Enjoy AIDS
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A Friday video treat for you all.
[youtube]kwrEHBO3tNE[/youtube]
News
ASSSSCAT on the DVD Machine
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Coming to a small screen near you March 25th, UCB’s ASSSCAT on DVD (link to Amazon $9.99). I’ve ordered a copy (cough… where’s that promotional copy… cough) and can’t wait to see these performances videotaped last year at UCBLA’s theater with special guests like Will Arnet (Arrested Development), Chad Carter (UCB), Sean Conroy (The Swarm), Andrew Daily (UCB), Ed Helms (The Office), Jen Kirkman (UCB), Tom Lennon, Horatio Sans (Saturday Night Live), Paul F. Tompkins, Kate Walsh (UCB). For all of you who are unfamiliar of the UCB’s ASSSSCCAT Show, let me assure you this is going to be fast, furious, and probably crazy funny. Of course, you’ll have to wait for my review to see if it lives up to the UCB standard, but I’m thinking if they spent all this time making a DVD, it’s going to be well worth it.
On the heels of their enormously popular TV show, the Upright Citizens Brigade, Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, bring you ASSSSCAT! an unparalleled improv comedy juggernaut. Beginning with a suggestion from the audience, a guest monologist tells a story that kicks off a series of high octane improvised sketches. From medical marijuana to embarrassing sexual encounters, no topic is off limits to the renegade performers who have helped make ASSSSCAT! one of the longest running improv shows in the history of the world.
The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close
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Although technically not published yet (April 1st), there’s a new book available about the man, The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close ($16.47 from Amazon). I really don’t know much about the book other than that on first appearances it looks like a worthwhile read. I’ll update you when I get my copy and start in.
Order yours and we can be like Opra’s book club… except that I am white and don’t have a problem with Zebra cakes.
Update: Okay, who’s not a writer? Ben isn’t. The writer of The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close is none other than Kim “Howard” Johnson. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, he’s one of the co-writers of Truth in Comedy, the seminal book on longform improv which he co-wrote/edited with Charna Halpern and Del. In other words, the dude knows what he’s talking about.
I got the book today and so far it’s pretty good. I’m a little mystified by mentions of Del Sr. and Del Jr. and which one Kim is talking about from moment to moment, but hopefully that will end once we get past “Young Del” year, otherwise known as the “Pickle” years. Buy the book yo.
This Just In…
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So if you haven’t noticed, the sidebar has a new improved links from around the web called… you guessed it This Just In. It’s a collection of links from around the blogosphere of comedy/improv news items. It may not change the world, but it sure a hell will change the left sidebar.
Next step — world domination.
…and we’re back
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Sorry for the months of silence kids. Took a holiday from improv, work, and the United States, but now I’m back. I got some interesting news on the improv front and a few new insights I’ll be writing about from a few upper classes at the UCB here in New York.
2008 is the year of some improv, let’s get and’ing.
And I Thought It Was Going To Be A Slow News Day
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Well smack me up and call me Susan. More reports are trickling in that the UCB has gone topsy turvey and added people to teams left and right. You talk about a shake up? I’ll give you a shake up.
Alright here’s the dilly with recap:
- Adam Pally (Hotsauce, Beverly Hills) is now a member 1985
- Chelsea Clarke (Bombardo, Tantrum) has moved to fwänd
- Betsy Stover (Cowbot, Ice-Nine) is now a member of T.R.U.C.K.S. (is this new?)
- Ryan Karels (Creep, Krompf) is now a member of DeCoster (replacing Eugene Cordero)
- Ben Schwartz (Hotsauce, T.R.U.C.K.S.) is now a member of Tantrum
- David Siegel is now a member of Tantrum (WOOT!)
- Jeffrey Marx (Tantrum) has moved to Beverly Hills
Alright the real news for me is David Siegel. I’ve improvised with this dude a whole bunch and he’s the real deal. Before my old group Joe Loves Hobos was axed, Dave was added because he is one of the smartest players out there. This is big news and is going to make Harold night and Fridays at Under St. Marks even more difficult to miss. Congratulations Dave.
Gil Ozeri, Adam Pally, and Ben Schwartz, the members of Hotsauce, are all now back on teams. Not particularly meaningful, other than I like that all three are back in NYC. Makes UCB feel like home.
Other interesting news is the absence of Eugene Cordero from the lineups, which makes me a little sad. I always look forward to seeing Eugene on Harold night. I really don’t want to elaborate without the facts, but I’m sure he’ll turn up sooner or later.
Okay, so Eugene has turned up, a little sooner than expected, on Reuben Williams replacing Chris Kula who has moved out to LA to become rich and famous writing for MADtv. Congrats Euge! I’m exhausted, I need a nap.