Sometimes the trolls are right.
Special People #30: Alyssa Limperis
[embed]http://traffic.libsyn.com/specialpeoplepodcast/Ep._30__Alyssa_Limperis.mp3[/embed]
Alyssa Limperis (@alyssalimp) is a comic and good person. We talk dads, and the 2012 Miss Universe winner.
The phrase "white privilege" sounds braggy.
My city
New York. A place that, wherever you're standing, someone else also wants to stand there.
An issue with improv
There's too much "YES AND"-ing. We need more "THAT'S ENOUGH"-ing.
Hard truth
There's nothing worse than an "un-fun" person who mistakenly believes they are "fun".
Special People #29: Tovah Silbermann
[embed]http://traffic.libsyn.com/specialpeoplepodcast/Ep._29__Tovah_Silbermann.mp3[/embed]
Tovah Silbermann (@milbermann) is a producer of comedy shows and other joyful things. She used to be a Hassidic Jewish lady. Then she stopped. We talk about it.
Ringling Brothers, burying bad news on a sad day
Ringling Bros. Circus are retiring their elephants. Bon appétit, lions!
R.I.P The Thin White Duke
Thank you, David Bowie.I wish you luck in your new career in a new town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhZqsYkl1zI
How to celebrate Nicolas Cage's birthday
https://twitter.com/ComedyCentral/status/685202296221863940 Mad graphics skills credit goes to: Ellie Skrzat, Dan Scivoletti + Becky Krause.
I hate astrology.
No one knows what "Mercury in retrograde" means. Go ahead: ask anyone who says it. They don't have one clue. And while we're at it, why the hell do we still talk about this shit anyway? Horoscopes are a medieval superstition, but they're still in newspapers. Why? No one turns to the sports page for witch burning results.
Special People Ep. #28: Serge Kovaleski
Miss Universe
Steve Harvey has made a mockery of this which-lady-is-the-prettiest contest. #MissUniverse
Schadenfreude
My 2015 video Christmas Card: "A Gift for Santa"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XF76-jD2iE
2015 for me
It was a good year.
Professionally, I’m still a writer at Comedy Central. I was on the team that re-launched The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. One of my scripts was made into a national ad (watch it here). One of my concepts was made into a secret YouTube game (here). And one of my tag lines made it onto posters that appeared all over Times Square and the New York City subway (see 'em here). Every single one of those things was developed, built and polished by 50+ other people, all of whom have vast talents. I’m very lucky to work alongside them.
I launched a podcast called Special People with Tom Cowell. I interview cool people about the most important people in their lives. Plus jokes – we make a lot of jokes. I’ve interviewed a former professional wrestler, bestselling authors, Emmy winners, kangaroo shooters, and next week is my first Pulitzer Prize recipient. I’m proud of the show. I hope to build it up further. You can listen to all the episodes for free here, or subscribe here in iTunes.
I stood on stages and told jokes over 150 times this year. Stand-up comedy continues to be the most rewarding, frustrating, addicting pursuit imaginable. It’s a puzzle that cannot be solved. Like golf, but with dick jokes.
I’m still crazy in love with my wife Maresa. She’s really great. Have you met her? Highly recommend it.
My mother, the former communications director for Britain’s leading heart charity (the BHF) received an M.B.E. from The Crown this year. We are very proud of her. We got to visit Buckingham Palace: sweet pad. You can read my account of that day here.
One sad thing: our cat Simon passed away at the ripe old age of 18. There was no pain at the end. We miss him, but so grateful that we were part of each other’s lives.
If you’re reading this, I’d love to hear about where you are in life, love, work and play.
Get in touch. cowellt@gmail.com.
Love to all.
Your pal,
- Tom
10 Facebook Protections We Need
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Why Buckingham Palace Needs a Bouncer
Just remembered: went to Buckingham Palace this year and forgot to tell you about it. Here's the story.
Tips for surviving elevator chit-chat
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7 Microwavable Meals That Say: "I'm Handling This Break-Up Way Better Than Expected."
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