Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker – which was pulled from TIFF in 2022 over “rights issues” — starts a theatrical debut today at the IFC Center, moving to LA’s Landmark’s Nuart next weekend and expanding thereafter with about 85 booking so far — a nice outcome for the mixed-media coming-of-age dark superhero parody that “had gone into into hibernation mode” until Outfest LA Film Festival, said Frank Jaffe, whose distribution company Altered Innocence acquired it then. It’s U.S premiere garnered a Special Mention in the North American Narrative Feature Competition.
Co-written by Drew and Bri LeRose, the film is a reimagining the origin story of iconic Batman villain The Joker, starring Drew as painfully unfunny aspiring clown and closeted trans girl grappling with her gender identity while unsuccessfully attempting to join the ranks of Gotham City’s sole comedy program, in a world where comedy has been outlawed. She...
Co-written by Drew and Bri LeRose, the film is a reimagining the origin story of iconic Batman villain The Joker, starring Drew as painfully unfunny aspiring clown and closeted trans girl grappling with her gender identity while unsuccessfully attempting to join the ranks of Gotham City’s sole comedy program, in a world where comedy has been outlawed. She...
- 4/5/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Kirsten Dunst, Henry Cavill, Mike Faist, Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Dev Patel, and Bill Skarsgård
Photo: A24, Lionsgate, Amazon MGM, Universal, Lionsgate
As is its wont, March was in like a lion and out like a lamb, leaving behind a bevy of blockbuster movies in its wake. But this lamb’s...
Photo: A24, Lionsgate, Amazon MGM, Universal, Lionsgate
As is its wont, March was in like a lion and out like a lamb, leaving behind a bevy of blockbuster movies in its wake. But this lamb’s...
- 4/1/2024
- by Matt Schimkowitz
- avclub.com
Vera Drew is cementing her status as “The People’s Joker.”
The former “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” editor directed, co-wrote, edited, and stars in the superhero-parody film that made waves at TIFF 2022 (where IndieWire saw it) before being acquired by Los Angeles-based distributor Altered Innocence in December 2023. Now, thanks in part to social media hashtag-campaign #FreethePeoplesJoker, “The People’s Joker” is indeed free for a North-American theatrical release.
Drew portrays the title character in the queer coming-of-age origin story that reimagines “Batman” villain The Joker as a trans comedian. Joker the Harlequin (Drew) grapples with her gender identity while unsuccessfully attempting to join the ranks of Gotham City’s Ucb (United Clown Bureau) Live, the one government-sanctioned late-night sketch show that is the only platform for rising comedians since Gotham City otherwise outlawed comedy. (Get it? Ucb like Upright Citizens Brigade?)
After being rejected from Ucb Live, Joker...
The former “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” editor directed, co-wrote, edited, and stars in the superhero-parody film that made waves at TIFF 2022 (where IndieWire saw it) before being acquired by Los Angeles-based distributor Altered Innocence in December 2023. Now, thanks in part to social media hashtag-campaign #FreethePeoplesJoker, “The People’s Joker” is indeed free for a North-American theatrical release.
Drew portrays the title character in the queer coming-of-age origin story that reimagines “Batman” villain The Joker as a trans comedian. Joker the Harlequin (Drew) grapples with her gender identity while unsuccessfully attempting to join the ranks of Gotham City’s Ucb (United Clown Bureau) Live, the one government-sanctioned late-night sketch show that is the only platform for rising comedians since Gotham City otherwise outlawed comedy. (Get it? Ucb like Upright Citizens Brigade?)
After being rejected from Ucb Live, Joker...
- 3/5/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
For a little while it seemed The People’s Joker might be lost to time, a new generation’s Day the Clown Cried or, if you like, Promises Written in Water. Despite an initial screening in TIFF’s Midnight Madness program, director Vera Drew pulled her film from subsequent showings over rights issues. Yet it came to light this December that The People’s Joker would open spring 2024 via Altered Innocence, and ahead of its April 5 debut at the IFC Center (with nationwide bookings to follow), there’s a trailer for the feature a PR email informs us “is in no way created by, endorsed by, or affiliated with DC Comics or any of its related companies.”
What’s seen hews closer to Repo Chick than The Dark Knight, recalling also Tim and Eric––a fitting comparison given Drew’s involvement with many of their projects, to say nothing of Tim Heidecker...
What’s seen hews closer to Repo Chick than The Dark Knight, recalling also Tim and Eric––a fitting comparison given Drew’s involvement with many of their projects, to say nothing of Tim Heidecker...
- 3/5/2024
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
"Now you must journey inside yourself..." It's here! Finally! Altered Innocence has revealed the official trailer for a controversial, revolutionary, one-of-a-kind film called The People's Joker. This premiered at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival a few years ago and after earning tons of buzz at the fest, Warner Bros and DC tried to shut it down and stop anyone from watching it (due to copyright claims). But they beat the system! Now it's finally getting a proper theatrical release this April. An aspiring clown grappling with her gender identity combats a fascistic caped crusader. The People's Joker is a trans twist on DC's characters, starring Vera Drew as a new clown of mayhem called Joker the Harlequin. Vats of feminizing chemicals, sexy cartoon interludes, scarecrow psychiatrists, CGI Lorne Michaels, and psychedelic gender dysphoria all play supporting roles. Made by Vera Drew and using her own life experiences as a basis for the film,...
- 3/5/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Famously pulled from the Toronto International Film Festival, Vera Drew’s one-of-a-kind satire The People’s Joker is finally getting set to be officially unleashed this year.
Altered Innocence will release The People’s Joker in select theaters on April 5, 2024, with THR reporting today that the film will be playing at Alamo Drafthouse locations nationwide.
You can find full theatrical listings over on the Altered Innocence website.
The team previews, “This revolutionary DIY parody film and hilarious reimagining of the classic autobiographical coming-of-age story follows an unconfident, closeted trans girl as she moves to Gotham City to make it big as a comedian by joining the cast of Ucb Live – a government-sanctioned late night sketch show in a world where comedy has been outlawed.
“As mainstream success eludes our heroine, leading her to unite with a ragtag team of rejects, misfits, and a certain love interest named Mister J, “Joker the...
Altered Innocence will release The People’s Joker in select theaters on April 5, 2024, with THR reporting today that the film will be playing at Alamo Drafthouse locations nationwide.
You can find full theatrical listings over on the Altered Innocence website.
The team previews, “This revolutionary DIY parody film and hilarious reimagining of the classic autobiographical coming-of-age story follows an unconfident, closeted trans girl as she moves to Gotham City to make it big as a comedian by joining the cast of Ucb Live – a government-sanctioned late night sketch show in a world where comedy has been outlawed.
“As mainstream success eludes our heroine, leading her to unite with a ragtag team of rejects, misfits, and a certain love interest named Mister J, “Joker the...
- 3/5/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Typically, saying you're more excited about something other than the new Lady Gaga project is fair grounds for having your queer card taken away, but an exception can be made in the case of "The People's Joker." Indeed, as intrigued as I am to watch Gaga's Harley Quinn sing and dance her way through a toxic romance with Joaquin Phoenix's Clown Prince of Crime in Todd Phillips' "Joker: Folie à Deux" (a sentence I couldn't have imagined writing after watching Phillips' original Scorsesean DC drama for the first time back in 2019), it's Vera Drew's trans-coming-of-age DC Comics superhero parody that has my current attention.
Drew, similar to her fellow trans comedienne Harper Steele (the subject of Will Ferrell's acclaimed upcoming Netflix documentary "Will & Harper"), has quietly worked on some of the more memorable and daring comedic offerings of the past decade. In addition to editing Scott Aukerman...
Drew, similar to her fellow trans comedienne Harper Steele (the subject of Will Ferrell's acclaimed upcoming Netflix documentary "Will & Harper"), has quietly worked on some of the more memorable and daring comedic offerings of the past decade. In addition to editing Scott Aukerman...
- 3/5/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Lemonada Media, the award-winning podcast network that makes life suck less, today announced the addition of popular comedy and pop-culture podcasts Podcrushed and Threedom to its original podcast lineup.The network will oversee ad sales and distribution for both shows.
“Podcrushed,” hosted by Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari, explores the heartbreak, anxiety and the self discovery of being a teenager. The hosts bring listeners heartfelt and hilarious stories and conversations about middle school, from first loves and heartbreaks to embarrassing memories and coming of age. Season 3 is scheduled to begin airing on Lemonada in April 2024.
Each week on “Threedom,” comedians Scott Aukerman, Lauren Lapkus and Paul F. Tompkins abandon their regular formats to focus on being funny with each other. New episodes will begin releasing on Lemonada on February 29, 2024.
“Lemonada is thrilled to welcome Penn, Nava and Sophie to the Lemonada family. We have long been fans of ‘Podcrushed’ and the ‘Podcrushed’ community,...
“Podcrushed,” hosted by Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari, explores the heartbreak, anxiety and the self discovery of being a teenager. The hosts bring listeners heartfelt and hilarious stories and conversations about middle school, from first loves and heartbreaks to embarrassing memories and coming of age. Season 3 is scheduled to begin airing on Lemonada in April 2024.
Each week on “Threedom,” comedians Scott Aukerman, Lauren Lapkus and Paul F. Tompkins abandon their regular formats to focus on being funny with each other. New episodes will begin releasing on Lemonada on February 29, 2024.
“Lemonada is thrilled to welcome Penn, Nava and Sophie to the Lemonada family. We have long been fans of ‘Podcrushed’ and the ‘Podcrushed’ community,...
- 2/26/2024
- Podnews.net
After seeing her DC-inspired debut feature The People’s Joker pulled from TIFF 2022 over what the fest described as “right’s issues,” Vera Drew has secured a North American release for the film via L.A.-based indie distributor Altered Innocence.
A mixed-media dark comedy drawing inspiration from Drew’s personal life, the film is set to open at IFC Center in New York City on April 5th, 2024, with additional markets and engagements to be announced at a later date.
Co-written by Drew and Bri LeRose, the film reimagining the origin story of iconic Batman villain The Joker sees Drew’s painfully unfunny aspiring clown grapple with her gender identity while unsuccessfully attempting to join the ranks of Gotham City’s sole comedy program, in a world where comedy has been outlawed. Uniting with a ragtag team of rejects and misfits, Joker the Harlequin forms an illegal anti-comedy troupe that...
A mixed-media dark comedy drawing inspiration from Drew’s personal life, the film is set to open at IFC Center in New York City on April 5th, 2024, with additional markets and engagements to be announced at a later date.
Co-written by Drew and Bri LeRose, the film reimagining the origin story of iconic Batman villain The Joker sees Drew’s painfully unfunny aspiring clown grapple with her gender identity while unsuccessfully attempting to join the ranks of Gotham City’s sole comedy program, in a world where comedy has been outlawed. Uniting with a ragtag team of rejects and misfits, Joker the Harlequin forms an illegal anti-comedy troupe that...
- 12/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The People’s Joker will be laughing its way to the big screen, with indie distributor Altered Innocence picking up the feature’s North American rights.
To start, the Los Angeles-based Altered Innocence will put The People’s Joker in New York’s IFC Center April 5, with more markets to come at a later date. Its initial engagement at IFC is one week, with the possibility of extending. Though it’s a small distribution plan for now, it’s noteworthy as for a time it was unclear if the project would land a home.
Filmmaker Vera Drew directed, co-wrote, edited and stars in the DC parody feature as Joker the Harlequin, an aspiring clown coming to terms with her gender identity as a trans woman. Though it borrows from the fantastical world of DC Comics, the coming-of-age story also draws from Drew’s life.
The absurdist movie made headlines a year ago,...
To start, the Los Angeles-based Altered Innocence will put The People’s Joker in New York’s IFC Center April 5, with more markets to come at a later date. Its initial engagement at IFC is one week, with the possibility of extending. Though it’s a small distribution plan for now, it’s noteworthy as for a time it was unclear if the project would land a home.
Filmmaker Vera Drew directed, co-wrote, edited and stars in the DC parody feature as Joker the Harlequin, an aspiring clown coming to terms with her gender identity as a trans woman. Though it borrows from the fantastical world of DC Comics, the coming-of-age story also draws from Drew’s life.
The absurdist movie made headlines a year ago,...
- 12/20/2023
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Finally, the people have spoken: “The People’s Joker” is getting a North American theatrical release.
The buzzy film, which had its world premiere at TIFF 2022 in the Midnight section before being dropped by the program, will now be available to the public two years later. The film was acquired by Los Angeles-based distributor Altered Innocence and will open April 5 at the IFC Center in New York City, with more markets to be later announced.
“The People’s Joker” is set in the Batman universe and reimagines the Joker as a trans origin story, with co-writer/director Vera Drew playing the title character. Billed as a “queer coming-of-age superhero parody film,” the feature is not licensed by DC Studios or Warner Bros. Discovery.
Drew withdrew “The People’s Joker” from 2022 TIFF due to rights issues, as announced at the time. The controversy led to the hashtag campaign #FreethePeoplesJoker, with the film debuting in the U.
The buzzy film, which had its world premiere at TIFF 2022 in the Midnight section before being dropped by the program, will now be available to the public two years later. The film was acquired by Los Angeles-based distributor Altered Innocence and will open April 5 at the IFC Center in New York City, with more markets to be later announced.
“The People’s Joker” is set in the Batman universe and reimagines the Joker as a trans origin story, with co-writer/director Vera Drew playing the title character. Billed as a “queer coming-of-age superhero parody film,” the feature is not licensed by DC Studios or Warner Bros. Discovery.
Drew withdrew “The People’s Joker” from 2022 TIFF due to rights issues, as announced at the time. The controversy led to the hashtag campaign #FreethePeoplesJoker, with the film debuting in the U.
- 12/20/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
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
From Disney World to Universal Studios, theme parks have captured imaginations around the world. But have you ever wondered what it's like to be the actual people behind the scenes who bring the magic to life? Starting this week, Keys to the Kingdom is an eight-part, weekly docuseries about the real and peculiar backstage life of theme park performers and Disney Cast Members. With insider secrets, stories of absurd guest behavior, and good old “office politics”, this independent production reveals what it's like to not only work for The Mouse... but to be The Mouse.
Co-hosted by former Disney Princess and co-founder of Earios Podcast Network, Amanda Lund, and former Disneyland Cast Member and actor, producer, podcaster, Matt Gourley, listeners will hear from current and former employees from Disney and other beloved theme parks, some of whom have become household names, as they share their personal experiences and provide an unprecedented perspective rarely heard.
Co-hosted by former Disney Princess and co-founder of Earios Podcast Network, Amanda Lund, and former Disneyland Cast Member and actor, producer, podcaster, Matt Gourley, listeners will hear from current and former employees from Disney and other beloved theme parks, some of whom have become household names, as they share their personal experiences and provide an unprecedented perspective rarely heard.
- 10/17/2023
- Podnews.net
Fewer and fewer films are receiving physical media releases nowadays, so there's always cause for celebration when a media company deigns to do what media companies used to do as a rule and release one of their movies to Blu-ray.
The latest recipient of this all-too-rare honor is "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story." This is somewhat surprising given that The Roku Channel skipped a theatrical release and sent the film straight to its streaming platform. Yankovic had requested a limited, Oscar-qualifying theatrical run, but Roku preferred to focus on the Primetime Emmys, which paid off with nominations for Daniel Radcliffe (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie) and Yankovic himself. While I would've loved to see Yankovic vie for a Best Original Song Oscar, Roku probably made the right call here.
But thanks to Shout! Studios, fans will at the very least own their own physical...
The latest recipient of this all-too-rare honor is "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story." This is somewhat surprising given that The Roku Channel skipped a theatrical release and sent the film straight to its streaming platform. Yankovic had requested a limited, Oscar-qualifying theatrical run, but Roku preferred to focus on the Primetime Emmys, which paid off with nominations for Daniel Radcliffe (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie) and Yankovic himself. While I would've loved to see Yankovic vie for a Best Original Song Oscar, Roku probably made the right call here.
But thanks to Shout! Studios, fans will at the very least own their own physical...
- 8/25/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
“I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet,” so says Marty McFly—he of the far-off future of the 1980s—after performing a raucous, Chuck-Berry-presaging guitar solo in front of crowd of Bobby sox era teens in 1955, “But your kids are gonna love it.”
Star Michael J. Fox and screenwriters Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale might’ve known at least that much about the future of popular music when making their iconic 1985 film, but could they have anticipated that said kids, their kids (and their kids’ kids) would still love Back to the Future so passionately nearly 40 years later?
If there was any doubt about the enduring appeal of the Zemeckis-directed sci-fi comedy blockbuster in the year 2023, look no further than Film Independent Presents’ Back to the Future Live Read. The classic film was given new life at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on June 24. The...
Star Michael J. Fox and screenwriters Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale might’ve known at least that much about the future of popular music when making their iconic 1985 film, but could they have anticipated that said kids, their kids (and their kids’ kids) would still love Back to the Future so passionately nearly 40 years later?
If there was any doubt about the enduring appeal of the Zemeckis-directed sci-fi comedy blockbuster in the year 2023, look no further than Film Independent Presents’ Back to the Future Live Read. The classic film was given new life at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on June 24. The...
- 7/3/2023
- by Adam Vargas
- Film Independent News & More
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for The Afterparty, Joy Ride and They Cloned Tyrone.
Joy Ride premiere
Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu joined director Adele Lim, co-writers Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, and producers Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Josh Fagen at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday.
Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, Stephanie Hsu, Teresa Hsiao, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Adele Lim and Ashley Park Josh Fagen, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weave
The Out-Laws premiere
Netflix hosted a special screening of its new comedy in Los Angeles on Monday, with stars Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Michael Rooker, Blake Anderson, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery, Laci Mosley and producer Adam Sandler.
Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev and Pierce Brosnan Adam DeVine and Adam...
Joy Ride premiere
Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu joined director Adele Lim, co-writers Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, and producers Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Josh Fagen at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday.
Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, Stephanie Hsu, Teresa Hsiao, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Adele Lim and Ashley Park Josh Fagen, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weave
The Out-Laws premiere
Netflix hosted a special screening of its new comedy in Los Angeles on Monday, with stars Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Michael Rooker, Blake Anderson, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery, Laci Mosley and producer Adam Sandler.
Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev and Pierce Brosnan Adam DeVine and Adam...
- 6/30/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Great Scott!
Ben Schwartz is teaming with Film Independent and Mubi for a live reading of Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale’s iconic script for “Back to the Future.” Schwartz will both direct the production and star as Marty McFly, the 1980s teenager zapped back in time to the wholesome 1950s. Quinta Brunson, Sam Richardson, Drew Tarver, Gil Ozeri, Bobby Moynihan and Scott Aukerman (who will be providing his services as narrator) also star. There will also be special, as-yet-unannounced guests. It will be performed at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts’ Bram Goldsmith Theater this Saturday, June 24.
“’Back to the Future’ was the movie that made me fall in love with movies. I have recited this film to myself so many times throughout the years that I cannot wait to see what it feels like to do it with this incredible and inspiring group of actors,” said...
Ben Schwartz is teaming with Film Independent and Mubi for a live reading of Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale’s iconic script for “Back to the Future.” Schwartz will both direct the production and star as Marty McFly, the 1980s teenager zapped back in time to the wholesome 1950s. Quinta Brunson, Sam Richardson, Drew Tarver, Gil Ozeri, Bobby Moynihan and Scott Aukerman (who will be providing his services as narrator) also star. There will also be special, as-yet-unannounced guests. It will be performed at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts’ Bram Goldsmith Theater this Saturday, June 24.
“’Back to the Future’ was the movie that made me fall in love with movies. I have recited this film to myself so many times throughout the years that I cannot wait to see what it feels like to do it with this incredible and inspiring group of actors,” said...
- 6/23/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
The Comedy Bang! Bang! (CBB) podcast just celebrated its 14th anniversary, solidifying itself as one of the longest running podcasts alongside pioneering shows like This American Life, Never Not Funny, and Wtf With Marc Maron. Years before every celebrity and person with a microphone was pumping out episodes of interview-style shows or rewatch series, Scott Aukerman was hosting one of the silliest shows out there.
- 5/2/2023
- by Brianna Wellen
- Primetimer
If James Corden hadn’t stepped down, CBS would have “happily” continued “The Late Late Show,” executive producer Rob Crabbe believes. In the wake of reports that CBS plans to replace the late night staple with a reboot of “@midnight,” Crabbe shared his thoughts on the upcoming revival.
“It’s hard to start these things, so it probably made more financial sense for them to shift over to ‘@midnight,'” Crabbe told TheWrap. “So I think they made a good decision in what they need for this time slot. James is heading back to England, so there’s not really a continuation of this show.”
Crabbe emphasized that he, fellow EP Ben Winston and Corden are not associated with the rumored “@midnight” reboot and that he only knows about it due to reports from the press. To his knowledge, there have not been conversations about “The Late Late Show” staffers...
“It’s hard to start these things, so it probably made more financial sense for them to shift over to ‘@midnight,'” Crabbe told TheWrap. “So I think they made a good decision in what they need for this time slot. James is heading back to England, so there’s not really a continuation of this show.”
Crabbe emphasized that he, fellow EP Ben Winston and Corden are not associated with the rumored “@midnight” reboot and that he only knows about it due to reports from the press. To his knowledge, there have not been conversations about “The Late Late Show” staffers...
- 4/28/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
There are multiple points in Bob Odenkirk's career that can teach us all a thing or two about perseverance. At one point, the "Better Call Saul" star was on the shortlist of names to play Michael Scott on "The Office." In fact, he came so close to taking the lead role that towards the end of casting it was down to Odenkirk and Steve Carell, before NBC ultimately decided to go with the latter.
It must have been disheartening for Odenkirk, who up until that point had carved out an impressive career in comedy, winning Emmys for his writing on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Ben Stiller Show," but never quite gaining the stardom he deserved. He'd made the move to on-camera talent with Stiller's series and was front and center in his and David Cross' own HBO sketch show "Mr. Show With Bob And David," which ran from...
It must have been disheartening for Odenkirk, who up until that point had carved out an impressive career in comedy, winning Emmys for his writing on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Ben Stiller Show," but never quite gaining the stardom he deserved. He'd made the move to on-camera talent with Stiller's series and was front and center in his and David Cross' own HBO sketch show "Mr. Show With Bob And David," which ran from...
- 12/8/2022
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Will Ferrell has become a big player in the fledgling podcast world and he’s just getting started.
During a keynote interview at the Podcast Movement Evolutions event, where he was interviewed by Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeart Digital Audio Group, which is partners on Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network podcast company, he unveiled a pair of new shows.
This includes The Big Sexy Interview Show with Michael Bolton and a standup comedy series The Feed.
The Big Sexy Interview Show with Michael Bolton comes from The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer and Comedy Bang Bang’s Scott Aukerman.
Lonely Island, the troupe run by Schaffer, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone, was behind Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special, a Netflix variety special starring the crooner.
The Feed, which Ferrell describes as “inside baseball”, features a group of comedians that take over a podcast feed in character.
During a keynote interview at the Podcast Movement Evolutions event, where he was interviewed by Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeart Digital Audio Group, which is partners on Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network podcast company, he unveiled a pair of new shows.
This includes The Big Sexy Interview Show with Michael Bolton and a standup comedy series The Feed.
The Big Sexy Interview Show with Michael Bolton comes from The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer and Comedy Bang Bang’s Scott Aukerman.
Lonely Island, the troupe run by Schaffer, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone, was behind Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special, a Netflix variety special starring the crooner.
The Feed, which Ferrell describes as “inside baseball”, features a group of comedians that take over a podcast feed in character.
- 3/24/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
TV creators are constantly searching for inspiration for their next projects, and in the past, books, comics and movies provided the source material for many series. In the past few years, podcasts have become a fertile source of ideas for documentary series and dramatic shows as well as comedies and talkshows. The episodic nature of podcasts lends itself perfectly to TV, where six to 10 episodes lets the viewer really dive into complicated stories like “Dirty John” or “The Shrink Next Door.”
For faithful podcast listeners, it’s fun to see which actors were cast to bring the real people to life and which elements of the story are emphasized. If you started out by watching the TV series, you’ll get a deeper understanding of the story by going back to the podcast to listen to all the supporting details. With “The Thing About Pam,” “The Dropout” and “WeCrashed” all coming to TV in March,...
For faithful podcast listeners, it’s fun to see which actors were cast to bring the real people to life and which elements of the story are emphasized. If you started out by watching the TV series, you’ll get a deeper understanding of the story by going back to the podcast to listen to all the supporting details. With “The Thing About Pam,” “The Dropout” and “WeCrashed” all coming to TV in March,...
- 3/4/2022
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Bob Odenkirk and David Cross are putting the “cult” in cult comedy.
The former “Mr. Show” co-creators are reuniting for Paramount+ series “Guru Nation,” the streaming service announced February 1. Bill Odenkirk, who previously produced “Mr. Show,” is also attached to the upcoming half-hour, docu-style comedy series.
The “Better Call Saul” star and “Arrested Development” alum will play “rival cult gurus who manipulate the minds of their deluded followers,” per a press release. The series is set to be directed by Jason Woliner (“Borat 2”).
Cross tweeted, “After a year of having to be coy and secretive about this, it gives me great pleasure to let y’all know about this new project Bob and I are working on. It’s going to be unlike anything we’ve done so far. Get ready to have your pants blown wide open!”
Odenkirk joked via quote tweet, “Thanks for the heads up!”
Odenkirk...
The former “Mr. Show” co-creators are reuniting for Paramount+ series “Guru Nation,” the streaming service announced February 1. Bill Odenkirk, who previously produced “Mr. Show,” is also attached to the upcoming half-hour, docu-style comedy series.
The “Better Call Saul” star and “Arrested Development” alum will play “rival cult gurus who manipulate the minds of their deluded followers,” per a press release. The series is set to be directed by Jason Woliner (“Borat 2”).
Cross tweeted, “After a year of having to be coy and secretive about this, it gives me great pleasure to let y’all know about this new project Bob and I are working on. It’s going to be unlike anything we’ve done so far. Get ready to have your pants blown wide open!”
Odenkirk joked via quote tweet, “Thanks for the heads up!”
Odenkirk...
- 2/2/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
“Homecoming” is back and “Dirty John” will be returning for its second season on June 2. Here are other TV shows based on successful podcasts, with their Metacritic ranking.
“Up and Vanished” (2018 – )
Metacritic score: n/a
Payne Lindsey’s true-crime podcast first became a successful two-part special on Oxygen, exploring the disappearance of Georgia schoolteacher Tara Grinstead. And then it became a series, with Payne and his team exploring a new cold case in each episode.
Song Exploder (2020 – )
Metacritic score: n/a
Based on the acclaimed podcast of the same name, the Netflix docu-series takes a look at how the world’s greatest musicians have created their songs, while exploring their various creative processes and inspirations.
Slow Burn (2020 – )
Metacritic score: n/a
The true-crime podcast hosted by Leon Neyfakh is now a docuseries on Epix. Similar to the podcast, Neyfakh dissects historical figures and events and outlines how the lesser-known subplots...
“Up and Vanished” (2018 – )
Metacritic score: n/a
Payne Lindsey’s true-crime podcast first became a successful two-part special on Oxygen, exploring the disappearance of Georgia schoolteacher Tara Grinstead. And then it became a series, with Payne and his team exploring a new cold case in each episode.
Song Exploder (2020 – )
Metacritic score: n/a
Based on the acclaimed podcast of the same name, the Netflix docu-series takes a look at how the world’s greatest musicians have created their songs, while exploring their various creative processes and inspirations.
Slow Burn (2020 – )
Metacritic score: n/a
The true-crime podcast hosted by Leon Neyfakh is now a docuseries on Epix. Similar to the podcast, Neyfakh dissects historical figures and events and outlines how the lesser-known subplots...
- 6/22/2021
- by Thom Geier and Aarohi Sheth
- The Wrap
Focus Features has released the trailer for The Sparks Brothers, a new documentary by Edgar Wright that explores the legacy of the band Sparks. The film opens in theaters on June 18th.
Since forming in 1967, Sparks — consisting of brothers Ron and Russell Mael — have been one of the most prolific bands in pop and rock music, releasing 24 albums (with a 25th on the way) and influencing an untold number of other musical acts. Flea, Beck, Jack Antonoff, “Weird” Al Yankovic, Todd Rundgren, Giorgio Moroder, Gillian Gilbert, Duran Duran, Andy Bell,...
Since forming in 1967, Sparks — consisting of brothers Ron and Russell Mael — have been one of the most prolific bands in pop and rock music, releasing 24 albums (with a 25th on the way) and influencing an untold number of other musical acts. Flea, Beck, Jack Antonoff, “Weird” Al Yankovic, Todd Rundgren, Giorgio Moroder, Gillian Gilbert, Duran Duran, Andy Bell,...
- 5/13/2021
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
With the world coming to a total standstill in the pandemic, Andy Samberg’s quirky time-loop rom-com genre mashup Palm Springs became a representation of everyone’s emotional isolation, and a blueprint for us to find our redemptive souls in the process. “All of a sudden, it morphed from this movie that blended genres and was really fun conceptually for us,” Samberg says, “to people saying this movie is boiling down what we’re all going through.” It’s no wonder really that Palm Springs has been lauded as the comedy of the year. With that success, and then the return of his Golden Globe-winning performance in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Samberg has much to celebrate. Here, he picks out some onscreen favorites, from his early days experimenting with The Lonely Island, to working on Saturday Night Live, with guilty pleasures and life lessons along the way.
My First Film Lesson
Probably during film school at NYU,...
My First Film Lesson
Probably during film school at NYU,...
- 1/15/2021
- by Stevie Wong
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s morning in Australia which means Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun, Netflix’s new sketch comedy series, has been out for more than a day when we meet the show’s stars over Zoom. The Aussie comedians who comprise the troupe Aunty Donna—Broden Kelly, Mark Samual Bonanno, and Zachary Ruane—are already fielding scathing reviews.
“My mum didn’t care for the ‘Morning Brown’ song,” says Ruane, referring to a rousing musical number—about morning coffee that unfurls into a string of raunchy sexcapades—that kicks off episode two. “I called her on the night of release. I was so proud, so excited. I was like, ‘What’d you think?’ And she was like, ‘That coffee song was a bit much.’”
Although “Morning Brown” is one of the more memorable (good luck not humming it when you make your coffee after watching it) and delightfully unhinged sketches in season one,...
“My mum didn’t care for the ‘Morning Brown’ song,” says Ruane, referring to a rousing musical number—about morning coffee that unfurls into a string of raunchy sexcapades—that kicks off episode two. “I called her on the night of release. I was so proud, so excited. I was like, ‘What’d you think?’ And she was like, ‘That coffee song was a bit much.’”
Although “Morning Brown” is one of the more memorable (good luck not humming it when you make your coffee after watching it) and delightfully unhinged sketches in season one,...
- 12/30/2020
- by Chris Longo
- Den of Geek
This article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian season 2 episode 4.
Though Disney+’s first Star Wars live-action series The Mandalorian is only a year old, the series is already starting to circle back on its own mythology. In season 2 episode 4 “The Siege,” the show brings back a secondary character who factored heavily into the series’ very first scene.
That’s right: Horatio Sanz’s “The Mythrol” is back and he’s just as useless as ever. Longtime Mando fans will remember Sanz’s unnamed Mythrol as the first bounty that the show’s titular bounty hunter collected. After saving the Mythrol’s life from a group of trawlers, Din Djarin a.k.a. The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) went ahead and captured the amphibious rogue himself. The Mythrol was encased in carbonite Han Solo-style and handed over to the Bounty Hunters’ Guild.
When the Mythrol pops up again in “The Siege,” he...
Though Disney+’s first Star Wars live-action series The Mandalorian is only a year old, the series is already starting to circle back on its own mythology. In season 2 episode 4 “The Siege,” the show brings back a secondary character who factored heavily into the series’ very first scene.
That’s right: Horatio Sanz’s “The Mythrol” is back and he’s just as useless as ever. Longtime Mando fans will remember Sanz’s unnamed Mythrol as the first bounty that the show’s titular bounty hunter collected. After saving the Mythrol’s life from a group of trawlers, Din Djarin a.k.a. The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) went ahead and captured the amphibious rogue himself. The Mythrol was encased in carbonite Han Solo-style and handed over to the Bounty Hunters’ Guild.
When the Mythrol pops up again in “The Siege,” he...
- 11/23/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
In today’s TV news roundup, HBO Max released a trailer for “The Flight Attendant,” and Spotify released a one-time show with Matthew McConaughey.
Dates
Season 15 of CMT‘s “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team” will premiere on Nov. 24 and be simulcast on CMT and MTV at 10 p.m. Due to Covid-19 safety protocols, the auditions for this year’s cast were held virtually, and the Dcc Summer Training Camp took place inside a bubble. The cheerleaders will perform to impress judges director of cheerleading Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell. Melissa Rycroft Strickland will return to mentor and guest judge on the show, while choreographers Charm La’Donna, Travis Wall and Evan Miller will also return.
Netflix announced that “Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun” will premiere Nov. 11. The streaming platform also shared a trailer for the sketch series by Australian comedy group Aunty Donna, which...
Dates
Season 15 of CMT‘s “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team” will premiere on Nov. 24 and be simulcast on CMT and MTV at 10 p.m. Due to Covid-19 safety protocols, the auditions for this year’s cast were held virtually, and the Dcc Summer Training Camp took place inside a bubble. The cheerleaders will perform to impress judges director of cheerleading Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell. Melissa Rycroft Strickland will return to mentor and guest judge on the show, while choreographers Charm La’Donna, Travis Wall and Evan Miller will also return.
Netflix announced that “Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun” will premiere Nov. 11. The streaming platform also shared a trailer for the sketch series by Australian comedy group Aunty Donna, which...
- 10/20/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Vulture Watch
What's next for Andrea, Mike, and Amelia? Has the I'm Sorry TV show been cancelled or renewed for a third season on truTV? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of I'm Sorry, season three. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What's This TV Show About?
A truTV scripted sitcom, I'm Sorry stars Savage as Andrea, with Tom Everett Scott as husband Mike, Olive Petrucci as daughter Amelia, and Kathy Baker and Martin Mull as Andrea’s divorced parents. Season two guest stars include: Adam Scott, Lennon Parkham, June Diane Raphael, Scott Aukerman, Rob Huebel, Anne Ramsay, Kurt Braunohler, Rose McIver, Brian Stepanek, and Rich Eisen. Read More…...
What's next for Andrea, Mike, and Amelia? Has the I'm Sorry TV show been cancelled or renewed for a third season on truTV? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of I'm Sorry, season three. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What's This TV Show About?
A truTV scripted sitcom, I'm Sorry stars Savage as Andrea, with Tom Everett Scott as husband Mike, Olive Petrucci as daughter Amelia, and Kathy Baker and Martin Mull as Andrea’s divorced parents. Season two guest stars include: Adam Scott, Lennon Parkham, June Diane Raphael, Scott Aukerman, Rob Huebel, Anne Ramsay, Kurt Braunohler, Rose McIver, Brian Stepanek, and Rich Eisen. Read More…...
- 8/26/2020
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Back in 2008, Scott Aukerman co-created Between Two Ferns, the rare short-form series that has maintained popularity over more than a decade.
Hosted by Zach Galifianakis, the Funny or Die comedy plays with the ideas of celebrity image and the celebrity talk show appearance, watching as the comedian makes jokes at his A-list guests’ expense, and gets his fair share of barbs back.
Earning two Emmys to date for the series, Aukerman elected last year to expand its world with the Netflix film, Between Two Ferns: The Movie. Following Galifianakis and his ragtag camera crew as they embark on a road trip to complete a series of interviews, the film features improvised interviews with Awkwafina, Brie Larson, Keanu Reeves, David Letterman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Rudd, Matthew McConaughey, and Hailee Steinfeld.
Ultimately, these segments would appear in the movie only in pieces, becoming their own short-form series, known as Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis: The Movie,...
Hosted by Zach Galifianakis, the Funny or Die comedy plays with the ideas of celebrity image and the celebrity talk show appearance, watching as the comedian makes jokes at his A-list guests’ expense, and gets his fair share of barbs back.
Earning two Emmys to date for the series, Aukerman elected last year to expand its world with the Netflix film, Between Two Ferns: The Movie. Following Galifianakis and his ragtag camera crew as they embark on a road trip to complete a series of interviews, the film features improvised interviews with Awkwafina, Brie Larson, Keanu Reeves, David Letterman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Rudd, Matthew McConaughey, and Hailee Steinfeld.
Ultimately, these segments would appear in the movie only in pieces, becoming their own short-form series, known as Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis: The Movie,...
- 8/25/2020
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
When interviews are being taped for “Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis,” one might think that the guests will have a hard time keeping a straight face, but Scott Aukerman reveals that it’s actually the host who has a tough time not laughing. “Actually Zach Galifianakis is the worst offender when it comes to that,” confesses Aukerman in our recent webchat (watch the video above). It’s been enough of a problem that Aukerman had to make sure Galifianakis knew that it could hamper production on the Netflix movie version of the beloved segment. “I had to have a talk with Zach and say, ‘Hey, we’re a little under the gun with the resources and time we have to shoot this movie. You really need to stay in character as much as possible.’”
“Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis” is one of the most unique interview segments around.
“Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis” is one of the most unique interview segments around.
- 8/20/2020
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Scott Aukerman and Adam Scott’s pursuit of greatness in the field of good rock ’n’ roll uh music continues apace today, with the podcasting duo launching a new series: R U Talkin’ Rhcp Re: Me?, centered—as if that title didn’t make it abundantly clear—on the music of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The series is a…...
- 7/2/2020
- by William Hughes on News, shared by William Hughes to The A.V. Club
- avclub.com
David Cross and Bob Odenkirk are reuniting the cast of their Nineties HBO comedy sketch series, Mr. Show for a charity special on Zoom, which will stream live on May 13th at 8 p.m. Et via House Seats. Proceeds from tickets for the livestream will benefit Lift, a national organization that assists families facing poverty.
The special, entitled The Mr. Show ‘Kidz With Beardz’ Presents: Come Join Our Zoomtacular Annual Business Call!, includes appearances from castmates Paul F. Tompkins, Scott Aukerman, Tom Kenny, Jill Talley, Jay Johnston, Brian Posehn, Brett Paesel,...
The special, entitled The Mr. Show ‘Kidz With Beardz’ Presents: Come Join Our Zoomtacular Annual Business Call!, includes appearances from castmates Paul F. Tompkins, Scott Aukerman, Tom Kenny, Jill Talley, Jay Johnston, Brian Posehn, Brett Paesel,...
- 5/6/2020
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: Imagine a world where a dating app matches you with your perfect partner. Now, imagine you are one of four people who opt out of finding their perfect partner and decide to just live their best promiscuous life. That’s exactly what the Quibi comedy Unmatched is all about.
Created by Allen Strickland Williams, the mobile short-form streaming platform is currently developing the series which takes place in a comedic future where the most powerful company ever has created a dating app that matches you with your perfect soulmate. Unmatched follows four roommates who live in this brave new world who decide to live a life of hooking up instead of settling down.
“This show is my dystopian love letter to non-monogamy, anti-capitalism and, most importantly, sex,” said Williams.
He will executive producer of Unmatched alongside Scott Aukerman and David Jargowsky. Comedy Bang! Bang! will produce.
A stand-up comedian and writer,...
Created by Allen Strickland Williams, the mobile short-form streaming platform is currently developing the series which takes place in a comedic future where the most powerful company ever has created a dating app that matches you with your perfect soulmate. Unmatched follows four roommates who live in this brave new world who decide to live a life of hooking up instead of settling down.
“This show is my dystopian love letter to non-monogamy, anti-capitalism and, most importantly, sex,” said Williams.
He will executive producer of Unmatched alongside Scott Aukerman and David Jargowsky. Comedy Bang! Bang! will produce.
A stand-up comedian and writer,...
- 11/18/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The comparisons are inevitable, so we might as well get them out of the way: “Good Girls Get High” sounds a lot like “Booksmart” because, well, it is a lot like “Booksmart.” But if its heroines can co-exist as joint valedictorians, there’s no reason we can’t embrace a pair of like-minded comedies about brainy teens who decide to go wild before high school ends.
The movie is narrated by Sam. She’s making a video for Harvard’s admissions team, in hopes she can undo an impulsive mistake. She got accepted, but her single dad is struggling just to keep his old-fashioned ice-cream shop open in the Instagram era. Having been denied financial aid, she impulsively turned down their acceptance in order to join her Bff Danielle (“A.N.T. Farm”‘s Stefanie Scott) at State. But then Danielle got into Harvard too, and now Sam has to scramble to...
The movie is narrated by Sam. She’s making a video for Harvard’s admissions team, in hopes she can undo an impulsive mistake. She got accepted, but her single dad is struggling just to keep his old-fashioned ice-cream shop open in the Instagram era. Having been denied financial aid, she impulsively turned down their acceptance in order to join her Bff Danielle (“A.N.T. Farm”‘s Stefanie Scott) at State. But then Danielle got into Harvard too, and now Sam has to scramble to...
- 11/7/2019
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
Matt Berninger, frontman of the National, has announced plans to release his debut solo album Serpentine Prison. The musician revealed the news via Instagram, also confirming that the songs were produced and arranged by Booker T. Jones.
“More about it soon but basically I’m the luckiest man in the universe with lots of brilliant friends who can play instermints,” Berninger wrote. “Not worthy!” He also directed fans to Jones’ upcoming memoir, Time Is Tight, which is out October 29th. Berninger has not shared a release date for the album.
“More about it soon but basically I’m the luckiest man in the universe with lots of brilliant friends who can play instermints,” Berninger wrote. “Not worthy!” He also directed fans to Jones’ upcoming memoir, Time Is Tight, which is out October 29th. Berninger has not shared a release date for the album.
- 10/18/2019
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
The National’s Matt Berninger has released a video of his new song “Walking on a String,” featuring indie-rock phenom Phoebe Bridgers. The duo recorded the track for the new Zach Galifianakis film Between Two Ferns: The Movie, released last month on Netflix.
“It’s a song about how our problems and anxieties can build up and feel like a tangled inescapable web,” Berninger tells Rolling Stone. “Sometimes all it takes is a friend with some perspective and patience to help us see our way out of our own messes.
“It’s a song about how our problems and anxieties can build up and feel like a tangled inescapable web,” Berninger tells Rolling Stone. “Sometimes all it takes is a friend with some perspective and patience to help us see our way out of our own messes.
- 10/17/2019
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
It wasn’t exactly typecasting when the makers of the new Zach Galifianakis comedy “Between Two Ferns: The Movie” signed up singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers and the National’s Matt Berninger to play the resident band of a generic drinking hole. But the movie makes the most of this duet between two indie heroes in a “nameless bar in the middle of America” — and Variety has the exclusive video premiere of the new song they perform together, “Walking on a String.”
The cameos in the Netflix comedy arrive so fast and frequently that it can be difficult to catch them all in one viewing. The film expands on the Funny or Die series first created by Galifianakis and writer/director Scott Aukerman in 2008, following the fictional “Between Two Ferns” crew as they travel the country in search of celebrities to interview. As a result, the movie is packed with hilariously uncomfortable encounters...
The cameos in the Netflix comedy arrive so fast and frequently that it can be difficult to catch them all in one viewing. The film expands on the Funny or Die series first created by Galifianakis and writer/director Scott Aukerman in 2008, following the fictional “Between Two Ferns” crew as they travel the country in search of celebrities to interview. As a result, the movie is packed with hilariously uncomfortable encounters...
- 10/17/2019
- by Zack Ruskin
- Variety Film + TV
[Editor’s Note: The following story contains spoilers for Season 1 of “The Politician.”]
As with any Ryan Murphy show, the season finale of “The Politician” took a big swing, jumping ahead in time three years in order to set up a brand new reality for Season 2. With the introduction of Judith Light and Bette Midler’s characters, and the final revelation that Ben Platt’s Payton Hobart will be mounting a campaign for New York State Senator, Murphy once again proved that anything is possible in his universe. Series regular Lucy Boynton, who plays school mean girl Astrid, put it succinctly: “You know [Season 2 is] gonna be so different from Season 1. It has to be, it’s Ryan.”
Just how different the second season of the soapy political drama will be is yet to be seen, but judging from the shenanigans in Season 1, Murphy will continue to push the envelope. Though we’re told actual details are being kept as mum as those for a Marvel movie,...
As with any Ryan Murphy show, the season finale of “The Politician” took a big swing, jumping ahead in time three years in order to set up a brand new reality for Season 2. With the introduction of Judith Light and Bette Midler’s characters, and the final revelation that Ben Platt’s Payton Hobart will be mounting a campaign for New York State Senator, Murphy once again proved that anything is possible in his universe. Series regular Lucy Boynton, who plays school mean girl Astrid, put it succinctly: “You know [Season 2 is] gonna be so different from Season 1. It has to be, it’s Ryan.”
Just how different the second season of the soapy political drama will be is yet to be seen, but judging from the shenanigans in Season 1, Murphy will continue to push the envelope. Though we’re told actual details are being kept as mum as those for a Marvel movie,...
- 10/8/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Scott Aukerman spent the better part of the last 24 months making a movie. For a significant chunk of that time, he couldn’t really tell that many people what it was.
“We had two different code words for the movie,” Aukerman told IndieWire in a recent interview. “Our producer Corinne Eckhart came up with one of them, which was ‘Pineapple Harvest.’ Anytime we would be in an elevator talking about the movie and there were other people, we would have to use that and say, ‘What are you doing tomorrow?’ ‘Ah, I have to go write ‘Pineapple Harvest.’ Another one I think was ‘Child Ninja,’ what all the signs would say that would lead you to the set. It was definitely a little more high stakes and we had to keep everyone who was going to be in the movie a secret.”
That cloaked production ended up becoming “Between Two Ferns: The Movie,...
“We had two different code words for the movie,” Aukerman told IndieWire in a recent interview. “Our producer Corinne Eckhart came up with one of them, which was ‘Pineapple Harvest.’ Anytime we would be in an elevator talking about the movie and there were other people, we would have to use that and say, ‘What are you doing tomorrow?’ ‘Ah, I have to go write ‘Pineapple Harvest.’ Another one I think was ‘Child Ninja,’ what all the signs would say that would lead you to the set. It was definitely a little more high stakes and we had to keep everyone who was going to be in the movie a secret.”
That cloaked production ended up becoming “Between Two Ferns: The Movie,...
- 10/3/2019
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
With “Between Two Ferns: The Movie” now streaming on Netflix, the web series’ co-creator and director Scott Aukerman recently took some time to look back at one of the show’s greatest hits while speaking with The Daily Beast’s Matt Wilstein. Aukerman discussed at length the Barack Obama episode of “Between Two Ferns,” which aired in March 2014 during Obama’s second term as President of the United States. Obama’s White House approached Hollywood creators for video ideas that would drive people to support the Affordable Care Act. Aukerman himself proposed having Obama on “Between Two Ferns.”
“When it finally became something that it seemed like he was going to do, you start having their people try to shape it and preemptively try to get in there and be like, ‘Well, let’s talk about what’s really going to happen,’” Aukerman said of beginning to deal with Obama’s White House staff.
“When it finally became something that it seemed like he was going to do, you start having their people try to shape it and preemptively try to get in there and be like, ‘Well, let’s talk about what’s really going to happen,’” Aukerman said of beginning to deal with Obama’s White House staff.
- 9/25/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Zach Galifianakis knows audiences love his “Between Two Ferns” interviews just as much as he knows they’ve reached their limit. Three years ago, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he matter-of-factly described the hit Funny or Die web series as “one note,” admitted he didn’t know what else to do with it, and, after interviewing everyone from Brad Pitt to Barack Obama, said the show had “kind of run it’s course.” He later resurrected the bit to support Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign — much like he interviewed Obama to help Healthcare.org — but the latest incarnation of “Between Two Ferns” isn’t so philanthropic.
“Between Two Ferns: The Movie” knows it shouldn’t exist. Given Netflix money to become more celebrity-decorated Netflix content, writer, and director Scott Aukerman’s 82-minute feature is styled as a mockumentary, using a purposefully flimsy plot to stitch together a...
“Between Two Ferns: The Movie” knows it shouldn’t exist. Given Netflix money to become more celebrity-decorated Netflix content, writer, and director Scott Aukerman’s 82-minute feature is styled as a mockumentary, using a purposefully flimsy plot to stitch together a...
- 9/21/2019
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
If you’re a fan of “Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis,” the fake public-access talk show that Zach Galifianakis has been hosting online, for three to six minutes a pop, over the last 10 years, then you’ll probably like “Between Two Ferns: The Movie,” the snark-lite 82-minute road movie that Galifianakis and his director and collaborator, Scott Aukerman, have concocted for Netflix. They don’t repeat the mistake made by the “Saturday Night Live” films — to take a character who worked in short bursts and build him up by weighing him down with his own sluggish, gear-clanking three-act movie plot. “Between Two Ferns: The Movie” has a “storyline,” but it’s more like a thin semi-visible frame that barely gets in the way of the main attraction, which is watching Galifianakis tweak and abuse celebrities to their faces in the guise of interviewing them.
In the opening segment, Zach,...
In the opening segment, Zach,...
- 9/20/2019
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
New to Streaming: ‘Between Two Ferns: The Movie,’ ‘Pather Panchali,’ ‘Wild Rose,’ ‘Aniara,’ and More
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options—not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves–each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and an archive of past round-ups here.
Aniara (Pella Kågerman & Hugo Lilja)
The title shares its name with a city-size spacecraft ferrying humans from Earth to Mars in barely three weeks. It’s a routine trip that’s never run into problems with many passengers already having family on the red planet to greet them upon arrival. But there’s a first time for everything as a small field of debris forces Captain Chefone (Arvin Kananian) off course. Unfortunately a screw breaches their hull anyway, pushing their nuclear fuel supply to critical mass. Expelling it may save them for the moment, but without it they cannot steer. So despite having enough self-sustaining electricity...
Aniara (Pella Kågerman & Hugo Lilja)
The title shares its name with a city-size spacecraft ferrying humans from Earth to Mars in barely three weeks. It’s a routine trip that’s never run into problems with many passengers already having family on the red planet to greet them upon arrival. But there’s a first time for everything as a small field of debris forces Captain Chefone (Arvin Kananian) off course. Unfortunately a screw breaches their hull anyway, pushing their nuclear fuel supply to critical mass. Expelling it may save them for the moment, but without it they cannot steer. So despite having enough self-sustaining electricity...
- 9/20/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Netflix’s feature film expansion of Zach Galifianakis’ web series Between Two Ferns delivers lots of laughs and famous faces.
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“I’ve got three kids and a wife. What have you got besides two ferns?”
Over the years, Zach Galifianakis' wonderfully hilarious Between Two Ferns web series has increased its scope in terms of the profile of its guests, grabbing the likes of Jerry Seinfeld and Barack Obama. Now the series increases its goals in terms of turning a five-minute talk show web series into a feature length narrative film. Adding a plot or backstory to Between Two Fernsmay seem incredibly unnecessary or a reason for concern, but rest assured, adding a real sense of story, expanding the sandbox of this universe, and the pathos of Zach’s character is maybe the best thing the property has ever done.
Since the scope and length of Between Two...
tumblr
“I’ve got three kids and a wife. What have you got besides two ferns?”
Over the years, Zach Galifianakis' wonderfully hilarious Between Two Ferns web series has increased its scope in terms of the profile of its guests, grabbing the likes of Jerry Seinfeld and Barack Obama. Now the series increases its goals in terms of turning a five-minute talk show web series into a feature length narrative film. Adding a plot or backstory to Between Two Fernsmay seem incredibly unnecessary or a reason for concern, but rest assured, adding a real sense of story, expanding the sandbox of this universe, and the pathos of Zach’s character is maybe the best thing the property has ever done.
Since the scope and length of Between Two...
- 9/20/2019
- Den of Geek
Zach Galifianakis may zing celebrities with some not-so-nice questions and inappropriate observations on his Funny or Die talk show “Between Two Ferns,” but he even thinks he goes too far some times.
Case in point — Galifianakis called Bradley Cooper recently to apologize after taking a shot at him in his new full-length feature “Between Two Ferns: The Movie.”
“There’s something in the trailer and he’s not even in the movie, but I refer to him as a ‘hot idiot,’” Galifianakis told Variety at the film’s premiere on Monday in Hollywood. “I called him when I saw the trailer…I was like, ‘I called you a ‘hot idiot.’”
Fortunately, Galifianakis recalled, “he just laughed. He doesn’t care. He’s good-natured that way.”
He added with a laugh, “I don’t want to hurt people, but I do want to make them feel weird. There’s a fine line there.
Case in point — Galifianakis called Bradley Cooper recently to apologize after taking a shot at him in his new full-length feature “Between Two Ferns: The Movie.”
“There’s something in the trailer and he’s not even in the movie, but I refer to him as a ‘hot idiot,’” Galifianakis told Variety at the film’s premiere on Monday in Hollywood. “I called him when I saw the trailer…I was like, ‘I called you a ‘hot idiot.’”
Fortunately, Galifianakis recalled, “he just laughed. He doesn’t care. He’s good-natured that way.”
He added with a laugh, “I don’t want to hurt people, but I do want to make them feel weird. There’s a fine line there.
- 9/18/2019
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence team up again for Bad Boys for Life, releasing its first full trailer this week, along with a new preview of Taika Waititi's Hitler satire Jojo Rabbit. Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan star in Destin Daniel Cretton's Just Mercy, and Scott Aukerman directs the film version of the Zach Galifianakis Funny or Die sketch, Between Two Ferns: The Movie.
Thriller/horror films Black Christmas, starring Imogen Poots from director Sophia Takal, and Gretel & Hansel, from director Oz Perkins, each debuted trailers this week. Lorene Scafaria's Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, released its second trailer along ...
Thriller/horror films Black Christmas, starring Imogen Poots from director Sophia Takal, and Gretel & Hansel, from director Oz Perkins, each debuted trailers this week. Lorene Scafaria's Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, released its second trailer along ...
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence team up again for Bad Boys for Life, releasing its first full trailer this week, along with a new preview of Taika Waititi's Hitler satire Jojo Rabbit. Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan star in Destin Daniel Cretton's Just Mercy, and Scott Aukerman directs the film version of the Zach Galifianakis Funny or Die sketch, Between Two Ferns: The Movie.
Thriller/horror films Black Christmas, starring Imogen Poots from director Sophia Takal, and Gretel & Hansel, from director Oz Perkins, each debuted trailers this week. Lorene Scafaria's Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, released its second trailer along ...
Thriller/horror films Black Christmas, starring Imogen Poots from director Sophia Takal, and Gretel & Hansel, from director Oz Perkins, each debuted trailers this week. Lorene Scafaria's Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, released its second trailer along ...
Between Two Ferns, the irreverent online talk show hosted by Zach Galifianakis, is now getting a movie. The trailer for Between Two Ferns: The Movie arrived on Tuesday, announcing that the film will premiere on Netflix on September 20th.
Galifianakis stars as himself, the sardonic host of Between Two Ferns which, in the film, runs on public access television. Galifianakis must secure the show’s reputation after a disastrous interview with Matthew McConaughey gets uploaded to Funny or Die. (“He was brought back to life, but he was momentarily dead,...
Galifianakis stars as himself, the sardonic host of Between Two Ferns which, in the film, runs on public access television. Galifianakis must secure the show’s reputation after a disastrous interview with Matthew McConaughey gets uploaded to Funny or Die. (“He was brought back to life, but he was momentarily dead,...
- 9/3/2019
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
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