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Pick of the Day: Kate Berlant: Live You’ve Never Seen Her (in LA) Tuesdays in Dec.
November 10, 2021
News
elysian, kate berlant, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy

Even though we’re just traipsing into the holiday season, The Elysian is doling out the gifts left and right. The latest gift or, we should say, set of gifts, is an entire month long residency from the one and only Kate Berlant. Previous to Dec. 2021 throughout the pandemic, you probably only got to catch Kate’s nuanced, self-reflexive, high brow silliness on some virtual shows or her wondrous podcast, Poog, with Jacqueline Novak.

Now, in LA, you’ll have the chance to see Berlant work out a brand new hour in person every Tuesday in December at LA comedy’s new favorite destination, The Elysian. Well, chances to see that are going fast as most of the shows are sold out already and tickets for a date that was just added Dec. 28th are still available for $20.

Go get them right now before they sell out again!

The Final Season of Search Party Premieres in Jan. 2022 and Has Jeff Goldblum, Kathy Griffin, and John Waters
November 9, 2021
News
hbo, hbo max, jeff goldblum, john waters, kathy griffin, search party

Search Party is only a couple of months away from unveiling its fifth and final season. That’ll be such a gift when 2022 arrives and the pandemic still isn’t over and new Search Party will be a very welcome respite from that.

Jan. 7th, 2022 will be when HBO Max rolls out new episodes every week and we’ll dive in once again with Dory, Drew, Portia, and Elliot for another round of chaos of desperate searching for something, both literally and figuratively. This time, they’ll be joined by yet another stunning cast of guest stars including the aforementioned Jeff Goldblum, Kathy Griffin, and John Waters, which has our mind furiously pondering what  sort of absurdity G. Charles Rogers and Sarah Violet Bliss convinced them to do on this show (just check the first look images) that has really gone to the most unpredictable places from where it started in season one. Many of our favorite folks in comedy will also be joining in for this swan song of Search Party including  Aparna Nancherla, Angela Trimbur, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Greta Titelman, Joe Castle Baker, Larry Owens and Michelle Badillo.

The holidays will very likely be more hectic than they have ever been with the world actually, kind of being open and, thankfully, this will be on the other side of it.

Pick of the Day: John Mulaney: From Scratch (near LA) 12/10
November 9, 2021
News
john mulaney, long beach, los angeles, stand up comedy

Last time John Mulaney did his run of work in progress shows over at the Troubadour, they sold out pretty much immediately. That was well over two week of shows and tickets were all snapped up before you could really find out that Mulaney was even in LA.

Now, he’s set to play a much, much MUCH bigger venue, The Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Convention Center and has three dates lined up. Well, two of them are already sold out, but a third date was just added on Fri. Dec. 10th at 7PM PT. Do take note that show is almost sold out too and the starting price of $69 hasn’t deterred folks from getting tickets ASAP.

So, don’t waste any more time and go get tickets right this instant to see Mulaney live with From Scratch in LA while you still can.

Bill Burr Has Just Launched a Dark Comedy Anthology Series “Immoral Compass” on Roku
November 8, 2021
News
al madrigal, bill burr, bobby lee, nick swardson, roku, tyler fabo, vince vaughn

Roku, the home to Quibi originals, is now putting out there very own original content exclusive to their platform. For our money, they swung pretty well for their first series as they’ve got Bill Burr starring and presenting an anthology series (as if Burr is the Crypt Keeper from Tales from the Crypt, but just a jaded guy in a garage instead) that lives up to the title of the show, Immoral Compass.

Created by Tyler Falbo, Burr guides as a probably reliable narrator through what seems to be like a darker (and more cohesive) version of The Premise. Al Madrigal, Nick Swardson, Vince Vaughn, and Bobby Lee all make guest appearances and be terrified to varying degrees in their respective episodes.

Get a gander of what’s in store with Immoral Compass here with the official trailer, then, if you’re digging it, you can go watch it on The Roku Channel right now.

Pick of the Day: The Jesse Miller Talk Show (in LA) 12/11
November 8, 2021
News
andre hyland, dynasty typewriter, jesse miller talk show, los angeles comedy, mitra jouhari, noel wells, talk show

To this very day, Andre Hyland‘s creation, The Jesse Miller Talk Show, remains as one of the craziest and best talk shows we’ve ever seen (that includes any of the ones on TV all the way to ones that happen in someone’s apartment).

For the unfamiliar, The Jesse Miller Talk Show puts one Jesse Miller at the monster truck driver’s seat of his very own talk show that blends the outrageous energy of self-proclaimed media mogul that you might find outside of many 7-11s in LA that celebrities may have frequented with a seemingly unlimited capacity for pop culture knowledge and wordplay. Also, there’s heavy guitar shredding from Darryl (Paul Oyen) and plenty of PDA with his sidekick/boo Tanya (Anna Lee Lawson).

In short, it’s a good time and we’re glad to see that it’ll be going back up, in-person, on this side of the pandemic at Dynasty Typewriter on Sat. Dec. 11th at 10PM PT. So far, Jesse will be putting his dazzling interview tricks on display for Noël Wells, Mitra Jouhari, and a special surprise guest.

Tickets are $15 right now, so you best go snatch them up right now.

After Two Years, We Got a New Season of The Righteous Gemstones on the Way (Trailer)
November 5, 2021
News
adam devine, danny mcbride, edi patterson, eric andre, hbo, hbo max, john goodman, righteous gemstones

Fall 2019 was not necessarily an innocent time, but definitely more innocent that where we have been and where we are now. That just happen to be the time when Danny McBride’s latest series The Righteous Gemstones dropped on HBO and it’s satirizing of televangelist empires was undeniable. A season 2 was pretty much unquestioned, but then COVID-19 did, you know, what it’s still doing.

In fact, that time was so long ago that we almost forgot that there was even going to be a second season the searing dramedy that is Danny’s biggest undertaking thus far. Thankfully, the world of faith for profit is more than ripe for picking apart especially with how much religious gatherings have thrown a wrench into COVID-19 protocols.

Thus, you ought to look forward to second season of The Righteous Gemstones on Jan. 9th on HBO and HBO Max. From the looks of the trailer, they’re going bigger than in season 1. DeVine has his literal own christian army, McBride tries to hug someone through a plastic tarp on TV because of COVID, and Eric Andre is going to be tangling with the Gemstones. See all the wondrous madness for yourself here.

Pick of the Day: Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 Screening (+ Deleted Scenes) (in NYC) 11/12
November 5, 2021
News
9/11, documentary, julie seabough, Nick Fituri Scown, ny comedy festival, too soon

Of all the comedy documentaries that came out this year, it’s pretty much imperative that you watch Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 from Julie Seabaugh and Nick Fituri Scown before all the others. It’s exhaustive chronicling of comedy about 9/11 from the point of 9/11 to now is astounding and gets into the elemental parts of comedy and, specifically, how we heal, individually and as a culture, from unspeakable, historic tragedy.

While you can watch it online, you really not to ought to miss a very exclusive, in-person screening presented by the New York Comedy Festival where there will be deleted scenes and clips from international versions of the doc that have not been seen by U.S. audiences (i.e. way more 9/11 jokes and stories about 9/11 jokes that are absolutely worth watching).

This extra special screening of Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11 is set for Fri. Nov. 12th at Stonestreet Studios at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Tickets are $10 right now and you better go snag them here.

Taika Waititi’s on Board for Another Space Epic, The Incal, Even More Out There Than Thor
November 4, 2021
News
alejandro jodorowsky, jemaine clement, taika waititi, the incal

When all is said and done, Taika Waititi’s imagination might be one of the most captivating and entertaining of this century (and most certainly of the last two decades). Whether it be wayward vampires, MCU heroes, or WWII Germany, Taika has ceaselessly dazzled with his films, which brilliantly paint with all of the emotions, but also happen to be very funny.

I'm honoured to announce I’ll be bringing the maestro, the hero, the true creator, Alejandro Jodorowsky’s masterpiece THE INCAL to the big screen. Also stoked to be teaming up again with @jemaineclement and @peterbwarren on this. @alejodorowsky #Moebius https://t.co/a6rvCqV5jq pic.twitter.com/I8cbafw5hO

— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) November 4, 2021

That’s why it’s exciting that Taika is going back into outer space, sans the MCU, with his next film and will be teaming up with long time collaborator/accomplice Jemaine Clement as well as Peter Warren and is going to be an adaptation of another monumental imagination of our times, the one from Alejandro Jodorwosky.

Jodorowsky’s attempt to adapt Dune decades before David Lynch and Denis Villeneuve unfortunately didn’t amount to any sort of finished film (or footage at all, for that matter). That said, Alejandro took the spirit of what his adaptation was going to be into a graphic novel, L’Incal. Similar to its inspiration Dune, it had quite the success as a comic book and is often hailed among the best of the art form. L’Incal doesn’t follow a magical prince, but rather a bumbling detective in the middle of an existential crisis who just happen to stumble on one of the most powerful artifacts in the whole of the universe.

As irony would have it, all these years later, a massive, studio backed adaptation of Dune has hit theaters, despite the ongoing presence of the pandemic, and L’Incal is not only be made into a full fledged movie, The Incal, but being done with the sheen and marvel of Taika Waititi attached. There is so much potential here for something truly great, perhaps more indelible than the film adaptation of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Keep tabs on Taika’s The Incal at theincalmovie.com and see the announcement between Taika and Jodorowsky here.

Pick of the Day: Butterboy 4 Year Anniversary (in NYC) 11/15
November 4, 2021
News
aparna nancherla, jo firestone, littlefield, maeve higgins, ny comedy

The Monday night 8PM slot at Littlefield in Brooklyn has been a historic one and stewarding it is to be an beloved anchor for the NYC comedy scene. Eons ago, seemingly, it was Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen on Mondays at Littlefield, then it was Night Train with Wyatt Cenac, and, for the last four years, it has been Aparna Nancherla, Jo Firestone, and Maeve Higgins as the smashing trio behind Butterboy.

The NY Comedy Festival is indeed next week and that edition of Butterboy will be part of the festival, but the week after, on Mon. Nov. 15th, Aparna, Jo, Maeve, and their DJ Donwill are going to mark the fourth year of doing Butterboy and making sure NYC comedy has the perfect panacea for any sort case of the Mondays.

Already, they’ve got Joe Pera, fresh off the season premiere of Joe Pera Talks With You, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, fresh from her on The Tonight Show, and Lili Michelle, who just finished her run of one of the best and longest running outdoor shows throughout the pandemic, Peaches & Cream. Undoubtedly, there will be some great surprises TBA.

So, you ought to snag your tickets quick for this one. Yes, they are still $10 right now.

Pick of the Day: Fake Birthday with Caitlin Cook and A.J. Holmes (in LA) 11/14
November 3, 2021
News
atsuko okatsuka, langston kerman, liza treyger, los angeles comedy, musical comedy, naomi ekperigin, silverlake, variety show, zach zucker

One of NYC’s most fun variety shows is the comedy and music mash-up at Fake Birthday with Caitlin Cook and A.J. Holmes. Holmes is a Broadway dynamo and Cook has toured the globe with her über clever musical comedy (she did a whole solo musical comedy show based on bathroom graffiti). Together, they have been the duo at the core of Fake Birthday and with their musical comedy powers combined (and a stellar line-up of guests), they’ve made quite the spot for themselves in the thriving NYC comedy scene.

So, Cook and Holmes are stopping into LA for an exclusive show at Silverlake Lounge, which, if you’re in and around LA, you absolutely make your Silverlake to catch. They’ve gathered an exemplary LA line-up with Atsuko Okatsuka, Naomi Ekperigin, Zach Zucker, Langston Kerman, Liza Treyger, and Ethan Kuperberg all joining with their own grand comedy stylings in between original songs from Cook and Holmes.

This LA edition of Fake Birthday is set for Sun. Nov. 14th at Silverlake Lounge at 8PM PT. Tickets are $16.95 and you ought to go snag them right now (especially since it’ll be AJ Holmes’ actual birthday for this Fake Birthday).

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 84: Kate Banford & Homes for Weirdness
November 3, 2021
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
charlie chaplin, dan levy, elysian theater, eugene levy, kate banford, los angeles comedy

LA’s newest home for comedy, especially the kind that colors outside the lines, The Elysian, is officially alive. We have artistic director Kate Banford join us for this week’s TCB Field Report to give us the origin stories of both herself (her first theater in Philadelphia, The Good Good Comedy Theatre) and this shiny new theater (and even explain why they went with a skunk for a logo). Banford has long since done and championed comedy that pushes the art form forward and, with so many LA venues closed over the last two years, it’s a saving grace that Kate and company have come in with The Elysian in Frogtown (or more formally known, but never referred to as Elysian Valley).

Also, “hot” takes on Vulture’s Comedians You Should & Will Know list, Dan and Eugene Levy’s lifestyle series, and the new Charlie Chaplin doc on Showtime.

Find Kate @katebanford on IG and @kbanf on Twitter at and The Elysian at elysiantheater.com and on IG and Twitter @elysiantheater

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

Please, Please, Please Enjoy Atsuko Okatsuka’s Terrific Late Night Debut on Corden
November 3, 2021
News
atsuko okatsuka, james corden, late late show, stand up comedy

It’s pretty routine for us to incidentally catch comedians working on their late night sets and, more often than not, have already heard those jokes several times over in different sets, in different orders, over many months or even a few years. So, by the time a set goes to late night, the element of surprise, crucial to comedy, is often absent since we have a decent idea of what’s going to happen.

That said, our mark for truly great comedy is that we still find ourselves heartily laughing even when we have full knowledge of what someone’s jokes are going to be ahead. Atusko Okatsuka is a true gem of the LA comedy scene (and now, across the country) and we have delightfully seen her live dozens and dozens of times and still guffaw vigorously at her marvelously written and delivered material.

That happened yet again with Atsuko’s late night debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Please, without further adieu, enjoy it here.

Get a First Look at Joyelle Nicole Johnson’s Special “Love Joy”
November 2, 2021
News
comedy special, joyelle nicole johnson, love joy, peacock, stand up comedy

We had the esteemed privilege of seeing the taping of a secret(?) special of Joyelle’s years ago at the Steve Allen Theater and was really excited to see the world get to see the whip smart, razor sharp, keenly observed, staunchly feminist (meaning inclusive for everyone FYI) humor of one Joyelle Nicole Johnson. Now, we’re not sure how far that special reached, but it deserved to be seen along with any Netflix/HBO special.

Thankfully, Joyelle has got another special, Love Joy, lined-up, this time on the very prominent streaming service, Peacock, come this Fri. Nov. 5th. Also, that notes another very nice point on the board for Peacock’s comedy special slate (including Carmen Christopher’s Street Special and Jo Firestone’s Good Timing)

Get a taste of what’s to come with Joyelle Nicole Johnson’s “Love Joy” here.

Pick of the Day: Girl God with Grace Freud & April Clark Encore Show (in NYC) 11/7
November 2, 2021
News
brooklyn, brooklyn comedy collective, Grace Freud, ny comedy

We were originally going to make Grace Freud and April Clark’s album taping for Girl God at Union Hall our pick of the day, but that sold out so quick that there was not really much to do in telling you about it.

Luckily, there’s an encore show that will have some lovely, absurdist bells and whistles in the form of ridiculous powerpoint presentations, bonkers games, and more (in addition to some wondrous, hysterical stand-up). Freud and Clark, AKA Girl God, have lined up this encore show for this Sun., Nov. 7th at 7PM ET at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective.

We have a feeling this is probably going to sell out too, so, find $10 and go get your tickets right this very second here. 21+, proof of vaccination required.

This Season 3 Teaser of Atlanta Is the First New Bit of Atlanta We’ve Seen in Years
November 1, 2021
News
atlanta, donald glover, fx, season 3, teaser

There are a lot of mysteries to the much lauded Donald Glover series Atlanta including the sort of schedule it goes by. Glover’s penchant for breaking form, shifting tone, refocusing characters, etc. are part of the electricity of the show and why it was immediately beloved by viewers and critics alike from season 1.

Parallel to that is the actual production and release of the show, which seems to be teased in passing by Glover or FX’s John Landgraf out of nowhere. Even then, we’re not exactly sure what or when to expect other than a somewhat quixotic journey through the hip hop world in Atlanta, GA.

That said, three years ago, the series teased the next season promising rapper Paper Boi the next level of his career with Earn in tow. The world has irreversibly changed since then and we can only imagine what Glover and company has cooked up to bring us season 3 of Atlanta during this side of the COVID-19 pandemic. The echoes of “it’s after the end of the world” hints at the show reckoning with what we’re all reckoning with.

See for yourself in the season 3 teaser here, then look for the season 3 premiere of Atlanta in 2022 (hopefully in the earlier part of it)

Pick of the Day: Natalie Palamides’ LAID (in LA) 12/2-12/4
November 1, 2021
News
elysian theater, laid, los angeles comedy, natalie palamides, solo show

LAID was the very first solo show we saw from Natalie Palamides and it’s no overstatement to say that it changed us forever. The show is literally and figuratively so transformative, both for the audience and Natalie herself, that the memories of Palamides’ reimagining of the life cycle as a solo comedy show is beautifully seared into our brains forever. In fact, it might be just a little more out there than Nate?

Also, it’s an internationally renowned show that garnered Natalie so many awards.

We’d go into more detail, but, in case you haven’t seen it, we very much don’t want to spoil it for you.

We’ll, instead, just say that Palamides is doing an exclusive limited run of performances of LAID as a fundraiser for the Elysian Theater from Thurs.-Sat. on Dec. 2nd-4th at 8:30PM. After the thousands of shows that we’ve seen, it’s still one of the very best we’ve seen and you should not miss your chance to see it live once more.

Tickets are $25 and you better go snag them before they sell out.

Showtime Is Serving Up Another Deep Dive Comedy Doc with “The Real Charlie Chaplin”
October 29, 2021
News
charlie chaplin, documentary, showtime, trailer

On the heels of their Dick Gregory documentary, Showtime is continuing what seems to be an ongoing tour through comedy history. Their next stop is one of the very first comedy legends, Charlie Chaplin.

The silent movie star was actually many firsts, including one of the very first Hollywood stars that, unfortunately, had to deal with the weight and expectation brought about with worldwide fame. The Real Charlie Chaplin, from Peter Middleton and James Spinney, is going to delve into the life behind the silent movie star featuring plenty of interviews and reenactment footage that feels almost like a full on adapted drama of Chaplin’s life.

Get your first taste of what’s to come with The Real Charlie Chaplin with the official trailer here, then look for it to premiere/stream on Showtime at Sat. Dec. 11th at 8PM.

Pick of the Day: Ali Wong (near LA) 11/16 & 11/17
October 29, 2021
News
ali wong, irvine, los angeles comedy, orange county, stand up comedy

There used to be a time, before Netflix performed original comedy specials, that you were able to catch one Ali Wong performing at all sorts of spots, big and small, all over the place. However, that time has long since passed as Ali Wong has stupendously successful specials, books, tours, movies, TV shows, cartoons that have been part of her ascent into one of the most sought out acts in stand-up comedy today.

Thus, you shouldn’t miss a chance to get a ticket to go see her and you have such a chance right at this very moment if you’re around LA. Ali is headlining The Irvine Improv on Tues. 11/16 & Wed. Nov. 17th at 8PM PT. She is one of the rare folks that sells out theaters in LA by headlining, but does it sparingly (except for that one time where she played every weekend at the Wiltern for over a month). There are still tickets on sale for $40 (+ 2 item min.) and you might want to go snag yours right now before they sell out.

Pick of the Day: Tribute: An Evening of Barbara Streisand Songs Sung By Comedians (in LA) 11/12
October 28, 2021
News
barbara streisand, chase bernstein, danny jolles, Eric Hahn, hollywood improv, Jamie Pierce, kira soltanovich

Though Barbara Streisand is probably known by many these days as a touchstone American singer, Streisand had many of her first breakthroughs in comedy films including the hysterical What’s Up, Doc?

So, perhaps, the idea of a tribute to the songs of Barbara Streisand by comedians isn’t so farfetched?

Tribute is going to dive in head first with that notion as Danny Jolles, Kira Soltanovich, Eric Hahn, Chase Bernstein, and Jamie Pierce will be singing the songs of Barbara Streisand (and, we’re pretty sure, have something to say both about Barbara and the idea of earnestly(?) singing Barbara songs at a comedy club). The show itself will be a monthly honoring, brought to you by Eric Hahn, of recording artist legends, FYI.

Maybe this will kick off a trend of Barbara songs being sung at karaoke across LA?

In any case, this Streisand edition of Tribute is set for Fri. Nov. 12th at 7:30PM PT at The Hollywood Improv Lab on Melrose. Tickets are $12 and you can (and should) go get them here.

Rizzle Is Holding Another Short Form Video Contest, This Time for the New York Comedy Festival
October 27, 2021
News
new york comedy fest, open call, rizzle, short film contest, submissions

Of one of the many apps where you can do short form content these days, Rizzle is offering you yet another (they did a contest for Asian Comedy Fest) chance to take those short form comedy video skills and win up to $1000 in prizes and a slot at a New York Comedy Festival showcase next month.

Specifically, you must have/download Rizzle and post a 60 second video that sums up that classic notion “Only in New York” with the hashtag #makeNYlaugh. The five best videos will be prize winners and then be screened at the exclusive New York Comedy Festival Rizzle Showcase at Asylum NYC on 11/14. Just take a gander at the flyer below and you ought to know it’s a marvelous grand show to be on.

The deadline to submit is Mon. Nov. 1st and it’s free to enter and you can submit from anywhere in the country. So, go get Rizzle and come up with your bit about the train, rats, Manhattan still acting too good for Brooklyn, etc.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 83: Mike Mulloy & Growing Grassroots
October 27, 2021
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
chappelle, faded comedy, joan rivers, la comedy scene, mike mulloy, the closer

Building your own thing in the thick of a sprawling comedy scene is beyond a tall order. If that thing is a weekly comedy show that expands into an entire brand that now has branched out to the thriving comedy scene in Denver, it’s even more impressive.

That’s exactly what one Mike Mulloy has done with Faded Comedy over the last few years, tirelessly working to make a cornerstone Friday stand-up show (one of the hardest days to pull off a weekly indie comedy show in LA, FYI) and branching out to do more shows, more cities, and do so with the comedians he digs. Faded managed to stay virtual through lockdown and keep going with a virtual presence with their weekly Happy Hours on Twitch and live-streaming in-person shows. Mulloy and TCB’s Jake Kroeger go into how Mike has carved out this niche in LA comedy as well as do “hot” (and some actually hot) takes on more Chappelle “The Closer” non-sense, the Joan Rivers biopic getting nixed, and more.

Follow Mike at @fakemikemulloy on IG and @mikemulloyesq on Twitter Faded Comedy @fadedcomedyla on IG and Twitter, Faded Denver @fadeddenver on Twitter and @fadedcomedydenver on IG, and on Twitch at fadedcomedy.com.

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: Newcomers at the Bell House (in NYC) 11/17
October 27, 2021
News
alysia brown, bell house, brooklyn, cody wilkins, colette mcintyre, courtney bee, dan rosen, david tveite, Fareeha Khan, gara lonning, kendall payne, kevin casey white, new york comedy, pooja reddy, sami schwaeber, simone norman, stand up comedy, walter kelly, zilla vodnas

We often get asked, “Who is next in comedy?” or “Who are the folks that are about to break; the comedians that we need to see before they blow up?”

Well, there always around and they’re always performing, but they are not often on the very same line-up.

That said, every once in awhile, such marvelous institutions like the Bell House in Brooklyn will gather together their favorites seasoned performers that deserve that shine of being on such a coveted stage. That night will be Newcomers Night at The Bell House on Wed. Nov. 17th at 8PM ET and have a plentiful spread of NYC’s best that are getting their official Bell House debut.

That’ll include:

Kendall Payne
Cody Wilkins
David Tveite
Fareeha Khan
Dan Rosen
Alysia Brown
Sami Schwaeber
Gara Lonning
Simone Norman
Pooja Reddy
Kevin Casey White
Walter Kelly
Colette McIntyre
Zilla Vodnas
Courtney Bee

Tickets are only $10 right now ($15 at door) w/proof of vaccination. Go snag your tickets right now here.

R.I.P. Mort Sahl, 1927-2021
October 26, 2021
News
mort sahl, stand up comedy

When going through the history of stand-up comedy these days, you will probably hear the name Mort Sahl brought up, probably in passing. Pryor and Carlin seem to dominate the conversation when traveling back through the decades in comedy (and you’ll probably have some discourse about Lenny Bruce as well).

That said, Sahl is very much a crucial, important figure in stand-up comedy for a cornucopia of reasons, the main one being that Mort Sahl at Sunset, released in 1955, is considered to be the first legitimate comedy album. Previous to that when the idea and concept of stand-up comedy was still being formed without comedy clubs or shows exclusively dedicated to just live comedy, the idea of having a whole piece of your work as a comedian caught on a record is a big milestone and set the precedent for hundreds, if not thousands of comedians following Sahl.

His style has also been credited as a shift in the art form with being more conversational than his contemporaries and definitely much more outwardly critical of the times than other comedians that came up with him. You might see that he has been described as a ‘contrarian’ or ‘acerbic’ in headlines reporting his passing, but it should be definitely noted that his less performative, conservational style of stand-up is the basis of so much of what you see today (as well as those other aforementioned legends, Carlin, Pryor, and Bruce).

When it came to a culture clash in the sixties, Sahl also helped break down barriers by openly speaking out against the Vietnam War, which catered to a whole new audience for him. Again, Sahl is mentioned routinely when it comes the formation of stand-up as an art form, but his significance should never be underscored.

Thus, take a deep dive into his work, whether it be via YouTube, Spotify, etc., when you get a chance.

Pick of the Day: Yosterbation (in NYC) 10/28-12/16
October 26, 2021
News
brooklyn, caroline yost, Dylan Adler, edy modia, hannah pilkes, ikechukhu ufomadu, Joe Castle Baker, Karolena Theresa, kate willett, ny comedy, rachel kaly, sabrina wu, solo show

Seeing someone develop an hour or a solo show can be one of the more rewarding things in the live comedy going experience. The ephemeral nature of newly forged jokes, bits, pieces, etc. for an hour of comedy solo on stage gives a certain urgency that can often be electric (and it’s often what we hope to see when we’re watching comedy these days).

Also, on the other hand, it’s pretty great seeing really funny people do shows live and in-person. Whichever school of thought you want to fall in line with, you definitely should catch Caroline Yost of the amazing NYC comedy group Ladies Who Ranch develop a solo show in the very hip, very hidden Life World in Gowanus in Brooklyn. Yost is such an absurdly fun force to watch on stage and it’s definitely worth you going to any one of the six shows she has lined-up starting this week.

Schedule and special guests are as follows:

10/28-Kate Willett, Joe Castle-Baker, Rachel Kaly
11/4-Karolena Theresa, Ikechukhu Ufomadu, Dylan Adler
11/18-Hannah Pilkes, Sabrina Wu, Edy Modica
12/2-a special split bill show with Sarah Wilson
12/9-TBA
12/16-TBA

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Get Ready to Learn More of How To (with Things You Took For Granted) with John Wilson (Season 2 Teaser)
October 25, 2021
News
hbo, how to with john wilson, john wilson, season 2, teaser

The wholly surprising and endearing (and acclaimed and also, very funny) docu-series How To with John Wilson is set for its second season in just about a month, thankfully, right after Thanksgiving.

Wilson slyly charmed with his deftly edited documentary footage of everyday life in NYC, but focusing on hyper specific niches, like scaffolding or wrapping furniture in plastic (and, of course, the humanity that is behind all of that). Based off of the teaser for this second season, we’re pretty sure there’ll be episodes on how to parallel park, how to move apartments by yourself, and how to get ready in the morning when you’re in a rush.

Whatever the episodes end up being, we’re thrilled to get another round of Wilson’s lens of minutia of the sweetness of life that we so often overlook, especially if you’re caught up in the tornado that is life in NYC.

Look for season 2 to premiere Fri. Nov. 26th on HBO/HBO Max.

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