Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (07/12/07)

July 12, 2007

SOLD! Moby helps Zach G sell a piece of art (pic via Pitchfork)

Zach Galifianakis hosted a Bad Art Auction at the Hiro Ballroom on 7/10/07. Once inside, patrons were given a numbered auction paddle (sort of like this), a small auction catalogue, and a bottle cap good for one free Pom based alcoholic drink. Zach opened the show with a pretty decent set peppered with things I hadn’t heard yet. The crowd seemed to really dig it, and Zach had a pretty good command of the room. The auction followed, and to my surprise, most of the items went way past the $100 dollar mark. Most of the art was really awful, yet a lot of it was really appealing to me. Musical artist Moby was there, and a performance by Band of Horses followed the auction.

UCB Theater‘s 9th Annual Del Close Marathon is near and this one looks like a doozie.

Del Close was the driving force behind improvisational comedy in Chicago for over 30 years influencing Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, John Belushi, Chris Farley and the Upright Citizens Brigade to name a few. After Del’s passing in 1999, the UCB started the Del Close Marathon to celebrate their mentor and keep alive his name and teachings for future generations.

From Friday, July 27th through Sunday, July 29th, the UCB Theater, The Hudson Guild, and F.I.T. will host non-stop improv from all over the country; over 150 shows!. Details on ticketing are still a bit murky, so keep your eyes on the 9th Annual Del Close Marathon website. You wouldn’t want to miss this this this this this this or one of the other zillion awesome shows, would you??

Tickets are on sale for a Jerry Seinfeld show at Hammerstein Ballroom on October 11, 2007. Tickets are in the $100 – $275 range.

Remember when I mentioned that The Ten event at the Gramercy Theater? Well David Wain has given the event its own corner of the internet. Check it

Comedy fans have some TOUGH decisions to make tonight (July 12, 2007). Do you try to get into the sold out Fabrice Fabrice show at the UCB Theater? Or do you head into Brooklyn and agonize over choosing between the FREE Patton Oswalt at Sound Fix and the Tinkle show at South Paw featuring David Cross, Todd Barry, Jon Benjamin, Eugene Mirman, and MORE?

IN OTHER NEWS…..

Flight of the Conchords is pretty much the only thing on TV I look forward to watching. I can’t get enough of it. And if you can’t get enough of it either, then head over to their HBO Website and enjoy their cyber-offerings. As I write this you can see the entire 4th episode. Don’t miss Mel’s Video Blog.

And speaking of Mel, Flight of the Conchords might have the best supporting cast on television. Rhys Darby‘s character Murray is, for me, the best talent manager since Mick Shrimpton or Darren Lamb. And Arj Barker‘s portrayal of a somewhat militant Conchord friend Dave is just incredible. So many other NYC based comedians make cameos throughout the series as well. So get on this.

Matt and Jouster from renound comedy website Aspecialthing interviewed Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster of The Best Show on WFMU about their process, the origins of the show and the universe they’ve created for it. You have to CHECK IT OUT. Also, if you haven’t already, see Wurster on a SxSW panel.

You should also listen to Patton Oswalt’s 7/10/07 appearance on The Best Show on FMU. He and Tom take calls, talk about Ratatouille, and even mention me TWICE! They actually make a pretty good team, those two.

Listen to Patton on The Sound Of Young America As well. And read this great Patton Oswalt Interview. Then read this one.

NYC Comedian Max Silvestri has a monthly show at Rififi that is apparently kicking much ass. As a matter of fact, I’ve heard from several sources that his July 8th show was the most crowded anyone has ever seen Rififi.

What if Bob Saget had just 24 hrs left to live?

Fabrice Fabrice gets interviewed by Aziz Ansari at Bonnarroo. Official Bonnarroo Ball Coordinator

Do you watch that show Monk? Neither do I. But Sarah Silverman will be making a cameo as Monk’s super-OCD super-fan. Watch a clip here. OH, and: