2013-2014 TV watch: NBC’s greenlights, renewals, and cancellations

In advance of the upcoming television upfronts and the ending of the 2012-2013 television season, many networks are in the middle of confirming pilots, cancelling shows, and renewing others. Rather than you sifting through all the noise, we’re going to come up with some cheat sheets to what’s happening to your favorite, and non-favorite comedy on television. Let’s break down each TV network for you. Check out the new comedies that might catch your eye, your favorite shows that are returning, and the ones cancelled to be forever gone into dark TV abyss.

Here’s what’s going on with NBC. Read More

The cast of ‘The Office’ says their goodbyes

Tonight,The Office will air it’s final episode in it’s 9th season forever. So there’s going to be a plenty of goodbyes and perhaps, maybe we’ll even find out who the Scranton Strangler is.

Here are some videos of the cast saying goodbye to the show from the main characters and the secondary ones. The clips are long and has much of the cast telling their their favorite stories from the last 9 seasons. There’s tears of course so watch at your own risk. Yep, everyone gets a good cry on. There’s also lots of Steve Carell talk but no Steve Carell in the clips, but hey! They got Roy. Read More

Now Steve Carell might actually be in ‘The Office’ finale

With The Office, ending its nine season run on NBC on May 16th, there’s still much swirling about the “Will he? Won’t he?” return of Michael Scott himself, once played Steve Carell. While Carell himself has stated many times that he does not plan to return to the show. The last few days seem to allude to that no longer being the case.

First, Carell showed up this weekend in the very real town of Scranton, PA for a huge wrap party thrown that featured the cast and a stadium full of people. Followed up by a new report from the show’s creators that Michael Scott will make a brief cameo in the last episode but not one that overshadowed the other cast members getting their moment in the sun. This also comes along with conflicting reports from Carell’s publicist who continues to state he will not be around.

So there you have it, a news update that gives us no definitive answer on anything. My journalism teacher would be proud.

The Laugh Guide: Deadpan Comedy

The Laugh Guide The ongoing series of exploring different styles of comedy.

The Laugh Guide: Issue 5 – Deadpan Comedy

By Definition dead·pan (n., adj., v., intr., tr.)
A blank, expressionless face, especially a performer, who has or assumes a blank expression, impassively matter-of-fact, as in style, behavior, or expression.

The similarities between Mike Birbiglia, Demetri Martin, the late Mitch Hedberg, Bill Murray and the TV show The Office resides in the ability to tell jokes without having a change in facial expression or emotions. Deadpan comedy is not strictly a style of humor but more a tactic that can be used in short intervals or stretched across a comedians entire career. This strategy of joke telling doesn’t appeal to everybody yet if given the right comedic set up and relatable situation, Deadpan Comedy can make any adult cry with laughter. Read More

Seth MacFarlane live action sitcom gets ordered by FOX and other piloty news

Seth MacFarlane I love pilot season, and for a few reasons…

First, we get to talk about all the new comedy that could make it to the air this upcoming fall season. Secondly, we get to take guesses as to what will make it. Thirdly we can wonder out loud what the heck networks were thinking when some of these plots were pitched. Crazy plot ideas, like a sitcom based on the Geico Cavemen. Remember when someone actually greenlit that thing? We barely do either.

Here’s the latest. Read More

StandUp in Stilettos returns on November 10th

StandUp in Stilettos, The TV Guide network show that features killer all-female comics telling jokes will return on November 10th for a second season. Once again host, Kate Flannery (The Office) This season will boast comics such as Thea Vidale (Thea, The Drew Carey Show), Cory Kahaney (Late Night with David Letterman, Last Comic Standing), Cathy Ladman (The Tonight Show), Luenell (Borat, Think Like a Man), and Laurie Kilmartin (Conan).

“There are so many great, funny women we couldn’t fit them all in one season. Not even close!” said Kate Flannery. “This show is a great half-hour of stand-up comedy. The only difference between our show and other stand-up shows is that occasionally there’s lipstick on the mic.” Season two will include 12, half-hour episodes taped in front of a live audience set in a comedy club.

Ricky Gervais’ new series is headed to Netflix

Ricky Gervais has struck a deal with Netflix for the rights to bring his UK comedy series Derek to US ~~airwaves~~ internet waves. The show will not be available until 2013, after the series finishes it’s run on British television.

Derek stars Gervais as the title character, simple and naive man who works in a nursing home. The series also features Gervias’ comedy muse Karl Pilkington. Gervais caught a bit of controversy with this series because when it was first launched many thought it was a mockery of the mentally disabled.

But with a great comedy pedigree as The Office, Extras, Life’s Too Short, and An Idiot Abroad we’re sure there will be droves of Gervais fans that turn out to watch this one.

This is how Creed Bratton of The Office thinks Todd Akin should’ve apologized

By now, everyone has heard about U.S. Rep. Todd Akin’s comments on how “legitimate rape” rarely results in pregnancy. While he has since apologized, many simply aren’t accepting it. Well maybe he should’ve taken some advice from Creed Bratton.

The Office’s very own Bratton teamed up with Funny Or Die to create a parody of Akin’s video apology, including plenty of innuendos and a cover of “My Akin Breakin’ Heart.” While the comments have caused lots of outrage amongst many (and rightfully so), it is pretty entertaining to watch Akin getting made fun of, especially by Creed Bratton.