Results tagged “davidwain”

After starting out in New York performing for years at the UCB Theater, both as an improviser and a member of the popular sketch group Naked Babies, Rob Corddry first made a name for himself in 2002 when he was brought on The Daily Show as a correspondent. He left the show in 2006 to do sitcoms and films and has been working steadily ever since, most recently playing former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer in Oliver Stone's W. Starting in December, Warner Brothers is launching Children's Hospital, a web series that he wrote, directed and stars in. Rob checked in to chat about the new series, doing The Daily Show in an election year and life in LA versus back here in New York.

Michael Ian Black, David Wain and Michael Showalter met each other twenty years ago at NYU and have been performing comedy together ever since. Their college sketch group would go on to become the short-lived but widely-loved MTV show, The State. In 1997, the three of them began performing as Stella at Fez in Greenwich Village, a comedy show that would help define alternative comedy in New York throughout the decade to follow. That was also the name of the show the three made for Comedy Central in 2005, an absurdist mix of sitcom and sketch inspired by the shorts the three had been doing for years. But their legacy may end up being Wet Hot American Summer, the send-up of 80s summer camp movies that has taken on a life of its own as a cult classic since it was released in 2001. Tomorrow night Stella will host New York Magazine's 40th Anniversary Event that features performances by The National and Grizzly Bear.

Long time New York resident David Wain is currently on location in LA, working on his latest film, Little Big Men, starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott. Wain's been spending a lot of time in LA due to his career, but, don't worry, he doesn't plan on moving there anytime soon. In fact, the only place the star of Stella and The State plans on moving is Brooklyn. In this Gothamist Q and A, the director of Wet Hot American Summer and The Ten talks about what it's like to film in New York and Wainy Days, his foray into intentional Internet shorts on MyDamnChannel.com .

(directed by Paul Greengrass)

Anya Garrett may describe herself as “a 23-year-old girl who doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life yet,” but that hasn’t stopped her from making her living taking photos, doing web design, and generally immersing herself in the local comedy scene. After getting her B.F.A in Film/Television/Radio from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she struck out on her own, with a little help from people like David Wain, who she befriended snapping photos at his comedy shows, now Garrett can be found performing any number of tasks, from film production to directing sketch comedy, and acting, though she’s at her best snapping her way through New York City with her digital camera and eye for the zany. The “self-taught web nerd” has designed sites such as Eugene Mirman and Bobby Tisdale’s Invitethemup.com and JulieandJackie.com, and has appeared on Stella as a cashier and in short films and onstage skits, harkening back to her acting days. Throughout her work, she shows a playfulness and creative zeal, such as in her cradle project, humorous self-portraits, or backstage antics. Whatever she's capturing, Garrett makes you wish you were there, laughing right along with her.

So far we've found nothing funny about the month of January, hopefully things will change starting this week. Check out our comedy picks:

New York comedians have shown benevolence all year, participating in relief efforts for just about everything. Add one more show with a purpose to the list as the Gotham Comedy Club [208 W. 23rd St.] hosts the Stand Up for Peace 2nd Annual Comedy Benefit this week in support of Seeds of Peace. Since it’s founding in 1993, Seeds of Peace has devoted itself to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills that will foster and facilitate peace in the future. The lineup of all-star comedians performing for the cause includes Susie Essman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Colin Quinn, Demetri Martin and Catie Lazarus. Hosted by David Wain.

Writing sketch comedy is not an easy skill. Appealing to a wide audience, writing a good ending for each sketch, and rehearsing your material are not always taken into consideration. Which is why Gothamist loved the new sketch show The Incorrigible Mr. J, now up at the PIT [154 w. 29th Street]. Matt Donnelly, Rebekka Johnson and Jim Festante of the improv group Possible Side Effects, have created a world where reclusive hermits, “dynamic choreography”, and Samuel L. Jackson all cleverly intersect. The Incorrigible Mr. J. - Fridays in October at 7pm - $5

Michael Ian Black,
Actor, Writer, Comedian

Tonight, Comedy Central presents a special pre-premiere screening of a full episode of Stella, featuring a live Q&A with Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, and David Wain (you’ve probably seen them plastered all over town), followed by the hilariously absurd summer-camp classic Wet Hot American Summer. Not only is this event free and provide complimentary Grolsch Premium swing-tops, but you'll also be able to finally scream "I want you inside me" at Showalter.

Darci Ratliff, Kittenpants

Brooklyn's Southpaw hosted a great evening of comedy on behalf of Concerts For Change Weds. night. Gothamist is crazy about Stella, the comedy trio comprised of Michael Ian Black (yeah, from Ed and I Love The Eighties),and the creators of Wet Hot American Summer, Michael Showalter and David Wain. It used to be that you could see these guys play tiny rooms like The Fez on an ongoing basis. Now their busy schedules don't have them getting around near as much, so we were really happy to get to see them perform.

Monday: you're tired, you slept in too late, you were late for work (well, those things apply to us today)... you just know it's going to be an uphill battle all week. Turn that frown upside down, people! Because tonight local comedian Eugene Mirman celebrates the release of his new two-disc comedy CD/DVD, .

Okay, just one more post today: There are midnight showings of Wet Hot American Summer at the AMC Empire on West 42nd Street. Filmmakers David Wain and Michael Showalter will be appearing, along with cast members, and there will be prizes for costumes and musical guests... woo hoo!