the comic's comic

Comedy Central orders "The Nick Show Kroll" and an untitled Jordan Peele & Keegan-Michael Key series

Mere weeks after saying goodbye to both of its new sports-themed comedy series, Comedy Central has ordered series pickups for two sketch-comedy ideas: One starring Nick Kroll and all of his characters, The Nick Show Kroll; and the other, an untitled project reuniting MADtv alums Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key.

Interestingly enough, the press release from Comedy Central seems to indicate that Kent Alterman ordered both pilots to series without even seeing them. In fact, his quote says just that!

"I haven't seen either pilot yet, but I think so highly of the talent involved, I can't imagine the shows won't be great," said Alterman.

Boom.

Nick Kroll proudly announced his show to friends, fans and followers on Twitter...

Jordan Peele is still available for your Obama impersonation needs

All of the politicos (and even those who don't read Politico) were hashtagging each other about whether or not it's a good idea for President Barack Obama to deliver a speech directly to America's students as they go back to school today and tomorrow. What might Obama try to tell the kids? Scary things, like staying in school? (there's a full White House report with YouTube video here) While silly people debate such matters and whether they matter, people like us who enjoy silly things will simply watch this new Funny or Die video featuring Jordan Peele as your favorite Uncle Barry, telling kids to skip school to stay in school. Peele was a cast member for five seasons on MADtv and the only season of Chocolate News. Enjoy:

OBAMA SAYS "SKIP SCHOOL TO STAY IN SCHOOL" - watch more funny videos

 

Montreal JFL 2009 in review: Details Are Sketchy (The Sketch Show!)

For a look at this year's sketch groups at Montreal's Just For Laughs comedy fest, take a click over to IFC's Details Are Sketchy, where I contributed a few thoughts as a guest blogger today. The way my fest schedule played out, I ended up seeing so much more of British troupe Idiots of Ants than I did any of the other groups -- L.A.'s The Birthday Boys, Toronto's The Imponderables, and Jordan Peele and Rebecca Drysdale as Two White Guys -- that I wish I had gotten to see more than the glimpse The Sketch Show afforded them. Particularly The Birthday Boys, as several of the West Coast comics had spoken so highly of them. Just one more reason for me to start planning a California vacation in the near future.

President Obama impersonators: The first 7 days

In the first week of life under President Barack Obama, we already have two strong impersonations to consider.

Alphacat, aka Iman Crosson, has earned more than a million views for his Obama parody of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" on YouTube, and he just uploaded this to Funny Or Die yesterday. New York magazine caught up with him last month.

Beyonce- Single Ladies SPOOF - watch more funny videos

Jordan Peele, meanwhile, continues to push his Obama forward even though he's still no longer on MADtv. Then again, pretty soon, no one will be on MADtv. Something about how the light reflects off his head makes the hair seem a little too gray for current Obama, though. But I quibble. Enjoy.

Obama Reads Bush's Letter - watch more funny videos

SNL dress rehearsal to reveal Obama

Soon enough we'll have our answer to the SNL Obama question, as the cast and audience get ready for the Saturday Night Live dress rehearsal.

The Huffington Post's Rachel Sklar reported that Lorne Michaels formally auditioned three outside candidates: MAD-TV's Jordan Peele, 30 Rock writer and Derrick sketch/improv trouper Donald Glover, and stand-up (and Stephen Colbert's "black friend") Jordan Carlos.

There's also a potential insider surprise in Fred Armisen. His roster of impersonations already includes Prince. If it's Armisen, be sure to 1) hear a lot of debates and arguments about it, and 2) read what Armisen has to say about it on his SNL blog.