Studio 60 Gone????

So it appears as if NBC is about to cancel Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. If you ask me, that is fucking retarded. Pardon my french but I really enjoy the show and look forward to it each week. It's the dramatic version of 30 Rock which is hilarious. NBC is retarded, thats right, it's retarded for cancelling this show, it could have been great. Now we will get some stupid Deal or no Deal type show with Bob Saggot hosting. Thanks NBC. You are horrible.

Let Your ASSSSCAT Shine at UCBT

Most people probably don't know who Jack McBrayer is but those of you into "indie" would probably recognize him. If you were obsessed with Arrested Development like myself then you'll recognize him as the polite waiter from the country club. In the second season he denied Michael his credit card after George Sr. bought a hottub and in the third season he worked with G.O.B. when he accidentally worked a day in his life. Some of you who had the money or access to see Will Ferrell's movie about race car driving this summer may remember him too, but I didn't see that movie so I can't tell you what he did. Now you can catch him every week on NBC's 30 Rock. He plays Kenneth the Page. Or if you are lucky enough to venture down to West 26th and 8th every Sunday night you'll catch him at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

At this weeks ASSSSCAT, the weekly fully improvised feature show, the audience was treated with Matt Walsh as the only member of the UCB. McBrayer joined Walsh to great the crowd and really seemed to steal the show. The cast this week was small which lends itself to more stagetime for each performer and I believe easier and better full group scenes. Chris Gethard did most of the monologues along with, forgive me for not remembering his name, but the sort-of fat guy from the writers room in 30 Rock, somthing Lutz I think. Gethard is a genius in the art of telling stories and doing improv with the most miniscule details as possible. One second he'll be referencing how to polybag comic books and the next he'll be handing his stage son a Stauffer's french bread pizza and yoo-hoo in a box.

For the 7:30 show the 5 man cast constructed some fun games around Gethard's monologue about his girlfriends family and then Lutz's monologue about pets. I laughed a lot, but the 9:30 show is where everyone really shined. McBrayer got pulled over for eating and driving and continued to eat his toffee car as the cops argued over littering food in the street. The second show had Rob Huebel too which was definitely a bonus. He took the authority figure possition in a bunch of scenes including, "Anything can be used as a weapon" classes. The edits were quick but all the jokes reached a climax and the guys(there were no girls) knew what they were doing. Every sunday night I can think of nothing better to do with $8.90 than spending it at UCB theater laughing my ass off and having the time of my life.

Halloween Song, It Exists!

If you went to elementary school you might remember the song that was simply spelling Halloween. You just say the letters and use the doubles when they're needed:

H-A-double L-O-W(or I prefer, double U)-double E-N, spells Halloween!!

I wish I could offer the right cadence in how to say it but it will come to you if you've ever heard it before. I've gotten in many arguments with friends about this song and only very few have agreed with me. Now I have the power of other bloggers and the world-wide-web.

Scar Stuff has a whole extended version of the song with all kinds of spooky lyrics. I recommend downloading the zip file for a nostalgic reminder of H-A-Double L-O-Doubl U-Double E-N, Spells Halloween!!!

Mutual Appreciation for Bishop Allen

About a month ago I was in Boston and randomly ran into a friend on the T. We were only in each others presence for a stop or two but he recommended I check out a movie playing in Harvard Square, the movie was called Mutual Appreciation. Trusting this guy on his taste in movies I checked the showtimes and treated my girlfriend to a nice night at the theatre. I read very little about the film but from the preview it looked entertaining enough and actually might hit a little close to home.

The movie is about Alan(Justin Rice), the lead singer of the broken band The Bumble Bees. It follows his actions for about a week as he moves to Brooklyn, finds a drummer, gets his first gig, falls for his friends girlfriend, and gets drunk. Andrew Bujalski captured a very sincere mood in his construction of the film. The characters are believable, situations are relatable, and in terms of timing captures exactly where I am in my life minus the musician thing. So what does this have to do with this Bishop Allen character?

"Bishop Allen isn't one character, instead it's a bunch of characters that make up a Brooklyn indie band. Their music is the music used in the film and Justin Rice who plays Alan also happens to be their lead singer. Their debut album Charm School came out in 2003 and received praise. Of course I'm lightyears behind on this and one of my daily reads largeheartedboy listed it as one of his top albums of 2003. The songs from the movie that appear on charm school are "Things Are What You Make Of Them"(played during the radio who), and "Quarter to Three"(played live).

In their first project it looks like since 2003 this year they have embarked on the EP a Month endeavor. So far they have made it through September and this Friday night at Piano's they are releasing October. It's pretty impressive that they will have written 44 new songs this year, not 48 because they released August as a live concert with live versions of already released tracks. You'd think that releasing this much music in a given year would promote copycat tracks and watered down music but no. These guys keep it fresh and cool with each new EP. I know I can't get July's "Click Click Click" out of my head and "Castanets" from September as well as "The Same Fire" are definite stand outs. You can purchase each of their EPs for $4 on their website digitally. I don't recommend buying anything of theirs from Amazon because it is really overpriced. Stop down at their show at Piano's Friday or download stuff from their website. I'll be sure to pick up October Friday for 4 bucks, what a steal.

Bishop Allen is Playing
Piano's
Friday, October 27th at 10:30PM
Tickets are $8

Jeffrey Sebelia Bores Me

I've never seen Project Runway but I have a feeling that I wouldn't like it. Jeffrey Sebelia was the monologist at this weeks ASSSSCAT show at 7:30 at UCB Theater. The people in the crowd went crazy when he came out, but I couldn't stop looking at the dudes neck. It is HUGE! I mean we're talking marsupial pouch here. He may be able to design great clothes but he tells shitty stories. He obviously didn't know what he was supposed to do and I don't really blame him, I really blame Amy Poehler or whomever invited him to do the monologues. His first story was a short anecdote about his kid walking around the house with a turd in his hand. His second story was just plain sad. He went into a detailed story about how he used to be a junky and lived in a junk house. The story was pretty gross and depressing but I guess it inspired some decent improv.

For those of you that are Project Runway junkies he did reveal some crazy sex shenanigans that went on behind the scenes of the show. The worst part of this is that he said it was the funniest story he knew. He said that the cast members or contestants on the show weren't supposed to have sex while the show was being filmed. One night however two of the people(both guys) ended up in a shower together. He mentioned names but I didn't care and can't remember them. Congrats to him but I hope he enjoys designing clothes and his celebrity status drops so I don't have to see him anymore.

As usual the 9:30 show was a little better than the 7:30. Jeffrey wasn't there and a stand-up girl did the monologues. The only reason I want to see Jeffrey again is to see what he's hiding in that crazy neck of his.

I Believe This Is Happening: Terrorism

About a year and half ago Mulligan and I made a movie. It's called "I Believe This Is Happening: Terrorism". I finally got a copy of it up on youtube and because it runs 35 minutes total it is in 4 parts. It works watching parts though because I cut them by sketches. Check it out and tell me what you think.


Allen Sanders wants you to buy Burly-X beard growing formula. (8:25)


I Believe This Is Happening: Terrorism (Part 2)
Reginal Manson sings his hit song, "Come A Little Closer".(10:25)


I Believe This Is Happening: Terrorism (Part 3)
A US Senator kills his own daughter with baby shampoo.(8:06)


I Believe This Is Happening: Terrorism (Part 4)
Clyde tells us that semesteries ovaries. (8:55)

Indie Comedy

Mainstream comedy is in desperate need of a kick in the ass. The shows that are on TV that are popular and making it more than a few seasons aren't the shows that should be. There are countless hilarious television shows that have been canceled before they got to bloom past a 3rd season. The shows I'm thinking of are Upright Citizens Brigade, Arrested Development, Strangers With Candy, MTV’s The State (first season available only on iTunes) and Undeclared to name a few. Those 5 shows never saw a 4th season and Undeclared never even got a 2nd season. Sure some of their comedy was completely absurdist and out there, but that was what made it fresh, new and exciting. The average person doesn't "get" this kind of comedy because they aren't in on the joke. They aren't willing to give the energy and mind power to understand what makes shows like this funny.

If my music tastes would be considered Indie, then I would have to consider my comedy tastes to be the same. I enjoy comedy that makes you think and pay attention to get the joke. I don't like to be told when to laugh and I don't like it to be too easy. I want to work for my laughter and I think the people making me laugh should have to work for it too. There isn't much on TV these days that makes me laugh. Sure I'll chuckle at some shows but in terms of laugh out loud hilarious there is very little. The forefathers of the current Indie scene of comedy are The State and Upright Citizens Brigade. Sure I could probably trace it back further to the likes of Del Close and the Improv Olympic but I’ll give the current credits to those two. These two groups of comedians have spawned folks that are currently involved in Comedy Central series, Reno 911, and Dog Bites Man as well as either of the two comedy news shows.

In my mind David Wain, Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black(I only list these 3 from The State because they’re the best known), Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh are the heart of the current Indie comedy scene. These people have their fingers in every comedy project that is in production and been made for the past 10 years. Any Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, or Jack Black movie will have people from any of these groups in it. The movies you see will make you laugh here and there but the live show is where its at. You can be sure to see brand new material at any live UCB show.

The best, most consistent laughs for the money that I've found these days is visiting the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater down on w26th and 8th. The best night is Sunday night of course for the ASSSSCAT but any night should suffice for a few laughs here and there.

Last night my friends and I made a trip down to the theater and we shelled out the 8.90 for the 7:30 ASSSSCAT show. If you don't want to pay the money you are free to wait in line for the free 9:30 show but the line usually gets started around 4:30 and is full by 8. We didn't want to wait the 4+ hours so we coughed up the dough. It's been about a year and a half since I last saw a UCB ASSSSCAT back when they were filming the Bravo pilot. I was excited to see some damn good long form improv and I wasn't disappointed.

We got into the theatre around 7:20 and grabbed some front row seats. Alex mentioned something about a Comedy Central special being filmed so we were worried that none of the UCB 4(poehler, besser, roberts, walsh) would actually be there. Sure enough none of them were there but Jack McBrayer and Paul Scheer took the reigns. They came out to introduce the show apologizing for the lack of any UCB members. You may recognize Jack from the page in 30 Rock, or the waiter in Arrested Development. They introduced the other members which included a bunch of folks I can’t remember or find the names of but also the likes of Rob Riggle, Rob Huebel, and Seth Meyers. The guest monologist for the night was Aziz Anaris.

The show started off with the suggestion: microwave. Aziz talked about food from elementary school, and the use of the microwave to remove the dent in a ping pong ball. He weaved it all together well in his stand-up style setting up the ASSSSCAT’s to improv. They did a series of scenes about a guy in animal control who turns to killing humans in order to save animals. They tied in the lunch food bit with a school gang eating crazily complicated foods and the microwave was used when a guy in the work place was making Thanksgiving diner because he had no other family but the people he worked with. Some people added more to the show than others. The strongest without a doubt were Meyers, Riggle, Huebel, and McBrayer with a few others adding nice beats here and there.

The women were disappointing and I could tell they were a little uncomfortable when someone suggested “saggy boobs” for the second act suggestion. You could tell that Seth Meyers was constantly thinking and finding ways to make the monologue work in scenes by the way he mumbled and concentrated during Aziz’s monologue. Aziz was forced to bring in porn and some pretty hilarious anecdotes from some taxi rides he had taken. The improv’ers executed the scenes well with some great scenes involving wedding planners, porn production, and taxi drivers.


An ASSSSCAT can never be appreciated by a review because it is something that needs to be experienced live to feel the energy and spontaneity of the players. I can’t possibly recommend any higher that you see an ASSSSCAT sometime. If you are in LA you will be lucky enough to see Besser, Walsh, and Roberts while in NYC you’ll most likely see the folks I mentioned earlier with Amy Poehler splashed in here and there. ASSSSCATS play every Sunday night at 7:30 and 9:30. Visit www.ucbtheater.org for more info.

Oh My Rockness Finds You Indie Shows + Beat Radio Review

Have you ever just really wanted to go out and catch an indie show but you never knew where to look? Be not so fearful because now I've found Oh My Rockness an indie rock show aggregator of sorts. You're out of luck if you are looking for shows in places other than New York or Chicago but honestly does anything happen anywhere else in the world? They have a running list of shows from now until the end of the year when Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are expecting people to pay 42 bucks to see them at the Hammerstein Ballroom. I like CYHSY but 42 bucks, c'mon! They have less than 20 songs last I checked out one of their live sets. They cover all the CMJ shows with The Shins, Tapes N Tapes, Ben Lee, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Deerhoof, Ben Lee, and the Little Ones to name a few. I'd love to catch Beck this week but the tickets are a little steep for my unemployed budget.

Next time you want to catch a high-profile indie band or a no-profile indie band you can find it there, they even listed the beat radio, cassettes won't listen, soft lights show I saw last night at Union Hall.

Honestly, I went to the show last night just to see beat radio but the other bands were a decent bonus. A year ago I was sitting in a cabin in Maine getting drunk with my college buddies listening to the 3hive podcast and a song came on that sounded old and familiar but to us it was brand new. The demo version of treetops became a weekend favorite as the lyrics and melodies quickly penetrated our minds and we found ourselves craving the song and humming the chorus. During the next few months I would sing treetops but I would always mix up the chorus. I'd say "I'm sending you letters, I'm writing you flowers" and my girlfriend would laugh at me because that makes no sense. I still haven't mastered any songs lyrics but treetops has taken on a whole new meaning. To it's core it's a long distance love song. Over the past year the song has eerily paralleled my own life. I won't go into too much detail but the lyrics hit a chord with everything that has happened to me from September to September. I first heard the song a year ago and now I found myself finally going to see beat radio live.

We had buckwheat pizza at a friends place before making our way over to Union Hall around 8:30. I didn't think beat radio would be playing first but lo and behold they were on stage as we paid our 8 dollar cover charge and got our hands stamped with an indecipherable red blotch. Within seconds of us getting there they started playing the opening notes of elegy. There weren't too many people there but they definitely had a lot of love for beat radio. One guy kept yelling out "beat radio" and while Brian plugged their new album for free on their website someone yelled out how awesome it is(that may have been me). Every song sounded fantastic with a brilliant energy that isn't quite the same as the album. I think Jim Mansfield was on drums and his improv'd fills definitely gave each song a live feeling that made the crowd dance while providing structure for brian's poetic lyrics and melodies. Phil Jimenez is a jack of all trades playing guitar, keys, and even tambourine. My friends commented on how he looked like a bono wannabe but I won't hold that against him because his song BB Shooting from his outfit Easy Anthems is terrific. Brian didn't miss a beat during their short set as he constantly stared out into the crowd looking for someone to connect with. He was pretty much the director of the outfit as they closed with fearful he led them into an energetic ending that left the people of Union Hall wanting more beat radio. Don't worry Brian your time will come. More people will hear, and more people will come. If no one else is there, I'll at least try and bring some friends.

You can see beat radio next at:
Tuesday, Oct 24 2006 8:00P
Cross Pollination at Pianos New York, NY
w/ James Apollo


I think the setlist from last night looked something like this:
elegy
another loveless anthem
mexico
everything is temporary
treetops
ancient as the stars
fearful

I Love TV

I won't lie, I've been really bored since I left Alaska. I haven't worked in over a month and now I'm in New York waiting to acquire a job and move into my new apartment on the 1st of November. So naturally I've been filling my time with any kind of decent television show that comes my way. I've watched most of the new pilots and only a few have me actually wanting to watch them week after week. TV.com has been my best friend as I wait for each new and old series airs this fall. Of the returning shows there are only a few that I find myself wanting to watch week after week so I need to fill my useless existence with some new shows.

Returning Series

Prison Break:
I picked up the first season of this show and was extremely skeptical at first. It sounds like a pretty dumb premise. A guy gets put in jail with the blueprints of the prison on his body so he can get his framed brother out. Obviously it gets much more complicated as we learn the conspiracy in framing the brother involves the highest levels of government. One of the reasons I didn't want to give this show a chance is because it was stealing the Arrested Development time slot for a bit and I blamed it for getting it canceled but we know that I am wrong for thinking that. I've just finished the 1st season which was thrilling enough to make me want to continue watching into the second season. If you like 24, or any kind of Fugitive story line this show will please you, and if you like conspiracy stories this will also keep you happy enough.

Prison Break Airs Mondays at 8 on Fox

Lost:
I don't have much to say about Lost except that I love it and the season premier was fantastic. Actually I don't remember the 3rd season premier, I only remember the first 3 minutes which were enough to please me for a few weeks. Luck may have it though that I get 5 more new episodes of Lost before the hiatus until February. If you try to watch this show from the 3rd season on you will be lost(no pun intended).
Netflix the first 2 seasons and watch them in order. The show is so deep and character dependent that the conspiracy's are boring without having any kind of feeling for the characters. I love this show.

Lost Airs Wednesdays at 9PM on ABC

The Office:
NBC returns with the 3rd season of the Ricky Gervais created Office. I was very skeptical of this show at first and didn't want to give it a chance because I loved the BBC version so much. After two full seasons this show has grown into its own and I love it. I've also gone back and rewatched the first season and must say that now I can laugh at it without comparing it to David Brent's Office. The 3rd season opened with a gem titled, "Gay Witch Hunt". I love the awkward completely politically incorrect humor that this show thrives on. The love story between Jim and Pam is kind of dumb and probably there just for the female demographic. I'll be working in an office job soon and I have a feeling this show will only get funnier(sadder) as I realize that it is what my life has become.

The Office Airs Thursdays at 8:30PM on right NBC after...


My Name Is Earl:
My Name Is Earl is simple but it is executed very well. A guy almost dies after winning the lottery and after seeing Carson Daly on TV believes in karma. Every episode then becomes a story about Earl(Jason Lee) trying to cross off something bad he has done in his life from his list. Some episodes are definitely better than others and this is a simple show that is not serialized so you can jump in and understand it at any given episode. The second season started a little weak with the first two episodes but the third one had me laughing out loud at times. Who doesn't love circus freaks and midgets? I mean you could have me watching any comedy show if you through midgets in there. This show is pretty smart even though it revolves around white trash characters. I recommend it because it is sure to make you chuckle on those Thursday nights before your miserable Friday at work.

My Name Is Earl Airs Thursdays at on NBC

Those are the only shows that are currently on network television that I find myself watching weekly. I do enjoy Weeds(Showtime), Extras(BBC), and Entourage(HBO) but those require extra television subscriptions or illegal downloading which I'm just not quite ready to invest in. OK on to the new pilots that I have either enjoyed or hated.

Studio 60: On The Sunset Strip
This Sorkin series is a behind the scenes Saturday Night Live. The show is fun in an Entourage kind of way without the LA coolness that Entourage brings to the table. Sure it takes place in LA but it doesn't feel as cool and it takes itself way too seriously at times. If this show stepped back and laughed at itself more often it could be much better. I know it is billed as a drama but come on you're behind the scenes of a comedy show. I will keep watching this but it better get creative somewhere to make me want to stick around for the long run.

Studio 60 airs on NBC Mondays at 9PM right after...


Heroes
I'm not going to lie, I love funny Asian people. Is that racist? I don't know but one of the main reasons I watch this show is not because there is a milf with a mirror split personality, or a guy who can fly, or a girl who is invincible, or a guy who can move through space and time. Wait, I do watch for that last guy but not for his power, because he is Japanese. Hiro is hilarious and he walks around reading a comic book about himself delivering great lines of Japanese dialogue that have me cracking up left and right. Forget the show Heroes, I want to see the Hiro miniseries spinoff. Needless to say I will continue watching this show as long as Hiro is alive and well.

Watch Hiro Mondays at on NBC

30 Rock
The premier of 30 Rock aired in Canada last night and guess what, I get CTV. This show is going to be fantastic. The first episode had me laughing out loud on several times. The cast is composed of some genius comedic actors and the writing is done by Tina Fey. I will be watching this one all season unless Tina Fey gets less cute, Traci Morgan gets less black, or Alec Baldwin becomes less of a Baldwin brother.

Watch this on NBC Wednesdays at on NBC


Kidnapped
24 wannabe without the exhilaration and cliff hanger endings. I watched the pilot and wasn't inspired to watch it any further. I even tried to watch the second episode but was bored because I didn't care who did what. Billie(from 6 Feet Under) go back to doing drugs and art, you were better at playing that character.

I don't know or care when this airs but I think it's being dropped anyway.


Ugly Betty
The premise is boring but I'm definitely not the target audience. I'm not a woman, I don't like fashion, but I am Hispanic(3/16 Guatemalan). It's a cute series but that's about it. It has nothing that makes me want to watch it. Betty is an ugly duckling who will eventually lose her glasses and braces and be the hottest thing around. Oops I probably just ruined the series finale for anyone watching. I won't be watching this show but you can.

This airs during the week on abc at sometime.

The Class
The Class is an uninspired Friends reunion from 3rd grade. It has a laugh track which makes me cringe to begin with and the jokes are very low(on the intelligence scale). I watched the pilot and could see where it is going but if you like sitcoms like Friends or for petes sake Everybody Loves Raymond, you'll probably love this show but I will pass. Enjoy King of Queens.

Airs on CBS while you should be watching something better.

Dexter
Showtime free preview let me catch this one. This one is interesting and I know people are feeling bad for watching it but think of any reality TV show you watch, in my opinion reality TV is worse. Dexter is a killer forensic officer. He has killed things since his childhood which was only fostered by his father. He is the best forensic scientist around because he practices what he sees by killing his own victims. Of course he only kills people who deserve it. This first season looks like it will be centered around the story of a killer who kills prostitutes but leaves no blood. The killer knows Dexter is watching and is playing games with him while Dexter admires the killers work. Instead of fixing the dead people David Fischer is killing them in this one. I recommend checking it out, or wait for the DVD's

Dexter Airs on Sundays at 10PM on Showtime


The Nine
A Lost flashback wannabe series. With Lost I'm curious about the back stories and what is going to happen next. With The Nine, I don't care what happened in the bank. Oh no there was some trauma and all these people are now connected through drama. Big deal, I'll watch something else after Lost thank you very much.

This airs after Lost, I won't be watching.

beat radio debuts The Great Big Sea LP

beat radio has now released their whole new LP The Great Big Sea on their website. The LP consists of 11 songs many of which have already appeared on the Ecstatic EP. It's free, so why wouldn't you download it. These guys have been praised by many indie blogs and "treetops" was listed as one of the best songs of 2005 on a few indie lists. Download the album and then go see them next saturday at Union Hall.

beat radio - The Great Big Sea LP

the ecstatic ep

Beat Radio at Union Hall

Beat Radio will be playing in Union Hall in Park Slope this Saturday. For those of you that haven't heard me rant and rave about these guys make sure you go to their site and sample a few of their tracks. They will be playing with The Soft Lightes, and Cassettes Won't Listen.

This past week I saw Sufjan Stevens in Town Hall with Shane from Junk Media. The show was fantastic and we even sat behind Chris Parnell. Read the review for a more detailed written review.