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Comedy Central launches "The Download," an online tech talk show hosted by Jordan Rubin

You probably already follow comedian Jordan Rubin on Twitter @jordanrubin. Now you can see and hear Rubin talk with celebrities and comedians in his very own Comedy Central online tech talk show, "The Download."

With sidekick Molly McAleer (@molls), Rubin hosts the first four weekly installments of "The Download," with lots of funny talk about the Internet, social media and gadgets. Confirmed guests include actor Jerry O’Connell, DJ Samantha Ronson, musician Money Mark, comedians Morgan Murphy and Rob Delaney and internet sensation Justine Ezarik, aka iJustine. Especially confirmed is O'Connell, who appears in today's debut episode.

 

"The Download" is sponsored by Samsung and its Smart TV, although if you watched the first episode, you probably already figured that out, since you said, "What's a Smart TV?"

 

 

Comedy Central's 2008/2009 project list

Comedy Central has revealed its list of upcoming works and pilots under the modest heading: "The Future of Comedy."

Next year, prepare for a fantasy-comedy set in medieval times, "Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire," written by Peter Knight.

The pilots include projects by or featuring Snoop Dogg, Andy Richter, Daniel Tosh, David Alan Grier, Nick Swardson, Paul F. Tompkins, Opie & Anthony, Zach Galifianakis and A.D. Miles. Scripted development deals go out to Bobby Lee, Jordan Rubin, Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter.

And there will be specials. John Oliver's "Terrifying Times" debuts April 20. Carlos Mencia's hourlong "Performance Enhanced" debuts May 18. Brian Regan's yet-untitled special will air in the third quarter of 2008.

Behind the CCP: Eugene Mirman, Jordan Rubin

Another Friday, another double dose of new Comedy Central Presents half-hour specials. Tonight, it's Eugene Mirman and Jordan Rubin (10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Eastern).

Present for both tapings, I somehow managed to barely take any notes during Rubin's set. Except for this line: "Audience loved Jordan's 'energy.'" That's good, right? Here's an interview with Rubin:

As for Mirman, he taped for the same crowd as Leo Allen. Though Allen's backdrop was sparse, Mirman went all out with set direction, installing a fake art museum with velvet rope and cartoonish paintings (done by him?). Not long after his opening, he stepped away from the mic to reveal...a second mic on his person. I wondered at the time how they'd edit out one of his ads for shapes, but saw on a teaser that they merely bleeped and blurred. Mirman flubbed an Amtrak joke but had a good TV timing joke about Karl Rove. Twenty minutes in, he dropped his fake can of goodies onto the stage -- whether accidental or planned, he proceeded to kick the can and proclaim, "Now I know what it's like to be The Who!" A bit he did a lot last year involving his suggestions for billboards finally could be read by more than the front row through the magic of TV and giant sets. And he closed with his bit about a MySpace message from a "fan" with a band. Which jokes will make the 22-minute cut? Tune in tonight and find out. In the meantime, here's Mirman explaining the "downtown" comedy scene in NYC and some brief clips!

After the jump, more clips of Rubin and Mirman...