No, I’m not talking about sixteen year-old pop superstar and singing sensation, Justin Bieber, though perhaps that discussion is overdue. For now, I’m talking about the BBC — “The Beeb” to those in the know. Ever since Monty Python’s Flying Circus graced the UK network’s airwaves in the late 60′s with its particular absurdist brand of distinctly British humor, the BBC has become a trusted source for innovative and groundbreaking comedy.
As an aficionado of all things hilarious — both foreign and domestic — I’ve assembled for you an excellent primer on British Comedy to explore before you dive into our British Comedy channel. It features Monty Python’s own John Cleese in classic Fawlty Towers moments, Hugh Laurie showing his sketch comedy roots in A Bit of Fy and Laurie, and a pre-Shaun of the Dead Simon Pegg in personal fave, Big Train.
For the uninitiated: Top 10 British Comedy Vids
We threw a casual but effervescent party last night during the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival to celebrate the 3rd Babelgum Online Film Festival, with a class-A photographer and video crew from Workbook Project on hand to capture the flavor of the scene. No one was wearing a lampshade at the end of the night, but we had fun anyway before repairing to the SVA-2 Theater for a special screening of select BOFF3 films. Claire Reynolds, winner of the Runner-Up Jury Award in documentary for “In Recovery” was there to accept her cash prize, along with seasoned producer Rachel Talbot, accepting a Stoli Emerging Filmmaker Award on behalf of her film “Under the Covers with Chip Kidd.”
Media maven Jason Wishnow, one of the BOFF3 jurors, made the rounds, too, chatting up party attendees and doing the presentation honors. Click here to see photos from the event, which was sponsored by Stolichnaya Vodka. Also on hand to kick back and shoot the breeze on a balmy New York night were friends and colleagues from Shooting People, SnagFilms, FilmBuff, Oktane Media, Protein, and Film Movement.
What did they watch at the BOFF3 screening? Click here and see for yourself.
Want to know who the hot-fresh-acts sneaking onto the ‘pod playlists of the musical elite are? This month, bluesy grit-rock Brits Band Of Skulls (who recently caused a stir Stateside after their song, ‘Friends’, was included in the Twilight Saga soundtrack), reveal their favorite new bands:
John & Jehn – “We partnered with John and Jehn, playing Sympathy for the Devil for a last minute collaboration. They’re a great French duo with a Kills-like garagey sound and some clever pop moments….proper rock n roll!” Check their myspace
The Moulettes – “Amazing three piece consisiting of a cellist, bassoon player and drummer from our home town Southampton. Nice harmonies and they do doo-whop like nobodies business. They’ve also got this medieval busty babes/pirates thing going on…!” Check their myspace
The Hounds Below – “a.k.a Jason Von Bondies with a Roy Orbison thing going on…another interesting thing to come out of Detroit” Check their myspace
Local Natives – “We met these guys at Lattitude festival last year. They’ve got some crazy rhythms and harmonies and are well worth checking out.” Watch their latest video and check their myspace
No, I’m not talking about sixteen year-old pop superstar and singing sensation, Justin Bieber, though perhaps that discussion is overdue. For now, I’m talking about the BBC — “The Beeb” to those in the know. Ever since Monty Python’s Flying Circus graced the UK network’s airwaves in the late 60′s with its particular absurdist brand of distinctly British humor, the BBC has become a trusted source for innovative and groundbreaking comedy.
