Michael Showalter

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Michael Showalter
Michael Showalter May 2015 crop.jpg
Michael Showalter at the Montclair Film Festival , May 2015
PseudonymMikey S
Born (1970-06-17) June 17, 1970 (age 54)
Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.
Medium Film, television
Years active1992–present
Genres Surreal comedy, improvisational comedy, farce, dark comedy, stand-up comedy, alternative comedy, sketch comedy, anti-humor, cringe comedy, physical comedy, satire / parody
Spouse
Anne Kalin Ellis
(m. 2011)
Children2

Michael Showalter (born June 17, 1970) is an American director, writer, and producer. He first achieved recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State , which aired from 1993 to 1995. He and David Wain created the Wet Hot American Summer franchise, with Showalter co-writing and starring in Wet Hot American Summer (2001), and the Netflix series. Showalter wrote and directed The Baxter (2005), in which he starred with Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux, and Elizabeth Banks. Both films featured many of his co-stars from The State, and so do several of his other projects. Showalter is also a co-creator, co-producer, actor, and writer for the TV series Search Party . He directed the 2017 film The Big Sick and the 2021 film The Eyes of Tammy Faye , both of which were critically acclaimed.

Contents

Early life

Showalter was born in Princeton, New Jersey, the son of Elaine Showalter (née Cottler), an author, feminist literary critic, and professor of English, and English Showalter, a Yale-educated professor of 18th century French literature.[ citation needed ] His father is Episcopalian and his mother is Jewish. [1] [2] He has one older sister, Vinca Showalter LaFleur, a professional speechwriter. He attended Princeton High School. For five years, Showalter shared an apartment with his friend, comedian and actress Andrea Rosen. [3]

Career

Showalter began his undergraduate studies at New York University, where he joined the sketch comedy group The New Group. He transferred to and graduated from Brown University, where he joined the improv comedy troupe IMPROVidence. [4] After he completed college, The New Group changed its name to The State and began creating video shorts for an MTV show called You Wrote It, You Watch It , hosted by Jon Stewart. The comedy troupe then got its own sketch comedy TV series, The State , which aired for two years on MTV.

Showalter has also had several smaller roles in movies and TV shows. He played Ron Parker, the arrogant host of Cheap Seats , on ESPN Classic in the pilot episode. However, after a bookcase fell on Showalter's character, tape librarians (and brothers) Randy and Jason Sklar took over the hosting duties. Showalter spent a brief time as a correspondent on The Daily Show (1996). He is also one half of The Doilies, an acoustic comedy band, in which he sings lead vocals opposite guitarist Zak Orth. In 2005 he wrote, directed and starred in the film The Baxter .

Showalter in 2007 Michael Showalter.jpg
Showalter in 2007

Showalter is the host of The Michael Showalter Showalter, an original Internet series on Collegehumor.com which premiered January 16, 2007. His first guest was comedian Zach Galifianakis. Other guests have included David Cross, Michael Ian Black, Paul Rudd, David Wain, Andy Samberg, Michael Cera, and Mike Birbiglia. In the fall and winter of 2006, Showalter toured the US with frequent collaborator Michael Ian Black. In March 2007 Showalter briefly toured as the opening act for Janeane Garofalo. The Ten reunites him with frequent collaborators from The State .

Showalter signed with JDub Records, a non-profit record label, in June 2007. He released his first stand-up CD titled Sandwiches & Cats in November 2007. He teaches screenwriting at New York University's Graduate Film School.

Showalter teamed up once more with Michael Ian Black in the Comedy Central series Michael and Michael Have Issues , [5] which premiered in July 2009. [6] The show detailed the two Michaels' trials and tribulations as they create a television series. They confirmed the series' cancellation in early 2010.

In an interview with The Rumpus in February 2009, Showalter talked about a memoir he is working on. "I am writing an 'important' memoir about not being able to write an important memoir. It winds up being kind of a novel-length comedic essay on insecurity and procrastination." [7] The book, Mr. Funny Pants, was published in February 2011. [8]

He appeared twice on the NBC drama Law & Order : in the episode "Endurance", which aired on October 18, 2000, and in the episode "Reality Bites", which aired on October 16, 2009. [9]

Showalter also appeared in a series of commercials advertising the Toyota Yaris, starting in late 2011. [10]

In 2013 Showalter and Michael Ian Black launched a podcast called "Topics" in which the duo discuss evergreen topics in a serious manner. [11]

Showalter was a writer on the ABC sitcom Super Fun Night . [12]

In 2014, Showalter co-wrote with David Wain They Came Together . Wain and Showalter then co-wrote the eight-episode Netflix prequel Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp based on the 2001 film with almost the entire cast of the original film returning. Showalter himself appeared as Gerald "Coop" Cooperberg and President Ronald Reagan in the series. The series premiered on July 31, 2015, and was more well received by critics. He also co-wrote and starred in the Netflix sequel Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later which premiered in 2017. [13]

In 2015 his film Hello, My Name Is Doris debuted at SXSW, where it was acquired by Roadside Attractions. [14] It was released in the United States in March 2016, and received critical acclaim. [15]

His 2017 film The Big Sick starred Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. It saw a wide theatrical release and had an overwhelmingly positive 98% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Showalter next directed the 2020 film The Lovebirds , starring Kumail Nanjiani of The Big Sick, along with Issa Rae, Anna Camp and Paul Sparks. The film was scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on April 3, 2020, however due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic its theatrical release was cancelled, and it premiered on Netflix on May 22, 2020. In 2021, he signed an overall deal with HBO Max. [16]

On March 18, 2024, it was announced that Showalter would be directing the Amazon MGM holiday comedy, Oh. What. Fun. , starring Michelle Pfeiffer. [17]

Personal life

Showalter married Anne Kalin Ellis on January 16, 2011, in New York. [18] The couple has fraternal boy-girl twins, born in 2014. [19]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleDirectorProducerWriter
2001 Wet Hot American Summer NoCo-producerYes
2002 Stella shorts YesNoYes
2005 The Baxter YesNoYes
2014 They Came Together NoYesYes
2015 Hello, My Name Is Doris YesExecutiveYes
2017 The Big Sick YesNoNo
2020 The Lovebirds YesExecutiveNo
2021 The Eyes of Tammy Faye YesNoNo
2022 Spoiler Alert YesYesNo
2024 The Idea of You YesYesYes
TBA Oh. What. Fun. YesYesYes

Acting roles

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996TickCliffordShort film
2001 Wet Hot American Summer Gerald "Coop" Cooperberg / Alan Shemper
Kissing Jessica Stein Stephen
2002 Signs Lionel Prichard
2002 Stella shorts Michael
Operation Midnight ClimaxChip
2004 Hair High WallyVoice role
2005 The Baxter Elliot Sherman
2006 Griffin & Phoenix Terry's Fiancé
2007 The Ten Police Lt. Flarn Bleern
Reno 911!: Miami Paul
2008BirthdayMichaelShort film
2013Bum FutureFred
2014 Two Night Stand Rick Raines

Television

YearTitleDirectorWriterExecutive
Producer
CreatorNotes
1992–1993 You Wrote It, You Watch It NoYesNoNo
1993–1995 The State NoYesNoYes27 episodes
1995The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween SpecialNoYesNoNoTV special
1999 1999 MTV Movie Awards NoYesNoNo
Random PlayNoUncreditedNoNoAdditional writer;
3 episodes
2003–2005 The Wrong Coast NoYesNoNo
2005 Stella NoYesYesYesWrote 10 episodes
2008 The Michael Showalter Showalter NoNoYesYes
2009 Michael & Michael Have Issues YesYesYesYesDirected 3 episodes
2013 You're Whole YesNoNoNo7 episodes
2013–2014 Super Fun Night NoYesNoNo2 episodes
Newsreaders NoYesNoNo2 episodes
2015 Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp NoYesYesYesMini-series
2015–2016 Childrens Hospital NoYesNoNo4 episodes
2016–2018 Love YesNoNoNo3 episodes
2016Giles VanderhootYesYesYesNoTV movie
2016–2019 Grace and Frankie YesNoNoNo2 episodes
2016–2022 Search Party YesYesYesYesDirected 3 episodes
2017 Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later NoYesYesYesMini-series
2019 In the Dark YesNoNoNoEpisode: "Pilot"
Ray Romano Right Here, Around the CornerYesNoNoNoTV special documentary
2021 The Shrink Next Door YesNoYesNoDirected 4 episodes
2022 The Dropout YesNoYesNoMini-series;
Directed 4 episodes
I Love That for You YesNoYesNo
2025 Happy Face YesNoYesNoFilming [20]
TBAThe Pradeeps of PittsburghYesNoYesNoPost-production [21]

Acting roles

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992–1993 You Wrote It, You Watch It Various characters
1993–1995 The State Various characters27 episodes
1995The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween SpecialVarious charactersTV special
1997 Apartment 2F Phil4 episodes
1999Random PlayVarious characters3 episodes
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Plasma Boy (voice)Episode: "The Plasma Monster"
2000, 2009 Law & Order Artie Kramer / Allen Gee2 episodes
2003 Sex and the City BillyEpisode: "The Post-It Always Sticks Twice"
2004–2006 Cheap Seats Ron Parker6 episodes
2005 Stella Michael10 episodes
2008 Wainy Days LandonEpisode: "Molly"
The Michael Showalter Showalter Host10 episodes
2009 Michael & Michael Have Issues Himself7 episodes
2012 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Gordon ScheerUncredited
2013 You're Whole Dr. Robert WexlerEpisode "Droppin' the 'G'/Ancient Egypt/Puffy Paints"
Inside Amy Schumer SteveEpisode: "Bad Decisions"
2014 Bob's Burgers Ethan (voice)Episode: "The Kids Rob a Train"
Comedy Bang! Bang! Clyde BryllisEpisode: "Nick Offerman Wears a Green Flannel Shirt & Brown Boots"
2015 Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp Coop / President Reagan Mini-series; 8 episodes
JammersJeremy / Cool Guy / Ol' Drippy (voice)TV short
The Grinder Sandy MalmuthEpisode: "Dedicating This One to the Crew"
2015–2016 Childrens Hospital Nils Vildervaan2 episodes
2016Giles VanderhootGiles VanderhootTV movie
American Dad! Mark (voice)Episode: "Bahama Mama"
2016–2017 Search Party Max5 episodes
2017 Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later Coop / President Reagan Mini-series; 8 episodes
9JKL Walter MichaelsonEpisode: "Set Visit"
2018 Sugar Rush Himself (guest judge)Episode: "Camp Sugar Rush" [22]

References

  1. Pfefferman, Naomi (September 2, 2005). "Romantic Comedy Loser Finds Love". Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles . Archived from the original on August 18, 2007.
  2. Applebaum, Stephen. "'I've always been seen by other people as Jewish'". The Jewish Chronicle . Archived from the original on March 29, 2019.
  3. Glazer, Eliot (October 11, 2007). "Inside With: Andrea Rosen". The Apiary. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  4. "Michael Showalter". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  5. "Michael Ian Black: Come See Michael & Michael Have Issues". Michaelianblack.typepad.com. July 31, 2008. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  6. Martin, Denise (February 18, 2009). "Comedy Central commits to 'Michael and Michael Have Issues'". LA Times. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  7. "The Rumpus Interview With Michael Showalter". The Rumpus.net. February 25, 2009. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  8. Showalter, Michael (February 22, 2011). Amazon.com: Mr. Funny Pants. Grand Central. ISBN   978-0446542104.
  9. "the comic's comic: Law & Order sets new record for comedians in an episode that's not about comedy". Thecomicscomic.typepad.com. September 18, 2009. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  10. Friar, Christine (September 21, 2011). "Michael Showalter's Toyota Commercials Make Us Want To Buy A Yaris (VIDEOS)". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  11. "Topics". Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  12. Greene, Andy (December 2, 2022). "Michael Showalter Is Ready for a Good Cry". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  13. Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 19, 2016). "Alyssa Milano Joins Season 2 Of 'Wet Hot American Summer'". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  14. Lang, Ramin Setoodeh,Brent; Setoodeh, Ramin; Lang, Brent (April 15, 2015). "Roadside Attractions Lands 'Hello, My Name is Doris' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. Brody, Richard. "Hello, My Name Is Doris". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  16. Goldberg, Lesley (May 11, 2021). "Mike Showalter Moves Overall Deal to HBO Max". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  17. Grobar, Matt (March 18, 2024). "Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Showalter To Team For Amazon MGM Holiday Comedy 'Oh. What. Fun'". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  18. "Ep. 634: Where Michael Showalter | CNET TV | Video Product Reviews, CNET Podcasts, Tech Shows, Live CNET Video". Cnettv.cnet.com. July 15, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  19. Webber, Stephanie (June 24, 2014). "Michael Showalter Welcomes Twins With Wife Anne Kalin Ellis". Us Magazine. Archived from the original on June 27, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  20. Otterson, Joe (February 16, 2024). "Dennis Quaid to Play Infamous Serial Killer in Paramount+ Series 'Happy Face'". Variety . Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  21. Petski, Denise (January 19, 2023). "'The Pradeeps Of Pittsburgh' Lands Series Order At Amazon Freevee; Naveen Andrews, Sindhu Vee, Megan Hilty To Star, Full Cast Set". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  22. Camp Sugar Rush, archived from the original on July 28, 2021, retrieved June 28, 2019