🐾 13 things that just happened in comedy
This post is about: recent comedy news for both consumption (stand-up), and commerce — “cool tweets!” aka branded humor, which is what Free Puppies Creative peddles in — bald men are sweet, and Gen-Z girls are terrifying, I made over-scheduled moms feel slightly attacked, and Fonzie finally loses the leather jacket (and everything else)
Some Comedy News
Mark Normand is conducting Human Trials. When I first heard about his new show concept — to perform identical stand-up sets for different audiences made up of one niche group — I didn’t realize other NYC comics we love like Maddy Smith and Andy Haynes were along for the science of it all as well. Very into this.
David Letterman has things to say.I know we are supposed to bow before the king talk show host of yesteryear. But personally, I never got over how narrowly he escaped #MeToo by having his intern sex scandal drop a few years prior to anyone caring about that sort of thing. I was, for better or worse (mostly worse) a slutty Letterman intern for Halloween in college. Sigh. Also, Tina Fey reminded us all the didn’t care to hire women writers, which I don’t love. Anyway, in this Vulture post he’s quoted talking about CBS’s decision to fill the Late Night spot with Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed pay-to-play deal, saying: “They don’t want to spend any money,” Letterman explained. “So they’re going to make money.” Insightful.
Pete Davidson spent $200K on this painful pain. A thousand dollars for each design. His tattoo removal journey is almost complete. Holding space.
Nikki Glaser’s new special drops this week. It’s called Good Girl, and is on Hulularious (I can not and never will be able to with that name, Hulu). She’s also co-writing, producing, and starring in a M.A.S.H-inspired comedy for Paramount and a rom-com for Universal produced by Judd Apatow. But will she return to Selling Sunset to tell Jason he’s still her third favorite twin? I hope so.
Mark Wahlberg’s new comedy sags. Get it? It’s called “Balls Up” and is raunchy, try-hard, and not good. This from the man who brought us Entourage? I don’t believe it, E!
The Guardian just found out British women comics get harassed sometimes. I don’t believe it, E!
Union Square Paragon Sports is turning into a 3-day comedy festival. Underground Overground Comedy is taking over the hiking boot mecca to host 12 shows, all surprise line-ups from 4/30-5/2. Tickets are sold out, but you can get on the waitlist here.
Lorne Michaels’ doc is out.Just watching the trailer triggered PTSD for the time I was invited to join him for wine at midnight at the Polo Lounge — which I have heard is a way he evaluates writers to see if he feels like launching their career into superspace — and…..drank too much wine, got drunk, and was not launched into superspace. But you guys, it was really good wine.
Variety is feeling Joel McHale. This story is a few weeks old, but I just found it, so it’s news to me.
Henry Winkler just filmed his first nude scene. It’s for Maya Rudolph’s comedy “Loot,” and I think I speak for everyone when I say this is like the brother incest scene in White Lotus Thailand: Not at all what we ordered, but it feels too late to send it back.
Now, let’s talk Comedy for Commerce a.k.a. brands being funny and comedy writers being paid — my two favorite things!
More Free Puppies Creative X Hiya Health work is out in the wild, and people dig it.One comment on an “Overscheduled Mom” post, said “I feel so seen by this post — and slightly attacked.” I’ll take it! Obviously, I love the scripts (I wrote them,) but these little girls brought it to life in such a way that only Gen Alpha can. They aren’t actors — just cool little girls who will def be taking over the world in 10 years.
800 Pound Gorilla is launching a comedy streaming service. Happy for all the comics getting specials, but sad for the world that we’re getting yet another streaming service. YouTube works just fine!
Lena Dunham has a new memoir. But if you read any news anywhere, you knew that already
My final thoughts: This isn’t a thought so much as an announcement. The very funny Lucy Sandwick wrote about the recent surprise Amy Schumer #MicCheck show at the Comedy Cellar for Free Pups, which will be a bonus post for paid subscribers.
Speaking of paid subscribers, please don’t think I cheaped out on sending your 500 Subs gift. I did not! I am working with vendors and designers to create merch worthy of you. Stay tuned and continue to DM me mailing addresses if you, a paid subscriber, would like a gift.
Thank you for reading the free weekly comedy briefing. The current newsletter cadence that I’ve landed on a mostly-free weekend briefing and a paid Wednesday post, a curated list of open part-time gigs and full-time jobs for comedy people. I am not responsible for any of those jobs that turn out to be whack.
This newsletter is part of Free Puppies Creative, a S.W.A.T. team for jokes I founded and run that connects brands who need funny with funny people who should be paid for their highly specialized skills. Now, go outside!