make 'em laugh.

So apparently this week is Comedy Week (capital letters indicate that this must be read in a stadium announcer voice, fyi) over at Vulture. On their first day they complied a list of "50 Comedians You Should And Will Know". For a burgeoning comedy nerd like me, this is a goldmine. Some of the people on the list I was familiar with (like Jason Mantzoukas aka Rafi on The League aka Dennis Feinstein aka awesome), and some I had never heard of but really like. One of the chosen few in the latter group is The Birthday Boys, a comedy troupe consisting of seven guys. They've done mostly internet videos so far, but apparently some big things are coming up for them (IFC anyone?). I really wanted to include a clip not on the Vulture list just in the remote possibility that you would actually read it, but this PoolJumpers trailer is just too hilarious to resist.

And here, I included another one, just in case. (I love the NPR at the end.)

lorde.

Sixteen-year old from New Zealand. And already 100% cooler than me.

distant cousins.

Who knew Steve Buscemi was such a Vampire Weekend fan? Who knew Ezra and the boys could act?

harper high school.

You may or may not have heard about This American Life's two part series on Harper High School in Chicago. Regardless of how much you know (or think you know) about  Chicago or gang culture, I urge you to listen to both riveting pieces. The reporters were given an extraordinary level of access to administrators, students, and parents, and the five months they spent immersed in the culture of the school paid off. It is a thoughtful exploration and rumination on violence, poverty, and how the two intersect. The aspect I was most grateful for, however, was how straightforward and honest the reporting was. It did not try to sensationalize or dramatize the subject matter, it instead let the facts paint a haunting portrait of a troubled area.

Find the first part here.

pata pata.

She just seems to be having the greatest time, doesn't she? And check the moves of that little girl (Makeba's granddaughter). She's got some rhythm.

a bit of scott & hamm.

How did I not know this existed?

You should probably read this first if you want to have any idea what is happening.

Also, Adam Scott has said that he is going to be doing another The Greatest Event in Television History starring Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz. (And hopefully more Paul Scheer!) Hells yeah.

another love.

I feel like this song should be grating and awful, and yet it is tremendously affecting and heartbreaking. This may sound kind of obvious, but it really is the music that saves it. In other hands, the lyrics could be cloying, but Tom Odell brings both a sadness and an aggression to the vocals that lifts them. The build-up with the drums and howling background vocals is stirring, but seemingly drops before reaching the climax, punctuating the predicament of the singer.

(Basically, it's a good song, he's cute and British, and you should totally listen to it.)