When Andy Kaufman passed away in May 1984, it was the final full stop in a life that seemed to be endlessly self-regenerating. Or was it? Rumors that this was another of his bizarre stunts were rife at the time, so much so that one of the mourners at the comedian’s funeral poked the body that lay in the casket to see if it would move.
Premiering this week in Venice Classics, Alex Braverman’s feature-length documentary Thank You Very Much is an attempt to locate the man behind the myth, and though there’s plenty of firsthand testimony and a treasure trove of archive material, it soon becomes achingly clear that the real Andy Kaufman likely never will be unmasked.
It seems fitting, then, that Kaufman seemed to appear fully formed from nowhere when comedy impresario Budd Friedman, owner of The Improv, booked his first slots in the early ’70s.
Premiering this week in Venice Classics, Alex Braverman’s feature-length documentary Thank You Very Much is an attempt to locate the man behind the myth, and though there’s plenty of firsthand testimony and a treasure trove of archive material, it soon becomes achingly clear that the real Andy Kaufman likely never will be unmasked.
It seems fitting, then, that Kaufman seemed to appear fully formed from nowhere when comedy impresario Budd Friedman, owner of The Improv, booked his first slots in the early ’70s.
- 9/1/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s somewhat hard to believe, but Adam Sandler — the guest on this edition of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, which was recorded in late 2022 in front of an audience at the Newport Beach Film Festival, where Sandler received the fest’s performance of the year award — has been a star for more than 30 years now.
Hired as a writer on Saturday Night Live in 1990, the Brooklyn-born comedian soon began appearing in his own sketches and won over audiences with his madcap man-child characters. He then transitioned to a film career, co-writing and starring in movies about lovable losers who win the day, like 1995’s Billy Madison, 1996’s Happy Gilmore and 1998’s The Wedding Singer and The Waterboy.
While Sandler, now 56, has continued to consistently pump out unabashedly goofy comedies to which audiences have flocked, he has also, with increasing frequency, taken aback critics by deploying serious acting...
Hired as a writer on Saturday Night Live in 1990, the Brooklyn-born comedian soon began appearing in his own sketches and won over audiences with his madcap man-child characters. He then transitioned to a film career, co-writing and starring in movies about lovable losers who win the day, like 1995’s Billy Madison, 1996’s Happy Gilmore and 1998’s The Wedding Singer and The Waterboy.
While Sandler, now 56, has continued to consistently pump out unabashedly goofy comedies to which audiences have flocked, he has also, with increasing frequency, taken aback critics by deploying serious acting...
- 1/14/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Silver Saunders Friedman, who ran the New York Improv until it closed in 1992, has died. No details on the cause were immediately available. Her death comes less than a month after the passing of her ex-husband, Budd Friedman, who cofounded the New York club and later ran the L.A. Improv.
The New York Improv opened in 1963 as a late night coffee shop, opened by Budd Friedman and his future wife, Silver Saunders. It was located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood on West 44th near 9th Avenue. Saunders was i the Broadway show “How To Succeed in Business,” She complained to her boyfriend that there was no place for the younger and underpaid cast members to eat and unwind in the Theater District. The Improv was created to fill that need, also offering an open mic where singers and comedians could do impromptu performances and try out new material.
The New York Improv opened in 1963 as a late night coffee shop, opened by Budd Friedman and his future wife, Silver Saunders. It was located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood on West 44th near 9th Avenue. Saunders was i the Broadway show “How To Succeed in Business,” She complained to her boyfriend that there was no place for the younger and underpaid cast members to eat and unwind in the Theater District. The Improv was created to fill that need, also offering an open mic where singers and comedians could do impromptu performances and try out new material.
- 12/4/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar, Golden Globe and two-time Grammy winning singer-actress Irene Cara, who starred and sang the title cut from the 1980 hit movie “Fame” and then belted out the era-defining hit “Flashdance … What a Feeling” from 1983′s “Flashdance”, has died. She was 63.
Her publicist, Judith A. Moose, announced the news on social media, writing that a cause of death was “currently unknown.” Moose also confirmed the death to an Associated Press reporter on Saturday. Cara died at her home in Florida. The exact day of her death was not disclosed.
“Irene’s family has requested privacy as they process their grief,” Moose wrote. “She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.”
Read More: Roslyn Singleton, ‘America’s Got Talent’ Alum, Dead At 39 After Brain Cancer Diagnosis
During her career, Cara had three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Breakdance”, “Out Here On My Own...
Her publicist, Judith A. Moose, announced the news on social media, writing that a cause of death was “currently unknown.” Moose also confirmed the death to an Associated Press reporter on Saturday. Cara died at her home in Florida. The exact day of her death was not disclosed.
“Irene’s family has requested privacy as they process their grief,” Moose wrote. “She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.”
Read More: Roslyn Singleton, ‘America’s Got Talent’ Alum, Dead At 39 After Brain Cancer Diagnosis
During her career, Cara had three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Breakdance”, “Out Here On My Own...
- 11/26/2022
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
B. Smyth, the R&b singer who earned stardom with hits like “Leggo” and “Twerkaholic”, has died. He was 28.
The singer’s brother, Denzil Smith, took to Instagram and revealed in an emotional video that B. Smyth, born Brandon Smith, died Thursday morning from respiratory failure after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He added that while the singer was in ICU, fans brought him a lot of smiles by creating social media challenges for his latest single, “Twerkaholic Part 2”.
“Twerkaholic” dropped in 2014 and instantly became a fan favourite. The music video has racked up more than 17 million views and more than 13 million streams on Spotify. “Twerkaholic Part 2” dropped just last month.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by B. Smyth (@bsmyth__)
B. Smyth collaborated with rapper 2 Chainz for his 2012 debut single “Leggo”, which peaked at No. 12 on Billboard’s Hot R&b Songs chart. He also worked with Future on “Win,...
The singer’s brother, Denzil Smith, took to Instagram and revealed in an emotional video that B. Smyth, born Brandon Smith, died Thursday morning from respiratory failure after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He added that while the singer was in ICU, fans brought him a lot of smiles by creating social media challenges for his latest single, “Twerkaholic Part 2”.
“Twerkaholic” dropped in 2014 and instantly became a fan favourite. The music video has racked up more than 17 million views and more than 13 million streams on Spotify. “Twerkaholic Part 2” dropped just last month.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by B. Smyth (@bsmyth__)
B. Smyth collaborated with rapper 2 Chainz for his 2012 debut single “Leggo”, which peaked at No. 12 on Billboard’s Hot R&b Songs chart. He also worked with Future on “Win,...
- 11/18/2022
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Kymberly Herrin, an actress and Playboy Playmate best known for her brief role as an enchanting ghost in 1984’s “Ghostbusters,” has died at the age of 65.
The Santa Barbara News-Press published an obituary stating that Herrin had passed away peacefully in her home in Santa Barbara, California, on Oct. 28.
Herrin’s niece, Theresa Ramirez, shared a photo on Facebook of her aunt with her two late sisters with the caption: “They are all together now. Aunt Kymberly Herrin. I love you.”
Herrin was a model and an actress, appearing on magazine covers as well as feature films. Her most memorable onscreen moment was her brief portrayal of a “dream ghost” during a montage midway through Ivan Reitman’s original “Ghostbusters.” It was an infamously R-rated joke in a PG-rated movie (a year before the PG-13 came into existence), one that was lost on most kids first watching the film at a young age.
The Santa Barbara News-Press published an obituary stating that Herrin had passed away peacefully in her home in Santa Barbara, California, on Oct. 28.
Herrin’s niece, Theresa Ramirez, shared a photo on Facebook of her aunt with her two late sisters with the caption: “They are all together now. Aunt Kymberly Herrin. I love you.”
Herrin was a model and an actress, appearing on magazine covers as well as feature films. Her most memorable onscreen moment was her brief portrayal of a “dream ghost” during a montage midway through Ivan Reitman’s original “Ghostbusters.” It was an infamously R-rated joke in a PG-rated movie (a year before the PG-13 came into existence), one that was lost on most kids first watching the film at a young age.
- 11/16/2022
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
“Survivor: Nicaragua” contestant Daniel Lembo has died. He was 75. According to his online obituary, the reality TV star died on Sept. 3 in his Manhattan home. No cause of death has been confirmed. Lembo’s family and friends remembered him during a funeral service held on Sept. 7.
According to his family, Lembo was a “a charismatic, larger-than-life, outgoing bon vivant.”
“He loved nothing more than spending time with his children and friends – new and old,” reads his family’s tribute. “On weekends he enjoyed softball in Bridgehampton with friends. Daniel will be remembered as a friend to all and a father to two.”
Lembo’s two sons, Matthew and Michael, honoured their father with personal messages of remembrance.
“Thank you for being my Dad. You were a happy person. You were my best friend. I will miss you. Love you, Dad. Matt,” Matthew wrote.
“Dad, No matter the situation, you were always there for me.
According to his family, Lembo was a “a charismatic, larger-than-life, outgoing bon vivant.”
“He loved nothing more than spending time with his children and friends – new and old,” reads his family’s tribute. “On weekends he enjoyed softball in Bridgehampton with friends. Daniel will be remembered as a friend to all and a father to two.”
Lembo’s two sons, Matthew and Michael, honoured their father with personal messages of remembrance.
“Thank you for being my Dad. You were a happy person. You were my best friend. I will miss you. Love you, Dad. Matt,” Matthew wrote.
“Dad, No matter the situation, you were always there for me.
- 11/16/2022
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
“Days of Our Lives” legend John Aniston has died. He was 89 years old.
The Greek-born actor portrayed Victor Kiriakis on the NBC soap opera for more than three decades, and was the father of Jennifer Aniston. On Monday, the “Friends” actress announced that her father died on Nov. 11.
A cause of death was not immediately given.
“Sweet papa… John Anthony Aniston,” the actress wrote in a tribute post on Instagram on Monday, “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace – and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now.”
Also Read:
Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel and Octavia Spencer to Appear in Norman Lear’s 100th Birthday Special on ABC
She concluded her post: “I’ll love you till the end of time.
The Greek-born actor portrayed Victor Kiriakis on the NBC soap opera for more than three decades, and was the father of Jennifer Aniston. On Monday, the “Friends” actress announced that her father died on Nov. 11.
A cause of death was not immediately given.
“Sweet papa… John Anthony Aniston,” the actress wrote in a tribute post on Instagram on Monday, “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace – and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now.”
Also Read:
Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel and Octavia Spencer to Appear in Norman Lear’s 100th Birthday Special on ABC
She concluded her post: “I’ll love you till the end of time.
- 11/14/2022
- by Aarohi Sheth
- The Wrap
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, former UFC champion, has died. He was 38. TMZ reported that Johnson died over the weekend – following an “undisclosed illness.”
UFC president, Dana White, confirmed the news on his Instagram. “Rip Anthony “Rumble” Johnson,” White wrote over a picture of the mixed martial artist on his Instagram Story.
The Bellator Mma promotion company also shared the news via Twitter.
“It is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson,” the tweet read over a graphic of Johnson. “The Bellator family is devastated by his untimely passing and we send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Fighter Daniel Cormier, also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Johnson, whom he faced in the ring on numerous occasions.
It is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.
The Bellator family is devastated by his untimely passing and we...
UFC president, Dana White, confirmed the news on his Instagram. “Rip Anthony “Rumble” Johnson,” White wrote over a picture of the mixed martial artist on his Instagram Story.
The Bellator Mma promotion company also shared the news via Twitter.
“It is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson,” the tweet read over a graphic of Johnson. “The Bellator family is devastated by his untimely passing and we send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Fighter Daniel Cormier, also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Johnson, whom he faced in the ring on numerous occasions.
It is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.
The Bellator family is devastated by his untimely passing and we...
- 11/14/2022
- by Sarah Curran
- ET Canada
Budd Friedman, comedy club pioneer and founder of the original Improv comedy club, has died. He was 90. Friedman died Saturday of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Alix, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Friedman founded the original Improv in New York City in 1963, giving early career breaks to comedians and acting superstars like Jay Leno, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and more.
He opened his second location in Hollywood in 1975, just three years after Johnny Carson moved “The Tonight Show” from New York to Los Angeles, marking the brand’s first expansion. Friedman and his partner, Mark Lonow, would go on to open 22 Improvs across 12 states before selling the company in February 2018 to Levity Entertainment Group.
His comedy clubs also helped provide a platform for superstars like Adam Sandler, Richard Lewis, Dick Cavett, David Steinberg, Steve Landesberg, David Brenner, Lily Tomlin, Freddie Prinze, Gabe Kaplan, Chris Rock,...
Friedman founded the original Improv in New York City in 1963, giving early career breaks to comedians and acting superstars like Jay Leno, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and more.
He opened his second location in Hollywood in 1975, just three years after Johnny Carson moved “The Tonight Show” from New York to Los Angeles, marking the brand’s first expansion. Friedman and his partner, Mark Lonow, would go on to open 22 Improvs across 12 states before selling the company in February 2018 to Levity Entertainment Group.
His comedy clubs also helped provide a platform for superstars like Adam Sandler, Richard Lewis, Dick Cavett, David Steinberg, Steve Landesberg, David Brenner, Lily Tomlin, Freddie Prinze, Gabe Kaplan, Chris Rock,...
- 11/13/2022
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Budd Friedman, the Broadway producer who founded The Improv comedy club franchise and kickstarted the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest comic voices, died of heart failure Saturday in Los Angeles. He was 90 years old.
“The comedy world lost a giant today,” the Hollywood Improv wrote in a statement Saturday evening. “In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter. In 1963 he changed the world. He went global. He was a pioneer. He was a gentleman. He was a luminary.”
The comedy world lost a giant today.
In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter.
In 1963 he changed the world.
He went global.
He was a pioneer.
He was a gentleman.
He was a luminary. pic.twitter.com/l1pA38AGww
— Hollywood Improv (@HollywoodImprov...
“The comedy world lost a giant today,” the Hollywood Improv wrote in a statement Saturday evening. “In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter. In 1963 he changed the world. He went global. He was a pioneer. He was a gentleman. He was a luminary.”
The comedy world lost a giant today.
In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter.
In 1963 he changed the world.
He went global.
He was a pioneer.
He was a gentleman.
He was a luminary. pic.twitter.com/l1pA38AGww
— Hollywood Improv (@HollywoodImprov...
- 11/13/2022
- by Katie Reul
- Variety Film + TV
Budd Friedman, the comedy club pioneer who founded the original Improv in New York in 1963 and gave early career breaks to the likes of Jay Leno, Robert Klein, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and Andy Kaufman, has died. He was 90.
Friedman died Saturday of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Alix, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Three years after Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show departed Manhattan for Burbank, Friedman opened a Hollywood outpost of the Improv on Melrose Avenue in 1975 in his first expansion of the brand.
There were 22 Improvs across 12 states in February 2018 when Friedman and partner Mark Lonow sold the company to Levity Entertainment Group, whose investors included Irving Azoff.
At his flagship New York hotspot, located at West 44th Street and Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, Friedman also employed Rodney Dangerfield as an Mc, Elayne Boosler...
Friedman died Saturday of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Alix, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Three years after Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show departed Manhattan for Burbank, Friedman opened a Hollywood outpost of the Improv on Melrose Avenue in 1975 in his first expansion of the brand.
There were 22 Improvs across 12 states in February 2018 when Friedman and partner Mark Lonow sold the company to Levity Entertainment Group, whose investors included Irving Azoff.
At his flagship New York hotspot, located at West 44th Street and Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, Friedman also employed Rodney Dangerfield as an Mc, Elayne Boosler...
- 11/13/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Budd Friedman, the founder of The Improv comedy club, has died. Deadline confirmed his death with The Hollywood Improv. He was 90.
Friedman recently had a celebration for his 90th birthday at the Hollywood Improv. We hear there will be tributes to him tonight on-stage at the venue.
In a statement to Deadline, the Improv said, “The comedy world lost a giant today. He was not a stand-up comedian or sit-com star or movie legend. But he gave birth to a generation of artists who defined American comedy and culture for decades.”
Friedman opened up the Improv in New York City in 1963 shortly after quitting his job as an advertising executive with the goal to become a theatrical producer. The coffee house attracted the likes of Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Albert Finney, Christopher Plummer and Jason Robard. Dustin Hoffman and Bette Midler, who were not widely known also performed at the club at the time.
Friedman recently had a celebration for his 90th birthday at the Hollywood Improv. We hear there will be tributes to him tonight on-stage at the venue.
In a statement to Deadline, the Improv said, “The comedy world lost a giant today. He was not a stand-up comedian or sit-com star or movie legend. But he gave birth to a generation of artists who defined American comedy and culture for decades.”
Friedman opened up the Improv in New York City in 1963 shortly after quitting his job as an advertising executive with the goal to become a theatrical producer. The coffee house attracted the likes of Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Albert Finney, Christopher Plummer and Jason Robard. Dustin Hoffman and Bette Midler, who were not widely known also performed at the club at the time.
- 11/13/2022
- by Armando Tinoco and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Decades before leading his own multi-million media empire Entertainment Studios, Byron Allen was a teenage kid with a dream, standing in the parking lot of The Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd., watching his stand-up mentors go up on stage.
As Jim Carrey tweeted today, “If she loved you, you did well. If she didn’t, you did something else,” and Allen was one of the guys who did quite well by Shore. Not only was The Comedy Store the place where Jimmie Walker first recognized the young stand-up and enlisted him on his comedy writing team, but it’s also where Allen was first spotted by NBC talent scouts for his Tonight Show debut at 18 years-old and his long-running hosting stint alongside Fred Willard, Sarah Purcell, and Skip Stephenson on the network’s Emmy-winning reality comedy series Real People.
Allen met Comedy Store matriarch Mitzi Shore when he was 14 years old during the ’70s.
As Jim Carrey tweeted today, “If she loved you, you did well. If she didn’t, you did something else,” and Allen was one of the guys who did quite well by Shore. Not only was The Comedy Store the place where Jimmie Walker first recognized the young stand-up and enlisted him on his comedy writing team, but it’s also where Allen was first spotted by NBC talent scouts for his Tonight Show debut at 18 years-old and his long-running hosting stint alongside Fred Willard, Sarah Purcell, and Skip Stephenson on the network’s Emmy-winning reality comedy series Real People.
Allen met Comedy Store matriarch Mitzi Shore when he was 14 years old during the ’70s.
- 4/12/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Budd Friedman is the founder of the “Improvisation Comedy Club,” in 1963. He’s a well-known name in Manhattan and is regarded for the contributions that he has made to the world of comedy and entertainment. The 85 year old is himself an actor and producer who has had a great deal of influence in shaping the careers of some well known veteran actors. Most people are not aware of the work that he’s done behind the scenes, so to honor him, here are five things that you didn’t know about Budd Friedman. He’s a native of Los Angeles, California Budd
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Budd Friedman...
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Budd Friedman...
- 12/5/2017
- by Dana Hanson-Firestone
- TVovermind.com
Exclusive Excerpt: Andy Kaufman's First Show at Budd Friedman's Legendary Improv...
- 9/20/2017
- Pastemagazine.com
The comedian also urges readers to go see “Boyhood” and “Into the Woods”
Louis Ck dropped new $5 stand-up special “Live at the Comedy Store” — his sixth (video below) — on Tuesday, and celebrated with a very lengthy, occasionally rambling email blast to fans.
Plugging his independent project, the comedian’s note discussed his history with the industry, lamented having to cancel the last of four Madison Square Garden concerts for underwhelming Winter Storm Juno and even pushed his followers to see “Boyhood” and “Into the Woods.”
Ck’s personal rep told TheWrap that there are no plans to reschedule the Msg date at the moment.
Louis Ck dropped new $5 stand-up special “Live at the Comedy Store” — his sixth (video below) — on Tuesday, and celebrated with a very lengthy, occasionally rambling email blast to fans.
Plugging his independent project, the comedian’s note discussed his history with the industry, lamented having to cancel the last of four Madison Square Garden concerts for underwhelming Winter Storm Juno and even pushed his followers to see “Boyhood” and “Into the Woods.”
Ck’s personal rep told TheWrap that there are no plans to reschedule the Msg date at the moment.
- 1/27/2015
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Debuting in the fall of 1982 on the A&E television network, An Evening at the Improv featured a variety of stand-up comics doing their routines before an audience at a Los Angeles comedy club. Now 12 hours of material from the series has been collected together for a 4-disc set from Somerville House, out this week on Region 1 DVD. Coming early in a wave of similar shows that swept through broadcast and cable networks in the 80s, An Evening at the Improv featured Budd Friedman, who founded The Improv in New York in 1963 and opened a Los Angeles location in 1975. Friedman introduced a co-host for each weekly show; the co-host served as master of ceremonies, doing a bit at the top of...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 10/9/2013
- Screen Anarchy
DVD Release Date: Oct. 8, 2013
Price: DVD $29.98
Studio: Somerville House/Entertainment One
Bill Maher takes the mic in The Best of An Evening at the Improv.
Television’s wildly popular An Evening at the Improv originally premiered as a series of one-hour shows in 1982 on A&E and featured the hottest stand-up comics of the day.
Somerville House’s four-disc, 12-hour collection The Best of An Evening at the Improv features the hysterical work of more than 100 comedians culled from the first 52 hours of the series, including spots by such beloved old-school shtick-meisters as Milton Berle, Shecky Greene, Shelley Berman, Jackie Mason and Mort Sahl alongside such soon-to-be-superstars as Jerry Seinfeld, Howie Mandel, Jim Carrey, Richard Lewis, Bob Saget, Arsenio Hall, Billy Crystal, and Bill Maher.
The Improv Club opened its doors in Los Angeles in 1974, the second Improv venue to be opened by founder Budd Friedman following his original outlet in New York City.
Price: DVD $29.98
Studio: Somerville House/Entertainment One
Bill Maher takes the mic in The Best of An Evening at the Improv.
Television’s wildly popular An Evening at the Improv originally premiered as a series of one-hour shows in 1982 on A&E and featured the hottest stand-up comics of the day.
Somerville House’s four-disc, 12-hour collection The Best of An Evening at the Improv features the hysterical work of more than 100 comedians culled from the first 52 hours of the series, including spots by such beloved old-school shtick-meisters as Milton Berle, Shecky Greene, Shelley Berman, Jackie Mason and Mort Sahl alongside such soon-to-be-superstars as Jerry Seinfeld, Howie Mandel, Jim Carrey, Richard Lewis, Bob Saget, Arsenio Hall, Billy Crystal, and Bill Maher.
The Improv Club opened its doors in Los Angeles in 1974, the second Improv venue to be opened by founder Budd Friedman following his original outlet in New York City.
- 9/5/2013
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Epix wants to keep its subs laughing as the days get longer. The premium net today announced the lineup for its summer season of Comedy Unbound, featuring new stand-ups by Jim Breuer, Sherri Shepherd and others, which kicks off in June. Then in the fall, Epix will bow The Improv: 50 Years Behind The Brick Wall, an hourlong anniversary special about the venerable comedy clubs that have infiltrated more than two dozen U.S. cities in the past half-century. Expect comments from such punchline-practiced vets as Larry David, Jim Carrey, Judd Apatow, Billy Crystal, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Whitney Cummings. EPs are Improv founder Budd Friedman, Mark Lonow and Spotted Dog Entertainment. The Comedy Unbound specials will air at 10 Pm starting June 7 with Jim Breuer: And Laughter For All. They’ll continue with Sherri Shepherd: It’s My Time To Talk (June 21), Tom Papa: Freaked Out (July 26) and Jim Norton...
- 5/2/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Considering the rising success Louis C.K. has seen in the last few years, largely due to his Diy work ethic in Louie as well as the waves he made regarding the self distribution of his last few stand-up specials, “Late Show Part 1” is a much harder sell than the similarly autobiographical Louie segment, “Oh, Louie”, in which C.K.’s troubles with network executives in developing an honest and authentic family sitcom were depicted. The dissonance felt in “Late Show Part 1” results from the fact that both Jay Leno and a fictional CBS chairman, excellently played with an apt combination of sleaze and cunning by Gary Marshall, characterize Louie’s appearance as lead guest on The Tonight Show as the big break for which he’s been waiting his entire career. Marshall even goes so far as to say the comedian, “peaked five years ago.” This...
Considering the rising success Louis C.K. has seen in the last few years, largely due to his Diy work ethic in Louie as well as the waves he made regarding the self distribution of his last few stand-up specials, “Late Show Part 1” is a much harder sell than the similarly autobiographical Louie segment, “Oh, Louie”, in which C.K.’s troubles with network executives in developing an honest and authentic family sitcom were depicted. The dissonance felt in “Late Show Part 1” results from the fact that both Jay Leno and a fictional CBS chairman, excellently played with an apt combination of sleaze and cunning by Gary Marshall, characterize Louie’s appearance as lead guest on The Tonight Show as the big break for which he’s been waiting his entire career. Marshall even goes so far as to say the comedian, “peaked five years ago.” This...
- 9/2/2012
- by Joseph Kratzer
- Obsessed with Film
The Second Annual Comedy Awards announced its 2012 nominees on Tuesday morning, recognizing the best that comedy has offered in TV and film over the last year. The Viacom-produced event will be taped on Saturday, April 28 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom, and will premiere on Comedy Central on May 6.
Leading the nominations are "Modern Family," "30 Rock," “Bridesmaids” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” with five nominations each.
One new category this year, Best Club Comic, recognizes the best stand-up comedians who do not typically play large theaters and do not have a regular role on a TV series. Those nominees are Ted Alexandro, Hannibal Buress, Pete Holmes, Anthony Jeselnik, Moshe Kasher, John Mulaney, Kumail Nanjiani, Chelsea Peretti, Amy Schumer and Rory Scovel.
The nominees are selected by the award's Board of Directors Comedy Central indicated includes the likes of Carol Burnett, Stephen Colbert, Budd Friedman, Brad Grey, Caroline Hirsch, Jamie Masada.
Leading the nominations are "Modern Family," "30 Rock," “Bridesmaids” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” with five nominations each.
One new category this year, Best Club Comic, recognizes the best stand-up comedians who do not typically play large theaters and do not have a regular role on a TV series. Those nominees are Ted Alexandro, Hannibal Buress, Pete Holmes, Anthony Jeselnik, Moshe Kasher, John Mulaney, Kumail Nanjiani, Chelsea Peretti, Amy Schumer and Rory Scovel.
The nominees are selected by the award's Board of Directors Comedy Central indicated includes the likes of Carol Burnett, Stephen Colbert, Budd Friedman, Brad Grey, Caroline Hirsch, Jamie Masada.
- 3/6/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Series Modern Family and 30 Rock, features Bridesmaids and Crazy, Stupid, Love and Louis C.K. landed the most nominations, five each, at the 2nd annual Comedy Awards. Modern Family, which won best comedy series last year, is back in contention in the top TV category along with 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm (4 total nominations), Parks and Recreation (3) and surprise nominee Happy Endings. Louis C.K.’s five nominations include 3 for his FX series Louie (best performance by an actor in a comedy series, best sketch/alternative comedy series, best comedy writing) one for his special Louis C.K.: Live at the Beacon Theater and one for best stand-up tour. (Louie got a total of 4 noms, including best directing.) On the film side, Bridesmaids and Crazy, Stupid, Love. will suare off in the best film category against Midnight in Paris and Horrible Bosses (4 total nominations each) and the Oscar-winning The Artist (3). This year’s Comedy...
- 3/6/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Why not fold documentaries into my list of the "Best Films of 2011?" After all, a movie is a movie, right? Yes, and some years I've thrown them all into the same mixture. But all of these year-end Best lists serve one useful purpose: They tell you about good movies you may not have seen or heard about. The more films on my list that aren't on yours, the better job I've done.
That's particularly true were you to depend on the "short list" released by the Academy's Documentary Branch of 15 films they deem eligible for nomination. The branch has been through turmoil in the past and its procedures were "reformed" at one point. But this year it has made a particularly scandalous sin of
omission. It doesn't include "The Interrupters" (currently scoring 99% on the Tomatometer), which has received better reviews and been on more critic's Best lists than any other.
That's particularly true were you to depend on the "short list" released by the Academy's Documentary Branch of 15 films they deem eligible for nomination. The branch has been through turmoil in the past and its procedures were "reformed" at one point. But this year it has made a particularly scandalous sin of
omission. It doesn't include "The Interrupters" (currently scoring 99% on the Tomatometer), which has received better reviews and been on more critic's Best lists than any other.
- 12/25/2011
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
Ken Jeong has finally ascended to one of the key levels of celebritydom: getting recognized on the street. Sort of. "I'm getting, like, 'I've seen you in some stuff; I don't know who you are, but you're really funny,' " the actor says with a laugh. It's likely these would-be fans caught one of Jeong's scene-stealing performances in a trio of recent hits. He portrayed surly ob-gyn Dr. Kuni in 2007's Knocked Up and followed up with roles as the grim assassin in Pineapple Express and the haughty king in Role Models. All three characters are antagonists — villains, if you will — but Jeong doesn't necessarily see it that way. "In my opinion, I don't think Dr. Kuni's a villain," he says. "I just thought of him as having a bad day. He's just tired. Or he had reasons to be kind of a dick. I guess that's a good way...
- 3/5/2009
- by Sarah Kuhn
- backstage.com
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