Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'comedy'

Not Just Another Pretty Head Shot

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:44:00 EST

A photographer and a comedy writer went through over 50,000 head shots and picked out those that "took our breath away." The book that resulted is a bizarre tutorial in the art of getting noticed, starring an actress who will only wear pink and other entertaining dreamers.

Taking The Funny Part Of 'Basic Training' To Broadway

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Most people don't think of comedy when thinking about serving in the military or the grueling aspects of basic training. But for actor Kahlil Ashanti, a screaming drill sergeant is ripe for laughs. His humorous portrayals of those he encountered while in the Air Force, round out his Broadway one-man show, Basic Training. Ashanti speaks with Farai Chideya.

For Catherine Deneuve, A Chilly Family 'Christmas'

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:17:00 EST

Her five-decade career continues with a dark comedy about a deeply dysfunctional family, gathered for the holidays with baggage in tow. Deneuve talks to Jacki Lyden about her career, her daughter and aging — gracefully, of course.

Ricky Gervais, The Empathetic Comedian

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:26:00 EST

The famed comedian has a stand-up comedy special that debuts tomorrow night on HBO. He stops in to chat with Madeleine Brand about his love for America, his philosophy on comedy and his special, Out Of England.

What's Better, 'Soul Men' Or 'Role Models'...

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Writer Mark Jorgan Legan takes us through the reviews for the comedy Soul Men, about two singing legends who agree to an on-stage reunion, the animated sequel Madagascar: Return 2 Africa and the Paul Rudd comedy Role Models about two screw-up friends sentenced to mentor kids.

Back To 'Madagascar,' Tamely But With Bounce

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:02:00 EST

Four New York zoo animals tiptoe their way through the wild — this time in East Africa. A herd of celebrity voices powers the computer-animated comedy, but the razzle-dazzle feels a little dated.

'The Other End of the Line': Phoning It In

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT

James Dodson's cross-cultural romantic comedy brings its unlikely lovers together from home bases that are oceans apart. It's implausible and formulaic — but the stars are charming enough.

Laughing Off The Financial Crisis

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

We all know the economy isn't strong right now. Comedy duo Frangela prescribe laughter as the best medicine against the economic woes.

'30 Rock': Tina Fey Sitcom Back For a Third Season

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:51:00 EDT

The NBC comedy returns tonight. Critic David Bianculli has a preview.

'Zack And Miri,' Making Trouble In Some Ad Markets

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Seth Rogen's upcoming romantic comedy, written and directed by Kevin Smith, is stirring controversy. If the title — Zack And Miri Make A Porno — isn't enough, there's an ad campaign that's got some parents up in arms.

'Lucky': More Than Simply Simpleminded

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:52:00 EDT

In Mike Leigh's marvelous comedy, a London schoolteacher tackles life's everyday travails with a good dose of the giggles. Film critic David Edelstein reviews.

Placido Domingo Conducts 'Don Giovanni'

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Is Don Giovanni the greatest opera of them all, as some have suggested? That's hard to say, but Mozart's brilliant combination of stark human tragedy and realistic comedy features music of limitless genius, and a drama that lives up to the score.

Madonna's 'Filth And Wisdom': Not Much Of Either

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The indestructible pop star (who proved decidedly destructible as an actress) makes her directorial debut. Mark Jenkins says that for an offbeat sex comedy about alt-culture love and larceny, it's surprisingly middlebrow.

'Duck Soup': Take One Fiscal Crisis, Boil Merrily

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:26:00 EDT

Depression-era comedy sends the Marx Brothers skating through economic territory their namesake Karl would recognize — and it begins with talk of bailouts, tax breaks and other things that Bob Mondello says you'll find familiar, too.

'Breakfast' Order: Life Lessons, With A Side Of Nice

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:34:00 EDT

A sports-mad gay couple doesn't quite know how to cope with the flamboyant boy they end up foster-parenting. Laurie Lynd's cozy comedy aims to say a thing or two about tolerance — without forgetting the laughs.

Orchestra Says 'Revolution Will Be Typewritten'

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:31:00 EDT

The Boston Typewriter Orchestra is a small, Monty Python-esque group that mixes original "typewriter" music with swatches of surrealist comedy. Sometimes they play their typewriters so hard that they upset the audience.

Muslim-American Comedians Bridge Cultures

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EDT

A new film and comedy tour features Muslim-American comedians. They are trying to bridge cultural gaps through humor.

Comedians: 'Allah Made Me Funny'

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:25:00 EDT

A new film Allah Made Me Funny follows three Muslim men as they perform at comedy clubs around the U.S., chronicling how they make comedy out of sometimes painful experiences in a post-Sept. 11 America. Comedians Azhar Usman, Mo Amer and Preacher Moss discuss what informs their humor.

'Playlist,' 'Chihuahua' Or Alienation...

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Slate.com's film expert takes us through the reviews of the latest releases. This week: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, the story of young love in Manhattan, the comedy Beverly Hills Chihuahua starring the voice of Drew Barrymore and How To Lose Friends & Alienate People, the story of a disillusioned intellectual obsessed with celebrity and fame.

'The Lucky Ones': Suspiciously Serendipitous

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:11:00 EDT

Three returning soldiers deal with a massive power outage, a barroom catfight, a visit to a megachurch, a certain amount of silly sex comedy and an entirely implausible plot twist involving a twister.

At The Emmys: Basic Cable Has A Big Night

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:49:00 EDT

NBC's 30 Rock cleaned up the major comedy prizes, but the big drama awards went to basic-cable breakouts like AMC's Mad Men and FX's Damages. TV critic David Bianculli recaps the evening.

Tim & Tom: A 'Black And White' Comedy Duo

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

During the late 1960s and early 70s Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen became the nation's first black and white comedy team. During a tense time of segregation and race riots, they won rave reviews — all the while facing down threats and heckling from audience members.

Cowboys And Ghosts Make A Comeback

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Ed Harris' new film Appaloosa and the supernatural comedy Ghost Town are drawing gentle praise, reports Jordan Legan. It's less clear if Lakeview Terrace is worth the price of admission.

Wallace Invented 'New Style, New Comedy'

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:28:00 EDT

David Foster Wallace invented a new kind of comedy, says author David Lipsky: "The comedy was of a brain so big, careful and kind it kept tripping over its own lumps." Wallace, best known for his critically acclaimed novel Infinite Jest, apparently committed suicide on Friday.

Xavier Rudd: Unlikely Music For A 'Surfer Dude'

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:09:00 EDT

The Australian musician, known for using the didgeridoo, was recently asked to score a new comedy film called Surfer Dude. Rudd, an avid surfer, speaks about the difference between the spirit of surfing and the business of surf culture.