DELRAY BEACH – It’s a great week to be in Montreal.
The Just For Laughs comedy festival always mixes some of the world’s best comedians with future stars, but this year it has an added advantage. With Hollywood writers and actors currently striking, many comedians will take the opportunity to spend a week in Montreal simply because they have nothing better to do.
The strike caused festival organizers to cancel some panels and promotional appearances, but otherwise hasn’t really affected line-ups. Comedy fans with nothing better to do this weekend and who have the means should consider a trip to the Great White North.
Today’s Stand-Up Spotlight heads into the weekend with a story examining whether many queer comedy premises are becoming so prevalent and accepted that they are now hackey. There’s also a review of comedian Conner O’Malley’s comedy bot show, and a list of the best comedy specials on Max for weekend viewing.
Now, go out there and let the funny loose this weekend.
STAND-UP SPOTLIGHT – July 28, 2023
Just For Laughs: Where Stand-Up Comedy Thrives Amid Hollywood Strikes
For stand-up comics gathered at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal this week, booking club dates across North America and arena dates worldwide represents far more than a way to stay busy and pay the rent during the Hollywood writers and actors strikes.
It’s what live comedy artists do year-round, taking to the road or TikTok and YouTube to hone their craft and build fan followings with an eye to global stand-up touring as the pinnacle of their profession. The result is a strike-proof Just For Laughs festival barely impacted by the current Hollywood industry shutdown as SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America look to settle contract talks with the AMPTP, representing major studios and streamers.
8 Comedians Define the Meaning of ‘Queer Hack’
As more and more queer comedians have migrated from bar sets and showcases to Comedy Central, HBO Max, Hulu, and NBC over the past several years, think pieces and essays have showered much-deserved accolades on the growing mainstream prevalence of the queer-comedy scene. The flip side of this development is the case with all art: What was once novel soon becomes generic, and as queer comedians’ jokes — delivered from balconies, topped off with wigs, and foaming at the mouth — reach bigger audiences, the bar for fresh material rises as clichés, tropes, and stereotypes take shape. Anal-sex jokes and quips about lesbians staying at home run the risk of becoming hack — not not funny, per se, but predictable, uninventive, and easy.
Click here to view original web page at 8 Comedians Define the Meaning of ‘Queer Hack’
Conner O’Malley: Research and Development Comedy,
American comedian and YouTuber Conner O’Malley has produced something of a Trojan Horse with Research and Development Comedy, a parody about a tech innovator who has developed the perfect algorithm-driven comedian.
Strong ideas about the ethics and purpose of AI – and some enjoyably dumb character work – are concealed inside a flimsy persona and some tired routines. Ultimately, O’Malley’s commitment to injecting stupidity into the over-mined premise is enough to tip the show over the line, but his execution remains buggy.
Click here to view original web page at Conner O’Malley: Research and Development Comedy,
Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on HBO Max
Maybe it’s a Sunday night and you’re looking for something funny to watch. Maybe you just got dumped and are looking for a little comedic relief. Maybe you are a budding, up-and-coming comedian and want some much-needed inspiration. Whatever the reason, if you’ve got a Max subscription, there’s something for everyone in this list of the top 15 stand-up comedy specials on the streamer.
Click here to view original web page at Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials on HBO Max
