June 7, 2016

Second City Break Out Festival Brings Another Round of Knockout Talent In Its Second Year

The Defiant Thomas Brothers were a complete surprise for us. Seth and Paul Thomas (collectively the Defiant Thomas Brothers) grabbed some well tread comedic paths and mined them so skillfully as to make them feel completely fresh and original.
May 27, 2016

Comedy Insiders: Is Barney Ruining Comedy?

Brian Volk-Weiss is the President of Comedy Dynamics, the largest independent producer and distributor of recorded comedy in North America. In our monthly series with Volk Weiss, we discuss issues that impact the comedy industry. This month, Brian wanted to talk about the issue of political correctness on college campuses.
May 11, 2016

Go Ahead, Laugh at Dave Hill’s Life

Dave Hill's new book, Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore has some major players giving it praise on the back cover, and all well deserved. Hill's book is a fast, funny, thoughtful and smart read. DHDLHA is a collection of stories, with a loose thread following the evolution of his relationship with his dad since his mother passed away. The stories largely come from the period of years after her death, but sometimes dip back to childhood, and teenage years, weaving around gently and exploring themes that connect to his father.
April 24, 2016

Maya Rudolph Prince Tribute Show Blows the Roof Off In Austin With Love and Music

Last night, at the historic Austin Paramount Theater, Maya Rudolph took the stage and united 1200 hardcore comedy fans and Prince fans with a electric tribute to the man who meant so much to her creatively and personally.
April 19, 2016

Noel Fielding and His Wonderful Magical Lo-Fi World Triumph in America

Noel Fielding just finished his first US Tour, with An Evening With Noel Fielding, and by all accounts, it was a gigantic success. I caught the show in New York City- it was my first time seeing Noel live- and was intrigued, enlightened, enchanted, and utterly converted by Noel and his conceptual whirlwind of a comedy show.
April 7, 2016

Comedy Insiders: Recording a Comedy Special: When Is It Time?

Brian Volk-Weiss is the President of Comedy Dynamics, the largest independent producer and distributor of recorded comedy in North America. As part of our new monthly series, we talked with Brian, who was very candid answering the big question: when is it time?
March 24, 2016

Sal Vulcano Hints at Big Moves For Impractical Jokers, Including a Movie and MSG

Sal Vulcano is sitting on top of the world right now. The show he created with lifelong friends, Impractical Jokers has become a worldwide sensation, and they got there by being themselves. Vulcano got together with Brian Quinn, Joe Gatto, and James Murray in high school in 1990, they've been doing improv and sketch together since around 1999. The ascension of YouTube and MySpace inspired them to start doing sketches online, which got them an agent and the chance to start pitching tv shows.
March 23, 2016

Comedy Dynamics Threatens They May Boycott Georgia If Anti-Gay Rights Bill Becomes Law

Comedy Dynamics, the country's biggest independent producers of comedy albums and specials, has sent a strong message to the governor of Georgia today, asserting they may stop filming stand up comedy in George over the new "religious liberty bill" that was passed by the Georgia Legislature.
March 6, 2016

‘No You Shut Up!’ Episode 4.5 Recap and Review: Where the *@%# is Paul!?

It's pure pandemonium this week on No, You Shut Up! when showtime rolls around. The pundits are in place, the set looks great, but there's one big big problem. Where the hell is Paul? There's an empty chair where Paul is supposed to be, and while the at-home audience panics, the pundits immediately begin fighting over who will sit in the big chair.
February 28, 2016

Everybody Shut Up: A Look Back Review and Recap of ‘No You Shut Up!’ Episode 4.4

The political fur keeps flying and we're another week closer to electing a new president. Every Thursday night Paul F. Tompkins and his felty team of opinionated puppets and guests are there for us to help sort it all out. This week, some big news, NYSU! doubles its human cast welcoming Rhea Butcher aboard the SS NYSU.
February 20, 2016

Everybody Shut Up: A Look Back Review and Recap of ‘No You Shut Up!’ Episode 4.3

Every day we get closer to the election of the next President of the United States and there are issues literally tearing the country apart. Thank goodness Paul F. Tompkins and his team of puppets and fleshier guests are there for us every Thursday night to wade through the truth, the bullshit and everything in between. Last night's episode of No You Shut Up! was a perfect example of why we love the show so much.
January 27, 2016

The State of Comedy in 2016: Is This a Diamond Age of Comedy?

The business of comedy seems to be booming. There are more clubs than there were ten years ago, the number of stand up comics is greater than ever before, and there are new outlets for comedy popping up on what seems like a constant basis, It seems that everyone wants a piece of the comedy business these days but is comedy really booming? We talked with Brian Volk-Weiss, President of Comedy Dynamics about the state of the comedy industry in 2016. Brian Volk Weiss has been in the business of creating comedy for two decades, and helps to create some of the best albums and specials from some of the top comedians working today.
January 23, 2016

SNL Will Be Live Tonight Despite Historic Snowstorm in New York City

New York is in the grips of Winter Storm Jonas, the Mayor of New York City is telling everyone to stay home, the Governor of New York State is having a state of emergency, but none of these things will stop Saturday Night Live from airing a live show tonight. Word from a spokesperson from SNL says the show will go on.
January 6, 2016

Artie Lange is Doing Nasty Things in Montreal and In His Own Kitchen

Artie Lange has made a career out of being nasty so it is no surprise that when Showtime wanted to create a special based around the most popular show at Montreal's Just For Laughs Festival, they chose Artie Lange to host it.
December 29, 2015

Beth Stelling Will Not Be Stopped; Rising Comedy Star Shares Abusive Past and Bright Future on Instagram

Monday afternoon rising comedy star Beth Stelling posted on her Instagram some very personal photos showing her badly bruised legs, along with a statement announcing that she has been the victim in a past abusive relationship. If you've ever seen Beth perform you know her as a powerful, confident woman, and so the revelations she shares in the Instagram are shocking and troubling on many levels. If you've seen her in person, you know she's tall, and exudes a quiet kind of strength in her demeanor.
December 19, 2015

The Clubs Speak! The Best Stand Up Comedy Moments of 2015! (As Decided by the Club Owners, Bookers and People Who Produce Comedy)

Over the next two weeks, you’ll see all of our picks for the greatest comedy releases and greatest moments in comedy of 2015. But if you want to know what really happened in comedy in 2015, you have to go to the source- the comedy clubs.
December 4, 2015

First Look as Comedy Candy Store ‘Seeso’ Goes Live With an Early Free Preview

For two months we've been anxiously awaiting the debut of the brand new all-comedy streaming service from the NBC Digital Team, and although Seeso isn't set to officially launch until January with a $3.99/mo price tag, there is an all-free Beta version of the platform available right now! Yesterday, Executive VP of NBCU Digital Enterprises Evan Shapiro opened the doors for us with a personal tour of the new service, and all its features.
November 6, 2015

In Depth With Rising Comedy Star Beth Stelling: New Album, New Special and Much More to Come

Beth Stelling is one of comedy's rising stars right now, and there's no more exciting time in a comic's development then right when they are breaking as a headliner. She recently premiered her first comedy special for Comedy Central as part of their Half Hour series, and earlier this month released her second comedy album, Simply the Beth with Comedy Dynamics. Stelling's voice in her album and special are strong, unique and fresh so I was excited to talk with her about what it's like to be in this moment where everything is happening so quickly. I found that in addition to being funny and original, she's also incredibly focused, smart, self aware and very appreciative.
September 24, 2015

Brian Regan Could Pull Off the World’s First Stand Up Comedy Fillibuster on Saturday Night

This Saturday at Radio City Music Hall comedian Brian Regan will take the stage and perform live not only for the 6,000 seats in the theater, but for a everyone across North American who tunes in to Comedy Central at 9pm. It's the first time Comedy Central has ever broadcast a comedy special live, and Brian is the perfect comedian to break new ground for the channel. He's beloved by fans and fellow comedians, and he performs material that kills with every age group. Brian's been on a huge press tour to promote the big event, and I got to speak with him earlier this week about getting ready for the big night.
August 10, 2015

A Look Back at the Year That Changed Comedy and Why Things May Never Be the Same

One year ago Robin Williams was still with us, Joan Rivers was alive, and Bill Cosby was a comedy icon and role model. The loss of these three living legends has changed the face of comedy. It's been a long and emotionally charged year for comedy fans and each of these events have left marks on the genre that will resonate for years to come.