Amy Sedaris on The Huffington Post

Alex Leo: Tom Shales Is So Right, Beautiful Women Are Terrible At Comedy

2009-09-08T20:34:32Z

"Two new women who will have the status of featured players -- Jenny Slate and Iranian-born Nasim Pedrad -- will join the cast [of 'Saturday Night Live'], not as replacements for anybody, Michaels says, although cute Casey Wilson and glamorous Michaela Watkins have concurrently left. Watkins may have been just too classically pretty to be hilarious."

- Tom Shales, Washington Post

As I was home alone, skimming blogs, being fat and ugly, I came across Julie Klausner's post on Tom Shales's recent take on "SNL"'s hirings and firings. It was hard to read, not because of the content, but because the boil on my left cheek has started to obscure my vision. As a woman in comedy, I understood his point: Being "classically pretty" works against you. I mulled this idea as I wiped ice cream from my mole hair, "This must be why Marilyn Monroe was so terrible in 'Some Like It Hot,'" I thought, rubbing my hump, "and why Tina Fey never made anything of herself after SNL."

I picked up a copy of the "Washington Post" and was relieved that the newsprint that rubbed off on my hands covered my psoria-eczematic wounds, but couldn't find any further thoughts on his brilliant theory. So I again returned to my cave and searched on the Internet, finding this:

"I thought Ms Watkins looked like a model; very elegant, quite quite pretty. It seemed like maybe comedy is too messy a business for someone like her. I couldn't see her letting herself get messed up for laughs -- not that there's much slapstick any more, it's just that comedy is by its nature indecorous, if there is such a word."

How true! The only reason I find messiness comfortable is because I live a troll-like existence using debris and refuse to shield me from the taunts of the outside world. How Lorne would love me! It's not as if beauty works to a comedienne's advantage. Sarah Silverman, Aisha Tyler, Chelsea Handler, Amy Sedaris, and Kristen Wiig are all gorgeous and massive disappointments. Maybe "Saturday Night Live" will pay me double now that my goitre is almost the size of my head.

THE 12 SEXIEST COMICS IN AMERICA (SLIDESHOW)

2009-05-28T16:22:15Z

This week we asked you who the sexiest comics were on the scene, mostly because we have a thing for funny people. We chose 15 men and 15 women and after days of voting we found that our readers love the women of "SNL" and the men of the "Daily Show." Who knew? Of the top six women, four were cast members of "Saturday Night Live" at some point. Of the top six men, four are currently on the "Daily Show" and another (Colbert) started out there.

In all fairness, there are some people that should've been on these lists in the first place but we ran out of room/forgot to include them: Mindy Kaling, Wanda Sykes, Janeane Garofalo, Jason Jones, Craig Ferguson, David Letterman, we are truly sorry and think you're all seriously sexy. Also, Sherri Shepherd and Zach Galifianakis, you are amazing, don't let your last place finishes tell you anything except that there are some jealous haters out there.

Here are our top 12 reader picks...

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Funny & Fine: Who's America's Sexiest Comedienne? You Decide! (SLIDESHOW) (POLL)

2009-05-26T18:41:28Z

We've selected 15 of the sexiest funny ladies we know for a HuffPost poll of ridiculous proportions. They're all hilarious, they're all more comedienne than actress, and they're all smarter than you. Think we're missing someone? Complain about it in the comments section! Want the guys list? Click here and vote for them too!

Amy Sedaris Discusses Her New Husband, Tap Dances On "Letterman" (VIDEO)

2009-05-22T09:17:47Z

Amy Sedaris appeared on the "Late Show" last night and in between deep thoughts on tree forts and barefoot tap dancing, she discussed her recent wedding to a man named Glenn. We don't know if Glenn is real or not, but we will say that this is not the first time she has introduced or killed off a lover while talking to David Letterman.

She used to frequently talk about her imaginary boyfriend, Ricky, until she went on the "Late Show" in 2006 and revealed that he had been murdered. Could Glenn be Ricky's murderer?

Sedaris was on the show to discuss her upcoming film, "Dance Flick," but she and the host spent more time talking about weddings and marriage than the movie. Letterman wed long-time girlfriend Regina Lasko in March, after 23 years of dating.

WATCH:

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Katherine Goldstein: Adventures in (Secret) Dining: Ted and Amy's Underground Supper Club

2009-05-14T12:33:48Z

It's possible, it the biggest and most anonymous city in America for dinner with a group of strangers to feel completely familiar and relaxed. The Ted and Amy Supper Club was my second foray into the underground supper club scene -- amateur chefs hosting under the radar dinner parties in someone's apartment, where they charge a relatively low flat fee for several courses and free flowing wine. (Check out my first experience at One Big Table here.) These supper clubs seem to me to be the social dining experience of both the now and the future. I think everyone realizes the cultural winds are shifting -- formal, fancy, trendy, showy and gimmicky gastronomy is out. Home cooking, value, connection to your food and the people around you are decidedly, wholeheartedly in.

When I walked into Kara Masi's Clinton Hill, Brooklyn apartment, I felt like it could easily be the home of someone I knew. Kara exuded the friendly vibe of someone you would have met her at your college dorm. She has been the stalwart of this supper club for about two years, along with a rotating cast of friends and boyfriends who've assisted her along the way. (In case you were wondering, the supper club is quirkily named in honor of Ted Allen and Amy Sedaris). She hosts one or two dinners a month. I started asking about her experiences with the supper club. "It's amazing, with all the dinner parties we've hosted, we consistently meet great people," she said as she poured me a glass of wine. It seems bold to routinely open your home up to complete strangers, who have heard about the event by word of mouth or her website, but Kara does so cheerfully. The dinners usually end up being a mix of about half people she knows and half she doesn't.

A few days before the dinner, everyone was sent a brief questionnaire with a request to answer questions about ourselves, like what you did for a living, your favorite restaurant, and if you had a website. I felt like I was getting ready for summer camp, in the best possible way. I have a theory that New Yorkers are actually some of the nicest people in the world. Not in a faux -friendly, "You have a great day, ma'am," way, but are deep-down incredibly lovely, once you get them to let their guard down. Kara strikes me as some kind of modern innkeeper -- she creates a cozy, charming and unpretentious atmosphere, where the usual Brooklyn suspects -- writers, professors, artists -- can do exactly that.

As we sopped up garlic-y shrimp with thick slices of bread, Kara expanded a little on her philosophy. "I'm a home cook. Not a professional chef, not even a foodie. I know there are supper clubs that do all sorts of wild things, but this one is pretty simple."

The Ted and Amy Supper Club isn't in any sort of game of culinary one-upsmanship, Kara is focused on making things tasty -- with wonderfully delicious results. After the shrimp we had rack of lamb and rich, creamy risotto (the secret is a lot of cheese, she said with a grin and a giggle), followed by a creme brulee which Kara expertly caramelized with a blowtorch. It was certainly several steps above the average, "come over to my house for dinner" invite most would get from a friend. Kara comes exactly as advertised, a home chef -- but a clearly talented one.

Kara and her accomplice David Lifson sat smiling at the head of the table, presiding over their handiwork, and enjoying the fruits of their labors. They offered up seconds and were sure, of course, that the wine got passed around.

Amy Sedaris Writing New Book

2009-04-30T13:13:38Z

NEW YORK — Amy Sedaris is preparing more literary laughter.

The actress and comedian is working on a follow-up to her best seller, "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence." The new book, currently untitled, will come out in 2010 and will again feature "her unique approach to home life through the use of fun, long-forgotten crafts," according to Grand Central Publishing, which announced the book Thursday.

Meshugene Men (VIDEO)

2009-03-02T10:05:27Z

"Mad Men" is a fantastic show in its own right, but possibly better are the parodies it spawns. College Humor and SNL have already gotten in on the action and now the Shushan Channel has made this video to promote their upcoming Purim show at 92Y Tribeca.

Co-written by HuffPost's own Rob Kutner, and starring (among others) Amy Sedaris and Matthew Walton, the group imagines the advertising world in the Sixties at a Jewish ad agency trying to sell Mayo to god's chosen people.

It takes shots at the antisemitism of the time, but also pokes fun at the dark and brooding period show by replacing cigarettes with menorah candles and real booze with Manischewitz.

WATCH:

Michelle Kung: Snow Angels Premiere: Amy Sedaris, Politics Talk And The Return Of Gossip Girl

2008-03-05T10:47:49Z

Last night, writer/director David Gordon Green was on-hand for the New York premiere of his dark drama Snow Angels -- starring event no-shows Sam Rockwell and the always chatty Kate Beckinsale -- at the Museum of Modern Art, which meant he was missing a different kind of show: the presidential primaries. "I'm excited to hear about Texas, because that's my home state," said the 32-year-old filmmaker, who was casually dressed in a blue jean shirt over a wolf print t-shirt and sporting braces on his teeth. Though Green declined to reveal who he was supporting, he admitted he was "eager to just watch the show." Green was equally enthused about Angels finally hitting theaters after debuting at Sundance last year ("time to unleash the beast!"), as well as his recent induction into the Judd Apatow comedy frat pack. His next film as director, August'sThe Pineapple Express, stars Knocked Up's Seth Rogan and James Franco as a stoner and his dealer forced on the lam after the latter witnesses a murder. (Hey, if the man-child story machine ain't broke...) In addition to highlighting the "brilliance of Seth Rogan," Green singled out the "discovery of Franco as a new comedy talent." Are the actor's scenes as hilarious as his"The Hills" parody with Mila Kunis? "Oh, that's nothing," said Green. "You ain't seen nothing yet." Sweet.

Also sweet were Angels co-star Amy Sedaris' shoes, which were a glittery brown and elevated the petite actress and infamous cupcake master several inches off the ground. And while Sedaris was pleased with the images from a recent photo shoot for Vanity Fair she had received that morning, her role -- as Beckinsale's put-upon best friend -- was no joke. "I'm attracted to dark material," said the erstwhile comedic -- and Democratic-leaning -- performer.

Rounding out the premiere's cast appearances were 17-year-old Connor Paolo, who's perhaps better known as Blake Lively's suicidal younger brother on Gossip Girl. For all GG fans needing their XOXO fix, Paolo reports, "Rehearsals start March 12!" Also looking adorable was Olivia Thrilby, herself better known as Ellen Page's best friend from Juno. But not necessarily for long. With four movies awaiting release, including Kenny Lonergan's Margaret with Matt Damon, Anna Paquin, and Matthew Broderick and the comedy The Safety Glass, co-starring Hilary Duff and Steve Coogan, the 21-year-old may soon graduate to "It" girl status. "One movie's this summer, one's in the can, the last two are due later this year, and I'm about to start The Dream of the Romans with Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham," said the actress, who also "secretly" admitted to being glad the Juno-train was finally, finally pulling to a stop. She also copped to being a "big, big" Obama supporter. Guess you can't always have it all.