Folk-comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates started out with a series of lo-fi YouTube videos that Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome had created for the amusement of friends and family. Thousands of hits later, it became apparent the duo was on to something.
Sometimes comedy is a family affair – at least for Gary Valentine. Take for instance the way he was introduced to the world of comedy. "It was in 1988 when my mother signed me up for an open mic night at a local comedy club," Valentine said.
Where most comedians have to explain to their parents why they decided to give up their office job and toss out their college credentials to pursue a career in comedy, Valentine had his mother there egging him on.
Podcasts are all the rage these days. Whether you're a political junkie, music snob, science geek, foodie or basically a fan of any subject, chances are there is a podcast out there tailor-made for you.
And if you happen to be a fan of fandom? Look no further than Jackie Kashian's "Dork Forest."
This month's silver screen action boasts such titles as Dead Man Down, Oz: The Great and Powerful, The Croods, Admission, and G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
For Jim Breuer, stand-up comedy is a crass and priceless art form. "It's probably the only thing you'll see live that's unedited and completely raw," he said. "You just don't know what you're getting when you go see live comedy, and I love that."
Breuer's breakout was his 1995-1998 stint on "Saturday Night Live," where one of his characters was the memorable-yet-slightly annoying Goat Boy.
Loni Love has appeared as a correspondent on "Dr. Oz" and on "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News". She can be seen providing commentary for VH1's "I Love the..." series, she's a regular panelist on "Chelsea Lately" and she's made numerous guest appearances on other television shows.
This is just a small portion of her ever-expanding catalog of television projects, a mode of exposure she has come to greatly appreciate.
For the past three years, Gilda’s LaughFest has given us a healthy dose of laughter for 10 straight days a year. It’s brought us giant stars like Bill Cosby and Betty White, up-and-comers like Anthony Jeselnik and Hannibal Buress and reminded us of the wealth of comedy we have at home.
Had it not been for the sage advice of a Cape Cod innkeeper, Wade Rouse may never have set foot in Michigan. After learning that Rouse and his partner had driven all the way from St. Louis for a vacation, the woman wondered why they hadn't just gone to Michigan instead.
Daniel Tosh brings his blend of crude humor and popular culture to Grand Rapids' DeVos Performance Hall on June 7 as part of his "June Gloom" tour, along with special guest Jerrod Carmichael.
Paula Poundstone makes being funny seem effortless. Whether she's providing commentary as a panelist on NPR's new quiz show, "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!," performing stand-up or simply having a casual conversation, she nonchalantly drops jokes left and right like it's second nature.
Cruise your closet for a LBD and something red because two themed parties hit Grand Rapids, and clothing is key. On Feb. 7, Cygnus (187 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids) hosts the 2nd Annual Red Party. The event partners with Valentine Vodka out of Detroit for a night of specialty cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dancing in a sea of red.
Ted Fox is a wiseass, but if it weren't for life's little ironies, he never would have thought to make a living as one. After graduating with a degree in economics from Notre Dame, he was lucky enough to land his dream job at ESPN, only to find it nothing short of nightmarish.
"It was a classic case of, 'If you like sausage, don't visit the sausage factory,'" Fox said.
In February, movie goers have some of the following titles to choose from: Warm Bodies, Beautiful Creatures, A Good Day To Die Hard, Dark Skies and more.
It's a new year of new stores and luxuries galore. If you aren't suited up in fleece-lined tights and reek of Moonshine cologne, you just aren't doing it right...
