The Comedy Bureau Field Report – Page 2

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 250: Skyler Higley & MANDAL & Guaranteeing GUARANTEED!

March 19, 2025

guaranteed, la comedy, lyric hyperion, mandal, Skyler Higley, stand up, vulture

Skyler Higley and MANDAL are on the precipice of making what very well may be LA’s next stand up to always be at with GUARANTEED! presented by Vulture (and produced by our very own Jake Kroeger). The trio breaks down launching this very special show (as well as the use of RICO charges in crime thrillers).

Follow Skyler @skylerhigley and MANDAL @themandalman and get tix for GUARANTEED every 2nd & 4th Tuesday starting 3/25 @ 7:30PM right here.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 249: Sarah Claspell & Doing Improv Literally Everywhere

March 12, 2025

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improv, la comedy, sarah claspell, world's greatest improv school

Even though improv had one of the longest roads back from COVID, it’s back and more expansive than we remember. Sarah Claspell, a longtime celebrated veteran of improv in LA, walks us, on this week’s TCB Field Report, through how that’s happening both with her touring the world doing/teaching improv and co-owning the World’s Greatest Improv School (affectionately pronounced WEE-gis) and the best way to take notes on improv.

Follow Sarah @claspy across socials.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Clay Larsen

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 248: Kristal Adams & Fields-of-Dreams-ing It in NYC

March 6, 2025

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kristal adams, nyc comedy

The wonderful Kristal Adams packed up from LA a few years ago and journeyed to the America’s other comedy mecca, NYC. Adams had definitely established herself in the scene in LA, but opted for the wealth of stage time that New York. Over the last few years, Kristal has not only risen in that scene, but built up a wondrous independent show at multi-purpose bookstore, P&T Knitwear, Bookstore, Coffee, & Podcast Studio, with Alexis Bradby, another LA to NYC transplant. This week’s TCB Field Report has a beautiful in-depth chat about how and where Adams has put so much thought into building an indie comedy show in NYC in the 2020s.

Follow Kristal @thedarkkristal and Astigmatism Comedy @astigmatismcomedy on IG.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 247: Joel Mandelkorn & Closing Out a 20 Year Weekly Show

February 20, 2025

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hot Tub, joel mandelkorn, kurt and kristen, la comedy

Legendary weekly comedy show, Hot Tub with Kurt Kristen, just marked its 20th year anniversary this past weekend and, for now, has come to its end. It marks the end of an era and the wonderment of what lies ahead with the new era ahead. As such, we talk with long time Hot Tub co-producer Joel Mandlekorn (shout out to his co-producer/partner Mandee Johnson as well for making Hot Tub one of LA comedy’s best shows) and pulling off one hell of a finale and where we all might go from here.

Follow Joel @cleftclips

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 246: Teresa Lo & Sticktoitiveness

February 13, 2025

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Teresa Lo still very much is a fiercely determined up and coming stand-up comedian in the vast and highly competitive LA comedy scene. The proof rests in the fact that she is returning to telling jokes on stage after being violently assaulted at an open mic by a comedian who took issue with how he was portrayed in the documentary Breaking the Fourth Wall, a film covering the LA comedy open mic scene. Lo shares her story and her delightful plans in the not so distant future on this week’s TCB Field Report.

Follow Teresa @teresalowriter on IG and watch Breaking the Fourth Wall on Tubi here.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by @comedythatsbadass

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 245: Meg Penney & What Goes Into Running a Cool Brooklyn Venue

January 16, 2025

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littlefield, meg penney, nyc comedy

As strange as it is to say since so much insanity has happened from Jan. 1st onwards, Happy New Year to you all. We’re thankful to talk all things NYC comedy, specifically at the wondrous venue that is Littlefield in Brooklyn with Junior Booker Meg Penney. Meg walks us through all the little things that folks might take for granted to put on an unforgettable show at a super cool indie venue.

Follow Meg @megpenneywashere and Littlefield on @littlefieldnyc on IG

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 244: Lindsay Adams & The Neverending Quest of Being Liked

December 18, 2024

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artistic process, lindsay adams, solo show

This week’s TCB Field Report has a frank conversation with beloved LA scene staple Lindsay Adams on her constant quest to better herself as both a comedian and a person. This desire fueled her latest endeavor, an experimental solo show where she actively asks the audiences if they still like her after divulging the most cringeworthy moments of her life, offering up a great exploration of Lindsay’s persona, drive, and creative process.

Follow Lindsay @lindsayadamsispopular and get tickets for Do You Still Like Me? on 1/3 @ Lyric Hyperion here.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 243: Sam Morrison & Endless Miles of Your Solo Show

December 11, 2024

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sam morrison, solo show, sugar daddy

Sam Morrison, a wonderful, touring-round-the-world comedian, is hot on the trail of being the next big solo show turning into, possibly, a Broadway sensation (and probably a big time special) with his Sugar Daddy. This week’s TCB Field Report gets into the countless hours (and miles?) of work that has gone into and will go into having this show and himself ascend into stardom.

Follow Sam @samuelhmorrison and Sugar Daddy @_sugardaddyshow

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 242: Jenny Chalikian/Romantic Comedy & The World’s First & Only Bicoastal Romance Novel Store Comedy Show

November 28, 2024

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comedy show, erin judge, jenny chalikian, romantic comedy

To do a live comedy show for 8 years is a feat, but try upping the ante to doing it in a romance novel only store and franchise it to the the romance novel store’s second location all the way across the country, THEN record an entire album. That has been the trajectory of Romantic Comedy, the long running comedy show at the wondrous gem that is The Ripped Bodice and we talk to co-host/co-creator Jenny Chalikian about what’s been integral to Romantic Comedy’s success.

Follow Romantic Comedy @romcomshow, Jenny @jchalikian, and Erin Judge @iamerinjudge. Get Live at The Ripped Bodice here starting this Friday.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 241: Emily Browning and the Path to Comedy Balloon Enlightenment

November 21, 2024

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balloons, comedy, emily browning

The path of every artist is something truly singular and, far enough long, something amazing and often unprecedented. Emily Browning is marvelous example of this as she has found her way in and throughout stand-up, clown, writing, acting, and, yep, balloon art and is bringing all of that together in a very, very special balloon art crowd work special, shooting next month. TCB’s Jake Kroeger has an enlightening conversation of how Emily has come to this splendid current moment.

Follow Emily @emilybrowntown across socials and get tix for her Improvised Balloon Comedy Hour taping at Lyric Hyperion on 12/3 here.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 240: John Hastings and the One After that Dumb Election in 2024

November 13, 2024

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election, john hastings, los angeles comedy

After really, truly, deeply not having the time to do an episode last week because of one of the stupidest elections in our lifetime, we are grateful to reconvene with the Field Report and the realignment of comedy in LA and elsewhere with the ever gallivanting John Hastings (on the path to releasing 8 specials this year that you should very much enjoy and watch).

Follow John @thejohnhastings and watch his specials on YouTube here.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 239: Lauren Leroux & Standing Out When Everyone Else Is Trying to Stand Out Just Like You

October 31, 2024

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Lauren Leroux, the host/star of the illustrious NYC variety show, The Cigarette Club, talks with us about why she’s bringing the show to a close as well as the bright shining horizon she’s headed towards with her top secret new show. Lauren also details a nightmare of a show that she survived and looking onwards and upwards after such an ordeal all on this week’s TCB Field Report.

Follow Lauren @laurendesleroux on IG and get tix for the very last Cigarette Club on 12/7 @ Chelsea Music Hall here.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by @enemypixels

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 238: Sam Varela & El Paso Silverlake Ramen Comedy

October 23, 2024

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sam varela

On the week of The Comedy Bureau’s 14th Anniversary, we’re so very glad to have our dear friend and fellow comedy behind-the-scenes compatriot Sam Varela (Naked Comedy) joining us in on getting to the nitty gritty of the state of comedy (as well as discussing what’s going in Texas where Sam is taking some time away from being on the coasts). As always, it was a deep, insightful on where the winds are blowing these days in comedy between generations/classes/schisms/etc.

Also, yes, there’s a Silverlake Ramen opening in El Paso.

Follow Sam and all of her shows @nakedcomedy

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Van Corona

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 237: Luke Null & Standing Up for Guitar Comedy

October 17, 2024

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guitar comedy, luke null, musical comedy

Luke Null is one of a handful of marvelous comedians that are leading the way forward with a guitar in a way that is very good (and not something to be looked down upon by every other corner of comedy). Null’s innovation, daring, and sheer comedic verve have seen him rise into one of the best musical comedians we have today, which is perfect timing for the hour special he just shot. We chat with Null on this week’s TCB Field Report about his chosen path and how he is blazing through it and how the stereotypical thinking towards guitar comedy and musical comedy might be changing these days.

Follow Luke @luke_null on IG.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Mike Falzone

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 236: Tiffany Kimmel & Kind Darkness

October 10, 2024

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dark comedy, tiffany kimmel

There are so many reasons to talk to the wondrous writer/director/creator/connector of peoples Tiffany Kimmel. Definitely focusing on the splendor that can come from bringing seemingly disparate worlds together, dark comedy and puppets and clown, is what we hone in on with Tiffany for this week’s ep. of the TCB Field Report and what goes into to pulling off something so magical, even if it’s so specifically niche.

Follow Tiffany @nihildeclarandum on IG

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 235: James Adomian & (All the) Path(s) of Most Resistance

October 2, 2024

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james adomian

One of comedy’s most brilliant chameleons and searingly funny voices, James Adomian, has just released his very first hour special, The Path of Most Resistance. It’s an astounding hour of comedy and James leaves it all out on the stage for the benefit of us all. We talk it up with our good friend and one in a lifetime talent, Adomian, about the journey to this special as well as every other facet of the comedy industry along the way (as well as a brilliant dream about performing for aliens).

Follow James @jadomian across platforms and watch/listen/enjoy Path of Most Resistance wherever you get your comedy specials.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 234: Danny Jolles & Knowing Yourself/Your Credits

September 25, 2024

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danny jolles, stand up comedy

Danny Jolles returns to the TCB Field Report having just taped his latest hour special. Thus, we’re in a mood to talk the finer points of doing stand-up, namely anything from the value of your credits in your intro to the value of truly knowing yourself as a person in service of your comedy to the value of doing a special in this day and age.

Follow Danny @dannyjolles

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Jill Petracek

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 233: Caroline Hirsch & Doing a Comedy Festival in NYC for 20 Years

September 18, 2024

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Caroline Hirsch is a name you might be better acquainted with in relation to Caroline’s on Broadway, the famous NYC comedy clubs that stood for decades in Manhattan as a true, blue headliner comedy club. Indeed, Hirsch is the titular Caroline for the club as she co-founded it along with the New York Comedy Festival that will be celebrating its 20th year in 2024.

We talk to Caroline through her journey and rise over two score to being a pillar in NYC comedy and what goes into running a successful comedy festival in a city that has a veritable comedy festival every night.

Follow all things NYCF at nycomedyfestival.com.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 232: Michael Blieden & The Beauty and Courage of the Joke

September 11, 2024

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directing, michael blieden, podcast

Michael Blieden may have had a circuitous path through comedy but goodness gracious it’s an amazing one. Being the director of Comedians of Comedy, Zach Galifianakis: Live at the Purple Onion, but also working diligently at Fallon and South Side, and also have a play adapted into a movie by Bob Odenkirk, Blieden has seen and been part of the inner workings of comedy for many of your favorite things (especially since he was on the ground floor comedy what is now the streaming comedy juggernaut “Netflix Is a Joke”).

This week’s TCB Field Report goes in deep with Blieden’s journey to now, where he’s deep into producing and shooting an painstakingly detailed Mitch Hedberg doc, as well as his adoration for the art of the joke.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 231: Joel Mandelkorn & The Centers of a Comedy Scene

September 4, 2024

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comedy scene, joel mandelkorn, los angeles

Longtime LA comedy stalwart/producer extraordinaire Joel Mandelkorn returns to the TCB Field Report as one of the marquee show he produces, Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen, is coming to a close. We talk with Joel at length at what makes the center of a comedy scene, what that has been in the past, and what to look for going forward in trying to find that hub of comedy connective tissue going forward.

Follow Joel @cleftclips and @hottub_show on IG.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 230: Chris Laker & the Meaning Behind Toiling in Obscurity

August 22, 2024

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Chris Laker, stand up comedy

20 years in comedy, done on both coasts with two well received late night sets and Chris Laker has come to an intriguing crossroads in his career where he is calling his latest hour “Toiling in Obscurity”. It’s not necessarily the self-deprecating angle that you might think the name would entirely suggest, but something much more, if you can believe it, affirming. We talk to Chris about his journey to letting go of expectations and focusing on evolving as a comedian and human being.

Follow Chris Laker @chrislaker on IG and get tickets to Toiling in Obscurity with Special Guest John Early on 8/28 @ Lyric Hyperion here.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 229: Open Screen LA & Creative Neutrality

August 14, 2024

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open screen la

When run properly, an open mic can be truly a safe space, free of expectation and hierarchy, and a crucial hub of community with in art form/scene. Open Screen LA fills a very specific, but much needed niche for budding filmmakers or folks that want to make films in and around LA with providing the most egalitarian film open mic possible. We talk to one of the organizers behind Open Screen LA about what goes into the ethos and actual practice of their beautifully engineered open mic.

Get all things Open Screen LA at openscreenla.com

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 228: Ron Lynch & Taking a Small Break After 19 Years

August 7, 2024

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la comedy, ron lynch, tomorrow

As far as we’re concerned, Tomorrow! and it’s consummate host Ron Lynch are an irrefutable institution to both LA comedy and alt/indie/experimental comedy. Lynch has helmed one of the most unique, out there, weekly shows in the entire country with Tomorrow! all throughout LA for nearly 20 years. Right now, Lynch is taking a teeny month break, supposedly the first one he’s taken in all that time.

We chat it up with Ron just as he’s about to score mark with Tomorrow! and everything leading up to it on this week’s TCB Field Report.

Follow Ron @ronlynch1 & @tomorrowwithronlynch on IG

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 227: Ryan Bitzer & Ian Adkins & An International 800 Pound Gorilla

July 31, 2024

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800 pound gorilla

800 Pound Gorilla went from indie comedy record label to a force to be reckoned with as 800 Pound Gorilla Media wheeling and dealing in hour specials all around the world, especially voices that you might have not in North America and U.S. comics that might not have had the chance to reach beyond the lower 48. We talk to 800 Pound Gorilla’s Ryan Bitzer and Ian Adkins about 800 Pound Gorilla’s journey over the last 8 years, how they’ve done what they’ve done despite people thinking it was impossible, and going about comedy distribution in a way that attempts to directly connect their favorite comedians to their biggest fans.

Follow all things 800 Pound Gorilla at 800poundgorillamedia.com

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 226: Cara Mones & Caroline Suh & Making a Doc About Louis C.K.

July 24, 2024

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cara mones, caroline suh, louis ck, sorry not sorry

Director Caroline Suh once was a Louis C.K. fan and then everything came out about his abuse of fellow female comedians, changing her perspective forever. Suh joined forces with co-director Cara Mones to examine the several forces and dynamics at play in comedy/entertainment, often against women, in the fall from grace and very quick rise back to an altered prominence of one Louis C.K. in their newly released documentary from Greenwich Entertainment, Sorry/Not Sorry. They especially hone in on the backlash against the women that came forward, even after #MeToo had been well established as a movement.

This week’s episode of TCB Field Report talks in-depth with Mones and Suh about their journey and outlook and hope from making this crucial documentary.

See Sorry/Not Sorry at Lyric Hyperion on 8/3 and stick around for Abby/Megan/Andy Not C.K. after or go see it on VOD.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

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