IFC Comedy Series 'Bunk' Tapings

Bunk is a new comedy series on IFC, and you can get into free tapings from 2.17-2.24 at Manhattan Center Studios (303 W. 34th Street). Taping times are at 4p, 5:30p, and 8:15p.

"Part improv, part parody, part game show and plain fun -- we have assembled some of the funniest comics to break the mold and create something wholly unique for IFC. Check it out."

It's hosted by Kurt Braunohler, and guests include (not limited to) Bobby Moynihan, Chris Gethard, Scott Adsit, Tom Lennon, and Alex Borstein.

Enter to win tickets here.

Fangirl Friday: Friends with Kids, Parks & Rec Hidden Talents

Finally, a trailer for Friends with Kids:

[via Jezebel]

I was almost too distracted focusing on how great the cast is to comprehend what is probably a very uncomplicated plot.

And lookit!

[via Jezebel]

Although I have to say, I think the only part I laughed out loud at was Andy and April, because how unexpected is even mild gore on Parks & Rec, let alone the People's Choice Awards? That's what this is from, right? Is that even a thing anymore?

Party Down movie, Paul Rudd on Parks and Recreation

More good news about the Party Down movie, this time from Megan Mullally: the full cast (possibly sans Jane Lynch) is on board, and John Enbom is writing the script, the outline of which has been "enthusiastically approved" [via Splitsider]. Also, did you know Megan Mullally was in the 90s revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying? Until last week, I didn't.

Also via Splitsider: Paul Rudd has a multi-episode arc on Parks and Recreation coming up. 2/3 of my favorite male friendship on one show? That's pretty good.

Kristen Bell, Hunger Games, and Community

It's Fangirl Friday, unofficially brought to you by Splitsider.

From the Huffington's Post interview with Kristen Bell, promoting House of Lies:

Now, "The Hunger Games." I know you're a big fan.

It's all I think about.

Anything new in your campaign to be Johanna? Is that still happening?

I mean from my campaign desk here on my full-size bed in a back bedroom in my family's house in Oregon, there are no new developments [Laughs] -- other than the fact that I am trying to stay on top of it and not age too rapidly so that I can still be cast.

For Halloween, were you Katniss?

No, but my 30th birthday I themed after "The Hunger Games" and I put District numbers up around. I put District 4 for water over the pool. I put District 2 for electronics over the stereo and iPod. I had a blow-up castle bouncy house on the front lawn and I put The Capitol over the bouncy house. And over my front door, I put District 12. All my friends dressed as the characters and I dressed as Katniss. I was head-to-toe in spandex with a fire cape and carried a bow and arrow.

That sounds pretty damn epic.

Oh yeah, it was pretty much major. I had friends that went all out. I have friends that like do it. They do not mess around. I had friends who came as Cato and Clove and were dressed in weird sewn-together fabric leaves and army colors. They had the football black under their eyes and they had taken all the knives in their house, even the butcher knives, and wrapped them in duct tape so they wouldn't be too sharp and flung them over their body like sort of ammo lines. They had all these knives taped to them -- it was amazing. I had a couple Effie Trinkets. It was pretty exceptional. People dressed up like tracker jackers. They were like bumble bees, but with huge horns.

Next themed party I have, I need to have you plan it for me.

Oh absolutely. Themed parties are pretty awesome.

[via Splitsider]

YES themed parties. If it had been around when I was 13, I totally would have loved a Hunger Games-themed bat mitzvah party. Not that I would have been cool enough to throw it myself, but I definitely would have attended. I also find it interesting to see which previous roles are cited in interviews. Burlesque? Really? It's never Reefer Madness. Sigh.

In other fangirl news, Community is definitely coming back in the spring! Here's a gem from the set, via Fat Neil's Twitter:

[via Splitsider]

I guess we can count on a Simpsons episode?

And if you just watched the Season 2 premiere of Portlandia, you might be interested in this interview with Carrie Brownstein.

Party Down Movie

More encouraging words from Adam Scott: “We have a treatment, and if everyone’s schedules work out, we’ll shoot it over the summer.”

Getting your hopes up about the Arrested Development movie is so last month.

[via Splitsider]

Fangirl Sunday

I didn't have my computer with me on Friday, so sue me. Also, I saw Lysistrata Jones for free Thursday night. And I never win lotteries!

Which also means I didn't get to watch Community and Parks & Recreation until tonight, after I had the unfortunate and synchronistic experience of watching Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D while babysitting. Joel McHale, why?

Enjoy via Splitsider:

Plus Ben Wyatt and the Douche!

Splitsider's Joshua Kurp posted earlier this week 58 reasons why he loves Community. So many good ones:

Boobs, abs, and puppies! Now there's an ad campaign appealing to the lowest common denominator. Call me, NBC.

Sexy times with Community

Ugh I know, People magazine. But it's Fangirl Friday, so deal with it:

[via Splitsider]

The Chris Gethard Show

Splitsider has an article about The Chris Gethard Show and its wonderfully weird community. Read the article for as sensible an explanation as you'll find anywhere, but really, you just have to watch.

You might recognize host Chris Gethard by sight, if not by name. The show had been a regular at UCB for quite a while (yeah, it's the one on which P. Diddy randomly appeared), but months ago switched over to Manhattan public access television, where it airs live Wednesday nights from 11p-12a. It also streams live on the website. 

The Show is unpredictable in its subject matter, characters, guests, and audience participation (which drives it). I almost called in when I was watching one night, but chickened out. It's kind of silly that I got nervous, since the essence of the show is its open-to-anyone community ("No Cool Kids"). And I mean anyone: when a musical guest had to cancel because of Hurricane Irene, they asked any musicians watching to come down to the studio to create a band. Comedy nerds and off-kilter kids, rejoice. 

I think part of what makes the show so entertaining is that there's really nothing to "get". It's just really weird, and really funny. And apparently Random Jean is gone?! This is awful news; I'll need to see how the new Randoms hold up. If you enjoy laughing with a bunch of your funny and kind of crazy friends in a basement, watch. And once you do, let me know which Wednesday you want to show up at the studio to be part of the live audience. Cause this is something I want to do. 

Roxaaanne

Because there are other people as crazy as Dan Harmon, watch all seven of last week's Community's alternate timelines simultaneously:

[via Splitsider]

I kind of went all The Dark Side of the Rainbow, looking for hidden patterns in this video. Regardless, this episode gives me hope for this season.

I'm going to take this as permission to nerd out completely

If I ever run into Adam Scott on the street:

"Adam Scott: Well, you know, it's weird, because when I think of someone that's famous, you know, I think about—people who are actually famous, their lives are a lot different than mine. Like, I get Parks and Rec fans and Party Down fans coming up and wanting to talk about the shows, which I'm more than happy to do because they're always super friendly, cool people. But people who are actually famous, who are walking around with TMZ following them and stuff, that's a whole different thing, so I would stop short of saying I'm famous and maybe say that I'm well-known among people that like funny, nerdy things."


From the new GQ interview.

Gumby!

Have you seen today's interactive Google doodle for Art Clokey's 90th birthday? Check it out.

FACT: I know all the words to the Gumby theme song
FACT: I used to be afraid of the Blockheads to an embarrassing extent.

Try saying "pony pal Pokey" five times fast. 

Candy, waffles, friends, work

Someone tell me why I am watching a video of the Parks & Recreation ladies taste-testing candy while I'm fasting? This is kind of torture also I love Curly Wurly:

[via Jezebel]

Comedy helps feed an existential hunger. Literal hunger, not so much.

Bounce bounce bounce b-bounce

Want to invest in Pawnee's hottest club, the Snake Hole Lounge? Okay, not really, but I immediately thought of that when I got this e-mail from Thrillist:

"Ever dream of owning more at your favorite watering hole than just the high score on Nude Photohunt (female only)? Of course you haven't, but now you can anyways, thanks to The Elevens, a Prohibition-style speakeasy seeking to foster a sense of community similar to the era's "social groups" who "toiled in secret to indulge", and enlisting the help of pioneering mixology master Dale DeGroff, and Daniel Patterson, a double-Michelin-starred SF chef.


While not opening until Spring 2012, at this very moment anyone who ponies up $500 can become a "Seatholder", which, in exchange for helping wrap up the project (the option expires as soon as they're fully funded), entitles you to benefits including 25% off your bills for life, the exclusive ability to make a reservation, invitations to off-site private parties, and, most importantly, a "pride of place", because nothing's cooler than getting first dibs on a restaurant full of wild-ass lions!"


Okay, so the place seems like it will be classier (despite the obnoxious write-up), but still:

[via]

Watch the whole Arrested Development panel

Okay, I promise this will be my last post about the recent Arrested Development reunion at the New Yorker Festival, but you'll thank me. You can now watch the entire 1.5 hour panel in all of its glory, so long as you "like" The New Yorker on Facebook. Go about your business. 
[via Splitsider]

Explained with a Venn Diagram

As everything should be.

Looks like Will Arnett isn't playing second fiddle to anyone, standing third in line for anything, finishing fourth, etc.

[via Splitsider]

Caw-cah cha!

So, this happened today:

[via Gotcha Media]

Will Arnett led everyone in a chicken-off at the Arrested Development reunion panel (part of the New Yorker festival). And, the internet wet itself with the news, but in case you haven't heard: there's going to be a new season leading into the movie (slated for 2013...this is turning into the 2nd Avenue subway). 


UPDATE: Jezebel has more on the reunion--head over for a bunch of clips and fun facts in one place.

This might be the best photo ever. Notice Jeffrey Tambor in the back.

Jonny Q

Animator Roger D. Evans has created a perfect stop-motion replica of the Jonny Quest opening. I have vague memories of occasionally watching this as a kid, but I didn't realize that it only had one season. A lot of those shows from my childhood lasted for way less time than I thought (this explains why I've seen every episode of Saved by the Bell multiple times). Check it:

[via Flavorwire]

Evans had to make all of the action figures, because they never made any Jonny Quest toys? I find that hard to believe.

Easter Egg

Did you see Community last night, with guest Martin Starr (I just typed "Roman" by accident)?

Ah, but did you notice....THIS?

Look at the yellow sign to the right of Annie's head

[via Splitsider]

Fangirl Friday

I am so glad Season 4 of Parks & Recreation finally started. Hitfix [via Splitsider] has an interview (spoilers, duh) with showrunner Michael Schur about the thought process around the Leslie-Ben situation [sigh].
"He gave me an eclair, Ann!" 

[Somewhere someone is already writing slash fan-fic in which "giving an eclair" is an unspeakably dirty act]. 

As an aside, Community also premiered last night, replete with a musical opening number about how they're going to "be less weird than the first two years combined!"

Brought to my attention by my friend Marcy (blog plug) is Details magazine's "The Ultimate Oral History of Wet Hot American Summer." It's a lot of everyone calling each other "so funny" and Ken Marino having some strong opinions about his character's look. Also, they LIVED AT THE CAMP while filming. I would have loved meals in that mess hall.

KEN MARINO: The crew stayed in one bunk area for kids, and all of us [in the cast] stayed in the nurse's quarters—basically the room Janeane and Joe destroy looking for the phone.

PAUL RUDD: Janeane Garofalo's room had a bidet, which we all thought was super-weird and really funny, and we were always making bidet jokes throughout the shoot. We were watching Showalter do the old Catskills Alan Shemper character [at the talent show]. After the song "Day by Day," and he just went, "Day, Bidet," which is a funny joke in and of itself. But we'd all been joking about bidets and using "bidet" wherever we could. So that one had us all in hysterics, because it was working on many levels, one of which no one would ever get but us.

WAIT OH MY GOD THAT'S ACTUALLY WHY.

JANEANE GAROFALO: I never watch any of the other stuff I do, but I will watch that movie any time. It's like looking at photos of a wonderful time in your life. I was always assuming people would get the same kick out of it. Then I realized, "Oh, you can't expect people to understand how fun it was.

Awww.

Details also has the "Complete Oral History of Party Down," so, you know, if you're still wasting time (9 whole pages!).

Ty Mattson

Guess what's not coming back on schedule? Mad Men! Guess what's starting up again soon? Dexter! Combine the two and you get Ty Mattson's wonderful alternate opening sequence:

[via Drawn]

The ice truck is a nice touch.