Make A New Yorker Giggle...

And he'll be happy for an hour. Make a New Yorker laugh and he'll be happy for a lifetime! Improv Everywhere have the right idea...

Via Color Me Katie

Practice Makes Perfect

In eighth grade, I thought I was the only one who watched Freaks and Geeks. I would come to school the next day after a new episode had aired, and my excitement would fall on deaf ears. At least now I know that I wasn't the only one living vicariously through these kids. I mean sure, I was in a band, but I wasn't lucky enough to have gone to high school with James Franco. Only in my dreams...

Boys Ain't Nothing But Trouble

Women are constantly wondering: what are men really thinking? I've been told time and time again, that there are limited answers to that truly vexing question. Some of the answers are easily figured out. They are of course, women and the many ways to woo them. The Black Keys illustrate this point perfectly in the video for 'Tighten Up,' their ridiculously catchy summer single. The whole album, aptly titled Brothers, is perfect for the beach... or as the soundtrack to your very own 2010 version of Grease. Either one would work. Check it out:

Giggles Meet Glamour

True Romance

This was a hard week for LOST fans. A collective "Nooooooo!" was heard across the blogosphere, so I was surprised to find this ridiculously silly video courtesy of ABC and the Cuse/Lindelof camp. I don't really get why the Muppets were necessary, but I guess I should stop asking for answers at this point. Regardless, it's worth taking a peek at, if only to dull the pain of our loss.

Two Peas In A Pod

I've been meaning to blog about this for a week now, so I figured I'd stop hoarding all the comedy and start spreading the laughter. You're probably familiar with Kristen Schaal from her role as Mel on Flight of the Conchords, but Schaal was pretty well known on the NYC stand up comedy circuit before she hit the boob tube. As 'Kurt and Kristen,' Schaal and her buddy Kurt Braunohler produced some pretty ridiculous sketches. Now they've crossed the pond and will be gracing England's Channel 4 with their brainchild Penelope Princess of Pets. What really put the icing on the cake for me, is an additional character played by The Mighty Boosh's Julian Barratt. As sad as I am that the show wasn't picked up by an American network, I'm excited to hear how it's received overseas. Now I just have to find a way to see the episodes. Internet don't fail me now!

Shall We Dance?

What happens when you ask Conan to prom? Find out here.

It's A Man's World

The Queen Of Quirk

Happy Birthday Amy Sedaris! Cheers to a woman who proves that 'funny' and 'sexy' aren't mutually exclusive!

The Man History Forgot

We all know who Thomas Edison is, so why is Nikola Tesla such an unfamiliar name? Tesla was an inventor who's creations were just as groundbreaking as Edison's, but he never attained the same kind of notoriety as his competitor. Although rarely a source of actual historical information, I love Funny or Die's Drunk History, and the latest episode might be my favorite. In it we learn the story of Edison and Tesla's reported feud, as played by John C. Reilly and the amazing Crispin Glover.

The One-Two Punch

Even though everybody now knows him as "that guy from The Hangover," in my mind Zach Galifianakis is still that awkward bearded wonder working the NYC stand up circuit during my first summer living in New York. The crowd would go either way, you either loved him or you just didn't get it - I felt sorry for those who didn't get it. I've mentioned his Funny or Die show 'Between Two Ferns' before, and his latest installment is an interview with Ben Stiller. I don't think I've written this much about Mr. Stiller... well ever, but the following clip is well worth the key strokes. Watching Galifianakis and Stiller spar is like watching an old episode of Seinfeld: you can sense they're on the brink of losing it, but they somehow muster the self control not to laugh themselves to tears. Watch it and weep:

Build Me Up, Buttercup

Last Friday, March 12th, a bunch of funny people got together to make each other laugh, and to make a difference. They're tweeting their way to happiness, helping to rebuild schools in Haiti with the proceeds from Night of 140 Tweets. I'm pretty sure Ben Stiller was the brains behind the event, and after reading last week's New York Times article about his upcoming film 'Greenberg' I think I'll support him in anything he puts his heart to.

Photograph by Chad Batka for the New York Times.

What Dreams May Come

My friend Mike D is a genius for showing me this blog: Sleep Talkin' Man just made my week, hell, probably my month! Unbelievable!

Keepin' It Raaaaaaaandy!

So I guess this means that the Raaaaaaaandy and Dave Sitek mixtape is being postponed... typical.

Hello, I'm Jerri Blank.

Sometimes when I'm feeling down I just pop in a Strangers With Candy DVD and let my cares just slip away. There's nothing like a little Jerri Blank to turn my frown upside down. Amy Sedaris' work absolute is genius, with her contorted face and Comfort Zone outfits, and with the addition of supporting characters played by Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello you've got a classic comedic gem that stands the test of time. I truly judge people based on whether or not they like this show - it is perhaps for some an acquired taste, but once devoured let the cravings begin.

An Urban Dictionary

I've never been a fan of Will & Grace, but I always thought there was something truly genius about Megan Mullally's character 'Karen'. Apparently Mullally is really good at playing whacked out female leads, and after watching this Funny or Die clip you'll agree with me that she really is a pro. Tom Lennon (The State, Reno 911) also contributes his own brand of humor to the sketch, but it's Mullally's horned-up-foul-mouthed 'Kim' that steals the show. How they came up with the idea for the piece is beyond me, but I should know by now to never question comedic brilliance. Enjoy!

Stand By Your Man

I've loved Conan since I was fourteen, and was incredibly saddened to get the inside scoop on how he's been treated by NBC via his poignant letter released today. The letter is addressed to the "People of Earth," and that alone was enough to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. NBC has another thing coming if they think they can just let go of an immense talent like Conan without having any regrets. Let's hope we haven't seen the last of Mr. O'Brien. I really can't express in words how much laughter, and happiness he's brought to my life through his unique brand of humor. I'm lucky enough to say that I got the chance to see Late Night before Conan made the move to L.A. and the 14 year old inside me was so jazzed that it hurt. I just wish I had seen this show:

What other grown man would ever try his hand at this? And this is why Conan is a genius. Well this and the string dance.

Image courtesy of Mike Mitchell.

Growing Up Is Hard To Do

Growing up, I was never a complete dork, but I was also never one of the "cool kids" because I cared too much about school work and pleasing my parents. I dubbed myself "a floater" somewhere between 6th and 8th grade, and even through college and into my adult life the label has stuck. I pride myself on being friends with all sorts of people, and I love surrounding myself with interesting people from all walks of life whether they're complete extroverts or painful introverts. But during those awkward adolescent years, I think we're all lucky if we find something to grab hold of. Whether it's sports, music, or good friends having a social outlet to preoccupy the mind is incredibly important when it's constantly gravitating towards insecure thoughts. Case in point, the amazing kids who made this ode to Gaga with their own version of "Bad Romance". You can tell they are having the time of their lives, and it just doesn't matter what anybody thinks. In the words of Gaga herself: "Holy shit!"

Via Jezebel

Xmas, Festivus, Etceterus!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! I wish I could meet this reindeer and tell him how cute he is. I'll be yucking it up at the 92Y Tribeca tonight for their "The Twelfth Night of Chanukah" comedy showcase featuring Janeane Garofalo, Todd Barry, and a bunch of other Jews and Atheists who have no where else to go! But not to worry, I'll be back to blogging on Monday. Season's Eatings!

How Soon Is Now?

I pretty much died when I found this picture of Joseph Gordon-Levitt à la Morrissey. As if playing lovelorn-Smiths-lovin' Tom in this year's 500 Days Of Summer weren't enough, Joe has to go and do this. Sigh. I was incredibly excited to read today's Golden Globe nominations and see that Gordon-Levitt has been nominated in the Best Actor, Comedy category for his role in the film. He's been acting since he was six, so it's about time he gets some time in the bright shiny spotlight - although from what I can tell he doesn't relish in it all that much. I've been digging on Gordon-Levitt since '96, because as a tomboy who was big into comedy, his role as Tommy on 3rd Rock from the Sun struck a chord with me. Yeah, you might think that's weird since he was playing an old alien stuck in the body of a human adolescent - but isn't that how we all feel at that age? Anyway, congratulations to Joe on his nomination, and for old times sake here's one of my favorite clips from 3rd Rock from the Sun: