Gajillionaires!

Paul Scheer, Tom Lennon, Jordan Peele, Riki Lindhomme bring you Gajillionaires: Zombie Romney! 

The Greatest Event in Television

The Greatest Event in Television aired last night. It's such an auspicious moment in television history, Adult Swim pre-empted Childrens' Hospital.

Hey Simon & Simon fans, hold onto your underwear. This is going to blow them right off your butt.

Exclusive Interview: Kate Mulgrew Finds Her Funny Side

The day Kate Mulgrew returned to her hometown of Dubuque, Iowa to receive the Pioneer Spirit Award at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in April, it was almost her last day on Earth. After a calm takeoff out of Chicago O'Hare, the weather took a turn for the worst as the plane approached her destination. "We were flying in a soup!" the co-star of Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV  recalls, the memory of this harrowing experience still fresh in her mind. "Dubuque is in a valley. But when we got close to the landing strip, there was zero visibility. The pilot tried to land and he couldn't get the nose down. We hit the tarmac, but we then went straight up like a rocket with the plane shaking side to side."

One can imagine how Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starfleet Starship USS Voyager on Star Trek: Voyager, a role Mulgrew inhabited to much acclaim, would have handled such hideous turbulence: With steely eyed determination? Perhaps. But this was real life in the face of a massive storm, and the real Kate, who wasn't the Captain on this flight, was ready to meet her maker until the pilot gained control of the aircraft and landed safely. "Ten  minutes after landing, I was on stage getting this award! But, then to add insult to injury, I told the whole audience the story and said, 'Can you believe it? I almost crashed on American Airlines!'".

Why "insult to injury?"  The whole evening was  sponsored by  American Airlines. "Comedy of errors!" laughs Kate, obviously still shaken, but never stirred. (More on the Bond reference later.)

With forty years of hard earned stage and television work under her belt, (some viewers may remember her as Mary Ryan in the soap Ryan's Hope), it's a curious turn to see her join the ranks of alternative comedy on NTSF:SD:SUV, where she plays Kove, the eyeball challenged head honcho of the National Terrorist Strike Force in San Diego, a fun send up of the plethora of cop procedural shows that infest the network airways. 

I spoke to Kate about working on NTSF and this new genre of niche comedy Adult Swim is championing. She was charming, hilarious, charismatic and open to the world of the absurd.

Paul Scheer and Kate Mulgrew in NTSF:SD:SUV

  
You've done everything from Shakespeare to Star Trek Voyager to portraying Katherine Hepburn on stage. What made you join the NTSF team at Adult Swim?

Paul Scheer. He's beyond wonderful. I keep saying it, and I can't say it often enough or emphatically enough. He's a singular human being in Hollywood. Kind, generous, funny. He called me, and I had no idea who he was. He watched me on Star Trek and had this idea that I would be "M" 007, and he said "What do you think?", and I said "Is it lunacy?", and he said "Complete lunacy", and I said "I'm in."


Alternative comedians have such a sense of the absurd, which opens an outlet of creativity that doesn't fit within the boundaries of mainstream entertainment.

Well, I think Paul is held in great regard because every time I turned around in the second season, there was another terrific comedian. Everyone wants to work with him and for him.

Is there a little Captain Janeway in Kove?

No. Paul was thinking of Judy Dench in the James Bond movies. He was thinking of a serious female figure, so of course, he put an eyepatch on me.(Laughs)

Is there a back story on how Kove got the eyepatch? I don't remember anything eluding to the reason why she has one.

We haven't examined the back story, but Paul and I are always laughing about it. I think that I should switch the eye patch to the other eye! Maybe we'll have an episode about the history of the eyepatch!

Does Scheer keep the door open for you to contribute to a scene?

Oh yes, he's collaborative. He knows the best work must be collective. He listens to you with every part of his being. He uses what he can use. Never once does anyone feel less than necessary. He has that fantastic gift.

Does the cast come to you for acting advice, or how they should approach their character?

No, but they often look at me and say "does anybody know you're funny?" (laughs) because they know I've had a 40 year career as a legitimate actress, and it's so much fun to play with them and be, in their eyes, a comedian.  It's very freeing.

The show is so kooky, was there ever a time or a scene that was so over the top that you had to say, "Oh no, Paul I can't do this?"

I've never said I can't do it. I don't know how to say those words, but the chopping off of thumbs and appendages with a machete last season - that was very challenging. I did look at Paul and thought "Arrrgggh!" But you have to let it go. There is nothing precious. Nothing.

Trent and Kove have been married and divorced twice...

Right!  And we have two children Jericho and Cherokee. Neither of them speak, but they are karate champions.

Of course!  What else would they be? Do you think Trent and Kove will get married and divorced twice again?

Well, hope springs eternal! I think it would be brilliant, don't you? To be married and divorced twice in the same season - it would be brilliant. Someone actually does get married this season. But it doesn't last.

I hear that Kove now has a podcast? What kind of guests will she invite in for an up-close-and-personal interview?

We'll, she's less interested in sane people than she is in bizarre people. But Kove wants to be highly regarded by the team. She would give anything, her right hand and her left eye - her only remaining eye - to be part of the group. But she's so un-hip, and Kove is so desperate to be hip.

It's the whole aspect of her character, that off-center pattern of characteristics that make her so funny.

Right! And it's her self-importance. She just knows that she's never going to be invited to the party. Just like that whole episode in last season when they wouldn't invite her to a birthday party. She's obssessed.

Since NTSF and Childrens' Hospital pool of talent and producers are intertwined, has Rob Corddry ever asked you to make a guest appearance as Kove at Childrens? Perhaps in a NTSF/Childrens' Hospital crossover?

I don't know anything about that, but it sounds intriguing. It's the new wave, but I think Adult Swim has a pretty good idea what's amusing to every demographic. You should suggest that! (TVBlogster: If anyone in power is reading this...hint, hint.)

Any plans on returning to Broadway or the off-Broadway stage in the near future?

Yes, I'm doing a play in the Spring called Somewhere Fun, written by the very gifted playwright Jenny Schwartz, directed by Ann Kaufman. We go into rehearsals in April in New York. I've been working on this play, workshopped for them and with them, the last two years, and now we're going into the theater. I'm very excited. It's a dark comedy, but it's brilliant. The playwright is truly magnificent - a great, great mind. So come and see it if you can.

I would love to get back to New York to see it!

Well, Get your buddy pass and get on Jet Blue now!

For more on Kate Mulgrew and for updates on her upcoming projects, please check out her Twitter feed @TotallyKate and her official website www.KateMulgrew.wordpress.com

Paul Scheer and Rob Corddry's Worlds Collide...

The creators of Childrens' Hospital and NTSF:SD:SUV bring their imbred world of comedy to you.

NTSF:SD:SUV: When Ordinary Cops Won't Do

Paul Scheer and his team of funny men and women bring you a world where cops have perpetual five o'clock shadows and lady detectives wear only the coolest of casual pant suits. NTSF: SD:SUV is back, tomorrow night on Adult Swim at 12:15am after Childrens' Hospital. 

Now that CSI: Miami is a ghost, David Caruso can shine the shoes of Trent Hauser, a bad ass detective of the National Terrorist Strike Force: San Diego: Special Utility Vehicle.  Along with Trent's crew of special agents, lead by Kove (Kate Mulligrew), the members of the NTSF destroy villains with such fierce skill, Alan Rickman will poop his pants.

What a season it's going to be. Watch this show and be treated to a 21 Jump Street spoof as Trent and Piper go undercover as high school students to capture a kidnapper who abducts bullies. Stick around for Alaskan native Alphonse, an NTSF special agent and former member of NTSF:AK:CANOE team, as  he reconnects with his evil father who places his partners under a spell with large doses of salmon. See cameos by Aubrey Plaza, Ray Liotta, and Jay Johnston. Stick around for Rob Riggle, President of the Navy. I love this show, but from what I've seen, season is going to be even better than season one.

One more time: NTSF:SD:SUV season two premieres Thursday at 12:15am on Adult Swim. Watch it nerds!

'NTSF' Back on Board

Fans of NTSF:SD:SUV will be happy to know that the show started production for season 2 yesterday. A new Adult Swim sensation, the show, created by Paul Scheer and his team of funny people was renewed after a successful first season. The show is due to air later this year.

Christmas Comedy for Laughs and Charity: In L.A.

The Christmas season begins as soon as you scrape off the leftovers from your Thanksgiving dinner plate; however, it's never 'Tis the Season in Los Angeles until the holiday comedy Christmas shows hit the theaters of Hollywood. My dance card will be full this week attending some of these events. If you're in the Los Angeles area, and love live comedy and the humans who create it, check these out. They are all hilariously fun, and they are all for charity:

Paul Scheer's (Human Giant, The League) 3rd Annual Sexy Christmas Spectacular is happening this Saturday, December 11th, 8:30pm at Largo in West Hollywood. In the tradition of the old boozy Hollywood television variety show, Paul transforms into J. Montgomery Scott, a Hollywood television legend whose mugful of Christmas cheer and total lack of self awareness makes this mock television holiday show feel like the outtakes of an old Andy Williams Christmas special, if those outtakes were dysfunctional and inappropriate. Come for Ed Helms, Melissa Rauch and Casey Wilson as they make their way up J. Montgomery's snowy driveway. Stay for the tales of J. Montgomery's dead wife. Leave with Rob Huebel's bottle of baby oil and tales of his drunken regrets.

All proceeds to go the USO.Tickets are available here: http://largo.laughstub.com/show.cfm?id=120685

If you're a listener of the Comedy Bang Bang podcast over at Earwolf.com, or attend the weekly Tuesday show at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, you've most likely waited all year for the Comedy Bang Bang Nativity Pageant to come down your chimney. Formerly known as Comedy Death Ray, this event usually sold out within minutes in past years, mostly due to it being held at UCB, a venue that seats about 100 people. This year it will be held at the more roomy Montelban Theater in Hollywood on Tuesday, December 13th at 7pm, and boasts a dream line up of comedians like Sarah Silverman, Kevin Nealon, Bob Odenkirk, Patton Oswalt and Paul F. Tompkins to name a few. And I mean it. This jam packed marathon of sketch and stand up blissfully goes on all night. You will be wringing the sweat of a dozen or two comedians from your clothes for weeks. (Reminder: Change your clothes.)

All proceeds to to the L.A. Food Bank. Tickets are available here! http://www.ticketfly.com/event/80839

Paul F. Tompkins' monthly show at Largo is legendary. An intimate evening of comedy and music, Paul's followers always make sure they grab a ticket for a fun Saturday night of hilarity as the calendar page turns. But with the holidays come The Paul F. Tompkins' Christmas Show. It's Paul's monthly stage performance jacked up on Christmas steroids. Filled with a line up of surprise guests, the songs are Christmassy, the sketches are twinkly and the egg nog flows at the lobby snack stand. Get a rum buzz and join on Saturday, December 17th at 8:30pm. All proceeds to to Habitat for Humanity.

Tickets are actually sold out, but if you check on the link, some tickets could open up. Also, you can come to the window before the show in case there are cancellations: Go to - http://largo.laughstub.com/show.cfm?id=95668&cart

NTSF: SD: SUV

NTSF: SD: SUV premieres on Thursday, July 21st at 12:15am on Adult Swim. (After Childrens' Hospital). Get ready to have your face blown off...ironically.

Check Out NTSF:SD:SUV Extended Version

Filled with lots of kick ass, Adult Swim and Funny or Die bring you an extended trailer of NTSF:SD:SUV. Watch it until your face explodes.

NTSF:SD:SUV:: w/ Paul Scheer, Rob Riggle, June Raphael and Brandon Johnson from Paul Scheer

NTSF:SD:SUV

(Via Paul Scheer)

Hold on to your sofa and throw away your remote. You won't want to miss one action packed second of this action packed show filled with action packed action. From the brain of Paul Scheer, watch the trailer for National Terrorism Strike Force: San Diego: Sports Utility Vehicle. On Adult Swim.

Friday Night Viewing: A Night Full of "Pauls"

If comedy is your bag, and Paul is your favorite male name, it's your lucky night. Two Pauls - one Scheer and one Tompkins are lighting up the small screen tonight.

Have you been watching Party Down on Starz on Fridays at 10pm or any other time it repeats on the channel? No? Try Netflix, because tonight the hilarious Mr. Paul Scheer will be guesting in a role of supreme douchebaggery. You won't want to miss it.




Check out Paul F. Tompkins' comedy special You Should Have Told Me on Comedy Central tonight at 11pm. He's hilarious and the fact we are lucky to see him on television tonight makes us all lucky bastards.

Paul Scheer to Host the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards

Get ready web followers and original content people: It was confirmed last week (Okay, I'm late) that comedian Paul Scheer will be hosting the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards on April 11th. The ceremony will stream live online at 5pm (PT) from the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles at Streamys.com, Mashable.com and UStream.

Just add this to the pile of Scheer goodness. First, he's about to embark on a second season of FX's The League. He's also featured in HBO's Funny or Die Presents in the comedy short "Designated Driver". In March, he co-hosted the incredibly successful charity event for Haiti - Night of 140 Tweets, and as an uber Lost fan, lived out his dreams by moderating a panel of cast and crew at the Paley Festival in January. He's also a pretty damn awesome improviser who can always been seen at Upright Citizen Brigade in LA and New York.

Scheer is super funny, and already has a strong internet presence on Tumblr, Twitter and FunnyorDie.com. This promises to be an awesome presentation.

Congratulations, Paul!

Night of 140 Tweets on DVD and Streaming

On Friday, March 12th 2010, some of the funniest and weirdest stomped upon stage at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles to raise money to help rebuild Haiti. They read tweets, one got naked and all flapped their wings with Yo Gabba Gabba. A 30 minute video has been available on iTunes for $2.99. A longer version of the event will be released soon (Edit: March 30th) for DVD purchase and streaming at Amazon.com.

Please visit these sites and donate to this incredible cause. You'll see Ben Stiller, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer, Jenny McCarthy, Steve Agee, Michael Ian Black, porn stars, Brian Posehn, Sarah Silverman, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and a naked Mad Men plus so, so, so much more. Look real close, and you can see my head and hands in the front row! Come on, people! What else do you want?

Seriously. Please check it out. Also visit Stillerstrong.org and Artists for Peace and Justice. They organized this amazing event.

The Weird Al Story

If this doesn't get Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) an Oscar, then I quit.

"Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" from Aaron Paul

Funny or Die Presents...

Coming this month on HBO. Here's an excerpt from Designated Driver: Office Pranks

Designated Driver: Office Prank

It's a "Page Off" with Scheer and McBrayer

I spent a good portion of last weekend watching Jack McBrayer and Paul Scheer partnering on stage and joining other Harold teams at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Del Close Marathon. These incredibly talented artists, who played arch rival NBC Pages on 30 Rock, form a solid bond in the give and take of improvision. Not surprising since they've been doing it for years at UCB. Since some members the 30 Rock team are embedded within the UCB talent pool, the duo's chemistry was a no brainer when the powers that be added Scheer in season two (Rosemary's Baby, Cooter) as Donny Larson, the smarmy evil head of all Pages who wants to bring Kenneth down.

I was on deck to become an NBC Page job years ago after several months as a Talent Relations intern. I groveled and kissed butt over at Guest Relations for a chance to wear the blazer and herd audiences like cattle into studios. Luckily a full time employee job opened up and I by-passed the program. (I'm not sure about today, but back then Pages were not employees and had no benefits.) The arch enemy story line between Donny and Kenneth was extremely satisfying nonetheless. I knew - even then - that being a Page can sometimes be cut throat for real. If only Page-Offs were real, as they are in Tina Fey's world of 30 Rock - where one Page battles another for dominance through a game of wit and physical force.

Here's hoping Scheer (who also stars in MTV's Human Giant) will be back for more episodes soon.

On a completely different Scheer-McBrayer note: Here's your Yo Gabba Gabba "Knock Knock Joke" of the day...

Some Rising Stars On Conan This Week

Zach Galifianakis. I wasn't one of the lucky to know him from his shows at Largo or clubs here in New York, but I once caught an early performance of his on Conan's show years ago. He was playing a piano and making the most hilarious jokes and observations. Something deep in the pit of my soul sensed that this guy was really special. His stock is on the rise, and it's so well deserved.

Part 1



Part 2



Jack McBrayer. What a sweet, funny brilliant comedian. It's thrilling to see how his character on 30 Rock has earned him some props. Can't wait to see him at UCB's FIT show next month (with Paul Scheer) in New York.

Funny or Die and HBO Spawn New Content

In June of 2008, Funny or Die and HBO entered into a multi-million dollar deal commissioning the website to produce ten original half hour programs for the cable network. HBO also claimed a small stake in ownership of the comedy site. Production has been underway for some notable comedians involved in the project. (Notable for me, because I am obsessed with Human Giant and the comedians therein).

Paul Scheer (Human Giant) began production last March on Designated Driver. It also stars Rob Riggle (The Daily Show). It promises to be hilarious because Scheer is amazing and Riggle defines awesome.

Brett Gelman, otherwise known as the little bit of luck dude in those Lottery ads (which I'm sure he's tired of being defined by...sorry), taped his UCB show 1,000 Cats for HBO last March as well. Yeah, I know it's summer. All those episodes of 30 Rock and The Office back then made me a little late on this.

Rob Huebel 's Holdup was filmed several weeks ago, and stars himself, Reno 911's Thomas Lennon, The Office's Creed Bratton and Ed Helms (who is now super famous for The Hangover), Malin Akerman (27 Dresses), Rachael Harris (also The Hangover), and Weird Al Yankovic (every geek song parody known to mankind).