Don’t let the lip gloss fool you! Whitney Cummings is tough, sharp and doesn’t cover up the blemishes of being a single girl in the World Television Premiere of “Whitney Cummings: Money Shot,” a one-hour stand-up special, premiering on COMEDY CENTRAL on Saturday, August 21 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Taped at Washington D.C.’s Sidney Harmon Hall, “Whitney Cummings: Money Shot” features Cummings commenting on male strippers, fake boobs and getting spanked in the bedroom, among other things, in this hilarious performance. It’s not every day a funny lady reveals the best way to punish a boyfriend, what it’s really like to date a vampire, the similarities between The Food Network and porn and the “emotional ninja” tactics all women have at their disposal!
Cummings will return to the roast stage with her cutting-edge humor in the “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of David Hasselhoff,” airing August 15 as a follow up to her performance on “The COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of Joan Rivers.” She was named “Comedy Star of Tomorrow” by Entertainment Weekly, one of the “Top Ten Comics to Watch” by Daily Variety and is this year’s “Comedian of the Year” at the Young Hollywood Awards. Cummings is a regular on Chelsea Handler’s “Chelsea Lately” and performed in “The Comedians of Chelsea Lately” stand-up special on E! She’s made appearances on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” HBO’s “Down and Dirty with Jim Norton” and had roles in “Punk’d” and the film “Made of Honor.” Cummings is also the co-executive Producer of her series, “Live, Nude, Comedy” on Showtime. More information about Whitney including stand up videos can be found at WhitneyCummings.com.
Do you wear socks with your sandals or text while you drive? Does Denis Leary have a song for you – “Douchebag!” Excuse me Catholic Church, Leary would like a word with you with his new single “Bless Me Father.” It’s two on one as Denis Leary and his band the Enablers, featuring the Rehab Horns release two new singles on COMEDY CENTRAL Records digitally on August 17.
Prior releases on COMEDY CENTRAL Records include Leary’s digital singles “FU,” where Leary expressed his true feelings and “At the Rehab,” in which he calls out pop culture icons by name along with their rampant substance abuse to an up-tempo calypso beat.
The Emmy® and Golden Globe Award-nominated Leary has appeared in over 30 feature films and the hit FX television series “Rescue Me.” His book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat Loud Lazy and Stupid, made the NY Times Best Seller List. Leary and his band embarked on the ‘Rescue Me Comedy Tour’ in 2008 – a multi-city tour including Radio City Music Hall and the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Leary also toured in 1997 coming off a stretch that produced the lauded HBO special, “Lock ‘N Load.” Prior to that, he performed his smash hit one-man show, ”No Cure For Cancer,” which became one of the highest grossing comedy albums of all time. In 2006 he was given and Honorary Doctorate in The Fine Arts from his alma mater, Emerson College.
Previously-released recordings by COMEDY CENTRAL Records include: George Lopez’ “Tall Dark and Chicano,” Greg Giraldo’s “Midlife Vices,” Nick Swardson’s “Seriously, Who Farted?,” Doug Benson’s “Unbalanced Load,” Dane Cook’s “ISolated INcident,” Cook’s platinum-selling “Harmful If Swallowed” and double-platinum “Retaliation,” Mitch Hedberg’s “Do You Believe in Gosh?,” Grammy Award-winning “Lewis Black: The Carnegie Hall Performance,” Grammy Award-nominees’ Steven Wright’s “I Still Have A Pony” and George Lopez’ “America’s Mexican,” Joe Rogan’s “Shiny Happy Jihad,” Christopher Titus’s “5th Annual End Of The World Tour,” Norm MacDonald’s “Ridiculous,” Demetri Martin’s “These Are Jokes,” “Jim Gaffigan: Beyond The Pale,” Mike Birbiglia’s “My Secret Public Journal Live,” D.L. Hughley’s “Notes From The GED Section” and Dave Attell’s “Skanks For The Memories.”
Even though “Grilled Charlie Sandwiches” are not on the menu, fans of the hit TV show It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia are sure to flock to Mac’s Tavern, the real-life bar that Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olsen, also known as Mac and Sweet Dee of Always Sunny, opened this month in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood. With 17 beers on tap, gastropub fare, a jukebox and occasional acoustic musical talent, it’s sure to be a draw for foodies and Always Sunny fans alike.
The opening of Mac’s gives fans of the hit show a great reason to explore the city where The Gang — Charlie, Sweet Dee, Dennis, Mac and Frank — have done everything from cracking the Liberty Bell to running the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps Rocky Balboa-style. In a two-day, two-night itinerary, Always Sunny fans can see for themselves where the ego-driven characters create scenes all over Philadelphia — that is, when they aren’t arguing or scheming in Paddy’s Pub.
The full tour — including a stop at Mac’s Tavern — is now available at visitphilly.com/sunny.
International superstar and television icon David Hasselhoff has been announced as COMEDY CENTRAL’s next Roastee. The show is scheduled to tape this summer in Los Angeles. “The COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of David Hasselhoff” will air on Sunday, August 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
“I’m honored that COMEDY CENTRAL is going to get ‘Hoff’ on me,” said David Hasselhoff. “I have always been a major fan of Roasts, dating back to the days of the ‘Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.’ Laughter is the best medicine. Bring it on! I’m ready to take the heat.”
“David Hasselhoff is a worldwide celebrity who has and continues to entertain audiences around the globe,” said Elizabeth Porter, senior vice president, specials and talent for COMEDY CENTRAL. “By the end of this year’s Roast, this pop culture icon will surely see that no slow motion run or life preserver can save him.”
The “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of David Hasselhoff” will be executive produced by Joel Gallen from Tenth Planet Productions, who was also executive producer and director of the “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Joan Rivers,” “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Larry The Cable Guy,” “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Bob Saget,” “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Flavor-Flav,” the Emmy-nominated “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of William Shatner” and the “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Pamela Anderson.” Larry Thompson will also serve as executive producer and previously held this title on the “COMEDY CENTRAL Roasts” of Joan Rivers and William Shatner. Elizabeth Porter is the executive in charge for the network.
Arj Barker is one of the hardest working men on the comedy scene and continues to leave a lasting impression on his fans around the world. Most recognizable from his appearances on late night staples like The Tonight Show and The Late Show with David Letterman, HBO’s hit sitcom Flight of the Conchords and Last Comic Standing, he continues to raise the bar with each outing. In 2010, Barker looks to ascend to new heights with the release of his debut comedy album, LYAO, which just hit stores everywhere! In his act, he tackles controversial topics ranging from global warming, gay marriage, religion and the constant misunderstandings we all face through texting and online communication, all while leaving the audience in stitches. Icon Vs. Icon recently caught up with Arj Barker to discuss his beginnings as a stand up comic, his milestones, new album, as well as what the future holds for this rising star!
Let’s give everyone a little background on you. Where did you grow up and what was your first exposure to comedy?
I grew up in the Bay Area outside of San Francisco, California. My first exposure to comedy was watching ‘Evening at The Improv’. Well, actually my first real exposure was listening to Steve Martin albums at my cousin’s house when I was a kid. [laughs] I remember seeing the covers of ‘Comedy Is Not Pretty’, ‘A Wild and Crazy Guy’ and all that shit. Later on, I remember seeing Eddie Murphy’s ‘Delirious’ with some friends and really laughing hard. That was the first time that I was really blown away by stand up comedy.
How did you come by the decision to make stand up a career?
I never decided to make it a career until after I was already doing it. During the late 80s, I could see a ton of it on late-night television, it was all over cable. That’s when I thought “Well, so many guys are doing it, maybe I will give it a shot.” I didn’t really go into it thinking, “Yeah, this is my career.” ya know?
Sure.
Yeah, ya know, I just thought that it would be crazy to try comedy. I guess, at the beginning, I just wasn’t that confident and I probably thought, “I will probably fail, but whatever, I will give it a go and see what happens.” Immediately, I was hooked on the adrenaline of it! It was the thrill of it and the sense of accomplishment that it gave me that made me keep doing it. I never looked back but I never really considered making money doing it the first two years, it was just so much fun!
At this point, you have quite a track record for successes. Is there a point in your career that you look back on and say, “Ok, that is the moment where I made it as a stand up?”
A really deep satisfaction in my career has come from the way it has been going in Australia. All that I really want is to have great audiences and fill up the house! I don’t need to play stadiums to feel good about myself. Touring and selling out theaters definitely was a benchmark. I can sit back and say “Yeah, this is really what I want.” When I peek out from behind the curtain before I go on and see one thousand people that are all there to see me, I think it’s awesome. [laughs] This is better than I hoped to do, ya know!
Absolutely!
Some people think that getting booked on Letterman would be the moment but that is the moment when you think, “Ok, this will lead to the theaters.” Even with all the excitement and prestige that comes with appearing on a show like Letterman, you still go back to your studio apartment. [laughs]
What is the biggest challenge in performing stand-up comedy?
Keeping it current. My standards for material are pretty high, I think, but at the same time the demand for new material is pretty high too. That creates a complex situation. Ideally, I would like to come up with a solid hour a year or even a solid 45 minutes a year that I would be happy with. That is very difficult to do, ya know? I would say that is the most difficult thing. Once I have the material, going out and performing it is a joy! So, staying productive material-wise is the hardest thing.
You just released, “LYAO” as a CD and DVD. What was that like to put together for you? Was it a relief when you finally got it out there to the fans?
Yes. Yes it was because it is a lot of work! You worry about the show and you worry about the filming first and foremost, because it is not like a normal show. When filming, whatever I say, whatever I wear, that is forever, ya know? You stress about that! When that is done, you have to decide what bits to cut, the editing and the artwork. I was in Nashville working when they called and said that they wanted to do the photo shoot for the cover. I had been partying quite a lot and thought “Jesus Christ, my face is probably all puffy!” So, you stress about stuff like that. Again, it is just the idea that this thing is going to be out there for my entire lifetime and once it is out, that’s that!
You have had the opportunity to perform all over the world. Is there an audience you feel most at home in front of?
Well, I always feel comfortable in The States because that is my home but I would say that Australia is right up there. The UK is great as well, I have worked there a lot. They have some of the best crowds over there! Ireland is unbelievable.
A lot of people might be familiar with your work on on ‘Flight of The Conchords’. How did you initially get involved with that project and what have you enjoyed most about it?
The way I got involved with them stems from the fact that I am friends with them. I guess they liked my stand up and thought that I would be a good component for the show. I was really quite lucky in that way, because I never thought of my friendship with them as networking. I still don’t. The point is that it kinda just fell in my lap and I was very lucky. They are both great guys and I have had such good fortune to be part of a TV show that resonates with people. As far as my career goes, it has given me a boost, in The States and all over the world for that matter, by giving me a whole new audience of people who are interested in what I am doing. I just need people to make the connection that I am “that guy from Flight of The Conchords” and “Oh, wait a second, he is actually a good stand up” — then I will be good to go.
You were one of the creative forces behind The Marijuana-Logues. How did you guys originally come together and did you ever think it would develop the following that it has and become a bit of a cultural phenomenon?
Well, on that last note, I didn’t really know it was doing that well! Maybe my checks are getting lost in the mail or something!
It certainly has a huge underground buzz. I know that a lot of people were exposed to you through that outlet.
Sure! Well, the way it came about was that I was kidding around with a friend, we were in Aspen and they were doing The Vagina Monologues there. I said, “I am making a show about weed and it is called ‘The Marijuana-Logues’, just making a pun. I said it, ya know, not thinking anything of it at all. [laughs] Then I said something about it to Tony Camin, repeating myself as he wasn’t in Aspen the first time that I said it. To his credit, he said “Yeah, that’s actually a good idea.” He took it another step and then Doug Benson caught wind of it, that opportunistic son of a bitch! He said “Let’s do it!” Doug was really the force that in some ways really forced us to sit down and write it. I like to think that we all played equally important parts in it coming to fruition. We all had a bunch of pot jokes in our acts already, so we donated those to the script and wrote some more. Then we put it up at HBO workspace in Los Angeles. We credit Kerry Mann for that, he was a real visionary. So there ya go! It was kinda like stand up, I never thought to much about it and just did it because it was fun. We got to go around and do a lot of shows. We did it in New York for about a year. It was pretty cool, but now that is sorta behind me as I haven’t done the show in a couple of years. I understand that people still do it. I don’t know how many more times I will do it., because marijuana isn’t such a big part of my life these days.
What is the best piece of advice that someone has given you along the way?
I don’t remember specifically who told me, but somewhere along the way, someone reminded me that I shouldn’t become overly occupied with the destination and enjoy the journey. I know that its true because when I look back, some of my fondest memories are well before I had a spot on Comedy Central or anything like that. In the early days, we were just happy to have a gig and we were driving ten hours to do fifteen minutes in front of people at a steakhouse in Montana for one hundred and fifty bucks. We were just happy to have a gig. Some of my fondest memories are from that era. As well as things are going for me and I am having a great time, it just goes to show you that it is not necessarily about “making it”. I am just trying to enjoy all the little things along the way!
What else does 2010 hold for you?
I am just touring like crazy! I am basically booked up through August at this point. I will be in Edinburgh this year and I am on my way to Adelaide and Melbourne this week. People can go to my website, www.arjbarker.com, to see where I am. Also, it is quite helpful if people sign my mailing list, that way I can let them know when I am coming out to their area.
Anything that you would like to say to the fans before I let you go?
Of course! Thanks for all of the support! Without you guys, I wouldn’t even have a job! [laughs] I am at your service and it is always a pleasure!
Thanks, Arj. We will be spreading the word about you and we wish you all the best!
Thanks! Take care!
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Connect with Arj Barker online at these official sites:
He has his own nightly talk show, a hit comedy series and now this! George Lopez adds another notch to his belt with his new Comedy Central Records CD,“Tall, Dark & Chicano”released on Tuesday, December 15.
George Lopez’s “Tall, Dark & Chicano” CD is a recording of his live stand-up HBO special, where he performed in front of a packed arena crowd at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX.
One of the most popular comedic actors in the world, Lopez’s standup comedy is a sell-out attraction from coast to coast. Well-known as the co-creator, writer, producer, and star of the hit sitcom “George Lopez,” Lopez has hosted the Latin Emmy® Awards, co-hosted the Emmys® and now has his own nightly comedy talk show on TBS. He’s also a celebrated radio show host in his hometown of Los Angeles, as well as a writer, and comedy recording artist, with CDs and DVDs selling in excess of six figures.
Previously released recordings by Comedy Central Records include: Greg Giraldo’s “Midlife Vices, Nick Swardson’s “Seriously, Who Farted?,” Doug Benson’s “Unbalanced Load,” Dane Cook’s “ISolated INcident,” Cook’s platinum-selling “Harmful If Swallowed” and double-platinum “Retaliation,” Mitch Hedberg’s “Do You Believe in Gosh?,” Grammy Award-winning “Lewis Black: The Carnegie Hall Performance,” Grammy Award-nominees’ Steven Wright’s “I Still Have A Pony” and George Lopez’s “America’s Mexican,” Joe Rogan’s “Shiny Happy Jihad,” Christopher Titus’s “5th Annual End Of The World Tour,” Norm MacDonald’s “Ridiculous,” Demetri Martin’s “These Are Jokes,” “Jim Gaffigan: Beyond The Pale,” Mike Birbiglia’s “My Secret Public Journal Live,” D.L. Hughley’s “Notes From The GED Section” and “Strategic Grill Locations” and Dave Attell’s “Skanks For The Memories.”
He may not be that into you, but Greg Behrendt is telling it like it is in the World Television Premiere of “Greg Behrendt: That Guy From That Thing,” debuting Friday, November 6 at 12:00 a.m. on Comedy Central.
Though best known for relieving headaches for millions of men with his book He’s Just Not That Into You, comedian and best-selling author Greg Behrendt is, first and foremost, a stand-up comic and he is bringing his blunt and humorous observations to Comedy Central.
In his all-new, one-hour stand-up special, Greg Behrendt leaves the self-help at home to take action against what Criss Angel did to magic, ponder the nature of God and explain why guys shouldn’t quote lines from porn movies. Tune in Friday, November 6 to laugh-out-loud with the guy from that thing!
COMEDY CENTRAL has reached a deal with Twentieth Television for the exclusive basic cable syndication rights to the critically-acclaimed FX comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” in a multi-year deal that will see the series start its run on COMEDY CENTRAL beginning in summer 2010, it was announced today by Steve MacDonald, EVP, General Sales Manager, Basic Cable of Twentieth Television, John Landgraf, President & General Manager, FX Networks, and David Bernath, senior vice president, programming, COMEDY CENTRAL. Following the limited summer 2010 window, the series with settle into its long-term, multi-year run in January 2011.
In regards to the announcement, Bernath stated, “With an outstanding cast, superlative writing and stories that you have to see to believe, ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ is one of the most outrageous comedies on television. The Gang from Paddy’s Pub will feel right at home when they hit our schedule next summer.”
First-run seasons of “Sunny” will continue to air on FX. In addition to its current fifth season that runs through November 5, the network has ordered seasons six and seven which will air in 2010 and 2011 respectively. FX Productions will have produced 84 episodes though season seven.
MacDonald added, “Crossing a series from one hugely successful cable brand to another speaks volumes to the show’s loyal viewers and skyrocketing ratings. Greg Meidel, President of Twentieth Television and I are thrilled that COMEDY CENTRAL will place ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ beside the network’s strong slate of cutting-edge programming; further elevating this hilarious series and introducing a unique cast of characters to new audiences.”
Landgraf added, “‘Sunny’s’ trajectory from home brewed pilot to pop culture phenomenon has been one of the most gratifying successes in FX’s history. This is also a watershed moment in television – the first time a comedy has syndicated from a basic cable network to another basic cable network. We have enormous respect for COMEDY CENTRAL’s outstanding brand within both the comedy business and basic cable. We trust that they will enjoy and benefit from this remarkable show.”
Crude, controversial, outlandish, and downright hilarious, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” premiered on FX on August 4, 2005. The half-hour series, starring Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito, is currently in its 5th season and features the cast as self-centered owners of Paddy’s Irish Pub in Philadelphia who will do just about anything, no matter how reprehensible, in an attempt to better their own situation. Serious issues such as racism, abortion, underage drinking, molestation, gun control, cancer and death somehow weave their way into the cockeyed universe of “The Gang.” The characters are experts on every subject but actually possess expertise in nothing at all. They often use revisionist history to bolster their self-worth, which contrasts sharply with the true reality of their lives.
Initially shot by McElhenney, Howerton and Day on a hand-held digital camera and edited on a home computer for $200 – most of which went to pay for pizza and the cost of gasoline to drive to location shoots – FX picked up the show and re-shot the pilot (for a price significantly higher than that of the original $200). “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” was created by McElhenney and is executive produced by McElhenney, Day and Howerton. Michael Rotenberg and Nick Frenkel are also executive producers. The series is produced by FX Productions and distributed by Twentieth Television.
Don’t let the lip gloss fool you! Whitney Cummings is tough, sharp and doesn’t cover up the blemishes of being a single girl in the World Television Premiere of “Whitney Cummings: Money Shot,” a one-hour stand-up special, premiering on COMEDY CENTRAL on Saturday, August 21 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.
International superstar and television icon 
How did you come by the decision to make stand up a career?
Absolutely!
A lot of people might be familiar with your work on on ‘Flight of The Conchords’. How did you initially get involved with that project and what have you enjoyed most about it?
What is the best piece of advice that someone has given you along the way?
He has his own nightly talk show, a hit comedy series and now this! 
He may not be that into you, but 
COMEDY CENTRAL
