Hysterical Festival

Schaal Strips for Feminism

Dianasaurus Rex — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:29:22 +0000

There’s been a lot of talk about the misogyny Hillary Clinton has faced in the media these days, and last night on The Daily Show, Flight of the Conchord’sKristin Schaal decided to take a stand against it - by stripping.

Adorable!

Humor and Race

Dianasaurus Rex — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:20:29 +0000

Hilarious comedian and ukulele enthusiast Jen Kwok turned me onto this great, low-budget documentary about race and humor. It’s insightful stuff, and a well-organized analysis of why some jokes about race are funny and thought-provoking, and others are just plain bullying.

Part One

Part Two

See the next two sections on WiscoStorm’s YouTube Channel.

That’s the Power of Pine-Sol, Baby!

Dianasaurus Rex — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:48:28 +0000

Funny Girlz: A Smorgasborg of Women Comedians celebrated its 10th anniversary in San Francisco, Saturday (we admit the title took about ten years to roll off our tongues). Diana Amos (yes! the Pine-Sol lady!) joined Bay Area funny women for their Mother’s Day Eve show. Amos, who cut her teeth telling stories of her upbringing by lesbian moms, told the SF Bay Times that once she had her moms’s blessing she headed for the clubs and kicked off her career. We tried to youtube her and only found some weird link to a play (or sketch? or realty show?) from back in the day so we watched this about twelve times instead. Though most still know her as the Pine-Sol Lady, Amos is a formidable presence on stage (and kept our parents from buying bargain brand floor cleaner). Cheers to San Francisco for keeping the lady-shows coming! (Especially when they benefit an awesome cause like Tenderloin’s Bay Area Women’s and Children’s Center.) –JG

This Clip Won’t Teach You How to Masturbate

hilariouspr — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:27:51 +0000

When we picture the offices at Chelsea Lately, there’s a lot of bourbon, a fair amount of pink, and conversations we only try to force on our less outspoken friends (masturbation, the Lohans, boob hair…) And now that we’ve finally caught up with the rest of the world (or, at least, our friends who love to talk about Magic Wands), we picture contributor Jen Kirkman there. The LA-based writer/improviser/stand-up was featured on Punchline Magazine’s site last week talkin’ bout getting down with yourbadself and how Johnny Depp isn’t always the ticket to getting… there. –JG

From Crackle: Female Masturbation

Night of Hysteria = Night of Awesome

Dianasaurus Rex — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:13:50 +0000

Thanks so much to everyone who came out last week to the Night of Hysteria. It was a blast - full of nudity, soulful crooning about setting sexual boundaries, and general all-around lady humor. We also celebrated the birthday of performer Catie Lazarus with a cupcake!

A special shout out of thanks to Touseef Mirza for capturing the night on film. Go ahead and see the whole set of Touseef’s April 25th photoshere.

Thanks again, and make sure to check out all of the night’s performers online!

Host and Festival Founder Desiree Burch
Brandy & Sara
Catie Lazarus
Vijai Nathan
Diana Saez (that would be me)
Katie Halper
The World Famous *BOB*
Wendy Ho

We’d Kill Ourselves to Work There

hilariouspr — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:02:15 +0000

Check out the second installment of Head in the Oven (from the Jeanie Tate Show’s Maggie Carey). Basically there’s hobag, a carpel-tunnel addled wannabe, and a good girl running a 9-5(ish) suicide help hotline. These ladies were definitely trained at the Dunder Mifflin school of work ethic. –JG

Tonight See HYSTERICAL Take Center Stage!

Dianasaurus Rex — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:52:50 +0000

Wanna see some of the comics who performed at our April 14th fundraiser? Have at it!

We’ll also be partnering with the Culture Project’s Women Center Stage TONIGHT with a whole new line-up! Check it out:

Brandy & Sara (The Kissing Booth);

Laughing Liberally’s Katie Halper;

Wendy Ho (Caroline’s, LOGO);

Diana Saez (Sirius Radio);

comedian, writer, and former Heeb Magazine Editor, Catie Lazarus (Daily Show, SNL, Dr. Lazarus, NPR, Sirius Maxim);

solo performer and creator of “Good Girls Don’t, But Indian Girls Do” Vijai Nathan;

and The World Famous *BOB* (NY Times, HUSTLER, A&E)!

Hosted by alt-comedy diva, Desiree Burch (Smut, VH1, “52 Man Pickup”).

Doors open at 8 pm located in The Puffin Room (435 Broome St. between Broadway and Crosby).

Buy tickets online!

Here’s a Fey, There’s a Fey

hilariouspr — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:11:36 +0000

Ooo, those glasses! That love of processed food! Decent gams! These days, a girl can’t walk down the street without seeing Tina Fey, hearing about Tina Fey, or dreamily thinking about Tina Fey. From the show to the movie, she’s the busiest lady in town these days and every fucking outlet in town is letting us know. (Click here, here, here, here, here, or here.)

Apparently, this is a source of stress for some folks because, yeah sure, seeing a hot, funny lady talk about her hot, funny success is a huge bonerkiller. For some, those citing “Fey-tigue,” the writer/actress/comedian/mom/Cheeto enthusiast it’s just that.

You know what I, a Fey-natic, say about that? ANOTHER movie coming out this weekend is going to put me in an Apatow-ma. (Like coma? Get it?? Sort of?!) Let the girl do her thang while it lasts.

At the Baby Mama premiere Wednesday, Fey even admitted this is a weird time. It’s crazy and busy and could she possibly been turning into a lady’s version of the Adam Sandler movie factory? “Well Mean Girls was 4 years ago… I’m trying to pace myself,” Fey said. “I know it’s a special time, so I don’t expect this train to run into the 2020s.” –JG

[Ed. Note: Fey wrote about babies and pregnancy and alternative ways to get knocked up AGAIN last week. Oy fey.]

50 Greatest Sketches of All Time

Dianasaurus Rex — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:37:30 +0000

Nerve.com and the IFC have teamed up to present their list of the 50 Greatest Sketches of All Time. Sadly, only 10 of these seem to prominently feature women, but below are the lady laced winners. I can’t help but feel like there are quite a few missing from this list.

Number 45 - “The Ginger Refuge,” The Catherine Tate Show, 2006

Number 42 - “Modern Mother & Daughter,” French & Saunders, 1992

Number 37 - Saying Goodbye - Smack the Pony

Number 30 - “Whatever Happened to Baby Dawn?” French & Saunders

Number 24 - “Sweeps Week/The Days of the Week,” SCTV, 1983

Number 22 - “Went With the Wind,” The Carol Burnett Show, 1976

Number 17 - Scenes from an Idiot’s Marriage - SCTV

11. Jaws II (Land Shark) - Saturday Night Live

9. “Not for Ladies Only,” Saturday Night Live, 1976

5. “The Coneheads at Home,” Saturday Night Live

Comix + Hysterical = BFF

Dianasaurus Rex — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:50:45 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out last night to get their laugh on and support The Hysterical Festival’s Fundraiser at Comix. It was an amazingly tight show with a huge range of funny.

And, most importantly, Comix and Hysterical officially announced that we are BFF.

Comix is a natural partner for the festival. This is a stand-up comedy club primarily run by women. That is a huge anomaly in the comedy world. So it was only right that Comix and Hysterical teamed up. Festival founder Desiree Burch and Comix publicist Kambri Crews let the world know about our special love.

Just to recap. Last night we were treated to the varied comedy stylings of:

Rachel Feinstein (Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend”, Montreal Just for Laughs Festival)

Mel and El (New York Musical Theatre Festival Concert Series at Ars Nova)

Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend”, US Weekly Fashion Police, VH1)

Bridget Everett (At Least It’s Pink at Ars Nova)

Heather Lawless (Be Kind Rewind, Variety SHAC, HBO’s Flight of the Conchords)

Adira Amram (Upright Citizens Brigade, Jane Magazine)

The whole night’s energy was masterfully carried by New York’s hostess with the mostest Carolyn Castiglia (VH1/MTV2)

You can see more pictures of last night on the lovely and talented Maryanne Ventrice’s Flickr page. Thanks, Maryanne!

If you feel like a big ole crusty turd for missing out (and you should) or if you came out and want MOAR, check out our next Hysterical Festival event at The Culture Project’s “Women Center Stage” on April 25th in The Puffin Room (435 Broome Street). Have a looksee at this guaranteed night of awesome.

Hilarious performances by the insane video and sketch stylings of:

Brandy & Sara (The Kissing Booth);

Laughing Liberally’s Katie Halper;

Wendy Ho (Caroline’s, LOGO);

Diana Saez (Sirius Satellite Radio);

comedian, writer, and former Heeb Magazine Editor, Catie Lazarus;

solo performer and creator of “Good Girls Don’t, But Indian Girls Do” Vijai Nathan; and

The World Famous *BOB* (NY Times, HUSTLER, A&E)!

Hosted by alt-comedy diva, Desiree Burch (Smut, VH1, “52 Man Pickup)

Buy tickets online!