LewisBlack-related stories
Posted Nov 18th 2009 11:29AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: OpEd, Things I Hate About TV, Reality-Free, Jane After Dark
When
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
Posted Sep 29th 2009 1:32AM by Kona Gallagher
Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, The 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
Posted Sep 4th 2009 11:16AM by Nick Zaino
Filed under: The Daily Show, Interviews, Reality-Free, The Big Bang Theory
For 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
Posted Jul 9th 2009 5:04PM by Danny Gallagher
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, The Daily Show, South Park, Reality-Free
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)?
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 9:32AM by Nick Zaino
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Programming, OpEd, Reality-Free
Since 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
Posted May 12th 2009 9:01AM by Nick Zaino
Filed under: Programming, The Daily Show, Reality-Free
The 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
Posted Jul 28th 2008 10:01AM by Kristin Sample
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, Programming, Celebrities, Talk Show, Reality-Free
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.
Posted Jul 23rd 2008 2:22PM by Annie Wu
Filed under: OpEd, The Daily Show, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free
"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
Posted May 21st 2008 7:02PM by Kristin Sample
Filed under: Late Night, News, Programming, Talk Show, Pickups and Renewals, Reality-Free
Comedy 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.
Posted Mar 19th 2008 12:03PM by Joel Keller
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, The Daily Show, Interviews
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
Posted Oct 10th 2007 10:57AM by Annie Wu
Filed under: OpEd, The Daily Show, Episode Reviews
Before 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
Posted Sep 27th 2007 3:19AM by Annie Wu
Filed under: OpEd, The Daily Show, Episode Reviews
First 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
Posted Jun 28th 2007 4:04AM by Annie Wu
Filed under: OpEd, The Daily Show, Episode Reviews
"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
Posted Apr 15th 2007 9:02AM by Adam Finley
Filed under: TV on DVD, OpEd, Video, Celebrities
Normally, 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
Posted Apr 4th 2007 7:42PM by Adam Finley
Filed under: Other Comedy Shows, OpEd, Celebrities
The 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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