All articles tagged with #stand up comedy
The article reviews new theatrical releases including the visually stunning 'Avatar: Fire and Ash,' a heartfelt film about marriage based on a true story, and a powerful documentary about family anguish in Gaza told through real phone recordings, alongside other upcoming films.
New UK programs are using stand-up comedy as a form of social prescribing to improve mental health, with evidence suggesting that actively creating humor can reduce stress, boost immunity, and foster social bonds, offering a promising complementary approach to traditional therapy.
Bradley Cooper premiered his third film as a director, 'Is This Thing On?', at the NYFF, featuring Will Arnett as a man finding catharsis through stand-up comedy amid personal struggles. Cooper, a longtime friend of Arnett, praised his co-star's vulnerability and the film's love letter to New York City, where Cooper has deep roots. The movie, which also stars Laura Dern, is set for limited release on December 19.
Louis C.K. expressed mixed feelings about performing at the Saudi Arabia Riyadh Comedy Festival but ultimately sees it as a positive opportunity to engage with local comedians and promote comedy in the region, despite ongoing human rights concerns and backlash from peers.
Bill Burr defended his performance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, highlighting the positive experience and the audience's enthusiasm, despite criticism and concerns over Saudi Arabia's human rights record. He noted that the festival was negotiated to avoid sensitive topics and was a significant cultural event, with Burr expressing surprise at the country's modern amenities and friendly atmosphere.
Kevin Hart is partnering with Netflix to create an eight-episode stand-up comedy competition series set to debut in 2026, aiming to showcase the gritty journey of aspiring comedians through real-life challenges, with applications now open.
Stand-up comedian D.J. Demers, who is hard of hearing, incorporates his experiences with hearing loss into his comedy but strives not to be defined solely by it. Known for his humor and unique perspective, Demers includes sign language interpreters in his shows to reach the deaf community. Despite the potential to focus exclusively on his disability, he explores a wide range of topics to maintain artistic fulfillment. Demers has appeared on major platforms like Conan and The Tonight Show and continues to tour, sharing his diverse comedic material.
Rob Schneider denies reports that his Republican comedy set was cut short due to offensive material, stating that he did a 50-minute set as agreed and was not removed from the stage. He refuses to apologize for his jokes, criticizing "woke culture." The set allegedly included "raunchy" material and jokes aimed at Asian people, leading Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith to walk out. The Senate Working Group expressed regret over the entertainment falling short of professionalism, claiming Schneider disregarded a verbal agreement to keep his set relatively clean.
Comedian Rob Schneider denies reports that his stand-up comedy set at a Republican networking event was cut short due to jokes bombing, stating that he performed for the full 50 minutes as agreed. The set allegedly included "raunchy" material and jokes aimed at Asian people, which led Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith to walk out. A spokesperson for Hyde-Smith described the set as "gross and vulgar." The Senate Working Group, which organized the event, expressed regret over the entertainment falling short of expectations and claimed that Schneider disregarded a verbal agreement to keep his set relatively clean.
Actress and comedian Nika King's stand-up clip joking about struggling to pay rent during the long hiatus between seasons of HBO's Euphoria went viral, but she clarified that it was a lighthearted joke and that she's actually doing fine with several projects in the works. King, who plays Leslie Bennett on Euphoria, also mentioned the lack of roles since the show and referenced Taraji P. Henson's comments on pay disparity for Black actresses. She emphasized her roots in comedy and mentioned upcoming film projects, while Euphoria is set to return to HBO in 2025 with no production start date for season three yet.
Netflix, COVID-19, and social media have transformed the comedy business, with the streaming giant's massive paydays for stand-up specials creating a seller's market and helping comedians like Ali Wong achieve household name status. The pandemic led to an "explosion of comedians" as live events shut down, pushing comedians to build their brands on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. While social media has helped up-and-coming comedians gain notoriety, live events like comedy festivals have also played a crucial role in solidifying careers. However, the industry still struggles to afford equal opportunities to comedians of color, highlighting systemic racism in Hollywood. Despite this, industry insiders see growth and great diversity of talent ahead for the comedy business.
Comedian Nick Swardson was pulled from the stage 20 minutes into his stand-up set in Beaver Creek, Colorado, after a disastrous performance, which he attributed to being inebriated at high altitude. Swardson promised to "make it up" to the town and issued a statement about the incident, acknowledging his mistake. Videos posted online showed him struggling to perform, with the audience reacting angrily. The show was concluded early, and refunds are being processed for ticket holders.
Jamie Foxx is ready to reveal details about his recent health scare in a comedic stand-up routine titled "What Had Happened Was." After a month-long hospitalization last year, the actor-producer is grateful to be alive and is returning to his stand-up comedy roots to share his experience. Despite the speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding his health, Foxx is focusing on humor and gratitude, and has received a Producers Award for his work.
Jamie Foxx is ready to share details about his recent health scare in a comedic stand-up routine titled "What Had Happened Was." After a month-long hospitalization last year, he's grateful to be alive and is returning to his stand-up comedy roots to discuss the experience. Despite the speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding his health, Foxx is focusing on humor and gratitude, and has a newfound appreciation for life.
Jamie Foxx plans to share details of his recent medical emergency in a stand-up comedy format titled "What Had Happened Was," mixing heartfelt reflection with humor. After a successful year for his production company, Foxx is returning to the entertainment scene with upcoming projects and public appearances. At the African American Film Critics Association's Special Achievement Awards luncheon, he expressed gratitude for life after his health scare and emphasized the importance of Black excellence in the entertainment industry. The event also celebrated Black talent and highlighted films like "Origin" and "The Color Purple." Ava DuVernay used the occasion to honor pioneers and advocate for continued progress for Black artists.