Sayonara Hader & Armisen Categories: Comedians,Comedy Shows Posted: May 20, 2013 |
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On Saturday night, the famed Saturday Night Live bid farewell two of its longtime players — Bill Hader and Fred Armisen. There have been many love letters in the press to the two. I’m particularly fond of this Time piece. And this look back at their careers.
Both men have felt career bumps outside of SNL. Remember Hader in the film comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall? Or his guest starring turn on The Mindy Project this season? According to IMDB.com, Hader has a slew of films — both voice over and live action work — on tap. His transition from the boob tube to the big screen seems complete. He’ll be able to hawk his pliable comedic skills in his new ventures, and he will be missed on SNL. Good bye Stefon.
Armisen, on the other hand, has won me over in Portlandia. The critically acclaimed comedy has spawned imitators all over the country. And, he’s also lined up voice over work in Smurfs 2 as well as a role in the Jason Sudeikis-Olivia Wilde romantic comedy Relanxious. I will miss his imitations of political leaders.
Thanks for the laughs and best wishes on your next adventures.
Tags: bill hader, fred armisen
| The Expected Choice for Late Night Categories: Comedians,Comedy Shows,Latest News Posted: May 16, 2013 |
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Seth Meyers is taking over for Jimmy Fallon. No surprise there. Saturday Night Live continues to be the pipeline for NBC’s “Late Night” talkshow. It’s been rumored for months that Meyers would follow in Fallon’s footsteps. Meyers is an amiable choice to host the show. Like Fallon, he’s been a Weekend Update host on SNL, and handled the latest news with aplomb. I’m sure he’ll do nicely in the show when he takes over next year. But, don’t we want something different? A new breed of host?
When Conan O’Brien surprisingly won the show’s hosting gig twenty years ago, it was a shock. Although he had a great pedigree and tremendous writing credits, few people knew who the ginger was. Despite a shaky start, he grew into a very accomplished, funny host. A nice shake-up to the Johnny Carsons and Jay Lenos of the world. Isn’t late television ready for more diversity — another woman to join Chelsea Lately in the post-news slot? What about a Kristen Wiig? Or a Tina Fey? Sure, their movie careers may keep them from committing to a nightly talk show, but they are worth a consideration. Or what about Chris Rock or D.L. Hughley? Or Aasif Mandvi? There are many other comedians who could fill Fallon’s shoes.
But alas, that won’t happen. Now the only question that remains is: who is going to be the new band on the show?
Tags: Comedy Show, late night, seth meyers, snl
| Old Hats Offers Something New Categories: Comedy Shows Posted: May 6, 2013 |
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Last night, Old Hats won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Alternative Theatre Experience. The show — a marvel of physical comedy — stars legendary performers Bill Irwin and David Shiner alongside Nellie McKay. Irwin and Shiner play with scale, size and humor. I’ve seen the show more than once, and I am enthralled with the delightful comic situations they create throughout the show, which is essentially a lesson in movement and storytelling. Think the Three Stooges, Abbott and Costello and anyone else who has been able to make you laugh through wild situations.
And, you’re in luck. The show has been extended many times, and continues for the next month at Signature Theatre in New York. You can get your tickets through June 9th. The Lortels aren’t the only ones singing the show’s praises. It’s a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and the New York Post raved that it is “one of the funniest shows of the past few years.”
A lot of stars graced the Lucille Lortel Awards stage last night — Jake Gyllenhaal, Aasif Mandvi, Maura Tierney, Ben Foster, Richard Kind — yet no one will forget the short performance by Old Hats. It was the breakout star of the show.
Prepare to laugh and to be transported to another time.
Tags: lucille lortel, new york comedy show
| Twitter Is the New Comedy Frontier Categories: Comedy Shows,Latest News Posted: April 22, 2013 |
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Twitter has become an integral, daily part of life over the last few years. That 140-character social media instrument offers news, inspires arguments and allows comedy to shine. It’s also a great way to connect with fans. I, as @TCPOffBway, have a great time exchanging ideas, funny photos and info about my show — Ted Greenberg’s The Complete Perfomer — with the world.
This past week, major news channels referenced the Boston Police Department’s Twitter account throughout the stand off with the second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing. The latest news was first shared with a Tweet, then a press conference.
But, not everything is a serious matter on Twitter. On April Fools’ Day, Lindsay Lohan announced she was pregnant. Not true. I recently wrote about a Michael Ian Black-Marc Maron interview that occurred after they had a verbal battle via Twitter. Over the weekend, the New York Times wrotee a great profile about Comedy Central’s upcoming online comedy festival — one that features six-second video tweets at a time by legendary comics like Carl Reiner and emerging talent — Amy Schumer — alike.
It’s interesting to think how technology changes the way comics work. In this case, the time limit, which is de rigeur at comedy clubs. The five-minute set, the ten-minute set, etc. But, comedy in six second chunks. That’s news. I cannot wait to ‘tune’ in and watch what can be done in this way.
Tags: comedy central, twitter
| My Favorite Interview This Week Categories: Comedians,Comedy Shows,Latest News Posted: April 11, 2013 |
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Marc Maron is one of the most influential names in comedy. His WTF Podcast is nothing short of amazing. Take a listen and you’ll know what I mean. In less than a month, he has a new show — Maron — premiering on IFC. The trailer is already up.
As excited as I am to check out his show, which follows in a long line of comedian-created show (Think Louis C.K.), I absolutely loved that biting interview Michael Ian Black conducted with Maron for Gothamist. You can read or listen to the interview here. Since Ian Black and Maron had just taken to Twitter to continue their tense exchanges, the interview has an authentic feel that most in a TV press junket lack.
The interview is so deliciously uneasy, I hope there is a round two or that Michael Ian Black appears on an episode of Maron, which is based on Marc Maron’s life and podcast. That would be genius. IFC, please take note.
Tags: interview, Marc Maron, Michael Ian Black, TV show
| Is Melissa McCarthy The Funniest Woman in America? Categories: Comedy Shows,Latest News Posted: April 8, 2013 |
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Melissa McCarthy rules the big screen and the boob tube. This past weekend, she hosted Saturday Night Live for the second time, and the rave reviews are rolling in. Gothamist hailed the episode the “best” of the season so far. The Los Angeles Times raves that her performance is a “slam dunk” while Entertainment Weekly raved that Melissa “brought the heat”.
With her bright smile and game attitude, McCarthy made sketches about an abusive coach and dancing ham must watch TV. In fact, she’s memorable in anything she does. Audiences aren’t the only ones championing her talent. She’s received an Emmy for her work on the CBS comedy “Mike and Molly” and and Oscar nomination for her wildly funny turn in the film Bridesmaids.
Not bad for someone who played the charming, yet often overlooked Sookie St. James on “Gilmore Girls” for eight seasons and got her start on her cousin Jenny McCarthy’s show in the late ’90s.
Melissa, whom I called one of the funniest mothers, is currently one of the hottest names in a comedy. She joins a long lineage of funny women — Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig. Melissa matches these hilarious women in her ability to make fun of herself, yet she also possesses a genuine likeability — a warmth that very few actors or actresses have. She is relatable, yet still funny. Now is the time to ask, “Is Melissa McCarthy the funniest woman in America?
Perhaps the answer will come this summer when Melissa re-teams with Bridesmaids director Paul Feig for The Heat, a buddy comedy also starring Sandra Bullock. The film comes out at the height of summer blockbuster season, opening on June 28th. Here’s the NSFW international trailer:
Tags: funniest woman in america, melissa mccarthy, snl
| It’s Official! The Tonight Show Comes Home Categories: Comedians,Comedy Shows,Latest News Posted: April 4, 2013 |
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A couple weeks ago, I made a list of the top five guests I’d love to see on The Tonight Show if it moved back to New York City. Yesterday, the official news broke, confirming the rumors. After 40 years in Los Angeles, The Tonight Show will return to 30 Rock, and Jimmy Fallon, former Saturday Night Live star and current host of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, will serve as host, replacing Jay Leno.
I guess good guys do finish first after all. The very likeable Fallon will takeover the top-rated late night talk show and ostensibly compete for guests with its rival, Late Show with David Letterman, which films only a few blocks away from 30 Rock.
The big question is who will be the final guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Who will help him say good-bye to the show he’s hosted the past five years and hello to his biggest job ever? Here are my top three candidates.
#3 Joan Rivers — She was at one time a stand in for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. She’s also been a New York stalwart — performing at big and small clubs alike for decades, er, generations. She would make a great transition guest for the show.
#2 Seth Myers – The comedian is rumored to be next in line for Jimmy’s job. The finale would be a great way to pass the baton between the SNLers.
#1 Brigitte Nielsen & Flavor Flav — They are due for a reunion, right?
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| The Top Five Guests for The Tonight Show’s Return to New York Categories: Comedians,Comedy Shows,Latest News Posted: March 21, 2013 |
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Yesterday, news leaked that The Tonight Show may move back to New York after four decades in Los Angeles. The New York Times, among other outlets, reported that Jimmy Fallon is expected to take over hosting duties by fall 2014, and one of the most storied shows in television history will return to 30 Rockefeller Center.
If Fallon shifts to The Tonight Show, his gig at Late Night will be up for grabs. Gothamist has already weighed in about the top 20 possible Fallon replacements. My favorite is Pat Kiernan, the NY1 host. He already has game show host and news anchor experience behind him, and his eternal geniality would make a great replacement for Fallon’s brand of nice-guy comedy. My second choice from Gothamist’s list is, of course, Jeffrey Tambor. But, that’s because I would watch him do just about anything.
The real scintillating question is who will be Fallon’s first guest(s) on the New York-based The Tonight Show? I offer my top five choices:
(5) Mayor of New York — At this point, it’s hard to know who will lead the Big Apple in fall 2014, but with the return of the show to NYC, the current mayor would be a great guest. With the recent passing of the always colorful Ed Koch and with Bloomberg out of office by the beginning of the year, that leaves whichever contender rises to the top.
(4) Jay-Z — Does anyone else in the Big Apple have the cool factor to match Jay-Z? The musician and businessman has made The Barclays Center and Brooklyn the place to be. He’s rocked audiences nationwide and is married to one of the most beautiful women in the world. And, he’s a New Yorker, through and through.
(3) Drew Barrymore — Sure the new mama is known for her appearances on David Letterman’s show (who can forget her dancing on his desk?), but she’s got strong ties to Fallon, her co-star in the romantic comedy, Fever Pitch. He’s also married to her co-producer friend, Nancy Juvonen. I’m sure Barrymore and Fallon would have lots to talk about.
(2) Conan O’Brien – Talk about a ratings bonanza. Conan returns to The Tonight Show after the debacle surrounding his unceremonious dumping as host just a few years prior. Sure, Coco has recovered nicely — thanks to a documentary, Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, and his TBS late night talk show, simply titled Conan.
(1) Lorne Michaels — He’s the kingmaker, the producer who has launched and shaped careers by the dozens. Since Fallon got his start on Michaels’ Saturday Night Live, it would be a fitting tribute to interview Michaels for the first episode.
Tags: jimmy fallon, New York, the tonight show, top five guests
| ‘Baby Wants Candy’ Rocks SoHo Playhouse Again Categories: Comedy Shows,Latest News,Off-Broadway Shows Posted: March 4, 2013 |
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Late night shows that tickle the funny bone are a great reason to live in New York City or plan a visit. There’s nothing like being charmed or captivated by a unique, downtown experience. Something not quite like another. And, I’m happy that Baby Wants Candy, that juggernaut musical improv show, has returned to Soho Playhouse through the end of April. Get your tickets now before the show sells out its Friday night at 10:00 pm run.
It’s widely accepted in the industry that developing a musical takes, on average, eight years. That’s right. 70,158 hours to bring a musical to life. At Baby Wants Candy, all it takes is ONE HOUR for the zany cast to come up with a musical you will never, ever forget. A Chicago import, Baby Wants Candy, according to its website, has featured performers Stephnie Weir and Nicole Parker (MadTV), Rachel Dratch and Seth Meyers (SNL), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Garry Tallent (Bruce Springsteen and the E St Band), Mark Pender (Max Weinberg 7) to name a few.
Don’t just take my word for it. The New York Times has made the show a “Critic’s Pick”. And Buzzfocus.com raves, “This gathering of comedic geniuses is the one show you want to see before you die.” All I can say is welcome back to New York and Soho Playhouse, Baby Wants Candy. You’re sure to heat up the rest of winter.
Tags: baby wants candy, late night comedy, SoHo Playhouse
| Saturday Night Live Gets It Right | Honoring the Lives Lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School Categories: Comedy Shows,Latest News Posted: December 17, 2012 |
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Comedy can help us get through the worst of times and heal. Friday afternoon’s school shooting in Newtown, CT has left our whole country and the world reeling with the news of such innocent lives lost and the heroism of many teachers. It’s hard to know exactly how to respond to such a tragic event, but kudos to Saturday Night Live for its sensitive and moving tribute to the 27 victims. The New York City Children’s Chorus opened the show with a tender, somber rendition of “Silent Night” (you may see it below) and then returned later in the show to perform with musical guest Paul McCartney. What a perfect way to honor the lost lives and offer a chance for healing.
Thinking of everyone in Connecticut and wishing for peace.
Tags: newtown, Saturday Night Live, Ted Greenberg
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