News – Page 53 – The Comedy Bureau

Help LA Indie Improv’s Clubhouse Reopen with This Kickstarter

November 24, 2021

crowdfunding, indie improv, kickstarter, los angeles comedy, los angeles venue, rebecca drysdale, reopening

So many venues and things in comedy fell victim to the pandemic in one way or another. We won’t bring the mood down by listing those yet again, but, odds are, you have mourned the things that have closed and gotten anxious over the things in comedy whose fate is yet to be determined.

Fortunately, one of the things that will survive is one of LA comedy’s beloved indie improv venue, The Clubhouse, nestled in a very large strip mall on Vermont Ave. in Los Feliz. Dozens and dozens of improv shows as well as some sketch, stand-up, clowning, and other wild comedy experiments were held lovingly at one of the The Clubhouse’s two rooms.

We were thoroughly worried that it was going to be a place that was indeed going to close as a result of having to be dark for so long. That is not the case as you now know, but they will need help reopening. There is back rent that’s due and many long overdue and necessary repairs that The Clubhouse needs. That’s why its amazing and gracious founder, Rebecca Drysdale, is doing this very Kickstarter to have the Clubhouse rise from the ashes once more (and make sure no one gets tetanus from the security gate).

Please support a LA comedy venue that was a home for so many, big and small, weird and weirder, etc. etc. Do so on Kickstarter here.

Pick of the Day: Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse (in LA) 12/5

November 24, 2021

News

experimental comedy, glendale, great moments in comedy made worse, improv comedy, jeremy schmidt, los angeles comedy, sketch comedy, skyler madsen

There used to be a time when there were anywhere from 3 to 5 shows a night at any of the UCB theaters. Within that slate, some of the coolest, most experimental stuff (i.e. much of the stuff we sought out before lockdown) happened at or after 11PM.

One of those things was the throw-caution-to-the-wind show Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse. Skyler Madsen and Jeremy Schmidt were at the helm of the raucous comedy catalyst that took famous sketches and tacked on 10-15 minutes of improv after the sketch supposedly ended. Also, none of the players knew what sketch they were going to do/improvise off until the very moment they were handed a script. The sort of madcap fun had by all of this show is something we’ve dearly missed for two years and are so thrilled that it has a date lined-up for next week.

In fact, you won’t even have to stay up to midnight to watch it. Presented by The Comedy Co-op, this return of Great Moments in Comedy Made Worse is set for Sun. Dec. 5th at 8PM PT at The Glendale Room. Tickets are only $10 and we highly suggest you get them ASAP because space is limited.

The Best Way to Get a Grammy Nomination for Best Comedy Album These Days Is Making a High Profile Comedy Special

November 23, 2021

News

Best Comedy Album

1. THE COMEDY VACCINE
Lavell Crawford

2. EVOLUTION
Chelsea Handler

3. SINCERELY LOUIS CK
Louis C.K.

4. THANKS FOR RISKING YOUR LIFE
Lewis Black

5. THE GREATEST AVERAGE AMERICAN
Nate Bargatze

6. ZERO F***S GIVEN
Kevin Hart

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)

1. AFTERMATH
LeVar Burton

2. CARRY ON: REFLECTIONS FOR A NEW GENERATION FROM JOHN LEWIS
Don Cheadle

3. CATCHING DREAMS: LIVE AT FORT KNOX CHICAGO
J. Ivy

4. 8:46
Dave Chappelle & Amir Sulaiman

5. A PROMISED LAND
Barack Obama

Best Song Written For Visual Media

1. AGATHA ALL ALONG [FROM WANDAVISION: EPISODE 7]
Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, songwriters (Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez Featuring Kathryn Hahn, Eric Bradley, Greg Whipple, Jasper Randall & Gerald White)

2. ALL EYES ON ME [FROM INSIDE]
Bo Burnham, songwriter (Bo Burnham)

3. ALL I KNOW SO FAR [FROM P!NK: ALL I KNOW SO FAR]
Alecia Moore, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, songwriters (Pink)

4. FIGHT FOR YOU [FROM JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH] Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)

5. HERE I AM (SINGING MY WAY HOME) [FROM RESPECT]
Jamie Hartman, Jennifer Hudson & Carole King, songwriters (Jennifer Hudson)

6. SPEAK NOW [FROM ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI…]
Sam Ashworth & Leslie Odom, Jr., songwriters (Leslie Odom, Jr.)

The way in which Best Comedy Album is run is only one of many reasons that The Grammys have a lot of changing to do to catch up with the times.

First off, you ought to know that it costs a good chunk of money to even apply to be considered for potential nomination at anything like The Grammys. Often, record labels would take care of this, but, in this day and age, streaming services like Netflix or networks like HBO not only foot such a bill, but make sure all their stand-up specials are released as audio just so they can be in the running for Best Comedy Album, which has always worked out for them over the last handful of years.

It, thus, shouldn’t come as a surprise that the field for Best Comedy Album largely comes down to a popularity contest (and popularity based on the opinion of whomever makes up the voting body at the Recording Academy). And what’s more popular than the audio of a filmed comedy special? Apparently, it is not the scores of comedy albums that are often much better than what’s nominated, according to The Recording Academy.

Every nominee this year is indeed audio derived from a filmed stand-up special that could doubly be considered for an Emmy. The majority of the nominees are some of the most famous comedians today (and, if you’ve been following us for any amount of time, you ought to know that fame often doesn’t equate to good comedy).

The most critically acclaimed special of 2021, Bo Burnham’s Inside, didn’t even get mentioned in this category, but got nominated in Best Song Written for Visual Media. Inside was put out of contention for Best Comedy Album because it’s extensive use of songs as part of a filmed special. It’s beyond nit picky, but just another example of how out of touch the Grammys really are, especially when it comes to comedy.

The cost of producing and distributing a special, in order to be more high profile for The Grammy’s sake, are so much higher than just recording an album. That cuts out a lot of very deserving albums from having a legitimate chance for getting a Grammy. Give a listen to Sean Devlin’s Airport, Animals or Ben Roy’s Take The Sandwich if you want to hear the very best, we think, hours on a comedy album that could have been in contention for an award this year.

Also, plenty of controversy ought to come with the inclusion of Louis C.K. and Dave Chappelle getting more Grammy nominations despite the sustained public outcry at their actions and/or words. Harvey Mason Jr., The CEO of The Recording Academy, claims that The Grammys won’t look at people’s history, but insist that they do control at who they invite to the actual ceremony. It’s that sort of potential action that will ensure the still very successful C.K. and Chappelle will be “held accountable”.

The Recording Academy announced a number of rule changes this year that there were going to institute for The Grammys, but, alas, it would seem nothing has really changed for comedy and we bet it won’t change any time soon.

‘Street Gang’ Trailer Shows How Revolutionary Sesame Street Really Was/Is

November 23, 2021

News

documentary, hbo, hbo max, jim henson, joan ganz cooney, lloyd morrisett, sesame street

While some revolutions are often held in the streets and furious skirmishes abound between opposing forces, others are held quietly, orchestrated in the background, though still intent on changing narratives/consciousness/perspectives.

If the children are, as they so often thought of, the future, Sesame Street, not unlike Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, was a revolutionary program that sought out to put a better future on screen so that those very children could live for a better present. The upcoming documentary Street Gang is going behind the scenes to show how Joan Ganz Cooney, Lloyd Morrisett, and Jim Henson all teamed up to make one of the most iconic TV series in history that lives on to this very day.

Get a taste of what’s to come in Street Gang with the official trailer here, then look for the premiere on HBO Max on Mon. Dec. 13th.

Pick of the Day: Centipede (in LA) 12/1

November 23, 2021

News

annie paradis, Camirin Farmer, Carly Kane, experimental comedy, kristin wallace, los angeles comedy, Molly Kearney, stand up comedy, tyler jackson, yard theater

Whether it be “experimental comedy”, “dare comedy”, or whatever else you want to call it, we love people swinging for the fences in comedy.

So, Tyler Jackson, who has a penchant for such a thing as evidenced by being the co-ring leader behind Late Late Breakfast, is tossing up another high concept show to fly, this time having comedians on the show pick the comedian following them and the subsequent comedian having to blur their set into their own (i.e. like a parts of an infamous ‘human centipede’). Taking on this challenge will be a very capable and fun bunch of Molly Kearney, Carly Kane, Kristin Wallace, Annie Paradis, and Camirin Farmer.

We believe, no matter what happens here, this ought to be a big hysterical hoot of an evening.

This very first Centipede in LA is set for Wed. Dec. 1st at 9PM PT. Tickets are $10 and you really ought to get them here.

The Taliban Are Banning “Comedy Shows In Which People Are Humiliated”

November 22, 2021

News

afghanistan, comedy ban, taliban

As the Taliban continues to change every single thing about Afghanistan and effectively turning back the clock in terms of progress by decades, they just issued a new set of guidelines (though we bet they’re more than just “guidelines”) to be followed by Afghan media (via Variety). The most alarming part is their move to end Afghan dramas/soap operas featuring female actors, which aggressively continues the shift backwards to an explicitly patriarchal theocracy. That’s a whole can of worms that we have a hard time imagining sustain itself in 2021. If the Taliban don’t already have their own Internet that grants them the power to limit any global influence, they’ll need it if they want to keep up such a ridiculous, outdated ideology going.

They’ll especially need such a tool to keep up another one of the directives they issued on Sunday: banning comedy shows in which people are humiliated.

One could argue that someone will always be a little bit humiliated in comedy given how there are always power dynamics at play in the DNA of humor and comedy. Sure, we didn’t think they would go for anything like Roast Battle in the Taliban’s Afghanistan, but relegating comedy to what would very likely be just observational humor of animals and inanimate objects will, very likely we think, be an unintentional seed of discord. Naturally, people will want to joke about more than that and, at some point, find a way to do so.

Even under threat of religious police in different Middle Eastern countries neighboring Afghanistan, people have organized secret comedy shows in the desert and been getting away with it for years. It’s hard to say what sort of humor will secretly manifest itself in Afghanistan, but we have no doubt that it’ll pop up somehow. A secret political cartoon of how poorly the Taliban are ruling? Other secret shows a secret cave where people can joke freely? We’ll see in the hopefully not too distant future.

Just like it’s pretty ludicrous to wage a war on a concept like terrorism, it’s just as futile to try to ban humiliation in comedy.

That all said, we’re sure that men will probably be able to openly joke about anyone that stands in opposition of Taliban values and the “guideline” will very likely not be applied in that case.

Pick of the Day: The Toxic Show-A Britney Spears Themed Comedy Show (in NYC) 12/2

November 22, 2021

News

amamah sardar, britney spears, kaitlyn murphy, maggie lalley, sam morrison, vannessa jackson

Britney Spears has been free from her conservatorship this month and a great way to mark/honor/celebrate that is a comedy show with her as a theme.

That’s what Maggie Lalley and Katilyn Murphy have chosen to do with their Britney themed Toxic Show that’s lined-up for Spears’ very own birthday on Thurs., Dec. 2nd. They’ve got plenty of great NYC comics that will join in on the comedic festivities of Britney’s freedom including Emily Wilson, Sam Morrison, Vannessa Jackson, and Amamah Sardar.

OH YOU BET THERE WILL BE BRITNEY TRIVIA AND ACCOMPANYING PRIZES!

Best of all, it’s free to attend (with proof of vaccination of course). Toxic Show is set for 7PM ET at Poco (in Alphabet City) on Thurs. Dec. 2nd. Get more details here.

#Pick of the Day: Amuse Bouche (in LA) 12/2

November 19, 2021

News

blair socci, chris garcia, comedy show, dana gould, jo la tengo, karl hess, los angeles comedy

The notion of taste is so crucial when it comes to comedy. Of all the art forms out there, it might be the most subjective and an exacting palate is the best way to hone in what might very well be the funniest thing to you. Obviously, the same goes with food.

Thus, Amuse Bouche brings the two worlds together by combining refined comedy with delectable delights. Karl Hess, Melody, and CleftClips were just getting this off the ground the year before COVID-19 hit and were so thrilled that it’s back and that good folks can gather together to savor fine artisanal jokes and splendid offerings from many of LA’s best chefs.

This time around, you’ll be served comedy from Dana Gould, Chris Garcia, and Blair Socci, music from Jo La Tengo, and then food from Malli, Little Fish as well as a selection of natural wines by Melody.

As far as sensory experiences go, you’ll be hard pressed to find something better on Thurs. Dec. 2nd at 7PM PT with this edition of Amuse Bouche. Tickets are $40 (that includes the meal, though drinks sold separately).

This show usually sells out pretty quick, so get your tickets here. Proof of vaccination obviously required.

SF Sketchfest Makes Gigantic First 2022 Line-Up Announcement

November 19, 2021

News

comedy festival, sf comedy, sf sketchfest

The days of having a ponderously big line-up for a live, in-person comedy festival seems like such a thing of a decade ago, despite Jan. 2020 (the last “normal” SF Sketchfest) only being nearly two year in the past.

Well, on this side of the pandemic, we’re getting back to SF Sketchfest being at full strength and announcing their massive schedule/line-up that spans around three weeks of some of the best comedy from North America and beyond. This morning, they just made the first official line-up announcement for 2022 SF Sketchfest running Jan. 7th-23rd, and, oh boy howdy, is it an early holiday gift for comedy fans of all kinds.

Just take a gander at what they’ve going so far:

SPECIAL EVENTS & LIVE IN-PERSON TRIBUTES

SF Sketchfest Tribute to Cheech & Chong
50th Anniversary Celebration with Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong in conversation with Ben Fong-Torres
SF Sketchfest Tribute to Laraine Newman
with friends Dana Gould, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen and Cole Stratton
SF Sketchfest Tribute to David Alan Grier
in conversation

SF Sketchfest Roast of Bruce Campbell
with guests Jeffrey Combs, Sharon Gless, David Alan Grier, Kane Hodder, Cassandra Peterson (AKA Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Ted Raimi, Jennifer Tilly and roastmaster Dana Gould
“Perfect Strangers” 35th Anniversary
with Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot
“Viva Variety” 25th Anniversary Tribute
A Very Special Evening with Mr. and the former Mrs. Laupin and Johnny Blue Jeans, aka Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Michael Ian Black, in conversation with Ken Marino
“Role Models” Live Read
with David Cross, Beth Dover, Nyima Funk, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Phil LaMarr, Joe Lo Truglio, Jane Lynch, Ken Marino, A.D. Miles, Adam Scott, Bobb’e J. Thompson, David Wain, Matt Walsh and more, with live music by the Red Room Orchestra
The 5 Year Anniversary of the 10 Year Anniversary of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival
with Eugene Mirman and friends Jena Friedman, Janeane Garofalo, Kristen Schaal, Sarah Vowell, Reggie Watts, and more
Let’s Make a Poop! With Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
Game show podcast with celebrity panelists including “Weird Al” Yankovic and more
The 1491s
Asian AF
with Jason Choi, Will Choi, Miss Golightly, Misha Han, Mic Nguyen and more
Maria Bamford
with Jenny Yang
Live at the Sydney Goldstein Theater
The Black Version
with Jordan Black, Nyima Funk, Daniele Gaither, Phil LaMarr, Karen Maruyama, Gary Anthony Williams and Cedric Yarbrough
David Cross: I’m From the Future
with Irene Tu
The Improvised Shakespeare Company
Judge John Hodgman
with John Hodgman and Jesse Thorn
Stuff You Should Know
with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
Upright Citizens Brigade: ASSSSCAT
with Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, D’Arcy Carden, Jessica McKenna, Tim Meadows, Zach Reino and more
Varietopia with Paul F. Tompkins and more

CINEMA & TELEVISION SPOTLIGHTS

The Benson Movie Interruptions: “The Goonies” and “The Lost Boys”
with Doug Benson and surprise guests
“Futurama” vs. COVID-3019!
with David X. Cohen, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, Phil LaMarr, Lee Supercinski, Lauren Tom and Billy West
A Narfy Afternoon with “Pinky and the Brain”
with Maurice LaMarche & Rob Paulsen, moderated by Cole Stratton
Riffapalooza
with Bill Corbett, Frank Conniff, Kevin Murphy, Mary Jo Pehl, Jonah Ray and J. Elvis Weinstein

IMPROV & SKETCH

BriTANick
Dinosaur Improv
with Owen Burke, Chad Carter, Rob Huebel, Jason Mantzoukas, Seth Morris, Charlie Sanders, Paul Scheer and more
The Groundlings: Cookin’ With GAS
Killing My Lobster
With Cobranauts, Hosted by Mark Smalls
Naked Babies
with John Ross Bowie, Rob Corddry, Brian Huskey and Seth Morris / PalmerTrolls with Ben Palmer
Please Leave The Bronx and The Great Difficulties
Hosted by Matt O’Brien
SponTourCo
with Paul F. Tompkins, Eugene Cordero, Tawny Newsome and Janet Varney
SuperMarried
with John Ross Bowie and Jamie Denbo / Grifter, Hosted by Haley Hoffmeister
Theme Park Improv
with Ian Brennan, Simon Helberg, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock, Jessica Makinson, Oscar Nuñez, Cole Stratton and Janet Varney with guest monologist Wendi McLendon-Covey
White Women
with Ronnie Adrian, Zeke Nicholson, Ify Nwadiwe, Ishmel Sahid, Carl Tart and Lamar Woods
3Peat
with TSTMRKT, Hosted by Alexandria Love

THEATER & STORYTELLING

Bruce and Friend Kevin
with Bruce McCulloch and Kevin McDonald
Celebrity Autobiography
with Mario Cantone, Sharon Gless, Tony Hale, Wendi McClendon-Covey, Laraine Newman, Oscar Nuñez, Eugene Pack, and Jennifer Tilly
The Comedy Pack
An afternoon of short comedies by Eugene Pack starring Tony Hale, Tim Kazurinsky, Oscar Nuñez, Jennifer Tilly, George Wendt, and more
Fake TED Talks
with Jean Grae, Bruce McCulloch, Paul & Storm, Adam Savage, Laser Malena-Webber and more
Lottie Platchett Took a Hatchet!
with Drew Droege, Tom Lenk, Ryan Garcia, Jessica Hanna, Tom DeTrinis, Justin Elizabeth Sayre and Pete Zias
The Medievalists: a play reading by Bill Corbett
with Paget Brewster, Jason Ritter, James Urbaniak and more
Mortified
Porchlight: A Storytelling Series
with guests David Cross, Chris Garcia, A.D. Miles, Ify Nwadiwe, and Atsuko, hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte, with music by Marc Capelle
RISK! with Kevin Allison
with guests Mary Jo Pehl, Jonah Ray, Shalewa Sharpe and more
Selected Shorts: Too Hot for Radio
with Tony Hale, Baron Vaughn and more
Stop Joking for 100 Years And Other Requests From My Kid (Stories of Parenting and Childhood)
with Eugene Mirman and friends Nore Davis, Jena Friedman, Janeane Garofalo, Dana Gould, Natasha Leggero, Bobby Tisdale, Baron Vaughn, Reggie Watts and Jenny Yang

PODCASTS & TALK SHOWS

Add to Cart with Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak
Alchemy This with Kevin Pollak
with Chris Alvarado, Craig Cackowski, Joey Greer, James Heaney and Cole Stratton
The Bechdel Cast with Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus
The Bitchuation Room
with Francesca Fiorentini, Nato Green and more
Community Focused Dynamics with Kaseem Bentley and Murahd Shawkey
Dead Eyes with Connor Ratliff
Doug Loves Movies with Doug Benson
The Endless Honeymoon Podcast with Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero
Gettin’ Better with Ron Funches
The George Lucas Talk Show
With Patrick Cotnoir, Connor Ratliff and Griffin Newman
The Greatest Generation
with Adam Pranica and Benjamin Ahr Harrison
Hello From the Magic Tavern
with Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai and Matt Young
Hey Riddle Riddle
with Erin Keif, JPC, Adal Rifai and more
John Hodgman & Adam Savage: Spin-a-Wheel Conversation
Jordan, Jesse, Go!
with Jordan Morris and Jesse Thorn
Lady to Lady
with Tess Barker, Babs Gray and Brandie Posey
Live Wire with Luke Burbank
Mission to Zyxx
Nature Talks to Itself
with Jace Armstrong and Justin Michael and guest D’Arcy Carden and more
Nerd Rage: The Great Debates
Off Book: The Improvised Musical with Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino
Pod Yourself a Gun: A Sopranos Podcast
with Matt Lieb, Vince Mancini and Brent Flyberg
Ringheads with Bill Corbett and Sean Thomason
Talking Simpsons
Will You Accept This Rose? with Arden Myrin
with Paget Brewster
Yo, Is This Racist? with Tawny Newsome and Andrew Ti
with Mohanad Elshienky and Jean Grae

STAND-UP COMEDY

Todd Barry
with Ever Mainard and Paco Romane
Janeane Garofalo
Joel Kim Booster’s Joy F*ck Club
with Atsuko, Nori Reed, Jes Tom, Irene Tu
An Evening with Jeff Garlin: “Use Me” Tour
Michael Winslow
RB Butcher
with Hayden Kristal
Beth Stelling
with Ever Mainard and Hosted by Ja-Ron Young
Sasheer Zamata
Shane Torres
with Mike Carrozza and Jane Harrison
Atsuko & Friends
with Atsuko, Michael Ian Black and more
Smug Shift with Moshe Kasher and Brent Weinbach
and guests Demi Adejuyigbe, Johnny Pemberton, Robin Tran and more
Everything’s Great!
with Demi Adejuyigbe, Nick Kocher and Addie Weyrich and guests Ginny Hogan, Natasha Leggero and more
Jay Jurden / Peter Smith
Hosted by Marcus Williams
The Charm Offensive
with Krista Fatka, Paco Romane and David Roth and guests Julie Ash, Dro Knows, Jade Theriault and Marcus Williams
Comedy Baseball
with Steve Ausburne, Matt Baetz, Colin Braun, DNA, Greg Gettle, Justin Gomes, Andrew Holmgren, Ben Kolina, Robert Omoto, Ivy Vasquez, Natasha Vinik and Mikey Walz
Cosplay Comedy
with Leiroy Abueg, K. Cheng, Kyle Chrise, Jason Cole, April Cowgur, Bryce Druzin, Sarah Giambruno, Janie Hanmaker Gunn, Alexander McAllister, Arturo Raygoza and Hank Romero
Diversity Hires
with Luisa Isbell and Sureni Weerasekera and guests Hayden Kristal, Alvin Kuai, Alexandria Love and Moe Yaqub
Donde Esta Mi Comedy? with Baruch Porras Hernandez
and guests Julian Fernandez, Isa Medina, Jota Mercury and Armando Torres
DOPE Show with Kaseem Bentley and Murahd Shawkey
with guests Ehsan Ahmad, Wally Baram, Ian Levy, Dauood Naimyar, Joshua Stokes and Sureni Weerasekera
Facial Recognition Comedy
with Zahra Ali, Fizaa Dosani, Pallavi Gunalan, Sabeen Sadiq and more
Femmes The Rules
with Mary Jane French, Sammy Mowrey and Bailey Norton and guests Jeena Bloom, Katrina Davis, Tyler Jackson, Drew Lausch, Ever Mainard and Mateen Stewart
Funnilingus
with Dana Donnelly, Pallavi Gunalan and Ellory Smith and guests Blair Dawson, Diana Hong, Leah Rudick, Laura Sanders and Atheer Yacoub
The Gateway Show with Billy Anderson
and guests Scott Eason, Melissa Shoshahi, Billy Sullivan, Armando Torres,
Interruption Show with Dalia Malek
and guests Alex Falcone, Holly Lynnea, Matt Knudsen, Mic Nguyen and Chad Opitz
Jolli-baes with Andrew Orolfo
and guests Marcus Cardona, Aivy Cordova, Andrew Lopez and Wilfred Padua
Kwaczala-palooza with Joe Kwaczala
and guests Luke Craig, Dana Donnelly, Alex Falcone, Ellory Smith and Torio Van Grol
Lady to Lady and Ladyfriends
with Tess Barker, Babs Gray and Brandie Posey and guests Alyssa Al-Dookhi, Nataly Aukar, Katrina Davis, Veronica Kwiatkowski and JoAnn Schinderle
Locals Only!
with Steven Asifo, Hayley Beacon, Justin Careesi, Max Eddy, Geulah Finman, Jesse Hett, Gary Hughes, Nick Leonard, Orion Levine, Jeanette Marin, Melissa McGillicuddy, Annette Mullaney, Luke Soin, Ta’Vi, Jade Theriault, Travis Thielen, Andrew Young and Zorba Jevon Hughes
Mental Health Comedy Hour
with Wonder Dave and Kristee Ono and guests Lola Anthema,Kari Burt and Dan Weber
The Old School Comedy Masters
with Larry “Bubbles” Brown, Mike Meehan and Johnny Steele
Resistance is Fertile
with Brooke Heinichen and Luisa Isbell and guests Darlene Bereznicki, Loren Kraut, Becky Lynn, JoAnn Schinderle and Ally Taylor
The Setup
with Abhay and Richard Sarvate and guests Virginia Jones, Lizzie Martinez, Joe Praino, Steven Rogers and Atheer Yacoub
Special Release: Dhaya Lakshminarayanan & Karinda Dobbins
Talkies
with George Chen, Aviva Siegel, Land Smith and Nick Stargu and guests Katie-Ellen Humphries, Chad Opitz, Jay Shingle and Jordan Thewlis
The SF Sketchfest Dozen:
Will Miles & Blair SocciMike Drucker & Nori Reed
Amy Miller & Zach Zimmerman
Johnny Pemberton & Jenny Yang
Shalewa Sharpe & Sam Tallent
Fumi Abe & Joyelle Nicole Johnson
SF Sketchfest Threesomes:
Grant Gordon & Hannah Pilkes & Jeff Wright
Katrina Davis & Hanna Dickinson & Mike Merrill
SF Sketchfest Killer Lineups:
Chris Garcia, Kate Willett, Sahib Singh, Jes Tom, Shain Brenden and Seth Allen
Nore Davis, Robin Tran, Andrew Orolfo, Maeve Press, Casey Ley and Nick Sahoyah
Mohanad Elshieky, Yamaneika Saunders, Orlando Leyba, Kenice Mobley, Joe Kwaczala and Laura Sanders

VARIETY & GAME SHOWS

Choose Your Own Adventure — A Drag Show
Comedy Psychos
with Leiroy Abueg, Holly Annabel Brown, The Advertising Brothers, Joel Jimenez, Chris Riggins and Alyssa Westerlund
The Crossword Show with Zach Sherwin
Drennon Davis & DJ Real
Hosted by Darlene Bereznicki
Filipino AF
with Will Choi and Joy Reguillano
Get It?! with Joe Klocek
with Joseph Anolin, Aivy Cordova and Ryan Goodcase
Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm & Friends
Kyle Gordon / Don’t Watch This Show Live!
Hosted by Krista Fatka
Music Night
with The Doubleclicks, DJ Real, Chaki, The Satan Sisters, Ben Visini and Mikey Deadleg
Play Date with Puddles, Dave Hill and Steve Agee
Shit Arcade with Mike Drucker
Tinder Live with Lane Moore and Janeane Garofalo
Turning Tricks — The Magic Show
with Robert Strong and guest magicians Jade, Jay Alexander, Kevin Blake, Andrew Evans and David Gerard
Uptown Showdown Debate: “In Person vs. Remote”
Hosted by Dhaya Lakshminarayanan with RB Butcher, Jen Friedman Dana Gould, Baron Vaughn and more
Vanessa Gonzalez / The Latino Comedy Project Presents: “Gentrif*cked!”
Wheels Off with Rhett Miller
with Natasha Leggero

EMERGING STAND-UP, SKETCH, IMPROV & PODCASTS

Abhay, Aivy Cordova, Alex Falcone, Alex Price, Alexandria Love, Ali Clayton, Ally Taylor, Alvin Kuai, Alyssa Al-Dookhi, Alyssa Westerlund, Andrew Holmgren, Andrew Lopez, Andrew Young, Annette Mullaney, Armando Torres, Arroz Con Pho, Arthur Gaus, Atheer Yacoub, Aviva Siegel, Babs Gray, Back Alley Racket Club, Bailey Norton, The Ballroom, Baruch Porras Hernandez, Becky Lynn, Ben Kolina, Ben Visini, The Big Boyzzz, Billy Anderson, Bingewatch, Black Cat Sketch Comedy, Blair Dawson, Brandie Posey, Brian Sullivan, Brooke Heinichen, Business Casual, Butt, Chad Opitz, Chaki, Chicken Scratch Improv, Chris Riggins, Clara Bijl, Cluedunit, Cobranauts, Colin Braun, Colin Mahan: Himselves, Comedy Dance Chicago, Dalia Malek, Dan Weber, Dana Donnelly, Darlene Bereznicki, Dauood Naimyar, David Nguyen, David Roth, Daytime Talk at Night, Diana Hong, DNA, The Doubleclicks, Drew Lausch, Dro Knows, Drunk Theatre, Ehsan Ahmad, Ellory Smith, Emily Walsh, Erick Hellwig, Ever Mainard, Fizaa Dosani, Fred Le, Friendo, Garage, Gary Hughes, George Chen, Geulah Finman, Ginny Hogan, Girls Night, Goldbaby, Granny Cart Gangstas, Greg Gettle, Grifter, Hayden Kristal, Hayley Beacon, Haley Hoffmeister, Holly Annabel Brown, Holly Lynnea, Isa Medina, Ian Levy, Improv All-Stars, Ivy Vasquez, Jack Blankenship: A Funeral For My Face, Jade Theriault, Jake Mattera, Jalisa Robinson, Jason Choi, James Mwaura, Jamie Wolf, Jane Harrison, Janesh Rahlan, Jay Shingle, Jeanette Marin, Jeena Bloom, Jenn Scott, Jeremy Furlong, Jesse Hett, JoAnn Schinderle, Joe Praino, Joel Jimenez, Joey Avery, John Hastings, John Kennedy, Jon Blair, Jordan Thewlis, Josef Anolin, Josh Covitt, Joshua Stokes, Jota Mercury, Julia Hladkowicz, Julian Fernandez, Julie Ash, Justin Careesi, K. Cheng, Kari Burt, Karthik Lavangu, Kaseem Bentley, Katie-Ellen Humphries, Krista Fatka, La Spazzatura, Lady ADHD, Land Smith, Laura Sanders, Lauren Vernea, Leah Rudick, Leiroy Abueg, Lemon Pepper Wet, The Lesbian Agenda with Sophie Santos, Linda Hollywood’s Big Hollywood Night, Living Impaired, Liz Stone, Lizzie Martinez, Loren Kraut, Lucas Zelnick, Luisa Isbell, Luke Craig, Luke Soin, Luxury Cruise Singles Mixe, Marcus Cardona, Marcus Williams, Mark Smalls, Martin Phillips, Maryland Night Live, Mateen Stewart, Matt Baetz, Matt Knudsen, Matt O’Brien, Matt Storrs, Max Eddy, Melissa McGillicuddy, Melissa Shoshahi, Mic Nguyen, Mike Lane: Mixed Race Sweetie, A Million Shetland Ponies, MIke Carrozza, Mikey Walz, Milwaukee!, Misha Han, Miss Directions, Model Minority, Moe Yaqub, Moon Goon, Murahd Shawkey, Nataly Aukar, Natasha Vinik, Nick Leonard, Nick Skardarasy, Nick Stargu, Odell & DeJong, Orion Levine, Paco Romane, Pallavi Gunalan, PalmerTrolls with Ben Palmer, Papp Johnson, Peet Guercio, Phil Griffiths, Public Works, RecRoom Improv, Reid Clark, Richard Sarvate, Robert Omoto, Ronn Vigh, Running With Glitter, Ryan Goodcase, Ryan Thomas, Sabeen Sadiq, Samantha Gilweit, Sami Sutker, The Satan Sisters, Scott Eason, Sean Keane, Seth Allen, Shain Brenden, Shoot the Moon, Squad Patrol, Stephen Taylor, Steven Asifo, Steven Rogers, Strong Male Leads, Super Black: An Improvised Blaxploitation Film, Sureni Weerasekera, Surviving San Francisco: Still Got That Weak-Ass Fro, TammyTeaLove, Ta’Vi, Tess Barker, Tony Camin, Torio Van Grol, Tory Ward, Travis Thielen, Trouble With Shapes, TSTMRKT, Ty Clay, Tyler Jackson, Veronica Kwaitkowski, Vincent Chuang, Virginia Jones, Walker Glenn, Wild Wild Christian, Wilfred Padua, Winslow, Women of Color Anonymous, Your Friends Comedy, Zach Wycuff, Zahra Ali, Zorba Jevon Hughes.

If you couldn’t find several comedy treasures for you in there, we honestly don’t know what to do with you.

Tickets for all SF Sketchfest shows will go on sale Sun, November 21 at 10AM PT/1PM ET. Get more details and buy tickets this Sunday at sfsketchfest.com.

Please Enjoy a Trailer for the Best Named Movie of 2021, “Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn”

November 18, 2021

News

bad luck banging, magnolia pictures, radu jude, trailer

Besides very likely having the best title of any movie this year, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn might give Pam & Tommy a run for its money when it comes to comedies about a private sex tape finding its way online.

Radu Jude’s latest follows a teacher whose sex tape leaks online and then has to confront a community about it to see whether they will let her keep her job or not. Though not nearly as high profile a story as Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s sex tape and the scandal that followed (and hailing all the way from Romania), Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn does seem to promise a very fun discussion on voyeurism and obscenity and what looks to be one of the funniest scenes in a movie (as the teacher has to sit and watch teachers and parents watch her sex tape in front of her).

Get a taste of what’s to come yourself with the trailer for Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn here, then look for it in limited release in the U.S. staring Fri. Nov. 19th.

Hannah Gadsby’s Memoir “Ten Steps to Nanette” Due Out March 2022

November 18, 2021

News

hannah gadsby, memoir, nanette, ten steps to nanette

(via THR)

One of the biggest lightning rod pieces of art over the 10 years just happen to be a comedy special, one from Hannah Gadsby called Nanette.

It should stand to reason that you’d want to know how that came to be.

Thus, you should mark down Mar. 29th, 2022 when Hannah Gadsby’s memoir Ten Steps to Nanette that chronicles her very first days in stand-up comedy all the way to when Hannah’s name was uttered by millions and millions of people. There’s also, of course, Gadsby journey growing up the very not queer friendly place of Tasmania and coming to terms with being neurodivergent. Of the myriads of comedians that put out memoirs these days, this undoubtedly will be one of the most compelling stories put together by one of the best storytellers and artisans in the art/craft of comedy.

One can only hope that by 2022, there will be no more debate over Nanette‘s validity as a comedy special and that it won’t take a memoir to finish such a vapid argument.

Pick of the Day: Sad Sacks (in NYC) 12/1

November 18, 2021

News

anthony devito, casey james salengo, chris gethard, doug smith, ny comedy, solo show

With the exposure of solo shows from the UK and Australia and the ever changing DNA of comedy specials these days, we hope that you’ve expanded your consideration of what constitutes an hour of comedy these days. Certainly, in America, it can be quite difficult to develop such material as there has been historical expectation at comedy shows of cut and dried jokes, honed or raw. The inclination towards vulnerability in comedy, even though that was Richard Pryor’s bread and butter, has only really become a trend over the last decade.

With that in mind, it’s important to have space for such genre bending, more emotionally deep works of comedy that fall into that age old label of “solo show”. Thus, Sad Sacks @ Caveat in NYC’s LES is born. Celebrated and seasoned comedians Chris Gethard, Casey James Salengo, Anthony Devito, and Doug Smith all have their solo shows that they’re working on and will be performing excerpts of it together at this very special showcase. It’ll be a comedy show that has the whole range of emotional color that, we’d argue, makes for a much more enriching experience.

So, do not miss out getting tickets for Sad Sacks on Wed. Dec. 1st at 7PM ET. They’re $15 and you can go get them here.

Please Enjoy Jackie Kashian’s New Special “Stay-Kashian”, Finally Arrived on This Side of the Pandemic

November 17, 2021

News

800 pound gorilla, comedy album, comedy special, jackie kashian, stand up comedy, stay kashian

For all the comedians that didn’t take a break during this historic global pandemic, Jackie Kashian managed to perform more than almost anyone and, more importantly do so safely. A large part of that had to do with her actual affinity towards virtual comedy (truly, Jackie’s joke can transcend the emotional distance of Zoom) and her tireless work ethic to the art form of stand-up comedy.

The result of countless hundreds of hours of Zoom, drive-in shows, outdoor shows, etc. etc. as well as numerous attempts to record her latest hour only to be thwarted by a new wave of COVID protocols brought on by the COVID-19 variants is this latest hour Stay-Kashian. The special seems to pick right up where Jackie left off in March 2020 when live in-person stand up went away for an extremely long “sabbatical”.

Quite simply, Stay-Kashian is a very good hour of stand-up as Jackie is particularly good at crafting them (arguably one of the very best these days). Kashian has always hit a dream comedic balance of personal, observational, satirical, clever, and aspirational with the rapid fire delivery of a multi-cam sitcom and this latest special is a further testament to that. Most comics end up doing just OK with aiming for two of those adjectives.

Kashian goes to the well of a lot of her best material, her family, specifically her father full of oblique, yet keen wisdom. That said, it’s more clear in this hour than ever before that Jackie could dissect any topic with her colorful twists of description and sharp moral observations that we could really listen to her joke about anything (as we often do during Jackie & Laurie).

Clearly, the pandemic couldn’t stop the comedy of Jackie Kashian and Stay-Kashian is proof positive of that.

Please enjoy it as a special that you can stream on YouTube here and stream it as an album here thanks to 800 Pound Gorilla.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 86: Catherine McCafferty & First 8 Days Living in NYC

November 17, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

catherine mccafferty, jfl, lethal weapon, nft, nyc comedy, party down

Catherine McCafferty is on the way to achieving the dream of many comedians, being bi-coastal. McCafferty had been based out of LA for years doing stand-up, acting, and more, but has now just freshly broke ground in NYC. It was 8 days in for her on the day she recorded this episode of TCB Field Report with Jake Kroeger and it’s a great portrait of expectations meeting reality and the whirlwind that transplanting from one metropolis to another can be.

Also, “hot” and actually hot takes on Party Down revival, JFL NFTs, and an upcoming Lethal Weapon sequel with Mel Gibson attached to direct.

Find Catherine @catherine_mccaff on IG

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: 15th Annual Thanksgiving Feast (in LA) 11/23

November 17, 2021

News

alex berg, alex fernie, deborah tarica, julie brister, laci mosley, suzi barrett, todd fasen, zeke nicholson

Even at this stage of the pandemic, the presence of top flight improv still isn’t what it once was, no matter where you go. The fate of UCB is still TBD at this point in time and the other smaller improv schools/theaters are only starting to have their house teams to get back in the swing of things.

That’s all to say that a chance to catch tip top level improv shouldn’t be missed and such a chance is coming up at The Elysian with The 15th Annual Thanksgiving Feast (that probably would have happened at UCB Franklin if circumstances were different). It’s an improvised Thanksgiving Dinner with a more than plentiful handful of LA’s best improvisers including:

Suzi Barrett
Alex Fernie
Alex Berg
Deborah Tarica
Julie Brister
Todd Fasen
Laci Mosley
Zeke Nicholson

If you could remember who was going up on several different teams every week pre-lockdown, it was all of these folks. So, once again, don’t miss out on your chance to see them live and in person (with proof of vaccination of course) and get a bit of levity before heading into the fray of a family Thanksgiving.

The 15th Annual Thanksgiving Feast is set for Tues. Nov. 23rd at 8PM PT at The Elysian. Tickets are $15 and you really ought to go get them here.

Party Down Revival Happening at Starz, Though Without Casey

November 16, 2021

News

party down, starz

For the Party Down loyal that carefully kept asking “Are we having fun yet?”, secretly hoping that the series would make a triumphant return (if networks are going to keep coming back to IP, might as well make it something that people were actually asking for), your wishes have been granted.

There indeed will be an actual revival of the cult comedy classic focused in on disillusioned catering service employees and their infamous pink bow ties. Starz was able to wrangle back the creators and the overwhelming majority of the cast, but, unfortunately, Lizzy Caplan, who played Casey (often played against Adam Scott for a will they/won’t they relationship), won’t be joining in due to prior commitments to other projects at Paramount+ and FX.

Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Ryan Hansen, Megan Mullally, and Martin Starr are all set to come back and that’s definitely something to be relished, but, until the season premiere, it’ll be a mystery of how they’re going to deal with Casey’s absence.

Considering the new Sex and the City is going forward without a Samantha, are series revivals are just going to push forward any way they can whether that includes principal cast or not? We’re sure there will be plenty more such revivals to find out if that’s true.

we're back in business. #PartyDown pic.twitter.com/iKPaW2OIYG

— Party Down (@partydownstarz) November 16, 2021

Please Enjoy the “Don’t Look Up” Trailer (and Start Heeding the Very Clear Message Adam McKay Is Trying to Send)

November 16, 2021

News

adam mckay, don't look up, jennifer lawrence, leonardo dicaprio, netflix

Adam McKay’s devastatingly searing Vice took on the life and times of one Dick Cheney. Before that, McKay put the world on notice of his new leaf as a satirist auteur and a brutally effective one at that with The Big Short, focusing on the few that profited off of knowing the 2008 housing market crash was going to happen.

So much science has pointed out how clearly climate change is being caused by man made choices and the world as a whole, at this point, seems to be doing very little other than lip service. That’s where McKay is positing his lens on this go around with Don’t Look Up, a cautionary tale about ignoring all the signs of trouble that are very clear to see, but just so much easier to ignore and go on living life as you were (hence the film’s title).

Just from the trailer, you can see this might even be more biting than either Vice or The Big Short to the point that having a gigantic cast that features the big and brightest stars in Hollywood seems secondary to the message at stake when the nations and countries of the world aren’t addressing very clear and present danger.

Odds are you’ve probably seen this trailer already (DiCaprio and Lawrence are the stars of it after all and Meryl Streep plays POTUS), but for the sake of the point Adam McKay is trying to make, watch it again here, then watch it on Dec. 10th in theaters or Dec. 24th on Netflix.

Pick of the Day: I Never Get to Wear This (in LA) 11/20

November 16, 2021

News

bri pruett, clint coley, felicia folkes, giulia rozzi, los angeles comedy, puterbaugh sisters, sammy mowrey

If you’re the sort of person that wishes your comedy shows has a lot more style and flair to them and not just any old mix of denim, leather, hoodies, and whatever t-shirts are clean, there might be a show now just for you.

I Never Get To Wear This is a carefully curated live comedy show that not only picks the line-up for how great their comedic stylings are, but is also incredibly discerning about which comedians can turn a look. Of course, a show like this has a theme for the performers to inspire an iconic ensemble.

This month will be “Thanksgiving finery” and the line-up of Giulia Rozzi, The Puterbaugh Sisters, Felicia Folkes, Clint Coley, and Sammy Mowrey will undoubtedly put together the best Thanksgiving Day parade of jokes accented by the perfect set of accessories.

This edition of I Never Get To Wear This is set for Sat. Nov. 20th at 8PM PT at Third Wheel Studios. Tickets are $10-$20 (sliding scale) and you really ought to get tickets here.

Pick of the Day: Hannah Gadsby: Body of Work (in LA & NYC) 2022

November 15, 2021

News

hannah gadsby

Hannah Gadsby has already cemented a legacy in comedy history with her groundbreaking special Nanette and her brilliantly funny Douglas. At this point, it should be imperative to make time for whatever Gadsby’s next round of work is.

With Douglas out in 2020, we bet there would have been a brand new hour underway for Gadsby had 2020 been saddled with, well… being 2020.

That said, 2020 is well behind us and 2021 is almost at a close and, by 2022, the world will get a chance to see how Gadsby will electrify the world of comedy (or the world in general) as Hannah is going on her Body of Work tour all across the globe.

Specifically, she’ll be in NYC from May 11th-14th (venue TBA) and in LA at Theatre at Ace Hotel on June 17th. Tickets are on sale just yet, but you can sign-up for pre-sale here and make sure that you have every moment possible to get tickets, which you should do because all these shows ought to sell out.

Indefensible with Jena Friedman Might Be the Best True Crime/Comedy Show This Year or in Recent Memory

November 12, 2021

News

indefensible, jena friedman, sundance tv, true crime

The genre of true crime is so popular at this very moment in time that it would almost seem that there was never a time where it wasn’t frequently the main focal point of casual conversations. As you probably very well know, comedy has even benefitted from such a boon as many of the top comedy podcasts often are the top true crime podcasts and, more importantly, are some of the top podcasts in general. My Favorite Murder and Last Podcast on the Left have earned such popularity that they’ve been able to go on global tours and launch their very own podcast networks on the strength of each of their individual following.

That’s all to say that the intersection of comedy and true crime has been very fertile ground for content over the last several years.

However, what about that ever-debated notion of whether comedy can actual make a difference, be funny and make a cohesive and incisive point, and move the needle towards making people’s lives better rather than just be more exploitative than not for some comedic shock value? We believe that Jena Friedman is doing the work to make that a reality, most recently, with her brilliant series, Indefensible with Jena Friedman.

Firstly, she focused her whole set on Conan in 2019 to this obsession with true crime, especially in regards to women since stories of serial killers and mass murderers paint a truly terrifying world that we live in. Following that, Jena has gone several extra miles to not just source comedy from the tragedy that are all these stories of harm, but satirically, yet cogently highlight the most toxic corners of humanity and why we need to not let such things happen again. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case in comedy when joking about serial killers.

This journey continued with a couple of specials under the banner of Soft Focus with Jena Friedman over at Adult Swim where she got to cleverly get under the skin of such infamous figures as John McAfee, the ex-tech-mogul-turned-international-fugitive during a face-to-face interview.

Indefensible takes Jena’s work to whole other level as she has the canvas of an entire series to dissect the literally fatal flaws in our legal system as well as the ever present biases that prevent proper justice violence against the most vulnerable in our society.

Also, she gets to make dick jokes at high powered lawyers’ expense to their face, leaving them befuddled as if they just found out that they were on some high brow prank show (note that Jena did write on Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm).

It’s very satisfying and hysterical and something that no real true crime or hidden camera comedy sketch show has ever done to our knowledge (save for Colbert at Bush for the White House Correspondents Dinner). The resulting effect is a demystifying of the oft-unquestioned authority of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the legal system as a whole and some of the most engrossing, hysterical real life moments on TV. The way that Jena almost effortlessly allows some of her interviewees to corner themselves is truly masterful and is absolutely must-watch TV.

At the same time, she takes great care to respect the voices and privacy of the victims, many of whom did not get the justice that they deserve and speaking to many experts in the field about why, again, justice isn’t being served when it most certainly should be. As we hinted at above, this isn’t just about punching up at people who deserve it for a good laugh, but, as Jena has done in all the time that we’ve known her, trying to make a tangible difference for a clear and present danger.

We can only hope that she gets renewed for several seasons so she could can keep doing her important work on behalf of the voiceless and marginalized and crafting and telling some of the best dark jokes in comedy history.

You can now stream episodes of Indefensible with Jena Friedman on Sundance TV.

Pick of the Day: Community Power: Hugo Soto-Martinez Fundraiser (in LA) 11/16

November 12, 2021

News

andrea more, atwater village, club tee gee, dan mintz, demi adejuyigbe, fundraiser, hugo soto martinez, james adomian, kate berlant, los angeles comedy, sandy honig, stand up comedy, steve hernandez

Many of the very best line-ups for comedy shows often come with the purpose of raising money for a worthy cause. That was definitely true all of last summer as gala level line-ups assembled on Zoom to raise money for mutual aid, undocumented relief, and local representative campaigns.

That will be true yet again as Hugo Soto-Martinez is raising money for a run at LA City Council (quick reminder that two LA City Council members were indicted on federal charges in the last year or so and we need good folks in those seats) as someone who is a more fair, equitable, and safe life for Angelenos. Thus, he has been doing pop-up comedy fundraisers as of late.

This latest edition of Community Power will feature the stellar comedy stylings of:

Dan Mintz (Tina from Bob’s Burgers!)
Kate Berlant
James Adomian
Demi Adejuyigbe
Sandy Honig
Steve Hernandez
Andrea More

That’s beyond a stacked show on Tues. Nov. 16th at 7PM PT at Club Tee Gee and one that you pretty much shouldn’t miss for any reason. Tickets start at $10 and sales all go towards Hugo Soto-Martinez for City Council 2022!

Go get them here before they sell out (Tee Gee is a beautiful and very intimate venue, so space is limited, FYI).

Please Enjoy Laurie Kilmartin’s Parenting Tips/Latest Late Night Set on Corden

November 12, 2021

News

james corden, late late show, late night, laurie kilmartin, stand up comedy

In addition to being a fantastic staff writer for Conan O’Brien for years and years, Laurie Kilmartin has always kept sharp as a stand-up comedian. In fact, her writing might be some of the sharpest in stand-up comedy today as Laurie never ever stops working at her craft. Throughout lockdown, she did Zoom, drive-in shows, and outdoor shows as much as she could and, for our money, has some of the best COVID material in comedy, end of discussion.

Now that Conan has sailed off into the sunset of TV and comedy history (to return at some point in a non-late-night form on HBO Max), Kilmartin has really honed in her stand-up even more so than she already was doing. She just released her latest album Corset now available for purchase and/or streaming.

Laurie also got to do her very first set on The Late Late Show with James Corden and impart some exemplary strategies for raising your kids. Please enjoy her set here (and then follow everything she does).

Please Enjoy Good Cop Great Cop’s Take on Performance Reviews

November 11, 2021

News

charlie hankin, good cop great cop, matt porter, performance review, sketch comedy

As we near two years of going through this very real life nightmare of the pandemic, we’re at a point where things are truly are coming back. That includes one of our favorite sketch groups around, Good Cop Great Cop (Matt Porter and Charlie Hankin).

They used to crank out sketches all the time that struck a great balance between sheer absurdity and grounded reality, all while keeping a figurative straight face. We’ve posted plenty of them throughout the years (even their CC digital series New Timers), but 2020 definitely put that on pause (as it did the whole world).

Thankfully, both Matt and Charlie are doing fine and are officially back at it as evidenced by this latest Good Cop Great Cop sketch about performance reviews. From the looks of it, they have not lost a step. Please enjoy it here.

Pick of the Day: Thanks But No Thanksgiving (in NYC) 11/20

November 11, 2021

News

BIPOC, comedy show, indigenous, native american, ny comedy, thanksgiving, union hall

We sincerely hope that, at this point in time, especially with all the reckoning that we all were supposed to be going through with racism in America, that you know the history behind Thanksgiving isn’t the idyllic picture that you were very likely shown when you were a kid.

That said, there’s a comedy show coming up that’s being put up by all Native American comedians on Lenape land at Union Hall. Brian Bahe, Dash Turner, Tai Leclaire will put on this non-Thanksgiving holiday variety show that will still be a great time, but free of any whitewashed American Turkey Day make-em-ups.

Thanks But Not Thanksgiving: A Native American Variety Show is set for Sat. Nov. 20th at 7:30PM ET at Union Hall. Tickets are $10, $12 on the day of.

Also, the event says “One free horse per audience member.” You should go for a lot of reasons, but one of those reasons should definitely be to find out if you actually get a horse of some kind.

Get tickets here now.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 85: Skyler Higley & Where We Are with Adoption Jokes

November 10, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

adoptee, adoption, alanis morrissette, cbs, dave grohl, national adoptee awareness month, search party, transracial adoptee

It is National Adoption Awareness Month and, for those that don’t know TCB’s very own Jake Kroeger‘s story, he’s adopted. So, we thought it would be a perfect time to have both a great comedian on who is an adoptee and also talk about adoption jokes from the adoptee perspective (and how hopefully it’s no longer a punchline to suggest someone is weird or stupid).

That’s why Skyler Higley joined in with us this week for TCB Field Report all the way from Chicago. Skyler’s journey as black kid adopted by white parents in Salt Lake City and being raised Mormon all factors into a lot of the great comedy he has put out (much of which has found it’s way to Conan, Clickhole, and The Onion). It’s a great, deep philosophical conversation on the nature of identity and how it indelibly ties into comedy, even if you’re pretty in the weeds about what your identity is.

Also, “hot” takes on Alanis Morrisette’s CBS comedy, Dave Grohl’s Studio 666, and season 5 of Search Party being the final season.

Find Skyler @skylerhigley on IG and @skyler_higley on Twitter

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

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