When Zach Galifianakis first hosted Saturday Night Live last season, he starred in a digital short called "Zach Drops By The Set" that featured unexpected cameos by the comedian on various TV shows. The first scene has him wheeling around in a chair behind Brian Williams during a news update.
Cut to last weekend, when Galifianakis literally dropped by the set of MSNBC after watching his Hangover co-star Ed Helms host SNL. Just as he did in the SNL Digital Short, but for real this time, Galifianakis wheeled around in a chair behind the MSNBC anchor, in this case Veronica De La Cruz, during an overnight news update. Bonus: Sitting on either side of Galifianakis are Nick Kroll and Al Madrigal.
Here's the art...
Great week for stand-up comedian Al Madrigal. He has earned himself two new TV gigs: a supporting role on NBC's new sitcom Free Agents, and last night he made his first appearance as the "senior Latino correspondent" on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Or is it "senior Hispanic correspondent." Stewart used the terms interchangeably. Hmmm. Anyhow. Moving on.
I cannot wait for the great online debate to begin about how Madrigal only got this job because he's hot. Oh, wait. What's that? We only consider looks when it comes to people with lady parts? Oh, alrighty then.
Let's see and hear what he had to tell Jon Stewart last night about immigration reform:
NBC's new sitcom, Free Agents, will debut in the 8:30 p.m. Wednesday timeslot. It stars Hank Azaria and Kathyrn Hahn as co-workers with benefits. Sort of.
The workplace comedy also has roles for stand-up comedians Al Madrigal, Mo Mandel and Natasha Leggero. And Jo Lo Truglio has a role as the building's security guard.
Let's roll the clips from the pilot!
Continue reading "Fall TV previews 2011: Sneak a peek at NBC's "Free Agents" pilot" »
Al Madrigal stopped by Conan last night and described his day with a day laborer. No. Not his day as a day laborer. With one. Why did you read it the wrong way? Why did I type it the right way and then go off on this tangent? Stop looking at me like that. Madrigal has fun with his new employee, even when things go a bit awry. IKEA!
Madrigal is a funny guy. The proof is in this clip. Roll it!
More than a few stand-up comedians have been on the late-night TV in the past couple of weeks, and lest I fail to fulfill my duties to give you comprehensive coverage, I should get us all caught up with some of these new/additional TV credits.
Last week on Lopez Tonight, Chris D'Elia joked about his own voice, comparing it to an old Japanese man, and then wished he could talk and laugh more like gangsters and rappers.
Last week on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Al Madrigal may have missed his mark on the stage floor, but he makes some valid points about his neighbors in Los Angeles.
The week before that, Wendy Liebman appeared on Ferguson's program. Wait for her classic joke about her age.
In late November, Mike E. Winfield made his network TV debut on Late Show with David Letterman. It may look like he's always smiling, but that's not how he feels based on how his wife treats him. And don't ask him about his afro. He's heard your silly questions before. Roll it.
Around the same time, Neal Brennan went on Lopez Tonight and made a pitch for a sketch he would have done had Dave Chappelle not left him and Chappelle's Show behind. Brennan warns the audience: "Now, don't be babies," before making his pitch, as if the audience is going to get up and walk out to Africa or something. Too soon?
We're knee deep in November sweeps for the TV industry, so a good time to resume The Comic's Comic's ongoing series of new sitcom reviews from the fall 2008 season. Next up: Gary Unmarried.
Sitcom: Gary Unmarried (CBS) 8:30 p.m. ET/PT Wednesdays
Premise: Show originally titled Project Gary centers on Gary Brooks (Jay Mohr), newly divorced painting contractor, and his ex-wife, Allison (Paula Marshall) as they deal with moving on after 15 years of marriage and two kids they share: an awkward 14-year-old son and a politically old beyond her years 11-year-old daughter. Allison already has gotten engaged to the couple's marriage counselor (Ed Begley Jr.)? And Gary jumps into bed with one of his customers (Jaime King).
Early impression: Meh. Is this supposed to be an oafish alpha male version of The New Adventures of Old Christine (the show which precedes Gary on CBS Wednesdays)? With younger kids.
Can you judge a show by its pilot: Not if you want to keep watching because you'll probably be in disbelief. How is Allison's engagement to the couple's marriage counselor OK even to laugh about? Also, don't get too attached with the family daughter, because she got recast after the pilot.
Comedy pedigree: Mohr proved there is life after Last Comic Standing, didn't he, moving to guest-star roles in primetime to a recurring role on CBS in Ghost Whisperer (somewhere, Jamie Kennedy was taking notes). Begley Jr. plays so smart he's dumb. There's also another comedian in the cast with Al Madrigal playing Mohr's painting buddy. And James Burrows (Cheers, Will & Grace) is on board as executive producer and director.
The verdict?
Continue reading "New sitcom reviews, Fall TV 2008: Gary Unmarried" »
Attempting to get you caught up on what everyone else is saying about comedy (you can catch up with them via the More On Comedy links on my page).
The Bastion interviews Kumail Nanjiani, who recently left Chicago for New York City.
The Coming is back in blogging business, apparently, and talks to Paul Rust about his comedy background and burgeoning movie career.
Punchline Magazine interviews the most recent winner of Last Comic Standing, Jon Reep.
The Apiary finds more examples of NYC-based comedians getting "commercial" success.
Shecky Magazine continues to get spies reporting in with results from the Last Comic Standing auditions, and by the way, the Male Half is auditioning for Montreal's Just For Laughs tonight at Helium in Philadelphia. Good luck, Brian!
Comic Vs. Audience caught Bill Cosby in action in New Jersey and filed this report.
SFstandup interviewed Al Madrigal, who appears in the new CBS midseason sitcom, Welcome to the Captain.
Recent Comments