1. Thanks to an appearance by Michael Showalter on Watch What Happens Live, there is now video proof that the Wet Hot American Summer sequel is a go, with the entire original cast on board!
2. Odd Future’s Earl Sweatshirt has posted a new song online (he’s also got a new Tumblr, new Twitter, and new website). Does this mean that he’s officially back from Samoa? [via Vulture]
3. What do you make of the new “We Showed You” ad campaign for the Oscars? Do the warm fuzzies help you to forget all the behind-the-scenes drama involving this year’s show?
4. Naomi Watts (not Jessica Chastain, as was previously rumored) has signed on to play Princess Diana in Oliver Hirschbiegel’s big screen biopic, Caught In Flight, a film that will focus on the final two years of her life. Any casting suggestions for Prince Charles? [via Deadline]
5. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is finally paying some respect to famous backing bands; this year six bands whose leaders have already been inducted — the Blue Caps, the Comets, the Crickets, the Famous Flames, the Midnighters, and the Miracles — will be bestowed with the same honor. [via ArtsBeat]
Last night the Stella gang (aka David Wain, Michael Showalter, and Michael Ian Black) celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Wet Hot American Summer by hosting an event at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Vulture has a nice recap of the evening’s highlights, which included taped bits by Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler, audition footage for Bradley Cooper and Naomi Watts (who was not cast!), and in-person appearances by a few of the cult classic’s most beloved characters, including frumpy Camp Firewood director Beth (Janeane Garofalo), who is currently busy at work on “a line of clothing for the imminent Rapture,” and legendary Catskills comedian Alan Shemper (Showalter), a man who went to camp so long ago that Jesus Christ was his counselor. Click through to watch Shemper’s all-to-brief routine, and if you’re craving for more WHAS action, head over to Entertainment Weekly where Wain, Showalter, and Joe Lo Truglio all reflect back on their experiences making the film a decade later.
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.
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 »
David Wain has been making people laugh for close to two decades (and most likely longer, if we count his formative years). A founding member of The State and Stella, the funnyman is also responsible for the popular web series Wainy Days on My Damn Channel. The show returns for it’s fourth online season tomorrow, and to celebrate, Wain is bringing it live to the stage at 92YTribeca in NYC, with help from friends including Paul Rudd and longtime cohorts Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black. We caught up with the man behind modern comedy classics Wet Hot American Summer, The Ten, and Role Models to find out what he has in store, as well as his thoughts on his original troupe’s MTV series getting the DVD release fans have been clamoring for since last century.
To comedy fans, the release of The Stateon DVD has been as long-awaited (and seemingly as likely) as the unveiling of Guns ‘N Roses’ Chinese Democracy. Of course, against all odds, that album did finally come out, so perhaps there’s a domino effect at work here. MTV Networks has announced a July 14th street date for a five-disc DVD set collecting the entire run of the cult sketch-comedy series — over 16 years after the show originally debuted on MTV. After the jump, watch the DVD trailer and clips of some of the series’ best moments. Be sure to share your own fondest State memories in the comments!
(PS: Nice work MTV. Now let’s get the Sifl & Olly set out!)
