The Daily Show with Trevor Noah was somewhat of a surprise winner for the main late-night Emmy.
But it was made slightly easier after Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was moved out of the Outstanding Talk Series category (he won Scripted Variety Series).
Noah, who left The Daily Show more than a year ago, accepted the award.
He thanked a litany of his former team, as well as Jon Stewart, who was also in the category with The Problem with Jon Stewart, for bringing him to The Daily Show, as well as showrunner Jen Flanz, “this woman rode with me through the trenches”.
“I told you we’d beat John Oliver if he wasn’t in our category. We did it, we got rid of John Oliver. This story has been so long, so crazy, so wonderful. I want to start by thanking the crazy Africans who followed me to this country,...
But it was made slightly easier after Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was moved out of the Outstanding Talk Series category (he won Scripted Variety Series).
Noah, who left The Daily Show more than a year ago, accepted the award.
He thanked a litany of his former team, as well as Jon Stewart, who was also in the category with The Problem with Jon Stewart, for bringing him to The Daily Show, as well as showrunner Jen Flanz, “this woman rode with me through the trenches”.
“I told you we’d beat John Oliver if he wasn’t in our category. We did it, we got rid of John Oliver. This story has been so long, so crazy, so wonderful. I want to start by thanking the crazy Africans who followed me to this country,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
After Writers Guild of America waged a protest regarding the Television Academy‘s decision to move the outstanding writing for a variety series or special categories out of the upcoming Emmy telecast, the TV Academy has reversed course.
In a joint release sent out today, the Television Academy, Fox and the WGA said they were “happy to announce they have reached an agreement to include the Writing for a Variety Series category in the 75th Emmy Awards telecast airing live on Fox on January 15, 2024, at 8pm Est / 5pm Pst.”
Because this year’s Primetime Emmys has moved the variety special (live) category into the telecast (it was on the Creative Arts show last year), the TV Academy was likely looking to keep the telecast capped at 25 awards, so something had to fall out. And in this case, it was the variety writing field that originally got pushed to the Creative Arts ceremony.
In a joint release sent out today, the Television Academy, Fox and the WGA said they were “happy to announce they have reached an agreement to include the Writing for a Variety Series category in the 75th Emmy Awards telecast airing live on Fox on January 15, 2024, at 8pm Est / 5pm Pst.”
Because this year’s Primetime Emmys has moved the variety special (live) category into the telecast (it was on the Creative Arts show last year), the TV Academy was likely looking to keep the telecast capped at 25 awards, so something had to fall out. And in this case, it was the variety writing field that originally got pushed to the Creative Arts ceremony.
- 1/3/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Talk Series
Weekly Commentary: Jon Stewart is facing off against his buddy Stephen Colbert in the talk series category, and it’s a race too close to call.
CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” could manage its first significant win against Apple TV’s “The Problem with Jon Stewart,...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Talk Series
Weekly Commentary: Jon Stewart is facing off against his buddy Stephen Colbert in the talk series category, and it’s a race too close to call.
CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” could manage its first significant win against Apple TV’s “The Problem with Jon Stewart,...
- 8/23/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The Daily Show has had a busy six months after host Trevor Noah surprised everyone by announcing he was stepping down after seven years.
Noah’s last show was in December, and the Comedy Central series has shaken up the format with a revolving chair of guest hosts including the likes of Chelsea Handler, Kal Penn and Sarah Silverman as well as its own correspondents including Roy Wood Jr. and Desi Lydic.
Showrunner Jen Flanz said during the show’s panel at Deadline’s Contenders Television: Documentary + Unscripted event that it’s been a fun ride. “It’s been really cool to see so many different voices given the authority of the desk,” she said. “It’s hard to think about the next thing. There’s no time to be sad about Trevor [leaving], there’s no time to think about what’s next. We’re just living in it right now.
Noah’s last show was in December, and the Comedy Central series has shaken up the format with a revolving chair of guest hosts including the likes of Chelsea Handler, Kal Penn and Sarah Silverman as well as its own correspondents including Roy Wood Jr. and Desi Lydic.
Showrunner Jen Flanz said during the show’s panel at Deadline’s Contenders Television: Documentary + Unscripted event that it’s been a fun ride. “It’s been really cool to see so many different voices given the authority of the desk,” she said. “It’s hard to think about the next thing. There’s no time to be sad about Trevor [leaving], there’s no time to think about what’s next. We’re just living in it right now.
- 4/29/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Charlamagne Tha God, Michelle Wolf and Desus Nice are among the next wave of guest hosts coming to “The Daily Show,” the program told TheWrap exclusively.
Tds’ news team will have the opportunity to take over the late night Comedy Central program’s iconic desk, tag teaming anchoring duties at the end of May. Lewis Black and Ronny Chieng will also be given their own solo guest hosting opportunities.
Specific dates for the guest hosts are below:
The week of May 15th: Charlamagne Tha God The week of May 22nd: News Team Takeover The week of June 5th: Michelle Wolf The week of June 12th: Ronny Chieng The week of June 20th: Lewis Black The week of June 26th: Desus Nice
Additional details on the News Team Takeover will be revealed at a later date.
Also Read:
‘The Daily Show’ Taps Lewis Black, Roy Wood Jr. and Desi Lydic as...
Tds’ news team will have the opportunity to take over the late night Comedy Central program’s iconic desk, tag teaming anchoring duties at the end of May. Lewis Black and Ronny Chieng will also be given their own solo guest hosting opportunities.
Specific dates for the guest hosts are below:
The week of May 15th: Charlamagne Tha God The week of May 22nd: News Team Takeover The week of June 5th: Michelle Wolf The week of June 12th: Ronny Chieng The week of June 20th: Lewis Black The week of June 26th: Desus Nice
Additional details on the News Team Takeover will be revealed at a later date.
Also Read:
‘The Daily Show’ Taps Lewis Black, Roy Wood Jr. and Desi Lydic as...
- 4/19/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
“The Daily Show” is tapping its correspondents and contributors for the next wave of guest hosting as the search continues for a permanent replacement after Trevor Noah’s exit in December, including Lewis Black, Roy Wood Jr. and Desi Lydic.
Wood will kick things off, hosting during the week of April 3. After Wood, the following will serve as guest-hosts:
Week of April 17 – Jordan Klepper Week of April 24 – Desi Lydic Week of May 1 – Dulcé Sloan Week of May 8 – Michael Kosta
Black and Ronny Chieng are also slated to guest host, thought their dates are yet to be announced.
Also Read:
Kal Penn Previews His ‘Dream Come True’ Biden Interview on ‘The Daily Show': It’s Not ‘Just the Doom and Gloom Stuff’
The news comes as John Leguizamo is set to wrap up the first round of celebrity guest hosts next week. Previous celebrity guest hosts have included Leslie Jones,...
Wood will kick things off, hosting during the week of April 3. After Wood, the following will serve as guest-hosts:
Week of April 17 – Jordan Klepper Week of April 24 – Desi Lydic Week of May 1 – Dulcé Sloan Week of May 8 – Michael Kosta
Black and Ronny Chieng are also slated to guest host, thought their dates are yet to be announced.
Also Read:
Kal Penn Previews His ‘Dream Come True’ Biden Interview on ‘The Daily Show': It’s Not ‘Just the Doom and Gloom Stuff’
The news comes as John Leguizamo is set to wrap up the first round of celebrity guest hosts next week. Previous celebrity guest hosts have included Leslie Jones,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Barack Obama will appear as a guest on the Nov. 17 episode of “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah,” Variety has learned exclusively. The episode airs on Comedy Central at 11 p.m.
In conversation with Noah, the former president will discuss the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum and critical issues facing America and the world today. The interview will be Obama’s third with Noah, and his first in-studio. He previously appeared in a 2020 virtually taped episode, and did one of his final interviews as president with Noah at the White House.
The interview comes the week after the midterm elections that won the Republican party control of the House of Representatives — ending two years headed by the Democrats — and just days after Obama’s successor, the twice impeached Donald Trump, announced his bid to return to the White House in 2024.
The Obama interview will also mark a highlight for the end...
In conversation with Noah, the former president will discuss the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum and critical issues facing America and the world today. The interview will be Obama’s third with Noah, and his first in-studio. He previously appeared in a 2020 virtually taped episode, and did one of his final interviews as president with Noah at the White House.
The interview comes the week after the midterm elections that won the Republican party control of the House of Representatives — ending two years headed by the Democrats — and just days after Obama’s successor, the twice impeached Donald Trump, announced his bid to return to the White House in 2024.
The Obama interview will also mark a highlight for the end...
- 11/17/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Emmys Collective
Visit each category, per the individual awards show from The Emmys Hub
To see old predictions and commentary,...
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Emmys Collective
Visit each category, per the individual awards show from The Emmys Hub
To see old predictions and commentary,...
- 8/19/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“The Daily Show” is headed to yet another battleground state.
To coincide with midterm elections, Trevor Noah will be hosting the show from the Tabernacle in Atlanta with a live audience from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. The segments will include on-the-ground election coverage, which has become a staple at “The Daily Show.”
In previous years, “The Daily Show” has visited other battleground states for midterm elections, including Florida and Ohio. This fall, the show plans to highlight key races and report on broader voting issues within Georgia. The show will feature election coverage all the way up to election night.
Guest and ticket information for tapings of “The Daily Show” in Atlanta will be released at a later date. The episodes will air nightly at 11:00 p.m. Et/Pt on Comedy Central.
Also Read:
Trevor Noah Not So Sure Trump Plotted Jan. 6 Riots: ‘The Man Can’t Even Plan Where...
To coincide with midterm elections, Trevor Noah will be hosting the show from the Tabernacle in Atlanta with a live audience from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. The segments will include on-the-ground election coverage, which has become a staple at “The Daily Show.”
In previous years, “The Daily Show” has visited other battleground states for midterm elections, including Florida and Ohio. This fall, the show plans to highlight key races and report on broader voting issues within Georgia. The show will feature election coverage all the way up to election night.
Guest and ticket information for tapings of “The Daily Show” in Atlanta will be released at a later date. The episodes will air nightly at 11:00 p.m. Et/Pt on Comedy Central.
Also Read:
Trevor Noah Not So Sure Trump Plotted Jan. 6 Riots: ‘The Man Can’t Even Plan Where...
- 6/21/2022
- by Katie Campione
- The Wrap
“The Daily Show” is hitting the road for midterms again. This fall, host Trevor Noah will take his Comedy Central late-night series to battleground territory in Atlanta, Ga.
While on-the-ground election coverage is nothing new for “The Daily Show,” which has previously moved to Ohio and Florida for midterms, the decision to head to Georgia for the first time is “highlighting key races and broader voting issues,” per the Paramount show. This also marks the show’s first time back on the road in a while, having just returned to its own home studio in New York City back in April following two years of doing the show remotely amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Noah will be recording full “Daily Show” shows from the Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta leading up to election night to cap off the late-night talker’s “Votedemic 2022” midterm election coverage. Episodes are set to air nightly from Oct.
While on-the-ground election coverage is nothing new for “The Daily Show,” which has previously moved to Ohio and Florida for midterms, the decision to head to Georgia for the first time is “highlighting key races and broader voting issues,” per the Paramount show. This also marks the show’s first time back on the road in a while, having just returned to its own home studio in New York City back in April following two years of doing the show remotely amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Noah will be recording full “Daily Show” shows from the Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta leading up to election night to cap off the late-night talker’s “Votedemic 2022” midterm election coverage. Episodes are set to air nightly from Oct.
- 6/21/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Even the coronavirus pandemic couldn’t stop Comedy Central’s long-running “The Daily Show.” Trevor Noah’s late-night showcase, now produced remotely and dubbed “The Daily Social Distancing Show,” has expanded to 45 minutes per night during production, for the first time since the franchise launched in 1996.
The Emmy-nominated team behind the show – executive producer and showrunner Jennifer Flanz, supervising producer and writer David Kibuuka and writer Dan Amira – joined Variety senior editor Michael Schneider on Aug. 21 for an exclusive Q&a in the Variety Streaming Room presented by Comedy Central.
Flanz reflected on the final live show, in which the team produced a goodbye tribute to their live audience. When the showrunners made a joint decision to close production in March, her team had thought work-from-home would only last two to three weeks.
“We were pretty equipped to just quickly shift into — we’ll just do some quick videos here...
The Emmy-nominated team behind the show – executive producer and showrunner Jennifer Flanz, supervising producer and writer David Kibuuka and writer Dan Amira – joined Variety senior editor Michael Schneider on Aug. 21 for an exclusive Q&a in the Variety Streaming Room presented by Comedy Central.
Flanz reflected on the final live show, in which the team produced a goodbye tribute to their live audience. When the showrunners made a joint decision to close production in March, her team had thought work-from-home would only last two to three weeks.
“We were pretty equipped to just quickly shift into — we’ll just do some quick videos here...
- 8/24/2020
- by Janet W. Lee
- Variety Film + TV
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah has had an eventful year. As the Covid-19 pandemic was sweeping through the U.S. and the world, Noah, the producers and Comedy Central decided to extend the half-hour show to 45 minutes. The plan is now to extend that even further and move to a full hour by the end of the year.
That’s in addition to this week’s news that it will move to five days a week to cover the Democratic and Republican conventions.
Jen Flanz, the late-night staple’s showrunner and executive producer, said during Deadline’s virtual Contenders Television: The Nominees event that the move to an hour will help both the network and the show.
“45 minutes was pretty easy for us to do [but], it’s probably a programming nightmare,” she said. Supervising producer Zhubin Parang joked that it was tough to fit a short version of The Office in the last 15 minutes.
That’s in addition to this week’s news that it will move to five days a week to cover the Democratic and Republican conventions.
Jen Flanz, the late-night staple’s showrunner and executive producer, said during Deadline’s virtual Contenders Television: The Nominees event that the move to an hour will help both the network and the show.
“45 minutes was pretty easy for us to do [but], it’s probably a programming nightmare,” she said. Supervising producer Zhubin Parang joked that it was tough to fit a short version of The Office in the last 15 minutes.
- 8/17/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Three episodes in, the digital The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah is making the leap to linear television. Starting on Monday, March 23, The Daily Social Distancing Show, produced and distributed remotely, with Noah and the The Daily Show team working from their homes, will air weeknights in The Daily Show‘s 11 Pm time slot on Comedy Central, part of ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Brands Group.
Following the production shutdown of all late-night shows at the end of last week amid an escalating Covid-19 pandemic, they started to return one by one with online videos featuring the hosts doing monologues and remote celebrity interviews from their homes. Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon’s videos have migrated to TV, opening that night’s rerun of CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, respectively.
More from Deadline"I Take My Hat Off...
Following the production shutdown of all late-night shows at the end of last week amid an escalating Covid-19 pandemic, they started to return one by one with online videos featuring the hosts doing monologues and remote celebrity interviews from their homes. Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon’s videos have migrated to TV, opening that night’s rerun of CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, respectively.
More from Deadline"I Take My Hat Off...
- 3/21/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The winners of the 50th NAACP Image Awards were announced last night during the live broadcast on TV One from The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The live special was hosted by Anthony Anderson, who also doubled as a nominee.
The big winner of the night was “Black Panther” which took home eight trophies, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture, and Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture.
In the television categories, “black-ish” topped all winners with five awards, including Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé was honored as the NAACP Entertainer of the Year, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters was presented the NAACP Chairman’s Award.
Additional winners included radio host and personality Tom Joyner who was presented with the Vanguard Award, which recognizes an individual whose groundbreaking work increases our understanding and awareness of racial and social issues.
The big winner of the night was “Black Panther” which took home eight trophies, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture, and Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture.
In the television categories, “black-ish” topped all winners with five awards, including Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé was honored as the NAACP Entertainer of the Year, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters was presented the NAACP Chairman’s Award.
Additional winners included radio host and personality Tom Joyner who was presented with the Vanguard Award, which recognizes an individual whose groundbreaking work increases our understanding and awareness of racial and social issues.
- 3/31/2019
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
“The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” will have its first international installment with an episode hosted from Johannesburg, South Africa next month.
The show’s special episode, dubbed the “Self-Deportation Edition,” will be broadcast from Fnb Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, Dec. 2. to celebrate the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, which Noah is set to co-host.
Among the event’s headliners are Beyonce and Jay-z, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Kacey Musgraves and Pharrell Williams. Other co-hosts include “Black Panther” star Danai Gurira, Naomi Campbell, Dave Chappelle and Tyler Perry, among others.
Also Read: How Joe Biden, Stephen Colbert's Wife Saved 'The Late Show' (Video)
In the special episode of “The Daily Show,” Trevor will head back to South Africa to give viewers a look at his hometown. In addition to visiting some of his old haunts, he’ll explore Nelson Mandela’s legacy in South Africa, and more.
The show’s special episode, dubbed the “Self-Deportation Edition,” will be broadcast from Fnb Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, Dec. 2. to celebrate the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, which Noah is set to co-host.
Among the event’s headliners are Beyonce and Jay-z, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Kacey Musgraves and Pharrell Williams. Other co-hosts include “Black Panther” star Danai Gurira, Naomi Campbell, Dave Chappelle and Tyler Perry, among others.
Also Read: How Joe Biden, Stephen Colbert's Wife Saved 'The Late Show' (Video)
In the special episode of “The Daily Show,” Trevor will head back to South Africa to give viewers a look at his hometown. In addition to visiting some of his old haunts, he’ll explore Nelson Mandela’s legacy in South Africa, and more.
- 11/29/2018
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is headed south for the midterm elections — Florida to be exact.
The Comedy Central series will set up shop at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater for a week of “undesked” shows. Florida is a hotspot for some of 2018’s most important election issues and Noah and company will air nightly starting Monday, Oct. 29 through Thursday, Nov. 1 at 11 Pm Et/Pt.
This is the 15th time The Daily Show has hit the road for a special week of episodes. They recently visited Chicago last year in October and it was the first time they filmed the show without a desk — hence “undesked.”
Noah, Steve Bodow, Jen Flanz and Jill Katz are the Executive Producers of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, with Justin Melkmann as Co-Executive Producer, and David Kibuuka and Zhubin Parang as producers. Max Browning, Eric Davies, Pam DePace,...
The Comedy Central series will set up shop at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater for a week of “undesked” shows. Florida is a hotspot for some of 2018’s most important election issues and Noah and company will air nightly starting Monday, Oct. 29 through Thursday, Nov. 1 at 11 Pm Et/Pt.
This is the 15th time The Daily Show has hit the road for a special week of episodes. They recently visited Chicago last year in October and it was the first time they filmed the show without a desk — hence “undesked.”
Noah, Steve Bodow, Jen Flanz and Jill Katz are the Executive Producers of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, with Justin Melkmann as Co-Executive Producer, and David Kibuuka and Zhubin Parang as producers. Max Browning, Eric Davies, Pam DePace,...
- 8/7/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Last week, Single Palm Tree Productions hosted an international showcase called America Meet World at the famed Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. A project created to introduce Americans to new voices from other regions, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, the showcase saw top international acts entertain the crowd in the club’s main room, which has also seen the likes of Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, and more.
Featuring local acts Alex Barnett, Subhah Agarwal, and Ben Kissel, the stars of the night were two of Africa’s top comedians: Emmy nominated Loyisa Gola (pictured above) and David Kibuuka. No subject was left untouched. The showcase was just a snippet of Single Palm Tree Productions’ goal for America Meet World, a global comedy platform designed to produce and curate short form comedic content from around the globe that will not only entertain but introduce Americans...
Featuring local acts Alex Barnett, Subhah Agarwal, and Ben Kissel, the stars of the night were two of Africa’s top comedians: Emmy nominated Loyisa Gola (pictured above) and David Kibuuka. No subject was left untouched. The showcase was just a snippet of Single Palm Tree Productions’ goal for America Meet World, a global comedy platform designed to produce and curate short form comedic content from around the globe that will not only entertain but introduce Americans...
- 8/25/2014
- by Georgette Pierre
- VH1.com
Last week, Single Palm Tree Productions hosted an international showcase called America Meet World at the famed Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. A project created to introduce Americans to new voices from other regions, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, the showcase saw top international acts entertain the crowd in the club’s main room, which has also seen the likes of Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, and more.
Featuring local acts Alex Barnett, Subhah Agarwal, and Ben Kissel, the stars of the night were two of Africa’s top comedians: Emmy nominated Loyisa Gola (pictured above) and David Kibuuka. No subject was left untouched. The showcase was just a snippet of Single Palm Tree Productions’ goal for America Meet World, a global comedy platform designed to produce and curate short form comedic content from around the globe that will not only entertain but introduce Americans...
Featuring local acts Alex Barnett, Subhah Agarwal, and Ben Kissel, the stars of the night were two of Africa’s top comedians: Emmy nominated Loyisa Gola (pictured above) and David Kibuuka. No subject was left untouched. The showcase was just a snippet of Single Palm Tree Productions’ goal for America Meet World, a global comedy platform designed to produce and curate short form comedic content from around the globe that will not only entertain but introduce Americans...
- 8/25/2014
- by Georgette Pierre
- TheFabLife - Movies
Dv8 Films
There is a certain scrappy charm to "Bunny Chow: Know Thyself", the story of three struggling Johannesburg stand-up comics who take a road trip to a gig at an outdoor rock festival and discover that life has a way of delivering sharply executed punch lines of its own.
Shot in no-frills black and white by first-timer John Barker, this slice-of-life picture has a loose, youthful energy recalling early Spike Lee that is entirely fitting for a country that is enjoying a cultural growth spurt.
In its more polite, culinary vernacular, a bunny chow is a hollowed-out hunk of bread filled with a mixture of meat and vegetables that is meant for sharing. It also serves as a handy metaphor for the melting pot of cultures that is contemporary South Africa.
Playing casually autobiographical versions of themselves are David Kibuuka as Dave, a dishwasher who is determined to hit it big as a comic even though he has yet to have a decent set onstage; Kagiso Lediga as Kags, Dave's more established mentor whose womanizing ways are putting an understandable strain on his relationship with the beautiful but insecure Kim Kim Engelbrecht).
Rounding out the trio is Joey Yusuf Rasdien as Joey, a Muslim finding it tricky to reconcile his faith with the various temptations that go with the stand-up territory, much to the irritation of his Chinese girlfriend, Angela (Angela Chow).
Director Barker and his three lead characters all worked the same sketch comedy show ("The Pure Monate Show"), and that previous relationship serves their improvisational approach effectively here though there are the occasional times when those now-you-see-'em-now-you-don't subtitles go AWOL just when some of that hip Johannesburg dialect kicks into overdrive.
There is a certain scrappy charm to "Bunny Chow: Know Thyself", the story of three struggling Johannesburg stand-up comics who take a road trip to a gig at an outdoor rock festival and discover that life has a way of delivering sharply executed punch lines of its own.
Shot in no-frills black and white by first-timer John Barker, this slice-of-life picture has a loose, youthful energy recalling early Spike Lee that is entirely fitting for a country that is enjoying a cultural growth spurt.
In its more polite, culinary vernacular, a bunny chow is a hollowed-out hunk of bread filled with a mixture of meat and vegetables that is meant for sharing. It also serves as a handy metaphor for the melting pot of cultures that is contemporary South Africa.
Playing casually autobiographical versions of themselves are David Kibuuka as Dave, a dishwasher who is determined to hit it big as a comic even though he has yet to have a decent set onstage; Kagiso Lediga as Kags, Dave's more established mentor whose womanizing ways are putting an understandable strain on his relationship with the beautiful but insecure Kim Kim Engelbrecht).
Rounding out the trio is Joey Yusuf Rasdien as Joey, a Muslim finding it tricky to reconcile his faith with the various temptations that go with the stand-up territory, much to the irritation of his Chinese girlfriend, Angela (Angela Chow).
Director Barker and his three lead characters all worked the same sketch comedy show ("The Pure Monate Show"), and that previous relationship serves their improvisational approach effectively here though there are the occasional times when those now-you-see-'em-now-you-don't subtitles go AWOL just when some of that hip Johannesburg dialect kicks into overdrive.
- 11/7/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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