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December 30, 2005
The Sting: UCB people valiantly tackle a fleeing perpetrator, New tools for online jerks found, and more!
Who Are the Heroic Upright Citizens Brigade Kids Who Stopped a Robber in His Tracks?
Hot New Craze in Passive Aggressive Web Trolling Discovered
Chelsea Peretti's Blog Goes Under the Knife, Emerges As Beautiful Swan
Playbill Raps About Freestyle Love Supreme
Lindsay Lindsayism to Host Star Studded Ritalin Readings Series
Photo of Miniature Susie Felber as Wonder Woman Surfaces on Internet
The Onion's War On Christmas Party @ The Bowery Ballroom SELLS OUT; SORRY!
iTunes Reveals Sensitive Side of Central Village
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:13 PM | Comments (0)
December 29, 2005
Best of 2005 - The Year In Pictures
Since the site's inception in May of 2005, we've tirelessly been documenting the energy and the electricity of the New York comedy scene. Every night here there are dozens of shows and events, each one brimming with the unique and remarkable talents of the people who make this the best city in the world to see daring, intelligent, and captivating live comedy.
This is 2005 in pictures. (Since May of 2005.)
Continue reading "Best of 2005 - The Year In Pictures"
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 2:33 AM | Comments (2)
December 28, 2005
Why Don't Improv Teams Stay Together Forever?
An enlightening thread has popped up on the IRC with the header, Why Don't NYC Harold Teams Last?
Just so everyone's on the page: Every Tuesday at the UCB, four teams of improvisers perform at Harold Night, a weekly dedicated showcase of the art of improv. A casual theatregoer at a Harold Night might assume that these teams form naturally--8 friends get together, start a group, ask for some stagetime, and there you have it. But, in actuality, the team making process for many of the theatre's groups is constructed by a creative panel.
Dethtron 5000 explains it all:
Harold teams formed under the auspices of the UCB don't have full control over their membership and fates. They are initally formed by a committee at the UCBT, usually through an audition process. If the creative leadership at the UCBT feels that a team's roster needs to be revised or disbanded or that the entire roster of harold teams need to be shaken up they do that. The teams, therefore, are pretty transitory structures. Sketch and improv groups that are formed by their constituent members tend to last longer.
Posted by The Apiary in Educational at 1:01 PM | Comments (0)
Mike Myers and the Gawker Stalker Trail
Mike Myers' publicist has reported that Mike and his wife of 12 years, Robin Ruzan, are filing for divorce.
Mike was last written about here this past July for his participation in an Inside the Actor's Studio style show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Mike was remarkably friendly, charismatic, and full of wisdom--the crowd of wide-eyed comedy people were eating out of his hand. It appeared even Myers was invigorated by the experience. In the weeks following, Myers dropped by the Magnet Theatre in August to perform improv for a shocked, surprised audience. All signs looked like he was re-rooting himself in the comedy world here--which many people were giddily hoping for because he is awesome.
However, instead of continuing to hear Myers' name in connection to local comedy stuff, talk dipped below the surface of the gossip contained herein and started popping up regularly in Gawker Stalker. So vivid were the erratic changes in the fork-tongued testimonials, that speculation suggests they're probably congruous to Myers' personal troubles. The following is a timeline of the quotes pulled from the Gawker Stalker research.
I was out with some friends last night and saw Mike Myers at the Blue Mill Tavern (formerly Grange Hall). He seemed normal and was just basically hanging out with friends. Some people asked him about his meal and I think he even offered them a bite.
Saw Mike Myers walking with head down, looking normal but self-conscious, on Bleecker and Bank Street.
Spotted a disheveled, bloated Mike Myers today (11/19) passing by the MoMa design store in Soho with a gay artiste-type friend. Couldn't decide if the companion was more Karl Lagerfeld or Andy Warhol but he definitely upped the hip factor of homeless-looking Austin Powers.
Last night outside Webster Hall at around 7:30, Mike Myers of SNL/Shrek fame stumbled past us, then proceeded to stumble up 11th street toward 4th Avenue, lingering on the block while looking terrible and talking on a cell phone. Perhaps he was practicing for his upcoming role as Keith Moon, but the man looked as bad as its possible to look, and after about 20 minutes of awkwardly bumping into walls and such, hopefully found his way somewhere safe.
Saw Mike Myers yesterday (12/20) at Tea and Sympathy in the West Village with 3 friends. He looked very grumpy the entire time. Couldn’t see what he was eating, but about halfway through the meal a very loud and obnoxious cell phone rang, getting everyone’s attention. He scrambled to get it, and apologized to everyone for the disturbance. Still looked grumpy, with a silly fur hat with ear flaps when he left.
Anyways, our thoughts are with Mike and we hope things turn out all right.
Posted by The Apiary in Hard Hitting Journalism at 11:26 AM | Comments (26)
December 27, 2005
Let's Quantify Our Self Worth With a Year End List!
The Apiary is putting together a definitive list of NYC's hottest, best, hardest working, and consistently brilliant comedic performers of 2005. Think back to the people and events here in the city that made you laugh the hardest this year and kindly give them a nice plug in the comments below. Feel free to add a comment anonymously if that makes things more comfortable. Just cut and paste the text below and fill in what you can.
The Titles
Best Comedian of 2005
Best Performer of 2005
Best Sketch Troupe of 2005
Best Improv People of 2005
Best One Act of 2005
Best Weekly or Semi-Regular Variety Show of 2005
Best TV of 2005
Best Underpublicized Comic Performer/Group/or Thing of 2005
Also, we're putting together a Year in Pictures post for this week. If you have any photos of cool moments or events of 2005 that you'd like to share for the spread, send them to theapiary@gmail.com.
Posted by The Apiary in at 2:05 PM | Comments (10)
Fred Armisen and Martha Plimpton Spotted Cuddling at SPIN Magazine Rock Concert While Andy Samberg Crowd Surfs on Fame Wave
Fred Armisen and SNL's BREAKOUT NEW GUY, Andy Samberg, were SPOTTED early last week at SPIN Magazine's end of the year GUEST LIST ONLY showcase. Fred hosted the party which featured blogger-approved indie rockers We Are Scientists and Five O'Clock Heroes.
LOVEBIRDS: Fred Armisen and Martha Plimpton -- photo via SPIN
According to a source deep within the party, Fred tried to invite Andy up to the stage but he declined, then people realized who he was and someone yelled out "Narnia!" and Andy coolly responded, "That's right."
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:24 AM | Comments (3)
December 22, 2005
New York Struggles to Cling to Life
Crippled by blistered feet and runny noses, New Yorkers everywhere struggle to cling to life as the havoc wreaked by the Transit Strike of 2005 continues to plunge like an insatiable, metaphoric wang into the orfiices that represent our very souls.
Wait... The Apiary has just received breaking news...
The Transit Strike of 2005 is over.
This is a Christmas miracle!
RELEVANT
Elephant Larry produces Transit Strike Live
You can't make this shit up: Michelle Collins accused by BALCO of doping violations!
The Rob & Mark Show join MySpace; MP3s are now available
Chris Kula is teaching a sketch writing class at The UCBT; Enroll now before it's too late!
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 4:06 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2005
Embedded In the New York City Transit Strike
Day 2 of the New York City Transit Strike continues to inconvenience millions.
Notes from the Front Lines
--Despite the news telling you it's like a non-stop party hangin' out with everyone on the streets on the way to work, NOT A SINGLE FRIEND WAS MADE.
--It's been discovered that the time it takes to walk from Park Slope, Brooklyn to the Manhattan Bridge to any Document Processing Center in Midtown is roughly 2 hours. Which means...
--Indisputable evidence now exists that proves the MTA will get you wherever you need to go at roughly TWICE THE SPEED OF A MODERATELY BRISK WALK.
--Too bad TIME Magazine already did their Best Photos of 2005 issue, because the photos on every newspaper of people FRANTICALLY STROLLING are truly inspirational.
--The people on strike are assholes and they should all be thrown in prison.
In other news...
Hammerkatz' Donald Glover has been named one of the Top 25 New Yorkers Under 25 by New York Magazine
Tonight's edition of School Night at the UCBT has been cancelled
It's business as usual at The Magnet Theatre, just watch where you park.
Besides the Mole People, who's having the most fun with the subways all to themselves? Subway rats!
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2005
New York Decimated Like Crazy By City-Wide Transit Strike
A transit strike has paralyzed New York City, leaving many bridge and tunnel people stranded and unable to collate the millions of documents waiting for them at work. Documents can't sort themselves. All those invoices, and petty cash receipts, and binder clips--all just sitting there. Something feels morally reprehensible about this.
Anyways... turnout to shows and things during the strike will probably reach their lowest levels, since it will cost a ton of money to take cabs everywhere. How is everybody doin' out there?
This is what it has come to.
RELATED
The IRC thinks the strike is humorous.
The horrible people on Craigslist share their thoughts.
The UCB says the show must go on.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 10:44 AM | Comments (1)
December 19, 2005
Suicide Jumper Saved By Improv Everywhere
Will Hines is ready to end it all. --photo via Improv Everywhere
Improv Everywhere just posted extensive coverage of their most recent mission.
Looking forward, if you've been seeking to be a part of a mission, IE is orchestrating something in January that has no cap-limit to the number of participants.
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:30 PM | Comments (1)
Cracked Out Crackmas @ UCBT - 12.17.05
Notes
--Plot details are cloudy. It had something to do with Bobcat (Bob-Cratchet) Goldthwait having no money to provide for leukemia ridden Lil' Slim Jim--who was a Slim Jim with eyes, duct taped to a wheelchair. Cracked Out rubbed Bobcat's misfortune in his face by showing him videos of himself jetskiing in a Police Academy movie. Rapzilla and MC Record Deal were then visited by ghosts of Crackmas and they learned things. Is that right? They ended up putting Lil' Slim Jim out of his misery by eating him.
--Cracked Out rapped their X-mas hit, "Cracked Out Crackmas, So Suck on My Dick" to the tune of "Little Drummer Boy."
--Bobby Moynihan proved once again he's one of the best character actors working the UCB circuit.
--Andy Milonakis was sick with the bird flu and could not perform.
--Cracked Out cut a new single, it's on their MySpace page.
Continue reading "Cracked Out Crackmas @ UCBT - 12.17.05"
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 10:53 AM | Comments (3)
December 16, 2005
The Sting: Andy Milonakis and Cracked Out team up at the UCB, Todd Levin takes on an ape-sized sandwich, It's time for Blogmukkah, and more!
Spend Your Holidays with Hedwig and Dozens of Other Hip, Downtown Trannies
Onion AV Club Defines the Year in Music; Nickelback Dismissed, Enraged Once Again
Andy Milonakis Guest Starring in Cracked Out Christmas This Saturday
Photoshop Phriday at Thighs Wide Shut
Aziz Reports From LA: "I'm staying for most of January."
Simpsons Hoping to Win a Writers Guild Award
Be a Live Studio Audience for Comedy Central
Todd Levin Eats Mountainous Cheeseburger
Liam McEneaney Dazzles Woman After Woman After Woman With Charm
Kate Spencer Descends to Ravaged New Orleans to Stimulate Economy
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:32 PM | Comments (0)
The Royal We Ticket Giveaway
We have a couple of passes to give away to The Royal We's Holiday Show this Saturday. Send an email saying you want them and winners will be chosen at random. Here's the show's press release:
"SECULAR SPECTACULAR!
A Royal We Christmastime Show
The Royal We salutes the Holiday Season, and you're invited! Come see some greatest hits from The Royal We, all wrapped up and arranged around a beautiful douglas fir of new holiday scenes!TWO SATURDAYS ONLY! December 10 & 17 @ 8:00pm
TICKETS: $10, available at the door, email info @ theroyalwe.org for reservations!
At Juvie Hall, 24 Bond Street (between Lafayette and the Bowery)
Get in the Holiday Spirit with The Royal We, and remember: The more Jesus spent, the more Jesus saved!
Also, something of note: there is a rumor going around that The Royal We has a big announcement to make. What does this mean?
Posted by The Apiary in at 11:08 AM | Comments (0)
December 15, 2005
Pressure Mounts For Aspen Comedy Festival Auditions
The Apiary spoke with a VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ANONYMOUS INSIDER about the particulars of the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival auditions taking place over the next couple days throughout the city. The pressure is high to perform because a trip to Aspen could lead to unfathomable wealth, transglobal superstardom, and a wider selection of groupies to plow. Here's what the SOURCE had to say:
- They are final callbacks. For the most part, what goes to Aspen will come from these callbacks, and ones happening in LA.
- These shows are packed with industry, and the more people that can come out to see 'em the better for the acts. Also, I can vouch pretty much across the board for these being great shows you're lucky to be able to see for free.
- Aspen scouts throughout the year, and only a very select group make these callbacks. Basically, all of these acts are probably good enough for Aspen. After the execs see the shows, they decide what actually will work together to make the most interesting and diverse festival possible.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:51 AM | Comments (1)
December 14, 2005
Late Night with Conan O'Brien Icon Creates Mildly Disturbing Craigslist Ad
If you've ever wondered what Toshi--the dude who plays Joel the Announcer's Asian boytoy on Late Night--is up to in his spare time... this pretty much sums it up.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/tfr/118024676.html
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 2:22 PM | Comments (2)
Inside With: Zak Orth, Actor
Zak Orth is a serious actor with roles in movies like Woody Allen's Melinda & Melinda, Leonardo DiCaprio's Romeo + Juliet, and Michael Showalter & David Wain's, Wet Hot American Summer. Zak is currently stealing the show in the standout role of an Off-Broadway production of Rope, a play that a long time ago inspired Alfred Hitchcock to produce his masterpiece of the same name. Orth is a star of the stage and screen as much as he is a star of subversive comedy: you can find him in the Stella Shorts and on the recently released Invite Them Up compilation.
You were incredible in Rope! Holy moly. I had the shivers during the final scene. I actually left the theatre thinking it'd be so cool to hobble around with a shaky head and a sword cane while saying really smart things all the time. How long have you been acting? And how long have you been preparing for this role?
My first professional job was in 1993 or so, so that's 12 years. This job started in October, so that's about 6 weeks so far. So that's a ratio of 12 years to 6 weeks, or in terms of days roughly 4380 to 42. So my preparation for this role represents more or less 1% of the amount of time I've been acting total. Is that right? In any event, thank you for saying such nice things.
You're welcome. You're a serious actor who has worked with both Woody Allen and Freddy Prinze Jr. Question: If both were dangling from a cliff, each grasping onto one of your arms, and you only had the strength to continue to hold only Woody OR Freddy--who would you let go?
Seeing those two names together makes me think of the name "Froody Pranzlen."
Hmm... Anyways, how did you get involved with the Stella guys?
I met them around the time they were starting the show in 1997 or so, and I was at a party and Michael Showalter said he and Joe Lotruglio and David Wain were going to write a play and did I want to be in it, and I said yes, when? And he said, "Friday."
You also perform comedy around the city, right?
I have never done standup or anything like that, but I do bits with Showalter sporadically.
It has come to our knowledge that Chelsea Peretti recently smashed a plate over your daughter's head at a Thanksgiving dinner. Is your daughter okay?
As far as anyone can tell, it seems to have been an accident. The important thing is that it has apparently provided Chelsea with some new material, which is fantastic. And I guess my daughter's okay.
Rope is playing now through January 15th at the Zipper Theatre. Tickets available here.
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 11:25 AM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2005
HBO Aspen Comedy Festival Auditions This Week
Conan and Jim at last year's festival probably saying, "Why are we doing photo-ops when there's an avalanche coming at us! Oh no!!!" -- via USCAF
All this week, the comedy theatres are showcasing special Aspen Comedy Festival audition editions of shows made by the comics and performers you hold dear.
It might be hard to go to the performances if say, you have a dayjob, because if you have to process documents at the office until 6PM, you're out of luck in most cases.
Since there will be judges in attendance, remember to laugh really loud for your favorite people, but not suspiciously loud. Slapping knees is probably appropriate. Jumping out of your chair and going "Yes!!! Oh God! This appeals to me so much!!!" probably isn't.
Wednesday @ UCB - The Whitest Kids
Thursday @ UCB - We Used to Go Out & The Dave Hill Explosion
Friday @ UCB - Nick Kroll, Buffoons, Eliza Coupe
Thursday @ The PIT - Todd Levin, Bob Powers, Chelsea Peretti, Charlie Todd, Stephanie Klein and CollegeHumor.com
Friday @ The PIT - Nico Payamas' Video Variety Show with special guests: Kristen Schaal and Slovin & Allen
Saturday @ The PIT - Brian Gallivan (from Second City Chicago), Farahnakian & Flynn, and Melissa Rauch: The Mis-Education of Jenna Bush
Official Website of the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:35 PM | Comments (0)
Tragedy at The Daily Show
According to an article on Reuters, a 25 year old staff member at The Daily Show named Bill Clarey had tragically taken his own life over the weekend, thus causing a brief suspension of the show's production.
Initial attempts at Friendster and Myspace searches proved unfruitful for gathering more information on the young man.
If you are depressed, please talk to someone. No matter how bad you think you have it, you're probably still better off than 99.9 percent of the Earth's population.
Posted by The Apiary in at 10:36 AM | Comments (4)
December 12, 2005
Yamaholiday @ Galapagos - 12.11.05
Becky Yamamoto screams when she discovers the star on her Christmas tree is missing.
Michael tells her that losing her Christmas star is not the end of the world. However, the star is a priceless family heirloom originally smuggled into the country by Becky's grandmother's butthole. Becky vows to put the star back where it rightfully belongs!
Meanwhile, this poor, crippled orphan stumbles into this hip, swanky Williamsburg bar.
And Michelle Collins sings an anthem about Hanukkah and showers the orphan with chocolate coins.
As it turns out, Baron Vaughn stole Becky's Christmas star to use on his Kwanzaa tree. That ain't cool!
Posted by The Apiary in Show Recap at 2:12 PM | Comments (0)
End of Juvie Hall Gathering TONIGHT
Erik Marcisak sent this the other day:
Just a reminder, there is a PARTY to celebrate the end of Juvie Hall on Dec 12th, this Monday from 7pm until midnight. That first hour there is a 2-for-1 happy hour, then after that Patrick is giving some kind of drink specials. Not sure what they are, but they are "special". Hope to see you there. Bring friends! (bring me presents also, just kidding)
-erik
"End of Juvie Hall" Party
Monday 12th, 7pm-midnight-ish
at SLAINTE
304 Bowery (btwn Houston & Bleecker)
NYC
Posted by The Apiary in Venues at 2:07 PM | Comments (0)
Allegations of "Parallel Writing" Rock Dane Cook and Demetri Martin
Late last week at A Special Thing, a person with the peculiar screenname brianpalmer uncovered striking similarities between a joke POPULAR COMEDIAN Dane Cook performed during his SNL monologue and a Demetri Martin standard on the Invite Them Up compilation.
Listen to back-to-back audio clips and read a full discussion of the outrageous allegations here.
This is not the first time that POPULAR COMEDIAN Dane Cook has been fingered in a parallel writing incident. In fact, further testimony at AST shows a TRAIL OF JOKES leading from Dane Cook back to Louis C.K.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:59 AM | Comments (2)
December 9, 2005
The Sting: Zak Orth astounds theatregoers in Rope, Blogger savagely attacks other blogger, Cure for AIDS found, and more!
Forgot to Mention the Other Day that Someone Said AD Miles is Moving to L.A.
Whitest Kids Urge Your Attendance This Wednesday
Blogging Icon Michelle Collins Called Up to VH1
Pantsless Charlie Todd Poses For New York Post Spread
Stop AIDS with Autographed NKOTB Trading Cards
Fawlty Towers Revisited TONIGHT on PBS
Spoiler 8 Films Now Available On the Internet
CC Insider Finds Out Nate Corddry's and Aziz Ansari's Funniest Moments of 2K5
Berserk, Mania-Consumed Uncle Grambo Violently Lashes Out Against Pink Is The New Blog
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:35 PM | Comments (2)
December 8, 2005
Farahnakian & Flynn @ The PIT - 12.7.05
By: Keith Huang
The premise is simple, really: Two men in crumpled suits perform "skitches and skatches" in the lobby of a Comfort Inn. In exchange for the space, they've been given some light housekeeping duties. The audience is informed that "We do have to maintain the pool while we're here."
It's Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the People's Improv Theater (The PIT), and Ali Farahnakian and Dion Flynn perform "Farahnakian and Flynn present 2005 AD," a 45-minute show that kicks the ever-living shit out of all that is good, proper and sacred. The show is part social commentary, part self-help seminar, and the rest... well, we're still not quite sure, but dammit if it wasn't funny as balls.
The reedy Flynn proclaims proudly, "We've decided to spend our lives and dedicate ourselves to a simple proposition. That proposition is: I'm gonna go UP in life as high as I can go!" The brawny, wide-eyed Ali Farahnakian interjects so quickly that he gasps, "And I'm gonna freefall!"
From the outset, these two comedy veterans ratchet up the discomfort by stripping down to their skivvies. "I'm taking off my Shirt of Defensiveness!" says Flynn; "I'm taking off my Fear Pants!" yells Farahnakian. And suddenly it's a blustery night in New York -- by the way, every show at the PIT on Wednesday night is free -- and here you sit, watching two grown, free-balling men, and you're silently hoping against that their junk doesn't come crashing through their boxer-short gates.
Oblivious to such concerns, Farahnakian and Flynn warm up the house -- and themselves. Flynn does calisthenics, his arms braced against the wall, his left leg sticking out while his right knee pushes forward and his droopy, black business socks hang desperately to his calves.
This two-man wrecking crew craft scenes that hinge on exchanges such as this (that provoke mumblings of discomfort from the patron seated behind me):
DION: "Look at the calendar on the refrigerator! What does it say? September the 10th, Monday, 2001. Does it ring a bell?"
ALI: "Holy shitballs! Is this thing really happening tomorrow?"
DION: "Oh, God willing!"
ALI: "Jeeze, Louise, this thing really creeped up on me!"
Here are some more memorable lines from the show:
Ali Farahnakian as therapist: "I want you to take that pipe, put that crack in it, take that butane lighter. I want you to almost feel that shaft of white smoke coursing through your body like a thousand orgasms ... get it so close ... see the flame bouncing off that white golf ball ... and all of the sudden that white shaft is inside you and it's like a thousand angels singing on the tip of your penis!"
Flynn as reformed subway busker: "I was, by a he-she, gravely raped. And come to you with caper baring proof of diseases in my mind and genitals, twisting both my heads beyond repair!"
Keith is a fan of the comedy and a regular contributor to Gelf Magazine. He most recently chatted with musician/beatbox improviser, Reggie Watts.
Posted by The Apiary in Show Recap at 3:04 PM | Comments (1)
Inside With: Erik Marcisak, Producer/Manager of Juvie Hall
After three years of producing shows and managing the ECNY award winning comedy space, Juvie Hall, Erik Marcisak made the shocking announcement last week that the curtain will come down and the lights will go out at Juvie Hall at the end of the year. The announcement sent waves through the comic community as it forced comedians and performers whose shows have found residencies at the space to wonder what the future holds. We asked Erik about his decision and he shared with us his intimate thoughts and his fondest memories of theatre.
What is going on with you? Why is Juvie Hall closing?
The simple answer: I want to devote more time to my personal career instead of devoting all of my time to managing a venue and I am tired of running a space. It hit me while I was in a 16th century villa under the Tuscan sun. I was in Italy, along with my girlfriend celebrating Sara Schaefer's wedding to Chris Genua (early October 2005). This was the first vacation I had gone on since I left the office day job as an Agent's Assistant to become a comedy producer full time (almost 4 years). While in Italy, my girlfriend took many pictures of me. Many of which involved me scowling. Beautiful sunset in the background, I'm frowning. It took a couple days of relaxing and looking at a couple pictures, for me to realize I was unhappy about my life at the moment. I was spending all of my energy towards keeping the venue open. I was tired of building credit card debt and borrowing money from friends & family to keep the place open. I was spending no time on my personal goals. I want to be a writer, performer, and producer. When I was single, the only thing in my life was running the theater and doing shows. I met my lady and over the past 9 months, little by little, I have changed. I don't have a psychiatrist, but I feel she has helped me become a better person and a better person to work with. I am more aware of my actions, moods, and how I choose to view situations. My nature is to be cold and removed most of the time and I feel that is something that was a result of the stress of running the place. I can say this honestly, I am a happier person now.
I never wanted to become a theater owner. I got into running a space out of needing a place to put my shows up cheaply and at the same time support those, like me who needed help mounting comedy shows.
As with UCB and The Pit, Juvie Hall has come to nurture its own almost exclusive stable of talent and shows. Will we see JH's marquee shows and names integrate into the other spaces?
Well, the venue will stay open through Sept 2007. It will no longer be called Juvie Hall. I won't be in charge of the bookings. Gail, the manager at The Gene Frankel Theater will handle that. Some weekly shows that have found a home at 24 Bond Street will stay there: Manhattan Comedy Collective, The NYC, and Harsh. Without their consistent rentals, the theater would have closed sooner. As for the talent, I didn't want Juvie Hall to be a place known creating talent and shows. I wanted the venue to be that, a venue where people did shows on their own terms and were rewarded with how much they put into their own works.
If you are asking about shows that I personally had a hand in creatively as a producer, I can give you a simple rundown. Saturday Night Rewritten is going on winter break for January and maybe part of February. Last winter was rough, a couple snow storms, holidays, award shows, the super bowl are all on Sundays during the winter and tough to get a good turnout. I am still negotiating with the Frankel people about just renting Sunday nights but we may move to another space when we open again. SNR is a weird beast of a show, renting a theater space for about 8 hours in NYC is not cheap. officially ended in mid November. That decision was made in Italy by Sara. It stemmed from her desire to become a performer without the nonstop grind of a bimonthly show. She co-produced, mostly booked the guests and musical acts, co-wrote, starred, and publicized it. I am probably forgetting other things she did for the show that I can't recall at the moment. She & I agreed that we reached the goals we wanted for the show and ending the show would not destroy the world.
Sara & I have discovered that we really work well together. Right now she & I are going through the alot of the same crossroads things. I think we needed a break from working on stuff in general. I am positive that we will work together again in the future. The Midnight Kalan Show will probably morph into a new Elliott Kalan vehicle hopefully at a better time/ night/ venue that we are negotiating with. I produced a show called Happy Hour with Frowned Upon, they are on hiatus for the winter.
Were people aware that this was coming prior to the announcement?
People knew in small pockets. My girlfriend knew in Italy. Joe Guercio (who has been helping me since Show World), Sara & Chris knew when I returned from Italy. Then I sent an e-mail to people who I have worked with closest and anyone who had consistently rented the theater about the changes in my life and the space. I wanted to wait and make the announcement closer to when the space would actually close.
What are your Top 3 favorite Juvie Hall moments of all time?
Show related moments:
-Sara Schaefer's first SSIOWY show at Juvie. It was a show that we started at a weird rental theater. When we moved it to Juvie Hall, she & I were able to get in early before the show, almost 5 hours before the show and tweak the jokes & monologue. Made the show so much better. It was also the first time I got to mount something that of mine in my space.
-Seeing The Royal We's show "Be All You Can Buy" before any other person on earth.
-The first Midnight Kalan Show, Elliott, Joe, and myself are brothers from other mothers and the show is a fun outlet for us. The show was born in the lobby and seeing it from creation to stage was surreal.
-I will throw in a bonus one: Saturday Night Rewritten this past Sunday.
Non Show moments:
-Cleaning/ building the theater when we moved in. Friends past and present came in to help clear out the space and paint it. Sometimes I think I can do everything, but the entire theater was the result of the work put in by many.
-Armando Diaz committing to rent Thursday nights if I opened the theater. I would not have signed the contract if I didn't have his handshake.
-Winning "Best Venue" from The Emerging Comics of New York Awards.
What's next for you?
Well, couple things. The theater and shows got me what I wanted when I started doing this 3 years ago. I now have certain industry doors that are open to me that were closed 3 years ago. Several development people at a couple cable networks take my calls, read my e-mails, and will meet with me if I ask "Can I pitch you an idea for a comedy show?". Acting-wise, I'm the lead in a movie that was directed by an old friend of mine, JT Petty that looks like is going to actually get distributed and will hopefully make it to a small theatrical release. He is a genius and I am so happy to have been part of his project. In the meantime I will try to peddle my creative wares and/or try to get a day job to pay the bills. Oh yeah, and visit my girlfriend who is in Las Vegas for the next 4 months.
Care to make any plugs or comments?
Plugs? I wish I could plug the movie, but the name is most likely going to change into something else. It's a movie about horror movies. There are only 2 performances of Saturday Night Rewritten left in December (December 11th & 18th). I will be doing improv with Stacy Mayer at Manhattan Comedy Collective on Dec 15th at 7pm. I will be playing Sylvester Stallone from Copland in Midnight Kalan's "A Night of Stallone" on Dec 16th at midnight. (man, what a plug hog, I am)
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 12:05 PM | Comments (0)
December 7, 2005
Invite Them Up CD Release Party @ The Bowery Ball Room - 12.6.05
Notes:
--A pretty butterfly pinata stuffed with 200 dollars in CA$H was violently busted open and thrown at the crowd and there was absolutely no scuffling for the money.
--Jon Glaser had the best spot of the night and the best 6 foot party sandwich of the night too!
--Has every comedian dreamt of being a rock star? Most of the performers unveiled some kind of hidden musical talent. E.g. Todd Barry on the drums & Ed Helms in a country western band.
--A dude from Yo La Tengo provided the chops for a balls-out cover of A Matter of Trust.
--Eric Slovin strutted into the Bowery flanked by 3 sultry chicks AND Michael Ian Black.
--MIB had a 3 ft open space radius around him--the kind of space that is ONLY created when everyone else in the room collectively and silently goes, "OMG, there's a celebrity!"
--Eugene Mirman's older brother and his brother's friend flew in from Boston to see the show. They split a cab with us to the afterparty at Rififi! Eugene's brother's friend's dad used to run a real apiary!
--Andy Milonakis was SPOTTED at Rififi. He was talking about the finer points of drinking sake and was seen flicking people off.
--Read a full recap of the show at Fake Century
Look closely for Michael Ian Black
Friends Forever: Craig Baldo and Bizarro Craig Baldo
Posted by The Apiary in Show Recap at 11:50 AM | Comments (7)
December 6, 2005
Invite Them Up Appreciation Thread
In anticipation of NYC Comedy's BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE SEASON, feel free to testify as to how Invite Them Up has personally effected you!
Also, if you have some kind of account of what stand up was like here in the city before Invite Them Up's inception, please reveal it now in the commments.
On hand for tonight's CD/DVD Release Party at the Bowery Ballroom: Eugene Mirman, Jon Benjamin & Jon Glaser, Michael Showalter, Chelsea Peretti, Demetri Martin, Leo Allen, Bobby Tisdale & more.
Tickets Available Here
Buy the Invite Them Up compilation from Amazon
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 1:01 PM | Comments (3)
The Apiary Has Been Nominated For Something
The people have spoken!
The Apiary has been nominated for World's Best Urban Nightlife Blog.
Although this site is currently being BLOWN AWAY by its competition, skullcaps off to the 3 or so people who suggested The Apiary to Gridskipper to lock the nomination. You did it.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)
December 5, 2005
Reggie Watts, In Between Songs
By Keith Huang
Give Reggie Watts a mic and 10 minutes and he will bring the beat back again and again. The 33-year-old veteran musician, beatbox trainer, improviser and all-around nice guy says his exploration of standup comedy comes from the banter he has long developed as a means to fill time between his solo songs.
Serving more than a decade as frontman for the band Maktub (pronounced "Mock Tube," which translates roughly as "destiny" in Arabic), Watts has logged countless stage hours, opening for the likes of Pharcyde and Soulive. Indeed, on Friday, Dec. 9, Watts will perform with Soulive at Madison Square Garden, appearing with Dave Matthews Band.
But for the rest of the month, Watts will grace considerably smaller stages, digging into the New York comedy trenches with an act that's mostly a gumbo of music, beatboxing and spoken word. In his sets, he often uses a green Line 6 sampler, upon which he twists knobs and punches buttons to create trippy vocal loops and completely unnatural sounds. In his act, Watts, also called The Reggie Watts Tangent, delivers a stream of consciousness layered in beats and commentary on absolutely anything -- except the mundane. "All I can say is, he did a song about a pterodactyl," wrote John van der Put, more than a year ago. "What more do you need?"
The Seattle resident says he plans to sublet his apartment for six months and move to New York to give comedy a try. But given his warm reception at Crash Test and Invite Them Up a few weeks ago, if we're lucky, Watts could be here to stay.
So how and why did you make the switch to comedy?
Basically, back in high school when I first moved up to Seattle, I was doing comedy but then music kind of took over. I'd been doing music all my life, but I was doing comedy only since about junior high -- music is obviously more immediate in payment than the comedy scene per se, so I just went with music. But here and there I'd do some comedy things like sit down at the piano and make up funny songs -- but nothing official. I was involved in a couple sketch-comedy groups and we wrote some sketches and put them on, and then that was kind of it. I started doing solo shows after I released my solo record. And when I would do my solo shows, I would end up doing comedy between songs, so it re-inspired me about a year and a half ago and I thought, "You know, maybe I'll be more serious about it and go for it." So right now things seem to be working out.
In comedy, just like in music, there's a community you have to plug in to for stagetime. Who's helped you in the New York scene?
I'd have to say Eugene Mirman -- I met him through a friend [in Seattle], and I saw his standup and was amazed and impressed, not only at his content, but how he handled crowds. Then I met him in New York when I went out there for a gig with this band I work with called Soulive; I heard about Eugene's show and I asked if I could be on it, and they just put me on and it kinda just worked out. Then, later on, we ended up having the same agent who got us both out to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. So Eugene and I were roommates for the month and we got to know each other, and invariably I got to know Bobby, who's amazing as well. So those two guys are the ones who've been helping me out a lot.
How would you describe your comedy style?
I guess I'm a visual person, so I try to envision what I think will be entertaining to people. In the comedy realm, I'm experimenting with a mixture of improvised banter, storytelling and then also doing beatbox stuff and other strange stuff on top of that. I'm interested in doing something that mixes the elements of music and comedy and bridges the gap between standup comedy and just straight music. So my goal is to be able to open for bands or to do standup-comedy night. But I guess it's kind of the same thing in a weird way -- because I mostly describe myself as an improviser in general, with music or comedy. So with comedy, it's just a new way of improvising. I love to laugh and when I can make people laugh it's just the most amazing thing.
Your influences in music run a broad gamut from Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays to Al Green. Who are your biggest comedy influences?
Monty Python was huge in my life. When I saw Monty Python & The Holy Grail, I think I was eight and I just lost it and I couldn't stop laughing. The sense of humor on The Muppet Show was great. In terms of standup, George Carlin had a huge influence on me. Steven Wright. Richard Pryor. Eddie Murphy. Janeane Garofalo, mainly for the fact that she has the balls to go really political and really mix the genres of politicizing and doing it in a humorous way. Then there's David Cross and Mr. Show -- I only really discovered it a couple of years ago, but I watched every single episode of Mr. Show and thought it was the most brilliant sketch comedy since Monty Python. To me it was the American equivalent. It intrigued me that they mixed all these mediums together with all these stories within stories within stories, much like Monty Python, but doing it in an American-pop culture way. So that inspired me because I'm a big consumer of pop culture and I love reflecting it in a twisted way.
If it came down to music or comedy, which would you choose? Or is that not something you don't really think about?
(Laughing) That's a hard one. I love music so much. Invariably, I guess what I do with my comedy has music in it. But comedy is a little bit more versatile. I can do more things with comedy, and it's not so "This guy is over 30," which is this mentality in the music industry that anyone who's over 30 is past their prime. With comedy it doesn't really matter what age you are. A lot of the best comedians out there right now are in their later-30's and they're still rocking it and are relevant and have young audiences. Whatever I'd go with I'd want to be limitless as possible. If I had to choose I'd have to go with my form of standup comedy.
A key element to your standup involves what you can do with a Line-6. But can you do a show without it?
I did a set once in Seattle without it. I did this quick guest spot on this latenight variety show called "Spin the Bottle" and it went really well. I was kind of scared, but it went really well. I think eventually I want to try mixing it up and doing sets without it and with it. I don't want the Line 6 to become a crutch. I think it's odd enough to come into the standup-comedy environment and perform with people who have been doing standup comedy for like 10 years or more, and show up with a box that does weird noises and kind of make it an obvious crutch. I'd never want the Line 6 to be viewed as making up for the fact that he can't just be up there with a mic like a normal comic. I think that I'm definitely going to be experimenting more with material that's not Line 6-dependent, and actually coming up with material -- because right now I don't really have any material.
Keith is a fan of the comedy and a regular contributor to Gelf Magazine. He most recently wrote about U.K. comedy Green Wing.
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 1:19 PM | Comments (1)
Bobby Tisdale, Eugene Mirman, and God's Pottery on K-Rock Today
Eugene, Bobby, and God's Pottery will be on K-Rock 92.3 in NYC, today sometime between 3 and 4PM to gab about this Tuesday's release of the Invite Them Up CDs/DVD, thus, FINALLY making use of the AM/FM radio tuner on your Harley Davidson Insulated Beer Cooler Bookbag.
Hopes are running high that the discs will be a breakaway smash. They pretty much encapsulate the very best alt-room stand ups and comic performers that the city has to offer.
Tickets are still available for tomorrow's release party at the Bowery Ballroom.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)
December 2, 2005
The Sting: Horatio Sanz spreads holiday cheer, Another UCB-er gets plucked into Hollywood, Hipsters get laughed at, and more!
Brian Berrebbi joins staff of The Andy Milonakis Show
Show Your UCB Pride with a Permanent Tattoo
Horatio Sanz to Host Live Christmas Special
Dan Akroyd to Appear at Belushi Book Signing
The Post Show Continues to Sizzle the Web
Best Gawker Headline in a While
Continuing Coverage On Coping with Blog Depression
Kambri Crews Leads Extravagant Lifestyle
Canadians Invade NYC Comedy Scene This Sunday
Send in your breaking headline and see it get published!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:26 PM | Comments (0)
Showgirls: The Best Movie Ever Made Ever @ UCB - 12.1.05
Michael Musto plays a slimy producer who knows what he likes and likes what he sees.
"Her name is Nomi Malone..."
Notes
--The performance is a set up like a play reading of the Showgirls movie script spliced with an artist's forum between Jackie Clarke, an adjunct film professor at Queens Community College, and John Reynolds as Joe Eszterhas.
--Bobby Moynihan shines as Molly Abrams, a young black girl who loves fajitas.
--A wardrobe malfunction caused Jeff Hiller's hand to remain down the front of Lennon Parham's pants for a period of time that appeared both awkward and pleasurable.
--Who knew that Showgirls contained so many allegorical references to Jesus?
"Put it in your blogs!" growls the surly Joe Eszterhas
The next performance is December 15th.
Read the official blog of Nomi Malone
Posted by The Apiary in Show Recap at 11:20 AM | Comments (1)
December 1, 2005
Michelle Collins to Reenact Entirety of Les Miserables TONIGHT
When Michelle Collins isn't submitting puns to Barbara Wallraff's column Word Fugitives in The Atlantic, she's busy penning 10 minute versions of Les Miserables starring herself as the entire cast.
She presents her epic work tonight at:
THURSDAY
Hosted by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney
8PM @ Rififi - FREE! with a drink
It's nice to see that Rififi is so committed to THE THEATRE, what with Hamlet a few weeks ago and Les Mis this evening. If you see Willem Defoe and Elizabeth LeCompte in blackface outside, we'll know that high culture will have officially returned to the barf stained streets of the East Village.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 11:56 AM | Comments (0)
