the comic's comic

Christopher Titus says we need a Neverlution, and other thoughts from the comic on our society today

The world's not ending. It just seems that way to more than a few people, including Christopher Titus, who suggests we lead our way back through a Neverlution. That's the title of his newest double-disc two-hour CD on Comedy Central Records, which is cut down to 42 minutes for the TV special that debuts this Sunday, also on Comedy Central.

Titus recently spoke to me about the special.

How did you decide what to keep for TV?

"I really worked at it. It's the most hated part of every show I've done. Finding out what needs to stay...how do i make it work? The Obama thing was important. I think the trophy part was really the core, the core of the failing of America...and then the ending was really important...And the Lady Gaga joke, just because. Lady Gaga is proof that David Bowie raped Carol Burnett..that was staying in no matter what."

Um, OK. Recorded just this March in Aspen, Colo., Neverlution contains material that's a lot more political, or socio-political, than the more personal approach Titus has taken on his past specials and his self-titled FOX sitcom from a decade ago. Your TV/DVD special opens with political imagery. Based on what you were saying, I take it you watched Jon Stewart's recent interview with FOX News, then?

"Not only did I watch, I Tweeted about it. That was brilliant. To walk into the belly of the beast...that he nuts up and does it...it's great. But Sarah Palin won't do it. She won't go on any shows anymore. But to listen to MSNBC yesterday, and they thought Jon Stewart was on his high horse. That was the perfect interview, that he pissed off everybody from this. Jon Stewart is a national treasure. He also pisses me off, because every night I wish I'd thought of that. Damn. That's the highest compliment. I call the cable news the terrorists. I wrote that joke a year ago. So Jon Stewart finally stole from me. Finally."

Let's watch a clip!

Christopher Titus enlists fellow headliners for a benefit in Los Angeles for at-risk children

Christopher Titus has a special message for you about the needs of children. Roll it.

 

Yes, the video may be a joke, but Titus is serious about helping kids. He founded a nonprofit volunteer organization called In-sight Youth Project, and on Saturday, May 7, Titus has gotten Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon to join him in a benefit show, "Laugh You’re A$$ Off, Save The World,” to help at-risk children through Los Angeles' Olive Crest program. Jillian Barberie will host the show at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, Calif. -- tickets from $35-$250 are tax-deductible and can be purchased at http://www.in-sightyouth.com or by calling (818) 243-2538.

Explained Titus: "Children are our future is just a song. In-Sight Youth was set out to help organizations that help older foster kids become adults, kids who have their adult hoods ‘In Sight.’ And let’s not forget, 14 to 18 year old kids are our immediate future.  It just won’t fit into a song lyric.  We help kids from 8 to 18, kids who have been through 22 foster homes but were not taught the skills for the real world.  We raise money for groups, like Olive Crest, who give these kids a real shot at a powerful life.”

Coincidentally, Titus also is taping a new special tonight, to be broadcast on Comedy Central this summer.

Comedy news that's good news

Today we have multiple tidings of joy to relay your way...

HBO has heard us and listened, granting us with a second season of Eastbound & Down. What will Kenny Powers do next? We'll find out in 2010.

Comedy Central has announced that it's next roast "victim" will be Joan Rivers, taping in Los Angeles on July 26, and airing on Aug. 9, 2009.

Comedy Central also has announced a deal with Levity Entertainment to release 12 stand-up specials over the next two years. The deal includes orders for Christopher Titus, Gabriel Iglesias, Pablo Francisco, Jim Breuer, Mitch Fatel, Pete Correale airing this year, and six more to shoot this year and air in 2010, including ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. It's all business. Longtime Levity client Dunham recorded the highest ratings ever for Comedy Central with last year's "Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special." A couple of weeks ago, the network inked Dunham individually to a deal that included not just another special and DVD, but also consumer products (his fans love to buy his puppets) and a new series(?). All of this also means the network is moving ahead with Levity on a fourth season of Live at Gotham, the showcase for up-and-coming stand-ups (also read as comedians who have yet to appear on Comedy Central in a half-hour or hour). Casting is happening now for the new Gotham lineups.

And Netflix announced it has lined up the first nine seasons of South Park for immediate streaming by its subscribers. Which sounded great until I remembered that you can watch any past episode of South Park already via the show's South Park Studios site.