THE UNION OF THE STATE is Now Available

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ "The Union of The State" is one of the most-unique, untold tales in the history of show business. It's the story of eleven teenagers who met in college and formed one of the most prolific and impactful comedy troupes of all-time, The State. The 600-page book is now available. Visit www.CoreyStulce.com for an updated list of purchase locations.

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"The Union of The State" is an oral history "detailing their rise, dissolution, reunion and staggering dispersion and influence throughout the comedy world" (RollingStone.com, March 29, 2016). The book is told by:

• Kevin Allison
• Michael Ian Black
• Robert Ben Garant
• Todd Holoubek
• Michael Patrick Jann
• Kerri Kenney-Silver
• Thomas Lennon
• Joe Lo Truglio
• Ken Marino
• Michael Showalter
• David Wain

Paul Rudd ("Captain America: Civil War") says, "It takes some pretty spectacular people to form a comedy group in college, eleven people strong, and still want to work together and still [remain] friends. It tells you something about their grace. I'm sure they have their own inner challenges, like anybody, but they legitimately enjoy each other's company. They legitimately make each other laugh, and every single one of them are just awesome people."

The book includes commentary from State collaborators:

• Chris Meloni
• Janeane Garofalo
• Mo Willems, best-selling children's book author
• Rob Corddry, creator of "Children's Hospital"
• A.D. Miles, Head Writer for "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon"
• Doug Herzog, President of Viacom
• James Dixon, agent for Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel
• Cast and crew from "Wet Hot American Summer," "Reno 911!" and more

"I have to tip my cap to 'The State' because when I was in graduate school, they were what I watched. They were the thing," says Keegan-Michael Key ("Keanu").

The book follows the members of The State from their time as classmates at New York University in the late 1980s to their quick ascent to fame via their three-season, sketch-comedy TV series on MTV and through post-MTV projects. It also includes histories of the movie-turned-Netflix-series, "Wet Hot American Summer;" the Comedy Central hit, "Reno 911!;" and cult favorite comedy show/series, Stella.

The projects of The State leave no degree of separation between them and nearly everyone working in comedy today, such as Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, and Natasha Leggero. The book features rare photos and illustrations from the troupe's twenty-five-year history.

"The members of The State are my heroes, my peers and my friends. Individually and collectively they are responsible for an impressively large percentage of everything funny that currently exists in the world. For comedy nerds like me, it's essential reading," says "Weird Al" Yankovic.

"The Union of The State" also appeals to comedy aficionados, showbiz biography fans and those who love an underdog success tale.

Upcoming book events:

• RISK! The State Book Release Show with Kerri Kenney-Silver, Janeane Garofalo, Kevin Allison and more, 9 p.m. on Friday, May 20, The Bell House, 149 7th St., Brooklyn, NY: http://bit.ly/risktix
• Book signing with Kevin Allison and Corey Stulce, 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, Planet Score Records, 7421 Manchester Road, Maplewood, MO: http://bit.ly/planetscore

Author Corey Stulce has been interviewing and writing about comedians for more than twenty years. Follow him at @coreyshame.

Review copies, images and interviews with members of The State and the author are available. Contact by email or 415-335-6880 with inquiries. Media contact: Kate Esquivel

SOURCE Corey Stulce

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