We truly loved this. The fine folks at CollegeHumor.com took some of the most popular childrens’ animated movies, wherein comedians star and replaced the kid-friendly dialogue with clips from each comic’s stage act or other audio. The video features a bit from Robin Williams’ 1986 album Night at the Met, Tim Allen talking about being an alcoholic, an X-rated few lines from Eddie Murphy’s Delirious, Chris Rock’s now classic “tossed salad” bit from 1997’s Roll with the New and Jack Black talking about “cock push-ups” from Tenacious D’s 2001 album. Check it out!

The first official trailer for Chris Rock’s newest flick has just been released online and it’s already getting some negative attention. To be fair, it’s gotten a few lukewarm reactions as well. A remake of the 2007 British movie of the same name, Death at a Funeral stars Rock, as well as other stand-up comedian vets Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan and Kevin Hart. Despite the talent involved, however, respected movie review site slashfilm.com says that racism brings the film down.

Writer Peter Sciretta says, “The new film has a primarily African-American cast and focuses on a funeral that ‘devolves into a debacle of misplaced cadavers, indecent exposure and family secrets.’ Basically, they have decided to remake an English-language film, dumbing down the jokes, in an effort to attract a more black audience (and to clarify: this comment is a statement on Hollywood chooses to treat ticket-buying African-Americans, and not a statement on the intelligence of that audience).’”

It’s a bit difficult make any informed decision based on this few-minute trailer, so we’re not sure slashfilm is giving the flick a fair chance yet. What do you think? You can check out the original movie trailer from 2007 after the jump. Leave your comments below.

Read the rest of this entry »

John Ondrasik, the singer-songwriter better known as Five for Fighting, has compiled an album of popular comedy routines for military members and veterans available for free download. Titled CD for the Troops III, the album features some of the more famous bits from comedians including Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, and Dana Carvey, as well as a song from Ondrasik.

As the title implies, this is the third album in Ondrasik’s Stand Up For Troops project, done in collaboration with TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Aware Records and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. Beyond being available for download, 200,000 copies will also be sent to various military bases, USO centers, and other such locations around the world.

Here’s the complete track list, available for download at aafes.com that is, if you’re in the military:

1. Chris Rock – “The Big Piece of Chicken”
2. Dennis Miller – “The Week in Review”
3. Adam Sandler – “Lunch Lady Land”
4. Ray Romano – “Bachelor Party/Juice/Potato Chips”
5. Jeff Foxworthy – “Have Your Loved Ones Spayed or Neutered”
6. Dana Carvey – “Parenting”
7. Matt Iseman – “Dungeons and Dragons/Like a Good Neighbor”
8. Kevin Nealon – “Shut that Party Down”
9. Kevin James – “Greeting Cards”
10. John Ondrasik – “Brothers in Arms”

On Oct. 26, living comedy legend Bill Cosby was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the highest honor a comedian could earn. Tomorrow, you’ll be able to see the entire 90-minute award show on PBS at 8pm. You should check your local listings here for more viewing info. Cosby joins the ranks of Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Steve Martin as the 12th recipient of the prize. To get you in the mood for the Cos, or “Mr. Cosby” as it seems everyone calls him, here’s a few clips from the award ceremony, the first of which gets you on the red carpet. Check it out.

In this clip, Malcolm Jamal-Warner — Theo, from The Cosby Show — tells the story about how he almost didn’t land his career-making role.

Finally, Cosby’s screen-wife Phylicia Rashad remembers how Cosby helped her make the transition from stage to sitcom.

EPIX, a new premium cable channel announced that it will air a tribute show for the late comedian, Sam Kinison. Sam Kinison: Back from Hell will feature interviews and performances by Chris Rock, Kathy Griffin, Jay Leno, George Lopez, and Denis Leary among others.

“We’re excited to bring together some of today’s most talented artists to pay homage to Kinison. He was a ground breaker whose performances inspired so many,” said Mark Greenberg, EPIX President. Back From Hell will air on EPIX in February 2010. EPIX is quickly trying to secure itself as a serious stand-up comedy channel, having previously announced two other comedian specials: Lewis Black’s Stark Raving Black and Eddie Izzard’s Live from Wembley.

Chris Rock’s new documentary Good Hair is set for a limited release in theaters this Friday. But the celebrations will be bittersweet.

The comedian is now being sued for $5 million from a woman who claims he stole her idea to produce a documentary about the history of African American hair.

Regina Kimbell, who directed and produced the 2005 documentary My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage, is suing for the following: copyright infringement, unfair competition, fraud and deceit. She’s also seeking a trial.

In short, she alleges that there are over a dozen similarities between the two films. MSNBC reports the following:

She … claims both films are “socially and politically conscious”; both films were inspired by the filmmakers’ respective daughters; each film includes interviews with medical professionals — in the case of “Nappy Roots” a doctor was used while “Good Hair” used a dermatologist; both films interviewed hair care pioneers; each film looks at how India is involved in the use of weaves; both films have comedians to add “comic relief”; both have “celebrities tell their own hair stories”; both tour a “manufacturing plant where hair relaxers are maid [sic]” and more.

Rock’s people had no comment when asked, according to the report.

In other Rock movie news, he’s just signed on to star in Will You Be My Black Friend, an Oprah Winfrey-helmed project about the humorous attempts of a white man who tries to befriend black people. The film is based on a 2008 article printed in GQ, wherein the writer tries to find a black friend through a Craig’s List ad.

Chris Rock has not forgotten his comedic roots. Punchline Magazine can reveal that the stand-up giant has agreed to sign on as executive producer of the forthcoming documentary about the world famous comedy club, the Comic Strip Live in New York City, where Rock, along with countless number of other comedy greats began their careers.

Richie Tienken, longtime owner of the Comic Strip, along with comedy writer/producer Jeffrey Gurian have been working on a book about the venue in honor of its 35th anniversary, which is next June. Twenty-five top-name comedians have already been interviewed for inclusion in the book.

And now, there will be an accompanying movie. Emmy-award winning Letterbox Pictures will produce the film, tentatively titled Eat, Drink Laugh (taken from the club’s tagline). Club owners and founders Tienken and Bob Wachs, as well as Gurian have also been attached to work on the documentary film.

Roadside Attractions and Liddell Entertainment have acquired the rights to Chris Rock’s new comedic film, Good Hair a documentary that examines hair culture in the black community.

The comedian travels all over the country—and even to India—to explore the ways in which the $9 billion a year black hair industry affects the relationships and activities of African Americans, women particularly. Rock interviewed Paul Mooney, Al Sharpton, Maya Angelou, and many more.

Rock served as producer for Good Hair, which was directed by comedian Jeff Stilson. The film premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won a Special Jury prize in the U.S. documentary category. The film will be released in theaters in the Fall. Check out the trailer below.

Off beat musical stand-up comedians and now television stars Flight of the Conchords dominated the Emmy award nominations, announced today, snagging six nominations for their incredibly popular HBO series.

The New Zealand outfit will face off against other comedian types in the categories of Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama series. Jemaine Clement even got a nod for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and the Conchords’ song, “Carol Brown” is in the running for Outstanding Music and Lyrics.

For his newest hour special, Chewed Up, Louis CK was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special. The interesting thing here is that he’s up against two of his best friends in the same category: Chris Rock for Kill the Messenger and Ricky Gervais for Out of England– both HBO specials. ”It’s an honor to be nominated alongside of Chris Rock, Ricky Gervais, Will Ferrell and the 2008 Academy Awards presentation on ABC,” says C.K.  “I really, really like Emmys. I hope I get one.”

Finally in the stand-up comedy world, Sarah Silverman earned a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on the second season of Comedy Central’s The Sarah Silverman Program.

The 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be aired live on Sept. 20 at 8 pm EST on CBS.