This week we have writer, comedian Karen Kilgariff and Actor, comedian Rob Delaney. For more information, show notes, and an upcoming schedule, go to www.thisweekin.com.
Duration : 1:30:45
This week’s guests on This Week in Comedy were director Jordan Brady (”I Am Comic”) and comedian/podcaster Greg Fitzsimmons.
In the cold open, Ed reminded us all that Comedy is for Closers.
Introduction
At the show’s opening, Ed apologized for the cold open and yelled…for some reason. He also told a story about a recent experience at the zoo that included some lion-themed puns, which as we all know are the best kind.
Comedy News with Julie Mitchell
Chris Hardwick is appearing at Caroline’s in New York City
Also, our own Julie Mitchell is doing stand-up at Ye Old King’s Head in Santa Monica on Thursday night! Ed gave her some tips on what to do if you throw up during your act, and how to perfect your best “funny look.”
Interview with Jordan Brady
We opened with some clips from the documentary “I Am Comic.”
Jordan talked about the inspiration behind making “I Am Comic.” It all started with him ripping off Wayne Federman jokes at comedy clubs in the Valley to get free ravioli.
(Jordan later complained that Federman appeared on Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show, but spent the whole time talking Ukuleles and didn’t remember to plug the movie.
He started talking to people about his experiences on the road as a touring comic. People were so interested in hearing his stories, he decided to turn them into a documentary. (The movie was also inspired by the book “I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America’s Top Comics” by Ritch Shydner.
So the film includes a lot of insider-y discussions about the world of comedy that you don’t see, from the “Comedy Condo” where comedians stay on the road to the “hell gigs” that make comedians question their career path.
Jordan couldn’t pull clips off of his DVD of the film, so he drew some artist’s interpretations of what the clips might have looked like to show off to the camera. It also included some fantasy sequences involving a masturbating rat. These will go into the eventual “I Am Comic” coffee table book.
Jordan also used “Comedy Evaluator Pro” software to evaluate the audience’s response to Ritch Shydner’s material during the film. Comedians hate it. Ed says he prefers iFunny, which Auto-Tunes jokes to make them more amusing.
Ed and Jordan also discussed the early titles for the film, including “Occupation: Stand-Up,” “Stand-Up Sucks,” “Real Funny People” and “Addicted.” Jordan’s working on the sequel as well, “We Be Comics,” which will feature minority comedians.
“I Am Comic” comes out on DVD on October 12th.
Interview with Greg Fitzsimmons
Greg was delighted to have heard all about a documentary that includes every single working comedian other than himself. He said he wanted to watch the film, but it makes him feel insecure to not be in it, and he’s afraid he wouldn’t be able to sleep afterwards. He believes competitiveness is what keeps him going in the business.
Greg reminisced about his early career, when he wasn’t worried about how many laughs he was getting but focused just on connecting with the crowd. (He conceded that most of his early material was about “fat chicks and drinking.”) He credits going on Howard Stern with getting him to open up and be more honest and raw with his material. Greg has been in therapy for as long as he’s been doing comedy.
Greg talked about what he looks for in comedy, which is more about compelling personalities than strong material. He cited Todd Glass as a guy who he thinks does lame, tired material but who is so watchable, he’s a great comic despite everything.
Ed and Greg also talked about the difference between being a host and a comic. Greg’s father was a radio host in New York City and he learned a lot from that experience. Greg’s favorite guests are really, deep-down, good people but who can occasionally visit what he calls “the Dark Side.” He cited Margaret Cho as a great guest who can work very dark, and Bob Saget and Kevin Nealon as such nice guys who don’t really have a dark side. (He sees the challenge of doing the interview as getting them to drop the niceness and get blue.)
Duration : 1:28:58
This week we have Kevin Pollak. For more information, show notes, and an upcoming schedule, go to www.thisweekin.com.
Duration : 1:41:31
This week we have Tony Greenberg, Founder of RampRate and Jason Droege, VP of Product at TASER International. For more information, show notes, and an upcoming schedule, go to www.thisweekin.com.
Duration : 1:9:47
This week in comedy with Rick Overton and David Feldman. For more information, show notes, and an upcoming schedule, go to www.thisweekin.com
On this week’s show, host Ed Crasnick responds to his childhood enemies. Plus “The Woody Report,” in which Woody Allen updates you on what’s happening this week in the world of comedy. Plus, Emmy-winning writer, podcaster and comedian David Feldman and actor and comedian Rick Overton stop by to talk about satire, the worthlessness of TV network executives and how they assumed they’d be billionaires when they first got to Hollywood. Also, we find out Lon has been sleeping in the studio…
All that AND clips from comedy legends including Sam Kinison, Andy Kaufman and others!
David Feldman on IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0271017/
Rick Overton on IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0653959/
David Feldman’s Podcast: http://davidfeldmancomedy.com/audio
The Green Room: http://www.sho.com/site/greenroom/home.do
Contact Showtime here: https://sho.custhelp.com/app/answers/list/
Paul Provenza on IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0699037/
“The Aristocrats” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436078/
David Feldman stand-up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJlRJz_75Hc
1982’s “My Favorite Year”: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084370/
United Artists on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Artists
Monty Python boxing sketch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y77n–Af1qo
Duration : 1:24:14
This week on TWIST we’ve got London on the line for a very special International Startups. TWIST’s London representative Steve Schofield brings us 4 news companies from across the pond to take a dip in the SharkTank.
Duration : 0:58:17
This week in Comedy #5 with Norman Steinberg and Richard Matheson
Duration : 1:34:25
Charles Miller of the International Children’s Heart Foundation joins Jonathan and Christina via Skype to talk about their organization and non-profit use of social media. In the news this week, our hosts discuss cyberbullying and discuss the recent celebrity benefit for autism, Night of Too Many Stars. For more information, show notes, and an upcoming schedule, go to www.thisweekin.com.
Duration : 0:33:32
This week we have Jimmy Pardo and the guys from Cinematic Titanic. For more information, show notes, and an upcoming schedule, go to www.thisweekin.com.
Duration : 1:27:42
This week we have Jonathan Katz, Mike Rowe, and Bill Odenkirk. For more information, show notes, and an upcoming schedule, go to www.thisweekin.com.
Duration : 1:31:5