Finally, after a month of performing six nights a week, Don Front was named the winner of the 2011 Portland Comedy Contest. The trophy—and the accompanying $1000 first prize—went to the right guy. As the contest wrapped at Harvey’s Wednesday night it seemed the other comics knew what was coming. Frost entered with a basically […]
Andrew R Tonry
Posted inMusic
The Mystery Tape
Sublime Frequencies’ Search for an Elusive African Band
Sublime Frequencies’ search for an elusive African band.
Posted inComedy
Ian Karmel is Doin’ Work
It won’t do much for the non-sports fans, but damn, Karmel’s Corner on Comcast Sports* is pretty promising. * – No pass for Comcast, the vicious and feeble monopolistic overlords.
Posted inComedy
This Week in Comedy
– First, some footage of local up-and-comer Anthony Lopez I shot last week at Ian Karmel’s Fly Ass Jokes showcase at the Brody Theater: – After a grueling month the Portland Comedy Contest is nearing its end. It’s down to five finalists: Don Frost, Gabe Dinger, Rico, Mike Coletta and Richie Stratton. I went to […]
Posted inComedy
A Conversation with Paul Mooney
Paul Mooney is old school. And I don’t mean that just in terms of comedy. Sure, he was Richard Pryor’s longtime co-writer and collaborators. Long before and long after, Mooney has been a fixture in comedy. He’s seen ’em come and go, and acts with the easy coolness of a man who’s stared into the […]
Posted inTheater & Performance
The Prescient Paul Mooney
On Working with Richard Pryor, and the Politics of Race
Comedy giant Paul Mooney on the politics of race and working with Richard Pryor.
Posted inComedy
Don Frost, The Portland Comedy Contest & More
– That’s Don Frost, above. Don isn’t a traditional stand up. He doesn’t write jokes or routines. He just gets up there and goes right off the rails, ranting on whatever catches his mind’s eye. It’s different every time—but every time it’s tremendous. I shot the video Monday at the Portland Comedy Contest. Speaking of […]
Posted inPolitics
Nicholas Kristof
Andrew R Tonry Coming up with an Oregonian more politically influential than Nicholas Kristof is damn-near impossible. The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist continually hacks through the darkest corners of the human spirit, often times the lone voice for those living through hell on earth. His politics are impeccable and his reporting damn-near heroic, […]
Posted inComedy
Tonight: Kyle Kinane
If you’ve attended Bridgetown in the last four years, you’ve likely been introduced to Kyle Kinane, a salty, blue-collar comic whose gotten exponentially better in his four appearances. This year he straight killed—the toast of the festival. This week Kinane returns to Grumptown for his first run of headlining shows at Helium. If you’ve seen […]
Posted inComedy
Title Holder
Bridgetown’s Reigning Iron Comic Kyle Kinane
Profiling Bridgetown Comedy Festival favorite Kyle Kinane.
Posted inComedy
What’s Up, Boys?
Interviewing the Trailer Park Boys—In Character
Interviewing the Trailer Park Boys—in character.
Posted inComedy
The Trailer Park Boys Interview
When their publicist told me that the Trailer Park Boys would be in character for our interview I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. I turned to the readers of Blogtown and y’all helped me out of that jam. Thanks. Your questions and more in my conversation with Ricky and Bubbles:. —- Ricky: […]