pom5 asked: Not to put you in one groove, but is Olde English working on anything new? OE is my favorite online sketch group.

I get this question a lot. Like, a lot a lot. For the record, here’s the answer:

Even though we haven’t put out a new sketch in a few years, we’ve been working constantly the entire time since. We’ve written two half-hour pilot scripts, created numerous “pitch bibles” (i.e., fully worked-out visions for television shows), and written pages upon pages of supporting material. The reason for the shift in focus: After six years of making sketches for the Internet, we decided that it was time to get some material on television or in theaters. Unfortunately, the downside of this approach was that all of the material you produce is designed to be consumed only by a few television and movie executives, rather than by your fans. And when those executives pass — because even if your ideas are good, they’re often still not “what we’re looking for this season” — all of that work ends up being seen by no one. It’s a shitty trade-off — unfortunately, it’s also part of the business.

But: I’m happy to say that in the last few months, we’ve begun work on some projects that will one day be seen by, you know, an audience. Currently in production are a cartoon series we’re developing with PUNY (the animators of Akon Calls T-Pain), and a web series based on one of our pilot scripts, entitled “How to Be Alone”. Both are projects we’re very excited about, and with any luck, both will be coming to the web soon.

In addition to writing and performing, I also enjoy creating visual effects for film and video. If you’re interested in working with me on a project, check out my reel.

A long standing dream of mine: to one day buy my own, custom-tailored Nudie Suit. Nudie Cohn was the king of country music tailors for decades — he designed Gram Parsons’, Elvis Presley’s, and Porter Wagoner’s iconic suits, among others. (Check these out — incredible.)

I have no idea how much an authentic Nudie Suit would cost — I’m guessing a lot. They say, though, that you should visualize your goals. Here’s me visualizing: one day, I will be rich enough to own a Nudie Suit.

I wore this exact watch on the first day of sixth grade. I’m glad to know that this model still exists, so that kids of today can have the experience of tearfully throwing their brand new calculator watch in the garbage on their way home from the first day of sixth grade.

This sculpture by Caleb Larsen perpetually attempts to sell itself on eBay. Here’s the auction — if you purchase it, you may not remain the owner for long. (via waxy)

“All I’m asking is one thing, particularly of young people: Please do not be cynical. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard, and you’re kind, amazing things will happen to you.” - Conan O’Brien

Conan’s farewell speech (embedded above) was heartfelt and terrific, and confirmed a suspicion I’ve had for the last two weeks: Being kicked off the Tonight Show will prove to be the best thing that could have happened to him. Throughout this entire conflict, he’s shown us that he’s a classy, principled performer, and galvanized an audience that now utterly loves him. He may be off the air for the next seven months, but whatever network he ends up on, he’ll come back a hero.

In the interest of cleaning off my desktop, here’s a scene I witnessed last spring on a Tuesday morning in New Orleans: A elderly man, wearing a frilly blue party dress, being tended to after having apparently spent the night sleeping on a stoop.

Yep, just a regular Tuesday in New Orleans.

Fantastic article from WFMU about late-night chaos throughout history. Among other things, it details how NBC has, in fact, been fucking up The Tonight Show since 1954. They ordered Steve Allen to leave the show he created, angered Jack Paar enough that he quit the show mid-episode, and, of course, famously installed Jay Leno against Johnny Carson’s and pretty everyone else’s wishes. At one point, they actually turned the show into a game show.

And yet, despite NBC’s best efforts, The Tonight Show remained a cultural institution, simply because the hosts were just that good. Until recently, anyway. The network’s finally won — twenty years from now, they won’t have to deal with any more comics saying “I grew up dreaming of hosting The Tonight Show.”

charlietodd:

erockappel:

Great clip from 2004 of Leno announcing that he’s giving his show to Conan.

“This show is like a dynasty — you hold it, then you hand it off to the next person. I don’t want to see all the fighting, and all the ‘who’s better’, nasty things back and forth in the press. So right now, here it is: Conan, it’s yours. See you in five years, buddy.” — Jay Leno

oldeenglish:

Very exciting news, guys! (And girl.) Caleb and I (Raphael) are moving to California in February, and not a minute too soon (Get me out of this New York winter NOW). That means that tomorrow night’s Very Fresh, with hilarious guests Chris Gethard (of Chris Gethard Show fame) and Adam Newman (even funnier than he is good-looking!) will be our last Very Fresh EVER (So let’s all pour out some forty on the sidewalk for that, am I saying that right?).

We’re having two guests instead of the regular three so we have time to perform some of our favorite bits from the last three years of Very Fresh (Hello, Boxer vs. Raptor LIVE!!!).

Check it out! All the relevant information can be found heeyah!

This show is going to be a ton of fun. If you’re in New York, come out and celebrate with us!