Show Biz Blog

Joanne Degarian is something new in the world of comedy. With her unique and theatrical style of writing and performance, she has something special you just can't quite put your finger on. Poised to start previews of her highly anticipated new work, Katharsis, we invited her for a cup of tea and a quick chat. 

It's quite the tagline for a comedy show, 'not for those who don't like the sight of blood' so we asked Joanne what was on your mind when you started writing Katharsis? She smiles, pauses, the replies: 

"I had the idea: how far could I go with blood and violence and still have it be funny. Or rather, could I go too far but make it acceptable by making it funny?Then my brain started throwing in ideas from Ancient Greece, French Theatre of Cruelty, Freud, fake blood, eyeballs, Dave... it really just wrote itself"

Joanne Degarian has been described as 'a natural stand up' and 'So so so so funny' however, no one, including Joanne herself, can accurately pin down what she does. Theatrical comedy is the closest so far, but even that doesn't quite cover her original, creative, unusual approach. 

"I take comedy seriously.” she muses. This is not just a witty comment; Joanne is actually serious. She chose comedy as a vehicle for her creative outputs because it, by default, has no fourth wall. "The audience are the centre of the show, not me. Without them there is no show. The experience is for them. And I think of comedy as a conspiracy with the audience not against it. Comedy should not divide, it should unite us as humans, beings full of life, feeling, imagination." 

She glances at her blue nails for a moment, and continues: "In a world full of trigger warnings and censorship, we're being encouraged not to feel, and that's dangerous. On an individual level, we feel very deeply; compassion, empathy, injustice... and these feelings inspire us to shape our world for the better. Comedy allows us to feel as a group, it shows our shared experience and we can indulge safely in very painful ideas together and come out safe but realigned with ourselves and our values. 

Comedy, and it's dissolving anarchic power, is a social necessity if humanity is going to continue as the awesome thing it is." Then she giggles. "And once you approach it with that behind it changes it massively. I want my audience to react to me on stage, hence the blood in this particular show. After all, we don't just laugh because something is funny. Laughter is a reaction, and if my audience laugh then they've reacted to the idea I'm trying to communicate. That's all I want, on the bigger scale, to have fun with ideas and my audience." 

So how does that work with blood and eyeballs? "Well, the description of the show is 'Together, we will live through the gratituitous violence of irrational petty anger..and love it.' The idea is that without the opportunity to live out repressed desires through watching someone else, they fester and eventually have to be expressed in reality. Which is bad, right? So it's a an evening of therapy, with blood and gore, some eyeballs... lots of fun for everyone" She has such a look of glee. 

She leans back, inspects her blue nails again, and looks me dead in the eye: "Comedy, and it's dissolving anarchic power, is a social necessity if humanity is going to continue as the awesome thing it is. And it can't become subject to middle of the road, same jokes, same story situation seen in other media. It IS an art, and it is a form of expression that's very, very important."

I'm so intrigued by all of this I want to ask her to do the show right now. 

She adds, unprompted: "Historically, the only rule of comedy is that you don't die. So as long as I manage that, I can do anything I like"

She finished her tea, and the interview is complete. 

I can't pin down exactly who she is or what she does. All I know is I want more of it. She can be followed on her Instagram @joannedegarian

Singer, performer and our very favorite talented artist Eye'z stopped by Artists expressions for a quick yet energetic interview over the labor day weekend, including a live performance on the show! 

Now you might wonder why she was at Artists expressions - it was to talk about her latest single "Sugar", oh yeah, as sweet as Eye'z herself!

In the conversations, she dives into a little bit of her background as an artist growing up in a musical family in Oakland Ca. As always, Eye'z has an amazing sense for clothing and this time was no different, she was in a bright gold tasseled dress whilst she performed her song "Sugar" live and mesmerized everyone around. The interview episode aired on labor day weekend and now is available on YouTube as well. Here's the video for ShowBiz Blog readers.

And exclusive to ours and Eye'z fans, here are some behind the scenes photos: 

music.apple.com/us/album/sugar/1735271589?i=1735271595 and more at us.7digital.com/artist/eyez-1/release/sugar-38729517?h=01

We at Show Biz Blog regularly post about our favorite artists and one such artist is Eye'z whom we love to write about as we find her with a passion for music combined with a sense of giving back to the community by being at regular events and promoting all the folks out there who are as passionate as her and are putting in all their efforts to make a mark and win big!

The latest we have on Eye'z is that she was recently at a podcast "Mase and Friends" and we wanted to share our take on it - especially about the professional with profound life experience Eye'z is and has!

"Mase and Friends" podcast is produced by Cut it up Entertainment, starring Mase and Spyder and an off camera person. The podcast is so lively especially with Eye'z being at the centre, there are many lively conversations covering a range of topics such as experiences as a movie extra, scams in the entertainment industry, Eye'z dating mishaps, and miscommunications in relationships et all! 

To go even further on what we have as takeaways from the podcast - Eye'z shares personal stories and insights on trust, accountability, and communication in relationships, emphasizing the significance of building strong connections. The podcast discussion also delves into issues of public shaming, apology videos, subjective views on success and attractiveness, and insights on rat behavior, highlighting loyalty and companionship as crucial elements for well-being - this is towards the end where the discussion is intense.

However, there was one moment where Eye'z politely excused her self after feeling uncomfortable after a prejudiced comment on women made by the off camera friend in the room of the podcast. Eye'z gets our respect for the true pro that she is!

Check out the podcast here - youtu.be/O0WIgg8p4mQ

Meanwhile, we also got to know that and want to share that Eye'z performed at the same location to promote her latest single "Sugar"

Here are pictures from at this location. 

Eye'z with artist Robyn Rose for the Women in hip hop magazine exhibit. 

As we said before, Eye'z is equally passionate about giving back to the community!

In 2024, Christian Cassarly has solidified his place as a literary titan with the release of "Mickey Mouse: The Novel - Steamboat Willie." Transforming the classic 7-minute black-and-white cartoon into an 85,000-word masterpiece, Cassarly breathes new life into beloved characters like Mickey, Minnie, and Oswald the Rabbit. Guest appearances by Disney favorites such as Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella, and Peter Pan add depth and nostalgia, creating a richly immersive experience.

We are ShowBiz share all new with equal respect and dignity to the artists. With that, we are sharing the unfortunate news about Sharon Manuel who received the honor of emerita of song 2023 at the my music block TV awards is no longer with us. It was unexpected. She was very well known for helping develop talent at the MMBTV awards over the years and was the house vocal coach & mentor for for singers, rappers, artists, public, speakers, actors & nominees alike. 

Sharon had received the trail blazer award in 2018 for her dedication for equality marching and singing alongside Martin Luther King Jr. as a valued member of SNCC and with Gregory Hickman- Williams created the Golden Gate Chapter of the National Association of Negro Musicians in Oakland Ca.

She leaves behind 2 sisters and a niece.

Some of the pictures we would like to share to ShowBiz blog viewers.

Here's a fine interview with Sharon Manuel that we would like to share with our viewers to listen to her and her amazing work.

One of ShowBiz blog's favorite artists is singer, songwriter and pianist Eye'z who is, as you know already, multi-talented and also a versatile and dynamic artist known for her genre-blending music and captivating performances. With a fusion of pop, R&B, and soul influences, she creates a unique sonic experience that resonates with listeners. Eye’z continues to push creative boundaries with her heartfelt lyrics, infectious melodies, and authentic storytelling artist who has a flair for the best music and also supportive of fellow artists out there. We have been writing about Eye'z for quite a while now, you can check out all the articles about Eye'z on ShowBiz blog here.

So what's the latest buzz now you might ask. Its a pretty big one - Eye'z has invited viewers into a world of vibrant hues and captivating visuals with the release of her latest music video for the hit single 'Sugar.'! 

It is set to be aired on Wright Place TV and the video promises to mesmerize audiences worldwide, and will be available on several major platforms and shows. We are told it was shot against a backdrop adorned in shades of pink, purple, and red, the video immerses audiences in a dreamlike setting, exuding elegance and charm. The visual aesthetics created by phrases like "Honey Cherry Sugar" and "sweetness and longing" emits a complex emotional landscape, where the sweetness of love is tinged with a hint of sadness or unfulfilled longing.

ShowBiz blog has exclusive pictures from the video shoot and here are some of them:

A little more about the video for our readers - there are dazzling scenes featuring glittering backgrounds and cascading balloons add a touch of whimsy to the video's enchanting atmosphere. Eye’z steals the spotlight in her radiant red dress, while her elegant vocal style soothing the listener's soul. Lyrically evoking a sense of longing and desire, with a focus on the bittersweet aspects of love, Eye’z captures the essence of ‘Sugar’, a romantic experience filled with passion and yearning, a testament to Eye’z's artistry, creativity and individuality.

Eye'z is very popular on social media - she can be followed @MsEyez in almost all popular platforms for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and updates on her latest projects.

Indian-UK Film "Glitch" Blends Classic Indian Cinema with British Filmmaking for a Captivating Tale of Revenge

"Glitch," a mesmerizing collaboration between Indian and British cinema, is poised to enthrall audiences with its gripping narrative and unique blend of magical realism.

Starring Anna Blaski as Margaret, the film follows an ordinary individual's journey into the realm of vengeance after the murder of her husband. Inspired by classic Indian movies, "Glitch" immerses viewers in a world where reality intertwines with dreams, blurring the lines of perception.

With Revanth's visionary direction and Blaski's compelling portrayal, "Glitch" challenges conventional storytelling, inviting audiences to ponder the nature of truth and justice.

"Glitch" promises to captivate audiences with its captivating narrative and visually stunning cinematography, offering a fresh perspective on the age-old theme of vendetta.