All posts tagged: comedy

‘Def Comedy Jam,’ ‘In Living Color’ Comic Was 57

‘Def Comedy Jam,’ ‘In Living Color’ Comic Was 57

Published by Daniella Wilson

Reggie McFadden, the actor and stand-up comic who got his big break on Def Comedy Jam and worked for a season on the 1990s Fox sketch series In Living Color, has died. He was 57. His sister, Bernice McFadden, told The Hollywood Reporter that the U.S. State Department notified the family that he died in Tanzania, where he had been living for the past 18 years or so. The family does not yet know when he died or what was the cause of death, she added. Both on Nov. 30, 1968, McFadden grew up in Brooklyn and decided to pursue comedy as a way to escape living in the projects, according to a bio posted online. In 1991, he made it on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, and after moving to Los Angeles, he landed small roles on Martin, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Moesha and Coach, among other TV shows. However, McFadden is perhaps best remembered for In Living Color. He was on the late-night show in 1993-94, appearing on 23 episodes of the fifth and …

The Reluctant Vampire review: Lenny Rush comedy stakes its claim to be the new Ghosts

The Reluctant Vampire review: Lenny Rush comedy stakes its claim to be the new Ghosts

Published by Daniella Wilson

A star rating of 3 out of 5. Here’s a treat – a brand-new TV sitcom from the mind of the late, great Eric Morecambe, based on the 1980s children’s books he was writing in the final years of his life. Lenny Rush stars as the titular Val, a teenage “prince of vampires” whose distaste for feasting on the blood of innocents baffles his hulking father (Tom Davis). But all becomes clear when his mother (Sian Clifford) reveals that he’s actually, secretly, a human – and that he can never tell the rest of the family, on pain of death. The stakes, if you’ll forgive me, are high. Adapting and expanding the books are Neil and Rob Gibbons – best known for their work with Steve Coogan on the past 16 years of Alan Partridge – who weave the original story into a wider sitcom form, replete with talking gargoyles, hippy werewolves, invisible women and shapeshifters, all crammed together into a towering castle to prey on local villagers. It’s a menagerie of the macabre, even …

18 hilarious photos from the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards

18 hilarious photos from the 2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards

Published by Jenni Sidey

Nature can be serious—bear infanticide, zombie spiders, rodent-hunting squirrels. But the animal kingdom still has a silly side. The 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards celebrate the amusing antics of animals. Since 2015, the contest has shared light-hearted wildlife images captured by photographers from around the world. This year, more than 10,000 images from 112 countries were submitted for consideration. After careful consideration (and likely quite a few laughs), the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards has unveiled its list of finalists. “Hair Check Before the Family Photo”One meerkat insists on giving a last-minute grooming inspection while the others are trying their best to look respectable. Location: NamibiaCredit: Subi Sridharan / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026 Subi The contest isn’t just for internet chuckles either; the organization behind the program is also focused on raising awareness around conservation issues. “The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards started very gently, somewhere out on the vast plains of the Serengeti,” Tom Sullam, Competition Co-Founder said in a statement. “What began as a small effort to raise awareness of wildlife conservation has grown …

Tim Heidecker Is Bringing His Joe Rogan Parody Show to The Onion

Tim Heidecker Is Bringing His Joe Rogan Parody Show to The Onion

Published by skeptic

A representative for Rogan did not immediately return a request for comment. Heidecker first lampooned Rogan’s discursive and disorganized interviews in 2021, with a viral 12-hour podcast (in reality, one hour of footage looped a dozen times) covering topics including psychedelics, cancel culture, and whether Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would run for president. His guests for that show, comedy duo and Onion contributors Rajat Suresh and Jeremy Levick, return for the new episode, offering their “expert” takes on hot-button topics. (The pair have essentially perfected the art of fake celebrity web content and once even got Justin Theroux in on the joke for a mock Hollywood Reporter-style actors roundtable.) “What is essentially happening is, in place of Christianity, we have the 10 commandments of woke,” Levick says during a discussion of DEI policies on the first episode of The Tim Heidecker Podcast. The chat veers into concerns that bearded men are dressing as princesses to visit Disneyland. Heidecker then abruptly informs the boys that he’s planned a weekend trip to Glasgow “for Scotch wrestling.” In …

Amandaland 2026 Christmas special announced as BBC hit comedy returns with Lucy Punch

Amandaland 2026 Christmas special announced as BBC hit comedy returns with Lucy Punch

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter The BBC has announced the return of Amandaland for a 2026 Christmas special. A spin-off from Motherland, the comedy stars Lucy Punch as Amanda, a previously wealthy mother who moves to South Harlesden and downsizes following her divorce. Two series have been broadcast since the show debuted in 2025, with a third series commissioned earlier this year. Following its initial festive outing last year, the show is returning to screens with another holiday episode in December. Teasing details of the upcoming episode, the BBC said: “Lucy Punch returns as Amanda, the self-appointed queen of So-Ha, and after a chance encounter with an old school friend, Amanda ditches her quiet family Christmas Eve plans and instead decides …

The reasons why these 7 comedy films will never be released

The reasons why these 7 comedy films will never be released

Published by Daniella Wilson

It was one of the biggest films of the 1980s, and while a sequel to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off has long been teased, it is unlikely to ever happen. And it’s not the only comedy film that will never be released, despite huge demand. From the completely finished Robert Downey Jr film that got scrapped at the last minute to the comedy sequel that has been ruled out by its stars, discover why these sought after comedies will never happen… © Getty Images Ferris Bueller 2: Another Day Off Following the success of John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a sequel was teased for some time. The film was expected to follow an older Ferris trying to overcome a midlife crisis by taking another eventful day off. However, neither the director or the movie’s lead star Matthew Broderick were keen on the idea, and it is unlikely to ever come into fruition following John’s death in 2009. A spin-off movie, Sam and Victor’s Day Off, has also been shelved after years of development. © Getty Images …

Press play: 5 celeb-creator interviews the internet loved this week (Sept. 25)

Press play: 5 celeb-creator interviews the internet loved this week (Sept. 25)

Published by skeptic

It won’t shock you that there’s a superabundance of interview podcasts and internet series out there. You’re probably subscribed to a bunch of content creators (perhaps those who made this year’s Mashable 101), or maybe you depend on your feed to hand-deliver the most viral clips. But I consider your time precious, the algorithm treacherous, so I’ve rounded up the best on the internet this week. Whether you’re into deadpan showdowns, niche hot takes, or simply wholesome interviews between creative minds, here’s what we reckon is worth your time (and of course, I’d never leave out Mashable’s own Say More, what are you, nuts?). SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators defining the internet in 2026 The Comment Section with Drew Afualo: Grace Reiter Watching two superstar content creators at the top of their damn game? Calendar cleared. Mashable 101 alums Grace Reiter and Drew Afualo chatted on the latter’s The Comment Section, and it’s one of the most fun, real chats you’ll see this week. From growing up loving Jack Black movies to going …

Netflix releases first look at new Charlie Brooker comedy series

Netflix releases first look at new Charlie Brooker comedy series

Published by Daniella Wilson

Game of Thrones star Lena Headey and MobLand’s Paddy Considine are among the cast who have been revealed in the first look at the latest project by Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker. Blackmere is “an absurd comedy disguised as an incredibly serious crime thriller,” according to the official description. Considine stars as Detective John Blackmere, who leaves the rain-soaked city of Bleakford for London to avenge his partner’s death and catch a ritualistic serial killer before they run out of victims. The description teases that Blackmere will “contain blood and frowning.” The Netflix series has been written by Brooker, along with Ben Caudell, Jason Hazeley, Emer Kenny, Daniel Maier and Joel Morris, and additional material by Victoria Asare Archer. TV fans will recognise Kenny as Zsa Zsa Carter in EastEnders, and she is also known for writing the screenplay for crime drama series Karen Pirie. Paddy Considine struts in front of an interestingly-named shop. Netflix Alongside Considine and Headey, the cast also includes Georgina Campbell (Barbarian) and Rory Kinnear (Bank of Dave). Writer and producer Charlie …

‘A Different World’ Review: Netflix’s HBCU Comedy Sequel

‘A Different World’ Review: Netflix’s HBCU Comedy Sequel

Published by Daniella Wilson

In its first few episodes, Netflix’s A Different World does not quite live up to its title. Sure, the Hillman College we first encountered in the 1980s looks different now, full of modern young people with their modern concerns and their modern fashions and their modern music (beginning with an updated opening theme by Brandy). But with so many familiar faces from the earlier A Different World onscreen, rehashing so much of their familiar dynamics, the new spinoff-sequel-reboot thing might appear upon first impression like more of the same. A Different World The Bottom Line Fun, thoughtful and a bit messy — just like college should be. Airdate: Thursday, Sept. 24 (Netflix)Cast: Maleah Joi Moon, Alijah Kai, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, Kennedi Reece, Chibuiken Uche, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Cree SummerCreator: Felicia Pride It’s not until this A Different World begins to come out from under the shadow of its parent that it really starts to flourish — but then flourish it does, aided by an endearing young ensemble and …

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in Comedy

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in Comedy

Published by Daniella Wilson

For a sense of the decline in creative ambition between Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson‘s collaboration in HBO’s True Detective and Apple TV’s Brothers, one would have to imagine that after making Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Robert Redford and Paul Newman had made a movie that was primarily about how “Robert Redford” and “Paul Newman” loved to hang out and discuss how much fun it was to have made Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The most creatively adventurous thing you can accuse Brothers of doing is taking two huge Hollywood stars and putting them in scripts that would have been deemed insufficiently creatively adventurous for ABC’s TGIF block in the mid-’90s — full of endless perfunctory bickering and bouts of limp farce, topped off with platitudes about “family” and “friendship” and how “incest isn’t incest if you aren’t blood relations.” Brothers The Bottom Line Good for a couple of chuckles, little more. Airdate: Wednesday, Sept. 23 (Apple)Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Holland Taylor, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, …