Archive for the ‘Comedy Talk’ Category
Since the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences refuses to release the Emmy nomination shortlists of acting talent in the various lead and support categories, certain people track the lists down and publish them for the general public.
The big news this awards season regarding the comedy lead actress category is the fact that Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher is missing, although all three of her costars — Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman, and Eva Longoria Parker — are included. Ouch!
Another piece of big news is the nod given to standup specialist Sarah Silverman of Comedy Central’s The Sarah Silverman Program. While the Academy claims the acknowledgment is based on her work in the episode “Bored of the Rings,” we all know it’s really due to her role in “loving” Matt Damon.
The ten semifinalists for the Best Comedy Actress category follow; the final five nominees will be announced on Thursday, July 17.
Best Comedy Actress Semifinalists
- Christina Applegate, Samantha Who? (”The Restraining Order”)
- Marcia Cross, Desperate Housewives (”Now You Know”)
- America Ferrera, Ugly Betty (”Odor in the Court”)
- Tina Fey, 30 Rock (”Sandwich Day”)
- Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies (”Bitter Sweets”)
- Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives (”Now I Know, Don’t Be Scared”)
- Eva Longoria Parker, Desperate Housewives (”In Buddy’s Eyes”)
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine (”One and a Half Men”)
- Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds (”Bill Sussman”)
- Sarah Silverman, The Sarah Silverman Program (”Bored of the Rings”)
For the third year in a row, all I have to say is, “WTF?! Still no Tichina Arnold from Everybody Hates Chris?!” Idiots.
On June 26, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences released the list of the Top Ten finalists in the comedy series category for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.
The included shows are those that received the most votes from the Television Academy for outstanding comedy series. Five final nominees will be announced bright and early on Thursday morning, July 17.
Best Comedy Series Semifinalists
- 30 Rock
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Entourage
- Family Guy
- Flight of the Conchords
- The Office
- Pushing Daisies
- Two and a Half Men
- Ugly Betty
- Weeds
The biggest annoyance, at least from where I sit, is voters’ opinion that CBS’ Two and a Half Men belongs in the company of the other nine shows. Sure, it can be funny, but c’mon…
Mama mia, it’s Nia, as in My Big Fat Greek Wedding star Nia Vardalos. Starting with the July 3 episode “Spit Take,” the actress begins a multi-episode arc on My Boys playing a colleague of PJ’s brother Andy. As viewers will soon learn, the situation between those two is going to get really deep really quickly.
Lots of other stuff happens on the episode, as well, such as Stephanie’s book finally hitting stores … with an inflated biography on the back, Brendan playing doctor … with himself, and Bobby trying to cure his girlfriend Elsa’s visa problems … with a very problematic plan.
Take a look at some of the action in the following preview clip.
My Boys airs Thursdays on TBS at 9:30pm EST.
This week’s episode of The Bill Engvall Show is called “Pineblock Derby,” and it will feature another appearance by Tim Meadows as Paul DuFrayne.
Paul steps in to help out his college buddy when Bill fails at building a derby car for his brainiac son Bryan. Meanwhile, another subplot focuses on middle child Trent, who gets a little romantic attention from one of Lauren’s friends. But is the interest genuine, or is something else going on?
A two-minute sneak peek for the episode follows.
The Bill Engvall Show airs Thursdays on TBS at 9pm EST.
But not that way.
Chuck star Zachary Levi and Hellboy II: The Golden Army actor Ron Perlman, in full costume, are appearing together in a series of promotional spots that are oh so very fun and funny.
Check them out below — I imagine a high five will never be quite the same again for sweet ol’ Chuck Bartowski.
Tags: Chuck, hellboy, ron perlman, summer 2008, Television, tv, Videos, Zachary Levi
TBS will serve up two new episodes of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne on Wednesday, July 2: “True Lies” at 10pm EST and “That Sounds Sweet” at 10:30pm.
On the first episode, Calvin’s friend Peanut pretends to be a member of the Payne family, as well as the owner of the barbershop, in order to impress a woman, while Malik and his friend Kevin get set to skip school with two girls.
Then on the next fresh episode, Malik decides to learn how to play the saxophone in order to impress a girl (what else?), and Ella considers starting a business due to her past success selling homemade deserts.
The hour of new House of Payne is preceded by two repeats, the March installments “Can I Get a Witness?” at 9pm and “Commencement Day” at 9:30pm.
A sneak peek featuring the series’ younger stars follows.
Tyler Perry’s House of Payne airs Wednesdays on TBS from 9pm–11pm EST.
Don’t forget: This summer’s second new Rescue Me minisode is called “Fantasy,” and it premieres tonight on FX at 10pm EST.
Tomorrow, you can then visit any of the destinations below to view the webisode online.
Last week’s episode, the debut of the summer series, was a hilarious — and disgusting — tidbit called “Fast.” I never would have guessed that was the definition the title has. Check it out below if you missed it or just can’t get enough of dumb-but-slightly lovable Sean Garrity (Steven Pasquale), not to mention the rest of the firefighting gang.
Tyler Perry’s House of Payne: Volume 2, Episodes 21–40
- Discs: 3
- Episodes: 20
- Format: Color, Dolby Digital 5.1, Full Frame
- Languages: English
- List Price: $29.98
- Run Time: 429 minutes
- Season: Two
- Special Features: Unknown
- Studio: Lions Gate
- Subtitles: Yes and Closed Captions
A few weeks ago, I was asked if I’d like to review a movie I’d never heard of before called The Hammer. The comedy stars none other than Adam Carolla of Loveline and The Man Show fame. After learning who headlines the cast, my instinctive immediate response was, “Sure — right after I pull out all of my teeth using pliers and no anesthesia.”
Fortunately for me, I kept that thought to myself, and I eventually decided to watch the movie, if only to get as many cheap laughs at Carolla’s expense as I could wring out of it. So, nobody was more shocked than I was when The Hammer turned out to be one of the funniest comedy films I’ve seen recently; I laughed all the way through it, when I wasn’t busy being touched by the warmer moments.
The film succeeds largely because of conceiver, co-executive producer, and star Carolla, who has firsthand knowledge of the plot’s main themes due to his early days as a carpenter and boxer. He plays — surprise! — carpenter and former amateur boxer Jerry Ferro who, upon reaching his 40th birthday, is still living a life of willful underachievement, with no steady or lucrative job and an inability to keep a girlfriend.
Jerry does have a loyal friend and co-worker named Oswaldo (Oswaldo Castillo), however, as well as a second job at a California gym training middle-aged white-collar workers in the art of boxing. It’s there that Jerry’s outlook begins to change as he develops a mutual crush on one of his trainees, attractive lawyer Lindsay (producer Heather Juergensen).
He also gets “discovered” one day at the gym by a trainer who notices his killer left hook, a rarity that indicates just how much he squandered his potential as a boxer. Through a timely twist of fate, the second event coaxes Jerry out of his perpetual lethargy and leads him to make an attempt to qualify for the Olympics, producing unpredictable and hilarious results.
After watching The Hammer, I view Carolla in an entirely different light. If he can deliver a few more performances like the one in this downbeat but surprisingly feel-good flick, I’ll have to stop being so derisive towards him and his entertainment career. The movie is that good, which is why I highly recommend it for both comedy and sports lovers, not to mention anybody else who appreciates an unexpectedly well-made film coming out of nowhere and impressing them.
The Hammer Details
- Format: Color, Dolby Digital, Widescreen
- Languages: English
- List Price: $19.98
- Release Date: June 24, 2008
- Run Time: 91 minutes
- Studio: Weinstein Company
- Subtitles: Yes
It’s time for another giveaway here at Comedy Centric, this one featuring a fun entertainment game called Cineplexity as the grand prize, courtesy of Out of the Box Publishing.
Appropriate for four to ten players aged 12 and up, the party-style game is perfect for movie lovers who know their stuff. And the instructions could not be simpler: after two Cineplexity cards are drawn, players battle one another to be the fastest person to name a movie that features details from both cards.
The suggested retail price of the game is $24.99, and I have TWO right here in my home to give away free of charge. All you have to do for your opportunity to win one is leave a comment on this post and share the name of your favorite movie. Make sure to also use a valid email address when commenting so I’ll have no trouble reaching you if you’re a winner.
The giveaway is open to residents of the United States only, and the entry deadline is Monday, July 14, at 11:59pm EST. After I randomly select two winners shortly after the entry deadline passes, I’ll contact those individuals for their mailing address. Please, only one entry per person.
Out of the Box has a nice video on the company’s website that demonstrates how to play Cineplexity. Stop by to check it out and Good Luck!