedy, 2020? There’s only one way I know how…that’s by reuniting with Jason Zinoman of The New York Times, the Siskel to my Ebert in comedy criticism, to hash out 2020 and give some shout outs to …
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down everything in March of 2020, thousands upon thousands of comedians suddenly experienced the existential dilemma that comedian Mike Birbiglia had depicted in his 2016 movie, Don’t Think Twice. Birbiglia himself didn’t think twice, however, quickly starting a nationwide fundraising campaign called Tip Your Waitstaff, …
Mike Birbiglia’s 2019 Netflix special enjoyed a successful run on Broadway first, with an epic showstopper moment. But as I wrote last year: Birbiglia has created a show designed to stop you in your tracks multiple times to take stock of your own love life and your own priorities. He’s …
After performing a half-hour stand-up special on Comedy Central and writing a book on depression (How to Weep in Public: Feeble Offerings on Depression from One Who Knows), what came next for comedian Jacqueline Novak would bring her to her knees. So to speak. The actress Natasha Lyonne has presented …
Timing may remain the key to comedy, but knowing your audience and connecting with it continues to rank right up there with it. To see Mike Birbiglia in his Broadway debut of The New One, I brought a comedian who not only has performed with Birbiglia, but also is a …
Mike Birbiglia is taking his newest comedy act to Broadway this fall. “The New One,” which Birbiglia toured across the country this past year, and recently wrapped an off-Broadway run, will enjoy at least 12 weeks at the Cort Theatre, with previews starting Oct. 25. I’m so excited to be …
And how was your Labor Day? The New Yorker Fest announced its star-studded list of attendees for one-on-one talks Oct. 5-7, 2018, and one name stopped several of the stars from attending. Steve Bannon, the co-founder of Cambridge Analytica, the data-mining firm that helped Donald Trump win the White House …
Mike Birbiglia will launch a five-part interview series this week on SiriusXM Comedy Greats channel 94 that looks back on the making of his previous stand-up comedy albums. “The Old Ones” kicks off Thursday with John Mulaney talking with Birbiglia about what went into his first album, “Two Drink Mike.” Other …
“Have you ever seen a saxophone opening a stand up comedy set? I don’t think so. Anything can happen on Stand Up on the Spot!” Jeremiah Watkins, the host of Jeff Ross Presents Stand-Up On the Spot, made his entrance Tuesday night playing the sax while his sidekick, Avery Pearson, …
As part of its 35th edition, Just For Laughs Montreal will bestow special awards to Jim Carrey, Trevor Noah, Mike Birbiglia, Ali Wong, Craig Ferguson and Kenya Barris. Generation Award: Jim Carrey Comedy Person of the Year: Trevor Noah (in 2017, he’s released a Netflix special, Afraid of the Dark, and …
