At this month’s Cannes Film Festival, Francis Ford Coppola and Kevin Costner each unveiled passion projects they opted to finance themselves after institutional backers initially passed. This week, three auteurs make a trend — except instead of putting his own funds toward a deeply personal, sweeping epic, comedian Shane Gillis has made a lewd, bro-y workplace comedy set at a Pennsylvania tire shop.
Since getting fired from “Saturday Night Live” — before he’d even started — for offensive jokes on his podcast, Gillis has become the poster child for a decentralized, grassroots attention economy that allows some entertainers to build thriving careers without gatekeepers’ blessings. His 2021 special “Live in Austin” blew up on YouTube; the same podcast that cost him “SNL,” co-hosted with fellow comic Matt McCusker, continues apace; Gillis even self-produced his own sketch comedy series, “Gilly and Keeves,” which culminated with a feature-length special last year. (You can stream...
Since getting fired from “Saturday Night Live” — before he’d even started — for offensive jokes on his podcast, Gillis has become the poster child for a decentralized, grassroots attention economy that allows some entertainers to build thriving careers without gatekeepers’ blessings. His 2021 special “Live in Austin” blew up on YouTube; the same podcast that cost him “SNL,” co-hosted with fellow comic Matt McCusker, continues apace; Gillis even self-produced his own sketch comedy series, “Gilly and Keeves,” which culminated with a feature-length special last year. (You can stream...
- 5/23/2024
- by Alison Herman
- Variety Film + TV
Quick Navigation Eddie Izzard – $20 million Albert Brooks – $30 million Whitney Cummings – $35 million Chelsea Handler – $35 million Kathy Griffin – $35 million Louis C.K. – $35 million Amy Schumer – $45 million George Lopez – $45 million Dave Chappelle – $60 million Howie Mandel – $60 million Chris Rock – $60 million Bob Newhart – $65 million Russell Peters – $75 million Roseanne Barr – $80 million Martin Lawrence – $110 million Jon Stewart – $120 million Woody Allen – $140 million Steve Martin – $140 million Ricky Gervais – $140 million Jeff Dunham – $140 million Bill Maher – $140 million Terry Fator – $160 million Drew Carey – $165 million Jim Carrey – $180 million Eddie Murphy – $200 million Steve Harvey – $200 million Ray Romano – $200 million Bill Cosby – $400 million David Letterman – $400 million Larry David – $400 million Adam Sandler – $440 million Kevin Hart – $450 million Jay Leno – $450 million Ellen DeGeneres – $500 million Jerry Seinfeld – $950 million
Most stand-up comics are barely getting by. Many are happy if they can make it onto a stage and elated if people laugh at their jokes. Stand-up comedy is a complex art, but some people make it look effortless.
Those who make...
Most stand-up comics are barely getting by. Many are happy if they can make it onto a stage and elated if people laugh at their jokes. Stand-up comedy is a complex art, but some people make it look effortless.
Those who make...
- 5/22/2024
- by Anne De Guia
- Your Next Shoes
Spike Feresten got his start in comedy while working as a receptionist at Saturday Night Live, where he began submitting jokes to then “Weekend Update” anchor Dennis Miller. Before long, as many as five of his jokes were making it to air in a given week.
From there he was hired as a staff writer on Letterman, then Seinfeld (we have Feresten to thank for “The Soup Nazi” and “Little Kicks”), and then ABC’s legendary Dana Carvey Show, where his colleagues included Robert Smigel, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and Louis C.K.
But among comedy nerds, he may be most revered for hosting his own talk show, Talkshow With Spike Feresten, which aired Saturday nights on Fox from 2006-2009. The show holds the record as the Fox Network’s longest-running late-night show, and as Feresten reveals to LateNighter’s Mark Malkoff, it would have continued longer had he not made...
From there he was hired as a staff writer on Letterman, then Seinfeld (we have Feresten to thank for “The Soup Nazi” and “Little Kicks”), and then ABC’s legendary Dana Carvey Show, where his colleagues included Robert Smigel, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and Louis C.K.
But among comedy nerds, he may be most revered for hosting his own talk show, Talkshow With Spike Feresten, which aired Saturday nights on Fox from 2006-2009. The show holds the record as the Fox Network’s longest-running late-night show, and as Feresten reveals to LateNighter’s Mark Malkoff, it would have continued longer had he not made...
- 5/21/2024
- by Mark Malkoff
- LateNighter
Babes by Pamela Adlon, co-written and starring Ilana Glazer, debuts in limited release with films by Hang Song-soo and Bertrand Bonello and docs on a controversial Venice Biennale, ground-breaking female clerics, and the Blue Angels Navy Squadron. A trio of festival favorites expand. While eyes now are on fare at Cannes — where Neon has been making high-profile moves — each week Stateside remains a test of indie film’s theatrical boundaries in a post-Covid, streaming-centric marketplace.
There have been notable hits. A24’s I Saw The TV Glow by Jane Schoenbrun is having a nice run so far as is Evil Does Not Exist — Sideshow/Janus Films’ second outing with Ryusuke Hamaguchi after Oscar-winning Drive My Car. (That 2021 Japanese film about a...
There have been notable hits. A24’s I Saw The TV Glow by Jane Schoenbrun is having a nice run so far as is Evil Does Not Exist — Sideshow/Janus Films’ second outing with Ryusuke Hamaguchi after Oscar-winning Drive My Car. (That 2021 Japanese film about a...
- 5/17/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
After passionately defending filmmaker Woody Allen, Bill Maher has now shared his arguments in favor of welcoming back Louis C.K., in a conversation with fellow comedian Bill Burr, who not only supported his claims but also went on to claim that the cancel culture is not as influential as it once was.
Bill Maher | Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Steve Anderson
They shared their perspective in a recent discussion on Maher’s Club Random Podcast, talking about the disgraced comedian, who was ousted from the industry after being accused of s*xual misconduct and inappropriate behavior. He has since continued directing and producing his projects. However, the talk show host believes that he should be able to make a comeback.
Bill Burr And Bill Maher Want Louis C.K. to Return to Hollywood
In a recent conversation on his Club Random Podcast, Bill Maher and Bill Burr discussed the cancel culture...
Bill Maher | Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Steve Anderson
They shared their perspective in a recent discussion on Maher’s Club Random Podcast, talking about the disgraced comedian, who was ousted from the industry after being accused of s*xual misconduct and inappropriate behavior. He has since continued directing and producing his projects. However, the talk show host believes that he should be able to make a comeback.
Bill Burr And Bill Maher Want Louis C.K. to Return to Hollywood
In a recent conversation on his Club Random Podcast, Bill Maher and Bill Burr discussed the cancel culture...
- 5/14/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
Bill Burr made an appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast and declared that “cancel culture” is “over.”
During the interview, Louis C.K. was mentioned. The comedian was largely ousted by Hollywood after being accused of sexual misconduct. Louis C.K. has returned to touring and producing his own projects, and Maher thinks he should be able to return.
“I mean, don’t get me started on that,” Maher said. “Isn’t it time everyone just went: ‘Ok, It wasn’t a cool thing to do, but it’s been long enough and welcome back.’ Enough! I mean for Christ’s sake, it’s not the end of the world. People have done so much worse things and gotten less. There’s no rhyme or reason to the #MeToo-type punishments.”
Burr added, “They took $50 million, I think they punished him.”
The Unfrosted and Mandalorian actor then touched on “cancel culture,...
During the interview, Louis C.K. was mentioned. The comedian was largely ousted by Hollywood after being accused of sexual misconduct. Louis C.K. has returned to touring and producing his own projects, and Maher thinks he should be able to return.
“I mean, don’t get me started on that,” Maher said. “Isn’t it time everyone just went: ‘Ok, It wasn’t a cool thing to do, but it’s been long enough and welcome back.’ Enough! I mean for Christ’s sake, it’s not the end of the world. People have done so much worse things and gotten less. There’s no rhyme or reason to the #MeToo-type punishments.”
Burr added, “They took $50 million, I think they punished him.”
The Unfrosted and Mandalorian actor then touched on “cancel culture,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Bill Burr joined Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast and declared cancel culture is over, while Maher once again doubled down in disbelief about how Louis C.K. remains on the outs in Hollywood. C.K. was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017 and admitted to masturbating in front of several female comics a few weeks later. While C.K. has continued to tour and direct his own projects, he largely operates outside of the Hollywood studio system.
“I mean, don’t get me started on that,” Maher told Burr when C.K. was brought up. “Isn’t it time everyone just went: ‘Ok, It wasn’t a cool thing to do, but it’s been long enough and welcome back.’ Enough! I mean for Christ’s sake, it’s not the end of the world. People have done so much worse things and gotten less. There’s no rhyme or reason to the #MeToo-type punishments.
“I mean, don’t get me started on that,” Maher told Burr when C.K. was brought up. “Isn’t it time everyone just went: ‘Ok, It wasn’t a cool thing to do, but it’s been long enough and welcome back.’ Enough! I mean for Christ’s sake, it’s not the end of the world. People have done so much worse things and gotten less. There’s no rhyme or reason to the #MeToo-type punishments.
- 5/13/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Fiona Apple is the go-to songwriter for exorcising your romantic demons, ruing the ones you loved, the ones who didn’t love you back, the ones you pushed away amid yet another freefall of your own design. She’s also the go-to singer for three studio comedy auteurs: Michael Showalter, Judd Apatow, and Paul Feig.
Apple’s songs have featured in three of their films — Apple wrote the original song “Dull Tool” for Apatow’s “This Is 40,” capturing a decades-long marriage at its breaking point. Elsewhere, her epic ball of romantic resignation “Cosmonauts,” off the 2020 album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” was also originally meant for that film. Meanwhile, her classic cabaret-inspired love song “Paper Bag,” about having too much emotional baggage to enter into a new relationship she wants “so bad, oh it kills,” featured in Feig’s “Bridesmaids” in a montage of Annie (Kristen Wiig) making cupcakes as...
Apple’s songs have featured in three of their films — Apple wrote the original song “Dull Tool” for Apatow’s “This Is 40,” capturing a decades-long marriage at its breaking point. Elsewhere, her epic ball of romantic resignation “Cosmonauts,” off the 2020 album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” was also originally meant for that film. Meanwhile, her classic cabaret-inspired love song “Paper Bag,” about having too much emotional baggage to enter into a new relationship she wants “so bad, oh it kills,” featured in Feig’s “Bridesmaids” in a montage of Annie (Kristen Wiig) making cupcakes as...
- 5/3/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The beloved sitcom Seinfeld was famously never canceled, because co-creator Jerry Seinfeld and his fellow cast members decided they should walk away after nine seasons, leaving viewers wanting more. But for about a decade, Seinfeld has continuously complained that “political correctness” is stifling comedy of the kind that made him a household name and fabulously wealthy.
As long ago as 2015 — right around when our contemporary ideas of “cancel culture” were beginning to take shape on social media — Seinfeld was talking about not playing college campuses for fear of students labeling his material racist or sexist.
As long ago as 2015 — right around when our contemporary ideas of “cancel culture” were beginning to take shape on social media — Seinfeld was talking about not playing college campuses for fear of students labeling his material racist or sexist.
- 4/29/2024
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
Padma Lakshmi’s post-Top Chef career may veer further into comedy, as the popular former host of the hit reality competition show shops around a comedy series script and continues to host her stand-up comedy night in Brooklyn.
In a wide-ranging and revealing New Yorker profile, out on Tuesday, Lakshmi tells writer Helen Rosner that the series was developed with Bridesmaids and Spy director Paul Feig, adding that it is a “hard comedy,” but declining to share its title or more about the show’s pitch. Lakshmi plans to produce and star in the series, she told the magazine.
Lakshmi has managed to become a household name, or at least an icon of the sensual potential of food, over her two decades as host of Bravo’s Top Chef. She exited the reality competition series in 2023 after 19 seasons, she said, “after much soul searching.” Kristen Kish filled her shoes...
In a wide-ranging and revealing New Yorker profile, out on Tuesday, Lakshmi tells writer Helen Rosner that the series was developed with Bridesmaids and Spy director Paul Feig, adding that it is a “hard comedy,” but declining to share its title or more about the show’s pitch. Lakshmi plans to produce and star in the series, she told the magazine.
Lakshmi has managed to become a household name, or at least an icon of the sensual potential of food, over her two decades as host of Bravo’s Top Chef. She exited the reality competition series in 2023 after 19 seasons, she said, “after much soul searching.” Kristen Kish filled her shoes...
- 4/23/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We love to see a creative keep scaling up. Watching Pamela Adlon evolve and progress over the last few years has been terrific. An outstanding comedian who rose in popularity on FX’s Louis C.K. comedy “Louie,” after the stint on that series, Adlon graduated to her own similarly personal show “Better Things.” Created by Adlon and C.K., she quickly took over the full reins and started directing on the series as well. And by season two, all the way through its final fifth season, she was directing the entire series and had a hand in writing a bulk of it, too.
Continue reading ‘Babes’ Trailer: Ilana Glazer Stars In Pamela Adlon’s Pregnancy Comedy Coming May 17 at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Babes’ Trailer: Ilana Glazer Stars In Pamela Adlon’s Pregnancy Comedy Coming May 17 at The Playlist.
- 4/4/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Kanye West has 24 Grammys total, making him the most awarded rapper in the awards’ history (tied with Jay-Z). Seven of West’s albums have won Grammys, and he has additional prizes from standalone singles, features, and production work behind the scenes. His last studio album, “Donda,” got four nominations including Album of the Year, and won twice in rap categories. With such an impressive track record over the span of two decades, one might simply assume he’s likely to be nominated for his new album with Ty Dolla $ign, “Vultures 1,” which has been doing great on the charts. However, “Vultures 1” comes after West’s public backlash due to antisemitic remarks, which doesn’t seem to have ended his career, but still looms over him.
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While the Grammys have many representation problems, they are sensitive to social issues. In 2019 Neil Portnow...
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
While the Grammys have many representation problems, they are sensitive to social issues. In 2019 Neil Portnow...
- 3/13/2024
- by Jaime Rodriguez
- Gold Derby
Sean “Diddy” Combs will not attend the Grammy Awards this year, a rep for the rapper told The Hollywood Reporter, with Combs sitting out for music’s biggest night as he faces several allegations of sexual abuse.
A rep for Combs did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment.
Combs received a nomination for Best Progressive R&b album for the 2023 project The Love Album: Off The Grid in November, shortly before R&b singer Cassie accused him of sexually assaulting her in a lawsuit filed in New York.
A rep for Combs did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment.
Combs received a nomination for Best Progressive R&b album for the 2023 project The Love Album: Off The Grid in November, shortly before R&b singer Cassie accused him of sexually assaulting her in a lawsuit filed in New York.
- 1/12/2024
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
The last time Sean Combs’ music competed at the Grammys, a then-unknown Mark Zuckerberg had just created Facebook, Nipplegate occurred at the Super Bowl and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King garnered a record-tying 11 Oscars. It was 2004, and Combs, aka Diddy, won best rap performance by a group or duo — his third Grammy — for the thumping hit “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” featuring Nelly and Murphy Lee. The track appeared on the Bad Boys II soundtrack, which Diddy executive produced and released on his Bad Boy label.
So his return to the Grammys, two decades later with a nomination for best progressive R&b album for his The Love Album: Off the Grid, is a major feat — and a proud moment for the artist. Some would even call the nomination a win (though we should note that there is zero chance his album can compete with Sza’s...
So his return to the Grammys, two decades later with a nomination for best progressive R&b album for his The Love Album: Off the Grid, is a major feat — and a proud moment for the artist. Some would even call the nomination a win (though we should note that there is zero chance his album can compete with Sza’s...
- 1/12/2024
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In early January, comedian Katt Williams went on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast and took aim at Cedric the Entertainer for stealing “my very best joke.” The bit in question — which involved a pantomime of driving with music blasting — was first performed by Katt in a 1998 appearance on ComicView, then reproduced by Cedric (according to Katt) for his set in Spike Lee’s The Original Kings of Comedy. Cedric called the accusations “revisionist history” on Instagram.
We’ve been down this road many times before. For much of the 20th century, joke stealing was an open secret. “All comedians steal from all comedians,” the legend Stan Laurel once mused. Some of the biggest names in comedy did it. Milton Berle was so blatant in his joke stealing that he earned the nickname “The Thief of Bad Gags.” Richard Pryor admitted on The Tonight Show that he ripped off his comedy idols,...
We’ve been down this road many times before. For much of the 20th century, joke stealing was an open secret. “All comedians steal from all comedians,” the legend Stan Laurel once mused. Some of the biggest names in comedy did it. Milton Berle was so blatant in his joke stealing that he earned the nickname “The Thief of Bad Gags.” Richard Pryor admitted on The Tonight Show that he ripped off his comedy idols,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Eric Spitznagel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In a historic moment for Indian comedy, Vir Das takes centre stage at the legendary Apollo Theatre, becoming the inaugural Indian comedian to entertain a live audience of nearly 5000 people. This milestone performance is a highlight of his ongoing Mind Fool tour, showcasing Vir Das as a global comedic force.
The Apollo Theatre, a venue steeped in musical history and having witnessed performances from iconic acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Iron Maiden, and contemporary music royalties such as Selena Gomez and Kylie Minogue, now welcomes Vir Das to its illustrious stage. The theatre has also been graced by comedy legend Louis C K, making it a space that resonates with artistic brilliance across genres.
As part of his Mind Fool tour, Vir Das is set to make history not only with his Apollo Theatre performance but also by embarking on the most extensive world tour undertaken...
The Apollo Theatre, a venue steeped in musical history and having witnessed performances from iconic acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Iron Maiden, and contemporary music royalties such as Selena Gomez and Kylie Minogue, now welcomes Vir Das to its illustrious stage. The theatre has also been graced by comedy legend Louis C K, making it a space that resonates with artistic brilliance across genres.
As part of his Mind Fool tour, Vir Das is set to make history not only with his Apollo Theatre performance but also by embarking on the most extensive world tour undertaken...
- 12/15/2023
- by Editorial Desk
In a historic moment for Indian comedy, Vir Das takes centre stage at the legendary Apollo Theatre, becoming the inaugural Indian comedian to entertain a live audience of nearly 5000 people. This milestone performance is a highlight of his ongoing Mind Fool tour, showcasing Vir Das as a global comedic force.
The Apollo Theatre, a venue steeped in musical history and having witnessed performances from iconic acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Iron Maiden, and contemporary music royalties such as Selena Gomez and Kylie Minogue, now welcomes Vir Das to its illustrious stage. The theatre has also been graced by comedy legend Louis C K, making it a space that resonates with artistic brilliance across genres.
As part of his Mind Fool tour, Vir Das is set to make history not only with his Apollo Theatre performance but also by embarking on the most extensive world tour undertaken...
The Apollo Theatre, a venue steeped in musical history and having witnessed performances from iconic acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Iron Maiden, and contemporary music royalties such as Selena Gomez and Kylie Minogue, now welcomes Vir Das to its illustrious stage. The theatre has also been graced by comedy legend Louis C K, making it a space that resonates with artistic brilliance across genres.
As part of his Mind Fool tour, Vir Das is set to make history not only with his Apollo Theatre performance but also by embarking on the most extensive world tour undertaken...
- 12/15/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
As Sean “Diddy” Combs continues to face fallout over four different sexual abuse lawsuits filed against him in the past month, whether or not he’ll be welcome at 2024 Grammy Awards ceremony could now be in flux, according to a statement from the Recording Academy.
“We are taking this matter very seriously and we are in the process of evaluating it with the time and care that it deserves,” the organization said in a statement to Rolling Stone.
Combs is currently a nominee in the Best Progressive R&b Album...
“We are taking this matter very seriously and we are in the process of evaluating it with the time and care that it deserves,” the organization said in a statement to Rolling Stone.
Combs is currently a nominee in the Best Progressive R&b Album...
- 12/12/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Are you a fan of The Office? Did you know that Steve Carell almost didn’t play the iconic role of Michael Scott?
While the show went on to become a massive success over its nine seasons, there were several stars who were considered for the role before Steve ultimately landed it. In fact, according to Andy Greene‘s book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, at least 35 actors were considered and two even declined the role.
Imagine how different the show might have been if someone else had played Michael Scott!
The Office continues to be a beloved and highly influential show in modern television history, thanks in no small part to Steve Carell‘s iconic portrayal of Michael Scott.
Find out who almost played Michael Scott in The Office…
Keep reading to find out more…
Paul Giamatti
Producer Ben Silverman and casting...
While the show went on to become a massive success over its nine seasons, there were several stars who were considered for the role before Steve ultimately landed it. In fact, according to Andy Greene‘s book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, at least 35 actors were considered and two even declined the role.
Imagine how different the show might have been if someone else had played Michael Scott!
The Office continues to be a beloved and highly influential show in modern television history, thanks in no small part to Steve Carell‘s iconic portrayal of Michael Scott.
Find out who almost played Michael Scott in The Office…
Keep reading to find out more…
Paul Giamatti
Producer Ben Silverman and casting...
- 12/5/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Exclusive: On the heels of a huge week for their Adam Sandler-led Netflix animated feature Leo, co-directed with Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim and Robert Marianetti have signed with Independent Artist Group for representation.
A musical comedy also featuring voice work from Bill Burr, Cecily Strong and more, Leo tells the story of an elderly lizard of the same name, who plots an escape from his longtime home within a Florida school classroom terrarium, alongside a turtle friend. Now laying claim to the biggest ever debut for a Netflix animated feature, the film bowed at the top of the English films list for the week of November 20 to 26 with 34.6 million views.
A pair of writer-directors known for their specialty in animation, Wachtenheim and Marianetti first came to work with Sandler and his Happy Madison banner when they were were hired as Heads of Story on Hotel Transylvania 2. The pair...
A musical comedy also featuring voice work from Bill Burr, Cecily Strong and more, Leo tells the story of an elderly lizard of the same name, who plots an escape from his longtime home within a Florida school classroom terrarium, alongside a turtle friend. Now laying claim to the biggest ever debut for a Netflix animated feature, the film bowed at the top of the English films list for the week of November 20 to 26 with 34.6 million views.
A pair of writer-directors known for their specialty in animation, Wachtenheim and Marianetti first came to work with Sandler and his Happy Madison banner when they were were hired as Heads of Story on Hotel Transylvania 2. The pair...
- 11/30/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Leo is an animated musical comedy film directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, and David Wachtenheim, from a screenplay by Robert Smigel, Paul Sado, and Adam Sandler. The Netflix film revolves around Leo the Lizard who has been stuck in the same Florida school for over seven decades, and when he finds out that he only has a year to live but instead he ends up helping the students. Leo has a very talented star cast giving their voices to the characters including Sandler’s whole family, Bill Burr, Rob Schneider, Jason Alexander, and Cecily Strong. So, if you loved the Netflix film, here are some similar animated movies you could watch next.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Disney+) Credit – Disney+
Synopsis: Greg Heffley is a scrawny but ambitious kid with an active imagination and big plans to be rich and famous – he just has to survive middle school first.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Disney+) Credit – Disney+
Synopsis: Greg Heffley is a scrawny but ambitious kid with an active imagination and big plans to be rich and famous – he just has to survive middle school first.
- 11/24/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Are you a fan of The Office? Did you know that Steve Carell almost didn’t play the iconic role of Michael Scott?
While the show went on to become a massive success over its nine seasons, there were several stars who were considered for the role before Steve ultimately landed it. In fact, according to Andy Greene‘s book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, at least 35 actors were considered and two even declined the role.
Imagine how different the show might have been if someone else had played Michael Scott!
The Office continues to be a beloved and highly influential show in modern television history, thanks in no small part to Steve Carell‘s iconic portrayal of Michael Scott.
Find out who almost played Michael Scott in The Office…
Keep reading to find out more…
Paul Giamatti
Producer Ben Silverman and casting...
While the show went on to become a massive success over its nine seasons, there were several stars who were considered for the role before Steve ultimately landed it. In fact, according to Andy Greene‘s book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, at least 35 actors were considered and two even declined the role.
Imagine how different the show might have been if someone else had played Michael Scott!
The Office continues to be a beloved and highly influential show in modern television history, thanks in no small part to Steve Carell‘s iconic portrayal of Michael Scott.
Find out who almost played Michael Scott in The Office…
Keep reading to find out more…
Paul Giamatti
Producer Ben Silverman and casting...
- 11/13/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The Sffilm Doc Stories lineup has officially been unveiled for 2023.
The ninth annual program runs November 2 through 5 in San Francisco, California, screening 10 features, and two shorts programs, while hosting a tribute to late filmmaker Julia Reichert, the beloved “American Factory” co-director who died last year. While screenings are taking place in person, a limited streaming window from November 6 to 7 will be available to ticket buyers online.
Matthew Heineman’s “American Symphony” opens the festival for an intimate portrait of Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste. The Sffilm Doc Stories centerpiece screening is “Copa 71,” which debuted at TIFF and tells the lost story of the first Women’s World Cup for soccer. The film features 50-plus-year-old footage from the World Cup that took place in Mexico in 1971. Wim Wenders’ “Anselm” closes the festival with a 3D presentation of Anselm Kiefer’s life’s work.
“This year’s lineup explores the powerful effects...
The ninth annual program runs November 2 through 5 in San Francisco, California, screening 10 features, and two shorts programs, while hosting a tribute to late filmmaker Julia Reichert, the beloved “American Factory” co-director who died last year. While screenings are taking place in person, a limited streaming window from November 6 to 7 will be available to ticket buyers online.
Matthew Heineman’s “American Symphony” opens the festival for an intimate portrait of Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste. The Sffilm Doc Stories centerpiece screening is “Copa 71,” which debuted at TIFF and tells the lost story of the first Women’s World Cup for soccer. The film features 50-plus-year-old footage from the World Cup that took place in Mexico in 1971. Wim Wenders’ “Anselm” closes the festival with a 3D presentation of Anselm Kiefer’s life’s work.
“This year’s lineup explores the powerful effects...
- 10/11/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
When it comes to the buzzier titles at any film festivals, traditional narrative cinema often hogs the spotlight. But the Toronto International Film Festival, held in Toronto, Canada in September 2023, has also provided an impressive array of non-fiction films, movies that take a look at the real-life workings of humanity. From sports documentaries and intimate explorations of war, to films about legendary musicians and meditative dives into family history, this year's crop of TIFF documentaries has a little something for everyone.
The best documentaries offer audiences a new perspective on the world around them, shedding light on important issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, or even just paying homage to the careers of beloved stars. Without the dramatic flourishes of narrative films, which embellish even stories based on real life, documentaries are able to prevent a much more authentic vision of the world -- albeit subject to the specific viewpoint of their filmmakers.
The best documentaries offer audiences a new perspective on the world around them, shedding light on important issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, or even just paying homage to the careers of beloved stars. Without the dramatic flourishes of narrative films, which embellish even stories based on real life, documentaries are able to prevent a much more authentic vision of the world -- albeit subject to the specific viewpoint of their filmmakers.
- 9/24/2023
- by Audrey Fox
- Slash Film
Paramount+ has removed Russell Brand’s stand-up special, “Russell Brand in New York,” following the sexual assault allegations against him.
The comedian’s 2009 special is no longer available to stream on the platform. Search results for “Russell Brand” on Paramount+ now only produce two results: “Katy Perry the Movie: Part of Me” and the “Roast of David Hasselhoff.” The former includes scenes of Perry dealing with the collapse of her marriage with Brand. The comedian appears in background footage in the latter.
As for other stateside streamers, another one of Brand’s specials — “Russell Brand: Re:Birth” — is still available to stream on Netflix. It’s rare for Netflix to take down original specials, movies or shows after creators land in hot water. Kevin Spacey’s “House of Cards,” for instance, is still available to stream on the platform. Louis C.K.’s “2017,” “Hilarious” and “Live at the Comedy Store” stand-up specials are also available,...
The comedian’s 2009 special is no longer available to stream on the platform. Search results for “Russell Brand” on Paramount+ now only produce two results: “Katy Perry the Movie: Part of Me” and the “Roast of David Hasselhoff.” The former includes scenes of Perry dealing with the collapse of her marriage with Brand. The comedian appears in background footage in the latter.
As for other stateside streamers, another one of Brand’s specials — “Russell Brand: Re:Birth” — is still available to stream on Netflix. It’s rare for Netflix to take down original specials, movies or shows after creators land in hot water. Kevin Spacey’s “House of Cards,” for instance, is still available to stream on the platform. Louis C.K.’s “2017,” “Hilarious” and “Live at the Comedy Store” stand-up specials are also available,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
No institution can dodge Louis C.K.’s comedic legacy and sexual allegations, TIFF included, where he appeared immediately pre-#MeToo with his film I Love You, Daddy. I squirmed slightly recalling C.K.’s appearance at the festival as I watched Cara Mones and Caroline Suh unpacking the case, his survivors, and his humor in Sorry/Not Sorry. The documentary follows entertainment journalists re-contextualizing the controversial comedian’s achievements in the present, along with testimonies from his assault survivors (and talented comedians in their own right) Jen Kirkman, Abby Schnacher, and Megan Koester.
The documentary’s talking-head and archival-footage aesthetic allows for a long runway to observe ethical conundrums in entertainment. Is it okay to be offensive under the guise of comedy? How much truth should be involved in a joke? And how much does that matter? If art is subjective, can the professional remain separate from the personal? While Sorry/Not Sorry proposes intriguing,...
The documentary’s talking-head and archival-footage aesthetic allows for a long runway to observe ethical conundrums in entertainment. Is it okay to be offensive under the guise of comedy? How much truth should be involved in a joke? And how much does that matter? If art is subjective, can the professional remain separate from the personal? While Sorry/Not Sorry proposes intriguing,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Edward Frumkin
- The Film Stage
During the pandemic, Michelle Wolf had a revelation: I need to get the fuck out of America. She was tired of the New York City grindset, working to live and living to work, and asked herself, “What do I have other than work?” She wanted a family, community, genuine connection. So, Wolf decided to move to Barcelona and found herself in a far more agreeable situation (with a loving boyfriend to boot). The change of scenery forms the basis for the first part of her new stand-up special It’s Great to Be Here,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Marlow Stern
- Rollingstone.com
What should we do with people who have admitted to sexual misconduct? Especially if that person has legions of fans who can fill Madison Square Garden? Should we object? Or simply pretend it isn’t happening?
The comedian Louis C.K. became an outcast in 2017, the year of #MeToo, after the New York Times — led by three intrepid female reporters — revealed that he masturbated in front of at least five women. And probably a whole lot more.
C.K. quickly admitted it. Yes, he said that was me. And then he wrote a long mea culpa and essentially said he needed to go away for a while and listen.
But then what? “Sorry/Not Sorry,” a documentary by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones playing at the Toronto International Film Festival, explores the difficult and nuanced question that has become an unspoken part of the #MeToo fallout. How should we treat someone like C.
The comedian Louis C.K. became an outcast in 2017, the year of #MeToo, after the New York Times — led by three intrepid female reporters — revealed that he masturbated in front of at least five women. And probably a whole lot more.
C.K. quickly admitted it. Yes, he said that was me. And then he wrote a long mea culpa and essentially said he needed to go away for a while and listen.
But then what? “Sorry/Not Sorry,” a documentary by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones playing at the Toronto International Film Festival, explores the difficult and nuanced question that has become an unspoken part of the #MeToo fallout. How should we treat someone like C.
- 9/13/2023
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Amid a Toronto Film Festival light on sales, Greenwich Entertainment has nabbed domestic distribution for a documentary on Louis C.K., TheWrap has learned.
The film, “Sorry/Not Sorry,” details the stand-up’s downfall after he was accused in a 2017 New York Times article of sexual misconduct by five women. It also deals with C.K.’s attempts at a post-scandal comeback — including a Grammy win in 2021 — along with backlash faced by the accusers. The sale came hours after the film’s TIFF world premiere.
Directed by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones, “Sorry/Not Sorry” is a New York Times production. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but Greenwich’s Andy Bohn negotiated the acquisition with CAA Media Finance on behalf of The New York Times.
“We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with Greenwich in the release of ‘Sorry/Not Sorry,'” Suh stated. “Their support means that the film – and the...
The film, “Sorry/Not Sorry,” details the stand-up’s downfall after he was accused in a 2017 New York Times article of sexual misconduct by five women. It also deals with C.K.’s attempts at a post-scandal comeback — including a Grammy win in 2021 — along with backlash faced by the accusers. The sale came hours after the film’s TIFF world premiere.
Directed by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones, “Sorry/Not Sorry” is a New York Times production. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but Greenwich’s Andy Bohn negotiated the acquisition with CAA Media Finance on behalf of The New York Times.
“We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with Greenwich in the release of ‘Sorry/Not Sorry,'” Suh stated. “Their support means that the film – and the...
- 9/11/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Greenwich Entertainment has picked up Sorry/Not Sorry, a new documentary that examines the sexual misconduct scandal that engulfed comedian Louis C.K. and its aftermath, hours after the film had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Greenwich took North American rights to the film, co-directed by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones. Sorry/Not Sorry is based on the expose of Louis C.K. published by The New York Times, with the Times also producing together with Left/Right. Suh, Mones and Kathleen Lingo produced the film. New York Times journalists Melena Ryzik, Cara Buckley and Jodi Kantor, authors of the original 2017 article, served as consulting producers. Sam Dolnick, Jason Stallman, Ken Druckerman and Banks Tarver executive produced.
Sorry/Not Sorry drew a mixed response from critics in Toronto. The Hollywood Reporter found the documentary “struggled to find a new perspective” on the Louis C.K. scandal and the issue of whether he,...
Greenwich took North American rights to the film, co-directed by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones. Sorry/Not Sorry is based on the expose of Louis C.K. published by The New York Times, with the Times also producing together with Left/Right. Suh, Mones and Kathleen Lingo produced the film. New York Times journalists Melena Ryzik, Cara Buckley and Jodi Kantor, authors of the original 2017 article, served as consulting producers. Sam Dolnick, Jason Stallman, Ken Druckerman and Banks Tarver executive produced.
Sorry/Not Sorry drew a mixed response from critics in Toronto. The Hollywood Reporter found the documentary “struggled to find a new perspective” on the Louis C.K. scandal and the issue of whether he,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: In one of the first acquisition deals at Toronto, Greenwich Entertainment today announced it has picked up Sorry/Not Sorry, the documentary about the Louis C.K. sexual misconduct scandal and its aftermath, hours after the film’s TIFF world premiere.
The deal covers North American distribution rights to the film directed by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones. Sorry/Not Sorry is a production of The New York Times.
“In 2017, The New York Times published an article in which five women accused comedian Louis C.K. of sexual harassment,” notes a description of the film. “Nine months later, he returned to the stage and went on to win a Grammy in 2021. Sorry/Not Sorry examines the cultural fixation with Louis C.K. and his comeback while revealing the backlash faced by the women who spoke up about his behavior.”
Collider, in its review of the film, wrote, “While there have been plenty of...
The deal covers North American distribution rights to the film directed by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones. Sorry/Not Sorry is a production of The New York Times.
“In 2017, The New York Times published an article in which five women accused comedian Louis C.K. of sexual harassment,” notes a description of the film. “Nine months later, he returned to the stage and went on to win a Grammy in 2021. Sorry/Not Sorry examines the cultural fixation with Louis C.K. and his comeback while revealing the backlash faced by the women who spoke up about his behavior.”
Collider, in its review of the film, wrote, “While there have been plenty of...
- 9/11/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The thing about “open secrets” is: Everyone knows what the secret is, but no one wants to acknowledge or talk about it. Not really, at least — if somebody’s peers and colleagues are all privy to some forbidden or socially unacceptable facts, and bringing it up forces them to reckon with some complicated feelings, then hey, why do we need to bring any of that up? For years, it was more or less an open secret within the comedy community that Louis C.K. had done things and said things that made female comedians feel uncomfortable.
- 9/11/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
At some point in our culture, we began to see male comedians as philosophers. Invoking the legacies of George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Bill Hicks, comedy fans have labeled funny men as paternalistic truth tellers that we all must revere. Never mind the fact that these men are no longer alive and thus have no opportunity to challenge the way their work has been framed and which living comics they are compared to.
Louis C.K. is one such comedian who has often been spoken of in the same breath as these men, despite lacking the often political edge of their work. C.K. and comics like Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are the confirmed gold standard of comedy, standing at the top of the mountain looking down at the rest of us. There’s no denying their talent and insight, but they are very much still human, despite the prevailing...
Louis C.K. is one such comedian who has often been spoken of in the same breath as these men, despite lacking the often political edge of their work. C.K. and comics like Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are the confirmed gold standard of comedy, standing at the top of the mountain looking down at the rest of us. There’s no denying their talent and insight, but they are very much still human, despite the prevailing...
- 9/11/2023
- by Jourdain Searles
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Poker Face” fan-favorite Natasha Lyonne received a Best Comedy Actress Emmy nomination this year alongside Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”), Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”) and Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”). As of this writing, Lyonne is in last place to win at Gold Derby, with less than 3% of our prognosticators backing her. However, the fact that she recently gained the favor of the Television Critics Association proves she should be taken much more seriously. Are we underestimating her at the 2023 Emmys?
Given Lyonne’s status as the very first regular acting Emmy nominee from any Peacock program and her show’s absence from all other major categories, her doubters initially had a leg to stand on, but that isn’t the case anymore. Her TCA Award victory for Individual Achievement in Comedy is an undeniably big deal and gives her many statistical advantages that should cause her competitors and naysayers concern.
Given Lyonne’s status as the very first regular acting Emmy nominee from any Peacock program and her show’s absence from all other major categories, her doubters initially had a leg to stand on, but that isn’t the case anymore. Her TCA Award victory for Individual Achievement in Comedy is an undeniably big deal and gives her many statistical advantages that should cause her competitors and naysayers concern.
- 8/15/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The Toronto International Film Festival announced its lineup of documentaries this morning, a slate that includes the world premiere of a film on uncancelled comedian Louis C.K., as well as fresh work from nonfiction greats Raoul Peck, Frederick Wiseman, Errol Morris, Lucy Walker, and Roger Ross Williams.
Sorry/Not Sorry, directed by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones, foregrounds women comedians who accused Louis C.K. of sexual harassment and the consequences they faced as a result. C.K. admitted in 2017 that he had exposed himself and masturbated in front of several women, which appeared to cancel his thriving standup and acting career. But after a pause he resumed standup performances before sold out crowds.
Louis C.K.
“It’s a really nuanced telling of the story produced by the New York Times,” TIFF chief documentary programmer Thom Powers told Deadline. “It’s been six years since the original New York Times reporting on this case.
Sorry/Not Sorry, directed by Caroline Suh and Cara Mones, foregrounds women comedians who accused Louis C.K. of sexual harassment and the consequences they faced as a result. C.K. admitted in 2017 that he had exposed himself and masturbated in front of several women, which appeared to cancel his thriving standup and acting career. But after a pause he resumed standup performances before sold out crowds.
Louis C.K.
“It’s a really nuanced telling of the story produced by the New York Times,” TIFF chief documentary programmer Thom Powers told Deadline. “It’s been six years since the original New York Times reporting on this case.
- 7/26/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
A documentary about women who accused Louis C.K. of sexual harassment and the consequences those accusations had on their careers is one of 22 documentaries from 12 countries heading to the 2023 Toronto Intl. Film Festival.
The docu titled “Sorry/Not Sorry,” previously intended for Showtime, is one of several films in TIFF’s nonfiction program that focus on women who have been unjustly ignored for their achievements. TIFF Docs opening night film, “Copa 71,” tells the story of the lost legacy of a 1971 international women’s soccer tournament that had record setting crowds in Mexico City but was largely erased from sports history. The film’s producers include Venus and Serena Williams as well as soccer super star Alex Morgan. Lucy Walker, a two-time Oscar nominee, is bringing “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,” about a single mother working as a dishwasher at a Connecticut Whole Foods, who has another life as a record-breaking mountain climber.
The docu titled “Sorry/Not Sorry,” previously intended for Showtime, is one of several films in TIFF’s nonfiction program that focus on women who have been unjustly ignored for their achievements. TIFF Docs opening night film, “Copa 71,” tells the story of the lost legacy of a 1971 international women’s soccer tournament that had record setting crowds in Mexico City but was largely erased from sports history. The film’s producers include Venus and Serena Williams as well as soccer super star Alex Morgan. Lucy Walker, a two-time Oscar nominee, is bringing “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,” about a single mother working as a dishwasher at a Connecticut Whole Foods, who has another life as a record-breaking mountain climber.
- 7/26/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
The soccer documentary Copa 71, from executive producers Serena Williams and Venus Williams, is set to open the Toronto Film Festival’s Docs sidebar as it recounts the 1971 Women’s World Cup tournament in Mexico City.
The documentary from directors Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine will have its world premiere at TIFF. New Black Films, Dogwoof and Westbrook Studios are producing.
Toronto also booked world premieres for Raoul Peck’s Silver Dollar Road, about a Black family fighting to save their North Carolina property from land-grabbing developers; Anand Patwardhan’s The World is Family, which recounts the director’s parents helping lead India’s independence movement; and Karim Amer’s Defiant, about Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and his battle against disinformation.
There’s also a world premiere for Caroline Suh and Cara Mones’ Sorry/Not Sorry, a portrait of women who accused comedy giant Louis C.K. of sexual harassment,...
The documentary from directors Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine will have its world premiere at TIFF. New Black Films, Dogwoof and Westbrook Studios are producing.
Toronto also booked world premieres for Raoul Peck’s Silver Dollar Road, about a Black family fighting to save their North Carolina property from land-grabbing developers; Anand Patwardhan’s The World is Family, which recounts the director’s parents helping lead India’s independence movement; and Karim Amer’s Defiant, about Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and his battle against disinformation.
There’s also a world premiere for Caroline Suh and Cara Mones’ Sorry/Not Sorry, a portrait of women who accused comedy giant Louis C.K. of sexual harassment,...
- 7/26/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New films from legendary documentarians Frederick Wiseman and Errol Morris and new work from directors Raoul Peck, Lucy Walker, Roger Ross Williams and Karim Amer will screen at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, which announced its TIFF Docs lineup on Wednesday.
The 93-year-old Wiseman will present the North American premiere of “Menus – Plaisirs Les Troisgros,” a four-hour deep dive into a fabled Michelin-starred restaurant in France. Morris will have the international premiere of “The Pigeon Tunnel,” which is built around a Morris interview with John le Carre that turned out to be the last interview the espionage novelist gave before his death in 2020.
The 22 films announced on Wednesday include 10 world premieres, including Amer’s “Defiant,” Walker’s “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,” Peck’s “Silver Dollar Road,” Williams’ “Stamped From the Beginning” and Caroline Suh and Cara Mones’ “Sorry/Not Sorry.” Of the 26 directors represented by those films,...
The 93-year-old Wiseman will present the North American premiere of “Menus – Plaisirs Les Troisgros,” a four-hour deep dive into a fabled Michelin-starred restaurant in France. Morris will have the international premiere of “The Pigeon Tunnel,” which is built around a Morris interview with John le Carre that turned out to be the last interview the espionage novelist gave before his death in 2020.
The 22 films announced on Wednesday include 10 world premieres, including Amer’s “Defiant,” Walker’s “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,” Peck’s “Silver Dollar Road,” Williams’ “Stamped From the Beginning” and Caroline Suh and Cara Mones’ “Sorry/Not Sorry.” Of the 26 directors represented by those films,...
- 7/26/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
This year, non-fiction titles will be front and center at the Toronto International Film Festival, as many writers and actors will not be on hand due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Opening night at the 2023 festival brings a documentary world premiere, Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine’s “Copa 71” (seller: Dogwoof), about an historic international women’s soccer tournament lost to sports history. The filmmakers bring us back to the record-setting crowds assembled in Mexico City in 1971. U.S. soccer star Alice Morgan and athletes Venus and Serena Williams are among the film’s executive producers.
That’s the sort of unexpected story that veteran TIFF documentary programmer Thom Powers sought for this year’s documentary program of 22 titles from 12 countries. While it’s always painful to whittle down the selection from 800 feature submissions (the post-pandemic production boom continues), Powers looked at giving a boost to sales titles...
Opening night at the 2023 festival brings a documentary world premiere, Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine’s “Copa 71” (seller: Dogwoof), about an historic international women’s soccer tournament lost to sports history. The filmmakers bring us back to the record-setting crowds assembled in Mexico City in 1971. U.S. soccer star Alice Morgan and athletes Venus and Serena Williams are among the film’s executive producers.
That’s the sort of unexpected story that veteran TIFF documentary programmer Thom Powers sought for this year’s documentary program of 22 titles from 12 countries. While it’s always painful to whittle down the selection from 800 feature submissions (the post-pandemic production boom continues), Powers looked at giving a boost to sales titles...
- 7/26/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Threads, a brand-new social app from Instagram that bears more than a passing resemblance to Twitter, has already pulled in a massive user base, notching 50 million signups just a day after launch. The Silicon Valley shakeup is exacerbating tensions between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, with attorneys for the former already arguing that Instagram parent Meta hired “dozens” of former Twitter employees and “misappropriated” its trade secrets to develop the rival app.
But while these tech titans duke it out for the privilege of extracting our personal data, a handful...
But while these tech titans duke it out for the privilege of extracting our personal data, a handful...
- 7/8/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
The documentary capturing comedian Louis C.K.’s #MeToo scandal has been shelved at Showtime.
Director Caroline Suh (“Blackpink: Light Up the Sky”) was originally set to helm the documentary announced by Paramount Global exec David Nevins in August 2022. Nevins exited Paramount in October 2022.
Showtime confirmed to IndieWire that the documentary would not be moving forward but did not provide additional reasons as to why. Variety first reported the news.
“Louis C.K. is a slightly different situation [compared to Harvey Weinstein],” then-Showtime CEO Nevins said at the time. “[He is] a great, great comedian who has come back in his own way.”
Nevins added, “I don’t think the social change that #MeToo has brought about is resolved at all. There’s a bit of backlash against #MeToo, who has to go away and who’s allowed to come back.”
The documentary was set to chart C.K.’s exit from projects in 2017 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
Director Caroline Suh (“Blackpink: Light Up the Sky”) was originally set to helm the documentary announced by Paramount Global exec David Nevins in August 2022. Nevins exited Paramount in October 2022.
Showtime confirmed to IndieWire that the documentary would not be moving forward but did not provide additional reasons as to why. Variety first reported the news.
“Louis C.K. is a slightly different situation [compared to Harvey Weinstein],” then-Showtime CEO Nevins said at the time. “[He is] a great, great comedian who has come back in his own way.”
Nevins added, “I don’t think the social change that #MeToo has brought about is resolved at all. There’s a bit of backlash against #MeToo, who has to go away and who’s allowed to come back.”
The documentary was set to chart C.K.’s exit from projects in 2017 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
- 6/5/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Showtime is not moving forward with Caroline Suh’s documentary on disgraced comedian Louis C.K., Variety has learned.
The feature-length doc was announced by Paramount Global exec David Nevins at the Edinburgh TV Festival in Scotland last summer. Nevins stepped down in October following internal restructuring.
Suh, who previously directed Netflix documentary “Blackpink: Light Up the Sky,” about K-Pop superstars Blackpink, was set to helm the project about C.K., which was billed as examining the comedian and his downfall as well as the wider #MeToo movement over the past six years.
At the time the project was unveiled, Nevins said the New York Times reporters who broke the story of C.K.’s sexual misconduct were involved in the doc.
“I don’t think the social change that #MetToo has brought about is resolved at all,” Nevins said last summer. “There’s a bit of backlash against #MeToo, who...
The feature-length doc was announced by Paramount Global exec David Nevins at the Edinburgh TV Festival in Scotland last summer. Nevins stepped down in October following internal restructuring.
Suh, who previously directed Netflix documentary “Blackpink: Light Up the Sky,” about K-Pop superstars Blackpink, was set to helm the project about C.K., which was billed as examining the comedian and his downfall as well as the wider #MeToo movement over the past six years.
At the time the project was unveiled, Nevins said the New York Times reporters who broke the story of C.K.’s sexual misconduct were involved in the doc.
“I don’t think the social change that #MetToo has brought about is resolved at all,” Nevins said last summer. “There’s a bit of backlash against #MeToo, who...
- 6/5/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Pete Davidson’s new sitcom, Bupkis, opens with a scene where his mother, Amy, played by Edie Falco, walks in on him while he’s masturbating to VR porn. That episode closes with him physically helping an old friend of the family, played by Brad Garrett, have sex with a prostitute after Garrett’s hip gives out mid-thrust.
You can read the explicit content of the series premiere in one of two ways. In one, Davidson and his collaborators — he co-created the show with Judah Miller and Dave Sirus, both...
You can read the explicit content of the series premiere in one of two ways. In one, Davidson and his collaborators — he co-created the show with Judah Miller and Dave Sirus, both...
- 5/4/2023
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
As in their excellent scripted series “Feel Good,” there’s a lot of wisdom and heart in Mae Martin’s first hour-long comedy special for Netflix, tenderly titled “Sap.” More than the series, a moving dark comedy about addiction and trauma, “Sap” has a genuine feel-good quality that feels particularly comforting in the current political moment.
Directed by Abbi Jacobson, the special opens and closes with a campfire sketch that links one of Martin’s opening bits with the syrupy title, and underscores the human need to feel seen through the sharing of perspectives. With an easy charisma and compelling wit, Martin shares details of their journey towards embracing their non-binary gender identity, offering a healing diversion from anxiety-inducing headlines about anti-trans legislation.
Martin, who is Canadian but lives and works in London, favors the relaxed British storytelling style of comedy over the American rush of tight setups and punchlines.
Directed by Abbi Jacobson, the special opens and closes with a campfire sketch that links one of Martin’s opening bits with the syrupy title, and underscores the human need to feel seen through the sharing of perspectives. With an easy charisma and compelling wit, Martin shares details of their journey towards embracing their non-binary gender identity, offering a healing diversion from anxiety-inducing headlines about anti-trans legislation.
Martin, who is Canadian but lives and works in London, favors the relaxed British storytelling style of comedy over the American rush of tight setups and punchlines.
- 3/29/2023
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Riverdale premiered back in 2017. As the CW series’ fans know well, the show has plenty of mystery and drama. Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, and Madelaine Petsch are some of Riverdale‘s talented cast members credited with making the series such a hit. However, some might be surprised to learn that a Riverdale movie was almost made before the TV show.
Even more surprising, instead of K.J. Apa playing the part of Archie, a disgraced comedian was set to take on the role for the big screen.
Before ‘Riverdale’ was a CW television series, it almost became a movie
#Riverdale was almost a time-travel Archie movie starring Louis C.K. Yes, you read that correctly https://t.co/aoqOYLXwdb #TCA17 pic.twitter.com/R0FyJ1atuZ
— TV Guide (@TVGuide) January 8, 2017
It is well-known that the CW television show Riverdale is based on Archie Comics. But some people may be shocked to find...
Even more surprising, instead of K.J. Apa playing the part of Archie, a disgraced comedian was set to take on the role for the big screen.
Before ‘Riverdale’ was a CW television series, it almost became a movie
#Riverdale was almost a time-travel Archie movie starring Louis C.K. Yes, you read that correctly https://t.co/aoqOYLXwdb #TCA17 pic.twitter.com/R0FyJ1atuZ
— TV Guide (@TVGuide) January 8, 2017
It is well-known that the CW television show Riverdale is based on Archie Comics. But some people may be shocked to find...
- 3/24/2023
- by Ashley Swallow
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
27 years ago, Chris Rock resurrected his career with one of the greatest hours of stand-up comedy I've ever seen. I was a month away from graduating college when "Bring the Pain" aired after the HBO Saturday night premiere of "Congo" or something less sublime when Eddie Murphy's once-prized protege, who'd been ignominiously fired from "Saturday Night Live" after three underwhelming seasons, took the stage in Washington D.C. and became the George Carlin of his generation. It was a set fueled by fury at white folks pandering admiration of Colin Powell ("He speaks so well!"), Black folks' support of crackhead Marion Barry ("I can be Mayor!"), and, to put it diplomatically, racial anti-intellectualism. Sandwiched in between all of this was a brilliantly random rant about an HBO prison documentary in which a prisoner waxed poetic about the pleasures of "salad tossing." It was like watching Greg Maddux throw a complete-game shutout.
- 3/5/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Louis C.K. is one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time, but he’s also a widely controversial figure. Up until 2017, Ck would have been widely considered an icon, with amazing stand-up specials, movies and not one but two brilliant TV shows under his belt. While FX’s Louis brought him mainstream success, Ck was able to parlay that into a new sideline, making content directly for his audience that he could sell via his official website. One such project was the acclaimed Horace and Pete; indeed, Ck was, for a while, on top of the world.
Then, of course, allegations surfaced regarding the comedian’s sexual misconduct, which he admitted to, and overnight his career was seemingly in tatters. But, after taking some time off, Ck started appearing in comedy clubs again and reignited his stand-up career. His website, and the audience that was willing to buy content directly from him,...
Then, of course, allegations surfaced regarding the comedian’s sexual misconduct, which he admitted to, and overnight his career was seemingly in tatters. But, after taking some time off, Ck started appearing in comedy clubs again and reignited his stand-up career. His website, and the audience that was willing to buy content directly from him,...
- 2/24/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Can you imagine a world without "The Dana Carvey Show?" To be fair, you probably can, as the ABC series only lasted for a meager eight episodes during the spring of 1996. While the show itself has gained a cult status over the decades, the real legacy of the series isn't about the show's impact on pop culture, but rather its bringing together of talent that would soon go on to impact pop culture.
Consider this staggering list of names involved: Robert Smigel, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Spike Feresten (writer for David Letterman and "Seinfeld"), Robert Carlock (future showrunner of "30 Rock"), Dino Stamatopoulos (future writer of "Community" and Starburns himself) and Charlie Kaufman were all among the people helping Carvey bring his surreal sketch comedy show to the small screen.
Yet the series may not have happened at all had Carvey not been smarting after a short-lived career as a...
Consider this staggering list of names involved: Robert Smigel, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Spike Feresten (writer for David Letterman and "Seinfeld"), Robert Carlock (future showrunner of "30 Rock"), Dino Stamatopoulos (future writer of "Community" and Starburns himself) and Charlie Kaufman were all among the people helping Carvey bring his surreal sketch comedy show to the small screen.
Yet the series may not have happened at all had Carvey not been smarting after a short-lived career as a...
- 2/12/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Roseanne Barr is mounting a comeback attempt, five years after she was unceremoniously fired over a tweet joking that former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett — who is Black — was the offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood and “The Planet of the Apes” after the return of her eponymous sitcom “Roseanne” broke ratings records.
After her firing, “Roseanne” was cancelled and then revived as “The Conners”, with her character killed off by an opioid overdose.
Now, Barr is returning to the standup comedy stage for “Roseanne Barr: Cancel This!,” a new special that will stream Monday, Feb. 13 on Fox Nation, the Fox News streaming service, in which she takes on Hollywood’s “cancel culture,” among other topics.
Read More: First Teaser Revealed For Roseanne Barr’s Comeback Comedy Special ‘Cancel This’
Speaking with the Los Angeles Times to promote the special, Barr declares herself a survivor. “I’ve come out on the other side of it,...
After her firing, “Roseanne” was cancelled and then revived as “The Conners”, with her character killed off by an opioid overdose.
Now, Barr is returning to the standup comedy stage for “Roseanne Barr: Cancel This!,” a new special that will stream Monday, Feb. 13 on Fox Nation, the Fox News streaming service, in which she takes on Hollywood’s “cancel culture,” among other topics.
Read More: First Teaser Revealed For Roseanne Barr’s Comeback Comedy Special ‘Cancel This’
Speaking with the Los Angeles Times to promote the special, Barr declares herself a survivor. “I’ve come out on the other side of it,...
- 2/10/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Roseanne Barr has called out what she thinks is the sexist double standard of cancel culture and addressed ABC for firing her from her own sitcom reboot “Roseanne” before rebranding it as “The Conners.”
“It was a witch-burning,” Barr said of the fallout in a new interview with The Los Angeles Times. “They denied me the right to apologize. Oh my God, they just hated me so badly. I had never known that they hated me like that. They hate me because I have talent, because I have an opinion. Even though ‘Roseanne’ became [ABC’s] No. 1 show, they’d rather not have a No. 1 show.”
Barr continued, “When they killed my character off, that was a message to me – knowing that I’m mentally ill or have mental health issues – that they did want me to commit suicide.”
Barr pointed out that fellow stand-ups Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K. have since...
“It was a witch-burning,” Barr said of the fallout in a new interview with The Los Angeles Times. “They denied me the right to apologize. Oh my God, they just hated me so badly. I had never known that they hated me like that. They hate me because I have talent, because I have an opinion. Even though ‘Roseanne’ became [ABC’s] No. 1 show, they’d rather not have a No. 1 show.”
Barr continued, “When they killed my character off, that was a message to me – knowing that I’m mentally ill or have mental health issues – that they did want me to commit suicide.”
Barr pointed out that fellow stand-ups Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K. have since...
- 2/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
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