the comic's comic

Earwolf network expands again, adding The Apple Sisters and Bob Ducca to its podcast rotation

Earwolf debuted a new online home page and design over the holiday weekend, and this week welcomes two new additions to its rotation of comedy podcasts: The Apple Sisters, plus Affirmation Nation with Bob Ducca.

Each Monday, The Apple Sisters -- Candy, Cora and Seedy Apple -- bring you all of the great radio shows from the 1940s to help support the boys of WWII. Their first episode, "Our First Time," will learn you all about the girls "and their favorite firsts," as well as a visit from an extra special guest, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Affirmation Nation with Bob Ducca (aka Seth Morris), described as "Earwolf's stepfather," comes complete with plenty of life lessons to share. Earwolf says Ducca will contribute daily insight Mondays-Fridays, unless something new comes up in Ducca's life to distract him. His first episode, "Hand Putty," is online now.

The redesign also includes two new features: Yourcast, wherein other podcasters can buy listings in the directory to support Earwolf while promoting their own shows; and On Tour, wherein fans can find out when and where the many performers in the Earwolf network will be performing at a venue near them.

Welcome videos from both new podcasters after the jump! Get to know them, in case you're not familiar with them already...

In other news from before Memorial Day Weekend...

In case you missed it because you were holiday weekending or I was planning and executing a move of The Comic's Comic HQ (now conveniently located in the heart of New York City's comedian's comedians: Astoria, Queens), here are some things that happened in the world of comedy last week.

And what did Lisa Lampanelli do to gay men this time that made her have to pay up big time?

Let's recap the rest of the comedy news...

This week in late-night TV

The following listings include comedians and comedic actors scheduled to appear/perform on the late-night TV talk show circuit this week. Check with the TV shows and local listings for last-minute changes.

Note: Most shows are in REPEATS this week.

So what's new? Daily Show and Colbert, for two things. Also Chelsea Lately. Plus: Special new editions of Kimmel to coincide with the NBA Finals.

Outtakes: Chris Rock's 1989 bit about finding God

Here's a treat for you.

In this previously unseen clip from the cutting-room floor of the 1989 documentary about then up-and-coming comedian Chris Rock, the stand-up is seen at the Comic Strip Live joking about "finding God" and how different religions try to recruit new followers. Notice how Rock already has several of his mannerisms in place, among them his poise, confidence and delivery. Bonus fun fact: Judah Friedlander was behind the camera on this.

Roll the clip!

 

For more, watch the documentary, Who's Chris Rock?, by Mike D.

From the archives of Mitch Hedberg: A relaunched site with his written notebooks, clips and more

If you haven't visited the website for the late, great Mitch Hedberg recently, then today would be a perfect day to do so.

Recently relaunched by his widow, comedian Lynn Shawcroft, the Mitch Hedberg site boasts a wealth of information -- not just old stuff, but also previously unreleased video clips, jokes and views of handwritten pages from his personal joke notebooks.

Here's one such joke:

How to get to space. Build a ladder, don’t stop until you can jump off and not fall down. -MH

Coincidentally, Sirius XM satellite radio is celebrating Hedberg this weekend.

Today on Sirius XM Raw Dog Ch. 99, the channel will present an exclusive concert from the Mitch Hedberg personal archives. Air times: 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, May 27; 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, May 28.

Then, on STORYTIME WITH Mark Says Hi! : Tribute to Mitch Hedberg, "It’s a very special hour as Mitch’s wife Lynn, his friends comedians Doug Stanhope, Mike Birbiglia and Rob Cantrell open up Mitch’s personal notebook…take a look inside…and a loving look back at the late great Mitch Hedberg." Air times: 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 27; 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday, May 28.

Clips after the jump!

Eugene Mirman vs. Time Warner Cable

Eugene Mirman has a history of troubles with Time Warner Cable, mostly dealing with moving and having it installed at the proper date and time. You know how that goes. I'd certainly have something to say, but I haven't had any issues with TWC and I'm moving this weekend, so why start now? Right? Right.

But Mirman decided the only way to get Time Warner Cable to hear his complaints about their service would be to take out full-page ads in the local papers. Not the Times, nor the Post, nor the Daily News. But it's in this week's editions of the New York Press and Greenpoint Gazette if you want to pick up your collectible copy of this open letter in print.

You also can see and hear Mirman talk about the letter in this clip from earlier this week, when Mirman performed live for listeners of Studio 360.

Apply to be Pauly Shore's personal assistant if you're nuts (about him)

Being a personal assistant to a famous person is almost like being famous yourself, except more crazy and less fun. You find yourself in impossibly weird situations and having to do all of the busywork that results from it. But what do I know? I've never been a personal assistant to a celebrity. I do know people who have been personal assistants. And I once talked to Sean Combs (he's still going by Puffy Puff Daddy P. Diddy Diddy, right?) on the phone about his decision in 2007 to ask anyone and everyone to apply to become his personal assistant.

And now Pauly Shore wants you to be his.

Assistant, that is. TMZ has the application. Read it carefully. Turns out you need to be a fan of the Weasel, know his movies, and perhaps more importantly, know people in the business.

If Pauly's starpower is anything like it was the last time I was in close personal contact with him, in 2004, then you'll also find yourself in some impossibly weird situations.

Amy Poehler's speech at Harvard College Class Day 2011: "You can't do it alone"

Boston College graduate Amy Poehler delivered the Class Day speech to Harvard's senior class of 2011 on Wednesday, and it was just the right touch of sincerity and humor.

About halfway through it, she begins to detail some very specific advice she learned from her improv comedy classes in Chicago (and later Saturday Night Live). But her overall theme is this: "You can't do it alone."

How true that is. Even if you're pursuing a career as a stand-up comedian. You can't do it alone. You need the support of friends, family and loved ones to get through this crazy, mixed-up world. But why hear me tell you this, when Harvard uploaded Poehler's speech.

Roll the clip.

Viral Video 101: The Lonely Island's Jorma Taccone dances naked in front of Lady Gaga in SNL offices

Need I say more?

Take Jorma Taccone, Saturday Night Live writer and member of The Lonely Island, have him dance naked to Lady Gaga's music, then make sure Lady Gaga is watching this happen right in front of her in an SNL dressing room, while Bill Hader smiles and laughs.

Roll the clip.

Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young harmonizes with David Crosby and Graham Nash to cover "Party in the USA"

You saw the photo last night. Now see and hear the "tribute" to Miley Cyrus as Jimmy Fallon once again channels Neil Young, only this time, he's harmonizing with actual group members David Crosby and Graham Nash to make three-fourths of CSN&Y as they perform "Party in the USA."

Roll the clip.

Zach Galifianakis finally gets Will Ferrell "Between Two Ferns"

Zach Galifianakis finally gets Will Ferrell to sit down for a chat "Between Two Ferns" in this new installment of his Webby Award-winning series.

Watch them eat cherries and cherry tomatoes. What's Jon Hamm doing here? Don't worry. That's not a spoiler. Nothing could spoil this.

Roll the clip!

 

Crosby, Nash and Fallon? Tune in tonight to get in on this party in the USA

Jimmy Fallon has channeled Neil Young before onstage and on his late-night show on NBC, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. But when have you ever seen him sing alongside the real Crosby and Nash? (Not pictured: Stills)

And yet.

And yet, Fallon posted this photo and wrote this caption: "Crosby, Nash and I salute Miley tonight on Late Night. #partyUSA" Yeah. I think you know what's going on here.

Tune in tonight for Fallon to hear the party for yourself.

What's your favorite improvised outtake from the movie Bridesmaids?

Did Jon Hamm ever get Kristen Wiig's bra off during their wild sex romp in the movie Bridesmaids? I'm sure you want to know the answer to that.

While you're wondering, watch this clip series of outtakes from the hit comedy, in which actors Hamm, Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper improvise lines -- which is a style that producer Judd Apatow encourages on set. My money is on the kid, though. Do you need to poop?

Roll the clip if you're old enough!

 

Listen up! Watch Beardyman freestyle beatbox about "ladyfingers" on Conan in his American TV debut

Watching Beardyman jam with Reggie Watts and Tim Minchin at the 2010 Montreal Just For Laughs festival was a true highlight, but American audiences got their first true glimpse of the Beardyman experience last night on Conan.

Beardyman showed his prowess by letting the panelists (in this case, actress Melissa McCarthy) pick the title of a song -- "Ladyfingers" -- and then asking the audience to shout out two genres of music -- he heard bluegrass and jazz.

Hit it!

 

Beardyman's official U.S. tour dates this weekend include a stop at the Electronic Daisy Festival in Orlando, Fla., on May 28, followed by the Detroit Electronic Music Festival on May 29. He may also make a stopover in NYC. So keep your ear to the ground (or your eyes on my site) because you need to see him perform live.

Sundance Institute hosts free reading for film adaptation of Mike Birbiglia's "Sleepwalk With Me"

Mike Birbiglia worked out his first one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me, as stand-up comedy bits, then as short stories for public radio, and eventually a successful Off-Broadway run, book and CD. Now Birbigs is looking to turn it into a feature film.

On June 1, you'll be able to get a sense of what that, at least, might sound like, as the Sundance Institute Screenplay Reading Series of Works-in-Progress presents a free reading of Sleepwalk With Me's screenplay. Birbiglia has written and will direct the movie.

The reading takes place at 7:30 p.m. June 1, 2011, at The Barrow Street Theatre in New York City's West Village, where Birbigs is wrapping up a successful run of his second Off-Broadway show, My Girlfriend's Boyfriend.

Though the event is free, seating is first-come, first-served, and an RSVP is required. Email: [email protected]

First photos on set of Sean Hayes and the new cast of The Three Stooges

This is your new Larry? Let me clarify for the kids out there who did not have birthday pizza parties at Shakey's while The Three Stooges played in black-and-white on the big screen.

 

This is Sean Hayes as Larry from the revamped version of The Three Stooges, which The Farrelly Brothers are making into a movie right now in production outside of Atlanta? I guess so. That's Chris Diamantopoulos behind him, as Moe, seen applying eye drops between takes. Will Sasso (not pictured here) plays Curly.

I don't know. I'll believe it when I see it. And even though I see this photo, I still don't believe in remaking The Three Stooges with three new guys who weren't already brothers and/or friends.

(more via)

Spoiler alert: Dan Levy wins "Comedian of the Year" at the 2011 Young Hollywood Awards, airing 5/26 on ION

The Young Hollywood Awards celebrate the up-and-coming stars of today who will be the superstars of tomorrow, and Dan Levy won "Comedian of the Year" for 2011 when they handed out the awards last Friday night at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

It's not a spoiler alert. Because it's not a contested event. Levy wasn't up against competition. They picked him. And you can watch him receive his award and maybe tell a joke or two when the Young Hollywood Awards air (for the first time on TV) at 9 p.m. May 26, 2011, on the ION channel. He's pictured at right during the broadcast.

Levy gave The Comic's Comic a bit of insight into his award. Just a bit.

Congratulations on winning the Young Hollywood Award for "Comedian of the Year"! It's my understanding that the YHAs are not contested awards, so what did they tell you about how you got picked for this? "Not sure. I haven't been to rehab yet."

How did they decide who gave you the award at the ceremony? How well do you know Aziz Ansari, who presented for you?

Albert Brooks reflects on his career and his pet peeves about movies in lengthy one-on-one with Adam Carolla

You may have heard that Adam Carolla surpassed Ricky Gervais for the Guinness World Record of most podcasts downloaded. Well, that in itself is a triumph of quantity as it is quality, although you need a quality amount of fans to keep on downloading to become that popular.

Which is what you'll get if you download this 89-minute chat between Carolla and Albert Brooks. Carolla not only channels a WTF with Marc Maron vibe -- what with the dispensing of his usual show for a pre-recorded intro, and a drive to visit Brooks where he lives for an uninterrupted one-on-one discussion -- but also gets Brooks to open up about his career arc, about his (and Carolla's) pet peeves with modern movies, and about their siblings. As you probably hopefully know, one of Albert's brothers goes by "Super Dave Osborne."

You can tell it happened very recently, as they reference the IMF chief's rape scandal, Ahnold's love affair with his housekeeper, and Adam's appearance on Kimmel.

It's an insightful chat. A few profanities get thrown about. So think about that before you find yourself learning it's Not Safe For Work.

Listen to Adam Carolla and Albert Brooks talk comedy shop.

The Book of Mormon, Bobby Cannavale, John Leguizamo among 2011 Drama Desk winners

The Drama Desk Awards, which reward excellence in New York theater no matter their productions' relation to Broadway, nevertheless heaped mighty praise with five awards for the South Park team's hit musical, The Book of Mormon.

Winners of Drama Desk Awards in 2011 who inhabit the world of comedy:

The Book of Mormon -- Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Orchestrations

Bobby Cannavale -- Outstanding Actor in a Play (The Motherf**ker With the Hat)

John Larroquette -- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying)

John Leguizamo -- Outstanding Solo Performance (Ghetto Klown)

Leguizamo beat out Colin Quinn and Mike Birbiglia in that latter category. But don't feel too bad for either Quinn or Birbigs. Colin Quinn got Long Story Short filmed for broadcast on HBO, while Mike Birbiglia's My Girlfriend's Boyfriend won the off-Broadway Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show earlier this month.

Is Nick Cannon really "Mr. Showbiz"? The comedian/actor/host/DJ makes his case

You may know part of who Nick Cannon is. Young, charismatic star in the movie Drumline. Mastermind of MTV sketch comedy jams such as Wild 'N Out and Short Circuitz. Morning radio host here in NYC on 92.3 FM. Host of NBC's summer talent search, America's Got Talent. Husband of Mariah Carey and father of her newborn twins.

But do you think of Nick Cannon as a stand-up comedian? Cannon wants you to. Cannon hopes you do. And he spent the better part of the past year-and-a-half building a new hour that became Mr. Showbiz, which debuted last week on Showtime (and available all month On Demand and repeating on the pay network's channels), was available as a digital purchase on May 16, and will be available via more traditional means at the end of the month.

"This will be the first time that people get to really know who Nick Cannon is," he says in a voice-over before the cameras show him entering the theater at the Palms resort in Vegas through the crowd (reminiscent of Dane Cook's Vicious Circle). That was HBO. Cannon is on Showtime.

Here's a clip of Cannon explaining who has the power in his marriage with Carey: