Live-Riffed INDEPENDENCE DAY Screening Set for Q.E.D. in Astoria

Movies R Dumb has announced a special bonus edition of their live-riffing show at Q.E.D. in Astoria, where they will be screening 1996 overblown sci-fi classic, Independence Day on Monday, July 3 at 9pm.

The show, one of Q.E.D.'s most popular, will be riffed on MST3K-style by comedians Frank Conniff (TV's Frank from Mystery Science Theater 3000), Myka FOX (writer for SNL's Weekend Update), Carolina Hidalgo (Movie Sign with the Mads) and FreddyG (Model & the Mensch Podcast).

For the past two years, Movies R Dumb's producers Chris Gersbeck and FreddyG have been screening some of Hollwood's greatest atrocities while a band of NYC's quickest comedians crack jokes over them. The producers often make topical selections such as their screening of the Star Wars Holiday Special back in December, and their screening of Leprechaun in the Hood which landed on St. Patrick's Day. This is the first opportunity they've had to screen one of their favorite big budget movies.

"I think that's a great movie," said Carolina Hidalgo, when she was approached about being on the show. "Sorry, but I truly enjoy it." Hidalgo co-hosts a podcast with Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu called Movie Sign with the Mads on Cave Comedy Radio, which derives its name from the characters Conniff and Beaulieu portrayed on the original Mystery Science Theater 3000. This will be Hidalgo's first chance to live riff on Movie R Dumb.

With most people having off from work on the Fourth of July, Movies R Dumb is expecting a large turnout. "A lot of people don't like party too hard on the Fourth of July if they have to go to work the next day," said FreddyG. "Which makes the eve of the holiday the perfect night to grab some drinks and watch an awful movie with a crowd."

Because the movie is over two hours long, the show will be fast-forwarding most of Randy Quaid's scenes to keep the show under 90 minutes, the target length of the show. "We've noticed people get antsy at the ninety minute mark of a movie, no matter how funny the comics are," said Chris Gersbeck. "So we decided for Independence Day, the cringey Randy Quaid moments are getting nixed, and possibly some other scenes too."

Tickets are currently on sale at Q.E.D.'s website.

ABOUT CHRIS GERSBECK & FREDDYG

Chris Gersbeck is a stand up comedian and comedy producer based in Astoria, Queens. He is the co-host of the Overkill podcast, which chooses a new pop-culture topic each week and talks about it to death, and has been co-producing Movies R Dumb for the past two years.

FreddyG is a Stand Up Comic who lives in Astoria. He recently appeared on Sirius Radio on The Bennington Show Thanksgiving Special. Fred has performed Stand Up Comedy at venues all over the city including The Standing Room, The Creek and the Cave, The PIT Loft, Eastviile Comedy Club, and Broadway Comedy Club. FreddyG can be seen at Last Stop Laughs at QED every Saturday Night.

ABOUT Q.E.D.

Q.E.D. is an after-school space for grown-ups. Our affordable classes and shows are as diverse as Queens itself. At Q.E.D. you'll find arts and crafts, stand-up comedy, tastings, DIY projects, poetry slams, game nights, storytelling, gardening, improv, and everything in between. With 100 or more events each month, there's something for everyone.

In a nutshell, we aim to provide a fun, creative, casual space to laugh and learn by opening our stage to performers of various levels of experience and hosting classes and workshops that are affordable and accessible to all types of folks.