DELRAY BEACH – Comedy can funny even when dividing, but it’s significantly better when it unites.
Hank Azaria’s Apu character from The Simpsons has done both.
Stand-up comedian Hari Kondabolu says Apu haunted his childhood, going so far as to create a documentary about the stereotypes embedded within the character.
The controversy eventually prompted Azaria to step away from voicing Apu. Now, Azaria is now lending a hand by helping Kondabolu promote a new comedy special “Vacation Baby.”
See, people coming together to get past their differences. It can be done.
Heading into the weekend, today’s Stand-Up Spotlight offers a review of Leanne Morgan’s Netflix comedy special; Jay Pharaoh discusses how comedians can pivot to becoming dramatic actors; and comedian Liz Blanc draws on her experience as a teacher to fuel her comedy.
Yep, there’s plenty of funny in the world if you know where to look.
STAND-UP SPOTLIGHT – April 14, 2023
Hank Azaria Is Still Atoning for Apu in New Comedy Promo for Hari Kondabolu
Stand-up comedian Hari Kondabolu has a new special coming out next week, and to promote it, he’s united with his old nemesis—Hank Azaria, whose The Simpsons character Apu haunted Kondabolu’s childhood.
In the promo video, Azaria delivers his lines with winking insincerity, promising that Kondabolu’s special, Vacation Baby is “honestly one of the greatest pieces of stand-up that I have ever seen in my life.”
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Leanne Morgan: I’m Every Woman’ On Netflix, A Small-Town Southern Woman With Comedic Advice For Mothers Everywhere
The Gist: Morgan earned her way onto Netflix thanks to previously proving her popularity on YouTube.
Her 2018 special, Leanne Morgan: So Yummy, has reportedly raked in more than 50 million views on YouTube (where it’s still only available to buy/rent), although it’s also free on Amazon Prime Video. Her subsequent special, All Daughters Are Mean, was distributed first on the Dry Bar Comedy platform, and has garnered 2.5 million views on YouTube since its re-release there in June 2020. Netflix saw those numbers and could do the math, without even needing an algorithm.
“Comedians have to reflect on life”: “SNL” alum Jay Pharoah on comics becoming great dramatic actors
When it comes to success, society often pushes this idea of hyper-focus and insane dedication. Comedian Jay Pharoah explained how wandering, traveling and taking gambles has pushed both his acting and comedy to the next level. “I feel like this is the year of me really coming into myself with everything — with acting, with stand-up, even with music,” he told on me on “Salon Talks.”
Comedian and Teacher Liz Blanc Wants Toner–Not a Gun
Standup comedian Liz Blanc wasn’t a stranger talking to crowds when she started performing. In fact, she did it daily for her primary vocation—high school English teacher. A good deal of Blanc’s material deals with teaching her Gen Z students. Her 11-minute set for Don’t Tell Comedy from late 2022 recounts some of the highlights, including a polarizing bit about arming teachers in the classroom as a countermeasure for school shootings.
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