Two of The Best, At The Same Time

When I was in Los Angeles toward the end of last year, I was fortunate enough to see Jon Dore perform at Comedy Bang! Bang! at UCB Theatre. He was easily one of the smartest, most inventive stand-ups I've seen. Period. According to CBB's host, Scott Aukerman, Jon had a show in Canada, but I haven't been able to dig up much about it. For shame, Canada. I want to see anything this guy comes up with. Right now.

Rory Scovel is another comedian who I stumbled across only recently, but I wish I'd heard earlier. He's doing really phenomenal work... the beginning of his album "Dilation" is one of the best transformations from sarcasm to anger to sadness I've ever heard. Genius insanity in the span of one minute. (I'll admit I'm a little more drawn to the experimental weirdness of Dore's comedy, but Scovel's timing and performance is staggeringly good.)

So already being fast fans of these two I was overjoyed to find this (almost two years past) clip from Conan, where everyone involved took it up one more notch of ingeniousness. To explain anything about the video is a waste: Just watch it. And make sure to applaud at the end.

The Flaming C

Not having cable, I'm usually a bit behind on Conan, which is a shame because I think he consistently does great things with late night television. This foray into his own superhero-dom is just one of many examples. Beware the mighty force of the oven mitt.

Conan: Look Back, Lookwell

It's no secret that I love Conan O'Brien's brand of brain-damaged oddity. One of the best presents I've ever received was my wife's gift of surprise tickets to see Conan in his home town of Boston. So if you're like me, you're looking forward to his upcoming return to late night.

But let's not forget the accomplishments of his past, especially his most important. His not-so lengthy run on The Tonight Show? His far more lengthy run on Late Night? His contributions to Saturday Night Live or The Simpsons? No, it's clearly the never-went-anywhere work of absolute genius, "Lookwell," co-written with Robert Smigel and starring Adam West as a delusional has-been actor convinced he's a real detective. It's a crime that this and Heat Vision and Jack were never picked up, but most of the people involved in both pilots have done alright for themselves nonetheless.

The Third Host Option

There's been endless drama between NBC, Jay Leno, and Conan O'Brien about the future of The Tonight Show's host, time, and tradition. But isn't the choice obvious? It's all spelled out here. Here between two ferns.

Conan Approved

I'm looking forward to Conan O'Brien's debut on The Tonight Show this evening, but I was glad to see that he's taken a moment to focus even more important matters: Michael Kupperman's comedic brain as the number eight pick on his Must List for Entertainment Weekly.

I couldn't agree with Conan's assessment more, and I can't wait to see the latest Tales Designed to Thrizzle at MoCCA.