CONTEST HAS ENDED! WIN Tix to live podcast of Uhh Yeah Dude in Seattle

December 12, 2011 in Comedy, The Web, With Video

CONTEST HAS ENDED!

[CLICK HERE to jump directly to giveaway]

Back in the early 2000s, I lived in Olympia, Wa and there was a lot of DIY music and media production happening in the small college town.  People were mixing albums in their basements, silk-screening posters and T-shirts in their kitchens, and using DV, High-8, and/or Super-8 cameras to record short films in dusty fields and damp alley ways.  My friend Mac Dawg was taking advantage of the fact that we had a local public access station to create his own programs.  His original idea was to film a fictional, biopic-style sitcom based around Kurt Cobain in the 80s, referencing his tenure as an Olympia resident.  Being a Jewish Puerto Rican in his early twenties who had dread locks and mutton chops at the time, he came to the conclusion that I would be the perfect person to star as the dead, blonde, white grunge-rock icon in the re-imagining.  The project never actually came to fruition, but, during a random house party at Mac Dawg‘s house, I came up with my own idea for another program by the name of “TANGENT.”  The basic premise was that I would have guests on, like an informal talk show, and then just consistently shift the topic on them.  [I only have brief glimpses of memory pertaining to coming up with the idea... I was really drunk.]  One morning Mac Dawg wakes me up with a phone call and asks if I’m ready to do the show.  “What show?” I asked.  I thought that he might be referring to the Cobain thing again.  He explained that it was my idea and that I should get ready, because he was planning to film it that morning.  I threw on a slim, denim 1970s pantsuit (just vest and pants) and a large plastic dollar sign necklace, bought a case of OLY stubbies and came up with/scribbled down some topic ideas onto a piece of scrap paper during the ride over to his basement, where the video equipment was set up.  Between being awaken to sitting in the basement getting miked, it was probably 1/2 hour total.  It was about 9am, I had taken down enough alcohol to get rolling and we went from there.  There was no real podcasting back then and there was no Youtube whatsoever.  There was no real direction for the program either and, although I’d like to believe that it had it’s moments, there was a decent amount of aimlessness involved.  I imagine that doing an improvised standup routine must be similar to trying to carry an unscripted program and helping it to remain interesting; it can get awkward quicker than you may think.  If I we could have harnessed those select moments, expanded them, and worked tirelessly on them for years, I could still only have hoped to yield something half as effortlessly smooth and entertaining as the podcast, “Uhh Yeah Dude.” Read the rest of this entry →

ENDED! WIN A Copy of PORTLANDIA Season One on Blu-Ray/DVD [2 winners]

November 26, 2011 in Comedy, Movies / Television, With Video

CONTEST HAS ENDED!

Winners have been contacted.

[CLICK HERE to jump directly to giveaway]

The first time that I saw an episode of PORTLANDIA it was after getting a heads up about it from a friend on Facebook.  The IFC original comedy series was officially premiering on the network that week, but the debut episode was already up for free viewing online (we were actually going to embed the episode back then, but the screener was only temporary and set to expire).  I can’t remember who it was that posted the link and I can’t remember exactly what they had to say about the show, but I do remember that they were encouraging others to watch it and, although they were very general in their statements, they explained that the show was parodying some very specific Portland and Pacific Northwest tendencies.  My response was a half-joking inquiry about if the whole show as about organic foods/free range chickens and bicyclists.  I watched it.  It actually was. Read the rest of this entry →

Wet Hot American Summer – Themed Art Show @ Gallery 1988 [L.A.]

June 6, 2011 in art, Comedy, Global Destruction, Movies / Television, With Video

These days, MTV rarely even plays videos or music related programming at all.  Instead, the station has opted to place their focus on terrible reality shows about knocked-up underprivileged teens and self-involved over-privileged teens.  This downfall started back in 1992 with the premiere of The Real World, which, in turn, helped to spawn the reality show craze that continues to poison television programming and culture at large.  It might be easy to forget now, but 120 Minutes and Liquid Television weren’t the only MTV original programs that were not complete trash throughout the 90s.  In fact, around the same time that The Real World first aired, the music channel was also taking a stab at launching a handful of now-historic comedy programs.  The original version of The Ben Stiller Show began with MTV, but later moved to the FOX network where it grew into a full-blown sketch comedy show, featuring the writing talents of Judd Apatow and future Mr. Show creators, Bob Odenkirk and David Cross.  It ran one season before being canceled.  Jon Stewart also hosted a talk show on the network, but it was later syndicated out, replacing the old Arsenio Hall time slot.  That had an even shorter run.  Of all the shows that came out during this time period, however, my favorite was probably the sketch comedy show THE STATE.  The program starred  a comedy troupe of the same name that had found previous work recreating the details of viewer letters in MTV‘s You Wrote It, You Watch It, also hosted by Stewart.  Like the other programs, The State didn’t last very long, but the talent involved went on to create such shows as Viva Variety, Stella Comedy, Reno 911, and Michael & Michael Have Issues, as well as to be involved in Adult Swim programs like Super Jail and Childrens Hospital.  Sure, not all of those subsequent ventures by THE STATE troupe were necessarily “successful” hits either, but that doesn’t make them any less awesome.  Perhaps one of the most simultaneously unsuccessful and awesome attempts by the gang came with the 2001 film, Wet Hot American Summer.  Coincidentally, it’s also one of my favorites. Read the rest of this entry →

WIN a Pair of Tickets to PATTON OSWALT Live DVD Taping in SEATTLE!

April 10, 2011 in Comedy

CONTEST HAS ENDED!

It came down to the wire again, but the winner has been chosen and contacted [The winning entry was #10].  Thanks again to everyone who entered.  For updates and first alerts about future contests, follow us on Facebook. (there should be a little widget to click on the right… over there somewhere———>)

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For many, comedian/writer/actor, Patton Oswalt may be the most identifiable as Spence Olchin, a character that he portrayed on the sitcom The King of Queens from 1998 – 2007.  That final year he also took on what was, arguably, his most widely “successful” gig, voicing Remy the Rat in the Disney/Pixar animated film, Ratatouille.  Currently, Patton maintains a recurring role on the Showtime original series, United States of Tara.  It hasn’t always been the most profitable gig in the world to be a comedian, but Oswalt‘s managed to make a living taking on gigs from comedy writing (Mad TV, Dr. Katz, Human Giant) to memorable television appearances (Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Reno 911!, Flight of the Concords), always shining larger than his bit parts and minor roles might suggest. In 2009, a starring role in the independent drama Big Fan, further solidified his legitimacy in the acting world.

Acting and writing aside, Patton is still, first and foremost, a highly respected standup comedian.  Back in 2004, Oswalt put together the Comedians of Comedy tour, along with Zach Galifianakis, Brian Posehn, and Maria Branford.  The alternative comedy tour utilized space in indie rock venues to host their nightly shows, as opposed to the stages of typical comedy clubs.  The tour was chronicled in a documentary of the same name, a subsequentl series, and even an opening act at the 2007 Coachella Valley Music FestivalOswalt has already recorded successful comedy specials for both HBO and Comedy Central in the past and cemented himself as one of the top standup comedians over the last 15 years, but, at this point, Patton doesn’t seem content with completely abandoning the artform that originally brought him to the forefront for an easier route with less substance.  He continues to write and he continues to come up with more and more consistent material.  To showcase his latest work, the comedy mastermind will be bringing his spot-on perceptions and brilliant social commentaries to Seattle‘s own, Moore Theatre.  On Saturday May 14th, two shows will be held at the legendary venue and videotaped for a the comedians new DVD.  Thanks to our friends at the Seattle Theatre Group, we are offering one lucky winner a pair of tickets to the event for FREE! Read the rest of this entry →

ROYAL YUX: Drag City Revives Comedy Showcase with Hamburger/Barry Tour

March 19, 2011 in Comedy

On the first day of 1990, Chicago-based, Drag City Records put out a 7″ single called “Hero Zero” by the, then-relatively unknown, duo of Neil Michael Hagerty and Jennifer Herrema (aka: ROYAL TRUX).  It was the first release by the label (DC1) and, while endless other independents have come and gone over the years, very few have started off so promisingly.  When the money was recouped from that first single, it was reinvested to release another 7″; the Demolition Plot J-7 EP (DC2) by Pavement.  Things were looking surprisingly decent, so the founders, Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn, decided to try and pull off the release of a full-length; the terrifyingly ambitious double-LP, Twin Infinitives, again from Royal Trux.  Since then, Drag City has gone on to release project after project based on one defining/primary criteria: their personal belief in the artists and material.  When the name Drag City is mentioned these days, prolific artists like Will Oldham (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Palace Bros., etc), Silver Jews, Bill Callahan (aka: Smog), Joanna Newsom, and, of course, the Trux, instantly come to mind.  There is definitely some intangible element of credibility that runs throughout the various projects and unifies them, but what exactly that defining “genre” behind the label is has puzzled many a categorization-obsessed journalist, througout the years.  In a November, 1993 issue of Spin Magazine, David Berman (Silver Jews) was quoted addressing the phenomenon by describing Drag City as a label with an “intellectual streak” throughout its roster, while “American rock music is about glorifying stupidity for the most part.”  I think that, not unlike Berman himself (also a poet, illustrator, & aspiring screenwriter), Will Oldhan (producer, actor, musician,etc.), and many others who call the label their home, Drag City is much more than a one-dimensional institution content with simply retracing their footsteps over and over again.  So, is it surprising to hear that the next big adventure for Drag City may involve a foray into the comedy world?  Maybe… but, in reality, it probably shouldn’t be. Read the rest of this entry →

Donald Glover (aka:Childish Gambino) Embarks on National “IAMDONALD” Tour

February 28, 2011 in Comedy, Movies / Television, Music

Most people know Donald Glover for his portrayal as the character of Troy Barnes on the NBC sitcom Community.  However, the comedian/writer/actor was already somewhat of a breakout star on the internet and behind the scenes before ever gaining his National fame in front of the television cameras.

The 27 year old comedian first began to accumulate notoriety as part of the sketch comedy troupe, DERRICK COMEDY.  Alumnis of the Upright Citizen Brigade theater in NYC, the team’s widespread acknowledgment really began to pour in after posting such popular original Youtube skits as “Bro Rape” (feat. Bobby Moynihan – now of SNL) and “Blowjob Girl“, starring Ellie Kemper (aka: Erin from The Office).  DERRICK COMEDY even created the feature-length comedy, MYSTERY TEAM, which co-starred Moynihan, Kemper, and Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation, Funny People, Scott Pilgrim VS The World) and was accepted into the Sundance film festival.  It was his starring role in that film, which eventually resulted in him being contacted to play Troy on Community.

Right before graduating from New York University in 2006, Glover was contacted and offered a position as a writer on the, then startup, television program 30 Rock.  It was a daunting task, but one that he was hugely successful at, developing the character of Toofer, writing the majority of the dialog for Tracy Morgan‘s character throughout the first season, and gaining a nomination for a Writer’s Guild of America Award for his work in 2009.

His decision to leave the writing cast of, arguably, one of the best comedies on television, was a ballsy one, but it is one that has worked in his favor.  Now recognized for his talents as a force in the world of standup and acting -as well as for his campaign to get a casting audition for Spiderman- Glover is taking a multi-level, multi-media, nationwide live show on the road.  Also performing will be his rapping alter-ego, “Childish Gambino“; a name which was automatically generated for him by a WU-Tang “Wu-Name” application, back in the day [I believe that, when I did it, mine was "Fishmonger-X"] Read the rest of this entry →