Finding out that a dude like Louie CK has multiple talents outside of stand up comedy is not too much of a shock to me... the guy has proven how talented he can be over and over again despite the fact that he looks like a regular schnook. But when I hear about a experimental film he shot way back in 1998 with a laundry list of unknown actors who would later become huge stars, I must tip my hat in deference to the ability this guy has. And now we are gonna get to finally see the finished results: Tomorrow Night is a experimental black and white film starring the likes of Amy Poehler, Steve Carell, J.B. Smoove, Robert Smigel and many more. It looks very indy and avant garde, and will either be pure genius or pure bullshit as these types of movies usually are. The film is being released on Louie's website, and for a mere $5 bucks you can see it for yourself. I for one will check this crazy ass shit out. Masturbation while sitting in ice cream??? Yeah, I'm in! Check out the trailer after the jump...
"Do you ever say, shit, or asshole?" Louis C.K. asks of Jerry Seinfeld in the new HBO special 'Talking Funny.' A round table panel featuring four giants of comedy, Ricky Gervais, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Louis C.K.
Filmed late last year, the special has the funny men sitting around, casually discussing the intricacies of comedy. From working 'blue', to the structure of jokes and when to stop using material. From the responsibilities of comedians and satisfying an audience (or yourself), to the comedic merits of the song parody 'Sitting on a Cock Cause I'm Gay'.
As an admirer and student of stand-up as an art I am so thrilled to see this kind of talent in one room. I always enjoy hearing Seinfeld talk about comedy, as he approaches it in a really old fashioned manner. I remember him and Chris Rock having one of these talks in Jerry's 'Comedian' film, and it's great to see some more of that. It's just unfortunate we don't have George Carlin with us anymore as he would have been a perfect fit. I am very pleased though to see Louis C.K. included with these heavyweights as I think he's the best working comedian today.
If the special is successful, we can expect several other additions following the same format. Plans are already in the works for 'Talking Toons', with animation bigwigs like Matt Groening, Seth McFarlane and Mike Judge, and 'Acting Funny' with comedic actors like Zach Galifianakis.
The special is helmed by longtime comedy Director John Moffit. His resume includes 'The Ed Sullivan Show', and Richard Pryor, to 'Mr. Show' and the upcoming film version of 'Colin Quinn: Long Story Short' also for HBO. Gervais serves as Producer, and somewhat of a moderator(an aggressive one at that), which may explain his inclusion on the panel.
Now don't get me wrong, I love Ricky Gervais, but he is not known as a stand-up comedian. He's only started doing it the last few years and only does a few giant shows, no clubs. Though I suppose in all fairness the special isn't called 'Talking Stand-Up', it's Talking FUNNY, and there is no doubt that Gervais is that.
