Article by Casey Rocket
Watch Thank You for The News with Casey Rocket here:
Well, folks, we've got good news and bad news today.
The bad news: the night terrors are back.
The staff at Big Laugh has been tossing and turning all night, sweating through our satin bed sheets, and huffing melatonin through our Lightning McQueen pillow cases – but no relief was found. You play the cards you are dealt when you steal the Sorcerer's Sapphire from The Dream Council.
The good news? There are hella laughs to share with your loved ones this week.
While Big Laugh Comedy exists in a liminal dreamscape outside of space and time, we poke our heads into your reality to keep track of all the laughs, chuckles, and whimpers you so desperately crave.
Do yourself a favor, take an Ambien, and take a load off. Here is all the comedy news you need to know this week.
"Double Cheeked Up" Teddy Ray Passes Away at Age 32
Sadly, we’re starting on a sad note. Talented rising comedian (and bonafide meme superstar) Teddy Ray has passed away at the young age of 32.
Rather than dwelling on the unfortunate circumstances that led to his premature death, I believe that every comedian wants to be remembered by the legacy they leave behind – and Teddy Ray certainly left his mark.
Teddy Ray first came into the public eye as a cast member on MTV's Wild N' Out before appearing on PAUSE with Sam Jay on HBO.
Teddy was also an extremely talented standup, with his hilarious bit on bullying garnering three million views on the Comedy Central YouTube channel.
However, he is probably best known for his sketch work on the All Def Digital Network. It was here that Teddy found his greatest success with a little sketch called "Confessions of a Transgender Gangster."
If that doesn't sound familiar, what about being double-cheeked up on a Thursday afternoon? What are you doing out here with all this ass?
A 30-second clip from this sketch took social media by storm a few years ago, quickly becoming an overnight meme sensation. In fact, the clip still goes viral nearly every time someone posts it. It is truly one of the funniest things I've ever seen:
So simple. So profound.
You can't teach comedy like that. Based on what I've seen from his other performances, this is the magic of Teddy Ray. He's the type of guy who was born funny. Effortlessly hilarious. Teddy Ray was himself in a world of hacks, try-hards, and panderers, and we were all the better for it.
He will be sorely missed.
Tim Dillon Freaks the Normies with His New Netflix Special
"Danger" Dillon takes on Denver with his signature brand of devious debauchery (is that enough alliteration for you liberals?) At long last, Daddy Dillon has graced us with his first comedy special, and the world is a better place for it.
Throughout this 45-minute tearjerker, the one-man wrecking crew tears everything from Pizza Hut to elderly genocide to Disney World to junkies and beyond, with his signature brand of cynicism peppered into every bit.
While the material is as solid as ever, the audio quality of the special is a bit disorienting at times, especially regarding audience reactions. You have to feel bad for a guy crushing so hard that the audience sounds like the incoming waves of the 2011 T?hoku tsunami.
Dillon himself stated that he asked Netflix to refilm the special, to no avail.
Ultimately, it's hard to complain about technical difficulties while watching a master at work.
Tim Dillon is a once-in-a-generation comedian, the rare breed of comic who can carry a one-man podcast and still leave you lusting for more. It's a shame he didn't give Austin a little more time to develop before he jumped ship, but you can't argue with a true highwayman. We'll be here whenever you feel like coming back, keeping the stage warm for you.
Bam Margera is Sober (?) on Steve-O's Wild Ride Podcast
A lot of people might not know this, but the first step in AA clearly states that you are not allowed to wear sunglasses inside anymore. Trust me, Bill W. and I have had an on-again-off-again relationship for the better part of a decade now, and not a day goes by that I don't miss his sweet musk.
For the second week in a row, Steve-O has released a juicy piece of media that was just too good for Big Laugh to ignore - Lest you forget how much disdain I hold for his discussion with Tom Delonge, the great sniveling wimp of the cosmos.
Now, the Bam Margera Jackass drama is too much to get into in this article. Still, the history between the two parties has been marred by lawsuits, restraining orders, and plenty of good old fashioned mental illness.
I urge you to do independent research on the entire saga if you are not up to date because it is fascinating, especially when you learn about the whole conservatorship element that has been plaguing Bam for the better part of a year now. You can judge whether court-order treatment programs are for his good or if he is the victim of a grand conspiracy.
Anyways, to the clip at hand. Bam visits the Wild Ride podcast to address all the bad blood between the former chums and, most importantly, to celebrate his one year of sobriety after completing rehab treatment.
The problem is: that the dude doesn't seem very sober to me.
You'll have to watch the clip and see for yourself:
Vice Drops Their "Dark Side of Comedy" Series
Vice just released the first episode of their highly anticipated follow-up to their Dark Side of the Ring and Dark Side of the 90s series, focusing on all the highs and lows of the comedy world.
While comedy may seem like it's all gut-busters and leg-slappers to the average accountant, anybody who has ever done an open mic at a VFW can tell you just how low the rabbit hole goes.
The first episode focuses on the meteoric rise and tragic downfall of legendary funnyman Chris Farley. Like its predecessor, which focused on the biggest scandals in professional wrestling, the series does an excellent job of showcasing the brilliance of its subject before showing the audience just how much emotional baggage comes with a life in the spotlight.
The story where Farley brings hookers (sex workers) to SNL during what was supposed to be his comeback hosting gig mainly showcases the fine line between hilarious and tragic – but in the end, isn't that what comedy is all about?
Here are all the legendary comedians set to be featured this season:
Andrew Dice Clay
Roseanne Barr
Artie Lange
Richard Pryor
Dustin Diamond (I guess they aren't all legendary)
Greg Giraldo
Brett Butler
Freddie Prinze
Maria Bamford
Well, if you don't mind, I think we've done enough crying for one day.
We'll curl up with a warm glass of whisky, watch some Delta Farce, and relax to the soothing sounds of Bill Engvall and company.
As always, if you get a lead on some tasty little riffys in the Austin comedy scene and beyond, you know where to find us. We're always on the lookout for the next big laugh.
Stay sweet, my pretties.
