Hollywood is bursting with "what if" scenarios -- "Sliding Doors" moments where actors, writers, directors, and craftspeople almost made a certain project, or almost walked away from a job that would become huge for their careers. With the benefit of hindsight, these situations are often fun to think about -- especially if, as in the case in today's example, A) the two people competing for a part were vying for a memorable role in a well-known movie, and B) they both went on to have great careers, so the thought exercise doesn't feel mean-spirited or just plain sad.
In an oral history of "Zoolander" published by Vanity Fair in 2021, "Zoolander" writer, producer, director, and star Ben Stiller explained how Owen Wilson nearly didn't end up playing Hansel, Derek Zoolander's rival-male-model-turned-friend, and identified the surprising actor who almost took the role instead:
"We wrote Hansel for Owen Wilson. But at a certain point,...
In an oral history of "Zoolander" published by Vanity Fair in 2021, "Zoolander" writer, producer, director, and star Ben Stiller explained how Owen Wilson nearly didn't end up playing Hansel, Derek Zoolander's rival-male-model-turned-friend, and identified the surprising actor who almost took the role instead:
"We wrote Hansel for Owen Wilson. But at a certain point,...
- 5/26/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Throughout the six-episode run of Netflix’s Everybody’s in L.A., John Mulaney’s comedian guests kept trying to find ways to describe the live talk show’s chaotic-bordering-on-surreal atmosphere. “I feel like this entire show is a Banksy!” a confused Jon Stewart suggested. Nikki Glaser perhaps explained it best, by telling Mulaney, “It’s like an inside joke that only you are in on.”
That line applies just as well to Mulaney’s delightful 2019 Netflix special John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch. Both then and now, the...
That line applies just as well to Mulaney’s delightful 2019 Netflix special John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch. Both then and now, the...
- 5/14/2024
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
You can probably unpack that Pb&j, chips, and juice box: It sounds like “John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch” isn’t coming back to Netflix — or even to Comedy Central.
Mulaney has called the (excellent) Netflix variety series for children his “favorite thing I ever did,” a sentiment he echoed on “My Next Guest with David Letterman and John Mulaney” — the episode of Letterman’s long-form interview show premiered April 30, 2024 on Netflix.
Letterman asked Mulaney what that ranking suggests for the future.
“I loved doing it and, you know, Netflix was like, ‘Oh, cool, you gonna do standup again?’” Mulaney said.
Mulaney’s line got a laugh from the Chicago audience, but it didn’t sound like a joke. In the comic’s retelling, it is clear the streamer had pretty quickly moved on from “The Sack Lunch Bunch” and focused on the comedian’s bread and butter: stand-up.
Mulaney has called the (excellent) Netflix variety series for children his “favorite thing I ever did,” a sentiment he echoed on “My Next Guest with David Letterman and John Mulaney” — the episode of Letterman’s long-form interview show premiered April 30, 2024 on Netflix.
Letterman asked Mulaney what that ranking suggests for the future.
“I loved doing it and, you know, Netflix was like, ‘Oh, cool, you gonna do standup again?’” Mulaney said.
Mulaney’s line got a laugh from the Chicago audience, but it didn’t sound like a joke. In the comic’s retelling, it is clear the streamer had pretty quickly moved on from “The Sack Lunch Bunch” and focused on the comedian’s bread and butter: stand-up.
- 4/30/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
John Mulaney is back, and going live.
Netflix announced Monday that the comic will be rolling out his latest twist on the traditional comedy special with a multi-night streaming event, which he’s titled John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A.
The six episodes will unspool live on Netflix over as many nights during the service’s Netflix Is a Joke Fest, when, yes, everybody — or at least every major comic — is in town. The special formally launches May 3, with additional episodes debuting nightly, beginning 7 p.m. Pt, from May 6-10. Mulaney will also be performing at the Hollywood Bowl on May 4 as part of the star-studded festival.
Each of the live installments will feature Mulaney exploring the city, and will incorporate many of the famous (and not-so-famous) faces in town. As Netflix describes it, the “comically unconventional show will feature special guests and field pieces shot in Los Angeles.
Netflix announced Monday that the comic will be rolling out his latest twist on the traditional comedy special with a multi-night streaming event, which he’s titled John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A.
The six episodes will unspool live on Netflix over as many nights during the service’s Netflix Is a Joke Fest, when, yes, everybody — or at least every major comic — is in town. The special formally launches May 3, with additional episodes debuting nightly, beginning 7 p.m. Pt, from May 6-10. Mulaney will also be performing at the Hollywood Bowl on May 4 as part of the star-studded festival.
Each of the live installments will feature Mulaney exploring the city, and will incorporate many of the famous (and not-so-famous) faces in town. As Netflix describes it, the “comically unconventional show will feature special guests and field pieces shot in Los Angeles.
- 4/8/2024
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
John Mulaney will wrap up 2023 with an 18-stop national tour of new stand-up material.
Per a Live Nation announcement Tuesday, the Emmy-winning comedian’s new tour, “John Mulaney in Concert,” will kick off Nov. 2 in Kingston, New York, and end with a New Year’s Eve show in Phoenix, Arizona.
Additional stops in the tour include outings in Ohio, Louisiana, Florida and Georgia. Full schedule below:
Nov. 2 – Kingston, New York – Ulster Performing Arts Center* Nov. 4 – Troy, New York – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Nov. 11 – Toledo, Ohio – Stranahan Theater Nov. 12 – Columbus, Ohio – Palace Theatre Nov. 16 – Columbia, South Carolina – Township Auditorium Nov. 17 – Athens, Gerogia – The Classic Center Theater* Nov. 18 – Macon, Georgia – Macon City Auditorium* Nov. 19 – Savannah, Georgia – Johnny Mercer Theatre Nov. 30 – Hanover, Maryland – The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel* Dec. 1 – Reading, Pennsylvania – Santander Arena Dec. 2 – Norfolk, Virginia – Chartway Arena Dec. 3 – State College, Pennsylvania – Bryce Jordan Center Dec. 8 – Biloxi, Mississippi – Mississippi Coast Coliseum Dec.
Per a Live Nation announcement Tuesday, the Emmy-winning comedian’s new tour, “John Mulaney in Concert,” will kick off Nov. 2 in Kingston, New York, and end with a New Year’s Eve show in Phoenix, Arizona.
Additional stops in the tour include outings in Ohio, Louisiana, Florida and Georgia. Full schedule below:
Nov. 2 – Kingston, New York – Ulster Performing Arts Center* Nov. 4 – Troy, New York – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Nov. 11 – Toledo, Ohio – Stranahan Theater Nov. 12 – Columbus, Ohio – Palace Theatre Nov. 16 – Columbia, South Carolina – Township Auditorium Nov. 17 – Athens, Gerogia – The Classic Center Theater* Nov. 18 – Macon, Georgia – Macon City Auditorium* Nov. 19 – Savannah, Georgia – Johnny Mercer Theatre Nov. 30 – Hanover, Maryland – The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel* Dec. 1 – Reading, Pennsylvania – Santander Arena Dec. 2 – Norfolk, Virginia – Chartway Arena Dec. 3 – State College, Pennsylvania – Bryce Jordan Center Dec. 8 – Biloxi, Mississippi – Mississippi Coast Coliseum Dec.
- 9/26/2023
- by Benjamin Lindsay
- The Wrap
Based on Gold Derby’s odds, one of the absolute tightest 2023 Creative Arts Emmy races involves Best Variety Special Writing contenders Chris Rock and John Mulaney, both of whom have previously conquered the category and are now facing off for the first time ever. Having both pushed their comedy to new levels of boldness in their respective Netflix specials “Selective Outrage” and “Baby J,” they provide voters with a truly tough choice when it comes to honoring the most impressive writing of the year.
This contest is made even more interesting by the fact that Rock and Wanda Sykes (“I’m an Entertainer”) are competing against each other after jointly earning four writing nominations and one win for “The Chris Rock Show” over two decades ago. Also included in this lineup are the sketch comedy special “Would It Kill You to Laugh?” and the career retrospective “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love....
This contest is made even more interesting by the fact that Rock and Wanda Sykes (“I’m an Entertainer”) are competing against each other after jointly earning four writing nominations and one win for “The Chris Rock Show” over two decades ago. Also included in this lineup are the sketch comedy special “Would It Kill You to Laugh?” and the career retrospective “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love....
- 8/4/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Although the Emmy Award for Best Pre-Recorded Variety Special has not gone to a retrospective program of any kind since the category was established in 2018, several such winners were crowned over the preceding decades when all variety specials competed for the same prize. This year’s pre-recorded program lineup happens to include two televised celebrations of industry legends, one of which – “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love” – is heavily favored to become the first special of its kind to achieve this exact honor.
The other commemorative special that could block the Burnett one’s path to victory is “Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter.” Based on the untested nature of their format, both will have to watch out for every one of their fellow nominees, which include “Lizzo: Live in Concert” and Netflix stand-up specials starring John Mulaney, Trevor Noah, and Wanda Sykes.
In order to...
The other commemorative special that could block the Burnett one’s path to victory is “Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter.” Based on the untested nature of their format, both will have to watch out for every one of their fellow nominees, which include “Lizzo: Live in Concert” and Netflix stand-up specials starring John Mulaney, Trevor Noah, and Wanda Sykes.
In order to...
- 8/4/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
John Mulaney, tall child, is headed back to Netflix. The comedian will return to the streamer next month with a brand new stand-up special titled "John Mulaney: Baby J." Mulaney has a well-established relationship with Netflix, having headlined two other stand-up specials there — "The Comeback Kid" in 2015 and "Kid Gorgeous" in 2018. He also appeared in the hilarious, weird, very silly special "John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch" in 2019 — the same special that gave us the gift of Jake Gyllenhaal as Mr. Music.
This new stand-up special promises to feature material concerning Mulaney's life, which has undergone a shift over the last few years — he went through a divorce, go sober from his addictions, and had a child with partner Olivia Munn. Mulaney has been touring for the last year, and it's safe to assume much of his current tour material will find its way into this new special.
Baby J...
This new stand-up special promises to feature material concerning Mulaney's life, which has undergone a shift over the last few years — he went through a divorce, go sober from his addictions, and had a child with partner Olivia Munn. Mulaney has been touring for the last year, and it's safe to assume much of his current tour material will find its way into this new special.
Baby J...
- 3/15/2023
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
John Mulaney’s long-awaited new standup special will premiere on Netflix April 25. Titled “John Mulaney: Baby J,” it marks Mulaney’s first standup special since 2018’s “Kid Gorgeous,” which also premiered on Netflix.
“Baby J” was directed by Alex Timbers and features music from David Byrne. The special was recorded at Boston’s Symphony Hall in February 2023, after returning to standup in 2021 and touring with a set called “From Scratch.”
That tour found Mulaney tackling his own issues of addiction and relapse and recounting an intervention staged by friends, including Seth Meyers, that led him to enter rehab. Mulaney discussed the incident on a candid and emotional episode of “Late Night With Seth Meyers” in September 2021.
“Baby J” is the latest in a line of specials from Mulaney that also includes 2012’s “New in Town” and 2015’s “The Comeback Kid.” Mulaney also created and starred in the Netflix kids special...
“Baby J” was directed by Alex Timbers and features music from David Byrne. The special was recorded at Boston’s Symphony Hall in February 2023, after returning to standup in 2021 and touring with a set called “From Scratch.”
That tour found Mulaney tackling his own issues of addiction and relapse and recounting an intervention staged by friends, including Seth Meyers, that led him to enter rehab. Mulaney discussed the incident on a candid and emotional episode of “Late Night With Seth Meyers” in September 2021.
“Baby J” is the latest in a line of specials from Mulaney that also includes 2012’s “New in Town” and 2015’s “The Comeback Kid.” Mulaney also created and starred in the Netflix kids special...
- 3/15/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
John Mulaney’s newest standup special, titled “John Mulaney: Baby J,” will premiere April 25 on Netflix.
It marks Mulaney’s third Netflix standup special following 2015’s “The Comeback Kid” and 2018’s “Kid Gorgeous.” One of his earlier comedy hours, 2012’s “New in Town,” is also available on Netflix. He also worked with the streamer on the Emmy-nominated children’s variety special “John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch” in 2019.
Alex Timbers directed “Baby J,” which features music from David Byrne of Talking Heads. It was filmed in Boston’s Symphony Hall in February 2023.
Mulaney began touring with the show titled “John Mulaney: From Scratch” in the middle of 2021 after his widely publicized rehab stay. Much of the material for that special focused on his drug relapse and subsequent intervention, which was held by Seth Meyers, Nick Kroll and other fellow comedians and “Saturday Night Live” alumni. Mulaney, who divorced from...
It marks Mulaney’s third Netflix standup special following 2015’s “The Comeback Kid” and 2018’s “Kid Gorgeous.” One of his earlier comedy hours, 2012’s “New in Town,” is also available on Netflix. He also worked with the streamer on the Emmy-nominated children’s variety special “John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch” in 2019.
Alex Timbers directed “Baby J,” which features music from David Byrne of Talking Heads. It was filmed in Boston’s Symphony Hall in February 2023.
Mulaney began touring with the show titled “John Mulaney: From Scratch” in the middle of 2021 after his widely publicized rehab stay. Much of the material for that special focused on his drug relapse and subsequent intervention, which was held by Seth Meyers, Nick Kroll and other fellow comedians and “Saturday Night Live” alumni. Mulaney, who divorced from...
- 3/15/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
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