Rip Michaels Dubbed The Winner of the 2013 Bay Area Black Comedy Competition

by Kristen on May 21, 2013

This past weekend was the final wrap up for the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Comedy Festival.  Although it has not been announced on social media, we got wind that Rip Michaels, from New York, took home the comedy competition trophy.

There were over 60 comedians that competed this year. Michaels now joins the competition’s alumni of winners which includes Katt Williams, DL Hughley,  Jamie Foxx, Mike Epps, Sheryl Underwood, Don DC Curry and many more!

Look out for Rip Michaels in the comedy world and stay tuned for more information on his win and future plans as the winner of the BABCCF.

Since 2002 the BABCCF has produced one of the country’s leading entertainment industry educational festivals, with daytime symposiums, industry panels, workshops and one-on-one professional consultations, all specifically designed to develop the next generation of stand-up comedians. The BABCCF has helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in urban comedy, music, film and TV.

AC Comedy Festival- Announces Tony Rock

by Kristen on May 8, 2013

The Atlantic City Comedy Festival is gearing up for their 4th annual stand up comedy event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Their Facebook page has been buzzing as they are teasing their fans, revealing one comedian from the line up at a time. So far, Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Arnez J, Don DC Curry, Mark Curry, DeRay Davis, and Gary Owen have been announced… and now Tony Rock. The two day event will take place during Labor Day Weekend. Tickets have yet to go on sale but stay tuned for the announcement.

Sommore “Chandelier Status” Stand-Up Special

by Kristen on May 7, 2013

Comedienne Sommore, queen of The Royal Comedy Tour franchise, has a NEW stand-up comedy special announcement via the RCT website.  The highly anticipated stand-up special entitled Chandelier Status will premier on Showtime at the end if this month, May 31st, 2013. The DVD will release prior, May 28th, 2013 (with a preorder already set up on Amazon).

Showtime describes the comedy special: “In her luminous, new stand up special, Sommore, the undisputed ‘Queen of Comedy’, brings her sexy brand of humor to Miami. No topic is off limits and Sommore cuts no corners in her hilarious descriptions of the fast moving world of celebrity life, body alterations and gift giving. It’s a show that will definitely leave you wanting ‘Sommore’!”

The AC Comedy Festival Back In It’s 4th Year

by Kristen on May 1, 2013

Our friends over at the annual Atlantic City Comedy Festival are back for their fourth year. The annual festival takes place during Labor Day Weekend in the one and only Atlantic City, New Jersey, and will be held over two days at one of the casino venue’s. Word is the the shows will be held at Boardwalk Hall this year. We can attest to the fact that the weekend is always a good time… (check out our past interviews backstage with some of the comedians). The AC Comedy Festival has been teasing the event and will be revealing a new comic each day until the entire line up is announced. Can you guess some of these faces? Stay tuned to hear more on the Festival, ticket information, and the full line up announcement.

Sommore To Host Comic View

by Kristen on April 24, 2013

So it has been buzzing that Comic View is coming back to BET. As we reported recently, the show is set to schedule later this year. We just got wind that Sommore, who is finishing up the 2013 Royal Comedy Tour will be the host on the returning BET network show. No stranger to Comic View or hosting, as she hosts and headlines the Royal Comedy Tour, we think Sommore will be perfect for the show with her fresh, edgy, dangerous and always hilarious comedy. Stay tuned for more info on schedule and updates on the show!

Big Easy Back for More Funny

by Kristen on April 12, 2013

The Big Easy Comedy Festival is an ongoing comedy show that is now in it”s 4th year.  The festival started as a weekend long event during Memorial Day Weekend. Big names in black comedy such as Mike Epps, D.L. Hughley, Gary Owen, Damon Wayans and more have all shared the Lakefront Arena stage at event. This year, the one night event”s lineup includes the “funnywoman of daytime talk Sheryl Underwood, standup and film favorite Earthquake, the former BET ComicView host Arnez J, Mr. Cooper himself Mark Curry, and the Tom Joyner Morning Show’s Damon Williams“. It is definitely a must see show if you are in the NOLA area! Get more info on the comedians and ticket info at www.bigeasycomedyfestival.com.

Check out the promo video for the event:

Earthquake Shakes Up The View

by Kristen on April 2, 2013

Incase you missed it: Earthquake took a detour from the Royal Comedy Tour to be a guest on The View last Friday (the episode, dubbed A Day of Comedy). Check out the video clip below of Quake”s performance joking on Al Sharpton as a reverend, President Obama, his son in private school, and faking his death. We”re thinking this is the cleanest Earthquake””s jokes have ever been- whatever the audience he still keeps it hilarious!

BET Plans To Relaunch Comic View

by Kristen on April 1, 2013

There”s buzz going around that the BET network is in the early stages of planning in efforts to bring back Comic View: One Mic Stand. Once again the show will be produced by DuBose Entertainment, a familiar producer to Black Entertainment Television. So far there has been no talk of who will host or what the guest line-up will be.

Kevin Hart was the last host back in 2008. Previous hosts of Comic View include: D.L. Hughley (1992-1993), Cedric the Entertainer (1993-1994), White Chocolate (1994-1995), Sommore (1994-1995), Don “D.C.” Curry (1995-1996), Montana Taylor and Lester Barrie (1996-1997), Gary Owen (1998-1999), Rickey Smiley (1999-2000; Club ComicView, 2004-2005), Bruce Bruce (New Orleans Party Gras, 2000-2002), Arnez J (Caliente, 2002-2003), J. Anthony Brown (2003-2004), and Sheryl Underwood (2005-2006).

Check out clips from the most recent season”s episodes

Stay tuned for more information and updates as they come in!

Chris Tucker Stands Back Up!

by Kristen on March 12, 2013

Have you gone to the movies lately? Been on Ticketmaster?

Chris Tucker is back in action… and no, its not another Rush Hour flick (not yet at least, but apparently it”s being talked about)!

From a recent interview with The Daily Beast, Chris Tucker opened up about his dramatic $12 million dollar owe in back taxes, hanging out with the President before he was cool, recent movies he””””s done, what comedy means to him, and getting his public life back on track to provide for his son.

In his newest role on the big screen, he described his experience in Silver Linings Play Book as playing a “meaty” role. He seemed to enjoy collaborating with his costar Robert De Niro, as well as the room given to improv portions of scenes during filming.

“Tucker turns in an impressive supporting performance as Danny, a former meth addict

who befriended the central character, Pat (Bradley Cooper), in a mental institution…”

He actually got back into standup in 2011, starting out in comedy clubs before he graduated to theaters. During the beginning of his “rebirth” he filmed a stand-up comedy movie in Atlanta that is expected to be released sometime this year. In the interview Tucker explained:

“It’s going to be like Eddie Murphy’s Raw or

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip…”

“That’s my dream because those are my idols who I grew up watching.”

Check out the full interview from The Daily Beast.

Check out Chris Tucker”s Tour dates.

Royal Comedy Tour Returns for 2013!

by Kristen on February 12, 2013

The Royal Comedy Tour, which has been featuring the finest in urban comedy for the past few years, is back for 2013. Queen of Comedy Sommore is back to host, joined on select dates by Bruce Bruce, DL Hughley, Earthquake, Mark Curry, Tony Rock, and more guests! Check out the dates below and find out more information on tickets and indivual lineups at RoyalComedyTour.com!

2/2/13- New Orleans- Lakefront Arena

2/8/13- Cleveland- State Theatre

2/9/13- Chicago- Arie Crown

2/10/13- Milwaukee- Milwaukee Theatre

2/14/13- Richmond- Landmark

2/15/13- Baltimore- 1^st Mariner Arena

2/16/13- Philadelphia- Liacouras Center

2/17/13- Newark- NJ PAC

2/22/13- Raleigh- Memorial Auditorium

2/23/13- Norfolk, VA- Convocation Center

3/1/13- Montgomery, AL- Montgomery PAC

3/2/13- Jacksonville- Veteran Memorial Auditorium

3/8/13- Greensboro- War Memorial Auditorium

3/9/13- Detroit- Masonic Temple

3/15/13- Fresno- Saroyan Theatre

3/16/13- Oakland- Paramount Theatre

3/17/13- Stockton- Bob Hope Theatre

3/22/13- Washington D.C- Constitution Hall

3/23/13- Houston- Reliant Arena

3/24/13- Tampa- Tampa PAC

3/29/13- Shreveport- Century Tel Center

3/30/13- Atlanta- Civic Center

4/6/13- Greenville- BiLo Center

4/7/13- Memphis- Landers Center

5/10/13- Dallas- Verizon Theatre

5/11/13- St. Louis- Chaifetz Arena

5/12/13- Nashville- Municipal Auditorium

Shaq”s All-Star Comedy Jam- New DVD, Tourdates

by Kristen on September 20, 2012

Shaq has been keeping busy in the comedy world lately! His All-Star Comedy Jam is on tour throughout the fall (check out dates below), and a DVD of the Orlando show is scheduled to come out on DVD October 9. The Comedy Shaq Network is also taking off online, with original web content including stand-up, skits, animation, and more.

The All-Star Comedy Jam DVD will feature standup Gary Owen, Jay Pharoah, Lil” Duval, and Tony Roberts. Check out the trailer below.

Shaq”s All-Star Comedy Jam Tour Dates:

September 28- Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall- Honolulu, HI

October 19- Best Buy Theater- New York, NY

October 20- Ryman Auditorium- Nashville, TN

October 26- Ovens Auditorium- Charlotte, NC

November 2- Chrysler Hall- Norfolk, VA

November 3- DAR Constitution Hall- Washington, DC

November 10- Modell Performing Arts Center- Baltimore, MD

November 16- Wilbur Theater- Boston, MA

November 24- Orpheum Theatre- Memphis, TN

November 30- Club Nokia- Los Angeles, CA

December 28- Davies Hall- San Francisco, CA

December 31- Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center- Atlanta, GA

Nickelodeon”s New Comedy Programming For Parents Is Motherfunny

by Kristen on August 22, 2012

Nickelodeon seems to always do a good job at coming up with entertaining programming for the whole family. Their prime time cartoons and sitcoms that cater to kids often have well-placed jokes for adults to laugh at too. Now Nick is creating programming especially for parents, with NickMom.

One of the most exciting shows slated to start this fall is NickMom Night Out, which will feature stand-up comedy that focuses on some of the more hilarious moments of parenting. Lavell Crawford recently tweeted that he will be involved with the new programming.

Up in new filming this comedy show for nickelodeon calls mom night out I will be doing jokes about being a parent. Should be funny

— Lavell Crawford(@Lavellthacomic) August 22, 2012

NickMom programming will start at 10 PM, presumably after younger kids have gone to bed, on October 1. In the meantime, a new website has been launched, which features daily funny photos sent in from parents, viral videos, and stand-up clips.

The Kattpacalypse Is Coming!

by Kristen on August 16, 2012

Katt Williams will be releasing a stand-up special called KattPacalypse this month! It is refreshing to see Katt back in action on the stand-up stage. Although he does not currently have any shows scheduled, hopefully the special will bring some upcoming tour dates for fans to see his new stuff in person.

Check out the previews for it below, with Katt covering  his take on NASA and the upcoming election. The special will air on Showtime on August 25. You can preorder it on Amazon for when it drops on DVD September 18.

2012 NY Comedy Festival Lineup to Feature Kevin Hart, Wayans Brothers

by Kristen on August 8, 2012

The New York Comedy Festival is back! The 2012 lineup was announced  today and we are pretty psyched to find out that Kevin Hart will be one of the headliners! Marlon and Shawn Wayans will also be performing nightly sets at Caroline”s on Broadway. This year”s festival is in association with Comedy Central and will offer events taking place at some of the best comedy venues in the city. The festival kicks off Wednesday, November 7 and goes through Sunday November 11. Kevin Hart will perform November 10 at Madison Square Garden.

Get more information on the festival, and how to get tickets for the shows here.

The Laugh Factory: Now On PS3

by admin on July 19, 2012

There is pretty much an app for everything, and now comedy is breaking into that world as well. The Playstation Blog has announced that the Playstation 3 platform will launch a new comedy app with the Laugh Factory. The famous Hollywood-based comedy club has held everyone from Eddie Murphy to Damon Wayans, Dave Chappelle, and more comedians that have since become household names.

With the Laugh Factory app, you”ll be able to go back in time to the Factory vaults and view some of the best stand-up the club has had throughout its 30+ years of operating. You”ll also be able to check out live comedy performances from the club.

The app will launch in September, and all content will be free until December. After that, the app will cost $3 a month.

The Laugh Factory Live app will only be available on PS3 for now, but it is only a matter of time before more apps like this start popping up on other platforms.

Check out one of our favorites, Tony Rock, on the Laugh Factory”s Kevin Nealon Show.

Corey Holcomb- Showtime Special

by Kristen on July 13, 2012

The “Love Doctor” is in! Corey Holcomb”s latest comedy special, “Your Way Aint Working” will be airing throughout next week on Showtime. In this hour-long stand-up special, Holcomb will give his insight on relationships gone wrong.

Check out the trailer for the special below, and click here to find out when it”ll be airing on TV!

DL Hughley”s Showtime Special To Air

by Kristen on July 10, 2012

DL Hughley has been busy lately! In addition to performing live and his new book hitting stores next month, DL”s latest comedy special will be airing on Showtime on Saturday, July 14. Called “Reset”, the hour-long special will return DL to the standup stage that made him comedy royalty.

Click here to see more times you can check out the new special, and check out a clip of one of his previous specials below:

Chris Tucker Announces Summer Tour Dates

by Kristen on June 11, 2012

Chris Tucker will be hitting the road this summer on his “Guess Who’s Back” tour. Kicking off on July 13 in San Antonio, select dates have been announced already with more to come soon.

July 13 – San Antonio, TX

July 14 – Birmingham, AL

July 27 – Orlando, FL

July 28 – Greensboro, NC

Aug 3 – Augusta, GA

Aug 4 – Columbia, SC

Aug 10 – Baltimore, MD

Aug 17 – Dallas, TX

Aug 18 – Mobile, AL

Aug 24 – Pittsburg, PA

Aug 25 – Cleveland, OH

Sept 3 – Atlantic City, NJ

New DVD From Jay Lamont

by Kristen on June 8, 2012

“Jammin” Jay Lamont is coming out with a brand new DVD! Titled Entertainer Jay Lamont Live Back Down Memory Lane, the DVD will feature hilarious standup from Mr. Lamont filmed at sea (Lamont has brought his comedy to cruise lines). Known for his hilarious, spot-on impressions, Live Back Down Memory Lane is sure to feature familiar impersonations of Prince and Michael Jackson, as well as his latest addition, Barack Obama.

You can pick up a copy of the DVD here. In the meantime, check out some of Jammin’ Jay’s standup below.

2012 Atlantic City Comedy Festival: Lineup Announced!

by admin on June 6, 2012

The festival will take place Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2 with two shows each night at 7PM and 10:30 PM in Atlantic City at the Tropicana’s Showroom. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 8 and are priced at $45, $59, $79 and $125.  Tickets will be available at the Tropicana Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

2012 will mark the third year for The Atlantic City Comedy Festival, and this year’s festival promises to be better than ever! For two days, fans will experience tickle your funny bone fanfare, gut busting jokes and hilarious, side-splitting humor from some of the world’s most noted, critically acclaimed mainstream comedians. The All-Star line-up features over ten nationally known comics, with comedy royalty D.L. Hughley and Sommore, TV stars Damon Wayans Jr (Happy Endings), Tommy Davidson (In Living Color), Mark Curry (Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper), stand up and film favorites Eddie Griffin, Bruce Bruce, Earthquake, and Joe Torry, and local Philadelphia native TuRae. From sold-out arenas, top grossing comedy tours, number one films at the box office, top rated comedy specials and TV shows, ground-breaking TV shows and specials, internationally and nationally syndicated radio shows, these comics have seen and done it all.

Organizers say, “The energy that exists in Atlantic City has always melded well with comedy shows.  We experienced that prior to developing this festival and have continued to see it in the outpouring of support from audiences throughout the mid-Atlantic region eagerly awaiting the announcement of this year’s line-up.  Plus, Labor Day weekend in AC is such a great place to be; truly the perfect backdrop for a comedy festival.

The past two years’ festivals have been incredibly successful, with 10,000 people in attendance in 2011 hailing from New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington DC.

Check out the event’s official Facebook page for up-to-the-minute updates, news on the comedians, and to RSVP.