Thursday, October 25, 2012

Comedy Central Live Tapings: Owen Benjamin & Kumail Nanjiani at The Moody Theater, 10/22/12 & 10/24/12


Comedy Central invaded Austin this week to host four live tapings for their television channel and DVD release. The four well-known comedians included Owen Benjamin, Pete Holmes, Kumail Nanjiani and Al Madrigal. All tapings were free shows with only a RSVP to The Black List needed in order to attend. The Moody Theater is also one of the most outstanding venues in Austin, the famous home of ACL Live. I chose to go to the Monday and Wednesday tapings of Owen Benjamin and Kumail Nanjiani. 

Monday night we arrived and had floor seating just a little left to the center, last row. The opener was none other than Austin's own Chris Cubas who has performed at the likes of SXSW, Fun Fun Fun Fest and Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival. The headlining comedian, Owen Benjamin, was once an actor and coordinator on MTV's Punk'd and is also known for his time on The Jay Leno Show. He was absolutely hilarious, touching on topics including driving signs, dog owners and pop music. Here's a skit he also performed during his Monday night taping, poking fun at hip-hop star, Eminem. 

Owen Benjamin "What's Wrong with Pop Music?"

Wednesday night we sat in the third row back from the stage. Bryan Guttman who is also known from Comedy Central, as well as the Montreal Comedy Festival, opened the show. Pakistani comedian Kumail Nanjiani headlined who is known best for his regular appearances on late night talk shows such as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Conan. He has also made appearances on the IFC show, Portlandia with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. He announced at the taping that he will be reappearing in Portlandia season three. This funny-man covered birthday parties with dancing monkeys, new popular drugs and hobos in the attic. Check out the link below for Kumail's take on video games.

Kumail Nanjiani "Video Games"

I absolutely love stand-up comedy but this was my first time attending live tapings. Just a few words to the wise:
1) Use the bathroom beforehand - they will not let you up to go in the middle of the taping!
2) Get ready for a camera to sit four inches from your face while the camera man awkwardly films you laughing for what feel like long periods of time.
3) Prepare yourself to laugh and cheer like a psychopath for television aesthetic purposes.
4) Don't attend with someone you don't want to be seen with.
5) Cross your fingers you're not the poor sucker the comedian uses for his own jokes throughout the entire taping. 




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