October 26, 2014
The Comedian Who Changed My Life is a series where comics talk about, you guessed it, the comedian who changed their life. This week, Simon Pegg talks about why the Comedian Who Changed His Life is Robin Williams.
Featured stories about comedy, comics, comedians, funny people, funny movies, and comedy wherever it exists.
October 22, 2014
So, you’ve seen the blockbusters, and all the Oscar contenders, but you still are looking for something to watch. Maybe something you missed. There are so many films that didn’t make a big splash, earn a lot of money or garner a lot of awards, but are still worthy of being seen. Clear your Netflix queue (or itunes or amazon or epix queue) and make some room for a few of these overlooked gems that may not have come your way before but are well worth your time.
October 21, 2014
Comedians in Batman Masks. There they are. 18 of them ready to fight comedy crime. Get ready Gotham.
October 20, 2014
Jeffrey Gurian is a writer and comedian in New York who loves to Jump Around. Follow his regular column, right here, to find out what’s happening in comedy, and who Jeffrey Gurian ran into this week in and around New York. In today’s column, find out where Jerry Seinfeld did a surprise set, what Andy Kaufman's brother thinks about Bob Zmuda's new book, who was at Nate Bargatze's Comedy Central taping and Lisa Lampanelli's ephiphany! Visit Jeffrey’s website at comedymatterstv.com, where you can watch his interviews with everyone in comedy who matters!
October 19, 2014
The #2 trending topic for almost three hours in the United States on Friday was #Bennington signaling the arrival of the much anticipated Ron Bennington solo radio show on SiriusXM's Opie Radio Channel. Except it turned out not to be a solo show after all.
October 16, 2014
Heather McDonald spent seven years spent writing for and appearing on Chelsea Lately. She also developed and co-starred on the faux reality show After Lately, wrote two books, wrote for movies, and has maintained a headlining stand up career. Oh yeah, she also had time to start a family, and put together had a one-hour special for Showtime this summer. So it should come as a surprise to no one that she is on the list of incredible women who were invited to perform as part of the Venetian Hotel's Lipshtick comedy series. This weekend, she's back at the Venetian and told us that she is bringing her girlfriends to town with her and they are ready rip it- Vegas style.
October 15, 2014
Dane Cook has a brand new special coming out this Friday called Troublemaker. It's his first new comedy release in four years, and there's a lot of excitement over the new hour that is set to debut on Showtime on Friday October 17th. We got to spend some time talking with Dane about the new special, his career, and some of his favorite venues he's performed in over the years.
October 14, 2014
Nerd icon Curtis Armstrong had a busy schedule at New York's Comic Con, and we were excited when we were invited to spend the day following him throughout his various Comic Con events. Film biographer Lesley Coffin got to spend a day in the life of a Comic Con panelist, and observed Curtis in meetings, doing signings, and appearing on radio shows, press tables and panels. She also got to sit down with Curtis and talk movies, tv and of course, nerds.
October 13, 2014
Jeffrey Gurian is a writer and comedian in New York who loves to Jump Around. Follow his regular column, right here, to find out what’s happening in comedy, and who Jeffrey Gurian ran into this week in and around New York. In today’s column, find out what went down on the Red Carpet when The Friar's Club honored Robert DeNiro, hear what Anthony Jeselnik is up to, and find out which famous stand up comedian was also a great singer! Visit Jeffrey’s website at comedymatterstv.com, where you can watch his interviews with everyone in comedy who matters!
October 10, 2014
Dan Perlman is a young writer and comic, who has been performing comedy for 4 years . He performs nightly in New York City, and tours around the country at festivals, clubs and colleges. "Before I Forget" is a series of articles by Dan, which chronicles some of his thoughts and stories along the way, keeping notes of some of the high notes, and the low notes of a young comedian just getting started in his career. This week, he writes about being in middle school, writing to his comedy heroes, and getting a letter back, from Bob Newhart.
October 8, 2014
In August 2013 we gave you seven comedians who we predicted were about to blow up in a major way. From stand-up to television and beyond, here's a look at what's changed for these seven comedians since August 2013, and what they're up to now. Which ones did we get right, which were misses, and who is about to get even bigger?
October 7, 2014
Special Taping Announcement in New York City!! Unmasked Taping With special guest Dane Cook, and host Ron Bennington at the world famed Caroline's on Broadway Comedy Club in New York City!
October 7, 2014
Cameron Esposito has been called "the future of comedy" by Jay Leno, and has made practically everyone's "comics to watch" lists (Time Out, LA Weekly, Flavorwire, Cosmopolitan, The Chicago Reader, The Portland Mercury to name a few)." She's outspoken in her life and in her comedy about being a lesbian. Her new album, "Same Sex Symbol" contains her own unique take on some of the stereotypical behavior she's encountered from men about her sexuality. If you have your own preconceptions about what you think she and her comedy are about, she will challenge them. Tough, but warm, contagiously amused by the ridiculous behavior she encounters in the universe, and a true style icon in the making, we agree with everyone who calls Cameron Esposito a comedian to keep your eye on. Today (October 7) she's releasing her second album, which you can purchase at killrockstars.com. We talked with Cameron about the new album, why Portland is such a great comedy city, and why she's channeling David Bowie as part of her album release.
October 6, 2014
Jeffrey Gurian is a writer and comedian in New York who loves to Jump Around. Follow his regular column, right here, to find out what’s happening in comedy, and who Jeffrey Gurian ran into this week in and around New York. In today’s column, find out T.J. Miller's next project, how Harris Stanton has been since the accident, and more. Visit Jeffrey’s website at comedymatterstv.com, where you can watch his interviews with everyone in comedy who matters!
October 5, 2014
From his humble origins as “Champion: The Drinker” from Mr. Show to his supporting role as “Mr. Peanut Butter” on Netflix’s hit Bojack Horseman, Paul F Tompkins has done it all. Lately, you’ve seen him on “No, You Shut Up!” on Fusion TV, on Adventure Time and Bob’s Burgers, and on IFC’s Comedy Bang Bang! I recently sat down with Paul to discuss his current and past roles, and how the business has changed for him.
October 3, 2014
With all the new television shows coming to TV this fall, it's easy to miss out on something great among the clunkers and people you've never heard of. One you comedian who you may be more familiar with than you think is John Mulaney. Mulaney will star on the new FOX sitcom 'Mulaney' alongside fellow SNL alums Martin Short and Nasim Pedrad beginning Sunday night October 5. The show airs at 9:30 pm and there's a lot of hype on all sides about whether Mulaney will be the next Seinfeld or if it's all much ado about nothing. Before you watch the big premier this Sunday, use our guide to catch up on everything you need to know about John Mulaney.
October 1, 2014
Greer Barnes’ debut album “See What I’m Saying” is unique in so many ways. First off, Greer’s no green young thing, he’s a universally respected veteran of the New York Comedy scene. Second, it wasn’t produced in the usual way. Instead of taking a weekend at a road club or a one-nighter at an intimate venue, Greer and producer Matt Lipton crafted the album from multiple shorter sets Greer performed at his home club, The Comedy Cellar. And finally, there’s Matt. He’s a producer, but not the typical outside label producer parachuting in to put this together, he’s also Greer’s road feature, the man who probably knows Greer’s act better than anyone on earth. The result is a stand out album.
September 29, 2014
Jeffrey Gurian is a writer and comedian in New York who loves to Jump Around. Follow his regular column, right here, to find out what’s happening in […]
September 28, 2014
Throughout my years performing stand up comedy and covering the sport of mixed martial arts I have noticed a few parallels between the two arts. For one, it takes balls. .000001% of the population has the testicular fortitude to step on stage to tell jokes or to get into a cage and stand across from a trained death machine and go to war. Also, for both it's really hard in the beginning. There is no money in either game and you suck at it. You are either bombing in front of shitty crowds or getting the shit beat out of you day in and day out in training. But you keep coming back all of the love of the sport. Comedians are super heroes with their words. Fearless, quick witted, and unrelentless. Mixed martial artists are modern day gladiators. Warriors who put their lives on the line every time they step into the cage. However, there are a few rare specimens that could kick ass on the mic and in the cage. Here is my list of the top 5 funniest comedians that could have possibly, maybe, but probably not had successful careers in mixed martial arts.
September 26, 2014
Gleib, a stand-up comedian best known for his roundtable appearances on Chelsea Lately, is the host of Idiotest, a game based on the hugely popular app of the same name. The show debuted in August and airs at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT Tuesdays on GSN (Game Show Network). We talked with Ben about the new show, what makes someone fail an idiotest, and his podcast, Last Week on Earth.
September 24, 2014
Comedian Sara Schaefer will be performing this Saturday night at the legendary Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas as a part of Lipshtick-- a comedy lineup that includes some of the funniest women in comedy. We got to talk with Sara about her upcoming Vegas appearance, and asked her how she feels about being on the bill with so many legends.
September 23, 2014
With South Park season 18 starting this week, we're feeling nostalgic. And in case you're not aware, Matt and Trey have an obsession with music - in all its forms. Trey Parker especially, he went to Berklee for music for a semester and an obsession for musical theater. This all translates in to the dozens and dozens and hysterically written and performed songs that have appeared throughout the show in its 17 seasons.
September 22, 2014
Jeffrey Gurian loves to Jump Around. Follow his regular column, right here, to find out what’s happening in comedy, and who Jeffrey Gurian ran into this week in and around New York. In today’s column, the Friars Club renames their building after Jerry Lewis, Chris Rock does a surprise set at The Comic Strip, Jeffrey talks with Adam Ferrara, and more!
September 19, 2014
Tig Notaro has a lot going on, not the least of which is her Boyish Girl Interrupted Tour that kicks off next week. Tig is going to be hitting up 32 cities in North America, and then another four cities in Australia. One of those dates-- at Largo Theater in Los Angeles will be in honor of breast cancer awareness month, on October 13th, and its going to be a really special night, full of surprises. You can get tickets to the Largo show here. We got to interview Tig just before she heads out on tour.
September 18, 2014
if you want to try to understand the reach of the show, one place to get a good start is by reading "Live From New York: The Complete Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers and Guests." Authors and historians Tom Shales and Jim Miller conducted, compiled and edited the massive collection which tells the story of SNL through (as the title suggests) uncensored interviews with the cast, crew and guest hosts. Even at two lbs, and 800 pages, its the kind of book you can't put down with its fill of historical record, touching moments, fights, love, hate, and even backstage gossip. The original edition covering the first 25 years of Saturday Night Live was released in 2002, but a brand new release brings the book up to date covering the entire 40 year history. We couldn't wait to talk with author Jim Miller about the new edition, and the changes that have taken place during the last decade and a half.
September 15, 2014
Jeffrey Gurian loves to Jump Around. Follow his regular column, right here, to find out what’s happening in comedy, and who Jeffrey Gurian ran into this week in and around New York. In today’s column, Richard Lewis does a DVD signing, Michael Che gets a new SNL gig, Carlos Mencia has two new series in the works, and more!
September 10, 2014
Comedian Jen Kirkman does it all. To her name she has: four sloppy narrations of Comedy Central's Drunk History, a five-year stint as a panelist and writer for Chelsea Lately, and a recent book called "I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life without Kids" — which is a New York Times Bestseller. Now touring the country, Kirkman sat with us during her stop in New York. She talked shop about her podcast, what it's like no longer having a day job, and why she's excited about her appearance in this weekend's “Lipshtick”: an all-female comedy series in Las Vegas.