Last updated Thursday, September 2nd 2010
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Guide to FringeNYC Encore Series (updated daily this week)
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HyReviews.com's Bonus Videos of the Month: Sex & Marriage
HyReviews.com's Videos of the Month: FringeNYC 2010
Hy on This Summer's Last Comic Standing
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NYC Comedy Picks for Thursday 9/2/10
TV stars John Mulaney (Variety SHAC) and Lennon Parham (Oh My God, I Heard You're Dying!)
Recommendations for the best in New York City comedy tonight
(in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
a
7:30 pm ($5): Sharp improvisors directed by James Eason "take an audience suggestion and break it into a million funny pieces," and veteran improvisors play with "elements of monoscene, deconstruction, and La Ronde," in the double-bill The Deconstruction and Sleepover
[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): "Seven family members, friends, coworkers and a neighbor of seven weeks accidentally ruin their final goodbyes," performed by such stellar talents as Lennon Parham and Leslie Meisel; and a one-man show about being a gay comic book reader, in the double-bill Oh My God, I Heard You're Dying! and So I Like Superman
[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm Tuesday-Saturday ($19.50 online using discount code 8PUPPET): This is a show for which I have enormous affection; although my joy came from watching not only what occurred on stage, but the faces of the women in the audience turning stonier and stonier as they visibly projected the thought, "Dick tricks? This entire show really consists of dick tricks? All my suspicions about men have just been confirmed..." If you cherish bravery in performers, go forth to the 45 Bleecker Theatre (right next to the #6 subway's Bleecker Street stop) and experience Puppetry of the Penis
[$] 8:00 pm ($53 & 2-drink min.) A TV & film star whose credits include Undercover Brother, Deuce Bigalow, and Scary Movie 3 headlining through Saturday at Carolines: Eddie Griffin
9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): Reggie Watts (musical improv comedy genius; 2009 ECNY Award for Best Musical Comedy Act and 2007 Andy Kaufman Award; cast member of the new Electric Company; Jimmy Fallon; for video samples, please click here), and NYC stand-ups Jay Welch, Julianna Forlano, Ron Babcock, and Benari Poulten performing at the Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) for a show produced by Carol Hartsell and hosted by Dan Wilbur & Sean Crespo: Lasers in the Jungle
[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): John Mulaney (writer/performer for Saturday Night Live; Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central Presents, VH1's Best Week Ever; for John's great bit on Weekend Update, please click here) and Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, ; Comedy Central, Jimmy Fallon, Craig Ferguson; 2010 ECNY Award for Best Male Stand-Up; host of Comedy Night; comedy CD My Name is Hannibal) joining the fresh, sexy, and razor-sharp gals of Variety SHAC
[$] 10:00 pm ($31.25 & 2-drink min.) A provocative comedy star who's written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle's Show and David Letterman, headlining through Sunday at Carolines: Paul Mooney
[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Two vibrant troupe troupes, Rogue Elephant and Kickable Dog, competing for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match
To view HyReviews.com NYC Comedy Picks from previous weeks, please click here.
HyReviews.com's Bonus Videos of the Month:
Dr. Ken & Mike O'Connell, and Shayna Ferm & Carolyn Castiglia
Mike O'Connell: What's It Gonna Be?
Shayna Ferm & Carolyn Castiglia: Marriage is for Fags
Alexyss Tylor & Mom: Penis Power
Hy on Last Comic Standing 2010
James Adomian, Laurie Kilmartin, and Myq Kaplan
Written July 13, 2010: I'm happy to report this summer's Last Comic Standing isn't so awful that it makes you embarrassed to be in the comedy biz. (Last season's run was all that, and more...)
First, they did away with the hokey "House" and "Challenge" aspects. The competition now simply consists of stand-ups doing their sets—which is what it's all about.
And some of the contestants actually deserve a national audience.
So far, Laurie Kilmartin takes the prize for best writing and delivery. On the July 12th episode she was a thorough pro: smart, in control, and funny. If she can keep it up, she's got a great shot at winning.
Kilmartin's main rival is James Adomian, who's a formidable talent—he explodes with comedic energy, and is a superb impressionist to boot. Adomian's main weakness is a lack of judgment...he seems to love his genius material and lousy stuff with equal fervor, unable to tell one from the other. If he's wise enough to seek solid objective advice from others before the competition ends, though, he could walk away with the crown.
Myq Kaplan is one of the smartest comics to ever appear on the series. Kaplan's quiet style is having mixed results so far on the TV screen; but here's hoping viewers vote for him to stick around a while, and that he starts raising his game—and energy—as the show continues.
Also worth keeping an eye on is Rachel Feinstein, who I've seen do on-the-floor hilarious sets on NYC stages. Feinstein is a genuine talent; but like Adomian, she has judgment issues. She also doesn't seem to be as prolific a writer as many other top comics. We'll see...
And then there's dark horse contestant Jonathan Thymius. Appearing to have stumbled into the show while escaping from a mental ward, Thymius offers a refreshingly uncomfortable approach. The main concern is he's a one-joke comic, and his schtick will start to wear thin week after week. Here's hoping Thymius can dig deeper and deliver beyond the quirkiness of his comedic persona (because this is stand-up, not vaudeville...).
As for the other five contestants...well, I'm sure they're lovely human beings.
Given the track record of Last Comic Standing, five actual contenders out of 10 is pretty good.
That said, to my mind the real star this season is one of the judges—who's not only among the funniest comics in the biz, but has turned out to be a rare jewel on this series: sweet, fair-minded, and always razor-sharp. For more on Natasha, please click here.
Myq Kaplan and Rachel Feinstein
Written July 20, 2010: That was an uncommonly fine show last night.
Yes, two of my five picks got knocked out almost instantly; and I was sad to see it.
But almost all of the remaining contestants—including comics I was discounting—did a terrific job of raising their game and delivering.
Mike DeStefano: I went to buy some soap recently—'cause I'm Hollywood now—and I went to pay for it. The lady said "$75." I said, "No, I just want the soap." She said, "It's expensive soap." I said, "$75! Does it clean shame?" (Best line of the evening...)
Roy Wood Jr.: Some black people get upset about Latinos. They say, "Only reason Mexicans are getting rights is because of the Civil Rights movement." Awright; even if that's true, wasn't that kind of the purpose of the Civil Rights movement? I've heard the I Have a Dream speech; there was no Puerto Rican disclaimer at the bottom.
Tommy Johnagin: He wanted to make an appointment. He goes, "How's 7 in the morning?" I said, "I don't know; I've heard it sucks. I'll see you at noon."
Rachel Feinstein: I'm scared somethin' awful. Even my breasts are concerned.
Jonathan Thymius: I finally mustered up the courage to go to a massage parlor. But I got a more plausible, realistic ending. (Second best line of the evening...)
The clear winner, though, was Myq Kaplan. He was the only comic to comment on what was happening in the moment instead of sticking to his script. And he'd also written the best script! For example: I don't even like the phrase gay friendly. It makes me straight angry. No other oppressed group has that kind of lingo to deal with. No one's ever, "I'm black friendly." Because that sounds racist, a little. And nobody's ever, "I am Jew friendly." Because nobody is. Ever.
Even the judges went the extra mile; Andy Kindler and Greg Giraldo were exceptionally sharp.
And of course Natasha was superb—but she's been consistently great throughout.
This season of LCS has come alive. Stay tuned...
Mike DeStefano and Myq Kaplan
Written July 27, 2010: We've run into snags.
Rachel Feinstein—who delivered the second-best set last week—got dumped.
Written July 27, 2010: We've run into snags.
Rachel Feinstein—who delivered the second-best set last week—got dumped.
Was it because the show's audience is mostly male, and Rachel's set was about how dumb and insensitive men can be? Whatever the reason, very frustrating.
The show will be significantly weaker without Ms. Feinstein—not to mention, without any other female contestants. (Thank goodness we still have Natasha's non-male—and refreshingly honest—perspective...)
On top of that, some of the comics are starting to run out of material. The most obvious example is Jonathan Thymius, who delivered the equivalent of an open-mic set. You could almost hear him thinking, Let's see if this one gets a laugh. Is the next one funny? I dunno, let me try it... It was a decidedly unwise strategy for national television, with roughly a third of his act bombing. I really enjoy having a semi-surreal comic on the show; but Thymius should only play at being a loser, not actually behave like one.
Roy Woods Jr., who last week talked about Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, this week devoted the first third of his set to how he didn't want to help a guy unhappy with his Chicken McNuggets. He then spent the remainder of the set on how he didn't want to help people who need money to raise their children. Roy, could be you're going in the wrong direction...
Felipe Esparza is a teddy bear with heart and some talent for physical comedy. He's just not a strong writer; and his set this week was even worse than the instantly forgettable one from last week.
In contrast, by far the best writer this season is Myq Kaplan, whose sets are consistently razor-sharp. This week he began by pretending to be the Roy Wood Jr. guy unhappy with his McNuggets—smart. He then tossed out such diverse ideas as combining reality shows: Kids Say the Darndest Things...When Animals Attack. And instead of having a photo of a caller pop up on his cell phone, he has "a picture of my face reacting to how that person makes me feel. Fewer pictures that way." As Natasha observed afterwards, "If this show was called Last Comedy Writer Standing, you would definitely win." But it remains to be seen if Kaplan's quiet delivery and semi-static body language (almost the only part of him that moves while he talks is his left arm) can nab the crown.
To my eye, his only worthy opponent at this point is Mike DeStefano, whose delivery and comedic persona are both strong. The quality of DeStefano's material can be inconsistent, but this week he delivered such wonderful bits as "Heroin makes you feel like you're naked in a pool full of puppies" and "Do you look fat? I have memories that weigh more than you do" and "I went into a Chinese restaurant and it had a suggestion box, so I wrote Free Tibet." My only quibble: DeStefano had already performed some of this stuff on his Comedy Central Presents special in April. Which makes me wonder if he's running out of material too...
Aside from Myq and Mike—and Natasha—I have mixed feelings about watching the show next week. But am crossing fingers for someone unexpected to hit it out of the park.
Roy Wood Jr., Mike DeStefano, and Myq Kaplan
Written August 5, 2010: Some comics demonstrated growth this Monday.
Roy Wood Jr. followed the advice I gave last week and delivered more depth. The result was the very best set he's done on LCS.
And Myq Kaplan finally moved more than his arm—he demonstrated a number of joke-appropriate hand motions. (His legs were still chained to the floor; but it's progress...) Meanwhile, Myq's material continued to be razor-sharp: "Prejudice used to be about keeping people separate. LIke interracial marriage: 'Don't let black people marry us. Make them marry only each other.' Today, with gay people, it's 'Don't let them marry each other. Make them marry...us?' Bigotry is confusing..."
As for Myq's primary competition, Mike DeStefano, he also still had the stuff: "You ever find money on the sidewalk? It's the most incredible experience. I found a 20 dollar bill, and felt so special. Then I see a homeless guy sleeping three feet away. I'm thinking he should've found it. So I woke him up (holds out an invisible $20) and said, 'Hey, you should've found this. Pay attention.' (Puts the invisible $20 back in his pocket...)" Not quite as strong as last week's Free Tibet; but coupled with Mike's caged tiger-like delivery, pretty formidable.
The worst aspect of this episode was the judges fawning over every single contestant—presumably because these final five will be going on an LCS nationwide tour post-show sponsored by the producers. I assume the judges were "just following orders;" but it was a mistake that damages the show's credibility—and viewer interest in ever tuning back in.
One week left to this mixed-bag season. If Myq or Mike wins, it will have been worthwhile.
And either way, we can look forward to Natasha Leggero coming to NYC and headlining at Comix on September 24th & 25th. (Buy your tickets now using discount code VIPAUG...).
My reaction to the season finale
Written August 10, 2010: Ack.
Honestly, when Myq Kaplan got knocked out in fifth place, and Mike DeStefano in fourth, I pretty much stopped caring who won. Most eloquent was MIke's response on hearing the news: "To my fans, thank you very much. And to those who didn't vote for me, fuck you."
You might ask, "Hy, how can you blame the voting audience?" Well—putting aside eight years of George W. Bush—the point is that the producers and the judges had the power to make decisions throughout the season to favor breathtaking talent over mildly amusing teddy bears.
On the up side, the musical acts were good. It was also nice to see the sets from comedy veterans.
And while I was disappointed with choices throughout this season—particularly at how unaggressive LCS was at bringing in top talent, and at even hanging onto the talent it nabbed—it was nonetheless a vast improvement over the disastrous previous season.
Plus the show is likely to help the careers of everyone involved.
Natasha, raise your rates, and start speed-reading movie scripts; and we'll look forward to seeing you in NYC in late September.
Star of This Summer's Last Comic Standing: Natasha Leggero
Tearing It Up on Chelsea Lately
Click Enter, then click Tonight Show 1
Click Enter, then click Tonight Show 2
HyReviews.com's Comedy Videos of the Month:
FringeNYC 2010 Best Video Promos & Sneak Peeks
A scene from Shine: A Burlesque Musical, one of the 197 productions at this year's FringeNYC
Faye Lane's Beauty Shop Stories
Bunked!: Shantini Klaassen singing "Trust"
Evan O'Television in Double Negatives
Classically Trained, Practically Broke
Bunked!: Morgan Karr & Autumn Hurlbert singing "Leave It All Behind"
Omarys Concepcion Lopez Perez Goes to Israel
Eli James of William and the Tradesmen: "I Mean It This Time"
Bunked!: Morgan Karr singing "Selfishly"
Bunked!: Nina Sturtz & Cortney Wolfson singing "Open Your Heart"
The Pig, the Farmer, and the Artist
Bunked!: Cortney Wolfson singing "Self-Fulfilling Prophecy"
The Height of the Eiffel Tower
Bunked!: Autumn Hurlbert singing "Trust"
Insider Freebies & Discounts for HyReviews.com Readers
Sometimes comedy clubs, theatres, and others contact me with offers that they don't want
on a searchable Web page but that they're happy to provide to my readers.
If you'd like to take advantage of such opportunities, simply tell me your email address,
and every now and then you'll receive a notice directly from me about cool deals.
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To become a comedy/theatre Insider, please send your email address to hy@hyreviews.com
with the subject heading Insider.
To explore other comedy and NYC theatre sections of HyReviews.com, please click here
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If you'd enjoy an elegant evening at an NYC comedy club
but also want to save some money, please click here.
You can get free tickets for all shows at the Eastville Comedy Club,
free tickets to most shows at the Broadway Comedy Club, and
free & 50% discount ticket offers for Dangerfield's Comedy Club.
Great Inexpensive Live Comedy
For other terrific low-cost NYC comedy, please visit the Web sites of
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
The Creek and the Cave (Queens LIC)
I'm trying to keep this section super-concise,
but If a top site isn't listed that you think oughta be,
please drop me a note and I'll take a close look.
Comedy Coverage
(in alphabetical order):
Comedy Providers
(in alphabetical order):
HyReviews.com's Comedy Interview of the Month:
Another comedy interview is coming eventually.
For videos about Sarah Palin—and especially her comedy gold Thanksgiving interview—please click here and here.
Hy's Current Favorite Craigslist Ads
Please note: Note a word has been changed in the ads below. My comments are in boldface.
Poet/Artist/God's Wife Looking for a Literary Agent or Publisher
Date: 2010-02-04, 10:19 am EST
Reply to: kristiedono@yahoo.com
I have a wonderful poetry book, creative, wild images and a really good magical story to tell.
[You have a poetry book—um, with images and a story?]
I am looking to sell my poetry book with images and then my story
to someone.
[So you have a poetry book with images...and you also have a story in an undefined form. And for some reason you need to sell the poetry before you sell the story...to "someone." That's a bit confusing, but whatever; it's not like you're claiming to be a wordsmith...]
I am God's wife, and the story is about our life together.
[Ah.]
It's got spirituality, love, tragedy, adventure, crime, violence,
music, sex, a little bit of everything.
[Actually, you left out drugs.
But that's okay; at this point,
drugs are heavily implied...]
I have a diary of our letters to each other, and the poems are like letters I wrote to God in a creative way.
[As opposed to the non-creative steamy porn that you actually wrote to your stud boyfriend God.]
This will be a big hit, it is a beautiful story, you won't be disappointed.
[The odds are good. God's last book was a huge bestseller.]
God is a black man on Earth and a musician. I have proof.
[It's a hip-hopera DVD titled Trapped in the Closet.
Thing is, God turned insane in 2000.
(Which explains a lot...)]
This is a great story. I am also a great writer and poet and artist.
[And 100% real. You can check out Kristie's Web site at http://www.harttherapy.blogspot.com.]
Need Urban Ghost Writers (Metro Atlanta)
Date: 2009-11-13, 6:33PM EST
Reply to: writelikeyoufeel@yahoo.com
Looking for creative ghost writers with excellent grammar skills and ideas.
[Because that's what makes a writer great: Killer grammar, and concepts.]
Male and females are encouraged to apply.
[Translation: Sorry, I don't work with hermaphrodites.]
Serious inquiries only...Please do not respond if you are not serious!
[Translation: I'm sooo tired of people making fun of me...]
Writer Wanted for Book to be Published (Hartland, WI)
Date: 2009-09-29, 1:52AM CDT
Reply to: job-tvm4r-1397614923@craigslist.org
I am writing a book and need someone who can
help me with writing my story.
I am seeking someone who is spiritual in nature
and believes that by reading this
you are the person designed to write it.
Give me a call at 262-xxx-xxxx and introduce yourself.
[Hello. I have been designed to write your book.
Thank you for fulfilling my destiny.
The days, months, and years of constantly reading
Craigslist ads in search of purpose have finally
been rewarded. I am eager to start work on
our spiritual instant classic I Was Born
to Ghostwrite Someone Else's Book.]
Writers for Wheelchair Book (San Diego—Mission Valley)
Date: 2009-09-28, 10:41AM PDT
Reply to: bouncesdtalent@gmail.com
Easy Life Inc. is looking to write a book about purchasing a new wheelchair.
We are looking for 2-3 writers to provide 200 pages of content each.
[In other words, we want a 600-page book...about buying a wheelchair.]
We want fresh ideas that relate to buying a wheelchair.
[Idea #42: Raise cash as drug mule.
Cops
will never suspect crippled old coot like you.]
Please send a sample or two of your writings, your rates,
and 2-3 BRIEF topics that you would contribute to this book.
Writings will be submitted weekly for originality
and to assure you are going in the right direction.
[If you're going in the wrong direction, we'll grab
hold of your wheelchair and point you the right way.]
We want you to exhaust any and all ideas
that go into purchasing a motorized wheelchair.
[At which point the Seventh Seal will be broken,
commencing the Apocalypse.]
Once you have exhausted that
go into manual wheelchairs,
then walkers, crutches, etc.
[And after you've exhausted all hope of support,
we want to you to crawl on your belly before us.
Crawl like the worm you are.]
Previous SEO experience a plus. Local to San Diego preferred.
In the subject line: WHEELCHAIR
[Or just: END OF THE WORLD.
Either way.]
Take a look at our Web site at http://www.powerchairatnocost.com.
Compensation: $750 to $1,500 DOE
[Again, this ad is 100% real. If you have
fresh ideas about buying a wheelchair...]
Upcoming & Ongoing Special Comedy Events
Nothing at the moment; but please stay tuned...
Please check out these New York City theatre sections of HyReviews.com:
FringeNYC 2007 Performer's Gallery
Hy on Theatre Discounts: See Great Shows for as Little as $3.50
Please also check out these comedy sections of HyReviews.com:
Comedy Interview of the Month: Carolyn Castiglia
Previous Video Clips of the Month
Previous Nightly NYC Live Comedy PIcks
UCBComedy.com: A New Force for Comedy on the Web
Comedy in the Moment: The Annual Del Close Improv Marathon
Comedy Scene by Scene: SketchFest NYC 07
Shockingly Delightful: Offensive Fest 2007
Show Reports: Kristen Schaal Dave Hill Andy Blitz
Show Reports: Kumail Nanjiani Invite Them Up
And if you need any help with a book or a screenplay, please visit Hy's writer sites:
Bad First Dates with Gavin Speiller: Lord of the Rings with Kelly Hudson
Bad First Dates with Gavin Speiller: Picnic with Kate McKinnon
Bad First Dates with Gavin Speiller: Flowers with Molly Lloyd
Pete Holmes and Joselyn Hughes: Wine Date
Pete Holmes and Jenny Slate: Honesty Date
Ellie Kemper and Quiet Library: Blind Date
Kate McKinnon and Serious Lunch: Speed Dating
Charlie Sanders: The Hotter You Get...
Smack the Pony: Saying Goodbye
The Many Faces of Genius Comedic Actress Kate McKinnon
Jersey Shore Explains Catcher on the Rye
Jersey Shore Explains Heliocentric Physics
For more, visit kate-mckinnon.tumblr.com
Brian Posehn's Fart and Wiener Jokes
Greatest Sketches of All Time, Part 1
Monty Python: The Funniest Joke in the World
Monty Python: The Spanish Inquisition
Monty Python: The Ministry of Silly Walks
Monty Python: The Job Interview
Monty Python: The Argument Clinic
Your Show of Shows: This Is Your Story #1
Your Show of Shows: This Is Your Story #2
Smack the Pony: Saying Goodbye
John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show
John Oliver—God bless him—has created a series that represents the top stand-up comedy scene far better than anything else on TV. John is a genius stand-up, but also humble enough to listen and learn...and to appreciate the talents of such peers as Maria Bamford, Marc Maron, Kristen Schaal, Nick Kroll, Pete Holmes, Janeane Garofalo, Eugene Mirman, Brian Posehn, Hannibal Buress, Matt McCarthy, and other brilliant talents. Watching John's show on Comedy Central is highly recommended; and so is checking out the following links to some of its finest bits to date:
John Oliver: Foul-Mouthed Squirrel from Jersey
John Oliver: Falling in Love with America
John Oliver: Great American Heroes
John Oliver: Great American Heroes 2
John Oliver: Voting Upside Down and Drunk
Rob Riggle Interviewing John 2
Maria Bamford: Joy Whack-a-Mole
Marc Maron: Hard Pressed to Explain
Marc Maron: The Future is Chinese
Marc Maron: The Future is Chinese 2
Marc Maron: Confronting the Different
Kristen Schaal: Family Friendly
Kristen Schaal: Inside the Mattress
Pete Holmes: Phantom Vibrations
Janeane Garofalo: Customs Questionnaire
Janeane Garofalo: Save Your Sandals
Janeane Garofalo: Young People
Eugene Mirman: God Is A Twelve-Year-Old Boy With Asperger's
Matt McCarthy: Musicians vs. Comedians
Best Literal Music Videos of 2009
Bonnie Tyler: Total Eclipse of the Heart
Hall & Oates: Jingle Bell Rock
The Monkeys: Daydream Believer
Pat Benatar: Love Is A Battlefield
Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Bonus: Best Viral Videos of 2009
Tearing It Up on Chelsea Lately
Click Enter, then click Tonight Show 1
Click Enter, then click Tonight Show 2
Cherished Moments from David Letterman
Matt Damon Does Matthew McConaughey
Sonny & Cher Reunion, Part 1 Sonny & Cher, Part 2
Sam Kinison's First National TV Appearance
Harvey Pekar's Penultimate Appearance Harvey's Final Appearance
Harmony Korine's First Appearance More Harmony Korine
HyReviews.com's Book of the Month: Elna Baker's
The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance
The radiant, insightful, and hilarious Elna Baker has been one of the brightest lights in the NYC comedy and storytelling scenes for years. This month Elna put her many adventures between covers..and created an instant monster bestseller.
Elna held a wonderful book release party for her memoir The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance at The PowerHouse Arena in Brooklyn on October 15, 2009. Here's a portion of the Q&A session:
Q: Do you think there’s more desperation for finding a mate in or out of the Mormon circle?
Elna: I think the desperation manifests in different ways. In Mormonism there’s a different kind of pressure, because there are a lot more Mormon women than there are Mormon men. And you are taught that to get to the highest level of Mormonism, you need to be married to another Mormon. So it can be pretty cutthroat. (audience laughter)
Q: How do you think the Mormon community is going to react to your book?
Elna: That's the thing I'm most afraid of. It's interesting to do something you haven’t seen done before, because you don’t know what will happen to you for doing it. People have written books about being Mormon after they have left the Mormon faith. And people have written books about being Mormon within the Mormon faith for other Mormons that are, you know, sold in Utah and present a sort of soft-focus version of love and happiness and family. My book deals with doubt and questioning, and figuring out in your 20s what you want to do on your own, and it does it in a way that I think a lot of Mormons will really appreciate, and a lot of Mormons will really be upset about. So we'll see...
Q: Elna, I've always known you as a storyteller on stage. What was it like to transition from performing live to writing a book?
Elna: I had all these scripts from shows I’d done that I thought I could just cut and paste; but turns out it doesn't work that way at all. (audience laughter) It didn't jump off the page, I needed to do a lot of thinking about my material. And I learned a lot from that.
I was doing a great deal of performing, and then got the opportunity to write. So I stepped out of the limelight, and spent two years mostly alone, writing. I'd experienced a lot of stuff very quickly in my life and had never taken the time to really process it. So in those two years I retired from being alive, and processed it.
I always thought of myself as someone who spoke stories. The great thing about writing all those stories down is that now there’s this book, and I can just sort of drop it on someone’s desk and say “These are things that I think about.” And I don’t have to talk anymore. (audience laughter)
To buy Elna's book The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance—which sold out every copy in the store less than halfway through her release party, and has been a mega-bestseller on Amazon.com since the day of its publication—please click here.
Jenny
Slate, the newest cast member of Saturday Night Live
Jimmy Fallon: Jimmy, I'm Jenny
Jenny Makes History on SNL Debut (A Small Stumble on the Road to Stardom)
See also this article, which nails it
Bill Burr—Comedy Force of Nature
"Is This the Line to Lose Half My Shit? Awesome!"
Solving Overpopulation on David Letterman
HBO Special, Part 1 HBO Special, Part 2
Interview: Origins Interview: Return to Boston Interview: Return to NYC
Best FringeNYC 2009 Promos & Sneak Peeks
It's August—and for me, that meant it was time to start focusing on the New York International Fringe Festival, as one of my claims to small fame is seeing & reviewing more FringeNYC shows than anyone, ever. This year FringeNYC ran August 14th-30th, hosted 201 productions, and attracted over 75,000 audience members. To get a feel for this year's shows, please click the links below; and for the rest of my coverage, which was updated daily through August, please click here.
Baby Wants Candy: Highlights Reel
Baby Wants Candy: Perfect Wedding Day (starring Jack McBrayer and Eliza Skinner)
Baby Wants Candy: Alone (starring Eliza Skinner)
The Boxer: A Silent Film on Stage
Stand-up comic Erin Judge, co-writer & co-star of The Meaning of Wife
Comedogenic (long but brilliant comedic film by Paul Thomas)
Comedogenic (another long but hilarious film by Paul Thomas, co-starring Hannibal Buress)
Dolls (shrewd animated trailer by Michael Phillis)
Bitch! (fundraising video by Charlotte Booker)
Allison Case singing "Paper Airplanes" from musical Vote!
Andrew Keenan-Bolger singing "Ambition" from musical Vote!
Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party
Hatching and Art's Heart stars Scarlett Duvall and Anthony Johnston
Stand-up W. Kamau Bell, in 2005, tells Comedy Central's first ever Barack Obama joke
Bob Brader: Spitting in the Face of the Devil
Owen Dara: White Horses—An Irish Childhood
Zipperface!!?!: The Hobo Musical
Anthony Fascious Martinez's Penumbra
Flight (audio only, but superb songs; click Music Player in bottom-left)
Graveyard Shift (for song, click The Show link at the top, then The Prologue in bottom-right)
Far Out: The Sci-Fi Musical Comedy (audio only, Act 1 Finale)
Sperm sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" to prep for... Spermalot: The Musical
Unique bathroom theatre from the Japanese company of Romeo and Toilet
Between the Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
Natalie Portman and Her Dog Whiz
Jimmy Kimmel's Views on Bananas
Jon Hamm Triggers an Allergic Reaction
For more Zach videos, please click here.
Casey Wilson Reads Fan Mail from the Net
Saturday Night Live cast member Casey Wilson reads viewers' reviews on the Web
in a pitch-perfect video. To experience it, please click here.
Reggie Watts is a musical improv comedy genius—a scary talented vocalist, beatboxer, and musician whose unique skills will likely amaze you. Reggie won the 2009 ECNY Award for Best Musical Comedy Act and the 2007 Andy Kaufman Award; is a cast member of the new Electric Company; and recently delivered a bravura performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. To learn more, please visit ReggieWatts.com; please explore his album Pot Cookies; and please check out these videos of Reggie showing what he can do:
The Worst Thing You Ever Heard
Obama at White House Correspondents' Dinner
There aren't many times when President Barack Obama jokes around;
but one of them is the annual While House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
To watch the stand-up set Obama delivered on May 9, 2009, please click here.
Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent
This isn't comedy in the usual sense. But please click the photo above, and enjoy.
Brilliant & Beloved NYC Comics in Prime Time—Amy Poehler,
Aziz Ansari, and Aubrey Plaza in NBC's Parks and Recreation,
and Demetri Martin in Comedy Central's Important Things
Has Amy Poehler Ever Looked More Beautiful?
The Prince and the Pauper—with John Oliver!
Lost Footage of The Prince and the Pauper
Demetri on Things Greater Than or Equal To
Demetri on Walls, Babies, and Earthquakes
The Brilliant & Thoroughly Loveable Jack McBrayer Proves He's Not Bobby Jindal
SNL Flashback Before Late Night De Niro Interview
Conan O'Brien Interview Before Debut
Jay Leno Tells Jimmy the "Talk Show" is Now Really a Comedy Show, with Guests
Jimmy Gets Last-Minute Advice from Lorne Michaels
Highlight of Week 1: Dance-Off with Cameron Diaz
Conan O'Brien is moving up to NBC's Tonight Show, and so March 3rd, 2009 was the debut of his replacement: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Taking over from a comedy genius like Conan is daunting—but the same was true when Conan replaced David Letterman back on September 13, 1993. There were some bumps then, but Conan ultimately more than rose to the occasion; and here's hoping Jimmy does too. His show's writing staff includes genius stand-up & rising star Anthony Jeselnik (HBO, Comedy Central), and creepily hilarious comedic actor AD Miles (Human Giant, Conan O'Brien, Dog Bites Man, Reno 911). Behind the awkwardness, Jimmy is a powerful talent and quick learner—as was demonstrated beautifully by the dance-off with Cameron Diaz. The nerves showed at times during the first week (a low point was Jimmy mock-snoring when Billy Crudup tried to provide a few seconds of information about Watchmen; honestly, it's okay to let people say intelligent things now and then...). But tune in to watch Mr. Fallon grow and, over time, make his own special mark as a Late Night host.
Pete Describes a Problem with His Enormous Balls
Pete Dissects Facebook and Why Being a Kid Sucks
Pete Gets Animated About Being Manly
Pete and Joselyn Hughes Go On a Wine Date
Pete and Jenny Slate Go On an Honest Date
Pete Discusses the South Beach Diet
Dr. Pete: The Conversation No Easy Way Baseball Whooping Cough Down Syndrome
Ray Romano Sings, Christmas Edition
Pete Holmes has one of the most lightning-fast and hilarious comedic minds in the country. Pete combines the organic energy of improv with the precision of a great wordsmith and split-second timing of a world-class performer. Pete's razor-sharp observations have warmed up audiences for The Daily Show, lit up such such series as VH1's Best Week Ever and Comedy Central's Premium Blend, and illuminated the cartoon sections of such magazines as The New Yorker. A 6'6" teddy bear, Pete has the accessibility of a Ray Romano—and is genuinely one of the nicest guys in show biz—but can also be as surreal and silly as a young Steve Martin. Please check out the videos above to enjoy this genius comic's range; and then catch this rising star live on stage as often as possible.
Anthony on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live
Anthony on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Anthony on Comedy Central's Premium Blend
Anthony on HBO's Down and Dirty with Jim Norton
Anthony Performs a Joke as Dane Cook
Anthony Explains Why His Body is a Temple
Anthony Explains Why a Comedian is Like a Tank
Anthony Jeselnik (being lauded above by Robin Williams) is just starting to became famous, but I believe he'll prove to be one of the sharpest & funniest stand-ups, writers, and overall performers in comedy history. There's nothing better than seeing Anthony live on stage, but in the meantime please enjoy these videos; look for his work as staff writer on NBC's upcoming NYC replacement for Conan O'Brien's show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; and keep an eye out for repeats of Anthony's Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, which debuted January 16, 2009.
SNL's Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton
The Actual, Disastrous Katie Couric Interview
Analysis of the Katie Couric Interview, Part 1
Analysis of the Katie Couric Interview, Part 2
SNL's Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Reenacting the Katie Couric Interview
SNL's Tina Fey and Jason Sudeikis Reenacting the VP Debate
SNL's Tina Fey and Sarah Palin Quickly Walking Past Each Other
SNL's Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and Darrell Hammond as George W. Endorsing Palin & McCain
The New Yorker on Sarah Palin's Proximity to Russia
Comedic Actress Sara Benincasa as Sarah Palin
CNN on Sarah Palin Impersonators
Sarah Palin Celebrates Thanksgiving
On November 20th, following the traditional cute pardoning of a single turkey, Sarah Palin decided to conduct an interview while the other non-pardoned turkeys are being slaughtered directly behind her. The resulting disconnect between her words (about her "values and convictions," the political process being "brutal," etc.) and what's happening mere feet away—not to mention the interviewer asking a question about state programs "being on the chopping block"—is one of the the most surreal and hilarious political interviews, ever.
(Note: After this blew up into a national story, Governor Palin said she didn't know what was going on in the background. Observers find this tough to swallow. My own perspective is that it's hard to say which is funnier: her being oblivious, or being utterly insensitive, to the carnage. Please judge for yourself; and either way, enjoy.)
For a slightly sanitized version, please click here.
For the complete gruesome version, please click here.
For a Twilight Zone version that speculates on what else Governor Palin might miss while conducting an interview (from Slate.com), please click here.
Little Michael Jackson and Me 1: "All Washed Up"
Little Michael Jackson and Me 2: "Game! Set! Match!"
Little Michael Jackson and Me 3: "We Can Work It Out"
HyReviews.com Show Report 9/24/07: Dave Hill Turns Things Around
Best FringeNYC 2008 Show Promos
Carl and Shelly, Best Friends Forever
Kansas City or Along the Way: "Lullaby" (audio only)
The Sound of One Hanna Clapping: "Ode to Britney" (audio only)
The Home for Wayward Girls and Fallen Women
Kansas City or Along the Way: "Hammer" (audio only)
Kansas City or Along the Way: "Adelaide Hall" (audio only)
Dreadful Penny's Exquisite Horrors
Usher: "I Might Have Taken You Dancing"
Getting Canceled...and Starting Over
The Unsettling Artistry of Comedy Troupe Quiet Library
Violet Krumbein and Greg Tuculescu
Quiet Library: Chris Cooper, David Hale, Dave Cederquist, & Greg Tuculescu
Parents of Miss Teen South Carolina
Miss Teen South Carolina vs. Bush
Rob Paravonian
Life as a Comic: College Conventions
Life as a Comic: Downtown Comedy
Life as a Comic: Guitar Comics
Memorable Award Show Moments
Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert at the 2006 Emmys
Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Steve Carell at the 2007 Emmys
Jon Stewart's Opening Monologue at the 2008 Academy Awards
Jon Stewart Presenting a Baby at the 2008 Academy Awards
Sarah Silverman: I'm F*cking Matt Damon
For Jimmy Kimmel's Fifth Anniversary show,
his long-time girlfriend Sarah Silverman
gave him a video gift.
To enjoy it yourself, please click here.
Most Concise & Dead-On Explanation of the Strike
Tim Kazurinsky Succinctly Explains the Strike
Neal Pollack's 5-Year-Old Elijah Explains the Strike
David Letterman Explains the Producers' Side of the Strike
Tim Carvell & Jason Ross of The Daily Show on Viacom Paradox
Yet More Paradox in Voices of Uncertainty
Family Guy's Seth MacFarlane on the Strike
David Letterman—Bless Him—Negotiates Separate Deal with WGA
(news article about why you should tune into new episodes of Late Show with David Letterman starting 1/2/08)
Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert—Bless Them—Facing Tougher Situation
(New York Times article about these comedy genius writer/performers also returning to the air, but sans writing staffs)
A Ninja Offers Advice to the Writers Guild
How Moonlighting Handled the Writers Strike of 1988
For the Best Strike Coverage: Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily
Don't Rape Me (played on rape whistle)
Album of the Month: Jessica Delfino's I Wanna Be Famous
Funny, filthy, graceful, seething, and always artful, Jessica Delfino is a rare treasure:
a stellar comic who employs the voice of an angel to sing lyrics that would make a sailor blush.
At times she tries too hard on the latter, going for shock over substance; but more often Jessica hits the right notes via marvelous songs such as I Wanna Be Famous, Don't Rape Me, and Only a Stranger's C*ck. Not for every taste; but if you're open to a different kind of comedy, this imaginative and beautifully packaged combination CD/DVD is a steal at $10 plus $2.99 shipping. To check out some of its tracks, and to then order multiple copies for yourself and your more unusual friends, please click here. Please also visit Jessica's Myspace page by clicking here; check out her music videos (directly above) by clicking here; and keep an eye on this promising rising star.
What Shoulda Happened... (co-starring Eugene Mirman)
Aziz Stand-Up #1 (Kanye West & Val Kilmer)
Aziz Stand-Up #2 (Enemies List)
Aziz Stand-Up #3 (Gay Marriage)
Aziz on Amateurish YouTube Editing
Complete Stand-Up Routine (MP3 audio clip)
(If you don't happen to know your Betty Boop, please click the links above
to play three 1930s cartoon gems. Each one starts out slowly,
but please be patient and watch all the way through...and then observe
what happens to your mind after experiencing these black & white dreams.)
(uncooperative animated characters)
First four minutes of Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat
Borat interviewed by Jon Stewart
Sacha Baron Cohen torturing supermarket manager
Borat Q&A at Toronto Film Festival
Chad Vader, Day Shift Manager:
Amanda Congdon Bids Farewell to Rocketboom
Amanda Explains Things on MSNBC
(The lovely and super-talented Amanda Congdon's split
with her producer Andrew Baron has been the focus of the
biggest soap opera to hit the Web since Microsoft vs. Google.
If this drama has somehow slipped by you, these clips cover the highlights.)
(animated music video you're unlikely to forget...no matter how hard you may try...)
(comedian Judson Laipply dances through several musical generations—in just six minutes)
(actual deposition conducted in April 2006 by famed Texas attorney Joe Jamail)
(investigative videojournalists uncover the true-life Springfield)
(the secret Brokeback trilogy)
(Jewish comic Sacha Baron Cohen—a.k.a. Borat and Ali G—shines a light on anti-semitism)
Rainbow, a 1972-1992 UK version of Sesame Street
(shot for the show's 1979 Christmas party; and the funniest children's TV episode, ever...)
(infamous deleted scene from March of the Penguins)
Jack Nicholson's Heartwarming New Dramedy
Hy's Book and Screenplay Services
In addition to this Web site, I run two commercial editorial services:
HyOnYourBook.com: When You Need a Winning Book Proposal, World-Class Editor (For Fiction or Nonfiction), or Bestselling Ghostwriter
and
HyOnYourScript.com: When You Need a Movie Script Analyzed, Rewritten, or Ghostwritten.
If you have any other type of writing or editing need, I can probably tackle it as well. To get in touch, please email me at hy@hyreviews.com.
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Copyright © 2010 Hy Bender
Email: hy@hyreviews.com
