Movie Reviews FALL Flicks
SITCOM REVIEWS pg. 11
Anthony
JESELNIK The of Dark Comedy BEHIND the MIC
JEFF RICHARDS
COMIC
SHOWCASE
KERWIN’S KORNER
NEWS & NOTES
COMMUNITY
UPRISERS
OFF the CUFF
JIM EDWARDS
joke stealing
THE carmichael pg. 22 show
ON THE COVER
CONTENTS
We get up-close with Anthony Jeselnik and get you a front row seat to the master roaster and golden god himself.
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FEATURES HOT BUZZ
Coffee with Kate
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12 STAFF Creative Direction Co-Founder
AT THE MOVIES Fall Flicks
John Giries thestandupmag@gmail.com
Editorial Co-Founder
Julian Vazquez, LtCol USMC (ret), julian@thestandup.net
KERWIN’S KORNER
John Kerwin
The Stand Up Magazine / Volume 6
leisha James ieishajames@yahoo.com
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COMIC SHOWCASE
Coming to a club near you
Communications / P.R. Lindsey Hitt lindsey@thestandup.net
Marketing
NEWS & NOTES
Scarlett Giries scarlett@thestandup.net
Comedy 411
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COMIC CLOSE-UP Courtney Scheuerman
TELEVISION
The Carmichael Show
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STREET BEAT Natalie Gray
Social Media
Jovan Robertson vonroburts@thestandup.net
HEADQUARTERS The Standup • 12035 Burke Street, Ste. 11, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR email: julian@thestandup.net Letters may be shortened or edited for clarity and space. Include name, city of residence and daytime phone number. QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES Contact 562-945-1444 • All rights reserved. Copyright 2015.
www.thestandup.net www.twitter.com/thestandup1 www.facebook.com/ standupcomedymagazine
HOT BUZZ
with COFFEE By Lindsey Hitt
KATE
“You can’t be sexy AND funny” During a blazing hot summer day in Santa Monica, Kate Quigley tells me how she is drowning the double-standard in a kiddy pool… and on the Playboy Network! She’s known for her popular #inabikini web-photo series where she “bikini bombs” unsuspecting businesses and executes bikini pranks on Periscope.tv. Along with her live show “THE Hollywood Pool Party” soon to be touring Improv Comedy Clubs Nationwide, Kate Quigley is also making waves on Playboy TV. We would like to think that Los Angeles is used to seeing skin, but even the smoking hot blonde cannot escape criticism. “I hear it a lot, ‘You’re too pretty to be a comedian.’ Or, ‘You can’t be funny and sexy.’ Or, “You only get spots on stage because you’re hot!’ ” As she unzips her Daisy Dukes on Main Street Santa Monica, she takes a quick glance around. “This is really awkward, undressing on the sidewalk. My dimples appear from the corners of my mouth as a man gets our attention from inside the coffee shop. With an ecstatic look on his face he switches up from jazz hands to two thumbs up.” Being from a small town in Middle America, this blonde bombshell projects a very modest energy. “People don’t know how nervous I get! They’re like, ‘Wow! Your’e so confident!’ It’s all an act.” Her experience trying out a pin-up photo shoot with Playboy was not an entirely success story. “I feel like when I try to be sexy it looks like I have to poop.” As we share some more laughs, I decide to join her. I take off my sweaty t-shirt only to reveal nothing but a few belly wrinkles.
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Follow Kate everywhere @KateQFunny
“People should do whatever makes them happy, as long as they aren’t hurting anyone.” Kate does not perform stand up in a bikini and believes in the integrity of the stage performance. “At the end of the day you live and die by what happens on stage. Man or woman, no club is paying you because of how flat your abs are.” Let’s all agree. If there’s one branch of the entertainment industry that needs more “sexy,” it’s the comedy industry. You can thank Kate Quigley for blazing a trail and for looking so fine. Topping it all off with humor and kindness makes for some undeniable combinations.
SHOWING AT 7PM Every Saturday on
By Lindsey Hitt
Road Warrior
It’s Erik Myers!! Some of the greatest personalities in comedy have conquered battles with substance abuse and addiction. Names like David Letterman, Marc Maron, Anthony Atamanuik, and Eddie Pepitone “made it” by the grace of sobriety. As he climbs the comedy ladder, Erik Myers offers perspective on what success is really about. Barefoot and homeless, he hit rock bottom in Hollywood. He plodded up Sunset Blvd. to The Comedy Store, contemplating a retreat back to Florida. Gazing up, shoeless at the silver brushstrokes on the wall. “I drank to cope with the stress of standup. It would make me so anxious, and I didn’t believe in myself. Alcohol was my security blanket.” Erik decided to burn that blanket. It was the best decision he made for his life and career.
Now a paid regular, this comic (and shopaholic) can proudly stand tall in a new pair of Kicks right next to his own name on the outside walls of The Comedy Store, along with names like Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling, Judd Apatow, et al. We saw him destroy a set at the Hollywood Improv, where he had the whole audience rolling over his set on Taco
Bell’s signage. “It seems to be the joke people enjoy the most, and I can kinda scream and let myself get totally crazy while doing it.” Fueled by comedy, caffeine and an insane sweet tooth, Erik Myers aims to kill. Now performing at venues all over the country, he is setting sights on some expanded horizons. “I would love to do my own 1 hour Showtime or Netflix special. My dream has always been to have my own Comedy Central Presents.” There is nothing greater than for an artist or performer to have a clear vision of their dreams. “The biggest benefit that came from years of addiction was appreciating what I have now and learning the value of forgiving others and being forgiven.” Find yourself in a seat at one of Erik’s shows sometime, soon. You won’t regret it! This comic is on the rise and will surely be selling out venues on a national level in the near future. Connect with him online and find out where he will get you busting out in laughter. @erikmyerscomedy www.erikmyerscomedy.com
Remembering Please take a moment and reflect on the amazing moments that Robin gave us that made you laugh and smile.
movies
By John Giries
FallFLICKS The Intern
70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin.
Robert Deniro and Anne Hathaway are a great duo for comedy. This movie has heart-warming moments compiled by a well written script that makes you enjoy your time watching. Worth seeing to pros at their best.
MOVIE OF THE MOMENT
Pan
The story of an orphan who is spirited away to the magical Neverland. There, he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny -- to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.
I have seen all the renditions of Peter Pan and they all make you use your imagination and leave reality at the door. Hugh Jackman and this version do a great job at telling the story from another angle. Surprisingly funner than expected.
Goosebumps
A young kid teams up with the niece of young adult horror author R.L. Stine after the writer’s imaginary demons are set free on the town of Greendale, Maryland.
I like Jack Black and this movie definitely has alot of special effects to get your attention. Kind of a tweener movie, if you are looking to take your 14 year old to the movies than you are in luck. If you are a fan of the tv show and comics than go ahead and spend your money.
Rock the Kasbah
A down-on-his-luck music manager discovers a teenage girl with an extraordinary voice while on a music tour in Afghanistan and takes her to Kabul to compete on the popular television show, Afghan Star. Bill Murray has another memorable character to watch and enjoy. No matter his age he is always brings his “A” game.
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My Man is a Loser
Two married friends employ a single playboy to help them get their mojo back to save their marriages. Written and Directed by Mike Young Mike Rappaport executed funny in this film and narration was great throughout the twisted plot of husbands trying to “out-cool” their wives. Log in to your amazon prime account and start streaming.
Dogs & Getting Personal with Clubs:
community
By Lindsey Hitt
Jim Edwards
The rarity of a simple man in a complex industry may not be so far off—at least, not for a generation before millennials. Driven by athletics and education, Jim Edwards is a legend of his own right, as well as a legendary friend. As I spoke with him on a 78 degree, sunny California day, all he wanted to know was about me. The only thing I had to offer was a pen running low on ink and an “all-arms” golf swing. As a “Chubs” type of character at the driving range kept calling him director, I got a personal lesson on engaging my core and not humping the goat. As if this man couldn’t get more classic, he invited me to dinner. We even had dessert. Oh.. ya’ know, just hangin’ with the usual; From left to right: Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Edwards, Jimmy Brogan and Jay Leno
The dog lover with Big Al, a passed on companion and one of the loves of his life.
Jim’s start in entertainment and broadcasting was in sports announcing. He relished an education in Bloomington, Indiana at Indiana University. During college he produced a radio talk show on WNTS with the famed David Letterman—also an Indiana native. Soon after, he held a stint as a TV sports announcer. After transplanting on the West Coast, Jimmy studied acting, and in the 1980’s attended a class where he experienced cold reads with George Clooney at Brian Reise Acting Studio (http://www.brianreiseacting. com/). When this classic comedian isn’t walking dogs in Cheviot Hills—operating his very own pooch parading business (www.lookwhoswalkingnow.com)—he can be found in downtown Hermosa Beach. Jim has been hosting a premier comedy show since 1992 at The Comedy & Magic Club. Boasting names of his closest friends Jay Leno and Jimmy Brogan and surprise drop-ins from Jerry Seinfeld, Jim hosts a funny and engaging live performance. The room is warm, the drinks are cold and the humor is candid.
Find Jim opening for Jay Leno every Sunday evening at 7:00PM at The Comedy & Magic Club: 1018 Hermosa Avenue Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Online at: www.jimedwardscomedian.com www.comedyandmagicclub.com
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www.funnyordie.com
The Lesson on Joke Theft:
DON’T DO IT
We gain an inside-the-box perspective of a serious issue that plagues the stage. From a gangster of spoof! Q: What is the most outrageous experience you have seen with the issue of Joke Theft?
A few years ago there was a comic that was going around blatantly doing other people’s jokes. So a couple of comics set him up and booked him on a show, but it was really a sting, and they publicly ousted him in front of a crowd. They played a video side by side of his set and the comic’s that he stole. I guess the guy ran out of the venue, and I’ve never heard of him, again. They had it all on video and posted it as a warning. Pretty crazy sh*t, but hey—don’t steal jokes!!
Q: Is there a certain kind of humor that is easier to steal?
It’s a lot easier to steal jokes that aren’t personal. Most comics are writing from experience. So, a lot of the times, you can catch the thieves because you can tell it’s not their story. He isn’t retelling it right or it lacks the passion needed to tell the joke. I mean, if you’re gonna steal, at least, do it right. Joke thieves want fame fas, and they want it now. It doesn’t work like that in this business.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Joe Rogan/Carlos Mencia dispute?
I’m not sure of the details, but it had to have been something if Rogan was gonna go after him like that. See, there’s no law against joke stealing. So, all we have in this business is street justice. It’s good to know you have upper level guys like Joe Rogan that still care about the little guy and how he’s treated—and that he’ll go after them.
Q: It seems there are alliances among comics, where inspiration comes naturally. Ideas are created and supported by those that hold true to those friendships. Can you expand on this?
This is a 10-year minimum business. So you develop ,friendships along the way; and, you naturally link up with the comics that have the same type of humor—onstage and off. Believe it or not, there’s a lot of unfunny idiots in comedy that you just get a bad vibe from. Guys you probably wouldn’t even associate with unless you were doing comedy. I like to keep my distance from them. You don’t know where their intentions lie. There’s a lot of backstabbing and “backdooring.” You just have to keep an eye on those guys. Those are the ones who take from you.
Q: Do you think this has always been an issue in the Stand Up Comedy industry or something that is becoming more common? If so,why? If not, why not? 8
@AndyKozel @BrianMoreno21
An interview with Andy Kozel, TRUE COMEDIAN I’m sure it has always been a problem. There has always been those types of people that want to take something from someone when they are jealous. Kids do it all the time. I think it’s a lot worse now with social media and the internet. It’s harder to police. In the old days, you took a guy out back of the club and beat the sh*t out of him. Now, you have some kid, halfway across the world that has a million followers. He saw your joke online and then made a “meme” or a “vine” out of it and put his name on it. Or, the writer who’s about to lose his job because he’s running out of ideas. So, he goes through the internet and finds an open mic comic’s video, and he lifts his jokes. A week later, the joke is on a popular show. My advice is don’t put your stand up videos online—unless you’re a known comic.
Q: Other than the work you are doing and comedians calling out other comedians, can something be done to prevent this? I mean, we can’t write tickets, can we? That’s always the talk with comics, but technology is changing so rapidly. How do you even know? It’s like the steroid business. As soon as they ban a substance, the scientists have made ten versions that are under the radar, and on and on. This is the toughest business in the world, and one that produces the most accolades. Sh*tty people see that, and they want to be a part of it. We live in a society now where people don’t want to work for anything. They just want to have the “title” and everything that comes with it, hence, Instagram. #modellife? No, you’re not. You hand out beer in a low cut shirt at the tent at the state fair.
Q: Should it be standard to expose the fine line by other comedians “quoting” other comedians?
Yes, I don’t see anything wrong with that, but you can’t do everyone else’s jokes and then have a bibliography at the end. I’m not saying that. For example: When I saw Brett Rylee perform, I got a strong urge to criticize One Direction. My interlude be, “like Brett Riley, I have my own concerns for modern music. . . .” Yes, that’s journalism. It works on paper. Not so much on stage. I can see if you’re on stage and you say something like ‘God, I feel George Costanza on that one Seinfeld episode where. . . .’ But don’t put that in your act. It’s more of an “in the moment thing” …a place of inspiration.
Q: Andy, where do we go from here? Do you think putting True Comedian on blast will benefit the industry?
It was just a funny idea we had because there are so many non “True Comedians” out on the streets- a lot of posers. Ha! I haven’t used that term since my skateboard days, but it’s true. I will say that just like any business, most of the cream rises to the top, with a few idiots squeaking by. So the posers don’t get too far.
“Retweeting is not stealing .” --Andy Kozel
Venue:
Vietnam
International
Market Night in Hanoi, Vietnam Some of the performing comedians of the Ozone Cafe show NguyenTuan Anh, Long Le, Jill Kester & Blake Nichols
Musicians at Market Night in Hanoi, Vietnam
T
he first thing I learned in Hanoi, Vietnam is that the red traffic light is only a suggestion. Everywhere I turned there were motor scooters and motorcycles zooming by in all directions. I had to step off the curb, into traffic with determination and divine faith like Moses parting the red sea. Vietnamese men constantly approached me on motor scooters asking if I needed a ride. I said, “sure, if can you get me safely across the street.” Tourists probably find these relentless men annoying, but being a Black man from NYC, where some cabbies go out of their way not to pick me up, I was rather flattered. I’m booked to perform stand-up comedy in Hanoi. I performed stand-up in Guangzhou and Beijing, China last year and I was excited to be back in East Asia. Performing comedy in a country where English is not their first language is a bit chancy. But this challenge makes me feel alive. Do you realize that audience laughter sound the same in every country? But then again, so does the sound of silence. A couple of months prior to coming to Hanoi, I didn’t know if there were any stand-up comedy venues in Hanoi, much less English-speaking stand-up comedy. It’s Thursday evening, January 8th at Ozone Cafe at 21B Dien Bien Phu, 4th floor – rooftop, in Hanoi, Vietnam. The booker had promised an audience of young VNese (aka Vietnamese). And he was right on. When I arrived, this intimate room was packed with approximately 50 mostly young enthused audience members. There was a buzz of excitement in the air and I couldn’t wait to hit the stage.
The emcee Long Lê was already on stage. He is a newcomer to the world of stand-up comedy but not a newcomer to making things happen in Hanoi. Long is the curator of TEDxBadinh, a community organization that organizes TED-style events in Hanoi. Long also regularly hosts events for the English in Hanoi Meetup Group. English in Hanoi Meetup Group promotes events in Hanoi where people can talk English. Everyone is welcome to come, Vietnamese, foreigners, ex-pat; the only pre-requisite is that English is spoken at these events. Long is responsible for me being booked on the show. How did we meet? Before heading to Vietnam, I searched on the Wonderful World Wide Web, for English-speaking stand-up comedy venues in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). During this search I came upon the Hanoi Comedy Collective group. I posted an inquiry on their Facebook page looking for stage time and Long responded. He arranged English in Hanoi Meetup Group to produce a standup comedy show during the time I would be visiting Hanoi.
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Long also regularly hosts events for the English in Hanoi Meetup Group. English in Hanoi Meetup Group promotes events in Hanoi where people can talk English. Everyone is welcome to come, Vietnamese, foreigners, ex-pat; the only pre-requisite is that English is spoken at these events. Long is responsible for me being booked on the show. How did we meet? Before heading to Vietnam, I searched on the Wonderful World Wide Web, for English-speaking stand-up comedy venues in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). During this search I came upon the Hanoi Comedy Collective group. I posted an inquiry on their Facebook page looking for stage time and Long responded. He arranged the English in Hanoi Meetup Group to produce a standup comedy show during the time I would be visiting Hanoi. He felt that the show would be a great opportunity to spread the knowledge of stand-up comedy in the VNese community and give local talent an opportunity to perform. As I survey the audience, I see a very attractive aspiring stand-up comedian whom I met a few evenings prior, Huong Tran. Huong was very excited about coming out to the show. She had shared with me that after being married in America for several years, she returned to Hanoi as a divorced single mother. Besides the usual challenges of being a single parent, she also has to deal with the stigma that the Asian community tends to place on unwedded Asian women. She mentioned to me that watching comedy had been therapeutic and actually saved her life. I was moved by her sincere passionate reflection of her young life and her determination to remain positive. And I was fascinated by how comedy affected her. Sometimes I get caught up with the Los Angeles standup comedy grind of writing, performing, networking and trying to attract a higher level of professional success and I lose sight of the power of comedy. I had met Huong and several local comedians a few nights ago at the Green Pepper at 27 Ta Hien for drinks and conversation. Green Pepper is located in the Old Quarter district, the core of downtown Hanoi, its most historic district. It was Market Night in the Old Quarter. During Market Night, which is every Friday through Sunday, from around 7 p.m., some of the streets in Old Quarter are closed to traffic; and vendors set up stalls selling foods, clothing and other items. Many people, especially young people, were hanging out sitting on stools on the sidewalks eating and chatting with each other. That night I met Long Lê in person for the first time.
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Long had a constant smile on his face and his body was wired with kinetic happy energy. I also met Blake Nichols who was also booked to perform on the comedy show. Blake is an American from Utah. I was thinking what is he doing in Vietnam? He did seemed rather comfortable in this foreign environment. Blake lives in Hanoi and he organizes a speed dating service. He is a huge fan of Louis CK and David Cross. He was looking forward to stepping on the comedy stage for his first time. I also met MinhHa Pham, a petite captivating and charming Vietnam comedian and acute businesswoman, who had responded to my original Facebook posting and had arranged this get together. Minhm gave me a vivid snapshot of the stand-up comedy circuit in Hanoi by first sharing with me her introduction to stand-up comedy that took place when she was in the United States.In fall 2009,
Minhm set foot on American soil for the first time to pursue an MBA at the University of Minnesota. After graduation, she worked for a medical device company in New Jersey. In early 2012, she attended a marketing award ceremony and saw executives being very funny on stage. The audience was laughing and engaged, unlike anything she had seen in Vietnam. She thought, “Wow, this is such a great business skill to have!” and she wondered, “How can I be funny like them? Is a sense of humor something you are born with, or something you could learn?”
That evening, she goggled, “How to be funny” and that lead her to articles about “stand-up” comedy, which she had no idea what that meant. In Vietnam, there was no such thing as stand-up comedy. She often jokes that the only form of “stand-up” that she knew of was men (standing up and) peeing on the street, which made her wonder, “Can a woman do stand-up? Or does she have to sit-down?” A month later, she enrolled in an 8-week stand-up comedy course at the Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan, New York, taught by Jim Mendrinos, author of the book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Comedy Writing.” She drove to Manhattan from New Jersey to attend classes, a 4-hour round-trip drive. Her biggest challenge was English. Americans didn’t quite understand her. So she recorded all of her performances and reviewed them afterwards to correct mistakes. She used Google Translate to read her materials out loud, and imitated its robot voice to improve her pronunciation. The second challenge was how to find ideas for new jokes. Following Jim’s instruction, she developed a habit of making notes on humorous observations in everyday life. She believes that the key of making notes is that one should write specifically as to why that note is funny. For example, if one writes “birds,” and nothing else, later when one comes back to the note, one might say “Why on earth are birds funny?”
Everywhere she goes, people ask, “Are you married? No? Get married. Time doesn’t wait for you.” She responds, “Sir, I didn’t come in here for your advice. I just wanted to buy a bottle of shampoo. Can you give me my change?” But being back in Hanoi, she thought she was done with comedy. There was no stand-up comedy in Vietnam to her knowledge. She missed being funny. Eventually she found a bar—CAMA ATK—that had hosted stand-up with comics from Hong Kong. Eventually she got the opportunity to perform with the group. The show was named Ha Ha Hanoi #3, ran by Nick Milnes (British) from Hong Kong. Nick recruited different comedians for each Ha Ha Hanoi show. The Ha Ha Hanoi #3 featured Ryan Hynek (American), Sean Hebert (Canadian) and Mary Ho (Vietnamese American) all from Hong Kong, and they performed in both CAMA ATK and Son Tinh Lounge & Bar. From that show, she met some wanna-be local comics - Alastair Hill (British), Mike Ellis (British), Tien Dung (Vietnamese) - and together, they founded the Hanoi Comedy Collective.
Huong Tran and comedians Minhm Pham, Blake Nichols and Long Lé hanging at Green Pepper in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Her third challenge was being in front of the audience. With a business background, she was familiar with public speaking but telling jokes in a bar room under the stage light to a bunch of strangers was a different story. What Jim taught her was that, “If the audience doesn’t like you, f*** them. Whatever you do, there’re always people who love you and who hate you, even if you were Oprah. For new comics, every time you’re on stage, you have to set a goal for yourself. Do what you need to do, learn, and move on.” She graduated from the comedy course, and five months later, she moved back to Hanoi.
Comedy had opened up a new world to her beyond any limits she had ever imagined. It allowed her to use the humor lens to look at the world and to digest unpleasant things. People in her community are obsessed with pale skin and her skin is considered too dark, which means, not pretty. When she moved back to Hanoi, the first thing people asked her was, “So you lived in America but your skin didn’t become white?” Her response, “I’m not Michael Jackson.” She finds it funny enough that she no longer feels offended.
The group started at the Hanoi Backpackers Hostel at Ma May Street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi in early July 2013. They later found another venue - the rooftop of the Hanoi Backpackers Hostel at Ngo Huyen Street also in the
Old Quarter - where tourists showed up just for open mic shows. They performed there regularly, once or twice a month. After several open mic shows, the group had their first regular show in front of a Hanoi audience in October 2013 with Alastair Hill, Tien Dung, Mike Ellis, Ben Stokes (New Zealand) and Minhm at Daniel Dockery’s Son Tinh Lounge & Bar. The show was named Tee Hee in Tay Ho and drew around 50-70 people. Their 4th Ha Ha Hanoi show was in April 2014 in both CAMA ATK and Son Tinh with Nick Milnes, Sean Herbert and William Childress, which drew a total of around 200 people. Over time, they recruited more local comics, including Nik Sando, comedy magician Alex Nguyen and Long Lê. They opened for professional comics, such as Tom Rhodes in June 2014 and Nik Coppin in November 2014. (Minhm also opened for Tom Rhodes in Ho Chi Minh City at the Hard Rock Café with an audience of around 250 people.) The majority of audiences of Hanoi English-speaking stand-up shows are English teachers. 9b
In her community, it’s culturally acceptable to ask people personal questions the first time you meet them, like “You’ve been married for 3 years and you don’t have kids? Why?” Minhm ponders, “I don’t understand what people expect from the answer. Stories about someone’s genitals? “My husband has a low sperm count. My uterus is…ugh…really bad. Oh, thank you for asking such a caring question.” Those types of questions used to irritate her. But since she started making jokes about them, they have become more tolerable. Many people, especially women, have come to her after her performance and said “Thank you for telling that joke.” Minhm believes when an individual has a voice, one has the power and the ability to make an impact. Through comedy, Minhm has met many amazing people, including her boyfriend, who is a British comedian living Hong Kong. In Vietnam, a male-dominated society, for a woman over thirty years old with an MBA from America, having a boyfriend is considered a major success! She told me, if I don’t believe her, ask her parents, or any of her neighbors, or the shopkeeper who sells her her shampoo. To date, Minhm has performed in New York, New Jersey, Minneapolis, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Bangkok.
The stand-up comedy show in Hanoi turned out to be so much fun. It rained that night but it did not damping the mood of the audience. Performing comedians included newcomer Jill Kester from Minnesota, USA. She has been living and working in Hanoi for approximately a year. It was her first time performing stand-up comedy. Blake Nichols made his debut. And Vietnamese native comedian/magician Nguyen Tuan Anh co-headlined the show. He was celebrating the recent opening of his own bar, the Magic Bar Dai Vernon that will feature magic. Maybe he will book me; I can make several shots disappear in a matter of seconds. I was the last comedian to hit the stage. I sprinkled some of my Vietnam observations with my international routine and material I’ve stolen from Los Angeles’s comedians (ONLY KIDDING!!!). It was pure joy to perform in front of that audience. Stand-up comedy in Hanoi, Vietnam. Wow! What an exhilarating way to start the New Year. Follow me on twitter @KMAshton www.facebook.com/Keithmichaelashton www.keithmichaelashton.com VIDEO REEL http://youtu.be/eq-bW_Cdl-Y www.keithmichaelashton.com
Kerwin’s
Korner By John Kerwin
I
t’s funny to me how Dick Cavett’s column in the NY Times has him reminiscing about past guests such as: Katherine Hepburn and Groucho Marx and here I am, now doing that for Stand Up Magazine. By the way, when I interviewed Cavett, I was quite nervous backstage and he suggested that we curse each other out to relax me before going in front of the cameras. So backstage, I’m calling Dick Cavett a c*cksucker, he’s calling me a motherf*cking prick…and the stage manager walking past us looked like he was going to have a heart attack. Anyway, one of my most memorable interviews was with the late, great Jonathan Winters. It was at his home in Montecito. nIt was a sprawling estate. Inside were framed photos and letters from presidents and astronauts. His artwork filled the rooms, as did props from a multitude of characters he had created over his career. Yet he was so humble and happy that we were there setting up lights and getting ready for an interview. Show business, I suppose is ALWAYS exciting. Two nurses were there around the clock and although his health was not the best, it was clear that he was still extremely funny and inordinately bright. He told me off-stage how he once worked with Lauren Bacall and hated her because she was so mean to the crew. To get even, after the shoot was over, when she walked up to him to say goodbye, he said, 10 “By the way, I loved you in Casablanca.” She was seething with anger as Winters walked away triumphant. His advice to me (which I’ve taken) is: “I think a lot of the talk show hosts rely too much on prepared questions and answers as opposed to just talking.”
Off-camera he said: On life: “We are all visitors…we are just passing through…so don’t blow the visit.”
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On comedy: “Original comedy is so rare…rarer than an emerald, a diamond, a topaz…people would say why? Well how many times in your life can you say I’ve never laughed like that before…it’s very rare and I think people today are hungry for a laugh.”
The Burbank Comedy Festival was held at Flappers Comedy Club in August and it was a sensational event. Not only is Flappers the best place to host the event but the management and staff make the experience so enjoyable that you want to come back for more laughs. Flappers not only serves up quality laughs but a full range of delicious entrees from gourmet burgers to pasta dishes. The menu is only complemented by a full bar that will chill your senses. The Comedy Festival was packed with a full week of stand-up performances with live podcasts. We want to thank Flappers Comedy Club for producing such a quality and fun event. www.flapperscomedy.com
sit com om REVIEWS
Our reviews of what’s on the tube and whether you should turn on your DVR or watch re-runs of seinfeld (again).
The Neil Simon play that became a comedy series is updated with Matthew Perry as the messy Oscar Madison and Thomas Lennon as the very neat Felix Unger.
Marc Maron stars as a fictionalized version of himself in this new sitcom. Definitely a breath of fresh air and a different type of story telling. We need more like this.
The issue is that this new version will be compared to the original and that is not fair. Both actors give their best in re-creating the popular sitcom, the writing needs to catch up.
A family comedy told through the separate stories of different family members. This show resembles the movie “Parenthood” with Steve Martin. It has a cast that can carry the show, Diane Weist has that something special that can carry those awkward moments into the familiar funny zone.
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F E A T U R E
SPOTLIGHT
ANTHONY JESELNIK
Provocateur By Lindsey Hitt
Framing letters from love-crazed fans and weaning a new-era hip hop addiction, Anthony Jeselnik is at the brink of a comedy cliffside and he’s taking the leap with a Netflix Special and... putting together a new TV show!
B
eing well-loved is typical “to-do” for stand-up comics. The work of Anthony Jeselnik is so much the contrary, it’s baffling and addicting for some. Imagine a rainy day (I know, not easy Los Angeles) where your car won’t start and you are about to lose that job you can’t stand. The perfect recipe for the perfect disaster moves the needle for our cover talent, Anthony Jeselnik. He navigates through the labyrinth of questions we asked and imparts about the changing landscape of standup comedy From a small, rigorously educated Pennsylvanian community, wherefore cometh thine dark sense of humor, we wonder. Well, (or is that Welleth?) for Anthony, he got started young with quirky remarks in the classroom. “I wasn’t the kid who fell out of his chair in the middle of class. I’d make jokes out of boredom, and then, have to make the teacher laugh so I wouldn’t get in trouble.” The punch line lies right at the boundary line for this model-hot comic. Growing up in a Catholic family all too mundane for him, Anthony made the best of it, “I rejected Catholicism hard and early, but I loved Christmas anyway because I got presents and two weeks off of school.” 12
Religion is as much an influence on me as any kind of authority, in that I’m actively against it.” One wouldn’t think that Jeselnik has any issue with authority after making it through the figurative gallows of network television—the microphone his weapon of destruction. Playing the leading role as host of NBC’s popular Last Comic Standing, breaking tension is often a number one priority. “My whole job Giries is breaking tension. It’s just that when I’mbya John stand-up, I’m also the one building that tension with the audience. With Last Comic, I just sit back until the judges or the comics get themselves into trouble, then I jump in with a line to get everything back to normal.” This situation is much a reminder of the classroom from his youth and Anthony is a moving target on the horizon of stand-up; which brings us to his latest venture. “It’s very dark and angry, even for me.” The much anticipated Netflix Special, Thoughts And Prayers, is set for release this October.
I think there are only two ways to address a bully: punch him in the mouth or make everyone laugh at them.” “This special is a culmination of the biggest years of my career and all the frustrations that came with it. The responsibilities of fame, the frustrations of having bosses at a network; and, the pressure to top myself and move forward as an artist after all of this success. That has all shaped this special.” The perfect entertainer is one who builds the intrigue and keeps the audience guessing around every segway and at every punchline. “This is the first time, as a comic, that I’ve felt like I need to get things out of my system. I’d even say I’m a happier person for having recorded it and put it out there. It’s like I closed a door on a period in my life and I’m very excited to see where things go from here.”
Photograph by Natalie Brasington
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I
If you weren’t yet aware, well because you aren’t or history just isn’t your thing, there was a major comedy recession in the latter part of the 20th century. As a comedian in the big leagues Anthony, interprets this phenomenon for us.
“Oversaturation was a big problem. Too many comedy clubs opened at the same time that too much stand-up was being shown on television.” A lot of comedians were working that had no business holding a microphone and the audiences disappeared.” While this era was one of the strongest, provided it brought us some of our favorite entertainers, it also affected the freedom and diplomacy required for our beloved stand-up comedy. “Now more than half of those comedy clubs are closed, and stand-up on television has moved back to the fringes.”
Anthony’s Netflix Special “Thoughts And Prayers” comes out this October. 14
Our heart skips a beat imagining any sort of diminished level of stage performance. “Live comedy will always be popular, but I think the venues will change. More comics are choosing to do theaters and rock clubs. I think that in twenty years, every performer will have their own network online and I sincerely hope I’m dead by then.” As a comedy God will he ever really be dead though? With unmatched candor onstage, Anthony Jeselnik is sure to leave a mark on the industry for ages. One of our favorite parts of his act is near the end where he saves the best for last. The legendary and laconic “Let’s try some new jokes” rolls out of his mouth and the audience moves to the edge of their seat. “I’m only really happy when I’m trying new jokes. I love my act, but I get used to it very quickly. The things that change night to night are my crowd interactions and the new jokes. I like to try a few new jokes at every show. The exact number just depends on how many I’ve written recently. And then, I just keep trying them until they get such a big laugh that I put it in my act.” Classically trailing the jokes that make the cut is an optimistic “It’s a keeper” and his act is molded right before your eyes.
Much like many comedic colleagues, Anthony is a surefire advocate of the legalization of marijuana. “I think the biggest hypocrisy is that no one will admit it’s all about money. The liquor lobby has done more to slow the legalization of marijuana than anything else. And it’s a much safer and responsible drug than alcohol or tobacco. But, things are coming around. Eventually, it will be legal, and we’ll look back on the war on drugs as an embarrassment.” That day is most definitely something we all have to look forward to— the end of the abuse of power illogically conceived by the overwhelming greed of internal lobbying. Let’s end on a higher note, though—pun intended. Not only are we anticipating the darkest of Netflix Comedy Specials coming from the hard work of Anthony Jeselnik, but also a new TV Show.
We prodded for an exposition of Anthony’s views on the work of one of his favorite literary artists and most legendary English poet and playwright. Ladies may hope to envision him as Romeo or at least a bad boy Capulet, but of course, he goes much darker with a character of choice being Friar Laurence. “I’d most definitely be the guy who advises two 14 year olds to get married and fake their own deaths.” Then we inquired about Anthony’s possible bigscreen debut. “I like to take jobs that will be fun. Playing a killer sounds great. I usually just want to play a jerk. I’d also like to be eaten by a shark in a film, television show or a play.” We can see it now.....Scary Movie 6 with a spoof on Jaws. What could be more terrifying than losing this leading man to a demon of the deep blue? Well, we also asked about those love-crazed fans, you know, the ones that think they are somehow connected on a deeper level.
As true as intrigued can get, we eagerly await the work of Anthony Jeselnik. The work that is branded with a towering shadow, no continual re-takes and no network editors. William Shakespeare wasn’t well known for his comedies, either. As a fan of tragedy himself, Anthony Jeselnik has been revered in the comedy community as the king and commander of dark humor. Popularized by pithy punchlines, he continues to take people to the edge of their moral consciousness. “After thirteen years as the most shocking comic in the business, how do you keep surprising people? That’s the question I intend to answer.”
“One girl gave a four page handwritten love letter that was so terrifying I had it framed and put on my wall.” We love him too ladies, so no judgement there! Speaking of love, we really wanted some inside info on what moves this comedy icon, “I’m a weirdo when it comes to music. I’ll obsess over a band or a song for months, and then, move on to something else. Right now, I’m at the tail end of a heavy Run the Jewels phase. I love anything Jack White touches. Favorite song is tough, so I’ll go old school and say The Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil.”
“Right now it’s in the very early stages, and it’ll be a big departure for me. The same sense of humor, but a much different show than my fans would expect. That’s what interests me going forward. I was such a surprise when I first came on the scene. People now have had some time to get used to me.”
“I want to die awake, alert, surrounded by friends. In a house fire.” TWEET from his elite fan crew @JeselnikJezebel: “@anthonyjeselnik show us your tattoo! Does it say F*** Last Comic editors? Cuz it should say #Jeselkitties4ever”
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- Schedules and times are subject to change without notice -
Brian Regan 09/12 09/13 09/24 09/26 10/08 10/09 10/10 10/15
Kevin Hart
Segerstrom Center • Costa Mesa, CA Vina Robles Amphitheater • Paso Robles, CA American Music Theater • Lancaster, PA Radio City Music Hall • New York, NY Paramount Theater • Charlottesville, VA Durham Arts Center • Durham, NC Borgata Center • Atlantic City, NJ Kleinhans Music Hall • Buffalo, NY
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Honda Center • Anaheim, CA LA Forum • Los Angeles, CA Viejas Arena • San Diego, CA Carver Arena • Iowa City, IA Hilton Coliseum • Ames, IA Nutter Center • Dayton, OH PPL Center • Allentown, PA Boardwalk Hall • Atlantic City, NJ
Bill Burr
Daniel Tosh 09/25-26 The Mirage Casino • Las Vegas, NV 10/16-17 The Mirage Casino • Las Vegas, NV 11/13-14 The Mirage Casino • Las Vegas, NV
09/17 09/18 09/18 10/03 10/04 10/11 12/29 12/31
09/11 09/21 09/23 09/25 09/27 10/22 10/24
Jack Radio Show • Los Angeles, CA Bass Concert Hall • Austin, TX Jones Hall • Houston, TX Laurie Auditorium • San Antonio, TX Sony Theater • Toronto, ON Heinz Hall • Pittsburgh, PA Murat Theater • Indianapolis, IN
Sebastian Maniscalco 09/11 09/12-13 09/18 09/19 09/25-26 10/02-04 10/15-17
Hampton Beach Casino • Hampton, NH Foxwoods Casino • Ledyard, CN Rio Theater • Vancouver, CAN Portland 5 Center • Portland, OR Skagit Valley Casino • Bow, NH Improv • Brea, CA Improv • Dallas, TX
Jay Mohr 10/10 Tacoma Comedy Club • Tacoma, WA 10/17 House of Blues • Houston, TX 10/22-25 Stand Up Live • Phoenix, AZ
Jeff Dunham 09/02-30 Planet Hollywood • Las Vegas, NV 10/01-30 Planet Hollywood • Las Vegas, NV 11/01-30 Planet Hollywood • Las Vegas, NV
D.L. Hughley 09/18 09/25 09/26 10/24
CONSOL Energy Center • Pittsburgh, PA American Airlines Center • Dallas, TX Toyota Center • Houston, TX Philips Arena • Atlanta, GA
N. Quest Casino • Airway Heights, WA Peppermill Casino • W. Wendover, NV Alberta Bair Theater • Bilings, MT Snoqualmie Casino • Snoqualmie, WA University of CT • Storrs, CT Flynn Center • Burlington, VT Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario Mark Taper Forum • Los Angeles, CA
09/10 09/11 09/18-19 10/16-17 11/05 11/06
Gabriel Iglesias 09/11-13 09/19 09/25 09/27 10/04
Kathy Griffin 10/08 10/09 10/10 10/11 10/29 10/30 10/31 11/04
Jerry Seinfeld
Mirage Casino • Las Vegas, NV WinStar Casino • Thackerville, OK World Arena • Colorado Springs, CO Grey Eagle Casino • Calgary, AB Sleep Train Arena • Sacramento, CA
Frank Caliendo 09/12 09/18 09/25-26 10/03 10/16
Wanda Sykes 09/25 09/26 10/17 10/18 10/23 10/24 11/5 11/6
Mystere Theater • Las Vegas, NV Pala Casino • Pala, CA Palace Theater Albany • Albany, NY Keswick Theater • Glenside, PA Masonic Auditorium • San Francisco, CA The Wiltern • Los Angeles, CA Durham Arts Center • Durham, NC Cobb Energy Arts Center • Atlanta, GA
Devos Hall • Grand Rapids, MI Durham Arts Center • Durham, NC Caesar’s Palace • Las Vegas, NV Kravis Center • W. Palm Beach, FL Hershey Theater • Hershey, PA Meyerhoff Hall • Baltimore, MD
Hollywood Casino • Charles Town, WV Pueblo Memorial Hall • Pueblo, CO The Orleans Casino • Las Vegas, NV Laughlin Laugh Fest • Laughlin, NV Cobb Performing Center • Atlanta, GA
Maz Jobrani 09/10-13 09/17-19 09/25 09/30 10/01-03 10/04 10/20
Improv • Irvine, CA American Comedy Co. • San Diego, CA Ritz Carlton • Dubai Intl Center • Dubai, ARE Comedy Zone, Charlotte, NC Improv • Atlanta, GA Redando Beach Arts Center • Redando Beach, CA Newport Beach Lib. Found. • Newport Beach, CA
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Carlos Mencia
Pablo Francisco 09/17-20 10/09-11 10/15-1 11/05-08
Stand Up Live • Phoenix, AZ Improv • W. Palm Beach, FL Improv • Atlanta, GA Improv • Irvine, CA
09/17-20 09/24 10/15-17 10/23-25 11/13 11/14
Improv • Irvine, CA Sycuan Casino • El Cajon, CA Comedy Castle • Royal Oak, MI Improv • Homestead, PA The Paramount • Huntington, NY Tropicana Casino • Atlantic City, NJ
Lisa Lampinelli 09/18 09/19 09/26 10/02 10/10 10/15 10/16 10/24
Golden State Theater • Monterey, CA Fox Theater • Redwood City, CA The Venetian • Las Vegas, NV College Street Hall • New Haven, CT Heymann Center • Lafayette, LA Paramount Theater • Rutland, VT Capitol Center • Concord, NH Barbara B. Mann PAC • Ft. Myers, FL
Martin Lawrence 09/11 09/12 09/13 09/19 10/02 10/24 10/25
American Airlines Arena • Miami, FL Carol Morsani Hall • Tampa, FL Walt Disney Theater • Orlando, FL Neal Blaisdell Center • Honolulu • HI Fabulous Fox Theater • Atlanta, GA Caesar’s Palace • Atlantic City, NJ The Grand Theater • Ledyard, CN
Kathleen Madigan 09/17 09/18 09/19 10/02 10/10
Tarrytown Music Hall • Tarrytown, NY NJ Performing Art Ctr. • Newark, NJ Fox Theater • Mashantucket, CT Pikes Peak Theater • Colorado Springs, CO Pabst Theater • Milwaukee, WI
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Xfinity Theater • Hartford, CN Susquehanna Center • Camden, NJ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater • W. Palm Beach, FL MidFlorida Amphitheater • Tampa, FL Aaron’s Amphitheater • Atlanta, GA Sleep Train Amphitheater • Chula Vista, CA Irvine Meadows • Irvine, CA
10/07 North Shore Center • Skokie, IL 10/09-11 Zanies • Nashville, TN
Steven Wright
Aziz Ansari 09/12 09/13 10/02 10/03 10/04 10/09 10/11
Rosanne Barr
Chris Hardwick 09/17 09/18 09/19 09/25 10/09 10/23 11/13
Cullen Perf. Hall • Houston, TX Majestic Theater • Dallas, TX Paramount Theater • Austin, TX UB Center for the Arts • Buffalo, NY Hippodrome Theater • Baltimore, MD Orpheum Theater • Phoenix, AZ Arvest Bank Theater • Kansas City, MO
09/12 09/17 09/18 09/19 10/02 10/03 10/09 10/10 11/13
Sutra OC • Costa Mesa, CA Jackson Hall • Davis, CA Gallo Center for the Arts • Modesto, CA The Uptown Theater • Napa, CA Count Basie Theater • Red Bank, NJ Borgata Casino • Atlantic City, NJ Spirit Square • Charlotte NC The Carolina Theater • Durham, NC Rialto Theater • Tucson, AZ
Charlie Murphy
Eddie Griffin 09/18 09/19 09/25 10/02
Consol Energy Center • Pittsburgh, PA Royal Farms Arena • Baltimore, MD American Airlines Center • Dallas, TX Pensacola Bay Center • Pensacola, FL
09/11-12 09/19 09/26 10/24 11/06
09/12 09/19 09/20 09/26 09/27 10/03 10/10 10/11 10/17 10/18
Century Conv. Center • Wichita, KS Embassy Theater • Fort Wayne, IN Fargo Civic Aud. • Fargo, ND Sheas Perf. Arts Center • Buffalo, NY Rochester Theater • Rochester, NY Peppermill Hall • W. Wendover, NV Wharton Perf. Center • E. Lansing, MI State Theater • Ann Arbor, MI The Fox • Spokane, WA Queen Elizabeth Theater • Vancouver, CA
Don Rickles
Mo’Nique 09/18-19 Improv • Homestead • PA 10/04 DAR Hall • Washinton, DC 10/16-17 Levity Live • W. Nyack, NY
Improv • Homestead, PA Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore, MD Toyota Center • Houston, TX Philips Arena • Atlanta, GA Richmond Coliseum • Richmond, VA
Bill Maher
09/30 10/17-18 11/12 11/14
Jimmy Kimmel Show , Los Angeles, CA The Orleans Showroom • Las Vegas, NV Snoqualmie Casino • Snoqualmie, WA Spirit Mountain Casino • Grande Ronde, OR
Carrot Top 09/01-31 Luxor Casino • Las Vegas, NV 10/01-31 Luxor Casino • Las Vegas, NV 11/01-31 Luxor Casino • Las Vegas, NV
Dave Attell
Pauly Shore 10/02-03 10/04 10/07 11/27
Levity Live • W. Nyack, NY Highline Ballroom • New York, NY Gaslamp Bar • Long Beach, CA The Comedy Store • La Jolla, CA
09/26 10/08-10 10/22-24 11/19-21
Bananas Club • Hasbrouck Heights, NJ UP Comedy Club • Chicago, IL Goodnights Club • Raleigh, NC Comedy Castle • Royal Oak, MI
Joe Rogan 09/18 09/19 10/02 10/16
Orpheum Theater • Vancouver, CAN S. Alberta Auditorium • Calgary, CAN House of Blues • Houston, TX Balboa Theater • San Diego, CA
news
BY MEGH WRIGHT / SPLITSIDER
Zach Galifianakis to Play the Joker in ‘Lego Batman’
NBC Orders DC Comics Comedy; POWERLESS The villain in the upcoming Lego Batman movie starring Will Arnett has found its villain. According to THR, Zach Galifianakis has signed on to play the Joker in the animated spin-off of Chris Lord and Phil Lord’s 2014 film Lego Movie. Galifianakis joins Arnett and Michael Cera, who signed on to play Robin last month.
NBC has ordered a pilot for Powerless, a DC Comics comedy series from A to Z creator Ben Queen. The series might be based on the DC Universe, but this single camera comedy isn’t focused on the heroes or villains of the DCU. Instead, the show is about the normal people living in a world full of superheroes. The show will be in the style of The Office and focus on employees at an insurance company who have to cope with superpower-related incidents. Though none of the DC Comics characters in the series have been announced, it’s unlikely viewers will see any of DC’s biggest heroes. The show will focus on lesser-known characters more easily adapted to comedy. It’s a smart move for DC to broaden their scope on television, as the company already has plenty of dramatic series airing or in development. The comedy has potential to make a big splash if it can capitalize on both the passion of comic fans and audiences whose interest might be considered more general.
Will Smith Is Developing a Family Comedy Described as the “New ‘Fresh Prince’”
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Galifianakis was next set to hit the big screen in Masterminds with Kristen Wiig, but the film’s release is currently postponed due to Relativity filing for bankruptcy. He also has an FX show in the works with Louis C.K. called Baskets, which got a series order last year.
The CW Renews ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ The CW is keeping Whose Line Is It Anyway? around for at least another year. At TCA today, the network announced that the revamped Whose Line hosted by Aisha Tyler has officially earned a renewal for its fourth season on the network and twelfth season overall. The current season airs on The CW Friday nights at 8:00pm.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air might make a glorious return to television…kind of. According to Deadline, Will Smith is currently developing a family comedy through his production company Overbrook Entertainment that’s described as “a fish out of water family show in the spirit of Fresh Prince.” The project doesn’t yet have a writer or studio and is still early in the development stage, but it will be a family comedy and a “new Fresh Prince” of sorts — only with a new setting and characters. Smith will executive produce the project alongside James Lassiter, Caleeb Pinkett, and Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Courtney O
Scheuerman
COMIC CLOSE-UP
By Lindsey Hitt
ut on her hustle, Courtney Scheuerman opens up to us about her theatrical background, starting on the road to stand-up and her freshly filmed pilot. While obtaining a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley in Theater Arts this comedic beauty stumbled upon the world of standup comedy by accident. Performing on-screen since she was a child, she thought acting was the only place she wanted to be. After witnessing comics go up at the San Francisco Comedy Club, a flame ignited within her. “I started writing when I was in college, but my first time really being onstage was back in LA after I graduated. I don’t remember that set at all. It was like I was in a coma or blacked out. The feeling of stage fright was incredible, I fell in love with that pain.” Other various talents of this SoCal beach babe include surfing, acting, self-produced sketches and characters along with a web series called “hey, don’t do that” which explores ridiculous behavior she witnesses from people out in public. Now active on the road, Courtney is opening for talents like Bobby Lee, Steve Trevino and Bryan Callen “I am in a very lucky and honored position to be working with them. I am striving to be more of a story teller and also cater to a cultured audience.” She tells StandUp Mag about some difficulties in doing stand up comedy. “I think the drop out rate is pretty high for women. It’s a predominantly male profession. This business is challenging for anyone.” She says it’s a sense of empowerment for women to make tough situations that can bring sadness or pain into a laughing matter. “There are unspoken judgments among women, and I was surprised to find that a lot of my fans are women my age.”
Comedy truly is a coping mechanism for real life, transforming tough situations into light-hearted fun. This is a great description of this comedian’s work. She puts a lot of effort into her stage performance, It’s a high energy episode when Courtney Sheuerman takes on the stage. We asked her about hecklers during standup. Her response was another confident, no-brainer. “I invite heckling, I suppose, since I am opening up to a group of slightly intoxicated individuals about my breasts. It’s self-deprecating, but I have to keep them on my side. I have had people legitimately confused after a show telling me they were trying to help me. I’m like, “Buddy, where do you work. I am going to come job. Earlier this year Courtney in and help you do your job.” debuted her standup for the first time in March on AXSTV’s Gotham Comedy Live hosted by Joy Bauer. Continuing her hustle, the brazen brunette has been branching out even further the past few months. She is creating and developing a pilot of her own and raising money through crowd funding to shoot it. The idea for the pilot came straight from her standup material about her relationship with her adopted sister. She reflects on having to fight for her parents’ attention with her sister who replaced her. “When I think something is funny, it’s all about word play. It’s about taking a serious and sensitive, subject such as adoption, and finding ways to laugh at it.”
“I’d get in these fits where I felt I couldn’t write anything. One of the best pieces of advice I have received is “stop and gently take your mind through your set.” It was a snowball thinking that takes the pressure out of the idea that I need to write and into the idea that ‘no, we just need to play.’” www.CourtneyScheuerman.com @CourtScheuerman @CourtneyScheuerman
Find yourself at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Festival this September to discover the spastic and sarcastic experiences of Courtney Scheuerman.
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TELEVISION
Follows the life of stand up comedian Jerrod Carmichael as he navigates through life with his therapist in-training girlfriend and his heavily opinionated family.
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I
t seems like only yesterday that NBC began burning off the half-hour comedy Mr. Robinson (starring Craig Robinson as a musician who teaches at his old neighborhood school), airing two episodes of its six-episode order every Wednesday over three weeks. A similar fate is about to befall The Carmichael Show, which was originally scheduled as the 9:30 p.m. companion to Mr. Robinson. It’s unfortunate given that that this new series shows a lot more promise. Like Mr. Robinson, The Carmichael Show has an overly familiar sitcom setup: Stand-up Jerrod Carmichael plays a fictional version of himself, modestly successful in both his career and personal life. His girlfriend Maxine (Amber Stevens West) has just moved in with him (they live in Charlotte, North Carolina). Not-so-coincidentally, Jerrod’s apartment is in the same building as his loudmouth brother Bobby (Lil Rel Howery), who has recently divorced, but is still living with his sassy ex-wife (Tiffany Haddish).
Jerrod Carmichael
The Cast
Yet most of the siblings’ lives revolve around their parents, Cynthia (Loretta Devine) and Joe (David Alan Grier), who reside in a nearby suburb. Both Mom and Dad possess traits that could be described as Archie Bunkerish (she’s a devout Bible thumper, he’s fond of politically incorrect pronouncements), but they also preach the twin gospels of Oprah and Obama. Really, they just exist to keep their sons, and everyone close to them, perpetually on their toes. Most network comedies, particularly new network comedies, would shy away from covering sensitive subjects like the Ferguson riots. But not NBC’s new multicam sitcom The Carmichael Show. “I think we’re going to get to discuss things that really need to be discussed like Obama and Ferguson,” said star Loretta Devine.
Amber Stevens West
David Allen Grier
Loretta Devine
Lil Rel Howery
Tiffany Haddish
Kylen Davis
The show’s executive producer Jerrod Carmichael said the new comedy aims “to actually reflect the conversations that are being had in living rooms amongst families, amongst couples.” Joked star and executive producer Jerrod Carmichael: “You know, zany topics like that.” After his original NBC pilot was not picked up to series last spring, Carmichael’s show was redeveloped to center more on his family and eventually picked up for a six-episode first season last month. “What’s crazy is NBC is the longest relationship I’ve ever been in,” said Carmichael. “But it’s been a great process.”
The Carmichael Show premiered on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 23 at 9:30 p.m. on NBC
UP
By Von Roburtson
By Jovan Roburtson
Meet the new faces of comedy that are taking the stage by storm.
Sean Leary Jeremiah Watkins
Steven Briggs Briggs is a high-level and high-energy act that keeps the crowd entertained by beat boxing and high-energy jokes. He recently was just signed to a uproar management , for more on him visit stevenbriggscomedy.com.
Jeremiah Watkins is a staple of the LA comedy scene. Whether you’re seeing him as part of The Wave for Roast Battle, the roadie character Moshpit for The Goddamn Comedy Jam, or hosting Stand-Up On The Spot, you’re greeted with a dynamic physical performance in any setting. Visit him @ www.jeremiahwatkins.tv
Sean has many accolades in comedy, which includes his webseries Brick and Sizzle that’s garnered buzz. This upriser is killer standup also, visit his website for more @ wwww.seanlearycomedy.com.
Davon Magwood
Dame Fk Anna Seregina
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Anna is a stand-up comic and performer, described as having the “worst aura.” She was named a “Comic to watch “ by sf weekly. She holds a list of achievements, visit her website http://annaseregina.tumblr.com.
Dame is a young fresh standup from nyc who is not only funny but very fashionable. Currently doing shows on the east coast, having done shows with big names like Hannibal Burress created a buzz for Dame, for more visit his site damefk.com
Davon has done a long list of tours, opened for high-level comics, paid dues and even has a comedy album out. Recently he was in the news for his jokes being stolen by Fat Jew. Visit Davon Magwood’s website davonmagwood.com for more updates on him.
BEHIND
the
MIC
series
Classic Jeff Richards By Lindsey Hitt
Through all the hoops: SNL, a comedy music album (with music videos) and his new show premiering at the Los Angeles Indie Film Festival The first time I met @tastyjeff he was “playing” (a set) at The Pig And Whistle — performing with Andy Dick. It was a legendary night indeed, filled to the brim with Hollywood notables. Andy’s daughter made it up on stage to dish out a laugh to an unsuspecting crowd of about 30 people. Then, there was Jeff! He sang and he danced “Discotech” and other songs from his recent album entitled The Shingles 2009-2014. As a writer, I try to include little to none of my personal experiences in these articles. This is a different situation. Jeff Richards was someone I remember from my teenage years. His comedy was a spark of light in my occasionally dark days of high school where death and divorce were far too common. For me and the small gang of girls I clung to “ordering Dominos” meant toking the reefer and watching Saturday Night Live après Sex and the City. Each week we would place the order for delivery, the dots were right on queue for hilarious baby banter and “drunk girl” projecting from Richards from the most popular show on network television.
Working with Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon, Jeff offered the crew at SNL the outrageously silly component signature of the Comedy Central programming. Similar to the work of Chris Farley, Jeff Richards was hysterical. His ingenious work can still be witnessed at clubs all around Los Angeles; most regularly at The Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv and the Laugh Factory. Through musical expression and stage performances (including back-up dancers) he recreates experiences of his life after SNL. His album can be found on Funny Or Die, iTunes and of course, on his website. The music videos are extra “tasty.” One of Jeff’s most recent projects, The Barry & Ro Show will be premiering this month at the LA Indie Film Festival. Genuine and lovable Jeff Richards is a classic comic and a must-see talent in the world of entertainment and stand-up comedy.
FIND HIM NOW and download his album for free: www.tastyjeff.com & on social media @tastyjeff
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StreetBeat
Natalie star, eover , c i o v ast top wing g her podc e i v r e urin ie int Natal Sobolov, d Escape. d i ray Dav The G
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hat comics do while they perform comedy is not always glamorous. This British beauty started her creationist career as a painter, so it’s no wonder her talents led her to various activities like designing shoes for Playboy—and of course our favorite—performing stand-up comedy. Originally from the UK, Natalie made her way to the West to continue on her creative path in Canada, where she was well known throughout Toronto for hosting and acting on TV. Her travels continued shortly in the States where by car she ventured to L.A. with her two pets: a talking bird and a deaf cat! She showed up in Beverly Hills and stayed in a hotel room while she wrapped up negotiations with “someone in entertainment” who had an apartment ready and gigs waiting. The nature of the industry (beast) slapped this comic in the face (figuratively). “Turns out this guy was a complete pathological liar. There was no apartment. There were no shows waiting for me.” With a musician father who was active in a British rock band, Natalie Gray is no foreigner to the road. Her resilience quite possibly genetics. The Oakwood Apartments in Toluca Lake became the silver lining for Natalie. “I had neighbors like Hootie and the Blowfish, Def Leppard, Macaulay Culkin and Kirsten Dunst.” The optimism conveyed by Natalie is exactly what it takes to make things happen in entertainment. It took strength to continue fighting for her dream in the foreign land, “Hollyweird.” This artist harbored no fears in creating her new home in Los Angeles. Natalie tells StandUp Mag about her time spent traveling the middle American countryside. “I paid $600 for a flight, to feature in a show that paid $600.” This is especially common when you are an up-and-comer. It’s passion before profit. “It’s more about the stage time than the money. I would encourage comics to have a day job while they are doing comedy because we all know until you make it, you don’t make money.”
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By Lindsey Hitt
This amazingly talented woman also opens up to us about how she obtained a sense of wisdom through an enlightening experience. “In 2012, I was literally psychic for five months. I would blow out electrical outlets. It was very Sci-Fi, where I had a large dose of wisdom all at once in the middle of a lifethreatening experience.” These days, science has impacted the career of Natalie Gray. “I went on a research expedition afterwards, and I have a 20,000 word product from this, documenting this river of knowledge that was served to me.” Learning how to handle a gift like that led her to creating her very own podcast.
Natalie has been found all over the world performing comedy. She has trailed shows of Eddie Izzard in Croatia. “When you travel to places like that, you learn how to be grateful for the culture here in America.” This multi-faceted female is experienced across the board. She was recently accepted into the acclaimed acting workshop of Larry Moss, personal coach to Leonardo DiCaprio, Hilary Swank and more seasoned actors. She continues to paint, and her work has been displayed in over 80 different galleries. Her podcast is called “The Gray Escape,” and she interviews Hollywood celebrities and notables like Barry Katz, Kevin Sorbo and founding member of of the UCB Theater, Ian Roberts. Find her Podcast now and connect with her online:
www.nataliegray.com “You have brought incredible color, power, passion and craziness… the kind of bravery that I rarely see. You are fearless” — Larry Moss, on the talents of Natalie Gray
COMICS & CAUSES By Lindsey Hitt
Laniea Dominguez
Stand Up (for kids) L.A.
Keeping The Faith And Fundraising for her NPO; Comedy for Causes.
September 11th and 12th this group of comedians is putting on a blood drive for the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. We hope to see you there helping them save precious lives. Look out for future events by following “StandUP LA” on Facebook! Keeping it simple appeals to a large audience. This family woman does exactly that with a dash of silly brilliance here and there. “I lived in a homeless shelter with my mom. People need to show more appreciation for what they have.” Not only does Laniea keep up a family of five, she also spearheads her own Stand Up shows benefiting people in need. Connect with her on the web: @CausesFor Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest PeriScope
Do you know someone who should be recognized for doing something uplifting in the community? If so, please let us know! We would love to feature them in Comedy in Your Corner in a future issue!
lindsey@ thestandup.net
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