stand-up comedy
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Netflix might pay Eddie Murphy $70 million for stand-up specials
Eddie Murphy might be better known these days for his work on the screen, but it was on the stage that he got his start. His stand-up specials Delirious and Raw are often ranked among the best ever, and Murphy has been open in recent years about wanting a return to live performance. Netflix might help him make the leap, as it's reportedly in talks with him for several stand-up specials.
Netflix comedy specials are coming to SiriusXM on April 15th
The idea of Netflix teaming up with another streaming service was laughable until now. Netflix announced today that it is partnering with SiriusXM to create a 24/7 streaming radio channel that will feature clips from Netflix stand up specials. "Netflix is a Joke" Radio, first promised last year, will launch for SiriusXM's XM Select and XM All Access subscribers starting April 15th. The streaming-only station will be available through the SiriusXM app, online and in vehicles with SiriusXM 360L radio.
Amazon betting on newcomer talent to grow its comedy library
Netflix is looking to tackle the comedy genre with full force over the next few years -- and it's very serious about it too, having recruited Adam Sandler and Chelsea Handler to help along the way so far. Amazon, on the other hand, appears to be ready to take a much different approach. According to Reuters, the online retail titan has acquired Rooftop Media, an entertainment company focusing on recording comedy club performances (audio as well as video) and distributing them. Rooftop Media's main property is the site Rooftop Comedy, which describes itself as a medium that "provides over 6,500 comedians services to help build and expand their careers." Furthermore, Rooftop says it records stands-up comedy sessions in different venues throughout North America and the UK, doing so every day of the year.
Laugh Factory app puts comedy on PS3 this September
Why did the Laugh Factory Xross the Media Bar? We're stopping right there, before even coming up with a horrible ending to that joke, before this fun news gets depressing. LA's Laugh Factory comedy club will release its own streaming video app on PS3 September 1, allowing you to watch both recorded and live performances from stand-ups.Through November, all the content will be free. Starting in December, if you want to enjoy the streaming comedy, it'll cost $3 a month. Feel free to institute your own two-drink minimum, and perhaps hire a local comic to warm up the room (your living room) before you start the show. You know, to make sure you get the most from your subscription.
The Soapbox: A sense of humor is your number one weapon
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column. It's one of my ongoing theories that MMOs severely tempt (if not outright encourage) us to engage in the less savory aspects of our character. I'm sometimes worried that these games do shape our personalities, at least while we're playing, to bring out the worst in us. I'm not talking about addiction or anything like that, but rather about things as simple as fostering greediness, selfishness, envy and bullying. From games that are supposed to be massively social, I often get the impression that the message they're preaching is to look out for yourself and get ahead of the (kill ten) rat race any way possible. At least in my own game sessions, I've seen signs of this happening. I've kept silent when guildies ask for help, because I want to get this quest done for myself. I've fallen into the stressful grind of endgame gear to the point of becoming completely fixated on it to the exclusion of all else. Once or twice I've written an angry diatribe on forums, attempting to use the sheer weight of my words to club the opposition into submission. And, yes, I've lost my cool with party members whom I judged as not pulling their weight, and I've chewed them out. It's usually at times like these when someone or something kicks in to remind me that I have gotten a little too serious and need to lighten up. It's not that MMOs are "just" games but that these are games, and as such, shouldn't we be having more fun and laughing more often than we do now? This is why, over the years, I've developed a personal philosophy of gaming that revolves around three simple concepts: if it's not fun, don't do it; help others when the opportunity arises; and always bring a sense of humor to the playing field. Today I'd like to explore that last one.
