Creating a Comic » Stuff I Like

Zack Galifianakis works a tough crowd

CJ — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:57:28 +0000

Dedicated fans of stand-up comedy knew about Zach Galifianakis long before his breakout role in last years The Hangover. But did you know that, before he grew the crazy-Jesus beard, he briefly had a late night show on VH1? Here’s an old gem from Late World with Zach:

Zach Galifianakis does stand-up at a pre-school

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TV’s best new comedy: Community

CJ — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:59 +0000

One of the ways I like to unwind at the end of the day is by watching television. It’s almost as relaxing as my other hobby, stabbing hobos.

Joel McHale is best known for hosting
The Soup on E!, but Seattle natives may
recall his brief stint on the beloved local
sketch show Almost Live.

My favorite new comedy of the season is Community, an ensemble show set at a community college and starring Joel McHale, with a stellar cast of supporting characters. If I had to single out one particular standout I’d have to go with Ken Jeong, whose recurring Spanish teacher is beyond hilarious. I’ve watched Senor Chang’s first scene about twenty times, and it still makes me laugh (embedding is disabled, unfortunately, but do yourself a favor and click that link).

Community is on NBC every Thursday night, for you backward primates (and/or non-nerds) who don’t download all of your entertainment. New episodes are also posted online at Hulu.

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Favorite comedians: Louis CK

CJ — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:25:44 +0000

Most comedians have a few different types of favorite comics; for example, I have a favorite all-time comedian, a favorite famous comedian, a favorite local comedian, a favorite gay comedian¹, etc. I also have a favorite comedian who represents everything I love about stand-up comedy, one who I subconsciously emulate and would love to be just like when I grow up. This comic, for me, is Louis CK.

I don’t have enough superlatives to describe my deep and abiding manlove for Louis, so instead I’ll just quote comedy writer, director, stand-up comic, and all-around entertainment gazillionaire Judd Apatow:

Louis C.K. is one of the all-time great comedians. His act is smart, insightful, and more hilarious than you could ever imagine. We all did stand-up to prepare for Funny People, and Louis saw Jonah [Hill] perform and gave him some sound advice. During the show, we were all watching his material thinking, “Holy shit, he’s just a thousand times better than all of us.”

I have too many favorite Louis CK bits to choose just one, or even ten, so here are the first three I can think of off the top of my head: on being white, angry about bank fees, and of course, demon blowjobs in hell. Absolute gold.

It saddens me that I can’t go see him perform tomorrow at Seattle’s Moore Theater, but that audience is in for a great time. The good news for the rest of us is that Louis CK’s new comedy show was just picked up for a first season by FX.

Related entries in Stuff I Like:

Now we’re even, buddy.

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