George Carlin (1937-2008)

JAMESTOWN – (MEDIA RELEASE) – The National Comedy Center, the nation’s official cultural institution and non-profit museum dedicated to comedy, and home to the George Carlin Archives, announced today that it will present an all-star tribute to comedy legend George Carlin, in support of the Center’s educational and preservation initiatives during the museum’s temporary closure.

To be streamed on his 83^rd birthday, Tuesday, May 12, “Laughing Matters: Carlin’s Legacy” will celebrate the comedian’s life, career and legacy and is presented by the National Comedy Center as the first in its new “Laughing Matters” series streaming on its new online content platform, National Comedy Center Anywhere at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.

The event will feature comedians, comedy writers, producers and friends who will reflect on Carlin’s art and long-standing influence, including conversations with Norman Lear, Judd Apatow, Sebastian Maniscalco, Lewis Black, Jim Norton and George Carlin’s daughter Kelly Carlin, along with tributes from Tim Allen, Elayne Boosler, Bill Engvall, Judah Friedlander, Judy Gold, Kathy Griffin, Penn Jillette, Maz Jobrani, George Lopez, Mark Normand, Russell Peters, Colin Quinn, Brian Regan, Alex Winter, Steven Wright and Alan Zweibel, with more anticipated to join the event in the coming days. Check ComedyCenter.org/Carlin for lineup updates.

“Laughing Matters: Carlin’s Legacy” will be live streamed at ComedyCenter.org/Carlin with a simulcast via Facebook Live on the National Comedy Center Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nationalcomedycenter/.

“With laughter more important than ever in this challenging time, we are thrilled to honor the legacy and influence of George Carlin with this special event, and join with our comedy community to celebrate what his work has meant to all of us – and, in turn, what it means to have a cultural institution that exists to preserve these stories and legacies of comedy,” said Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center Executive Director. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the National Comedy Center to see the George Carlin Archives up close, and to experience all the exhibits at our state-of-the-art museum, once we can re-open.”

The National Comedy Center was recently named the “Best New Museum” in the country by USA Today and one of TIME magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places” shortly before it was closed as a COVID-19 precaution on March 16^th.

The National Comedy Center will also be adding exclusive video content and rare archival material  from its George Carlin exhibit and archives to its new National Comedy Center Anywhere online platform, along with highlights from past National Comedy Center Dialogues on Carlin’s career. Most of this content has never before been seen outside of the National Comedy Center museum.

]]> https://www.wrfalp.com/george-carlin-tribute-event-on-may-12-to-support-of-national-comedy-center/feed/ 1 34476 https://www.wrfalp.com/ncc-reports-2019-lucille-ball-comedy-festival-as-biggest-ever/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ncc-reports-2019-lucille-ball-comedy-festival-as-biggest-ever https://www.wrfalp.com/ncc-reports-2019-lucille-ball-comedy-festival-as-biggest-ever/#respond Wed, 14 Aug 2019 13:38:53 +0000 http://www.wrfalp.com/?p=31012 Attendees from 41 states come to Jamestown during 5-day festival

One of the two Block Parties that took place at the National Comedy Center during the 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. (Photo courtesy of National Comedy Center)

JAMESTOWN – The 2019 annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, presented by the National Comedy Center from August 7 through 11, is being estimated to be the biggest festival in its 28-year history, with attendees from 41 states across the country, twice the number of headliner shows, and significantly more tickets sold to its 50+ events than for any prior festival.

The 2019 festival was highlighted by four headliner shows – two each for Sebastian Maniscalco and John Mulaney. With Maniscalco and Mulaney among comedy’s biggest stars, they packed the Northwest Arena for each performance. The festival also increased the number of late night comedy shows it presented from four to six – many of which sold-out.

Throughout the festival, rising stand-up comedians from across the nation were showcased, including Mark Normand, Mathew Broussard, Zainab Johnson, Lachlan Patterson, and many more, along with comedy dialogues, kids comedy, block parties and Lucy legacy events held in eleven venues throughout Jamestown across the five-day festival. The Friday and Saturday evening block parties had record attendance as did the kids comedy show on Saturday morning.

Most festival attendees also experienced the 50 state-of-the-art, immersive exhibits within the NCC, taking an interactive journey through comedy history, from early vaudeville to the latest viral memes.

“We are so proud that our Lucille Ball Comedy Festival broke records this year – with what we estimate to be the most attendees and the most event tickets sold since our festival began 28 years ago,” stated Journey Gunderson, NCC Executive Director. “Clearly comedy fans from across the country love coming to Jamestown for great comedy performances and events — and to visit our state-of-the-art National Comedy Center. We’re pleased that festival attendees filled local hotels, restaurants and retail establishments, and look forward to the festival’s continued growth in the coming years.”

The festival had tremendous support from over 350 local volunteers and over 80 live production crew members.

The NCC says both Maniscalco and Mulaney also toured the facility during the festival.

John Mulaney and Sebastian Maniscalco

“I didn’t know what to expect, I just didn’t expect the National Comedy Center to be this grand, this detailed, and in-depth and interactive,” stated Maniscalco. “The National Comedy Center is definitely inspiring, even for a comedian. The first thing when I walked in, I thought of my kids. It would be cool to bring them here to give them a sense of what comedy is all about. It’s just fun and it’s a cool way to learn. And it’s definitely worth coming to.”

“I like that it takes comedy very seriously,” Mulaney. “This is really about the actual craft of comedy, and that’s what is amazing about it.”

As a lead-up to this year’s festival, the National Comedy Center once again partnered with the world-renowned Chautauqua Institution for a comedy-themed week, highlighted by comedy dialogues in its 4,000-seat amphitheater featuring the legendary Smothers Brothers reunited on stage, acclaimed director/producer Frank Oz, comedian Maria Bamford, and a discussion on Robin Williams with comedian Lewis Black and long-time Robin Williams manager David Steinberg.

During the festival, the NCC opened its new exhibit on legendary comedy innovator Ernie Kovac as his centennial year is celebrated, featuring never-before-exhibited creative papers, rare audiovisual content and original, screen-used artifacts from Kovacs’ influential 1950s and early 1960s television shows and specials. A panel discussion on Kovacs’ legacy and influence preceded the exhibit opening, featuring Black, original SNL writer Alan Zweibel, NPR TV critic David Bianculli and SiriusXM host Ron Bennington.

A ribbon-cutting with the Smothers Brothers was also held, unveiling a new display featuring archival material they donated to the NCC, including their iconic red suit jackets, Tom’s guitar and Dick’s bass, scripts and creative papers, a letter from President Lyndon Johnson which was read by the Smothers Brothers on their TV show, as well as legal documents from their landmark 1970s litigation against CBS in defense of their First Amendment rights.

“This year’s festival truly offered something for everyone – from today’s biggest comedy stars, to up-and-coming stand-up talent, to the legends of comedy – all of whom we were pleased to feature within the National Comedy Center and throughout Jamestown” stated Malachi Livermore, National Comedy Center’s Director of Programming and Guest Experiences.

New displays featuring iconic artifacts and costumes from Eddie Murphy’s Nutty Professor, Bridesmaids, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Happy Gilmore and The Office were also unveiled during the festival week.

The expansion of this year’s festival lineup was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Jamestown’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative for Programming.

In a media release sent out following the conclusion of the Festival, NCC officials said, “The NCC would like to thank the City of Jamestown, the Jamestown Local Development Corporation, New York State Homes and Community Renewal and Governor Andrew Cuomo for this supplemental funding which activates stages and venues, bringing increased economic impact to Western New York.”

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is presented annually by the NCC and embodies Lucille Ball’s vision for her hometown of Jamestown to be a destination for the celebration of the comedic arts and to showcase new comedic talent from around the country. The festival attracts attendees annually from nearly every state in the country, who come together to share laughter while honoring the craft and contributors on stage at dozens of venues throughout Jamestown, including the National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.

John Mulaney and Sebastian Maniscalco

JAMESTOWN – The 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival continues today in downtown Jamestown with several events and activities taking place.

Highlighting day three of the festival are two shows by stand up comedy star John Mulaney at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

As part of the festivities building up to the show, a block party will take place at 5 p.m. in front of the National Comedy Center. Live music will be available, along with food trucks, and legal beverages.

Tomorrow nationally touring comedian Sebastian Maniscalco will perform two shows at Northwest Arena at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. A block party in front of the NCC is also planned for Saturday.

A complete line up of all evens for the 2019 Comedy Festival can be found online at ComedyCenter.org.

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Originally airing Friday, Aug. 2, 2019

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center shares details about the 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, happening in Jamestown from Wednesday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 11. More details on all events for the 2019 Comedy Festival, including ticket info, is available at www.ComedyCenter.org.

The NCC’s 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is expected to be the biggest ever — never before has the festival scheduled four headliner shows to take place over two days at Jamestown’s Northwest Arena, which is adjacent to the 37,000-square-foot National Comedy Center museum complex that opened one year ago.

Headliners for this year’s festival are nationally known comedians John Mulaney and Sebastian Maniscalco.

Mulaney hosted Saturday Night Live earlier this year to rave reviews and high ratings. He began writing for Saturday Night Live in 2008, where he also appeared as a “Weekend Update“ correspondent and co-created memorable characters. He has spent the past year touring the United States with his most recent show, “Kid Gorgeous,” which was released as a Netflix original special last year and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Special.

Maniscalco has been called “one of the funniest comedians working stand-up today,” by Esquire Magazine, “one of the hottest comics,” by Newsday and “the comedian’s comedian” by People Magazine. He broke records in January with four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden, selling the most tickets in a weekend for any comedy engagement in the history of the Garden. In 2018, Maniscalco broke similar comedy box-office records for Radio City Music Hall.

Additional Lucille Ball Comedy Festival events, including more than five comedy showcases, Late Night Comedy events, National Comedy Center Dialogues, and Lucy legacy events can be found at www.ComedyCenter.org.

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is presented by the National Comedy Center and embodies Lucille Ball’s vision for her hometown — Jamestown, New York, to be a destination for the celebration of the comedic arts and to showcase new comedic talent from around the country. The festival attracts more than 10,000 attendees annually from nearly every state in the country, who come together to share laughter while honoring the craft and contributors on stage at dozens of venues throughout Jamestown, including the National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.

About the National Comedy Center

The National Comedy Center is the United States’ official cultural institution dedicated to presenting the vital story of comedy and preserving its heritage for future generations, as formally designated by the U.S. Congress in 2019. The NCC was recently voted #2 “Best New Attraction” in the country, out of 20 new attractions, by USA Today readers, and chosen as the #1 museum and #1 ticketed attraction in this USA Today poll.

Journey Gunderson

Called “one of the best stand-up comics alive” by Entertainment Weekly, John Mulaney will perform a second show on Friday, August 9 at 9:30 p.m., following his sold-out 7 p.m. show.

Tickets for the 9:30 p.m. performance will go on pre-sale for National Comedy Center members only starting Wednesday, May 1 at noon  and on sale to the public on Friday, May 3 at noon at www.ComedyCenter.org.

The news follows the recent addition of Sebastian Maniscalco’s second show at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, following the sell-out of Maniscalco’s 8 p.m. show.

Additional Lucille Ball Comedy Festival events, including more than five comedy showcases, Late Night Comedy events, National Comedy Center Dialogues, and Lucy legacy events will also be announced at www.ComedyCenter.org in the coming months.

JAMESTOWN – The National Comedy Center, the country’s first cultural institution and museum dedicated to comedy, announced today that it has added a second show for headliner Sebastian Maniscalco after both his and John Mulaney’s shows sold out in the first day on sale to the public for the 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.

The additional Sebastian Maniscalco show will take place Saturday, August 10 at 5 p.m. Tickets for this performance will go on pre-sale for National Comedy Center members only starting Wednesday, March 6 at noon ET and on sale to the public on Friday, March 8 at noon ET at www.ComedyCenter.org.  

Some additional festival events are also currently on sale, while many more have yet to be announced, in a lineup that will celebrate comedy’s contemporary stars, rising voices, and historic legacies.

• RELATED: National Comedy Center’s Journey Gunderson Discusses Lucyfest 2019 Headliners

Maniscalco will now be performing two shows on Saturday, August 10th: the added show at 5 p.m. and the previously announced sold-out show at 8 p.m. Both shows will take place in Jamestown’s Northwest Arena, adjacent to the $50 million, 37,000-square-feet National Comedy Center museum complex. 

“We’re thrilled to add a second Maniscalco show to accommodate the incredible demand for these festival headliners, and with a new national attraction now open all day throughout the festival, it makes for a fantastic time to visit Jamestown,” said Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center Executive Director. 

“This year’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is shaping up to be our biggest ever. From our big arena shows with Sebastian Maniscalco and John Mulaney, to showcases featuring rising comedians, on-stage panels on comedy legends, and kids’ comedy shows — there truly is something for everyone, with more to be announced soon,” said Malachi Livermore, National Comedy Center Director of Programming and Guest Experience. “We encourage comedy fans from around the world to come visit and explore everything that the festival and the National Comedy Center has to offer.”

To become a National Comedy Center member in order to gain first access to available seats during the pre-sale ticket window, visit ComedyCenter.org or call the National Comedy Center at 716.484.2222. Memberships start at $50 and provide benefits including a full year “season pass” for visiting the acclaimed National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York.

ABOUT MANISCALCO

Comedian, actor and best-selling author Sebastian Maniscalco has been called “one of the funniest comedians working stand-up today,” by Esquire Magazine, “one of the hottest comics,” by Newsday and “the comedian’s comedian” by People Magazine.

Maniscalco broke records last month with four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden, selling the most tickets in a weekend for any comedy engagement in the history of the Garden. In 2018, Maniscalco broke similar comedy box-office records for Radio City Music Hall.

Maniscalco can currently be seen with Viggo Mortensen in the film “Green Book,” which won three Academy Awards including Best Picture. 

Last November, Maniscalco won Billboard’s inaugural Comedian of the Year award. In 2019, Maniscalco will be starring in Martin Scorsese’s new film “The Irishman,” with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. 

ABOUT JOHN MULANEY

In addition to Sebastian Maniscalco, Emmy-winning comedian and writer John Mulaney headlines the festival with a sold-out show on Friday, August 9th. Mulaney, who just hosted Saturday Night Live this past Saturday, has been called “one of the best stand-up comics alive” by Entertainment Weekly. He began writing for “Saturday Night Live” in 2008, where he also appeared as a “Weekend Update“ correspondent and co-created memorable characters such as “Stefon” with Bill Hader. He has spent the past year touring the United States with his most recent show, “Kid Gorgeous,” which was released as a Netflix original special last year and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Special.

Additional Lucille Ball Comedy Festival events, including more than five comedy showcases, Late Night Comedy events, National Comedy Center Dialogues, and Lucy legacy events will also be announced at www.ComedyCenter.org in the coming months.

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Journey Gunderson

Originally airing Friday, Feb. 7, 2019.

Journey Gunderson from the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY stops by the WRFA studio to discuss the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival headliners for 2019 – Sebastian Maniscalco and John Mulaney.

Mulaney will be performing on Friday, August 9 and Maniscalco will be performing on Saturday, August 10. Both shows will take place at the Northwest Arena.

Tickets for the performances will go on pre-sale for NCC members only — starting Wednesday, February 20 at noon. They will go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 22 at noon.

For ticket information on the two headliners as well as details on the 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival or the NCC, visit ComedyCenter.org.

On Monday morning the NCC announced that Sebastian Maniscalco and John Mulaney will headline the 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival – taking place August 7-11.

Officials with the NCC say both Maniscalco and Mulaney are currently considered two of the most popular and acclaimed comedians in the country — Maniscalco breaking several comedy box office records over the past year, and Mulaney named “one of the best stand-up comics alive” by Entertainment Weekly.

Mulaney will be performing on Friday, August 9 and Maniscalco will be performing on Saturday, August 10. Both shows will take place at the Northwest Arena.

Tickets for the performances will go on pre-sale for NCC members only — starting Wednesday, February 20 at noon. They will go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 22 at noon.

Officials say many other festival events will be announced in the coming weeks and months, in a lineup that will celebrate comedy’s contemporary stars, rising voices, and historic legacies.

For ticket information on the two headliners as well as details on the 2019 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival or the NCC, visit ComedyCenter.org.