TV Comedies

Which version of The Office is better: U.S. or U.K.?

Overhearing two pop-culturists argue about this comedy series, you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a debate over gun-control or Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Passions can run high when a U.S. Office apologist clashes with a U.K. Office purist, leading to heated exchanges about whether Dav ... More >>

Demetri Martin on Woody Guthrie, prop-comedy and not being a hipster

Demetri Martin's polished micro-jokes, nervous stare and intense appreciation of aesthetics have made him a welcome antidote to the wave of loud and sloppy comedians who have dominated the scene over the last decade. In advance of Martin's visit to Comedy Works South this Sunday for two shows (one i ... More >>

Gorditas Doña Lidia is the Mrs. Garrett of Federal Boulevard

In A Federal Case, I'll be eating my way up Federal Boulevard - south to north - within Denver city limits. I'll be skipping the national chains and per-scoop Chinese joints, but otherwise I'll report from every vinyl booth, walk-up window and bar stool where food is served. Here's the report on thi ... More >>

Lewis Black on socialism, Louis C.K. and the new NRA app

The most common byproduct of politics is high blood pressure, and no one experiences that kind of pre-stroke madness like standup comedian Lewis Black. With his shaky hands, bulging eyes and unbuttoned suit, Black often appears as an out-of-work schmuck who writes angry letters to the White House an ... More >>

Marijuana: Wanda James on closure of edibles business, MMJ banking, Obama and more

Simply Pure, one of the local medical marijuana industry's most prominent edibles companies, has suspended operations -- because, says co-owner Wanda James, the inability to get banking services makes doing business untenable at this time. James has plenty to say about this situation, and she also s ... More >>

Video: Stephen Colbert hypes debate as "the Up-ender in Denver!"

If University of Denver officials ever needs a hype man, they need look no further than Stephen Colbert, whose preview segment about tonight's debate at DU (it's on view below) would've put Flavor Flav to shame. With the DU debate logo behind him, he whipped up the crowd about "the Mile High Match-u ... More >>

Video: South Park lampoons refs, Broncos, NFL in "Sarcastaball"

As usual, South Park's timing is impeccable. As the replacement refs debacle was finally being resolved, last night's season premiere, "Sarcastaball," featured satirical jabs at the NFL, officiating, commissioner Roger Goodell, the Broncos, Peyton Manning and the Denver cheerleaders, re-dubbed the W ... More >>

A gonzo guide to the Republican National Convention

Seth MacFarlane's Ted will appeal to viewers' animal instincts

Joe Coors for Congress spends big on Denver TV ads -- especially during The Big Bang Theory

Editor's note: This election cycle, Westword is exploring the public records of television stations for information on how candidates are spending money on ads in Denver. Joe Coors, your average local candidate for Congress who is not a beer, appears to be trying to secure support from an unusual ... More >>

Sleigh Bells

Friday, April 13, Ogden Theatre, 888-929-7849.

One Direction on Saturday Night Live proves skeptics wrong with talent and goofy humor

Sofia Vergara hosted Saturday Night Live over the weekend. Besides Vergara playing up her sex symbol status -- cleavage, accent and all -- and Kristen Wiig returning to form as evil schoolgirl Gilly, boy-band explosion One Direction delivered a solid appearance in what may have been one of the show' ... More >>

Is One Direction ready for Saturday Night Live? More than Lana Del Rey, but less than Karmin

With a slew of odd choices for musical guests lately, it's not much of a surprise that Saturday Night Live has booked boy-band explosion One Direction to perform on Saturday, April 7. At this point, it's not a question of why -- as the group of male Brit heartthrobs is like a Justin Bieber five-pack ... More >>

Reader: The Book of Mormon is going to be the hottest ticket this summer...if you're a scalper

Jumping for joy over The Book of Mormon tickets.​People are still comparing notes on how long they tried to log on to buy tickets for The Book of Mormon when they were available for a few brief hours on Sunday, January 22. Those who gave up on technology and simply went to the ticket windows a ... More >>

Reader: Can't wait to return to Colorado's most famous restaurant...Casa Bonita!

On Friday, the 300 (or so) restaurants participating in Denver Restaurant Week will be posting their $52.80 (for two) menus for the two-week eating orgy that starts on February 25; we're offering $52.80 to both the diner and the restaurant employee who offer the best Denver Restaurant Week survival ... More >>

I lost the Futurama quiz last light by one @#*&#! point

​Last night's "All Glory to the Hypnoquiz: an all-Futurama Event " at Rackhouse Pub, sponsored by Geeks Who Drink, was a pretty raucous time, and I definitely debunked the myths that geeks can't drink, party, be hot or win things. The evening didn't turn out exactly how I wanted -- my team lo ... More >>

T.J. Miller's No Real Reason debuts on Comedy Central tomorrow night

​Ever since he attained cinematic immortality with a moving performance as Ranger Jones in last year's live-action adaptation of Yogi Bear, T.J. Miller has been pretty much the greatest thing to come out of Denver ever. But the best part is, he loves us back: Six months ago, the East High grad ... More >>

Reader: Seeing The Book of Mormon and South Park doesn't make you an LDS Church expert

​Our post about the I'm a Mormon billboard campaign in Denver has spurred some intriguing theological back and forth. Here's the take of a reader who places what she sees as discrimination against Mormons in a historical context, using the name of someone who's already history.

Chop Chop

Friday, July 1, Rhinoceropolis, 303-641-9809.

Ten and a half actor replacements that give Charlie Sheen a run for his boatload of money

You can be replaced, possibly by a rotating cast.​It's hard out there for a pimp. Or at least a warlock like Charlie Sheen. When it was announced that CBS had begun looking for actors to replace his role on Two and a Half Men, the cogs started turning and the rumor mill spit out one replacemen ... More >>

Hulu's Best in Show sets out to determine the best show on TV

​Hulu's latest thematic bundling of its online TV content takes the form of a bracket trying to determine the best show on TV. It's a great idea, generally, but it depends on fan voting. So, get excited for the finals showdown between Glee and Modern Family. As with all brackets, it's most exc ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Assistance Program of the Rockies hits Saturday Night Live (VIDEO)

Video below.​Update below: You know you're making an impact when your business model is satirized on national television. That's what happened to Medical Marijuana Assistance Program of the Rockies, which was needled by Seth Meyers on this weekend's edition of Saturday Night Live. See the cli ... More >>

Barack Obama names Betsy Markey & (kind of) Michael Brown on The Daily Show: VIDEO

Obama and Stewart.​President Barack Obama's extended interview on last night's episode of Comedy Central's The Daily Show had some unexpected Colorado flavor. Not only did he specifically mention Congresswoman Betsy Markey, who's in a difficult fight against Cory Gardner, but he also reference ... More >>

Reader: Weeds hurts medical marijuana and patients by turning the issue into a joke

Mary Louise-Parker.​Yesterday, we shared details from the latest episode of the Showtime series Weeds, which satirized the medical marijuana scene in Colorado, not to mention parents forced to attend kiddie concerts. But one of our commenters, identified as Anonymous, wasn't laughing. Indeed, ... More >>

Frontier Airlines' CEO Bryan Bedford nearly gets a sh@# shower on Undercover Boss

Bryan Bedford.​Executives have had to do a lot of crappy jobs on the CBS reality series Undercover Boss. But on last night's episode, Frontier Airlines CEO Bryan Bedford may have set a new standard -- by risking a literal shit shower while off-loading what an employee refers to as a "lotta po ... More >>

Colbert Report guest Brendan Steinhauser puts Ken Buck first on national Tea Party love list

Colbert greets Steinhauser.​Is Ken Buck the poster child for Tea Party candidates who were never into witchcraft? Yes, judging by the appearance on last night's edition of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report of Brendan Steinhauser, the director of state and federal campaigns for FreedomWorks, ... More >>

Gnome thieves described as "pretty low:" Hilarious!

Not Josh McDaniels.​Heads up, producers of The Daily Show. Last night, Channel 31 reported a story about the theft of 150 garden gnomes that's ready-made for your particular brand of satire. Only flaw? The Fox 31 crew isn't as good at keeping a straight face as are Jon Stewart and company.

Marijuana critic William Breathes on being interviewed by... CNN?

William Breathes on "The Daily Show."​CNN's Poppy Harlow's interviews with countless influential business leaders -- from GM CEO Frtiz Henderson, to billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban -- are a popular feature on the cable news giant. So, I wonder where my interview yesterday with her will ra ... More >>

Peeps trial marks big defeat in the War on Easter

Carol Burdick and friend.​When Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert first "reported" about Carol Burdick, who says she was evicted from her apartment for putting a Peeps display over her door, he said her treatment was proof of a War on Easter -- which is a lot like the War on Christmas, except wi ... More >>

Utah judge declares it okay to rap your Mcdonald's order

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Cannabis comedy meets pot politics -- and the Colorado Senate will prove it today

​The Daily Show's "Gone to Pot" segment on Denver's medical marijuana industry didn't do much for this city's rep as a mecca for smarties (we put the "duh" in Denver), but it will certainly boost the Mile High's status as Cannabis Capital of the World. As correspondent Jason Jones says through ... More >>

The Daily Show smokes Denver's pot scene -- and our weed critic

At last, critic William Breathes as seen in his natural habitat.​The Daily Show's long awaited dissection of Denver's medical marijuana industry finally reached the screen last night, and the results were smokin'. Along with the anticipated ganja gags (a pile of cheeseburgers makes a guest ap ... More >>

The Daily Show set to air its Denver pot piece

​"What a long strange trip it has been," state senator Chris Romer wrote early this morning, at the end of a note with his latest round of proposed changes for the bill that would drastically restructure this state's medical marijuana industry. The Colorado Legislature has just seven more day ... More >>

The Daily Show heads to the really Mile High City

​It had to happen. For the past year, Denver has been living up to its billing as the Mile High City, hitting new heights daily as the medical-marijuana business shows no signs of slowing down. And now, inevitably, The Daily Show has come to town to profile our booming dispensary industry. T ... More >>

Peeps lawyer doesn't like Peeps, and other revelations from Stephen Colbert's latest Colbert Report investigation

Stephen Colbert and John Pineau -- sort of.​Yesterday, we told you that attorney John Pineau -- who represents Carol "Chay" Burdick in a dispute that pits Peeps against possible eviction -- had agreed to speak to The Colbert Report's Stephen Colbert about a trial delay without commenting on th ... More >>

Peeps prejudice?: Easter week trial takes on bunny bias

Carol "Chay" Burdick as she appeared on "The Colbert Report:" Peep this.​On March 30 and 31, a trial in Boulder County Court will tackle an issue of tremendous importance -- one that could impact the way in which all Americans worship and celebrate a higher power. Peeps. The case involves Ca ... More >>

Rosanne Cash top seller at Twist and Shout

​Rosanne Cash's The List, which features cameos by Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Rufus Wainwright and Jeff Tweedy, grabbed the top spot at Twist & Shout for the week ending November 15. Bad Weather California's Young Punks came in second, Jerry Garcia's 1975 live recording Let it Rock nab ... More >>

Sound Bites: Grooms, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Converge, Spiral Stairs, Naam and Flight of the Conchords

(Julian Gilbert)​Welcome to another edition of Sound Bites, our economy-sized album reviews, wherein we give you the lowdown in 75 words or less. Today, Nick Hall weighs in on recent releases from Grooms (pictured above), Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Converge,  Spiral Stairs, Naam and Flight of ... More >>

Flaming Lips grabs top spot at Twist and Shout

​The Flaming Lips' latest effort, Embryonic, grabbed the spot at Twist & Shout for the second week in row while Flight of the Conchord and Lyle Lovett came in second and third. Monsters of Folk's debut and Shrinebuilder's new self-titled album round out the top five for the week ending October ... More >>

Commenters mostly laugh off Jared Polis' beer-bonging

Representative Jared Polis getting his drink on with an assist from Stephen Colbert.​Representative Jared Polis beat Doug Lamborn and Betsy Markey to the healthcare-town-hall punch, staging a session on Monday. Not that the event got much attention. After all, that evening, Polis starred in th ... More >>

Jared Polis does beer bong with Stephen Colbert

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cEven Better-er Know a District - Colorado's 2nd - Jared Poliswww.colbertnation.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorMeryl Streep It's one of those TV moments when you're thinking, "He won't do that. He wouldn't possibly do that." And then he doe ... More >>

Q&A flashback with The Daily Show's John Oliver

Razr photo by Michael RobertsJohn Oliver in a giant queue, as he would call it. 'Cause his British, you see. John Oliver, who headlines at Comedy Works South tonight and tomorrow, returns to Denver after spending a week here in August making the Democratic National Convention funnier along with his ... More >>

Meet Mike Relm, master of video turntablism.

Jon Stewart's Denver Visit Highly Anticipated By at Least Two People

Oliver Twist

The Daily Show's John Oliver on fake news and afflicting the comfortable.

The Colbert Report

FEMA's Michael Brown fumbles his fifteen minutes of fame.

Kind of Blue

Josh Blue takes center stage.

Best Concert (Since March 2004)

The Killers
April 20, 2004

Crunked Up

Beneath his deranged exterior, Lil Jon is a man with a plan.

Good to Be Black

Comic Lewis Black brings his comedy back to Colorado.