Rainning Spinoff

Rainn Wilson on The Office Spinoff: "It's called Schrute To Kill, and I'm a mercenary for hire like Blackwater... There's going to be a lot of dangerous stunts and a lot of hysterical comedy as Dwight and Mose try to pick up women all across the globe." (AV Club)

Visit Springfield

A very elaborate map of The Simpsons hometown of Springfield shows pretty much every location on the show. Undoubtably will be used to crucify writers on some future story detail. (VideoGum)

On DVD 8/19/08

New on DVD: the stand-up specials John Oliver: Terrifying Times and Dana Carvey: Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies

China Droll

Joe Wong, a Chinese-American stand-up, performed in China for the first time recently. Differences: performers are usually duos and audiences wait for punchlines and applaud more than laugh. Also, American Asian stereotypes are attributed to Americans generally.

Splitting Rocks

30 Rock's comedy writing Emmy chances may be hampered by having two nominations, splitting the vote. The Variety handicapper also dislikes Paul Scheer apparently, citing his guest staring character as a drain on both plots. WTF?

Not Jenna Fischer for Free

Rainn Wilson wants his comedy "the Rocker" to open well. So he's kidnapped Office co-star Jenna Fischer and says he'll free her if the film makes 18.7 million. Risky? If the bit's get too funny, maybe people will stay home to see what he'll do to Jenna.

Why Stand Up

Dick Cavett wonders why anybody would want to grow up to be a comedian? A former stand-up himself, he cites on-the-job hazards like the shocking difference between the love on stage and the loneliness in your hotel room.

Stand-ups as Comedy Writers

How to do stand-ups adapt to the writing room? TV Writer Ken Levine opines a big obstacle is the stand-up's persona, making every joke they write sound lie their act rather than the characters they're writing.

Mac Mourned

Seven thousand come to Chicago's south side to mourn Bernie Mac. As Cedric the Entertainer told the crowd, "He's still the hottest ticket in town!" Donations can be made at Mac's foundation for Sarcoidosis

The Other Side of Laugh Factory NYC

Richard Basciano, Jamie Masada's former partner for Laugh Factory NYC, disputes Masada's intimidation charges. Basciano claims the club never made money and that Masada wants him out to open a new Laugh Factory.