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Amazon’s ‘Transparent’ hasn’t cut ties with Jeffrey Tambor yet
Last month, following accusations of sexual assault, Transparent actor Jeffrey Tambor released a statement that made it seem like he would be leaving the show. "Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don't see how I can return to Transparent," Tambor said. And while he has stated that he regrets if anything he did in the past was misinterpreted as aggressive, he has denied any purposeful wrongdoing. "The idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue," Tambor said in a statement. However, the New York Times reports today that Tambor's departure is far from certain and the show is currently operating under a very unclear future.
Netflix cancels Louis C.K.’s second stand up special
Yesterday, the New York Times published a report on Louis C.K. that detailed numerous allegations of sexual misconduct being brought against the comic. And as Variety reports, Netflix is now joining HBO and film distributor Orchard in cutting ties with C.K.
Louis CK's app gives you direct access to his comedy shows
Louis CK helped prove that artists can make good income by selling videos directly to fans, but getting his comedy shows to your phone can be a bit of a headache if you're unfamiliar with the intricacies of local file syncing. As of this week, though, you don't have to bend over backwards. The entertainer has released apps for both Android and iOS that let you buy, watch and listen to shows right on your device -- there's no sideloading required, and no third-party studios getting in the way. As Louis explains in a newsletter, this is really a mobile version of his website, just optimized to make your life easier.
The 11 best tech gifts for movie buffs
We're guessing this person on your list already owns a TV. (And if they don't -- or you just love them very much -- we have a couple suggestions.) But there are other ways to help your movie-loving friend round out their home theater setup. If money is tight, why not go for one of Roku's recently released media streamers? They come in at different price points, but we ultimately recommend them all. Alternatively, perhaps your friend could use a sound bar or a 4K HDR receiver for better audio, or a projector to make movie nights at home feel that much more cinematic. Or, you know, you could just get them some Blu-rays. Just make sure you exercise good taste. Here at Engadget, we recommend Lone Wolf and Cub, the Horace and Pete digital box set and the Mad Max "High Octane" edition. For our full list of recommendations in all categories, don't forget to stop by our main Holiday Gift Guide hub.
Louis CK ends his web-only video series
Louis CK's success in selling online-only video couldn't last forever, it seems. The comedian has ended his web series Horace and Pete after one 10-episode season, adding the option to buy the whole show for $31 if you haven't already snapped up each episode. He doesn't touch on why it's ending so soon, but it's likelydue to the staggering cost of running the affair -- H&P put him millions of dollars in the hole, and carrying on for another season (especially after dropping the per-episode price to $3) wasn't going to help matters.
Louis C.K. drops future 'Horace and Pete' episodes to $3
Louis C.K. has responded to criticism of the $5 premiere pricing for his new web show in a way only he can: With very creative swearing. "Horace and Pete is a full on TV production with four broadcast cameras, two beautiful sets and a state of the art control room and a very talented and skilled crew and a hall-of-fame cast," C.K. wrote in an email to his mailing list. "Every second the cameras are rolling, money is shooting out of my asshole like your mother's worst diarrhea." As a sort of apology, he also announced that all future episodes will sell for $3 each (the premiere will stay at $5, though).
Louis CK launches an online-only video series
Louis CK is no stranger to dodging conventional TV in favor of releasing his shows online, but his latest effort might take the cake. He just surprise-released the first episode of a new online-only video series, Horace and Pete, through his website. And it's not amateur hour, either -- the bar-themed show co-stars Steve Buscemi, while actors ranging from Alan Alda to Jessica Lange make appearances in the first video alone. It's not clear how long H&P will run, but there are hints that the first episode was shot just days earlier.
Louis CK releases his first nightclub comedy special online
Louis CK has made it a habit of releasing comedy specials online, bypassing the industry gatekeepers that jack up prices and delay releases. Well, he's at it again. The laugh-maker has just posted his first nightclub special, Live at the Comedy Store, on his own website. Pay his customary $5 price and you'll get three unprotected video downloads (finally in 1080p!), three audio downloads and three streams. You'll know the drill if you've watched one of Louis' digital shows before, but this show could be just the relief you need if the weather has you cooped up at home. [Image credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for New York Comedy Festival]
YouTube now has unreleased stand-up from Dave Chappelle, Louis CK and more
Stand-up comedians don't get to just walk onto the set of Saturday Night Live or The Daily Show and start telling jokes. Nope, like just about every other creative field, they start small and work their way up -- often for free at first. Yes, even the likes of Tracy Morgan and Sarah Silverman. The Just For Laughs (JFL) comedy festival in Montreal has filmed the countless names that've graced its stage since 1987 and has teamed with YouTube juggernaut Maker Studios to start releasing unseen footage from the fest's archives, according to Variety. Right now its channel only has a handful of clips (including Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock [above] and Bill Hicks), but JFL promises three-time-per-week updates are en route. All told, there'll be some 500 hours of performances and when that well runs dry, the outfit plans to add footage from more recent shows. For now, at least, you'll have something funny to sprinkle between Woodstock clips.
Must See HDTV for the week of March 24th: The Walking Dead, Psych, Fez, Louis CK on SNL
March Madness rolls on this weekend with the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games, but with our billion dollar brackets already destroyed, what else is there to watch? The Academy Awards Best Picture nominee march continues this week with the release of The Wolf of Wall Street on Blu-ray (how can Leo not have an Oscar?) and Continuum S2, while on TV The Walking Dead wraps up its fourth season, Helix reaches its first season finale and Louis CK brings his talents to Saturday Night Live. We'll have to put our DVRs to work on Saturday though, since Hannibal Burress' special is airing on Comedy Central around the same time. Before all that however, we'll bid a final farewell to USA's Psych, which is airing its series finale this week after eight seasons (and a movie?). For games there's no next-gen exclusive blockbusters this week, but PlayStation owners can cross buy a port of Fez across Vita, PS3 and PS4. Check after the break for trailers plus our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and gaming.
Humble Comedy Bundle lets you pay what you want for laughs, big spenders get Louis CK
The Humble business model can apply to anything. Now, you can pay what you want for stand-up comedy in addition to e-books, music and video games. For the next two weeks, you can get comedy specials from Maria Bamford, Tig Notaro, Hannibal Buress and Jim Norton for as little or as much as you care to spend. If you exceed the average donation though (currently $8.60), you'll take home Louis C.K.'s killer Live at the Beacon Theater set and three releases from his very good friend, the late Patrice O'Neal. As is the case with other Humble Bundles, anything you download is DRM-free and your donation supports great causes -- all for less than a comedy club's typical two-drink minimum.
Louis CK to offer HBO show as DRM-free download, chip away at cable content deals
With certain exceptions, HBO has developed a reputation for being protective of where and how its content goes digital. That makes Louis CK's plans for a 2013 comedy special a slight jolt to the system, even though it's not his first digital release linked to the channel. While HBO will get a first crack at airing the show, which will be recorded during Louis' ongoing tour, the comedian now plans to post the production online a few months afterwards using the same successful formula that has become his calling card: $5, no DRM and no region restrictions. The offering doesn't overhaul the industry, but it undoubtedly wrests control from the network as soon as the download link goes live. Think of Louis as making a small crack in cable TV's content wall.
Louis CK makes $1 million in 12 days, proves that DRM-free content is valued
Hear that, MPAA / RIAA? That's the sound of Louis CK's audience chuckling. Not at one of his jokes, mind you, but at the notion of strapping DRM onto everything you possibly can in order to "make people buy it." In an effort to see if this crazy idea was true or not, the famed comedian decided to sell his Live at the Beacon Theater for just $5. Procuring it was dead simple -- you could either surf over to his website and plop down a PayPal payment, or you could pirate it. Either way, no DRM was affixed. Turns out, people actually are fans of paying money for things that they see as both fair and worthwhile, as evidenced by the $1 million that currently sits in Louis CK's PayPal account. Of course, we've never advise anyone to hold anywhere near that much cash in an account that could be frozen on you at a moment's notice (not that we have experience or anything), but at least he's going to do awesome things with the proceeds. We'll let you hit the source link to find out precisely what that is. Kudos, Louis.
