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May 31, 2006
Strangers With Candy NYC Premiere
Strangers With Candy will have its NY premiere Thursday, June 1st at Loews on 34th St. It hasn't been determined yet whether this is a red carpet thing or not, but the film is kicking off the 18th annual NewFest LGBT film festival. The site says that some tickets are still available at the door.
Also of Note:
indieWIRE continues its monthly series with Apple Store - SoHo that presents indie film professionals discussing various aspects of the filmmaking process.WHEN: Thursday, June 8th, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Apple Store - SoHo, 103 Prince Street, NYCActress Amy Sedaris and Director Paul Dinello will discuss their feature film, "Strangers With Candy." Sedaris and Dinello will discuss the development of the film, adapting the small screen to the big screen, and their creative process. The event will be moderated by NewFest Director Basil Tsiokos.
Posted by The Apiary in TV/Film at 2:03 PM | Comments (0)
May 30, 2006
Jon Friedman Vs. Jon Friedman
Next Tuesday, The Rejection Show is promising a double dose of Jon Friedmans. What happens when two people with THE SAME NAME enter A SINGLE ROOM?
AGAINST 
Jon Friedman (left), Jon Friedman (right)
'The Rejection Show' returns with a "Summerfest of Rejection" beginning June 6th at Mo Pitkin¹s and continuing EVERY Tuesday night throughout the summer to celebrate the launch of the new Rejection Show website www.rejectionshow.com - The Web¹s Official Home For "All Things Rejected."
The June 6th Lineup:
JUNE 6, 2006
DAVID WAIN
RACHEL KRAMER BUSSEL
JON FRIEDMAN FROM CBS MARKETWATCH
ERIC LEWIS & GLEN LELIEVRE FROM THE NEW YORKER
Posted by The Apiary in Upcoming at 1:42 PM | Comments (2)
Deadly Bees Seize Park Slope Restaurant
The following events occurred Saturday, May 27th--a day that will forever sear the memories of those involved.
It started as just another bright, sunny day in Park Slope, Brooklyn...
When tragedy struck!
Local brunch hotspot, Sotto Voce, turns into a local brunch nightmare.
Thousands of angry and deadly bees attack the restaurant for no good reason. Outdoor patrons scramble for cover. Gawkers flock to every corner of the block to get a close (but not too close) look at the madness.
A passing Highlander tries to intimidate the bees with a menacing glare. A dozen or more people remain trapped inside the restaurant, nervously eating their risotto. There is no way out, except for the back door.
Police officers decide on a plan: "Should we shoot the bees? Or should we slam our patrol cars into them?"
"I've had it with these motherfucking bees on this motherfucking door!" the owner of the restaurant probably said, as he raced to the scene with a can of bug spray.
And then it was over. In respect for the bees who gave their lives on this Memorial Day weekend, The Apiary refuses to publish any further pictures on the matter.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 10:40 AM | Comments (11)
May 26, 2006
The Sting: Photos from the Get A Life screening, Meet Jackie Clarke's new radio co-host, Todd Barry believes in the education of our children, and more!
Sarah Silverman Removed From Next Week's Bro'in Out Lineup
The Apiary Goes Inside the Get A Life Screening
World Anticipates Arrival of Black Baby
Jackie Clarke and Danny Bonaduce: Together At Last
Start Your Day the Chelsea Peretti Way
Anthony King Speaks Out Against Journalism
Mariah Carey and Miss Piggy Share Love For Extreme Motorcycle Stunts
Drink At Work Wants to Know Who You Think the Best Comics Are
What Happens When You Cross Richard Greico and Greco Roman Wrestling?
Last Chance to See Stage Rendition of Facts of Life Featuring Tranny Hookers This Sunday
SketchArtists.net Captures Photos From At Night With Gabe & Jenny
Todd Barry Struts Down Sesame Street
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:30 PM | Comments (1)
Inside With: David Levin, New Improv House Team Member at The PIT
By: Keith Huang
Last weekend, The PIT auditioned some eager, fresh faced improvisers to fill spots on their two new house teams, "Baby Plus" and "Sammich" (temporary names). The lead-up to Selection Sunday wasn't easy: More than a year ago, these fledgling improvisers were matched up as total strangers. Five levels of improv classes, countless drinks at the Triple Crown, and hundreds of sets later, they're waiting for a Sunday callback. Thanks to equal parts luck and perseverance, rookie David Levin found himself on the other end of a "yes ... and" phone call. The Apiary asked him about getting brought up from the minors.
Explain the chain of events leading up to your joining the PIT for the Wednesday night showcase.
We had our last Level 5 class on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, and most of that class had met almost exactly one year ago in Level 1. After a bad class experience in 2003, I thought I was done with improv forever. Then I saw my friend Yang Miller's Level 1 show at the PIT which, compared to my previous experience, blew me away. I had to wait two months until his instructor Kurt Braunohler's class was open but I'm glad I did because a) Kurt is the greatest teacher in the history of North America; b) our class wound up sticking together and most of us are now on house teams together. It was an amazing year spent together with people that are like famil--in that I could never marry any of them. I also took a couple of classes and performed at mixers at the Magnet which I still really enjoy doing.
Like most -- actually, I'm assuming all NYC improvisers -- you're not getting any money to perform. So what's the draw?
Creating entertaining moments on the fly, without a safety net, in front of a willing audience is its own "I can't buy a house with this" reward. Also the skills that I've learned for the stage have also trickled down into my life-life, and, at the risk of sounding new age-y (which I HATE), have made me a better person. I am a better listener now, and am more supportive of those around me than I was a year ago. Who knew?!
Name your improv influences. And do you have any advice for kids who are coming up through the process?
Almost every improv teacher has influenced me in some way, but foremost in my brain at the moment is Ali Farahnakian who teaches Level 5 at the PIT. Thanks to him, now I can't watch improv without wincing whenever people start problems. Something "kids who are coming up through the process" might find helpful is thinking about why things did or did not work in sets they've watched or better yet performed in. They didn't get laughs because they were "just funny." Someone got a laugh by being detailed or using their environment in a surprising yet relevant way or stating the awkward truth of a scene. Or maybe they were just funny. Also, perform in a non-class environment like Improdome once a week, and before taking the stage think of something you want to work on during your set.
So what now? Do you rest on your laurels and just rock out every other Wednesday at the PIT or do you keep on hustling the same way that got you on a house team?
I'm still working on becoming the improviser I'd like to be, and when auditions roll around again in six months to a year, those "kids who are coming up" that I've seen who are already good, will be really good. So while ham-boning it out is on the table, laurel resting is not.
Finally, this was the first time the PIT held auditions for house teams. How would you describe the process?
Any callback that starts with an impromptu dance party at 10 on a Sunday morning is going to be hard to disparage. We were randomly partnered for one minute scenes and montages. Everyone cheered, supported and had fun with each other in a satisfyingly non-cultish way. Hard to imagine a less competitive, competitive experience. But that's the kind of environment I've come to expect from the PIT.
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 11:59 AM | Comments (2)
May 25, 2006
We Listened and Found Out...
We Listened and Found Out...
THAT Christian Finnegan and Kambri Crews are set to get married in August!
THAT Sara Schaefer has finally said, "So long, irrelevant day job!"
THAT someone out there is pregnant. With a baby!
THAT Magnet Theater's Abby Sher and Jay Lynch are getting ready to tie the knot!
THAT the AOL Comedy portal might not be racist and sexist after all! Well that's no fun.
THAT Carolyn Castiglia and Andres Du Bouchet work in the same building!
THAT within weeks of its launch, the Mailer Daemon blog has already been threatened with legal injunctions!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:19 PM | Comments (4)
May 24, 2006
What's the Deal with DailyComedy.com?
Gothamist interviewed Jessica Kirson the other day and she said:
I'm a part of this new website coming out called Dailycomedy.com. It's going to be thirteen to fifteen comics in New York that are going to submit new topical stuff everyday.
Does anyone know what this is all about? (Comments are open again, btw.)
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 6:43 PM | Comments (1)
Inside With: Dave Hill, Writer, Comedian, Rocker
There's something familiar about Dave Hill. If you catch him at his monthly show, The Dave Hill Explosion, you immediately start to wonder, "What's this dude from?" Maybe the familiarity comes from his videos, or TV appearances, or The Huffington Post, or the various rock bands he rolls with. Nevertheless, there's something about this guy you can't quite put your finger on. Others have been drawn Hill's magnetic personality, as Dave has acquired a vast contact-pool of celebrities, writers, rockers, and outsiders whom he brings to his shows and puts in his videos.
Dave, how long have you been in New York? What were you doing before?
I’ve been here for three years now. Before that I was living in Cleveland, where I’m from, working as a freelance writer and playing in bands. I still do that stuff but I came to New York for a long weekend in 2003 and never left. I would like to go back and get my stuff at some point.
At your shows and in your videos, you've featured the likes of Simone from Head of the Class, Rufus Wainwright, Ronnie James Dio, and Joe Franklin, to name a few. How do you know all these people?
Sometimes I actually know them but not always. Joe Franklin has been a hero of mine for a long time. His number is listed so I just called him one day. Now we are pretty much inseparable, an unstoppable duo. As for Ronnie James Dio, I just tracked him down like a bear- a bear that totally rocks. I was really nervous having him on my show since he is Ronnie James Dio and all, but he was super nice and at no point did he do anything satanic in my presence, no matter how many times I asked. Dio is the king, like the Joe Franklin of metal or something. We are supposed to have dinner next time I’m in L.A. If that happens, my work will be done.
Is it true you're really famous in Canada? Like, would you get stopped by fans if you went shopping at the mall?
My grandfather was from Canada, which makes me 1/4 Canadian depending on whom you ask. However, I am not really famous in Canada.
Has an audience member ever been injured by nunchucks or your spastic flailing at a Dave Hill Explosion show?
I have taken a few nunchuck beatings myself, but so far the audience has been spared. As for the flailing, I have fallen on audience members a few times, but I would like to think this only adds to the explosive experience I am totally bringing like a motherfucker.
What are you working on now?
I am up to my usual hijinks--writing, playing rock music, and making short little movies and stuff. Also, I just starting taping stuff for a new as yet untitled show on Current TV, which is the network owned by Al Gore and Google as I understand it. So far they have sent me to a UFO convention and a Renaissance fair, both in the California desert. I refuse to wear shorts, so it’s hard work. Other than that, I am just waiting for the action film offers to start rolling in.
Any final plugs?
If you’re ever around 8th Avenue and 14th Street, eat at La Taza De Oro. It’s cheap and it rules. Also, I would like to mention that I am getting a summer share in the Hamptons with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney. Actually, that is not true but I am hoping they read this and are totally into the idea.
Dave can be seen live and in person tonight at his monthly show at the UCBT, The Dave Hill Explosion. Today's show features guest appearances by Fred Armisen and writer Malcolm Gladwell.
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 12:18 PM | Comments (1)
May 23, 2006
Photos from The West Village Dog Parade
Tim Gunn prepares himself for the onslaught of puppies
The Apiary stumbled upon a dog fashion parade of some kind last Saturday afternoon (5/20) in the West Village. The dog show had a theme: New York City in the 1970s. Pet owners were encouraged to dress their pups in stylish 70's attire and take them for twirls down a table in front of CELEBRITY JUSTICE Tim Gunn from Project Runway. Since several of you are big fans of animals dressed up to look silly, we figured it'd be best to share.
Gay Dog
Punk Rock Dog
Gay Dog 2
Gay Dog 3
This owner forgot to dress up his dog
Why did that woman put on gloves before talking to Tim?
Fun fact about Punk Rock Dog: He peed all over the table!
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 6:01 PM | Comments (1)
Today, Tomorrow, and The Day After Tomorrow
TODAY
What: Slow Night
Where: UCBT, 7PM - Final preview before the show opens in June
Career waitresses Janice (Sarah Burns) and Dimitra (Margot Leitman) have been working the overnight shift at the Golden Retriever Diner for six years. And until tonight never wanted anything more. Faced with the opportunity to leave, the girls wonder does anyone ever truly get out of Jersey?
TOMORROW
What: The Dave Hill Explosion
Where: UCBT, 9:30PM
This is your man Dave Hill reminding you one last time that TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 24 at 9:30pm I am totally going to once again make my critically acclaimed and reasonably priced show the Dave Hill Explosion a reality for the people. I have been going over the details of this event with my interns for the past several hours now and it has come to my attention that this show is going to be a scorcher. Do not even get me started on this topic. This is the show that is going to let everyone know once and for all that I am first and foremost an artist. Especially those people down at the burn unit. And aside from all the exciting stuff I am going to breaking out entirely on my own, I am also going to have more incredible guests on my show tomorrow than ever before, including but not limited to writer and thinking man Malcolm Gladwell, best-selling author of the books THE TIPPING POINT and BLINK; Saturday Night Live cast member and Long Island native Fred Armisen; and musician and man-about-town Walter Schreifels, whom you no doubt remember from his work with such sweet bands as Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Rival Schools, and Walking Concert to name four. I will not let you down.
XO,
Dave Hill
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW
What: Get a Life Screening
Where: Cinema Village, 22 E. 12th Street
The Onion Presents Get A Life Screening
Q&A With Chris Elliot & Adam ResnickNo fucking way! The Onion is presenting a once-in-a-lifetime theater screening of Get A Life episodes? That's right. And Chris Elliot and Adam Resnick will be there to host it? Damn straight.
Start thinking of your questions now.
Posted by The Apiary in Upcoming at 1:33 PM | Comments (0)
Elephant Larry @ The PIT - 5.20.6
Geoff Haggerty explores the psyche of Gargamel
NOTES
--This production featured more crossdressing than a full season of Kids In the Hall.
--Stefan Lawrence shines in the role of Unintelligible Party Girl.
--"The Sandwich" seemed to be an omnipresent force in Elephant Larry's latest offering. Are sandwiches the next great theme of comedy or are the EL dudes just hungry?
--One enticing sketch involved the character of Gargamel in the midst of a Smurf-induced postmodern breakdown. "Who am I really?," Gargamel wonders aloud, while cycling through the cloudy nostalgia of the cartoons of our youth.
--FREE Elephant Larry DVD samplers were available in the lobby before the performance.
--Elephant Larry has Memorial Day weekend off, but shows will resume every Saturday throughout the month of June at The PIT.
Alex Zalben relaxes with his favorite book and a cool drink.
Stefan and Jeff Solomon
Look, a walking sandwich!
Posted by The Apiary in Show Recap at 10:55 AM | Comments (1)
May 22, 2006
SNL Cast SPOTTED in Video of Grand Opening of Apple Store
SPOTTED! SNL's Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph at the grand opening of the Apple store on Fifth Avenue. From the video's outset, you can tell these Supremes of Comedy aren't quite sure what to expect from the event; perhaps their publicists/agents told them: "You'll go in the store, you'll hang out, just like you've probably done at the store in Soho. But this time you'll go home with some serious swag." Indeed, before long Poehler and Dratch are shown toting Apple boxes (that probably weigh as much as they do), while an off-camera voice asks, "Did you pay for that?" The video was shot by Richard Blakeley and Mike St. Onge. --submitted by Keith Huang
Amy (green) and Rachel (pink) love hauling away huge sacks of free merch... just like us!
Posted by The Apiary in Videos at 1:17 PM | Comments (1)
May 18, 2006
AOL Declares Funniest Comedy Blogs of Right Now; WSJ Says Comedians Are Finding Fame On the Internet
Adam Wade is currently holding tight to the #4 spot on AOL's Funny Comedy Blogs list. Chelsea Peretti, Christian Finnegan, Eugene Mirman, and Matt Goldich also made the cut. See who else makes up the elite eleven.
In other, more startling news, The Wall Street Journal points out today that people should start paying attention to the internet. Apparently comedians are using the world wide web to get their names out there and get noticed.
To which Anthony King gently puts it all in perspective:
"There are a lot of untalented comics on the Web who aren't going anywhere."
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 3:57 PM | Comments (1)
New News on the VH1 White Rapper Show
As reported last week, VH1 is seeking white people to be on an upcoming reality show called The (white) Rapper Show.
Here's what's going around:
--The show will be something along the lines of The Real World crossed with American Idol.
--Lots of rap battles, lots of freestyling.
--Whiteys will be drilled on their knowledge of hip-hop.
--Everyone will be forced to live in The Bronx, which is located a hundred billion streets above 14th street.
OTHER REALITY SHOW CASTINGS YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER
Camp Steve-o
The Apprentice
Posted by The Apiary in at 3:15 PM | Comments (2)
New Evidence Suggests the Digital Shorts People May be Cleared of All Charges
Regarding the recent allegations pertaining to the IE v. Digital Shorts similarities, someone wrote in to set the record straight:
Anonymous detective tip here...according to this:
http://thelonelyisland.blogspot.com/2006/05/peyote-tom-hanks-sexy-song-digi-shorts.htmlpeyote was filmed on December 3rd, but only broadcast this week.
the improv everywhere mission was filmed december 10:
http://improveverywhere.com/mission_view.php?mission_id=53also, the lonely island blog post was may 15, one day before you and
everyone else blogged about it.which may mean they were aware of the similarities, and were
anticipating the backlash. Or may be just another weird coincidence.yours,
sherlock holmes
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)
Internal Memo
The comment ability is down until further notice due to a recent comment spam flood--the site is getting a new one every 2 seconds. You're probably itching to make the comment, "No one cares!" but that will have to wait.
--Management
Posted by The Apiary in at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2006
SNL Digital Shorts People Like Paying Homage, Dislike Giving Credit
A reader has alerted us to ANOTHER blogger who has questioned the integrity of the SNL Digital Shorts team's creative output.
In January of 2006, Wil Wheaton found several INSPIRED CHOICES between the SNL Digital Short, "Young Chuck Norris," and the widely circulated internet video, America We Stand As One.
Two days later, after Wil touched off a small firestorm amongst internet-insiders, Wil posted a memo written by a source close to the Digital Shorts people:
Hey Wil,I have some facts I can share about Young Chuck Norris that may help to clear the air.
It was written October (by Andrew Steele), but it didn't get a green light until Lazy Sunday's success opened the doors for shorts like these. The Lonely Island guys weren't aware of the Chuck Norris Facts meme until after the short aired and everyone started emailing it to them.
It is a parody of 80's hair rock videos. They liked the American We Stand As One video and thought it would be a cool homage to dress the guy like him. Also it was a convenient way to describe the look to the costume department. The total shooting budget was zero dollars. All of the non-SNL people in the video were just random people from the park (including the kids).
Other than the wardrobe, any similarities are coincidental. They are all just cliches one finds in 80's rock videos.
Your Well Placed Anonymous Source
Posted by The Apiary in Hard Hitting Journalism at 3:00 PM | Comments (1)
May 16, 2006
Allegations of "Parallel Writing" Rock SNL's Digital Shorts Team
Image via Office Pirates
Do similarities exist between an Improv Everywhere stunt and a recent SNL Digital Short? OfficePirates.com has the complete story.
The SNL clip has a say-no-to-drugs theme attached that the Improv Everywhere video doesn't have. However, since the drug being name-checked is peyote--a substance known for triggering spiritual journeys rather than window jumping antics--the drug message sort of comes across like an afterthought.
PREVIOUSLY
Allegations of Parallel Writing Rock Dane Cook
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:35 PM | Comments (2)
NBC Announces Things
Cynthia Turner sent some smokin' bits today announced by NBC during Upfront Week.
Regarding NBC's 2006 fall schedule, Tina Fey's new show has found a home and a name:
Wednesday:
8p The Biggest Loser
9p 20 Good Years - John Lithgow & Jeffrey Tambor seize life
930p 30 Rock - Tina Fey as a comedy writer, with Alec Baldwin
10p Law & Order
Other items of interest as told by Cynthia:
NBC will debut a new broadband comedy channel called DOTCOMEDY.com, featuring everything from classic comedy TV shows to viral videos to late-night programming content from SNL, The Tonight Show, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. DOTCOMEDY.com will also have blogs, podcasts and mash-ups.NBC Universal will introduce a FIRSTLOOK.com franchise for each of its online properties called NBCFIRSTLOOK.com, USAFIRSTLOOK.com, BRAVOFIRSTLOOK.com, SCIFIFIRSTLOOK.com and so on. Each site will premiere up to four episodes of the respective network's series in full each year, prior to air on the network.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)
A New Showgirls In Town
Watch out Showgirls: The Best Movie Ever Made. Ever! Another Nomi Malone has arrived and she's starring in Harvey Finklestein's Sock Puppet Showgirls. The show opened this past weekend and will continue on an open run. We've analyzed the two pieces and found the main difference between them is that instead of featuring guest appearances by Michael Musto, Jackie Clarke, or MC Chris, this one will feature guest appearances by socks.
Harvey Finklestein's Sock Puppet Showgirls is a "new and improved' version of the 2002 cult classic Sock Puppet Showgirls, containing new jokes, new characters, and new scenes.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 8:30 AM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2006
Tourist Attractions: Futura BM in Park Slope
Let's face it: there's nothing like an awesome BM in the morning! Or any time of day, for that matter. The managers of Futura BM in Park Slope know this, so they have set hours that are convenient for everyone's needs.
Imagine a "Bistro Modern" but like, post-modern, and you will get the gist of Futura. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being passable and 10 being explosive, this BM gets a 10!!! The flavors are so delicate! Next time you're in Park Slope and you're looking for a solid BM experience, do yourself a favor and stop by Futura.
In continental cuisine, there are a variety of aromas!
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 1:21 PM | Comments (2)
May 12, 2006
The Sting: This just in: Star Jones suxx, Sweet blog with NSFW name unearths comedy curiosities, White rappers in high demand at VH1, and more!
VH1 Puts the RAP into Crappy Upcoming Reality Show About White People -- via Chris
Fight Communist Oppressors with The Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents
Tom Goes to The Mayor Returns Soon for Season 2
Welcome to the Blogosphere, Harold Team Known as Mailer Daemon!
Bobby Tisdale Interviewed on Gothamist
Lianne Stokes Gives a Personal 'Fuck You' to Star Fucking Jones
The Apiary Now a Proud Sponsor of This Year's SketchFest NYC
Blog to Watch: Milton Berle's Cock Posts Rare Comedy Recordings - via TSOYA
Jessy Delfino Animated Music Video - via Nichelle
New Photos of the Frank Gehry Abortion Splattering Soon All Over Brooklyn
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 7:09 PM | Comments (5)
Hot Shows Coming Like Soon
--Elephant Larry presents the WORLD PREMIERE of their all new sketch show at The PIT THIS SATURDAY!
--Free to Be Friends returns to the UCBT TONIGHT with 15 EXTENDED MINUTES OF SILLY LESBIAN ANTICS and a new character to be played by John Gemberling.
--Michael Showalter is doing a 10PM show every Tuesday in June at Rififi.
--HOT TICKET: Sarah Silverman joins the boys of Broin' Out at the end of the month.
Posted by The Apiary in Upcoming at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2006
Mike Myers Done with Guru Pitka For Now
Mike Myers tells Cityrag that he's done doing the Guru Pitka shows.
PREVIOUSLY
What's the secret to scoring tickets to these shows??
Posted by The Apiary in at 2:47 PM | Comments (0)
Jodi Lennon Would Like to Sell You a New Home
While searching for an apartment, Max--a reader with the keenest of eyes--saw something interesting:
Ran across a weird thing today. I'm looking to move into the East Village, and I've been browsing listings on craigslist. Check this one out:http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/fee/158728515.html
See the broker?
It's Jodi Lennon, of Second City and Exit 57 "fame." She was one of the 5 castmates and writers on Exit 57 along with Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello and Mitch Rouse.
Posted by The Apiary in Real Estate at 10:40 AM | Comments (3)
May 10, 2006
Dr. Katz Professional Therapist @ Gotham Comedy Club - 5.9.6
By: Matt Sklar
To celebrate the long awaited release of its Season 1 DVD, Gotham Comedy Club held a special live performance of 'Dr. Katz Professional Therapist', featuring Jonathan Katz, Jon Benjamin (as Dr. Katz's slacker son Ben), and special guest "patients" Susie Essman and David Cross. Despite our aversion to 2-drink minimums, The Apiary was there to join in the healing.
NOTES
-Jonathan Katz limped onto the stage with a cane (he mentioned a recent surgery). Even though it has been a while since Katz performed, his jokes were still as corny and wonderful as ever.
-After Katz' brief introductory set, the show took on the format of the tv show, complete with a live piano player to usher off patients when their session time was up. If you drank enough beers, you could even experience the show in squigglevision (TM).
-Susie Essman had a very nasty eye infection that made her look as though she was recently in a fist fight.
-At one point during Essman's session, her and Dr. Katz started singing selections from "The Pajama Game."
-David Cross used his therepy time to vent about the sexual quirks of his girlfriend, who makes David dress up as Jesus in the bedroom, crown of thorns and all.
SEEN AT THE SHOW
Onion writer and frequent Midnight Pajama Jam guest Todd Hanson; Inside Joke host Carl Arnheiter; former Dr. Katz patient and missing third of Tinkle, Todd Barry.
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 12:25 PM | Comments (2)
The Other Talent Show @ Mo Pitkins - 5.8.6
Jen Hammaker of Stickerbook
NOTES
--The Other Talent Show showcased the hidden talents of local yokels and comedians. Talents included jamming on the handflute, blind rap battling, burlesque, and violining.
--BREAKOUT PERFORMANCES by Ricky Van Veen and Jakob Lodwick and by Stickerbook.
--FUNNY=A blindfolded Jakob shouting "Bitch, go back to China!" at a 50-year old white lady to start a rap-off. WATCH THE VIDEO
--Shawn Hollenbach showed how he prepares a tuna casserole. The secret ingredient was BBQ Potato Chips.
--Shawn Hollenbach doesn't know how to operate a can opener.
--In anticipation of the NYC Beard and Moustache Championships, Jon Friedman screened a video montage collecting the best beards and moustaches to grace television and cinema. The video was underscored by the song, "You are So Beautiful to Me."
--Jon also announced he's working on a Beard and Moustache Championship documentary.
--Sara Schaefer revealed she's saying so long to her current day job. She just landed a sweet creative gig with "a major media oulet." More details to come.
--Hot Tub's Kristen Schaal was SPOTTED watching the show. She was also seen at the Mirman protest earlier in the day.
--Download Stickerbook's cover of "Don't Stop Believin'."
Jonathan Miller gets ready to play the handflute
Peter Koechley of The Onion
Continue reading "The Other Talent Show @ Mo Pitkins - 5.8.6"
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 11:17 AM | Comments (1)
May 9, 2006
Is that Internet Reporter Richard Jordan's Unmistakable Hair?
Richard Jordan, one of the reporters for VidoCity--NYC's internet-based version of Wild On--appears to have been SPOTTED at the Eugene Mirman rally.
Photo from Dan Dickinson's Flickr page
RELATED
Richard Jordan reports on Porky's
Richard Jordan reports on Giant Tuesday Night
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:38 PM | Comments (5)
Eugen Mirman Parade @ Union Square - 5.8.06
A photo-narrative of the protest is up at the CC Insider
Dan Dickinson shares his account
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:06 PM | Comments (0)
Giant Tuesday to Tape Pilot Tonight, Audience Requested
Rob Gorden of GTN sent this over:
Giant Tuesday Night of Amazing Inventions and Also There is a Game is shooting their first television pilot tomorrow night, Tuesday May 9th. The show is at 8 and it's free with a possibility of having to buy one cheap drink, depending if the doorman is paying attention.Come on down and be part of this historic event!
Any questions, let me know.
HERE'S A QUESTION: Do you guys have a deal with someone??
We are going to shop it around.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 10:29 AM | Comments (3)
May 8, 2006
Winners Announced
"Mirman, Man of the Sea" by Cory P.
Congratulations to Will N. of the great state of New York and Cory P. of the fair state of Virginia for winning Eugene Mirman's new cd.
REMEMBER: Eugene's protest party begins TONIGHT at 7 at Union Square. The party continues at the Beauty Bar at 7:30 where The Onion will be distributing FREE bottles of Bass Ale.
Posted by The Apiary in at 12:39 PM | Comments (1)
May 5, 2006
Win It Before You Can Buy It: Eugene Mirman's En, Garde Society!
The upstanding folks at SubPop have shipped a couple copies of Eugene Mirman's upcoming full-length stand-up CD-DVD combo, En Garde, Society! to give away! It's not even out in stores until May 9th, but you can win it RIGHT NOW days before you can go to the Virgin MegaStore and get busted trying to steal it.
TWO ways to be a winner:
(1): Email theapiary@gmail.com with "Eugene Mirman, En Garde, Society!" in the subject header. Entrants' names will be placed in a hat and one will be randomly chosen.
(2): To celebrate the fact you're staring at an oil painting of Eugene Mirman and wondering "Is that an oil painting of Eugene Mirman?" on the album cover, the 1st person to email theapiary@gmail.com attaching their own Eugene Mirman fan art, wins.
Contest ends Monday 5/8 at Noon.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:56 PM | Comments (0)
Inside With: Carl Arnheiter, Host of Inside Joke
Carl Arnheiter is an improviser and host of Inside Joke--an engaging show at the UCBT that brings comedic luminaries to the stage for a one-on-one discussion in front of students of comedy, peers, and fans. After several months of negotiations with Comedy Central over bringing Inside Joke to television, the show was ultimately passed on. Carl talked briefly to The Apiary about what happened and about what's to come.
Carl, we hear you recently almost got Inside Joke picked up by Comedy Central. Let's hear the pitch.
"Almost" is a good word for what happened. So is "No." It was an attempt to get Inside Joke from the stage to TV, while keeping the live audience. It was nice that it was even considered, for as long as it was considered. I'd say the show is like "Inside the Actor's Studio," but I've never seen it. Honestly.
Why did they pass? And is there still a chance they'll take it?
No chance they'll take it, they passed, and I can understand why, it's difficult to market in that it's not a sit-com. It seems pretty easy, Mike Myers or whomever drops in for a chat, we both say a few funny things, then the audience sticks around for Drawn Together. But it's not, and it's difficult even as it is now onstage. People have trouble grasping the concept.
You seem like the kind of guy who is interested in the history and study of the comedic arts. Is the rest of society ready to accept comedy as a high art? What's it gonna take, Carl?
Comedy is high art, it's usually just performed in venues that make people think otherwise. But if Stephen Colbert at the Press Corps dinner wasn't high art, and great comedy, I don't know what is. I'd also say Becky Drysdale's one woman show is a masterful little bit of comedy.
What's this stuff you're doing now with Dave Hill?
Dave and I are working on a series of shorts, which he refers to as "our Waterworld." It's the digital equivalent of the celluloid version of how we became friends. It'll be done by the end of the month.
Oh my gosh--is that an injury? What happened to you??
Paintball, I play once every five years, this time with one of the guys whom I used to perform improv with in The Office - formed way before the show of the same name, incidentally, we feel that must be said now. I took a few hits, and I come from a strong line of welters.
Carl Arnheiter will be performing at the Providence Improv Festival in June and he says there will definitely be another Inside Joke before then. Above photo by Andrew Dickerson. More photos from Inside Joke can be seen here.
Posted by The Apiary in EXCLUSIVELY at The Apiary at 12:20 PM | Comments (0)
May 4, 2006
SketchFest NYC Announces Full Schedule
SketchFest NYC announced their schedule today and it's stacked with gads of talent:
SketchFest NYC is pleased to announce that tickets for New York City's second annual national sketch comedy festival will go on sale Friday, May 5th.Individual tickets and festival passes will be available through
SohoPlayhouse.com, or by calling 212-691-1555.Twenty-three different groups from around the country will converge on the Soho Playhouse on June 8th, June 9th, and June 10th.
See the full schedule after the jump.
Continue reading "SketchFest NYC Announces Full Schedule"
Posted by The Apiary in Sketch at 2:42 PM | Comments (0)
Michael Ian Black Does Jersey
Mr. Vegan sent over a hot tip:
Tue 05/23/06 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club / Lounge
Fri 06/02/06 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell's
Sat 06/03/06 Philadelphia, PA Theatre Of Living Arts
Whoever said it isn't cool to tell your friends, "Meet me at the Port Authority Bus Terminal!" is soooo wrong.
Posted by The Apiary in at 11:37 AM | Comments (1)
May 3, 2006
Origins: Nick Kroll and John Mulaney's Oh, Hello Characters
Nick Kroll & John Mulaney have a knack for great character work. If you've seen them host Oh, Hello together as the kooky upper-west-side widowers they've invented, then you've probably woken up the next day to find yourself irresistibly talking, acting, and behaving just like 'em.
Nick Kroll, how did you guys come up the Oh, Hello characters?
These characters are based on two guys we saw at the Strand one afternoon. We followed them around the bookstore, began mimicking the way they walked and talked and the next thing we knew, we were talking like them. We spent all of our free time imagining what their world was like because, after all, there's a little middle aged, upper west side, widower in all of us. Who doesn't love Alan Alda, Steely Dan and a turtleneck/blazer combo? After awhile, we figured since we talked like them so much, we may as well share them with the world. And the world has responded -- every week people tell us that they saw the show and then spent the entire week talking like our characters -- "oh hello," "lets do cuh-caine" and people have actually gone home and made our signature drink: the martuna aka the tunatini (a tuna based martini). We truly love these guys.
RELATED
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Read what the CC Insider is saying about Nick & John
Posted by The Apiary in Origins at 1:49 PM | Comments (0)
Jake & Jackie Still Missing From Radio, Someone Knows the Truth
As reported last week, Jake Fogelnest and Jackie Clarke's nightly radio show was abruptly pulled from 92.3 FreeFM. The two have made no public comments since. However, Jake recently released a rather bizarre MP3 that is said to contain cryptic messages about the state of the Jake & Jackie show.
Last week, one 92.3 DJ announced--after joyfully spinning the latest hit from Scott Stapp--that Jake & Jackie "were on vacation." Is "going on vacation" code in radio?
Someone knows the truth out there. Please come forward.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:32 AM | Comments (6)
May 2, 2006
Pre-Production/Post-Production: Andres Du Bouchet's "The Bengal Tiger: Twilight Huntress!"
Andres Du Bouchet started with an idea...
After reading Andres' short script, Susie Felber raved in the comments: "LOVE IT!"
And Anthony DeVito agreed: "Beautiful. And I say that without any sarcasm, irony or wit. You HAVE to shoot this."
One month later, Andres' idea is realized...
Click HERE to watch the results!
Posted by The Apiary in Videos at 9:20 PM | Comments (1)
Sean Crespo RELEASED From Temporary Employment Job
Cracked contributor, Sean Crespo failed to make the glorious level-up from Temp to Perm at his latest day job. He was terminated. Having a comedian's skill set apparently doesn't cut it anymore in today's FAST PACED WORLD OF DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT.
We asked Sean what happened:
"My job was to process data on an excel sheet. Unfortunately for my temp company, my writing partner Dan Bialek and I are taking a lot of pitch meetings lately, some of which include using the DrinkAtWork folks, so I was spending 99.99999999 to 99.999999999% of my time editing and re-editing pitches and scripts which--and here was what my boss cited as a reason for letting me go--was not being done on an excel sheet. So I guess if I could have found a way to cram a half-hour animated comedy or a single camera docu comedy into cells C4 through M4 I could have held onto that sweet, weekly paycheck. Plus their in-office coffee was really good."
How to Be Fired From Your Temp Job
Posted by The Apiary in True Accounts at 10:21 AM | Comments (1)
May 1, 2006
The Apiary Turns 1 Year Old
They said we couldn't do it. But we did it. We really did it.
The Apiary celebrates ONE YEAR OF EXISTENCE today. BIG thanks to everyone who reads, contributes, comments, sends stuff in, invites us to shows, keeps things positive, responds to emails, etc. BIGGEST thanks to bloggers who are friends of The Apiary and to all of the talented and brilliant people out here being hilarious.
More site related news: The Apiary will be producing daily content throughout the month of May for Comedy Central's blog, the CC Insider. If you've always wanted to do a Q&A, or would like a photo-write-up of your show, or have other things you want to share (not VDs), now is the time. Email theapiary@gmail.com.
FAVORITE BIRTHDAY VIDEOS
Oprah's 50th Birthday
Alternative Birthday Song
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 12:39 PM | Comments (17)
Madness Strikes Local Best Buy
When Improv Everywhere sends out a recruitment email with the following instructions, you just know that the folks at a nearby Best Buy ain't gonna have a clue what just hit 'em:
In order to participate you must arrive adhering to a very specific dress code:1) Blue Polo Shirt - Short sleeved. Any brand. Preferably with no logo. As Close to "Royal Blue" as possible.
2) Khaki Pants – Any shade of khaki is fine. No shorts.
3) Belt – Any belt is fine.
IF YOU CANNOT ARRIVE IN THIS EXACT CLOTHING, YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN THIS MISSION.
Fake Best Buy employees - via Improv Everywhere
Read all about Improv Everywhere's latest act of subversion at a nearby Best Buy.
Posted by The Apiary in General Interest at 12:26 PM | Comments (0)
