Comedy constantly shifts and changes, and tenets that might have applied years ago are also on the move. Variety spoke to some comics about everything from social media to cancel culture to figure out the new rules of the comedy scene.
Live wherever.
New York too expensive? Los Angeles too soul-crushing? Austin … too Texas? Touring headliners now regularly hail from more efficient hubs in Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota or anywhere else with Wi-Fi.
“I don’t hang in Hollywood,” says Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams from Atlanta. “If you learn how to create for yourself, then you don’t have to wait on nobody to give you anything in this business.” The convicted felon who’d been shot twice by 21 is now serving as judge on “Ms. Pat Settles It.” Her multicam “The Ms. Pat Show” had been dropped three times prior to earning multiple BET and Emmy nominations and breaking streaming...
Live wherever.
New York too expensive? Los Angeles too soul-crushing? Austin … too Texas? Touring headliners now regularly hail from more efficient hubs in Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota or anywhere else with Wi-Fi.
“I don’t hang in Hollywood,” says Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams from Atlanta. “If you learn how to create for yourself, then you don’t have to wait on nobody to give you anything in this business.” The convicted felon who’d been shot twice by 21 is now serving as judge on “Ms. Pat Settles It.” Her multicam “The Ms. Pat Show” had been dropped three times prior to earning multiple BET and Emmy nominations and breaking streaming...
- 4/29/2024
- by Julie Seabaugh
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: M88 has signed actor, stand up-comedian, and entrepreneur Desi Banks for representation.
Currently on his cross-country “Purpose Chaser” theatre tour, which follows a 50-city tour in 2022, Banks has toured with the likes of Mike Epps, Deray Davis, Kountry Wayne, Gary Owens, Lavell Crawford, and more. A content creator who has thus far produced over 3,500 original videos, he boasts a following of over 15M fans across various social media platforms.
After being publicly praised by Kevin Hart as a “next great” talent, Banks was brought on board for a cameo in a Hartbeat-produced Super Bowl ’23 commercial for DraftKings. Other heavy hitters with whom he’s worked include Ludacris and 21 Savage.
As an actor, Banks has appeared in major motion pictures such as Will Packer’s Little starring Issa Rae and Regina Hall; the Terry J. Vaughn-produced and directed Merry WishMas; and 2017’s Love by Chance. He also landed a...
Currently on his cross-country “Purpose Chaser” theatre tour, which follows a 50-city tour in 2022, Banks has toured with the likes of Mike Epps, Deray Davis, Kountry Wayne, Gary Owens, Lavell Crawford, and more. A content creator who has thus far produced over 3,500 original videos, he boasts a following of over 15M fans across various social media platforms.
After being publicly praised by Kevin Hart as a “next great” talent, Banks was brought on board for a cameo in a Hartbeat-produced Super Bowl ’23 commercial for DraftKings. Other heavy hitters with whom he’s worked include Ludacris and 21 Savage.
As an actor, Banks has appeared in major motion pictures such as Will Packer’s Little starring Issa Rae and Regina Hall; the Terry J. Vaughn-produced and directed Merry WishMas; and 2017’s Love by Chance. He also landed a...
- 3/28/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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,...
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,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
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,...
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,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix on Thursday morning unveiled Improv: 60 and Still Standing, a comedy special celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Improv comedy clubs, which will premiere globally on the streamer November 7th.
For six decades, The Improv has stood as a trailblazer in the realm of live comedy, serving as one of the primary platforms for both up-and-coming and veteran comedians. In honor of its anniversary, 10 globally acclaimed comedians will light up the stage in Hollywood for a special evening at The Improv, alongside never-before-seen archival footage from today’s household names.
The comics dropping in for short sets include Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Bert Kreischer, Craig Robinson, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Jeff Dunham, Kevin Nealon, Mark Normand, Jo Koy, and Whitney Cummings. Among those featured in rare archival footage, who arrived at The Improv as “young newcomers,” per Improv CEO Robert Hartmann, and emerged as “major stars,” are Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld,...
For six decades, The Improv has stood as a trailblazer in the realm of live comedy, serving as one of the primary platforms for both up-and-coming and veteran comedians. In honor of its anniversary, 10 globally acclaimed comedians will light up the stage in Hollywood for a special evening at The Improv, alongside never-before-seen archival footage from today’s household names.
The comics dropping in for short sets include Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Bert Kreischer, Craig Robinson, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Jeff Dunham, Kevin Nealon, Mark Normand, Jo Koy, and Whitney Cummings. Among those featured in rare archival footage, who arrived at The Improv as “young newcomers,” per Improv CEO Robert Hartmann, and emerged as “major stars,” are Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld,...
- 10/12/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Sex Education” Season 4 opened to 12 million total views during the Sept. 18-24 viewing window, subsequently ending the No. 1 streak of One Piece” on Netflix Top 10’s English-language TV chart and bringing the Moordale students’ story to a close on a high note.
The finale featured several new faces alongside the original crew including “Schitt’s Creek” star Dan Levy, Thaddea Graham (“Doctor Who”), Lisa McGrillis (“Somewhere Boy”), Marie Reuther (“Kamikaze”), Jodie Turner Smith, Eshaan Akbar.
“One Piece” remains fairly high above the competition, landing in third place on the chart. After recently scoring a Season 2 pickup, the show gained another 6.2 million total views in its third full week of availability.
In its first four days of availability, the live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga quickly sailed to the top of Netflix’s top 10 chart with 18.5 million total views. During the Aug. 28-Sept. 3 viewing window, the series reached the Top 10 in 93 countries,...
The finale featured several new faces alongside the original crew including “Schitt’s Creek” star Dan Levy, Thaddea Graham (“Doctor Who”), Lisa McGrillis (“Somewhere Boy”), Marie Reuther (“Kamikaze”), Jodie Turner Smith, Eshaan Akbar.
“One Piece” remains fairly high above the competition, landing in third place on the chart. After recently scoring a Season 2 pickup, the show gained another 6.2 million total views in its third full week of availability.
In its first four days of availability, the live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga quickly sailed to the top of Netflix’s top 10 chart with 18.5 million total views. During the Aug. 28-Sept. 3 viewing window, the series reached the Top 10 in 93 countries,...
- 9/26/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix announced on Monday that A Woman’s Prayer, the first-ever comedy special from actor and comedian Kountry Wayne, will premiere on the platform September 19th.
Filmed at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., the special has the rising star comic meditate on everything from fatherhood to gender dynamics and faith. It’s directed by Jeff Tomsic, who in addition to the 2018 feature comedy Tag and shows like Idiotsitter, has helmed specials for everyone from Bert Kreischer to Steve Rannazzisi (Breaking Dad), Kurt Metzger (White Precious) and the late Norm Macdonald (the 3x Emmy-nominated Nothing Special).
Wayne, Tomsic, and Matthew Vaughan of Rotten Science served as executive producers.
One of the most in-demand touring comedians in the country, Wayne is currently out on the road for his “Help Is On The Way” tour...
Filmed at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., the special has the rising star comic meditate on everything from fatherhood to gender dynamics and faith. It’s directed by Jeff Tomsic, who in addition to the 2018 feature comedy Tag and shows like Idiotsitter, has helmed specials for everyone from Bert Kreischer to Steve Rannazzisi (Breaking Dad), Kurt Metzger (White Precious) and the late Norm Macdonald (the 3x Emmy-nominated Nothing Special).
Wayne, Tomsic, and Matthew Vaughan of Rotten Science served as executive producers.
One of the most in-demand touring comedians in the country, Wayne is currently out on the road for his “Help Is On The Way” tour...
- 8/22/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Universal Pictures has rounded out the musician-heavy cast for its film Praise This, starring Grown-ish‘s Chloe Bailey, with Anjelika Washington, Quavo, Druski, Koryn Hawthorne, Tristan Mack Wilds and Jekalyn Carr among those signing on for roles. Other new cast members include newcomers Kiara Iman Heffner and Ilario Grant, Birgundi Baker, Loren Lott, Crystal Renee Hayslett, Cocoa Brown, Vanessa Fraction and Kountry Wayne.
Praise This is a music-competition feature comedy set in the world of youth choirs, announced earlier this year as one of three Universal films coming to Peacock in 2023. Tina Gordon (Little) is directing, having penned the latest draft of the script, which was based off an original idea by The Story Company. Earlier drafts were written by Camilla Blackett and Brandon Broussard, Hudson Obayuwana and Jana Savage—the trio otherwise known as Murder Ink.
The film falls under Will Packer Productions’ first-look deal with Universal,...
Praise This is a music-competition feature comedy set in the world of youth choirs, announced earlier this year as one of three Universal films coming to Peacock in 2023. Tina Gordon (Little) is directing, having penned the latest draft of the script, which was based off an original idea by The Story Company. Earlier drafts were written by Camilla Blackett and Brandon Broussard, Hudson Obayuwana and Jana Savage—the trio otherwise known as Murder Ink.
The film falls under Will Packer Productions’ first-look deal with Universal,...
- 7/7/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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