News

Exclusive: Natasha Leggero has signed with Linden Entertainment.

Leggero was recently seen starring in Bill Burr’s Old Dads and Chelsea Peretti’s First Time Female Director. She also starred in Broke for CBS and hosted Rat In The Kitchen alongside Celebrity Chef Ludo Lefebvre. Additionally, alongside husband and fellow comedian Moshe Kasher, Leggero toured and released The Honeymoon Stand Up Special on Netflix. The success of this special has also led to their ongoing The Endless Honeymoon Podcast.

Leggero is known for creating, executive producing, and starring in the Comedy Central hit show Another Period with fellow comedian Riki Lindhome. Other credits include the Nicholas Stoller’s Neighbors; Luke Greenfield’s Let’s Be Cops; Steven Brill’s The Do-Over; Emmy nominated series Burning Love; ABC’s Suburgatory and Modern Family; Comedy Central’s Key and Peeleand Comedy Bang Bang; Fox’s Mulaney; and Showtime’s Dice.

Leggero is...

For the 12th and final day of Netflix is a Joke Fest on Sunday, the streamer turned to one of its biggest reality TV hits to bring the laughs, with a guys vs. girls battle of previous Love is Blind cast members.

Hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, the event — dubbed “Clash of the Casts” — saw alums of the dating show compete against each other Family Feud style, with the guys’ side comprised of Marshall Glaze (season four), Brett Brown (season four), Milton Johnson (season five) and Jimmy Presnell (season six), and the women’s side featuring Ad Smith (season six), Jessica Vestel (season six), Lydia Velez Gonzalez (season five) and Tiffany Pennywell (season four).

The two married couples on the stage — Brown and Pennywell, and Johnson and Gonzalez — opted not to go face-to-face directly, but talked some trash across from each other as the game began. Nick Lachey also...

Chain, the concept dining experience founded by actor-writer B.J. Novak and Michelin-starred chef Tim Hollingsworth, hosted an intimate pop-up at their Hollywood Chain House.

On both Wednesday and Thursday night, May 8 and 9, the nostalgia-inducing space transformed into “The Pollo Lounge,” a riff on the iconic Polo Lounge, becoming a cozy and classy jazz speakeasy where invited guests were served their take on Kentucky Friend Chicken classics. Chain specializes in transforming chain restaurant classics, like a KFC chicken bucket, into a more elevated version of itself.

For the Pollo Lounge pop-up, guests were served generous portions of chicken tenders, french fries, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and biscuits at tables centered around a small stage. In addition to the food, guests were able to choose from a menu of cocktails made with the new prebiotic soda Levo, which sponsored the evening. The soda was also available on its own for...

Book Soup has canceled a March 27 appearance by Stranger Things actor and author Brett Gelman.

The store claimed that escalating threats “became a safety risk we were not willing to take.” The store has hosted many controversial authors over the years and has rarely canceled, but said “the current charged environment” forced its hand.

Gelman has been outspoken in his support of Israel in the wake of Oct. 7, but claims the cancellations on his book tour were because of his emphasis on his “Jewish identity.”

Gelman’s book, The Terrifying Realm of the Possible: Nearly True Stories, is not overtly political and in the vein of Philip Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint. The anthology weaves five interconnected short stories told through the perspective of five different Jewish characters. Gelman describes it as a “return to the literature that I loved and that I felt wasn’t being represented — dark Jewish humor.

Literary organization Pen America has issued a statement on a book launch earlier this week in Los Angeles that was disrupted by protesters.

The organization hosted an author’s event for the launch of writer and comedian Moshe Kasher’s new memoir, Subculture Vulture. Kasher’s book is an account of his upbringing in a deaf and Jewish household, participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, and work in comedy. He was joined in conversation by Mayim Bialik, his close friend and colleague.

The event was interrupted by protests that eventually halted the program. Security had to remove one protester who refused to leave, Pen said, before the program continued.

Allison Lee, Los Angeles director of Pen America said in a statement that “Pen America is a big tent organization that values, supports, and creates dialogue, including among writers who hold wide-ranging points of view. When it comes to public events, the open...

Natasha Leggero is addressing her viral stand-up set.

Last week, the 49-year-old comedian made headlines when she took to stage at the Hollywood Improv last week and immediately took her shirt off.

While stepping out on Sunday night (Jan. 21), Natasha explained why she did it.

Keep reading to find out more…

When a paparazzo said that people were “shocked,” Natasha cut him off and said, “That I have such a huge t-ts?” (via Page Six).

On more serious note, Natasha said that while most comedians “don’t want to” go shirtless, she decided to send a message.

“I was trying to make a point,” Natasha said.

When asked what her point was, Natasha‘s husband Moshe Kasher, joked, “That she’s not feeling her husband…It’s a bigger story actually.”

Before her set last week, opening act Bert Kreischer performed shirtless and as Natasha took the stage, she also...

Exclusive: 3 Arts veteran Josh Lieberman is leaving the management and production company to join Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Also joining Brillstein is Allie Veneris of Authentic Talent & Literary Management.

“We’re excited to continue our focused expansion with the addition of Josh and Allie,” said Jon Liebman and Cynthia Pett, Brillstein’s co-ceo’s. “They have great clients, great taste, and great futures ahead.”

Lieberman was at 3 Arts for almost two decades, having started at the company — now majority owned by Lionsgate — in June 2004 as an assistant.

The list of his clients, dominated by multi-hyphenates in the comedy space, include Dave Attell, Atsuko Okatsuka, Karan Soni, Moshe Kasher, Katherine Ryan, Vanessa Gonzalez, Noah Garfinkel, Brent Morin, David Nihill, Jiaoying Summers, Sara Weinshenk, Jessi Cruickshank, Sarah Burns, Marc Evan Jackson as well as WWE’s Sami Zayn.

For Veneris, this marks a return to Brillstein where she was a college intern in the early 2010s.

Chris Rock, David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Hannah Gadsby, Seth Rogen, and Tom Brady (yes, that Tom Brady) are among the comedians and non-comedians set to appear at the 2024 Netflix Is a Joke festival.

Kevin Hart, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Chelsea Handler, Maya Rudolph, Nate Bargatze, Nick Kroll, Kumail Nanjiani, Tim Robinson, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Patton Oswalt are just some of the dozens of A-list comics also on the bill when the fest hits venues across Los Angeles between May 2 and 12.

Despite all the comic legends, the name that stands out the most is Brady’s,...

Netflix is bringing back its “Netflix Is a Joke Fest,” which so far has lined up more than 300 live events across 35 venues in Los Angeles. The event, last held in 2022, will include Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, Nate Bargatze and Sebastian Maniscalco in a night of comedy at the Hollywood Bowl; also holding stand-up shows there are Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Seth Rogen, Matt Rife, Kevin Hart, Trevor Noah and a joint show with Taylor Tomlinson, Sarah Silverman, Nikki Glaser and Michelle Buteau.

Netflix produces the festival with Live Nation; this year’s event will take place from May 2 to May 12, 2024. Besides the Bowl, other venues on tap include The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, Orpheum Theatre and The Wiltern, as well as well as comedy venues including The Hollywood Improv, Largo, Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store.

“This is a special time for comedy, both for Netflix and the genre at large,...

On Fox's new reality series Stars On Mars, twelve "celebronauts" compete to see who has what it takes to colonize the Red Planet. The cast receives assignments from legendary actor William Shatner, who is perfect for the role, as he has some experience with space himself. Not only did the 92-year-old actor play Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise for three decades, but he has even traveled to space. On October 13, 2021, he became the oldest person ever to fly into space, when he took part in Blue Origin's second sub-orbital human spaceflight, Blue Origin Ns-18.

On Stars On Mars, the celebrities live 24/7 in a hyper-realistic Mars habitat. As they complete missions given to them by William, one of them becomes the base commander, who leads the team. A perk of being base commander is staying in a private bedroom and bathroom. At the end of each mission,...

The new owners of The CW are reportedly looking to fill the network's schedule with inexpensive programming, and this series seems to fit the bill. Are the ratings good enough? Will The Great American Joke Off be cancelled or renewed for season two? Stay tuned.

A comedy panel series, The Great American Joke Off TV show is hosted by Dulcé Sloan. In each episode, two sets of three-person teams of comedians are tested on their skill in crafting joke setups, creating punchlines, and providing photo captions to performing solo spots, dropping risqué innuendos, and ranting about life’s petty irritations. Sloan decides which team has won each round based on who she thinks has been the funniest. Guests include Chanel Ali, Fahim Anwar, Alonzo Bodden, Matthew Broussard, Ed Gamble, Rhys James, Milton Jones, Moshe Kasher, Natasha Leggero, Joe List, Ismael Loutfi, Luke Mones, Glenn Moore, and...

Veteran director, producer and actor Salli Richardson-Whitfield is staying in business with HBO/HBO Max, with a renewal of her overall deal for two more years.

Under the new pact, Whitfield joins Adam McKay’s drama series’ Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty as executive producer and will direct half of season two. She directed the final two episodes of Winning Time in Season 1 under her initial deal with HBO. She also will continue to serve as executive producer on Julian Fellowes’ drama series The Gilded Age. Under Whitfield’s Early May production banner, Whitfield will continue to develop original series content with the intent to create stories told from unique, diverse perspectives including Motherland Bounce, rapper Nissim Black’s story, a half-hour written by Moshe Kasher for HBO Max.

As an actor, Richardson-Whitfield has starred in films include The Great White Hype opposite Samuel L. Jackson, Antwone Fisher...

Salli Richardson-Whitfield has extended her overall deal with HBO and HBO Max for an additional two years.

Under the terms of the deal, Whitfield will become an executive producer on the HBO basketball drama “Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” and will direct the second half of the show’s upcoming second season. She previously directed two episodes in Season 1, including both the penultimate episode and the season finale. She is also currently an executive producer on HBO and Julian Fellowes’ period drama “The Gilded Age,” directing four episodes during the show’s first season earlier this year.

Whitfield currently runs her Early May production banner, under which she will continue to develop original series for HBO and HBO Max. Among the company’s current development slate is the comedy “Motherland Bounce,” based on the life of rapper Nissim Black with Moshe Kasher onboard as writer.

Whitfield began her career as an actress.

Click here to read the full article.

Salli Richardson-Whitfield is staying with HBO.

The director, producer and actress has extended her overall deal, which covers both the premium cable channel and streamer HBO Max, for two more years. Richardson-Whitfield first signed a deal with HBO in September 2020.

Under the extension, she’ll join HBO’s Los Angeles Lakers drama Winning Time as an executive producer and direct half of season two’s episodes (she helmed two in the first season) while continuing as an EP on The Gilded Age. Additionally, her Early May production company will continue to develop series with the intent to tell stories from unique and diverse perspectives. Among Early May’s projects is Motherland Bounce, a half-hour HBO Max show based on the life of rapper Nissim Black. Comedian Moshe Kasher is writing the script.

Richardson-Whitfield directed four episodes of The Gilded Age’s first season...

A Nsfw car ride confession. Celebrity Game Face host Kevin Hart is putting fellow comedians Jeff Ross and Seth Green in the hot seat on the July 19 episode of the E! series. In this hilarious sneak peek, Hart explains the rules of "Guilty as Charged" as fellow contestants Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher and Tawny Newsome and Jimmy O. Yang listen along. "One member of each team is in the hot seat," Hart says. "I will accuse them of horrible things. If you have done the thing, you hold up your 'Guilty' paddle. If you haven't done it, you hold up your 'Not Guilty' paddle. Once your plea is locked in, I will ask your partner what they think. But, here's the twist:...

Stand-up comedian, writer and actor Jak Knight, best known for co-creating and starring in the Peacock comedy series “Bust Down” and for his work on “Pause With Sam Jay,” died Thursday night in Los Angeles, his family announced. A cause of death was not given. He was 28.

Knight co-created “Bust Down,” which premiered this March, with Jay, Langston Kerman and Chris Redd, all of whom starred in the series. The six-episode first season of the show focused on four low-wage employees at an Indiana casino. Knight’s character — also named Jak — was a stockroom worker, and the youngest and most wild of the tight-knit friend group. In addition to starring, Knight also executive produced the series and wrote two episodes, including the premiere.

Prior to “Bust Down,” Knight worked as a writer on the 2013 Fox animated series “Lucas Bros. Moving Company,” and as an executive story editor on a season of “Black-ish.

Click here to read the full article.

Jak Knight, a stand-up comedian, actor and writer who recently co-created the Peacock series Bust Down, has died. He was 28.

Knight died Thursday night in Los Angeles, his family announced through an agency rep. Additional details, including cause of death, are not being released at this time. “Knight’s loved ones ask that their privacy please be respected during this extremely difficult time,” the rep said.

Knight’s career was not only in a good place, but his star was on the rise. After writing for a string of hit shows — from Netflix’s critically acclaimed raunchy comedy Big Mouth to ABC’s beloved Black-ish — Knight segued to co-creating, executive producing and starring in the new Peacock series Bust Down.

Starring opposite his team of co-creators Chris Redd, Sam Jay and Langston Kerman, the show follows a group of friends working low-wage jobs at a casino in Gary,...

Exclusive: HBO Max is developing Motherland Bounce, a comedy based on the life of Hasidic hip-hop star Nissim Black, from writer/comedian Moshe Kasher and The Gilded Age executive producer/director Salli Richardson-Whitfield as part of her overall deal with HBO.

Created and written by Kasher with story by Black and directed by Richardson-Whitfield, Motherland Bounce is the story of Black’s spiritual quest as the former gangster rapper becomes the world’s first Black Chassidic Jewish hip hop star.

Kasher and Black executive produce with Richardson-Whitfield via her HBO-based Early May Productions, and Erwin More. Eric Schulman and Aaron Fogelson serve as co-producers.

Black has in recent years become one of the most recognizable faces in Israeli hip-hop, his unlikely story starting in Seattle where he was selling drugs by the age of 12 and joined a gang shortly after that. His unique path to Orthodox Judaism and Israeli hip-pop...

What’s worse: Getting caught for a crime, or having Snoop Dogg make fun of you afterward? That’s the premise of the rapper’s new Peacock series, So Dumb It’s Criminal, which dropped its first trailer this week.

The Snoop-hosted series, premiering April 20, “invites some of today’s comedy-greats to roast the world’s dumbest criminals using a compilation of crime clips and surveillance videos,” according to the show’s official synopsis. “From botched robberies and car chases to failed getaway attempts and even some schemes that are...

George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” was released on Nov. 23, 1970, as the first single to his groundbreaking and historic solo album. The Beatles were the first band to play stadium concerts, put backwards instrumentation into songs, and the first rock band to put sitar and tamboura drones in pop rock. But Harrison’s first solo release after the band’s break up, All Things Must Pass, was the first triple album coming from a single act in rock. “My Sweet Lord,” was the first number one hit by a solo Beatle and the biggest selling single of 1971. It is most renowned because of the trendsetting plagiarism suit around it, but the song transcends easy labels.

Which is why the new music video, directed by Lance Bangs, deserves a little more than an all-star cast and a de-Phil Spector’d remix. The 51st anniversary video stars Fred Armisen, Vanessa Bayer,...

After 50 years, George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” finally gets its first official video, and not without a little help from a lot of friends.

In the star-packed effort directed by Lance Bangs and exec produced by Harrison’s son Dhani Harrison with David Zonshine, the new “My Sweet Lord” video stars Fred Armisen and Vanessa Bayer as “metaphysical special agents” searching for something that can’t be seen. Sending them on the mission: Star Wars‘ Mark Hamill himself.

With seemingly most of Hollywood and New York celebrities showing up for cameos, the video includes appearances by Darren Criss, Jon Hamm, Rosanna Arquette, Joe Walsh, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Reggie Watts, Moshe Kasher, Natasha Leggero, Patton Oswalt, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, Garfunkel and Oates (Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome), Taika Waititi, Shepard Fairey, Aimee Mullins, Rupert Friend and Harrison’s wife Olivia Harrison and their son Dhani.

“Just Extraordinary Songs...

Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Showtime has landed for development a single-camera comedy project created by writers/stand-up comedians Moshe Kasher and Jermaine Fowler.

Written by Kasher and Fowler, the untitled comedy is set in 1997. In South Central Los Angeles, the heart of West Coast gangster rap, a group of teenage social outcasts attempts to solve the mystery of the murder of their hero, Biggie Smalls.

Kasher and Fowler, who will not be acting in the show, executive produce with 3 Arts Entertainment’s Michael Rotenberg and Josh Lieberman for CBS Studios. The comedy duo appeared together in the 2020 stand-up-themed film The Opening Act.

Kasher’s recent writing credits include HBO’s Betty and Apple TV+’s Little America. On camera, he is known for Comedy Central’s Another Period, which he also wrote for; Problematic with Moshe Kasher, which he created; as well as The Endless Honeymoon Stand -Up Special on Netflix.

Rlje Films has released the trailer for The Opening Act. The movie stars Silicon Valley and Crazy Rich Asians actor Jimmy O. Yang as a struggling comedian. The movie is written and directed by stand-up comic Steve Byrne (Always Amazing) and was produced by Vince Vaughn. Rlje is all set to release Opening Act in theaters, on demand, and on digital HD beginning Friday, October 16th, 2020.

In The Opening Act, Jimmy O. Yang plays Will Chu, who appears to have it all - the job, the girl - but what's missing is his true passion in life. He wants to become a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he's been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start.

Rlje Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, has obtained the North American distribution rights to The Opening Act, an indie comedy produced by Vince Vaughn and starring Jimmy O. Yang (Silicon Valley), Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts), Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood) and Ken Jeong (The Hangover).

Written and directed by stand-up comedian Steve Byrne, the film is slated for release October 16 in theaters and on demand and digital HD.

The plot follows Will Chu (Yang), who is stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in life: becoming a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can...

Rlje Films has acquired the North American rights to “The Opening Act,” a comedy starring “Silicon Valley” actor Jimmy O. Yang as an aspiring stand-up comedian.

“The Opening Act” is directed and written by stand-up comic Steve Byrne (“Always Amazing”) and was produced by Vince Vaughn, and Rlje Films will release the movie in theaters, on demand and on digital HD beginning October 16, 2020.

Yang stars in “The Opening Act” alongside a cavalcade of other comics such as Alex Moffat, Cedric The Entertainer, Neal Brennan, Debby Ryan, Ken Jeong, Bill Burr, Jermaine Fowler and Russell Peters.

In it, Yang plays a man stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in stand-up comedy. But when he gets the opportunity to emcee opening for his hero, the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things...

One of the funniest comedians out there has lined up a new gig.

TBS has placed an order for seven episodes of Tournament of Laughs, a virtual comedy competition hosted by Jason Sudeikis.

The series is set to launch Sunday, June 21, on the cabler.

It will feature 32 comics going head to head for bragging rights as a comedy champion.

Every week the comics will create, produce, self-film, and star in their own videos – from stand-up sets to song parodies and everything in-between.

Sudeikis will be acting as the master of ceremonies and providing commentary, with viewers at home taking control of the game.

The home audience will decide who moves forward, via phone and online voting, with the winning comics returning for the next round.

The final episode will feature an expert comedy panel charged with crowning a tournament champion.

Featured comedians for the new series are Jeff Ross, Margaret Cho,...

TBS has ordered seven episodes of Tournament of Laughs, a virtual comedy competition series hosted by Saturday Night Live alum Jason Sudeikis. It’s set for premiere Sunday, June 21.

Tournament of Laughs will feature 32 comedians facing off in a single-elimination bracket-style tournament, with each episode featuring multiple match-ups. Every week the comics will create, produce, self-film, and star in their own videos – from stand-up sets to song parodies and everything in-between.

Sudeikis will be acting as the master of ceremonies and providing color commentary. After the episode has aired, the home audience will decide who moves forward, via phone and online voting, with the winning comics returning for the next round. The final episode will feature an expert comedy panel charged with crowning a tournament champion. (watch a teaser above)

Featured comedians include Jeff Ross, Margaret Cho, Gilbert Gottfried, Judah Friedlander, Michael Rapaport, Jim Norton, Fortune Feimster, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog,...

TBS has tapped Jason Sudeikis to host a new comedy competition show, the network announced Friday.

Titled “Tournament of Laughs,” the seven-episode series will see 32 comedians face off in a single-elimination, bracket-style tournament. Each week, the comics will create and produce their own videos, which will feature “stand-up sets to song parodies and everything in-between” for the audience to vote on. The final episode will feature an expert comedy panel charged with crowning the final winner.

Among the comedians set to participate are Jeff Ross, Margaret Cho, Gilbert Gottfried, Judah Friedlander, Michael Rapaport, Jim Norton, Fortune Feimster, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Natasha Leggero, Cameron Esposito, Godfrey, The Sklar Brothers, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Josh Wolf, Clayton English, Yamaneika Saunders, Gina Yashere, Tim Dillon, Moshe Kasher, Jessica Kirson, Paul Rodriguez, Sarah Tiana, Matteo Lane, Beth Stelling, Vladimir Caamano, Ian Edwards, Aida Rodriguez, Megan Gailey, Preacher Lawson and Piff The Magic Dragon.

TBS has greenlit a virtual comedy competition with Jason Sudeikis set to host.

“Tournament of Laughs” has received a seven-episode order at the cabler and will premiere June 21 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt. In the show, 32 comedians will face off in a bracket-style, single elimination tournament. Each episode will feature multiple matchups.

Featured comics will include: Jeff Ross, Margaret Cho, Gilbert Gottfried, Judah Friedlander, Michael Rapaport, Jim Norton, Fortune Feimster, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Natasha Leggero, Cameron Esposito, Godfrey, The Sklar Brothers, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Josh Wolf, Clayton English, Yamaneika Saunders, Gina Yashere, Tim Dillon, Moshe Kasher, Jessica Kirson, Paul Rodriguez, Sarah Tiana, Matteo Lane, Beth Stelling, Vladimir Caamano, Ian Edwards, Aida Rodriguez, Megan Gailey, Preacher Lawson, Piff The Magic Dragon with an additional two performers to come.

Each week the comics will create, produce, self-film, and star in their own videos – from stand-up sets to song parodies and everything inbetween.

Steven Drozd of the Flaming Lips, Steve Berlin of Los Lobos and drummer Scott Amendola will premiere a new score they wrote for Cecil B. DeMille’s 1923 film The Ten Commandments Thursday, May 28th, at around 8:15 p.m. Pt/11:15 p.m. Et.

The premiere will be part of Dawn, an all-night virtual celebration of the Jewish holiday Shavuot. Hosted by Reboot, Dawn, will feature a mix of music, comedy, presentations and conversations designed to “unpack the mysteries of the Jewish calendar’s best-kept secret.”

A landmark epic of Hollywood’s silent era,...

Since making an astonishing debut with 2015’s riveting hybrid documentary “The Wolfpack,” filmmaker Crystal Moselle has continued to push the envelope with her distinctive style, honing her singular cinematic voice while expanding her artistic palette. Her luminous narrative feature debut, “Skate Kitchen” (2018), represented a confident transition from inventive documentary style into a compelling but loosely constructed narrative. For her evocative portrait of an all-girl skate crew, Moselle cast first-time actors primarily on visual style and charisma, then shaped the story around them. The result was one of the best movies in recent memory to portray contemporary, young, adult women with the style and tenacity they deserve.

Shrewdly building on the solid foundation Moselle laid in “Skate Kitchen,” HBO has given the filmmaker a six-episode, half-hour series to further explore her unique cast of characters. Re-titled “Betty,” the show brings back tomboy shredder Camille (Rachelle Vinberg), stoner lothario Kirt (Nina Moran...

Get ready to laugh, Los Angeles: Netflix’s comedy brand, Netflix Is a Joke, will host a week-long comedy festival starting in April.

Entitled “Netflix Is a Joke Fest,” the festival will take place across over 20 venues in Los Angeles, including the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Palladium and The Largo, between April 27 and May 3. Produced by Netflix in association with Live Nation, it will feature some of the best in today’s standup performing, as well as paying homage to comedy legends.

Some of the performers taking part are Dave Chapelle, Martin Lawrence, David Letterman, Ali Wong, Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart and more.

But more importantly for the festival, Netflix is also partnering with Comedy Gives Back, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a safety net for comedians in need with mental health, medical and financial crisis support. During the festival, Comedy Gives...

This Close has been firing from all cylinders in its second season, which continues tonight on SundanceTV.

TV Fanatic has got you covered with an exclusive sneak peek at one of tonight's episodes.

The episode in question focuses on Michael planning an elaborate brunch with the aim of apologizing to Ryan.

But there's trouble on the horizon when Kate decides against helping out. Things take a shocking turn when a discovery forces her to make a decision.

By the end of the installment, something will go down that will bring out the worst in everyone.

Sounds intriguing, right?

Related: American Horror Story: 1984 Review: Camp Redwood

This Close is a groundbreaking original dramedy created, written by, and starring Shoshannah Stern and Josh Feldman and explores universal and relatable themes of love and friendship between two best friends living in Los Angeles — in its many permutations.

In season two of This Close,...

It’s been a quarter century since Amy Heckerling’s classic comedy “Clueless” first hit screens, and to celebrate the occasion, the San Francisco comedy festival Clusterfest is bringing in some major help. In a one-night-only event this summer, Issa Rae will headline a live read of Heckerling’s script, alongside a cast that also includes Ilana Glazer, Amanda Seales, Kumail Nanjiani, and Sinbad.

Rae will take on the role of Cher, made famous in the original film by Alicia Silverstone. Seales is on board as Cher’s best friend Dionne, while Glazer will play Tai, the new girl at Cher’s high school. Glazer’s former “Broad City” castmate Arturo Castro will appear as Christian, Cher’s would-be boyfriend, while Sinbad will read the part of Cher’s father, Mel. Nanjiani will take on Paul Rudd’s role from the original movie, Cher’s former stepbrother Josh.

Chris Redd,...

Comedy Central has revealed the talent list and premiere date for The New Negroes with Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle, a new music and comedy series debuting on Friday, April 19 at 11:00 p.m. Et/Pt on Comedy Central and simulcast on Bet.

Each series episode will include stand-up performances from three different comedians and will conclude with an original music video featuring Open Mike Eagle and a guest recording artist, with some guest-actor appearances.

The New Negroes with Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle is positioned as a socially aware stand-up and music series showcasing a collection of new and established comedians and musicians. Vaughn and Eagle took inspiration for the series and title from the term “New Negro,” as popularized during the Harlem Renaissance, referring to Black Americans speaking up, telling their own stories, and affirming their various identities to dismantle outdated assumptions and beliefs.

“Our series...

Brody Stevens, the stand-up comedian and actor, was found dead on Friday afternoon in Los Angeles. He was 48.

The cause of death has not been made public at this time.

“Brody was an inspiring voice who was a friend to many in the comedy community. He pushed creative boundaries and his passion for his work and his love of baseball were contagious,” Stevens’ representatives said in a statement. “He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed. We respectfully ask for privacy at this time.”

Rising to popularity with his appearances on late night programs including “Late Night with Conan O’Brien, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “Comedy Bang Bang!,” Stevens built a following with his “The Brody Stevens Experiment” podcast, which included interviews with his friends and commentary on his own life, and “Brode & Esther” that he co-hosted with Esther Povitsky and Brian Redban. He was also a frequent podcast guest,...

In Today’s TV News Roundup, BBC One released new images for its adaptation of “Les Misérables,” and HBO teased an image for its upcoming superhero series “Watchmen.”

Dates

Starz has announced the season two premiere of its espionage thriller “Counterpart” on Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. This season will feature newcomers Betty Gabriel as series regular Naya Temple and James Cromwell in a recurring role as Yanek. Joining Gabriel and Cromwell is J.K. Simmons who will reprise his role as Howard alongside Olivia Williams, Harry Lloyd, Nicholas Pinnock, Nazanin Boniadi and Sara Serraiocco. “Counterpart” was created by Justin Marks who will also make his directorial debut on the series this season with executive producers Gary Gilbert, Jordan Horowitz, Morten Tyldum, Keith Redmon and Bard Dorros. Watch the trailer for season two below.

First Look

BBC One has released new images for its upcoming adaptation of “Les Misérables.” The...

Comedy couple Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher sat down with The Hollywood Reporter In Studio to discuss their three-part The Honeymoon Stand-Up Special on Netflix and how the idea of “the couples roast” came about.

The format of the stand-up consists of their own individual half-hour stand-ups and later come together for onstage couples counseling in episode three.

“We call it the couples roast. We bring couples in from the audience and it’s under the guise of relationship counseling, but we’d been married for 18 months at that point and neither of us are qualified counselors in any way but ...

Throughout his career, Demetri Martin has singled himself out by thinking about all angles of life in a different way. His new Netflix special, out next month, finds him wondering if he might have always been overdoing it, just a little bit.

Martin returns to the stage in “Demetri Martin: The Overthinker,” a new hour of musings on everything from his own childhood precociousness to getting angry while driving. As Netflix’s trailer for at the special below shows, the guy behind “The Overthinker” has plenty of fresh ideas for getting people to tune in.

The special, which was recorded at the Moore Theater in Seattle, is Martin’s first full filmed stage effort since 2015’s “Demetri Martin Live* at the time.” In the intervening years, Martin wrote, directed, and starred in the 2016 Tribeca-winning indie feature “Dean.”

“The Overthinker” also reunites him with director Jay Karas, who was also behind...

Saturday Night Live castmember Will Forte is to host a gala at the upcoming Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, organizers said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Wanda Sykes will host the Throwback show as part of the festival's Jfl Comedy Pro industry conference, while Undateable star Chris D'Elia and fellow comics Tig Notaro, Moshe Kasher, Jim Norton and Gina Yashere (British correspondent on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah) will bring solo shows to Montreal.

They join a 2018 Jfl comedy lineup that includes previously announced gala hosting duties for Girls Trip star Tiffany Haddish and Trevor Noah, and a one-man show ...

After a whirlwind morning, ABC announced it is canceling the “Roseanne” revival following Roseanne Barr’s offensive comments about one of Barack Obama’s former senior advisers on Tuesday. Throughout the day, numerous Hollywood stars have taken to Twitter to react to her initial comments, and later, to celebrate the show’s end.

“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said in a statement, in response to Barr calling former White House aide Valerie Jarrett the offspring of the “Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes.” Jarrett, a black woman, was born in Iran to American parents. When the comment was pointed out as being racist, Barr replied, “Muslims r Not a race.” She then tweeted that she was “truly sorry for making a bad joke” and announced she was leaving Twitter.

In the wake of the backlash,...

“The Honeymoon Stand Up Special” feels like a throwback. Not only do Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher’s gold microphones echo a different decade when variety shows took up a bigger chunk of the TV-watching consciousness, but there’s a looseness to this new Netflix comedy collection that feels right at home on a service with few limitations.

Made up of three parts, “The Honeymoon Stand Up Special” features half-hour sets from both Leggero and Kasher, comedians married to each other. Leggero, the star and co-creator of “Another Period,” goes first (as per an opening scripted bit). Kasher, the host of the late night series “Problematic,” follows close behind, setting the stage for a third episode that sees the two performing together.

For as much as their respective sets get to the heart of what each of them do best, the real highlight of the special comes with the spontaneous conversation in that last segment.

It’s been a pretty busy thirteen months for John Mulaney. He was a voice on the best new animated comedy of 2017, hosted the Independent Spirit Awards (twice), and toured the country with an all-new hour of material. The last of those has lead to a new special “John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City,” which Netflix announced on Wednesday is set for a May 1 release date.

Filmed at Radio City Music Hall, this new special will feature material from Mulaney’s “Kid Gorgeous” tour. This is the third special Mulaney’s made specifically for Netflix, following 2015’s “The Comeback Kid” and last year’s “Oh Hello on Broadway,” in which he performed alongside “Big Mouth” co-creator and Spirits co-host Nick Kroll.

Read More: Every 2018 Netflix Stand-Up Special, Ranked

“John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City” will reunite Mulaney with “Oh Hello” director and “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” writer Alex Timbers,...

Comedians of L.A.! Don’t sleep on this month’s offerings. Get out and perform, take in, or audition. PERFORMANCESFor the first time ever, Second City Hollywood alumni, faculty, and graduates collaborated to write an original sketch comedy revue, Uncomfortably Numb. This show will put a comedic spin on current events, and you can see it every Saturday in March at 7 p.m. (Tickets: $12) If you’re someone who has seen most of L.A.’s weekly standup shows, here’s something new to check out. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” is a free show that kicks off March 8 at 8 p.m. and features a great lineup of comedians, including Rory Scovel, Cameron Esposito, Joel Kim Booster and Jackie Kashian. It’s held at Fais Do Do (near Culver City) and will feature an after party. (Free) If you live on the Westside, check out The Grind at Mi’s Westside...

Don’t be fooled by the faint glow of the employees at Hampton DeVille. Though there might be a glimmer around the faces of the characters on the new Comedy Central series “Corporate,” that’s not the beaming of eternal optimism; it’s the fluorescent glimmer of souls slowly leaving the bodies of their hosts. And against all odds and human resources guidelines, it’s instantly one of the most fascinating comedic experiments on TV.

“Corporate” follows the exploits of Matt (Matt Ingebretson) and Jake (Jake Weisman), two Junior-Executives-in-Training. They’re anything but aspiring climbers of the corporate ladder, yet they keep getting pulled into some of the absurd hijinks at Hampton DeVille, from lower-level firings to ambitious craft beer integrated marketing schemes.

It’s remarkable that a show that ostensibly thrives on the monotony of office life has such energy and momentum below its surface. For every droll conversation...

Leading virtual reality studio Felix & Paul and the Just For Laughs comedy festival have partnered with Google to create a brand new Vr comedy series that will live on YouTube and Google’s Daydream mobile Vr platform.

Titled The Confessional, the seven-episode series -- premiering today -- will feature comedians Lilly Singh, Trevor Noah, Judd Apatow, Howie Mandel, Jim Norton, Moshe Kasher, Natasha Leggero, Grace Helbig, and Mamrie Hart. Filmed during the 2017 Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal over the summer, each episode of the 3D, 360-degree series will feature comedians in an intimate confessional booth, sharing awkward stories with viewers. Tales will run the gamut from first dates gone awry to a nightmare car ride in Las Vegas.

Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.

Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero are great stand-ups. They are also married. Let them share their travel wisdom from years on the road.

Comedy Central’s newest wave of programming has been built around individuals, doubling down on the past achievements of their comedian hosts. Moshe Kasher’s “Problematic” grew out of complex discussions in a public forum. “The Jim Jefferies Show” is an extension of his frequent call-outs of strange behavior both in America and abroad. One of the reasons the network’s newest series, “Hood Adjacent,” works so well is that it comes from host James Davis’ similarly distinct perspective, delivered with fast-paced, sly cultural commentary that’s heavy on laughs.

A blended mix of stand-up, monologue, “Daily Show”-style field pieces, genre parodies and interviews with notable figures, “Hood Adjacent” uses all of these comedic tools to look at different corners of the black experience, in the area of Los Angeles near where Davis was raised and beyond. Though the format approach changes by subject — ranging from food to police...

Perhaps your average idea of a podcast is a public radio news program, with longform journalism uncovering a hidden area of everyday life. Maybe it’s an interview show, where hosts dig into the personal and professional lives of experts in any number of fields. Your favorite might even be a show where a handful of people talk about their favorite bits of pop culture — of which IndieWire has a few! — every week.

Beyond those podcasting subgenres is an emerging world of quality audio fiction, scripted programming that follows a carefully crafted story arc. Sometimes these shows are episodic, stretching over years’ worth of episodes. Others are less straightforward spins on a theatrical premise. There are enough shows out there to flood your queue, but for now, here are 10 quality podcasts worth subscribing to (if you haven’t already).

Bronzeville

Some scripted podcasts use a lush production design to approximate a particular time and place.

Last Week’S Podcast: Comedy Central’s Moshe Kasher Managed to Piss Off The Alt-Right ‘In a Hilarious, Lovely Way’ — IndieWire’s Turn It On Podcast

Rachel Lindsay made headlines as the first African-American star of ABC’s long-running “The Bachelor”/”The Bachelorette” franchise. But there’s even bigger news afoot: Lindsay found love on the show, became engaged – and is sharing details with her new Bff Paul Scheer.

That’s right: Comedian Paul Scheer, best known for his roles on shows like “The League,” as well as “Veep,” “Fresh Off the Boat,” “Ntsf:sd:suv” and “Human Giant,” is also a huge “Bachelor” fan. The guy knows his stuff. That’s why IndieWire’s Turn It On podcast brought him in to convince Lindsay to tell all.

Listen below!

Scheer isn’t just curious about Lindsay’s love connection, he wants to know how the show works. What really goes on in the fantasy suite?...