ProductShopNYC :: The Politics of Pop Culture

MICHAEL SHOWALTER | Rififi, DJ'ing, No Stella

Now that Comedy Central has officially cancelled Stella, Michael Showalter has some free time to fill.

The former-Stateman will host The Michael Showalter Experience at Rififi every Tuesday in June (June 6,13,20,27) and every third Thursday of the month (as in May 18th), he'll be DJing at the bar Last Exit To Brooklyn on Atlantic Avenue in Cobble Hill.

Showalter is also going on tour with Eugene Mirman and Leo Allen. Here are the dates:
5/9 Toad's Place, New Haven, CT
5/10 Higher Ground, Burlington, VT
5/11 Lupo's, Providence, RI
5/12 Iron Horse, Nothampton, MA
5/13 Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
5/14 Black Cat, Washington, DC
5/15 Relative Theory Record Store, Norfolk, VA
5/16 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
5/17 The Earl, Atlanta, GA
5/18 Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
5/19 Ottobar, Baltimore, MD

BRIAN POSEHN | Signs With Relapse

Comedian Brian Posehn has signed with metal/grind/hardcore label Relapse, which will release his debut stand-up CD Live In: Nerd Rage this month.

Posehn, who was a writer and star of the great Mr.Show and appeared on just about every freaking sitcom every, will once again tour with the Comedians of Comedy this April/May/June.

So to keep things in check:
Eugene Mirman + David Cross + Sub Pop = Indie Rock Comedy....
Brian Posehn + Relapse = Kick ass metal humor that will burst Eugene and David's eardrum's with the volume at eleven......

BONNAROO | The Streets, Sonic Youth, and Aziz

The one-time mega hippiefest Bonnaroo has added some more killer acts including The Streets, Sonic Youth, and Common. Also added was Lyrics Born, Refugee Allstars, Deadboy & the Elephantmen, Matt Costa, Tortured Soul, Cypress Hill, Blackalicious, Umphrey's McGeee and Disco Biscuits and Oysterhead.

Bonnaroo also announced their comedy stage line-up which includes Lewis Black, Patton Oswalt, Demetri Martin, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Paul Scheer, and the great Aziz Ansari.....

BONNAROO | The Streets, Sonic Youth, and Aziz

The one-time mega hippiefest Bonnaroo has added some more killer acts including The Streets, Sonic Youth, and Common. Also added was Lyrics Born, Refugee Allstars, Deadboy & the Elephantmen, Matt Costa, Tortured Soul, Cypress Hill, Blackalicious, Umphrey's McGeee and Disco Biscuits and Oysterhead.

Bonnaroo also announced their comedy stage line-up which includes Lewis Black, Patton Oswalt, Demetri Martin, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Paul Scheer, and the great Aziz Ansari.....

THE ONION | On Franz Ferdinand, On Hipsters

Some recent humor taken from The Onion's "In Brief" column:

Franz Ferdinand Frontman Shot By Gavrilo Princip Bassist
March 17, 2006 | Issue 42•12

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND—Lead singer and guitarist for pop band Franz Ferdinand, Alexander Kapranos, is in critical condition today after being shot by a man identified as the bassist for rock group Gavrilo Princip. "We ask fans to cooperate with Interpol to find the assailant, and call upon British Sea Power, Snow Patrol, and The Postal Service for help," drummer Paul Thompson told music magazine NME Monday. "The suspect had links to The Decemberists and The Libertines, and we are following up on all leads." It is unclear whether the shooting was linked to The Polyphonic Spree's invasion of Belgium earlier this week.

Two Hipsters Angrily Call Each Other "Hipsters"
March 29, 2006 | Issue 42•13

AUSTIN, TX—An argument between local hipsters Dan Walters and Brian Guterman has devolved to the point where each is angrily calling the other "hipster," those close to the pair reported Monday. "Hey, hipster! Here's 12 bucks—why don't you go get yourself a bucket of PBRs at the Gold Mine?" Walters, 22, is said to have told Guterman, 22, invoking the name of a local bar known for its "poseur" clientele. "Whatever you say, scenester," Guterman allegedly replied. "Don't you have a Death Cab For Cutie show to be at right now?" Acquaintances of Guterman and Walters trace the long-running conflict back to high school, when they reportedly threw pencils at each other and argued about who was more "emo."

HOWARD STERN | On Rob Sheffield

A lil' while ago Rob Sheffield, the kindest man in rock n' roll who isn't Dave Grohl, wrote a some-what satirical piece about how David Lee Roth was more exciting to listen to than Howard Stern. He talked about how Stern, pre-CBS lawsuit, didn't have anyone to really rail against at sirius, while Roth was like watching a car accident.

Well, Howard read the piece on the air and it turns out he is - or was - a big fan of Sheffs. Stern was upset by the piece and ranted about how Rolling Stone sucks, Jann sucks up to Yoko, and little Robbie Sheffield.

To be honest, I don't even think Howard was pissed at Rob. It honestly sounded like Howard really thought Rob was a cool rock journalist and felt stung that someone he thought of as cool kind of dissed him.

The show clip is about twenty minutes long and the remix (which is obviously a joke and not some serious music project) is like a minute long. Enjoy..........

DOWNLOAD: The Howard Stern Show - On Rob Sheffield (clip) rightclicksave
DOWNLOAD: Team PSNYC - "Howard Stern V Rob Sheffield RMX" rightclicksave

***If you are affiliated with this radio program and would like the attachment / file / link removed, please email me***

THE STATE | Reuniting, Coming To iTunes

Comedy Central's Reno 911 doesn't really do it for me. I also couldn't quite get into Stella, which I hear Comedy Central still hasn't picked up for a second season. Anyway, Reno 911 is still on the air and they're even making a feature film called Reno 911: Miami.

In the film, the retarded Reno cops are called in to save the day after a terrorist attack disrupts a national police convention in Miami Beach during spring break. The plot of which sounds eerily similiar to Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach, and the fact that I know that scares me.

The highlight of the film will likely be the big seen in which all eleven members of The State! This marks their first onscreen appearance by the group since 1995. They have reunited for the Aspen and New York Comedy Festivals in 1997.

The State put out a release where they discussed a possible reunion and MTV putting their old show on iTunes:

The three "Reno" stars said members of the State are well aware, and appreciative, of petitions by the show's long-suffering fans to finally have the episodes released on DVD. Offering them some hope, Lennon said, "There is a rumor that MTV will be releasing 'The State' on iTunes, and maybe if I mention that now, it'll help move it along...." 'The State' always exists," Lennon continued, dropping a bombshell. "There'll probably be, at some point, some other version of the State doing some kind of live show."

AZIZ ANSARI | Shittiest Mixtape Contest, Pianos Show

Tomorrow night at Pianos, Aziz Ansari performs with Todd Barry, Leo Allen, and Nick Kroll. Also joining Aziz will be his roommates Merlin and Zach, who you may remember from the Shittiest Mixtape contest.

Well, the roomates have just launched a contest to find five new shitty songs that they'll put on a mixtape and walk around New York City blasting from a boombox. The contest closes tomorrow at 5:30pm and the winners will be announced at the Pianos show.

Or you can see Aziz tonight at Mo Pitkins. Can you be overexposed and still on the verge? Whatever, we love Aziz.......

WATCH/LINK: Aziz Ansari - Shittiest Mixtape Concert One

BUY: Aziz Ansari and Friends | Pianos | Tuesday, February 28th | 7:30PM | $5

CORRECTION | Eugene Mirman & Heeb

Eugene Mirman's huge night of comedy at Warsaw with Michael Showalter and Leo Allen will be on March 31st and not the March 13th as I mistakingly posted. Sorry for the confusion.

I also noticed that Michael Showalter and Ticketweb have changed their sites to remove any mention of Stella performing at the Heeb Magazine's March 13th American Shmidol karaoke showdown party. David Wain and Michael Showalter are still on the bill but only as guest judges and not performers........

EUGENE MIRMAN | Warsaw Show Announced

Eugene Mirman, who happens to be dj'ing at Product Shop NYC's party this Thursday at Rothko, will be headlining a huge night of comedy at Warsaw on March 13th.

Also on the bill will be Michael Showalter and Leo Allen, with more to be added....