Jump to content

Neal Brennan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neal Brennan
Brennan in April 2012
Born(1973-10-19)October 19, 1973(age 50)
Villanova, Pennsylvania,U.S.
MediumStand-up,television, film
Years active1995–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Relative(s)Kevin Brennan(brother)
Websitewww.nealbrennanEdit this at Wikidata

Neal Brennan(born October 19, 1973) is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, and podcaster. He is best known for co-creating and co-writing theComedy CentralseriesChappelle's Show(2003–2006) withDave Chappelleand for hisNetflixstand-up comedy special3 Mics(2017).

Early life

[edit]

Brennan was born inVillanova, Pennsylvania,on October 19, 1973,[1][2][3]the youngest of 10 children born into a family ofIrish Catholicdescent.[1][4][5]He lived in Villanova until the age of six,[1][6]moving with his family in 1978 toWilmette, Illinois.[4][7]According to Brennan, his father's side of the family was funny, as were his five older brothers.[1][5]He has said that he realized he was funny and liked comedy at about 8 or 9 years of age, and had already been performing material for his classmates in a style that emulated comediansDavid Brenner,Richard Lewis,andJerry Seinfeld.[8]He watched a large amount of comedy on TV during his high school years, often staying up late to seeLate Night with David LettermanandThe Arsenio Hall Show.[8]

Brennan's older brotherKevinbecame a comedian and writer who started doing stand-up comedy while Brennan was still in high school.[7]Brennan would spend weekends attending Kevin's performances atThe ImprovinNew York City,[1]where he would meet comedians such asDave Attell,David Juskow,Ray Romano,andMike Royce.[8][9]He said in an interview withIndependent Film Channel(IFC) that after watching his brother do stand-up, he realized it was possible to make a living in comedy.[4]He moved to New York to attend film school atNYU,but he dropped out after a year.[7][8][9]He began as a doorman at the now-defunctBoston Comedy ClubinGreenwich Villagewhere he met frequent performerDave Chappelle.[2][10]The two became friends and Brennan would often pitch jokes to Chappelle.[7][10]Brennan also shared an apartment with comedianJay Mohrwhile living in New York.[1]

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]
Brennan performing in April 2013

After six months of working as a doorman at the Boston Comedy Club, Brennan first performed stand-up in 1992, at 18 years of age.[3]He later recounted that he "got no laughs" and did not perform stand-up again for five years.[3]He also wrote forThe Sourcemagazine in 1992.[4][11]

In the mid-1990s Brennan moved toLos Angeles.In 1995, he became a writer for the dating showSingled Outwhich was hosted byJenny McCarthyandChris Hardwick.[7][8]This was followed by writing jobs for the game showBzzz!in 1996, thesketch comedy-variety showAll Thatfrom 1996 to 1997, and the teen sitcomKenan & Kelin 1997.[7][8][12][13]

In 1997, Brennan andDave Chappellecollaborated for the first time on the screenplay for the filmHalf Baked.[8][10]The film was released in January 1998 and starred Chappelle,Jim Breuer,Harland Williams,andGuillermo Díaz.[8][14]Half Bakedwas a commercial failure and received mainly negative reviews but has become a cult classic.[1][15][16]

In a 2006 interview, Brennan referred to the period of the film's release as "probably the worst year of my life, creatively and personally."[8]In an interview that same year onInside the Actors Studio,Chappelle recounted how he and Brennan lost touch with each other after the release ofHalf Baked,saying that it was "like leaving a crime scene".[17]

Chappelle's Show

[edit]

Brennan and Chappelle came together to co-create, co-write, and co-executive producethe eponymous sketch comedyChappelle's Show[18][19][20]which premiered in January 2003.[1][10][19]Brennan said that he and Chappelle read the bookLive from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live(2002), byTom Shaleswhen they started writing sketches for the show, and found the book very helpful.[21]The duo wrote the show's sketches with minimal outside help[3][22]and agreed never to divulge who was responsible for writing which sketch.[18][23]

Brennan directed some sketches in the show's second season, including the sketch featuring Chappelle as musicianRick James.[1][8][12]Brennan was nominated for threeEmmy Awardsin 2004 for his work on the show as a director, writer and producer.[24][25]By the end of its second seasonChappelle's Showwas Comedy Central's highest-rated program.[26]

Members of the musical groupthe Rootsworked as music directors on the second and third seasons of the show.[27][28]Brennan later recommended the band toJimmy Fallonas hishouse bandonLate Night with Jimmy Fallon.[27][28][29]

Chappelle's Showwas doing well and Chappelle had signed a $50 million deal in 2004 to produce two more seasons,[2][19][22][30]but he abruptly left the show in April 2005 prior to the premiere of the show's third season.[2][22][30]He left without warning Brennan or others of the show's crew.[21][22][31][32]As a result, the premiere of season three was delayed; Brennan compiled the remaining sketches and aired them in July 2006 as the "lost episodes."[31][33]

The Champspodcast

[edit]

In 2011, Brennan, comedianMoshe Kasher,and DJ Douggpound (Doug Lussenhop) started a podcast calledThe Champs.[34][35]Kasher said of the podcast: "It's Doug dropping sound effects and beats over me and Neal kind of hosting an hour of ridiculous chat. We have a rotatingblackguy guest, there's a different black guest every week. "[34]Guests on the show included actor/comediansWayne Brady,Chris Rock,Mario Joyner,Shawn and MarlonWayans,David Alan Grier,adult filmstarLe xing ton Steele,rapperToo $hort,and professional basketball playerBlake Griffin.On occasion the show has strayed from its regular format with guests such as comedian and actorBobby Lee,former pornographic actressSasha Grey,former Major League Baseball playerJose Canseco,and comedian/actorAziz Ansari.In 2014The Champswas named "Best Podcast" as part ofLA Weekly's "Best of L.A." issue.[36]The podcast ended in 2016.[37]

3 Mics

[edit]

In 2015, Brennan developed and performed a comedy show,3 Mics,in Los Angeles. He brought it to New York City in 2016, opening on March 3 at theLynn Redgrave Theater.The show features Brennan alternating between three microphones; he uses the first microphone to read one-liners from index cards, the second microphone to talk about dealing with depression and his relationship with his father, and the third microphone to perform traditional stand-up comedy.[38]In 2017,3 Micswas released as aNetflixoriginal comedy special.

How Neal Feelpodcast

[edit]

In 2019, Brennan and his friend Bianca Siavoshy started apodcastcalledHow Neal Feel.[39]The duo interviewed several of Brennan's friends includingJimmy Carr,Blake Griffin,Adam Levine,andChris Rockon the weekly podcast that largely consisted of the duo talking about current events and their personal lives. Features on the show included Doc Watch, in which they discuss documentaries; Neal's Gon' 'Pologize, in which Neal apologizes for saying something offensive; Dumb Purchase, where Neal shares frivolous purchases; and Emails, a segment in Bianca and Neal respond to questions and comments from listeners.

Unacceptable

[edit]

In August 2021, Brennan's one-man showUnacceptabledebuted at New York City's Cherry Lane Theater with acclaimed magician, author, artistDerek DelGaudioas director.[40]Upon the close of the show in November 2021, Brennan announced that the show would tour in 2022. It was released on Netflix in 2022, titledNeal Brennan: Blocks.

Blockspodcast

[edit]
Brennan in 2024 during an episode ofBlocks

In December 2022 Brennan started a new podcast (at the suggestion of his friend,Jimmy Carr) with an episode withDavid Letterman.It follows the same format as hisNetflixspecial (of the same name) in that he asks his guests about aspects of their life that leave them isolated or lonely and how they overcome these “blocks”.[41]

Other work

[edit]

In 2006, Brennan directed and co-wrote the made-for-TV movieTotally Awesome.[24][42]He directed the 2009 filmThe Goods.[7][24]In 2011, he directed a series of commercials for theESPYs.[3][9]

As an actor, Brennan had small roles in the filmsHalf BakedandGet Him to the Greek.He also appeared in various sketches onChappelle's Show.[12]Brennan has also written comedy material for the83rd Academy Awards,as well as forSeth Meyers's speech at theWhite House Correspondents' Dinnerin 2011.[7][43]

Brennan continues to perform stand-up regularly in the Los Angeles area as well as nationally.[43][44]He has also appeared onLast Call with Carson Daly,Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,Lopez Tonight,andConan.[7][24][45] In 2013, Brennan directed 10 episodes ofInside Amy Schumer.[46]

In 2016, he became a regular writer and contributor toThe Daily Showas "Trevor's friend Neal".

On October 10, 2019, he was featured in a 30-minuteYouTubedocumentary created by SoulPancake in collaboration with Funny or Die calledLaughing Matters,wherein a variety of comedians discuss mental health.[47]

Influences

[edit]

Brennan has said that his comedy influences areChris Rock,[4]Mort Sahl,[4]Dave Attell,[8]Mike Royce,[8]andDavid Juskow.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

Brennan described himself as anatheistin July 2011,[48]but stated in November 2020 that he is no longer an atheist after usingayahuascaseveral times.[49]Brennan is the younger brother of stand-up comedian and podcasterKevin Brennan.[1][4][7]

Brennan has had a 25 year struggle withdepressionthat saw him on medication and researching and trying various treatments (including going to China fortranscranial magnetic stimulation). In an episode of hisBlockspodcast he puts comedianJimmy Carrin the host’s seat and they discuss how he was helped by use ofayahuasca.[50]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1996 Singled Out Writer
1996–1997 All That Writer
1997 Kenan & Kel Writer
2003–2004 Chappelle's Show Creator, writer, director
2006 Totally Awesome Writer, director
2012 The Half Hour Performer and writer Episode: "Neal Brennan"
2012 Attack of the Show! Host
2014 Neal Brennan: Women and Black Dudes Performer, writer, director
2014–present The Approval Matrix Host
2013 Inside Amy Schumer Director
2016–present The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Himself (contributor)
2017 Neal Brennan: 3 Mics Performer, writer, director Netflix Special
2018 Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Featured guest Episode: "Red Bottom Shoes Equals Fantastic Babies"
2019 Comedians of the World Performer and writer Episode: "Neal Brennan"
2019 Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby Director Netflix Special
2022 Neal Brennan: Blocks Performer, writer Netflix Special
2024 Neal Brennan: Crazy Good Performer, writer Netflix Special[51]

Film

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefghijEells, Josh (August 7, 2009)."Novice Director, a Veteran of Comedy".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  2. ^abcdLeung, Rebecca (February 11, 2009)."Chappelle's Trip To The Top".CBS News.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  3. ^abcdeDowns, Gordon (June 22, 2011)."Obama, Twitter and Pokez: The Neal Brennan Sketch Comedy Diet".SanDiego.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  4. ^abcdefg"Neal Brennan talks about his influences, writing race-sensitive material and the state of contemporary comedy".IFC.November 30, 2011.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  5. ^abMcGraw, Dr. Peter; Warner, Joel (February 14, 2012)."Humor Code Q & A (Unabridged): Neal Brennan on Life after Chappelle's Show, Failed Irish Jokes and Feeding the Comedy Baby".humorcode.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-12-01.RetrievedJune 24,2023.
  6. ^Holmes, Pete(November 23, 2011)."You Made It Weird: Neal Brennan".nerdist(Podcast). Nerdist Industries. Event occurs at 19:07. Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  7. ^abcdefghijKing, Scott (June 14, 2011)."Just for Laughs exclusive - Neal Brennan interview".Chicago Now.Chicago Tribune.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  8. ^abcdefghijklmManiaci, Paul (September 2, 2006)."Neal Brennan".thecareercookbook.Archived fromthe originalon April 19, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  9. ^abcTigges, Jesse (July 13, 2011)."Comedy Q&A: Neal Brennan".Columbus Alive!.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  10. ^abcdOgunnaike, Lola (February 18, 2004)."A Comic Who Won't Hold Back; Nothing Is Out of Bounds For Dave Chappelle's Show".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  11. ^Holmes, Pete (November 23, 2011)."You Made It Weird: Neal Brennan".nerdist(Podcast). Nerdist Industries. Event occurs at 56:09. Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  12. ^abcNeal BrennanatIMDb
  13. ^Rogan, Joe (April 12, 2012)."The Joe Rogan Experience, Episode #205".joerogan.net(Podcast). Event occurs at 1:47:54. Archived fromthe originalon April 17, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  14. ^Ogunnaike, Lola (January 18, 1998)."Half Baked (1998) FILM REVIEW; Marijuana Moments, Many of Them".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  15. ^Flannigan, W. (July 18, 2011)."Taking the Leap with Neal Brennan".buzzbinmagazine.Archived fromthe originalon May 9, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  16. ^Kelly, Brendan (January 19, 1998)."Half Baked".Variety.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  17. ^"Dave Chappelle".Inside the Actors Studio.February 12, 2006. Event occurs at 55:00.RetrievedApril 20,2012.[dead YouTube link]
  18. ^abHager, Mike (February 24, 2012)."ComedyFest: Neal Brennan enters Vancouver laughing".Vancouver Sun.RetrievedApril 20,2012.[permanent dead link]
  19. ^abcWallenstein, Andrew (August 3, 2004)."Dave Chappelle inks $50 million deal".MSNBC.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  20. ^Hoffberger, Chase (November 4, 2011)."Saturday Interview - Neal Brennan".Austin Chronicle.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  21. ^abKing, Scott (June 16, 2011)."What really happened with Chappelle's Show and more: Neal Brennan interview Part 2".Chicago Now.Chicago Tribune. Archived fromthe originalon December 11, 2011.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  22. ^abcdSusman, Gary (May 6, 2005)."Half-Baked Theories".EW.Archived fromthe originalon April 21, 2009.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  23. ^Rogan, Joe (June 14, 2011)."The Joe Rogan Experience, Episode #114".joerogan.net(Podcast). Event occurs at 1:15:22. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  24. ^abcdNave, Howie (March 21, 2012)."'Chappelle's Show'writer debuts at Tahoe Improv ".Tahoe Daily Tribune.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-05-01.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  25. ^Awards for "Chappelle's Show"atIMDb
  26. ^Gordon, Devin (May 15, 2005)."Fears of a Clown".The Daily Beast.Archived fromthe originalon January 18, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  27. ^abGallagher, Danny (February 27, 2009)."The Roots are ready to rock, rap, jazz and even disco the set of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon".The Huffington Post.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  28. ^abCoyle, Jake (February 24, 2009)."The Roots: House-band gig 'enabled us to survive'".SeattlePi.Hearst Communications. Associated Press.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  29. ^Deggans, Eric (March 1, 2009)."Hip-hop band the Roots prepares for TV gig on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon'".Tampa Bay Times.Archived fromthe originalon December 12, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  30. ^ab"Chappelle's Story".The Oprah Winfrey Show.February 9, 2006.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  31. ^abBauder, David (July 8, 2006)."Chappelle returns, sort of".Associated Press.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  32. ^Presenter:Michele Norris(May 16, 2005)."Comedian Chappelle Surfaces in 'Time'".All Things Considered.National Public Radio.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  33. ^Ogunnaike, Lola (July 6, 2006)."The Long-Awaited, Albeit Brief, Return of Dave Chappelle".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  34. ^abDowns, Gordon (July 20, 2011)."Living On The Edge with Moshe Kasher".SanDiego.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  35. ^Rogan, Joe (August 17, 2011)."The Joe Rogan Experience, Episode #131".joerogan.net(Podcast). Event occurs at 1:49:07. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2012.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  36. ^"Best Podcast Los Angeles 2014 — The Champs".LA Weekly.36(46). October 2–8, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 29,2014.
  37. ^Wright, Megh (March 3, 2016)."This Week in Comedy Podcasts: 'The Champs' Says Farewell".Vulture.Vox Media.RetrievedJune 6,2021.
  38. ^Lee, AshleyThe Hollywood Reporter(29 January 2016)
  39. ^"The Year in Comedy Podcasts".Vulture.December 10, 2019.
  40. ^Uitti, Jake (8 September 2021)."Neal Brennan and Derek DelGaudio on Grey Areas and Talent Traps".Interview.RetrievedSeptember 10,2021.
  41. ^"Blocks Podcast - Full Episodes - YouTube".youtube.Retrieved2024-04-13.
  42. ^Hammer, Tim (October 7, 2007)."LAist Interview: Neal Brennan".LAist.Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2009.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  43. ^abWarner, Joel; McGraw, Peter (March 1, 2012)."The Humor Code: Neal Brennan on 'Comedic Polymaths' and the Future of Funny".Wired.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  44. ^Horn, Trevor; Frields, Philip (October 26, 2011)."Half Baked".American River Current.RetrievedApril 20,2012.
  45. ^Video of Neal Brennan onConan,September 27, 2011
  46. ^"Inside Amy Schumer (TV Series 2013– )"– via imdb.
  47. ^Comedians Tackling Depression & Anxiety Makes Us Feel Seen | Laughing Matters | Documentary,10 October 2019,retrieved2019-10-30
  48. ^Neal Brennan [@NealBrennan] (10 July 2011)."God is unbelievable! (I'm an atheist)"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  49. ^"Neal Brennan on his 2nd Ayahuasca Ceremony".How Neal Feel podcast.November 18, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-21.
  50. ^Freaky Friday. Jimmy Carr hosts guest Neal Brennan | Blocks Podcast.Retrieved2024-04-13– via youtube.
  51. ^"Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good | Netflix Official Site".netflix.Retrieved2024-04-09.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toNeal Brennan.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neal_Brennan&oldid=1242974424"