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  • The AP names its nine Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022

    The AP names its nine Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022

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    They worked hard, with the rewards coming slowly but surely. Then something came along — often a key role or sometimes a cluster, maybe an album — and it all became next-level, a shift triggering where-did-you-come-from vibes.

    That describes most of this year’s nine Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year, a class of talent that flowered in 2022. They are Sadie Sink, Stephanie Hsu, Tenoch Huerta, Joaquina Kalukango, Iman Vellani, Daryl McCormack, Tobe Nwigwe, Simone Ashley and Danielle Deadwyler.

    Sink had been on Broadway and worked alongside stars such as Naomi Watts and Helen Mirren. But playing Max Mayfield in the fourth season of “Stranger Things,” she broke through as a brave skater girl who never lets go of her Walkman, who hates pink, plays video games and is a “Dragon’s Lair” champion.

    Hsu also was a Broadway veteran with a few TV credits when she was asked to play both a sullen teen and an intergalactic supervillain in the movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” That led to an unforgettable performance that included dressing as Elvis and walking a pig on a leash.

    Like many of the others on the list, Kalukango had racked up plenty of Broadway credits when she took a risk and played the lead in a Broadway musical, “Paradise Square.” It led to a best actress in a leading role Tony Award and a stunning moment in the telecast when she sang “Let It Burn.”

    “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” isn’t one of Huerta’s biggest roles but the Mexican actor suddenly launched a hundred memes as the mutant leader of a kingdom based on Mayan and Aztec influences beneath the ocean for centuries. Huerta, known for roles in the Netflix series “Narcos: Mexico” and the movie “The Forever Purge,” has taken a big step for movie diversity.

    Nwigwe, just nominated for a Grammy as best new artist, has been bubbling up with noted appearances on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and earning a spot on Michelle Obama’s 2020 workout playlist with “I’m Dope.” This year, the Houston-based artist was featured on the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack and dropped the EP “moMINTs” to acclaim.

    McCormack has worked consistently since 2018 but 2022 seems to have turned into something special with a constellation of roles — “Peaky Blinders,” the buzzy, dark comedy thriller “Bad Sisters,” plus a star-making performance as the title character in the film “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” opposite Emma Thompson.

    Ashley, a British actress of Indian heritage with a Tamil background, found herself leading season two of the Regency-era period drama “Bridgerton.” She had a role in the series “Sex Education,” but playing the fiercely independent Kate Sharma for Shonda Rhimes was her first lead character in a major production.

    Deadwyler burst into the awards race this year with her performance in “Till” as Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of teenager Emmett Till, who was lynched in 1955. She has also appeared in “The Harder They Come,” “Watchmen” and the Netflix series “From Scratch” and “Station Eleven.”

    Vellani, another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on this list, is the exception, having had no such slow burn. The 19-year-old actor in “Ms. Marvel” plays a high school student enamored with all things superheroes only to find herself suddenly wielding powers of her own. And Vellani, in real life, is just starting to find her powers, like all the entertainers nominated here.

    ———

    For more on AP’s 2022 class of Breakthrough Entertainers, please visit: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainers

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  • The AP names its nine Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022

    The AP names its nine Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022

    [ad_1]

    They worked hard, with the rewards coming slowly but surely. Then something came along — often a key role or sometimes a cluster, maybe an album — and it all became next-level, a shift triggering where-did-you-come-from vibes.

    That describes most of this year’s nine Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year, a class of talent that flowered in 2022. They are Sadie Sink, Stephanie Hsu, Tenoch Huerta, Joaquina Kalukango, Iman Vellani, Daryl McCormack, Tobe Nwigwe, Simone Ashley and Danielle Deadwyler.

    Sink had been on Broadway and worked alongside stars such as Naomi Watts and Helen Mirren. But playing Max Mayfield in the fourth season of “Stranger Things,” she broke through as a brave skater girl who never lets go of her Walkman, who hates pink, plays video games and is a “Dragon’s Lair” champion.

    Hsu also was a Broadway veteran with a few TV credits when she was asked to play both a sullen teen and an intergalactic supervillain in the movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” That led to an unforgettable performance that included dressing as Elvis and walking a pig on a leash.

    Like many of the others on the list, Kalukango had racked up plenty of Broadway credits when she took a risk and played the lead in a Broadway musical, “Paradise Square.” It led to a best actress in a leading role Tony Award and a stunning moment in the telecast when she sang “Let It Burn.”

    “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” isn’t one of Huerta’s biggest roles but the Mexican actor suddenly launched a hundred memes as the mutant leader of a kingdom based on Mayan and Aztec influences beneath the ocean for centuries. Huerta, known for roles in the Netflix series “Narcos: Mexico” and the movie “The Forever Purge,” has taken a big step for movie diversity.

    Nwigwe, just nominated for a Grammy as best new artist, has been bubbling up with noted appearances on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and earning a spot on Michelle Obama’s 2020 workout playlist with “I’m Dope.” This year, the Houston-based artist was featured on the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack and dropped the EP “moMINTs” to acclaim.

    McCormack has worked consistently since 2018 but 2022 seems to have turned into something special with a constellation of roles — “Peaky Blinders,” the buzzy, dark comedy thriller “Bad Sisters,” plus a star-making performance as the title character in the film “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” opposite Emma Thompson.

    Ashley, a British actress of Indian heritage with a Tamil background, found herself leading season two of the Regency-era period drama “Bridgerton.” She had a role in the series “Sex Education,” but playing the fiercely independent Kate Sharma for Shonda Rhimes was her first lead character in a major production.

    Deadwyler burst into the awards race this year with her performance in “Till” as Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of teenager Emmett Till, who was lynched in 1955. She has also appeared in “The Harder They Come,” “Watchmen” and the Netflix series “From Scratch” and “Station Eleven.”

    Vellani, another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on this list, is the exception, having had no such slow burn. The 19-year-old actor in “Ms. Marvel” plays a high school student enamored with all things superheroes only to find herself suddenly wielding powers of her own. And Vellani, in real life, is just starting to find her powers, like all the entertainers nominated here.

    ———

    For more on AP’s 2022 class of Breakthrough Entertainers, please visit: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainers

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  • ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ ‘Iron Man’ added to film registry

    ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ ‘Iron Man’ added to film registry

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    They’ll have what she’s having.

    The 1989 rom-com “When Harry Met Sally” is one of 25 films chosen this year to enter the National Film Registry, a list that ranges from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to a 1898 silent documentary, long thought lost, about the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.

    Also chosen this year for preservation: Marvel’s “Iron Man,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” Brian de Palma’s “Carrie” and the 1950 “Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Jose Ferrer, whose performance made him the first Hispanic actor to win a best actor Oscar.

    The registry is housed at the Library of Congress, which since 1988 has selected movies for preservation based on their cultural and historic importance. This year’s picks bring the total number of films in the registry to 850 — many of which are among the 1.7 million films in the library’s collections.

    The oldest film selected this year is the 1898 “Mardi Gras Carnival,” a silent era documentary with the earliest known footage of the carnival in New Orleans. A copy was recently found at the Eye Filmmuseum in the Netherlands. Showing floats, spectators and marchers at a parade, the film is one of nine documentaries chosen, covering topics like the Attica prison rebellion, female union workers, mental health treatment, LGBTQ history and others.

    And the most recent film on this year’s list is the 2011 “Pariah,” by Dee Rees, a coming-out story about a lesbian teen in Brooklyn that’s considered a prominent film in modern queer cinema.

    Among a number of other LGBTQ-themed films chosen this year is the 1967 student short film “Behind Every Good Man” by Nikolai Ursin, a look at Black gender fluidity in Los Angeles. Another: the 1977 “Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives,” which interviewed over two dozen gay people about their lives, becoming a landmark of the early gay rights movement.

    “We are proud to add 25 more films by a group of vibrant and diverse filmmakers to the National Film Registry as we preserve our cinematic heritage,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.

    Among the films entering the registry:

    — “When Harry Met Sally” (1989), Rob Reiner’s much-loved rom-com starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan with a script by Nora Ephron, and one of the best scenes ever filmed in a deli.

    — “Iron Man” (2008), the Marvel superhero film starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by Jon Favreau.

    — “Carrie” (1976), the Brian de Palma horror classic about a teen outcast (Sissy Spacek) with telekinetic powers.

    — “Hairspray” (1988), the John Waters version of the story about teenagers in Baltimore, starring Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry, Jerry Stiller, Sonny Bono and Divine. The film would go on to become a successful Broadway musical.

    — “Charade” (1963) by Stanley Donen, the only movie to pair Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.

    — “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1950) directed by Michael Gordon, the first U.S. film version of Rostand’s 1897 French play. It made Ferrer an Oscar winner for best actor.

    — “The Little Mermaid (1989), the classic Disney production with the Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs (“Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea,” for example) about Ariel, who lives under the sea but wishes she were human.

    The library said that Turner Classic Movies would host a TV special on Dec. 27, screening a selection of this year’s movies entering the registry.

    Also being preserved: “Cab Calloway Home Movies” (1948-1951), Scorpio Rising (1963), “Titicut Follies” (1967), “Mingus” (1968), “Manzanar” (1971), “Betty Tells Her Story” (1972), “Super Fly” (1972), “Attica” (1974), “Union Maids” (1076), “Bush Mama” (1999), “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez” (1982), “Itam Hakim, Hoplit” (1984), “Tongues Untied” (1989), and “House Party” (1990).

    Online: https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/

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  • Elon Musk takes the stage, amid boos, at Chappelle’s show

    Elon Musk takes the stage, amid boos, at Chappelle’s show

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    SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dave Chappelle asked the crowd at his comedy show to “make some noise for the world’s richest man.”

    They did. Lots of booing.

    It was a rather uncomfortable appearance for Elon Musk, Twitter’s new owner, at Chappelle’s show with Chris Rock on Sunday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco. At the end of the show, Chappelle was talking about the need to get along and communicate with people with different viewpoints and perspectives.

    He invited Musk onstage. The billionaire obliged, wearing an “I Love Twitter” T-shirt. Loud boos filled the arena – along with some cheers, too.

    Chappelle joked to Musk: “Sounds like some of those people you fired.” As the boos continued to ring out, the comic pointed out that “All you people booing, and I’m just pointing out the obvious — are in terrible seats.”

    Twitter is going through massive changes since Musk took over the social media platform, with the first few weeks of tenure seeing widespread layoffs and the restoration of several blocked accounts, including those of former president Donald Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

    The other performers from the night, including Rock, Donnell Rawlings from “Chappelle’s Show” and the hip hop group Black Star, came up on stage to say goodnight, while Musk also remained on stage. Chappelle asked Musk to repeat Rawlings’ catch phrase from their classic show – “I’m rich b—-” Rawlings went first, and then Musk complied.

    That’s when Chappelle asked the crowd not to boo Musk as he needs him to open up the first comedy club on Mars. He also asked Musk if he could help Black Star’s Talib Kweli, who Chappelle said had been banned from Twitter.

    Musk, who bought Twitter for $44 billion in October, responded by saying: “Twitter customer service here.”

    He stayed onstage and shook hands with many of the performers. Attendees had been required to lock up their phones during the show, but a few videos of the encounter made their way online.

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  • Elon Musk takes the stage, amid boos, at Chappelle’s show

    Elon Musk takes the stage, amid boos, at Chappelle’s show

    [ad_1]

    SAN FRANCISCO — Dave Chappelle asked the crowd at his comedy show to “make some noise for the world’s richest man.”

    They did. Lots of booing.

    It was a rather uncomfortable appearance for Elon Musk, Twitter‘s new owner, at Chappelle’s show with Chris Rock on Sunday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco. At the end of the show, Chappelle was talking about the need to get along and communicate with people with different viewpoints and perspectives.

    He invited Musk onstage. The billionaire obliged, wearing an “I Love Twitter” T-shirt. Loud boos filled the arena – along with some cheers, too.

    Chappelle joked to Musk: “Sounds like some of those people you fired.” As the boos continued to ring out, the comic pointed out that “All you people booing, and I’m just pointing out the obvious — are in terrible seats.”

    Twitter is going through massive changes since Musk took over the social media platform, with the first few weeks of tenure seeing widespread layoffs and the restoration of several blocked accounts, including those of former president Donald Trump and Rep. Marjorie TaylorGreene.

    The other performers from the night, including Rock, Donnell Rawlings from “Chappelle’s Show” and the hip hop group Black Star, came up on stage to say goodnight, while Musk also remained on stage. Chappelle asked Musk to repeat Rawlings’ catch phrase from their classic show – “I’m rich b—-” Rawlings went first, and then Musk complied.

    That’s when Chappelle asked the crowd not to boo Musk as he needs him to open up the first comedy club on Mars. He also asked Musk if he could help Black Star’s Talib Kweli, who Chappelle said had been banned from Twitter.

    Musk, who bought Twitter for $44 billion in October, responded by saying: “Twitter customer service here.”

    He stayed onstage and shook hands with many of the performers. Attendees had been required to lock up their phones during the show, but a few videos of the encounter made their way online.

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  • List of nominees to the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards

    List of nominees to the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards

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    BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Nominees for the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards, which were announced Monday by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

    FILM

    Best picture, drama: “Avatar: The Way of Water”; “Elvis”; “The Fabelmans”; “Tár”; “Top Gun: Maverick.”

    Best picture, musical or comedy: “Babylon”; “The Banshees of Inisherin”; “Everything Everywhere All At Once”; “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”; “Triangle of Sadness.”

    Best actress, drama: Cate Blanchett, “Tár”; Olivia Colman, “Empire of Light”; Viola Davis, “The Woman King”; Ana de Armas, “Blonde”; Michelle Williams, “The Fabelmans.”

    Best actor, drama: Austin Butler, “Elvis”; Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”; Hugh Jackman, “The Son”; Bill Nighy, “Living”; Jeremy Pope, “The Inspection.”

    Best actress, musical or comedy: Lesley Manville, “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”; Margot Robbie, “Babylon”; Anya Taylor-Joy, “The Menu”; Emma Thompson, “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”; Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

    Best actor, musical or comedy: Diego Calva, “Babylon”; Daniel Craig, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”; Adam Driver, “White Noise”; Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”; Ralph Fiennes, “The Menu.”

    Supporting actress: Angela Bassett, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”; Kerry Condon, “The Banshees of Inisherin”; Jamie Lee Curtis,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once”; Dolly de Leon, “Triangle of Sadness”; Carey Mulligan, “She Said.”

    Supporting Actor: Brendan Gleeson, “The Banshees of Inisherin”; Barry Keoghan, “The Banshees of Inisherin”; Brad Pitt, “Babylon”; Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All At Once”; Eddie Redmayne, “The Good Nurse.”

    Animated: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”; “Inu-Oh”; “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”; “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”; “Turning Red.”

    Non-English Language: “All Quiet on the Western Front”; “Argentina, 1985”; “Close”; “Decision to Leave”; “RRR.”

    Screenplay: Todd Field, “Tár”; Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”; Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”; Sarah Polley, “Women Talking”; Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, “The Fabelmans.”

    Director: James Cameron, “Avatar: The Way of Water”; Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”; Baz Luhrmann, “Elvis”; Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”; Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans.”

    Original Song: “Carolina,” from “Where the Crawdads Sing,” music by Taylor Swift; “Ciao Papa,” from “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” music by Alexandre Desplat; “Hold My Hand,” from “Top Gun: Maverick,” music by Lady Gaga, BloodPop, Benjamin Rice”; “Lift Me Up,” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson; “Naatu Naatu,” from “RRR,” music by M.M. Keeravani.

    Original score: Carter Burwell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”; Alexandre Desplat, “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”; Hildur Guðnadóttir, “Women Talking”; Justin Hurwitz, “Babylon”; John Williams, “The Fabelmans.”

    TELEVISION

    Drama series: “Better Call Saul”; “The Crown”; “House of the Dragon”; “Ozark”; “Severance.”

    Comedy series: “Abbott Elementary”; “The Bear”; “Hacks”; “Only Murders in the Building”; “Wednesday.”

    Limited Series: “Black Bird”; “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”; “Pam and Tommy”; “The Dropout”; “The White Lotus.”

    Actress, drama series: Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”; Laura Linney, “Ozark”; Imelda Staunton, “The Crown”; Hilary Swank, “Alaska Daily”; Zendaya, “Euphoria.”

    Actor, drama series: Jeff Bridges, “The Old Man”; Kevin Costner, “Yellowstone”; Diego Luna, “Andor”; Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”; Adam Scott, “Severance.”

    Actress, comedy or musical series: Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”; Kaley Cuoco, “The Flight Attendant”; Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday”; Jean Smart, “Hacks.”

    Actor, comedy or musical series: Donald Glover, “Atlanta”; Bill Hader, “Barry”; “Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear.”

    Actress, limited series: Jessica Chastain, “George & Tammy”; Julia Garner, “Inventing Anna”; Lily James, “Pam & Tommy”; Julia Roberts, “Gaslit”; Amanda Seyfried, “The Dropout.”

    Actor, limited series: Taron Egerton, “Black Bird”; Colin Firth, “The Staircase”; Andrew Garfield, “Under the Banner of Heaven”; Evan Peters, “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”; Sebastian Stan, “Pam & Tommy.”

    Supporting actress, musical, comedy or drama: Elizabeth Debicki, “The Crown”; Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”; Julia Garner, “Ozark”; Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”; Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary.”

    Supporting actor, musical, comedy or drama: John Lithgow, “The Old Man”; Jonathan Pryce, “The Crown”; John Turturro, “Severance”; Tyler James Williams, “Abbott Elementary”; Henry Winkler, “Barry.”

    Supporting actor, limited series: F. Murray Abraham, “The White Lotus”; Domhnall Gleeson, “The Patient”; Paul Walter Hauser, “Black Bird”; Richard Jenkins, ““Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”; Seth Rogen, “Pam & Tommy.”

    Supporting actress, limited series: Jennifer Coolidge, “The White Lotus”; Claire Danes, “Fleishman is in Trouble”; Daisy Edgar-Jones, “Under the Banner of Heaven”; Niecy Nash, “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”; Aubrey Plaza, “The White Lotus.”

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  • Best Comedy Movies of 2022, Ranked | The Mary Sue

    Best Comedy Movies of 2022, Ranked | The Mary Sue

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    2022 was a big year for comedy films. Comedy is one of the most flexible genres; it tends to thrive best when paired up with another genre to add further depth and plot, as the films on this list will show. This year’s best comedy movies range from holiday comedies to rom-coms to funny family and children’s films. As expected, Disney, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, and Pixar dominated the family and animated comedy sub-genres this year.

    However, Apple TV+ also earned a spot on the list for its comedic twist on A Christmas Carol. Meanwhile, Channing Tatum proved that comedy is his niche, with two of his films topping the genre this year. There were also a couple of surprises as the horror-comedy genre seemingly made a comeback this year, and there were some unique and hilarious meta-films that stood out. Here are the 10 best comedy films of 2022, ranked to the best.

    10. Spirited

    Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in Spirited
    (Apple Studios)

    Spirited premiered on Apple TV+ on November 18, 2022, after a limited theatrical release on November 11. Just the fact that Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell lead the cast already promises that Spirited will be a comedic dream. The film is a modern musical reimagining of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and sees the Ghost of Christmas Present (Ferrell) attempt to change an “unredeemable” Clint Briggs (Reynolds) by giving him a Christmas Carol experience. However, the Ghost of Christmas Present finds the mission hits too close to home and begins to think he’s the one who needs a change. Spirited is a fun holiday flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It puts a unique spin on an overused premise, while also capturing Ferrell’s and Reynolds’s comedic genius. Octavia Spencer adds her musical prowess to the film, which occasionally suffers due to fledgling musical and dance sequences.

    9. Minions: The Rise of Gru

    Steve Carell as Gru in Minions: The Rise of Gru
    (Universal Pictures)

    Minions: The Rise of Gru premiered on July 1, 2022, and marks the fifth installment in the Despicable Me franchise. The film is a prequel to Minions and Despicable Me and follows the tale of how a young Gru (Steve Carell) befriended the Minions and delved into the world of villainy. Minions: The Rise of Gru isn’t the best installment in the franchise but it does bring back the shenanigans of the Minions who, no matter how silly they get, are so unbearably lovable. Meanwhile, Carell, as always offers a strong vocal performance as Gru, and the film is pure, unbridled fun and joy.

    8. The Bad Guys

    Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf with his gang The Bad Guys
    (Universal Pictures)

    The Bad Guys premiered on April 22, 2022, and is a funny, family-friendly, and heartfelt comedy. This animated film has a twist, though, as it focuses on rather unconventional protagonists: a gang of notorious animal criminals about to pull off their biggest heist yet. However, the job requires them to become “reformed” in the eyes of society. The Bad Guys features intriguing animation, a brilliant star-studded voice cast, and a charming—albeit predictable—tale of a group of reluctant and unlikely heroes. It isn’t necessarily a ground-breaking or overly sophisticated film, but it is good, light-hearted fun that will appeal to all ages.

    7. Bros

    Billy Eichner as Bobby and Luke Macfarlane as Aaron in Bros
    (Universal Pictures)

    Bros premiered on September 30, 2022, and is one of the few gay rom-coms to be produced by a major studio. The film, which features an all-LGBTQ+ cast, follows Bobby Lieber (Billy Eichner) and Aaron Shephard (Luke Macfarlane), two men who think they aren’t ready to settle but who can’t deny the electric attraction between them that makes them desire a deeper relationship. Bros is a very representative rom-com and delivers well on both romance and comedy. It is hilarious, charming, vulgar, and ultimately very entertaining. The only problem is that it struggles to be wholly inclusive, often sidelining the most marginalized groups of the LGBTQ+ community and occasionally verging on stereotypes.

    6. The Lost City

    Daniel Radcliffe and Sandra Bullock in The Lost City
    (Paramount Pictures)

    The Lost City premiered on March 25, 2022, and brought viewers the dream comedic duo of Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock. The film follows Loretta Sage, a reclusive widow who writes best-selling romance novels centered on Dr. Angela Lovemore and her romantic interest, Dash McMahon. When Sage is kidnapped while promoting her latest book, dimwitted model Alan (who portrays Dash on Sage’s book covers and is desperate to be her hero) sets off to rescue her. What follows is an absolutely hilarious jungle adventure. The overused hidden treasure plot isn’t anything special, but Tatum and Bullock play off of each other so well that they elevate the film tremendously. As a result, The Lost City is enormously fun, delightful, and charming. It is one of those rare rom-coms that truly has you rooting for the destined couple.

    5. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

    Nicolas Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
    (Lionsgate)

    The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a delightful, satirical action-comedy starring Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal. Cage plays himself in the film, though he is an uninspired version of Nic Cage struggling to stay relevant in Hollywood. When he meets superfan Javi Gutierrez (Pascal), it sets Cage on a wild, unexpected journey that will inspire him and teach him about friendship and family. Ultimately, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is hilarious, filled with clever Cage references, and isn’t afraid to poke fun at its star and the films typical of his career. However, it also has a surprising heart buried within, and the bromance between Cage and Pascal is pure gold.

    4. Dog

    Channing Tatum with his dog in Dog
    (United Artists)

    Dog premiered on February 18, 2022, and started the year off strong with its comedic road trip premise. The film sees Jackson Briggs (Channing Tatum) reluctantly embark on a road trip to bring Lulu, a dog scarred from war, to her owner’s funeral. Dog is an unexpected delight that contains many laugh-out-loud moments as well as several scenes that deliver a sharp emotional punch. Tatum is hilarious as ever as a clueless, wannabe playboy who causes far more trouble than Lulu does. Meanwhile, Lulu steals the show in every scene she is in and brings attention to the little-known fact that war dogs can also suffer from PTSD. At times, the tone is uneven and the film sometimes veers into a stereotypical portrayal of war, but it is a rare comedy that evokes both laughs and tears while teaching viewers something along the way.

    3. Hocus Pocus 2

    Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson Sisters in Disney's Hocus Pocus 2
    (Disney Plus)

    Hocus Pocus 2 landed on Disney+ on September 30, 2022. The long-awaited sequel to the beloved 1993 comedy follows the Sanderson sisters—Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy)—as they return to Salem with an even more vigorous ambition to be all-powerful and stay forever young. Hocus Pocus 2 is one of the rare sequels that manages to live up to and potentially even exceed the classic original. The film is filled to the brim with nostalgia, Halloween spirit, comedy, and a touch of emotion. Midler, Parker, and Najimy step back into their roles as the Sanderson sisters as if no time has passed at all and they are as kooky, endearing, and hysterical as ever.

    2. Bodies Bodies Bodies

    Rachel Sennott as Alice in Bodies Bodies Bodies
    (A24)

    Bodies Bodies Bodies premiered on August 5, 2022, and demonstrates just how well comedy and horror mesh when done right. The film follows a group of privileged young folks whose get-together devolves into chaos when a dead body forces all of their secrets and insecurities to the surface. Bodies Bodies Bodies is an impeccably cast, over-the-top comedy-slasher film that is both hilarious and intriguingly cynical. It is a sharp, witty, unpredictable, and nuanced dive into the digital world and the habits, friendships, and perspectives of Gen Z.

    1. Turning Red

    Mei discovering her panda form in Turning Red
    (Pixar)

    Pixar’s Turning Red is an animated coming-of-age comedy that premiered on March 11, 2022. The film follows Mei Lee (Rosalie Chiang), an awkward, boy band-obsessed 13-year-old who suddenly finds herself afflicted with a condition that transforms her into a giant red panda. Turning Red is an absolutely hilarious film. Not only does the giant red panda lend chaos and humor to the story, but human Mei Lee and her friends add a whole different level of humor by painfully reminding every adult viewer what it was like to be a cringy 13-year-old. In addition to humor and nostalgia, Turning Red is a touching story about a young girl learning to embrace herself regardless of what the rest of the world thinks. It’s funny, family-friendly, and boldly feminine, making it a particularly unique and powerful comedy.

    (featured image: Paramount Pictures)

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  • Jimmy Kimmel Says Seized Trump Photos Show ‘He’s Even Weirder Than We Thought’

    Jimmy Kimmel Says Seized Trump Photos Show ‘He’s Even Weirder Than We Thought’

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    Jimmy Kimmel spotted something unusual in Donald Trump’s latest legal gripe, with his attorneys complaining the FBI took personal items during its search of his Mar-a-Lago club over the summer ― including pictures of Celine Dion.

    “What is he doing with multiple pictures of [Celine Dion]?” Kimmel asked. “Is it possible he’s even weirder than we thought he was?”

    Kimmel also wondered why the ex-president is trying to keep anything secret at this point given what’s already known.

    “We already know he cheated on his wife. We know he cheated on his taxes. He cheated on business deals. He gives almost nothing to charity. And he tried to get an election overturned. Unless he’s also secretly the chupacabra, what’s left to hide?”

    See more in his Tuesday night monologue:

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  • Dave Chappelle Turns ‘SNL’ Into ‘Chappelle’s Show’

    Dave Chappelle Turns ‘SNL’ Into ‘Chappelle’s Show’

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    It was Chappelle’s Show last night on Saturday Night Live. For all the glib and tedious talk of cancel culture, it’s hard to remember a host ever being granted that much power over an episode. One has to believe host Dave Chappelle got to hand-select Brooklyn’s hero duo Black Star, composed of Chappelle’s Midnight Miracle podcast’s co-hosts Talib Kweli and Mos Def, as his musical guests. Throughout the episode, Chappelle repeatedly took the stage to introduce sketches, echoing the format of his former Comedy Central show and reminding the audience of just who’s in charge. He was also a man apart in the sketches themselves, like in the Potato Hole bit in which his blues musician sits separately from the obtuse white morning news team schooling them on the historical resilience of Black people in the face of white oppression.

    Has there ever been a full 15 minutes given over to a monologue? Chappelle came through the doors to Lenny Pickett’s saxophone playing the aching opening notes of “Try a Little Tenderness.” He wasn’t holding his usual cigarette, which somehow left him appearing vulnerable, like perhaps he understood that he was a guest in someone else’s house and should follow their rules.

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    He started his monologue by reading a prepared statement with a sentiment that many of us reposted on our Instagrams in the last couple of weeks following the most recent explosion of Kanye West’s mouth. “I denounce anti-Semitism in all its form. And I stand with my friends in the Jewish community.” One can believe he means every word, even as Chappelle’s face slid into a smirk. “And that, Kanye, is how you buy yourself some time.” He went in on how his friend broke the most unspoken and serious of Hollywood rules: “Two words in the English language you should never say together in sequence and those words are ‘the’ and ‘Jews.’” Oy.

    For the next 48 hours, Chappelle’s monologue will certainly be blasted and defended by Twitter’s most strident of voices. (One moment we can all agree on was his terrific wincing over Herschel Walker: “I don’t want to speak badly on him because he’s Black,” he said. “But I have to admit, he’s observably stupid.”) I like to think (I choose to think?) that Chappelle truly was wrestling with what he called “the rules of perception” when it comes to identity and power. “I’ve been to Hollywood,” he said. “It’s a lot of Jews. Like, a lot. But that doesn’t mean anything, you know what I mean? There’s a lot of Black people in Ferguson, Missouri. Doesn’t mean we run the place.” For me, that joke is less concerned who runs Hollywood and more calling out when numbers don’t add up to power.

    “It shouldn’t be scary to talk,” Chappelle said towards the end of his monologue. “About anything.” Maybe he was alluding to the specter of cancel culture and Black superstars’ lost sneaker deals. “Now you see Kanye walking around LA barefoot with his chain out,” he said. “This guy lost a billion and a half dollars in one day.” Kanye West is a sick narcissist who once made brilliant music. He didn’t tell jokes that got him in trouble. He’s devolved into the joke. That’s on him, and his team of medical professionals. I imagine that the fear Chappelle referenced was more about the fact that he was attacked on stage last May, not long after his friend Chris Rock was slapped at the Oscars over a mediocre joke. I hope it’s not just that he finds people’s noisy wrestling with his comedy to be tedious and frustrating. Being a fan of his can in fact be a beautiful struggle.

    At the end of the episode, the stage looked less crowded than usual during Chappelle’s goodbyes and good nights. He stood flanked by his friends Kweli, Mos Def, and Rawlings, like a Black Man’s wall in front of a cultural penalty kick. Ice-T, who wasn’t there for the goodbye but appeared in the House of the Dragon sketch, tweeted “Somebody said they’re going to CANCEL me after doing SNL with Dave Chappelle. LOL! These MFs have been trying to Cancel me for over 30yrs!”

    There had been reports in the last week that some SNL writers were boycotting Chappelle’s show because of his history of jokes about transgender people and the digging in of his heels when called to task. Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, and Molly Kearney, SNL’s first non-binary cast member, didn’t stand up on the stage with Chappelle, nor did they appear in any sketches with him throughout the episode. That’s not cancel culture. That’s a choice not to stand behind someone they believe to be unsafe. Yang, who appeared in the cold open and then bounced for the rest of the show, posted a picture of himself on his Instagram stories last night. In it, he’s wearing a t-shirt for the punk band Against Me!, beneath the cover art for the song “Black Me Out” off of their Transgender Dysphoria Blues album. Some lyrics from that song:

    I don’t ever want to talk that way again
    I don’t want to know people like that anymore
    As if there was an obligation
    As if I owed you something

    There is something brave and tender about people asserting their right to speak and joke and respond and react and reject in ways their experience sees fit. It’s all so messy, making choices and then living with them. We want who we believe to be the good guys to be all together on the same team. They can’t always be.

    Keke Palmer to the rescue after a brief break, hosting SNL’s next episode on December 3.

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    Karen Valby

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  • Dave Chappelle Seemingly Addresses His ‘SNL’ Hosting Controversy in Promo

    Dave Chappelle Seemingly Addresses His ‘SNL’ Hosting Controversy in Promo

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    Dave Chappelle knows what you’re saying about him. The comedian, who’s repeatedly come under fire for making what many consider transphobic jokes, made light of the recent controversy surrounding him in a promo for his upcoming stint hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend.

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    With musical guest Black Star and cast member Ego Nwodim, Chappelle lightly poked fun at Saturday Night Live’s decision to have the comedian host. A confused Nwodim asks a smoking Chapelle, “Wait, we’re doing it live?” and Chappelle responds, “Of course.” She then asks, “With you?,” to which the comedian replies, “Obviously.” Nwodim then asks the question on everybody’s minds: “In this news cycle?” After a short pause, a slightly concerned-looking Chappelle confirms, and Nwodim pointedly responds, “Interesting.”

    Chappelle has repeatedly fielded criticism for what many perceive as a confusing pivot to including transphobic material in his stand-up. Last year, Chappelle incited a walkout at Netflix due to his comments about the trans community in his 2021 Netflix special, The Closer. In the special, Chappelle joked that he was “team TERF,” the abbreviated term for “trans-exclusionary radical feminist” and said, “Gender is a fact. Every human being in this room, every human being on earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on earth. That is a fact.”

    It’s been reported that Chappelle’s hosting stint has caused some problems at the long-running comedy show. Page Six has reported that some SNL staff writers may have boycotted this week’s episode due to Chappelle’s presence, however, no boycott has been confirmed. SNL writer Celeste Yim, who uses they/them pronouns, reportedly posted an Instagram Story that seemingly referenced Chappelle’s hosting stint. “I’m trans and non-binary. I use they/them pronouns. Transphobia is murder and it should be condemned,” reportedly read Yim’s message, per a screenshot that was posted on Reddit. The thread has since been locked by moderators of the site. This year, Saturday Night Live hired its first nonbinary cast member, Molly Kearney. Kearney has not yet publicly addressed the controversy.

    Chappelle’s representatives told CNN that there’s no boycott and things have been going smoothly at Studio 8H. “We’ve seen nothing to support media reports of a writer’s boycott,” said Chappelle’s rep. “In fact, the writers delivered over 40 sketches for Dave’s consideration and collaboration. Just as during Dave’s past ‘SNL’ appearances, you won’t want to miss it!” 

    Representatives for NBC and Dave Chappelle did not immediately respond to Vanity Fair’s request for comment.

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    Chris Murphy

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  • Chris Rock’s First Stand-Up Special Since the Slap Will Air Live on Netflix

    Chris Rock’s First Stand-Up Special Since the Slap Will Air Live on Netflix

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    While Chris Rock was on the road for his Ego Death comedy tour, it was assumed that he would address the Will Smith Oscar slap that started his year with a shock. “People expect me to talk about the bullshit,” he said during a show in London, according to Deadline. “I’m not going to talk about it right now. I’ll get to it eventually, on Netflix.”

    The time to talk has officially come, and its manifestation will be notable not only for its content, but its format: Netflix announced on Thursday that in early 2023, Rock will become the first comedian to air a live streaming special on the platform. It will be his second stand-up event for the streamer following 2018’s Chris Rock: Tamborine.

    “Chris Rock is one of the most iconic and important comedic voices of our generation,” Robbie Praw, Netflix’s vice president of stand-up and comedy formats, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled the entire world will be able to experience a live Chris Rock comedy event and be a part of Netflix history. This will be an unforgettable moment, and we’re so honored that Chris is carrying this torch.”

    Rock, who was reportedly offered the hosting slot for next year’s Oscars now occupied by Jimmy Kimmel, has yet to majorly acknowledge the incident or Smith’s YouTube apology video released in July. On the day of Smith’s mea culpa, Rock joked about the slap while performing at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. “Everybody is trying to be a fucking victim,” Rock said, according to People. “If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims. Even me getting smacked by Suge Smith…I went to work the next day, I got kids.” (This appeared to reference currently incarcerated Death Row Records cofounder Suge Knight.) “Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” he continued.

    The comedian was back at the mic only 72 hours after the slap. “How was your weekend?” Rock began his set at Boston’s Wilbur theater. “I don’t have a bunch of shit about what happened, so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend. I’m still kind of processing what happened. So at some point, I’ll talk about that shit. And it will be serious and funny.”

    Some of the reported jokes from Rock’s new set center on the Johnny DeppAmber Heard trial, about which he said: “Believe all women…except Amber Heard.” He has also joked about the royal family’s reported treatment of Meghan Markle, with Rock quipping that if she wanted to be embraced by her white in-laws, she should’ve “married into the Kardashians. They love Black people more than Black people.”

    Netflix has yet to announce an official date—or title—for Rock’s special.

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    Savannah Walsh

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  • 8 Podcasting Tips From the Hit ‘Girls Gotta Eat’

    8 Podcasting Tips From the Hit ‘Girls Gotta Eat’

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Trauma may sound like a strange starting place for comedy, but then, Lenny Bruce once said, “All my humor is based on destruction and despair.” The ladies behind the sex, dating and relationships Girls Gotta Eat are no strangers to this truth. When Ashley Hesseltine found herself in a relationship she badly wanted to work, but kept hitting road blocks, she did a deep dive into the psychology of relationships. That knowledge became the foundation for Girls Gotta Eat, which she started in 2018 with Rayna Greenberg, who’d experienced her own romantic traumas, including a broken engagement. Now, the podcast gets 2.5 million downloads a month, is a top 20 podcast on and Spotify, and after 50 live shows last year, Girls Gotta Eat is going on tour in Australia.


    Dylan York

    It’s easy to write off successes as tales of pure talent, but Hesseltine is not starry-eyed about that: “We treated the podcast like a business from day one,” she says. Being an entrepreneur has always been a goal for her, given that, “I’ve had quote-un-quote “problems with authority’ my whole life.” Greenberg agrees that the greatest gift of building their brand from scratch has been the independence that comes with it. “I’m in control of my own life and all the success and failure is my own.”

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    Frances Dodds

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  • Kim Petras Is a Bitch Who Gets What She Wants on ‘Los Espookys’

    Kim Petras Is a Bitch Who Gets What She Wants on ‘Los Espookys’

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    Kim Petras is one powerful pop star. On tonight’s episode of Los Espookys, the blonde, Barbiecore US Ambassador Melanie Gibbons (played by Greta Titelman) has finally met her match in Secretary of State Kimberly Reynolds—her even blonder and Barbie-r boss—played by Petras, making her acting debut. “I was super nervous,” Petras admits to Vanity Fair between intermittent pulls from her vape pen in a joint Zoom interview with Titelman. “I got an acting coach to explain to me how acting works and did all this research.”

    The hard work paid off, as Petras is delightful on the show as a politician with a Paris Hilton vibe, in a role that Los Espookys creators Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega wrote specifically for her. “When I got the scripts for season two, Julio mentioned to me, ‘I think we’re getting Kim Petras to be your boss,’” Titelman says. “I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, we wrote the part for her. We think she’s down to do it.’” But then, of course, a global pandemic occurred, creating a three-plus year gap between season one and season two of the HBO comedy, forcing Titelman to keep Petras’s involvement on the show secret from even her closest confidants, like Fire Island and I Love That for You’s Matt Rogers, a close friend and frequent collaborator. “I didn’t tell Matt. I didn’t tell any of our other friends,” says Titelman. “I was like, ‘It’s so major, I can’t spoil it.’”

    It all began, as so many surprise collaborations do, backstage at a concert. “In 2019, Julio came to my show at Terminal 5 in New York—Julio and [Saturday Night Live’s] Bowen Yang,” Petras recalls. “We talked backstage. I’m a big fan of Julio and of Bowen, and we just had a good time and linked up.” Naturally, that backstage kiki led to a correspondence that set everything in motion. “A couple weeks later I got an Instagram DM like, ‘Would you ever be down to be in Los Espookys? Because we have been listening to ‘Turn Off the Light’ nonstop writing it.’”

    Even though her guest spot was put on hold by the pandemic, Petras was always determined to make it happen. “[During] those two years. I was like, ‘Well, once this is over, I’m going to shoot Los Espookys. Fuck everyone.’” A fan of the show and all things Halloween-related, Petras says that she and her friends watched season one “three times over” and “are all addicted to it.” “I’m a spooky girl. I love to be spooked,” she says. “So it was kind of a no-brainer. I was like, ‘Yes, absolutely.’”

    “I didn’t want to act one day,” Petras tells VF. “I was a songwriter, studio rat my whole life.” But once she arrived on the Los Espookys set in Santiago, Chile, it clicked that the blonde and powerful political figure Torres and Fabrega wrote for her was an extension of the pop star persona she had already perfectly crafted. “Once I got there, it was like, ‘We wrote this for you,’” Petras says. “It’s kind of your stage character, just in politics. Move the stage character to politics.”

    Given that one of Petras’s most beloved refrains goes, “I want all my clothes designer / I want someone else to buy ’em / If I cannot get it right now / I don’t want it, I don’t want it, I don’t want it at all,” it wasn’t all that tricky to get into character. “I can be a bitch who gets what she wants onstage—that’s the persona I’ve created,” says Petras. “It was easy bringing that into Melanie Gibbons’s office and being Secretary of State.”

    Titelman maintains that Petras felt like a pro on set. “Kim was so easy,” Titelman says. “I was intimidated, obviously, because I am a huge Kim fan. I was singing Kim’s songs to her on set.” (“I loved it,” chimed in Petras.) “It didn’t feel like Kim was acting for the first time,” Titelman continued. “She just immediately fit into the Los Espookys universe because she has the same sensibility, knows the same references. We’re all a part of the same kind of culture. She just got it.”

    Greta Titelman and Kim Petras

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    Chris Murphy

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  • Danny Jolles Sees Both Sides Now In Interactive Comedy Special On YouTube

    Danny Jolles Sees Both Sides Now In Interactive Comedy Special On YouTube

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    Danny Jolles prides himself on being something of a centrist when it comes to comedy, able to find humor and some understanding of both sides in many situations.

    With You Choose, his free comedy special debuting today on YouTube, Jolles has taken that sensibility to its logical extreme, creating a “choose-your-own-adventure” approach that required him to record entire sets of jokes on both sides of a string of issues, and give audiences their choice of which side to watch as the show unfolds.

    “Scientifically speaking, it was a nightmare to write,” Jolles said in a phone interview. “It was really hard. I’ll never do it again, for sure.”

    That said, the project accomplished what Jolles set out to do: make a comedy special that’s actually, you know, special.

    “On a deeper level about standup comedy, specials used to be special,” Jolles said. “Andy Kaufman did that performance where they’re going out to ice cream. Specials did special things. I wanted to make something special, good or bad.”

    Jolles has been a comedian for more than a decade, part of the sketch comedy group Sasquatch, and also has had stints on several TV shows, most notably as George on long-time friend Rachel Bloom’s CW series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Jolles also has done plenty with social media, short clips and the like.

    That’s all made Jolles keenly aware of the potentially lucrative spotlight afforded comedians by having their own special, especially if it was special enough to stick out. Thus his previous comedy special, 2021’s Danny Jolles: Six Parts, was equally ambitious in its own way, shot in six unlikely locations.

    One need only look at the propulsive impacts such programming has had on the career arcs of comics such as Iliza Shlesinger, Hannah Gadsby, and Jerrod Carmichael. But there’s been a flood of comedy projects over the past few years, on multiple services. Standing above the flood is difficult, particularly when you’re creating a complex project on a minimal budget for free distribution on YouTube.

    So Jolles came up with the interactive approach as something indeed unique among comedy projects. He wrote and wrote and wrote, creating extended strings of jokes about topics such as getting engaged, magician David Blaine, and high school. Then he came up with an entirely different set of jokes on the other side of those same topics, and figured out how to create continuity between the two opposing strings of jokes. Sometimes, only

    He’s not the first to do a choose-your-own-adventure show. Netflix
    NFLX
    made a splash four years ago with an interactive episode of Black Mirror called Bandersnatch. Other projects, for children’s programming and other genres, have been created, and Netflix continues to develop other choose-your-own story lines.

    In recording the special at a Los Angeles theater, Jolles taped it twice in front of a live audience. One taping featured the “pro” side jokes in a string, followed by an explanation of what’s going on, then the “con” side. The second taping reversed the order.

    The response from audiences, upon learning of Jolles’ both-sides-now approach, was more than a bit of confusion initially.

    “It’s such a betrayal of trust: I’m being authentic with you,” Jolles said of the performer’s relationship with the audience, before he turns it all upside down. Once he explains at the break, “It’s fun. By then, they knew what I was doing. You can see it in their face.”

    At the end, Jolles reveals “the prestige,” the magician’s term for a trick’s payoff. In his case, it’s the thing he strongly believes in, and for which he’s not working both sides against the middle. And it’s a lesson about what counts.

    “What it talks about is the importance of actions and not words,” Jolles said. “What I prove with the special is that I can walk on a stage and say anything. I’m a good talker. Know who else is a good talker? Politicians and performers. You have to trust actions. Opinions change over time.”

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    David Bloom, Senior Contributor

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  • Antigua the Take Over Hosted by The Ultimate Soul Escape (USE) Live Performance by Big Daddy Kane Performance by Greg Nice Celebrity Master of Ceremonies Majah Hype

    Antigua the Take Over Hosted by The Ultimate Soul Escape (USE) Live Performance by Big Daddy Kane Performance by Greg Nice Celebrity Master of Ceremonies Majah Hype

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    July 21-25 All-In Luxury Escape, Beach Party, Pool Party, Comedy Night and Live Music Performances by an Array of Artist

    This once in a lifetime luxury excursion with unlimited tropical drinks and gourmet food is not to be missed. Find your place in the sun, soak up the vibes and enjoy the experience. Live musical performances, comedy concerts, music jamborees, and beach parties will be held throughout Antiqua during the six-day destination celebration.

    Get lost in the overflow of Antigua – the island is a choice culinary destination, a land of beautiful beaches and other amazing scenery, sun swept coastal views, majestic tranquility, trailblazing scenic tours, aquatic adventures, and shopping escapades, as well as culinary superstars that will change one’s mind. With a true multicultural mix of contemporary luxury and artistic charm, Antiqua’s wanderlust appeal draws globe-trotting travelers to white-sand beaches while beckoning their souls to soar beyond imagination. The beaches in Antigua are among the best in the world. This is the best way to leave all your worries behind, since everything from drinks to food to entertainment is included in this vacation. Antigua’s most popular carnival celebrations will take place during this time. There will be colorful costumes, parades, steel bands, and lively dancing. USE will also be holding their own carnival tribute. Its unparalleled allure is unmatched and offers endless attractions like a picture-perfect postcard. The event is expected to bring revelers to Antigua and contribute an estimated $10 million to the local economy. The city of Antiqua has over one million visitors each year and is just a 3-1/2-hour flight from Miami and a 4-1/2-hour flight from New York. With crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, fine dining, world-class shopping, welcoming residents, and year-round warm weather, Antiqua is truly a paradise.

    “It is always an honor to work with Ultimate Soul Escape. The professionalism of their staff and the 5-star quality of services, visually energizes their guests. It is such a worthwhile travel experience!” – Big Daddy Kane

    “Looking forward to hosting the Ultimate Soul Escape Antigua!” – Majah Hype

    “The ultimate soul escape is the ultimate escape for Grown folks to congregate. You can wine and dine maybe even meet a new playmate. The hospitality is straighter than straight so get your tickets now because you don’t wanna miss this date July 21st-25th Greg Nice Approved!” – Greg Nice

    “The Ultimate Soul Escape is the #1 destination event where you can experience comedy, dancing, relaxation, butler service, beach parties, pool parties, excursions, networking & more! When I host the event, I never feel like I’m working. Make it a bucket list item for sure!” – Ray DeJon

    “I’m Really Looking Forward to Finally Work with Ultimate Soul Escape On This Upcoming Destination Trip to Antigua. We’ve Been Trying To Make This Happen For A Few Years Now & I’m Super Excited To Work with Some Other Great DJ’s & Hosts from Around The Country!!!” – DJ Mister Cee

    “As the pioneer & visionary for this brand I take pride in guaranteeing that my guests have the Ultimate Experience. We have traveled to many of the islands WITHIN North America as well as Central America and we look forward to embarking on a few more continents destinations in the future.” – Leslie Jacobs, CEO of The Jacobs Agency

    The 2022 Ultimate Soul Escape, #USE22 #AntiguaTakeOver, will roll out more highly anticipated announcements in the weeks to come.

     For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest updates sign up for The Antigua Take Over, by visiting https://www.thejacobsagencynyc.com. 

    Join the Ultimate Soul Escape, community: by following on Instagram @ultimatesoulescape @the.jacobs.agency and become a fan of the 2022 Ultimate Soul Escape on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ULTIMATESOULESCAPE

    Event hashtags: #ultimatesoulescape #antigua #antiguacarnival #blacktravel #grouptravel #allinclusive #luxury #vacation #experienceantigua #tja #thejacobsagency #bigdaddykane #majahhype #gregnice #nyc #antiguathetakeover

    ABOUT 

    The Ultimate Soul Escape 

    It is a travel association that brings together professionals, event planners, promoters, entrepreneurs, and friends. Up to 400 people from around the country travel to exotic destinations such as St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Aruba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and St. Maarten, to expand their networks, socialize, and have fun.

    https://www.instagram.com/UltimateSoulEscape

    The Jacobs Agency 

    The Jacobs Agency is a full-service boutique enterprise that provides a range of services to raise the visibility of small to medium-sized businesses. Whether you’re looking to develop or promote your brand, identify your target market, or make meaningful business connections, The Jacobs Agency has the experience and network to help you expand your reach and increase your revenue.

    The Jacobs Agency https://www.facebook.com/thejacobsagency

    Big Daddy Kane 

    The American rapper Big Daddy Kane was a member of the Juice Crew when he began his career in 1986. Kane is considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MCs in hip hop. “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’” was ranked 25th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All Time, calling him “a master wordsmith of rap’s golden age and a huge influence on a generation of MCs.”

    https://www.instagram.com/officialbigdaddykane

    Majah Hype

    Known throughout the Caribbean diaspora and beyond, Majah Hype regularly headlines comedy clubs across the U.S., UK, and Caribbean, as well as producing an annual sold-out show at the iconic Kings Theater. Majah Hype has been featured on BET, Hot 97, and Power 105, he uses his seamless accents, comedic timing, and real-life material to connect people from all walks of life and to promote Caribbean unity. He has rightfully earned the title, King of Caribbean Comedy!

    https://www.instagram.com/majahhype

    Greg Nice 

    Greg Nice is an American rapper and beatboxer from the Bronx. He is one half of the duo Nice & Smooth alongside Smooth B. Rapper who was Human Beatbox for T La Rock before forming the group Nice & Smooth. https://twitter.com/darealgregnice

    P R Contact: michelle.mitchell@michellemitchellpr.com ‪(516) 387-2227

    Source: The Ultimate Soul Escape

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  • Pollinator Films Releases Indie Hit Comedy “The Bad Mother” Just in Time for Mother’s Day

    Pollinator Films Releases Indie Hit Comedy “The Bad Mother” Just in Time for Mother’s Day

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    Press Release


    Apr 27, 2016

    ​​​​​​​​​​​​Pollinator Films today announced their dramatic comedy The Bad Mother is now available for rent, purchase and gift worldwide via Video On Demand at badmothermovie.com.

    The acclaimed film stars a real family and tells the story of Tara, a mid-30s woman who has to lean out of her career to take care of her kids. The lid of her frustration is blown off when her five-year-old son accidentally posts a private rant she wrote about her husband’s evil workplace to the Internet. Tara and her family must deal with the dizzying consequences which include drug cocktails, the humbling eye of her own mother, and a reunion with her ex-boyfriend, played by superfood “rock star” David Avocado Wolfe. 

    “I knew there was a hungry audience for this film, but there was no movie out there for them!”

    Sarah Kapoor, Writer & Star

    Teaser Trailer:  https://youtu.be/IVtLDCJD9IU

    Full Trailer:  https://youtu.be/UUfDjjLWfmA

    Clip 1: Tara’s mom informs her that she’s looking older. https://youtu.be/nkyfnQ_cljo

    Clip 2: Tara’s best friend Joan questions her sanity.  https://youtu.be/jwFdCsl_PQk

    Clip 3: Tara’s ex-boyfriend and old colleague Francis (played by David Avocado Wolfe) misses her. https://youtu.be/JwOPTZpZ_h0

    Download full quality files for broadcast

    The film about the stresses of work vs. kids has made audiences both laugh and cry, often at the same time.     

    “None of it’s true and all of it’s true,” laughs writer and star Sarah Kapoor.  “I knew there was a hungry audience for this film, but there was no movie out there for them,” says Kapoor, who literally put in her blood, sweat and tears to make the film.

    For working moms (and Dads!) and stay-at-home Moms alike, this totally relatable, yet totally fantastic Kickstarter-backed film has had audiences literally ROFL. 

    “Flowers die. And unless you’re writing the poem, cards are trash waiting to happen,” says Director / Producer David J. Fernandes who is encouraging gifting the movie to hard working moms this Mother’s Day.

    Written and starring Sarah Kapoor and her whole family, the film was co-directed and co-produced by Pollinator Films’ David J. Fernandes and Sarah Kapoor, and financed completely independently. 

    The movie has just started its film festival circuit, and has already been nominated for Best Feature, Best Actress and won Best Cinematography Prize at the Hamilton Film Festival. Audiences have loved the creative soundtrack featuring indie musicians Cobario, interwoven with powerhouses Bonnie Tyler and Doris Day. 

    Movie-goers are calling it a “must-see” and saying, “I laughed, I cried, I peed a little.” 

    TO BOOK AN INTERVIEW:

    Jenny Vásquez 
    Executive Assistant
    1-289-931-4345
    jenny@pollinatorfilms.ca

    ****

    About Pollinator Films

    Pollinator Films Inc. is the creative collaboration between Sarah Kapoor and David J. Fernandes. They write, direct, and produce thought-provoking content. The Bad Mother is the company’s first feature film.

    The Bad Mother will have its US Premiere at the Big Island Film Festival in Hawai’i on Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 27, 2016 at 7pm.

    The Bad Mother will also screen as part of the Niagara Integrated Film Festival in Niagara On The Lake, Canada, June 10-19, 2016 (Date TBA).

    Source: Pollinator Films Inc.

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