the comic's comic

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.

Activist first, comedian second: Jonathan May-Bowles, aka @jonniemarbles, guy who pied Rupert Murdoch

So about that guy who threw a shaving cream pie at the face of News Corp. overlord Rupert Murdoch during his live globally-televised testimony before British Parliament.

We all quickly learned that Jonnie Marbles was a comedian, who even made a quip about his act on Twitter @jonniemarbles moments beforehand: "It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before #splat"

But his own Twitter profile bio describes himself as an activist first, comedian second.

Was this just a stunt to boost his stand-up comedy career?

Stephen Colbert agrees: "It Gets Better"

Stephen Colbert has joined the growing chorus of famous voices for the It Gets Better project, letting kids and teens know that there is life after being bullied. I was the shortest kid in my grade throughout elementary school, so I know a little something myself about bullies. It does get better.

But let Colbert tell you about the power of words, and reclaiming power for yourself. Roll it.

 

Behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast of Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV:: plus two new promo clips!

Paul Scheer's new Adult Swim parody procedural series, NTSF:SD:SUV::, premieres this week. And AOL TV (which hasn't been absorbed by The Huffington Post...yet) visited the set to interview Scheer and the rest of the cast, which includes Brandon Johnson, Rebecca Romijn, Kate Mulgrew, Martin Starr and June Diane Raphael. Also Rob Riggle! And a robot?

Roll the clip!

 

Want to see some of that action, though? New awesome trailers, full speed ahead...in 3...2...1....

On first comedy tour, Ron Artest does Q&A with Improv's Budd Friedman, hugs fans at Carolines

What was the fuss all about, again? NBA player Ron Artest, who wants to change his name to Metta World Peace, says silly things when he's not shooting hoops or starting fights on the basketball court. This summer, show business people convinced Artest to launch his own comedy tour.

Artest hosted a comedy show two weekends ago at the Hollywood Improv, where, as we see in this footage from the Los Angeles Times, let him off the hook as a stand-up by putting the Improv's legendary chief Budd Friedman center stage with a mic to pepper Artest with questions (presumably from audience members).

Random joke stealing allegation of the day

Yesterday, a website asked if Zachary Levi (NBC's Chuck) had taken a bit from stand-up comedian Demetri Martin.

Clearly, Levi, appearing several months ago on the Dec. 23, 2010, episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, got his first big laugh with a line that's strikingly similar to a joke Martin made about glitter on his 2006 CD/DVD, These Are Jokes. Martin: "Glitter doesn't go away. Glitter is the herpes of crafts supplies." Levi: "Glitter is the herpes of the arts and crafts world. I'm convinced. It does not go away." 

OK. So. Now what? Internet want a cookie?

When is a photobomb not a photobomb? Ken Jeong upstages Kate Upton in GQ

What a relief that GQ's 2011 Comedy Issue also managed to put a male comedian in a bathing suit! Well, it is Ken Jeong. And the magazine wants us to believe that he is photobombing this shoot with model Kate Upton.

Except isn't the whole point of a photobomb that the photographer is unaware that someone else has snuck into the picture? Click for additional GQ photos with Ken Jeong, Kate Upton and some dude model.

Noodle!

Earwolf announces partnership with Funny or Die

Funny or Die is getting into the comedy podcasting business, and they've picked one of their most popular video producers to help them do it.

Earwolf broke the news of its deal with FoD tonight.

As of September 2011, Earwolf will become the exclusive sole provider and producer of Funny or Die podcasts, with new shows added to the existing comedy podcast network and available via iTunes, Earwolf.com and funnyordie.com. In the agreement, FoD also will license Earwolf's existing back catalogue and offer them on their site.

From Earwolf:

"We’re pumped to have a podcast partner-in-crime and one with such a large and loyal following. We’re doubly pumped to bring more great comedy from today’s best comedic minds to the 11-million/month Funny Or Die visitors. We’re triply pumped to for Earwolf fans to get more of what they love, too."

As referenced up top, this partnership is not exactly surprising.

Earwolf was co-created by Scott Aukerman, host of the popular live show and podcast, Comedy Bang Bang (formerly Comedy Death-Ray), and producer of Funny or Die's "Between Two Ferns" series with Zach Galifianakis, which enjoys some of the most viewed videos of all time on the site.