News – Page 45 – The Comedy Bureau

Pick of the Day: Boom Clap Let’s Ride (in NYC) 4/12

March 31, 2022

aaron jackson, charli xcx, jo firestone, josh sharp, musical comedy, nyc comedy

When it comes to (somewhat) controlled chaos, almost nothing comedically thrives as much as projects with Jo Firestone involved.

The concept of “hastily written jukebox musical for Charli XCX starring the audience” might be a little too daring for most to dream up, attempt, or pull off, but celebrated NYC comedy staples Jo Firestone, Aaron Jackson, and Josh Sharp will be doing exactly that sort of marvelous interactive pop-driven comedy mayhem next month at Littlefield. If this has any of the rambunctious joy of Jo’s Good Timing special, this will be more than worth your hard earned money and free time.

We don’t have much idea of what Boom Clap, Let’s Ride will entail, but that’s part of what should be the hysterical thrill of the whole experience and, if you’re in the NYC area, you should absolutely make this your evening for Tues. Apr. 12th at 8PM ET.

Tickets are $10 and you can and should go get ’em here.

It’s About Damn Time John Early and Kate Berlant Had an Hour Special

March 30, 2022

News

(via Variety)

John Early and Kate Berlant have long been one of the funniest duos in all of comedy, though they’ve gotten so busy with their own projects that TV has only gotten to see them here and there from doing bits on The Tonight Show to the brilliant web series 555 (which you can now watch for free on Vimeo).

Five years after that 555 put the world on notice for what John and Kate can do together when given free reign (and collaborating with their favorite director Andrew DeYoung), Peacock has ordered up an hour long special from Early and Berlant that will see them as version of themselves that have become estranged and are now, we suppose, having a reunion special. Of course, John and Kate will play a myriad of other ridiculous folks throughout this hour. Also, you should note the cool kids at A24 will be producing Would It Kill You to Laugh? and DeYoung will be returning to direct and co-write in case you were wondering if John and Kate’s comedic vision would be realized to its fullest potential.

As a cherry on top (and with the sort of access that Peacock has) Meredith Viera will be part of this sort of John and Kate coming back together.

Following suit with the atypical Jo Firestone special that had Jo teaching old folks how to do stand-up, you might want to get in on Peacock if this is the direction they’re headed.

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/peacock-sketch-comedy-special-kate-berlant-john-early-meredith-vieira-1235218966/

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 105: Gianmarco Soresi & Doing the Soderbergh

March 30, 2022

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

chris rock, gianmarco soresi, the slap, ucb, will smith

Love it or hate it (and so many people hate it while being obsessed with it), social media has become throughly woven into the fabric of comedy. Gianmarco Soresi has not only honed his skills as a stand-up and sketch comedian as well as storyteller and podcaster, but meticulously and tirelessly built up a very enviable social media following (across all the platforms to boot) on top of that. Gianmarco joins TCB’s Jake Kroeger to dissect how to balance purely doing the craft of stand-up versus feeding the beast of social media, somewhat like Steven Soderbergh’s noted strategy of doing one film for the studios and doing one for him.

Also, of course, we talk about Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock as well as the return of UCB (under new ownership)

Follow Gianmarco on all things @gianmarcosoresi

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

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

Pick of the Day: Tig Notaro: Hello Again (in LA) 5/14

March 30, 2022

News

hello again, los angeles comedy, record release party, stand up comedy, tig notaro

Simultaneously a calming, yet silly, yet also so cathartically honest voice in comedy, the one and only Tig Notaro is back out on the road for the very aptly named Hello Again tour. There is no one quite like Tig who now sports one of the most unique presences in comedy history with the frosting of having been a Chief Engineer on Star Trek: Discovery and a badass helicopter pilot in Army of the Dead. We have no doubt that the stories from either production, hopefully stories that she winds all of us through in this new hour, will be something that pretty much just Tig and Tig alone could come up with.

Tig’s return to LA on Hello Again will be a very special evening at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel in DTLA on Sat. May 14th at 7PM PT. This particular stop on the tour will double as a record release party and that is double the reason to go get tickets starting at $39.50 (plus fees) right here.

Pick of the Day: Puddles Pity Party w/Dave Hill (in LA) 4/7

March 29, 2022

News

dave hill, el rey, los angeles comedy, puddles pity party, sad clown

When encountering Puddles Pity Party for the first time, the roller coaster of emotions that ensues is probably unlike anything you’ve seen or felt before. There is a 7 foot tall, forlorn clown that emerges from somewhere in a way that is charmingly self-deprecating and does nothing whatsoever to tip what’s going to happen with Puddles Pity Party and his amazing voice.

Also, that’s still just part of the ride, no matter what you’ve seen on America’s Got Talent or otherwise. You have to see it for yourself and get brought into the truly otherworldly delights of Puddles and LA folks will get that chance come next week on Thurs. Apr. 7th at 9PM PT at the El Rey. Also, musical comedy dynamo and raconteur Dave Hill will be joining in with Puddles Pity Party giving you even less of the non-existent excuse to go get tickets right now.

Apple TV+ Might Have the Next Must See Anthology Series with Roar

March 28, 2022

News

alison brie, apple tv plus, Betty Gilpin, cecelia ahern, Cynthia Erivo, Fivel Stewart, issa rae, kara hayward, Meera Syal, merritt wever, nicole kidman, roar

It wasn’t too long ago where anthology series where such a rare occurrence that one might have to take a moment to even think of what the hell an anthology series would entail. So much of Ryan Murphy’s ouevre, Room 104, Cake, and much, much more have made anthologies a new avenue for TV that isn’t bound by the traditional narrative structure and expectations of your average TV show. Also, it was pretty convenient to make an anthology show during the height of the pandemic when you couldn’t really even get an entire cast together.

Riding high off their Best Picture Oscar win (also, Calls on Apple TV+ is satisfyingly dark and trippy), you can look to Apple TV+ and Cecelia Ahern’s book Roar for what might be a promising entry into the dramedy anthology category with Roar. A mysterious collection of 8 stories of women are driven by a seemingly magical-realism-forward dive into female identity with a pretty damn great cast of Nicole Kidman (also the EP) , Cynthia Erivo, Issa Rae, Merritt Wever, Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Meera Syal, Fivel Stewart, and Kara Hayward.

Like Atlanta was a sort of David Lynch-ian journey through the world of hip-hop and being black in America, Roar seems to be an Atlanta-esque tour along the wide and winding road of being a woman.

Take a gander at Roar‘s first trailer here, then look for it on Apple TV+ on Apr. 15th.

Pick of the Day: Chris Gethard: America’s Loosest Cannon (in LA) 6/25

March 28, 2022

News

chris gethard, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy, zebulon

While the Internet is fixated with Chris Rock getting slapped by Will Smith at last night’s Oscars and subsequently giving a surge to Rock’s ticket sales for his upcoming tour dates, Chris Rock is not the only renowned Chris in comedy that you should shell out for tickets to go see.

Chris Gethard, comedian, podcaster, TV host, actor, raconteur, pride of NJ, alt comedy elder statesmen, is back out on tour in person. He’ll be doing various stops that may be either a live episode of Gethard’s podcast Beautiful Anonymous or a special, intimate evening of stand-up comedy.

For his LA stop, Gethard will be bringing his wonderfully hilarious vulnerability and unflappable genuineness to Zebulon on Jun. 25th at 7PM PT. Tickets for what will be called Chris Gethard: America’s Loosest Cannon are on sale now for $24.60 and you ought to go snag them right now.

Oh yeah, for NYC folks, we should mention that Gethard will be opening for Jawbreaker 4/27-4/30.

Jen Kirkman Says Goodbye to Comedy with What Will Be One of the Best Comedy Albums of 2022 “OK, Gen-X”

March 25, 2022

News

comedy album, jen kirkman, stand up comedy

One of our least favorite beginnings to a comedic premise is “Back in my day…” An overwhelming majority of the time, the sentiment is followed by older generations reminiscing in the glory of their hardships or the simplicity of their younger years. Jeff Foxworthy’s latest special The Good Old Days functions almost entirely on that singular well-worn, dull theme to the point where “…in the good ol’ days…” becomes the latest crutch of a catchphrase, a follow-up to “You might be a redneck if…”

Jen Kirkman embarks down a somewhat parallel path in her latest and last(?) album OK, Gen-X, but then veers off to explore the transition between generations with less focus on value judgments and more on how there are always people trying their very best no matter what time they’re born into. There is so much truly beautiful vulnerability on this album, which may be in part as it’s supposed to be Jen’s valediction from comedy. Examining the finer points of how different of a world she lives in now than when she grew up and, often times, being pro-millennial or Gen-Z is refreshing take, both for its affirmation and how rare it is in comedy.

If we’re to go by generational stereotypes, Gen-X often gets pegged for being endless cynical and sarcastic and this hour is almost a love letter from Gen-X to young people all while weaving a charmingly loose Jen still at the height of her comedy powers. It’s only March and this is undeniably one of the best hours of comedy that’ll come out this year.

Also, Jen sticks it so well to Louis CK by telling her story in full as an amazing parting salvo and gives a stiff reminder (full of great punchlines) how far we still have to go for parity between women and men in comedy (and the world in general). We can only hope that Jen is pulling a Hannah Gadsby and just saying that’s she quitting only to change her mind in a few months or a year or two.

In the meantime, have a really swell time listening to one of the best of our time, Jen Kirkman, and what will be her final comedy record for now, OK, Gen-X, available now wherever you get your comedy albums.

The Upright Citizens Brigade Finally Set to Reopen in Both LA & NYC Under New Ownership This Year (and Will Pay Performers)

March 25, 2022

News

(via Deadline)

On this day, Fri. Mar. 25th, 2022, most comedy venues that had survived to this side of the pandemic or brand new stages for comedy had already re-opened or announced their intentions to do so. That said, the question mark behind the once might trio of letters UCB remained as the neon sign on UCB Sunset would keep turning on (even though the building had been sold off several months ago) and that UCB Franklin supposedly would reopen when it could.

That question mark has been resting unanswered for the better part of two years with no indication as to what was going to happen. Many former Upright Citizens Brigade house sketch and improv teams to perform at other venues whether it be Asylum NYC or The Yard Theater in LA or even long time watering hole Silverlake Lounge.

Well, as of today, Upright Citizens Brigade will rejoin the world, but do so not under the guidance of the UCB 4, but its new owners Jimmy Miller, founder of the respected talent management firm Mosaic, Mike McAvoy, former co-owner of the Union, and the Elysian Park Ventures segment of the LA Dodgers franchise. All things considered, this acquisition is less strange than ZMC’s takeover of Second City, after having only previously wheeled and dealt in blockbuster video game titles like Grand Theft Auto.

Together this new head of UCB will seek to further the initiatives of inclusion that UCB was criticized for leading up to and during the pandemic, reopen UCB Franklin in LA and reestablish UCB operations in NYC, pay performers (probably one of the biggest changes for the theater and possibly a new changing of the tide for working and getting paid for doing comedy), and opt for a three person committee regarding programming decisions (somewhat similar to Groundlings) as opposed to a singular Artistic Director.

The details of what this will be and UCB’s re-entry into the world and LA and NYC and the art form of comedy and the hearts and minds of all the performers, employees, creatives, students, and fans offer up more question marks even still. At the very least, UCB won’t become a deep cut reference on comedy podcasts in the near future like so many other places have become.

Stay up to date with all things UCB at ucbcomedy.com.

Pick of the Day: Christina Catherine Martinez-How to Bake a Cake in the Digital Age (in LA) 3/28

March 25, 2022

News

christina catherine martinez, comedy special, free screening, how to bake a cake in the digital age, human resources la, los angeles comedy

The artifice of a stage, mic stand, microphone and a bunch of negative space as to exude the solitary nature of a stand-up will always be core to the idea of a stand-up special. That said, there’s still room to push and redefine and reimagine what a person telling jokes for an hour or so can be or could look like, despite many folks insistence on going with the tried and true method that has seen stand-up comedy through several decades.

Christina Catherine Martinez‘s very first half-hour special How To Bake a Cake in the Digital Age is such a big swing of experimentation in form and content that is also so damn, absurdly funny that it really needs to be recognized as one of the specials of 2022, hopefully to be talked about in years to come. Against the odds of already making an original comedy special and the odds of doing any sort of creative work for public consumption during the pandemic, Christina was granted the space of Human Resources LA to make a pandemic era comedy special and cleverly devised a way to make it something that, we believe, is funny beyond the context of the onslaught of COVID.

There will be a very special screening of How To Bake a Cake in the Digital Age at the very place it was created, Human Resources LA, on Mon. Mar. 28th at 9PM PT. Admission is free and you really ought to take Christina and HRLA up on that if you’re in or around LA, even if you have to cancel Monday night plans you already had.

MST3K Created Its Own Streaming Platform for Its Upcoming 13th Season

March 24, 2022

News

gizmoplex, mst3k, mystery science theater 3000

(via IGN)

If you’re a long time cult favorite TV series that has weathered cancellation, switching networks, being revived and, perhaps, revived again, you might ponder why you need to shop yourself around over and over again as where people watching shows has become more decentralized than ever before. Mystery Science Theater 3000 has braved out into the frontier of streaming content when they revived themselves via a record setting Kickstarter campaign thanks to one of the most devout fanbases on the Internet.

In 2022, on this side of the pandemic, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray, and the rest of the new MST3K gang are poised to set a new benchmark for an indie show by creating their own streaming platform for their very own show. Not only did MST3K go back to the well of their devoted fans to fund a new season, but Gizmoplex will be a proprietary platform that you can watch this upcoming 13th season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 online or through a myriad of streaming devices starting May 6th.

IGN has the exclusive announcement and trailer for this new new MST3K.

Leave it to a show set in space to potentially blaze a trail for the rest of us.

Bill Murray to Sell His One of a Kind Bill Murray Stories as NFTs

March 24, 2022

News

bill murray, nft

(via THR)

While the questions of how NFTs will become a long term new revenue stream for artists and performers has yet to be figured out, the current fluid nature of a non-fungible token allows it to be a cornucopia of things that can be used and exchanged in a myriad of ways. Nothing is set in stone yet allowing for folks like comedy legend Bill Murray to reimagine how they could be used.

In Murray’s case, he is going to use NFTs to be the vehicle for the plethora of carpe-diem-driven stories that Murray has amassed over the decades. Specifically, the NFT sold will have a Bill Murray story “minted” with it and will thus be unique to that NFT and tied to the blockchain as well. So, in this particular instance, it would seem the NFT is the actual item that you’re buying as opposed to operating more like a certificate of authenticity.

Murray’s stories, which don’t seem to be too far off from the sort of lives lead by various characters played by Bill Murray in Wes Anderson movies, are the sort of unique property that might lend itself pretty well to an all digital exchange (especially if you’re someone who hasn’t run into Murray at a bar, minor league baseball game, poetry night, or a taxi cab that he happens to be driving within your life time).

As to how this will go and will it be applicable for, perhaps, bits of an exclusive hour of comedy, we can only hope that we find out sooner rather than later.

Pick of the Day: The George Lucas Talk Show (in LA) 6/3

March 24, 2022

News

connor ratliff, dynasty typewriter, george lucas talk show, griffin newman, la comedy, patrick cotnoir

Since it endures through the pandemic as a virtual show on top of it already being a beloved live show in-person for several years before COVID-19 was even a thought, The George Lucas Talk Show should be commended for its resilience, agility, and longevity as well as being thoroughly enjoyed as one of the most humorous curiosities to come in the last 15 years or so.

Connor Ratliff as George Lucas joined by Griffin Newman’s Watto and producer Patrick Cotnoir are actually going to be doing The George Lucas Talk Show live and in-person, once more, in LA, a rare occurrence even without a pandemic. If you’re not anywhere near Dynasty Typewriter, you’ll be happy to know that they’ll also be live-streaming the show as well, which should be pretty swell getting to see/hear it with a live crowd.

This very special live, LA edition (the last one was probably in 2017 or 2018 at UCB Sunset?) of The George Lucas Talk Show is set for Jun. 3rd at Dynasty Typewriter at 8PM PT (streams 8PM PT/11PM ET). Go grab your tickets for $20 right now ($15 for live-stream) here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 104: Kenice Mobley & Rooftop Debuts

March 23, 2022

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

and just like that, jfl montreal, kenice mobley, nyc comedy

When having your late night TV debut, it’s an affair framed with bright lights, an applause sign, a big TV audience, and a sharply dressed late night host. Due to COVID-19, the amazing Kenice Mobley made her Tonight Show debut on a rooftop in wintry temperatures and still managed to kill anyways. Mobley talks her journey getting to the very set as well making space for black weirdness in comedy and talking sex without feeling all that blue.

Also, “hot” takes on JFL Montreal, season 2 of And Just Like That and more.

Follow Kenice @kenicemobley across socials, listen to her podcast Love About Town, and tune into Make Yourself Cry on Planet Scum on Thursdays at 10PM ET/7PM

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

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

Pick of the Day: Titmouse 5 Second Animation Night (in NYC) 3/25

March 23, 2022

News

nyc comedy, sva theatre, titmouse

Titmouse Animation is responsible for many of the funniest, groundbreaking cartoons in recent memory including Big Mouth, The Midnight Gospel, Black Dynamite, and so much more. Suffice it to say that you should check out whatever they’re doing. That includes their in-person evening where they present 5 second gems from their vast array of endlessly talented animators.

They’ve made a tradition of their 5 Second Animation Night in LA, usually at the Egyptian, but are taking it across the continent to NYC for a special evening of never before seen animation. Come this Fri. Mar. 25th at 8PM ET, a limited set of folks will get to join Titmouse and company at the SVA Theatre. You can (and should) go get tickets for $5 right now right here.

JFL Montreal Will Officially Be Back with Galas and Big Names and All in Person This Summer

March 22, 2022

News

celeste barber, hannah gadsby, hasan minhaj, jfl montreal, john mulaney, marc maron, neal brennan, patton oswalt

Since 2019, the annual, internationally renowned JFL Montreal Comedy Festival has had to call audibles and make due with having to go pretty much virtual for their festivities. One of the world’s longest running comedy festivals suffered the same fate as so many festivals, big and small, over the last two years and had to forego their routine of gathering thousands of people together to enjoy a show.

Fortunately, at this side of the pandemic, Just For Laughs will be resuming their marquee festival (on top of expanding their reach to Austin and the UK in the coming months) with the same big, flashy line-ups they’ve always had. For 2022, just as their first line-up announcement, they’ve got:

JOHN MULANEY – HASAN MINHAJ – CHELSEA HANDLER – JO KOY – ILIZA SHLESINGER – RUSSELL PETERS – HANNAH GADSBY – RONNY CHIENG – PATTON OSWALT – MARC MARON – TOMMY TIERNAN – VIR DAS – CELESTE BARBER – NEAL BRENNAN

JFL will of course have way more comedians than just that (not to mention that the whole round of New Faces of Comedy are being determined as you read this).

If you’re in and around Montreal or are aiming to get back to one of comedy’s biggest shindigs on a regular basis, you can purchase pre-sale tickets starting 3/23 at 7AM PT/10AM ET (or when everyone else gets it on 3/25 at 7AM ET/10AM ET) at www.hahaha.com.

Let’s hope that sub variant or any other variant is considerably less pesky than any of the other variants that came before it.

Pick of the Day: Petey DeAbreu: Bodega N-Word, Supermarket World. (in NYC) 4/15

March 22, 2022

News

nyc comedy, petey deabreu, stand up comedy, union hall

One of the most dynamic, captivating stand-ups that NYC has it, without a doubt, Petey DeAbreu. Simultaneously a poet of the five boroughs and just a hysterical comedian, DeAbreu’s charming rambunctiousness plays to raucous laughter and applause pretty much wherever we see him, no matter who is on the line-up or how the show is going.

It has been a minute since you’ve probably gotten a chance to see him do an extended set (as he is such in high demand at all the choice shows throughout NYC and beyond), but you’ll get to see him do an entire hour next month on Apr. 15th at Union Hall at 10PM ET (maybe it’ll make up for it being tax day?). Tickets are only $15 right now and we highly suggest snagging them right now as space is limited.

Take a Gander at Jerrod Carmichael’s First Live Special in 5 Years, Rothaniel

March 21, 2022

News

comedy special, jerrod carmichael, rothaniel, stand up comedy

In 2014, Jerrod Carmichael burst out on to TV with his first televised stand-up appearance being an HBO special. That might be the only time that has ever happened in the history of comedy. From there, Jerrod got The Carmichael Show on NBC, a deal with the cool kids at A24, another HBO stand-up special, and a separate docu-special called Home Videos.

While that’s quite the resume, Jerrod’s name hasn’t popped up like it used to 7 or 8 years ago. He’s taken more to producing and development with such things as Ramy rather than putting forth his own individual projects. Also, you don’t see Jerrod going up the same way that you used to (i.e. almost any given night of the week in LA). We have seen him jump on shows here and there in 2019, but it was, in a word, strange since he has seemed so far removed from doing stand-up the way he used to.

So, there’s almost a similar mystery to this new HBO special, Rothaniel, that espouses Jerrod being as honest as can be as when his first special came about. Also, he’s fully seated on a folding chair, not even a stool, which suggests something a little less like stand-up and something much more confessional and, shall we say, “dramedic”.

In any case, we’re sure Jerrod has something up his sleeve considering he’s releasing Rothaniel on HBO on April Fools’ Day at 9PM. You can get a tiny, tiny look at it in the announcement teaser here.

Pick of the Day: Weirdo Night (in NYC) 4/21

March 21, 2022

News

ana fabrega, experimental comedy, haggs, holland andrews, illustrious pearl, ny comedy, performance art, viva ruiz

Dynasty Handbag has been the ringleader of a wonderful, bizarre entity known as Weirdo Night for several years all in and around LA. The fringe variety showcase has been a refreshing oasis if you’re the sort of person that is looking for something truly different than the traditional forms of stand-up, sketch, and improv (not that there are anything wrong with those).

Next month, Dynasty Handbag is bringing Weirdo Night to spread some strange delight to NYC, specifically the Bell House in Brooklyn. From all corners of performance, the likes of Holland Andrews, Ana Fabrega, HAGGS, The Illustrious Pearl, Sarah Squirm, and Viva Ruiz will assemble to make this a beautifully off-kilter night to remember.

This special NYC edition of Weirdo Night is set for Thurs. Apr. 21st at 8PM ET and we bet it’ll sell out. Go get your tickets for $25 right now.

Here’s Your First Look at Vanessa Bayer’s Home Shopping Dramedy “I Love That For You”

March 18, 2022

News

i love that for you, matt rogers, molly shannon, showtime, vanessa bayer

For those missing Vanessa Bayer on SNL and seeing her various characters where the veneer of their reality is starting to crack, you won’t have to reminisce about seeing her back on screen in the same spirit once again.

I Love That For You centers on Bayer as an aspiring, but incredibly green host of a home shopping network and what she ends up doing to achieve that dream of telling folks that various housewares just sold out. Created by Vanessa and Jeremy Beiler, this might go a little darker than Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, but have tender, humorous moments, especially with Molly Shannon playing an iconic home shopping network host that Bayer looks up to. Also, we’re pretty sure Matt Rogers is going to be a scene stealer in this series.

This is Showtime’s latest comedy series in the ever burgeoning streaming wars and, so far, this might have the makings of something that will make you not regret paying for another streaming service or get on board for another one.

Take a first gander at all of this for yourself at I Love That For You with the first official trailer here.

Pick of the Day: Pop Show with Ziwe & Jen Goma (in LA) 5/21

March 18, 2022

News

dtla, jen goma, los angeles comedy, musical comedy, regent theater, ziwe

Ziwe owned 2020 with Baited on IG Live, ascended to premium cable with Ziwe on Showtime, and is poised to own 2022 with going live around the country.

Ziwe is bringing her iconic pop star status to stages very soon with one of her favorite pop stars, Jen Goma and, thankfully, one of those stops will be in LA at The Regent Theater in DTLA on Sat. May 21st at 7PM PT. Both her and Jen are going to wrangle LA’s best to perform their very own original pop songs (complete w/comedic intro/presentation). Do we need to say that it’ll be an iconic night or did you already presume that while checking how many tickets you’re going to buy?

This will undoubtedly sell out real quick, so you better snag your tickets starting at $30 here.

Russian Federation Moves to Formally Ban Zelensky’s Comedy in Russia

March 17, 2022

News

russia, ukraine, ukraine war, Volodymyr Zelensky

(via THR)

Any time free speech is limited, it’s a dangerous sign of what’s to come and a terrifying reminder of where you already are. When it comes to banning or censoring comedy, that’s even degree further beyond the pale and almost a clear admission that people in charge are engaging in such nefarious deeds since they dare not risk any sort of inevitable criticism in any public form.

Russian “President” Vladimir Putin has already made it a crime to report Russia’s wanton invasion of Ukraine as a war instead of a “special military operation”, but has now gone further as his administration has formally banned the comedy of Ukrainian President and current world hero, Volodomyr Zelensky, from the “cultural agenda” of Russia. Essentially, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is claiming that continual access to Zelensky’s performances in movies and TV (namely, Servant of the People) in Russia undermines the authority of what Putin and his cronies are trying to accomplish. There is such rich irony in a ban like this as this is clearly motivated by fear, specifically a fear that any dissent could ruin Putin’s plan, while Putin is the one who struck first against Ukraine. It’s pretty basic knowledge that the best way to fuel criticism is to actively and aggressively silence your critics.

We can only hope that this is one of many cowardly moves by Putin that will inspire more Russian nationals desert Putin and depose him in some way.

Pick of the Day: Ilana Glazer Presents: Alison Leiby-Oh God, A Show About Abortion (in NYC, Off Broadway) 4/25-6/4

March 17, 2022

News

alison leiby, cherry lane theatre, ilana glazer, nyc comedy, solo show

The Cherry Lane Theatre has become the go-to off-Broadway theater for stand-up comedians transitioning into solo shows on a bigger stage. Colin Quinn, Mike Birbiglia, Hasan Minhaj, and, most recently, Alex Edelman have all had great runs with their respective solo shows that had humble beginnings at various stages in and around NYC.

Now, Alison Leiby will join be the latest addition to the pantheon of comedians to play The Cherry Lane Theatre as her critically acclaimed Oh God, An Hour About Abortion that has made the rounds at Caveat, Union Hall, etc. is now going to be Ilana Glazer Presents Oh God, a Show About Abortion with veteran theater director Lila Neugebauer on board. The show itself is very likely one of the more timely solo shows out there at the moment, considering the rise in anti-abortion legislation in the U.S. over the last few years.

Leiby’s run will go from Mon. Apr. 25th-Sat. Jun. 4th @ 7PM ET with a 3PM ET Saturday matinee, except for May 5th and 30th. Also, a single Sunday performance of Oh God, a Show About Abortion will happen on May 29th @ 7PM ET.

Tickets starts at $37 and highly suggest you snag them right now at ohgodshow.com.

Here’s an Even More Expanded Line-up for This Year’s Moontower JFL Austin Festival

March 17, 2022

News

atx, jfl austin, moontower comedy festival

When Moontower and JFL officially announced their partnership and expansion of what just used to be the Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival, we expected the line-up and schedule to be super-sized and, so far, MJFLA has delivered. They just made the third line-up announcement as of today with an additional 20 acts that will be doing shows of all shapes and sizes from Apr. 13th-24th in Downtown Austin.

The line-up NOW is as follows:

*just added

Aaron Weber

Abby Roberge

Adrienne Iapalucci

Ali Macofsky

Alison Leiby

Andrew Dismukes

Andrew Murphy

Andy Haynes

Andy Huggins

Angelina Martin

Anthony DeVito

Arielle Isaac Norman

Aristotle Athari

Ashley Sharma

Avery Moore

Bad Friends with Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee

Big Jay Oakerson

Billy Wayne Davis

Brandi Davis

Brendan Schaub*

Brett VerVoort

Brian Gaar

Brian Simpson

Bryson Brown*

Carlos Ballarta

Carlton Wilcoxson

Carmen Lynch

Cat Cohen

Chad and JT

Chris Cubas

Chris Redd

Christina P

Cipha Sounds

Dan Soder

Daniel Van Kirk

Daniel Webb*

Danny Goodwin

David Rodriguez*

Deb DiGiovanni

Deon Cole

Derek Gaines

Dina Hashem

Donnell Rawlings

Dylan Sullivan

Elizabeth Spears

Emma Willmann

Emmy Blotnick

Endless Honeymoon with Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher

Erica Rhodes

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and Dana Spade

Francis Ellis

GDCJ

Grace Kuhlenschmidt

Greta Titelman*

Guy Branum

Hannah Berner

Holly Hart

Hunter Duncan

Ian Edwards

Irene Tu

Ivan Decker

Jackie Fabulous

Jackie Kashian

James Austin Johnson

Janelle James

Jay Whitecotton

Jeremiah Watkins

Jessica Kirson

Jesus Trejo

Jimmy O. Yang

Joe Mande

Joel Kim Booster

Joey Z

Josh Adam Meyers

Joyelle Nicole Johnson

Kelsey Cook

Kurt Braunohler

Langston Kerman

LaRon Wright*

Lea’h Sampson

Lil Sasquatch

Mac Blake

Maddy Smith

Marc Maron

Mark Normand

Mary Beth Barone

Matt Sadler

Matteo Lane*

Mekki Leeper

Michelle Buteau

Mike Macrae

MK Paulsen*

Nathan Macintosh

Neal Brennan*

Nick Saverino

Nikki Glaser

Not Another Dungeons and Dragons Podcast

Olan Rogers

Orlando Leyba

Paris Sashay

Pat Regan

Pat Sirois

Paul Oddo

Pete Lee

Please Don’t Destroy

Rachel Feinstein

Rachel Wolfson*

Rojo Perez*

Rory Scovel

Rosebud Baker

Sarah Silverman*

Sasheer Zamata

Sawyer Stull

Scotty Landes

Sean Donnelly

Shapel Lacey

Solomon Georgio

Sophie Buddle

Steph Tolev*

Sydnee Washington

Taylor Dowdy

The Bald and The Beautiful with Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamo

The Sklar Brothers

Tim Dillon*

Trevor Wallace*

Tyler Groce

Watch What Crappens

Yedoye Travis

Zac Brooks

Zach Sherwin

Zach Zucker

Moontower Live Podcast & Broadcast Series

Bananas with Kurt Braunohler and Scotty Landes

Brew Haha

Celebrate! with Sean Donnelly

Disgusting Hawk with Jessica Kirson

Dork Forest with Jackie Kashian

Dumb People Town with The Sklar Brothers and Daniel Van Kirk

Find Your Beach with Rosebud Baker and Andy Haynes

Glow Show hosted by Joey Z

Grown Local* with Billy Wayne Davis

HAGS* hosted by Daniel Webb and Steph Tolev

Hello Lover* hosted by Brett VerVoort

Jack Tucker

My Dad Isn’t Danny DeVito

My Momma Told Me with Langston Kerman

Not Having It

Pen Pals with Rory Scovel and Daniel Van Kirk

Seek Treatment with Cat Cohen and Pat Regan

Senior Superlatives with Greta Titelman*

Sinisterhood

Soccer Comic Rant with Ian Edwards

Stamptown with Zach Zucker

Stand Up on the Spot with Jeremiah Watkins

Tag It! with The Sklar Brothers

The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers

The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson and Dan Soder

The Crossword Show

The Joke of Painting

The Worst with Big Jay Oakerson

For tickets and more info, visit moontowercomedyfest.com.

Pick of the Day: Greta Titelman’s Untitled Hour (in LA) 3/27 & 4/30

March 16, 2022

News

elysian, greta titelman, los angeles comedy, netflix is a joke fest, stand up comedy

We used to revel in seeing one Greta Titelman prowl and command the stage all across LA in 2019 and early 2020. You could often find us in the back of Genghis Cohen on Tuesdays (Greta’s weekly stand-up spot that she shared with the beloved Blair Socci) delighting in Titelman charming any sort of crowd into submission with her sharply drawn bits, stories, characters, etc.

Like so many of our favorite folks, we haven’t really got to them as they’re supposed to be seen (in an intimate, properly lit venue for an hour) for years, which has left our head often hanging like Charlie Brown while pacing indoors during quarantine.

2022 is thankfully a different story with all venues and shows and comedians getting up and running again and such splendid comedic talents as Greta getting to grace audiences with their exquisite comedy wares once more.

No more sullen pacing around for us, thank goodness.

Greta will actually be headlining the Elysian twice in the coming months with her untitled hour on Sun. 3/27 at 7:30PM PT and Sat. Apr. 30th at 9:30PM PT (specifically for Netflix Is a Joke Fest). Tickets are $16 and $20 respectively and you best go get them right now.

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