SF Weekly dispensed a true fan to cover The State's reunion show during the past weekend's Sketch Fest. Apart from not-quite comparisons to Eagles and Wu-Tang Clan (does that make Michael Ian Black the Ol' Dirty Bastard/Big Baby Jesus of the group?), the report has some choice photos and recounts, as well as battle-earned insights on "the biz" from the Q&A:

There's also a telling KISS allusion and the best joke you'll hear about Christopher Columbus. Better than your average had-to-be-there!

There are two types of people in this world: those who like Stella and those who like it when I name my blog-posts after discontinued McDonald's menu items. So this will pretty much be the most universally appreciated Arch Deluxe I've ever written.

I can't tell if this is the beginning of a new series for My Damn Channel or just a one-off deal, but my fingers are crossed. Yes, I was born that way, but it doesn't mean I'm any less hopeful for a Stella web series.

[Via Videogum]

In the new Michael Showalter Showalter, Michael Ian Black has a new children's book called Chicken Cheeks.

He wears a chicken suit in honor of his new book, and it's as

delightful as it is whimsical. Additionally, he steals some percocets.

All of this makes for a fun video interview the whole family can enjoy.

"Donkey Dick. Cow Dick. Elephant Dick. Moose Dick." Brilliant!

In order to express how much I enjoyed this, I was going to say we

should make Michael and Michael co-presidents of the everything, but

then I realized that's just like a silly blog joke we bloggers make and

it's entirely predictable. I mean, it's not like I'd actually endorse

them as presidents of everything.

What we should do is make them emperors of everything, because that

is a much better title than president. Michael and Michael for emperors

of everything 2012!

[via Best Week Ever]

Michael Showalter interview. [Twin Cities]

Speaking of which, the current Stella tour is probably their last. [The Apiary]

Colbert writer presents found footage festival. [Seattle PI]

Proof Paul Rudd is not a douchebag. You needed proof? [Ricky Van Veen]

Flight of The Conchords Season 2 to premiere on Funny or Die December 21st. [Punchline]

For the Colbert Christmas Special, Ben and Jerry offers new Stephen Sundae, donating ice cream to Feed America. [Market Watch]

Simpsons writers Mike Scully and wife Julie Thacker Scully developing new comedy pilot. [THR]

Like all 9-year-olds, this 9-year-old knows more about talking to women than I do. [NY Post]

The recession hits Rich Uncle Moneybags. [College Humor]

Ron White calls his drug arrest a joke. [Review-Journal]

Back in the '90s (oh so long ago), sketch group The State used to show

up on late-night MTV somewhere between Singled Out and Liquid

Television. Those guys (and girl) have come a long way since then,

evidenced by the crammed-to-the-gills Michael Ian Black and Michael

Showalter stand-up show at Caroline's on Thursday night. The show took

place as part of the New York Comedy Festival and as one of MySpace's

free Secret Stand-Up

shows.

The Michaels took the stage with no openers, Showalter first followed

by Ian Black. After talking a bit about the election (and of course,

specifically Sarah Palin), Showalter went into a hilarious bit about

re-reading his 8th grade yearbook. He performed a statistical analysis

of the likes & dislikes that he and his classmates had listed under

their names. Likes included pizza, ska, and animals, while dislikes

ranged from cafeteria food to "gomers," his high school's word for

nerds. Showalter also talked about the difficulties of getting a cat,

describing the two-round interview process and ultimate rejection of

Kitty Care.

Michael Ian Black immediately won over the crowd by asking a

brace-faced kid, previously tormented by Showalter, why he was

attending the show. The kid said it was his birthday and Black

presented him with FIVE CANADIAN DOLLARS as a present.

Next, he spoke

of politics and why McCain/Palin lost the election: "If fetuses could

vote, maybe they would have won." Before ending the show, he read one

of his trademark letters, this one to a heckler who had asked him to

show his penis. He was flattered, but ultimately realized that the

heckler was actually talking to Showalter.

-Sachi Ezura

If you're in New York City, have no money and hate not laughing, tonight is your lucky night, friend. Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter are doing a secret free show at Caroline's tonight. Although, I guess it's not a secret anymore. I guess I'm not as trustworthy as you thought. But don't worry, I won't tell anyone about that hobo you're sleeping with. Or your half-hobo baby. That one I will take to my grave.

More details about the show here.

More about the New York Comedy Festival here.

Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter and David Wain, also known as Stella, recently hosted an event to celebrate New York Magazine's 40th anniversary, and there's now a highlight video online.

So, a hearty congratulations goes out to New York Magazine. Having Stella host an event for you is a huge honor and accomplishment and they should be proud of the distinction. If ever there was a reason to keep a magazine afloat for 40 years, that is certainly it.

Here's some awesome Rainn Wilson-y goodness transmogrified into podcast form. Awesome! [Nerdist]

Comedian Aaron Karo starts up new site, Ruminations. [Market Watch]

Business expert people say comedy is a financially viable component to businessy stuff. [Scoop]

New South Park videogame is in the works. I hope it has lots of graphics. I'm not exactly tech savvy, but I think those usually are what good video games have. [Wired]

Techno is awful. Christians are funny. This video is awfully funny. [Videogum]

Christians are still funny. Farting is funnier. This video is funnier funny. [Boing Boing]

Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter have a new show going to pilot. This is the third time today I wet my pants, but the first time excitement rather than a weak bladder was to blame. [Hollywood Reporter]

Jim Breuer's new material is more grown-up. [Pittsburgh Live]

Dana Carvey and his return to stand-up. [Mercury News]

Regis Philbin will guest star on How I Met Your Mother. [Coming Soon]

Will Ferrell plans his awesome ninja battle. [Funny or Die]

A Rabbi and an Arab walk into a comedy venue and perform together. Comedy has the power to heal people! If only it had the power to heal my genital warts. [Advocate Weekly]

If you made a list of your favorite Michaels, where would Birbiglia and Showalter rank? I know they'd both be pretty high on my Michaels list. Way ahead of Vick and Bay for sure. Probably close to Jordan and Caine, which is up there, if that's not obvious. Anyway, here are two of my favorite Michaels on earth in the latest episode of The Michael Showalter Showalter.

[Via Videogum]

It's not marked on my calendar, but this must be Wet Hot American Summer week. First there was that AV Club re-review, then it was Michael Showalter's birthday, and then last night, there was this Daily Show segment about the Midwest floods called Wet Hot American Bummer.

If this WHAS-centricity keeps up, by the end of today, I expect to receive sage advice from a talking can of vegetables. Though, that's just a typical Thursday for me.

Last night also featured the return of Steve Carell to the show. That clip is after the jump.

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