Too Tough Looking for Comedy??

Firstly, why did no one ever tell me Alec Baldwin was a comedian?

These two guys, Rob Riggle and Alec Baldwin must be toughest looking guys in comedy. Think about it, a lot of male comedians are either pretty short (ahem... Kevin Hart) or they are really thin and gangly. Even though these two are funny and everything, they just look like they could beat you up. Easily.

I think there was actually an interview of...some comedian (sorry, I've forgotten who) with Howard stern where they had said that you can't get too buff for comedy or people would just be staring at your muscles instead of listening to the jokes.

Rob Riggle, (SNL, Dumb and Dumber To, 21 Jump Street, The Lorax, and heaps of other cameos) looks like he should be fighter or something. I know used to be in the army, so I guess that's why he's so buff. Alec Baldwin (30 Rock, Cat in the Hat, ...other stuff? Idk) on the other hand, what's his excuse for being so buff? I don't think he's been in the army. Also i just want to point out I'm not trying to be ,ean or anything. These guys are two of my favourites, they're really funny.

I'm sure at this point you're probably thinking, 'What on earth are you even talking about this for???' Well my friend.... That's a good question. I don't know. No, really though, a lot of other comedians look all done up and nice. These are the only two I can think of that look like they don't really belong as comedians they just look too much like very manly men. I don't even know what that means.

I wait for the day when someone males a prison movie with these two as the main characters, I swear it would be the best funniest thing ever. You know what, maybe I'll just write one, and call it Prison Riot, about two buff guys who are framed as murderers and get sent to prison but they're are actually wimps. Man, that is a million dollar idea right there. Big Hollywood directors and producers reading this (I doubt there are but just in case) you've gotta make it!

Now, what do you guys think? Are Rob Riggle and Alec Baldwin too manly for comedy? Or do you think it works in their favour? On SNL they seemed to always cast Alec as a gay man (watch Canteen Boy here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8SiFV0reYg It's very... creepy :/ ) to juxtapose his manliness. I think it works, sort of... Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Until Next Time...
Morgan ^^

Writing Jokes...Why Bother?

A lot of comics will argue that writing a comedy is much more difficult than writing drama. You know what? I have to say, I totally agree with them.

Have you ever tried writing a joke? Trust me it really isn't that easy. Well, it's easy to write a joke, but getting a laugh out of people, that's the hard part. Whether it's for stand up, sketch, a movie, or whatever else a joke can be in. It is difficult.

Now compare that with drama where you would write the dialogue pretty straight, as in you'd most likely write it like a normal, serious conversation. (I had to put 'serious' there because none of my conversations are ever serious. Just in case someone else has that issue.)

I study Film Production at university, and as you may have guessed, that pretty much covers everything. One of the things that we have recently covered is the 'Kuleshov Effect'. Now, (not to get technical or anything), but pretty much this means that our brains react to an image based on what we saw in the previous image. So no matter how bad the writing, editing, or acting is, (well... maybe that stuff is important. Usually it is.) our brains will still tell us that something has happened or is about to happen.

 

 

You can still do this type of thing in comedy of course, but I think the outcome would be more serious than comical. So that's why comedians have to take so long to come up with gags, or jokes. Comedy doesn't have this magical brain thing that drama producers can use.

 

 

Does anyone else find that unfair? Just me? Ok....

 

So why do comics even bother with working so hard on writing jokes? I don't know! Maybe they're crazy. But I guess then that makes me crazy since I write jokes too. :/  Not to mention trying to get more laughs by changing the timing, nature, or tone of the joke on each take. People in drama Just have to look at the opposing actor with a straight face and suddenly the audience think they want to kill each other. Ok, that was a bit extreme. I won't even go into the whole discussion on how the Oscars don't consider comedies for anything. I'll leave that argument for someone like Howard Stern. Doesn't he make great points about everything? That was so sarcastic. Sorry.

 

Think about it this way, if we didn't have comedy, we would be so unhappy and gloomy. There would be no SNL, no Seth Rogan making silly movies, no stupid Foo Fighters music videos. What would the world come to? I'm sure we would survive, but we would be very depressed. I think that's why comics keep trying to make us laugh, and keep writing even though its argued to be harder than writing or acting in drama.

 

Are you an actor or writer? What do you prefer comedy or drama and which is more difficult? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Until Next Time...

Morgan ^^ 

National Lampoon's Vacation...The Original.

Just two days ago, I watched National Lampoon's Vacation for the first time in my life. Now, let me tell you, I have viewed at least a hundred comedy movies, but this one was by far the funniest, most clever thing I've ever watched.

I loved it.

I have watched the National Lampoon's Christmas one before, but I didn't really get it, maybe I was too young or something. Who knows. But, my god, this was so so SO funny! Surely everyone out there has watched it, I was probably the last person on earth to have not watched it.

I think now that I'm going to have to watch the rest of the vacation series.

There's a new movie called Vacation, and is a sequel to this one that I just saw. But I still find it unclear if it actually is a National Lampoon's instalment, or if it's just some random guys who want to remake their favourite movie. You know, because all of the other ones have "National Lampoons" in the title. Oh look at this - "Though it involves intellectual property from the original, the movie was produced independent of any National Lampoon involvement. The company that gave birth to the Vacation franchise had no creative input in its reboot."

 

So, it pretty much has nothing to do with the Lampoon...which went out of business in 1998. if you want to read more about how this new movie is in relation to the old ones, click here! for a history lesson. I bet no one would ever be like, 'Yay! History lesson! Time to learn stuff.' But seriously....it's interesting.

I wonder if this new movie will have the 'Holiday Road' song in it, because let me tell you, ever since I watched Lampoon's Vacation it has been stuck in my head, and it won't get out! It's driving me mad. But it's a pretty catching song.

(UPDATE: I just found out that this movie has a soundtrack album....aannnndddd Holiday Road is on it. A nice, new cover by the Zac Brown Band. It is very good, a bit different from the original song, but good in it's own way. Want to hear it? Click here!)

 

If you want to check out the trailer for the new one click here! (I warn you, this trailer link is the 'red band' one. Watch at your own risk.....It's not that bad. If you want to see this movie, you may as well watch this trailer so you're prepared.) If you want to see the old 1983 trailer for the original National Lampoon's Vacation, click here! It's hilarious.

What do you think? Will you go see the new Vacation movie? I think I want to, it looks good. But at the same time I just read what the plot is and it sounds a little bit weird. But then again, you never know.

Until Next Time...
Morgan ^^

David Letterman's Top Ten

The Top Ten List is such an iconic thing to comedy, and late night TV. But now that Dave is no longer on air, neither are his top ten lists.

Most of the time they were really stupid, but through that silliness we could all see something funny, and that's what made these lists so special. Dave Letterman and his writers have created something that has gone down in history, and something that future and current comedians and writers can look back on.

 

Many people in the TV and comedy business have said that they used to write top ten lists to practice their joke writing. One of whom is Dan Schneider, the creator of Nickelodeon's Drake & Josh, iCarly, Kenan & Kel, etc. He said in a interview once that when he was younger and had become interested in comedy that he used to write out top ten lists and fax them to Letterman's show. He also said thought that none of them were ever used, but it's still good to practice with.

Since so many writers always say that you need to practice our writing skills every day (like my creative writing lecturer. he wouldn't shut up about it), and so many comedians and comical writers seem to always suggest doing top ten lists, I though I would give it a go. One of those who've suggested it is Joe Toplyn, maybe you've heard of him? He's a comedy writer who actually has a book about writing for Late Night shows and preparing a packet for the NBC Late Night Writers Workshop (which I can never do because I'm a million miles away from New York -_- ). If you're interested in finding out more about his work you can check out his twitter for more info. He says that writing every day and practicing with these lists is important.

So, here we go. A few of my own original Top Ten Lists.

Top Ten - Offensive Family Feud Topics:

10. Name a celebrity with no talent starting with a 'K'
9. Name something you see a lot of in Hooters.
8. Fill in the blank: 'A woman should not judge a man by his _______'
7. We asked 100 men: Why are women so annoying?
6. Tell me a word that rhymes with 'Duck'
5.Name a person that the world would be better off without.
4. Tell me something that is terrible besides marriage.
3. Give me sign that you are eating too much.
2. Tell me one word to describe your boss.
1. Give me another name for 'mother-in-law'

Just saying, not all of them are so great. But if something is funny, then that's awesome!!

Top Ten - Unknown SNL Sketches:

10. Sarah Palin's Diary.
9. Invention Convention.
8. The Relationship.
7. 101 Flamingos.
6. Dead Men Are Dead.
5. CSI: Oklahoma.
4. Unusual Crafts with Betty Baths.
3. Nature Calls.
2. Tools.
1. Meets the Jones!

If any of these are in any way similar to any of Letterman's top ten lists, please let me know via email or the comment section below. I haven't seen or heard that many top ten lists, so just letting you know there may be an overlap. But hopefully not.

I hope you at least one thing funny, if not, well, I tried. I thought they were alright. They're just practice ones anyway, so if I didn't put them on here they'd just be doing nothing in my notebook. So may as well put them on here.

I really hope you enjoyed them!

Until Next Time...
Morgan ^^

Comedian Apperances

There is nothing I love more than watching some random movie or TV show, and seeing a comedian. Sometimes they are even right in front of us, even though we don't even realise it. (This is why I always watch the credits at the end. A lot of people don't like me doing that. They think its weird. Oh well.)

For example, have you seen the Adam Sandler movie Jack and Jill? Did you know that Dana Carvey has a cameo in it? He's the awkward intestine puppeteer that's towards the beggining of the movie.

Another one that I really like, is if you have ever listened to the commentary for Jim Carrey's movie Liar Liar, you would've heard Tom Shadyac point out Jim's In Living Color character, Fire Marshall Bill. Jim dressed up as his character and stood in the background of a shot that his character for the actual movie (Fletcher Reed) wasn't in. By The Way, if you haven't ever heard of In Living Color before you seriously have to check it out. Its awesome.

Of course, we know that so many comical icons do voiceovers for kids animated movies. Robin Williams was the Genie in Aladdin, Jim Carrey was Horton in Horton Hears a Who, Bill Hader has done not only the new Inside out Movie, but also Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs along with Andy Samberg. There are so many more I want to mention it would take the rest of forever to write them out.

There is one though that I never even knew until today. Did you know that David Spade was the voice of Kuzco in The Emperor's New Groove? Because let me tell you, when I found the out this morning, it felt as if my whole life had been a lie. I never knew that.

This kind of thing where these comics have really random cameos or unpromoted roles in films really make me happy. Hey, what about Bill Murray in Dumb and Dumber To? He was there. The surprise of seeing a familiar face when no one says that they're in there makes the whole thing like ten times funnier in my opinion.

What's your favorite movie that has a comedian cameo, or an animated film you didn't realise was the voice of someone who was a comedian?
Did you know that Master of Disguise (Dana Carvey) was produced by Adam Sandler? I almost feel as if this was one massive fun fact post...I hope you enjoyed it though!

Until Next Time...
Morgan ^^

Trainwreck...was a trainwreck?

Before I even start saying mean stuff (Just kidding! I never would....or would I?) I have to point out that I still haven't seen this movie.

Amy Schumer' movie has, in many reviews, been judjed very critically for not being as good as what everyone had thought it was going to be. Now, I think that reason for this is that we know Amy Schumer and the other lead, Bill Hader for being comedians. But a lot of people making these reviews say it wasn't all that funny.

Even some of my friends who have seen it say that it wasn't terribly funny.

However, I know what the problem was.

We have two comics, together in a movie, so naturally, you would think that its going to be a very funny comedy. The trailer had funny bits right? Well I think what has happened here is that whoever distributes the movie has promoted it in the wrong way. They've told comedy lovers to go see it, whereas they probably should've said 'Hey, do you like comical stories with life lessons and love? Then you should totally see this movie!' With the trailer showing funny parts as well I don't think helped the situation. But then again, that may have been the way that Amy Schumer had wanted it to be.

 

One of my friends said that they even cried during one part of this movie. So I'm kind of thinking that whatever happens in it isn't too funny.

It actually makes me want to see the film more though. I want, no, I need to know what happens. I think that it might actually be a somewhat good comedy/drama.

Have you seen it? What do you think?

Until Next Time...
Morgan ^^

Comedy News!

It's time for comedy news! It's the kind of post where I found a heap of little articles about comedy but they weren't big enough to make a full post! (This is the part you read with a game show hosts voice in your head.)

Wow. Over enthusiastic much.

So today, if you don't mind, I have found a few small news articles in relation to comedy, but they just weren't enough to make an actual post about. Yet I couldn't just leave them, they were too good to do that.

Without further ado, here's the comedy news!


Comedy News Story Number 1 - Jimmy Fallon had his contract extended?!

Yep. Jimmy Fallon the host of The Tonight Show has had his contract to host the Tonight Show extended until 2021. He will be on our screens for at least the next six years. Originally it was only a three year deal, but he must be just too popular.

I really feel myself turning into one of those YouTube news hosts, just from writing this. Sorry, my bad.

Anyway, since Jimmy is going to have another six years, hopefully he can get six after that. A lot of older celebrities always seem to say interviews that he is a lot like Johnny Carson. But who knows.


Comedy News Story Number 2. - Adam Sandler is going to have yet another movie!

Apparently Adam Sandler and David Spade (who was also in Grown Ups/2 with Adam) are in a new movie together called "The Do Over", which to me kind of sounds somewhat like Adam's other movie Click (2006).

But I could be wrong. I'm just speculating, the article didn't even say what it was about.

Ok, it's actually about two guys who fake their deaths so they can start live again. Which sounds terrible, but very interesting. If you want to find out more about it here's the IMDB page, but it doesn't really say much yet.


Comedy News Story Number 3. - Jay Leno is NOT happy with Jimmy Kimmel??

Jay Leno said that Jimmy Kimmel is mean. pretty much that's it.

No, but seriously. I really do like Jay and I like Jimmy Kimmel, and thought they were two of the nicest guys in comedy, so to see them not so happy is just weird to me. Because of this I won't really go into the story too much but if you really have to the actual article I read is here.

By the way, did you know that Jay Leno's real name is James? Because I sure didn't. I just found out. James seems to be 'the comedians name'. Think of them all.


Until Next Time...
Morgan ^^