On this episode of Be Reel, Chance and Noah look at major studios, small indies, and streaming services to figure out just what audiences responded to (and didn’t) from comedies in 2018 and what filmmakers did to stand out in a genre plagued by cliches. (Spoiler: It’s not by making “I Feel Pretty,” which Noah reviews for extra credit.) By focusing on Universal’s ensemble comedy “Blockers,” YouTube-star-turned-filmmaker Bo Burnham’s highly acclaimed “Eighth Grade” and Netflix’s take on Nora Ephron, “Set It Up,” the guys size up the state of comedy filmmaking. 

Then just past the hour mark, they give their picks for Best Comedy Performances of 2018, touching on films like “Game Night,” Sorry To Bother You,” and “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.”

Be Reel is part of The Playlist Podcast Network – which includes Adjust Your Tracking, Over/Under Movies, Indie Beat, and more – and can be listened to on iTunes, Soundcloud, or Stitcher. The podcast is brought to you by California College of the Arts’ MFA in Writing program and Converse College’s Low-Residency MFA. Explore their programs at the links above!