Josh Gad to host SNL?

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#SnarkWeek

If you haven't noticed, Michael Ian Black has been hosting Comedy Central's #SnarkWeek.  That's right, #SnarkWeek.

If you’ve ever felt left out not being able to participate in Shark Week, then #SnarkWeek is for you.  Tweet the snarkiest tweets you’ve got with the eponymous hashtag #SnarkWeek.  If they're snarky enough, they’ll be featured on Comedy Central's very snarky stand up page.  Snark!

The week culminates with Michael Ian Black’s comedy special “Michael Ian Black: Very Special,” which premieres Saturday on Comedy Central at 11:00 ET. The Comic’s Comic interviewed Michael about #SnarkWeek (the pound sign is very important) here.  And as always, you can see Black’s face in this Wainy Days episode, or on our very own Stella Channel.

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Thanks, Just For Laughs

We're still recovering from a raucous weekend in Montreal.  We were there for Just For Laughs and much laughter was had, indeed.

There was an amazing speech from Marc Maron that The Comic's Comic has in its entirety:



Fearless leader/Founder/CEO Rob Barnett spoke on a bunch of panels:



We gave away a bunch of t-shirts:



And then David Wain got a bunch of his friends together and they did a live Wainy Days show:



So, you know, good times.  Thanks to Jeffrey Ross, Garfunkle and Oates, CEO Rob Barnett, Rob Corddry, Zandy Hartig, Jon Stern, Reggie Watts (unpictured) and, most of all, David Wain for making Montreal a little more Wainy for one weekend. 

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The Comic's Comic joins My Damn Channel!

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Remembering The Big Man, Clarence Clemons

June 18, 2011

The world just lost a piece of its soul tonite. Clarence Clemons has been an inspiration, a hero, a touchstone, and a non-stop deliverer of the big sound, big love, and big joy to me and all of my closest friends. It's hard to think of this world without him.

I rarely cry. But I'm crying tonite. From the first minute we heard him on vinyl - and throughout every night we saw him walk onto that stage - everyone who loved Clarence knew we had the biggest, baddest, best man at our side.

The lifelong thrill of loving Bruce & Clarence & The E Street Band might be what it feels like to be addicted to comics and Superheroes. We're dedicated to getting together with people of like-minds and like-souls -- all of us looking up to the image of the friendships we want - experiencing the ultimate teamwork we know is possible - and the hardest part about tonite is figuring out how to handle the loss of the image of permanence we felt every time that man took the stage.

Bruce Intros Clarence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81wv_w6_Z8M

When Clarence Met The Big Man:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRFPWWoxpro&feature=related

I have been Clarence's fan and friend for almost 40 years. His death is a tremendous loss to all of my best friends and to everyone who loves his sound and his gracious soul. Let's send love to Clarence, to his big family and friends, and to Bruce and the entire E Street Family.

"Jungleland" solo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0md__RpSHg&feature=related

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My Damn Channel Sees God and Others at "The Book of Mormon"

Jesse Cowell (My Damn Channel Director of Content),                      Rob Barnett, Josh Gad  
Josh Gad, Rob Barnett (My Damn Channel Founder/CEO)


We saw God last night (and others) at "The Book of Mormon" - the funniest, most original musical comedy on Broadway.

The show stars Josh Gad, our My Damn Channel brother & hero & the star of our newest comedy series, "Gigi: Almost American."

We're previewing Gigi now, created by Josh and The Lost Nomads. Our series launches 3/23. New episodes every Wednesday on My Damn Channel.

I decided not to read all the Mormon press or ask Josh all about the show before experiencing it fresh. This was such an orgasmic comedic masterpiece. Get tickets and see this for yourself. And we'll buy more and give them away like Santa, or the other guy.

"Mormon" was created by South Park's Matt Stone & Trey Parker with Avenue Q's Robert Lopez. We had insane comic heaven hangtime during and after the show with them all last night... along with The Pope: Jon Stewart; "Mormon" producer and show business Midas: Scott Rudin; the Head of Comedy Central and MTV Networks Entertainment Group: Doug Herzog; Iconic Legends Mike Nichols and Angelica Huston; our friends and heroes from IFC: Dan Pasternack & Debbie DeMontreux; and we even met Spock: Zachary Quinto. 

"The Pope" proves every time year after year that he's one of the most generous humans in the game. We were so stunned to see Mike Nichols, I couldn't imagine lame bla-bla and went to a spontaneous salute - which he returned!

We capped off the night and the cocktails with da man of the year, Josh Gad, eating 2am style pizza reminding us all of why we love the voodoo we do. God bless.

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Be Here Wednesday

My Damn Channel invites many of you to join many of us for a night of holiday fun this Wednesday.

We love the host, the concept, the line-up, the venue, the booze, the schmooze, and - you.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, a chat show all about jobs, work and labor.

SHOW INFO: www.catielazarus.com

Catie Lazarus interviews and honors the following for their work:

• political activists/pranksters The Yes Men
• Broadway actor Maria Dizzia
• CEO College Humor/Notaniol Ricky Van Veen
• human rights activist/documentary filmmaker/author Jen Marlowe
• Grammy Award winning cabaret singer Amelia Zirin-Brown

Q & A, performances, shmooze & booze. 

8 pm, March 17th, 2010, at the 92 Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013

TICKETS:  http://tiny.cc/T0jwc 

Subway 1/9 Canal or C/E Canal. 

*SLIDING SCALE for those in need, contact info at catielazarus.com.....

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WAINY DAYS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

MY DAMN CHANNEL LAUNCHES SEASON FOUR OF “WAINY DAYS,”

2009 webby award official honoree and 2008 WEBBY AWARD WINNER OF “BEST COMEDY SERIES”  

 

DAVID WAIN TO STAGE FIRST-EVER LIVE PERFORMANCE OF “WAINY DAYS” AND SNEAK PEEK OF UPCOMING EPISODE AT 92YTRIBECA ON THURSDAY, MAY 7^TH

 

NEW YORK, April 23, 2009 - My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com), the entertainment studio and new media platform, today announced that one of its most popular original web series, “Wainy Days” (www.MyDamnChannel.com/WainyDays), is returning for a fourth season on Thursday, May 7^th.  

“Wainy Days” is the brainchild of its creator, writer and director, David Wain (writer and director of last year’s hit film “Role Models” starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Mintz-Plasse).  The comedy series, developed and produced exclusively for My Damn Channel, follows the romantic misadventures of Wain and has featured past celebrity guest appearances by Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Banks, Lee Majors, A.D. Miles, Rob Corddry, Jason Sudeikis, Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, Ed Helms, Joe Lo Truglio, Janeane Garofalo and Alicia Witt.  A recap from David Wain of the past 3 seasons of “Wainy Days” and a tease of the new episodes can be viewed at www.MyDamnChannel.com/WainyDays. 

In the new season of “Wainy Days,” the cast of name co-stars from film and television includes Amanda Peet, Lake Bell, Rosemarie DeWitt (Rachel Getting Married, Mad Men), Michelle Federer (Wicked), and Frederick Weller (In Plain Sight).  In the first episode of the season, David meets a sexy woman, Jill (played by Amanda Peet), who appreciates him for all that he isn’t.    

On May 7, 2009 at 9:00PM, at 92YTribeca (located at 200 Hudson Street in New York) My Damn Channel will be presenting “Wainy Days LIVE,” a Wainy-themed comedy/variety evening.  The event will hosted by David Wain and will feature live musical performances from past and upcoming episodes.  Michelle Federer, Amy Miles and Ben Shenkman will be on-hand to help Wain with this feat as well as the recurring cast of the series (Zandy Hartig, A.D. Miles and Matt Ballard).  There will also be a showing of the premiere episode as well as a sneak peek of an upcoming episode.  (Tickets are $15 advance/$18 door and can be purchased at: http://www.92ytribeca.com/ or by calling 212,415.5500.

Wainy Days has been viewed over 9 millions times on My Damn Channel and throughout its syndication network, was just named an official honoree for "Best Comedy Series" for the 2009 Webby Awards, was the winner of the 2008 Webby Awards' "Best Comedy Series" as well as the 2009 Streamy Awards' "Best Guest Appearance" for Paul Rudd, and has been called "an unmissable Web series by the Associated Press. Wainy Days is produced by Jonathan Stern.

"I love that the world keeps wanting to follow my pathetic (albeit fictional) quest to meet women,” says Wain.  “As long as the audience demands it, I will continue to hire actresses to make out with me and put it on the web."

“If My Damn Channel is a new world version of an old NBC, then David Wain would definitely be our ‘Seinfeld,’” says Rob Barnett, Founder/CEO. “David continues to earn all the accolades that ‘Wainy Days’ has won by topping himself every season. His series turns sexual angst into uniquely twisted comedy.”

About David Wain
David Wain is a director, writer, actor, producer and comedian. He co-wrote and directed the recent major motion picture "Role Models" starring  Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, now on DVD. As a founding member of the comedy troupe, "The State," he co-starred in an MTV series in the 1990's (coming to DVD in July). Wain's web hit, live show and Comedy Central series, "Stella," is an ongoing collaboration with his longtime collaborators Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter. Wain also co-wrote and directed comic cult classic features "Wet Hot American Summer" and "The Ten." For additional information on David Wain, visit www.davidwain.com.

About My Damn Channel
My Damn Channel is an entertainment studio and new media platform created to empower comedians, musicians and filmmakers to co-produce, distribute and monetize original, episodic video. Artists create content for the My Damn Channel website and for syndication on the most heavily-trafficked online communities and social networks. The network has aired some of the most successful professionally-produced comedy series on the web, including You Suck at Photoshop, Wainy Days, Horrible People, and videos by Harry Shearer.  My Damn Channel has been selected for 4 official honoree awards and nominated for one 2009 Webby Award, won 7 accolades from the 2008 Webby Awards, garnered worldwide media coverage, secured major national advertisers, earned 50,000 subscribers on YouTube, racked up a bazillion views on My Damn Channel and in syndication and blah, blah, blah…Are you still reading?  Stop now and start exploring: www.MyDamnChannel.com. 

 

About 92YTribeca:

92YTribeca is the 92nd Street Y’s new downtown arts and culture venue in New York City . Opened in October 2008, 92YTribeca presents music, comedy, film, theater, talks, classes, Jewish community and holiday programs, and family events; the venue also houses an art gallery, lounge, bar, and cafe. Among the talented performers who have graced its stage are Zach Galifianakis, Will Arnett, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Adam Yauch, Dustin Hoffman, Janeane Garofalo, Chairlift, Charlie Louvin, Q-Tip and Questlove.  Time Out New York named it the Best New Comedy Venue in 2008, and New York Magazine ranked it as “Highbrow and Brilliant” in their Approval Matrix.  For more information, visit www.92YTribeca.org.  

TO REQUEST REVIEW COPIES, INTERVIEWS WITH DAVID WAIN, TICKETS TO THE MAY 7^TH 92YTRIBECA EVENT, INTERVIEWS WITH THE CEO OF MY DAMN CHANNEL, PHOTOS OR VIDEO CLIPS FROM THE SERIES OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

 

Marnie Black

(917) 828-7308

marnieblack@yahoo.com

 

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HEATHER FINK

Heather Fink joins My Damn Channel.  She's a New York comedian who does standup, impov & video.  She blogs at HeatherFink.com.

Heather hosts Street Meat Comedy Show at Cake Shop on the Lower East Side.  She's actually been on Dr. Phil - also on MTV's Short Circuitz, Adult Swim, Elimidate, and she's been on Page 6, Gawker, Rush & Malloy, & was just featured again in the New York Post.

Heather's favorite comic book is Preacher and she loves throwing things out of windows.  She once worked for a gay porn company as head of PR.....ok now it's over-sharing.

Heather stars in 50/50 with DANA FOYER interviewing the real-life Beavis and Butthead (Slovin and Allen).

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PROCRAST-ERRIFIC

Dobrow's Procrast-errific Web Video Destination

Media Reviews for Media People: My Damn Channel

By Larry Dobrow

Published: May 08, 2008

I spend 37 hours per day in front of the computer and have the attention span of a sugared-up first-grader, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I inhale a staggering amount of online video. Indeed, as I craft my masterworks of Western thought and struggle to locate that elusive mot juste ("luftmensch"? "jecoral"?), web video serves as the default procrastination apparatus. Mostly my wanderings lead to Springsteen clips, which I then forward to my similarly Jer-Z-fied pals. We've wasted 7,250 hours on low-res 1978 versions of "Prove It All Night" alone.



So no, I don't have a single regular supplier for my video fix, and I'm probably like the vast majority of web monkeys in that regard. For texty information and illumination and whatnot, there are 15 or so sites I'll check out every day. For video, I unthinkingly go wherever my idiot friends point me.


Happily, I've found a procrast-errific web-video destination in My Damn Channel, a better-realized version of the astronomically hyped, Ferrell-and-Apatow-backed Funny or Die. That's not a slap at Funny or Die, so much as an endorsement of the more comically consistent My Damn Channel. It's all well and good that the Ian Zierings and John Mayers of the world have chosen Funny or Die as their preferred venue for gentle image-tweaking, but such lazy bits pale next to the goodies tucked away in each of My Damn Channel's, uh, channels.


Where Funny or Die throws up a bunch of clips and calls it an afternoon, My Damn Channel showcases a range of distinct personalities. Funnyfolk like David Wain, Harry Shearer and Andy Milonakis get online mini-laboratories to call their own, and use them for everything from low-concept weirdness to wry political commentary. No one channel is like the next, though each shares a twitchy, absurdist comic sensibility that should resonate with fans of Andy Samberg's SNL Digital Shorts, "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" and anything involving alumni from MTV's "The State."


My Damn Channel has justly been lauded for the passive-aggressive (and educational!) comic gold that is "You Suck at Photoshop" series and Wain's vigorously quirky "Wainy Days" quest to find his fictional self a gal. The site's less-hyped content -- especially the soap opera spoof "Horrible People" and the self-explanatory "Cookin' With Coolio" -- similarly revels in its own silliness, especially the former's asides about how "a waxed ***hole is a window to the soul."


I also dig Grace, the gal who, for lack of a better way to put it, serves as My Damn Channel's hostess and hype woman. She has the Sarah Silverman I'm-adorable-so-I-can-get-away-with-saying-stuff-about-Hitler-and-weed thing down pat, but doesn't overplay the gimmick -- which makes it all the more rewarding when she sweetly intones "be nice to your mother, because you f*cked up her baby hole." Her presence keeps My Damn Channel from feeling like a guys-only clubhouse, a fate that Funny or Die hasn't been able to avoid.


My Damn Channel even pulls off the nifty trick of being entertaining in its advertising. Don Was' music channel boasts Lincoln as a primary sponsor, for example, but also tapes performances in the grungy "grand showroom of our sponsor, The Furniture Outlet, located in North Hollywood, California, at 13054 Sherman Way ... c'mon down for some great music and some great bargains on love seats and bedroom sets!" A bunch of brands that appeal to homebound drones like me -- iTunes, Wolfgang's Vault, National Geographic Channel -- have been in heavy ad rotation of late, as have web mainstays like Match.com and Peapod. They're all easy fits, just as cellphone tchotchkes and other portable media devices would be. Ads for new movies or records would probably get lost amid all the content, though.


The two potential worries here for marketers? One, that few of the clips are safe for work; and two, that almost none of the humor here is linear, meaning that devotees of Jay Leno and "Two and a Half Men" will furrow their brows in a futile attempt to grasp the punch lines.


In the end, you can easily lose yourself for 45 minutes at a time at My Damn Channel -- in fact, I kinda just now did, courtesy of the Lori McKenna and Jackshit clips on the Don Was channel. I've yet to feel a comparable pull to any other web-video destination not named YouTube, and YouTube's clip quality and smallish viewing window seem primitive nowadays when compared to MDC, Funny or Die, Hulu and the like. If you can visit My Damn Channel without meandering around for awhile, I applaud your self-discipline.

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