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!

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:

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!

Down By The Shore

So unless you're one of those people who don't own a TV, you've probably already seen or at least heard about MTV's new "reality show" Jersey Shore. It's probably one of the worst things I've ever subjected my eyes to, but after only one episode there are already countless highly quotable lines. That's got to mean something right? Parody is only a step behind, and comedians are hot on the tail of the Jersey Shore train wreck. Nick Kroll has made a name for himself doing both acting (FX's The League), voice work (HBO's The Life & Times of Tim), and stand up, but his character Bobby Bottleservice may be on the verge of becoming a viral sensation. I saw Kroll last year for a Chanucomedy event at the 92Y Tribeca, and his stand up snagged me in under a minute. His blog is pretty amazing too. And remember, unlike The Situation, Bobby Bottleservice respects women:

Photograph by Christopher Smith for the New York Times

My Big Break

When I moved to New York City over three years ago, I was just a lowly intern trying to make my mark. I wanted to write about the things I loved, sharing my enthusiasm for the people, places and things that made me happy. As an intern, making contact with interview subjects can be an insurmountable task - everyone gives you the runaround if you're not a recognizable journalist... well, almost everyone. The first interview I landed was with a local stand-up comic named Demetri Martin. I would try to catch his stand-up as often as possible, and soon enough the neighborhood club where he performed became my local haunt. One night after a particularly memorable set, I saw an opportunity to speak with him, and I made my move. He was kind, friendly, and most importantly willing to chat. About a month later I found myself interviewing him over drinks and dinner. It made me feel like I had really made it.

Now almost three years later, Martin is starring in the Ang Lee flick Taking Woodstock, has his own Comedy Central show, Important Things with Demetri Martin, and is without a doubt a household name. Check out this deleted scene featuring Martin, from this summer's faux documentary about love, Paper Heart. I like to think that if I saw him at a bar, I would still have the courage to say hello. He might be a big name now, but he'll always be a gracious Greek geek to me.

Breaking The Habit

I'll be the first to admit that when I get into a show I'll consume it 'til the last drop. I drank down the first season of Dexter in two days, and months later gorged on the first four seasons of LOST, but I'd like to think that my addiction never superceded other elements of my life. In this hilarious sketch by Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen, and fiancée Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) we see what could happen if I really went off the deep end.

[FunnyOrDie via Jezebel]

The Next Big Thing

I first met Aziz Ansari in 2007, when I interviewed him for Heeb magazine's 'Honorary Heeb' feature. At the time he was a regular in the NYC stand up circuit, and after seeing him flaunt his comedy chops at least a half dozen times I was determined to interview him. His career was on an upward trajectory: he was on the cusp of a major MTV show (Human Giant) and with that his fan base grew exponentially.

Let me be the first to tell you, that when Judd Apatow's Funny People comes out this Friday, Aziz Ansari will become a household name. The character he created for Funny People, a crass-dancing-womanizing comic named Raaaaaaaandy (with eight As) is about to steal the show. Literally. Funny People isn't even out yet, and Apatow is already thinking about giving Raaaaaaaandy his own feature film. I guess having your own hype man/DJ really pays off.

Below is a sample of some of Raaaaaaaandy's magic. Also to give you an idea of Ansari's other work I've included my favorite sketch from Human Giant. As Raaaaaaaandy would say, get ready to 'laugh your dick off'!





Check out Raaaaaaaandy's website here. Check out my interview with Aziz Ansari for Heeb magazine here.