The Brainerd Dispatch - Today's Entertainment Magazine
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2 Oct ober 5 - 11, 2014 Brainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media S tand-up comic? Check. Oddball pals? Check. Eccentric guy across the hall? Check. Unless you've spent the last 20- odd years under a rock, chances are you recognize this premise. Quite soon though, it will be used to describe not just "Seinfeld" — widely considered to be one of the greatest sitcoms of all time — but also "Mulaney," a new comedy airing on Fox this fall. The series boasts some major players in the comedy world, both onscreen and off, giving it a pronounced leg up towards that relatively rare feat of true sitcom success. The show is a semi-auto- biographical look at John Mulaney's life as a comedian trying to make it in the Big Ap- ple. Mulaney, known for his standup and his work as a writer on "Saturday Night Live," stars as a fictionalized version of himself, and in case creating and starring in the series isn't enough to add to his resume, he's also one of the show's writers and producers. Abounding with "SNL" alumni, the show premieres Sunday, Oct. 5, on Fox. "Mulaney" inarguably shares a number of similar elements with "the show about nothing," from the eponymous main character's profession to the New York City setting to the gal pal who you rec- ognize from "Saturday Night Live." It does offer a little more story structure, though, in that there's actually a plot. Struggling to find his big break in the stand- up circuit, John-the-c haracter scores a writing job with comedy- legend-turned-hambone game show host Lou Cannon, played by none other than real-life comedic giant Martin Short of "SCTV" and "SNL" fame. Lou is monumentally self-centered, insufferable and, of course, hilarious, adding another vital level of stressful absurdity to John's chaotic life. Luckily, John's got a support sys- tem in place in the form of his two best friends and roommates, though they themselves are far from being trouble-free additions to his life. Nasim Pedrad, a fellow "SNL" departee (and a recent one at that), stars as Jane, a rather rud- derless and high-strung personal trainer, while Seaton Smith ("Pan- cake Mountain"), a fellow comic, stars as Motif ... a fellow comic. Andre (Zack Pearlman, "The In- betweeners") frequently makes his presence known, much to the gang's dismay, as a bearded trust fund baby who's currently selling pot until his pesky relations die and leave him his not-at-all-earned for- tune. Providing a much-needed oasis in this sea of disorder is John and company's 71-year-old gay neigh- bor, Oscar, played by the simply wonderful Elliott Gould ("Ocean's Eleven," 2001). Oscar, an en- dearing former radical and true New Yorker, pro- vides John with much-needed advice and mentorship, as well as the occasional escape from the madness of every- day life. "The character is kind of a Yoda to all of us, and Elliott is a Yoda to all of us in the cast," says Mulaney of his esteemed castmate in the series' preview special, "An Opening Act." If the cast is impressive, the team behind the scenes is praise- worthy in and of itself. Lorne Mi- chaels, the show's executive pro- ducer, has become a household name for creating and producing "Sat- urday N ight Live" (you may be seeing a running theme here). Along with having been a driving force behind a long list of film and television comedies, he's a member of the Order of Canada for lifetime achievement, he's got a star on the H ollywood Walk of Fame and a Peabody Award. In short, he's one accomplished son of a gun. As for "Mulaney's" di- rector and Michaels' fel- low executive producer, Andy Ackerman, he was at the helm for almost 90 "Seinfeld" episodes, so it's safe to say he more or less knows what he's doing. "If I have any small per- cent of [Seinfeld's] success I'd be thrilled," Ackerman said in a TCA Press Tour panel. Plainly, the comparisons be- tween the two shows are by no means downplayed by the cast and crew. Fox's chairman of entertain- ment even said that "Mulaney" has "the makings of a 'Seinfeld' for a new generation" during upfronts back in May. When asked during the TCA ses- sion about his inspiration for the show, Mulaney joked that he "just watched 'Seinfeld' and copied it. They run it all the time, so it was easy." They say art imitates life, and it's doing so for Mulaney just as it did for Jerry Seinfeld. "Most of my standup comedy comes from real-life stories that have happened to me," Mulaney explains in the preview special. "['Mulaney'] is not exactly what happened in my life, but it's kind of how I felt. This show is how it feels to be living in New York with two roommates, working for a very strange boss [and] just how weird and exciting and scary that can be." As far as the comedy goes, Mu- laney's more than proven himself in that arena already. During his time with "SNL," he co-created the show's massively popular "Weekend Update" character Ste- fon and was part of the team that took home the Award for Out- standing Original Music and Lyrics at the 63rd Emmy Awards. He's performed his standup in "Live at Gotham," "Conan," "Jimmy Kim- mel Live," "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" and more, and he has a comedy album and standup spe- cial produced by Comedy Central under his belt. His castmate Smith calls Mu- lane y "one of the best comedians in the country." "He's engaging, he's funny, he's tightly written. He's just a magician up there." John Mulaney's certainly earned his place in the comedy world, and if his new sitcom takes off as well as the rest of his career has, "Mulaney" will be making us laugh for years to come. John Mulaney stars in "Mulaney" A stand-up guy 'Mulaney' could become ''Seinfeld' for a new generation' Cover Story this week 501 W Washington St, Brainerd | Ph: 218-828-1823 Free Pick Up & Delivery or Loaner Cars Available. We Can Do That! CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON? FREE SCAN! $59.95 FALL MAINTENANCE PACKAGE INCLUDES: OIL CHANGE (UP TO 5 QTS. CONVENTIONAL OIL), OIL FILTER, 4 TIRE ROTATION, 4 WHEEL BALANCE, ADJUST TIRE PRESSURE FLUID LEVELS: BATTERY, TRANSMISSION, COOLING SYSTEM, BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, POWER STEERING INSPECT: ALIGNMENT CHECK, BELTS & HOSES, SHOCKS, BRAKES Offer good with coupon only. Not valid with other offers. Expires 12/31/14 INSPECT: ALIGNMENT CHECK, BELTS & HOSES, SHOCKS, BRAKES BATTERY, TRANSMISSION, COOLING SYSTEM, BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, POWER STEERING PACKAGE $59.95 BATTERY, TRANSMISSION, COOLING SYSTEM, BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, POWER STEERING 001143690r1 $59.95 Mon.-Fri, 8:00-5:30, Sat. 9:00-12:00 With coupon. CASH Sales only. No other discounts apply. 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