Favorite Podcast

Introduction to favorite podcasts

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Podcasts changed the entertainment industry for better or for worse. In many ways, podcasting becoming a global phenomenon has propelled hard working comedians into the stratosphere. Some comedians have been doing comedy for 20 years and now can make it big on their own terms. The executives and gatekeepers are still there but do not carry as much clout as they once did. Not only are fans getting a weekly dose of their favorite people in entertainment, but also they can connect with the comics and sometimes have inside jokes or a secret language that only fans of the pod would understand. (FGTRTD for all those mommies out there).

For all the good that can come from comedian’s podcasts for fans and talent alike, there are downsides. A stand up set is a planned and deliberate telling of thoughts and ideas that are meant to evoke laughter.  Comics for the most part aren’t aiming to offend but to entertain unfortunately sometimes it doesn’t always work. Like bombing on stage, even the best of the best have off nights/days and say things that were funny in their head but when it was said aloud…it didn’t come out the exact way in which it was intended. Podcasts are, for the most part, friends sitting down with friends learning more about each other and breaking down the fourth wall to help the fans get a closer connection with their audience. Every word is recorded and aired without the ability to test the material beforehand so of course every 3 hour podcast that you listen to will not be squeaky clean and hilarious because just like everyone else, comics are human and say things they don’t mean or take something out of context. But if you want to be in this industry that is just a risk that you must be willing to take and fans couldn’t be happier that our favorite comics are willing to take that risk for our entertainment.

With all that being said, every Friday there will be a new blog about Comedy Works’ favorite podcasts. They could be new podcasts like 5 words with Sean Patton and Caitlin Cook, podcasts that have finished like Crabfeast with Jay Larson and Ryan Sickler, or shows that set the tone and landscape for the current podcast culture like Opie and Anthony. Check in next Friday to see which podcast will be the first of our favorites.

Who knows soon this may become a podcast about how great other podcasts are. There is a place for everything and everyone in the world of podcasting.

Premieres

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis THE MOVIE

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The new must-see movie of the fall, Between Two Ferns: The Movie, is captivating the Internet. The new Netflix movie special with Zach Galifianakis started back in 2008 as a web series and has featured guests such as President Obama, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston. The film premiered this year in September and has been gaining traction as well as rave reviews. The interviewees of the 2019 edition include Benedict Cumberbatch, Brie Larson, and Gal Gadot. Check out this gut-busting comedy now through Netflix and for film information, click HERE.

Industry Buzz, National Comics

CHELSEA HANDLER VISITS THE RED TABLE

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Chelsea Handler recently visited the famous red table for an episode of Facebook Live’s Red Table Talk, hosted by Jada Pinkett-Smith, Willow Smith, and Adrienne Banfield-Jones (Jada’s mother). While Handler was there, she promoted her new Netflix documentary, Hello Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea along with discussing her comedic past and personal viewpoints. In addition to the new special, she also just completed a podcast series based on her latest memoir, Life Will Be the Death of Me. The podcast shares the same name, and there are 20 episodes available. You can check out the podcast episode listing on iHeartRadio HERE and information about the documentary HERE.

National Comics

TOUGH CROWD WITH COLIN QUINN

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Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn ran from 2002 to 2004. It was a breathe of fresh air in a politically charged society. It also started a format that is still used today in the podcast world. Colin Quinn was the host and would have a variety of topics that his 4 comic panelists would share witty and sometimes controversial opinions. With regular appearances from Nick Di Paolo, Greg Giraldo, Patrice O’Neal, and Jim Norton, the show from beginning to end was smart, clever and funny. Tough Crowd is probably best known for when Dennis Leary and Greg Giraldo got into a fight while taping. Never a dull moment, Tough Crowd is a great throwback to a time when funny was just funny. Watch the video of Di Paolo, Giraldo, Carlin and Norton on Tough Crowd. Though it is topic driven, it still remains relevant and speaks to the culture today. To see more episodes head to Youtube where most of the episode are available.

Industry Buzz

ANIMALS WITH COMEDIC FLARE

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Who doesn’t love cute animals being funny? The top 40 finalists for the 2019 Comedy Wildlife Awards have been revealed proving that animals too have the sense of comedic timing. Photographers could submit pictures of animals “posing”. Final entries include photos of lions, rhinos, and bears. A panel of judges will vote on the best entry to announce the overall grand-prize winner in November. There is a people’s choice award as well for the general public to vote on here; however, the best prize of all is the laughs from the photos and the extra exposure to nature and animal preservation.

Please click HERE to enjoy all of this year’s finalists’ entries.

Industry Buzz, National Comics, Premieres

Kevin James Stars in New NASCAR show

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Kevin James is coming back to a multi-cam sitcom! “The King and Queens” star is teaming up with NASCAR to bring a racing themed show to the streaming giant, Netflix. He will play the role of an old-school crew chief in the midst of a modernizing sport. Jeff Lowell (The Ranch & Two and a Half Men) will be the show’s writer, showrunner, and executive produce. James will also bring back some producers and writers from “King of Queens”. This will be one of Netflix’s rare dabbles in multi-camera comedies, with most of their previous shows either cancelled or coming to an end.

Kevin James and NASCAR plan on having the show ready for streaming in mid-2020.  

National Comics, Premieres

Hiking with Kevin (Nealon That Is)

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Comedy Works alum Kevin Nealon is back for a third season of his YouTube series, Hiking with Kevin. This series follows Kevin Nealon as he takes a hike (literally) with a famous actor or comedian. Kevin’s show is a spin-off of another famous show, Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Past guests have included Conan O’Brien (Conan), Colin Jost (Saturday Night Live), Jack Black (Jumanji, Shallow Hal), and many more! This season’s hikes will include Alec Baldwin (Saturday Night Live), Sean Hayes (Will and Grace), and Tiffany Haddish (Night School). New episodes are added to Kevin’s YouTube page weekly.

Comedy Works best, National Comics

Dan Cummins almost filmed his new special at Comedy Works!

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Dan Cummins might be one of the only touring comedians right now who lives in Idaho! Dan, who is a native to the state, moved back with his family three years ago to get away from noisy Los Angeles. Cummins is currently working on a new special, set to film on October 17th, 2019! Dan, who was a guest on The Church of What’s Happening Now podcast with Joey Diaz, wanted to record his special in Denver at Comedy Works. Unfortunately, he was already booked in November and had to shoot in October, so the timing didn’t work out. We hope that Dan shoots his next special here, because Denver loves him!

Don’t miss Dan Cummins live at Comedy Works Downtown in Larimer Square November 7th-9th! The host of The Church of What’s Happening Now, Joey Diaz, will also be in Denver at the Paramount Theatre October 12th!  

Industry Buzz, National Comics

Saturday Night Live’s First Asian-American Cast Member is from Denver!

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It is hard to believe that SNL has never had an Asian-American cast member in their 45-season run. This season, Bowen Yang will be joining the legendary sketch show as on-camera talent. Yang, a Smokey Hill High School graduate, started the 2018 SNL season as a writer and finally got his chance to get in front of the lens.  In high school, Yang was voted “Most Likely to Be A Cast Member on Saturday Night Live”. The Las Culturistas host began comedy in Smoky Hill’s improv troupe, Spontaneous Combustion, and eventually moved to New York to attend college at New York University. Yang and Matt Rogers were at Comedy Works last month recording a Las Culturistas live podcast. We are so incredibly proud of Bowen for being the first Asian-American cast member. Denver will always be your home!

National Comics

Andrew Schulz: Crowd Work Special

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On August 26th, Netflix released Sticks and Stones from Dave Chappelle. This special was only announced a week prior to its release and of course got a bunch of publicity. That same day another special came out on Youtube. It was a completely spur of the moment set with no jokes planned. This was Andrew Schulz: Crowd Work Special. Over the past year Andrew Schulz has taken the comedy industry by storm. He went against the traditional route in waiting for the industry to notice him. A true DIY comedian, Andrew Schulz, has built a brand and has done so on his own terms with the help of his talented friends Alexx Media and Mark Gagnon. A month after its release Andrew Schulz’s Crowd Work Special is over 1 million views.

Andrew states “As a comic it’s my job to push the limits of my craft. Every special I do I want to push comedy forward into the next phase. I think we accomplished that here. I hope you feel the same way. ” This special did not disappoint. Andrew very much accomplished pushing comedy forward and will continue to do so.