Books about improv comedy

Shekhar Suman, who has been a part of hit comedy shows such as Dekh Bhai Dekh and Comedy Circus among others, and is currently seen in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge as a judge, spoke about comedy. He slammed today's comedy as it is just about roasting people based on their colour or body shape. The actor said that these days comedy is just to make people laugh anyhow and there is a lack of entertainers. Shekhar was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying, "Do something stupid, moronic, become a woman, dog, anything! But that's the intention of humour or comedy, it's a much deeper subject. You say sometimes the bitterest, or truest of things, in a lighter vein. But comedy has to have a purpose, it cannot be silly, once in a while it can though." He said that comedy has fallen to a 'pedestrian' level, where people insult to evoke laughter. The actor added that comedy is not just about roasting people over their colour, height or body shape, but it's … [Read more...] about Shekhar Suman Slams Today’s Comedy; Says ‘There Is A Lack Of Entertainers, They Are Not Well-Read Or Educated’

Peacock is developing Laid , a comedy based on the Australian series of the same name, from Young Rock and Fresh Off The Boat creator Nahnatchka Khan , Son of Zorn showrunner Sally Bradford McKenna , Davis Entertainment ( The Blacklist ) and Universal TV, where Khan and Davis Entertainment are under deals. Written by Khan and Bradford McKenna, in Laid , when a woman finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways, she must come to terms with her complicated past. Khan and Bradford McKenna executive produce with John Davis and John Fox for Davis Entertainment, Liz Watts, Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher for Porchlight Films and Jennifer Carreras for Fierce Baby. Universal TV, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio, with Davis Entertainment, Khan’s Fierce Baby Productions, Porchlight Films and All3Media International as the production companies. The Australian comedy series Laid, written by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher, premiered in 2011 … [Read more...] about ‘Laid’ Comedy Based On Australian Format In Works At Peacock From Nahnatchka Khan & Sally Bradford McKenna

EXCLUSIVE: Showtime and BET Studios announce the development of The Book of Jose , a pilot about hip hop star Joseph “Fat Joe” Cartagena. Cartagena ( Happy Feet, Empire ) will executive produce alongside pilot script writer Jorge A. Reyes ( Queen of the South , Kevin Hill ), and Kenya Barris ( Black-ish, We The People ). The Book of Jose is a rags-to-riches story following Fat Joe’s evolution from growing up in the drug and violence-scarred streets of the Bronx to becoming a Grammy-nominee, producer, and actor with a career spanning nearly three decades. The project will follow every phase of Joe’s life and the threats that have come in the form of rivals, addiction, incarceration, and death. All of which showed the artist that resilience and the love of his family are the only paths to success. The Book of Jose comes from Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society in collaboration with Cinema Giants, Buffalo Kid Films, and Artists First. It will be produced … [Read more...] about Showtime & BET Studios Developing Pilot ‘The Book Of Jose’ From Fat Joe, Kenya Barris & Jorge Reyes

EXCLUSIVE: Former Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel and co-executive producer Marc Blutman have teamed to develop middle schooler comedy I’m With Her. I’m With Her follows the unlikely pairing of Ali and Atlas, two middle schoolers, each of whom has something the other desires. Influencer Ali has a platform with little substance while outlier Atlas has substance but no platform. The pair are thrown together when Ali enlists the socially conscious Atlas to be the unseen voice behind her popular stream, 3 Minutes With Ali. Atlas agrees to fill the role on one condition– Ali must include him in her world of popularity. Blutman will pen the pilot with Myles Warden and Capri Sampson, writers on the upcoming Netflix/Warner Bros. Animation/Array series, Wings of Fire. Fishel will direct. Blutman and Fishel executive produce along with Eric Gaunard, Paradiso Films and Greg Weiss of Wonder Street. The project, which is currently being shopped, reunites Fishel … [Read more...] about ‘Boy Meets World’ Alums Danielle Fishel & Marc Blutman Team To Develop Comedy ‘I’m With Her’

Ozzy Osbourne is wasting no time as he recovers from a recent surgery : On Friday, the Prince of Darkness released his single “Patient Number 9,” and its video is accompanied by work by comic book hero Todd McFarlane. The video features an institutionalized Osbourne, the titular Patient Number 9, as well as an illustrated version of the singer courtesy of McFarlane’s pen. In both reality and animation, Osbourne attempts to fight off his demons in the visual. The single is the first from Osbourne’s upcoming album – also titled Patient Number 9 – which arrives, fittingly, on September 9, or 9/9. The all-star, Andrew Watt-produced LP features contributions from Jeff Beck (who plays on the title track), Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Zakk Wylde, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, Duff McKagan, Eric Clapton and the late Taylor Hawkins. Osbourne’s longtime Black Sabbath band mate Tony Iommi also makes his first-ever appearance on an Ozzy solo album. … [Read more...] about Ozzy Osbourne Drops ‘Patient Number 9,’ the Title Track From All-Star New LP

Roe v. Wade is dead. The Supreme Court on Friday ruled 6-3 that states can restrict or outright ban abortion at any point during a pregnancy, overturning the 1973 decision that enshrined abortion protections in federal law, along with a subsequent decision that affirmed those protections in 1991. “ Roe and [ Planned Parenthood v. ] Casey must be overruled,” Justice Samuel Alito, wrote in a draft opinion leaked last month, declared. “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.” The ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case that concerned the constitutionality of a 15-week abortion ban in Mississippi, represents a massive victory for conservatives who have sought for decades to reverse the court’s 1973 decision — and a cataclysmic event for anyone who believes in bodily autonomy. Public polling indicates the latter outnumber the former, nearly 2 to 1. Twenty-six states … [Read more...] about Roe v. Wade Is Officially Dead

Getty NFL linebacker Matt Adams ' time in Chicago is off to a bad start -- the 26-year-old was arrested for gun possession on Thursday, TMZ Sports has learned. We're told Adams -- who signed a 1-year deal with the Bears in April -- was questioned by cops around 6:45 PM after he was spotted near a Jeep that was reported stolen. Adams allegedly claimed to have bought the car ... but when cops searched the vehicle, they found a loaded handgun in the center console and an extended mag in the trunk. We have signed Matt Adams to a one-year contract. @all_in_adams ! — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 9, 2022 @ChicagoBears Adams was arrested and booked on misdemeanor unlawful use of a weapon -- carrying/possessing a firearm ... and was cited for having a high capacity magazine and metal piercing bullets. We're told Adams had a permit for the gun ... but it was NOT issued by the state of Illinois. Adams -- who is still in custody at the time of this … [Read more...] about Bears Linebacker Matt Adams Arrested For Gun Possession

J.K. Rowling fell victim to a Russian-made prank while talking to who she thought was Ukrainian President Zelensky ... but ended up being one big troll. The author jumped on a zoom call with -- not the president -- but Russian-based comedy duo Vovan and Lexus ... the two have been known for prank-calling high-profile names, like VP Kamala Harris and Prince Harry . The person on the other end of the Zoom call obviously kept their camera off for the interview -- major red flag. She was planning on talking to Zelensky about her charity work for Ukraine, but the guys had other plans. Gallery Launch Gallery In the video, the impersonator tells J.K. they've been writing "Avada Kedavra" on their missiles -- referring to the most deadly spell in her wizarding world, often called the "killing curse." She tells them it's a brilliant idea. They also ask about Dumbledore's sexual preference, someone she's previously said was gay. "Zelensky" says … [Read more...] about J.K. Rowling Pranked by Russians, Thought She Was Talking to Zelensky

Warner Bros’ Baz Luhrmann-directed Elvis has grossed $3.5 million from all previews off 3,400 locations, which includes Tuesday fan events and Thursday night’s showtimes. Meanwhile, Universal/Blumhouse’s The Black Phone took in $3 million from showtimes that began at 5 p.m. yesterday at 2,800 sites. It’s expected to be a rich weekend at the box office, with potentially four to five movies grossing over $20M. ‘Elvis’ Review: Tom Hanks And Austin Butler In Baz Luhrmann’s Musical Feast Of A Biopic Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby back in May 2013 did $3.25M from previews that began at 10 p.m. that Thursday. While that movie powered to a $50M opening off the star power of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, Elvis is different and contingent on much older die-hard fans coming out; a high-water bar considering the movie is 2 hours and 39 minutes. Elvis is currently 81% certified fresh. The hope is that the $85M production gets a $20M start, which would be a remarkable … [Read more...] about ‘Elvis’ $3.5M, ‘Black Phone’ $3M In Previews As ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Soars To Half Billion Stateside Today – Box Office

EXCLUSIVE: Before Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsey there was Charlie Trotter, the O.G. of bad boy chefs. The late culinary master, who earned Michelin stars at his restaurants in Chicago and Las Vegas, is the subject of Rebecca Halpern ’s debut documentary Love , Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter . Greenwich Entertainment announced today it has acquired North American rights to the film, with plans to release it in theaters later this year. Trotter authored or co-authored 14 cookbooks, hosted a PBS cooking show and even earned a humanitarian of the year award from an association of culinary professionals, in addition to launching successful restaurants. He was known for his flavorful cuisine, but his tongue could be tart. He was “a gastronomic revolutionary,” according to a description of the film, “yet his tempestuous, competitive nature alienated many. Using never-before-seen archival material and new interviews with those who loved and … [Read more...] about Greenwich Entertainment Acquires NA Rights To ‘Love, Charlie,’ Doc On “Bad Boy” Chef Charlie Trotter