Comedy
Jon Stewart’s Movie Irresistible Getting Digital Release This Summer
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a complete reshuffling of movie releases, what with theaters across the country shuttered. If there’s a bright side in all this, it’s that certain films are getting delivered directly to consumers much earlier than planned via paid video on-demand. The latest feature to receive the streaming push is Irresistible, the political comedy written and directed by the great Jon Stewart. Originally scheduled to debut in theaters on May 29th, Focus Features has announced that the film will now see PVOD release on June 26th. Priced at the standard $19.99 for a 48-hour rental period, Irresistible will be available on most major on-demand platforms, including Amazon, Apple, Comcast, DirecTV, Fandango, Google/YouTube, Charter/Spectrum, Verizon, Microsoft, Dish, Vud...
Rob Brydon on The Trip’s Final Odyssey to Greece: “I Love Making a Well-Timed Exit”
“I certainly think that comedy at the moment is highly valued,” says comedian Rob Brydon. “I think people just want to escape from this reality and laugh.” With The Trip to Greece, the latest and final entry in director Michael Winterbottom’s Trip series, Brydon and co-star Steve Coogan (who happens to be a seven-time BAFTA award winner) travel to new destinations to give audiences the opportunity to do just that, one celebrity impression at a time. The endless number of gorgeous Grecian locations the comedians travel through and to, alongside meals that cause us to salivate and emit envy in equal measure, offer a strange, but welcomed sense of escapism in these “Stay-At-Home” times. However, it is the seemingly effortless comedic chemistry between Brydon and Coogan that make the Trip film...
The Trip to Greece Offers a Fitting Farewell: Review
Bon Voyage: Funnymen Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon — playing fictionalized versions of themselves — once again join director Michael Winterbottom on a European excursion, this time tracing Odyseus’ 10-year journey home from Troy in a single week. The Trip series might best be described as a mash-up of an Anthony Bourdain special with Whose Line Is It Anyway? — a colorful combination of culture, comedy, camaraderie, and culinary exploration set in some of Europe’s most visually striking locales. However, at its best (the original film set in the north of England and its Italian sequel), the series, thin on plot as it may be, also poignantly chronicles two middle-aged fathers with problems, frustrations, and fears that many men endure at that age. Fortunately, the fourth and final installment ...
Netflix’s The Lovebirds Brings Out the Best in Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae: Review
The Pitch: Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) and Leilani (Issa Rae) are four years into a relationship that’s on the fritz. They snip at one another. They argue over the littlest things. They can’t even imagine themselves winning The Amazing Race. All of that drama is put on hold, however, when the two fading lovebirds fly right into a maddening murder mystery that takes them all across New Orleans. Even worse, they’re the prime suspects. Can they solve the crime before they’re taken in to do the time? That all depends on whether or not they can set aside their differences and find a way to be a team again. The Big Schtick: The Lovebirds reunites director Michael Showalter and Nanjiani, who both leveled up with 2017’s heartfelt and hilarious The Big Sick. It’s a strong collaboration and this latest...
What’s Coming to Disney Plus in June 2020
Each month, Consequence of Sound rounds up a full list of new TV and film titles coming to Disney Plus. June 2020 is no exception and should add some much-needed Mouse House whimsy to your living room. The big addition is the worldwide premiere of Artemis Fowl. Directed by Kenneth Branagh and based on the 2001 novel-of-the-same-name, the film was originally intended for theaters before the world turned upside down. Viewers may also be intrigued to see the season finales for both Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian and Be Our Chef. Meanwhile, nostalgics should find solace in revisiting both Schoolhouse Rock and Muppet Babies. Check out the entire list below. However, if you’re looking for more adult selections, you can check out what’s going down at Netflix and keep a look out for our guides on...
Celebrating 100 Episodes of This Must Be the Gig with Mike Patton, Alicia Keys, Shirley Manson, and More
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Radio Public | Stitcher On today’s episode, host Lior Phillips and engineer Adam Kivel celebrate 100 episodes of This Must Be the Gig. After compiling votes from listeners, the duo reflect on 12 fan-favorite episode and share key clips. Special memories include Mike Patton reflecting on his music piracy while working at a record store, Alicia Keys recognizing herself in music as a teen, and Jacob Collier contextualizing the process of learning music theory. Plus, Lior and Adam look back at powerful clips with David Byrne, Shirley Manson, and Jenny Slate. And don’t forget to stay tuned to the end of the episode for a surprise look at next week’s astounding guest! This Must Be the Gig gives backstage ...
Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor to Write Legally Blonde 3 with Reese Witherspoon Returning
Time to brush up on that bend and snap, because Elle Woods is back. Deadline reports that Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor have been tapped to write the script for Legally Blonde 3, which will see Reese Witherspoon return to star. Witherspoon first announced the threequel to 2001’s Legally Blonde and 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde back in 2018. At the time, original scribes Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith were expected to serve as screenwriters. However, Kaling and Goor (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation) have now been brought onboard to take the story in an entirely new direction. What that story is remains to be seen. The first movie saw Witherspoon’s fashion-focused sorority girl character attending Harvard Law to prove she’s “serious” enough ...
“Space Is Hard” in the First Official Trailer for Steve Carell’s Space Force: Watch
Space Force, the new Netflix sitcom co-created by Steve Carell and Greg Daniels (The Office), has released its first official trailer. And while “Space is hard,” as Carrell’s General Naird says in the clip, the jokes come easily for this veteran comedic cast. As you may have guessed, the series mocks President Trump’s idea for sixth military branch. But the new satire has some targets on the political left, too, and in the trailer a young congresswoman of color with big hoop earrings has the bizarre idea to make “space is hard” the official Space Force motto. The trailer tracks General Naird as he goes from mocking the new branch to becoming its reluctant leader. He’s assisted by the scientist Dr. Adrian Mallory (John Malkovich, in a toned-down riff on Dr. Strangelove) and S...
HBO Max’s Love Life Feels Late to a Party That’s Already Ending: Review
The Pitch: HBO Max is arriving at the end of May with a slew of beloved classic films and TV shows, but like all streaming services, they have original content of their own. One of their first titles is the romantic dramedy Love Life, following a young woman in New York City trying to find The One, through plenty of unexpected twists, turns, and pitfalls. The Power of Kendrick: If the last six months have taught us anything about the world of streaming services, it should be this: Anna Kendrick’s presence is apparently a legal requirement. When Disney+ went live in November, one of its premiere original films was Noelle, a Christmas movie in which Kendrick played the daughter of Santa Claus. When Quibi went live in April (Remember Quibi? Trick question, no one does), one of its first strea...
Fred Willard Tributes: Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Steve Carell & More Honor Comedy Legend
This afternoon brought the sad news of Fred Willard’s passing at the age of 86. The beloved comic and actor was a frequent presence on movie theater and television screens for more than 40 years, and his witty, satirical brand of comedy led to many memorable roles. From film roles in Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and Anchorman, to TV spots on Rosanne, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Modern Family, Willard left a lasting legacy that will not soon be forgotten. As news of his death spread on Saturday, Willard’s former co-stars and friends posted tributes to social media. Jamie Lee Curtis, the wife of Willard’s longtime collaborator Christopher Guest, was one of the first people to confirm his passing. “How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard’s gifts,” she wrote. “Thanks for th...
R.I.P. Fred Willard, Beloved Comic and Actor Dead at 86
Fred Willard, the beloved comic and actor who kept Hollywood laughing with roles in This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, and Anchorman, has died at the age of 86. Willard’s daughter, Hope, told The Hollywood Reporter that her father passed “very peacefully” from natural causes. “He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever,” Hope added. A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Willard began pursuing comedy in the 1950s, following a brief tenure in the US Army. He was initially part of a comedy duo with Vic Grecco, performing in clubs in New York’s Greenwich Village. He later moved to Chicago and became a member of the city’s legendary comedy troupe, Second City...
Eric Andre Announces First Standup Special, Legalize Everything, Coming to Netflix
It’s hard to believe, but nobody has ever offered Eric Andre a gobsmacking amount of money for a standup comedy special — until now. In a typically deranged Instagram post, the actor and comedian announced that his first special, Legalize Everything, will be coming to Netflix on June 23rd. The new comedy event takes its name from Andre’s 2019 “Legalize Everything” world tour. The announcement video included a short peek into Andre’s apartment. “Hey guys,” he began, “This is a painting of the Pope hugging GG Allin in outer space. Which brings me to my next point: the guy from Celebrity Apprentice was appointed President of the United States. Now,” and here he began to spin in circles while singing, “I can show you the world,” from Aladdin. This accomplished, Andre arrived at ...
