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Pick of the Day: I’m Glad My Mom Died (in LA) 9/3-9/25
August 12, 2021
News
hudson theatre, i'm glad my mom died, jennette mccurdy, la comedy, solo show

One of the most riveting, darkest, yet, still so marvelously funny solo shows we’ve seen in our time is, without a doubt, Jennette McCurdy‘s I’m Glad My Mom Died about “…how her mom’s death went from being the worst thing that ever happened to her to the best thing.” McCurdy’s showbiz career was covered in the pall of her mother’s omnipresence, which Jennette uses to set the perfect stage for the thesis of the show.

The uncompromising vulnerability and catharsis from McCurdy’s stories in this hour accented with very clever production still sticks with us fondly to this day from a few years ago (or maybe eons depending on what the pandemic has done to your sense of time). In fact, this very well might be one of the most cathartic shows you’ll see that has nothing to do with COVID.

She’s going to do a run of I’m Glad My Mom Died at the Hudson Theatre in Hollywood for vaccinated audiences on Fridays & Saturdays from Sept. 3rd-Sept. 25th at 8PM PT. Tickets for opening weekend are $17.50 and then $22.50 after that. Please go get tickets for one of those dates ASAP.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 72: Jared Goldstein & LA in NYC
August 11, 2021
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
jared goldstein, nicole byer, the white lotus

LA comedy scene favorite, Jared Goldstein, is having a splendid whirlwind of a time in NYC, doing all the shows, taping a Comedy Central Featuring set, and even running into comics he used to be intimidated by (when starting in LA) that now live and grind in NYC. Don’t worry, there are no LA vs. NYC jokes here (that’s so very early 2000s).

That said, Jared and TCB’s Jake Kroeger speed through this ep. on “New York minutes” and run through Jared’s extended stay in NYC and lots of comedy headlines including Nicole Byer’s first hour Netflix special, The White Lotus getting renewed for season 2, and more.

Follow Jared on Twitter and IG @heyjaredhey

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

Get Your First Look at “The Other Two” Season 2
August 11, 2021
News
drew tarver, hbo max, helene yorke, molly shannon, other two, season 2

Though it received heaps of praise in its first season on Comedy Central, the road to the second season for The Other Two has been long and winding (and we’re sure a pandemic didn’t help with that either).

The acclaimed series following Drew Tarver and Heléne Yorke as the “other” family members of a successful showbiz family, like many acclaimed comedies that perhaps haven’t gotten their proper due, is now over at HBO Max.

Now having to deal with a superstar younger brother and mother, the long awaited next round of The Other Two is going to, so it would seem, give Molly Shannon another stellar role as a mother who is just simply too much.

See for yourself in the trailer here, then look for the premiere to stream on HBO Max on Aug. 26th.

Pick of the Day: Shalewa Sharpe’s Don’t Reach in the Bag (in NYC) 8/22
August 11, 2021
News
comedy show, dulce sloan, ny comedy, shalewa sharpe, solo show

In comedy right now, one of the keenest observers and deft storytellers is Shalewa Sharpe. Her stand-up is just so precise and rich in its narrative and color that it captures the absurdities of Shalewa’s world and offers them up so delightfully to the any and all.

So, Shalewa doing a whole solo show, Don’t Reach in the Bag, about working several years at an adult video store is bound to be a riveting, hysterical, marvelously textured performance chock full of unforgettable tales of people’s voyeuristic desires. Oh, and you better bet that there’s a Q&A after the show as, undoubtedly, you’ll have questions.

Dulcé Sloan is putting up Shalewa Sharpe’s Don’t Reach in the Bag at Brooklyn Comedy Collective’s new home at Eris, next week on Sun. Aug. 22nd at 7PM ET.

Tickets are only $15 and you really ought to get them right here, right now.

Get Your First Look at Season 2 of “Back To Life”, the Latest Very Dark, Very Hilarious Comedy from the UK
August 10, 2021
News
back to life, daisy haggard, season 2, showtime, trailer

Daisy Haggard, the star and creator of Back to Life, has made something truly beautiful and hysterical with this series. The first season was some of the funniest writing juxtaposed with some truly dark, poignant, honest performances that were absolutely riveting. Truly, Back to Life needs to be in the same conversations, in regards to prestige comedy, as The White Lotus and everyone else’s favorite, Ted Lasso.

We haven’t had as riveting of dramedy from across the pond since Fleabag.

The second season following Miri Matteson’s on-going struggle to readjust to life in her very small, very nosy UK town after spending several years in jail is on the way. The premiere date is set for Mon. Sept. 13th on Showtime at 10PM and, from the looks of the trailer, it could very well be every bit as brilliant as season one.

Go see for yourself here.

Pick of the Day: (The Return of) Peacock @ Club Tee Gee (in LA) 8/26
August 10, 2021
News
comedy show, danny jolles, free comedy, Kiran Deol, la comedy, stand up comedy

Thursdays had always been a pretty stacked day for comedy in LA. Pre-lockdown, there were so many really, really good weekly shows of all ilks of comedy to choose from, many of which happened around the 8 o’clock hr.

Many a time, we’d find ourselves at the gorgeous set-up that is Peacock @ Club Tee Gee that had a very nice and tight stand-up show at 8PM. Thankfully, Club Tee Gee, in the heart of Atwater Village, has survived to this side of the pandemic (and is also requiring proof of vaccination to enter) and that very same lovely weekly comedy show, produced by Ali Hart and Becca Rufer, is set to return, this time with two hosts in Kiran Deol and newly minted co-host Danny Jolles. For plenty of reasons that you should go see yourself, we have a good feeling about this hosting pair.

The weekly return of Peacock starts Aug. 26th at 8PM PT. If you dig the show, there’s a $10 suggested donation, but, as long as you’re vaccinated, you can enjoy the show on a shoestring budget. Keep up to date with all things Peacock @peacockshowla on IG.

Pick of the Day: Conner O’Malley & Carmen Christopher (in LA) 8/14
August 9, 2021
News
carmen christopher, conner o'malley, dynasty typewriter, la comedy

This Saturday, any one in attendance will be treated to an hour of comedy by the boundary pushing comedic artists that are Conner O’Malley and Carmen Christopher. O’Malley has been so many characters that perfectly satirize some of the most ego-driven facets of the American psyche and Christopher dared to do a pandemic safe comedy special by carrying around an amp and a mic throughout the streets and perform for strangers from a distance.

Together, they combined their powers to offer up this visit to Atlantic City.

In short, it’s a night of comedy, even if only for an hour, that you shouldn’t miss.

Conner & Carmen will be taking over Dynasty Typewriter this Sat. Aug. 10th at 10PM PT. Tickets are $20 right now and $25 on the day of. Best get your tickets right now.

Posters by Cole Kush.

R.I.P. Trevor Moore, 1980-2021
August 8, 2021
News
trevor moore, whitest kids u know

While one beloved comedian, Bob Odenkirk, survived a heart attack this week, it unfortunately still ended with a tragic loss to the art form of comedy. Trevor Moore, most known for co-founding the seminal sketch comedy troupe, The Whitest Kids U Know, sadly passed away this weekend following a tragic accident (the details of which have not yet been released as the family and the other members of WKUK have asked for privacy at this time). He is survived by his wife Aimee Carlson and son August.

Of course, this is the time to understand why the loss of Moore is devastating with doing a deep dive on the YouTube channels of the Whitest Kids U Know and Trevor’s eponymous show on Comedy Central, The Trevor Moore Show, as well as his handful of artfully crafted, hysterical comedy albums. The superb display of abjectly absurd humor, sharp satire, and great revelry in comedic chaos in all of Moore’s work should never be forgotten or overlooked.

Personally, for us, this rang true in one specific performance by the WKUK, several years ago, when friend and contemporary Josh Fadem used to run a live comedy show out of Cinefile Video in West LA. Like so many wondrous comedy spaces in LA, it wasn’t supposed to have a comedy show. The expansive library of DVDs and narrow aisles in particular made for quite the improbable set up for live comedy. Yet, Fadem made it work for stand-ups. Having all of WKUK on “stage” (it was just the end of one of the DVD aisles) was another story. All of WKUK dived in head to all the sketches they could remember seemingly without too much of an idea how tiny of a performance area there would be. What resulted was a whirlwind of hysterical bedlam that broke the fourth wall several times, but never ceased in having us busting up as the Moore, Sam Brown, Zach Cregger, Darren Trumeter, and Timmy Williams, similar to whenever Conan O’Brien lets his show go delightfully off the rails, relished the pure fun of every moment.

So, with that in mind, remember Trevor Moore fondly and please go watch all of his work starting here and here ASAP.

Chris Estrada Series “This Fool” (FKA Punk Ass Bitch) Gets Ordered to Series at Hulu
August 6, 2021
News
chris estrada, hulu, jake weisman, matt ingebretson, pat bishop

(via THR)

When this got put in development as Punk Ass Bitch earlier this year with the likes of Pat Bishop, Jake Weisman, and Matt Ingebretson, the whimsically dark minds behind Corporate on Comedy Central, we were so thrilled that Chris Estrada was getting his due as a true, blue LA comedy favorite, widely regarded as so funny and one of the hardest working comedians in the whole LA scene.

Also, a series called Punk Ass Bitch getting put in the works by a major streaming service was more than pleasantly surprising.

We’re even more ecstatic to know that Hulu is ordering the now-titled This Fool to series, essentially giving Estrada his first marquee role and vehicle to deservingly introduce him to his widest audience yet (after numerous stand-up TV appearances). Specifically, the show will follow Chris playing a version of himself working at “a gang-rehabilitation nonprofit and his quest to overcome his co-dependency issues with his family as he navigates working-class life in South Central Los Angeles”.

Again, you really ought to give Chris Estrada’s stand-up a watch, whether it be on YouTube or on his HBO Latino special, to know why you should be so very excited as we are for the show getting picked up to series.

Also, kudos to Hulu for continuing to push forward with some of the most intriguing and engaging comedies on TV.

Pick of the Day: Photographers of Comedy (in LA) 8/8
August 6, 2021
News
arthur hamilton, comedy show, headshots, james rios, la comedy, live comedy, mike falzone, miranda meadows, mitchell lamar, nick torchon, rey cabato, sharra lou, stand up comedy

While many comedy shows offer more than just the comedy, it’s not often that you’d be able to get headshots/some very nice photos of yourself in addition to a live comedy show. In fact, we’d say that it almost never has happened in our decade plus tenure at The Comedy Bureau.

Lucky for you, such a two-for-one event is happening this Sunday, Aug. 8th at 8PM PT at the Raven Comedy House in Sylmar where you could just enjoy an intimate, house comedy show, but you could also get a brand new set of professionally slick photos for anything from making sure you head a decent promo photo to auditions to making it seem to your parents that you have a lot of things going for you out there.

Called Photographers of Comedy, the evening will feature the comedy and/or photos of:

Arthur Hamilton
Mike Falzone
Miranda Meadows
Mitchell Lamar
Nick Torchon
Sharra Lou
James Rios
Host: Rey Cabato

Tickets for the show are $10 and you can get, for presale, a $60 headshot package. Find out more details and buy your tickets here.

Pick of the Day: Todd Barry 34th Anniversary in Comedy Benefit (in NYC) 11/1
August 5, 2021
News
brittany carney, charity benefit, colin quinn, comedy show, dina hashem, gary gulman, leukemia research foundation, marina franklin, michael j fox foundation, nyc comedy, stand up comedy, todd barry

Seeing Todd Barry live is always a good thing. Seeing Todd celebrate his 34th year in comedy would be even better than a good thing. Having the likes of Colin Quinn, Brittany Carney, Marina Franklin, Dina Hashem, and Gary Gulman join him on a fantastic line-up that offers much of the best of NYC comedy is even more grand.

You can get all of those good and better and grander things and more* with Todd’s 34th Anniversary in Comedy Benefit that will mark almost three and a half decades of finely crafted humor from the one and only Todd Barry.

*more being supporting Leukemia Research Foundation and Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research with your purchase of a ticket.

Todd Barry 34th Anniversary in Comedy Benefit is set for Mon. Nov. 1st at 8PM ET at The Bell House in Brooklyn. Tickets are going for $30 and you really ought to get them here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 71: Lane Moore & Reviving a Nationwide Tour
August 4, 2021
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
comedy co op, lane moore, tinder live, vaccination mandate

Hands down, one of the most electrifying and fun (and hopeful) comedy shows out there is Tinder Live! with Lane Moore. In addition to being an acclaimed comedian/author/frontwoman of a band, Moore has made an indelible mark in current comedy landscape by improvising her way through the dating app Tinder live on stage. This week’s TCB Field Report follows Lane as she revives the in-person version of Tinder Live! for a giant 30+ city nationwide tour (after having to cancel a nationwide tour for lockdown, then rescheduling it so many times due to the pandemic enduring and also doing it virtually to great success). Also, “hot” takes on NYC’s vax mandate, The Comedy Co-op, and more.

Follow Lane @hellolanemoore across socials and all her dates, content, and merch at LaneMoore.org.

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

LA’s Comedy Co-op Aims to Be a Fresh Start for Live Comedy via Equity, Access, and Inclusion
August 4, 2021
News
comedy coop

The dust has still not yet settled from what the pandemic has done to the world of comedy, especially when it comes to live comedy. Venues have closed, some without even announcing as such. Others have stayed open, but haven’t really changed much their day-to-day operations, save for what they have to do according to local or state COVID-19 mandates. The only constant here is the state of flux that performers, audiences, and the industry are all in, covered in a thick air of uncertainty.

In the midst of being unsure what lies ahead for live comedy is a several systemic problems that range from representation to compensation/artistic ownership to toxic work environments and on and on and on.

The newly minted Comedy Co-op, comprised of several longtime working LA comedians, is setting to change all of that and reimagine a way of working in comedy that strives for a better future for both audiences and performers that could be sustainable. They issued a press release that makes it very clear what their mission even at these early stages (they have yet to secure a brick and mortar venue to do shows). #WeAreStagingaCoop

In case you don’t know, live comedy is still rife with performers believing that they have to forego money for exposure, continued lack of inclusion across all fronts, and harmful environments in which one is supposed to make strangers in the dark laugh.

We sincerely hope that can all change with Comedy Co-op (especially as it seems the likelihood of a union for comedians continues to seem not so great). There are plans of a big fundraising campaign to secure a physical venue and an accompanying virtual show in the not so distant future. In the meantime, keep tabs on The Comedy Co-op on IG @thecomedycoopla.

Want to stay up-to-date with The Comedy Co-op? Interested in volunteering? Click the link in the bio to sign up for our newsletter and receive the latest updates and volunteer opportunities! #werestagingacoop #thecomedycoopla pic.twitter.com/KVC4Gsgs8k

— The Comedy Co-op (@thecomedycoopla) August 2, 2021

Pick of the Day: Atsuko Okatsuka presents hi (in NYC) 9/27
August 4, 2021
News

Los Angeles has been so fortunate to be treated to the comedic stylings of Atsuko Okatsuka for years. Her zest and curiosity for life coupled with her sharply observed scrutiny of the world around her (and so much lovely dancing) is such a joy and why we see Atsuko as much as we can.

Atsuko is about to headline her own nationwide tour Atsuko Okatsuka presents hi (runs Sept. 2nd-Oct. 4th) for the first time, which includes a stop in NYC, specifically The Bell House in Brooklyn on Mon. Sept. 27th at 7:30PM ET. You should really get tickets to it before it sells out (not to mention that you’ll get, for the price of admission, to see her grandma and husband join in on the show).

Tickets are $20 and you can (and very much should) go get them here.

 

Pick of the Day: The Improvised Shakespeare Company (in LA) 8/14
August 3, 2021
News
improvised shakespeare company, largo, largo at the coronet theatre

The fate of improv, as things are opening back up and vaccinated audiences and performers are finding their ways back to each other, is still quite foggy. Stand-up, with only one performer on stage, was slightly easier to navigate when it come to having safety protocols, but having a whole improv team of people that were often going to be right next to each other (if not outright embracing or jostling one another) takes on a whole other level of consideration for COVID-19 measures when doing live shows.

Fortunately, we’re at a point where, as mentioned before, there is a way forward, which means we’ll be able to see the likes of the astounding feats of The Improvised Shakespeare Company. An entire troupe dedicated to making a Shakespearean play hilariously out of thin air while using the Bard’s own particular language has seen The Improvised Shakespeare Company around the globe (and even have Sir Patrick Stewart sit in with them from time to time) and find a home as the prestigious Largo at the Coronet Theatre.

So, they are gearing to returning to the Largo stage this month, specifically on Sat. Aug. 14th at 7PM PT & 9:30PM PT to dazzle us all again and you shouldn’t miss out. The $46 ticket ($35 plus $11 service fee) might just be worth it. Go get them before they inevitably sell out here.

All We Have to Do Is Wait Until Fall for Joe Pera Talks With You Season 3
August 3, 2021
News
adult swim, joe pera, joe pera talks with you, jptwyst, season 3

Arguably more soothing than the Great British Baking Show, Joe Pera Talks With You, over two seasons, has managed a magical blend of gentleness and mischief. Pera’s soothing vice and the often pastoral locales that Joe is in for the show make for an irresistible small town charm, though Pera’s wry cleverness is very clearly woven throughout every fiber of his show.

So, as terrifying as both 2020 and 2021 have been, at the very least, there’s another round of Joe Pera Talks With You to bring us just some much needed moments of hilarious peace. Adult Swim announced that the third season will be airing this Fall just today. Hopefully, the world won’t be too flooded and/or on fire by then.

Pick of the Day: Elaine May Mondays @ Los Feliz 3 (Starting 8/9)
August 2, 2021
News
elaine may, los feliz 3

There isn’t much debate when it comes to the comedic brilliance of Elaine May. From her time as part of trailblazing comedy duo Nichols & May to her work both in front of and behind the camera throughout her extensive and hysterical filmography.

As such, the films of Elaine May are always worth a retrospective, especially when comedies don’t often to get to play at revival theaters. Luckily, the Los Feliz 3 is just about to reopen with American Cinematheque at the helm and they are indeed honoring Elaine May with a weekly screening series that will feature the likes of A New Leaf, Ishtar, and Mikey and Nickey.

Called Elaine May Mondays, these classics will screen on Mondays at 7PM PT, then Fridays at 4PM PT. Tickets are $13 GA and $8 for American Cinematheque members. Go get more info and tickets here.

Here’s a Trailer for the Latest Quarantine Comedy “Together” with Sharon Horgan and James McAvoy
August 2, 2021
News
james mcavoy, sharon horgan, stephen daldry, together, trailer

The shared experience of over 7.5 billion people through the COVID-19 global pandemic is both one that’s traumatic and that hasn’t even reached its end yet. Understandably, there might be an inclination to not have a perspective of what this historic time is like mirrored back at us as the world has so much healing to do (on top of getting vaccinated against COVID-19).

Still, the “shared” part of that experience is undeniable territory for comedy as it’s probably the most relatable thing in any of our lifetimes, which is why we’re all only seeing the beginning of the comedic lens processing through some sort of collective experience of the last year and a half.

Cue in Together from the renowned Stephen Daldry that follows a family, lead by both Sharon Horgan and James McAvoy, that go into lockdown as COVID-19 ravages through the UK and hashing out their already on-the-rocks marriage. Thankfully, this wasn’t shot on Zoom or had to employ some clever shooting strategy to maintain distance from actors (or even be just a collection of monologues delivered straight to camera). Instead, James and Sharon are up in each other business and, it would seem, there’s a new level of sit-com style “talking head” here that doesn’t even bother cutting to a separate interview. Both James and Sharon just look to camera to express their non-diegetic thoughts in the middle of a scene as opposed to what The Office or Modern Family did for so long.

In any case, there’s some enticing promise here as it’s hard to go wrong with Sharon Horgan cursing up a storm.

Get your first look at Daldry’s Together with the official trailer here, then look for it in theaters starting Aug. 27th.

Bill Cosby Documentary at Lionsgate Is Officially Dead (Though Another Doc Might Still Be in the Works)
July 30, 2021
News
bill cosby, documentary, lionsgate

(via Variety)

Though disgraced, yet freed comedian/actor/former beloved father figure Bill Cosby has his sights set on gaining back some of the real estate of his massive career, he is thankfully being met with plenty of stern resistance. Cosby plans on taking the stage again and attempting to get former projects off the ground, but there are no current takers willing to give him a mic (at least, that we know of yet) and virtually everything he was working on before he took the stand years ago has vanished.

One of those projects was a documentary being put forth by Lionsgate, which has been killed by the studio, reportedly, as of this week. Since the U.S. legal system still contains so many loopholes that it can’t hold monsters like Cosby accountable (keep in mind, he was still found guilty, but got freed off of a technicality off of a deal regarding his own testimony), it is going to be on the public at large to get the job done.

With that said, there’s a separate docu-series from one Michelle Major on Cosby that is nearing completion, but, thus far, it hasn’t secured any guarantee of distribution anywhere. If it ever does find a place to be shown, we can only hope it gets buried like Louis C.K.’s “I Love You, Daddy”.

If we hold up our end of keeping Cosby accountable, perhaps that would spell out a better, safer future where celebrity would not be allowed to perpetuate systemic sexual violence no matter how revered they are.

Pick of the Day: How to Start a Fire from Sydnee Washington (in NYC) 8/14
July 30, 2021
News
nyc comedy, solo show, Sydnee Washington

Fresh off being named one of the New Faces of Comedy by the Just For Laughs Festival, it’s more imperative than it already was to go watch Sydnee Washington whenever and wherever she plays (you ought to know that Comedy at the Knitting Factory on Sundays is the place to be in Brooklyn). Sydnee’s panache and vulnerability in her comedy together truly demand your attention and why she is a fast rising star right now.

Sydnee has just started in on a solo show, How to Start a Fire, that follows a very specific thread of her childhood that lead to “an infamous fire that could have ruined her family” (as opposed to that one in Manchester By the Sea). The first performance of it sold out almost instantly and, thusly, you should snag tickets to her latest date for How to Start a Fire set for Sat. Aug. 14th at 10PM ET.

Tickets are $15 and you can (and very, very much should) go get them here.

The White Lotus Is Absolutely the Series That You Should Be Watching Right Now
July 29, 2021
News
hbo, mike white, white lotus

Sure, the arrivals of season 2 of both Ted Lasso and I Think You Should Leave are dominating the conversation of comedy on television right now for very good and clear reasons. One is garnering a record amount of Emmy nominations for a freshman comedy and the other delivers on being the sort of absurdist, daft brilliance that we need to make it through the current moments of 2021.

That said, Mike White‘s The White Lotus, his follow-up to the brilliant Enlightened, has also begun its journey on HBO and HBO Max and, for our money, deserves much more praise and obsessive discussion (like the aforementioned other hit comedies). Just like with Enlightened, White has one of the keenest senses for writing and casting. The performances from the ensemble cast of Murray Bartlett, Jake Lacy, Alexandra Daddario, Jennifer Coolidge, Connie Britton, Steve Zahn, Sydney Sweeney, Fred Hechinger, Brittany O’Grady, and Natasha Rothwell match writing that might have some of the sharpest teeth of any comedy or drama on TV right now. Don’t be surprised finding yourself repeating the many quotable/meme-able moments of The White Lotus.

The ultra serene setting of a luxury Hawaiian resort (and the pitch perfect score by Cristobal Tapia De Veer) belies the ugly head of class, privilege, and the wild lack of self-awareness that Mike and his cast have so masterfully woven in the three episodes that are currently streaming. Additionally, there is a thin air of suspense hanging over the increasingly chaotic stay of the guests at The White Lotus with the series opening on Lacy, presumably after his vacation has come to a spectacular implosion, flying home with a murdered body from the resort. It nails that delicate, yet wild genre mix that only series such as Search Party have really figured out.

If you’ve been curious about what’s going on with HBO Max’s more broad offerings versus the prestige TV that HBO built its empire on, rest assured that The White Lotus is keeping HBO well in the game for prestige dramedy that is award worthy. Get a taste of all of what’s to come at The White Lotus with this mid-season trailer here.

 

Pick of the Day: Arts & Crafts Comedy (in LA) 8/22
July 29, 2021
News
charlie hankin, ever mainard, jon zucker, la comedy, langston kerman, laurie kilmartin, mike mulloy, nick skardarasy, stand up comedy, will miles

Though you might have seen a lot of shows get postponed or outright cancelled this week in LA due to the rise in COVID-19 cases (and breakthrough infections of fully vaccinated people), there is plenty of stuff to look forward to next month as LA’s wide swath of shows continue to return, step-by-step.

One of the latest shows to announce its return is Arts & Crafts Comedy, which has delightfully been marrying the visual arts with stand-up comedy for years around LA. Hosts Nick Skardarasy and Jon Zucker set a splendid tone for the evening where stand-ups will get some sort of artistic interpretation of their stand-up in a drawing, sculpture, artistic creation of some kind from an esteemed artist.

This first show back since lockdown will feature seasoned illustrator Charlie Hankin (half of the great sketch group Good Cop Great Cop) who has gotten plenty of work featured in The New Yorker. Hankin will be making art inspired a lovely handful of great stand-ups (Laurie Kilmartin, Will Miles, Ever Mainard, Langston Kerman, Savannah Manhattan, and Mike Mulloy).

The first of Arts & Crafts Comedy of 2021 is set for Sun. Aug. 22nd at 8PM PT at Rita House. Tickets are $10 and you can (and very much should) get them here.

Phantom of the Open, a Biopic of a Real Golfer More Ridiculous Than Happy Gilmore, Gets Picked Up at Sony Pictures Classics
July 28, 2021
News
mark rylance, maurice flitcroft, phantom of the open, sony pictures classics

(via The Wrap)

In the 70s, there was a man named Maurice Flitcroft who dreamed of being the best golfer he could be. Unfortunately, due to his circumstances and timing, he had a lot going against him, especially since he set his targets on playing in the British Open.

This story actually made for one of the best episodes of one of our favorite podcasts, The Dollop, that also takes the name of Flitcroft’s apt moniker, Phantom of the Open. Truly, the real life story of Maurice sneaking his way into professional golf tournaments is, as we said up top, more incredulous than the golf antics of Adam Sandler classic, Happy Gilmore, and had made him a legend.

The esteemed Mark Rylance took on the titular role and Phantom of the Open just got picked up for distribution by Sony Pictures Classics meaning that those in North American will get to witness one of the more astounding sports stories of our time at a date TBD. Seriously, listen to this ep. of The Dollop and you’ll be pretty hyped to see Flitcroft on the big screen.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 70: Carly Hoogendyk & The New NYC
July 28, 2021
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
derek delgaudio, jfl, neal brennan, new faces of comedy, nyc comedy

One of our favorite comedy hyphenates Carly Hoogendyk (comedy producer-talent manager-photographer) joins us for this week’s TCB Field Report to give us the NYC perspective on comedy reopening (we literally ask her to give us the lay of the land when looking out her apartment window) and what’s going on behind the scenes out in the streets of NYC comedy (across several boroughs). FYI, there’s some nice comedy show lineage history here between the ungodly amount of comedy that has been seen between both Carly and TCB’s Jake Kroeger. Also, we go in on with “hot” takes on this year’s JFL New Faces of Comedy and Neal Brennan using the world’s new preeminent magician, Derek Delgaudio, to direct his new special.

Follow Carly @carlyhoogs and keep tab on her shows including @the100percentshow & @gooddeliverycomedy

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: Neal Brennan-Unacceptable (in NYC) Starting 8/25
July 28, 2021
News
cherry lane theatre, derek delgaudio, neal brennan, three mics

Neal Brennan put out his best work to date with his last special Three Mics in 2017. 2017 seems like eons ago, most likely because eons worth of stuff has happened since then. Still, it was one of the best specials that year and a very welcome break for the one mic style stand-up special.

So, Brennan seems like he’s venturing out on another reimagining of the form, though we’re not quite sure what it will be, as he has tapped magician Derek Delgaudio, from the hit magic/solo show special In and Of Itself, to direct this latest hour, which will be titled, Unacceptable. In and of Itself was such a departure from the typical magic show that one has to ponder what both Derek and Neal have up their sleeves.

Brennan is just about to embark on a limited run of Unacceptable at the Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC starting Aug. 25th and going through the beginning of October. Tickets start at $40 and you ought to get your tickets real quick before they all sell out.

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