Hannah Berner grew up dreaming of being a professional tennis player before becoming a viral sensation with comedy bits like “Han on the Street.” Nimesh Patel turned his experience with being diagnosed with testicular cancer into a heralded comedy special, “Lucky Lefty.” And Kurtis Conner was working at Starbucks when a frequent customer encouraged him to get into comedy.
These were among the hilarious, surprising and touching revelations that emerged when Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2023 were celebrated with a panel discussion and cocktail reception sponsored by Cohen Gardner Llp at last week’s Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival. The comedians also performed in a packed showcase at the festival. Variety has been presenting the 10 Comics at Just for Laughs since 2000 and over the years the list has included such luminaries as Tiffany Haddish, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Taylor Tomlinson and Quinta Brunson.
Nine of the 10 selected comics...
These were among the hilarious, surprising and touching revelations that emerged when Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2023 were celebrated with a panel discussion and cocktail reception sponsored by Cohen Gardner Llp at last week’s Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival. The comedians also performed in a packed showcase at the festival. Variety has been presenting the 10 Comics at Just for Laughs since 2000 and over the years the list has included such luminaries as Tiffany Haddish, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Taylor Tomlinson and Quinta Brunson.
Nine of the 10 selected comics...
- 8/4/2023
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
A familiar face will return to the Oscars stage to host next year: Chris Rock. ABC will broadcast the ceremony live from Hollywood at 7 p.m. Est on February 28th.
The comedian, who also acts, writes, produces, directs and makes documentaries, last led the show in 2005. "Welcome to the 77th – and last – Academy Awards," he joked at the beginning of his monologue that year.
The New York Times reports that that year's broadcast attracted 42.2 million viewers, making the ratings for this year's show, which attracted 37.3 million people to tune in,...
The comedian, who also acts, writes, produces, directs and makes documentaries, last led the show in 2005. "Welcome to the 77th – and last – Academy Awards," he joked at the beginning of his monologue that year.
The New York Times reports that that year's broadcast attracted 42.2 million viewers, making the ratings for this year's show, which attracted 37.3 million people to tune in,...
- 10/21/2015
- Rollingstone.com
Nearly 20 years ago, Chris Rock's popularity skyrocketed. Today, he's still at the top of his game.
After stints on "Saturday Night Live" and "In Living Color" and no film offers in sight, Rock thought he was already washed up. The young comedian went back to the drawing board, toured the country as a stand-up, and the result was "Bring the Pain." The 1996 stand-up special transformed Rock from "that guy" to "the guy" nearly overnight -- but he still never shined on the big screen. By nearly all accounts, though, that's all changed this winter. "Top Five" finds the comedian at the top of his game (no pun intended), a critically acclaimed feature written by, directed by, and starring Rock.
From his famous mentor to his rough school days, here are 21 things you probably don't know about Chris Rock.
1. Chris Rock was born February 7, 1965 in Andrews, South Carolina to Rosalie Tingman and Julius Rock.
After stints on "Saturday Night Live" and "In Living Color" and no film offers in sight, Rock thought he was already washed up. The young comedian went back to the drawing board, toured the country as a stand-up, and the result was "Bring the Pain." The 1996 stand-up special transformed Rock from "that guy" to "the guy" nearly overnight -- but he still never shined on the big screen. By nearly all accounts, though, that's all changed this winter. "Top Five" finds the comedian at the top of his game (no pun intended), a critically acclaimed feature written by, directed by, and starring Rock.
From his famous mentor to his rough school days, here are 21 things you probably don't know about Chris Rock.
1. Chris Rock was born February 7, 1965 in Andrews, South Carolina to Rosalie Tingman and Julius Rock.
- 12/12/2014
- by Jonny Black
- Moviefone
An exposé of comic proportions that only Chris Rock could pull off, Good Hair visits beauty salons and hairstyling battles, scientific laboratories and Indian temples to explore the way hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships, and self-esteem of the black community. Director Jeff Stilson follows Chris Rock on this raucous adventure prompted by Rock’s daughter approaching him and asking, “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?” Haircare professionals, beautyshop and barbershop patrons, as well as celebrities including Ice-t, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, Raven Symoné, Maya Angelou, Salt n Pepa, Eve and Reverend Al Sharpton all candidly offer their stories and observations to Rock while he struggles with the task of figuring out how to respond to his daughter’s question.
Good Hair marks a reunion of the team behind Rock’s acclaimed and Emmy® Award winning HBO series The Chris Rock Show, including producer Nelson George,...
Good Hair marks a reunion of the team behind Rock’s acclaimed and Emmy® Award winning HBO series The Chris Rock Show, including producer Nelson George,...
- 6/21/2010
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Chris Rock is headed back to Comedy Central for a new stand-up special. "Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger" will make its network television premiere on Sunday, January 10 at 9:00 pm.
Rock definitely likes to keep his audiences laughing with his uncensored view, covering subjects like what women want, racism and Flavor Flav. He will also break down the long-disputed rules of cursing.
The Emmy Award-winning comic and stand-up superstar traveled the world and performed in cities such as New York City's Apollo Theater, Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London and South Africa's Carnival City Casino in Johannesburg.
Rock definitely likes to keep his audiences laughing with his uncensored view, covering subjects like what women want, racism and Flavor Flav. He will also break down the long-disputed rules of cursing.
The Emmy Award-winning comic and stand-up superstar traveled the world and performed in cities such as New York City's Apollo Theater, Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London and South Africa's Carnival City Casino in Johannesburg.
- 12/21/2009
- icelebz.com
The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sunday, September 20th at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Programs taking multiple awards included "Little Dorrit" with seven total awards, followed by "Grey Gardens" with six, the "30 Rock" with five. Taking home four total awards were the "81st Annual Academy Awards," "American Idol" and "Pushing Daisies." Of those totalling three awards were "102 Minutes that Changed America," "Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony," "Generation Kill" and "Mad Men." The following received two awards in total from September 12th and September 20th: - "Breaking Bad" - "Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger" - "Into the Storm" - "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" - "Saturday Night Live" - "So You Think You Can Dance" - "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" - "United States of Tara"...
- 9/21/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Tina Fey added another Emmy to her collection, this time for her hugely popular impersonation of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Surprisingly, though, PBS' miniseries "Little Dorrit" emerged as the top winner during Saturday's Creative Arts Emmy Awards, where Andrew Davies' adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic collected four awards, the most of any program.
Overall, there isn't a clear front-runner going into Sunday's Primetime Emmys, with seven programs -- including HBO's heavily nominated "Grey Gardens" and "Generation Kill," Fox's "American Idol" and ABC's canceled dramedy "Pushing Daisies" -- nabbing three Creative Emmys apiece.
It was business as usual in the network tally Saturday, when HBO led the pack with 16 statuettes, followed by NBC with 11 wins and ABC and Fox with 8.
On the heels of one of its most-talked about seasons, NBC's venerable sketch comedy series "Saturday Night Live" won both acting comedy awards.
Fey was...
Surprisingly, though, PBS' miniseries "Little Dorrit" emerged as the top winner during Saturday's Creative Arts Emmy Awards, where Andrew Davies' adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic collected four awards, the most of any program.
Overall, there isn't a clear front-runner going into Sunday's Primetime Emmys, with seven programs -- including HBO's heavily nominated "Grey Gardens" and "Generation Kill," Fox's "American Idol" and ABC's canceled dramedy "Pushing Daisies" -- nabbing three Creative Emmys apiece.
It was business as usual in the network tally Saturday, when HBO led the pack with 16 statuettes, followed by NBC with 11 wins and ABC and Fox with 8.
On the heels of one of its most-talked about seasons, NBC's venerable sketch comedy series "Saturday Night Live" won both acting comedy awards.
Fey was...
- 9/12/2009
- by By R. T. Watson
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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