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November 30, 2005
David Cross Imposter Scandal Assimilated into Cultural Zeitgeist
In a recent interview with David Cross conducted by Radar's David Hyman, the David Cross Imposter Scandal is witnessed effortlessly integrating into America's lexicon.
Hyman tears into it at the top of the piece:
A couple of weeks ago it was reported that a man posing as David Cross was running around Manhattan, scoring free drinks at bars and hitting on chicks. It's certainly nice to know that even nebbishy, bald Jews can inspire psycho impersonators, but it might also be a good omen for Cross’s career, proof that the comedian has finally moved into the mainstream.
Continue plunging into Hyman's article here
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 5:22 PM | Comments (0)
Chris Gethard's Weird New York Hits Bookstores
Chris Gethard--who was last seen here filling in for baseball legend Darryl Strawberry in Darryl's one man show--has just written a book called Weird New York. Weird New York is an extension of the Weird NJ/Weird US brand created by Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran.
Weird New York is currently rocketing towards the TOP 500 on barnesandnoble.com sales charts.
According to the BN.com page, "Chris Gethard served as the associate editor of Weird NJ magazine for over four years. While there he helped write and edit the book, Weird NJ, and co-authored its follow-up, Weird U.S."
Listen to a radio interview of the creators of Weird
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 4:23 PM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2005
The End of Juvie Hall
It's with sadness that we relay this stark correspondence from Erik Marcisak, the man behind the award winning Juvie Hall--an experimental comedy & performance space in NoHo.
Dear Friends,After years of running performance spaces, I have decided to discontinue managing the space called Juvie Hall and the operations of Above Kleptomania Comedy LLC. I want to take a step back from the producing, administrative, and the financial side of the theater and focus on my own career for a little while. I have managed comedy theater spaces for the past 3 years and have had to devote more time to venue operations and less time to my personal goals of being a writer, performer, and producer. Juvie Hall will officially close on December 31st. The theater people on the main floor will be taking over the space. If you are interested in renting the theater space for a show in January and beyond, please call Gail at The Gene Frankel Theater 212 777 1767.
The shows with regular runs: Saturday Night Rewritten, Manhattan Comedy Collective, Harsh, and The NYC are currently negotiating with the theater space manager independently and will hopefully remain there, but they may move to other venues. Sara Schaefer's show has ended its run earlier in the month. The Midnight Kalan will live on in a new (yet to be determined) venue starting in January as a once a month show.
I would like to thank everyone who has ever paid for a ticket, rented the theater, seen a show, or was in a show that involved myself or one of my venues. Our relationships have all changed over the past years. With some people I've grown unbelievably closer. I don't have any siblings and feel unbelievably close to many of you, like a brother or sister. Some of you have grown further apart. Please remember the shows where we came together and entertained an audience.
Without all of you I would not have been able to call myself a comedy producer for the past 3 years. From the un-air conditioned room known as Surf Reality to the mirrored walls/ creepiness of Show World to the German self help weirdness of The Sage Theater to the comfortable walls of the basement of the Gene Frankel Theater your help proved that it is possible to do comedy on your own terms, your way, and ultimately to your own reward.
There will be an "End of Juvie Hall" party on Dec 12th, Monday at Slainte' (304 Bowery) at 7pm. I hope to see you there.
-erik
Posted by The Apiary in Venues at 1:28 PM | Comments (1)
It's All Fun and Games at the UCB Til Someone Gets Stabbed in the Face with a Can of Silly String... Or is it?
An account of last week's premiere of Bobby Tisdale and Chelsea Peretti's "Wake Up Screaming With Laughter" reveals that much of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre was bedazzled with seemingly endless amounts of silly string.
Apparently, whomever was managing the house was NOT PLEASED with the rampant use of silly string, citing that it is a prohibited substance at the theatre. As you can imagine, a bone chilling series of frowny faces were then exchanged between management and the performers.
What does the UCBT have against silly string? Silly string is fun and awesome, right? Yes.
To get to the bottom of this, The Apiary spoke with Anthony King, the Artistic Director of the theatre and he replied:
There is no ban on silly string. I think there was a misunderstanding between our house management and Chelsea and Bobby. But no, there is no ban on silly string. Why, just the night before at Cracked Out Wedding, we were throwing banana peels and cabbage all over the stage, and I've used silly string myself in a show at the theatre.I officially invite any and all performers to use silly string at UCBT.
Proof of the devastating effects of silly string - via Jakob Lodwick
Posted by The Apiary in Hard Hitting Journalism at 12:24 PM | Comments (1)
More On Becoming a Cruise Ship Comedian
Following up on yesterday's post, The Apiary contacted a PR rep at Royal Caribbean/Celebrity cruises who referred us to the Manager of Entertainment for the ships. What does it take to snag yourself a plush short term gig on one of these boats?
The majority of the comedians come to us through talent agencies and work anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks on board. Rarely are they on board longer than a few weeks. If there are comedians that wish to land a gig, I recommend that their agent submit their tape to me here and if I feel that they would be suitable, then we would talk about specific dates. Our address is 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132.Let me know if you need any further information.
Regards,
Chris Jurasas
Manager of Entertainment & Cruise Programs
Celebrity Cruises, Inc.
cjurasas@celebritycruises.com
There you have it! Feel free to pay this helpfulness forward by hiring The Apiary to work at your culturally relevant company or publication.
Posted by The Apiary in Stand Up at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)
November 28, 2005
Godspeed, Aziz Ansari. Godspeed.
According to Aziz Ansari's site, the last Crash Test of '05 is tonight because AA is off in Los Angeles for a month to perform and to be in a new Scot Armstrong/Todd Phillips film titled School for Scoundrels.
Since The Apiary's inception, the site has had a close eye on Aziz' meteoric breakthrough. History shows that it wasn't until June of 2005 before VH1 producers caught wind of him.
Throughout the month of December at the UCBT, the acclaimed sketch group, The Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz, will be stepping up to fill the big shoes Crash Test leaves behind.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:14 PM | Comments (0)
Comedy Celebrities Eat Thanksgiving Dinner
Chelsea Peretti posted EXCLUSIVE INSIDER PHOTOS of comedy celebrities doing what we non-celebrities dream one day of doing: EATING and HAVING FUN.
One photo depicts 4, yes FOUR, pies! Most of us have never even seen a pie that differs from the hot pockets shaped ones you buy for 35 cents at Sunoco. What gas station carries these exotic delicacies??
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 1:22 PM | Comments (0)
Forging Your Career Path: Be a Cruise Ship Comedian!
This cruise ship comedian basks in wild applause as he lets another fart joke rip
The Apiary was subjected to hostile 90 degree Caribbean temperatures while on a cruise last week. Did you know that there's more to these floating cities than the endless beef wellington buffets, bottomless pits of casino losses, and nonstop illicit poolside sexual intercourse? In fact, cruiselines employ stand up comedians to do nightly entertainment!
Not only do you get $$$ to sail around exotic locales, but you'll get to work your downtown NYC material on an international audience of jolly seacows. We have no idea how long the contracts are, but it seems like it would be an easy gig to score considering your competition is dudes whose resumes look like pre-first applications compared to yours. Begin forging your career path today!
Here are some links to the employment pages of the big name lines.
Royal Caribbean
Princess
Carnival
Celebrity
Posted by The Apiary in Stand Up at 12:09 PM | Comments (3)
November 18, 2005
The Sting: Your moustache saves lives, The Midwest is not impressed with Dane Cook, Have a good Thanksgiving, and more!
Spokesman for The Ohio State University Lashes Out at Dane Cook - via AST
Staying in Town This Week? Spend Thanksgiving With the UCBT
Internet Declares 40 Best Bands In America; Nickelback Fans Across the Country Enraged, Heartbroken
Meet the Writers of Bar Mitzvah Disco at Barnes & Noble
The PIT & Bob Wiltfong Show You How to Make $$$$$
Matt Goldich Cruises for Dudes With Beards On City Subways In a Nonsexual Way
Related: Grow a Moustache, Save a Child's Life
Lindsayism Tells Photobloggers To Stick Their Flashes Where the Sun Don't Shine
Claudia Cogan Has Had it Up to Here with Myspace
Juvie Hall to Host 2nd Annual Bad Movie Film Festival
The Onion AV Club Interviews Daniel Handler
Bloggers Rally From Brink of Blogdeath to Produce [decentcontent]
The Apiary will be on vacation all this week. The internet is dead the week of Thanksgiving anyways, you'll see. We will return to regularly scheduled programming the following Monday. Have a good Thanksgiving!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:25 PM | Comments (4)
November 17, 2005
Wake Up to Both Chelsea Peretti AND Bobby Tisdale
Chelsea and Bobby have a show this Saturday morning at the UCB called Wake Up Screaming With Laughter. It's at 11AM.
If you're like The Apiary, your dehydrated body is still coping with the abundance of pure grain alcohol passing through your liver, and you remain blacked out at that time of the midmorning. However, the creative forces behind the show are giving everybody wake up calls to make sure you're up and at 'em.
According to Chelsea's site, RISING COMIC John Mulaney will call you if you want:
John will be conducting calls in a variety of three (3) character voices:
1. Gus
2. Donald Trump
3. Fontaine
Email wakeupcourtesycall@gmail.com if you'd like to be woken up this Saturday.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 11:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
November 16, 2005
Invite Them Up CD/DVD Release Party
Speaking of Invite Them Up, Brooklyn Vegan has the internet abuzz with details of the upcoming CD & DVD release party of the ITU recordings held at Piano's last Spring.
Superfan Klaus Kinski has pics from the shows and more
Relive the experience of the SOLD OUT recordings
Posted by The Apiary in Stand Up at 6:30 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Life Stories: It's Good to Know Who You are Replacing
Rob Gorden of The Rob & Mark Show has a Life Story to share. Several months ago, he and Mark were enjoying an evening at Bobby Tisdale & Eugene Mirman's weekly comedy showcase, Invite Them Up...
One night we were hanging out at Invite Them Up. We were at the bar when Bobby Tisdale comes tearing out of the show saying that the music act isn't showing up. He was as panicked as Bobby Tisdale can get if Bobby actually can get panicked. He saw us and asked if we would like to close out the show with a song. Of course we did. We needed a guitar and lucked out. The lovely and talented musical comedian Shayna Ferm had already done a set that night and was still there. Mark asked if he could borrow her guitar, she said ok. True story.
BUT! It doesn't end there. Oh no my friends. It certainly doesn't end there. We were very excited to perform at the show. It was packed and who knows? Maybe David Cross's look alike may have been in the audience. We were replacing some music act and felt like we could be heroes of the day. Just like Nirvana filling in when Pearl Jam refused to show up for the MTV concert. We could be Nirvana! There was one problem. Usually, if we can't make it to a gig the replacement is Bayne Gibby, or The Knuckleheads, or God's Pottery and there isn't a public outrage over the talented replacement. But God's Pottery wasn't replacing The Rob and Mark Show. The Rob and Mark Show was replacing... FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS!
To be honest, I didn't really know who they were. When I saw the ad for when they played the UCB I thought they were a couple UCB guys that made the fourth popular folk duo in New Zealand thing up. I didn't know that most of the audience was there to see the fourth popular folk duo in New Zealand.
So, Bobby gets on stage and tells the audience they are not showing up. I didn't recognize the outrage at first, but probably should have.
There was a crowd dissent that I failed to recognize. He announces us and I treat it like a normal gig. I have a lot of energy. I'm kind of loud. I like to yell. Not the three things you need to do when you are replacing the band the crowd has waited all night to see. It was like Bobby said "Hey! Are you guys ready for Radiohead? Yeah? Well, they called in sick so here's David Lee Roth!"
People were pissed. I didn't realize exactly how pissed people were until we did one of our tunes that almost always goes over well. Deafening silence. A lot of arms crossed. Definitely some disapproving shakes of the hipster heads. Maybe some pockets of uncomfortable giggling. Not good.
I got to know Flight of the Conchords pretty well after that. Like, immediately after the show. In the bar after the gig most of the audience wanted to adamantly tell me how awesome Flight of the Conchords was. 
Later that week we got to perform a really cool show at the Village Lantern the very same night Flight of the Conchords was performing a really cool HBO Special down the street. I guess the lesson I learned is it's good to know who you are replacing in a show, especially when the comedians you are replacing have rabid fans who get really mad when their boys don't show up and don't even a little bit want to laugh at you. Like defiantly not laugh at you. Like, rather eat dog poop then laugh at you.
Luckily, we were asked to perform at Invite Them Up again and this time the audience was expecting us and that was nice. We did well and they weren't angry. However, next time Flight of the Conchords bails out of Invite Them Up, I'm calling Tenacious D.
Posted by The Apiary in True Accounts at 12:38 PM | Comments (3)
November 15, 2005
Mo Rocca Browses Through Romance Section at Edith Layton's Book Party
By way of Kambri Crews' site, The Apiary discovered that romance novelist, (and mother of NYC comedienne Susie Felber) Edith Layton, had a book release party last night to celebrate her 30th published novel, Gypsy Lover.
Mo Rocca was there!
From L-R: Edith Layton's son Adam Felber, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Radar Magazine's Chris Knutsen, and Mo Rocca --photo via Brian Van
A complete photo spread of the festivities is on Brian Van's Flickr page
Just curious, anybody know what Mo has been doing lately? Does he ever do shows around the city?
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 3:13 PM | Comments (5)
Disheveled, Tights-clad Andres Du Bouchet Found Wading in Shallow Pools of Vomit
Andres and his friends pictured here littering a squalid East Village street--Image via Jonny Fido
At last week's Giant Tuesday Night, Andres and the GTN crew performed Shakespeare's beloved work, Hamlet, completely and utterly bonkered off 40's of malt liquor. They said it couldn't be done. But they did it. They really did it.
Photos have since surfaced on the internet, and suffice to say, the aftermath was not pretty.
See Jonny Fido's Drunken Hamlet Photo Set
Giant Tuesday Night is TONIGHT and EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at Rififi @ 8PM -- It's FREE!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:41 AM | Comments (2)
November 14, 2005
The Reason Why Deer Avenger is Interesting
Perhaps it has slipped your mind, but on Friday, you may have noticed that The Apiary left you dumbstruck with the following puzzling question:
What is so interesting about Deer Avenger?
Anybody?
According to IMDB, the game boasts the writing and voice talents of Brian McCann, Brian Stack, and Jon Glaser!
Hear this! In addition to all those guys, Deer Avenger 2: Deer in the City has Amy Poehler and Tina Fey in it! How crazy is that?
In the series, Brian McCann does the voice of Bambo--a lovable, heavily armed deer whose primal thirst for killing can only be quenched when the grassy fields run red with a raging current of fresh hunters' blood!
Despite the franchise's horrible controls and lukewarm critical reception, Deer Avenger must have resonated with someone, because it continues to spawn sequels to this very day.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:07 PM | Comments (1)
Open Thread Day!
Does anybody have anything to talk about? Mildly thrilling stories? Exciting stuff to look forward to? Did you get a sitcom deal over the weekend? Is there something you need to get off your chest?
Posted by The Apiary in at 11:28 AM | Comments (16)
November 11, 2005
The Sting: The son of Conan O'Brien emerges, Changing of the guard occurring at Channel 102, Symptoms of blog depression, and more!
Conan O'Brien's Wife Gives Birth to Beckett O'Brien
People Haven't Been This Upset About A TV Show's Cancellation Since Father of the Pride
God's Pottery Releases MP3s of Radio Appearance with Scott Stapp of Creed
Terri Gross Gets All Up in Sarah Silverman's Business
Kurt Loder cries out, "Sarah Silverman Won't Shut Up!"
Aziz Ansari Readies Shutterbugs 4 Director's Cut
What's So Interesting About Deer Avenger?
Channel 102 Flush with New Talent
Is Spinach Dip Hanging Up His Keyboard?
Are You Also At Risk For Blog Depression?--via Spinach Dip
Lindsayism Teaches You How to Tell The Comedians of Comedy From The Comedians of Comedy
Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles Continues Search for Local Home
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (2)
Comedy Power Elite & Sex Enthusiasts Convene to Commemorate Dirty 30 of Rachel Kramer Bussel
Photos by: Kelly Merryman
The stars were shining bright last night at the Happy Ending Lounge--a former Chinese massage parlour, converted to a split-level bar on the Lower East Side.
Writer and friend-of-comedy, Rachel Kramer Bussel, organized an awesome 30th birthday party stuffed to the gills with NYC's power elite and an ENDLESS BUFFET of cupcakes. Didn't know Ponderosa does catering out here. Anyways, there were entertainers, roasters, indie rockers, gay metal glam rockers, Andrea Rosen reenacting the entirety of Dirty Dancing, Todd Levin in his underpants with the word SLAVE painted across his chest, and most importantly, good times.
Liam McEneaney had a great time!
SPOTTED!
Baron Vaughn
Susie Felber
Andrea Rosen
Shonali Bhowmik
Bob Powers
Amanda Melson
Sara Schaefer
Elon James White
Liam McEneaney
Kambri Crews
Christian Finnegan
Nichelle
Claudia Cogan
Lianne Stokes
Becky Yamamoto
That Really Tall Couple
Michelle Collins
Jon Friedman
Todd Levin
Tim Cooper
Dan McCoy
The Big Quiz Thing Announcer
Rob Paravonian
Blogger Alexis T
Gilad
Giulia Rozzi
The Disheveled Dude at the End of the Bar
and countless others...
Elon James White couldn't believe how many cupcakes there were!
Michelle Collins posed the question--a question of which a variation should be made into a WWJD-like reminder bracelet--What would the NY Post headline be if this place went up in flames?
PUT ANOTHER BLOG ON THE FIRE
Happy Birthday RKB!
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 1:01 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (1)
November 10, 2005
Incisive, Funny Headlines + Sports = Cash Money Windfall
If you only pick up the print edition of The Onion, you might have missed that the online version now has a section called Onion Sports. It has that familiar sense of wit and grace of The Onion, but includes cultural references that might escape someone not interested in obsessing over grown men in spandex capris.
But is this market lucrative? Can jocks read?
The rumor is that Dave Saraiva of www.thebrushback.com--which was like The Onion for sports, before The Onion made Onion Sports--just got a deal from Randomhouse to compile a best of The Brushback book.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 10:25 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
November 9, 2005
Bar Mitzvah Disco is The Ultimate Christmas Gift This Holiday Season!
One of the many awesome photos contained in Bar Mitzvah Disco
Nick Kroll's new book, Bar Mitzvah Disco, coursed through bookstores across the nation this week and INTERNET PEOPLE have spoken!
"You could knock a ganglian cyst from here to tomorrow with this baby." --screams Jordana Casciano
"The greatest book gift you can give!" --raves David Quinn.
"This book is going to be the gift I give to my friends this holiday season. It is smart, sharp, witty, and very funny and will bring back a lot of fun memories." --yelps A. Antonius
"This book is close to genius." -- wails Steve-o
"I'm a student in Manchester (England), and by chance came across this book and i have not been able to put it down or stop laughing since!" -- shrieks Olivia
Bar Mitzvah Disco is the perfect stocking stuffer for your whole family!!!
Click here for a sampling of funny JPGs from the book
Posted by The Apiary in Books at 5:01 PM | Comments (0)
The Most Disturbing Twist Yet in The David Cross Imposter Scandal
Does anyone remember the movie Critters? Transgalactic bounty hunters travel to a midwestern town to hunt down and destroy an alien race of deadly hedgehogs called Critters. Critters like to eat everything in their paths and they often roll around in adorable, but murderous balls. In one of the final gripping scenes, the Critters try to flee on their spaceship with the kidnapped sister of the protagonist but she is rescued and the ship is firebombed. Everything in the town returns to normal. Before the movie fades to black, the camera disturbingly veers off on its own path, and stops when it reaches a hidden batch of eggs the Critters left behind. With that in mind...
THERE ARE MULTIPLE DAVID CROSS IMPOSTERS.
Case in point:
A reader named Danny writes,
"I saw one of these guys at a bar in the village, Down The Hatch.... he kept on accepting drinks cause people thought he was DC... i got a pic to prove it, he played foosball all night."
As stated earlier this week, Gawker uncovered a photo of the alleged imposter:
We forwarded these jpgs to Susie Felber, the woman responsible for unleashing this scandal, and asked her to review the documents and verify whether either of these men are the REAL Fake David Cross. She responded:
Whoever the dude on Gawker is, is not my Cross imposter either! My dude is more of a hipster, but older than the imposter photo you sent me.
Posted by The Apiary in at 3:31 AM | Comments (11) | TrackBack (1)
November 8, 2005
Possibly Thrilling New Web Content!
--Todd Barry.com received a complete overhaul.
--The boys at ChickenHead unleashed Baby Review.com, the web's best source for reading up-to-the-minute reviews on all the latest babies.
--Michael Cyril Creighton has committed himself to the blogosphere. We asked if blogging makes him feel alive for the first time and he reponded, "you have no idea how alive i feel, friend. like a thousand butterfles are fluttering their wings on my forearms and tears are flowing out of my eyes like long islanders at splish splash water park....this is what it's like to feel. finally."
--Devon Coleman, a Juvie Hall regular, started a comic book discussion blog.
--Sketch troupe Slightly Known People, who perform Saturdays at Rififi, have installed a game on their site that lets you play virtual Spin the Bottle with the group.
--The Brooklyn Comedy Company radically redesigned their site.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 4:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
They're Just Like Us! Rachel Dratch and Jeffrey Ross Seen Shopping For Vinyl
Celebrities Rachel Dratch and Jeffrey Ross were both SPOTTED on Sunday scoping out RECORDS FOR THEIR RECORD PLAYERS at the annual WFMU Record Fair. Don't want to be that dude who tells them that records are an outdated medium, but hello! There are these things called tapes now.
We think vinyl is just for covering floors and shit, but comedy celebrities think it's for listening to music. Despite that striking difference, the love of shopping unites us all, which clearly means... They're Just Like Us!
Posted by The Apiary in They're Just Like Us at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)
November 7, 2005
Fearsome @ The PIT - 11.4.5
This is no ordinary love.
NOTES
--Fearsome premiered their smoking hot new sketch show on Friday to a packed house.
--Who is that dude on their chests? It's Stefan from Elephant Larry!
--Fans of Shayna Ferm's Dino Gyno character will be pleased by the emergence of two reimagined Gynos.
--Drink specials followed the show at The Triple Crown--a bar brimming with the charm and allure of an OTB.
Katherine reads a delightful story
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 3:33 PM | Comments (0)
The Sting: David Cross Imposter photo surfaces, Christian Finnegan goes bananas for sexy chimp, How many burritos can DC Pierson eat?, and more!
Amanda Melson's Unkempt Blog Languishes in Disrepair
Christian Finnegan Goes to First Base with Chimpanzee
DC Pierson Recently Consumes Upwards of 300 Chipotle Burritos
Greg Giraldo Drops in on Keith and The Girl
Saturday Night Rewritten Gets Written Up in NYU Newspaper
Diverse Park Slope Now Teeming with Infants, Lesbians, and Writers for The Onion
Gawker Blows Lid Off David Cross Imposter Scandal with Photographic Evidence
Have breaking news? Send it in!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:30 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
November 4, 2005
Betty & Joan: Free to Be Friends @ UCBT - 11.3.5
Joan looks on as Betty recovers from her massive headwound
From the program:
The 1970's were a marvelous time for music, politics, and film. But television? That was another story... Until two very special women came along and made beautiful music together, and it was far out. Of course I'm talking about Betty Maddox and Joan Stein's landmark children's show, Betty and Joan: Free to Be Friends. Free to Be Friends was cancelled instantly by small-minded male network executives based on the hundreds of strongly-worded recommendations from child psychiatrists they received five minutes into its one and only airing. Tonight, for the first time since its 1972 debut, you'll see this groundbreaking show in its glorious feel-good entirety.
NOTES
--Sue Galloway and Julie Klausner are hilarious. This is a really fun show with surprisingly exceptional set design. It has a Strangers With Candy sort of penchant for twisted one-liners and for its dark humour wrapped in a cheery outer layer.
--Despite playing a lesbian, Julie Klausner's Joan is the perfect comedic straight-man.
--The show was sold out due to Rufus Wainright making an appearance on The Dave Hill Explosion--the show on the second half of a double billing.
Shylock the Owl comes out of his hidey-hole to say Hello!
Free to Be Friends runs at the UCBT every Monday throughout the month of November.
Posted by The Apiary in Show Recap at 2:16 PM | Comments (14) | TrackBack (1)
Inside With: Dave Pasquesi of TJ and Dave
ImprovOlympic and Second City Chicago veteran improv artists, Dave Pasquesi and TJ Jagodowski are finishing up a NYC run this Sunday at the Barrow Street Theatre. People rave about how amazing their shows are. One fan anticipating these performances stated, "I hope TJ and Dave don't make me cry with joy like they did last time." The Apiary had a chance to shoot some questions over to Dave Pasquesi and he kindly responded.
People are constantly saying that TJ & Dave are the best in the game. People talk about your guys' performances like they're religious awakenings. Is it hard living up to that?
We were not aware of our standing. But now that we are... Damn... we're scared shitless.
It's been said that if one wants to really study the art of improv, one needs to go to Chicago. Is that still true today?
We find Chicago to still be the place where improvisation is most widely done and seen, a great training ground. The community of improvisers is supportive. The audiences there are wonderful: savvy and patient. We have so many places to perform and people who will come to see it.
New York is closing the gap with the efforts of UCB, PIT and Magnet as well as events like the Del Close Marathon by UCB and Scott Morfee at Barrow Street bringing us in to perform for a more legit theater crowd.
Like with the notion of love at first site, do you think you immediately know who your complementary improv partners are?
I don't know about that, although TJ and I seemed to hit it off pretty quickly. We are interested in exploring the same kinds of improvisation.
Any plugs or news?
TJ will be appearing in The Ice Harvest out around Thanksgiving, directed by Harold Ramis.
Finally, The Colbert Report is white hot right now. We know you're friends with Stephen. Are there any talks of a collaboration on his show?
I am never involved in anything referred to as 'white hot'.
It's not too late to catch TJ and Dave while they're here. Tickets are still available now through November 6th. Also, to see more photos like the one above, check out Brandi Ediss' recent photo set.
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
November 3, 2005
City Tightens Grip Around David Cross Imposter
Gawker picked up the story about the David Cross look-a-like prowling the dark streets for honeys and David responded to them!
"But here's how you can instantly tell whether or not it's me - ask to see my tattoo. It's on my right arm/shoulder and it's an intricate depiction of a Max Fleisher-esque smiling pig standing upright and serving you his own ribs straight from his open chest (because let's be honest, I love bar-b-que).If this guy won't show that to you or he doesn't have that tattoo, call him on his shit and humiliate him in front of everybody."
Gawker also points to a recent Gawker Stalker item that says:
My friend and I were walking home on Houston around 3:00 AM on Halloween night when suddenly she shrieked and grabbed this guy in a hoodie and a baseball cap. It was David Cross! He was game for getting a picture with us, and then I kinda sorta browbeat him into letting us buy him a drink at Lit (he was meeting friends there). He later apologized for letting me buy him a drink, even though I insisted and the bartender basically charged us nothing. All night strangers were talking to him and buying him drinks and he was really nice and patient about everything. He even gave some life advice to my friend and consented to sign her gourd."
Did these two innocent, shrieking girls ever see David's tattoo that night? Or did they callously end up on the receiving end of a David Cross Imposter Double Shocker???
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 7:33 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
Chelsea Peretti Smashes Through Glass Ceiling After Purchasing Floral Printed Blouse on Amazon
A recent posting on Chelsea Peretti's blog reveals that ever since purchasing a fashionable Sage Printed Blouse on Amazon.com, nothing stands in her way on the road to success!
Sadly, as of this writing, 0 out of 2 people found her review helpful.
Read the Rest of Chelsea's Reviews @ Amazon.com!
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 3:09 PM | Comments (0)
Inside With: Frank Santopadre, Editor of Jest.com
Now that the dust has settled on the web launch of Jest.com--formerly, a bi-monthly print magazine found around NYC and on racks across the country for its last two issues--the editor, Frank Santopadre (the dude surrounded by chicks) found some time to briefly chat with The Apiary about the ups and downs of publishing and the future.
Regarding Jest converting to web-only, was there something that could have been done to save the print version?
Hmmm... a loaded question. The magazine faced many challenges. One reason for putting the magazine on indefinite hold was printing costs. With a website, you're not paying those costs, of course, which makes life much easier. But truthfully, we felt the future of this kind of satire was on the web anyway, so I guess the change was inevitable. It's damn near impossible to be "cutting edge" or au courant (as the French say) when you're coming out every 2 months or so.
What do you think of the relaunch of Cracked?
We wish them all the luck in the world. The more the merrier I always say. I truly believe there's room for all kinds of humor and satire in the world and in the marketplace. I also hope they have better success getting the magazine into people's hands than we had. Of course, the fact they've put significant effort into a CRACKED site as well hasn't been lost on us. Comedy on the web would appear to be the wave of the future.
You have a staff, right? Do you also take submissions?
Both. We have a staff of 3 full-time editors as well as a core group of regular contributors. But we welcome submissions, of course. One of the most rewarding thing about editing the magazine was realizing how many talented, genuinely funny people were out there in the so-called wilderness. So, if you're reading this and you think you have the voice for JEST, by all means, write to us, editor@jest.com.
Just curious, what sites do you read every day?
Oh, pretty much the usual: CNN, Nerve, Salon, Quakerbitches.com... I'm also a big fan of sites that celebrate the art of scrimshaw. Not that you asked.
Posted by The Apiary in at 12:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
November 2, 2005
David Cross Imposter Sleeping With Unsuspecting Women All Over Lower Manhattan
After yesterday's post, it has come out that there is in fact a sleazy David Cross impersonator running around the city. He uses his resemblance to trick sexy college co-eds into coming back to his apartment. Susie Felber writes:
As I have told people many times, there IS a David Cross imposter in NYC. I know it sounds bizarre, but it's true. He hangs out in downtown bars and accepts drinks from people who think he is Cross. He has taken many women home who think they are sleeping with David Cross. They either find out afterwards or never that they didn't have a night of passion with the famous and brilliant balding guy, but with the creepy mootch who found he could get away with murder.When I twice called him on his outrageous behavior at Corner Bistro (where a huge group of college kids were flipping out becuase they were around a celeb), his attitude was, "If they don't know, why should I tell them?"
Look out star F'ers!
If anyone has information or a photo of the man, please come forward. We'll bring him down the way the internet brought down The Subway Flasher.
Posted by The Apiary in Hard Hitting Journalism at 12:45 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (3)
November 1, 2005
MotherLoad Launches Minutes Ago
It just launched a few minutes ago. Haven't even had time to look at it yet. If you spot something really cool, point it out in the comments.
Posted by The Apiary in TV/Film at 2:42 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Are Artistic Differences Tearing MEAT Apart?
Heard that the sultry sketch group MEAT is taking a break from performing following this Wednesday's show. Why?!
The Apiary raced to MEAT'S Livia Scott, and asked the totally unfounded suspicion headlining this post. She responded:
No no no-- we're just taking a break from performing to work on writing new stuff. No artistic differences... quite the contrary! We want to be locked in a cabin with each other and write until our heads explode.
MEAT
WEDNESDAY: Nov. 2nd
8PM @ Ace of Clubs (Below ACME)
9 Great Jones Street (and Lafayette)
$8 ~ Doors @ 7:00. 1/2 price drinks till 7:30
Visit TheaterMania for advanced tickets
Posted by The Apiary in at 2:08 PM | Comments (0)
Sara Schaefer Is No Longer Obsessed With You
The shocking announcement came to The Apiary's inbox yesterday. After 2 successful and critically acclaimed years, Sara Schaefer's office-themed late night talk show, Sara Schaefer Is Obsessed With You, is off to the DOCUMENT STORAGE FACILITY in the sky. The FINAL show is scheduled for Friday, November 11th @ Juvie Hall.
Since the not-so-SECRET WEDDING rumours proved wholly accurate, we asked Sara if this final show is a set-up for it to be reborn as Sara Genua Is Obsessed With You. She confirmed that it was not.
It's a great show with an equally superb core of writers and special guests. Over the course of two years, her very set served as the equivalent of that spirit-carrying log on Showtime at The Apollo that everybody rubs... but for extras on Law & Order. Does that make sense? All things said, the final SSIOWY will be AN OFFICE GOODBYE PARTY YOU WON'T WANT TO SLINK AWAY FROM.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 11:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
David Cross Harrassed By Blogger's Vomiting Friend
David Cross was SPOTTED at a Halloween party by Central Village and his friends over the weekend.
Apparently, Cross' costume was so unflinchingly naturalistic, CV's buddy thought he was talking to Dave Attell! Mistakes happen.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 11:14 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
