comedian

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How Comedy Turned Serious
 How Comedy Turned Serious 
ANALYSIS
Nov 29, 2008 7:53 AM CST

How Comedy Turned Serious

A funny thing happened on the way to the election—politics and comedy swapped roles

(Newser) - Politics and comedy are trading places, Lee Siegel writes in the Wall Street Journal, as the antics of politicians get more outlandish and comics are increasingly the people speaking truth to power. Fake newsmen like Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert, with their stern commentary, lean more towards the "dark,...

Iman Crosson for Prez... on SNL: Bloggers

Should he be Fred Armisen's replacement?

(Newser) - The race to find a new comedian to impersonate president-elect Barack Obama on Saturday Night Live continues, reports ABC News, and bloggers such as Andrew Sullivan and Anovelista have the man for the job. Meet Iman Crosson, whose Obama imitations can be found on his YouTube AlphaCat channel.

Silverman Will Get $2.5M for Book

(Newser) - Funny girl Sarah Silverman will be paid $2.5 million by HarperCollins to write a collection of comic essays, the New York Observer reports.The bankable big- and small-screen star set off a spirited bidding war among publishers, though she will fall short of the reported $6 million that fellow...

SNL Addresses Estrogen Deficit
SNL Addresses
Estrogen Deficit
Nov 12, 2008 5:34 PM CST

SNL Addresses Estrogen Deficit

Eccentric additions to bring youthful energy

(Newser) - The election cycle is over, along with Tina Fey's impersonations of Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler's run on Saturday Night Live. Lorne Michaels has plucked two young female comediennes to help fill the gap, the Comic's Comic reports. Abby Elliott, the daughter of eccentric funnyman Chris Elliott, and Michaela Watkins...

Obama Brings Radical Change —for Black Comedians

Hope infuses acts built on raging at system

(Newser) - The 2008 election was a game-changer for many facets of US society, and not least for black comedians, the LA Times reports. Many have made careers out of lampooning and railing against a system that seems stacked against them. “Now, there’s this self-made black man, and they don’...

Denis Leary: Autistic Kids Are 'Just Stupid'

Comedian's caustic book says disorder is all in parents' heads

(Newser) - Denis Leary is not a sensitive man. His new book, Why We Suck, seems bound to offend people, the New York Post reports, particularly autistic people. Leary asserts that autism is booming because parents “want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can’t compete academically,” so they...

Jimmy, Sarah May Be on Again
 Jimmy, Sarah May Be on Again 
Oct 8, 2008 10:26 AM CDT

Jimmy, Sarah May Be on Again

Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman dating again

(Newser) - Funny couple Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman are back together, People reports. The pair, who ended their 5-year relationship in July, have been going on touchy-feely dates, leaving an LA restaurant holding hands and getting cozy during pal Howard Stern’s wedding last week.  "They're taking it slow,...

Alanis Ex Cops to Making Mess, Inspiring Song

Full House star confirms rumors that he 'oughta know'

(Newser) - Comedian Dave Coulier says he is indeed the target of Alanis Morissette's angry 1990s hit "You Oughta Know." The two had a nasty breakup at the time, but Coulier denied the rumors that he was the creator "of the mess that you made when you went away"...

Kimmel, Silverman Split Up
 Kimmel, Silverman Split Up 
Jul 14, 2008 5:15 PM CDT

Kimmel, Silverman Split Up

No comment from Damon, Affleck

(Newser) - After 5 years together, Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman have broken up, reps for the newly minted ex-couple confirmed to Vanity Fair today. "Jimmy and Sarah have and will have no further comment," said a joint statement. Confessions of involvement with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck apparently didn't...

Bernie Mac's Act Too Salty for Obama

Comedian earns rebuke for his racy jokes at fundraiser

(Newser) - Bernie Mac landed in hot water for making off-color jokes about women while introducing Barack Obama at a Chicago fundraiser yesterday, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. His last quip—which had the word "ho's" in it—drew complaints from a heckler. When Obama came on, he chided the comedian playfully....

The Real Joke May Be on Minn. Voters
The Real Joke
May Be on
Minn. Voters
Opinion
Jul 7, 2008 11:03 AM CDT

The Real Joke May Be on Minn. Voters

If they don't learn to laugh, they'll reelect the inoffensive hack

(Newser) - Voters always say they’d rather support “real people” than “professional politicians.” But Al Franken is having trouble in Minnesota precisely because he hasn’t spent his life reading a political script, Michael Kinsley writes in the Washington Post. Instead, he told jokes for a living—jokes...

Murray's Divorce Settled in a Flash

After allegations from both sides a month ago, comedian's wife gets custody, houses

(Newser) - Gossip hounds hoping for acrimonious divorce proceedings for Bill Murray aren't getting their wish, TMZ reports. The actor's divorce has already been settled, with papers signed June 13. Wife Jennifer Butler Murray, 42, gets custody of the four kids; Bill, 57, will have to pay child support. Jennifer, who also...

'Genius' Carlin Broke Boundaries
 'Genius' Carlin 
 Broke Boundaries 
appreciation
Jun 23, 2008 7:51 AM CDT

'Genius' Carlin Broke Boundaries

Irreverent sense of humor led to legal troubles

(Newser) - George Carlin was an anti-establishment legend who constantly pushed the boundaries of free speech and comedy, writes Keith St. Clair for the AP. No doubt, his “Seven Words You Should Never Say on Television”—he was arrested for uttering them in 1972, and they eventually led to a...

70s Comic Icon George Carlin Dies

Funnyman, 71, was known for pushing limits

(Newser) - Provocative comedian George Carlin died yesterday of heart failure in a Santa Monica hospital at the age of 71, Reuters reports. The counterculture hero, who long battled heart and drug problems, had been admitted earlier in the day complaining of chest pains. He was known for boundary-stretching, drug-referencing routines. One...

Burmese Comedian Bust Not Funny: UN
Burmese Comedian Bust Not Funny: UN
Jun 10, 2008 5:00 AM CDT

Burmese Comedian Bust Not Funny: UN

Popular funnyman had criticized junta and led team in relief effort

(Newser) - The UN's human rights official in Burma expressed concern over the arrest of a popular Burmese comedian who’d been helping cyclone survivors, the AP reports. The comedian, known as Zarganar, was nabbed Wednesday by authorities after traveling to the hard-hit Irrawaddy Delta to donate supplies, a relative said. He...

Harvey Korman: More Than a Second Banana
Harvey Korman: More Than a Second Banana
Appreciation
May 31, 2008 1:48 PM CDT

Harvey Korman: More Than a Second Banana

Mel Brooks and Carol Burnett regular was an underrated master

(Newser) - Harvey Korman was sometimes described as the “quintessential second banana,” and he did indeed make his name in supporting roles. But Korman, who died this week at 81, was a special second banana. For Mel Brooks, he became the perfect scheming underling, hilariously worming his way through movie...

A Comic Star is Born?
 A Comic Star is Born? 
May 29, 2008 9:00 PM CDT

A Comic Star is Born?

Much to his surprise, Danny McBride finds himself in demand

(Newser) - He didn’t plan it this way, but Danny McBride will end up in three of the summer’s biggest comedies, the LA Times reports. In The Foot Fist Way, Pineapple Express, and Tropic Thunder, viewers will see McBride get beaten, shot, blown up with a grenade, and tortured—all...

Comic Great Harvey Korman Dead at 81

Emmy winner found fame on Carol Burnett Show

(Newser) - Harvey Korman, who gained comic fame with his bust-a-gut sketches on the "Carol Burnett Show" in the 1960s and 70s, has died at age 81 from complications of an aneurysm, the AP reports. Korman won four Emmys for his TV work, often pairing with Burnett or Tim Conway. He...

Laugh-In Creator Dick Martin Dead at 86
Laugh-In Creator Dick Martin
Dead at 86
obituary
May 25, 2008 11:17 AM CDT

Laugh-In Creator Dick Martin Dead at 86

Zany funnyman socked it to US audiences, topped ratings for years

(Newser) - The final judge has come for Dick Martin, co-founder of the groundbreaking comedy show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In and later a prolific director, the AP reports. Martin, the wacky counterpoint to partner Dan Rowan's straight man, died last night at age 86 of respiratory problems. Laugh-In, which began in 1968,...

Robin Williams, Wife Divorcing
 Robin Williams, Wife Divorcing
Mar 27, 2008 7:19 AM CDT

Robin Williams, Wife Divorcing

Comedian's wife files to end 19-year marriage

(Newser) - Funnyman Robin Williams and his wife are splitting up after 19 years of marriage, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The divorce petition, filed by Marsha Williams in San Francisco, cited irreconcilable differences. The pair met when Marsha worked as a nanny for Williams' son from a previous marriage. She later...

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