Comedy news and views from Jeff Kreisler, with an IFC twist.
Drop him a line at sketchy (at) ifc dot com.
On The Tube
News For The Road
By Jeff Kreisler on 11/11/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The Tube
Ah, the life of a comedian. Last week Milwaukee, tonight the middle of Pennsylvania, a.k.a. "Alabama." Here's some good Sketchy comedy news from the last week or so. You read it, while I figure out how to take the big words out of my act... Twitter user 'Shit My Dad Says' gets CBS deal Only one day after my piece on "TV Writing for the Internet Age?" Interesting... Comedy Central is developing a channel... in Abu Dhabi This should be good. The region is developing culturally, but what are the content barriers going to be? Will the folks from the... MORE »
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Panel Review - TV Writing in the Internet Age
By Jeff Kreisler on 11/10/2009
Filed under: Festivals, On The Tube, Review-ish, Up For Debate
The New York Comedy Festival event I thought had the most "Details Are Sketchy" potential was Keeping It Fresh: Television Writing In The Internet Age. Oooh, internet, writing, comedy! That's us! Held at the Paley Center for Media (if you haven't been, you should go) on Friday evening (just when I returned from hell, a.k.a. Milwaukee and Cincinnati) the panel displayed a fairly broad swath* of TV comedy - Rory Albanese (Executive Producer of The Daily Show), Jim Downey (writer for SNL [most of their political stuff]), Al Jean (Executive Producer of The Simpsons), and Peter Tolan (Co-creator and EP... MORE »
Yes! Arrested Development (& TV news)
By Jeff Kreisler on 10/20/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The Tube
IFC keeps reaching into my brain to find good ideas. IFC picked up all three seasons of Arrested Development, and will begin showing them this Sunday, October 25, at 10 pm. Part of the Automat. Monty Python and Arrested Development - it's like the best parts of my youth and of my recent past are coming together in one powerful form. What's next? R2D2 and Elle Macpherson delivering the 2004 Red Sox championship? Fox is putting together a comedy series based upon the Dog Whisperer with Wilmer Valderrama. Lassie with a laugh track? That 70s Dog? Do dogs have comic... MORE »
While you wait for your wafer thin mint...
By Jeff Kreisler on 10/15/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The TubeNBC has ordered up a pilot from Reno 911's Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant! Will be great to see them back in action, but will a "network" spoil the fun? Fox gave an order for the rest of the second season of The Cleveland Show. I'm not yet a huge fan. Is the brand spreading thin? Suppose it's that or more whatever-non-animated-stuff-Fox-offers. House 2? 25? Monty Python was on Jimmy Fallon last night. Have I mentioned they'll be streaming right here, on IFC.com, 9pm tonight, and then all next week all over IFC? Have I mentioned that? The New... MORE »
Just Some Comedy News...
By Jeff Kreisler on 10/01/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The Tube(Starting some mini-profiles of sketch groups this month. If you've got a group that you want us to consider, shoot an email to sketchy@ifc.com with basic info/website and we'll get back to you. Goooo team!) Matt LeBlanc will star in "Episodes" Okay, I never was a Friends fan, but this has potential. Jointly produced by Showtime and BBC, it's about a BBC show being brought over to US television. Considering how many shows have gone that route - The Office, American Idol, etc. - with varying success... there's plenty of source material. LeBlanc has also perfected the "dumbed down" guy... MORE »
SNL Debut & "Fallout"
By Jeff Kreisler on 09/29/2009
Filed under: On The Tube, Up For DebateSaturday Night Live's 35th season kicked off this weekend. It was alright, but sorta as meh as expected. One thing's now crystal clear, the best pieces are almost always the Digital Shorts... perhaps because they're 3 minutes or less, tightly edited, and to the point? Live sketches, take note! Of course, the buzz after the show was that new cast member Jenny Slate dropped the F-Bomb. Even CNN covered it. Yawn. Why we shouldn't care: a. It was in a Biker Chick sketch that included every clean version of the word possible. b. The "fallout" is a remnant of both... MORE »
Fall Comedy Preview
By Jeff Kreisler on 09/15/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The Tube, Up For Debate
Fall funny season kicked into high gear this week, starting Sunday with MTV's Kanye West Awards. Here's a quick Details Are Sketchy look at some of the "highlights": The Jay Leno Show (NBC) I'm not a huge fan of Leno, I'm not a huge fan of knocking 5 hours of potential programming off the table, and I'm not a huge fan of over-hyped anything. That said, I like that Leno will try some new formatting, I like that Leno will bring in a bunch of lesser-known comedians and let them express their unique voices (where do I send my reel?),... MORE »
Sketchy News Catch-Up
By Jeff Kreisler on 09/08/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The TubeIn case you missed some of the bigger sketch industry news the past few weeks, here ya go... Comedy Central canceled the "mockumentary" Reno 911. Sort of a sketch/improv hybrid, the show had a loyal and dedicated, if not huge, fan following. Saturday Night Live swaps cast members. The standard-bearer of sketch comedy show fires 2 of the 3 talented young ladies it hired last year (Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson, [but kept Chris Elliot offspring Abby Elliot]), and adds two new talented young ladies (Jenny Slate and Nasim Pedrad). Not sure what they're looking for, nor why they fired... MORE »
Life After SNL: Winners and Losers
By Jeff Kreisler on 07/30/2009
Filed under: On The Tube, Up For Debate
You could argue -- as I have -- that "Saturday Night Live" doesn't consistently produce the best sketch comedy. But you can't argue that over its 32 years, it's produced the most sketch comedy, and utilized the skills of billions of comedic actors in the process. Not all of them went on to make "Beverly Hills Cop," "Shrek" or a successful run for the U.S. Senate. While even a brief moment on SNL is a huge break, it doesn't guarantee success. I can fully imagine leaving the show and waiting, waiting, waiting for some "big thing" to happen and, when... MORE »
Are we re-casting Futurama comedy festival pilot news yet?
By Jeff Kreisler on 07/23/2009
Filed under: Festivals for the Restivals, Industry News, On The TubeSome sketchy news while I wait for the NY Times to allow us to run my interview with "The Mighty Boosh." Damn you, Grey Lady! TBS ordered up a new comedy series, "Are We There Yet?" It stars Terry Crews with appearances by Ice Cube. I thought "Are We There Yet?" was the title of America's backseat whine to President Obama. FX approved a pilot for "The League" about a fantasy football league. It'll include some sketchy favorites, like Mark Duplass, Steve Rannazzisi, Nick Kroll, Paul Scheer, Katie Aselton, Jon Lajoie and Alina Foley. There's a lot of internet buzz... MORE »
Aziz Ansari is funny people
By Jeff Kreisler on 07/21/2009
Filed under: Interview, On The Tube, The Big Screen
Even though his website is entitled Aziz Is Bored, Aziz Ansari is actually very, very busy. The co-star of "Parks & Recreation," who helped bring sketch comedy back to the tube with MTV's "Human Giant," is an accomplished stand up, and perhaps more importantly, has a small but essential role in the upcoming Judd Apatow film "Funny People," which opens next week and which screens on Saturday at the Montreal Just For Laughs festival. (He's made a great documentary based upon his character.) Ansari took a few minutes to talk with me about the movie, comedy in general, Soulja Boy... MORE »
Emmys: Might we finally be moving forward?
By Jeff Kreisler on 07/16/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The TubeOkay, I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself... Those who read this blog know that I'm a huge proponent of new, risk-taking comedy... leaving behind the safe and striking out in a different direction... challenging the writers, actors, and audience to embrace a uncomfortable perspective... I want to see the evolution of comedy. It was thus with great excitement that I saw today's Emmy nominees for best comedy series: "30 Rock" "Family Guy" "Weeds" "Flight of the Conchords" "The Office" "How I Met Your Mother" "Entourage" Forgive me for being mean, but I love that "Two and... MORE »
News of some media: Cable, big screen, and DVD
By Jeff Kreisler on 07/15/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The Tube, Up For Debate
FX Network picks up a comedy. It's animated, it's funny, and it's from the wonderful Jon Benjamin, whose growing power, acclaim, and respect makes me a little... uncomfortable... SNL sketches that should have been movies? Buzzfeed lists five. Considering the very mixed success of previous SNL-sketch-to-big-screen ventures ("Blue's Brothers" and "Wayne's World," yes... but I dare you to name two more hits [if you submit "Superstar," I swear to all that is holy... I will cut you]) I say none of them (brevity is the soul of wit, though I suppose brevity doesn't get international distribution rights). If I had... MORE »
Monty Python & Hangovers Have Issues
By Jeff Kreisler on 07/13/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On Stage, On The Tube, The Big Screen
Most of the original Monty Python members will be doing a live musical adaptation of Life Of Brian Okaaaay, this is fairly awesome. Combined with my Patriots playing the annual NFL in Europe game two days later, I might just rob a bank and go to London that weekend. Tickets? Anyone got tickets? p.s. Know where that documentary they're talking about is going to air? Right here, on IFC. Boom! "Hangover 2" is in the works. Looks like some folks are becoming stars. (Please let it not be like Highlander 2, please let it not be like Highlander 2...) Preview... MORE »
Everybody Loves 30 Dynamites (i.e. a lil' news)
By Jeff Kreisler on 07/09/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The Tube
'Napoleon Dynamite' Star Gets Comedy Central Series Brad Garrett Developing Animated Comedy It's gonna be "adult-oriented." Me likey... 30 Rock Gets Syndicated Yes! Good TV comedy can make money, too! MORE »
On MTV, after the MJ marathon
By Jeff Kreisler on 06/26/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The TubeGot no bad words about Michael here, he's on the creative world's Mount Rushmore. (Though... check back soon for not-too-soon jokes). MTV's got some sketchy news. (per Cynopsis and this release). New shows to come! * Untitled Sketch Comedy Show (wt) - Jamie Foxx executive produces the next generation of In Living Color. * Warren the Ape - A D-list celebrity puppet attempts to change his ways to be back in the Hollywood spotlight. * The Awesomes - From Seth Meyers and Mike Shoemaker and Lorne Michaels' production company, an animated 30m series about an unassuming superhero and his sidekicks... MORE »
Tonight: The Whitest Food Party Wrong Door U Know
By Jeff Kreisler on 06/09/2009
Filed under: On The Tube, VideoBig BIG night for comedy, all right here on IFC and The Automat. Starts at 11 with our favorite refined and well-behaved "Whitest Kids U' Know." Then we get into the cool new stuff. 11:15 brings the premiere of the IFC original series "Food Party," which, just looks great. And I'm not just saying that because I like food and parties. I'm saying that because I like them both together. 11:30 gives us UK comedy import "Wrong Door" to your door, nee, screen. These sketches are short (brevity is the soul of etc. etc.) and really well produced. I think... MORE »
Sketch-i-ndustry News
By Jeff Kreisler on 06/04/2009
Filed under: Around The World, Festivals for the Restivals, Industry News, On The Tube
Some stuff has happened. "Important Things With Demetri Martin" got renewed by Comedy Central. For at least one more year. Good. The show's had some fine moments, strong sketches, creative writing. While nothing really sticks out to make it pop like Chappelle's did or - yes - Carlos Mencia's shows did - it's good stuff. Martin is likeable, smart, funny, and - perhaps most Importantly - hard working (also helps that he's got a nice-sized following). By the middle of season two, they'll really be churning out consistently brilliant stuff. The BBC almost canceled "Monty Python" for being disgusting, cruel,... MORE »
A Nick Swardson Sketch Show... perhaps
By Jeff Kreisler on 05/28/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The Tube, Video
Making waves on the interwebs is news that Nick Swardson's sketch show TV pilot got picked up for a six-episode run. Of course, the only current source for this information is Nick's own blog (which is short on details beyond the fact that "It's more in the vain of Mr. Show and Human Giant"), but since a thousand websites have picked up on it -- and used the blog, and the other websites using the blog, as sources -- I guess it's sorta a self-confirming fact. Mmmm, I'm gonna miss journalism. (Of course, I could do some research myself, but...... MORE »
Upfront Comedies - Part Deux
By Jeff Kreisler on 05/25/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The TubeContinuation of last week's little peak into the network upfronts, here's some more news of upcoming comedies on the TV. (Thanks again for the info, Cynopsis). TBS new funnies: * George Lopez gets a late night talk show (join the crowd) with "a street-party atmosphere and an enthusiastic crowd." * "Neighbors from Hell" is an animated series about a suburban family from hell. Hell? Isn't that pretty much the same as suburbia. Zing! * Second City gets a sketch comedy show (we hope - it's "in development") called, "Wee Hours." It's supposed to be about Chicagoans (surprise!) during the wee... MORE »
Networks Upfront
By Jeff Kreisler on 05/19/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The TubeThe 2009 upfront presentations are going on this week in New York. The "upfronts" - as they're known by people who want you to know that they know how they're known - are when the "major networks" (i.e. the dying dinosaurs who still have the money) present their upcoming lineups and shows to advertisers (i.e. Sir! Yes, sir!) Usually extravagant, overblown, razzle-dazzle affairs, they've been toned down during these tough times, but still pack a punch. What developments to date have a bearing on the world of sketch comedy? Good question. Let's start with FOX, the network of Bart &... MORE »
Revisiting "50 Greatest Comedy Sketches of All Time"
By Jeff Kreisler on 05/13/2009
Filed under: On The Tube, Up For DebateJust doing a little tooling around the series-of-tubes, looking for some interesting sketch comedy news, and came across something I'd forgotten about: Last April, Nerve.com and IFC* came together to list the "50 Greatest Comedy Sketches of All Time." Check it out here. This is what we said at the time:* There's no more sure-fire way to kill something's intrinsic comedic value than to try to examine what makes it funny. The minute you start thinking, you stop laughing.* ... Any list is bound by the limitations set on it -- consciously and unconsciously -- by its creators: we kept... MORE »
Sketchy Developments
By Jeff Kreisler on 05/12/2009
Filed under: Industry News, On The TubeSome interesting bits of sketch comedy news... Chickbots Part Two The producers of Robot Chicken are bringing a new stop-motion series to Adult Swim in September. "Titan Maximum" is about a team of fighter pilots on Saturn's moon, Titan. As both a fan and "comedy practitioner" (I love that term!), I'm excited and extremely curious about how it'll turn out. Titan Maximum will have regular characters and storylines, like a sitcom. The brilliance of Robot Chicken is the freedom of the anything-from-2-seconds-to-3-minute format. Sustainable characters and storylines are a different beast, and will be a challenge. Robot Chicken has carved... MORE »
Sketchy Event Horizon
By Jeff Kreisler on 05/05/2009
Filed under: Festivals for the Restivals, Industry News, On The Tube
So as we ramp up to speed, here are some fairly significant sketch comedy dates in the next few months. Tell me what I've missed, and answer some questions below... May 16: The Last Episode of MadTV ever. After 14 years on the air (seriously? 14?) MadTV promises a very special finale (it's May sweeps after all). The show had some brilliant moments, and it developed some talented players (though I dare you to name 3 without using the internet), but it never really "popped" like, say, In Living Color. Then again, it lasted 14 years and produced quality on... MORE »
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