Comedy Central Gives "Workaholics" Multi-Season Renewal

  • Hit Series Stars Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, and Anders Holm and is Directed by Mail Order Comedy’s Kyle Newacheck
  • Fourth Season is #1 Show in All of Television in Its Timeslot among Men 18-24 and Men 18-34 

Comedy Central has doubled down on the hit series “Workaholics“ as the all-comedy network locks in a sixth and a seventh season, it was announced today by Kent Alterman, President, Original Programming, Comedy Central. Ten episodes have been ordered for each season and new episodes of the hit series from Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Kyle Newacheck begin in January.

“I remember when the title of this show was ironic,” said Alterman.

A favorite among young men, the fourth season of “Workaholics” was the highest-rated series in its timeslot across all of television among Men 18-34 and Men 18-24. The series also consistently ranked in the Top Five of the Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings for comedies on Wednesdays and has over two million fans on Facebook.

“Workaholics” is a single-camera comedy featuring three friends who work together from 9 to 5, live together from 5 to 9 and party together 24/7. Dress codes, deadlines and waking up before noon are not things these guys are used to. They do their jobs and sometimes they even do them well, but they show up late, leave drunk and always live for the day…even if they don’t know what day it is.

“Workaholics” was co-created by Mail Order Comedy’s Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Kyle Newacheck. The series stars Anderson, Devine and Holm and is directed by Newacheck. Executive Producers include Mail Order Comedy, Kevin Etten, Avalon Television’s Richard Allen-Turner, David Martin, Jon Thoday and Isaac Horne. Jim Sharp and Rachel Olson are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

For more information, visit: Comedy Central (www.cc.com)

“SOUTH PARK” RENEWED THROUGH A HISTORIC 23RD SEASON, MAKES NEW DEAL WITH CC

  • Agreement Extends Cable’s Longest-Running Primetime Scripted Series By Three Seasons and 30 Episodes and Will Take “South Park” Through Its Milestone 300th Episode
  • Hulu to Maintain Rights to New Seasons and Episodes and Remain Only SVOD Home for Current 254-Episode “South Park” Library
  • 19th Season Premieres Wednesday, September 16

Trey Parker and Matt Stone have reached a new deal with Comedy Central® to extend “South Park” by three seasons and 30 episodes, taking the longest-running prime time scripted series in cable though an unprecedented 23rd season and 304 episodes. The deal for three additional seasons, announced today by Michele Ganeless, President, Comedy Central, ensures the Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning series will continue to produce new, original episodes through 2019. Parker and Stone will continue to write, direct and edit every episode of “South Park,” as they have since the premiere of the series in 1997. The 19thseason of “South Park” premieres on Wednesday, September 16.

In a separate deal, South Park Digital Studios, a joint venture between Parker, Stone and Viacom, has extended its record-breaking deal with Hulu to cover all additional seasons and new episodes. Hulu is the exclusive streaming home of the entire “South Park” library of 18 seasons and 254 episodes and will also remain the SVOD home to all episodes from upcoming seasons.

“Nearly two decades later, ‘South Park’ today remains as important and influential as any series on any platform and has become one of the most recognizable brands to ever come out of television,” said Doug Herzog, President, Viacom Music & Entertainment Group. “Through South Park Digital Studios we will continue to aggressively expand the reach of the ‘South Park’ brand by pursuing additional extensions and licensing opportunities worldwide.”

“‘South Park’ remains the bedrock of Comedy Central and we are thrilled that new episodes will continue to entertain audiences for years to come,” said Ganeless. “The series remains as urgent and relevant now as the day it premiered and at nearly 20 seasons in it continues to draw generations of new fans.”

Said Parker and Stone: “We love working for Doug and with everyone at Comedy Central. They’ve given us an insane level of artistic and creative freedom for almost 20 years. They walk the walk.”

Named “One of the All-Time Greatest TV Shows” by Entertainment Weekly and one of the “All-TIME 100 TV Shows” by TIME, “South Park,” which premieres its 19th season on September 16, was the top-rated comedy series on cable in 2014 among Adults 18-49 and Men 18-34 and was the #1-rated series in primetime across all of television on Wednesdays during its 18th season with Men 18-34 and Men 18-24.

The incredible popularity of “South Park” extends off the television screen with over 46 million fans on Facebook, making it the most-popular cable comedy series on Facebook and one of the Top 10 series in all of television. With over 1.7 million followers, “South Park” is one of the top scripted television series on Twitter and it has ranked #1 or #2 for Comedy Series by Nielsen Social Guide on its premiere nights during the course of its past season. In addition, the series’ award-winning game, “South Park: The Stick of Truth,” which was released last year, received numerous industry awards and a Metacritic rating of 85. A sequel, “South Park: The Fractured but Whole,” was announced earlier this month by Ubisoft® and South Park Digital Studios.

Co-created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, “South Park” premiered on August 13, 1997. Parker, Stone, Anne Garefino and Frank C. Agnone II are the Executive Producers of the Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning series. Eric Stough, Adrien Beard, Bruce Howell and Vernon Chatman are Producers. Past episodes can be streamed at “South Park’s” website (southpark.cc.com) as well as the Comedy Central App. The complete, 18-season, 254-episode library is available only on Hulu (subscription required).

The agreement with Comedy Central was negotiated for Parker and Stone by their attorney Kevin Morris.

#ComedyCentralCon | COMEDY CENTRAL® IS COMING TO SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON!

Comedy Central Panels on Thursday, July 9 at the Hilton Bayfront Indigo Ballroom Featuring “Moonbeam City” from 4:00-5:00 p.m. and Back-to-Back Panels with “Drunk History” and “Another Period” from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

***

#ComedyCentralCon Free and Open to the Public Fan Event Featuring 9-Hole Mini-Golf, “Drunk History” 360 Photo Booth Experience, GIF Booth, Talent Signings, Giveaways and More! Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10 from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. at The San Diego Wine & Culinary Center

***

Courtesy of “Another Period,” Comedy Central’s New Turn-Of-The-Century Franchise, Fans Can Get Free Rides in Old Tyme Cars Thursday, July 9 - Sunday, July 12 from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Be Carried Away by Butlers in Plush Chaise Lounge Chairs thanks to “Another Period's” Original Lift From Thursday, July 9 - Saturday, July 11 from 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

***

“The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail” To Hold a Free Show with Special Guests On Friday, July 10 at American Comedy Co at 7:30 p.m.

***

Comedy Central is heading to Comic-Con with a plethora of events. It kicks off with panels in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront on Thursday, July 9 starting with the upcoming animated series “Moonbeam City” (moderator Scott Aukerman, star and Producer Rob Lowe, series creator and Executive Producer Scott Gairdner, Executive Producer Tommy Blacha, Executive Producer Richie Schwartz) from 4:00-5:00 p.m. The evening continues with back-to-back panels from 6:00-7:30 p.m. featuring “Drunk History” (moderator Paul F. Tompkins; co-creator, host, Director Derek Waters; co-creator, Director Jeremy Konner; series recurring guest stars Taran Killam and Paget Brewster) followed by new series “Another Period” (stars and Executive Producers Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome, series co-stars Armen Weitzman, Michael Ian Black, Paget Brewster; and Executive Producer, Director Jeremy Konner).

Comedy Central’s no-badge-required, free and open to the public event, #ComedyCentralCon will take place from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 at The San Diego Wine & Culinary Center (200 Harbor Dr. #120) directly across from the Convention Center. #ComedyCentralCon will feature the following: a 9-Hole Mini Golf course featuring a variety of the brand’s series including “Broad City,” “Review,” “Key & Peele,” “@Midnight with Chris Hardwick,” “Workaholics,” “Inside Amy Schumer” – and a first look at some new and never-before-seen franchises such as “Another Period,” “Why? With Hannibal Buress” and “Moonbeam City”.

Also, fans at #ComedyCentralCon can snap a virtual pic in the Comedy Central GIF photo booth with the stars of “Workaholics,” “Key & Peele,” “Broad City,” “Why? With Hannibal Buress,” “Another Period,” and “Moonbeam City;” get dizzy with “Drunk History” in a 360 photo booth experience; and spin a prize wheel to win limited edition Comedy Central collectibles. And to top it all off, some of the stars will be stopping by #ComedyCentralCon to meet fans and sign autographs.

For Comedy Central’s new turn-of-the-century franchise “Another Period” Comedy Central is kicking it old school and giving Comic-Con go-ers free rides in Old Tyme vehicles from Thursday, July 9 – Sunday, July 12 from 11:00 a.m.-5:00p.m. . Fans can flag down the vintage cars and enjoy a free ride to their destination while living like the original ballers did and bumping to some hip-hop jams along the way. Wait. Can’t catch a car? No worries! Comic-Con fans will also have the opportunity to get carried away with “Another Period’s” Original Lift from Thursday, July 9 – Saturday, July 11 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Butlers will be carrying participants for free around downtown San Diego and pampering them in swanky chaise lounge chairs. Walking is so overrated anyway.

On Friday, July 10, “The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail,” hosted as always by Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani, will be taking their uber popular Los Angeles stand-up show to Comic-Con with a free performance at The American Comedy Co. on 818 6th Ave at 7:30 p.m. “The Meltdown” is in its second season on Comedy Central with new episodes airing on Tuesdays at 12:30 a.m. ET/PT. Based on the live show which takes place in the back of Meltdown Comics in LA, Ray and Nanjiani welcome the biggest names in comedy as they experiment with new bits onstage and hang out backstage.

  • Thursday, July 9: “Moonbeam City” panel (Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel)

4:00-5:00 p.m. “Moonbeam City” is an absurdist, retro-futuristic 80s cop extravaganza. Comedy Central’s new animated series follows Dazzle Novak (voiced by Rob Lowe), a handsome, idiotic detective who commits more crimes than most criminals. His sexy, tyrannical chief Pizzaz Miller (Elizabeth Banks) won’t get off his back. His obnoxious rival Rad Cunningham (Will Forte) will stop at nothing to destroy him. Dazzle must team up with the city’s only competent police officer, Chrysalis Tate (Kate Mara), to protect their beloved, neon-soaked metropolis. “Moonbeam City” premieres on Wednesday, September 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT following the 19th season premiere of “South Park.” The panel will be moderated by Scott Aukerman and include series star and Producer Rob Lowe, series creator and Executive Producer Scott Gairdner, Executive Producer Tommy Blacha and Executive Producer Richie Schwartz.

  • Thursday, July 9: Comedy Central Presents “Drunk History” and “Another Period” panel

(Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel)
6:00-6:45 p.m. Come learn about the history of “Drunk History!” Derek Waters (co-creator, host, Director) and Jeremy Konner (co-creator, Director) will walk fans through how this historically accurate, yet slightly slurred show, works to portray little-known events and figures in history from the perspective of an intoxicated narrator. From humble beginnings as a digital series to two seasons on Comedy Central, with the third season set to premiere on September 1 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, Derek and Jeremy have plenty of stories to tell about the making of the show. The panel includes an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming new season, a Q&A and plenty more fun and debauchery as only “Drunk History” can create! The panel is moderated by Paul F. Tompkins and includes Derek Waters, Jeremy Konner, SNL’s Taran Killam (who has guest starred on all three seasons of the show) and series recurring guest star Paget Brewster.

  • 6:45-7:30 p.m. The party continues with “Another Period,” the original out of touch reality family in this turn-of-the-century historical and satirical scripted series that follows the insanely ridiculous and debaucherous life of the Bellacourts, who have more servants than relatives and whose days are filled with money, sex, drugs and more money. “Another Period” is co-created by Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome, executive produced by Ben Stiller’s Red Hour and airs Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The panel will include stars and Executive Producers Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome, series co-stars Armen Weitzman, Michael Ian Black, Paget Brewster and Executive Producer and Director Jeremy Konner.

Available on-air, online and on-the-go on Comedy Central.

For more information, please visit:

BECAUSE... “WHY? WITH HANNIBAL BURESS” PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

Life’s most pressing questions will be answered when “Why? With Hannibal Buress” premieres Wednesday, July 8 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central, after an all-new “Key & Peele.”

The weekly, half-hour topical series will celebrate Buress’ hilariously brilliant off-beat voice and point-of-view. If it’s in the zeitgeist, Buress will address it, providing his unique perspective each week, answering the burning questions on his mind through stand-up, filmed segments, man-on-the-street interviews and special, in-studio guests. Through the eight-episode season, “Why? With Hannibal Buress” will be shot in front of a studio audience and each episode will tape the same week it airs.

The expanded world of “Why? With Hannibal Buress” goes beyond the television.

For more discussion of “life’s biggish questions” fans can enjoy original video, shareable clips and go behind the scenes on various social platforms including Instagram, Snapchat Discover, Twitter and Facebook, for 24/7 access to the show. Fans can also follow @hannibalburess on Twitter for more interaction.

Episodes of “Why? With Hannibal Buress” will be available the day after air on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Xbox Video, Sony Entertainment Network, Vudu, Verizon Flexview and Google Play, as well as in the Comedy Central App to fans that authenticate via their cable or satellite provider. The Comedy Central App is available for free for iOS on the App Store, for Android on the Google Play store, and on Chromecast and Xbox One.

A wildly popular Emmy® and WGA Award-nominated comedian, writer and actor, Buress has been praised by The New York Times as having an “irresistible” comedic presence that lands squarely between “cerebral and swagger.” He is a series regular on the hit Comedy Central series “Broad City” (watch clip) and is the co-host of Adult Swim’s “The Eric Andre Show,” currently in its third season.  Buress also appeared in the 2014 blockbuster feature “Neighbors,” starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, and he just shot the film “Daddy’s Home” alongside Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. He was recently one of the featured “Roasters” on the “Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber” on March 30.

Buress’ highly-rated, one-hour stand-up special “Hannibal Buress Live from Chicago” premiered on Comedy Central on March 29, 2014 (watch clip), with GQ declaring “He makes us ugly laugh. Hard.” His first one-hour special, “Animal Furnace” (watch clip) premiered on the network in May 2012, and he has also been featured on several comedy-fan favorite TV shows including FX’s “Louie,” Fox’s “Bob’s Burgers” and “The Mindy Project,” Comedy Central’s “Kroll Show,” and Adult Swim’s “China, IL.” He has written for NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” as well as “30 Rock,” where he also appeared on camera. He is a favorite on the late-night TV circuit with appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” (watch), “The Late Show with David Letterman” (watch), “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (watch) and “Conan” (watch).

Buress is represented by WME.

“Why? With Hannibal Buress” is executive produced by Buress, Jeff Stilson (“The Chris Rock Show,” “Da Ali G Show”) and Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment. Adam Londy and Jim Sharp are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

Available on-air, online and on-the-go, Comedy Central (www.cc.com) is the #1 brand in comedy and is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB and VIA).

"KEY & PEELE" RETURNS WITH NEW EPISODES PREMIERING ON COMEDY CENTRAL®

  • Guest Stars Include: Tatyana Ali, Bo Burnham, Kate Burton, Jessica St. Clair, Rob Corddry, Regina Hall, Tricia Helfer, Melanie Lynskey, Adam Pally, Mekhi Phifer, Rob Riggle, Rebecca Romijn, Will Sasso, and Nick Searcy
  • Sketches Include: Obama and Luther Meet Hillary Clinton, Valets Discuss Val Kilmer, Trigger Happy Cops and Big Boi Runs in to Andre 3000
  • Custom “Key & Peele” Keyboard for iOS and Android Available July 8

 Comedy Central’s beloved sketch-comedy series “Key & Peele” is back with all-new episodes. The Peabody® Award-winning and five-time Emmy® Award-nominated series featuring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele returns with the first of eleven all-new episodes on Wednesday, July 8 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. “Key & Peele” once again displays compelling characters, crazy adventures and political satire, offering up a hilarious look at the world utilizing the stars’ lively chemistry and keen observations.

Viewers can expect new personalities as well as the return of their favorites, Obama and his anger translator, Luther, along with Meegan and Andre, to leave them laughing week to week. An array of guest stars will include: Tatyana Ali, Bo Burnham, Kate Burton, Jessica St. Clair, Rob Corddry, Regina Hall, Tricia Helfer, Melanie Lynskey, Adam Pally, Mekhi Phifer, Rob Riggle, Rebecca Romijn, Will Sasso and Nick Searcy in the all new episodes.

“Key & Peele” features Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, who are best known for their impressive ability for improv, celebrity impressions and conjuring up original characters. The show utilizes filmed sketches to examine life in a provocative and irreverent way, from two men used to being on the outside looking in. Whether it’s satirizing the President, black Republicans, or taking on religion, “Key & Peele” showcases their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view, born from their shared background and experiences growing up biracial in a not quite post-racial world.

Leading up to the premiere, Comedy Central will provide viewers with new sketches and online exclusives weekly on cc.com and on July 8 will release a custom “Key & Peele” keyboard for iOS and Android, allowing users to share custom emojis and GIFs for the show.

Episodes of “Key & Peele” will be available the day after air on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Xbox Video, Google Play, Vudu and Sony Entertainment Network, as well as in the Comedy Central App to fans that sign in via their cable or satellite provider. The Comedy Central App is available for free for iOS on the App Store, for Android on the Google Play store, and on Chromecast and Xbox One.

Credits for the series include: Key, Peele, Jay Martel, Ian Roberts, Peter Principato and Joel Zadak as Executive Producers. The series is directed by Peter Atencio who also co-executive produces. Gary Mann and Tara Schuster are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

Available on-air, online and on-the-go, only on Comedy Central (www.cc.com).

COMEDY CENTRAL SAYS “JON VOYAGE” WITH MEGA MULTI-PLATFORM PROGRAMMING STARTING TOMORROW #JONVOYAGE

Comedy Central Kicks It Off with “Your Month of Zen,” a Continuous Stream of Episodes, Beginning with Jon’s First Show from January 11, 1999, Starting at Noon ET on Friday, June 26 until 7:17pm ET on Thursday, August 6 and Available Via thedailyshow.com/monthofzen and the Comedy Central App Comedy Central Radio (channel 95) on SiriusXM to Join the Stream Starting on Saturday, August 1 at 7:00 a.m. ET through Monday, August 3 at 7:00 a.m. ET “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” Presents “News Your Own Adventure” a OneHour Special Hosted by Correspondents Jordan Klepper, Hasan Minhaj and Jessica Williams and Featuring Favorite Segments as Voted On by the Fans, Premiering on Sunday, August 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

*** 

As Comedy Central bids a heartfelt #jonvoyage to the incomparable Jon Stewart, a celebration of his 16year plus tutelage at the helm of “The Daily Show” is in order. It all begins when Comedy Central takes epic binge watching to the next level with “Your Month of Zen” featuring a continuous stream of more than 2,000 episodes of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” starting tomorrow, June 26 at noon ET with Jon’s first show as host on January 11, 1999 and culminates on the night of his last show on Thursday, August 6 at 7:17 p.m. ET. “Your Month of Zen” will be available at thedailyshow.com/monthofzen and the Comedy Central App.

For audiophiles, Comedy Central Radio (channel 95) on SiriusXM will join the stream starting on Saturday, August 1 at 7:00 a.m. ET through Monday, August 3 at 7:00 a.m. The 48 hour weekend event dubbed “Jon Voyage,” will also be available through the SiriusXM App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com. 

Recently, thedailyshow.com held a “News Your Own Adventure” poll allowing fans to vote for their favorite “Daily Show” clips from 20 categories. The winning segments will appear in “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: News Your Own Adventure,” an original one hour special written and produced by the show and hosted by Correspondents Jordan Klepper, Hasan Minhaj and Jessica Williams from “The Best F&#ing News Team Ever!” The special will debut on Sunday, August 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Jon Stewart, Steve Bodow, Jen Flanz, Tim Greenberg, Jill Katz and Adam Lowitt are the Executive Producers of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” with Hillary Kun as CoExecutive Producer. Pam DePace, Justin Melkmann and Stuart Miller are Supervising Producers. The series’ Head Writer is Elliott Kalan and it is directed by Chuck O’Neil. 

“The Daily Show” airs Monday Thursday at 11:00 p.m. and repeats at 1:00 a.m. the same night and at 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. the following day (all times ET/PT). Full episodes and clips are posted for viewing the following day at thedailyshow.cc.com with URL and embed links. Also, the Comedy Central App offers “Daily Show” fans who sign in via their cable or satellite provider, full episodes of the series including additional content and extended interviews the day after air. The Comedy Central app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is available for free on the App Store or at AppStore.com/cc. Follow or like @TheDailyShow on social media platforms Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Available on air, online and on the go, Comedy Central (www.cc.com) is the #1 brand in comedy and is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB). 

For more information, please visit:

  • www.viacom.com
  • thedailyshow.cc.com
  • www.cc.com

Comedy Central Sets sizzling Summer Schedule 2015

Comedy Central has the perfect escape from the heat this summer. The coming months promise a sizzling lineup highlighted by the series premieres of “Another Period,” which follows the insanely ridiculous and debaucherous life of Newport, RI’s first family, and “Why? With Hannibal Buress,” featuring Buress’ hilariously brilliant offbeat perspective on every topic in the zeitgeist. The summer months also bring new episodes of “Key & Peele” and “Tosh.0,” new seasons of “Drunk History,” “Review” and “The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail,” and all new Comedy Central Original Specials from Natasha Leggero, Jeff Ross, Bridget Everett and Nick Swardson.

For more detail, please visit: http://www.cc.com/

Good Bye Letterman... we miss you already!

David Letterman's final broadcast...

Wednesday 20th May 2015 transformed into a national event: David Letterman aired his final broadcast of The Late Show. The audience and orchestra (directed by Paul Shaffer) of the Ed Sullivan Theatre saluted the great CBS host after 33 years, six thousand episodes and 19,932 guests.

More than three decades of television history are tough to summarize, through the chameleonic and caustic humour of Letterman. Innumerable are the memorable moments on his show, as his flirts (like the 1995 interview with Drew Barrymore), or his nasty feuds who saw celebrities tangled in Dave’s sharp tongue (like the 16 year altercation with Oprah Winfrey). He displayed great comedic charisma, but was just as effective in reporting hard news, as attested by the emotional speech he delivered on his first show after 9/11. He could be friendly or grill his interviewees, as he did with Paris Hilton asking her about her permanence in jail, or when he gave a rough time to prima-donnas such as Madonna or Joaquin Phoenix. He had moments of bravery, when he admitted to adultery with women of his staff, or when he gave details of an extortion attempt against him.

The last show was truly heartfelt by the whole nation and the entire world. Celebrities (Alec Baldwin, Barbara Walters, Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Chris Rock, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Peyton Manning, Tina Fey, Bill Murray) featured in the “Top 10 Things I've always wanted to say to Dave” list; and President Barack Obama summed up the US sentiment in one tweet.

David’s last show was undoubtably an eventful one, drenched with bittersweet farewells, prickly humor, and many heartwarming moments. David passes on the baton to Stephen Colbert, whose skilled satire will have a high benchmark to compete with.

David Letterman is by now a New York landmark: whoever strolls in the Theater District, and bumps into 1697-1699 Broadway between West 53rd and West 54th, breathes in the vibe of a New Yorker who adores his city and has tributed it with utmost professional skills. He once said “If you didn't believe it before - and it's easy to understand how you might have been skeptical on this point - if you didn't believe it before, you can absolutely believe it now: New York City is the greatest city in the world.”

  • David Letterman's Final Show Entrance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5XZunwreYo

  • Top 10 Most Memorable David Letterman Moments:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K22baZRNQKc  

  • Things celebrities have always wanted to say to Dave Letterman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD-OS9icT_E

  • Top Ten Things I've Always Wanted to Say To Dave:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBf8MyGaEk4

  • David Letterman's Final Thank You and Good Night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=34&v=aq2AZY-qaPY

The First Live Stand-Up Special in Comedy Central History!

"Brian Regan: Live" will be the first live stand-up special in Comedy Central history, airing live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Saturday, September 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Brian Regan recently announced the exciting news during his twenty-eighth appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman,".

For watching his latest video clips and funny jokes, visit: http://www.cc.com/comedians/brian-regan

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF "NICK SWARDSON: TASTE IT" DEBUTS ON COMEDY CENTRAL

Stand-up comedian Nick Swardson is serving up hot new jokes in the world premiere of "Nick Swardson: Taste It," debuting on Saturday, May 30 at 10 P.M. ET/PT on Comedy Central. For fans that can't wait for Swardson's new material, the special will be available on May 25 on CC: Stand-Up Direct.

Swardson returns to the Paramount Theater, where he filmed his last special, "Seriously Who Farted?," for this all-new one-hour special. Fans of Swardson won't be disappointed, as his material hasn't gone the route of being married, having children or any political epiphanies. He keeps it in the Swardson world with fresh takes on booze, chicks and diarrhea. With new stories, jokes and a new t-shirt, Swardson is back and it tastes good.

What's wrong with Game of Thrones? The PROs & CONs!

"game of thrones season 5 Official Trailer episode 1" "Game of Thrones trailer (2015) HD" "Game of Thrones 2015 Season 5" "game of thrones" "season 5" "episode 1" Special Promotions ( Game of Thrones ) LINK ►► http://goo.gl/3Lf0Wl ==================================================================== Season 5 of Game of Thrones was commissioned by HBO on 8 April 2014, following a substantial increase in audience figures between the third and fourth seasons.[2] The fifth and sixth seasons were commissioned simultaneously, the first time HBO has commissioned two seasons at once for a major drama series.

So I loved Game of Thrones, gave it 4/4. The new season is starting this Sunday and I can't wait for it. But I have been thinking about Pros & Cons of the show, specially the cons (yeah, I'm still wasting my time thinking about the show, can't help it!). Is there anything wrong with the show? Lets see...

Pros

  • Intriguing and well executed complex storylines, with great mix of drama, action, suspense, humor, fantasy, adventure and everything else.
  • Great casting and amazing performances by almost all major & minor cast members.
  • It's a true visual treat. From great cinematography, to well designed costumes, great sets, amazing visual effects, nothing less than a true cinematic experience.
  • Sex & nudity sells, and this show sells it very well. Just enough sex & nudity to keep the audience entertained.
  • Sexual diversity is another trademark of the show. From homosexuality, to asexuals, to BDSM/fetish, the show touches on many aspects of sexuality.
  • Dragons! Who doesn't like dragons. Although we don't get enough of them on the show yet, but it does have dragons!!

Cons

  • It seems racist, it does. Not enough characters of color, almost none actually. How an entire world can be just white? Except slaves, being liberated by white woman. History has something to prove there, but it does comes off as racist.
  • It's sexist, SEX SEX SEX, yeah too much sex & sexual violence. There's enough sex & nudity that it's almost close to soft-core porn. And it's presented as mostly demeaning to women. Rape, torture, incest etc all glorified in name of sex.
  • Half-baked & uncooked plot twists. With a huge show like this, it's difficult to fully bake every aspect some things like Shae's betrayal is just not well executed.
  • Some poor casting choices. Like Sibel Kikilli as Shae, who may be a good actress (I have never seen her work) but she's really annoying with her voice & nagging in the role.
  • It took 4 seasons for Joffrey to die. I mean, c'mon! He's a narcissist psychopath who everyone hates. Why not just kill him? There is another legit heir, his brother who's all he is but a psychopath. But it took us 4 seasons to see him die!
  • Too many deaths. I know, the show is known for it's unpredictable deaths and almost any character can die. It was surprising and interesting in beginning for some, but it's getting cumbersome too now. Like Jojen's death, who cares about him? At some point, the deaths lose their shock value, specially when character is not developed enough, or there's just too much of it.
  • This show is addictive. If you haven't seen it already, you're going to binge watch and invest/waste 40 hrs catching up. And then wait for 10 Sundays with anticipation. Why?!?!?!

I think that's enough for now. I still can't wait for the Season 5 this Sunday. I just love this show, it's awesome!

FIGHT CANCER WITH BASEBALL and WILL FERRELL

Mr. Will Ferrell is more than just funny! The man is smart as a whip and what we gather from people that work for him and with him, he’s progressive, kind and happily non-sexist and non racist despite making anchorman Ron Burgundy of "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” fame a hodgepodge of all of the above and more! 

Mr. Ferrell’s funny is smart and his web based company — FUNNY OR DIE is just one small but excellent example of the sharp business mind that’s floating around inside his cranium.

HBO brass made this Will Ferrell match in a new HBO SPECIAL FROM FUNNY OR DIE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. 

Yes, I read that correctly. We typed it in all CAPS to make sure that you read it correctly. 

In a role filled with hopes and dreams, Will Ferrell will be at five different spring training ballparks in Arizona tomorrow as production begins on a new HBO special from Funny Or Die, in partnership with Major League Baseball. Dedicating the special to the fight against cancer, Ferrell is also honoring the historic feat of Bert Campaneris five decades ago by playing every position on the field, and maybe some off the field, for ten different teams in the same day.

Ferrell’s historic day, which will be covered on social media using #FerrellTakesTheField, will be chronicled in the exclusive HBO special, which will air later this year and also feature MLB players, managers, coaches, executives and fans. 

“We hope to always be in the Will Ferrell business,” says Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. “This latest collaboration is one of those things only Will could pull off. I can’t wait to see him take the field.” 

Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said, “Spring training affords an appropriate setting where our game can serve as the backdrop for an event that will benefit organizations that fight cancer. Will is a big fan of our game, and many of us in baseball – among our clubs, players and our millions of fans – are big fans of his. Major League Baseball is happy to take part in what will surely be a fun and memorable day for a great cause.”

Ferrell’s goal is to honor “Campy” Campaneris while also helping organizations dedicated to fighting cancer, including Cancer for College. Formed in 1993, Cancer for College is a charity that helps individuals adversely affected by cancer to realize their dream of a college education. 

Ferrell will be playing in the following games as part of the special:

March 12     (all times Pacific; subject to change)

12:05 p.m.  Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics (HoHoKam Stadium)

1:10 p.m.   Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Tempe Diablo Stadium)

2:10 p.m.   Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks (Salt River Fields at Talking Stick)

4:05 p.m.   San Francisco Giants at Chicago White Sox (Camelback Ranch)

6:15 p.m.     Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres (Peoria Stadium)

An important part of the fundraising efforts will be game-used memorabilia from Ferrell’s journey across the five ballparks, to be auctioned at MLB.com with proceeds being donated to Cancer for College, as well as Stand Up To Cancer, a ground-breaking initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research. MLB is the founding donor to Stand Up To Cancer.

On Sept. 8, 1965, Bert “Campy” Campaneris, in only his second major league season, went 0-for-3 playing all nine positions for the Kansas City Athletics in a game against the California Angels. Campaneris is expected to be there with Ferrell as he begins his journey tomorrow.

Ferrell previously appeared on HBO in the 2009 comedy special “Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush.” He was also an executive producer of and guest-starred in HBO’s “Eastbound & Down” and “Funny Or Die Presents.”

The new special is executive produced by Will Ferrell in association with Gary Sanchez Productions, Funny Or Die’s Mike Farah and Joe Farrell, and Stuart Miller, and directed by Brian McGinn.

Funny Or Die launched in April 2007 and has become an award-wining top destination for comedy on the web. The site has over 19 million unique users per month, over 60 million video views per month, and has grown into a vertically integrated digital studio that produces high quality content over numerous platforms, operating a social media and marketing division with over 9 million Twitter followers, approximately 11 million Facebook fans (#1 Comedy Brand on both Twitter and Facebook) and devoted followers on numerous social networking and sharing sites.

HBO took home two Gold men named Oscar this year!

One of HBO’s biggest reasons for their continued success is based, in large, by the type of executives that have shaped their growing legacy.

In the documentary division one of their greatest assets is Sheila Nevins, President of HBO Documentary Films. Her unique style has won her and her associates Emmys (45+), Oscars (21+), and 31 Peabody Awards along with A Personal Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting.

During more than three decades with HBO, Sheila Nevins has produced almost 500 documentaries and counting.   

This year, HBO took home two more ACADEMY AWARDS® under the Documentary Film section with CITIZENFOUR in the category of Best Documentary Feature and HBO Documentary Films presentation CRISIS HOTLINE: VETERANS PRESS 1 under the Documentary Short Subject category. 

CITIZENFOUR is a real-life international thriller that unfolds by the minute, following director Laura Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald’s remarkable encounters with Edward Snowden in a Hong Kong hotel room as he hands over classified documents that provide evidence of mass indiscriminate and illegal invasions of privacy by the National Security Agency (NSA). Directed by Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky.

CRISIS HOTLINE: VETERANS PRESS 1 spotlights the traumas endured by America’s veterans, as seen through the work of the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line trained responders as they provide immediate intervention and support in hopes of saving the lives of service members who are struggling or contemplating suicide.

It was presented in association with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; directed by Ellen Goosenberg Kent; produced by Dana Perry; edited by Geof Bartz, A.C.E.; supervising producer, Jacqueline Glover; and executive produced by Sheila Nevins.

While covering the 2015 Academy Award this is what Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Dana Perry had this to share after winning under the Documentary Short Subject for "CRISIS HOTLINE: VETERANS PRESS 1."

myNewYorkeye: What does this mean to you in terms of exposure and your very important subject that you're dealing with in your documentary and making what matters of success of AMERICAN SNIPER as well?

Ellen Goosenberg Kent: You know, when this film was made a couple of years ago, and this topic is as important today if not more than it was then.  So we are really hoping that people will be able to see this all over the world.  We're sure that HBO will make an effort to put it out there in every way possible on DVD, and, you know, we just we'll take it around.  We'll take it anywhere that people want to hear about how to help veterans. 

myNewYorkeye: Can you talk a little bit about why ‑‑ what ‑‑ what was going through your head when you made it and the effect it's had on the audience?

Ellen Goosenberg Kent: Both of us? Dana, you start. 

Dana Perry: I have no idea what the effect on the audience was.  I don't know really what I said even though I wrote something down.  My main objective was to honor the responders and the staff of the Veterans Crisis Line and also the ‑‑ the souls out there who are reaching out for help and ‑‑ and that help was available.  Of course, I do have a personal connection to the subject.  I lost my son.  He was 15 when he killed himself; and since that happened, what I said, I think I said something like, "We need to talk about suicide out loud to try to work against the stigma and silence around suicide," because the best prevention for suicide is awareness, and discussion, and not trying to sweep it under the rug.  We've got a crisis with our veterans who are killing themselves.  More veterans have killed themselves than have died in these wars of the last, you know, decade or so.  So, again, I have no idea what we said, but I hope that the message was received.  Thank you.

myNewYorkeye: There ‑‑ there is a lot of talk on the Internet right now about Neil Patrick Harris's comments about your dress.  I'm wondering if you heard the comment ‑- 

Dana Perry: No.

myNewYorkeye: ‑‑ and what you thought.

Dana Perry: No. What comment?

Ellen Goosenberg Kent: About your dress?

myNewYorkeye: He said you have to have a lot of balls to wear that. 

Ellen Goosenberg Kent: That's adorable.

Dana Perry: Well, that is adorable; and I invite anyone to feel my furry balls.

Ellen Goosenberg Kent: I have nothing to say to add to that.

myNewYorkeye: I was also going to ask about your dress and just where you got it and how you chose to wear it.

Dana Perry: I went shopping in my mother‑in‑law's attic. She had great style.  She's not with us anymore, but she had great style in the '60s and '70s, and this is one of her excellent signature pieces. And I just love to wear it, because I can make ridiculous dirty jokes about it, and it also keeps me warm. You know, I just got the gown to sort of support the balls, you know what I mean?  So I can make the jokes if I want.

Ellen Goosenberg Kent: This is a very serious film here.

HBO RE-MAKES THE RULES--AGAIN

In any dictionary, as an example of “smart business practices” that marry "innovative storytelling" there should be three spots for HBO. 

Their ability to make new rules and then break them and create something stronger and better is noting short of remarkable.

Home Box Office announced today the name of its standalone premium streaming service – HBO NOW – and that the service will launch this April, bringing the highly anticipated new product to audiences in time for the fifth season of "Game of Thrones.”

HBO and Apple also announced that for the first time an HBO subscription will be made available directly to Apple customers through HBO NOW.

HBO NOW provides instant access to HBO’s acclaimed programming.  Watch every episode of every season of the best series programming, more of the biggest and latest Hollywood hit movies, original HBO Films, ground-breaking documentaries, sports and comedy and music specials. To subscribe to the streaming service HBO NOW, consumers only need the internet.

Apple will give viewers the ability to enjoy HBO programming via HBO NOW. Upon launch, customers can subscribe using the HBO NOW app on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, or directly on Apple TV for instant access. Users can purchase HBO NOW directly in-app for $14.99 a month. Upon registering, subscribers will also be able to watch at HBONOW.com. 

HBO will offer a 30 day introductory free trial period to new HBO NOW customers who sign up through Apple in April.

HBO continues to be in discussions with its existing network of distributors and new digital partners to offer HBO NOW. At launch, HBO NOW will be available on iOS devices and on PCs. 

“HBO NOW is the next phase of innovation at HBO,” said Richard Plepler, chairman and CEO, HBO. “With this new partnership, a natural evolution for the network, we have access to millions of Apple customers who are used to getting their favorite apps immediately.  Now, they can do the same with an HBO subscription.”

“HBO NOW offers a new generation of HBO fans many of the best TV programs in the world without a cable or satellite subscription,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Now, with the same simplicity as buying an app, customers can subscribe to HBO NOW and instantly start viewing their favorite HBO programs as they air – this is huge.”

Similar to HBO GO, HBO NOW will offer more than 2,000 titles online. This includes current critically acclaimed series like "Game of Thrones®," "True Detective®,”" Silicon Valley®," "Girls®, Veep® and The Leftovers®, as well as classics like The Sopranos®, Sex and the City®, True Blood®, The Wire® and Deadwood®.

Highly-anticipated upcoming original programs like “Westworld," the drama series starring Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris and Evan Rachel Wood; "The Brink," the dark comedy series starring Jack Black and Tim Robbins; the new season of the Emmy®-winning "True Detective" with Vince Vaughn, Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams; and HBO Films’ Bessie, starring Queen Latifah, will become available on HBO NOW as they air on HBO.

In addition, HBO NOW will showcase Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, named “best of 2014” on many critics’ lists; VICE, the Emmy®-winning, cutting-edge news magazine series hosted by Shane Smith; HBO Sports documentaries, series and World Championship Boxing events; and ground-breaking documentary programming like Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst and the Oscar®-winning Citizenfour.

Its Free to enjoy & Share, GAME OF THRONES MIXTAPE Vol. 2

How can any lover of good story begin to thank the genius that started HBO (on November 8, 1972) and the adventurous group that helped take an “idea” and mold it into “The HBO.” "The HBO" that is a brilliant business model. "The HBO" that is a safe and nurturing home for many creative story tellers. "The HBO” that respects their audience and embraced diversity without being brow-beat into doing so. "The HBO" that made watching and admitting to watching documentaries cool.

"The HBO" that set new standards of excellence in original programming has now added music to the GAME OF THRONES mix and HBO made something marvellous out of something well marvellous.

Catch the Throne: The Mixtape, available on March 17, is produced by Launch Point Records, the 15-track mix-tape features diverse artists representing "Game of Thrones" families, leveraging themes and highlights from season 4.

“Lord of the Light” by Talib Kweli is on Complex. The mixtape will be released in anticipation of the season 5 debut of "Game of Thrones" on HBO, April 12 at 9pm. 

Showcasing the importance of music in "Game of Thrones," each song on the mix-tape samples music from the show’s season 4 soundtrack. This year’s mix-tape also weaves in the overarching theme of fire and ice, providing listeners with an exciting line-up of heavy metal and hip-hop artists. Building on the success of Volume 1, with over 2.5MM streams to date, Volume 2 will feature artists from the R&B, electronic, Latin, heavy metal and rap worlds.

Each artist was aligned with one of the "Game of Thrones" families, helping to determine the themes that are illustrated in their track. The full list of artists includes: Anthrax, Estelle, Kap G, Killswitch Engage, Mastodon, Melanie Fiona, Method Man, MNDR, Mushroomhead    , Raquel Sofia, Snoop Dogg, Stalley, Talib Kweli, Ty Dolla $ign, and Yandel.                            

All artists involved in the mixtape are fans of the show and were eager to reinterpret key moments. "I am a big fan of the books and the series,” said Talib Kweli. “As an MC, I’m not adverse to the concept of battles and ability to tell compelling stories and the Game of Thrones series does just that. It is the reason I wanted to be a part of this mixtape.”

Catch the Throne: The Mixtape Vol. 2 will be released March 17th via SoundCloud, free of charge. Catch The Throne: The Mixtape Vol. 1 is still available on Soundcloud. Listeners are encouraged to share using the hashtag #CatchTheThrone.

Viewers can access previous seasons of "Game of Thrones" on HBO GO, HBO On Demand or by checking their local listings. For more on the series, visit: facebook.com/GameOfThrones and twitter.com@GameOfThrones.

GIRLS are marching in March!

GIRLS was created by Lena Dunham with executive producers, Lena Dunham, Judd Apatow, Jenni Konner, Ilene S. Landress, Murray Miller, Paul Simms and Bruce Eric Kaplan along with producer, Jesse Peretz and co-producer Sarah Heyward.

March 8th will unveil the best of the new episodes of the wildly successful and controversial series.

In Episode #40 titled “Tad & Loreen & Avi & Shanaz”— Hannah spends an afternoon with a new young friend; Marnie (Allison Williams) and Desi (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) fight over money; Jessa (Jemima Kirke) gives Shoshanna advice on the art of seduction; Loreen (Becky Ann Baker) and Tad (Peter Scolari) have a tense dinner party with their friends Avi (Fred Melamed) and Shanaz (Jackie Hoffman).

This episode is written by Lena Dunham & Jenni Konner and directed by Jamie Babbit. 

(Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 8 (9:00-9:30 p.m.) Other HBO playdates: March 8 (10:30 p.m., 1:45 a.m.), 9 (12:40 a.m.), 10 (10:30 p.m.), 11 (8:30 p.m.), 12 (midnight), 13 (3:00 a.m.) and 14 (12:30 a.m.) HBO2 playdates: March 9 (10:00 p.m.), 12 (8:00 p.m.) and 14 (2:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)       

In Episode #41 the series explores daddy issues in  “Daddy Issues” — Hannah’s maturity is called into question after she is confronted with a family dilemma; Jessa, Ace, Mimi-Rose and Adam have an awkward encounter; Marnie makes an announcement at Ray’s campaign party.

This episode is written by Paul Simms and directed by Jesse Peretz.

(Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 15 (9:00-9:30 p.m.)  Other HBO playdates: March 15 (10:30 p.m., 12:45 a.m.), 16 (midnight), 17 (10:30 p.m.), 18 (8:30 p.m.), 19 (midnight), 20 (2:20 a.m.) and 21 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: March 16 (10:00 p.m.), 19 (8:00 p.m.) and 21 (1:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

In Episode #42 it’s a “Home Birth”  with the season finale on Sunday, 

MARCH 22 (9:00-9:30 p.m.) — Hannah, Adam and Jessa each try to convince Caroline (Gaby Hoffman) and Laird (Jon Glaser) to forgo their planned home birth. Shoshanna faces a crucial decision when presented with a unique job opportunity. After Marnie and Desi’s meeting with a record label exec, Ray lets Desi know what he really thinks of him.

The season finale is written by Jenni Konner & Lena Dunham & Judd Apatow and directed by the show’s creator Lena Dunham.

(Other HBO playdates: March 22 (10:30 p.m., midnight), 23 (12:05 a.m.), 24 (11:00 p.m.), 25 (8:30 p.m.), 26 (midnight), 27 (1:30 a.m.) and 28 (9:30 p.m. HBO2 playdates: March 23 (10:00 p.m.), 26 (8:00 p.m.) and 28 (2:40 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

PLAN B makes a connect with NETFLIX

Today, in New York it’s snowing which I like to call a Netflix Day. Who am I kidding, I use anything in my path to make my day a “Netflix” day.

Mobile and I are very good friends. It’s one of the best weapons in a storytellers’ tool box. Hey—it’s hard to get your voice heard in Hollywood mobile ability or not! 

So, it’s with a great, big smile that I share that Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, has ordered The OA, a new drama series starring Brit Marling. Zal Batmanglij (Sound of my Voice, The East) who will direct, and Marling and Batmanglij will co-write The OA. Eight hour-long episodes of the series will premiere exclusively across all Netflix territories in 2016.

Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix shared this about the new project: “We are thrilled to be the home of the first  television series Brit and Zal create together, whether in front of or behind the camera, or both, their creative voice is always uniquely captivating."

"Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij are singular innovators who are looking to push boundaries in new ways and embrace this incredible moment of opportunity in television. We are so excited to be a part of this project,” said Plan B Entertainment.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Netflix and Plan B to help bring to fruition Brit and Zal's extraordinary vision,” said Michael Sugar, executive producer and partner, Anonymous Content. 

Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner from Plan B (Oscar winning producers of 12 Years a Slave) and Michael Sugar from Anonymous Content (True Detective, The Knick) are executive producers of the series, along with Marling and Batmanglij. The OA is a Netflix production. 

Brit Marling is an actor, writer and producer. She has starred in films including Arbitrage, and the recent I, Origins, and stars in the upcoming The Keeping Room. Previous credits include The East and Sound of My Voice, which she also produced and co-wrote with Batmanglij, as well as Another Earth, which she also produced and co-wrote with Mike Cahill. Director and writer Zal Batmaglij made a splash at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival with his feature debut Sound of My Voice, which was released by Fox Searchlight. The studio went on to make his next film The East, which they released in 2013.  

About Netflix

Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 57 million members in nearly 50 countries enjoying more than two billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. 

About Plan B Entertainment

Headed by Brad Pitt and co-presidents Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Plan B Entertainment has been responsible for producing numerous award-winning and critically acclaimed films including The Departed, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Tree of Life, World War Z, 12 Years a Slave, The Normal Heart, and Selma. The company’s forthcoming slate includes THE BIG SHORT, based on Michael Lewis’s best selling book and to be directed by Adam McKay for Paramount Pictures; James Gray’s THE LOST CITY OF Z, based on David Grann’s best selling book starring Charlie Hunnam; UNDAUNTED COURAGE, a limited series for HBO; MAMMA DALLAS, a half-hour comedy written and directed by Mike White for HBO, DEADBEAT, a half hour comedy for Hulu starring Tyler Labine; and development with a number of marquee filmmakers and writers in both film and television.

About Anonymous Content

Founded in 1999 by CEO Steve Golin, Anonymous Content is a production and management company representing directors, writers, actors, and comedians. Anonymous Content has produced such award-winning and commercially successful films and television series as the Academy Award®-nominated films Babel, which also won a Golden Globe® Award; Winter’s Bone, which was nominated in four categories for the Academy Awards®, including Best Picture; The Fifth Estate; Being John Malkovich; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which won an Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay; as well as the box-office smash 50 First Dates.

MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE WITH HBO

Angry Street (Photo Credit - Lapacazo Sandoval)

In March, our team will embark on a 12 month series on Diversity in Hollywood, an issue that’s both a social justice point and a monetary point that, in the past, the “expensive suits of Hollywood” have been able to skirt.

One click of your finger and your are transported anywhere in the world with a WiFi signal. That same digit can make you the “ruler” of your own distribution pattern and coupled with the accessible of quality recording devices, editing software and sharing platforms — the world of entertainment has become visibly “Gobal” for the powerful money men and women that have ruled the industry with an iron hand and a blind eye to anything that wasn't majority white.

Our team was blown over excited when, in our invite, we discovered that the innovative, ground breaking minds at HBO are making an effort to find new voices from the rich diverse pool. 

The press release literally began with "HBO SEEKS DIVERSE, EMERGING WRITERS FOR  HBOACCESS™ WRITING FELLOWSHIP”

Excellent. It's our pleasure to bring this opportunity to your readers and we sincerely hope that you give us #myNewYorkeye and @myNewYorkeye the love for bringing the good news. 

The HBOAccess™ Writers Fellowship Application Process Begins March 4, and this is to give emerging writers an opportunity to hone their craft with HBO Programming Execs.

The program will give emerging writers from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to attend a week of master classes held at the HBO campus in Santa Monica, California focusing on character and story development, pitching ideas and projects, securing an agent, and networking. 

Each participant will then enter into an eight month writing phase where he/she will be paired with an HBO development executive and guided through the script development process. At the conclusion of the program, HBO will hold a reception and staged reading for industry professionals where the writers will be introduced to the entertainment industry.

“With the success of our first year of the HBOAccess Directing fellowship, we wanted to expand our focus to other areas of the creative process,” said Kelly Edwards, Vice President, HBO Talent Development. “We are looking for emerging writers with a deep passion for storytelling and a unique voice who will want to bring that talent to HBO and Cinemax.  In turn, they will be nurtured by some of the best creative executives and show runners in the business. HBO has a long legacy of supporting writers and we are excited we can begin those relationships at this early stage.”

Last year’s inaugural HBOAccess Directing Fellowship proved to be a tremendous success. Four directors were selected to go through a series of lectures with HBO executives, mentors, and industry professionals. The program concluded with the production of four short films which are set to air in March on HBO On Demand and HBO GO. 

The HBOAccess Writing Fellowship is open to diverse and female writers 21 and older who must be able to work in the US. Prior to the application, the writer must not have been staffed on a network or cable series in excess of 13 episodes and/or had more than one feature film or more than two plays produced.

All submissions must be made through the online portal, Without A Box, and will require a resume,  a writing sample, a completed release form and a personal essay in 500 words or less explaining how his/her background has influenced his/her storytelling. 

For more information on eligibility, 

Visit https://www.withoutabox.com/03film/03t_fin/03t_fin_fest_01over.php?festival_id=13830. 

Please copy the bottom and paste in a place of importance: 

  • Timeline and Important Dates:

March 4, 2015 – Application process opens at https://www.withoutabox.com/. The application portal will close when 1,000 submissions have been reached. No mail or email submissions will be accepted. 

May, 2015 – 20 candidates advance to first round interviews with HBOAccess™ program directors via in person or Skype.

June 2015 – Final interviews with HBO development and production executives. All applicants selected to the final round must provide a second writing sample. They must also be prepared to pitch up to three ideas, one of which will be developed during the eight month long mentor-ship.

July 1, 2015 – Eight participants are notified.

August 17-21, 2015 – Master classes will take place over a one week period at the HBO offices in Santa Monica, CA from 10am to 5pm. Any finalist not local to the Los Angeles area must be prepared to cover his/her own travel and lodging for the duration of the program, however a small stipend will be available to defray those costs.

Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world’s most successful pay TV service, providing the two television services – HBO®and Cinemax® – to approximately 127 million subscribers worldwide. The services offer the most popular subscription video-on-demand products, HBO On Demand® and Cinemax On Demand® as well as HBO GO® and MAX GO®, HD feeds and multiplex channels. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 70 countries. HBO and Cinemax programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.