Archive for category comedy
Missed It: Denis Leary’s Appearance on Jimmy Fallon
Posted by admin in charity, comedy, late night TV on August 8, 2010
So, I missed Denis Leary on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon the other night. Thanks to Fallon’s website, though I can embed snippets here at my site. Enjoy.
And here’s Fallon and Leary playing air hockey, with the loser giving $5,000 to The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care. You have to love comedy that ultimately leads to charity.
Mary Roach: More Funny than Jon Stewart
Posted by admin in comedy, late night TV, streaming video on August 3, 2010
I’m a faithful viewer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Rarely do I find a guest that is more funny than Stewart. Mary Roach, a science writer/humorist and most recently the author of Packing for Mars, proved herself the exception: She is immensely more hilarious than Stewart in this interview from Monday night, August 2.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Mary Roach | ||||
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Sometimes I think Stewart tries to out-funny the guest. I’m glad he fought his instinct on this interview.
David Cross Joins Fox’s Running Wilde Cast
Posted by admin in comedy, episodic TV on July 20, 2010
As noted by PASTE’s Lindsay Eanet (and as first reported on July 17 at TVGuide.com), the old Arrested Development vibe continues to grow as David Cross has joined Will Arnett and creator Mitch Hurwitz in a recurring role in the new Fox fall series, Running Wilde. I’m intrigued by a show that utilizes Keri Russell as the female comedic lead–and the fact that Hurwitz is going the narrator route again–this time with Russell’s character’s daughter, named Puddle (Stefania Owen), as the narrator.
Here’s how Fox describes the series, it’s “a romantic comedy starring Will Arnett (“Arrested Development,” “30 Rock”) as STEVE WILDE, a filty-rich, immature playboy trying desperately to win (or buy) the heart of his childhood sweetheart, EMMY KADUBIC (Keri Russell, “Waitress,” “Felicity”), the uber-liberal humanitarian who got away – all told through the perspective of a 12-year-old girl.”
TVGuide noted that “Cross will appear in seven of the first 13 episodes, including the pilot (airing Tuesday, September 21 at 9:30/8:30c), and he will play Andy, the radical environmentalist fiancé of Keri Russell’s Emmy who has been living with her in the Amazon. Cross takes over the role from Andrew Daly, who played Andy in the show’s original pilot.” (The above clip from Fox briefly features Andrew Daly, not Cross.)
Guest Post, Sort of, From the Queen Pirate
So, my good friend, Tracy Van Voris ([aka Queen Pirate of the Crumsy Pirates] one of the first folks interviewed for this blog), periodically posts comments in the Who Talks to Tim? blog entry. Today she posted a comment that is just so great and topical, I’m giving it the spotlight it so richly deserves.
Take it away, Tracy.
Hello, my name is Tracy, and I am a World Cup Addict.
Hey, I do likes me some euro-football in general – I do listen to matches on BBC5, follow some of the dailies, etc., throughout the year. But I wouldn’t call myself a “superfan” of the sport by any means…oh, no…just because I can name more that 20 international players and their respective club teams does NOT mean I am a soccergeek….it’s just that:
Well, I freaking LOVE the World Cup. I’ve been watching it some since the ’80s, and ever since mon capitan, ZiZou, captured my heart with Le Bleu several tournaments ago…and yes, my husband understands as he’s been dealing with a mancrush on that Brazilian Kaka…every four years, I just can’t. Stop. Watching.
And now. Now I have to choose between the country of my ancestors (the ones who aren’t from the British Isles, anyway), and those cuties from Espania. What to do, what to do?
Well, I’ll manage.
And then by Monday morning, I’ll be wanting to come back to humanity and see some old friends….so what will you be doing this upcoming week, mi amigo? Want to get together sometime? We’ve got a CD with your name on it, and a perfect place for some Jamaican food!
Hugs!
T. – happy to finally come out of the closet to you on this World Cup matter
I would call you to see if you want to grab a beer this weekend, Tracy. But I think the World Cup will have your full attention this weekend.
Missed It: Team Coco Presents Conan’s Writers Live on TBS
Posted by admin in comedy, streaming video on June 30, 2010
This past Sunday night, TBS aired a show taped in Chicago earlier in June, Team Coco Presents Conan’s Writers Live (hosted by Andy Richter). Unfortunately I totally missed that it was scheduled to air. Fortunately for me (and hopefully for you), TBS has posted it here.
TBS had to trim some of the episode for time, and as the Team Coco site noted, that meant some of the writers got completed edited out of the show. So as to not disappoint the writers edited out, Team Coco has posted the extras online, including this routine from Matt O’Brien.
I’m really intrigued at how Team Coco and TBS are branding Conan O’Brien already despite the fact he cannot appear on TV until well into the fall.
Watching Jimmy Fallon Live with Jimmy: Initial Reaction
Posted by admin in comedy, late night TV, streaming video on May 25, 2010
I’ll fully admit, when I found out Late Night with Jimmy Fallon was teaming with Ustream.tv to allow viewers a chance to watch Jimmy Fallon view a night’s episode of his show from his office, I was intrigued. It seemed to me a perfect variation on what the former Mystery Science Theater folks do with their respective (be it Cinematic Titanic or Rifftrax) incarnations at their live shows (via satellite at neighborhood movie theaters).
Unfortunately they need to rethink their execution, based on the first night. My problem with it, the audio from the Ustream feed was muddled–not because of Ustream’s technology but because Fallon had filled the room with his Late Night staff (too many folks, honestly). Few of them are used to being on TV, and some of them were on the verge of mumbling when they spoke, others speaking at the same time. I think it would work better if Ustream provided a screen in screen shot–with the actual NBC show in the corner, while the Ustream stays as the dominant screen. Even better, Fallon would be better off inviting three or four staffers to do the Ustream show, rather than the whole staff.
I still like the core concept, I just hope they improve things based on moments that worked (when Fallon pulled out a custom made guitar, using stained-glass, which lit up as he mock played and the whole staff sang the old WKRP in Cincinnati theme, for example). I’m willing to give it a second try, with hopes for a more enjoyable experience.
Missed It: Michael Keaton on Letterman
Posted by admin in comedy, late night TV on May 13, 2010
Michael Keaton was on David Letterman last night, and judging from this clip, I’m bummed that I missed it.
Bummer: ABC Cancels Better Off Ted
Posted by admin in comedy, episodic TV on May 13, 2010
While it was widely expected and a surprise to no one, I was bummed to learn that Better Off Ted was canceled by ABC (as noted by Entertainment Weekly‘s Michael Ausiello). The show was well-acted, superbly scripted and scheduled horribly by ABC. How could the network that kept According to Jim alive for so long give up on this show so quickly (OK two seasons is not quickly, but it was too damn quick for me).
To observe the loss of a great show, I share with you a snippet from the Racial Sensitivity episode where Veridian installed a light sensor that did not recognize African-American employees. In this scene the employees try to confront Veronica, their boss. Enjoy.
You’ll be missed Better Off Ted.
As Great as Betty White Was, I’m Looking Forward to Alec Baldwin
Posted by admin in comedy, late night TV on May 11, 2010
The Betty White hosted episode of Saturday Night Live was an unequivocal success, no doubt (as noted by this New York Times piece). But personally I’m enthused to see Alec Baldwin showing up this week to host for a 15th time (allowing him to catch up with Steve Martin’s number of hosting gigs). Here’s a collection of teasers:
Ty Burrell on Modern Family’s Phil: “He’s More Boy Than Man”
Posted by admin in comedy, episodic TV, streaming video on May 10, 2010
Akin to DVD extras, I love that hulu posts promotional behind-the-scenes snippets of ABC’s new sitcom, Modern Family.
In this snippet, actor Ty Burrell explains the charm and absurdity that is his character, Phil. I think it is best summed up with his line: “He’s more boy than man.”
Additional thanks to ABC for running random quotes from the various show’s characters here. Including this gem from Phil: “‘Mother’ is part of the word. You never hear of anyone being sfathered to death.”
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