• I love a good, themed-comedy show more than your average, old chap. There’s something about adding an extra wild card-like element to a show that gives it that extra oomph. Whether it’s a roast, a benefit, a New Year’s-themed party disguised as a show, just anything that separates a bar show into something that makes it different. That is certainly the case for my friend Brandon Daniel Garner’s show “Let’s Be Friends” at the Starliner Bar in Bushwick that I did with Anna E. Paone in attendance last Wednesday (best part of the show was the bartender asking Brandon if he minded if she CHUGGED a cigarette before the show began). It’s a really novel concept which is great cause, as mentioned before, I love theme shows. Basically, Brandon wants to be friends (hence the name of the show) with everyone he books. So, after you perform, he interviews you about your budding friendship with him. Fans of the show (yes, fans of a show!) have a drinking game based on how Brandon acts in the interview. It was his girlfriend’s birthday. Jeff Scheen, David Piccolomini and Amber Rollo were all hysterical on the show (the other comic was too but I don’t know her). Go and check this show out. Then become friends with Brandon. It’s the smartest decision you’ll make in comedy.
• This last Friday, I was a little too excited for the release of the new Netflix original “Between Two Ferns: The Movie.” How excited was I? I read a total of TWO listicles ranking all the episodes of the webseries that I had seen before. How was the movie? It was fine. There are laugh out loud moments (mostly the celebrity interview portions with Paul Rudd, Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew McConaughey and Tessa Thompson come to mind) and the plot being so thin is humorous (if you’re not familiar, check the trailer) but the movie as a whole, never quite gels. His crew is just kinda...there (although Lauren Lapkus has moments). Will Ferrell is just kinda...loud. Ferrell’s my favorite comic actor of all time but between this and “Holmes and Watson” his chops seem off. The subversive, absurd, poignancy he brings to the table seems gone. Makes me sad. Still, I recommend seeing this flick. Just for the interviews.
• One of the coolest parts about moving to New York is a lot of your coolest colleagues from wherever you’re from end up here too. When I first moved to the City in 2013, Courtenay Gillean Cholovich, my TA from ASU was here which was such a relief. Someone who had been in Arizona was already figuring out NYC which made it so much less daunting. It was also just as exciting to learn this week that Courtenay does stand up now and was visiting the City. So yeah, we hit the Creek together. I don’t know how many people have done stand up with one of their educators but it is an experience I highly recommend. Very cool to see very funny jokes written by someone who in part helped mold my mind (the class was Acting for TV and Film. I did a monologue from “About Schmidt” at the end of the semester. I still haven’t seen the movie).
• Caught up on all of the Emmy winning “Fleabag” the past two days. That show rules. I had no idea Olivia Colman was in it and Phoebe Waller-Bridge has some of the best fourth wall breaking of any show on TV. Don’t sleep on the show; it’s only twelve episodes and you’ll get through it fast. Also, watched “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” for the first time. Man, peak Steve Martin is so good but I also didn’t know Michael Caine and Blythe Danner were so funny too. Sad to say I didn’t see the twist ending coming either.
• Not booked on anything this week other than my wedding with the beautiful, funny, kind and talented Anna Paone on Saturday. Wedding Stray Notes to come next week. Yes, I am planning on hopefully filming a sketch during the wedding reception. Fingers crossed that it happens. Also, I’m very excited for the marriage!
That’s all, folks.
