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Things I Hate About TV: Pop-up ads

tv_rabbit_earsWhen Lewis Black went off at the Emmys a couple of years ago about TV becoming obnoxious with the amount of information splayed on the screen, he hit the nail right on the head. Sad to say, things have not gotten better since that rant. In fact, they're worse. I don't know what's worse, the annoying pop-up ads on the television screen or the annoying pop-up ads on the computer screen. At least in the case of the latter, it's the equivalent of a commercial and -- somewhat -- understandable.

But when you're watching a television show and have to ignore the bug in the corner, then be subjected to a variety of pop-up promotions and reminders for shows you may or may not be interested in watching it's enough to make you turn off the set. I'd say it's enough to make you switch channels, but where can you go to avoid the intrusion? PBS?

Continue reading Things I Hate About TV: Pop-up ads

The Big Bang Theory: The Jiminy Conjecture

big bang theory
(S03E02)
I really want to hear from you guys about this episode, because as I was watching it, I was thinking, "Oh, man. People are going to be pissed." I'm talking, of course, about the fact that for most of the episode, it appeared that once again, after we waited patiently for Leonard and Penny to get together, the writers would find some reason to rip them back apart, only to give us yet another season of, "will they or won't they."

It wouldn't have been that implausible. Sometimes, if you spend all of your time building something up in your head, it doesn't live up to expectations. It's not completely unreasonable that after years of pining, it turns out that Leonard and Penny simply aren't compatible beyond friendships. That's life -- but it's certainly not satisfying.

Continue reading The Big Bang Theory: The Jiminy Conjecture

Lewis Black on his new special, The Daily Show, and the Root of All Evil

Lewis BlackFor thirteen years, Lewis Black has been ranting and raving as a correspondent for The Daily Show, venting about all things political and pop cultural. For much longer than that, he's been a an actor, a playwright, and stand-up comedian, playing clubs and theaters everywhere around the country.

He taped his latest special, Stark Raving Black, earlier this month in Detroit for a fall release in theaters October 8th before it heads to a new premium HB cable channel called Epix, where it will debut December 5. (Black also filmed a documentary about his transition from a writer to a comedian - he's unsure where that will end up). And Big Bang Theory fans will be happy to know he'll be doing a cameo on the show September 28. I spoke with him by phone last week.

Why release the new special theatrically?

In order to... I think... I've got no idea. Everyone around me seemed to think it was a smart idea. Why not? I'm interested in seeing how that works and if it does work. It's another way to reach people.

Continue reading Lewis Black on his new special, The Daily Show, and the Root of All Evil

Remember the good times we had with (at) Michael Jackson('s expense)?

South Park poking fun of Michael Jackson
A lot of memories have surfaced of the good times that pop icon and musical genius Michael Jackson provided the world in the wake of his untimely and unfortunate death. However, an elephant in the room has wedged its wide butt in between the happy memories that range from "Billy Jean" to "Rockin' Robin," other than the eye-bleedingly bad Moonwalker movie.

Jackson's life outside of the recording studio and in the blood-soaked pages of the supermarket tabloids provided a lot of fodder for comedies and comedians that turned the man into a punchline just as fast as the radio waves turned him into a legend.

Continue reading Remember the good times we had with (at) Michael Jackson('s expense)?

Comedy Central's holiday weekend Stand-Up Blowout

Katt WilliamsSince programming anything new is probably a waste on a holiday weekend, Comedy Central is programming roughly 4,000 previously aired stand-up specials (okay, just 40, but that's a lot) from some of the biggest names on its rosters, including Dane Cook, Jeff Dunham, Katt Williams, Louis C.K., Lewis Black, Brian Regan, Demetri Martin, Ron White, Lisa Lampanelli, and Jim Gaffigan. They'll also sprinkle in some of their Comedy Central Presents half-hour showcases. It's called the Stand-Up Blowout Weekend.

The first special is at 3 PM - Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live at the Fillmore and end, officially, with Drew Hastings: Irked and Miffed at 3 AM Monday morning. Sunday at 10PM is the network premiere of Dave Attell: Captain Miserable, which originally aired on HBO on December 8, 2007.

Continue reading Comedy Central's holiday weekend Stand-Up Blowout

The History Channel taps Jon Stewart and Lewis Black for specials

Jon StewartThe History Channel has gained the nickname "The Hitler Channel" among some I know for its constant airing of World War II specials (many of featuring, well, Hitler). Perhaps they were thinking of that reputation when they put together their new slate of specials, which, according to Broadcasting & Cable, includes specials hosted by Jon Stewart and Lewis Black of The Daily Show.

Stewart will be given two hours with which to target the immigration issue in a special called The Naturalized. Considering the current economic implications of immigration and its role in last year's presidential campaign, there should be plenty for Stewart to work with to keep the special current. Stewart has already begun work on it, according to B&C. The special will follow eight people on the track to becoming U.S. citizens. the special will air in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Continue reading The History Channel taps Jon Stewart and Lewis Black for specials

Details for the upcoming season of Root of all Evil

Lewis Black Lewis Black's second season of Root of All Evil is back next week. And the topics on the premiere are close to my heart: Ultimate Fighting Vs. Bloggers. Because I am both a blogger and an ultimate fighter (okay, maybe not the second one), I will definitely be tuning in to see Patton Oswalt and Andrew Daly argue the case for each and hear Black's final judgment on which is more evil. I have a sinking feeling it's going to be bloggers.

The show is also getting a few new comedians. Jerry Minor and Andrea Savage will join Daly, Oswalt, Greg Giraldo, Andy Kindler, Kathleen Madigan, and Paul F.Thompkins. And here's some of the other topics: Steriods Vs. Boob Jobs, Disney Vs. Scientology, Strip Clubs Vs. Sororities, Olympic Games Vs. Drinking Games, NRA Vs. PETA, and The Hills Vs. Rocket Scientists. I think the Disney Vs. Scientology episode is going to be especially funny. Which debate do you think will be good?

Root of All Evil premieres on July 30th at 10:30 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.

The Daily Show: July 22, 2008 - VIDEOS

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly"Total (Lack of) Recall": Either the House Judiciary Committee loves talking about torture or they haven't been getting any answers during their hearings. Last week, they managed to pull John Ashcroft in for questioning, but they might as well have stayed at home. I can't look at John Ashcroft without thinking of "Let the eagle sooooar", so I'm glad that Jon Stewart brought it up. No mention of Robert Wexler's fantastic "I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do" from The Colbert Report, but we know everyone was thinking it.

Continue reading The Daily Show: July 22, 2008 - VIDEOS

Lewis Black is back for another season of Root of All Evil

Lewis BlackComedy Central has ordered a second season of the weekly series Lewis Black's Root of All Evil. Lauren Carrao, the president of original programming and development, made the announcement today adding that she was thrilled the second season could begin as early as this summer. Of the show's renewal, the comedian joked, "I am conflicted. I am thrilled it's been picked up but it means I have to go back to work."

For those of you unfamiliar with Black's show, it features a rotating set of comedians at a round table discussion of various pop culture topics. The press release gives "Dick Cheney Vs. Paris Hilton" and "beer vs. weed" as examples of past topics. The comedians argue who or what is the most evil and Lewis Black gives the final verdict. He also opens each show with one of his fiery monologues. Lewis Black also talked to TV Squad after the first season began.

Here are some of the comedians who have appeared on the show: Andrew Daly, Greg Giraldo, Andy Kindler, Kathleen Madigan, Patton Oswalt, and Paul F. Tompkins. The show returns on Wednesday July 30th at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Lewis Black: The TV Squad Interview

Lewis Black In the last twelve years, Lewis Black has gone from being "that angry guy on The Daily Show" to a comedy icon. Now, he finally has his own show.

In Lewis Black's Root of All Evil, which airs on Wednesdays at 10:30 PM ET on Comedy Central, two comedians argue why the pop culture item they represent is "the root of all evil." Last week's premiere episode, for instance, pitted Oprah against the Catholic church. Black plays the judge who controls the proceedings and makes the ultimate verdict. Sounds corny, but the first episode, which featured Paul F. Tompkins and Greg Giraldo, was wickedly funny and just a tiny bit subversive, everything you want in a good comedy.

I spoke to Black by phone last week; he was in Atlantic City on his stand-up tour. We discussed everything from the 2008 election to being on a cable news show with Ben Stein to sharing a jail cell with Jim Norton. The interview is after the jump.

Continue reading Lewis Black: The TV Squad Interview

The Daily Show: October 9, 2007

Tiki Barber and Dr. RuthBefore we start: Isn't this picture of Tiki Barber and Dr. Ruth the greatest photo? I have no idea what's going on, but i like to imagine that it captured the split second before Barber crushed Dr. Ruth's hand and flipped her over his shoulder, just to show her who's boss.

Pam Anderson has married Rick Solomon. Why should you care? Pam Anderson once made a crazy sex tape with Tommy Lee and Rick Solomon is the night-vision fellow from the Paris Hilton tape. That can only mean that the craziest sex tape of all time is right around the corner. I heard it's going to be in 3-D and have Smell-O-Vision. Fancy!

Continue reading The Daily Show: October 9, 2007

The Daily Show: September 26, 2007

Jamie FoxxFirst of all, the Daily Show team must have been madly in love with that "translating gibberish" joke because that set up was way too elaborate, with very little pay-off. I'll just pretend they did it mainly as a segue to the UN Summit story. Yes. That's it.

"Showdown at the UN Corral": At the UN General Assembly, Bush and Iran's Ahmadinejad had a face-to-face showdown without actually coming face-to-face. Bush also seemed to get some, uh, interesting reactions from representatives from certain countries during his speech.

Continue reading The Daily Show: September 26, 2007

The Daily Show: June 27, 2007

Michael Moore"You Don't Know Dick": First of all, I hope I never hear the phrase "Dick nugget" ever again. Secondly, Dick Cheney's lair is nothing but a pixelated mess in Google Earth. Maybe it's the sleep deprivation, but I laughed a little too hard at the "very low-resolution spider" joke. I want pixelation powers.

"Clusterfuck to the White House": A member of Rudy Giuliani's campaign team had some cocaine problems, so the cocaine problem guy had his "NAACP equals National Association of Retarded People" daddy take his place. Speaking of inhaling stuff, Former EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman says she's not responsible for allowing people to work among the Ground Zero asbestos. I really wish some of the big news networks would start using old news clips the way The Daily Show does. It's depressingly effective.

Continue reading The Daily Show: June 27, 2007

Black and Norton do vaudeville

sidesplittersNormally, any post I wrote up in reference to a video found on YouTube would include the video at the end of the post, but since we try to keep our content at least somewhat family safe, you'll have to check it out over at Dead Frog instead. In case I didn't make it clear, the video is definitely not safe for work.

Continue reading Black and Norton do vaudeville

Lewis Black's new pilot taping in Los Angeles tomorrow afternoon

lewis blackThe Root of All Evil, a new pilot for Comedy Central starring Lewis Black and featuring comedians Patton Oswalt, Greg Giraldo, and Paul F. Tompkins (not Paul S. Tompkins, as this Craigslist ad reads) is taping tomorrow night in Los Angeles, so if you're in LA and looking for something to do, buy yourself some tickets, and then kick yourself for paying money for free tickets.

Continue reading Lewis Black's new pilot taping in Los Angeles tomorrow afternoon

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