• BIG NEWS for 24-30 people. Comedy Stray Notes is moving to Sundays. That’s right, put aside your giant copy of the New York Times so you can curl up and read a review of the second season of “The Last OG” here instead (sorry, I don’t have a crossword puzzle like the NYT). As for the move to Sundays, more on that later.
• As you might remember, I put out a sketch called “Winter Symphony: An Ode To New York” a little less than two weeks ago. In that time, it’s garnered 323 views PLUS two comments from strangers. Not bad. However, something very cool happened with the video. It was featured on one of my favorite shows in all the land RightThisMinute. The show is a “Tosh.0” meets “The View” hybrid where they have a roundtable comment on internet videos. Basically, it’s if the comments section on YouTube videos were civilized and actually funny. Full disclosure, I worked as an editor on “RTM” from 2011-13 and loved it there. Very nice of them to feature my sketch and you can see their take on it at the link below. Also, if you have any cool videos (sketches or whatever), DM me. I can pass it along to the producers for you.
• Once again, another NYC scene favorite had a late night set last week on Corden and it was a damn good network TV debut. This week’s standout performance came from Raanan Hershberg and he completely owned. Wall to wall, big laughs for 6:19. Just no filler. Short setups and strong punchlines. From stories about performing at a prison (which was the most popular “I bombed” story from the group of all time I think) to what it’s like having a twin sister, to his Mom teaching, to his all-time great bit about his grandpa being from a different time, he had the crowd in stitches. This is basically a template of how you should do a network set. Be fast, be funny and have a strong point of view. When James Corden said, “That was so good” at the end, I couldn’t have agreed more. I remember seeing Raanan kill it back at Revision Lounge at the Thursday two-minute mic (the true barometer of whether or not you’re worth your salt in NYC) when he moved here and he’s just one of those guys you knew had the chops and TV was in the near future. Can’t wait for Raanan’s inevitable special. Mazel, my friend.
• Watched just a tiny bit of comedy stuff on the tube since I’ve last written. It’s only been a few days. Would love to shout out to these two TV triumphs though. They are:
“The Jeopardy Tournament of Champions:” You may say, “That’s not comedy!” but if you didn’t watch, you wouldn’t know any better. This was hilarious, fun and a nice sendoff to three of the greatest to ever play the game. Not to mention Trebek may be leaving soon. If you’re not familiar with this, basically, “Jeopardy!” had its three best players ever (Ken Jennings, James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter) compete against one another for $1 million. However, these guys are so comfortable with the format that they’re throwing out joke answers left and right, messing with Trebek and dunking all over Rutter who got murdered by the other two. Anna E. Paone and I watched all four episodes and loved every second of it. Serious MAJOR RECOMMENDATION (streaming on Hulu and my Dad’s DVR).
“The Last O.G.” Season Two: If you missed Season One on TBS or Netflix, I’ll get you up to speed (even though you should watch because this is Tracy Morgan at his best). Basically, Tracy’s character is unfairly put behind bars and fifteen years later, where the show picks up is where we begin. His girlfriend and mother of his children (played by Tiffany Haddish) is married to another guy and Tracy is in a halfway house. It’s not nearly as dark as that sounds though. It’s great satire of someone seeing 2017 or 2018 with a 2002 perspective. Like a time traveler. Season 2 is deeper, maybe even better and only ten episodes that are like 20 minutes each. Storylines like Tracy starting a prison-based food truck (full of puns like “Tossed Salad”), having his son pursue a career as a barber, a home invasion gone wrong by Haddish’s character and a fight with the police in the finale made for an emotionally satisfying and very funny season. This makes for an easy watch. Totally RECOMMEND (both seasons streaming on Netflix. Maybe my Dad’s DVR; I didn’t check).
• Spent a lot of time at Carolines on Broadway this past week as I am working there now (that’s why I write on Sundays). I will be taking over for the irreplaceable Carolyn Gitomer who is moving to LA (LA comedy folks, get at her- she’s a formidable booking talent) and have started going to as many shows as I can in the building to soak in all the great that they put on. The first one I attended on Thursday was the “Funniest Show on Broadway” and had a fantastic time seeing all the great acts doing their thing for a crowd made up of fun tourists from all over the States. Second was a super fun edition of the radio show “Sway in the Morning” where people lined up mad early to try and impress Sway and his panel to get a future spot at Carolines. The show was like an amazing party. Final show I hit up was Donnell Rawlings’ headlining set last night. The place was filled to capacity. Not a seat to be had. It was electric and what every comedy show should feel like. Can’t wait to see all the great shows they have lined up.
As for this week, I have my weekly show Free Fries (A Comedy Show): Episode Eight tonight featuring a stellar lineup of Koshin Egal, Sonja Savanovic, Josef Anolin, Fluke Human and a special guest. Come by at 7:30 and when it’s over, you can go to the Knit. Win win. Don’t know what happens after tonight for me this week but I can’t wait already.
Oh! One last thing. It’s pretty self serving but why not. @Mattlevy51 hit 3000 followers on Twitter this week. If you don’t follow me, do it! I’ll follow back and like three of your Tweets. Let’s help each other out
