Job Description

Two days a week, for a couple hours each night, you will be responsible for editing comedy news posts, album reviews, interviews, feature stories or anything else our crazy writers come up with. Making a story fit for online publication requires lots of anchorlinking, finding the right pictures and video and filling out our Search Engine Optimization pack. Editing for our website is primarily done at night, and west coast are applicants preferred.

When you’re done editing the stories, you’ll need to hit up our various social media accounts, as well as your own, and get them out to the public. If you understand the best practices for use of social media, then you have what we’re looking for!

Training

Like any job, the more skills and experience you have the better. But don’t think that you need to know everything before coming on board. Already we have trained a few individuals to handle the editing duties for our website, and we’re happy to help fill the gaps in your resume so that you can excel at this position, as well as learn new job skills that will assist you in the future.

Qualifications

For the prized opportunity of becoming an AmericasComedy.Com editor, you’ll need to have some editing experience in your background. While that is the only requirement, here are skills and knowledge we consider a huge plus: understanding of WordPress, SEO, anchorlinking, social media and fan engagement, embedding videos, pictures, the most important news values and the ability to create catchy titles and excerpts. If you feel that you can do any of those tasks or think you are the perfect candidate to learn them, then you’re an editor we’d love to have apply for this position!

Interested?

People who have a background in editing, communications or journalism and love comedy are welcome to send in a cover letter and resume to CortTafoya@AmericasComedy.com. Please include any experience you have using social media. The deadline to submit an application is June 17.

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Check out our top five comedy films for this summer below, and enjoy the trailers!

1. Dark Shadows: In theaters now! 

The newest Tim Burton and Johnny Depp vehicle is a satirical reimagining of the 1960s Gothic soap opera by the same name. Depp stars as Barnabas Collins, a 300 year old vampire who gets reacquainted to a changed world in the 1970s in order to save his family’s legacy. This film marks Depp and Burton’s eighth movie together. And though both definitely have a dark side, Dark Shadows will bring some comedic light to their careers.

2. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World: June 22

On the eve of the world ending two neighbors take a road trip to reunite with a high school sweetheart. The science-fiction comedy is already topping critics’ choice list, with one saying it’s a, “small film with big potential.” Though the darker content would suggest differently, the film’s overall message is “seize the apocalypse.” With an all-star cast of comedians including Steve Carell and Patton Oswalt, the end of the world doesn’t look so bad.

3. Ted: July 13

This live action feature marks Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane’s directorial debut. Staring Mark Walberg and Mila Kunis, the film follows a man and his childhood teddy bear named Ted. McFarlane co-wrote the script along with Family Guy alum Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild, based off of the episode “It’s a Trap” that alludes to the character of Ted. By the looks of the trailer the movie will be just as outrageous as you hoped it would be.

4. Neighborhood Watch: July 27

Four suburban dads who form a neighborhood watch have to defend the Earth from an alien attack, another film taking on the popular comedic spin to the science fiction genre. The cast includes comedy favorites Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, and Richard Ayoade. Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the same dynamic duo who brought us Superbad, the film will not only touch our hearts but give us one liners to quote for years to come.

5. The Campaign: August 10

Bringing together two of the funniest film comedians (Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis) as two rival politicians who plan on running for Congress, The Campaign couldn’t have been released at a more perfect time. Both Ferrell and Galifianakis again prove their talents in developing hilarious characters. The film also stars some other comedy veterans, like John Lithgow and Dan Aykroyd. Written by Eastbound & Down writer Shawn Harwell and Chris Henchy and originally titled Dog Fight and Rivals, the film looks to add a punch to this summer’s comedies.

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Joan Rivers: Did She Go Too Far With Her Whitney Houston Joke?

I just listened to Reggie Watts’ A Live At Central Park and I’m not sure who I am anymore. Admittedly, I am a stark traditionalist when it comes to stand-up comedy. I romanticize the idea of someone going on stage with nothing more than a microphone and wit to convey his or her viewpoint to an audience. No gimmicks, no instruments, no bullshit; just jokes.

It’s hard to describe Watts’ convention. Even after listening to the album I still can’t decide if I want to describe the man as comically musical or musically hilarious. Either way, he makes it work. The man seamlessly blends his musical ability with his absurdist sense of humor to create a not only entertaining but insightful show.

I had seen Watts before during one of his many appearances on the Conan O’Brien show and was surprisingly impressed. So after dipping my feet into the pool that is Watts’ insane brain I decided to jump in headfirst and take the plunge. What I learned is that when someone decides to break from convention and nails it, it not only is refreshing, it’s also brilliant. Which is why I enjoyed  A Live at Central Park so much.

Peppered in to the numerous laughs are very insightful and interesting views on the world that if you’re not looking for you may miss the first time around. Not only is his musical ability top notch but his joke structure is on par as well. He captivates you with a single, simple idea and then seamlessly drags you through his world of absurdity to the point that when you reach the end you have no idea how you got there but you’re happy you arrived.

As much as I enjoy watching a seasoned comedian work a club it was very refreshing to see a new face take bold leaps. It takes balls to break from the norm, and whether you enjoy alternative comedy or not, one has to give Watts kudos for having the gonads to try something different.  This CD will be an easy sell to anyone who is a fan of alternative comedy, but for those of us who tread lightly when it comes to the alternative scene hear my words (actually read them). This CD is indeed mind blowing, and completely different from any other comedy album I’ve ever heard It’s pacing, subject matter and different style make it a fun and easy CD to listen to.

To read more about Watts and see what projects he’s up to, check out his personal website here.  You can also follow him on Twitter @ReggieWatts. A Live at Central Park is available on iTunes and Amazon. 

For more album reviews and exclusive interviews visit our AmericasComedy.Com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy!

Not only has he consistently put out a new hour every year since 2007 (which is an unprecedented comedy feat) but they have all been amazing. In fact it’s to the point that we shouldn’t even review his albums anymore. You should just assume they will be mind numbingly great.

His newest edition to his discograpghy is entitled Word and was recorded live at Carnegie Hall last November. It’s a culmination of sets from the second season of Louie, as well as material no one has heard before, unless of course you were there (you lucky bastards).

While we may have heard some of the material during his show, now it’s uncensored. And while FX let’s C.K. get away with murder by cable standards, it’s always nice to hear all the “fucks” that should be involved.  Word became available on May 12 for direct download at Louisck.net and considering that was yesterday, I am going to cancel all other plans and indulge myself with his album right now.

Why the hell are you still reading this. GO! NOW!

For more comedy news and exclusive interviews visit our AmericasComedy.Com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy!

What I’m saying is that Gossling is a cartoon, and in the best of ways. Eddie has a manic energy, across which he stretches his high thin voice. And when he’s keyed into a particular point, that voice gets higher and more shrill with the bizarre vitality that comes with riding an insane tangent to greater and greater silliness.

Which is not to say he shouldn’t be taken seriously. Gossling is reliably hilarious without ever being predictable. Manic and mercurial, Eddie is a moving target, rarely taking a moment to slow down. One bit that does slow down examines how his inadequacy for mathematics prevented him from being an otherwise ideal candidate for a job at NASA. Grounded in the necessity for scientific exactitude, Gossling runs at lower RPMs to imagine himself “ballparkin’ it” in the aeronautics industry, to excellent comedic effect.

His style mixes well with his material. At some level, his intensity pushes his material over the top, and sells it. For example, when he imagines himself in conventional situations like nine-to-five jobs, it’s easy to imagine him straining against the bonds of professionalism. When he describes getting fired at his job and using a surprise glitter attack on his boss, (“What’d you do at lunch, blow a clown?”), the imagery flows naturally and believably.

But Gossling is at his best when he fuses his madcap delivery with material based in awkwardness, with just a sliver of creepy. This he does for his wife’s “benefit,” leaning into her ear at bedtime and whispering something disturbing in a voice reminiscent of Gollum in Lord of the Rings. It’s as troublingly hilarious as one could hope for, and it’s pure Gossling. And his rendition of a man-boy in a onesie, singing: “Baby likes to jig-gle it for mo-therrrr…” is as discomforting and wicked as it gets, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get it out of my head.

Eddie has a light touch that makes his silliness go down easy. His performance is fast-paced and has a way of following illogical logic, corkscrewing from a bizarre premise off to an unlikely side street, without losing the audience. Improbable, but nonetheless enjoyable.

Mixing the dryly sardonic and observational wit of Bugs Bunny with the flaky screwball human failings of Daffy Duck, Gossling’s comedy is an adult-sized take from an inner child and is delightfully unexpected.

You can follow Gossling on Twitter @EddieGossling and read more about him on his website at www.Commedie.com. 

For more comedy reviews and exclusive interviews visit our AmericasComedy.Com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy!

The musical special will contain the beat-boxing comedian along with all his technically savvy material. He will be appearing live in Central Park where his humor will cover a wide variety of random topics. Therockfather.com said that, “Using nothing but his formidable voice, keyboard, and a looping machine to create completely impromptu musical sets, Watts covers topics from reggae music to sex and everything in between. Whether he’s explaining why Cingular was the only cellular provider to first offer him service, what his cue word is, or why guns will always be louder than knives, Watts continues to prove he is a master of blurring the lines between comedy and music.”

Speaking of blurring the lines between comedy and music, Watts is not a stranger to music and comedy at all. He performed at The Secret Policeman’s Ball at Radio City with Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Coldplay, and Mumford and Sons. And let’s take a look at his song titled, “Having Sex” that funnyordie.com is promoting for his up and coming show. Even though it was recorded last summer, it is still on the anticipated CD/DVD which contains a collection of new witty songs from  the comic. From standing ovations, composing for director Ridley Scott, sold-out events, and opening a late night tour for Conan O’Brien, the comic has really made a unique name for himself.

Be sure to check out Watt on Comedy Central’s website leading up to the live premiere. There will be lots of extras and features to ogle at!

This is 40 picks up a few years after the birth of Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) and Allison Scott’s (Katherine Heigl’s) baby. Only those two characters won’t be in the movie. Instead director Judd Apatow is taking us into the lives of Debbie (Leslie Mann) and Pete (Paul Rudd).

If you remember, Mann’s character Debbie was incredibly insecure about growing old, so much so that she had a meltdown outside of a club when she couldn’t skip “all the other bitches” in line. Paul Rudd’s character Pete just wanted to play some fantasy baseball with his friends and maybe trip out on some drugs in Las Vegas without having to deal with all the pressure and stress that comes from being a father and husband.

The trailer shows Debbie and Paul fighting an uphill battle against aging, and features what’s becoming a standard Judd Apatow scene of a woman being examined by a gynecologist.

For more comedy news and exclusive interviews visit our AmericasComedy.com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy!

Round Ireland with a Fridge is directed by Ed Bye (My Family, The Detectives, Red Dwarf) and stars Tony Hawks, Ed Byrne, Sean Hughes, Valerie O’Connor, Josie Lawrence and Sara Crowe.

As an inspiring and funny British comedy-drama that will evoke memories of Calendar Girls, The Full Monty and Local Hero, the film recreates Tony’s actual 1997 journey around Ireland as he re-evaluated his life and career, found romance, met a wide range of bizarre characters, made many new friends and discovered that people are perfectly prepared to treat a small white domestic appliance as though it was a fully fledged person with a personality in its own right.

During the course of the film the fridge is taken surfing, christened, blessed by nuns, accompanied by a bagpiper, taken to a bachelor festival and becomes the hero of a national radio station as Tony and all those he encountered become aware of the power and philosophy of the fridge !

Round Ireland with a Fridge was aired on BBC 4 in March this year, and topped BBC 4’s Sunday night ratings.

The DVD is available to stream at www.roundirelandwithafridge.com along with a trailer for the film.

For more comedy news and exclusive interviews visit our AmericasComedy.com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy!

George Wallace grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, in a religious family… so it made sense that one of the first appearances he made was dressed in the robes of a Preacher. His monologue that night was an improvised send-up of the many Bible-belters he had watched as a youth…and he was a natural. He killed. A comedic star had arrived.

(Larry Dorfman is the author of “The Snark Handbook” series. Follow him on Twitter @SnarkHandBook and on Facebook here. For more comedy news and exclusive interviews visit our AmericasComedy.com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy!)

If you are unfamiliar with Gaffigan as a stand-up comedian, you’re probably a horrible person. He’s had a half hour and two full hour specials produced by Comedy Central, a recurring role on That 70’s Show and several movie and TV credits spanning comedy to drama. His stand-up is most identifiable for his high pitched parody of an overly offended audience member reacting to his jokes.

Back in December Louis C.K. sold his special “Live at the Beacon Theater” for $5 exclusively on his website. Gaffigan is the latest comedian to adopt this strategy selling his special Mr. Universe for the same price and donating 20% of the proceeds to the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

On becoming a father for the fourth time he says this: “No one congratulates you on having four kids. After the third kid they start treating you like you’re Amish. ‘Four kids well that’s one way to live.’” The comedy throughout revolves on his own life of being a father, a lazy person and a connoisseur of questionable eating decisions.

Gaffigan really connects with my inner laziness. Whereas some comedians dig deep down and find anger or sadness or embarrassment, Jim reaches deep down and exposes the most American part of us. He says, “I actually live across the street from my health club. Right across the street…It’s open twenty four hours—still can’t get there.”

And what would a Gaffigan special be without food humor? He’s a successful comedian, could probably afford a nutritionist and a healthy organic diet full of vegetables and fruit. And yet he still eats at McDonalds. But he defends himself, almost justifiably. “Maybe instead of buying a Big Mac you read Us Weekly…or you convince yourself that a Starbucks Frappucino isn’t a milkshake. Or maybe you watch Glee.” Like you and me he’s just tired of people getting superiority complexes for refusing to eat at McDonalds. His description of McDonalds is: “Momentary pleasure followed by incredible guilt eventually leading to cancer.”

I’m lovin’ it, Jim.

The best part of  Mr. Universe is that it’s seventy five minutes. That’s fifteen minutes of comedy per dollar. Suddenly an iTunes song or a McChicken seem suspiciously overpriced. Another thing that often goes overlooked in stand-up comedy is that Gaffigan is very economical and sparse with any coarse language. It may seem like a little thing, but I like that I can quote a joke verbatim without having to worry if the person I’ve just told it too is offended by the language. Gaffigan is near the top of stand-up with his latest special. The five dollars gets you three online streams and three downloads and they’re only available at JimGaffigan.Com.

For more album reviews and exclusive interviews visit our AmericasComedy.com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy!