Vanity Fair Picks New Legends Of Comedy (VIDEO)

This month "Vanity Fair," chose new legends of comedy for a portfolio that uses classic comedic and historic characters to showcase their talents. As VF says in its intro:

In these tough times, America is lucky to have the community of comic talent featured here: men and women who will band together for the perfect setup, charm laughs from their audience, and seize on just about any icon.

The portfolio is mostly Judd Apatow's men (and their circle) but does include SNL alum Amy Poehler, House Bunny's Anna Faris and Arrested Development's Jason Bateman.

It begins with a jab at Vanity Fair itself and the famous "Tom Ford's Hollywood" cover that showed three nude starlets and the eponymous guest editor fully clothed. This time the shot includes Paul Rudd creepily sniffing Seth Rogan's neck while Jonah Hill and Jason Segel lounge in nude suits.

Next comes Danny McBride ("The Breakthrough") pictured as Jack Nicholson in "The Shining." He's the star of the new HBO comedy series "East Bound and Down," which has been critically well received.

And, of course, husband and wife team Amy Poehler and Will Arnett featured here as the "Accomplices." Both are working on NBC shows, Arnett on "30 Rock" and Poehler on the upcoming "Parks and Recreation."

Also pictured are Russell Brand as Charlie Chaplin; Paul Rudd as Gene Wilder's character from "Young Frankenstein"; Bill Hader, Anna Farris, Jason Bateman, and Leslie Mann as The Honeymooners; Jonah Hill as George Washington; Jason Segel as Buster Keaton; and this Kahlo-inspired pic that looks nothing like Seth Rogan.

Vanity Fair's site also has video of each of the shoots. Here's a look at some of the set-ups that didn't make the cut and short interviews with Jason Segel, Paul Rudd and Seth Rogan:

Comments

[llnwonderland]

The only one on the cover who's funny in most of his movies is Paul Rudd. The others are just fat.

[ApolloniaCreed]

Certainly funny... but "legends"?

[YRG]

What, no Zach Galifianakis or Mike O'Connell?

[unfettered]

As usual VF is a dollar short and a day late.

[gracewithease]

Vanity Fair is a sexist magazine. Judging by the Tyler Perry miss, it's likely racist too.

[Carlton Jordan]

Brandon T Jackson is funnier than all of them.

What does Tyler Perry have to do to be considered a comedian. I mean 2 weeks #1 - a bigger box office brand than Judd yet hes ignored. no wonder he says fugg hollywood.

these guys are only funny to a certain frat boy segment of society.

[PW1206]

Tyler Perry... The guy who created "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" on TBS, and getting his movies made and released by major production companies? Yeah, he's sticking it to the mainstream entertainment industry, for sure...

[Carlton Jordan]

Yeah. These comedians here are so anti-mainstream. You're right Perry doesnt deserve it.

[Kevin Phelan]

Tyler Perry did not make it because Tyler Perry is not funny.

[mergina]

Funny would have been a photo in their skin showing their hairy arses.

[SueEll]

In my opinion, for this to truly work as a spoof of that ridiculous Vanity Fair cover, the guys needed to be very pale (which they are) and very naked -- just like the starlets were.

[shdrew]

I totally agree!

[lionshead86]

For everyone talking about the lack of diversity. It's not like Vanity Fair did any work and found a bunch of different comedians. If I'm not mistaken, these guys have all been in the same movies together. They're like a comedy "band"

But with that said, I don't think they're funny at all. I don't get how being fat and awkward is comedy genius. I've noticed white dudes think anything is funny as long as its some borderline homo-erotic shhh. They present themselves like "oh, I don't care..I'm just a chill dude who's got all these quarks..is­n't that hilarious". No, it's not. I get it, you're "different". You don't comb your hair. How edgy. You embrace your pasty, pimply physique. Wow, you're so unique. Now that my ego is satisfied that I am now laughing at an ORIGINAL..­UNIQUE "comedian" I will be able to laugh at their jokes and still wallow in a cloud of my own smugness.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch "Important Things" with Demetri Martin.

[Lucky123]

Not all white dudes think that way.

At least not this one.

[ProfessorGeorge]

This hot lady gets my vote for Queen of Comedy and the old lady is a close second!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA0TTfqFZg8

[ramblingjohnny]

If these comedian are "Comedy’s New Legends" we are in worst trouble than I thought! A few names come to mind that are more worthy Lisa Lampanelli Sarah Silverman and Christopher Titus.

[Evan Roskos]

Paul Rudd is the only one who is truly versatile in terms of comedy. Jonah Hill will disappear sooner than any of the rest of those guys. While I can laugh at Jason Seagel and Seth Rogan, they are essentially the same person in every movie they're in. They'll probably last a long time or fade and then come back a bit different a la John Cusack. or they'll fade out fast and turn into something weird like Jim Carrey.

[wassupwiththat]

Why is Jennifer Aniston not in this photo spread? I'm mean, I'm just asking. She's on every other magazine cover. Did her publicist run out of ideas on this?

[brianna4obama]

I'm a black woman and I didnt get any notion of a racially discriminatory motive in this photo shoot.
its not supposed to be taken that seriously. honestly these 4 guys have been in a lot of comedies over the years and no body can deny having a laugh at most of them. My only complaint is that Steve Carrell was left out. Anyways, its just a magazine cover, its not meant to be some huge politcial or racial statement. Calm down people.

[Carlton Jordan]

thanks for stating that you're black to validate your opinion. even though it was unnecessary

[SColbert]

These men are not the leaders of real comedy.