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March 13, 2009
ITEMS!
--Colbert Report executive producer Allison Silverman took the plunge.
--Last week, we randomly SPOTTED UCBT honcho Anthony King throwing away an industrial sized blender into a city garbage can. Perhaps it didn't mix well with the other stuff in his home?
--WINS/LOSSES: Comedy Central and The Daily Show soared with Jim Cramer & Jon Stewart's MADE FOR TV FEUDIE. (W) Meanwhile, the South Park season premiere featuring the JoBros was AN EXERCISE IN TEDIUM. (L)
--We hear that several ladies who won big at the ECNYs on Monday have done more with their trophies besides make their mantels look terif. Apparently, the awards have been helpful in wedging open doors to the offices of area casting directors.
--The grizzled sketch ensemble Murderfist has been wowing everybody with balls-to-the-wall performances even when there's just a handful of people in the audience. One associate remarked excitedly, "They're like the NASCAR of sketch comedy!"
--In the future, when people talk about overnight success, they will reminisce about the story of @bryanbrinkman. Dude goes from having 7 followers to 25,000 in one day thanks to Jimmy Fallon's Twitter Army, aka THE JIMMY FALLANX.
--Nothing to do, nowhere to go? The FINAL episode of DL Hughley Breaks the News tapes March 26th. For complimentary tickets email hughleycnnshow@broadwayvideo.com with the following information in both the subject line and body of the email: 1. Full Name | 2. Email | 3. Phone | 4. Age | 5. Number of Tickets (1-4) | 6. One sentence about what you like about DL Hughley and why you want to be in the audience.
--The Tomatometer is ABOUT TO EXPLODE on the low end for Trevor Moore and Zach Cregger's first feature Miss March, but that hasn't stopped us from seeing a movie before.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:07 PM | Comments (1)
March 11, 2009
Harvard Sailing Team's Chris and Rebecca Tie the Knot (Not the Nautical Mile)
Our congratulations go out to Rebecca Brey and Chris Smith of the Harvard Sailing Team. News comes to us from "teammate" and Librarianist Billy Scafuri that the two were married last weekend in Miami, where the bridal party was, in fact, comprised of the other members of the award-winning sketch group.
Coinciding with the happy couple's nupitals was Chris's debut on last week's 30 Rock, where he played lovestruck dad-to-be Tim.
First he's tossing around zingers with Tina Fey, and now he's on his honeymoon in Mexico? That's some pretty smooth "sailing," if you ask us.
(Sorry, that was gross.)
Congratulations to the Chris and Rebecca!
Posted by Eliot in The Beehive at 9:45 AM | Comments (3)
December 24, 2008
The Sting
Tracy Morgan says, "Oh, Hello!" to a Mulaney-Kroll script
What's a "balloon modeler," and why is he breaking up your awesome barfight?
PROTECT YOUR NANA AND POP POP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
Michael Ian Black has no friends
The newest source for ladyboners? Vampires.
Julie Klausner's holiday wish: Sue Simmons cusses out Katy Perry and Gwneyth Paltrow
Posted by Eliot in The Beehive at 3:00 PM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2008
Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival Dates Announced
Events will be taking place at Union Hall and The Bell House in Mirman's own hood of Park Slope, so prepare to knock some strollers out of the way if you want to get in on the festivities.
Sept. 25 (8 p.m.), The Bell House: Opening Night Awards Gala. Eugene Mirman hosts, with Seth Herzog, Bobby Tisdale, Patrick Borelli, Janeane Garofalo and many special guests. Fake awards show with food, "Bobby Bingo" and after party DJed by Craig Baldo.
Sept. 26 (9 p.m.), The Bell House: Invite Them Up. Bobby Tisdale hosts, with John Oliver, Aziz Ansari, Eugene Mirman, Ron Lynch and special guests.
Sept. 26 (5:30 p.m.), Union Hall: Eugene Mirman's Fresh Faces of Comedy. Larry Murphy, Greg Johnson, Dave Hill, Kumail Nanjiani, Peanutbutter and more.
Sept. 26 (7 p.m.), Union Hall: One of Each, featuring Aziz Ansari, Tig Notaro, Hannibal Buress, Morgan Murphy, Joe Wong, John Roberts and more.
Sept. 27 (2 p.m.), The Bell House: Apartment 2F Reunion show, with The Sklar Brothers, Sam Seder, Michael Showalter, David Wain, Katty Biscone, Leo Allen, Eric Slovin, Matt Price and more.
Sept. 27 (9 p.m.), The Bell House: The Very Best Supporting TV Cast Members Live, with Kristen Schaal, Arj Barker, Janeane Garofalo, Eugene Mirman and special guests.
Sept. 27 (7 p.m.), Union Hall: Eugene Mirman's Fresh Faces of Comedy, with Larry Murphy, Greg Johnson, Dave Hill, Kumail Nanjiani and more.
Sept. 28 (7 p.m.), The Bell House: The SHAC, with Heather Lawless, Chelsea Peretti, Shonali Bhowmik, Andrea Rosen and special guests.
Sept. 28 (9 p.m.), The Bell House: Tearing the Veil of Maya, Closing Ceremonies, hosted by Michael Showalter with Mike Birbiglia, Fred Armisen, Eugene Mirman, John Mulaney and very special guests. Plus another party.
[Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival]
[via The Comic's Comic]
Posted by Eliot in The Beehive at 3:00 PM | Comments (2)
August 29, 2008
The Sting
Are you voting for change or would you be perfectly content with four more years of poo brown Pepsi?
Todd Levin is your comedy historian.
Women need a humor magazine. Period.
Like New York comics needed proof that they'll be eating Ranch 1 forever and ever.
Something about Glennis McMurray just looks...different...
Kumar Goes To Denver, Harold Stays At White Castle
Amelie Gillette, aka The Hater, Sees/Hears/Smells Terrible Things
Posted by Eliot in The Beehive at 12:00 PM | Comments (1)
August 20, 2008
Now That It's Official...
photo via Eric Appel's Flickr
We can finally congratulate Bobby Moynihan (most recently of improv luminaries The Stepfathers) on scoring a role as the newest featured player on the 34th season of Saturday Night Live!
And with roles in no less than three upcoming films (including a Ricky Gervais vehicle), 2008 could very well be Bobby's breakthrough year.
Congrats, Bobby!
via [E!]
Posted by Eliot in The Beehive at 3:45 PM | Comments (3)
June 17, 2008
The Beginning of the Twist
--Helping to put on a sketch comedy festival is hard you guys. SketchFest NYC was a ton of fun and it's awesome to work with folks who pour so much of themselves into making it one of the country's premier annual comedy events. We got to see a boatload of troupes from all over the place and gab with comedy people without ever really having to move. In case you were wondering, industry went bananas for LA's Birthday Boys and Canada's Dance Party of Newfoundland.
--THUMBS DOWN to Newcastle for promising to provide us with beer for the Fest... and then not showing up! "It will be there late afternoon or early evening," was the last message we heard from the beer reps before they stopped answering their phones and responding to email.
--Moving on... With the announcement of Aziz Ansari being cast in both The Office spin-off and Scrubs, it's starting to seem unlikely that Human Giant will have a third season.
--One thing that we're happy to see come back for season numero three: Wainy Days!
--This might already be known, but we've learned that the CollegeHumor show in development at MTV shares similar elements with its Hardly Working series.
--Speaking of the CollegeHumor gang, we caught Jake and Amir's stage debut at Street Meat last week. The FUTURE SUPERSTARS are taller in person than expected. Their full set, which was blogcasted across the world wide web simultaneously, is located here. One J&A superfan told us he was starstruck just being in the same room as all of them.
--The Burg is on a mission to prove that INTERNET PEOPLE have attention spans. A spokesperson for the series writes, "We think the future of teevee on the internet is in its ability to help a show find its specific, targeted, vocal fan base. Forget the 2 million who watch thirty seconds, one time. The show is not for them. We're after the 200,000 who watch the entire episode, the entire catalog, love it, and wait for more."
--Kimmy Gatewood's email blast sez, "The Apple Sisters are going to the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. This is a huge honor as they only choose 3 groups in the whole US to be in the sketch show! Bob Odenkirk and Bill Hader are hosting the show!"
--Michael Showalter told The Sound of Young America on Saturday's SketchFest taping that his application to adopt a pair of adorable cats has been DENIED. Could a clerical error be to blame?
--Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway are doing an in-store appearance at the SoHo Apple Store TOMORROW at 9PM. Steve will screen clips from Get Smart and discuss the making of the film which opens June 20. After the discussion, there will be QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.
--BrooklynVegan does it again with a Rock 'N ROFL featuring Mike Birbiglia, Dave Hill, and The Futureheads. TOMORROW at 8PM.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:30 PM | Comments (1)
June 5, 2008
When the Drums Kick In
--We thought no announcement this week could be more historic and exciting than Obama becoming the presumptive democratic nominee UNTIL... wonder-duo Jake and Amir, revealed they will be performing LIVE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME at Street Meat on Monday!
--LA PEOPLE finally experienced the grief we feel on a regular basis when they lost one of their own, Wyatt Cenac, to a different land of opportunity (New York). We're jonsing to catch the new Daily Show correspondent/former Fauxbama candidate at shows around town.
--Max Silvestri and Gabe & Jenny have consolidated their shows into one: Big Terrific, every Thursday at Sound Fix. Jenny Slate recently pinged our "Ask For It By Name" radar with a featured role in a commercial in which she's doing the walk of shame. We forget what the spot is for though.
--Liam McEneaney told us he had a great time at The Sci-Fi Screening Room, a monthly themed geek gathering at Under St. Marks, hosted by Nick Nadel and Kevin Maher. Yesterday's edition was all about Batman.
--The WORLD RECORD for longest stand up comedy showcase, a powerful display of man conquering nature with precise scheduling and talent coordination, is still going until 10:30PM tonight at Comic Strip Live.
--Internet Week continues through Sunday. Right now, dozens of Internet addicts are leaving their computers to talk to more Internet addicts about all the things they'd rather be typing to each other.
--It's being rumored that Sara Schaefer is joining the writing staff at BWE.tv!
--Are you scanning this with your iPhone or iPod Touch? Check out what happens when you add The Apiary to your home screen. An exploding fist bump goes out to Dan Dickinson for that.
--PUTTING TRIBECA TO REST: While at the Bicycle Film Festival last weekend, we got the distinct impression that the film festival of the future is going to be targeted and ready to travel. Seems like a great funny film fest would be pretty easy to launch and take on the road. Want to start one?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:13 PM | Comments (1)
May 9, 2008
Going as Far as These Crooked Legs Take Me
--We caught a preview of Adult Swim's exceptionally funny upcoming series Fat Guy Stuck In Internet, or FaGSII as the insiders are calling it. The EYE POPPING special effects will likely inspire a new generation to learn computers.
--REAL ESTATE: "Mo Pitkins was one of the premiere performance venues in New York City; it has hosted headliners including The Strokes and Moby. Lease is being offered at 21k per month. Approximately 3356 square feet; 1678 street level bar and restaurant and 1678 cellar. All recently renovated. No key money, transferable liquor license, current owners in very good standing with the board." Talk to Magnolia about it.
--With the Late Night move to LA just over a year away, it will be interesting to see which of Conan's staffers stay here (without jobs) in NY and which will go West with him. We learned that the folks on Leno's crew will have to reapply for jobs on Conan's staff and that none of the current Late Night staff gets an automatic free ride to Jimmy Fallon's crew.
--SketchFest NYC just announced their biggest line up yet. In addition to hosting the country's best sketch groups, this year's festival includes a panel with the creators of The Onion News Network and a LIVE broadcast of The Sound of Young America.
--We met author/one of Julie Klausner's writing partners, Rachel Shukert, last night at a social for cupcake aficionados/tech bloggers/angel investors. (We were representing the angel investors.) She tells us her reportedly funny new book Have You No Shame? is racing up the Amazon charts and that she's excited about her and Klausner's upcoming live soap opera at Comix called Wasp Cove.
--In related free cupcake news, Sara Benincasa will be giving them away at tonight's Ultimate Gossip Girl Summit at The PIT. Should be fun.
--WHERE WILL SLIMJIM ADVERTISE NOW?: Like so many video sites before it, Super Deluxe is about to embark on its slow path into the great unknown. It should be noted that Super Deluxe will not be joining This Just In nor DotComedy in the Internet afterlife because both of those sites are in Internet Hell. Super Deluxe was a rare bird because they had a great eye for talent and they paid their artists really good money. It sounds like it took a lot of people by surprise. Any details going around?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:03 PM | Comments (1)
April 4, 2008
The Sting
Stereogum Sold Again; Videogum to Launch on April 8th
Late Show Caught in Infinite Time Loop
Profiling the Profiler: Carl Arnheiter Speaks to The NY Press
Whitest Kids and Dave Navarro Together Again
Learning New Words is Easy and Enjoyable
BestWeekEver's Newest Sensation: Pregnant Transman!
Apple Sisters In Steamy Wet Blouse Photo Spread
Peabody Awards For Broadcasting Excellence Announced; 2 Many Winners 2 List
Crackle Launches Original Online Comedy Programming 5 Days a Week
Joe Mande Sticks It To Famewhore Teenagers
Amy "Interview Controller" Poehler Chats With The Onion AV Club
If Obama's Father Was This Guy, His Book MIght Be About a Bunch of Magazine Articles
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 6:16 PM | Comments (1)
March 31, 2008
Tom McCaffrey Signs Record Deal With Crazy Hair
It was announced today that Tom McCaffrey will be coming to a boombox near you. From the press release:
Crazy Hair Productions (CHP) has teamed with Brooklyn-based It Takes A Lot To Laugh Productions to sign New York comedian Tom McCaffrey to CHP Management. The album is scheduled for release early this summer and will be available at music retail outlets in New York City and at www.tommccaffrey.net. The CD will be recorded live at Pianos (152 Ludlow St.) on Sunday, April 20, 2008, at 8:00 PM.
Photo: Anya Garrett
We e-spoke to Scott Rogowsky, the man in charge of It Takes a Lot To Laugh Productions, to ask a few questions:
When you say he's signed to CHP Management, the word "management" here means the CD recording and production? Or are you guys handling the artist management/booking/deal-getting stuff too?
Tom was signed to a record deal with CHP Management. CHP Management encompasses recording, production, promotion, and artist development. In its current incarnation, CHP does not manage the career of its clients like a Generate or 3 Arts would, but we are in talks with Tom to expand our relationship to cover booking and "deal-getting" responsibilities. A tour in support of the CD is an example of what we're considering.How did the idea to start a comedy label come to be?
Tom was the impetus, to be quite honest. I've been a fan of his for so long, and it just dawned on me a couple of months ago after a show we did at Roger Williams--this guy needs to be seen and heard by everyone. He performs just about every night of the week in New York, and I feel like he, along with so many other great comics in this city, doesn't get the appreciation he deserves. I approached my friend Travis Sluss, who has been running his recording studio and production company (Crazy Hair Productions) for 4 or 5 years now. He was working strictly with musical acts. I convinced him to partner with me and my comedy production team (It Takes A Lot To Laugh Productions) to invest in this new comedy label. He's got the equipment and the industry expertise... I've got the good sense to not let talents like Tom fall through the cracks.And if this first project is successful, there will be more to follow! What AST Records is doing in LA, I'd like to be doing here in New York. And you don't need me to tell you that Tom is not alone in that "underappreciated New York comedian" category.
Full press release below.
Continue reading "Tom McCaffrey Signs Record Deal With Crazy Hair"
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 9:57 PM | Comments (3)
February 21, 2008
A Waterfall Waiting Inside a Well
--Gawker is confirming that Donald Glover is confirming that Donald was not asked to join the cast of SNL. Lorne Michaels has certainly relished the casting publicity in recent years. This newfound broad-media fascination with SNL's new players has been spurred almost entirely by the Internet btw.
--RELATED: Lorne Michaels fears Guitar Hero. That game's not even scary!
--The UCBT unveiled a sleek new website that's got the sultry lines and curves of a Porsche Cabrera.
--We felt the comedy in yesterday's NVW debut of HOTTDOGGS was too sophisticated and self-assured for a random comedy group we've never heard of. Turns out the guys in it aren't newbies at all. We asked HD member Scotty Landes whether the group performs around town and he responded: "As, HOTTDOGS, no, we haven't been doing live shows. I've written for and performed with Kurt and Kristen for Hot Tub and Penelope for 3 years. I've also regularly worked with the Variety SHAC girls and with Andrea on Standrea. So we're around, but as a group we prefer to just work on these videos."
--Both Kurt Braunohler and Greg Johnson made their IFC debuts.
--RANDOM QUESTIONS: Do widescreen videos load really slowly on your computer? Are you working for 236.com? Should we start an online petition to bring back the DVD format wars? And is anyone else out there obsessed with The Big Idea with Donnie Deutsch?
--BABY LOVER Susie Felber stars with Little Hugo in a new vlog at Babble.com.
--Eric Drysdale has left the writing staff of The Colbert Report. He speaks of some kind of INTERESTING PROJECT LAGER he's preparing on his new blog. [via Dead Frog]
--Big news from the Heartland: The Bastion was just as surprised as anyone to learn that the producers of Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival are starting a big new fest in Chicago. Who's in on this?
--Brett Gelman has revived his insane one-man opus 1000 Cats! He dropped it on the unsuspecting audience at Cavalcade this past Monday. Brett tells the NY Press that he'll be staging it again in March. Go. See. It.
--RELATED: It was brought to our attention that Jon Daly is the second to come down with the strange Dorf-like disorder which shrinks Cracked Out members' bodies and embiggens their heads when they appear on television.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:07 PM | Comments (3)
February 20, 2008
Donald Glover For SNL?
The Chicago Sun Times is reporting THE RUMOR that Donald Glover has MAYBE joined the cast of SNL!
Or have they? There seems to be something that resembles either a clue, a red herring, or perhaps A TIMELY VIDEO featuring a Barack Hufeign Obama portrayed by Wyatt Cenac. It just went up on UCBcomedy.com's OFFICIAL YouTube page.
FORUM FIRSTIES
LA Times forum mod Boomer puts the Donald Glover rumor out there
First online whisper of "The Bobby Moynihan Question"
RELATED
Glover's sketch group Derrick: The #1 most subscribed sketch group of all time on YouTube
An ancient Derrick interview
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 7:21 PM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2008
Thus Begins The Multi State Lottery Commercial Bonanza
The glass ceiling has been shattered, people. It seems that comedic performers across the city have scratched off instant games that yield TICKET, TICKET, TICKET to the lottery commercial jackpot.
THIS BONANZA KNOWS NO BOUNDS.
Ask For it By Name: Maryland's Big Bucks Party Pack instants, featuring DC Pierson, Gavin Speiller and Noah Starr
Ask For it By Name: New York Mega Millions, featuring Andrea Rosen [via Patrick]
PREVIOUSLY
New York Take Five, featuring Brett Gelman
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)
February 7, 2008
Julia Allison and Demetri Martin Fly in Private Jets
Photo: Julia Allison
UBIQUITOUS PRESENCE Julia Allison took a trip to The Ohio State University to watch Will Ferrell's Funny or Die Comedy Tour. On the way back, she and fur trapper Demetri Martin flew side by side in a tiny airplane outfitted with Ford Econoline chairs. Read HERE and HERE for half of the story. Unfortunately, the remainder of the story and the how-and-the-why of it will never be answered because it was never Tumblrd.
RELATED
The Columbus Dispatch reviews Ferrell's show
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:19 PM | Comments (1)
February 1, 2008
The Sting
"I Give You A Punch In The Face," Says Cabbie To Credit Card User
The Onion Brings Salty Tears To Eyes Of Canada's Bravest
More Mileage To Come From "Who Made Huckabee" Dispute
Jay Reatard Tickets Now On Sale
Victor Varnado To Perform Naked For Nudists
Hulk Hogan and Obama Form Tag Team, But Can They Beat Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly At No Way Out?
Setlist From Seth McFarlane & Alex Borstein's Comix Spectacle
The New York Press Gets Murderfisted
NEW TALENT DISCOVERED: Paul Fetch
Despite Being Chewed Up And Spit Out, Hud Might Still Be Alive!
Michael Showalter Tells All To The AV Club
RELATED: Wet Hot American Summer: The Musical?
The Sixth Borough Chats With Philly's Premier Comedy Blog
ASK FOR IT BY NAME: Take 5 Lottery Tickets
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:54 PM | Comments (3)
January 10, 2008
Fill Yourself With Quarters
--Dan Leif, member of the sketch group Cleanest River in America, has left both Cleanest River in America and America. We asked his sketch partner Jake Goldman to comment: "[Dan is] going to go for about four months to work on a farm [in Argentina] and backpack and the likelihood of him moving back is slim. We had a last show for him and it was awesome and ridiculously packed. A couple groups roasted us, C.R.A. did a set, and that was that. Cleanest River will continue on in some form but may not be called that any longer."
--Levine Greenberg, the literary agency that got The Onion and Kasper Hauser's SkyMaul published, is handling Demetri Martin's upcoming book.
--Improv Everywhere is inviting all semi-nudists to its annual Take Your Pants Off Subway Ride this weekend.
--What's in store for Sara Schaefer in 2008?
--FESTIVAL NEWS: The San Francisco Sketchfest starts today and runs through January 27th. Chicago Sketchfest is wrapping up this weekend. Both are depleting our comedian reserves.
--Eugene Mirman showed an unreleased video he made for 23/6 at Invite Them Up last night of him on the New Hampshire primary trail. After watching it, we could totally picture Eugene as a correspondent on The Daily Show.
--Page Six caught the broken wind of the alleged David Cross/Patton Oswalt internet battle over the suckitude of Alvin & The Chipmunks. Cross has been in so many feuds now, one would've thought the sacrifice of Scott Stapp's career would've been enough to quell the volcano within DC. The NY Observer talked to Cross and rallied to his defense with an article that includes this ridiculous graf: "'There's no small part of people wanting to call you on your shit. And I think some of it's deserved on my part, but I also think a lot of it isn't. I think a lot of it is lazy and not really thoughtful," [Cross] said, sitting on a leather sofa beneath a painting of Ronald and Nancy Reagan with Michael Jackson in his apartment."
--Speaking of possible animosity towards Patton Oswalt... at the Variety SHAC show last week, cringe comic Rich Vos made an off the cuff remark that fell wayyy flat: "Who's more overrated: Andy Warhol or Patton Oswalt?" The tirade ended abruptly there, but one wonders if he has more to say on that issue. At any rate, Vos continued to zone out the crowd with a several minute riff about fucking his grandfather.
--Feels like every other commercial these days stars comedy people. There's a new one with Jon Daly eating Pizza Hut brand pizzas. There's TJ Miller's blood curdling yelps in the Cloverfield trailer. Andrea Rosen in some kind of familial situation. Chris Gethard selling lederhosen for H&R Block. We even saw a former Late Night intern denying Whoppers to infinitely downtrodden Burger King consumers. We thought that YouTube just magically generates such clips, but that's apparently not how it works. Is anyone able to snag commercials like these?
--AND FINALLY: We've been informed that Teresa Bass, a former producer at Ars Nova, has been installed as the Artistic Director at The PIT. Kevin Allison will remain at the theater in a newly created position that will allow him to focus on marketing, creative development within The PIT, and personal creative endeavors... including but not limited to A NEW STATE PROJECT.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:39 PM | Comments (6)
January 4, 2008
Let's Dump Every Kid Rock and Chingy Album Onto The Streets of Times Square And Get One of Those Tranny Operated Conference Bikes to Run Them All Over
Not to get all Nancy Grace on you all, but there is not a single redeeming quality in watching Jay Leno do crowd work to kill time before a gaggle of gelatinous bottom feeding D-Listers potter through the Tonight Show studio. Same goes for the joyless spectacle of Conan without a proper desk piece and Kimmel speaking what's really on his mind. These are neutered, impotent shows which offer zero cultural relevance aside from the grotesque anomoly of them being neutered and impotent.
It's been a lot of fun so far to see Letterman and the Late Show holding the biggest ball on a dodgeball court. Despite losing the first night back curiosity ratings, the Late Show, in our minds at least, is the new hottest ticket in town. (It really is--Have you tried to get standby tix to Letterman these past couple days? Impossible.)
What do you think of all this?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:04 PM | Comments (2)
January 2, 2008
Picking At Scabs, Resolving to Action
One has to wonder what slithering cretins out there have veins coursing with so much self-importance that they feel it's perfectly fine to cross picket lines and appear as guests on late night shows returning to the air without a WGA contract. This just in: Mike Huckabee is confirmed for Leno tonight. Shame on your false altruism, Mike Huckabee--you have the ethical standards of a slug. The message these upcoming guests and self-promoters are saying is that they don't care about the welfare of others, the welfare of an industry, or the welfare of the universe.
Tonight will be the most fascinating evening of late night programming since their return to air after 9/11. Instead of us tuning in to gain some sense of normalcy, tonight we are watching purely for moments of disingenuousness, any acts of public defiance, and the all-important train wreck appeal.
If the writers strike has taught us anything, it's that network television exists mainly to sell Proctor and Gamble products. Friday Night Lights and 30 Rock can and will be replaced permanently by Dancing With the Gays or whatever show moves just as much Charmin unless immediate action is taken by consumers and people outside of the industry. The WGA should zero in on educating the advertisers and they should incite the entertainment consumer to action in ways that immediately affect the bank accounts of the AMPTP. We're tired of the whole industry being held hostage by dudes with purses.
Here are the simplest actions you can make that will have a bold effect on the financials of the AMPTP, and in turn, help bring about an end to the strike:
--Do not watch shows that replace affected programming
--Stop blogging about shows that replace affected programming
--Suspend your Netflix account
--Stop going out to the movies
--Spend your Christmas giftcards on things that aren't DVDs
--Don't buy goods from companies who purchase advertising time on talk shows returning w/o a contract (Kimmel, Leno, Conan, Stewart, Colbert, Daly, Degeneres)
--Contact the advertisers of these shows and briefly tell them how you feel
--Don't be an audience member at talk shows returning w/o a contract
--Educate tourists in the audience and standby lines of these shows
--Don't be a guest on talk shows w/o a contract
--Contact guests and tell them how you feel
Action which creates financial pressure is really the only thing that matters. Right now, the pressure is on the WGA because despite "winning the PR cyber war," the balance sheet is still looking all right for the AMPTP.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:52 AM | Comments (2)
December 13, 2007
The Year In Old Media: the State of Live Comedy Coverage in the MSM
With all this striking going on amongst the WGA, the Broadway stagehands, and the freelancers at Viacom, it made us wonder if we have something to be lashing out at too. We realized there is something--OLD MEDIA!
Flipping through New York Magazine's 2007 Culture Awards issue, we noticed they had nice sections on things like THE YEAR IN CLASSICAL MUSIC and THE DANCE MOMENTS OF THE YEAR and so on. We soon became GRAVELY DISSATISFIED when we got to the back page ad and realized, something smelled bad. And it wasn't the Stetson cologne ad. There was no "Year in Comedy!" We wrote a brief (but soapbox-worthy nonetheless) letter to NY Mag earlier today.
"In your Year in Culture issue, why do you blatantly ignore live comedy? Does it not make NYC an electric place to live and work? New York bubbles with comedic writers/performers, improvisers, and stand ups, yet comedy can't get 2 pages of ink from a magazine that appears to think it lives and breathes the city. If you pick up a Time Out or an Onion, you'll find hundreds of shows listed every week. It doesn't make sense that you're out tapping people like Zach Galifianakis and Michael Showalter and The UCBT to help make your NY mag live events unforgettable, yet you offer no means of validating their existences."
Not that any of them need to be validated by NY Mag specifically; it's just that NY Mag is in the business of saying what's so great about NYC, so they should be all over this stuff.
Their glossover made us think of how other publications treat the comedic arts. Can you even imagine a Year of Culture issue without music? To that extent, since most newspapers and magazines would rather be the arbiters of music than comedy, we made our own year end list personifying each of NYC's comedy-friendly & comedy-unfriendly publications into music-related categories that fit their images. It'll sort of make sense in a second.
Continue reading "The Year In Old Media: the State of Live Comedy Coverage in the MSM"
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 7:44 PM | Comments (4)
December 6, 2007
Anyone Can Have a Good Time
--SPOTTED: Scott Adsit at Midtown Comics on Wednesday night. Do you think he thinks the current X-Men "Messiah Complex" crossover is a total rip-off of Children of Men? One can only wonder.
--Kristen Schaal is back in town. Was she always back in town? She tells Radar Magazine, "[Trey Parker and Matt Stone] decided my ideas were too weird for them." FishbowlNY has exclusive photos of Kristen partying in the same room as FORMER PEOPLE'S COURT JUSTICE Ed Koch.
--Sounds like Fearsome's Alex Goldberg is going to soon be battling for Google search turf from A RISING ALEX GOLDBERG, a 14-year old wunderkind recently profiled in New York Magazine.
--"This guy has like identical music tastes to me," says one anonymous commenter in response to Max Silvestri's Favorite Music of 2007.
--WRITE-AID: Robert Wuhl and Brian Stack are part of a WGA benefit at Comix next week.
--The Apple Sisters have been putting on one of the best shows in town lately. Let's hope their Christmas spectacular (opening tomorrow) keeps the buzz going. If Three's Company or The Golden Girls were ever to be revived on Broadway, the producers would be fawning over these ladies like Yankees prospects.
--Daniel Kitson had the SOLD OUT crowd cooing at Union Hall on Sunday night. He was working out new material for the Melbourne Comedy Festival, so there weren't a whole lot of punchlines polished yet. Kitson, who seems to be in the throes of an existential nightmare, kept coming back to the theme that we're all just bundles of piss and shit and spunk on a floating hunk of dirt. Oh, and when we interact with people, we're actually just interfering. And... how if we really thought about all the terrible things that go on in this world, it's a wonder that we can maintain our composure. Just as you begin to feel all is hopeless, he'll toss out a nugget of profundity that suggests that despite all this commiserating taking place in Park Slope, perhaps a tree can grow in Brooklyn after all. At any rate, he did remind us of some fun British vocab words like "knuckledusters" (brass knuckles) and "trousers" (pants). A gaggle of comedians and industry filled up all available standing room.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:40 PM | Comments (1)
November 30, 2007
Tell It To Menupages.com
--Victor Varnado made a video game.
--Daniel Kitson, the man who's currently THE TALK OF THE INTERNET, is coming to Union Hall for an exclusive 4 night run. Bumpershine is running a ticket giveaway RIGHT NOW.
--Regarding the recent spate of UK/International comics splashing across the pages of this website, a cherished reader wrote to us: "You should go to Edinburgh for a week next year. Go the second or third week when it's really kickin'. You'd learn about tons of terrific comedians that the rest of America doesn't know about. A few more very famous UK comedians are Simon Munnery, Earl Okin, and Josie Long. Josie Long is like the Kristen Schaal of London, Simon Munnery is like the 80's Todd Barry of London and Earl Okin is like the Jason Trachtenburg of London."
--We noticed that both The PIT and the Magnet Theater are doing charity drives for the holidays. If you have any leftover tins of beans or water chestnuts, now is the time to unload.
--The Comic Book Club is packing a wallop of a 1-year anniversary on December 18th with guest appearances by Brian Michael Bendis and Bill Hader.
--The UCBT is hosting another On Strike! show this Monday: The Colbert Report! Can't even imagine who the special guest will be. Hillary Clinton? Ban Ki-Moon? Wait, wait--don't tell us. It seems to have SOLD OUT before it was announced.
--Speaking of these On Strike shows, rumor has it there was a bit of a showdown between Lorne Michaels and General Electric in order to stage the SNL one.
--It's being said that Gawker's advice columnist, Tionna T. Smalls, is fixing to get her own reality series.
--SOMEONE'S GONNA HEAR ABOUT THIS: We usually keep our complaints to oursevles, but if we were filling out a Zagat Survey right now, The Triple Crown, the preferred bar of The PIT, would get straight ZEROES. We had a business lunch there the other day and ordered an iced tea. The waitress kept supplying us with refills but, little did we know, we were being charged for each one! At the end of the meal, we got cold cocked with a bill laden with outrageous iced tea fees. Swear to God, this is a rough transcript of the conversation with the manager, who, if you are familiar with the establishment, looks like a dead-inside John Locke from Lost:
Us: Hi. We only ordered 1 iced tea and 4 free refills. There seems to be a problem with this bill.
Manager: This is Manhattan!
Us: But the last time we were here, we did the same thing and were only charged for 1.
Manager: The waitress who did that has since been fired.
Us: Um... that sounds rather unbelievable. So, you're saying you don't offer refills on anything? Every restaurant in the world gives refills on iced tea.
Manager: We give refills on coffee and tea.
Us: That's what this is!
Manager: No, we give refills on hot tea.
Us: Look, we come here every couple weeks and have lunch. Your customers' satisfaction means that little to you? We're probably never coming back if you insist on charging us for 5 iced teas.
Manager: That's your choice. You don't get free refills on gasoline when you fill up your car.
US: This isn't gasoline! This is iced tea!
Eater would care about this story.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:33 AM | Comments (1)
November 9, 2007
The Writers Guild of America Strike of 2007: A Special Report - Week 1
By: Kaetlin Perna
On November 5, 2007, at 12:35a, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) began a strike against the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) after contract negotiations between the two broke down in a final last-ditch conciliation to avoid such a protest. The AMPTP refused to budge on residuals involving DVD sales and Internet programming and/or broadcasting.
The DVD issues can date back to the 2001 negotiations and was a hot button issue then. Those talks were extremely important because the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) contract was up a month after WGA's, and if both went on strike, it could have had devastating effects on the industries in Los Angeles and New York. At the time, LA's mayor Richard J. Riordan pleaded with all three to come to a quick resolution and, fortunately, no strike occurred.
In the early 80s, when the home video industry first began, it was the AMPTP who decided the amount and percentage that the WGA would receive. No one could have foreseen just how big the home video market would some day become.
Now, the WGA, attempting to move through a 21st century world, wants more control as technology progresses and studios are expanding their distribution. This video explains it all.
The first day of picketing in New York City began at Rockefeller Plaza. Rockefeller Center is quite glamorous with all its tourists and whatnot. Many snapped photos, some sneered saying "this is the reason why I can't watch Conan," and others took leaflets that guild members passed out to people on the street.
At 10:30 in the morning, the picket line had no more than fifty people in it, walking around a circle next to a large inflatable rat. Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver made the press rounds from CNN and Fox News, to Regional News Network and WNYC. Laura Krafft showed up in the morning on a crutch due to a swollen calve, SNL's Amy Poehler and Will Forte joined in the afternoon, as well as Andy Blitz and Jon Glaser from Late Night.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:38 PM | Comments (5)
October 26, 2007
Current Events
--BWE's Alex Blagg scored AN EARTHQUAKE OF AN INTERVIEW, talking to an actor who TELLS ALL about being on The Hills in the kind of manner that will probably illicit lawsuit threats. We've long believed that The Hills of the 00's is totally the WWF of the 80's.
--In other BWE Editor news, we hear that Michelle Collins is taking over MC detail at Tell Your Friends while Liam McEneaney gallivants throughout the Old World. Liam is not expected to return until mid-December.
--DID YOU KNOW? The New York Times has a humor blog.
--Buzzfeed notes that there's a Stephen Colbert backlash brewing.
--ROBOINTERVIEWER Ben Kharakh is now pushing his wares on StarPulse, a site that we've never heard of that apparently gets zillions of hitties. Latest Q&As: Neil Hamburger | Nick Kroll
--SPOTTED: NUDIST Natalie Portman at Sweet on Tuesday.
--It's no America's Best Comic, but the NY Comedy Festival is holding their own best stand up search.
--UP TO THE MINUTE ROSEANNE NEWS: Roseanne Barr is allegedly confirmed for the 11/5 edition of Shoot the Messenger.
--Registration has begun for the 2008 Dirty South Improv Festival. It's held annually in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and keeps getting bigger and bigger. REGISTRATION DETAILS
--LARGESCALE UPCOMING EVENTS THAT SOUND FUN
- Offensive Fest @ UCBT- NOW - 10/28
- The Sketchprov Festival @ The PIT - 10/27 - 10/30 - CHECK OUT THE FLYER
- The Longest Sketch Show Ever @ UCBT - 11/9
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:38 AM | Comments (2)
October 19, 2007
Website Offers Seat For UCBT Talents
UCBT regular Nick Ross and writing partner Tom Murphy have sold 6 scripts to Tertiary Productions, a production company owned by Mainstream Holdings that's charged with creating video content for the social networking site Moli.com. The series, titled Park Bench, was shot over the summer and just released online last week.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:43 PM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2007
Now, Now
--David Wain is being called "probably one of the biggest influences on Internet comedy." (via Buzzfeed) Do you agree?
--Jon Glaser was SPOTTED this past Friday morning in WHIMSICAL PARK SLOPE doing what any good Park Sloper should be doing: gently caressing a baby's head outside of Connecticut Muffin. Despite our earlier prediction, and perhaps due to poor surveillance resources, we have yet to see A.D. Miles there enjoying a scone.
--Michelle Collins test-hosts a new late-Tuesday show at Rififi this evening, 10PM. Today's premiere features John Mulaney, Katina Corrao, Gabe Liedman, and Alex Blagg.
--Jeff Garlin stops by the UCBT on September 3rd. (via Ben)
--The wedding of New Pornographers' rocker A.C. Newman was presided over by Eugene Mirman and David Cross.
--SAGET TO ME: Bob Saget is making an in-store appearance next Monday at the FYE by Rockefeller Center to sign copies of his new DVD, That Ain't Right. Prize Buffet enthusiasts keep your eyes open, because we have a few of them to give out.
--We received emails last week from the creators of 2 different videos that were selected for New Video Wednesday. They each wrote in to say that after being featured on NVW, the links to their vids began racking up. The result: over 700,000 combined views.
--Super Sam is the winner of this year's Test Pilots.
--Finally, we hear that most everybody was thrilled with the sandwiches they exchanged at The 3rd Annual Delicious Sandwich Social. Billy Reno tells us, "It was a
glorious, beautiful day. The first nice day in the three years Jon held the event. The hungry crowd of more than 50 strong was heavy with improv people. A great and tasty time was had under a sprawling shade tree as I struggled to launch a crappily designed kite with my fam."
Photo courtesy of Billy Reno
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2007
Julie and Jackie, LOLing With the LGBTs
Big news just in from Julie and Jackie:
JULIE AND JACKIE WRITE FOR "THE BIG GAY SKETCH SHOW"Julie Klausner (TV Funhouse, VH1) & Jackie Clarke (Hannity & Colmes, Radio with a Twist) are the latest additions to the writing staff for the second season of The Big Gay Sketch Show on the LOGO Network. They join UCB Theater alumni Rebecca Drysdale and Eliot Laurence (Guile), who wrote for the show last season.
"The Big Gay Sketch Show" is Executive Produced by Rosie O'Donnell, directed by Amanda Bearse with Scott King (MadTV) serving as head writer. Season two of the series will air in February 2008.
Julie and Jackie host a monthly variety show, "Obsessed," at UCB Theatre. The September edition will feature comedian TODD BARRY and is Thursday, September 13 at 9:30 pm.
For more information visit http://julieandjackie.com.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 5:26 PM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2007
Street Beats
--BROTHERS BLITZ: Did you know that the director of the poignantly comic tale, Rocket Science, is Andy Blitz' brother?
--The Royal We's pilot for TV Land unfortunately did not get picked up. A short scene from the show has found life on Funny or Die though. Some of the We have splintered off and moved to other cities, but a source tells us that they are slated to reunite soon to shoot some videos.
--SO LONG, DAY JOB: The editor of this site, Nate, is saying sayonara to his day job today in order to pursue OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. If you have an opportunity you'd like for him to pursue, let him know. If you simply want to go to the beach or Six Flags with somebody on a weekday, he may be available for that as well.
--Carolyn Castiglia and Jen Dzuria tore up LA in some kind of Ford sponsored blogger vacation. See what happened.
--CollegeHumor hosted a packed preview party Wednesday night in Lenox Hill for Superbad, the latest Judd Apatow vehicle. After seeing the flick, one moviegoer said: "That was LOL-tastic." We agree. 4 out of 5 beehives! It starts off a little dialogue-y, but then kicks your ass with the emergence of the supporting cast of Bill Hader, Seth Rogen, and a blessed performance by Chris Mintz-Plasse. Superbad is totally super! (Feel free to quote that, marketing geniuses.)
--A lot of interesting comedy stuff slated for the NY Fringe Festival, which starts today. Among the titles that stand out: Williamsburg: The Musical, a new one from Drop Six, Earth's Vacation, and Arthur and Esther. Tickets only $15 bucks per show.
--Apiary contributor Eliot Glazer is one half of the comedy team being described as "the newest, Jewwiest, sister-brotheriest duo" to emerge in quite a while. Enter Eliot and Ilana. They're booked for Barrett & Goldman Presents this Saturday night at Rififi.
--Despite what this video says, Sven Wechsler is still with his girlfriend.
--Rob Lathan's character Dr. Lanny Latham nearly got booked on British television.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:38 PM | Comments (3)
August 7, 2007
Andres Du Bouchet to Write for Spike Feresten
If you happen to find yourself looking at Andres Du Bouchet's calendar and notice that it's almost totally blank except for a note that reads, "I'm in L.A. Once I'm settled I'll try to wrangle some spots out here. Hollywood baby!", then you'll be pleased to learn that Andres recently landed a writing position on FOX's Talkshow with Spike Feresten. He did it! He really did it.
An INSIDE SOURCE tells us that Andres is expected to remain out there at least until the holidays.
--photo by Carol Hartsell
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:03 PM | Comments (6)
August 3, 2007
Notable Mentions
--The comedy stars ran wild Friday for Liam McEneaney's birthday party last weekend. Who was SPOTTED? Todd Levin, Amanda Melson, Bob Powers, John F. O'Donnell, Giulia Rozzi, Nick Turner and OTHERS.
--Margot Leitman broke a foot. Fear not alcohol lovers, the injury appears to have little impact on her beverage dispensing abilities behind the UCBT bar. Get well soon.
--Fearsome's Shayna Ferm has assembled a back up band, The Upper Deckers, in preparation for a CD recording next month. Dunno what upper decker means where Shayna comes from, but we seem to recall it having something to do with defecating where one probably shouldn't.
--The Seattle Sketchfest line-up was leaked the other day. NY troops making the trip to the emerald city: Drop Six, A Week of Kindness, and Party Central USA.
--Dan Ahdoot is allegedly on the lookout for new management.
--It seems like the pressure at Rififi to produce runaway hit shows is keeping hosts on edge to fill the house or face the axe. Is that showbiz? Or is something else going on there?
--The dog days of summer are here and the demand for sandwiches is at an all time high. It's no wonder that Jon Friedman is bringing back The Delicious Sandwich Social for another go on August 18th. The DSS apparently spawned a brief craze in Australia.
--Sadly, the lights at the publishing factory will shut down forever for the print edition of the Weekly World News. Today is the last day of work for the staff at The World's Only Reliable Newspaper. Though Bob Greenberg, the managing editor of WWN, talks about the closure a little bit on his blog here and here, there needs to be a full-on profile or introspective. See what the nation's leading systems analysts are saying about the matter.
--What FEATURE FILM opening this weekend has Nathan Rabin of The Onion howling: "Technically a movie!", "Beneath the dignity of even Paula Abdul!", "Worthless!", and a "Pandering piece of commerce!" After attending a press screening, he writes:
I couldn't help but notice the surreal incongruity of pasty-faced men in their forties, fifties and sixties casting unstinting judgment on a movie aimed unmistakably, if not exclusively, at fashion-conscious ten-year-old girls. Even Roger Ebert was there.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:20 PM | Comments (1)
July 27, 2007
The Sting
Just Incredible: This Just In to Just Go Away
Michael Ian Black Hosts Blitzen Trapper on PRI's Fair Game
Raise the Retractable Roof: Williamsburg Biergarten Gets Residents Jazzed
Rejected Jokes With Nick Kroll
Bravo TV Blogger Makes Office Experience Creepy By Saying Hi All the Time
Jen Dziura and Ford Automobiles Unite to Reduce Dependency on Foreign Oil
NY Post Wants You to See Family Hour at The PIT
Jen Kirkman Sez What's On Her Mind to Gothamist
The Malls are the Soon to be Ghost Towns
Wain, Rudd, Marino & Singer @ Studio SXSW
Andrew J. Lederer Lives Life Fast, to the Limit
Don't Buy an XBox 360 Yet, Wait For the Nationwide Recall or Congressional Investigation
Just In Time for the DCM, Revisit the TSOYA interview with Anthony King and Ian Roberts
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:49 PM | Comments (0)
July 23, 2007
Working the Beat
--You might notice the line at Connecticut Muffin or the Food CoOp is exactly one guy longer. A.D. Miles has moved recently to DECADENT PARK SLOPE, Brooklyn. He is reportedly working on a tv series for Comedy Central right now. He is also really into world music these days.
--Speaking of muffins, we've received word that Michael Showalter was SPOTTED Sunday buying two of them at a Flatbush Avenue coffee shop; one for him and one for HIS COMPANION.
--Did anyone notice that The Bastion had an interview with Posh Spice's personal assistant last week? WTF.
--New York Approves of Fabrice Fabrice
--Time Out NY comedy editor Jane Borden spent the week at the Montreal Comedy Festival. Read about her journey at the TONY blog. Dead Frog and The Hater were there squeezing out the juice too.
--We hope no one got hurt tripping over DEALS DEALS DEALS in Montreal: Someone should check to see if Eugene Mirman, Kurt & Kristen, Buffoons, Hot Sauce, and Nick Thune are okay.
--BUZZING BY: If you're a reader of AST or The Coming, you know that LA goes ga-ga-ga-ga-ga for Jen Kirkman. She's gracing our coast for the DCM and for a couple of other rare appearances. Dates and times at her MySpace page.
--BUZZING BY: Daniel Kitson flies in from Great Britain for a CBS/NYC Presents show at Mo's July 30th. Guh, PERHAPS he's taking meetings while he's here too... Both Kirkman and Kitson are scheduled to perform at Tearing the Veil of Maya at Union Hall next Sunday. Here's a review of Kitson's show last year.
--BUZZING BY: Oh yeah... PRETTY MUCH EVERYBODY. What a week!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:56 PM | Comments (1)
July 9, 2007
Some of the Rage
--Jim Norton--who we've learned may be romantically linked to one of our favorite area comics--has a book coming out tomorrow called Happy Endings, which is apparently an explicit memoir about having sex and eating boogers. And if you believe all the 5-Star Amazon reviews, it's also about Jim's struggle with AIDS.
--Super Deluxe just picked up Eric Appel. He's on the front page right now. We hear that Gabe & Jenny have a series in the works with the website as well.
--Are you starting to think you missed the boat if you start a comedy career after college? An article in the latest Vanity Fair says that Hollywood It-Boy Shia LaBeouf was doing stand up when he was 10. Relatedly, both Rogen and Cera started before they could grow teenage moustaches. IN THE FUTURE, will you be more concerned some day about getting your 4-year old into a good pre-school or a good improv school?
--Speaking of the Vanity Fair issue we read while waiting for our Jet Blue pilot to put down his hoagie and fly the fricken' plane already, the August edition laid out a nice oral history piece about The Simpsons and a Q&A with Conan O'Brien.
--We've been told that Brown people were lining up to catch a glimpse of RISING STAR Max Silvestri at Rififi last night. The place was reportedly filled like DOUBLE STUFF'D COMBOS with Rhode Island alumni there to see Max and Mr. Showalter.
--Fabrice Fabrice makes a triumphant return to the UCB this Thursday. Reservations are still available.
--SPOTTED: Demetri Martin rocking out at the Cat Power/Built to Spill show at McCarren Pool.
--GIVEAWAY: TWO TICKETS to New York Magazine's Bad Art Auction featuring Zach Galifianakis and Band of Horses on Tuesday night. Just email theapiary@gmail.com with Bad Art Auction in the subject line and we'll randomly select someone at noon tomorrow.
--QUESTION: What places do you recommend for open mics? Where would you go to try your hand at stand up? We get asked that a lot, so we thought we'd throw it out there and form a definitive list of some kind.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:28 PM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2007
The Sting
Matt McCarthy, Pete Holmes, & Sean Crespo Booked For National Commercials
Improv Legends Centralia & Neutrino Unite to Save Cancer
LA Editor Rick's Greatest Contribution to Mankind
Vice Video Do's & Don'ts Show You How to Accessorize
Local Comics Like 2 Party, Have Fun, Etc.
How Come There Haven't Been Any New SHAC Shorts Posted Lately?
The Facetime Takes a Seasonal Hiatus
LESSON LEARNED: Drinking Kitchen Cleaner Bad Idea Unless Ur Composed of Inorganic Compounds
Sara Schaefer Has No Love for Adorable Baby Bindi
Due to Calendar Oversight, Joe Mande Can Still Celebrate His Two Favorite NY Things
A Glimpse Behind the Making of the Dramatic Chipmunk
Nick Kroll Guest Hosts PRI's Fair Game, Nails the NPR Voice
Summertime Happiness in New York
TO DO THIS WEEKEND: Wiimbledon in Williamburg or Everything Else
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:40 PM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2007
If You Want to Kill Something, You Gotta Know What It Loves
--If you missed Triumph at the red carpet of the Tony Awards, please review it.
--School's out for the summer... for everyone except Baron Vaughn! We hear that he's taking classes at the Queens Driving School. A driver's license might come in handy for all those road gigs he's booking lately. Ladies love a man with a car!
--Honesty, the web show produced for Comedy Central which later inspired a campaign to sell delicious McGriddles, has been nominated for an Emmy Award.
--Max Silvestri took over one of the Sunday night hosting spots at Rififi. His new show features a different co-collaborative co-host each week. His show is aptly titled I Like Attention.
--OVERHEARD IN MO PITKINS: We learned that Matty Goldberg is besties with the dude who invented The Slanket! You don't know what a fucking Slanket is?? It's a blanket with holes to put your broke-ass arms through. And it's taking the nation by storm!
--The Comedy Igloo, a Canadian themed comedy show hosted by Kevin Janus, makes the jump from the teeny tiny space at Under St. Marks to the grand concourse of Comix on June 28th.
--A rave review has come thru the inbox regarding the Street Meat debut of The Fabulous Belly Brothers--the belly slapping musical duo comprised of Brett Gelman and Jon Daly. Imagine your favorite death metal song or power ballad--but with belly slapping. If that's the hook, then consider us a big ol' trout on the end of a fishing stick.
--ACTOR/IMPROVISER Nick Cannon has been recruiting some NYC comics and sketch groups for upcoming spots in his MTV show Short Circuitz.
--The Kissing Booth held a prom-themed show recently. Watch your favorite drunk comedians attempt to do the Macarena.
--SketchFest NYC was a big success. The production staff always does a killer job. The sold out shows of the fest were MEAT, Summer of Tears and Elephant Larry. Personal highlights of the weekend included Kurt & Kristen's totally sick set and Dusty Warren calling us a pussy for not sticking around to slam beers with him. (We're sorry, but tummy-aches come first!) Another neat thing worth mentioning, there's a dude from Portugal who's been at every NY SketchFest--we met him three years ago and he keeps flying back just for the show because he has such a great time.
--The title of this post came out of Dion Flynn's mouth last night during The Ali Hour--a perfect pre-primetime show that's been quickly nestling its way into our weekly routine.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:25 PM | Comments (1)
June 5, 2007
2007 SketchFest NYC News & Buzz - Volume 1
SketchFest NYC begins this Thursday! We poked around with our hole-digger (not a euphemism for wang) and unearthed some rich and wormy dirt on this year's performers. Maybe if we all put our hole-diggers together, we can really learn something about ourselves. And our bodies.
A Week of Kindness - Thursday @ 7PM
--Mike Still has been SPOTTED screaming at crowds on Broadway as a CBS page at Letterman. A source tells us you can find him outdoors again later this summer in Shakespeare in the Parking Lot's production of Much Ado about Nothing.
--Dan Hopper is now the music AND the sports blogger at BWE.tv and he continues to maintain his own music blog at www.bandmadness.net. With A. Winer gone from the BWE masthead, is Hopper ready for a promotion?
--A Week of Kindness is in talks with a certain cable sketch show to produce some bits for them. Developments to come!
Harvard Sailing Team - Thursday @ Midnight
--Harvard Sailing Team will make their SketchFest NYC homecoming off of a hugely successful week at the Piccolo Spoleto Arts Festival in Charleston, SC. Will The Harvard Sailing Team return with stories of how those lipless Xerxes-like South Carolina successionists indulged them with all the pleasures that Fort Sumter has to offer?
TROOP! - Saturday @ 11PM
-- TROOP! Agent Britt just got married and TROOP! Agent Jay will be doing so in October. TROOP! Agent Kevin will be the officiant in said ceremony.
-- TROOP! Agent Kevin is now in his 9th year of putting "TROOP! Agent" in front of the members of his comedy group. No other member of the group does this. Everyone thinks it's kind of lame. TROOP! Agent Kevin soldiers on.
Summer of Tears - Saturday @ 9PM
--LA based Summer of Tears makes their first/only NYC appearance since winning the illustrious Best Sketch Group title at the Aspen Comedy Festival this past Winter.
--PREDICTION: This show will be crawling with industry.
Kurt & Kristen - Thursday @ 10PM
--This is the last time Kurt and Kristen will be performing together until their Montreal Just for Laughs show in MONTREAL, CANADA! We've snooped around and discovered that all new-ish material will be showcased in a 45-minute show made to make you crap your pants!!
--Kurt is going to Australia the day after they perform at Sketchfest (to perform and surf), and Kristen leaves for London (to perform with David Cross) the day Kurt comes back to the states--meaning Kurt & Kristen won't be together again until July!
--Which isn't a huge deal, you know, because they aren't dating. But, you know. Kurt will be hosting Hot Tub by himself for all of June and the first week of July.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:14 PM | Comments (0)
May 25, 2007
The Sting
Greg Johnson Celebrates Memorial Day Weakend
Whitest Kids' Fan in Whitest Kids Tattoo Shocker!
Eugene Mirman is Such a Flirt, Tee Hee
Stewart, Colbert, & Conan Tickets On the Line in Charity Raffle to Benefit the Diseased
See if You Can Win This Comedy Prize Giveaway/Mad-Libs Challenge
Public Radio International Welcomes Chelsea Peretti
Famous Person Michel Gondry Stops By Recent Olde English Performance
Blonde Ambition Shaping Up to Be a Real Crowdpleaser
Joe Mande's Head Pops Like Balloon From Talent Overload
This Guy Wants All His Postings About Myspace Inside You
Sarah Silverman's Tees On Display Again in Maxim
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:32 PM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2007
Monsters Live in the Dark and So Do Our Fears
--There are a couple of BIG TICKET ITEMS TONIGHT. Uptown, the 92nd St. Y welcomes Don Rickles and Regis Philbin! If you love Midtown, be sure to catch the Little Mosque on the Prairie panel at the MT&R. If Downtown is more your scene, there's a Flight of the Conchords preview party at the Tribeca Grand.
--WATCH: Jackie Clarke defends adult humor to the humorless viewers of Fox News.
--A racist white man in an SUV tried to put a cap in Donnell Rawlings last week.
--Gawker is reporting that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are shooting Baby Mama in Park Slope right now. They better not close Connecticut Muffin for this shoot. Or any of the other places we Slopers love to sit at all day and stare vacantly into the sun.
--If you haven't seriously watched MTV since you last operated a VCR, it might be time to get it out and hit the record button tomorrow as more hot details continue to emerge regarding THE MTV NOT BLOWING FOR 24 WHOLE HOURS EXTRAVAGANZA hosted by Human Giant. Can Human Giant single handedly save the ailing network?
--We stopped by the engaging and FREE Ali's Hour last night at The PIT and learned a bit of unfortunate news. Logo's Big Gay Sketch Show has been picked up for a 2nd season, however, Dion Flynn has been cut from the cast.
--The title of this post comes from a quote that Ali made yesterday.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:23 PM | Comments (0)
May 10, 2007
News Around Town
--VIRGINITY PUSHERS God's Pottery have cut a deal with Comedy Central Records. They're taping for their first EP on May 21 at Comix.
--We've been informed that Billy Scafuri's web comic, The Librarianist, clocked in over 76 THOUSAND hits last month, due largely to the support of CollegeHumor.
--Speaking of, Gawker is reporting that the CollegeHumor boys had a POWERFUL BUSINESS MEETING with Ari Emmanuel, the dude whom Entourage's Ari Gold is based off of.
--An AST user notes that those Guru Pitka workout shows at the Magnet will finally come to fruition this August when Mike Myers begins filming for The Love Guru.
--Dave Hill reveals he eats four hamburgers per week and that he's working on "something" for Adult Swim in a recently published DINING WHILE INTERVIEWING THINGY.
--Remember being at those tiny, cramped, and musky Flight of the Conchords shows when they first came to NY a few years back? Well, next time you see them you can stretch your arms... because BrooklynVegan says they're hitting the US Interstates for a large venue tour.
--We hear that The Huffington Post's upcoming humor site, 23/6, is getting its staff in place RIGHT NOW. Does anybody know what it will it be like?
--We also hear that Leo Allen name-dropped The Apiary in a self-deprecating joke at The Rejection Show last night. Cultural relevance achieved!
--In Old Video Thursday news, check out Daily Show writer, Scott Jacobson's latest vid, Wearing Che.
--HelloHilarious begins the countdown to SketchFest NYC--one of our favorite comedy events of the year--with an interview with the LA sketch duo, Karla.
--HELP WANTED: Any web designers out there? We're involved in a sizeable project coming up that will require a web person. Send a link to your portfolio and your rates to theapiary@gmail.com.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:21 PM | Comments (0)
May 4, 2007
The Sting
Verizon Tries to Tell You How You Can HyperLink Their Stupid Website
Memos Better Left Unsent by Liam McEneaney to His Neighbors
Todd Levin Discovers Outpouring of Jugs During Virginia Tech Stand Up Show
Something Grody Floats in Will Hines' Toilet Bowl
Giulia Rozzi Holds Roundtable on Fashion and the Working Stand Up
Tom Sellick Hates Human Giant With Every Fiber of His Being
USA Today Discovers Funny MPEGs, Internet; Reports Findings
Improv Everywhere Opens Up Video Vault
Jimmy Kimmel Gets Served in The New York Times, the Paper of Record
Jesse Thorn says, "I Can Die a Happy Man!"
RELATED: The Coolest Ways to Die
Ptolemy Slocum Sopranos Stills
Can the Power of One Shiny Forehead Bring Down Perez Hilton?
UK Comedic Sensation Will Adamsdale in Town for The Receipt
Offline Citizen Critics Tell All After Spiderman 3 NYC Premiere
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:03 PM | Comments (2)
April 30, 2007
Bees Might Be Dying All Across America, But There's Still Buzz Here
--We hear that Louis CK told a story during a recent Caroline's set about growing up in Mexico. He went on to comment that he's more Mexican than controversial stand-up Carlos Mencia. No one's more Mexican than controversial stand-up Carlos Mencia! We refuse to believe the rumors.
--CollegeHumor just released the full version of the Michael Showalter Showalter featuring Paul Rudd.
--Dustin D'Addato and Nick Turner, proprietors of TheSeen.TV--an upcoming "indie comedy website to feature hilarious videos, exclusive interviews, and more"--is having a launch party this Saturday in the Triple Crown's new "party room."
--The Bastion was embedded with some hometown comics at the D.C. Comedy Festival a couple weekends ago. They filed a full report HERE..
--Matt McCarthy picked up the late Tuesday night slot for the month of May at Rififi. The first one premieres May 8th.
--Eat the Press posted an interview with longtime Vice Magazine writer Lesley Arfin, conducted by former Deadspin editor AJ Daulerio. Q: "Does writing for Vice actually make you infinitely cooler than most people?" A: "Yes I think it makes me cool."
--There have been a bunch of Morgan Murphy SPOTTINGS around town lately. Is she here in NYC for business? Or pleasure?
--We had a chance to see a taping of The Daily Show on Thursday and we got to see Paul Mecurio's warm up. Duder gets pretty raunchy! He threatened to punch a man in the face for wearing an ugly sweater then called an old lady a bitch and derided a slightly less old lady for being a slut... AND THEY ALL LOVED IT. That takes skill.
--And finally... at Reuben Williams this past Saturday, a RANDOM AUDIENCE MEMBER who volunteered to come on stage and give lurid details about her life and discuss the contents of her wallet in order to supply the improvisers with suggestions, revealed that she lives in the same NYU dorm as Academy Award nominated actor Haley Joel Osment. She gossiped that she often sees Mr. Joel Osment allegedly drunk around the building. 19 year olds shouldn't be allowed to drink, IN OUR OPINION.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 5:20 PM | Comments (1)
April 17, 2007
The Hot Gossip Now Network
--The Shark Show's annual Battle of the Funny Bands competition concludes this weekend. Michelle Collins, The Steamy Bohemians, Leibya Rogers and Adira Amram are in the finals. Will Michelle bust out her fabled Les Mis in 10 Minutes act? Or will she drop a stirring 6-minute Drowsy Chaperone number instead?
--MOVING: Hot Tub is moving to Piano's where they will warm up the 'cuzzi on alternate Mondays when "It Is It" is not there. As HT's email announcement put it: "Three cheers for partying in a bar! That's not in the Button District! Or the Meatpacking District! Viva la Hot Tub!" And btw, Kurt and Kristen have been selected for Montreal.
--Is Piano's trying to become the next Rififi? Sunday and Monday nights are booked for comedy now. Is the rest of the week far behind?
--Park Slope residents are saddened: the restaurant known as Futura BM... IS NO MORE! The owners have decided to rename it Poopsie's. Just kidding about Poopsie's. However, we noticed the other day that the restaurant really is closed forever and the owners are probably bankrupt. You'll always be Number 1 in our book, Futura BM.
--CLOSING: Here's the Thing. Only 2 more times to catch the show at The PIT. Tonight's lineup of formidible comedy sluggers includes Jon Benjamin, Leo Allen, and Hard 'N Phirm. It is uncertain as of press time what will happen to Here's the Thing beyond April.
--Does this sound like an audition of some kind to you?
--Gabe Leidman vowed earlier today to stop AIDS with THE POWER OF LACKADAISICAL MOBILITY in the 2007 New York AIDS Walk. Pledge a donation to Gabe here.
--Todd Barry is travelling to Boston to record his 3rd comedy album this August.
--BLOGGING SOLUTION YOUTUBE has returned to the pages of the CC Insider. If we were stuck in the middle the trashy Viacom v. YouTube divorce, we would just keep posting YouTube vids til a court order says otherwise. Remember: It's not your fault, CC Insider.
--The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are coming to the XBox! Yipee! But, not in the way you'd really want them on the XBox. Boo!
--The LA Times? More like The L.A. FaceTimes! Har har.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:27 PM | Comments (1)
April 13, 2007
The Sting
Organized Group of Violent Lesbians Attack Wiley Drifter with Shivs
Indie Rock's Complicated Sense of Humor Exposed
Which is Awesomer: B.C.'s Unfinished Comic Strip or Adorable Doggy Drawings?
Court TV the New America's Least Funniest Home Videos
Fearsome's Latest Limited Engagement, Gungrease, Gets a Write Up
Didn't See That One Coming or That Wasn't Bovs: Bobes Usurps Peabs' Bizzle Bop
Paul Scheer Gets His First Fan Letter
Worker #3116 To Appear on This American Life Tomorrow
Amazon.com Reviewers' Earnestness Reveals Tragic Nature of Amazon.com Reviewers
Run for Your Lives, The Shocking Cats are Here!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 5:24 PM | Comments (0)
April 9, 2007
Get a Load of This
--We hear that RISING CARTOONIST Pete Holmes sold a strip recently to the New Yorker. He and his pal TJ Miller, who just finished shooting the pilot for Carpoolers in LA, have hosting duties tonight for their CBS/NYC sponsored showcase, Enjoy Your Life.
--Jimmy Kimmel, filling in for Larry on Larry King Live--a guest spot helmed earlier in the week by celebrated television personality, Star Jones--has created a stir for scolding Gawker editor Emily Gould on live television. One has to ask: Isn't his show a bit too web-savvy for the strange arguments he makes? Was his attack constructed knowing full well it would get a splashy write up on Gawker?
--Both The Coming and The Bastion are giving away a veritable shitload of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie knickknacks. Be in it to win it.
--Stand-up/Legend around the Daily Show set, Paul Mecurio, posted a bunch of old clips of his Daily Show appearances. Look at how skinny Jon is! (Not that he's fat now or anything.)
--LA rockers Hard N' Phirm will be performing next Monday at the UCBT.
--BLIND ITEM: Which NYC comedian worked INTIMATELY with pornographer Ron Jeremy as a writer for the new Heavy.com webshow titled Techsmart with Ron Jeremy?
--Kate Spencer is penning a new gossip column at CollegeHumor. Since we're talking about CollegeHumor, hold onto your jaws--have you seen the pictures of the new Connected Ventures world headquarters? Where's your Manhattan high-rise office space lease, America's youth?
--It sounds like Late Night director Allan Kartun is having a blast directing in full-on tranny gear. Rub a dab of Boodles gin onto your wrists to really get into character, Allan!
--The webpage for the 9th annual Del Close Improv Marathon is LIVE. They're accepting applications right now through May 7th.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:15 PM | Comments (0)
March 30, 2007
The Sting
Internet Personalities Square Off in YouTube Laugh Battle at NY Underground Film Festival Saturday
THE LIGHT THRU THE SHADEZ HITS UR ROLLERBLADEZ: The Totally JK Theme Song
Joey and David the Top Comedian on Myspace, Barely Edge Out Ned Holness
GET YOUR VCR REPAIRED: Mind of Ned Holness Season 3 Premieres Sunday!!1
aLive Report From a Taping of The Daily Show
More Contributors to The Onion News Network Discovered
What's Julie Klausner Gonna Do With That Chocolate Penis Cake?
Local Blogger Finds Puppy Poo So Awesome
Amy Heidt's Solo Show Booze Cruise Premieres Next Week
Reviews Come In For Ritalin Readings
So Which One Bought the Shirt From Goodwill?
The Ultimate Accessory for Your Solar Car, Because Only Nerds Drive Solar Cars
All The World's a Jesse Thorn Podcast
WATCH:
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 6:31 PM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2007
Pieces of We
--David Cross, Todd Barry, and Eugene Mirman are taking their show on the road. The left hand side of the road that is, all the way to London, England!
--Carolyn Castiglia sort of opened for Chris Rock the other day.
--Jennifer Dziura SPOTS Matthew Lesko tooling around with a suitcase. She suggests the encounter was "lame." However, this photographic proof proves that others find such an immaculate meeting quite pleasurable.
--PHOTOS: Justin Purnell's birthday blowout.
--The Comedy Central Insider is taking some heat this morning in an investigative piece Valleywag titled: How Viacom's Video Pirates Cover Their Tracks.
--As you all know, Wrestlemania 23 is this weekend. For what it's worth, we think that barring any interference from that Rosie O'Donnell lady, Donald Trump will win the "Battle of the Billionaires" match against Vince McMahon and in doing so, get to keep his hair. If you can't afford the 50 plums for the PPV, go see WrestleSlamMania II at the UCBT this Saturday night. A 15 man, battle royale is on the card.
--Check out the bodacious bod on this cute thing that Joe Mande wants to rail through a bedsheet gloryhole.
--BLIND ITEM: Which comedian and blogstar auditioned yesterday to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Mets game?
--We hear that Jacqueline Novak is going to be joining Christian Finnegan on his college tour when his Kia LUXURY SUV makes its way to Philadelphia.
--Who all's writing for The Onion News Network? Just scanning the net, we've found that Lang Fisher, Jack Kukoda, Chris Kula, and Alice Bradley are just a few of the contributors.
--Finally, here's an urgent message from those who wish to destroy the status quo:
Dear Citizens,
Good news: the long wait is over. Comedy Central has informed us that our Season 2 DVD will be released this fall. Thank you for your continued support. Spread the word.Sincerely,
Adair, Antoine, Colby and Trotter
Upright Citizens Brigade
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:44 AM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2007
Setting Fire to the Rumor Mill | Carol Hartsell Talks
Hey Carol, are you allowed to talk at all about the Montreal Comedy Festival rumors? We've heard that you helped line up auditions for a bunch of local comics. Are you an agent now or something? Would you care to elaborate?
There's not a ton I can say, simply because I'm not involved at a high level and my industry status is a little nebulous right now as I'm still learning. I did get to recommend several people for this first round of Montreal showcases, which was very exciting. They've just started so there's no word yet on who may or may not get call backs, but I've personally seen a couple of people I recommended do very well so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them.
Peripherally, I'm freelancing at Relevant Entertainment where I'll be helping out with booking their clients and learning about management. I hope to develop quickly enough that I can start taking on clients of my own there. In the meantime, I've recommended that Relevant look at several comics over the last month or so and that's lead to a couple of them now freelancing with them or working with them in some capacity... again, that's very exciting for me to be able to nudge open some doors for people I believe in. My goal is to become a full-time manager and producer, using my show as a vehicle for discovering and promoting new talent. We're going to begin doing a seasonal showcase at Comix (the first one went really well) that will be a "best of" Drink at Work show, pulling in my favorite performers from the last few months at the weekly DAW show at Rififi.
Drink at Work is every Tuesday at Rififi. Tonight's show features: Tom Shillue, Liam McEneaney, Elephant Larry, and more. To see some of the Just For Laughs Festival auditions live, check this week's calendars at Gotham and Broadway.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:49 PM | Comments (0)
March 23, 2007
The Sting
More Detes on the Onion News Network Launching Next Week
LISTEN: Theme Song for The Rejection Show
Sara Schaefer's Fondest SXSW Memories
"No Pain, No Gain," Says Chimpanzee Fitness Guru
Living the Petit Douche Lifestyle in Manhattan
NEVER FORGET: Bea Arthur Used to Work in a Cantina on Tatooine
Carlos Mencia Steals Jokes From Bill Cosby Now? That's So Dee Dee Dee
Kidnapped Jolie Baby Soothed By Nintendo Gameboy
Brooklyn Vegan is Hosting a Rock and Roll Show TONIGHT; Come By
Glennis McMurray Gets Her Close Up
Bog Wraith Outfits, the Hottest Thing Since Gap Boyfriend Trousers
Demetri Martin Viacom Vs. YouTube Daily Show Clip Becomes Totally Meta
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:31 PM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2007
Random Gatherings
--New York Times calls beloved Improv Everywhere leader a "smarmy art hipster."
--IT'S HARD OUT THERE FOR A ZINE: The locally produced comedy zine, The Comedians, is no longer free and no longer available online.
--The former editor of the short-lived humor mag Jest, Frank Santopadre, talks shop about Comedy Wise and his venture with comedy consulting.
--Bobby Tisdale is premiering a monthly show at Caroline's TONIGHT called Llama Toe. This evening's alt-acular line-up includes Leo Allen, Chelsea Peretti, Kristen Schaal, Hot Sauce, Cracked Out, Reggie Watts, and Baron Vaughn. Does this mean Caroline's is warming up to the downtown scene? Or do they just want a little of what Comix is having?
--Speaking of Comix, Scott Thompson is going to be doing a couple sets there this weekend. $5 off with the promo code: ST313. Read an interview with Scott in Chelsea Now.
--Anyone notice that there haven't been any YouTube vids on the CC Insider lately? And that all the Human Giant "leaks" have been in non YouTube format? Dead-Frog mentioned today that Moveon.org is suing Viacom now because YouTube pulled a Stephen Colbert parody video. It's heartbreaking when kids get stuck between feuding corporate parents.
--Billy Reno tells us that a large number of people who queued up for an early morning open call yesterday for Last Comic Standing were left out in the cold when it came time to audition. Only the first 150 people were seen. A discouraged Reno--who did not get to audition despite being in line for 10 grueling hours-- revealed that he knew someone who lined up 3 hours before he did and that person wasn't seen either.
--BABIES AND BULLETS: Watch the vids that were too shocking for NVW. Is this comedy or is this controversy? (NSFW)
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:56 PM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2007
Things That Were Recently Noted
--Brett Gelman and Jon Daly, are stuck in an elevator with Billy Crystal! Somebody help them! --via PRI's Fair Game.
--We learned that after this week's INSIDE JOKE (with guest, Andy Borowitz), the next edition of the show will be held at a movie theater in order to coincide with an advance screening of an upcoming movie...
--The CC Insider did some investigative reporting into the story behind Margot Leitman's sexy turtle costume.
--Bastion editor Elizabeth is auctioning off her stage fright on Ebay. From what we gather, whoever wins the auction gets exclusive rights to Elizabeth's very first stage performance. Last time we checked, the leading bidder was CrazyBoobsSaloon_15. Uh oh!
--BLIND ITEM: Which comedy celebrities have been SPOTTED recently PUSHING IT TO THE LIMIT at the Park Slope YMCA?
--Eddie Pepitone is in town. He's here to tape some segments for HBO's Flight of the Conchords show, which just began shooting recently. Eddie will be at The Motel TONIGHT, at the Cornelia Street Cafe in the West Village, 8:30 PM.
--Jesse Thorn chatted with Dan Harmon, producer of Acceptable.TV
--How is the newly remodeled Rififi different than the old unremodeled Rififi? The bar was rotated and put on the other side of the front area, most likely in an effort to accomodate more comedy groupie co-eds.
--SAY IT AIN'T SO, HELLO: The changing of the guard at Rififi has been finding its way into every night except Wednesday. For example, on Thursdays the legendary Oh, Hello looks like it's on its way out and Get Psyched is slated to be coming in. If you glare at the Oh, Hello MySpace page, there's only 1 more show scheduled on their calendar...
--Piano's just launched a recurring comedy series called "It is It." The Onion suggested it be called "It is People Who Work for Busboy Productions" or something to that effect since the booking is loaded like a Subaru station wagon full of Daily Show/Colbert Report staffers.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:49 PM | Comments (0)
March 6, 2007
Matt Besser Teams Up with Kanye West!
The Coming published a stellar interview today with Matt Besser. In it, Matt shares details about the upcoming ASSSSCAT DVD, who he thinks the best improviser in the world is, whether or not the Del Close Marathon might end up in LA, and this wild bit of news:
For the last month I've been improv coaching Kanye West for an improvised sitcom that he is developing for HBO. In the show I have been cast as his chauffer.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 5:02 PM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2007
Cracked Magazine Crumbles
An email from the editor of Cracked Magazine:
Hi, everybody. I have some bad news. Some of you already know this. Some of you probably already suspect. Others might have had no idea that anything was amiss. But the deal is: Cracked Magazine is gone as of Issue #3.Cracked the company, I should point out, is still alive and well. We're currently all working exclusively on book projects and our website at Cracked.com right now, which pays for submissions so there will still be freelance opportunities for you in the future. But unfortunately,
distribution issues and the publishing industry as a whole made publishing a bi-monthly comedy magazine unviable. Will we revisit it in the future? Ya never know. But for now, no more Cracked magazine.
Continue reading "Cracked Magazine Crumbles"
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:12 PM | Comments (4)
The Onion is Preparing to Launch a Video Network
To start off another New Video Wednesday, thought it would be worthwhile to put out this new video related news that was contained within a How to Kick People press release:
We hope to see you at tomorrow's three-year anniversary of How to Kick People, where we use our newly earned perspective to look back on all the ways we've completely ruined everything. Please join us for HOW TO KICK PEOPLE: "I COULDA BEEN SOMEONE!" Featuring the immeasurable talents of:REGGIE WATTS (winner 2006 Andy Kaufman Award, and one of our favorite
live performers)ELLIE KEMPER (has contributed to McSweeneys and The Onion)
JACK KUKODA (currently writing for The Onion's new video
network, has appeared on AOL's The DL)HOW TO KICK PEOPLE: "I Coulda Been Someone"
Wednesday, February 28th @ 7:30pm
Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction
Tickets: $8
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:19 AM | Comments (3)
February 20, 2007
The Sound of Young America is Coming to WNYC
BREAKING:
The Sound of Young America premieres on WNYC-FM on March 4th at 6PM.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 6:30 PM | Comments (2)
February 15, 2007
Some Things
--Hometown comic John Mulaney, of "Oh, Hello" fame, got the call up from triple-A to make his debut appearance on Conan O'Brien tonight. TONIGHT. In a remarkably low-key bcc'd email yesterday, Mulaney writes, "The other guest is Nicholas Cage. He and I are old friends (long story) so it should be a lot of fun to pal around backstage. Happy Valentine's Day." Is there anything sweeter in life than the rare moment when opportunity and preparation intersect? Break a leg, Mulaney.
--Brian Donovan at Public Radio International (think NPR) says comedian Dave Hill recently did a guest spot on "Fair Game with Faith Salie," a satirical news and entertainment program hosted by Faith Salie, "possibly the only Rhodes Scholar doing comedy today," according to the site. Hill talked about The Dave Hill Explosion, little Michael Jackson and sang a few songs. Recent guests on "Fair Game" have included Lorne Michaels, Todd Barry, Tig Notaro and Phyllis Diller.
--Comedy legend Alan Zweibel will present his one-man show, "History of Me" tonight at the People's Improv Theater. As one of the original Saturday Night Live scribes, Zweibel helped create "Roseanne Roseannadanna" and "Emily Litella," both played by Gilda Radner. The Brooklyn native has also written for "It's Garry Shandling's Show," Curb Your Enthusiasm, Billy Crystal's one-man show, "700 Sundays" and so much more. This is not to be missed.
--Onetime "black friend" to Stephen Colbert, Jordan Carlos informs us he'll debut on Nickelodeon's "Me:TV," a live, 2-hour, super-interactive show incorporating a live-studio audience and kids who are far more Interweb-savvy than you or I could ever dream to be. Me:TV starts Monday, Feb. 19, and according to Carlos, "I've been in rehearsals all week and things are really coming together (despite the fact that I'm freaking out)." The first week's guests include Billy Bob Thorton and Virginia Madsen, so put that in your pipe and smoke it. And just because he let TCR, that doesn't mean Jordan can't be your black friend, too.
--Sketch comedy mavens, Harvard Sailing Team, will headline this weekend at the National
College Comedy Festival at Skidmore College. And while we're talking HST, watch oarman Billy Scafuri, who recently co-debuted The Librarianist, spit some ill rhymes as MC Carl Winslow (clips courtesy of Brooklynite Zach Hoeken).
--All right, the jig is up, people. On Tuesday night, Natedogg left me the keys to the Oldsmobile and $20 in cold cuts and Diet Pepsi. He'll be gone all weekend. Lucky for me, though, he forgot to write down the mileage. Anybody wanna take that ride? Let's screw this thing up good and proper-like. Oh, btw, comments have been disabled due to a spam attack. Regrets.
Posted by keithhuang in The Beehive at 1:45 PM | Comments (0)
February 6, 2007
Some Things
--Chris Kula blogged about being an extra on the set of 30 Rock. That show has become almost as fun to watch to see who you recognize as it has become fun to watch because it's just fun. Does that make sense?
--Speaking of shows that are finding their groove: Since when has the first half hour of Kimmel become required viewing? The show is subversive, engaging, and swaggers with the kind of self-assured hipness you'd see in an up and coming indie band. For a more direct example, remember those heady days of the late 90's when every episode of Conan felt like a personal present from him to you? It's got that same energy right now. What's your take?
--LIVE AND SLEAZY: Dave Hill welcomes the cowboy from the Village People to his show next week.
--It's looking like there are some legs to this Whitest Kids v. Budweiser scandal which is currently rocking the media. (Page Six!) Whitest Kid Trevor ominously declared in the comments on their site: "[T]here's more to the Budweiser story than just random coincidence, which we'll probably post about in the next day or so."
--Since this is primarily a site about whatever Page Six is saying, we're happy to report that Michelle Collins earned her first mention in the NY Post. And she didn't have to drown heroically in a burning apartment building to do so. Heather Fink received a nod the other day too. Heather, however, had to daringly escape a gay porno factory and write a tell-all memoir to get that mention.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:28 PM | Comments (4)
February 2, 2007
Artistic Director of The PIT to Climb Out, aka Resign
A shadowy anonymous tipster told us that the current Artistic Director at The PIT, Alex Zalben, is said to be stepping down from his role in the near future. No word yet on whether or not there is controversy or sizzling scandal surrounding this breaking shake-up.
RELATED
What's an Artistic Director?
What's an Alex Zalben?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:43 PM | Comments (1)
February 1, 2007
Post 9/11 World Furious at This Guy, Rightly So
Offender Peter Berdovsky, the most blogogenic of the alleged BOSTON-TURNER-TERRORISTS
From the Hollywood Reporter:
"It is unconscionable that in this post-9/11 environment that Turner Broadcasting would do something like this in an urban setting. ... Perhaps next time they'll think twice about an ad campaign that puts a city at risk," Boston Police Superintendent Ed Davis said. Turner Broadcasting apologized twice Wednesday in written statements, saying that the "magnetic devices that pose no danger" had been placed in 10 cities -- including Boston, New York and Los Angeles -- to promote Adult Swim's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" animated series.
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2 Men Held on Bond in Boston Hoax Case
Peter's Web Bio
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Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:40 PM | Comments (10)
January 31, 2007
What It Is
--Rocker Andrew W.K. is stopping by The PIT soon for an Off-Rififi showing of Here's The Thing. EDIT: He's appearing on the Feb 13th edition now instead.
--It is our understanding that Anthony DeVito just shot a commercial for Caesar's Atlantic City which should start airing soon. We heard Anthony also snagged a part on an upcoming episode of Rescue Me.
--Aziz Ansari says: "We're almost done shooting Human Giant's MTV sketch show... we have a few more weeks shooting and then we'll be back in New York. The show is going to air in April..." [MORE]
--Which reminded us that The Whitest Kids' NATIONAL TELEVISION debut is March 20th on FUSE! Word is that the critics have good things to say.
--Icon David Letterman is celebrating 25 years of The Late Show this week.
--VH1 has been casting for a tv show about bloggers and producers didn't even bother to pitch any of the bloggers of their own sites.
--Do you like stuffing your face with butter and sugar? Have you ever considered joining a FRIENDLY STREETGANG dedicated to munching on cupcakes?
--Congrats go out to Apiary contributors Keith and Ben. Keith recently just landed a spot on a house improv team at The PIT. Ben is now contributing to The New York Press.
--Reservations for the awe-inspiring A Motherf*ckin' Evening With Fabrice Fabrice are still available. Don't get left out in the cold this February.
--And... did anyone happen to score Guru Pitka tickets? Just wondering.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:01 PM | Comments (1)
January 30, 2007
The Coming Just Came
The Apiary is pleased to announce the arrival of our full-service Hollywood outpost:
The Coming | www.thecoming.org
The Coming is edited by Rick Paulas--a living and breathing embodiment of all things Los Angeles. He's like 1/3 glitz, 1/3 sunshine, and 1/3 cantankerous smog. Send him a friendly welcome or pimp your wares: thecomingLA@gmail.com
Ahh.... Manifest Destiny is now complete. Jackson Democrats would smile on the accomplishment that took place this afternoon. And then they would whip us with swamp reeds for the irregular posting that has occurred here lately. There are some other plans in store soon too for the sites, so be on the look out.
We're still working out some of the kinks over there. Enjoy!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:26 PM | Comments (6)
January 25, 2007
In Touch Keeps Touching the BestWeekEver Blog Crew
In Touch--in what appears to be a reenactment of that scene in E.T. where the creepy alien creature reaches across to its human acquaintance and in its best Krang from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles voice goes, "Friienddddd!"--quoted the BestWeekEver.tv bloggers twice now in as many weeks in its nationwide print magazine. First they quoted Bob Castrone when he joked that if he were dating Justin Timberlake, he'd never leave the bed. Accomplished punmaker Michelle Collins was the latest BWE.tv staffer to have her words felt up by In Touch.
It's too bad Bauer Publishing doesn't produce a weekly magazine dedicated to Zarf, someone over there could cut and paste BWE's extensive Zarf coverage and sell a million copies to grocery store loving moms.
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I've Been Lanced
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Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:18 AM | Comments (1)
January 17, 2007
Dane Cook, In What Appears to Be a Bad PR Move, Rips Powerful Blogger 2nd Butthole
Looks like Dane Cook has more in common with Joe Rogan than just a few of his jokes. Mr. Cook went batshit bonkers on local hater/blogger, Alex Blagg, who helms the incredibly hefty readership at BestWeekEver.tv. Mr. Cook caught wind of Mr. Blagg's recent spat of anti-Dane Cook jabs and the SU-FI WARRIOR sent Blagg a MySpace message he won't soon forget:
You would never in a million blogs say anything to anyones face you scared kitty. i bet my eyes on it.Man think about your mom and dad. Fuck they must wish they had a son that was worth something more than a blogging hater. Don't worry Alex you're not the only one who is getting this treatment from me. See you're not that special even in bs like this. I just love turning the hard light on some of you bitter pills.
THAT is your legacy. Think about those words Alex Blagg. THAT is what your name has earned.
This site has traditionally stayed away from the swelling water park urine wave of Dane Cook bashing because, frankly, it's boring. (And have you seen DC's guns??) One has to wonder why Cook would even trade barbs with Blagg though--could he not foresee that his rant would be immediately published and paraded around like the world's biggest kung fu trophy?
Dane Cook is My Pen Pal!
Joe Rogan Versus Haters | Joe Rogan Versus Joke Theives
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:30 PM | Comments (24)
January 12, 2007
The Sting
Fax Machines: The Key to Making It In this Business
Chelsea Peretti's Ipod Populated Mostly By Sade
Sausage Party Slides Into Hello Hilarious
The Most NSFW Site Of All Time
An Olde English and Mountain Dew Cocktail Leaves Bad Taste in One Fan's Mouth
Welcome to the Internet, Andrew Wright
Janeane Garafalo Booked For Next Obsessed With Julie and Jackie
Why Hasn't Michael Showalter Blogged?
Tim and Eric's AWESOME Tour Coming to Knitting Factory
MTV President Accomplished Everything He Set Out to Do
"I'm In Accounts Payable at a Fortune 500 Corporation" Sounds Like a Great Show!
Stashwax vs. SNL: Is This Some Kind of PR Stunt?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 7:06 PM | Comments (0)
Amelie Gillette LIVE? Tolerable!
Amelie Gillette doesn't see in 3 dimensions. When she opens her superhuman orbs, she sees height, width, depth, and suckth. Amelie is basically an entity who travels freely amongst Dimension Z, using her gifts to swiftly decipher what is tolerable from what is lame in The Hater, her pop culture revue at The Onion A/V Club. And when she spots something intolerable, oh boy, you better watch out because she then releases searing blasts of destruction upon her target, sort of like Cyclops from the X-Men. For example: Pete Wentz' pointy bangs? Amelie was not amused. Britney Spears' flapping vagina? Hated it. Rachel Ray on a box of Triscuits? Words can barely contain her profound and utter disgust.
The Apiary was delighted to hear that Ms. Gillette is bending linear time into a circle and stepping forth into our own dimension to make a rare public appearance at a show this Monday called The Grouch Club, hosted by Patrick Borelli. On a scale of Unbearable to Tolerable, we find this news BEYOND TOLERABLE!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)
January 9, 2007
Jordan Carlos on Being Steven Colbert's Black Friend
Eat the Press spotted Jordan Carlos' column "My Schtick? Being Black", the most recent article in a series which "explores the lives of black men through their shared experiences and existence" in the Washington Post. In it, Carlos rails against SNL, The Daily Show, and The Colbert Report for a lack of diversity--the latter, a show which has hired him on numerous occasions to play "Steven Colbert's Black Friend Alan." He writes:
How did I get to be Colbert's on-air compadre of color? Simple. One day a friend of mine who happened to be a producer for the show called and asked me to come and have my picture taken with Colbert. He explained that it was for a segment they'd be airing that night in which I would play Colbert's black friend. With zero prospects and a gnawing fear that they'd find a replacement, I streaked over to the studios on New York City's West Side, where I was quickly introduced to the man himself, Stephen Colbert. We took the picture and my producer friend showed me out. The joke has since become a running gag. I had hoped to parlay it into a job; instead I got a lot of MySpace "friends." These experiences didn't leave me feeling good, but they did make me think more about being black. [READ MORE]
RELATED
Reactions and Opinions at Metafilter
AST Tackles the Article
Jordan Carlos' Blog
Jordan Carlos on Wikipedia
Alan on Wikiality, The Truthiness Encyclopedia
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:43 PM | Comments (4)
McDonald's Ad Agency Liberally Dips McNuggets into the BBQ Sauce That is Comedy Central's Webavision Department
There's a new fast food commercial airing here that is veeeeeeery similar to the Comedy Central webshow Honesty. In the Micky-D's mersh, two co-workers run into each other at a god forsaken McDonald's and instead of having a normal conversation, they say the things they're actually thinking.
Since a clip couldn't be found on YouTube of the dubiously inspired ad, it's going to be hard to convince you that this is fact. Oh well. One has to wonder what the connection is between the two. Anyways, here's the latest video of Honesty starring Jenny Slate and Pete Holmes.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:38 PM | Comments (10)
January 8, 2007
John Mayer Returns to the Microphone
NOTED ROCKER John Mayer is back on the stand up circuit. Audience member Chris Serico was enjoying a relaxing evening of laughter at the Comedy Cellar when Mayer came barrelling out out onto the stage. After the set was complete, Serico went home and wrote on his blog: 10 Things John Mayer Did During His January 5th Stand Up Set
1. Crashed the announced 11:30 p.m. lineup that included heavyweights and Comedy Cellar regulars Godfrey (who delivered possibly the funniest set I've ever seen in person), Dave Attell, Jim Norton and Sherrod Small.2. Wore standard stand-up fare: dark sweater and jeans.
3. Admitted "Yeah, I'm the 'Daughters' guy," then proceeded to sing amusing alternate lyrics to the song with that distinctive Mayer lilt.
4. Worked very "blue." Asked men in the audience if they too had ever stayed home from school just to self-indulge, tallying three climaxes before the "Showcase Showdown."
How blue did Mayer really go in this dangerous Post-Michael Richards Era? Was Mayer funny? Read the rest of the review to find out.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:27 PM | Comments (5)
December 28, 2006
Buzz Points and RFIs
--The Aspen invites are circulating. The Bastion is the first to report on Chicago sketch duo, KevINda, who are confirmed to be heading to the big show. If you or someone you know has been invited to the '07 USCAF, send in the info.
--Additionally, The Bastion has been picking up the slack the past two weeks while The Apiary has been off munching Christmas cookies--Inside with: Zach Galifianakis!
--Have the television premiere dates been set yet for Human Giant and The Whitest Kids U Know? The Human Giant website is now under construction, which suggests that MTV is busy shining it up AS WE TYPE.
--Has anyone had a chance to watch the SNL: Season 1 boxed compilation? Is it worth buying? And does anyone know whether Broadway Video intends to produce every season?
--The San Francisco SketchFest recently announced their killer schedule. The opening night celebration (1/11/07) promises a Stella reunion. Is this the first time Wain, Showalter, and Black have appeared on a bill as Stella since the end of the tv show?
--SFO wonderdudes, Kasper Hauser, have prepared a video titled "Camel Toe Getting You Down? SkyMaul Has the Answer." --via AST
--And finally... In a move that will hopefully fare better than when Marvel Comics created the abysmal West Coast Avengers... an LA version of this site is launching soon!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:55 PM | Comments (4)
December 13, 2006
Party Foul: Thousands of Distraught Revelers Turned Away From Onion Holiday Mixer
Several upended readers--WITH NOWHERE TO TURN--have forwarded in an email they received today from a systems analyst at The Onion which states:
Hi. Sorry to bother you and apologize in advance for any awkwardness, but it has come to our attention that the invitation to the private Onion Holiday Charity Party was erroneously reposted on some blog sites (like Brooklyn Vegan) and has been forwarded on to friends of friends of friends.Would you be so kind as to remind me from whom at the Onion you got your invite?
Thank you and we apologize in advance if it turns out your were mistakenly invited as a result and...um...hmmm...not really on the invite list.
Best and Happy Holidays,
Glenn
The Onion
Not a big deal if you know a guy, but what about poor JOHNNY CHARITYGIVER and SALLY COMEDYFAN who noted that the alleged private party was being publicly advertised as a charity event on 826NYC's website in conjunction with the graphic below? Will they be left out on the cold, dangerous Park Slope streets this Saturday too?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 5:12 PM | Comments (18)
December 11, 2006
Andy Kindler to Vanity Fair: "Christopher Hitchens is a Blathering Moron"
Tempers continued to flare this weekend in the comedy community over the publication of a odious and poop-like article by Christopher Hitchens in the January issue of Vanity Fair titled, "Why Women Aren't Funny"
Noted comedian Andy Kindler writes on a heated post regarding the article at AST:
"Tried to take the Hitchens article from the top, but was defeated again by the horrible quality of the writing, and could smell his rotting soul in every line. Also he seems horny or something creepy like that. He likes the ladies, and somehow he ties that into nothing. There's a lot of innuendo and such, enough to make everyone sick.Christopher Hitchens wouldn't know comedy if it was served to him on a bed of ice berg lettuce, with a fat free Eyetalian dressing on the side. He wouldn't know comedy if comedy was his room mate, and each morning upon rising, proclaimed in a loud voice, "I am comedy." He wouldn't know comedy if it fell on his head. If it fell on his head, and he in turn fell down, he wouldn't fall in a funny way. He would collapse under the weight of his own hideousness, and even though that would be enjoyable to watch, it would not be funny."
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:11 PM | Comments (17)
November 30, 2006
Daily Show/Colbert Report Bombshell: Executive Producer Ben Karlin Alleged to Resign
We're hearing a bombshell rumor that Ben Karlin, the Executive Producer of both The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report has announced his resignation from The Daily Show. It is unclear yet whether he will continue to remain on board The Colbert Report. Karlin is said to be the TDS's key tastemaker, an incisive, hands-on EP whose very influence and direction has brought the show to its dazzling prominence today. It is alleged that after 8 years, Karlin is simply burnt out.
Daily Show head writer David Javerbaum is expected to be promoted to the top spot.
What does this mean for the future of Stewart and Comedy Central's blue chip?
RELATED
Ben Karlin: The Zulkey Interview
Daily Show 101 With David Javerbaum
More insights and rumormongering at Eat the Press
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:01 PM | Comments (3)
November 28, 2006
When the Laughter Stops: Giant Tuesday Night to End Historic 4-Year Run
In an email received with the humble subject line "Kneel Before the Drink at Work Show!", an ominous message was buried:
OTHER SHOWS WE RECOMMEND THIS WEEK
November 28th:
Giant Tuesday Night of Amazing Inventions and Also There is a Game
You only have four more chances to see Giant Tuesday EVER. After December, our favorite show is no more.
Is this it for Giant Tuesday Night? The Apiary contacted Andres Du Bouchet, the ringmaster of the long-running weekly showcase, and he confirmed the allegation citing a need to push his creative energies in a different direction.
RELATED
Giant Tuesday Night Podcast
Andres' Audio/Video Files
Recap: Andres @ The Kraine Theatre
Recap: Naked Trampoline Hamlet
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:42 AM | Comments (5)
November 13, 2006
Christopher X. Brodeur Accosted by Comedy Club Manager, Police Intervene
ACTIVIST/PERFORMER Christopher X. Brodeur has fired off some incendiary words for Wayne Rada, manager of Stand Up NY--a 2-drink minimum comedy club in upper Manhattan--after an explosive incident last week at the club.
I had just been onstage for the Andy Kaufman Awards semi-finals at the slimiest comedy club I've ever been in... [a]s I was rushing to go perform at another show... Stand Up NY manager WAYNE RADA came after me, grabbing me by my shoulder bag, and demanded I pay my "tab" of zero drinks and zero food items... He said there was a $15 admission charge that I had to pay, DESPITE ME BEING IN THE SHOW!Long story short, he wouldn't let me go to my next show, and I, being a civilized adult (read: I didn't smash his face in when he put his hands on me, which many other people would've done) tried to reason with the cro-mag, to no avail.
ANYHOW, it became a huge scene on the sidewalk at 78th and Broadway and Wayne and I both asked for police from the crowds gathered. One person with the Kaufman Awards came out and chastised the Ape--"is this necessary, Wayne?", he asked--but you cannot reason with an ape.
3 Police cars came... [continued]
Below are SHOCKING photographs from the altercation which appear to depict Mr. Rada putting his hands on CXB whilst mugging for the camera.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:24 AM | Comments (1)
November 9, 2006
Stuff You Can Fap To
--Rob and Mark's SpikeTV webshow Geek Ray Vision is making the jump from the monitor to the small screen. It will air this Friday on Spike at 1:45AM, which as we all know is way too late for those of us who sleep after Jeopardy and way too early for those of us high on crystal meth. Tivo?
--Anthony King & Scott Brown's GUTENBERG: The Musical is moving from off-off-Broadway to standard off-Broadway. The new production boasts fresh songs, a revised script, and a deluge of regular-Broadway stars.
--Fearsome--whose members have recently gotten hitched and pregs in separate incidents--have just returned from a trip to Los Angeles. Word is they had several INDUSTRY MEETINGS out there including talks with a reality show producer.
--Stephnie Weir was SPOTTED gazing at her cell phone inside a local coffee shop. But what did her cell phone tell her??
--Tenacious D is scheduled to rock out at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square next week.
--Robert Smigel is at the Museum of Television & Radio TONIGHT.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:45 PM | Comments (1)
October 27, 2006
The Sting
Time Out New York: The Humor Issue, The Video
Chicks & Giggles Takes Issue with Humor Issue
Chris Kula Discovers Righteous New Way to Waste Time
Victor Varnado and Carolyn Castiglia Battle Using Rap Music, Street Slang
Museum of Television & Radio to Host Creative Forces Behind 30 Rock THIS MONDAY
SNL Goes Inside Gawker Media HQ
TRUE LIFE: I Bombed For the First Time
WFMU Dredges Up Walsh and Sanz Call In Episode From 2002 -- via TSOYA
Michael Cyril Creighton Prepares for Bachelor's Party
HALLOWEEN COSTUME DOS AND DON'TS: Best Week Ever, Slack La Lane, City Rag, Margot Leitman, and Lang Fisher
Yacht Rock Sets Sail For New York City
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:06 PM | Comments (2)
October 19, 2006
Just Saying
--The St. Petersburg Times recently asked Demetri Martin, "Bigger jerk: Stewart or O'Brien?" His reply: "Neither. Conan is down to earth, and he's just an honest, good guy. And Jon Stewart, that guy's awesome. He's really all over his show. I've said this before - it's like they're comedy professors. If I did a piece for Conan, I'd go to rehearsal, and he'd just say, "You don't need the middle part. And you need an extra joke on the end." And you always leave thinking, "How did I not know that?" I had the same feeling with Jon Stewart."
--The PIT is introducing an expanded and comprehensive Sketch Comedy Writing Program: Level 1: Intro to Sketch Writing (with Alex Zalben), Level 2: Intermediate Sketch Writing (with Michael Showalter), Level 3: Sketch Comedy Workshop (with Kevin Allison). More info HERE.
--Olde English has THE TOP FEATURED VIDEO on YouTube right now, making them the first NY notables since Human Giant to hold the honor. What does the future have in store for OE?
--Rachel Dratch was SPOTTED last night bopping at the Beck concert at the Madison Square Garden Theater.
--COMEDY REPORTER BEAT: Keith Huang is now wielding a fancy camera and RISING Comedy Reporter Patrick hides in bushes to get the shots readers crave.
--Does Sean Crespo have a book deal?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:25 PM | Comments (0)
October 13, 2006
The Sting
Dave Rubin and Jackie Mason the Next Coverboys For Kashi Goodfriends Cereal?
BELIEVE IT: Tenacious D, Neil Hamburger As Big or Bigger Than Wrestlemania, Westminster Dog Show
Giulia Rozzi Has Something to Say About Douchebags
The OFFICIAL M. Sho Tour Diary
Mindy Raf Overcome By Dachshunds
Expect Star Studded Drop-Ins All Over Town This Weekend
Patrick aLive Touches Base With People at the Freak Show Premiere Party
What is the Fate of The Baudelaires?
END OF AN ERA: Jess Coen Leaves Gawker :(
THIS TERRIBLY SAD SONG GOES OUT TO JESS, WHEREVER SHE IS:
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:58 PM | Comments (0)
October 4, 2006
Demetri Martin's Got a New Blog
If you thought your blog was starting to look slick because you just figured out how to align photos, take this first look at the headswirling insanity resulting from Demetri's collaboration with Microsoft.
(The site probably doesn't look so hot if you're using Safari)
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:16 PM | Comments (4)
September 28, 2006
Elephant Larry Sex Tape Coming to FUSE
The pornographers at the FUSE television station have acquired the rights to a lurid solo video of Stefan Lawrence of the sketch group Elephant Larry stripping to his skivvies and then baring his blurry bits. An article in the New York Daily News tells the sordid tale of runaway computer programmers and sanitation workers who are letting their johnsons and jayjays hang out for Pants Off Dance Off, the only show since Full House to successfully lure cutie Jodi Sweetin away from her crystal meth pipe and back to the small sceen.
CLICK TO SEE THE SHOCKING ARTICLE
RELATED
It's Not Easy Being Green Screened
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:23 PM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2006
Internet Community Comes Face to Face With Comedians of Comedy
Users from the internet message board known as A Special Thing assembled at last Friday night's anticipated Comedians of Comedy show at Irving Plaza. Upon arriving home after the show and settling in, the internet users powered up their CPUS and began posting to AST.
Andrew Wright typed:
Oh my god. Fucking so great and inspiring. First time I've seen Cross do stand-up in a few years and he was fucking spot-on. Patton had so much new material that was so top-notch I suspected necromancy. Eugene, Morgan, Brian--they all owned. What a great show. I can't wait till Jesus returns. I hope he's nice and not all vigilante and shit.
And Klaus_Kinski entered in these keystrokes:
Holy shit last night was fun. I didn't get home until 4:00am.The after party was the highlight for me. Everyone was so much fun to hang out with and get wasted with. Patton's wife is one of the nicest people I met that night.
Hound, I have a great pic of you on Posehn's lap. I also got a few pics of Patton, Posehn, Mirman, Cross, Scott Ian...
RELATED
Photos From the Show and the After Party
Comedians of Comedy on MySpace
ELSEWHERE
Brian Michael Bendis Interviews Patton Oswalt
Patton on YTMND
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:06 PM | Comments (2)
September 7, 2006
Hearing Things
--With a recording device in hand, Comedy Central will be slinking around Piano's at this Sunday's God's Pottery show. GP welcomes special guest, all the way from LA, Mike O'Connell.
--Sketch group Olde English, who have developed quite an online following with their daily videos, have signed a management agreement with Principato-Young.
--Thought to Think About:
It's funny, actors and writers used to sit in Sardi's all night waiting for the early reviews to come in. Now they sit in their underpants in their dorm rooms hitting REFRESH REFRESH REFRESH and following referral logs to see if kids on message boards are doing bits from their comedy video in their posts. --DC Pierson
--Mo Pitkins celebrated its first birthday yesterday.
--Voice Your Answer: At what point in the construction process did Mo Pitkins designers start thinking about how patrons will get in and out of Mo Pitkins?
A) From the beginning.
B) Never ever.
--Jon Stewart is going to be chatting with the editor of The New Yorker at The New Yorker festival in October. A source tells us $50 tickets to the event went on sale at Noon today and by 12:03, they were gone. TRANSLATION: Rich people are good at Ticketmaster.
--Are people excited about the grand opening of the new comedy mega venue, Comix? Opening weekend welcomes Sarah Silverman, Flight of the Conchords, and Cedric the Entertainer to name a few. NO DRINK MINIMUMS.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:35 PM | Comments (4)
August 24, 2006
Bits of Honey
--A bogus and poorly fact-checked article in the New York Post Tuesday regarding the cast changes at SNL has turned into a full blown media frenzy, with various news outlets all confirming TOTALLY DIFFERING SCOOPS. Eat The Press finally starts wondering who the heck are all these LEAKY SNL INSIDERS? Let's face it, do you really think Lorne Michaels is going to go to The Post with exclusive information after The Post called for SNL's cancellation last year?
--MEAT has made it to the semifinal round of the New York TV Festival Pitch Contest. The winner of the contest will receive 8 THOUSAND DOLLARS good towards making their pitch a reality. In order to win, they need your vote TODAY!
--The Assimilated Negro is DH-ing at Gawker this week.
--God's Pottery was just nominated for Best Newcomer at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
--TO DO THIS WEEKEND: The Delicious Sandwich Social & Neil Hamburger. A full set by Mr. Hamburger is one of the funnest things you'll see all year. A lazy day in Prospect Park socializing with sandwiches should make for a good time too.
--If it feels like the site is being phoned in this week or your emails are not being answered in a timely manner, you're probably right. The Apiary staff is sort of on vacation.
--A day in the life of Caroline Hirsch, of Caroline's Comedy Club. Actual question asked: "Without you, would Jay Leno be hosting the ‘Tonight Show’?" Man, we could really go for a time machine right now...
--Anything else going on out there?
--Matt Sklar wrote in with a nice recap of 826 NYC's star-studded fundraiser last night, Revenge of the Book Eaters. Read all about it after the jump. He also snagged some info on upcoming Jon Hodgman appearances.
Continue reading "Bits of Honey"
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:39 PM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2006
Carole & Paula Make Surprise Visit to Free to Be Friends
The women responsible for inspiring Julie Klausner and Sue Galloway to create the world of Betty & Joan, were at the final NYC Fringe Festival performance of Free to Be Friends. Oh yes, the real Carole & Paula, stopped by. Were they delighted or were they litigious?
Read about the encounter here!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:12 PM | Comments (3)
August 14, 2006
Bits of Honey
--The Sound of Young America pointed out that Joe Garden has been infected with the blogging virus. [NeedleDrop]
--Louis CK will definitely be at Mo Pitkin's tonight. A scheduling hiccough caused Ticket Web to send out a confusing email that offered refunds to the show. Those emails should be ignored if you still want to see Mr. CK for 6 bucks.
--Two of Chicago's most talked about RISING COMICS, TJ Miller and Prescott Tolk, are going to be at the UCB on Thursday in Bombast.
New If You Haven't Seen it Yet: Amy Miles' "Kill to Know", Featuring GRAINY YOUTUBE APPEARANCES by Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Chelsea Peretti, David Wain, and more. --sent in by Keith
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:12 PM | Comments (3)
August 11, 2006
Demetri Martin, Man of A Million Deals
Demetri Martin was in the news again yesterday for selling the rights to Columbia Pictures for a new project called Moon People. Back in April of 2006, comedian Steve Byrne said of Demetri Martin, "Stop trying to be funny." Good thing Demetri paid no attention to Steve's bad advice because here's a quick list of what's on Martin's immediate plate:
--An upcoming album in the Fall
--An ad campaign for the Microsoft corporation
--Punching in at The Daily Show
--A 25-city stand-up tour
--Keeping in touch with his 50,000 MySpace friends
--Publishing a book
--Prepping the relaunch of www.demetrimartin.com
--And all the projects that haven't been publicized yet
How does he keep track of all this stuff? And what kind of Palm Pilot can even handle this expansive amount of day planning?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:35 AM | Comments (7)
August 8, 2006
Rob & Mark Are Hired Geeks
Aside from The Geek Squad, there just wasn't a lot of quality employment out there for self-professed geeks... UNTIL NOW! Just received this bit of news:
The Rob and Mark Show (Rob Gorden and Mark Douglas) are the hosts of a new internet show called “Geek Ray Vision” on SpikeTV.com.The show’s first webisode is scheduled to air this Friday, August 11th.
The show will cover everything you can geek out on. Comics, movies, video games, music, everything!
For more info on Rob and Mark go to www.myspace.com/therobandmarkshow and listen to their stuff and watch Scott Bateman’s awesome animations of their silliness.
--photo by Carol
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:34 AM | Comments (4)
August 4, 2006
The Sting
What Sweet Treat Did Jackie Clarke Find Herself Covered In This Time?
Julie Klausner Lands Jewish Role
Mortified Seeks Public Speakers With Embarrassing Pasts
AV Club Weighs in On Talladega Nights
DID YOU KNOW?: Olde English Pumps Out a New Video Practically Every Fucking Day
Price of Integrity Soars to Record Highs After Jakob Lodwick Squashes Ad Agency's Dream
Honesty Big Ratings Winner on Comedy Central's Motherload
GIVEAWAY: Pair of Tickets to See Party Central USA this Saturday at The PIT; Email theapiary@gmail.com To Win
Trailers Available Online For 30 Rock & Studio 60
Daily Show Said to Be Holding Auditions Right Now
NYC Fringe Festival Starts Next Week
Hold the Mayo: Delicious Sandwich Social Makes Triumphant Return
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2006
Developing: Scott Curry Might Not Be a Fish Catcher and CNN Might Be a Lying Sack of Poop
Did CNN lie to us? Last week CNN broke the story that Scott Curry caught a fish in East Texas. According to R.J.--a random commenter whom we have no reason to believe is lying--Mr. Curry DID NOT catch the fish after all. This EARTHDESTROYING comment landed in the inbox:
Name: R.J.
Email Address: ROLLERBLADER1090@YAHOO.COMI AM THE ONE WHO CAUGHT THE FISH AND IT IS A PACU AND HE JUST HELPED PICK IT UP HE WENT ON TV CUS I DID NOT WANT TO AND THEN HE TRIED TO TAKE FULL CREDIT SO THAT IS THE TRUE STORY
Whoa. This is almost too much to handle. What do you mean he didn't catch the fish? The graphic clearly says, "Scott Curry, Caught Fish." You mean we've all been deceived?? CNN never mentioned Rollerblader1090 in their report. What kind of pitiful house of lies is CNN trying to construct?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:30 PM | Comments (4)
July 22, 2006
The Sting: A Week of Kindness internet video makes splashy premiere right here, Brazilian rock band CSS is goin' places, Just in time for the Del Close Marathon: Charna Halpern speaks to The Bastion, and more!
This was supposed to go up Friday--OOPS.
Stylus Magazine's Top 100 Music Videos of All Time
Bastion Stuns With Stunning Interview, Inside With: Charna Halpern
Inside the Inside With: Charna Halpern
Kurt & Kristen Became Lawyers Today: The Animated Film
The Night Cansei De Ser Sexy Won the Heart of New York City
New Documentary Explores Innermost Thoughts of Precious Babies
Dan McCoy Has Something to Say About Shouts & Murmurs
Huffington Post Workplace NSFW
Kambri Crews Reports From Montreal Laugh Expo
Dead Frog Speaks to The Times, Takes Air Out of Chappelle Conspiracy Sails
PRESENTING: THE INTERNET WORLD PREMIERE OF: "Man and Cat" , by A Week of Kindness
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:22 PM | Comments (2)
July 21, 2006
"Name Our Improv Group" Rakes in Shitload of Cash
The Ebay auction to name this improv group has ended. From a comment that was posted:
GoldenPalace.com took the auction with a winning bid of $1,385.(GoldenPalace.com is an online casino famous for bidding on and winning unusual eBay auctions. Among their conquests: a grilled cheese bearing an image of the Virgin Mary, a sea monster, and an x-ray of a duck with an alien in its belly.)
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:43 AM | Comments (1)
July 18, 2006
John Ward Wants to Be a Millionaire
John Ward can't wait to win a million dollars! -- photo via Improv Everywhere
Margot Leitman sent in a sweet bit of news:
John Ward (aka Dr. Wimpy) the loveable older man who played "the Wizard" in the Dark Side of the Moon show, "Ernie" in my current show Slow Night and more notoriously "Anton Chekov" in the Improv Everywhere stunt at Barnes and Noble-- will be a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire taping Monday, July 24. It will air sometime in September. Going as his guests will be Sarah Burns and myself. Neil Casey, another castmember of Slow Night will be a lifeline.
Dr. Wimpy doing some voice acting
Slow Night returns to the UCB in August.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:40 PM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2006
The Sting: It might be too late to pick up Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 for your PlayStation Portable, Rob Paravonian shows you Life As a Comic, Improvisers flocking soon to NYC, and more!
Carolyn Castiglia's Baby Blog Recommended by REDBOOK Magazine
Garbage Men in Alamogordo, New Mexico Prepare For Lots of Double Shifts
Uh... What Just Happened??
WATCH: Variety Shac: Trailer for The Documentary
Life as a Comic: A Serious Look at the Mechanics of the Form
Monkey Sets New High Score in Ms. Pacman
Sara Schaefer Denies Jared Leto Sloppy Seconds, Has Problem With 'Residual Snatch-Juice'
Anthony King Reports From Inside Sean Conroy's LA Apartment
Improviser Fights With Legendary Brazilian Ju Jitsu Warriors
Ghostbusters the Way It Was Never Meant to Be Watched
Up Means Down and No Means Yes on Opposite Day
Liam McEneaney Affectionate Towards Lunatic
D-List Agent Tells All to NY Post
DONATE: Run For My Mom
Del Close Marathon Two Weeks Away
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:47 PM | Comments (2)
July 11, 2006
Loan Your Airport Screening Area to Jihad Joe's Pilot
An interesting post on Craigslist today says:
Looking for locations for upcoming Comedy Central Comedy Pilot
Reply to: jihadjoetv@gmail.com
Date: 2006-07-11, 10:30AM EDTWe are looking for locations to be used for a comedic, Middle Eastern TV pilot, shooting the 3rd or 4th week of July. Each location would only need to be used for 1 day.
1) A living room with a staircase, Middle Eastern décor
2) A bedroom with Middle Eastern Decor
3) A large all white room that can be used to illustrate heaven
4) An "Airport" Screening area i.e. metal detectors and a conveyor belt, could be in a school
This is a low budget pilot so we are looking for free/low cost usage of spaces, please send photos, questions and possible leads to jihadjoetv@gmail.com Thanks for your help!
When Jihadjoetv uses the words "upcoming Comedy Central Comedy Pilot" does that definitively mean that the pitch has already been made and that CC is giving him money to produce the episode? Or does it mean that they are going to make an episode first and then pitch it to Comedy Central? Anybody know?
OF INTEREST
MediaBistro wants to teach you How to Pitch That TV Show
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:53 PM | Comments (3)
July 6, 2006
Michelle Collins Hired at BestWeekEver.tv
Gawker isn't the only heavy-hitter restructuring their masthead. It was announced today that BestWeekEver.tv has just acquired one of the funniest bloggers in the world, Michelle Collins. She will be seated on a computer between BWE.tv writers, Bob Castrone and Alex Blagg.
The Apiary caught up with the comedy starlet and, judging by the number of emoticons she was using, she appeared both chipper and overcome with glee.
Ms. Collins--who is preparing for her 25th birthday this weekend--urges those who are interested in celebrating her birthday to resist blowing their expendable income on programs benefitting the needy and mentally challenged. Collins' message: "In lieu of charity donations, I will accept checks and gifts personally."
RELATED
Michelle on Best Night Ever
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:27 PM | Comments (1)
June 30, 2006
The Sting: ASSSSCAT 10th Anniversary spectacular is coming to Irving Plaza, The Burg doesn't need the Hipster Handbook to be cool, Friends don't shoot fireworks at friends on the 4th of July, and more!
Elliott Kalan & Friends Challenge Bryan Singer for Superman Supremacy
Leo Allen Reads Books -- via Nichelle
Teenage Daniel Kitson On Some Strange Gameshow
God's Pottery Prepares for Edinburgh Fringe Festival
New York's Bravest Boy in Blue, Anthony Devito, Retires From Fashion Police
Strangers With Candy Boxed Set RELEASED
Amy Sedaris Talks to The Onion AV Club
Worldwide Ban for the Saying, "I threw up just a little in my mouth" Called For Nearly 6 Months Ago
Watch: Williamsburg's Must See TV, The Burg
The Rapture Needs Roller Skating Hipsters Like Now
New Jersey a Comedy Hotzone Says America's So-Called Paper of Record -- via Jesse
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:53 PM | Comments (2)
June 29, 2006
Lovebirds: Mary Lynn Rajskub & Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh locks bedroom eyes with alleged gal-pal Mary Lynn Rajskub and goes in for a juicy smooch.
Story and photos from the Washington Post
Analysis at Best Week Ever
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 5:55 PM | Comments (3)
June 22, 2006
Sketch Website Subject of Hot Deal Rumors
***SPOILER ALERT FOR NETWORK EXECUTIVES AFRAID OF SPREADING MORE INTERNET BUZZ FOR THEIR TALENT*** Do not continue reading if you're one of these people.
There's a rumor that "That Which Can Not Be Said" is being said about a popular local sketch/short film website. Please don't openly speculate in the comments.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:06 PM | Comments (1)
June 20, 2006
We Listened and Found Out...
THAT PIONEER Joe Franklin will be at the Dave Hill Explosion on Wednesday!
THAT Something rather Apiary-like is fortifying in the Midwest!
THAT Brian Huskey is leaving soon and forever for California!
THAT Kate Spencer does Yoga with Russell Simmons!
THAT Matt Walsh talked to Metro about Dog Bites Man!
THAT Comedy Central just picked up 3 new web shows to premiere in September on MotherLoad titled Baxter & McGuire, Honest, and Good God!
THAT the old Juvie Hall gang is re-rooting itself at Jimmy's No. 43!
THAT Brooklyn Vegan added a comedy section to his blogroll!
THAT Buried in this interview is the announcement that people within the UCB are working on a humor magazine called Don't Think!
THAT Reports are springing up from the latest Improv Everywhere event: The MP3 Experiment 3!
THAT Another comedienne is sporting a baby growth!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:00 AM | Comments (2)
June 16, 2006
The Sting: Fred Willard teams up with UCB Stars for theater benefit, Internet welcomes Long Awkward Pose, Don't forget Father's Day, and more!
Stereogum Asks Comedy Celebrities: "What's on Your Ipod?"
Fred Willard and Mailer Daemon Improvise together June 19th; TOGETHER Together?
WATCH: Todd Levin Just Wants "A Little Privacy" in BARELY SFW Video
Gambling Debt Proves Costly For Chris Kula, Scrumptious for Ben Schwartz
The Private Photos MySpace Tom Prefers That You Didn't See
Paul Rudd Raves to ProductShop About The Ten
What is This Woman Talking About?
Heartless Montana Town Bans Babe Magnet Goats
Comedy Faves Descend to Hellish Bonnaroo, Tennessee
World Cup Blogger Parties Every Weekend at Pianos
Thighs Wide Shut Reports Live From Lame Radiohead Concert
Betty & Joan Rock The Loser's Lounge THIS Weekend
Fox News Goes Inside College Humor
Long Awkward Pose Takes Internet By Storm
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:15 PM | Comments (1)
June 8, 2006
Demetri Martin & Microsoft Take on Jon Hodgman & Apple in Bloody Multi-Million Dollar Marketing Feud
Rivals Hire Daily Show Denizens as Pitchmen
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:30 PM | Comments (5)
June 6, 2006
Shocking Baby Bump Shockers!
Writer/comedian Susie Felber made the SHOCKING announcement on her site that she is expecting a large baby to emerge from her body in late October. This will be the first child for Susie and her husband.
Susie Felber, photo via Kambri Crews
There's even more baby mama drama! Confirmation hasn't been established, but A SOURCE WHO WILL BE KEPT UNIDENTIFIED has sent in the following bold allegation along with some damning MS Paint infused-photographic evidence:
Is that a bump? Biz Ellis (SketchFest Producer / MEAT) and Stefan Lawrence (SketchFest Art Director / Elephant Larry) have been pretty hot and heavy since last years SketchFest. After a Sketch Camp Vegas trip in April, Biz hasn't been seen smoking like she used to, plus she has been talking about how great it is to have a day job and insurance.
Stefan Lawrence and Biz Ellis
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:04 AM | Comments (4)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
May 3, 2006
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)
April 28, 2006
The Sting: New Derrick videos now on You Tube, Did you hear about the Nintendo Wii?, Be a part of Eugene Mirman's CD promotion/protest, and more!
Don't Even Think About Parking in Emilio Estevez' Parking Spot
DC Pierson Contemplates on Comedy, Shares New Videos
Best Week Ever Blog Relaunches, Increases Shininess
Discuss: Why Can't the Tribeca Film Festival Set Up a Website That's Easy to Navigate?
Watch: A Drunk Guy At Denny's Try to Put on a Coat
Ben Schwartz Joins the Blogosphere
Rebecca Ciletti Ends Relationship With Longtime Lover
Ricky Van Veen Ends Relationship with Longtime Sandwich Preparer
Dogs & Cats Shouldn't Be Allowed to Drive!
Mitch Hedberg Approves of the Nintendo Wii
Related: Wii Didn't Start the Fire
Lianne Stokes Addicted to Pants
Sara Schaefer Premieres Video Gaga at the UCBT Monday
Protesters to Violently Gather for Upcoming Eugene Mirman Protests
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:49 PM | Comments (1)
April 26, 2006
What's the Secret to Scoring Guru Pitka Tickets?
For several occasions in a row now, The Apiary and several readers who wrote in to complain, have been completely shut out from getting tickets to Mike Myers' Padsana on Human Potentiality and Equipoise by His Holiness the Guru Pitka show at the Magnet Theater.
Do you have to know a guy? Are a large number of seats pre-allotted for Magnet students? Tickets for this Friday's show reportedly went on sale at noon today. And after another week of panicked speed dialing and busy signals, we finally got through and were told reservations were full.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:43 PM | Comments (5)
April 21, 2006
The Sting: Make your own sting, We've got a Chinatown bus to catch, But here are a few to get started, and more!
Liam McEneaney's Friendship Available Now on Ebay
All the Brian Peppers Animated Gifs You Will Ever Need
Manna from Industry Heaven - via Carolyn
Add your own in the comments, if you'd like. Have a good weekend!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:14 PM | Comments (1)
Will Nunziata Gets Raging Mets Boner
A report has come in that NY Mets superfan Will Nunziata of the sketch group, The Royal We, just landed a sweet gig interviewing other Mets fans for a new TELEVISED show called "Mets Weekly." This is his story:
Yesterday at work I get a phone call, I don’t know the number so I let it go to voicemail. When the celly beeps and tells me he has a message from a stranger I immediately drop the baby I’m breastfeeding and listen.“Hi, I hope this is Will, um, I’m calling from SNY [the brand new Sports Net New York Channel which plays all the NY Mets games] and I got your number from Brian and I’d love to work with you for the Mets game tonight.”
Instant Mets Boner.
Read Will's entire account for the gripping climax
The next Royal We show will be unveiled at SKETCHFESTNYC 2
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:27 AM | Comments (2)
April 14, 2006
The Sting: Happy Easter & Passover, Share a ride with Chelsea Peretti and her friends, Seth Herzog lives in a 12' x 5' studio apartment, and more!
Lang Fisher Does Her Holy Prophet Elijah Impersonation for Passover
"We've Got an All-New Sketch Show For Spring Too," Says Sketch Group Back of The Line
Liam McEneaney and Claudia Cogan Get Gawkered
After a Dreadful Game of Bloody Knuckles, Scientists Agree Fetuses Cannot Feel Pain, But Premature Babies Can
BlackBalled: The Bobby Dukes Story Showtimes and Locations
Even More On: Steve Byrne Has Over 3700 Friends
Stick Your Face on a Scanner and Find Out What Celebrity You Look Like
We've Got Our Eyes On You Now, Monkeytown
Seth Herzog SPOTTED on Episode of Love Monkey
Create a Punchline: Seth Herzog's Apartment is So Small...
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:22 PM | Comments (2)
April 12, 2006
Comedian/Clarinetist/Mariah Carey Opening Act Steve Byrne Rails Against Demetri Martin & Stella
A keen-eyed reader found an interview at Cringe Humor where comedian Steve Byrne boldly rips into BELOVED icons like Stella and Demetri Martin. Mr. Byrne cries:
"And then you've got a bunch of those fucking chin-strokers like Stella and Demetri Martin, the kind of guys that are strumming a guitar and stuff. The industry is in love with people like that... these are the people that are getting too many of the opportunities. Audiences in Indiana or Ohio don't really give a shit about a clever act... Stop trying to be different."
RELATED
Steve Byrne's jokes
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:44 PM | Comments (11)
April 7, 2006
The Sting: The Daily Show talks to NPR, Lookout for that scary baby!, The Olive Garden finds a new spokesman, and more!
Bobby Tisdale Bogarts Location of Coffee Shop Paradise
Todd Levin Goes Inside The Manhattan Mall
Rob Huebel's Hands Tainted with Delicious Alfredo Sauce -- via BWE
David Spade and Heather Locklear Reportedly Locked on Each Others' Genitals
Bob Ross The Video Game: Will it be a FPS or a MMORPG??
Related: From the Makers of Grand Theft Auto Comes the Most Extreme Table Tennis Experience Ever
All Access: Middle Ages and Live at Gotham Now on Motherload
Eric Slovin and Craig Baldo Share a Moment
The Daily Show Producer Ben Carlin Talks to Terri Gross
Baron Vaughn and Joshua Grosvent Travel Beyond the Outer Boroughs
New York Times Covers Tina Fey's New Show
Magnolias in Full Bloom at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
Chelsea Peretti Prepares Her Taxes
Magnet Theater Welcomes New Instructors, Bob Acevedo and Tara Copeland
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:59 PM | Comments (1)
April 6, 2006
David Cross Sports Mystical Friendship Bracelet
Brandi Ediss snapped a photo the other night of David Cross performing.
That's a nice photo. Wait. What's that on his wrist?! Let's look closer.
Now, examine this quote TAKEN PROBABLY OUT OF CONTEXT in a recent Defamer interview with the man:
The Apiary consulted an eyewitness at Cross' recent performance to find out whether the bracelet was red and stringlike--a common mark of devout Kabbalahists like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears. Our source confirmed it was not. Although, LET'S FACE IT, it looks rather red and stringy in this black and white photo!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:15 PM | Comments (1)
April 3, 2006
Jon Friedman Organizes New York City Beard & Moustache Championships
Jon Friedman has his hands in a lot of pots. And many of these pots smell suspiciously like pot. He's the writer/director of the Wiener Philharmonic, the host/producer of The Rejection Show, he's often mistaken for a MarketWatch reporter, and now he's organizing the New York City Beard & Moustache Championships on May 16th.
Above: Jack Passion, a championship hopeful, shows off his awesome B/M
Craigslist has a job for one of you beard-os out there
Read the NYC Beard Blog
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:01 PM | Comments (0)
March 31, 2006
The Sting: Andy Samberg and Kirsten Dunce are an item?, Wait til you see this enormous cat try to walk, Need help preparing your pitch for Golden Girls 2000?, and more!
The Gay Robot's Been Done Already; That's So Gay
Watch!: 40 POUND Cat Potters About to Ominous Music
How Can Claudia Cogan Work Without a Desk?
Mike "The Miz" Reveals His Top 10 Wrestlemania Moments
Relevant: WWE: Illegal Mexican Wrestlers Taking Smackdowns American Wrestlers Don't Want
Kirsten Dunst, Andy Samberg, and Chris Parnell in Love Triangle?
Related: Kirsten and Andy SPOTTED at Jose Gonzalez Concert
Lonely Island Guy Directs Eagles of Death Metal Video
Last Chance to See the Wiener Philharmonic is Now
Inside the Wonder Showzen Post Production Party
Comics Reveal Their Tenderest Moments from Aspen - Scroll Through
Live Out Your Dream of Writing for Womens' Television
Michael Showalter, Eugene Mirman, and Leo Allen Headline The Warsaw TONIGHT
Lianne Stokes Spots Amy Poehler In the Wild, Says Hello, Then Goes Totally Bananas to the Maximum
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:20 PM | Comments (1)
March 28, 2006
HOLY SHIT
Mr. Belding out partying with Charlie Todd late last Saturday night at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater - via Tara Copeland
Read who else was at this EXCLUSIVE bash
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:46 PM | Comments (4)
Party Rages at The UCBT For Justin Purnell's Birthday
The above photos aren't from Last Night's Party--Merlin Bronques must have been left off the e-vite. They are from Justin Purnell's raging birthday romp at The UCBT that had revellers cavorting beneath Gristedes til the break of dawn this past Saturday. Scattered reports have alleged that the party lured out Tina Fey, Horatio Sanz, Mr. Belding (c'mon, is this really true??), Gavin Degraw, Late Night's Kevin Dorff, and Liam McEneaney.
RELATED
Stories from Party Survivors
J. Piddy's Photo Set - (photos via J. Piddy)
Yobfountain's Photo Set
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:21 PM | Comments (2)
March 24, 2006
The Sting: Rent out a space to rehearse today, It's almost like YOU went to South By Southwest with these recaps, Update on Tim & Eric star stabbing, and more!
Final Chance to See Party Central USA This Saturday
God's Pottery Imposter Lurking in Oswego River Valley
Improv Rap Music Sensation Freestyle Love Supreme Goes to Australia in April
SXSW Beat Reporter Paul Scheer Asks Tough Questions to Latest It Bands
Comedy Icon Aziz Ansari Recaps His 1995 Journey to SXSW
Watch: Since U Been Gone Music Video Features Large Bimbo in Shower
Mortified Travels to Boston Metropolitan Area
UCBT Offers Cheap Studio Space for Rehearsing Your Next Performance
Inside Scoop on Gawker Media's Headquarters Center
Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunholer Profiled in The New York Times
Is Wonder Showzen's "Beat Kids" Segment About to Go Too Far?
More Information on Tim Heidecker's Struggle For Life with Psychotic Maniac
History of You're the Man Now Dog Website
Watch ASCII Text Music Videos and Get Headache
Sorry Ladies, These Hot New Video Games Are for Dudes Only
Lianne Stokes Caught in Existential Firestorm
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2006
Proof that Stephen Colbert can Write a Book That Will Make You Spit Proto-lactomilk Out Your Nose
Stumbled for the first time upon the site of Stephen Colbert's unpublished futurist space folly called, Alpha Squadron 7: Lady Nocturne: A Tek Jansen Adventure.
Here is the opening passage of Chapter 26, titled, Abraxxias Gambit:
Our macroshuttle was granted tempora-permission to land for refuelination under the strict understanding we'd have sex with their women and be on our way. Of course it wasn't so simple, as we had to first submit countless tomes of nude depictions of ourselves and provide electro-proof we had intoxicating tinctures onboard. Also we had to submit genetic affidavits that we intended to use said intoxicants, as well as perform the acts shown in the illumi-photos of ourselves.
Read the rest at tekjansen.com -- via The CCInsider
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:18 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2006
Tim of Tim & Eric Brutally Stabbed, Source Says He's "Doing Great"
A bizarre story is unfolding in Los Angeles right now as it's being reported on AST that Tim Heidecker of Tim & Eric/Tom Goes to The Mayor fame was allegedly stabbed repeatedly last week by a drug addled lunatic. From the TGTTM message board:
All right guys here is the 411.FIRST OFF. Tim is all right, okay doing great no need for alarm...
Here is what happened, straight from Doug [Tim & Eric's assistant]:
The short story....
He got stabbed twice last night trying to help an older woman who lives in his apartment complex. Her son was on drugs or something and went psycho.Tim is a brave man...and it's only right that the Fans know and are able to show their concern.
We're with ya Tim!!!
For you MySpace users...to show respect I am asking you change your default to:
Tim on MySpace
Tim's Blog
Interview with Tim & Eric
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:19 PM | Comments (1)
March 20, 2006
The Sting: Insider videos from the Aspen comedy people stuck at an airport, The world just hasn't felt the same since Gawker Stalker Maps, Comics travel to Woodstock, and more!
Andres Du Bouchet Searches for the Elusive Bengal Tiger
Chelsea Peretti in Trapped in the Airport
Comedians Describe the Scariest Nights of Their Lives in Real Audio
Dr. Earnest Parrot PHD & Demetri Martin Team Up; Who is Dr. Earnest Parrot PHD?
Breaking SXSW Coverage As it Happened Last Week
Greatest Moments in American Cinema with Dave Hill and Joe Franklin
Wall Street Fears the IPO of Dealbreaker.com
The Royal We Rumored to Be in Dealbreaker.com Promotional Video --via RKB
Watch Out Who You Take a Shit Next To, Celebrities!
Variety SHAC, David Cross, & Jon Benjamin to Perform at Woodstock
Read What Others Are Saying About Woodstock!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 8:02 AM | Comments (2)
March 13, 2006
Will College Humor Sell Out for 600 Million Dollars?
Gawker points to an article in MediaWeek today about big corporations buying out popular websites TO THE TUNE OF 600 MILLION DOLLARS.
In a presentation delivered recently to the Online Publishers Association, Geffs proved clairvoyant in citing iVillage as a company likely to be acquired. He also listed Gawker, CNET, Facebook.com, Atom Films, Beliefnet.com, YouTube.com and CollegeHumor.com as the next targets.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:10 PM | Comments (5)
NYC Comics Showered With Golden Trophies at Aspen
It turns out the hot breaking news from Saturday is accurate. NYC comics won big at the Aspen Comedy Festival. Where you at Chicago? We received an official press release from the Aspen people which you can view after the jump.
Continue reading "NYC Comics Showered With Golden Trophies at Aspen"
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:29 PM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2006
Breaking Report: Aspen Comedy Festival Jury Award Winners
A hot unconfirmed tip came through listing some of the jury award winners at the Aspen Comedy Festival.
Best Alternative - Kristen Schaal
Best Stand Up - tie: Aziz Ansari and Mitch Fatel
Best Sketch - Whitest Kids
Breakout Award - Eliza Coupe, with her one-woman show, "The Patriots"
For live coverage of the events there, check out the items posted to the sites of Todd J., Chelsea, Baron, Chris, or Todd L..
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 7:44 PM | Comments (2)
March 7, 2006
New York Comics Depart For Aspen Where Lucrative Development Contracts and Hot Cocoa Await
So the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival starts tomorrow in Aspen, Colorado. NYC comics have prepared for months for this industry heavy showcase. We know they're busy packing fashionable down jackets and funny ski hats from the 90's, but The Apiary's more concerned with what's gonna be in their suitcases on the way back. It's okay to come back with goodtimes and memories... BUT, who will come back with lucrative development deals?? Will it be:
Bob Powers and Todd Levin?
Baron Vaughn?
Aziz Ansari?
The Whitest Kids U Know?
Ricky Van Veen & Jakob Lodwick?
Chelsea Peretti?
Charlie Todd?
Russ Meneve?
Robert Kelly?
Lenny Marcus?
Kristen Schaal?
Brian Finkelstein?
Mitch Fatel?
Eliza Coupe?
RELATED
The UCBT Goes to Aspen
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:28 PM | Comments (2)
March 3, 2006
The Sting: Sara Schaefer updates her website, Thrilling news about You Tube, Stuff's about to go down on your television, and more!
Never Before Seen Monty Python Footage Unleashed
Comedy Central Announces 2006 Original Programming Slate
One of Which is Jon Benjamin & David Cross' Freak Show
Watch Sara Schaefer Evolve From Adorable Child to Angsty Teen To Well-Adjusted Adult --via Rachel
Jon Lovitz on Mt. Rushmore? That's Crazy!
Win the Ultimate Lesbian DVD From Brooklyn Vegan
The Other Talent Show Alleges Possible Potential Surprise Guest Will Blow Your Mind
Susie Felber Yearns for a Brill 78370 Luxus 38 Push Reel Mower; Will Her Wishes Be Fulfilled? --via Susie's site
Overheard: Justin Purnell Working on "A Major Project"
What Saucy Comedienne Can't Stop Talking About Wisteria Lane?
Dave Rubin Celebrates 3 Long, Excruciating Years of Blogging
Anthony DeVito Has Something to Say About Fashion
Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story Sees Light of Day
MTV2 and Wildly Popular You Tube Forge Daring Alliance
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 4:14 PM | Comments (1)
March 1, 2006
Sectarian Violence Bubbling Over Soiled Sheet Remark
America has its own version of a newspaper inciting religious uproar and it's unfolding right now in the pages of NYC's free commuter thing, Metro.
Elliott Kalan, a producer at The Daily Show and host of his own live act, The Midnight Kalan, had this to say in a February 24th opinion column about the ennui surrounding the Olympics in Turin, Italy.
This year's games have been the least-watched since 1988, and even the heralded curling rivalry between Norway and Switzerland isn't energizing people the way it once did. The reason may be the choice of host city. Sure, Turin seems like a nice town, but it lacks the exotic beauty of Nagano, the lovably silly name of Lillehammer or Salt Lake City's charming atmosphere of silent repression. To put it bluntly, it's troubling when a place is best noted for possessing a very old soiled sheet.
Calling the beloved Shroud of Turin a filthy rag, mere days before the Christian high holy day of Mardi Gras? Surely, New Yorkers were unhappy with this remark, especially the East Village's own Carolyn McGown.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:14 PM | Comments (1)
February 27, 2006
David Cross Shows Up at Jess Coen's Birthday Party With a Gift
Comedian David Cross was SPOTTED at Fontana's on the Lower East Side Saturday. Sources say he was holding a sizable birthday gift intended for Jessica Coen, editor of Gawker. Members of the rock outfit, Interpol, were also seen in the same vicinity.
RELATED
Recap of Hot Tub's recent anniversary show where DC performed
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:51 AM | Comments (1)
February 21, 2006
So Long, My Blog is Poop
GLUG GLUB GLUK... WHOOOOOOSH! You hear that sound?
After a lengthy reign on top of the blogcharts, My Blog Is Poop has decided to flush his blog down the ultimate crapper. What lies beyond?
To help us in these troubled times, below are the 1st and last grafs of a slightly revised eulogy, as read by the honorable Vice President Dick Cheney at a recent funeral.
Knowing that this moment would come has not made it any easier to see the honor guard, and the flag draped before us, and to begin America's farewell toPresident Ronald ReaganMy Blog is Poop. He said goodbye to us in a letter that showed his great courage and love for America. Yet for his friends and for his country, the parting comes only now. And in this national vigil of mourning, we show how much America loved this good man, and how greatly we will miss him.
Nancy, none of us can take away the sadness you are feeling. I hope it is a comfort to know how much he means to us, and how much you mean to us as well. We honor your grace, your own courage, and above all, the great love that you gave to your husband. When these days of ceremony are completed, the nation returns him to you for the final journey to the West. And when he is laid to rest under the Pacific sky, we will be thinking of you, as we commend to Almighty the soul of His faithful servant,Ronald Wilson ReaganMy Blog Is Poop.
Our only hope is that he's in a better place now.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:49 PM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2006
The Sting: Stella is ready to find you guilty of First Degree Bad Singing, Comedy heavyweights flock to animated show, Who is the HUGE rumored guest at next week's Hot Tub?, and more!
Liam McEneaney Vows to Satisfy Ladies Everywhere By Going a Full Half Hour
Erik Marcisak to Premiere Film at SXSW
Stereogum Finds Fresh Single From The Streets
Baron Vaughn & Joshua Grosvent Open New Comedy Room: Comedy Is For Humans
Daily Show Youth Correspondent Teaches Nation About Social Networking Website Trend -- via CCInsider
Kambri Crews Nourished by Tears of a Child
2/3rds of Stella to Judge American Schmidol @ The Bowery Ballroom
Former Juvie Hall Tech Director Joe Guercio Departs for LA Forever
Comedy Uber Celebs to Guest Star on Nickelodeon's O'Grady
Is MTV Scoping Out the Sketch Group Drop Six?
YTMND Goldmine: Greg the Hammer Valentine Valentines, Colbert Does The King of Glory Dance, Cheney's Got a Gun
No Seriously, Who is the HUGE Rumored Guest at Next Week's Hot Tub?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 5:01 PM | Comments (0)
February 10, 2006
The Sting: Rob Corddry gets his own sitcom, Kangaroos are so crazy, Surprise superstars drop by the Variety SHAC book club meeting, and more!
Pancakemilonakis.blogspot.com Exists No More
Snubbing David Cross the Movie? -- via Nichelle
What's That Kangaroo Doing in That Ocean?!
Brave Cat Risks Life in Daring Clandestine Sting
Anthony King Wears New Balance Shoes Too
NYC's Best Hip People to Unite for Nouveau! Valentine's Party
Opiods Course Through Veins of Peter Hyman
HBO Comedy Festival Less Than One Month Away
Dave Rubin Has Something to Say About Gadgets
Rob Corddry Nabs Lead in Future FOX Comedy, Becoming Glen
Captains In Space Ready To Engage; SHACster Andrea Rosen On Board For Upcoming Episode
Fred Armisen and Andy Milonakis Guest Star in New Variety SHAC Video
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:27 PM | Comments (2)
February 8, 2006
Wisconsin Residents Aren't Gonna Take Being Called Fatties Lying Down
Kollege Daily has been tracking the waves of blubber rippling through the girthy state of Wisconsin following an article in The New York Times in which editors of The Onion talked openly about Wisconsin's abundance of a semi-precious natural resource: the morbidly obese.
Erin Canty, a writer for the University of Wisconsin's Daily Cardinal, set down a sack of Fritos and cried out desperately to the large and in charge, "The editors of The Onion have awakened a sleeping giant... We will not tolerate the jokes, the name-calling or the file photos any longer."
However, during Canty's empowering call to action, The Apiary was wholly distracted by the writer's description of an insidious and tasty sounding new product that threatens to split thousands of pairs of Arizona jeans across the Midwest--Cheesy Bites Pizza from Pizza Hut.
RELATED
The Wisconsin State Journal recaps The Times article
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:21 PM | Comments (4)
February 3, 2006
The Sting: Stephanie Tanner is a drug addicted freak, Alex Blagg channels Zach Galifianakis on The Post Show, The Apiary receives an unusual email, and more!
Dane Cook Wins Comedy Central Stand Up Showdown. You did it America!
Adam Wade Reports Live From Superbowl XL
Chelsea Peretti Holds Live Birth MPEG Video Challenge, Andy Milonakis Wins
Law & Order Special Victims Unit Valentine's Day Cards
Watch the Very 1st Episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien -- via A Special Thing
Aziz Scores Props at the Plug Awards
Stephanie Tanner is Hooked on Meth; See How the Cast of Full House Intervened in Other Full House Cast Related Problems
ALSO: The Apiary received an interesting email from a Pakistani comedian this week. It's not spam. Read it after the hump.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 5:02 PM | Comments (3)
January 31, 2006
Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Depraved Authoritarian Workplace? or House of One Trick Pony Hair Stylists?
Exhibit A:
Conan O'Brien, Host of Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Exhibit B:
Tim Harrod, Writer at Late Night with Conan O'Brien
You decide!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2006
New Management at The People's Improv Theater
Tom Ridgely, pictured 2nd from left, is sent off by The Faculty on 1/25/05 --Photo by Keith Huang
Tom Ridgely, the former manager of The PIT, was bid farewell at last night's performance of The Faculty. Tom has accepted a new job at The Public Theater as an assistant to the Artistic Director.
According to The PIT's Alex Zalben, "The new manager is a fantastic lady named Katie Goan, who came to us from Ars Nova, where she was working on the production team for the past few years."
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2006
Improv Everywhere: Laughing All the Way to State Prison
When Gawker and The Onion told all of New York that Sunday would be Improv Everywhere's Annual No Pants Subway Ride, the press and the police were at the scene waiting with baited breath.
By the numbers:
100+ Participantsless
26 Cops
8 Citations
6 Pairs of handcuffs
1 Paddy Wagon
The Mission @ Improv Everywhere
BREAKING: Arrests at No Pants 2006! @ Gothamist
The NYPD Doesn't Get Comedy When it Involves No Pants @ Gothamist
No Justice, No Pants @ Gawker
IE's Agent Linder has the rest of the Links surfacing on the Net
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:58 AM | Comments (2)
January 20, 2006
The Sting: Chuck Norris SPOTTED on Tony Danza Show, The Post Show makes it to Gothamist, Sketch Comedy Think Tank 4 Sketch Comedy Think Tank for no-strings thinking, and more!
Christian Finnegan Reminds You to Vote For Him
Jordan Catalano and DC Pierson: Do They Have the Same Stylist?
Undeniable Proof That God Stopped Returning Our Phone Calls
Gothamist Interviews The Post Show Dudes
Fishbowl Uncovers Latest Scandal to Ravage the New York Times
Was Acclaimed Director Michel Gondry Hanging Out at Mo Pitkins?
Stylus Magazine Gets Attractive Facelift
Coolfer and Daily Refill Merge to Produce Shake Your Halo
Amanda Melson & Rachel Parenta Featured in this Week's Time Out NY
Saturday Night Rewritten Seeks Rewriters
Mid 30's Playwright/Actor Ready to Invade with Sketch Comedy Think Tank
Chuck Norris on The Tony Danza Show; This Just In... Someone Was Actually Watching the Tony Danza Show in Order to Make This Video
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 6:08 PM | Comments (2)
January 17, 2006
The Daily Show and McSweeney's Finally Produce Lovechild in the form of John Hodgman
John Hodgman, a known agent of the internet literary outfit, McSweeney's, appeared late last night as a special correspondent on a new episode of The Daily Show.
For much of 2005, The Daily Show and McSweeney's have been spotted out with their pants down and their legs high in the air. In addition to being a part of the uppermost echelon of 826NYC donors, The Daily Show has also offered its time and its writers to 826 events and even the Ebay proceeds of its old set pieces to benefit the non-profit. These are clearly two entities deep in the throes of a torrid love affair.
Before the afterbirth is mopped from the floor, one two-part question remains: Is Hodgman's appearance the only fetus carried to full term? Or will the winter restlessness give way to a whole nursery of McSweeney's babies fed by the swollen breasts of The Daily Show?
John Hodgman on McSweeney's
John Hodgman on Gothamist
John Hodgman on last night's episode of The Daily Show
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:00 PM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2006
One Thing is Certain: The So-Called National Comedy Renaissance is Probably Some Kind of Rock Music, Most Likely
The UCBT posted a recent quote on their site from an interview with Adam Sternbergh in Gothamist in which the man declares:
"I expect a big national comedy renaissance to blossom out of New York. A friend of mine described the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater as being to comedy right now what CBGB was to music in the 70s, and I think that's true."
In the January issue of SPIN magazine, Peter Hyman wrote an article called "Alt Comedy Goes Rock and Roll." Hot on the heels of this assertion, Peter Hyman will hold a conference tomorrow that will hopefully determine a) whether comedy is the new rock and roll and b) just how rock and roll comedy is.
A Laughing Matter: The Comedic State of the Union, January 11, 2006, 7:00 p.m. @ Makor, 35 West 67th Street
Some observers believe that comedy is the new rock and roll; for others, it is an art form that may be on its last legs, a point emphasized by the fact that reality television has been slowly killing the sitcom for the past few years. What is the current state of comedy? We'll explore the nuances of this question with a panel of leading comedians and comic writers. And though this may sound 'heavy,' we guarantee at least one laugh for every three serious points made.With Andy Borowitz, Eugene Mirman, and Lisa Leingang
Intrigued, The Apiary then asked Peter whether we will get a definitive answer tomorrow about the rockability of new comedy. He responds:
The panel is not declaring that comedy is the new rock and roll... though that is one of the subjects we'll be exploring. I'll let the panelists debate this and other questions. Hopefully, by the end of the night, we'll have a workable formula for peace between India and Pakistan.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:49 PM | Comments (8)
January 6, 2006
The Sting: Secret society of UCB people discovered, Amazing race for Bloggies begins now, Won't you please buy Animal Crossing DS, and more!
New Year's Eve Party Photo Madness @ the UCBT
Wild UCB Natives Discovered Living Together on Remote, Uncharted Webspace
Existential Crises Rocks Baron Vaughn Upon Discovering Love of MadTV
Chris Kula Shatters Realities with Metaphotography
Michelle Collins Speaks to The Grey Lady
Nominate Blogs for the 2006 Bloggie Awards
Lindsayism Checks Internet Pulse for Reaction to 2006 Bloggie Awards
Brooklyn Vegan Reveals Your Favorite Musical Moments of 2005
Alex Blagg Offends Half of New York City Within Minutes of Unpacking His Computer
Photoshop Wizard Thighs Wide Shut Combines Bartles & James and Lebron James For Stunning Results
Find Even More Links at Liam McEneaney's Site
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:25 PM | Comments (3)
January 5, 2006
Talk of the Townies
--According to Shonali Bhowmik at a recent show, the Variety SHAC ladies have photos and articles coming soon in Jane Magazine and Playgirl.
--Susie Felber is moving to Jersey.
--BLIND ITEM: What sweats-wearing comedian at a Williamsburg open mic this week had people from The Apiary laughing uncontrollably?
This just in from an anonymous tipster:
Yesterday at the Mangia on Wall Street, I saw variety show hosts Claudia Cogan and Justin Purnell lunchin...I couldn't make out what they were eating (they were right by the exit so I couldn't linger), but I think Cogan was drinking a root beer or cream soda...hmm.....
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:30 AM | Comments (4)
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 27, 2005
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 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)
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 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)
December 12, 2005
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 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)
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)
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 15, 2005
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)
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)
November 7, 2005
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 (11) | TrackBack (0)
October 25, 2005
Eugene Mirman and Ace Frehley Exchange Insults and Aghast Looks in Alleged Drunken Barroom Standoff
The Button Down went to both of Eugene Mirman's CD tapings this week and writes in:
The shows were essentially the same but with a few different jokes. One notable difference was that Eugene opened the show the second night with an anecdote about something that happened the night before. He said, "Have you ever done this before: you get really, really drunk and say something terrible... to Ace Frehley?"Apparently, Ace Frehley's daughter was having a birthday party upstairs at Piano's, and at the end of the night, Ace was leaving the bar with his arm around his daughter. Eugene, drunk, yelled "Don't fuck your daughter!" at him, and there was a terrible moment of recognition on Ace's face that Eugene had just yelled something horrible at him, but he just kept walking.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:10 PM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2005
The Sting: Dan Gregor Arrives, Bloggers Hit the City's Comedy Shows, Madonna Sighting Nearly Spurns Murderous Hipster Stampede, and more!
Madonna Teaches Hipsters How to Dance
Hammerkatz' Dan Gregor Splashes Across Pages of Gothamist
Tale of Two Cities Joey Hangs Up His Keyboard
Lindsayism Finds the Full House Outtakes Readers Crave
Gothamist Comedy Reporter Liz Black SPOTTED at Mortified on Friday
FishbowlNY Editor, Rachel Sklar, to Yuk It Up Live on Stage
First Public Photos of Carolyn Castiglia Post Baby Delivery
Brandi Ediss Captures Entire 10.22.05 Mortified Ensemble in Stunning Picture Set
Nick Kroll Talks Bar Mitzvahs & Disco to the NY Times --via Keith
No Posers Returns to UCB with John Gemberling on Vocals; House Expected to Be Brought Down
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
October 14, 2005
The Sting: The Colbert Report is looking for audience members, Chelsea Peretti remembers her teenage years, David Cross fingered in lawsuit, and more!
Be An Audience Member for the Colbert Report
Exactly How Popular with the Football Team was Chelsea Peretti in High School??
Sketch Comedy Troupe Fearsome Prepares for Brand New Show
MP3 Experiment 2.0 THIS Saturday Unless There is a Rain Delay
Whitest Kids Now On Your Cellular Telephone
Michelle Collins' Mother Rubs Elbows with Man Who Throws it In Star Jones
Oops! Which NYC Comedienne Got Caught in Her Own Mousetrap?
Bobby Tisdale Pens the Best Dramatic Meditation on Age and Relationships Since Driving Miss Daisy
David Cross and Sub-Pop Sued By Alleged Douchebag
Alleged Douchebag Unfamiliar With Proper Channels of Litigation Creates Bizarre Website Taunting David Cross; According to Bizarre Website, You Can Contact Alleged Douchebag at (615) 354-5205 --via Ricky
Joe Wengert Pleads With Friends, "DO NOT spoil tonight's episode of According to Jim"
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (2)
October 13, 2005
Comedian Catfights Rage Across Internet
Currently:
Erik Neilsen Uses Oxford English Dictionary in Brazen Attack on Andy Kindler
Previously:
Joe Rogan Calls Carlos Mencia a Good For Nothing Butthole
Are any others raging right now?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (1)
October 7, 2005
The Sting: Improv Everywhere wants YOU for fun upcoming mission, Mr. Wiggles left homeless in NYC, the women of SHAC release a new video, and more!
Improv Everywhere Hosts The MP3 Experiment 2.0 Next Week, Participation is Recommended!
Demetri Martin Takes Stage Under Astute Eye of Legendary Westbeth Theatre Group
Elephant Larry Member Visits Set of Late Night, Reveals Insider Information
Speaking of Andres Du Bouchet, Special Performance of His Monologues to Run Through October
New York Press Drops Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles; Rise to Action Requested
Carolyn Castiglia to Live Blog Birth of Baby?
Sources Say Lisa Leingang Leaves NBC; Future of PSNBC Uncertain
New Talent Discovered!: Rob Corddry's Brother, Nate
Cracked.com Launches; Servers Can Barely Handle Influx of Visitors
SketchFest NYC Seeks Talent for 2006 Festival
Variety SHAC Ladies Premiere New Video
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:08 AM | Comments (2)
October 4, 2005
Astonishing News from The Big Sell
Went over to Otto's Shrunken Head last night to see The Big Sell, a new show featuring NYC comics spinning humorous yarns about their current and previous day jobs, produced by Lianne Stokes (pictured) and Suzie Felber.
Astonishing news was discovered
--Pretty much all comics who are not temping or making a living in their desired field, work in advertising--more specifically at McCann Worldgroup
--Someone suggested a kinda neat idea of starting an advertising company made up completely of comedians.
--Anthony DeVito once lost an audition for a Total breakfast cereal commercial because he looked "too ethnic."
--Brian Finkelstein once lost an audition for a play because he wasn't 22 years old... which caused him to whirl into a tempestuous rage.
--Carolyn Castiglia is MERE SECONDS away from releasing a baby from her womb.
--The actions and the words spoken by the AFLAC duck are carefully chosen by a bureaucracy of writers and subcommittees.
--Rob Paravonian revealed he is no longer doing the Pro Shop at the Sin Sin lounge on Sundays. Does that mean the Brooklyn Comedy Club folks are merging into Liam McEneaney's new FREE Sunday show at Rififi?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:00 PM | Comments (9)
October 3, 2005
When Hipsters Attack!: Demetri Martin Narrowly Escapes Marginally Hostile Work Environment With Life, Limbs
Fake Century reports that Demetri Martin was allegedly almost assaulted with plastic beer bottles at one of the dismally empty Across the Narrows concerts at Coney Island.
Someone should've punched those stupid buttholes in their stupid faces!!!
Indie comedy and indie rock have been slowly intertwining over the last few years, thanks in part to advances lead by music fans Eugene Mirman, David Cross, and Fred Armisen, to name a few. However, despite some success at integration, RACIAL TENSION exists.
Martin mere hours before belligerent hipsters run wild --photo courtesy of Fake Century
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:24 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
September 30, 2005
The Sting: Whitest Kids Seek Morning People For Pilot Taping, K-Rock Smells Exactly Like How You'd Imagine It Would, Kambri Crews Maganimously Descends to New Orleans, and more!
Now You're Really Living with The Post Show
Jest Magazine Launches Officially, For Real -- via Dan
Kambri Crews Departs for NOLA for 7-Day Animal Rescue Volunteer Mission
Tell the World How You Really Feel with an Emoticon on Your Melon, :^/ --via All Things Christie
Chris Elliott Wrote a Book; Book Signing This Tuesday --via AST
Sam Means, contributor to The Onion, to Make Splashy Debut on Weekend Update
In Light of The Season Premiere of SNL, Here is The Only Guide You Need to Scoring Tickets
Rob Paravonian Reveals What K-Rock Really Smells Like
Oh, How the Mighty Useless Have Fallen; Farewell Jeeves, of AskJeeves.com
Advertising with The Apiary Allows You to Reach THOUSANDS, Allows Us to Afford Sandwiches
Be in the Whitest Kids' Pilot!
Rififi Adds New SUNDAY Night Show to Formidable Lineup
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
September 23, 2005
The Sting: 826NYC and The Daily Show Corroborate in Thrilling Partnership, Office Managers Everywhere Left Crippled, Hammerkatz NYU Seeks Out The New Class
The Daily Show Auctions Off Pieces of Old Sets to Benefit 826NYC --via Jesse
We asked Ted Thompson, Director of Events for 826NYC for details and he writes:
It's extremely generous of the show (they've been nothing but with us) and every penny of what's raised will be used for student programming at our center.
826NYC Presents Film Festival of Writers and Creators of The Daily Show, Reception this Tuesday
So Long, Irrelevant Day Job!: Chris Kula Has Arrived
Saturday Night Rewritten Invites Editor of The Apiary to Guest Write This Sunday
What's That Blood Doing In Your Hair?!
The Belligerent Intellectual Tells His Refrigerator Where to Shove It
Why Didn't You Think of This?! --via Kottke
Andrea Harner and Bob Saget Are BFF4L 4EVA --via Keith
Monkeydick Announces Final Performance, Friday September 30
Who Will Be The Future of Hammerkatz?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:48 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2005
What's Going On in the Time Life Building?
This just in from an ANONYMOUS SOURCE:
"This week has seen a steady stream of UCB improvisors going in to shoot video bits at the Time Life building. The vids are going to be featured on a new big-time Time, Inc. humor website aimed at office dwellers that's launching later this year. The producers of the site just *loved* the UCB peeps, and wanna keep that pipeline open."
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:11 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2005
Editors of Cracked Magazine Speak to The Black Table; Jest Magazine Is Here
In our ongoing coverage of the made-up rivalry between Cracked Magazine and online humor e-zine Jest, GET THIS!, the day after Jest Magazine soft launches its NSFW website, out comes a high profile interview on The Black Table with a screaming headline Hey Everybody! Cracked is Back!
Will this be the cola war to end all cola wars?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:38 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
September 9, 2005
Shandi Sullivan -- More like Shafti Sullivan!
America's Next Top Model contestant Shandi Sullivan BAILED OUT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MINUTE from being a guest on last night's heavily promoted Parkside Radio Hour with Tony Carnevale and Sean Taylor of the Variety Underground.
For shame, Shandi Sullivan! For shame!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:06 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (1)
September 7, 2005
Cracked Enchants and Allures with Auspicious Clock
The Cracked Magazine site has added a backwards running timer to its page, which can only mean one thing--THE FUTURE IS JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS AWAY.
In related website launching action, what is going on with Jest Online? Nonfactual speculation suggests a mini-space race is brewing between these two FRENZIED ARCH-RIVALS. Perhaps we are in the eye of a high stakes, midgame checkers match, with red and black both seizing and ceding opportunity until a single color remains. Whose WEB-STRATEGY shall overcome?
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 7:25 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
September 6, 2005
Honeycollecting: Something Awful Hit by Hurricane, Fred Armisen Attacked Verbally by Angry Hipsters, and more!
Here are some links to get the week going--a couple are items from last week that didn't get posted.
Hurricane Katrina Wipes Out Something Awful; Thousands Stranded without Funny JPGs
Nick Kroll Shines in Andy Roddick's Disastrous American Express Campaign
An INSIDE look at the redesign of The Onion - via Kottke
Aziz Ansari Parties with Hollywood A-Listers
Paul Scheer Weighs in on the VMAs
Brooklyn Vegan Reports on Fred Armisen at Thunderbirds are Now! concert, Armisen Responds to Critics
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 10:42 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (1)
September 2, 2005
Comedy Scene Mobilizes Hurricane Relief Efforts Faster than Fucking FEMA
Asked yesterday if anyone is considering putting on a benefit show for Katrina, and the comments box was flooded, er... overwhelmed, er--let's just say these guys are an incredible bunch of magnanimous folks. Come out to see the city's finest and most upstanding comics while doing your part to help the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have been irrevocably devastated. Here is a list of upcoming benefits:
September 12th @ The UCB - Crash Test
Featuring Eugene Mirman, Christian Finnegan, Andy Blitz & other special guests. Hosted by Aziz Ansari. Proceeds go to Mercy Corps. DETAILS
September 13th @ PS 122 - The Rejection Show
Jon Friedman has announced that a percentage of ticket sales from this month's edition of The Rejection Show will go to charity. DETAILS
September 13th @ The Cornelia Street Cafe
John Morrisson says, "Just came from a planning meeting at Cornelia Street Cafe. There will be a benefit concert. More details soon"
September 14th @ The Kraine Theatre
Anthony Devito and Ballyhoo Promotions are putting together a show called Northern Hospitality with all money going to the Red Cross. DETAILS
Sunday, September 18th @ The UCB - MercyCat
"The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre presents two special performances of their long-running improv show, ASSSSCAT, to raise support for Mercy Corps' Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Every dollar raised at the show will go directly to Mercy Corps' relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama." DETAILS
September 22 @ Mo Pitkins
Liam McEneaney is setting something up. Money raised will go to the Red Cross. DETAILS
Also!
The PIT just added an event on Wednesday September 7th. DETAILS
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 11:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
August 22, 2005
The Midnight Kalan Announces Show to End All Shows
It's about two weeks away, but keep your eyes peeled for pre-sale tickets to the September 9th edition of The Midnight Kalan at Juvie Hall. At the end of Elliott Kalan's show on Friday, he publicly announced who the SECRET CELEBRITY GUEST is for this upcoming performance... and sweet Jeezus!
It's Stephen Colbert.
Elliott's freeform talk show in and of itself was a lot of fun. It comes with FREE! pizza and served with smart humor that appeals to both nerds and non-nerds alike. Also of note from Friday's show: SULTRY up & comers, Walker and Cantrell commandeered a great segment in which they played party planners for purebred dogs and it was announced the duo is testing out a show on September 8th @ the 7:00 Workout at the UCB.
Look for both of these shows IN THE FUTURE.
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
August 19, 2005
The Weekend News Sting
Tipping Not a City In China Says David Cross
The Onion AV Club Starts a Blog - via Elephant Larry
The Mark Bar Rumored as Choice Watering Hole For Michael Showalter - via K
Literary Humor E-Zine Opium Magazine to Take on Magazine-Like Appearance
BLIND ITEM: Which omnipresent group of ad-libbers is seeking out pop-culture items specifically from the year 1997?
Tale of Two Cities Foretells No End in Sight for White Hot Hipster Bashing Craze
Does Sam Means Have Agents to Share?
Internet Celebrates Birth, Life of Brian Stack
This Isn't Working in Final Week at Fringe Festival
Will Hines Offers Rare, Never Before Heard Sketches
Jerri Blank Has Something to Say; SWC Film Shelved
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 3:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
August 16, 2005
Relaunch of CRACKED Magazine
Amanda Melson pointed out to us the other day that CRACKED is gearing up for a New York based relaunch in the Fall of this year. The vision is that the mag is going to be half parody/half real content about comedians and comedic entertainment.
Cringe Humor posted an INSIDE email which states:
The new CRACKED will be the magazine of, for and about comedy; covering the business end, up-and-coming comedians, reviews of films, TV shows and DVDs, and interviews with the likes of Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn...
Sounds pleasing... But then the paragraph ends with the most terrifying sentence ever fisted into a press release!
...CRACKED will become to comedy what Rolling Stone is to music.
Related
A writer/illustrator for the new Cracked speaks!
Cracked on Wikipedia
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 12:21 PM | Comments (4)
August 15, 2005
True or False: Mike Myers Performed Improv Saturday at The Magnet Theatre
An anonymous tipster says the following:
Myers performed at the Magnet with The Tiny Spectacular this past Saturday. I go to Tiny Spectacular every week except this week, figures. Everyone in The Magnet's Level 4 got an email about it a couple days ahead. I assume the regulars like Tara Copeland, James Eason, and Jason Mantzoukas were performing with Ed, Jean, and Rachel.I heard he was pretty good, no signs of improv rust.
Can anyone who was there corroborate this SUPERNOVA OF A STORY?
UPDATE!
This just in from another totally random and anonymous person:
Though I did not see the show, I can confirm that Mr. Myers was at the Triple Crown directly after that show, in the company of members of the Tiny Spectacular.He was ogled by members of MEAT, Elephant Larry, and Fearsome, who considered performing an impromptu sketch showcase right there in the bar. However, they decided instead to enjoy free Kronenbourg 1664 provided by The Onion. What a night for comedy!
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 1:38 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
August 3, 2005
IMDB Reveals New Films of Christian Finnegan and Thomas Lennon
The website Drink at Work held a benefit show on Monday in which Christian Finnegan was the scheduled headliner. However, a recent post of theirs said:
So we got the bad news that Christian Finnegan had booked a movie with Tom Lennon from Reno 911 and shooting begins, wouldn't you know it, on Monday, August 1st, the same night as our benefit.
We immediately RACED to the IMDB for any sort of insight on this movie and found some items of note.
Christian's IMDB Profile
Thomas Lennon's Profile
We don't think the movie that Drink at Work refers to is listed on either profile, BUT!, each person has an interesting sounding project in pre-production: Christian is cast as "Richard" in the comedic horror film Win, Lose, or Die and Thomas is at work on Balls of Fire, an epic about washed up ping pong champions, starring local comedy funnyman A.D. Miles.
UGO interview with Thomas Lennon
Posted by The Apiary in The Beehive at 2:02 PM | Comments (2)
