News – Page 4 – The Comedy Bureau

TCB Debriefing 5/19-6/1: Hacks/Hannah Einbinder, JFL, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Fantasmas, Ali Clayton, Ali Siddiq, Clare O’Kane, Paul Scheer/June Diane Raphael, Am I OK?, Make Some Noise, Ren Faire, Jenny Zigrino, The Undervale, Steph Curry, Aubrey Plaza/Joe Wengert, Laid, Steve Carell

1. Well, everything is coming up Hacks (and, by extension, Hannah Einbinder). Coming hot off the heels of a blisteringly hot 3rd season, Hacks, has been renewed for a fourth season (Zaslav allowed a good creative decision to happen?). On top of that, Hannah Einbinder’s very first comedy special, Everything Must Go, just released its first special and set the premiere date of Jun. 13th on Max. Taped live at LA’s El Rey Theatre, it truly was something marvelous, especially as a goddamn debut special (the ingenuity, poise, and sharpness would make one believe this is far past her first hour special). Take a gander with the trailer for Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go here.

2. Just For Laughs indeed has filed for bankruptcy protections in Canada as they were operating with millions of dollar of debt to their name. They have begun the sale of select assets to ensure they stay afloat, which still sounds uncertain (THR).

3. Maybe you didn’t get to see Everything Everywhere All at Once in theaters (or at all for some ungodly reason), but thankfully, you’ll have a chance to see the Oscar Best Picture Winner in IMAX come August (Indiewire).

4. While Los Espookys is long gone, Julio Torres is finally on the track he should be on with nothing but accolades for Problemista and more magically real, beautifully funny absurdity with his HBO series, Fantasmas. Take a gander at what he has up his ethereal sleeves with the trailer here, then look out for it’s premiere on HBO/Max come next week on Jun. 7th.

5. Ali Clayton has arrived. She has done so in quite the fashion too with her debut album, Country Queer, that dives deep into discovering herself and her queer identity being from the South. Clayton’s drawl, warmth contrasted with her candor and vividly colorful writing is one of the best ways to kick off Pride this June. Please enjoy and listen to Country Queer now, fresh off the presses from Blonde Medicine here.

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6. It’s a rare feat to tell a story over the course of an hour and it be so thoroughly engaging that it makes for a captivating special, especially when it’s a hilarious take on your journey through the criminal justice system here in the U.S. of A. Ali Siddiq has not only achieved said feat, but done a hat trick with part 3 of Domino Effect, which might be the first legit comedy special trilogy that is narratively tied altogether. Siddiq’s poise and uncanny ability to find the comedy gold in his time going to prison are so solid that you kind of don’t notice the special is almost 90 minutes long. Please enjoy Domino Effect Part 3: First Day of School, now on YouTube, here.

7. Clare O’Kane is yet another shining example of someone who did write at SNL and has yet to show off their true potential in comedy (Tim Robinson anyone?). Fresh off Eugene Mirman‘s Pretty Good Friends Records, Clare’s sophomore album, Everything I know how to do, maintains a delightfully bubbly spirit while wading into the deep end of many personal anecdotes about polyamory, pansexuality, rejected SNL sketch pitches, sharp feet, and more often with Clare’s ironically silly flourishes. You can and should listen to Everything I know how to do here.

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8. Paul Scheer and June Diane Raphael are taking the next step in their ascent as a comedy power couple by co-hosting an awards show, The Humanitas Prizes, this year in September (Variety).

9. Speaking of comedy power couples, Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne are co-directing their first feature together, Am I OK?, that seems like it’s probably taking a lot of cues from early on in their relationship with a sort of lost Dakota Johnson finding that she might be into women after having nothing but misfires in dating men. See how close they come to real life with the trailer here, then look for it on Max come Jun. 6th.

10. Dropout might have gameshows better figured out than GSN as you can see with the season 3 trailer of Make Some Noise. This game show in particular has such a beautifully simple game, but gets many of the world’s very best improvisers to twist and contort the show into some Dropout magic.

11. Ren Faire, a doc coming to HBO seems like King of Kong, but for one particular Ren Faire in Texas. See for yourself in the trailer here, then look for it on HBO/Max come this Sunday, June 2nd.

12. A good amount of the country will have a chance to see the amazing Jenny Zigrino live coming up and a good amount of the country should not miss out.

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13. CBS’ Ghosts will have some competition at Netflix with The Undervale (not to mention that it will have the guiding hand of Dan Harmon as a producer) (Variety).

14. Let’s see if Steph Curry can best LeBron and Space Jam: A New Legacy with GOAT, Steph’s animated sports comedy feature (THR).

15. There’s more animated comedy worth keeping track with an animated series order for Joe Wengert and Aubrey Plaza‘s Kevin that follows a cat that wants to not live with humans anymore (THR). Not sure whether Joe or Aubrey (or someone else) would voice the cat, but either of them would be the perfect voice for an wonderfully anti-human cat.

16. The Stephanie Hsu comedy Laid that follows the mystery of formers lovers all strangely dying has gotten a stacked supporting cast now featuring John Early, Chloe Fineman, David Denman, and Andre Hyland (Deadline).

17.. Steve Carrell will be returning to a comedy series that ISN’T the revival of The Office, but, instead, takes him to a college campus with the producing hands of Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses (Deadline).

18. We’ll leave you with this: Sorry for taking so long. Turns out that running a theater while running a bureau is a lot of work.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 218: Noah Eberhart & How To Comedy Photography in 2024

May 29, 2024

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

comedy photography, nyc comedy

One of the best working comedy photographers out there, Noah Eberhart, returns to the The Comedy Bureau Field Report to not only update us on the NYC comedy scene, which he’s firmly rooted in these days, but have an in-depth discussion on the ins-and-outs of comedy photography and working with shows/venues and building your notoriety (as well as taking care of yourself both financially and mentally).

Follow Noah @enemypixels

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Self-Portrait by Noah Eberhart

Pick of the Day: Tomorrow Show 19 Yr Anniversary Spectacular 6/1

May 23, 2024

News

19th anniversary, los angeles comedy, ron lynch, the elysian, tomorrow show

Tomorrow! with Ron Lynch is going to mark its 19th year on Jun. 1st at The Elysian as one of the LA comedy’s bastions for the wonderfully weird, hysterically strange, and torchbearers for fun at the midnight hour.

Pretty much every Saturday at midnight, somewhere, somehow, Ron and company (mostly Davey Johnson) have shepherded some of the best, most original acts in and adjacent to comedy and, as far as we’re concerned, a legend in our books.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that, for their 19th, Ron will have:

JACK BLACK

DANA GOULD

KATE MICUCCI

LAURA KIGHTLINGER

JACK DAGGER

JAMES ADOMIAN

JAY LONDON

and CHRISTINA CATHERINE MARTINEZ • CHAD DAMIANI • CAROLINE CUMMINGS • BRIANNA AHLMARK • BILL O’NEILL • ANTHONY DEVRIES • MAX BAUMGARTEN • BRIAN BARLOW • KIKI MAROON • NICK STARGU • TORI NOQUEZ • ITHAMAR ENRIQUEZ • KARL HERLINGER • DRENNON DAVIS • KRISTEN LUNDBERG • JEN LIV

It’s going to be one damn good celebration that will actually start at 9:30PM (then likely go into tomorrow). Tickets are currently sold out, but they are doing stand by for the show and you should make plans to try to squeeze yourself in.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 217: Jake Kroeger & Running a Bureau and a Theater (and a Million Other Things)

May 22, 2024

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

jake kroeger

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to run a theater and a bureau at the same time (alongside running this very podcast), you’re in luck as this week’s episode is TCB’s very own Jake Kroeger interviewing none other than himself with his involvement as the Artistic Director of the Lyric Hyperion Theater on top of running TCB for almost 14 years. (and being on the ball to a degree where he can just talk extemporaneously for 40 minutes about curating, writing about, and doing comedy).

Follow Jake @notthesupermaket and thecomedybureau.com

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

TCB Debriefing 5/11-5/18: Spaghetti Fest, Nikki Glaser, Conan O’Brien Must Go, Hulu, Ramy Youssef/Will Ferrell, Only Murders in the Building, Blair Socci, Seth Meyers, Happy Gilmore, Entertainment System Is Down, Rick & Morty: The Anime

May 18, 2024

News

blair socci, conan o'brien must go, happy gilmore, hulu, molly gordon, nikki glaser, only murders in the building, ramy youssef, rick and morty, ruben ostlund, seth meyers, spaghetti fest, will ferrell

1. The Elysian is getting ready for the 3rd edition of its never-before-seen-genre/definition-defying comedy festival, Spaghetti Fest, where they look to present completely original, brand new productions that pretty much swing for the fences with whatever their intended goal is. Submissions are open, but are due Jun. 15th for the fest set for this November. Get more details/submit here.

2. Nikki Glaser dazzled the world of Netflix with her set on The Roast of Tom Brady (and blew everyone out of the water; no one even came close to her set). Her brand spankin’ new hour special, Someday You’ll Die is a further display of Nikki still ascending in her comedy powers. She never fails to put on a clinic with stand-up in regards to word economy, diction, delivery, stage presence, and the always tricky part of verisimilitude in one’s performance, but also, sneakily, goes on a journey of comedically exploring the inevitability of death from her vantage point. It’s material that should come off darker, but Glaser’s joke writing and telling are simply that death comes off a much more light topic. Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die is now streaming on Max.

3. Max finally made a smart decision regarding a TV show and renewed Conan O’Brien Must Go for a second season. Fingers crossed that O’Brien can not only travel to way more places for this second season, but will also get Werner Herzog for another brilliant, scorching intro.

4. We were wondering when Hulu was going to get into the comedy specials game with Netflix, Max, and Amazon already firmly planted in it. Looks like that time is now and they’re leading off with a sure bet in Jim Gaffigan (Variety).

5. Coming off the heat from Ramy Youssef in Poor Things, Josh Rabinowitz co-writing Babes, and Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell, the idea of a golf comedy with all these folks is pretty enticing (Variety).

6. Thank goodness that Only Murders in the Building is back for a fourth season and keeping Steve Martin in comedy and Martin Short on screen regularly as it should be. Take a gander at season 4, due out on Aug. 27th on Hulu, with the teaser here.

7. Both figuratively and literally, Blair Socci is one of the most unique and entertaining voices in stand-up comedy right now. See this notion in action with her Don’t Tell Comedy set here.

8. Seth Meyers and his revolutionary casual look as host of Late Night will keep on keepin’ on through 2028 as Meyers just renewed his NBCU deal this past week (Variety).

9. Many millennials are probably getting a sequel that they’ve wanted for a long, long time with Netflix greenlighting a sequel to one of Adam Sandler’s classics, Happy Gilmore (Deadline).

10. Molly Gordon is sitting back at the director’s chair for a new project, Small Parts, after pretty much nothing but love (and well deserved) for Theater Camp last year. Carmy really f’d up, didn’t he? (Deadline).

11. Ruben Östlund, the amazing comedy auteur behind Force Majeure and The Square and Triangle of Sadness, will have Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, and Daniel Brühl for his latest pic, the wonderfully titled, The Entertainment System of Down. That will have made Östlund taken down masculinity, the art world, rich/beautiful people, and, thankfully, “the biz”.

12. Rick and Morty is officially a cinematic universe unto itself with this first look at Rick and Morty: The Anime, due out to Adult Swim and Max later this year.

13. We’ll leave you with this: Timing standing ovations should be outlawed.

Pick of the Day: Pre-Pride Proud to Feed LA (in LA) 5/28

May 16, 2024

News

ashley ray, Dylan Adler, escape artist lovers, hollywood food coalition, little secret, luke rathborne, margaret cho, nick thune, pride

The weather in LA’s a lot more reliable (fingers crossed) these days and, as such, one of LA’s coolest hidden gems, Little Secret, is getting things going again. Always seamlessly blending comedy, music, and social justice, Little Secret will be hosting a special benefit for Hollywood Food Coalition with Gift Horse Project called Pre-Pride Proud to Feed LA.

On the bill is astounding line-up of Margaret Cho, Nick Thune, Ashley Ray, Dylan Adler, Luke Rathborne, & Escape Artist Lovers along with Michael Imperioli, Rain Phoenix, Jena Malone, and Rooney Mara (and tunes from DJ Allie Teilz).

All that show can be enjoyed for only $16 right now and all proceeds go to Hollywood Food Coalition. Go get them here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 216: Mike Bridenstine & Comedy Bar Show 101

May 15, 2024

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

comedy shows, los angeles comedy, microdose, mike bridenstine

Over two years, Mike Bridenstine has transformed a very atypical space for comedy, the lovely neighborhood bar that is The Fable in Eagle Rock, CA, into one hell of a destination for a weeknight stand-up show, Microdose, at a bar in Northeast LA. We have Mike return to the TCB Field Report to break down the basics of what it takes to make a field-of-dreams-comedy-show out of a locals’ favorite tavern.

Follow Mike @mikebridenstine and microdose @microdosecomedy on IG. Microdose is every Wednesday at The Fable at 8PM, free admission.

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

Pick of the Day: The Stepfathers 4 Years Later (in NYC) 5/27

May 13, 2024

News

alex dickson, connor ratliff, improv, nyc comedy, sebastian conelli, shannon o'neill, the stepfathers

One of NYC’s most revered and celebrated improv groups, The Stepfathers, is finally returning to the stage after a long slumber because, well, something happened in 2020. Honestly, NYC improv hasn’t really been the same without them, so let’s hope this is the improv version of Punxsutawney Phil signaling the end of winter coming.

The comedy brilliance of Shannon O’Neill, Connor Ratliff, Alex Dickson & Sebastian Conelli will be assembling at Caveat on Monday, May 27th at 7PM and go above and beyond with “making sad things funny”. Tickets are only $24.41 and, somehow, there are still a few left for you to snag. Better go get them here while you can.

TCB Debriefing 5/4-5/9/24: The Office, Jon Stewart, Dropout Presents, David Cross, Sam Morrison, Cole Escola, Isabella Rossellini, Cate Blanchett, Alec Berg, SXSW, SNL

May 10, 2024

News

alec berg, cate blanchett, cole escola, daily show, david cross, dropout, greg daniels, isabella rossellini, jon stewart, sam morrison, sxsw, the office

1. As the annals of television and entertainment history will remember The Office as a cultural institution that spanned several generations of fans where many a sitcom has not, it shouldn’t come as an entire surprise that The Office, the U.S. version, is going to be revisited with a new paper based business and different cast (not to dissimilar to the dynamic that What We Do in the Shadows the series has to the original movie of the same name) (Variety). Greg Daniels will be back at the helm, but Domnhall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore are the only two cast members announced thus far. We’re going to take a wild guess and say they won’t be the Jim and Pam of this spinoff of the show.

2. If you’re a little distraught by Jon Stewart only hosting Mondays on The Daily Show, fret not. He’s going to also do a podcast called The Weekly Show (AP)

3. Dropout has been busy working in semi-secret with recording not one, not two, but several specials between Brennan & Izzy, Courtney Pauroso, The Big Team, Hank Green, and more. Take a gander at Dropout’s foray into the comedy specials game (following their massive success with absurdist improv game shows) here.

4. The one and only David Cross is starting his 40 plus city stand-up tour later this year, called The End of the Beginning of The End, on 9/11, which, arguably, is kind of too perfect. Best go get tickets here while you still can.

5. Sam Morrison is upping the ante with his solo show that’s currently destined for Broadway by essentially by Beverly Hills’ exclusive playhouse, the Wallis Annenberg Center from 9/20-10/13 (Deadline). Sam is so damn funny that it’s worth putting up with going to Beverly Hills.

6. History will likely remember Cole Escola‘s version of Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!, despite them not “doing” any “research”. Please enjoy Cole admitting that fact and more on Seth Meyers this week here.

7. It’s somewhat cryptic and yet, very much straightforward as to what cinema legend Isabella Rossellini has gotten herself into this time with Green Porno and Other Shorts. In any case, the contrast of her ever-calming voice and animals copulating is pretty damn funny. Take a gander at the trailer for her Green Porno and Others Shorts here, then go watch it now on Mubi.

8. Is Cate Blanchett in a comedy/sci-fi era? She has Borderlands coming up after portraying the Nordic mythological figure Hela in the MCU and now, a sci-fi comedy Alpha Gang where she plays an alien invader from the folks that brought one of the strangest releases in awhile (well, since Everything Everywhere All At Once), Sasquatch Sunset (THR). If this is the case, we are more than ready for Blanchett to do more rounds of Hot Ones to promote it.

9. Lovers of Barry and Silicon Valley, rejoice in the coming of another Alec Berg co-created series (this one will be with Adam Countee). Coming to Hulu, will be Berg and Countee’s take on the world of Formula 1 racing, which ought to be refreshing, unflinchingly satirical take that seems to have a bit of a Succession streak to it (it follows a racing family dynasty). (Deadline).

10. SXSW is branching out to London next year (The Guardian) (i.e. they’re have a non BBQ edition of SXSW).

11. SNL is on the verge of its 50th anniversary, which will lead to a gigantic retrospective of the comedy monolith (and maybe a possibility of Lorne finally handing to the keys to, ummm, a Tim Robinson type)

12. We’ll leave you with this: Free Ben Schwartz tix on 10/5 anyone? E-mail us at thecomedybureau@gmail.com and we’ll see if we know some guys (it’s just one guy).

Pick of the Day: Abolish Everything: Tournament of Champions (in NYC) 6/1

May 8, 2024

News

abolish everything, annie rauwerda, chandler dean, debate, game show, nyc comedy

In such divisive times, some great comedy gold can be mined from leaning in even further to those divisions (well, when they’re kind of pretty absurd). Hence, Chandler Dean’s Abolish Everything is a rollicking ride of passionately pleaded cases to abolish, as the title suggests, anything and everything as decided by the finely curated line-up of comics on the bill.

It’s been such a hoot, that Dean is going to have an Abolish Everything Tournament of Champions featuring the comics that are the very best at talking up the ridiculous things that should be scorched from this world. On June 1st, at Caveat in LES, the following Abolish Everything heavy hitters will go toe-to-toe:

Henry Block
Augusta Chapman
Sarah Gruen
Amy Muller
Annie Rauwerda
Kathryn Margaret Rose
Cara Michelle Smith
Marielle Sarmiento
Jason Siegel
Felipe Torres Medina

Tickets are $20 right now, but $25 day of. You can also access a livestream for $10. Get more info and tix right here right now.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 215: Kel Cripe & Being Handpicked by Netflix

May 8, 2024

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

babe motel, kel cripe, netflix is a joke

Kel Cripe is one of the very lucky few (along with their bright and shining talent/sweet demeanor that’s deserving of the spotlight) to have been highlighted by the massive Netflix Is a Joke Festival that’s currently underway. Cripe got picked as one of their “Introducing” comedians (essentially Netflix’s answer to JFL New Faces) and we talk all about their journey to that very stage (both literally and figuratively) and what it’s like. Also, Kel is part of one of LA’s currently cherished sketch groups, Babe Motel, and they fill us in on how to balance all of this while ascending into the comedy spotlight.

Follow Kel @kelcripe_ and @thebabemotel on IG

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

Pick of the Day: No More Mr. Mean Guy (in LA) 5/16

May 6, 2024

News

experimental comedy, los angeles comedy, lyric hyperion, nick vatterott, stand up comedy

Nick Vatterott is hands down one of the most innovative comedians around (just watch any of his late night sets or his special Disingenuous) who constantly bends rules/reality/joke structure into some of the most hysterical things we’ve ever seen.

Vatterott will be taking on a new challenge coming up by attempting to take a different approach than what seems to be the tenor of the times (Netflix did just put on a 3 hour roast of Tom Brady that’s a far cry from what roasts were in Dean Martin/Don Rickles’ day) with stand-up comedy: being nice.

Next Thursday, May 16th at 9:30PM at Lyric Hyperion, Nick will attempt what seems impossible these days by not being “Mr. Mean Guy” and being hysterical. If there’s someone to pull it off with his clever revelry in absurdity, it would be Nick and whoever else he has up his sleeve.

Tickets are only $10 for this experiment of Nick’s and you can (and very much should) go get them here.

TCB Debriefing 4/26-5/3: SF Sketchfest, Ian Abramson, Dave Merheje, Peabody Awards, Alex Edelman/Tonys, Keke Palmer/SZA, Scooby Doo, Chonga Girls, The Ugly Stepsister, Netflix, Jerry Seinfeld

May 3, 2024

News

alex edelman, chonga girls, dave merheje, ian abramson, jerry seinfeld, keke palmer, netflix, peabody awards, scooby doo, sf sketchfest, sza, ugly stepsister

1. SF Sketchfest, one of the biggest comedy festivals in the entire world, is now taking submissions for (pretty much) anything and everything for next year’s festival (Jan. 16th-Feb. 2nd). Find out more details, deadlines, submission fees, and more at sfsketchfest.com/get-involved.

2. Ian Abramson has told jokes in a shock collars controlled by the audience, challenged comedians to perform in an empty space while an audience watch a live feed from a remote location (and this was well before the pandemic), and even created his own DIY version of SNL when COVID-19 indefinitely postponed Saturday Night Live in 2020. With such daring feats, it’s almost unbelievable that Ian hasn’t done the simple, tried and true format of a comedy special (especially since Ian is one of the most original and purely silly comedians working today). Thank goodness for Heist, Ian’s first hour special that was just released by Comedy Dynamics, which, effectively is a greatest hits of the beautifully intricate absurdist comedy that Ian has perfected. Many a time there is a dual joy to be had from an Abramson bit in the mere spectacle of him being able to do it (or survive it in the case of the shock collar) and how surreally and deeply funny it really is. Suffice it to say that if you’re pining for the stand-up of 70s Steve Martin, get into everything Ian Abramson right now.

3. Dave Merheje continues his well deserved ascent in comedy with a killer Don’t Tell set. Per usual, Dave blurs the line between being off-the-cuff and doing material better than almost anyone since he’s so extremely present on stage. Please enjoy his set here.

4. The Career Achievement and Trailblazer Award for this year’s Peabody Awards are going to comedy with the honors going to the comedy legend Mel Brooks and potential comedy legend in the making Quinta Brunson (Variety).

5. Alex Edelman will be getting the T of EGOT covered very soon because of the brilliance of Just For Us.

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6. Don’t be surprised if the upcoming Keke Palmer and SZA buddy comedy from Issa Rae is the buddy comedy you didn’t know you were waiting several years for (Deadline).

7. Though it’s far from a sure thing, Tinseltown is dead set on cashing in on live action versions of animated IP, hence another go at a live action Scooby Doo (Deadline).

8. Fingers crossed that The Chonga Girls will have the magical ingredient to make multicam work (it’s a long way to fall from Seinfeld to Big Bang Theory, FYI) as a concept again with their CBS project in development (Deadline)

9. If you were wondering if there was going to be some sort of gritty reboot of all the Disney canon following Winnie the Poo: Blood and Honey, indeed that is a thing. Just check the villain origin story vehicle that is The Ugly Stepsister coming as the first feature from Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt (Variety).

10. Netflix is sticking with their stars by giving specials to pretty their biggest stars (that don’t keep tripling down on problematic trans jokes) Ali Wong, Bert Kreischer, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy and Michelle Buteau. Wonder if they’ll ever get back to their roots when started off with a not-yet-famous Ali Wong, Tom Segura, and Jen Kirkman.

11. We’ll leave you with this: Jerry Seinfeld is still not over not being able to do his iPhone bit at colleges?

Pick of the Day: OK Stupid (in NYC) 5/3

May 1, 2024

News

brooklyn, caroline doyle, dating game, dating show, emily kob, nyc comedy, ok stupid, union hall

Reality TV purports to show strangers finding true love, but there is so much that goes into casting and producing such a thing that it’s hard to imagine it being truly genuine.

Thankfully, Caroline Doyle and Emily Kob are bringing you unfiltered truth when it comes to a comedy dating game show with their show, OK Stupid, by having actual blind date on stage with a beloved local comedian.

For this edition, fast rising NYC comedy up and comers Marley Gotterer, Julia Desmond, and Evan Lazarus will be joining Doyle and Kob through all the delightful blind date comedy chaos. This next edition of OK Stupid is set for this Friday, May 3rd at 10PM at Union Hall. Tickets are only $15.64 and we highly suggest getting them here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 214: Caitlin Linden & Sketch Comedy Outside of SNL

May 1, 2024

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

Believe it or not, there is a world of sketch comedy outside of Saturday Night Live (and a thriving one at that). Hot LA sketch group Rabble Rabble and the group’s marvelous writer/performer Caitlin Linden are a splendid example of that, taking far more than a week (and rightfully so) to put together an hour-ish show of sketches that are narratively tied together and abjectly absurd in such a beautiful way, unique to Rabble Rabble. Caitlin talks to us about the whole of what goes into being part of comedy sketch team that sells out regularly as well as what she wants to do on her own.

Follow Caitlin @caitmonstar and Rabble Rabble @gorabblerabble on IG and get tix for their 5/25 show @ The Elysian here.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Jasper Lewis

Pick of the Day: A Tale of Two Titties: Stupid Cancer Fundraiser (in NYC) 5/7

April 29, 2024

News

cancer, julia johns, nyc comedy, solo show, storytelling

While there is a wave of solo shows that are coming around right now as Edinburgh Fringe and various other Fringe festivals are on the horizon, you might wonder which ones to put your money and time into and which one’s to, perhaps, skip.

Well, Julia Johns’ A Tale of Two Titties is certainly in the category of solo shows you’ve got to watch. Over the last few years, Johns, a cancer survivor, has made, possibly, the most delightful show that you could make about going through such an awful experience and a unique one at that since it’s illustrated personally by her. It’s ultimately a joyful, hopeful show that’s bristling with several refreshing brushes of silliness that might be the perfect blend of what one might need to see on stage right now.

For New Yorkers, the amazingly titled A Tale of Two Titties will be playing at Littlefield come Tues. May 7th at 8PM. Tickets are $15.08 and will be raising funds for Stupid Cancer, an org dedicated to “empowering adolescents and young adult cancer patients”.

Get get tix right here right now.

TCB Debriefing 4/20-4/25/24: Kate Willett, Cole Escola, Chris Gethard/Eddie Pepitone, Cora Bora, Roots of Comedy, DINKS, Robot Dreams, Clue, Hyperobject, Flipside, 9 to 5, Free Ben Schwartz Tix

April 25, 2024

News

9 to 5, ben schwartz, chris gethard, cole escola, cora bora, dinks, eddie pepitone, jennifer aniston, kate willett, Meg Stalter, pbs, roots of comedy

1. Many a comedian has excavated their sexual history and proclivities for comedic material, but more often than not just for the spectacle of it and nothing else. There is nuance and finesse to being frank and completely and unforgivingly honest on a comedy stage, especially when it comes to about sex and relationships and one Kate Willett puts on one hell of a show doing just that. Her new hour special, Loopholes, is stellar display of dissecting what might be one of the most trodden upon topics in stand-up comedy, but, of course, done by a very thoughtful, crafty, and forward thinking Willett. Credit to her for infusing plenty of socialist, leftist twists throughout the hour as well. The phrase the “glass gutter” is still, in our minds, a sort of trailblazing sentiment put forth by Willett in a previous album and Loopholes offers a very enjoyable, very accessible look into vast swaths of spectrums that exists between dating and politics, even just on the left side of things.

Please enjoy Loopholes, now streaming on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime.

2. Exquisite alt/indie/queer comedy is going Broadway, everyone. Cole Escola‘s play centered on Mary Todd Lincoln, “Oh, Mary!” is going to play at the Lyceum Theater this Summer and hopefully this will shake up Broadway forever (Variety).

3. Chris Gethard and Eddie Pepitone are going on tour. That’s pretty much all that needs to be said. Oh yeah, go get tix at chrisgeth.com.

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4. After years and years AND YEARS of scene stealing in pretty much everything she’s in, Meg Stalter (finally) is getting top billing with the indie comedy, Cora Bora, where Meg pretty much plays herself (a blessing for us all). Get your first look at Cora Bora with the official trailer here, then look for it in theaters on Jun. 14th.

5. PBS SoCal has tapped Jesus Trejo and a wondrous, diverse collection of stand-up comedians from around the country to explore the actual stories, “roots” if you will, behind the actual jokes that they tell on stage. Take a gander at the trailer for Roots of Comedy here

6. Paul Scheer and June Diane Raphael are finally getting back to some of their improv roots with the new Marta Kauffman series DINKS (short for Dual Income No Kids) as it will be an improvisational multi-cam (Deadline). Perhaps, Scheer and Raphael getting to be a little Curb-esque might be the key to doing multi-cam in 2024?

7. The Creator and the upcoming J. Lo vehicle, Atlas, seemingly take an apologist view on A.I., but in the most maudlin way possible. Robot Dreams from Pablo Berger takes a much more whimsical route with a dog and robot becoming his new best friend (and got an Oscar nod to boot) that seems much more akin to Brian and Charles. Take a gander with the official trailer for Robot Dreams here, then look for it in theaters on May 31st.

8. A reimagining of Clue might be coming to a screen near you (yet again) as Sony and Hasbro have shaken hands to develop a project around the storied board game (Variety). The arms race between studios for toy based IP is well under way, in case you didn’t know, thanks to LEGO Movie and Barbie.

9. Adam McKay is getting into the podcast game with the likes of Connor Ratliff, James III, and Allan McLeod (Deadline). While less caustic and biting than Don’t Look Up, these Hyperobject Industries podcasts have an underlying missive about shaping cities and challenging corporate structures on top of talking about “Tiny Dinos”. Perhaps, it’s the next wave of edutainment.

10. Documentaries are getting meta/comedically self-reflexive and we’re into it. Check the trailer for Chris Wilcha’s Flipside coming soon from Oscilloscope Laboratories.

11. The seminal 80s comedy 9 to 5 is getting a reboot courtesy of Jennifer Aniston and Diablo Cody (Deadline). Since Cowboy Carter has a Dolly Parton cover on it, will Beyonce do a cover of the iconic theme? Kind of just makes sense.

12.We’ll leave you with this: Ben Schwartz is returning to The Orpheum Theater in LA on Sat. Oct. 5th (tix avail now) and your favorite Bureau might have some tickets if you want them. E-mail us at thecomedybureau@gmail.com to find out.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 213: Shane Mauss & Comedy a la Science (or Science a la Comedy)

April 24, 2024

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

shane mauss

As a comedian who was a science communicator who was a comedian, Shane Mauss has had a long circuitous road towards living kind of an idyllic comedy life by playing the venues he wants with crowds made up of his own fanbase (not to mention wheeling and dealing with his other passions by starting a legal drug company). Catching up with him on this episode of TCB Field Report was astounding as to see how much he has carved his very own niche and living the life he wants to live as a comedian on the road (in case you thought that was entirely extinct path in comedy).

Follow Shane @shane_mauss

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by Jon Ohia

Natasha Vaynblat: Childless Freak (in LA) 5/21

April 22, 2024

News

los angeles comedy, natasha vaynblat, solo show, stand up comedy, ucb

Following a humdinger of a debut stand-up album, We’re All Dads Here, NYC’s Natasha Vaynblat is onwards to a brand new hour, this time focused on the beautiful idea of not having kids (should be such a more popular notion these days, to be honest).

And, as a bonus, Vaynblat will be in LA to work on this hour as a treat for Angelenos that don’t have access to seeing her playful wit in action on a nightly basis. So, on Tues. May 21st at UCB Franklin, Natasha will be doing the gorgeously named Childless Freak with a trio of splendid openers, Sam Taggart, Alexa Loftus, and Ashley Brooke Roberts. Tickets are only $10 and you ought to get them here.

Pick of the Day: Uh Huh (in LA) 4/23

April 19, 2024

News

christina catherine martinez, experimental comedy, los angeles comedy, milan patel, paul danke, stand up comedy, todd glass, veronica osorio

What goes into the magic that makes the live experience of a Comedy Bang! Bang!, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen, The Meltdown with Jonah & Kumail that brought hundreds upon hundreds of comedy lovers together every week? Well, honestly, there isn’t enough time or inches in this post to get into the finer points of that, but rest assured that the magic sauce behind each sauce is different and is part and parcel of the times they happened in.

With that in mind, a trio of Paul Danke, Christina Catherine Martinez, and Jake Kroeger are looking to capture that verve with Uh Huh. A tight, but free in spirit (mostly) stand-up show that gives you the unequivocal best of the LA comedy scene (and TCB’s Jake Kroeger and the beloved Danke and Martinez are the three best folks to give it to you).

This very first Uh Huh (hopefully with more to come) is set for Tues. Apr. 23rd at 7:30PM with a grand line-up of Todd Glass, Curtis Cook, Milan Patel, and Veronica Osorio. Tickets are $15 right now if you want to get in on the ground floor of something special. Go get tix here.

TCB Debriefing 4/14-4/19/24: The Office, Nikki Glaser, WGA Awards, Hacks, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, The Chair Company, David Jonsson

April 19, 2024

News

chair company, david jonsson, hacks, netflix, nikki glaser, queer comedy, the office, wga awards

1. So, one, the possibility of a new version of The Office from Greg Daniels and Michael Koman is coming closer and closer to fruition and two, this possibly new Office, will star Domnhall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore (Deadline). The enduring popularity of the U.S. iteration of The Office across generations almost definitively makes it more popular than previous sitcom monoliths like Seinfeld and Friends, but one has to wonder if a new Office is going to be like What We Do in the Shadows brilliantly spinning off the movie or more like Joey. The casting of Gleeson and Impacciatore is curious as it feels as though Scranton, PA will not be where this new Office will be set. Are they going back to the UK? Will it be in the EU? Maybe it’ll be in somewhere even more removed (Topeka, KS?). We probably won’t have to wait too long as we’re guessing this will be fast tracked through development.

2. Thank goodness we’re getting a new hour special from Nikki Glaser, who, for our money, has one of the best joke deliveries in comedy today. Coming soon to HBO will be her lovingly titled new hour, Someday You’ll Die, and you can see what we’re saying just in this trailer here. Look for the hour to premiere on HBO on May 11th (and presumably be on Max at the same date).

3. Comedy dominated the WGA Awards (i.e. won outside of the comedy specific categories) this year. The comedy winners are as follows:

Comedy Series–The Bear

Original Screenplay-The Holdovers

Adapted Screenplay-American Fiction

Episodic Comedy–Poker Face

Comedy Variety/Talk Series–Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Comedy Variety/Sketch Series–I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson

Comedy/Variety Special–Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love

Animation-The Simpsons

TV & New Media Motion Pictures-Quiz Lady

Thank goodness I Think You Should Leave is finally getting its due. See the full list of winners here.

4. One of the best comedies about stand-up comedy in quite some time, Hacks, with award worthy turns from Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder is finally returning for its third season. Behold its first trailer here, then look for .

5. Netflix is starting the corporate push for Pride Month early with the trailer for their doc about queer comedy pioneers, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, due out Jun. 18th. Take a gander at what will be important stories/history lessons from Todd Glass, Margaret Cho, Guy Branum, Bob the Drag Queen, and so many more here.

6. We were already sold on Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin’s HBO project, The Chair Company, by virtue of the fact that Robinson and Kanin, but this pilot has gotten even more intriguing with the addition of frequent John Early/Kate Berlant collaborator Andrew DeYoung coming on to direct and EP (Deadline).

7. From the ultra charming Rye Lane to making his very own show, things are coming up David Jonsson (Deadline).

8. We’ll leave you with this: Maybe Rob Schneider isn’t for anyone?

Pick of the Day: Fern Brady: I Gave You Milk to Drink (in NYC) 5/23

April 18, 2024

News

bell house, brooklyn, fern brady, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

While a good lot of Yanks might know the name Daniel Sloss, there are definitely way more Scottish comedians that you ought to know and enjoy. Fern Brady is a name of another Scot that you should commit to memory for all her wit and frankness (see and please enjoy Power & Chaos).

Brady is in NYC next month and will be playing for one night in Brooklyn’s own Bell House for two shows. One of them is already sold, but you can still get tix for the 10PM show on Thurs. May 23rd, which you really ought to do sooner rather than later. They’re $40.60 a pop and you can (and should) go get ’em here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 212: Kate Willett & Comedy Making a Difference: Question Mark

April 17, 2024

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

activism, kate willett, nyc comedy

Kate Willett is not only coming out with a special that really stands out of the rest of the pack this year (and oh what a pack of dozens there is of YouTube specials uploaded every week), but is already working on her very next hour and a solo show as well as being as involved as possible in socialist communities and activism, which sometimes has its intersection in comedy. This week’s TCB Field Report talks to Kate about coming up with her keeping the tides of her comedy going as well as navigating her way between pursuits in comedy and trying to effect direct change.

Follow @kate.willett on IG and please watch and enjoy Loopholes on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime on 4/23.

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

Pick of the Day: UCB NY Previews Starting 4/23

April 17, 2024

News

improv, nyc comedy, sketch comedy, upright citizens bridage

It feels like so long ago that the Upright Citizens Brigade had a presence/space in NYC and, well, that’s because it has been. As the COVID-19 pandemic caused a wave of venues shuddering in 2020, UCB was certainly not immune and had to close up shop indefinitely both in LA and NYC.

Thankfully, here in 2024, UCB Franklin has been more than alive and kicking again and finally, at last, the very new UCB NY at 242 East 14th Street in Manhattan (right between Gramercy Park and Ukrainian Village) will open with previews of their staple shows (Harold, Maude, Spank, etc.) starting Tues. Apr. 23rd.

Tickets are all very much on sale right now and you best snatch them up quick before they very likely will sell out. Do so right now right here.

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Pick of the Day: Birds. Bees. Bits (in LA) 4/29

April 15, 2024

News

christene lozano, clubhouse, ify nwadiwe, Mae Martin, mano agapion, paul scheer, rebecca drysdale, sandra daugherty

A comedy show that has a line-up of Rebecca Drysdale, Paul Scheer, Rachel Bloom, Mano Agapion, and Ify Nwadiwe, no matter what the concept is, is very much worth your hard earned money to see.

Come Monday, April 29th @ 7:30PM at The Clubhouse, this beyond stellar cast is going to discuss the eternal topic of “the birds and the bees”. Thus far, there is no real further description by Clubhouse founder Rebecca Drysdale as to what this query might entail other than sex experts Dr. Sandra Daugherty and Dr. Christene Lozano will be on hand, ostensibly, to also explore this comedic quest with “87% gay writer Rebecca Drysdale”.

In any case, some brilliant improv and some sexual revelations will be had and that should very much make you want to RSVP for a seat at Clubhousebusinesscenter@gmail.com right now.

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