Latest news with #StandUpComedy
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liberal comic who helped popularize podcasting explains why he turned down Hillary Clinton interview
Stand-up comedian and podcast host Marc Maron told The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday why he decided to turn down an interview with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2017. Maron, a podcasting pioneer and host of the popular "WTF with Marc Maron" podcast, interviewed former President Barack Obama in 2015, which helped open the door to high-level politicians willing to appear on his show, such as Hillary Clinton. When Maron's longtime producer Brendan McDonald pitched Clinton, fresh off her loss to President Donald Trump in the 2016 election, the comedian decided against interviewing the former Secretary of State. "'You're the guy to do this,'" McDonald recalled telling Maron. "He adamantly disagreed." Liberal Comic Details Why He's Retiring Popular Podcast, Says Format Has Acquired 'Cultural Malignancy' Maron told The Hollywood Reporter that "the success rate of getting to a candid place with politicians is very small," and that his successful interview with Obama was an exception. Read On The Fox News App "And this is somebody who's divisive and controversial and has a history that's somewhat sordid, not by any fault of her own, but I just didn't see where I could go with that," he said of the prospect of interviewing Clinton. Although his "WTF" podcast continues to maintain cultural relevance, Maron announced in June that he will be ending the long-running show. He told CNN on Thursday that he's just over the medium and noted that the podcast space has become oversaturated. "I don't want to chase the cultural conversation through clickbait and garbage. You know, I don't want to be tethered," Maron said. "And now you're getting out just when everyone's 100% convinced that podcasts are deciding American elections and the future of mankind. Right? So why get out just when everyone catches up to you?" CNN anchor John Berman asked the comedian. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Maron told the anchor that he never intended for the show to be about politics, and felt that it had run its course. "And we really chose not to do politics and just do kind of profiles and sort of candid conversation," he said, describing how he originally set up the show. "And we were audio, and we remained audio because we believe that's the most intimate, you know, form." He continued, noting that he's satisfied with how much content the show has produced and that he wants to get out with so many other podcasters competing on the scene. "And also, if we stop and at this point, you know, we have a body of work that stands on its own. And in terms of, yeah, podcasts being the new medium, that means there's 10,000 podcasts. Everyone's doing one, and it's just, the environment is a little cluttered and oversaturated." Fox News' Gabriel Hays contributed to this article source: Liberal comic who helped popularize podcasting explains why he turned down Hillary Clinton interview Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The best fantasy football forfeits for 2025/26: From Ronaldo haircuts to open mic humiliations
Nick Elliott Published: Invalid Date, DREAM TEAM is best enjoyed when played in Mini Leagues against your friends. As well as battling it out for bragging rights at the top of the table, why not spice things up with a forfeit for the loser? 4 The threat of a forfeit should ensure everyone remains engaged throughout the campaign and the ultimate pay-off of watching your mate endure a partially/fully humiliating experience can be a magical moment. Allow us to present some forfeit ideas of varying intensity. PERFORM A STAND-UP COMEDY SET AT AN OPEN MIC NIGHT This one only works if everyone in your Mini League has at least a mild aversion to public speaking. Head down to your nearest open mic night and watch as your friend attempts to make dozens of strangers laugh (the bigger the crowd the better) over the course of five excruciating minutes. Try to stifle your laughter while they're on stage - it'll work better as a forfeit if their 'jokes' are met with total silence. This is an increasingly popular forfeit among fantasy football managers. Once the Mini League standings are confirmed, the loser has to spend 24 hours at their nearest open-all-hours McDonald's. They can reduce their time by eating certain items - one hour for a large Big Mac meal, 15 minutes for a McFlurry, etc - but the more they eat the more full and uncomfortable they'll become. The rest of you might want to keep the loser company in shifts or you could simply request regular photos/videos as proof the punishment is being served in full. GET YOUR HAIRCUT LIKE RONALDO IN 2002 This one is a classic for a reason. The legendary Brazilian striker fired his nation to World Cup glory in 2002 but even amid such greatness, the haircut was deemed an absolute shocker by all. It's up to you how long the loser has to keep the dodgy barnet but one big night out is surely the absolute minimum. Complete the look with an old Brazil shirt or simply let the hair (or lack thereof) do the talking - it's up to you. GET A TATTOO For those who prefer something a little more permanent, why not book a slot at the local tattoo parlour? The world is your oyster in terms of the actual design; you could opt for a simple 'LOSER' label or a more descriptive 'DREAM TEAM MINI LEAGUE LOSER 2025/26'. Get creative! 'RAW DOG' A LONG TRAIN JOURNEY You might decide that Mini League failure deserves to be met with a test of psychological endurance. If your group lives in the south of England, for example, make the loser get a train to Scotland and back the same day with photographic evidence as proof (beware Photoshop cheats). Ramp up the punishment by restricting what they can take on board with them: no snacks, no books, no laptops, nothing that could be construed as entertainment. Ideally, it should just be them, the train, and a heavy sense of regret. The loser hands over control of their social media accounts to the rest of the group for an afternoon/day/weekend. We're sure you can be trusted not to take it too far... APOLOGISE TO 500 PEOPLE It's important the loser seeks forgiveness for their poor performance. Have them apologise to 500 people with a set phrase of your choosing, something like: "I finished last in my Dream Team Mini League. I'm sorry I disappointed you. I will try better next season." The apologies have to be personal, face-to-face interactions with strangers - they can't just shout through a megaphone in the town centre and claim it's done. Add a humiliating outfit to ram the point home. 4
Daily Mail
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'This is the Oasis effect': Woke TV comedian blames the Gallaghers after nobody turned up to watch her Edinburgh Fringe shows
Stand-up comedian Kate Smurthwaite has blamed Oasis for having to cancel two of her shows when no one turned up to her Edinburgh Fringe gigs. The television regular, 49, who describes herself as a 'left wing, feminist, atheist, polyamorous comedian and activist', is performing at the comedy festival but was yesterday forced to cancel her gigs 'due to zero audience' despite her shows being free. The stand-up said the lack of interest for her show was due to Oasis performing at Murrayfield Stadium in the Scottish capital this weekend as she called on the Gallagher brothers to be 'more considerate'. Oasis are not due to perform in Edinburgh until Friday, while Kate's cancelled gigs were due to take place on Tuesday. In a video filmed at the Banshee Labyrinth, a free venue in Edinburgh's Old Town, the furious comic films herself in the empty venue and said: 'I'm still in costume, 25 minutes after my show should have started and THIS is the Oasis effect.' 'So I did a couple of hours flyering as I usually would, that would usually get me a good crowd and I could tell it wasn't working.' 'Big groups of people in Oasis shirts coming past. No interest in hearing about my show or anybody else's show that was out there.' 'Advertising my children's show this morning, also cancelled due to zero audience members showing up. 'I'm also aware of performers losing their accommodation because landlords have suddenly realised they can make more money by renting the space out to Oasis fans.' 'I think it is absolutely heartbreaking to be cancelling shows. The first time I've done this in 10 years at the Edinburgh Fringe. 'Literally pulled a show because no-one showed up.' 'I think the Fringe Society should have seen this coming and done more about it and a band like Oasis should be more considerate of their fellow performers when they decide where and when to put their shows on.' The comedian who plays Drag King, Penis De Milo, later added in a Facebook post: 'Of course there's some luck. Some general impact of inflation and stagnant wages. The fact yesterday was my day off and sometimes people take a flyer and come the next day.' 'But the big factor is Oasis. They're playing huge gigs at Murrayfield Stadium on 8th, 9th and 12th. It was so obvious as I flyered. Big groups of people in Oasis shirts with no interest in my show or anyone else's.' She took particular aim at The Fringe Society who help organise the iconic performing arts festival every August. Kate said: 'They raised no objection to the concerts being staged in the middle of the Fringe. They glibly suggested Oasis fans might also come to Fringe shows. 'We all knew better. Oasis themselves must remember what it was like being regular performers trying to make a living. They could have played Edinburgh any dates they wanted.' But the comedian faced a backlash from those defending Oasis for their upcoming gigs on the 8th, 9th and 12th August. Rowan Lavender wrote: 'With all due respect; Oasis are not the reason nobody showed up.' Scott Laing said: 'Maybe people just don't fancy going to your show, it's not the oasis effect , oasis gig goers won't attend the fringe, I am an Edinburgh resident and don't attend any fringe and never have.' 'Accommodation is always a huge price hike and again nothing to do with oasis it's the council and landlords price hiking. Banshee is a good wee venue but maybe just maybe you don't look back in anger and stop crying your heart out.' Another wrote: 'Not convinced anyone that normally frequents the Banshee is off to the Oasis show.' Fellow stand up Yvonne Hughes, however, agreed with Kate about her predicament, writing: 'I have 0 in for tomorrow. 2 lovely folk today. People are deliberately staying away bc of Oasis.' Another performer Aimee Cooper said: 'Jesus, we knew the oasis effect would be bad, but seeing this is making it more real.. so sorry this has happened Kate.' The comedian previously debated Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain where she revealed that she embraces her natural body hair. The debate started with Piers Morgan asking if the woman growing body hair was 'helping feminism or promoting laziness?', and he went on to ask Kate if she had any problems with men because of it. 'It's funny how people care about how men will react to this, but I'm polyamorous and have several boyfriends, so I'm fine thanks.' Kate said that going unshaven is actually an advantage in relationships, saying: 'It filters out the kind of men who thinks that important – which is a plus for me. However, her fellow guest replied: 'I'm sorry I know it's your personal choice but I find it repulsive, it's the hygienic aspect of it. Pulling up her arm and wafting it into her fellow panelist's face Kate said 'It's not smelly,' while the guest went on to turn away from her and visibly wretched at the situation, while Kate laughed about it.
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Netflix drama Forget You Not: Hsieh Ying-xuan, Chin Han lead Rene Liu-directed melodrama
Lead cast: Hsieh Ying-xuan, Chin Han Netflix advances its robust slate of female-fronted Taiwanese drama series with Forget You Not, written and directed by Rene Liu Ruo-ying and starring Hsieh Ying-xuan as a middle-aged woman who uses stand-up comedy to process the everyday challenges in her life. Chief among these obstacles is her all-consuming relationship with her elderly father, played by Chin Han, while Wallace Huo Chien-hwa, Wang Po-chieh and Julia Wu Zhuoyuan round out the cast of this broad yet wholly relatable melodrama. Ever since her mother walked out on them when she was just eight years old, Le-le (Hsieh) and her father, Kuang-chi (Chin), have only had each other to depend on. Play When we first meet this headstrong 45-year-old divorcee, she is on stage at a comedy club, microphone in hand, regaling an elated audience with tales of how her father has repeatedly let her down.
Fox News
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Daily Show' star who recently became US citizen says becoming American is like joining 'evil empire'
Ronny Chieng, host of "The Daily Show," compared becoming a U.S. citizen to joining an "evil empire" during an appearance on Variety's "Awards Circuit" podcast on Friday. Chieng, who was born in Malaysia and moved to the U.S. as a child before returning to Malaysia at age seven, described his eventual return to America in 2015 as "30 years in the making." He said he came back to the U.S. to pursue his career in stand-up comedy and that it was a "weird time" to become an American. "I turn down offers to tour overseas all the time," Chieng said. "I've got no interest in it, because I came from there. I've been trying to come here… so it makes sense for me to get citizenship, because if I do leave the country, I know I can come back in to the stuff that I've been building here." Chieng told Variety that the type of things that attracted him to America were "Back to the Future" and "Seinfeld" and not "the Iraq War." "It's like you're joining this evil empire, but that's not why you joined it. It just so happened, the evil empire had some really nice TV shows, and they do stand-up comedy in The Death Star," he said. Beginning his tenure on the "Daily Show" in 2015, Chieng noted that "this Trump thing" is all he's known, saying that since he came to America, President Donald Trump's "shadow has been looming or in charge." "He's [Trump's] been talking s--- for a long time now. We're used to him talking s---," he explained. "He's been throwing chaos in the mix for a long time now. So in that sense, it doesn't feel like anything new in terms of coverage." Chieng also compared covering Trump's second term on the "Daily Show" to "being in an emergency room," describing the non-stop coverage of the president as "outlandish." "You kind of get numb to it, because it's always a car wreck every day. It's something new coming in, and it's something you have to comment on," Chieng said. "It seems outlandish, but at the same time, it's been outlandish for nine years. So is it outlandish? That's the feeling."
