Memphis Comedy Happenings - Podcasts!

Hey interested folks in Memphis Comedy! I realize that I've been severely lacking in the update area, but whatever. I'm sorry if you missed Joe Rogan at the High Point, but that's why I encourage you to follow @memphiscomedy on twitter to get the latest updates about shows before it comes to the blog.

Recently, there's been a crazy influx of podcasts to the Memphis Comedy ring. As of now, there are 5 around.

1. White Noise with Kerry White - hosted by Kerry White. Read the blog about Kerry to see if you can handle the realism and the harsh truth that White smacks you in the head with. Not for the faint of heart. Also, it's for the truly badasses.

2. Howling Monkey Reads the Comics - a podcast by local improviser and periodic character comic Joe Leibovich. The premise of the show is talking out various comics from the daily comics. Fairly straight forward, but know condescension and hilarity is to ensue, and I'm looking at you Dagwood!

3. Mostly Comedy - a hosted by Katrina Murrell and Andy Fleming, the Mostly Comedy podcast is fun for an insight into local comedy, fraught with periodic guest, and they talk about mostly, well, comedy.

4. Don't be Afraid of the Dark w/ Josh McLane - Josh McLane hosts 20 minutes a week bringing his distinctive outlook to the masses; topics typically include commonsense, frustration with the world, and he seems to like comic books a little. There are no guests, it's the dictatorship and Josh is driving the sovereign podcast whichever way while you hold on for the ride.

5. Shut Up and Listen - the podcast that started it all. Shut Up and Listen was originally a music oriented show with bands and playing tracks from CDs, now it has fused together with Memphis Comedy along with keeping with the loose music background. This show has the widest array of guests, from reference lord and local comic Mike Degnan to the Whimsical Douche Bunnies. A big thanks to Jared Callan and Justin Talley for producing and/or hosting some of the other shows. Go to the site and decide which ones.

Comedy Shows - Craig Ferguson

When it comes to comedy shows, I doubt the first place you think of is to go to Tunica, but you'd be surprised at the fantastic acts that show up just south of Memphis. Like I was recently surprised to find that one of the best comics I've ever seen live was coming to Millenium Theater in Tunica on March 13, 2010 - that comic, Craig Ferguson.

Craig Ferguson is probably most known for having the Late, Late Show on CBS, but Ferguson's amazing capacity as an entertainer doesn't stop at lip syncing puppets and making silly faces. Craig first got wide spread American noteriety by playing Mr. Wick on "The Drew Carey" show, where Ferguson will even tell you was the worst English accent ever.

Fergy is has written a few screenplays (Saving Grace is excellent!). He has written book named "Between the Bridge and the River" a dark comedy of falling from Grace, dealing with existentialist and philosophical themes. The Late, Late Show theme song was also another one of Craig's brainchildren.

All the other brilliance aside, Craig's stand up act is silly, story oriented, yet not an insult to your intelligence. In past shows, he's told the stories of his first marriage, how and why he wanted to become an American citizen, and of course his huge member - he can't get away with the dick jokes on tv as well as he can out at shows.

Please go out and support the man and if not for him, the crazy lonely cougar fans that show up with picture scrapbooks, cheeky monkeys, and 3 ft Craig Ferguson heads on snow shovels -- I worked security in SF for him two different weekends... I wish I was joking about any of that.

Find him on twitter.com/craigyferg or Official Late, Late Show Site