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Big news! I'm launching a new-and-improved version of my site, and @MyDamnChannel is helping me!

Greetings readers!

If you're still landing here -- and especially if you aren't -- then you probably sensed something different. Something special in the air.

I've decided to launch a major redesign and overhaul of The Comic's Comic to take it big-time, and I've found a partner in My Damn Channel to help me do it! If your bookmark or your RSS feed is coming from this site, please readjust your settings for http://thecomicscomic.com/ and take a look around. It's still in development. Not sure if I'd call it the beta version. But it is going to be bigger and even better than before. Certainly is easier on the eyes. Loads faster, too! (I hear you)

This site will still be around, and I've got to move all of the archived content over to the new version, and well, as you can tell by the fact that it's the annual finale of Montreal Just For Laughs, that'll have to wait for August.

I'm the second official member of My Damn Channel's new Blog Network. Earlier this month, they launched Slacktory, run by former Urlesque editor (and Valleywag founder before that) Nick Douglas.

As I said in the official press release, I’ve watched My Damn Channel grow into a respected entertainment company over the past four years. I’m honored to join Rob’s team as we work to bring you the definitive guide to the best comedy and comedians in the world.

For his part, My Damn Channel Founder/CEO's Rob Barnett said, “Sean’s baby is a perfect partner for the My Damn Channel Blog Network. We’ll also launch The Comic’s Comic video channel in the weeks ahead with interviews and performances.” He added, “We love Sean’s taste and love every comic he covers. They’re all now potential victims of more mass promotion and cash and prizes from My Damn Channel.”

So. Please. Take a look at the new site. Suggestions are welcome as I get used to a new platform and design. And if you've got a hot comedy scoop or want to contribute to The Comic’s Comic -- either financially or yes, as a writer, because I'm open to your ideas and I have plenty of ideas that I cannot do all by myself -- email me at [email protected]. If you'd like to advertise on the new site, please email [email protected].

What can't you do in an Apple Store? Mark Malkoff investigates

Seriously. What can't you do in an Apple Store? In his latest video stunt for My Damn Channel, Mark Malkoff investigates, and finds out that these geniuses will let him get away with pretty much anything.

Roll the clip!

 

Are you one of Variety's "10 Comics to Watch" in 2011?

It's that time of year, people. Montreal's Just For Laughs festival heads into the homestretch, and with it, many show business scouts, agents, managers and executives brush up on their French and head toward Canada to talk about the best and brightest comedic talents.

As it has in past years, Variety puts out its "10 Comics to Watch" list in conjunction with the festival, and their list for 2011 has some names you may already know.

Who made the list?

Jerrod Carmichael, Chris D’Elia, Josh Fadem, Pete Holmes, Thomas Middleditch, Tim Minchin, Amy Schumer, Rebel Wilson, Harris Wittels and Ali Wong

Congrats, kids!

An open letter to everyone regarding media coverage of Dave Chappelle's comedy "comeback"

Dear members of the mainstream media, gossip sites and bloggers,

Your coverage of Dave Chappelle's comedy "comeback" has grown beyond wearisome and expanded into outright ignorance.

Sure, Chappelle had a rough gig Friday night as the closing act of a charity event that had included seven acts over two hours before he even walked onstage at the Seminole Hard Rock -- and then he chose to abandon his act when audience members up front heckled him and videotaped him (photo by DJ Irie, who played him offstage almost an hour later). And yes, Chappelle returned to Alonzo Mourning's Summer Groove gala the next night to make up for it.

But everyone seems to be missing the point.

For one thing, don't call it a comeback.

Because Dave Chappelle never left comedy. He left Comedy Central.

Your FAQs for the annual Will Ferrell charity golf event have been answered

This photo has been zipping around the Internet today, and for good reason: It's funny and involves a famous comedian. In this case, Will Ferrell.

But what about the golf tournament itself? Where is it? When is it? Why is it?

Matt Kirshen explores the parameters of fast-food drive-thrus on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Matt Kirshen performed Friday on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and he wondered aloud about the rules for an overnight drive-thru window at a fast-food restaurant, as well as how they're applied. After you watch this clip, you'll wonder, too. I know at the "24-hour" Burger King located just off of my subway stop, they have served people who walked up to the window overnight (not me, honest!), but was that a one-time thing? Things to think about...

Roll the clip!

 

BBC America expands Ministry of Laughs with "Would You Rather with Graham Norton"

BBC America announced today that it has ordered 13 episodes of a new comedy game show featuring American comedians and hosted by British chat show host Graham Norton.

Would You Rather with Graham Norton will debut later in 2011, inserted into the cable channel's "The Ministry of Laughs" programming.

It's executive produced by Norton, Graham Stuart and Jim Biederman.

Where are they now? Dat Phan plays into Vietnam type in TV ad for DirecTV

Remember way back when NBC launched Last Comic Standing and Dat Phan emerged as its first winner?

Of course you remember, either because you were surprised that Ralphie May didn't win, or because you were busy changing your stand-up material to include more detailed notebooks and stereotypical accents of your parents. If you didn't remember, it's because Phan didn't become a household name after winning the big cash money and development deal.

Well, now it's 2011, and Phan is back on your TV screens once more, this time playing up the Vietnamese accent as a classic "Vietnam movie" song plays in the background for a DirecTV commercial. Do you think in the audition, they asked Phan if he could do his best Ken Jeong "Mr. Chow"? Or did they just have to look at Phan's stand-up clips?

Roll it!

 

How joke charts work

Point. Counterpoint. Here's Slacktory's take on jokes via charts and graphs...

Jason Reitman on screening his short film at Sundance in 2001 with "Wet Hot American Summer"

Ten years ago, the kids from The State had grown up enough to get nostalgic about their childhood days attending summer camp, and Michael Showalter and David Wain wrote a movie about it, with Wain directing, called Wet Hot American Summer.

Released in two theaters on July 27, 2001, the film didn't break big at the box office. But over the past decade, it has earned an allegiance of loyal and adoring fans (some of whom showed up to a NYC screening last night in costumes dressed as the film's characters, with one even standing in front of the screen, Rocky Horror-style, to mimic a character's big monologue moment) and offered early glimpses at the humorous potential of Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Christopher Meloni, Elizabeth Banks and Bradley Cooper. Not to mention Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Molly Shannon and several members of The State.

As part of last night's anniversary screening in Manhattan, Wain and Showalter were joined in a discussion by Jake Fogelnest and director Jason Reitman, who was paired up with Wet Hot American Summer ten years ago at the Sundance Film Festival for his short film, Gulp.

Beavis and Butt-Head, 2011: "Holy Cornholio"

Scenes from the new edition of MTV's Beavis and Butt-Head screened yesterday at San Diego Comic-Con. Here you go. More Cornholio. Just like you remember it. Only this time, with the Jersey Shore instead of music videos. Because. You know. It's MTV.

Roll the clip!

 

Myq Kaplan on Conan: Summer is everything but hot as balls

Myq Kaplan was on Conan last night, and he schooled us all on how summer never never can be "hot as balls," as well as how people who don't pronounce Target correctly should just get away. You get it. Or do you j-et it?

Roll the clip!

 

Geechy Guy's quarterfinal performance and exit interview from America's Got Talent 2011

So far stand-up comedians are 0-2 in making it past the quarterfinal stage in the 2011 season of NBC's America's Got Talent -- although, of course, there will be a wild-card addition which gives both J. Chris Newberg and Geechy Guy one more chance to sneak into the semis this summer, if the judges deem it so.

Tonight was Geechy Guy's turn to feel the heat.

A longtime veteran of stand-up, Geechy Guy had judge Howie Mandel in his corner. But that wasn't enough. This time. For his quarterfinal performance, NBC hired two women to dress up in whoopie cushion costumes to make him seem more Vegas. Weird? Not as weird as Mandel telling Geechy Guy afterward that he has a very family-friendly act, when Geechy Guy already has a recurring gig in Las Vegas with a show he created called The "Dirty Joke Show" that plays nightly at the Hooters Casino in Vegas.