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Chris Hardwick: Mandroid

Read More Chris Hardwick Hardwick's Mandroid is coming out on DVD and CD tomorrow, January 22nd, via Comedy Central Records. The DVD is uncensored and the audio CD is extended..…

I like Chris Hardwick. I've been following his career on and off since his G4TV days, which probably wasn't that long ago. A few years ago, he started the very successful Nerdist Podcast, which he is now synonymous with. Most recently you may have noticed that he's the host of AMC's "Talking Dead".

Hardwick's latest DVD and CD release is Mandroid, a live comedy special that was filmed in New York in February 2012 and broadcasted on Comedy Central last November. The hour plus special was finally released a few weeks ago on Comedy Central. If you saw the broadcast, you'd be happy to know that the DVD/CD is completely uncensored and extended.

What I like about Hardwick is that he's quick on his feet. You can see his wit in action on various live shows, so you know there are a million funny things exploding in his head all the time. Unfortunately, on this DVD, Hardwick has to tell pre-written jokes and sometime his performance seems forced. Particularly on the sex jokes or when he's just bullying hipsters! It's funny, but Hardwick has a "nerd" reputation, that it just feels wrong that he's suddenly "cool" on stage.

The other problem that I think might not appeal to normal people, is that you really have to understand (or love) nerd culture like sci-fi, Harry Potter, Atari 2600, to really appreciate Hardwick. While geeks, like me, think that "make it so" joke to be funny, it might not be funny to people who don't know Star Trek: The Next Generation.

I learned a lot watching Mandroid, mostly animal jokes from Hardwick. Hamster can cum when they're excited. Sharks' anus and vagina are the same. Humans and apes can't have offspring. Who knew that Hardwick is so versed in the animal kingdom?

If you like nerd culture, check out Chris Hardwick's Mandroid. The DVD and CD are out now via Comedy Central. If you a massive Hardwick fan, then do yourself a favor and get both formats, because the CD contains new or extended jokes.

If you want to see Hardwick live, he is appearing at "Gilda's Laughfest" in Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 15th. He'll also be taping a new Nerdist Podcast Live at the Fountain Street Church on the same date.

Chris Hardwick at Skirball Center for Performing Arts, New York (02/12)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ Nerdist.com

SF Sketchfest 2013

The 12th Annual SF Sketchfest starts this week on January 24 and ends on February 10 in San Francisco. This year they've got Reggie Watts, Robert Glasper, Bob Mould, Jonathan Coulton, the Portlandia people, and more!

Full schedule over at their website, but just flipping through their full schedule, these are some of the stand-out shows that I noticed:

Kids in the Hall (sold out), Andy Richter (Conan O'Brien), Neil Hamburger (we like him), Jonathan Coulton (we like him), Portlandia (sold out), Chris Hardwick (the Nerdist, himself), Pinky & the Brain (sold out), Drew Carey, Wil Wheaton (make it so, ensign), and Garfunkel & Oates.

All tickets are on sale right now on sfsketchfest.com.

Below are some artists appearing on SF Sketchfest 2013.

CHRIS HARDWICK
nerdist.com

I actually have a digital review copy of Mandroid waiting for me, but I haven't seen it because I don't have proper internet. Apologies to everyone involved.

Hardwick's Mandroid is coming out on DVD and CD tomorrow, January 22nd, via Comedy Central Records. The DVD is uncensored and the audio CD is extended. I've had similar reviews of Demetri Martin, and from experience, I can tell you that the CD and DVD are refreshingly different. Some jokes aren't even present on the DVD and vice versa. So if you're a hardcore Hardwick fan (that sounds wrong), then getting both formats is a must.

Mandroid was filmed at Skirball Center for Performing Arts in New York City, and features candid comedy tales of virginity, chess club, shark vaginas, awkward childhood, awkward adulthood, and something called "Quidditch." All this can be yours for $13 on DVD.

Chris Hardwick can be seen on these SF Sketchfest shows:

01/31/13 - SF Sketchfest Comedy NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences
02/02/13 - The Nerdist Podcast at Marines’ Memorial Theatre
02/02/13 - Yacht Rock Heroes at Yoshi’s San Francisco Lounge

GARFUNKEL & OATES
garfunkelandoates.com

I love Garfunkel & Oates, I'm excited to read a review of their appearance at SF Sketchfest, details below:

02/10/13 - Garfunkel & Oates (with Dragon Boy Suede) at The Rickshaw Stop

Courtney will be seeing G&O and reporting back.

I haven't heard from the two girls since their Comedy Central appearance, but they do have a new "holiday album" called Present Face on their website. You can get the title track for free. I couldn't find Present Face (album) on amazon, but their last official release is still Slippery When Moist.

Trivia: Chris Hardwick makes an appearance on G&O's "Handjob, Bland Job, I Don't Understand Job" song.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

Demetri Martin: Standup Comedian

Preview

Demetri Martin's second appearance for Comedy Central's one-hour stand-up special, "Standup Comedian", filmed at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, will be premiering on Saturday, September 29th at 10pm ET/PT. Comedy Central is making the DVD and CD of Standup Comedian to be available for purchase on October 2nd.

The DVD and CD are extended and uncensored, and interestingly enough, different from each other. Most of the jokes are the same, but some are extended on the CD (like the "Confidence" joke) or vice versa on the DVD (like the "I'm 43" joke.) I understand why they do this, to fit in the limitations of their respective formats. I think it makes sense to take out the more visual jokes, which Martin is known for his witty jokes and visual drawings.

Like most stand-up comics, you do need to see the person telling the joke. Half of the fun is watching him telling the joke as well as visually illustrating the joke with his hands. For example, the coconut soap joke that appears on the CD and DVD. Hearing it audio only is funny, but it is better when you actually see Martin holding his right hand to his noise with a confuse look on his face.

The other thing about the DVD version is that there are bonus jokes from Martin like the audio commentar(ies) and rejected slideshows. The so-called three minute "audio commentary" is pretty funny, but the bonus "commentary on the audio commentary" took the joke even further.

Not to say there is something horribly wrong with the CD, in fact, there are exclusive jokes on the CD. Plus, you can't drive your car and watch the DVD.

For some reason, it seems the audio jokes on the CD are more improv. Notably when he asks someone in the audience what their two middle names were - then started telling jokes about the two names!

If you're a hardcore fan, you'll probably want the big fan package (available direct at $39.99) which comes with DVD, CD, T-Shirt and a signed print. If you only have enough money for one or the other, I would recommend the DVD. But it's really up to you, keep in mind that I personally tend to listen to audio more than sitting down to watch something on television.

Speaking of which, if you have cable, don't miss Demetri Martin's "Standup Comedian" on Comedy Central this Saturday, September 29th. Standup Comedian will be available on DVD and CD on October 2nd.

Demetri Martin

vu () ♥ www.demetrimartin.com

Lewis Black: In God We Rust

Tour Dates 09/07/12 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Massey Hall 09/08/12 Ottawa, Ontario Canada National Arts 09/09/12 Ottawa, Ontario Canada National Arts 09/13/12 Carbondale, IL Shyrock Auditorium 09/14/12 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre 09/15/12 Prior Lake, MN Mystic Lake Casino 09/16/12 Green Bay, WI Weidner Center 09/20/12 Austin, TX Paramount Theatre 09/21/12 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre 09/22/12 Houston, TX Hobby Center 09/23/12 New Orleans, LA Mahalia Jackson 09/27/12 Washington, D.C. Warner Theatre 09/28/12 Washington, D.C. Warner Theatre 09/30/12 Morgantown, WV Lyell B Clay Concert 10/09/12 New York, NY Richard Rodgers Theatre 10/10/12 New York, NY Richard Rodgers Theatre 10/11/12 New York, NY Richard Rodgers Theatre 10/12/12 New York, NY Richard Rodgers Theatre 10/13/12 New York, NY Richard Rodgers Theatre 10/14/12 New York, NY Richard Rodgers Theatre 10/25/12 Scranton, PA Weinberg Center 10/26/12 Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre 11/09/12 Las Vegas, NV Mirage Hotel & Casino 11/10/12 Las Vegas, NV Mirage Hotel & Casino 11/16/12 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre 11/29/12 Highland, CA San Manuel Indian Casino 11/30/12 Coachella, CA Spotlight 29 Casino 12/01/12 Long Beach, CA Terrace Theatre 02/17/13 Kingston, NY Ulster Performing Arts

I have been aware of Lewis Black since the early 2000's. Lewis Black is an interesting stand-up comedian. He's not the type of comedian that has set ups and punchlines. He is the type more akin to the late Sam Kinison. It's interesting to see where the "real" Lewis Black starts and when the Lewis Black character begins. Less jokes, more attitudes. Angry rants, that is generally amusing towards Jersey Shore, cellphones, and politics. I am not a politically minded individual, so some of these quips fall on deaf ears. Lewis Black's material on In God We Rust is problematic for me because it is not relate-able.

Lewis Black tells personal stories. With the humor derived from his views. I am not the type of person that watches the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. If you are a politically minded person, you might find the type of humor what you are looking for.

I like Lewis Black as a personality, because he says what is on his mind. Those little annoyances that bug you, Black has you covered. It's kind of like listening to your angry father.

Lewis Black recorded this special in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the historic State Theatre. The set at his stage show was designed by his father, Sam Black. It's a giant red cube which is a lot like Lewis Black's humor. It's red like the vein that almost pops as he goes into an angry rant. It's square like the style of humor compared to absurdist comedians or edgy racial comedians. It's a big cube on a dull background, just like Black's personality that stands out from the crowd.

Lewis Black is like a ticking time bomb. What is it that will make him explode? Sometimes the joy is watching someone else lose their cool.

Lewis Black's In God We Rust will be out September 11th on Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, and digital, via Comedy Central Records. You can catch the premiere on Comedy Central Channel on September 7th at midnight.

jimi ♥ lewisblack.com

Doug Benson: Smug Life

Tour Dates 06/28 Oklahoma City, OK City Arts Center 07/02 New York, NY Gramercy Theatre 07/08 Las Vegas, NV Palace Station 07/11 San Diego, CA Tipsy Crow 07/15 Salt Lake City, UT Wise Guys 07/22 Dallas, TX Hyenas 07/23 Ft Worth, TX Hyenas 07/25 Portland, OR Helium 07/28 Pittsburgh, PA The Improv 07/29 Pittsburgh, PA The Improv 08/04 Toledo, OH Funny Bone 08/05 Toledo, OH Funny Bone 08/09 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room Lounge 08/20 Philadelphia, PA Helium Comedy Club 08/22 Virginia Beach, VA Funny Bone 08/23 Virginia Beach, VA Funny Bone 09/01 Seattle, WA Bumbershoot 09/02 Seattle, WA Bumbershoot 09/03 Seattle, WA Bumbershoot Read More Doug Benson Doug Benson is a "potty" comedian… If you enjoy slacker, toilet, and pot humor, then you're in Benson's demographic.

Doug Benson best known for being 1/3 of the Marijuana-Logues, Last Comic Standing, Super High Me, and podcast Doug Loves Movies. Benson has been a prolific stoner stand-up comedian, winner of High Times 2006 Stoner of the Year. I have had the privilege to meet Doug over the years. Doug Benson has always had a very approachable personality. He has a childish glee, is almost always smiling, and quick witted.

Smug Life is a Comedy Concept Album. This 2-disc set features one disc recorded sober (uncooked) and another disc recorded baked (cooked). Both discs contain similar set list of jokes and observations with different audience interactions which show case his ability to adapt to make you laugh though his personality and not just through his punchlines. What make me enjoy his style of comedy are his stoner set up and his stoner timing.

What works best with any type of comedy is the element of surprise or unexpected. With Doug Benson it's not knowing whether the humor comes clever observation or how a stoner observes a situation. At the same time the humor is mostly derived from the stereotypes of the weed culture. Marijuana has a devout following compared to other drugs; there are no heroin-based comedians or Viagra-based comedians. Doug Benson fits a niche audience that is relatable, because almost everyone is aware of pot.

Can Doug Benson do comedy that eschews from his comfort zone? The question really lies on whether Doug is funnier sober or stoned, and with Smug Life you can have two comedy sets for your own scientific experiments.

A few things I didn't like are there are a few references to some physical comedy that doesn't lend itself well to an audio format. There is also a twitter bit that feels uneven, because it is up to Doug to use his wit to make reading tweets as funny as a spoken joke. So therefore some set ups are not cleverly timed and punchlines are not as well executed.

I enjoy Doug Benson style of comedy, but it is very apparent that his jokes would not be funny if someone else was telling him. Which says a lot about his likability and charm. Doug Benson's Smug Life was recorded on 04/20/2012, and if you do not know the significance of 4:20 to the culture it is aimed at, this album may not be for you. As a Comedy Concept album, it is well executed and is worth a listen.

Doug Benson's Smug Life will be out July 3, 2012, via Comedy Central Records.

jimi ♥ douglovesmovies.com

Funsy

Tour Dates 07/15/11 London, UK @ Koko 07/16/11Southwold, UK @ Latitude Festival 07/28/11 Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club 07/29/11 Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Waterfront 07/30/11 Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony 09/08/11 New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place 09/09/11 Great Barrington, MA @ Mahaiwe Theatre 09/10/11 Concord, NH @ Capitol Center for the Arts 09/11/11 Norwich, VT @ Open Air Theatre 09/13/11 Ithaca, NY @ State Theatre 09/14/11 Pittsburgh, PA @ Byham Theatre 09/15/11 Rochester, NY @ Harro Ballroom 09/16/11 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom 09/17/11 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre 09/18/11 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection 09/20/11 Cincinnati, OH @ Southgate House 09/21/11 Louisville, KY @ WFPK Presents 09/22/11 Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue 09/23/11 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre 09/24/11 St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant 09/25/11 Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom 09/27/11 Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom 09/28/11 Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel 09/29/11 Richmond, VA @ The National 09/30/11 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts 10/01/11 Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance 10/28/11 Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre 10/29/11 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 10/30/11 Iowa City, IA @ Englert Theatre 11/01/11 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown 11/02/11 Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club 11/03/11 Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theatre 11/04/11 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot 11/05/11 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory 11/06/11 Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory 11/08/11 Vancouver, BC @ Venue 11/09/11 Seattle, WA@ Showbox SoDo 11/10/11 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom 11/11/11 Arcata, CA @ Van Duzer Theatre 11/12/11 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore 11/13/11 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore 11/16/11 Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues 11/17/11 San Diego, CA @ Belly Up 11/26/11 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
www.theymightbegiants.com

Yeah, I know their album isn't out for another month, but I'm so excited that John and John are back. I've been a fan since that "brand new album, from 1990", Flood.

They Might Be Giants is one of those bands that I've followed throughout the years, although I have to confess, I wasn't so into their simpler kids albums (No!, Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, Here Comes Science) or their more experimental side (The Else). In many ways, I feel that their forthcoming album, Join Us, is a return to "classic" TMBG.

"Can't Keep Johnny Down" is the lead single from Join Us, although a catchy and easy-to-follow number, I find that Flansburgh on vocals is extra nasally on this song. Especially when he stretches out his lyrics. It does bring me back to "The Statue Got Me High" though. In similar cases, I think their new songs reminds me of their earlier songs. Maybe it's just me, but "Judy Is Your Viet Nam" made of think of "Twisting", while "Cloisonné" free-jazzy track reminded me of "She Was a Hotel Detective", and "The Lady and the Tiger" with its funk made me think if Beck had covered TMBG's version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". You aren't going to get these song references unless you've been listening to old TMBG, but let's just say that if you're a fan of their old songs, you'll love these new songs. It's not like you know how Weezer just tries and re-release The Blue Album over and over again, but never quite getting it right? TMBG gets the formula right, their songs are smart, funny, and quirky... just how I like them. This is the TMBG that I've been waiting for, thank you John & John.

A couple of announcements before I leave. TMBG is having a contest to make their video for "Can't Keep Johnny Down", see Cat Linnell talk about it here: youtube.

Videos are to be uploaded to YouTube and posted on the official TMBG Facebook page. All videos linked there will be voted on by the Facebook friends of TMBG, but the winner will be judged by Judge John Hodgman and Hodgman alone. Submission deadline is July 15th.

- Winner will receive $1000 bucks and a pizza from the pizzeria of their choice. The video will be posted on tmbg's you tube channel as well as posted on TMBG’s podcast -- so lots of people will celebrate your efforts.

- Select runners up will also receive the pizza of their choice

They Might Be Giants new album, Join Us, is the recording that their fans have been waiting 20 years for! Impossibly catchy, sometimes strange and always original the album is a stunning return to form. On Join Us we find the Brooklyn originals have returned to rock and to their singular sensibility that made them an instant phenomenon in the world of alternative rock. Join Us will be released in all digital and physical outlets July 19, 2011 through Idlewild/Rounder Records.

They are closing out their Summer tour (missed them in Toronto), but returning in September, which hopefully, I'll catch them in Minneapolis in October. Can't wait to see how their new songs will be played out live. Join Us, again, will be out July 19th, 2011, on Idlewild/Rounder Records.

KURT METZGER
myspace.com/kurtmetzger

Kurt Metzger is probably most famous for his voice role of Randall the zombie on "Ugly Americans", and if you don't have Comedy Central, you've probably never heard of him either.

Well, his stand-up album, Talks to Young People About Sex is coming out this week (June 28th). The hour show was taped at Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia, and although usually soundboard recordings sounds good, I found the recording quality not as good as other stand-up albums (perhaps it's the way Metzger talks or that I hear the audience too loudly).

The first thing that hit me was that some of these jokes seems really dated, especially about the BP oil spill and Tiger Woods' infidelities. Maybe it was funny then, it should be funny now? In five years from now, will "young people" know about Tiger Woods? I'll give him "Jersey Shores", that's pretty recent and recyclable guidos are funny.

Anyway, what I do like about Metzger is that, as the title suggests, the album centers around sex, but he's not raunchy. He even makes rape and fisting funny, and that's hard to do.

During his stand-up he reveals that he used to be a Christian minister, so suddenly, I realized why Metzger doesn't use excessive profanity... but at the same time, I thought he was holding back all these sex jokes all this time.

Talks to Young People About Sex will be out this Tuesday on Comedy Central Records. You can hear previews on the widget (sorry iPad users).

THE SHOW IS THE RAINBOW
myspace.com/theshowistherainbow

I missed The Show is the Rainbow when they came through town (Minneapolis), so I've decided to give their album a review. The Show is the Rainbow is basically Darren Keen, and his album Tickled Pink was just released on limited edition 12" vinyl and digitally last week (June 21st) via Illegal Art Records. The cover artwork, by artist Jimmy Lee, is so not-safe-for-work that I'm including a censored artwork on this article.

As expected, the audio is kind of lo-fi and DIY, which usually means that this kind of music is probably best as a live performance (where I can see the energy bursting on stage vs recorded in a studio somewhere).

"Banjo Solo" and "Don't Vote" are the stand-out tracks for me. The latter is a little more upbeat and features a weird mix of hip-hop/rap and electro with warpy effects, while the former is a weird instrumental track - but it's good. You can hear more of his songs at soundcloud.com.

Like I said, he's probably really fun live, so here's the rest of his tour dates:

June 15 | New Orleans, LA | Siberia June 19 | Phoenix, AZ | Trunkspace June 21 | Los Angeles, CA | Good Hurt June 22 | San Diego, CA | Bar Pink June 24 | San Fransisco, CA | Hemlock Tavern June 27 | Portland, OR | Someday Lounge June 28 | Portland, OR | Ash St. Saloon		June 29 | Seattle, WA | Sunset Tavern July 3 | Boise, ID | Bar-B-Q July 4 | Salt Lake City, UT | Bar-B-Q July 7 | Denver, CO | Rhinoceropolis July 8 | Denver, CO | 3 Kings Tavern Sept. 6-30 | New Zealand Oct 2011-Feb 2012 | TBA

"WEIRD AL" YANKOVIC
www.weirdal.com

I've been a fan of "Weird Al" for a long time. A friend of mine got his debut album in high school and we were passing it around. I remember my favorite song wasn't even a parody, it was "Mr. Frump in the Iron Lung".

After he shaved his mustache and got rid of his glasses, I guess I stopped following him, although I have always thought his song parodies were funny and clever.

So Weird Al's 13th studio album, Alpocalypse, came out last week (June 21st), and is enjoying a nice boost of publicity, thanks to his six million+ views (another 6 million on youtube) to his music video for "Performed This Way" (parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"). You know what's funny is that I haven't heard Lady Gaga's version and after hearing Weird Al's spoof, I think I get the gist of the song.

Weird Al, in keeping with the times, parodies songs that I don't listen to ("You Belong with Me" by Taylor Swift, "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus, etc). That's awesome that Al, in his 50s, still knows (and enjoy?) pop music.

Alpocalypse will probably do really well in sales, again, thanks to the Gaga's legion of fans, but considering that I'm not one of them, I'll have to skip the album. Sorry Al, we still love you though.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Louis Katz

Comedian Louis Katz's new digital-only album, If These Balls Could Talk, was just released a few weeks ago on Comedy Central Record. The comedy album is pretty dirty and raunchy and generally not recommended for the easily offended. Katz's material is mostly about taboo subjects like sex: from mohawk butt hair, "street chocolates", and pornography.

The way I see it, he's like awesome dude friend you hang out with, he'll never marry and he tells thing like it is. For instance, his joke about why Americans are so fat: "I've got a theory, maybe it's because a burger costs $2 and a salad costs $12.99!" He goes on and talk about taking out a loan to eat salad, which "tastes like dry air". Yeah, I agree!

I like Katz when he's not dirty, but then again, you know what you're in for when the title of the album is called If These Balls Could Talk.

If These Balls Could Talk can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon, or perhaps you can pick up a copy when you see him live:

March 23, 2011 - Rubber Bullets, 87 Ludlow, LES, NYC
March 27, 2011 - Round table of gentleman
March 30, 2011 - Session 73, NY 8:30 pm
March 30, 2011 - Mezzo, Astoria, NY 9:30 pm
April 1, 2011 Lefty's Tavern, Barnegat, NJ
April 1, 2011 Lefty's Tavern, Barnegat, NJ 10:00 pm
April 6, 2011 The Gutter, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 8:20 pm
April 6, 2011 Mezzo, Astoria, NY 9:30 pm
April 7, 2011 Baltimore Comedy Factory 8:00 pm
April 8, 2011 Baltimore Comedy Factory 7:30 pm
April 9, 2011 Baltimore Comedy Factory 7:00 pm

vu () ♥ www.louiskatzcomedy.com