The Tangent: Comedy Archives

The Mighty Boosh hits the states

It’s hard to describe exactly what The Mighty Boosh is. British comedians Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt have been working under that name for about a decade, doing their act live and on radio and television.

The show centers around the absurd adventures of Vince Noir and Howard Moon as they get stranded on desert islands, fight kangaroos, etc.

A comedy sensation in their home country, the Boosh has gathered a growing following stateside.

We spoke with the pair about their act.

After 10 years, what keeps you attached to the Mighty Boosh?
Fielding: We’re rubbish at everything else. Sometimes we say we’re going to take a break and do something else, but I can’t repair cars; I can’t do anything else. We always end up coming back together.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on July 19, 2009 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Darlene Violette relapses

By Ed Condran
Special To amNewYork
• Darlene Violette appears Wednesday at Carolines. 9:30 p.m., $18.

Stand-up comedy doesn’t mean everything to Darlene Violette but it’s certainly a part of the Brooklyn based performer’s varied repertoire.

“It’s something that’s always been important to me,” Violette says. “But there are other things that I focus on as well.”

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Posted by Scott A. Rosenberg on June 23, 2009 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mike Birbiglia talks 'Sleepwalk With Me'

By Scott A. Rosenberg
• ‘Sleepwalk With Me’ is at the Bleecker Street Theatre through June 7.

Comedian Mike Birbiglia has a well-publicized sleeping disorder — rapid eye movement behavior disorder — which has been the topic of his stand-up routine and a focal point of his hit off-Broadway show, “Sleepwalk With Me.”

Strangely enough, after years on the road dealing with the disorder — which was severe enough that he caused himself bodily harm, as he would act out his dreams while asleep — doing his show about it helped alleviate the problem to some extent.

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Posted by Scott A. Rosenberg on April 20, 2009 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Chris Schweizer's 'Vengeance': A Q&A with the creator of 'Crogan's Vengeance'

By Scott A. Rosenberg

There’s regular ambition, then there’s Chris Schweizer’s ambition.

Schweizer first graphic novel, “Crogan’s Vengeance,” has recently been published in a beautiful hardcover edition by Oni Press. The story divulges a portion of the Crogan family history – in this case a swashbuckling pirate adventure starring Catfoot Crogan.

After this book, Schweizer has 15 more genre-spanning adventures he’s planning on telling, featuring members of the Crogan family throughout the ages.

So, needless to say, Schweizer, 28, has a lot of work ahead of him.

amNewYork spoke with Schweizer about his graphic novel.

Continue reading "Chris Schweizer's 'Vengeance': A Q&A with the creator of 'Crogan's Vengeance'" »

Posted by Scott A. Rosenberg on March 6, 2009 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Christian Bale, 'Family Guy' style

"Family Guy" for the win.

This is unedited with a million curses, so be careful.

Posted by Scott A. Rosenberg on February 15, 2009 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

John Lee and Vernon Chatman at A.V. Club

By Emily Hulme

The A.V. Club talks to John Lee and Vernon Chatman, creators of the gleefully offensive "Wonder Showzen." (Seriously, don't click on the link if you have a delicate sensibility, or any sense of right and wrong.) They're back with a new project for Adult Swim called "Xavier: Renegade Angel" — the second season started Thursday.

The interview is really funny. The interviewer doesn't so much ask questions as provide jumping off points for crazy tangents. They some how get to talking about the cancellation of "Wonder Showzen," which leads to the following exchange:

JL: I don’t know if we told you this story about Wonder Showzen season one, but this is emblematic of how the plug got pulled. When we finished season one, we got sent a gift from the executives. When we opened it up, it was rotten fruit and a juicer. We knew right then that it was a threat, and we were done with.

VC: Doesn’t that sound like something the mafia would do? If an executive sends you rotten fruit, you only have one season left.

And, yes. That guy has a snake for a forearm.

Posted by Emily Hulme on February 15, 2009 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Demetri Martin's new show premieres tonight

By Emily Hulme

I watched the first two episodes of "Important Things" last night, and I love it.

Important Things with Demetri MartinWed 10:30pm / 9:30c

Extended Trailer

Joke of the Day
Stand-Up Comedy

Get Funny Ringtones
More Funny Videos

Each episode is divided loosely into the jokes part, the sketch part and the more jokes but this time with a song and/or some time at the sketch (different kind) pad. Martin's specials have been much less structured, almost stream-of-consciousness rambles, but for a weekly series, it helps to have a framework. And the sketches give Martin a platform to show off a different side of his humor. More than just observational one-liners, the sketches are relatively mundane situations taken to absurd extremes, such as the club kid who's way to early for a rave, or the actor who only gets convincingly angry when the cameras stop rolling.

There are few big laugh-out-loud moments; Martin's humor is too subtle for that. This is different, though, than saying it's not funny. Every moment will put a smile on your face, and Martin is a charming entertainer. Also, he has very nice eyes.

ETA: Demetri Martin talks about his process with Alan Sepinwall here.

Posted by Emily Hulme on February 11, 2009 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A 'Mortified' Valentine's Day

By Scott A. Rosenberg
• ‘Mortified’ is at Comix Wednesday. 8 p.m., $20.
GetMortified.com
• Valentine’s Day Personal Media Mixer is at Housing Works Bookstore on Saturday. 8 p.m., $15; $50 for VIP tickets

So that holiday is coming up.

Yeah, the one where if you’re single, you’ll be sitting around miserable and lonely, and if you’re in a relationship, you’re crushed by unreal expectations. You just can’t win. Valentine’s Day is a cruel, cruel mistress.

But, you can commiserate.

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Posted by Scott A. Rosenberg on February 10, 2009 5:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Eugene Mirman should be a commencement speaker somewhere

Posted by Emily Hulme on February 4, 2009 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

FOC comes to NYC

By Emily Hulme

In support of their forthcoming album, Flight of the Conchords is going on tour. They play Radio City Music Hall April 14, which is the same day the album drops. Tickets are on internet presale right now and they'll be available to the general public Friday on Ticketmaster.

Also, last night's episode finds the boys going back to their Hiphopopotamus/Rhymenoceros roots (above), with a new song, "Hurt Feelings." Much better than "Angels."

Posted by Emily Hulme on February 2, 2009 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bill Hicks on Letterman

By Emily Hulme

(If you know Hick's work, you already know this language is NSFW.)

A 1993 set by beloved comedian Bill Hicks that was censored on Letterman (which is not the video above) is finally going to be aired on Friday. The Comic's Comic has more.

Posted by Emily Hulme on January 28, 2009 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Patton Oswalt turns 40

By Emily Hulme

As someone with a pretty hefty birthday coming up, I appreciate Oswalt's attitude here: "I’m turning 40. I can’t wait to be 60. And 70. I think when I turn 50 I’ll wear the same suit every day and look like a cool demonologist with my grey hair. Maybe I should get a swordcane. A 20-something couldn’t pull that off."

Not being 22 isn't a bad thing. It's refreshing to hear someone in show business say that. You can get more perspective on his blog (scroll down to Jan. 20).

And here, just because I like it, is Oswalt on KFC's "sadness bowl."

Posted by Emily Hulme on January 27, 2009 5:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Demetri Martin's new special

By Emily Hulme

Comedy Central Debuts "Important Things With Demetri Martin" on 2/11 by Demetri Martin

I love Demetri Maritin and I can't wait for this. Though that parking debacle probably could have been avoided if either of the parties had seen this episode of "Seinfeld."

Posted by Emily Hulme on January 19, 2009 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sommore: Comic ready for diet of NY faves

By Ed Condran
Special to amNewYork

• Sommore is at Carolines Friday through Sunday., Fri. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; Sat. 8 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.; Sun. 8 p.m., $45

There’s less of Sommore these days. The actress-comic dropped 11 pounds in 2008 courtesy of the reality series “Celebrity Fit Club.”

“I loved doing that show,” says Sommore, aka Lori Ann Rambough. “I got to have fun and lose weight.”

When the Trenton, N.J., native returns to Manhattan, she’s expecting more of the former and less of the latter.

Continue reading "Sommore: Comic ready for diet of NY faves" »

Posted by Scott A. Rosenberg on January 14, 2009 5:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Eddie Izzard: Funnyman and genuine nice guy

By Emily Hulme

This story from Comedy Central's Insider blog is heartwarming:

Poor Will Pike was vacationing in India with his girlfriend, but had to miss Izzard's show in London last month while recuperating [from injuries sustained trying to escape terrorists during November's Mumbai attacks]. Pike's dad asked the comedian if he could send a note and received a personal hospital visit and concert instead.

Izzard performed his entire 90-minute set for Pike!

The coolest part: "Izzard's spokesperson declared that the star's visit to Will was a private affair and chose not to comment any further." (via One India)

This is just all so gosh darn nice.

Posted by Emily Hulme on January 6, 2009 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

David Alan Grier takes on fake news

By Ed Condran
Special to amNewYork
• DAG is at Comix Friday and Saturday, 8 & 10pm, $32.

It wasn’t easy for David Alan Grier to establish his amusing vehicle, “Chocolate News.” It took the versatile comic actor two years to develop and sell the show.

“If ‘The Onion’ and Tavis Smiley had a baby and it was funny, well, that’s what ‘Chocolate News’ is about,” Grier explains.

Comedy Central bought the concept and Grier spoofs serious news shows helmed by the likes of Smiley and Gil Noble. There are no sacred cows for Grier; on the show he has goofed on rappers and the iconic Maya Angelou.

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Posted by Emily Hulme on December 10, 2008 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

David Wain dishes on Stella

By Scott A. Rosenberg
• Stella is at Nokia Theatre Times Square Tuesday and Wednesday. 8 p.m., $27.50.

NSFW

While Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black and David Wain have done well for themselves on their own, some of their finest moments come when they work together, having collaborated on “The State,” “Stella” and the cult-favorite film, “Wet Hot American Summer.”

The three funny men are reuniting for a tour of their comedy troupe Stella, formerly a nightclub variety act and a Comedy Central show that emphasized short videos.

Wain, 39, has made his name directing, helming “Wet Hot” and “The Ten,” as well as producing and starring in a popular Web-based series called “Wainy Days.”

amNewYork spoke with Wain, who recently rocked the box office with his latest directorial work, the raucous comedy “Role Models,” about the Stella tour.

Continue reading "David Wain dishes on Stella" »

Posted by Scott A. Rosenberg on December 8, 2008 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

British TV: Monty Python & The IT Crowd

By Emily Hulme

Monty Python has launched a channel on YouTube. They currently have posted almost 30 videos, including some behind the scenes stuff. Cheers!

Also, in more current comedy news, Graham Linehan's "The IT Crowd" is back for a third series this Friday ... in Britain. The show recently started airing from the beginning on the IFC Channel in the U.S., so if you're patient, they'll get around to showing the 3rd season. If you're impatient, well ... you'll have to figure out a way to see it now for yourself.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, "The IT Crowd" is a show about the put-upon IT department in a large, poorly organized company of undefined industry. Graham Linehan ("Father Ted," "Black Books"), in a recent interview with The Sound of Young America's Jesse Thorn (embedded below), alluded to the fact that "The IT Crowd" is the show that CBS kind of ripped off for "The Big Bang Theory."

In short, watch it. It's British and funny.

Posted by Emily Hulme on November 19, 2008 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

SketchProv at The P.I.T.

By Emily Hulme

Last night I was a judge at the final round of The P.I.T.'s SketchProv Tournament. What is SketchProv, you ask? It's a combination of improv and sketch comedy wherein the participants take a suggestion from the audience and have ten minutes to plot out a ten minute sketch. In other words, its hilarious semi-anarchy.

The way the tournament worked was that there was two brackets made up of sketch and improv teams. Each group performed a sketch, improv and sketchprov set, and in the earlier rounds, the audience voted on the winner. Last night they called in the judges to preside over the match between the top sketch and improv groups.

The breakdown of the competition after the jump.

Continue reading "SketchProv at The P.I.T." »

Posted by Emily Hulme on November 9, 2008 3:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (2)

Brian Regan returns for the New York Comedy Festival

By Ed Condran
Special to amNewYork
• Brian Regan is at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall on Sunday, 8pm, $32-$64.50.
• For a full schedule of the New York Comedy Festival, running through Sunday, log on to www.nycomedyfestival.com.

Clever, clean and unpredictable sums up Brian Regan’s comedy. The veteran observational comic, who has been on the circuit since 1980, will perform Sunday at the Lincoln Center as part of the New York Comedy Festival.

The former Heidelberg College football player recently took some time while lounging around his Las Vegas home to chat about his return to New York City.

Continued after the jump.

Continue reading "Brian Regan returns for the New York Comedy Festival" »

Posted by Scott A. Rosenberg on November 5, 2008 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)