Exclusive: In recent years, comedian Tom Segura has taken to both his podcasts and the press to tease a pilot that he self-financed, produced and sold. And now, he’s revealed Netflix as the destination for the project, a six-episode dark comedy series that he’ll star in and produce.
This is just Segura’s latest deal with the streamer, which has previously put out each of his five chart-topping comedy specials. The untitled series, for which he also serves as narrator, will see him take the viewer through a series of vignettes in each episode. The twisted comedic sensibility of his stand-up is the core DNA of this series, where every story will unfold in a in a hilariously disturbing way only he could imagine.
Segura wrote and fully produced the pilot, with Rami Hachache serving as its director. Jeremy Konner, whose credits include Drunk History, Another Period and Waffles & Mochi,...
This is just Segura’s latest deal with the streamer, which has previously put out each of his five chart-topping comedy specials. The untitled series, for which he also serves as narrator, will see him take the viewer through a series of vignettes in each episode. The twisted comedic sensibility of his stand-up is the core DNA of this series, where every story will unfold in a in a hilariously disturbing way only he could imagine.
Segura wrote and fully produced the pilot, with Rami Hachache serving as its director. Jeremy Konner, whose credits include Drunk History, Another Period and Waffles & Mochi,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Comedian Tom Segura has identified the most promising vehicle yet to showcase his acting chops, as Deadline understands that he’s in talks for multiple roles in Dirty Rotten Bastard, a show biz-centric indie from Ed Helms & Mike Falbo’s Pacific Electric Picture Company.
Helmed by Ryan McNeely and Josh Martin, aka The Director Brothers, the film tells the insane true story of an aspiring filmmaker who is kidnapped by deranged lounge singer Tony Clifton. Initially drawn to document Clifton’s world, he is thrust into a chaotic journey of sex, celebrity, and comedy, blurring the lines between observer and participant, and testing his sanity.
Segura will play legendary avant-garde comedian Andy Kaufman’s larger-than-life comedic persona Clifton, as well as the performer’s friend and longtime collaborator Bob Zmuda.
Zmuda was known to switch off with Kaufman in portraying Clifton, a foul-mouthed lounge singer out of Las Vegas,...
Helmed by Ryan McNeely and Josh Martin, aka The Director Brothers, the film tells the insane true story of an aspiring filmmaker who is kidnapped by deranged lounge singer Tony Clifton. Initially drawn to document Clifton’s world, he is thrust into a chaotic journey of sex, celebrity, and comedy, blurring the lines between observer and participant, and testing his sanity.
Segura will play legendary avant-garde comedian Andy Kaufman’s larger-than-life comedic persona Clifton, as well as the performer’s friend and longtime collaborator Bob Zmuda.
Zmuda was known to switch off with Kaufman in portraying Clifton, a foul-mouthed lounge singer out of Las Vegas,...
- 4/2/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Harland Williams (Dumb and Dumber) has wrapped production on Wing Man, his sophomore feature behind the camera, in which he also stars opposite comics Russell Peters (The Opening Act) and Jamie Kennedy (Malibu’s Most Wanted).
Others rounding out the cast of the indie comedy, written and directed by Williams, include Evan Marsh (Workin’ Moms), Shiva Negar (The Cleaning Lady), Kayla Wallace (When Calls the Heart) and Dylan Flashner (The Card Counter).
The film watches as Bob (Marsh) loses his fiancée Terri (Negar) to the wealthy Kazeem (Peters), hiring the Wing Man, Turk (Williams), to help him get her back. Subsequently, though, the Wing Man faces off against his arch enemy — the other Wing Man, Eddie (Kennedy) — who has other plans for Bob. Through car races and bar hopping, this quest for love teaches Bob that true love is found right in front of him. Always there is his faithful assistant,...
Others rounding out the cast of the indie comedy, written and directed by Williams, include Evan Marsh (Workin’ Moms), Shiva Negar (The Cleaning Lady), Kayla Wallace (When Calls the Heart) and Dylan Flashner (The Card Counter).
The film watches as Bob (Marsh) loses his fiancée Terri (Negar) to the wealthy Kazeem (Peters), hiring the Wing Man, Turk (Williams), to help him get her back. Subsequently, though, the Wing Man faces off against his arch enemy — the other Wing Man, Eddie (Kennedy) — who has other plans for Bob. Through car races and bar hopping, this quest for love teaches Bob that true love is found right in front of him. Always there is his faithful assistant,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jennifer Holland (Peacemaker), Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy films), Molly C. Quinn (Castle), Jason George (Grey’s Anatomy) and Jackie Tohn (Glow) have been tapped for roles in Give Me An A, a feature-length anthology made by more than two dozen female filmmakers and producers that links together 15 short films, in response to the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. The actors will appear in segments from different directors, in genres ranging from horror and sci-fi, to satire and dark comedy.
The film currently in post-production will have been completed in less than 10 weeks from the date of Roe’s overturning — which eliminated the longstanding constitutional right to abortion — in an effort to ensure this is a response and not a delayed reaction. The creators, cast and crew have made a significant effort to expedite the process in order to start a conversation with audiences about the importance of...
The film currently in post-production will have been completed in less than 10 weeks from the date of Roe’s overturning — which eliminated the longstanding constitutional right to abortion — in an effort to ensure this is a response and not a delayed reaction. The creators, cast and crew have made a significant effort to expedite the process in order to start a conversation with audiences about the importance of...
- 8/30/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tom Segura will continue to bring humor to Netflix viewers as the streaming service has confirmed two new stand-up specials. The comedian who is a NY Times bestselling author, podcast host and actor will host his fifth and sixth comedy special for the streamer with the first slated to premiere in 2023.
Segura is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Well known for his Netflix specials Ball Hog, Disgraceful, Completely Normal, and Mostly Stories, Segura has also made feature film appearances that include Instant Family, Countdown, Flinch, and The Opening Act, among others.
The comedian is one of the top-selling touring acts in the world, having sold hundreds of thousands of tickets on multiple international tours.
Additionally, he co-hosts two of the most popular comedy podcasts, “Your Mom’s House,” with his wife, comedian Christina P. and “Two Bears, One Cave” with fellow comedian Bert Kreischer. Segura also produces multiple podcasts under his Ymh Studios brand.
Segura is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Well known for his Netflix specials Ball Hog, Disgraceful, Completely Normal, and Mostly Stories, Segura has also made feature film appearances that include Instant Family, Countdown, Flinch, and The Opening Act, among others.
The comedian is one of the top-selling touring acts in the world, having sold hundreds of thousands of tickets on multiple international tours.
Additionally, he co-hosts two of the most popular comedy podcasts, “Your Mom’s House,” with his wife, comedian Christina P. and “Two Bears, One Cave” with fellow comedian Bert Kreischer. Segura also produces multiple podcasts under his Ymh Studios brand.
- 8/30/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Glynn Turman (Women of the Movement), Bob Balaban (The French Dispatch), Ron Funches (Undateable) and Jimmy O. Yang (Space Force) are the latest additions to the cast of the upcoming film 80 for Brady, from Paramount Pictures and Endeavor Content. They join an ensemble that includes 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, as well as Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Sally Field and Sara Gilbert, as previously announced.
The film is inspired by the true story of four best friends and New England Patriots fans who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl Li to see their hero Tom Brady play, and the chaos that ensues as they navigate the wilds of the biggest sporting event in the country. Details with regard to the characters the newest additions to the cast will be playing have not been disclosed.
Kyle Marvin, who co-wrote and starred in Sony Pictures Classics’ The Climb,...
The film is inspired by the true story of four best friends and New England Patriots fans who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl Li to see their hero Tom Brady play, and the chaos that ensues as they navigate the wilds of the biggest sporting event in the country. Details with regard to the characters the newest additions to the cast will be playing have not been disclosed.
Kyle Marvin, who co-wrote and starred in Sony Pictures Classics’ The Climb,...
- 3/17/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Comedian and actor Bill Burr (F Is for Family) is writing, directing and starring alongside Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire) and Emmy nominee Bokeem Woodbine (Fargo) in the original comedy Old Dads, which Miramax has come aboard to produce in conjunction with Burr’s All Things Comedy.
Burr’s feature directorial debut centers on a middle-aged father (Burr) and his two best friends (Cannavale and Woodbine) who after selling their company to a millennial, find themselves out of step and behind the times as they hilariously struggle to navigate a changing world of culture, career and fatherhood. Burr and Ben Tishler penned the script and are producing with Bill Block, Monica Levinson and Mike Bertolina. Production kicked off in Los Angeles yesterday.
“I’m very excited to start shooting Old Dads,” said Burr. “This comedy is based on my own and my co-writer,...
Burr’s feature directorial debut centers on a middle-aged father (Burr) and his two best friends (Cannavale and Woodbine) who after selling their company to a millennial, find themselves out of step and behind the times as they hilariously struggle to navigate a changing world of culture, career and fatherhood. Burr and Ben Tishler penned the script and are producing with Bill Block, Monica Levinson and Mike Bertolina. Production kicked off in Los Angeles yesterday.
“I’m very excited to start shooting Old Dads,” said Burr. “This comedy is based on my own and my co-writer,...
- 3/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Anders Holm, Whitney Cummings, Catherine Cohen, Casey Thomas Brown, Maya Zapata (Selena’s Secret), Fernando Carsa (Acapulco) and Ricardo Esquerra (Narcos: Mexico) have joined Diego Boneta and Monica Barbaro in the cast of At Midnight, a Paramount+ original film from director Jonah Feingold, which has entered production in Mexico.
At Midnight is a romantic comedy about two people who do their best not to fall in love. It’s centered on Alejandro (Boneta), who lives a predictable life according to plan, and Sophie (Barbaro), a beautiful rising movie star with an unreliable celebrity boyfriend. During a visit to Mexico’s beach to shoot scenes for her new movie, Super Society, Sophie falls in love with the hotel manager. Neither...
At Midnight is a romantic comedy about two people who do their best not to fall in love. It’s centered on Alejandro (Boneta), who lives a predictable life according to plan, and Sophie (Barbaro), a beautiful rising movie star with an unreliable celebrity boyfriend. During a visit to Mexico’s beach to shoot scenes for her new movie, Super Society, Sophie falls in love with the hotel manager. Neither...
- 2/17/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
AMC+ and Rlje Films have acquired worldwide rights to the holiday comedy Christmas with the Campbells, starring Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect franchise), Justin Long (He’s Just Not That Into You), Alex Moffat (Saturday Night Live), Julia Duffy (Newhart), George Wendt (Cheers) and JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Sweet Magnolias). The film produced by Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Picture Show will simultaneously hit theaters and AMC+ in the U.S. in late fall.
Christmas with the Campbells is billed as a traditional holiday romance story executed with unfiltered adult humor. Specifics as far as its plot are being kept under wraps.
Clare Niederpruem is directing from a script by Vaughn, Dan Lagana (American Vandal) and Barbara Kymlicka. Vaughn and Lagana are also producing alongside Peter Billingsley (Couples Retreat) under their Wild West Picture Show banner, with Stan Spry (Creepshow) exec producing. The feature is the second from Rlje and Wild West, on...
Christmas with the Campbells is billed as a traditional holiday romance story executed with unfiltered adult humor. Specifics as far as its plot are being kept under wraps.
Clare Niederpruem is directing from a script by Vaughn, Dan Lagana (American Vandal) and Barbara Kymlicka. Vaughn and Lagana are also producing alongside Peter Billingsley (Couples Retreat) under their Wild West Picture Show banner, with Stan Spry (Creepshow) exec producing. The feature is the second from Rlje and Wild West, on...
- 2/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CBS is developing The Monroes & Tony, a multi-camera family comedy from The Neighborhood team of writer and actor Malik S., star/executive producer Cedric The Entertainer, production companies Kapital Entertainment and TrillTV, and studio, CBS Studios.
Written by Malik, The Monroes & Tony revolves around an ambitious but everyday guy who creates a blended family between his 9-year-old stepson, new wife, and her superstar ex-husband who, despite his fame and wealth, misses the connection of family.
Malik executive produces with Kaplan via Kapital Entertainment, Trilling via her TrillTV, Cedric and Eric Rhone for Bird and a Bear Entertainment, and Peter Principato and Kevin Parker for Artists First. It is too early to tell whether Malik will act in the show.
Malik currently is producer on CBS’ hit comedy The Neighborhood, on which he also recurs in the role of Trey. His previous writing credits include #BlackAF and Cedric’s The Soul Man,...
Written by Malik, The Monroes & Tony revolves around an ambitious but everyday guy who creates a blended family between his 9-year-old stepson, new wife, and her superstar ex-husband who, despite his fame and wealth, misses the connection of family.
Malik executive produces with Kaplan via Kapital Entertainment, Trilling via her TrillTV, Cedric and Eric Rhone for Bird and a Bear Entertainment, and Peter Principato and Kevin Parker for Artists First. It is too early to tell whether Malik will act in the show.
Malik currently is producer on CBS’ hit comedy The Neighborhood, on which he also recurs in the role of Trey. His previous writing credits include #BlackAF and Cedric’s The Soul Man,...
- 12/18/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Comedian, actor and podcaster Tom Segura has signed with WME for representation in all areas.
Segura is best known for his Netflix specials Ball Hog (2020), Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014). While he’d planned to unveil an additional Spanish-language special on Netflix last fall, its release has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Segura previously released the hour-long stand-up albums White Girls With Cornrows and Thrilled in 2012 and 2010, respectively. He’ll kick off his latest world tour, “I’m Coming Everywhere” on December 31, with two shows at the Hawaii Theater Center in Honolulu, Hi, and will continue touring throughout 2022.
Segura’s film credits include Paramount Pictures’ comedy Instant Family, in which he starred opposite Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, comedian Steve Byrne’s The Opening Act, Justin Dec’s horror-thriller Countdown and Cameron Van Hoy’s crime drama Flinch. He’s appeared on the TV side in The Cabin with Bert Kreischer,...
Segura is best known for his Netflix specials Ball Hog (2020), Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014). While he’d planned to unveil an additional Spanish-language special on Netflix last fall, its release has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Segura previously released the hour-long stand-up albums White Girls With Cornrows and Thrilled in 2012 and 2010, respectively. He’ll kick off his latest world tour, “I’m Coming Everywhere” on December 31, with two shows at the Hawaii Theater Center in Honolulu, Hi, and will continue touring throughout 2022.
Segura’s film credits include Paramount Pictures’ comedy Instant Family, in which he starred opposite Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, comedian Steve Byrne’s The Opening Act, Justin Dec’s horror-thriller Countdown and Cameron Van Hoy’s crime drama Flinch. He’s appeared on the TV side in The Cabin with Bert Kreischer,...
- 11/17/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS looked inside its own neighborhood to find this year’s Emmy host: Cedric the Entertainer will take the stage when the 73rd Primetime Emmys airs on Sept. 19. Cedric the Entertainer stars in the Eye network comedy “The Neighborhood,” which airs Mondays.
Back to helm the Emmys together for a second conesecutive year are Hudlin Entertainment and Done+Dusted (which marks the fourth year in a row for that production company). Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart are executive producers and Hamish Hamilton will serve as director of the telecast. Last year Hudlin made history as the first-ever Black producer of the Emmy telecast.
The Television Academy and CBS announced the host and producer news on Monday morning, a day before nominations are revealed for this year’s Emmys. As expected, the ceremony will return to the Microsoft Theatre in downtown Los Angeles’ L.A. Live complex, in front of “a...
Back to helm the Emmys together for a second conesecutive year are Hudlin Entertainment and Done+Dusted (which marks the fourth year in a row for that production company). Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart are executive producers and Hamish Hamilton will serve as director of the telecast. Last year Hudlin made history as the first-ever Black producer of the Emmy telecast.
The Television Academy and CBS announced the host and producer news on Monday morning, a day before nominations are revealed for this year’s Emmys. As expected, the ceremony will return to the Microsoft Theatre in downtown Los Angeles’ L.A. Live complex, in front of “a...
- 7/12/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Cedric the Entertainer, star of hit CBS comedy series The Neighborhood, has been tapped by the network and the Television Academy to host the 73rd Emmy Awards on Sept. 19. The live ceremony will be held in-person at the Microsoft Theater with a limited audience of nominees and their guests.
Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart, who executive produced the well received virtual 2020 Emmys on ABC, and Hamish Hamilton, who directed it, are returning in the same capacity this year, with Done+Dusted and Hudlin Entertainment producing. The ceremony will air on CBS and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
This marks Cedric the Entertainer’s first time hosting the Emmys but he has extensive experience emceeing such ceremonies as the American Music Awards, the Critics’ Choice Television Awards, NAACP Image Awards, the Soul Train Awards and the TV Land Awards.
“Since I was a little boy...
Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart, who executive produced the well received virtual 2020 Emmys on ABC, and Hamish Hamilton, who directed it, are returning in the same capacity this year, with Done+Dusted and Hudlin Entertainment producing. The ceremony will air on CBS and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
This marks Cedric the Entertainer’s first time hosting the Emmys but he has extensive experience emceeing such ceremonies as the American Music Awards, the Critics’ Choice Television Awards, NAACP Image Awards, the Soul Train Awards and the TV Land Awards.
“Since I was a little boy...
- 7/12/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Actor, writer, producer and stand-up comedian Jimmy O. Yang has signed with CAA.
Best known for the Emmy-nominated HBO series “Silicon Valley,” Yang currently writes for and stars in the Netflix series “Space Force,” opposite Steve Carell and John Malkovich. The show was renewed for a second season in November 2020.
Yang will next be seen in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy “Love Hard,” with Nina Dobrev and Darren Barnet. The film, about a woman who falls for a hot guy on a dating app and flies across the country to surprise him for Christmas, is directed by Hernán Jiménez and expected to be released later this year.
Yang also serves as an executive producer of the movie “Easter Sunday,” starring Jo Koy, which is produced through Crab Club, the production banner Yang co-founded with Jessica Gao and Ken Cheng last year.
While Yang broke out with his portrayal of Jian-Yang...
Best known for the Emmy-nominated HBO series “Silicon Valley,” Yang currently writes for and stars in the Netflix series “Space Force,” opposite Steve Carell and John Malkovich. The show was renewed for a second season in November 2020.
Yang will next be seen in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy “Love Hard,” with Nina Dobrev and Darren Barnet. The film, about a woman who falls for a hot guy on a dating app and flies across the country to surprise him for Christmas, is directed by Hernán Jiménez and expected to be released later this year.
Yang also serves as an executive producer of the movie “Easter Sunday,” starring Jo Koy, which is produced through Crab Club, the production banner Yang co-founded with Jessica Gao and Ken Cheng last year.
While Yang broke out with his portrayal of Jian-Yang...
- 6/16/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Showtime has landed for development a single-camera comedy project created by writers/stand-up comedians Moshe Kasher and Jermaine Fowler.
Written by Kasher and Fowler, the untitled comedy is set in 1997. In South Central Los Angeles, the heart of West Coast gangster rap, a group of teenage social outcasts attempts to solve the mystery of the murder of their hero, Biggie Smalls.
Kasher and Fowler, who will not be acting in the show, executive produce with 3 Arts Entertainment’s Michael Rotenberg and Josh Lieberman for CBS Studios. The comedy duo appeared together in the 2020 stand-up-themed film The Opening Act.
Kasher’s recent writing credits include HBO’s Betty and Apple TV+’s Little America. On camera, he is known for Comedy Central’s Another Period, which he also wrote for; Problematic with Moshe Kasher, which he created; as well as The Endless Honeymoon Stand -Up Special on Netflix.
Written by Kasher and Fowler, the untitled comedy is set in 1997. In South Central Los Angeles, the heart of West Coast gangster rap, a group of teenage social outcasts attempts to solve the mystery of the murder of their hero, Biggie Smalls.
Kasher and Fowler, who will not be acting in the show, executive produce with 3 Arts Entertainment’s Michael Rotenberg and Josh Lieberman for CBS Studios. The comedy duo appeared together in the 2020 stand-up-themed film The Opening Act.
Kasher’s recent writing credits include HBO’s Betty and Apple TV+’s Little America. On camera, he is known for Comedy Central’s Another Period, which he also wrote for; Problematic with Moshe Kasher, which he created; as well as The Endless Honeymoon Stand -Up Special on Netflix.
- 2/17/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
New Indie
The critically-acclaimed “Aviva” (Outsider/Strand) casts both male and female dancers as both of the romantic leads, throwing out conventions of gender and sexuality in a love story that features some gorgeous choreography. Boaz Yakin’s film was programmed at the 2020 SXSW festival, and the Blu-ray features behind-the-scenes footage of dance rehearsals.
Also available: Stand-up Steve Byrne wrote and directed the comics-on-the-road saga “The Opening Act” (Rlje Films), featuring such industry vets as Jimmy O. Yang, Alex Moffat, Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Burr, and Whitney Cummings; “Buddy Games” (Saban/Paramount) stars Josh Duhamel and Dax Shepard in an ensemble comedy about estranged friends enduring a ridiculous competition for a $150,000 prize; a newly sober carpenter tries to build a home and establish a life in “Major Arcana” (Gde/Kino Lorber).
New Foreign
Melina León’s Cannes fave “Song Without a Name” (Film Movement), about an indigenous woman trying to...
The critically-acclaimed “Aviva” (Outsider/Strand) casts both male and female dancers as both of the romantic leads, throwing out conventions of gender and sexuality in a love story that features some gorgeous choreography. Boaz Yakin’s film was programmed at the 2020 SXSW festival, and the Blu-ray features behind-the-scenes footage of dance rehearsals.
Also available: Stand-up Steve Byrne wrote and directed the comics-on-the-road saga “The Opening Act” (Rlje Films), featuring such industry vets as Jimmy O. Yang, Alex Moffat, Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Burr, and Whitney Cummings; “Buddy Games” (Saban/Paramount) stars Josh Duhamel and Dax Shepard in an ensemble comedy about estranged friends enduring a ridiculous competition for a $150,000 prize; a newly sober carpenter tries to build a home and establish a life in “Major Arcana” (Gde/Kino Lorber).
New Foreign
Melina León’s Cannes fave “Song Without a Name” (Film Movement), about an indigenous woman trying to...
- 12/30/2020
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Sometimes the process of keeping and maintaining a dream job can be just as challenging as achieving the goal of being hired. Actor Jimmy O. Yang’s protagonist is learning that all-too-important lesson the hard way in the upcoming comedy, ‘The Opening Act.’ Rlje Films will distribute the movie on Tuesday, December 15 on DVD and […]
The post Jimmy O. Yang is Embracing the Challenges of Pursing His Comedic Dreams in The Opening Act DVD Giveaway appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Jimmy O. Yang is Embracing the Challenges of Pursing His Comedic Dreams in The Opening Act DVD Giveaway appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 12/1/2020
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Steve Bryne’s life and career are proof that having a good sense of humor can get you a long way in life. Well-known for his skills as a stand-up comedian and actor, Steve has made an entire career out of making people laugh and keeping them entertained. He is most famous for creating the show Sullivan & Son which he also wrote and acted in. Needless to say, Steve is the kind of guy who can do it all. His most recent project is the 2020 comedy film, The Opening Act, which he directed and wrote. Even though he doesn’t
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Steve Byrne...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Steve Byrne...
- 11/25/2020
- by Camille Moore
- TVovermind.com
Imagine, for a moment, that a stand-up comic is just like a superhero. On stage, he’s a master of the universe, armored and impervious, slinging jokes like lightning bolts. He defeats all adversaries, from hecklers to the potential indifference of the audience; laughter, of course, is his way of killing. If that’s what a stand-up comic is, then “The Opening Act,” Steve Byrne’s wryly likable shoestring indie comedy about a young man trying to make it in the world of stand-up, might be described as a stand-up-comedy origin story.
Will Chu, played by Jimmy O. Yang of “Silicon Valley,” is an aspiring comic who’s been doing open-mic nights in his small hometown of Steubenville, Ohio. He’s got some funny material. He grew up watching stand-up on TV with his immigrant father (they bonded over it like sports), and he knows the form, works on his bits,...
Will Chu, played by Jimmy O. Yang of “Silicon Valley,” is an aspiring comic who’s been doing open-mic nights in his small hometown of Steubenville, Ohio. He’s got some funny material. He grew up watching stand-up on TV with his immigrant father (they bonded over it like sports), and he knows the form, works on his bits,...
- 10/17/2020
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
The sheer range of genres represented by this week’s new releases — from Liam Neeson thriller “Honest Thief” to romantic weepie “2 Hearts” — suggests that distributors of all kinds are doing their best to give audiences the kind of selection they enjoyed before the lockdown.
Well, nearly all kinds of distributors.
The major studios are still playing it safe and holding their tentpoles for a time when they can pack the megaplexes, although Paramount has stepped in with a fun post-apocalyptic adventure, “Love and Monsters,” which goes straight to PVOD, and Sony picked up an unconventional neo-noir called “The Kid Detective” out of the Toronto Film Festival that sneaks into theaters today. Pre-Halloween horror offerings continue, as Amazon Prime releases two more titles in its Welcome to the Blumhouse series: “Evil Eye” and “Nocturne.”
Art-houses land a major title in 2019 Venice Film Festival winner “Martin Eden,” an Italian adaptation of the Jack London novel.
Well, nearly all kinds of distributors.
The major studios are still playing it safe and holding their tentpoles for a time when they can pack the megaplexes, although Paramount has stepped in with a fun post-apocalyptic adventure, “Love and Monsters,” which goes straight to PVOD, and Sony picked up an unconventional neo-noir called “The Kid Detective” out of the Toronto Film Festival that sneaks into theaters today. Pre-Halloween horror offerings continue, as Amazon Prime releases two more titles in its Welcome to the Blumhouse series: “Evil Eye” and “Nocturne.”
Art-houses land a major title in 2019 Venice Film Festival winner “Martin Eden,” an Italian adaptation of the Jack London novel.
- 10/16/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Generally speaking, I hope that films are good — not all are, and watching enough of them will help one come to terms with this fact quickly enough. Barring this, I can hope that some aspect of a film is good: the writing, acting, camerawork and so on. If those fail, I can at least […]
The post ‘The Opening Act’ Movie Review: Steve Byrne’s Stand-Up Story Greeted With Crickets appeared first on uInterview.
The post ‘The Opening Act’ Movie Review: Steve Byrne’s Stand-Up Story Greeted With Crickets appeared first on uInterview.
- 10/16/2020
- by Harrison Whitaker
- Uinterview
The Apatovian formula is simple: Pluck an up-and-coming comic from the small leagues, support them while they write their own darkly funny but authentically heartfelt semi-autobiographical comedy then produce and/or direct the final format. This method has led to many successes throughout Judd Apatow’s oeuvre, including Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck, Kumail Nanjiani’s The Big Sick, Pete Davidson’s The King of Staten Island and Lena Dunham’s Girls. All of these works have one major theme in common: They’re self-flagellating adult coming-of-age stories. Whether the protagonists’ ultimate goal is romantic love or self-love, the rewards remain high. After all, it’s ...
- 10/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
There is a very good mix of theatrical, digital, VOD and hybrid releases this weekend starting with The Kid Detective from Stage 6 Films starring Adam Brody and Sophie Nélisse.
Written and directed by Evan Morgan, the movie is about exactly what the title suggests: a kid detective. Brody plays a once-celebrated kid detective who is now 31 and isn’t exactly bathing in fame. However, he continues to solve the same trivial mysteries as he navigates his hangovers and wades in puddles of self-pity. All of this changes when a naïve client brings him his first “adult” case in which he attempts to find out who brutally murdered her boyfriend. The film also stars Sarah Sutherland, Tzi Ma, Wendy Crewson, Jonathan Whittaker and Peter MacNeill.
The Kid Detective marks Morgan’s feature debut (you can read Todd McCarthy’s review here) and it made its debut at this year’s Toronto...
Written and directed by Evan Morgan, the movie is about exactly what the title suggests: a kid detective. Brody plays a once-celebrated kid detective who is now 31 and isn’t exactly bathing in fame. However, he continues to solve the same trivial mysteries as he navigates his hangovers and wades in puddles of self-pity. All of this changes when a naïve client brings him his first “adult” case in which he attempts to find out who brutally murdered her boyfriend. The film also stars Sarah Sutherland, Tzi Ma, Wendy Crewson, Jonathan Whittaker and Peter MacNeill.
The Kid Detective marks Morgan’s feature debut (you can read Todd McCarthy’s review here) and it made its debut at this year’s Toronto...
- 10/16/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Maybe this stand-up comedy thing just isn’t for Jimmy O. Yang. In his new comedy “The Opening Act,” the “Silicon Valley” and “Crazy Rich Asians” star learns the tough reality of life on the road as a comic.
The film directed and written by Steve Byrne and produced by Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley follows Yang as Will Chu, an aspiring stand-up comedian who gets the opportunity to open on the road for his hero Billy G., played with flair by Cedric the Entertainer.
“You look at the road ahead of me right now, and it’s in a cubicle selling things I don’t believe in,” Yang says in the trailer. “The only silver lining is I can’t possibly hang myself in a cubicle.”
But things get off to a rough start quickly when he can’t impress some morning radio DJs, hecklers or other drunk comedy groupies,...
The film directed and written by Steve Byrne and produced by Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley follows Yang as Will Chu, an aspiring stand-up comedian who gets the opportunity to open on the road for his hero Billy G., played with flair by Cedric the Entertainer.
“You look at the road ahead of me right now, and it’s in a cubicle selling things I don’t believe in,” Yang says in the trailer. “The only silver lining is I can’t possibly hang myself in a cubicle.”
But things get off to a rough start quickly when he can’t impress some morning radio DJs, hecklers or other drunk comedy groupies,...
- 9/18/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Rlje Films has debuted a new trailer for Vince Vaughn comedy ‘The Opening Act’ featuring Jimmy O. Yang, Alex Moffat and Cedric The Entertainer.
Will Chu has it all – the job, the girl – but what’s missing is his true passion in life, to become a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can take the opportunity to learn from his idols and overcome the challenges, Will still needs to decide if he should continue with the life he has, or pursue the one he has always dreamt of – the life of a comedian.
Directed by Steve Byrne and produced by Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley,...
Will Chu has it all – the job, the girl – but what’s missing is his true passion in life, to become a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can take the opportunity to learn from his idols and overcome the challenges, Will still needs to decide if he should continue with the life he has, or pursue the one he has always dreamt of – the life of a comedian.
Directed by Steve Byrne and produced by Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley,...
- 9/18/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
"I'm really good looking... if you're into anime." Rlje Films has released the first official trailer for The Opening Act, a new comedy about a struggling stand-up comedian made by stand-up comedians. Written and directed by Steve Byrne, this stars Jimmy O. Yang as a wannabe comedian named Will. The film tells the story of Will, whose true life passion is to become a stand-up comedian. He is given the opportunity to emcee a comedy show, opening for his hero, Billy G. Will has to decide if he wants to continue the life he has set up or to pursue his dream, the life of a comedian. The cast of funny people includes Alex Moffat, Cedric The Entertainer, Neal Brennan, Debby Ryan, Ken Jeong, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Jermaine Fowler, Russell Peters, Tom Segura, and Iliza Shlesinger. It's not really the most original story, but this is enlivened by letting Jimmy O.
- 9/17/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Rlje Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, has obtained the North American distribution rights to The Opening Act, an indie comedy produced by Vince Vaughn and starring Jimmy O. Yang (Silicon Valley), Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts), Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood) and Ken Jeong (The Hangover).
Written and directed by stand-up comedian Steve Byrne, the film is slated for release October 16 in theaters and on demand and digital HD.
The plot follows Will Chu (Yang), who is stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in life: becoming a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can...
Written and directed by stand-up comedian Steve Byrne, the film is slated for release October 16 in theaters and on demand and digital HD.
The plot follows Will Chu (Yang), who is stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in life: becoming a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can...
- 9/1/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Rlje Films has acquired the North American rights to “The Opening Act,” a comedy starring “Silicon Valley” actor Jimmy O. Yang as an aspiring stand-up comedian.
“The Opening Act” is directed and written by stand-up comic Steve Byrne (“Always Amazing”) and was produced by Vince Vaughn, and Rlje Films will release the movie in theaters, on demand and on digital HD beginning October 16, 2020.
Yang stars in “The Opening Act” alongside a cavalcade of other comics such as Alex Moffat, Cedric The Entertainer, Neal Brennan, Debby Ryan, Ken Jeong, Bill Burr, Jermaine Fowler and Russell Peters.
In it, Yang plays a man stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in stand-up comedy. But when he gets the opportunity to emcee opening for his hero, the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things...
“The Opening Act” is directed and written by stand-up comic Steve Byrne (“Always Amazing”) and was produced by Vince Vaughn, and Rlje Films will release the movie in theaters, on demand and on digital HD beginning October 16, 2020.
Yang stars in “The Opening Act” alongside a cavalcade of other comics such as Alex Moffat, Cedric The Entertainer, Neal Brennan, Debby Ryan, Ken Jeong, Bill Burr, Jermaine Fowler and Russell Peters.
In it, Yang plays a man stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in stand-up comedy. But when he gets the opportunity to emcee opening for his hero, the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things...
- 9/1/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Rlje Films has picked up the North American rights to The Opening Act, starring Silicon Valley’s Jimmy O. Yang, from writer-director Steve Byrne. The indie from Wild West Picture Show Productions is set to be released in theaters and on demand Oct. 16.
The Opening Act follows aspiring stand-up comedian Will Chu (Yang), who nabs an emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G. Soon the realities of life on the stage come crashing in, leaving Chu to prove he has what it takes to make his dream a reality.
“Steve Byrne has created an entertaining and insightful film ...
The Opening Act follows aspiring stand-up comedian Will Chu (Yang), who nabs an emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G. Soon the realities of life on the stage come crashing in, leaving Chu to prove he has what it takes to make his dream a reality.
“Steve Byrne has created an entertaining and insightful film ...
Rlje Films has picked up the North American rights to The Opening Act, starring Silicon Valley’s Jimmy O. Yang, from writer-director Steve Byrne. The indie from Wild West Picture Show Productions is set to be released in theaters and on demand Oct. 16.
The Opening Act follows aspiring stand-up comedian Will Chu (Yang), who nabs an emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G. Soon the realities of life on the stage come crashing in, leaving Chu to prove he has what it takes to make his dream a reality.
“Steve Byrne has created an entertaining and insightful film ...
The Opening Act follows aspiring stand-up comedian Will Chu (Yang), who nabs an emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G. Soon the realities of life on the stage come crashing in, leaving Chu to prove he has what it takes to make his dream a reality.
“Steve Byrne has created an entertaining and insightful film ...
Exclusive: Felipe Esparza is ready to bring the funny to Netflix with his first original comedy special on the streaming giant titled Felipe Esparza: Bad Decisions. It will also go by the title: Felipe Esparza: Malas Decisiones. Yup, it’s a bilingual special and it will be released globally on September 1.
Filmed in Santa Ana, California as two separate performances — one in English and one in Spanish — the specials showcase Esparza’s edgy style of humor as the perfect vehicle to weave through difficult anecdotes of his childhood and mistakes in his adult life with ease. Bad Decisions/Malas Decisiones mark the first time a Netflix comedian has recorded a stand up special in two languages that are set to be released simultaneously.
The comedian won Last Comic Standing in 2010 and prior to Bad Decisions/Malas Decisiones, Esparza had two comedy specials including They’re Not Gonna Laugh At You...
Filmed in Santa Ana, California as two separate performances — one in English and one in Spanish — the specials showcase Esparza’s edgy style of humor as the perfect vehicle to weave through difficult anecdotes of his childhood and mistakes in his adult life with ease. Bad Decisions/Malas Decisiones mark the first time a Netflix comedian has recorded a stand up special in two languages that are set to be released simultaneously.
The comedian won Last Comic Standing in 2010 and prior to Bad Decisions/Malas Decisiones, Esparza had two comedy specials including They’re Not Gonna Laugh At You...
- 8/5/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Cedric The Entertainer (star of the new CBS comedy The Neighborhood), comedian and actress Whitney Cummings, Ken Jeong (upcoming Crazy Rich Asians and Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween), and Jermaine Fowler (currently seen in Sorry To Bother You) have been added to the setlist for The Opening Act. Saturday Night Live series regular Alex Moffat, Iliza Shlesinger and Felipe Esparza have also been cast.
Silicon Valley‘s Jimmy O. Yang stars as Will O’Brien, who has the job, the girl but all that’s missing is his true passion in life, to become a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road, opening for his hero Billy G (Cedric The Entertainer), he’ll spend the weekend contemplating the life he’s set up and the one he truly wants to pursue, the life of a comedian.
The coming-of-age comedy...
Silicon Valley‘s Jimmy O. Yang stars as Will O’Brien, who has the job, the girl but all that’s missing is his true passion in life, to become a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road, opening for his hero Billy G (Cedric The Entertainer), he’ll spend the weekend contemplating the life he’s set up and the one he truly wants to pursue, the life of a comedian.
The coming-of-age comedy...
- 7/23/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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