The Dana Carvey Show

By now we're all well aware that the internet is the only place the following can happen in a 10 minute period:
- Read AV Club's interview with Louie CK, where you learn CK wrote for a sketch show you'd long forgotten, The Dana Carvey Show.
-Immediately Google "Dana Carvey Show"
-Confirm via wikipedia that he was, in fact, lead writer for the show, but also discover that entire first and only season exists for free on Hulu now.
-Halt productivity.

The Dana Carvey Show was a sketch comedy on abc that ran for only 7 tenths of a season in 1996, and it was hilarious. How do I know it was hilarious? I was 11 when it aired and I have fond memories of it. That's enough, right? Also, I specifically remember feeling uncomfortable watching it with my mom around which means that I toughed it out through the awkwardness (because it was funny) and she toughed it out through the jokes that were inappropriate for an 11 year old at 9pm on a Tuesday because she understood that I'd one day have an affinity for inconsequential pop culture.

Though Carvey himself left his stamp on the show with his trademark impressions like the Church Lady and Paul McCartney, the real talent resided in the rest of the credits, where people like CK, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and Robert Smigel were creating some of the funniest, subversive sketch comedy that couldn't have been seen anywhere else on tv at the time. Possibly too subversive, though, as sponsors began running away from act 1 scene 1 as Carvey's Bill Clinton breast fed babies and animals (hard to explain).

Every episode, including the unaired, are available in full on Hulu. Definitely worth checking out, if only to see the careers of Carrell and Colbert launch.

Runner Runner

No, that's not the cast of the new show Jersey Shore Emo, it's Runner Runner, the first and only band signed to David Letterman's new Clear Entertainment record label.

On one hand, I'm not surprised Dave has a record label as he's consistently been the late night host who books the best bands and he seems to genuinely care about the music. But, on the other hand, this might be the worst pop-punk band I've ever heard, and the label's signing is an obviously pandering to the Hannah Montana generation where the quality of the music means nothing.

Hear for yourself with Runner Runner's new "single" "So Obvious":

The Progressive Girl

I choose to believe that Stephanie Courtney, the star of those Progressive Insurance commercials, tried really hard not to sell out to corporate America. But in the end, the comedy career just wasn't going anywhere.

Small Wonder DVD

The 1985 tv series Small Wonder,a delightful little show about a robotic daughter brought home form the lab so that it can "mature within a family environment," (hilarity inevitably ensued) was officially brought to DVD this week. This begs the question, "who the hell asked for a DVD of Small Wonder?"

Look, I'll admit as 7 year old watching reruns of the show, VICI's (Vicky) literal interpretation of human speech was unending in its wealth of hilarity. A robot mocking humans is sometimes funny, sometimes not (see:Bicentennial Man). The fact that I even remembered the show when I read about this and decided it was post-worthy is plenty proof that I liked it as some time. But there are just so many shows that need to have official DVDs made before we bestow a show the likes of Small Wonder with that honor. Quick research reveals that even The Wonder Years (the charming television show, not the Philadelphia-based punk rock band) hasn't been made into DVD yet. But there are many more. For example, why isn't every season of SNL on DVD? I'd buy that. I'd spend significant money on that. So I ask, with love, WTF television industry?

Human Giant

Speaking of Aziz, you may have also noticed over the weekend that Comedy Central was running a marathon of his sketch comedy show Human Giant, which recently completed its second season on MTV. It was a nice opportunity to catch up on this hilarious and underrated show which may not run for a third season because of Ansari's other commitments.

Human Giant consists primarily of writer/actors Aziz Ansari, Rob Heubel, and Paul Scheer, but always features well known guest comedians like Will Arnett, Patton Oswalt, Tracy Morgan, Bill Hader, David Cross, and Cubsicle favorite Andy Samberg. The show's comedic perspective skews slightly toward the dark and cynical, making it stand out from other, more well known sketch comedy shows.

Check out their YOUTUBE PAGE for a wide variety of their work.

Marc Summers' Mystery Magic Tour

When I was a kid I knew I could start getting excited about Halloween when Nickelodeon started re-running its 1986 production of "Marc Summers' Mystery Magical Tour."

Though the 30 minute "special" was always on during October, its connection with Halloween was decidedly loose. Hence the title, I guess. The plot involves Marc Summers (no doubt cashing in on his new Double Dare fame) and his three "friends" who were all young children apparently playing themselves, including Jonathon Brandis. As they drive home from a movie their car breaks down and the group is forced to enter a spooky house on a stormy night to seek help. Magic, mystery, pratfalls, unexplained plot twists, and Lance Burton ensue. No word on why Marc Summers was hanging out with a couple of kids.

You can watch the whole thing HERE.

Or just read a much better and hilarious account of it HERE.

In other news, who knew Jonathon Brandis killed himself?

Pay for Hulu?

Rumor has it Hulu may soon charge an undetermined type of subscription fees to access it's content.

These days I have little time during the week to catch my favorite shows. Without DVR or Tivo I've come to rely on Hulu to catch up with them all. I've even come to appreciate the convenience of all those short commercials in between segments. However, there are very few business models that Hulu can employ that would ever make me want to pay for it. I'll just as soon go back underground for my content.

How about you?

The Jeff Dunham Show

I'm sorry I haven't been updating the blog very often recently. It's just that nothing seems worth it anymore since I found out they gave Jeff Dunham his own show on Comedy Central.

People like ventriloquism that much? Count me out.

Reading Rainbow

Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high,Take a look, it's in a book — Reading Rainbow ...

Well folks, say goodbye to another one of my childhood favorites. The PBS Series Reading Rainbow, hosted by Kunta Geordi LaVar Burton came to an end today, concluding a 26 year run as one of the network's most important programs. Thanks a lot, recession.

I loved Reading Rainbow as a kid, and I believe it aided in my ongoing love affair with reading. But even back then I think I appreciated the irony involved when kids would watch it so they didn't have to read the books the show introduced. Even LaVar Burton knows you can't win 'em all.

Reading Rainbow, you will be missed. But you don't have to take my word for it...

Reading Rainbow Theme via Retrojunk.com (link edited)

Okay, I didn't know the show was still on in 2009, but I sure hope they've updated the opening sequence since the last time I tuned in.

Michael and Michael Have Issues

Starting July 15th Comedy Central will start airing episodes of the new Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter sketch comedy show titled Michael and Michael Have Issues.

Far be it from me to pass judgement on the show before it even starts, but I'm just wondering how many chances Comedy Central is going to give these guys to be the main players in a show that people will watch. I certainly have to give them credit for a lot of their writing endeavors, and I'll even say that they've done good work acting in other people's work (Reno 911 for example), but I still don't buy Showalter and Black as lead guys. Original members of The State have found a lot of ways to be funny behind the scenes (Wet Hot American Summer and Role Models come to mind), but really Reno 911 is the only successful example I can think of with State members at the acting helm too. Stella was no good. Viva Variety was no good. The Showalter Showalter? Eh. I'm wishing the best of success to these guys, but let's face it, Dave Chappelle these guys ain't.

In case the show fails, I still recommend their blogs:
http://www.michaelshowalter.net/
http://michaelianblack.typepad.com/

Norm Macdonald

Because I'm surprised there isn't a website devoted to his appearances on talk shows yet, here's Norm on Conan last Thursday.

You'll agree he's especially funny when he's got nothing to promote.

Stay Thirsty, My Friends

There's no doubt that the best commercial on tv right now is the one for the Dos Equis "The Most Interesting Man in the World" ad campaign. Despite similar filming techniques and the overall theme and feel of this commercial, it was in fact NOT directed by Wes Anderson. Trust me, I checked.

The link referenced above goes to a pretty good blog about advertising that often comments on new commercials, good or bad, citing lots of the details you never wanted.

In contrast to this post, the absolute worst commercial right now includes Verizon and ice cream sprinkles.

The Legend of Neil

Having given it a bit more thought, it's entirely possible that the void I'm hoping Krod Mandoon will fill is the one left when The Legend of Neil wrapped up its 6 episode internet series. Neil was a crude, vulgar homage to The Legend of Zelda by the folks over at effinfunny.com, and all 6 episodes are worth watching.

Kröd Mändoon

On Thursday at 10pm Comedy Central will premier Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire, a comedy series set in an ancient fantasy realm not unlike Robin Hood or the Legend of Zelda. For unknown reasons I'm rooting for the show to be funny. Maybe I'm trying to fill a long lost fantasy/comedy void or maybe I liked Robin Hood: Med in Tights a little bit too much, but I seriously think this show is filling a void of some kind on television and I hope it does well, even if the trailer and commercials have been underwhelming. Here's wishing it luck.

Too Soon

Now two weeks into his first season as host of the Late Night, I can say with a clearer mind that Jimmy Fallon is not a great host, though I can't quite put my finger on exactly why that is. It may simply be that he's just not funny enough. Sure if you give him a few days and a pen he can probably write a laugh inducing sketch, but he's not good at being ad-hoc funny or even ad-hoc charming, which were two of Conan O'Brien's strengths. He also rushes his lines a lot and speed reads the cue cards. Nothing he does on the show seems natural, but instead horrendously forced. He seems like he wants to succeed, and he's trying really hard, but maybe that's the problem? Maybe he's trying too hard? I think he might be better served as a writer or a "digital shorts" kind of comedic actor. He's too awkard live.

I'm still rooting for him to figure it out. I'm sure peforming live every night has a certain relaxation learning curve, and I'm hoping that Jimmy can find his niche.

Here's a particularly awful bit: The Wheel of Carpet Samples Part 1
and Part 2

and let's contrast that with an example of where Fallon shows potential: The Gadsden Purchase

So Far, So Good

Two shows into his stint as the new host of Late Night, Jimmy Fallon has shown himself to be a decent host. Like Conan O'Brien before him, you have to "get" the brand of humor, but if you liked any of his SNL work, that shouldn't be too hard. He's a little awkward, but it's the kind of awkward you've come to expect from him, except now it comes with a bit more professionalism and quieter hair. You get the feeling that he really wants to succeed, and although I was only 11 when Conan debuted, I get the distinct feeling that Jimmy's first two shows have shown more promise than Conan's first few.

One thing I've enjoyed thoroughly is Fallon's approach to connecting with viewers. He's had countless video blogs leading up to the debut where he's answered questions from fans and taken suggestions. He also utilizes popular social sites like facebook. And most important, his choice of The Roots as house band has proven brilliant so far. They are phenomenal as a backup band, and even helped with a bit on night number 1. Click on that picture above to see Jimmy Fallon and the Roots, "slow jam the news."