Chelsea Does …

Rated TV-MA {4 out of 5 stars}

My first introduction to Chelsea Handler was her essay collection unapologetically titled My Horizontal Life. I remember thinking something along the lines of, “A woman is being blatant about her wackiest one-night-stands? Some of them with well-endowed midgets? And she uses the word ‘midgets’?! This is going to be phenomenal. People are going to be mad.” It was. And they were. Still, it didn’t stop her from becoming one of the most influential ladies in comedy.

After ending a seven-year run of Chelsea Lately, her popular talk show on E!, Handler set her sights on the next big thing: Netflix. And of course, it made sense for Handler to tackle some of pop culture’s most heated topics: marriage, Silicon Valley, racism and drugs. Think Morgan Spurlock. Think Chuck Klosterman. Think Penn & Teller.

Chelsea Does premiered on Netflix on Jan. 23, 2016 and with only four episodes clocking in around an hour each, the show is an easy watch while you’re making dinner, flipping through Tinder or feeding your dog(s). Unlike her talk show, Chelsea Does is a documentary-hybrid that shifts the focus away from her usual tabloid fodder and toward the bigger issues that face our generation.

In the first episode, “Chelsea Does … Marriage,” Handler blatantly rails against the very idea of the sacred union, stating that the idea of walking down an aisle makes her “nauseous.” She goes on to speak with various professionals, match makers and couples about the topic—from a kid’s perspective, to a Vegas drive-thru chapel ceremony, to the founder and CEO of the infamous Ashley Madison site (whom she interviewed months before the site’s massive data hack), to a polyamorous group in their “home”: a BDSM dungeon full of whips and chains.

Needless to say, things get interesting. If Handler hasn’t trademarked her judgmental eyebrow raises, I think she should. I can’t say I blame her: if it’s one thing I’ve learned from being perpetually unmarried, it’s that happiness does not mean a ring on your finger and a house/S&M dungeon in the suburbs: happiness can also mean ending the day in bed with your dog watching Eric Bana’s nude scene in the Hulk for the millionth time. Whatever. We’ll both make fantastic ex-wives one day.

In the second episode, Handler tackles technology at the source: Silicon Valley. Unlike the first episode, she doesn’t have any bitter, preconceived notions about the topic because she … well … doesn’t know anything about it. She admits that she doesn’t even really understand Netflix or “streaming,” so she travels to the source. She stumbles through a coding class with some youngsters, pitches an app to developers called “Gotta Go!” (an app that helps you get out of annoying situations/dates via calls and texts that you pre-program) and ends up spending time in a “technology detox” camp that involves many flannel-clad, bearded hipsters in the woods sitting on tree stumps talking about being detached from modern conveniences.

By the third episode, Handler seems to be running out of steam. The overarching theme of the show points toward unpacking big life questions with little to no resolution other than Handler’s classically flippant asides. In “Chelsea Does … Racism,” however, she seems to take more of the ribbing than she gives. She meets with Al Sharpton and a roundtable of media advocates against racism as she tries to put a finger on how the issue can still exist by today’s standards—especially considering that she is known for making fun of everyone equally. Her most compelling moment of the entire series happens during this episode, as she speaks with the family of Walter Lamar Scott, the unarmed man shot and killed by a police officer last year.

And then she does exactly what I was worried she’d do in an episode about racism: she goes to Alabama and talks to some seemingly racist hillbillies about how un-racist they are. Speaking as someone who is from Alabama, I have to say in our defense … nothing, actually. That place sucks. There’s a reason I live in California now. Haha! … Kidding, y’all. Ahem, moving on: Handler visits a Southern plantation museum run by white people and doesn’t really prove any points other than the fact that people can be terrible.

“Chelsea Does … Drugs,” the final episode, takes us on a journey. A magical one. Handler talks to Willie Nelson about his pot business, draws pictures of her family while on Ambien, gets high with her friends around the dinner table (I’m sure they enjoyed watching themselves literally drool into their food in high-definition) and treks to Peru to try a potent hallucinogen known as ayahuasca under the supervision of a shaman. After failing to feel the effects of the drug the first go-round with her pals, she successfully trips balls the second time, tears streaming down her smiling face—perhaps the most genuinely positive emotion we evoke from Handler throughout the entire series.

In the end, what we learn from Chelsea Does is not perhaps what the hero is asking of her topics, but of what she seems to be asking herself and is simply, just like the rest of us, unable to answer without cracking a joke.

The Power of the Laugh

Ben Gleib has an almost exhaustive list of accomplishments. In the past 15 years or so, he has worked tirelessly as a stand-up comedian, actor, political commentator for NPR and CNN (to name a few), and most recently, the host of television game show, Idiotest. You may have also seen him as a recurring guest on the Chelsea Lately show. This stuff is all magnificent and rad as hell, but it also pales to the fact that he voiced Marshall the Sloth in Ice Age: Continental Drift in 2012. I assume he made BFFs with Queen Latifah and Drake, who also voiced characters in the flick. It’s also kind of funny that Gleib’s genuine talking voice is exactly like Marshall the Sloth’s. In fact, I’m pretty sure he is actually a cartoon.

Gleib has been considered one of the most versatile and intelligent comedians of his time, and is well sought-after for his take on politics and everyday life. He writes material with a quirky style that manages to be hilarious and evoking; which is difficult when it comes to total buzzkill subjects like the state of our government. Esquire even went so far as to call him one of six comedians who will be the next big thing, and an important figure in a new era of “alt-comedians.”

His wildly popular podcast, Last Week on Earth, served as his own makeshift talk show before he landed the hosting gig on Idiotest. Both of these endeavors are stepping stones toward his ultimate goal of following in the footsteps of Carson and Letterman to become a late-night talk show host. He is well on his way, having managed to regularly share a platform with diverse comedians from Chelsea Handler to CNN’s Don Lemon and forming close relationships with many heavy-hitters in his industry.

I had the opportunity to chat with Gleib about his past and future in the comedy world and his headlining stint in Sacramento, Oct. 22–25, 2015, at Punch Line.

Your list of accomplishments made me feel like a lazy person. How did you get there?
So slowly. It took a lot of time to build up my resume in this business. You have to keep focused and never doubt yourself, and eventually, all of these things start to pile up. I remember like it was yesterday, being 23 years old and freshly graduating from college, and writing and pitching shows that were being declined all the time.

I worked on one particular show for three whole years of college, and when I graduated I decided to write a pilot and pitch it to TV networks. No one wanted it and I had to pick up my pieces and move on. Eventually, the National Lampoon Network picked it up and it lasted three seasons.

Things continued on from there. The next year, I was cast in my first movie, Bar Starz. Then, a few years later, I was asked to be on Chelsea Lately, where I stood for a solid seven years. Then, I was cast to voice Marshall the Sloth for Ice Age: Continental Drift. Things just came one after another and I never really stopped moving or looking for opportunities.

It’s hard to talk to you right now and not imagine a cartoon sloth holding the receiver on the other end. Anyways, how is your game show going?
When the Chelsea Lately show ended, my show Idiotest aired. We have already done over 105 episodes since. It’s insane how things really came together. I’ve always wanted to host my own show, and it supports my ultimate goal of wanting to become a late-night talk show host. Man, I could not be happier. I have my own show and it’s amazing. The whole show is about making people look stupid and laughing at them; it’s my specialty. I eventually want to get into hosting a late-night talk show, so this isn’t a bad step.

How was working on Chelsea Lately? Is Chelsea Handler as “I do me” as she seems?
She’s exactly how you would imagine. She’s very outspoken and whacky on and off set. She’s a fantastic woman and working with her was great. You always had to be on your toes around her. She talks shit like crazy! She is a woman who challenges things and lives how she wants.

You are often asked to guest star on NPR and CNN to discuss politics. Who are you endorsing for the next president?
Actually, I am really undecided at this point. They all look really interesting. Bernie Sanders is extremely intriguing. I’m just legitimately trying to see what everyone is about. Definitely not voting for Trump, though.

Why not?! Who wouldn’t vote for a racist celebrity weirdo?
That guy is absolutely nuts! He’s not one to run for politics.

You just wrote an interesting op-ed about Donald Trump for Huffington Post…
Yeah, for some sick reason a lot of people misinterpreted it and thought I was endorsing him, when in fact I was at the complete opposite of that spectrum. I really said something along the lines of, “electing Trump would surely lead to WW3.” I said he was very interesting and the way that he talks about politics is very interesting because its unvarnished and brings a lot of criticism. When he does debate after debate and interview after interview by saying he’s confident in dealing with Syria and Russia because, “Well, I have such a good relationship with them. They’re gonna love me,” it’s not really such a great plan, because it shows that he really just gets along with the worst of everyone.

How important is it to bring comedy into things that aren’t so lighthearted, such as the filthy world of politics?
One of the best ways to attack truth and power is through jokes. If you’re going to speak the truth, you better make it funny or else they will kill you.

I think people love to laugh, and they can take honest truth more when they are laughing. It’s just a good way to point out things. Everything is just a little more effective when there is laughter involved.

Interesting. So how does your mind twist serious issues into being comedic and still provoking?
I’m quite pro-marijuana, for sure.

Is this your official pro-weed endorsement?
I will publicly endorse that. In fact, the basis for a segment on a web series I did was a fictional movie theater in Colorado that served weed, it was called “Trinidope.” It was fictional … at the time. Six months after I filmed that, Colorado opened up a weed theater.

How’s your creative process?
My process is definitely pretty scattered and varied. I keep a notebook and am always writing down every thought I have that might lead to a skit. I mostly have great ideas in the middle of great conversations, a date or even in the middle of sex. I like to just pause and write it down.

What? That sounds horrible and rude. That’s not a good creative process!
No, all you have to do is keep the lower half of your body moving. You can still grab your phone and jot down some notes. It’s multitasking.

I guess you can use the, “You’re my inspiration” line … I guess.
Yeah, “You’re my muse, baby!” It does sound pretty bad to think of funny things during that time, doesn’t it? Doesn’t seem like the time to be the butt of a joke. Inspiration comes when it comes.

Ready for Sac?
I want people to come out and see the show! I promise to not talk about politics very much at all, just ready to share my weird observations about the world with your city. Also, ready to grub on this farm-to-fork food I hear about.

Catch Ben Gleib live Oct. 22–25, 2015, at the Punch Line Comedy Club, located at 2100 Arden Way, Sacramento. Gleib will perform a total of six shows, all 18-and-over. Tickets range from $15 to $20 and are available online at Punchlinesac.com or by calling (916) 925-5500.

If you’ve ever seen E! Network’s hit show Chelsea Lately then chances are you are familiar with comedian Fortune Feimster and her uncanny ability to light up a room. Feimster is many things: writer, actress, sketch comedy veteran, semi-finalist on Last Comic Standing, scrapbooking enthusiast, the list goes on. Above all, she enjoys making people laugh, and Sacramento has a few chances to see her do so when she tours through town stopping at Punch Line on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25 for two shows each night, 8 and 10 p.m. Visit Punchlinesac.com for tickets, just $18.50 to $20 a pop.

Standup comedian and general pop culture humorist, Natasha Leggero

Although convincing in her roles portraying strippers, sozzled skanks and “housewives” on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Reno 911, Natasha Leggero is no high-class hooker. She is a comedian.

Leggero spoke with Submerge about doing standup, Snooki and why it’s so natural for her to act obliterated.

How long have you been doing standup?
Nine years.

Do you remember the particular club or city where you started your standup career?
I was in Los Angeles at the Comedy Store in the Belly Room, which is a room that was actually designed in the ‘70s for women comedians, and it’s just a great, easy room for comedy. It’s a great place to start out. I think they call it the Belly Room because it’s kind of like a womb. There are no distractions. It’s this small, dark room with low ceilings and no bar in the back. It’s a really kind room for comedy.

No big mistakes that first time?
I’m still trying to get a set as good as the first time I was onstage. It was a great set, and then I was so shocked that everyone was laughing. Yeah, it was just this amazing experience. The laughter just felt like waves coming over me. But now that I think about that story, I remember someone had given me a Xanax, and I had had some wine, so it might have been the drugs doing that.

You’ve portrayed quite a few characters. Which is your favorite character that you’ve acted out at this point?
Anything I do with the people from Reno 911 is my favorite, because they’re all just such amazing improvisers that somehow they make you funnier by just being so generous and funny themselves. They really know how to set you up for the jokes.

I worked with Tom Lennon and Ben Garant from Reno 911. I did Reno four times and I did their movie. I just did a pilot for them for NBC, which didn’t get picked up. Now we’re doing one for FX, which is a white trash, futuristic version of Reno 911; it’s set in space. It’s called Alabama, and I’m going to be playing a sex robot. I’m a sex robot in the future, who’s on the spaceship and everybody is tired of fucking.

So you become a defunct sex robot.
Exactly. I think at one point they order me a new vagina. But it’s all improv.

You’re pretty obviously obliterated in that role on Reno 911. Was it very difficult to act very trashed?
It was sort of an impediment when I was in acting school. We’d be doing Chekov and they’d say, “Stop moving around so much, you seem like you’re drunk.”

And it’s just a physicality that I just naturally do, that, um, seems like I’m drunk. Especially when I’m onstage. I’ve always liked to fall. I always have been good at it. I would always pretend to fall for my friends. I mastered that art of pratfalls, and I’d always have comedy bruises all over myself. It’s something I always knew how to do and it goes well with being wasted.

You are a consistent guest on Chelsea Lately. How many times have you been on that show?
I think I lost count at 70… Last time I did it, Snooki was there, whom you may know from her work on the Jersey Shore. I had my dog with me, who’s a little Chihuahua, and we were backstage. I have a little “service dog” vest for it so I can take it into restaurants, and Snooki was like, “Can I see yoor dwaag?” So I said sure and showed her my dog. She was like, “Why ya got this vest?” I was like, “I have epilepsy,” as a joke, and she said, “What’s epilepsy?” I thought that was pretty phenomenal that word has escaped her, her whole life.

What are your thoughts on reality TV?
I just don’t understand why we’re calling them “stars” when it’s the first thing they’ve ever done… In general it’s pretty silly, but it’s definitely there for us to make fun of, I feel like. It’s a good time to be a comedian.

You joke about not wanting kids, but there’s a picture of you and a baby on your Twitter page.
I can’t believe my friend let me breastfeed her baby! Actually, she let me put a pacifier in the baby’s mouth, and then I pressed it up against my boob. So, that’s not my child. I should re-do that picture with my dog.

When doing jokes about hip-hop songs, you actually sing, and your voice sounds really good. Do you have any plans on adding “singer” to your entertainment resume?
I would love to sing more. My voice is not that trained. I definitely think I could do a lounge act.

If you did put out an album, what kind of music do you think you would do?
I would probably lay on a piano and belt out some old standards. Or maybe write some new standards about toilet babies.

Do you have any favorite type of audience?
I like people who are a little savvier, hip, stylish. They get where I’m going with everything. They are not afraid to laugh at things that can be slightly mean.

Have you had any run-ins of the obsessed fan sort?
This one guy brought a picture of me on Chelsea… and he took the screen shot right when I was in the middle of crossing my legs and you could see the smallest bit of my underwear and he wanted me to sign it.

What did you say to him?
I said, “That’s disgusting,” and then I signed it.