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TCB Debriefing 4/8-4/13/24: Conan O’Brien/Hot Ones, Matt Stone/Trey Parker, I Used to Be Funny, Monopoly/Margot Robbie, The Contestant, Netflix Is a Joke Fest, Packfest
April 13, 2024
News
conan o'brien, hot ones, i used to be funny, john mulaney, kendrick, margot robbie, matt stone, monopoly, netflix is a joke fest, packfest, Rachel Sennott, ralph barbosa, the contestant, trey parker

1. Conan O’Brien vs. Hot Ones. Point Conan (and then some). We’d almost put money that no other late night host would put on a better show on Hot Ones. Please enjoy this in all its hilarious, disgusting glory (complete with Jose Arroyo as some sort of MD) here.

2. Matt Stone and Trey Parker are partnering with Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free‘s pgLang to make live action movie musical (Deadline), which, based off the successes of Book of Mormon and Kendrick being, well, Kendrick, we’re going to guess this project might be pretty good.

3. Red hot off a blazed trail of Bottoms from last year, the astounding Rachel Sennott is coming to screens this year with a role much more close to home as she will be playing a stand-up really going through a heavy bout of grieving with the (very probably) aptly named i used to be funny from the amazing hands, vision, and mind of one, Ally Pankiw (director of probably one of your new favorite Black Mirror eps.). Take a gander at i used to be funny with the trailer here, then look for an indie rollout beginning in June.

4. Since Margot Robbie, with the help of Greta Gerwig, conquered with Barbie, she is now being tapped to adapt the cruel board game classic Monopoly into a feature length film (BBC News). No matter the take that Robbie chooses to go with in making a Monopoly movie, get ready for an entire boatload of think pieces about late stage capitalism.

5. Right before The Truman Show, Japanese television had a much more alarming, very real version of it that starred an up and coming comedian. See what they hath wrought in the upcoming Hulu documentary, The Contestant. See for yourself in the trailer here, then look for it on Hulu starting May 2nd.

6. Netflix Is a Joke Fest is only a few weeks away and you can feel the streaming giant going full press with their entire comedy roster now stretching from Mulaney doing a docu-series of Los Angeles called Everybody’s in LA (since Mulaney’s a voice for LA now?) and Netflix’s rising star from around the heart of TX, Ralph Barbosa, hosting Netflix’s Introducing series (the NIAJF’s version of New Faces).

7. Speaking of festivals, the small, but mighty Pack Theater is throwing their own festival this Summer, PackFest, and they’re taking submissions for comedy of all kinds RIGHT NOW.

8. We’ll leave you with this: Sorry for the delay on this latest debriefing, our laptop died and we had to buy a new one. If you’d like, you can help us recoup the cost via Venmo @jakekroeger or at patreon.com/thecomedybureau.

Pick of the Day: Heavy Manners New Chair Fundraiser (in LA) 4/18
April 11, 2024
News
heavy manners library, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy

Truly one of LA’s hidden gems, Heavy Manners Library, has gotten themselves a mighty fine upgrade in space taking over what used to be the Echo Park Film Center. They’ll be able to put on more grand events like Comics O’Clock with an extra 1000 square feet of room to do so.

It would sure be nice if they had some snazzy new chairs to go with the new expansion and, as you might know, especially if you run your own venue, show, or small business, that ain’t cheap.

Thus, Heavy Manners Library is doing a very special benefit to get fancy new chairs for the rows and rows of audiences that will be coming through their doors on Thurs. Apr. 18th. The benefit show will feature many LA comedy faves including Mitra Jouhari, Jamie Loftus, Rachel Pegram, Kyle Mizono, Rachel Kaly, and Kel Cripe. Tickets are only $15 and you can (and should) go get them here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 211: Jessica Svendsgaard & Starting an Improv Festival Called MILF
April 10, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
comedy festival, improv comedy, indie improv, jessica svendsgaard, los angeles comedy

Of all the disciplines in comedy, improv might have had the longest road back from lockdown. Connected to that, improv festivals that used to be an annual celebration to be relied on are now having to be revived from the ashes. Thus, one of the oldest indie improv nights in LA, Mach Improv, is taking up the mantle from what used to be known and beloved as The LA Indie Improv Festival and throwing their very own 12 hour improv festival, the wonderfully abbreviated MILF (Mach Improv LA Festival), later this month at what essentially is LA indie improv HQ, The Clubhouse. Mach’s very own Jessica Svendsgaard tells us all about the festival, the state of improv in spring 2024, and why all of this is important/worth doing in times like these.

Follow Jessica @thebyebyemancuckedme on IG and get all info for MILF on Sat. Apr. 27th at The Clubhouse from Noon to Midnight at milfcomedy.com.

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

Pick of the Day: Newcomers (in NYC) 4/15
April 9, 2024
News
bell house, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

It’s time for Newcomers, another round of The Bell House anointing another round of up-and-comers that have cut their teeth in the highly competitive, very crowded comedy scene to grace one of Brooklyn’s most venerable stages. 15 handpicked comedians will show off their tightest sets as if they were doing late night back in the time and place when that was much more commonplace.

On this edition of Newcomers, will be:

  • Salma Zaky
  • Anne Lim
  • Joey Hamburger
  • Sean Peecook
  • Sam Ike
  • Allie Lawrence
  • TaTa Sherise
  • Momo
  • Neel Ghosh
  • Grace Leishman
  • Jess Elgene
  • Tommy Bayer
  • Taylor Rogers
  • Grace Johnson
  • Eli Ruffer

Don’t miss their debut on Mon. Apr. 15th at 7:30PM. Tickets are $12.85 and you can (and should) go get them here.

TCB Debriefing 4/4-4/7/24: Kyle Kinane, Jackie Kashian, Murray Hill, Legally Blonde, Babes
April 7, 2024
News
babes, don't tell, ilana glazer, jackie kashian, kyle kinane, legally blonde, michelle buteau, murray hill, stand up comedy

1. Oh, thank goodness there’s a new hour of Kyle Kinane to offer the pitch perfect solace to the high octane insanity that has been 2024. His latest hour special, Dirt Nap, is Kyle doing what Kyle does best with lengthy punchline filled stories and intricately colored observations all in service of a big comedic payoff (that, in a way, feels like a bonus since the journey in of itself is so goddamn fun). Kyle does over 8 minutes on describing Fast X here and, for our money, is more fun than the movie itself. That’s just one fraction of how much of a joy Dirt Nap is, even with being perfectly aware uncertain times we live in. Please watch and enjoy Dirt Nap on repeat here.

2. It’s kind of absurd that Jackie Kashian doesn’t have a sitcom focused around her and her dyed-in-the-woo-salesman of a dad. Kashian is and has been one of the funniest comedians working today and her bits about her dad are pretty much priceless. See for yourself here in Jackie’s Don’t Tell set.

3. Mindy Kaling’s next sitcom, Murray Hill, seems like Kaling is aiming to make her version of Friends with a logline of “…five work-obsessed twenty-somethings who strive for professional success and, if they have time, personal happiness in Manhattan’s most glamorous neighborhood, Murray Hill” (Deadline).

4. Amazon Prime has a Legally Blonde spin-off in the works (Deadline). The legacy of Elle Woods endures, but we hope that there isn’t any Kim Kardashian lawyer storyline in this project.

5. Though it would seem that Michelle Buteau/Ilana Glazer vehicle helmed by Pamela Adlon Babes isn’t about abortion, it feels like the same sort of buzz that Obvious Child got is coming up for the buddy/birth comedy. See for yourself with the first official trailer here, then look for it in theaters right after Mother’s Day on May 17th.

 

6. We’ll leave you with this: Please help out wonderful person/hilarious comedian Jen Saunderson with her mom’s battle against stage IV cancer at the GoFundMe here.

Pick of the Day: Microdose 2 Year Anniversary (in LA) 4/10
April 6, 2024
News
curtis cook, free show, harper rose drummond, howard kremer, kelcey ayer, lizzy cooperman, los angeles comedy, mike bridenstine, rory scovel, stand up comedy

The ways of the world and how the winds of change violently shove anything and everything out of place, the prospect of anything lasting past a year is a significant feat. One Mike Bridenstine, beloved LA comedian/author (get the Perfect Amount of Wrong now)/podcaster, has not only had his weekly stand-up show Microdose, neatly perched on the hills of Eagle Rock at The Fable, but has worked it into a party of a show kicked off along with the host seemingly made out of pure hosting energy, Danny Ledsinger.

Microdose has grown into quite the contender with Bridenstine’s handpicked line-ups as a weekly stand-up showcase in LA, especially on Wednesday nights when a dearth of the LA comedy scene’s primo indie stand-up shows take place (on top of surviving through the aftermath of COVID lockdown, multiple strikes, historic rain for LA over the last two years). Microdose is crowning their two year anniversary this coming Wednesday at, per usual, 8PM, but with a gargantuan line-up including Rory Scovel, Lizzy Cooperman, Howard Kremer, Curtis Cook, Harper Rose Drummond, Kelcey Ayer, and David Jackson.

Please enjoy Microdose this coming Wednesday for their 2 year celebration (and every Wednesday after). Keep up with line-ups and more @microdosecomedy on IG.

Pick of the Day: PSYCH! A Diagnostic Stand-Up Therapy Comedy Show (in NYC) 4/27
April 4, 2024
News
caveat, emily flake, kate sisk, kenice mobley, mental health, nyc comedy, stand up comedy, therapy

It’s not a hard requirement to have mental health issues when pursuing a career in comedy, but there certainly to seems to be a strong common thread between many stand-up comedians and their difficulties with anxiety, depression, and the like. It certainly comes through in many of their wonderfully crafted jokes/bits/stories.

Other times, you hear comedic material and you might ponder, from the audience, is the person on stage OK?

With that in mind, Aimee LeCours, both a comedian and LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) is going to talk to a rousing line-up of NYC comedians about what they talk about on stage and possibly see what exactly lies beneath what might seem, on the surface, just a pretty great joke for the upcoming live show, PSYCH!

Emily Flake, Kate Sisk, and Kenice Mobley will get put under the emotional microscope on Sat. Apr. 27th at 4PM at Caveat in NYC’s LES. Tickets are only $15 and you best go get them here.

TCB Debriefing 3/31-4/3/24: Chair Company, George Carlin, 5th of July, Amy Silverberg, Smartypants, Las Culturistas, Martin Short, Worldwide Comedy Month
April 3, 2024
News
amy silverberg, chris estrada, dropout, george carlin, las culturistas, martin short, smartypants, steve feinartz, tim robinson, Worldwide comedy month, zach kanin

1. HBO smartly has ordered a pilot from the golden minds of Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, the duo responsible for the best sketch show of this decade, I Think You Should Leave. You’ll be happy to know that this pilot, The Chair Company,, is perfectly set up for Robinson to play some sort of everyman that loses it in an office and has plenty of opportunity to yell, one of the things Robinson is better at than almost anyone (Variety).

2. In settlement with George Carlin Estate, the AI created special impersonating George Carlin from Dudesy will be taken down (Variety). Please remember this as this will be both an important milestone for dealing with AI both in art and comedy going forward.

3. Though Hulu stupidly (with a capital “S”) canceled This Fool, Chris Estrada is far from done with putting out his splendid brand of LA born-and-bred alt comedy. This just released short film, 5th of July, co-written and directed by the amazing Steve Feinartz, almost plays like part of what would have been the next season of This Fool. Please enjoy here.

4. Amy Silverberg has not only been a long time favorite of ours that we have the expressed privilege of seeing coming up in the LA comedy scene, but she beautifully contrasts her poetic turns-of-phrase sourced from her background as a writing professor and the grit of a very honest, truthful, vulnerable stand-up comedian. Please enjoy her CC Stand-Up Featuring set here.

5. Dropout has you hooked with Game Changer and is getting into more chaos (though slightly edutainment focused) with their latest upcoming series, Smartypants. Take a gander here.

6.. Matt and Bowen are getting Las Culturistas closer to where it should be in the pantheon of culture with takint their very own Culture Awards to the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn come this Summer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lauren Mandel (@laurenmandel)

7. We’re pretty sure that Martin Short was probably some sort of “Mayor of Fun” already, but he now officially bestowed the title of Mayor of Funner, CA (THR)

8. As 800 Pound Gorilla has christened it, Worldwide Comedy Month has arrived. THERE SHOULDN”T BE A SINGLE DAY YOU DON’T SEE COMEDY.

9. We’ll leave you with this: A Real April Fools’ Day should be on April 2nd since corporations, like so many other things, kind of ruined the April 1st version.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 210: Red, White & You & Everyone Else You Know
April 3, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

Together, Dakota Ray Hebert, Danny Knight, Dylan Jay Williamson, Ryan Moccasin, and Shawn Cuthand are the touring (mostly) indigenous sketch/stand-up comedy troupe, Red, White, & You,  hailing from up above in Canada. They all found each other/bonded/made each other laugh (i.e. the best way to form a comedy group) in Saskatoon (and hopefully will put on the map outside of being a joke reference of a city for Canadian comedians) and have really gelled into a special group touring all over North America. This week’s TCB Field Report talks to Red, White, & You about not only continue the push for indigenous representation in the arts, but showcasing, like great comedy often does, how we are all more alike than we aren’t.

Get all the info and tour dates for Red, White & You at redwhiteyou.ca and buy tickets for their Asylum NYC shows on Sat. Apr. 13th here (7:30PM) and here (9:30PM).

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

Pick of the Day: A Sports Show For People Who Don’t Know About Sports (in LA) 4/17
April 2, 2024
News
los angeles comedy, megan gailey, sports

March Madness, for those in the know, extends past the actual calendar dates of March, but for those not in the know, you might be wondering why you have to keep hearing about “bracketology” for several more days.

In either case, one Megan Gailey, marvelous comedian and sports expert, is to bring both sides together with her very special show A Sports Show For People Who Don’t Know About Sports that will enlighten the sports-averse (on top of showing you how inherently funny the rules and culture of sports can be). You might not like the word “bracketology” after this, but you’ll be able to laugh at people’s ridiculous brackets being busted late into March.

A Sports Show For People Who Don’t Know About Sports is set for Wed. Apr. 17th at 9:30PM at Lyric Hyperion. Tickets are only $15 right now and you best go get them right now right here.

Pick of the Day: Katrina Davis: Not Funny: A Collection of Stories and Untold Joke Origins (in LA) 4/5
April 1, 2024
News
katrina davis, los angeles comedy, solo show, stand up comedy, storytelling

It’s touching to see that Katrina Davis, though she has left LA for NYC, is going to be back in the City of Angels plenty for the foreseeable future. Davis was beloved in the LA scene and we have no doubt she’s making quick work of the NYC comedy scene.

Come this Friday, April 5th, Davis will be the main attraction at The Elysian with a very special hour show that mixes storytelling, stand-up, and illustration with the idea that those in attendance will get the back story on some of her bits.

Entitled Not Funny: A Collection of Stories and Untold Joke Origins, we’re sure that there will be more than plenty of laughs as well as plenty of cathartic feels throughout the entirety of the show. Tickets are $16 and you best go get them here.

TCB Debriefing 3/26-3/30/24: Tig Notaro, Kinds of Kindness, House of Laughs, Yannick, Leah Rudick, Beautiful Anonymous
March 30, 2024
News
beautiful anonymous, house of laughs, kinds of kindness, leah rudick, quentin dupieux, world of wonder, yannick, yorgos lanthimos

1. Ever since we saw Tig Notaro share her famous Taylor Dayne story, it was evident to us that Tig has a preternatural ability to milk a moment/incident. What might be a passing occurrence to most, Tig’s unwavering commitment to the life of a bit have both served her hilariously when it’s happening and later on in a story on stage. Hello Again, Tig’s latest special, is a playful reminder that Tig’s bread and butter of drawing every last drop of humor from minutia in her life, with the added flavors of her being married and raising children, is still very tasty and satisfying. Even when Notaro completely reenacts her performance of Hello to Adele at a celebrity shindig, which is quite the set piece for this hour, it’s a great sign that there are many years of Tig’s wondrous mischief to come. Tig Notaro: Hello Again is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

2. Behold, just a taste of a taste of the latest work from the comedy auteur of our time, Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things, The Lobster, The Favourite) with Kinds of Kindness.

 

3. Drag Queens and brilliant queer comedians (including Abe Farrelly, Cameron Esposito, Danny Franzese, Darienne Lake, Jared Goldstein, Jaymes Mansfield, Jimbo, Joel Kim Booster , and host Lawrence Chaney) are coming together at the intersection of House of Laughs, an upcoming comedy showcase series on the streaming service WOW Presents Plus. It’s such a great line-up that maybe, just maybe you might consider signing up for another streaming service? Take a gander for yourself with the trailer here before House of Laughs premieres on Apr. 2nd.

4. When it comes to the completely absurd, few filmmakers are quite as adept and nuanced (and so damn hilarious) as Quentin Dupeiux (Wrong, Wrong Cops). Looks like he’s staying on that track with YANNICK. Take a look at the unhinged, hysterical chaos that’s in store with this trailer here.

5. Leah Rudick and every side/facet/voice/character of her are on a grand tour of North America. You better not miss out at any of the dates and cities below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leah Rudick (@leah_rudick)

6. Chris Gethard and his all exquisite inclusive creation, the podcast Beautiful Anonymous, are expanding to now have a zine that, as you might have guessed, you could be a part of. It can be art, stories, photos, etc., but it has to be sent through the actual physical mail and, of course, be anonymous.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beautiful/Anonymous (@beautifulanonymouspod)

7. We’ll leave you with this: Indie cinema chain Alamo Drafthouse is up for sale, which should tell you a lot about the limits of taking something independent to the big leagues and trying to keep it sustainable.

Pick of the Day: RED BASTARD (in NYC) 3/31
March 28, 2024
News
brooklyn, brooklyn comedy collective, clown, eric davis, nyc comedy, red bastard

While there is certain a burgeoning of clown in the LA comedy scene for the last few years at this point, denizens of NYC comedy aren’t necessarily treated to the same sort of ready access to this facet of the comedic arts. For that reason, New Yorkers daring to see the boundaries of comedy and where they’re at these days outside of stand-up, sketch, and improv, might want to mark down this Sunday at 7PM on their calendar.

That’s the time and day when Red Bastard, acclaimed, award winning Edinburgh Fringe act is taking over the Brooklyn Comedy Collective to do his very special odyssey of a solo show (especially so for a select number of brave audience members). At the risk of revealing of what is up Red Bastard’s bulbous sleeves, we won’t say much more other than tickets are $16.88 and, if you get one, you’ll very likely have some sort of transformative experience on top of laughing your ass off.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 209: Sydney Duncan & Being Enough in All the Comedy Spaces
March 27, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
character comedy, nyc comedy, sketch comedy, sydney duncan

While it would seem that stand up and comedy clubs reign supreme in the NYC comedy scene, there are plenty of performers that defy that notion and not only go for alternative spaces and types of comedy, but find ways in between all of them. One such comedian is Sydney Duncan who constantly switches gears between performing in character, as herself, on stage solo, with other folks on teams, and so much more. It’s a delicate balance to strike to do try to fit in the pre-existing spaces in comedy and simultaneously make those perfectly suited to you, but Sydney has amazingly found her footing in doing so.

We talk to Sydney on this week’s TCB Field Report all about that, this, and the other things in her lanes of NYC comedy.

Follow Sydney @sydneyduncanonem

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

Pick of the Day: Bug Mane Maneifesto 3 (in LA) 4/24
March 27, 2024
News
bugmane, experimental comedy, la comedy, lyric hyperion, sketch comedy

There is, shall we say, an entity most popularly known as Bug Mane. Born of the desire to bring chaos on to The Doughboys podcast, Bugmane has taken a life unto its own, melding multiple facets of reality into their own realm of comedy and comedy to be reveled in.

Thus, it’s quite the occasion to take part of such spiritual mishegoss in person as you can at the Lyric Hyperion. That’s right Bugmane has been regularly doing so-called Maneifestos at Lyric Hyperion since the conclusion of 2023 and has the very next one lined up for Wed Apr. 24th at 9:30PM complete with the Bug Mane faithful of Mike Mitchell, Ivy Wolk, Kat Toledo, Paul Rust, Ryan Perez, Van Roubichaux, and, of course, DJ King Koeth.

So, best go get your tickets right now right here for $15 a pop while you still can.

 

TCB Debriefing 3/21-3/25/24: Ramy Youssef, Stress Positions, YALL Fest, The Studio, Happy Gilmore 2, James Corden
March 26, 2024
News
james corden, ramy youssef, stress positions, the studio, yall fest

1. The historical moment in which we live right now is so concussive, the want for a voice that would make for any sort of reason or relief is dire. Ramy Youssef might very well be that voice, bolstered even more by the fact that he jokingly dismisses such a notion in his brand new hour special, More Feelings. Within both himself and his comedy, there’s a wondrous contrast between his casual demeanor and meeting the moment with empathy and cleverly hidden, long wick punchlines and call backs. Despite Ramy self-deprecatingly downplaying his own merits, there’s a grace with which he talks about Israel/Palestine, the current state of Muslim and Middle Eastern identities, and more that truly makes More Feelings actually special at a time where the word “special” feels hollow.

2. While comedy about the pandemic might seem beyond well-trodden territory, we’re excited to see John Early in pretty much anything and, from the looks of this trailer, Theda Hammel‘s Stress Positions might just succeed as a quarantine comedy with absurdity and nuance where pretty much everything else has missed the mark. Look for Stress Positions in limited release starting Apr. 19th.

3. Peep the first freshly announced YALLFest, put together by the Yes, And Laughter Lab (AKA YALL), a comedy festival setting its focus on highlighting the intersection between comedy and social justice. It’s set for its inaugural run on Wed. Apr. 17th-Fri. Apr. 19th at the newly revived Asylum NYC. Taking a gander at the line-up, we love a brand new festival with Chris Gethard, Dylan Adler, Kenice Mobley, Kelly Bachman, Atheer Yacoub, Roy Wood Jr., and so many other hilarious, thoughtful folks. Get more details and passes here.

4. Fingers crossed this Seth Rogen Hollywood studio satire, The Studio, blessed with a cast of Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, and Chase Sui Wonders, skewers IP-cursed Hollywood and doesn’t change a single name of anything (looking at you, MCU) (Deadline).

5. If you were wondering what an empire that Carpool Karaoke built looks like now, James Corden’s Fulwell 73 is building a $568 million film and TV studio in Northeast England (Deadline).

6. We’ll leave you with this: Know that Literally Anybody Else is an option for POTUS this year.

Pick of the Day: Mad Ethnic Mondays: April Residency (in NYC)
March 25, 2024
News
bunton's world famous, nyc comedy, petey deabreu, stand up comedy

It’s undeniable that Petey DeAbreu is a stalwart of the NYC comedy scene. DeAbreu might be one of the most brightly shining examples of what the grit and grind of the NYC stand-up circuit can produce. Clever, provincial, yet worldly, all with a tinge of surreal silliness, one should absolutely catch DeAbreu wherever he’s playing whenever he’s going up.

Thankfully, that’s going to be pretty easy next month considering that he’ll get to reprise his Monday night residency, Mad Ethnic Mondays, at the Bushwick institutional watering hole, Bunton’s World Famous, all April long..

For just $12.51, you’ll be seeing Petey presiding over the comedic stylings of:

Chanel Ali
Kerry Coddett
Reggie Conquest
Nore Davis
Napoleon Emill
Eva Evans
Ashima Franklin
Derek Gaines
Simeon Goodson
Kareem Greene
Kevin Iso
Sam Jay
JJ Mattise
Mila Myles
Dee Nasty
Leonard Ouzts
Sydnee Washington

+ Surprise Guests!

It’ll be one hell of a Monday night complete with after party with Run P.

Better go get your tix for all the dates right now right here.

Pick of the Day: Jena Friedman (in NYC) 4/4
March 22, 2024
News
jena friedman, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

The brilliant Jena Friedman has been meticulously crafting her new hour pretty much exclusively in LA, but, thankfully, is starting to branch out the Los Angeles city limits to bring her oh-so-cleverly rendered and timely dark humor to rest of the U.S.

She has a whole handful of tour dates ahead of her, but she very specifically playing Brooklyn’s Union Hall in April. Specifically, she’ll be working on her new hour on Thurs. Apr. 4th at 7:30PM (and probably have a wondrous opener TBA). It has been pretty much a whole year since Jena was in NYC last, so don’t miss out on catching her this time around at $24.63 a pop.

Get tix here.

TCB Debriefing 3/16-3/20/24: Conan O’Brien Must Go, Margot Robbie/Sims, Greg Daniels, Rachel Sennott, Real Time, Michael Showalter, Free Ben Schwartz Tix
March 20, 2024
News

1. For a second, we wondered when the pandemic-interrupted Conan O’Brien Must Go, the long-awaited Conan O’Brien hosted travel show (that we’re betting will put almost every other travel show to shame) would premiere, but thankfully another trailer has arrived along with a Max premiere date of Apr. 18th. Take a gander here.

2. Margot Robbie was instrumental in making Barbie into an Oscar nominated box office boffo and is now taking on adapting one of the biggest computer game franchises of all time, The Sims, into, we guess, another Oscar nominated box office boffo? Robbie will have Kate Herron (whose handiwork made Loki stand out in an otherwise plateauing MCU) (THR).

3. Greg Daniels, creator of the American iteration of The Office, has plans on expanding The Office into its own cinematic (or TV rather?) universe with an assist from Nathan For You and How To with John Wilson’s Michael Koman (Deadline).

4. While HBO reupped Real Time for the umpteenth time, at least they’re ordering up a Rachel Sennott comedy pilot, which we hope is as wild as her 2023 film, Bottoms.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rachel Anne Sennott (@treaclychild)

5. Speaking of Real Time, if you refuse to pay for HBO or Max, but would like to see Maher smugly lean into his punchlines, you can watch video feeds of his podcast that’s actually called Club Random or watch reruns of Real Time on CNN (Deadline).

6. Michael Showalter has made a whole other second life as an increasingly acclaimed director/producer. Already, he has The Big Sick, Search Party, and, most recently, The Idea of You, to his name and will now try his surprisingly nuanced hand at a holiday comedy and see if he can make something out of a subgenre chock full of hollow entries with the help of Michelle Pfeiffer (Deadline).

7. We’ll leave you with this: Ben Schwartz is bringing his very special, star-studded Ben Schwartz & Friends to The Orpheum on Apr. 6th. If you want in on that, we might know someone who has tix (hint hint: e-mail us at thecomedybureau@gmail.com about it)

Pick of the Day: The Dollop 10 Year Anniversary (in LA) 4/27
March 20, 2024
News
dave anthony, gareth reynolds, james adomian, karen kilgariff, live podcast, los angeles comedy, the dollop

Though perhaps he did not know that having Gareth Reynolds riff, often startled, at the true absurdity of a deep cut history lesson (and how often alarmingly relevant it is today), but Dave Anthony had some kind of hunch that his excavating a particular flavor of American history (and the history of wherever this podcast his toured) with comedic act outs and banter would be something to chase wherever it led.

10 years later, The Dollop, reigns as one of the best pieces of edutainment around, not just in the podcast realm. Hundreds upon hundreds of episode of Dave and Gary and, from time to time, some amazing guests (Rory Scovel, Wil Anderson automatically come to mind) give the best slice of history that makes us all really rue the history education we received at any level of schooling.

With that in mind, Dave and “Gary” are celebrating the momentous 10 year anniversary of The Dollop in LA at The Palace Theatre in DTLA on Sat. Apr. 27th at 7PM with very, very special guests James Adomian and Karen Kilgariff. We bet even if this is the first time of hearing about the Dollop, you’d have grand ole time. Tickets start at $60 and you best go get them here.

 

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 208: Kurt Braunohler & 20 Years of a Weekly Comedy Show
March 20, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
hot tub with kurt and kristen, kurt braunohler, la comedy, live comedy, nyc comedy

2005 seems both so recent and yet so distant, but that marks the time at which a happenstance pairing of Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal backstage at the Peoples Improv Theater in NYC eventually led to run of the longest running, most beloved weekly live comedy shows in comedy history, Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen.

Coming up on its 20th anniversary (and subsequent swan song), Hot Tub has been a treasure in LA, NYC, and wherever its toured (notably, for us, in Portland & Edinburgh). Kurt joins us this week to give an oral history of what is and will always be one of the landmark comedy shows of the this part of the 21st century.

Follow Kurt @kurtbraunohler across socials and at kurtcomedy.com. Find all things Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen @hottub_show across socials.

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

Pick of the Day: Drunk Bollywood (in NYC) 4/26
March 19, 2024
News
bollywood, brooklyn, drunk bollywood live, littlefield, nyc comedy

Sure, you’ve seen Drunk History and multiple iterations of things being recounted or reread or re-enacted while inebriated, but it’s pretty new territory to give that treatment to the multiplex cinema of India, better known as Bollywood.

Drunk Bollywood Live aims to do just that with a live staged reading of a celebrated Bollywood production, but done with, as one might have guessed, a drunk cast. For this latest edition of Drunk Bollywood Live, they’re tackling big budget action hit Main Hoon Na! starring one of Bollywood’s biggest action stars Shah Rukh Khan.

Even if you’re not well versed in India cinema, we have a hard time imagining this wouldn’t be one hell of a good time. This next Drunk Bollywood Live is set for Fri. Apr. 26th at 7:30PM. Tickets are $31 and you best go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Kimberly Clark Taping (in LA) 4/19
March 18, 2024
News
aspecialthing, ast records, kimberly clark, live taping, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy

Here’s another taping that’s long overdue. Kimberly Clark has long since been a treasure of the LA comedy scene as a comedian that can always be counted out for good, calming spirits and even better punchlines. We’ve actually known and loved Clark for all the time that we’ve ran TCB and it’s kind of a thrill that she’s finally getting to put her jokes on wax.

Come Friday, April 19th, Clark will be doing a full length album taping for the venerable aspecialthing Records at Lyric Hyperion. You’ve got two chances to be part of the recording with an early 7:30PM and a late 9:30PM show. Clark will be joined by other faves of ours, Paul Danke, Clark Jones, and Maggie Maye.

Tickets are only $5 for this taping, so just go get a pair already! Do so here.

TCB Debriefing 3/12-3/15/24: Tig Notaro, The Feeling That The Time To Do Something Has Passed, Ghosts, Bill Maher, Sometimes I Think About Dying, Owen Wilson, Mark Twain Prize for Humor
March 15, 2024
News
bill maher, ghosts, mark twain prize for humor, owen wilson, sometimes i think about dying, the feeling that the time for doing something has passed, tig notaro

1. It has been 12 years since Tig Notaro’s seminal, groundbreaking work LIVE if you can believe it and not only is Tig still very, VERY much with us, but she is still putting out hour after hour of her signature wry, low key brilliance. Take a gander of her latest special Hello Again (directed by her wife, Stephanie Allynne, an amazing comedic force herself) here. Then, look for it on Amazon Prime beginning Mar. 26th.

2. Raunchy sex comedy can give indie/arthouse and not just be relegated to multiplex or straight to DVD/streaming. Just look at the upcoming (and wondrously titled) The Feeling That The Time for Doing Something Has Passed from newcomer writer/director Joanna Arnow here, then please make plans to go see it in whatever indie/arthouse theater is nearest to you starting Apr. 26th.

3. While Abbott Elementary seems to be the network sitcom of the moment, don’t forget that CBS’ Ghosts is that network’s top comedy (that also commands comparable numbers per episode), which is why its getting a fourth season renewal (Deadline).

4. Real Time with Bill Maher is getting reupped for its 23rd and 24th season by HBO (Variety). Only Kimmel has had as long a tenure in that realm and it’s interesting to note that Maher almost never gets brought up in the same sentence as him or John Oliver or Seth Meyers, probably having something to do with his own particular brand of sarcastic liberal humor.

5. If you didn’t get a chance to catch Sometimes, I Think About Dying one of the best understated performances on the big screen in quite some time, surprisingly delivered by Daisy Ridley, along with a wonderful biggest-role-to-date for Dave Merheje since it played in a very small window in limited release, you can now rent or buy it on digital platforms and enjoy the hilarious, the beautiful, and the absurd that are all contained within the mundane minutia, depending on who you’re talking to. Go watch and enjoy it here.

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A post shared by Dave Merheje (@davemerheje)

6. Owen Wilson is going to play a washed up golf pro in his latest comedy (Golf Digest), which, come to think of it, Wilson has kind of the perfect look for .

7. The Mark Twain Prize for Humor, while a big night in comedy, is something that’s not that easy to find to watch and often just relegated to watching the acceptance speech from the Kennedy Center’s YouTube channel well after the fact. That’s changing this year as entertainment magnate Kevin Hart is getting honored and it will be able to be streamed on Netflix (Washington Post). Odds are you’ll still watch it on YouTube if you can find it there.

8 We’ll leave you with this: LA Marathon & St. Patrick’s Day are both this Sunday, so maybe think about adding about a half hour or more to your travel time if you’re in LA.

Pick of the Day: Rachel Pegram Taping (in LA) 4/11
March 14, 2024
News
live taping, los angeles comedy, rachel pegram, stand up comedy

If you’re the sort of comedy fan/nerd/aficionado that wishes to catch the not so distant future’s next big stars, you would hopefully be well aware that, by the fact that you’re reading this right now, plenty such opportunities exist in LA and NYC on a nightly basis.

With that in mind, if you’re in and around LA on Thurs. Apr. 11th, you’re definitely going to want to be at Bar Covell, specifically in the side room to catch one Rachel Pegram tape an album live. Pegram is a gem in the LA scene with her a level of affability and charm that makes you feel like you’re a good friend giggling over the best gossip (even though it’s honed material).

Pegram is doing an early and late show, 7PM & 9PM, that Thursday and tickets are only $5. Best go get them before they sell out right here.

 

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