Slow News Day: Giant Falls Early, Mystery Men II, Paul and Patton's Pilot, Just Not That Promising

ITEM: Great news for premature ejaculators and non-cable owners: The entire first episode of Human Giant is now on iTunes for the price of no dollars. Yay.

ITEM: NBC has graciously allowed Tracy Morgan to continue being hilarious on a second season of 30 Rock. Whew.

ITEM: Ben Stiller is producing a new animated superhero satire for Dreamworks called Mind Master, which follows the empty life of a supervillain after he accidentally kills his nemesis. Meh.

ITEM: Comedy Central is taping a new pilot this week for a courtroom game show called Root of All Evil, featuring Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Andrew Daly, and Greg Giraldo, from Simpsons producer David Sacks. Go here if you'd like to attend. Whee.

ITEM: From the "Cancels Itself Out" News Department comes the announcement that Ken Kwapis will direct the film version of Greg Behrendt's non-fiction man-guide He's Just Not That Into You. Kwapis is a mainstay of contemporary classic television including Freaks and Geeks, The Larry Sanders Show, and The Office, cancelled out by the fact that he directed The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. And Behdrendt is a hilarious live comedian and David Cross associate, cancelled out by also hosting his own shitty daytime talk show. The final score, if you haven't been paying attention, is zero. Blah.

Matt Besser Walks With Me

Fellow comedy reporters The Coming have posted an info-packed interview with Matt Besser, who has been keeping himself so busy that we can't stop posting features about him. Among the major revelations is that he'll be playing the guitarist in John C. Reilly's faux hit band in Jake Kasdan and Judd Apatow's biopic spoof Walk Hard, and that he's Kanye West's official improv coach for his upcoming untitled HBO mockumentary created by Larry Charles. Futhermore, he's writing a new film called Safety First for pal Amy Poehler.

Meanwhile, the Upright Citizens Brigade just finished a weekend of filming for a new Shout! Factory DVD release of ASSSSCAT 3000, which previously failed to catch on as a Bravo series. The four taped specials featured all four UCBers, as well as Horatio Sanz, Chad Carter, Sean Conroy, and Andrew Daly, plus improv-launching monologues from Will Arnett, Tom Lennon, Ed Helms, Paul F. Tompkins, and Jen Kirkman. Besser hopes the DVD will do well enough to kick off a sort of UCB/Shout! Factory imprint label where they can release even more footage from their various live output. He also announces that they're working on a new UCB website to feature daily videos and more.

All in all, a pretty good way to stick it to Comedy Central for canceling one of the best sketch comedy shows of all time, don't you think?

This Week in Funny 3/5/07-3/11/07

Tuesday, March 6:



New on DVD: Borat - Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (click here to buy)
New on DVD: Zach Galifianakis - Live at the Purple Onion (click here to buy)
New on DVD: South Park - The Complete Ninth Season (click here to buy)
New on DVD: Fast Food Nation (click here to buy)
New on DVD: Let's Go to Prison (click here to buy)
New on DVD: The Loop - Season 1 (click here to buy)
New on DVD: Confetti (click here to buy)
Ken Davitian on The View (ABC)

Wednesday, March 7:



Season Premiere South Park: "With Apologies to Jesse Jackson" (Comedy Central)
New The Sarah Silverman Program: “Batteries” (Comedy Central)
Rob Corddry on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)
Chris Rock on Tavis Smiley (PBS)

Thursday, March 8:

New Scrubs: “My Fishbowl” (NBC)
New 30 Rock: “The Fighting Irish” (NBC)

Friday, March 9:

New in Theaters: The Host

Sunday, March 11:



New The Simpsons: “Rome-Old and Julie-Eh” (FOX)
New The Winner: “Broken Home” (FOX)
New Family Guy: “Bill and Peter’s Bogus Journey” (FOX)
New The Winner: “What Happens in Albany, Stays in Albany” (FOX)
New Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job!: “Chunky” (Adult Swim/Cartoon Network)
New Saul of the Molemen: “Work” (Adult Swim/Cartoon Network)



Live Comedy Watch:

3/5: Maria Bamford at Dennison College in Dennison, OH
3/6: Zach Galifianakis at University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL
3/6: Doug Benson’s I Love Movies with guest Mary Lynn Rajskub at UCB Theatre in LA
3/6: Doug Benson, Andy Kindler, and Andrew Daly in Comedy Death-Ray at UCB Theatre in LA
3/6: Ron Lynch and Craig Anton in The Idiots at Steve Allen Theater in LA
3/7: Bob Odenkirk, Paul F. Tompkins, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Greg Fitzsimmons, Jen Kirkman, Derek Waters, Mike Phirman of Hard ‘n Phirm, and Jimmy Pardo at You’re Welcome at Mbar in LA
3/7: Todd Barry at Opolis in Norman, OK
3/7: Eugene Mirman, Bobby Tisdale, and Reggie Watts in Invite Them Up at Rififi in NYC
3/7: Stephen Lynch at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE
3/7: Tig at University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI
3/8: Todd Barry at the Cavern in Dallas, TX
3/8-3/11: Marc Maron at the Improv in Chicago
3/8: Stephen Lynch at Moore Theater in Seattle, WA
3/9: Jerry Seinfeld at Murat Theater in Indianapolis, IN
3/9: Zach Galifianakis at Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR
3/9: Todd Barry at Emo’s Lounge in Austin, TX
3/9: Stephen Lynch at Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR
3/10: Bill Cosby at L.J. Willians Theater in Visalia, CA
3/10: Zach Galifianakis at Moore Theater in Seattle, WA
3/10: Todd Barry at Walter’s on Washington in Houston, TX
3/10: Paul F. Tompkins in the Thrilling Adventure and Supernatural Suspense Hour at Mbar in LA
3/11: Stephen Lynch at the Warfield in San Francisco, CA
3/11: Free ASSSSCAT at UCB Theatre in NYC
3/11: Free ASSSSCAT at UCB Theatre in LA
3/11: The Whitest Kids U’Know at Pianos in NYC

This Week in Funny 2/19/07-2/25/07

Monday, February 19:

Jim Carrey on Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
David Steinberg on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)

Tuesday, February 20:



New on DVD: For Your Consideration (click her to buy)
New on DVD: Fuck (click here to buy) (documentary featuring George Carlin, Bill Plympton, Hunter S. Thompson, Billy Connolly, Drew Carey, Bill Maher, Janeane Garofalo, Eddie Murphy, Kevin Smith, and more)
New on DVD: The Second City - First Family of Comedy (click here to buy)
Bill Maher on Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC)
Lewis Black on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC)
Richard Lewis on The View (ABC)

Wednesday, February 21:



Jim Carrey on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC)
Harland Williams on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC)

Thursday, February 22:

New My Name is Earl: “Guess Who’s Coming Out of Joy” (NBC)
New The Office: “Cocktails” (NBC)
New Scrubs: “My Therapeutic Month” (NBC)
New 30 Rock: “Hard Ball” (NBC)
New The Sarah Silverman Program: “Not Without My Daughter” (Comedy Central)
Tom Lennon and Ben Garant on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)

Friday, February 23:



New in Theaters: Reno 911!: Miami
New Monk: “Mr. Monk and the Really, Really Dead Guy” (USA)
New Psych: “Poker? I Barely Know Her” (USA)
Tom Green on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC)
Jim Gaffigan on Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
William H. Macy on Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC)
Ken Davitian (fake Borat producer) on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)

Sunday, February 25:

New Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! (Adult Swim/Cartoon Network)
New Saul of the Molemen (Adult Swim/Cartoon Network)

Live Comedy Watch:



2/20: Tenacious D at Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancoucer, BC
2/20-2/21: Ricky Gervais at City Hall in Newcastle, UK
2/20: Todd Barry in Here’s the Thing at the Pit in NYC
2/20: Paul F. Tompkins and Dana Gould in Comedy Death-Ray at UCB Theatre in LA
2/21-2/24: Emo Philips at Dr. Grins in Grand Rapids, MI
2/21: Michael Showalter at UCB Theatre in NYC
2/21-2/25: Marc Maron at Cap City Comedy Club in Austin, TX
2/22-2/23: Ricky Gervais at City Hall in Sheffield, UK
2/22-2/23: Kevin McDonald’s Hammy and the Kids at UCB Theatre in LA
2/22-2/25: Mike Birbiglia at the Improv in Brea, CA
2/22: Doug Benson, Paul F. Tompkins, and Andy Kindler in the Benson Interruption at UCB Theatre in LA
2/23-2/24: Todd Barry at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse in Arlington, VA
2/23: Michael Showalter at UCB Theatre in NYC
2/24: Zach Galifianakis at Irving Plaza in NYC
2/25: Michael Showalter and Eugene Mirman in Tearing the Veil of Maya at Union Hall in NYC
2/25: The Whitest Kids U’Know at Pianos in NYC
2/25: Free ASSSSCAT at UCB Theatre in NYC
2/25: Free ASSSSCAT at UCB Theatre in LA

This Week in Funny 2/12/07-2/18/07

Monday, February 12:

Bill Maher on Tavis Smiley (PBS)

Tuesday, February 13:



New on DVD: Mutual Appreciation (click here to buy)
New on DVD: School for Scoundrels (Unrated Widescreen Edition) (click here to buy)
Harry Shearer on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)

Wednesday, February 14:

New The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show: “Salute to America” (Comedy Central)
Marc Maron on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC)

Thursday, February 15:

New My Name is Earl: “The Birthday Party” (NBC)
New The Office: “Business School” (NBC)
New Scrubs: “My Perspective” (NBC)
New 30 Rock: “The C Word” (NBC)
New The Sarah Silverman Program: “Positively Negative” (Comedy Central)
Jim Carrey on Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC)

Friday, February 16:



New Psych: “Game, Set, Muuurder?” (USA)
Tracy Morgan on Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC)
Barry Levinson on Tavis Smiley (PBS)

Sunday, February 18:

New Extras: “Episode 12” with Jonathan Ross (HBO)
New The Simpsons: “Springfield Up” (with guest star Eric Idle) (FOX)
New King of the Hill: “Blood and Sauce” (FOX)
New Family Guy: “The Tan Aquatic with Steve Zissou” (FOX)
New American Dad: “Black Mystery Month” (FOX)
New Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim)
New Saul of the Molemen (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim)

Live Comedy Watch:



2/13/07: Ricky Gervais at Carling Apollo in Manchester, UK
2/13/07: Tenacious D at Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara, CA
2/13/07: Mike Birbiglia at Mo Pitkins House of Satisfaction in NYC
2/13/07: Doug Benson at UCB Theatre in LA
2/13/07: Comedy Death-Ray with Human Giant, Andy Kindler, and Chris Hardwick at UCB Theatre in LA
2/13/07: Marc Maron at Comix in NYC
2/14/07: Paul F. Tompkins and Marc Maron at You’re Welcome at the Meta Theater in LA
2/14/07: Invite Them Up with Eugene Mirman at Rififi in NYC
2/15/07: Ricky Gervais at Opera House in Blackpool, UK
2/15/07-2/18/07: Nick Swardson and Tig at the Improv in Houston, TX
2/15/07: Eugene Mirman at PA’s Lounge in Somerville, MA
2/15/07: Human Giant at UCB Theatre in LA
2/16/07: Tenacious D at Paramount Theater in Seattle, WA
2/16/07-2/17/07: Emo Philips at Historic University Theater in Seattle, WA
2/16/07-2/17/07: Eugene Mirman at the Comedy Studio in Cambridge, MA
2/16/07-2/17/07: Paul F. Tompkins and Morgan Murphy at Aimee Mann’s Valentine’s Day Revenge at Largo in LA
2/17/07: Sarah Silverman at House of Blues in Las Vegas, NV
2/18/07: Tearing the Veil of Maya with Michael Showalter and Eugene Mirman at Union Hall in NYC
2/18/07: Free ASSSSCAT at UCB Theatre in NYC
2/18/07: Free ASSSSCAT at UCB Theatre in LA

This Week in Funny 2/5/07-2/11/07

Monday, February 5:

Tom Lennon and Ben Garant on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)
P.J. O’Rourke on Tavis Smiley (PBS)

Tuesday, February 6:



New on DVD: The Science of Sleep (click here to buy)
New on DVD: Running With Scissors (click here to buy)
New Campus Ladies: “Foreign Exchange” (Oxygen)
Naked Trucker on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)

Wednesday, February 7:



New The Naked Trucker & T-Bones Show: “Gold Watch” (Comedy Central)
Chris Elliott on Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
Jonathan Katz on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC)
Bob Saget on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)

Thursday, February 8:

New My Name is Earl: “Blow” (NBC)
New The Office: “Phyllis’ Wedding” (NBC)
New Scrubs: “My Road to Nowhere” (NBC)
New 30 Rock: “Up All Night” (NBC)
New The Sarah Silverman Program: “Humanitarian of the Year” with guest star Zach Galifianakis (Comedy Central)
Steve Martin on The Ellen Degeneres Show (Syndicated)

Friday, February 9:

New Monk: “Mr. Monk Visits a Farm” (USA)
New Psych: “Cloudy Chance of Murder” (USA)
Tenacious D on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)

Sunday, February 11:



New The Simpsons: “Little Big Girl” (FOX)
New King of the Hill: “SerPunt” (FOX)
New Extras: "Episode 11" with Ian McKellen (HBO)
Series Premiere Saul of the Mole Men (Adult Swim/Cartoon Network)
Series Premiere Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! (Adult Swim/Cartoon Network)

Live Comedy Watch:



2/5/07-2/6/07: Ricky Gervais at Brighton Centre in Brighton, UK
2/5/07: Matt Besser and Andrew Daly host America’s Best Comic at UCB Theatre in LA
2/5/07: Paul F. Tompkins, Dana Gould, and Andy Kindler at Largo in LA
2/6/07: Laugh Don’t Destroy with Michael Showalter, Eugene Mirman, and Jon Benjamin at Union Hall in Brooklyn
2/6/07: Comedy Death-Ray with Patton Oswalt, Greg Proops, and Aziz Ansari at UCB Theatre in LA
2/6/07: See You Next Tuesday with Paul F. Tompkins and Morgan Murphy at UCB Theatre in LA
2/7/07: Ricky Gervais at New Theatre in Oxford, UK
2/7/07: Invite Them Up with Eugene Mirman at Rififi in NYC
2/7/07: Show & Tell with Andrew Daly and Hard ‘N Phirm at UCB Theatre in LA
2/7/07-2/8/07: Maria Bamford at Irvine Improv in Irvine, CA
2/8/07-2/9/07: Jerry Seinfeld at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, MN
2/8/07-2/9/07: Ricky Gervais at Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, UK
2/8/07: Human Giant, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Andy Blitz at UCB Theatre in LA
2/9/07-2/10/07: Sarah Silverman at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco, CA
2/10/07: Nick Swardson at Spreckles Theater in San Diego, CA
2/10/07: The Thrilling Adventure and Supernatural Suspense Hour with Paul F. Tompkins and Dave “Gruber” Allen at Mbar in LA
2/11/07: Tearing the Veil of Maya with Michael Showalter, Eugene Mirman, and Tig at Union Hall in Brooklyn
2/11/07: Sarah Silverman at the Showbox in Seattle, WA
2/11/07: Free ASSSSCAT at UCB Theatre in LA
2/11/07: Free ASSSSCAT at UCB Theatre in NYC