Feed

Comedy

By Drew Grant 1/27/12 3:33pm

Comedy

John Mulaney talks "Law and Order"

Saturday Night Live Writer John Mulaney has More Thoughts on Law & Order (Video)

The first time we were introduced to New York comedian John Mulaney, it was through his stand-up bit about the reoccurring characters on Law & Order. (The best line, about bartenders who remember everyone:  “Which New York do you work in? I live with people I don’t recognize!)

Now Mr. Mulaney, one of the writers of Saturday Night Live (and creator of Stefon!) has a new special premiering on Comedy Central this weekend. Much to our delight, he previewed some of the material on Conan this week, including another riff on Dick Wolf’s never-ending series–this time tackling everyone’s favorite rapey spin-off, Special Victims Unit–as well as one of the show’s stars, Ice-T. This is must-see TV, people. Read More

By Drew Grant 1/26/12 12:05pm

Comedy

Justin Long in "Mitt Romney's Office"

Justin Long Begins Election Year Tradition of Unfunny Political Videos

In addition to creating a viral movement based on Hope and targeted to younger voters, the 2008 elections also began a horrible trend: comedians and celebrities making “edgy” political comedy videos. Previously regulated to the cold openings on Saturday Night Live, suddenly everyone and their mother had a Sarah Palin impression. Sometimes it worked. Most of the time it didn’t.

Now Justin Long is reminding us just why election season is so unfunny with a parody mash-up of Mitt Romney and The Office. It’s way less funny than either of those things separately…and that’s saying a lot. Read More

By Drew Grant 1/16/12 12:19pm

Comedy

Eddie Brill (third from right) and some of the men of comedy (Getty Images)

David Letterman’s Booker In Hot Water After New York Times Controversy

It’s 2012, and the specter of Christopher Hitchens‘ Vanity Fair essay about women in comedy is still haunting the Internet. Its latest incarnation is in the form of The New York Times‘ comedy critic Jason Zinoman‘s profile of Eddie Brill, the longtime comedy booker for The Late Show with David Letterman.

In the article, Mr. Zinoman touched on several unsavory facts of the late night industry and of Mr. Brill himself, including a quote from the booker that’s been highly circulated as further proof that men in comedy are misogynistic. “There are a lot less female comics who are authentic,” said Mr. Brill. “I see a lot of female comics who to please an audience will act like men.”

Cue the the three-ring circus. Read More

By Drew Grant 1/06/12 9:30am

Comedy

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein (Getty Images)

Portlandia’s Second Season Premieres at the Museum of Natural History to Comedic Crowd; Accidentally Hallucinating Reporters

First, a little bit of back story: The night before The Observer was to go to the screening party for the sequel season of Portlandia, the IFC comedy show starring Saturday Night Live fixture Fred Armisen and Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein, an Irishman stepped on our lighter in a bar. In exchange for the gaffe, the gentleman offered us a fist-sized piece of homemade organic chocolate truffle, wrapped in decorative foil. How sweet!

As we dashed our way to the Museum of Natural History last night in order to see what could possibly top the catchphrase “Put a Bird On It,” we split the giant confection with a fellow famished coworker. Which would have all been fine, if we hadn’t made the completely understandable mistake of confusing “chocolate truffles” for “chocolate-covered mushrooms.” No, not truffle mushrooms. The other kind. (In hindsight, putting actual truffle mushrooms into chocolate doesn’t make any sense either.)

We guess that’s why your parents warned you never to take organic candy from strangers. Ooh look, there’s Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig! Are those two glowing, or is just the hallucinogens kicking in? Read More

By Drew Grant 11/23/11 9:00am

Comedy

The Ladies of 'Broad City'

FX Gambles On Web Comedy ‘Broad City’ Starring…Yes…Women (Video)

Congrats to Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, the Upright Citizen Brigade alums whose web show Broad City is now in development talks for an FX pilot. This is no small part due to both the girl’s hilarity and its major endorsement by UCB founder Amy Poehler.

Now, if only there was a way to talk about this show without immediately pigeonholing it as part of the new “Women are funny too!” push on the part of cable programers–The New Girl, Whitney, and 2 Broke Girls all come to mind– while still recognizing these comedians as the growing contingent of recognizable, hilarious female comedians.

…Nope. Too difficult. How about we just watch the trailer instead, which features Ms. Poehler along with NYC comediennes like Andrea Rosen, Adira Amram, and Kristen Schaal? Read More

By Drew Grant 10/04/11 4:53pm

Comedy

Video

Elliott Kalan: America’s next Andy Rooney?

Daily Show Writer Would Like to be the Next Andy Rooney [Video]

Elliott Kalan likes to complain about things. The Daily Show writer can go on forever (or at least one whole minute) on his irritation with gum, fancy pork-pie hat stores in your neighborhood, pre-made sandwiches, and generic movie titles.

So now that Andy Rooney has officially stepped down from his role as “old cranky guy” on 60 Minutes, Mr. Kalan would like to humbly submit his application for the job of professional complainer. Read More