Now that the year is fully under way, it’s time to buckle down, stick to your New Year’s resolutions and get some books checked off your list. If you’re thinking longingly of the television, take heart: this month, you will be dazzled by hilarious debuts, lyrical fantasies, searingly truthful short stories, and of course, Michael Ian Black. Click through to check out the ten new releases we’re most excited about this month, and let us know which ones you can’t wait to pick up in the comments.
Comedian Michael Showalter has done it all. He’s been a member of one of the most-loved comedy troupes of all time (The State); written, directed, and starred in movies like Wet Hot American Summer and The Baxter; released a hilarious album — and now he’s written a book too.
In our exclusive Interactive Interview — where you ask the questions — he talks about his literary inspirations, the possibility of sequels and reunions for some of his projects, and the bizarre rumor that he has a rivalry with fellow comedy sensation Eugene Mirman. Plus, he tells us his real name.
When Michael Ian Black tweets a YouTube link prefaced by the words, “Incredibly rare video of The State in our first office at MTV,” you pretty much have no choice but to click. In case you missed the comedian’s message last night, we’ve got said video below, and it does not disappoint. After the jump, watch Black — looking practically pre-pubescent — and the crew perform a touching ditty called “The Boner Song.” And then just try to get the song out of your head. Perhaps you’ll have more luck than we did.
The world of Twitter can be hard to navigate. We know that you’re already following us @flavorpill, but we decided it would be fun (and possibly helpful) if we rounded up some of our other Twitter favorites in a series we call “The Followables.” This sixth installment of Twitter all-stars spotlights the tweeting comedians who we love. Do us a favor and leave a comment with anyone who you enjoy who didn’t make our list.
This clip of Michael Ian Black reading from his book, My Custom Van: And 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays that Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face, is definitely NSFW. Watching it will make you crave a taco from the Calexico truck. You have been warned.
Kumail Nanjiani has been having a busy year. Based in New York, the Pakistani-born comic has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, periodically popped up from under Steven Colbert’s desk as an unsuspecting terrorist, and been awarded the 2009 ECNY trophy for his timely one-man show, Unpronounceable. Fresh off a writing stint on Comedy Central’s Michael & Michael Have Issues, Nanjiani takes a break from his busy schedule to chat with Flavorpill about being a shy kid, a top-ten comic, and the etiquette involved in appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman. Read More »
When we heard that Michael Ian Black was doing video interviews to promote his new Comedy Central show Michael and Michael Have Issues and an interesting new live ad campaign for Klondike, we were intrigued. When we found out the whole thing was being video taped (ie., no editing our side of the conversation to sound whip smart), we braced ourselves for the inevitable embarrassment, hit up @flavorpill‘s followers on Twitter for question ideas, and picked up the phone.
Little did we know, we’d be called out on our lack of knowledge of The State, a TV series that we’re giving away on this very site. (We will watch the entire boxset now. We promise.) Warning: This has a few awkward moments. It also makes us feel like someone on laughing gas who phoned in questions to Dr. Phil — if Dr. Phil was as funny as Michael Ian Black. Oh well. Read More »
After a wait of more than a decade and a half, ’90s sketch-comedy series The State is out on DVD.
The State: The Complete Series collects all four seasons and bonus material from the MTV show, which launched the careers of Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, David Wain, and friends. Included on the five discs are all the classic skits — featuring characters like Doug, Louie, and Barry & Levon — as well as more than an hour of unreleased material, the original pilot, cast commentary, interviews, and outtakes.
Members of the troupe went on to create Stella, Reno 911, Wet Hot American Summer, and Viva Variety, and have written, directed, starred in, and produced numerous big-screen and web-based comedies. Read More »
A 1996 Details article asked, “What has 20 legs, 18 balls, and 1 brain?” The answer: The State. This MTV sketch comedy series is an unmatched cult classic; it’s also the show that gave established funnymen like Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, and David Wain their first big Hollywood break. As of Tuesday it’s available for the first time ever on DVD. Read More »
We’ve been big fans of the irreverent magic over on Someecards for a while now (particularly their hilarious Twitter feed), but these newly-launched video cards starring Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter (a promotional tool for their upcoming Comedy Central show, Michael & Michael Have Issues) are so exciting that we felt the need to share. View our favorite — entitled “Performance Review” — after the jump, and then make like us and send it anonymously to one of your favorite coworkers. Read More »
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