Just for laughs: Variety.com offers its state of the punchline address

JULY 21, 2009

Take a few minutes and check out Variety.com's Comedy Impact Report, a fascinating annual look at the top bananas making audiences laugh, in movies and on TV and stages. The lead story is about the new wave of woman making movies as dirty as dudes do, a tribe calling itself "The Fempire," led by screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer's Body) and Lynn Shelton (the upcoming Humpday).

There are also profiles of 2009's biggest comedy stars, so far, ranging from Paul Rudd and Adam Sandler to scene-stealing Betty White (The Proposal). TV jokers profiled include Andy Samberg, Wanda Sykes and Stephen Colbert.

And, in a double-take backward, Variety assesses how 2008's comedy star picks (Tina Fey, Robert Downey, Jr. and others) are staying on top. A good read all around.

Posted by at 7:35:36 am on July 21, 2009 in

| Permalink | Comments | | Edit Post

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

Reeling in the Years is closing February 04

Poster art for Lebowski Fest Tampa, coming Feb. 26-27 January 13

Florida Film Critics Circle likes The Social Network best but Inception tosses a curve December 20

The Social Network collects four prizes from the Southeastern Film Critics Association December 13

All I want for Christmas is The Green Hornet's car, Black Beauty December 06

Friday Fromage: Princess Di has an appointment today with The Dentist December 03

First big winner of the awards season: National Board of Review really "likes" The Social Network December 02

Spirit Awards toss Winter's Bone seven nominations; The Kids Are All Right with five November 30

What? The Oscars couldn't get Rob Lowe and Snow White to open the show again? November 29

Today's Special: Aasif Mandvi from The Daily Show coming to Tampa with with his movie Saturday night November 24

About the bloggers

For new movie reviews and movie news, this blog's for you. Steve Persall, movie critic for the St. Petersburg Times, weighs in on blockbuster movies, small-budget movies, the best movies, the worst movies ever and everything in between. Steve was conceived behind a drive-in movie theater his father operated and raised in projection booths and concession stands. He doesn't care how you did it up north.

E-mail Steve Persall:
persall@sptimes.com.

Follow us on Facebook

TampaBay.com on Facebook

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

The St. Petersburg Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.