Comedy

Makes no bones about it - "No Holds Barred" is not a great movie. So why did WWE decide to digitally remaster the 1989 film and release it on DVD (out today) and why would it interest you? "No Holds Barred" falls in the category of movies that have a cult following probably for the wrong reasons - it's campy, over the top, unintentionally funny. Yet somehow it selects the perfect slices of cheese that you sample and can't stop eating. After an hour-and-a-half, you're left wondering how you were able to sit through the entire movie, but are glad you did and anxiously find others who have as well to share stories.

Two terrific shows premiered last weekend in Annapolis, set in nearly the same period and dealing with history-making creative artists. At Colonial Players, "Moonlight and Magnolias" is set in 1939 and tells the behind-the-scenes story of making the film version of "Gone with the Wind. " Appropriately, it evokes gales of audience laughter. Infinity Theatre presents "Sisters of Swing," a musical biography of the World War II-era harmonizing Andrews Sisters that inspired the opening-night audience to applaud every familiar song.

Maryland's former LG was spotted today by POLITCO having lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. with funny man Pauly Shore. Shore has some upcoming gigs at the 9:30 Club, but the D.C.-centered website failed to mention that Michael Steele is also on tour. He's is set to compete in Baltimore later this month for the title Charm City's " Funniest Celebrity . "  Last year the award went to Baltimore Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld. We couldn't speak to Steel directly, but show producer Richard Siegel got him on the line and reported that Steele made fun of his recent, shaky tenure at the helm of the Republican National Committee: "Since the RNC gig didn't work out as well as I thought it would, I thought I would give this a try. " Steele will share the spotlight with notorious Baltimore "Hon" Denise Whiting, failed city council candidate De'Von Brown, FOX 45 anchor Jeff Barnd and musician Deanna Bogart.

At first glance, it might not seem like much, two men calling ABC's “Modern Family” one of their favorite TV shows. But when one is the Democratic president of the United States and the other his Republican challenger, you have to wonder if there isn't something special about the show that recently finished its third season as the most popular in prime time among young adult viewers. Last week, The New York Times reported that President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney both like iPads, grilled chicken, process-driven decisions and “Modern Family.” The shared sitcom is the item on the list that intrigues me. Everyone knows “Modern Family” is funny, winning and wise.

It's pilot pickup time in Hollywood, and Baltimore's Jason Winer got some good news yesterday with an order from NBC for 13 episodes of "1600 Penn," a political comedy that he co-created, directs and executive produces. The series will introduced as a midseason replacement when NBC introduces its new fall lineup Monday in New York on the first day of the upfronts.   The other creators and executive producers are Jon Lovett, a former White House speech writer, and Josh Gad, from "The Book of Mormon, who also co-stars.

If you didn't see the debut of HBO's"Girls" Sunday night, here's some advice: Do whatever it takes to see it. Smart people are going to be talking and talking and talking some more about it for weeks. In 30 years of writing about television,  I cannot remember five other TV comedies that have blown me away the way this one did. I am sure I am only about the 50th reviewer to compare it to "The Mary Tyler Moore Show. " But I watched that one as a twentysomething baby boomer feeling for the first time that prime-time TV was speaking to and for my generation in a meaningful way. I am guessing "Girls" will have that same kind of electricity and cultural thunder for people who are in their 20s today.

There's a big launch event tonight in Washington for the Baltimore-made HBO comedy "VEEP," and I do not want to spoil anyone's fun. So, I am going to be purposefully light on details in talking about the three episodes of this brilliant and biting satire that stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, a former senator struggling to find her footing as vice president of the United States. I will say this, if you are one of the Washington political workers who have seen Armando Iannucci's "In the Loop"  and laughed yourself silly, you are going to be in heaven at tonight's screening.

Nearly two decades after Yasmina Reza's comedy "Art" debuted to international acclaim, the story about the nature of expression and friendship continues to fascinate audiences at Bowie Community Theatre's production at Bowie Playhouse in White Marsh Park. The play, now translated into more than 30 languages, opened in 1994 in Paris. It then became a success in London, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for best comedy before arriving on Broadway in 1998 to win a Tony Award. Set in Paris, the play reveals what happens to three longtime male friends when one buys an expensive, minimalist all-white painting by a trendy artist and invites his friends to see his investment.

Christmas is a sacred day to many, a time to celebrate with friends and family. You'd think comedians would make fun of it at their own peril. But no less an authority than John Waters, an unabashed Christmas fan who will be bringing his "A John Waters Christmas" to the Lyric on Dec. 21 , says that's simply not true. Audiences — at least his audiences — love it when he takes on Christmas, Waters promises. The only stipulation, he says, is that he had better be funny. "If you're coming to see 'A John Waters Christmas,' you pretty much know what to expect," says Waters, who's been touring the world with his yuletide celebration the past few weeks.

It's the most wonderful time of the year for our favorite comedies - holiday specials! Yes, they get a little corny. Yes, ugly Christmas sweaters and ties are worn. But isn't that what we love about the holiday season? “Community”:  Greendale needs a new glee club yet again (they need to make it to regionals!), and who better to fa-la-la at the holiday pageant than the study group? However, not everyone is so keen on the idea, so glee club director Mr. Rad ("SNL's" Taran Killam)