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Pick of the Day: Bust Down Screening with Jak Knight (in NYC) 3/12
March 9, 2022
Uncategorized
bust down, chris redd, jak knight, langston kerman, nyc comedy, peacock, sam jay, union hall

As we’re getting into the thick of the streaming wars, each service tries to get a leg up in the current conversation with their latest acquisitions or brand new, shiny series. HBO finally unveiled the long awaited Winning Time and Peacock might just have something that’ll delightfully take us all by surprise with Bust Down, the single cam trying-to-get-by-in-life comedy with Chris Redd, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman, and Jak Knight, that premieres this Thurs. Mar. 10th on the NBC exclusive streaming service.

To mark the occasion, Jak and surprise guests from Bust Down will be presenting a special in-person screening (and doing stand-up) at Union Hall this Saturday, March 12th at 10PM ET. It won’t get more intimate of a special release/premiere screening than this, so you ought to snag tickets for $15 right now right here.

In case you haven’t seen it or are only catching wind of Bust Down just as you read this, please enjoy the announcement trailer here.

The Pack Theater Is Coming Back Next Month! (and Is Accepting Submission for Live Shows)
February 3, 2022
Uncategorized
improv, live comedy, los angeles comedy, open call, pack theater, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, submissions

Pre-pandemic, you could often find us more than once a week at tiny, but mighty comedy venue known as The Pack Theater. Founded by legendary improviser Miles Stroth, it was a great place for in-betweeners, experimenters, risk-takers, and comedy folks who had that DIY/punk rock spirit to what they wanted to do in the art form. That really resonated with us, which is why we ended up catching some of our favorite shows there as well as coming on board to produce the micro-short-form variety show, Speedface.

That’s why we’re overjoyed to hear that The Pack survived all the way to this side of the pandemic, especially being one of the pioneering venues when it came to transitioning to virtual comedy, and they’re going to reopen for in-person shows back in Hollywood starting next month.

In fact, they’re accepting pitches for new shows right now.

Think about/keep the following in mind when considering applying:

-Slots will be available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights with the possibility of having a Saturday night slot as well.

-All applications will go to the Artistic Committee for evaluation. We are especially interested in shows that come from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and all traditionally marginalized voices.

We are looking for the the following types of shows including, but not limited to:

-Stand Up shows (roast shows, open mics, booked shows with a hook)
-Improv based shows with a hook or theme
-Variety shows
-One-off shows to be featured on 5th weeks (one person shows and comedic theater type shows welcomed)
-And of course the random weird wtf shows that we love at the Pack

If interested, read up more and apply here.

Keep up to date with everything Pack Theater related @packtheater across socials.

Here’s a List of Precautionary COVID-19 Questions We Will Keep in Mind in Consideration of In-Person Comedy Shows
October 5, 2020
Uncategorized
covid-19, in person show, live comedy, precaution, protocol

Note: this appeared in our TCB Weekly Debriefing newsletter, which you can sign-up for here.

Outdoor comedy shows, drive-in comedy shows, etc. that are live and in-person have been and are happening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We figured that would happen.

You might have noticed that we’ve been hesitant to list such events as they have been taking place here in Los Angeles or elsewhere. There is a responsibility we feel the need to be mindful of in spreading the word about such events in light of COVID-19 still being as infectious as it ever was and the timeline for a full vaccine that will be available to everyone is still very uncertain.

We have been quietly checking out outdoor shows, drive-in shows, etc. that have happened over the last several weeks, even listing some as we think they’re both taking a great amount of precaution and are also putting on a great comedy show.

Again, more of these shows will be bound to happen and we’ll do our best to keep you in the know about the ones worth checking out that are extensively striving to not further the transmission of the virus.

Specifically (and we know that we are not epidemiologists, government officials, and we’re not trying to lay down guidelines here), we’ll be asking ourselves about the following details about current and future live shows/open mics when considering them for listing at TCB:

-Is it outdoors?
-How will people be socially distanced?
-Will there be signage for distancing/precautions?
-Are there measures for contract tracing?
-What are plans for entrances and exits, both for audiences and performers?
-Will there be temperature checks?
-What will the protocol be for face coverings/masks (especially if there’s food or drink available/being sold)?
-What will the protocol be for using mics/mic stands/etc. for performers?
-What is the “green room” situation for performers/staff?
-Will there be a COVID officer/point person checking in on social distancing and masks?
-What is the bathroom situation? How many will there be? How often will they be cleaned?
-Is there clear language about accountability in regards to something like getting infected with a virus?
-Are performers being compensated (especially if it’s a ticketed show)?

Whether you’re thinking about going to or putting on an in-person show/mic, we’d strongly urge you to think about these questions as well before making a decision to move forward and also keep in mind that the best way to not further the spread of the virus is to not irresponsibly gather in big groups.

Heroes Act That Now Includes $10 Billion Earmarked to Benefit Indie Venues Introduced in House of Representatives
September 30, 2020
Uncategorized
heroes act, save our stages act

(via Variety)

Guidance on reopening live entertainment venues across the country (and world for that matter) are still largely non-existent. So, the uncertainty of a return necessitates a serious financial aid package if these venues are to survive to the other side of this pandemic.

An attempt at such relief has been made with the Save Our Stages Act, introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, which has now been tucked into the new  national stimulus package, the Heroes Act, with a provision for $10 billion to go to “grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on certain live venues”.

So, so many comedy venues unfortunately are in the indie venue category and have been stricken very hard by the pandemic and will need any assistance they can get to be able to reopen when that will be allowed (which will probably only when a full vaccine is available to everyone). Already, the likes of Improv Olympic, Cap City Comedy Club, and the Satellite LA have had to shudder their doors permanently for live shows.

We would very much like that to not be the case for so many other places around the country and we can only hope that get this or some sort of financial relief soon (and that it’ll be enough to survive). That will be all up to Congress of course to get their act together to pass the latest stimulus package.

Paul Lieberstein and Ben Silverman Already Working on a Workplace Comedy Set During COVID-19 Pandemic
April 3, 2020
News, Uncategorized
ben silverman, covid-19, paul lieberstein, workplace comedy

(via Deadline)

First off, it was only a matter of time before an idea like this would get put into development, especially since everyone has so much time to themselves while stuck at home and it’s timely and we’re all having to get used to watching video conferencing/livestreaming/etc. to stay connected and/or work remotely.

Secondly, it’s nice to know that Paul Lieberstein and Ben Silverman, two EPs of the American version of The Office (also Lieberstein famously played Toby Flenderson) are working on this idea of a workplace comedy dealing with what we’re going through. It’ll be curious to see if this gets fast tracked into production (even though it would have to be all done remotely right now) as it would get some production folks back to work and networks/streaming services must undoubtedly be looking for content to keep our elevated binge-watching appetites satiated.

Also, if we had to guess, this series might look something like the John Cho thriller vehicle Searching, but something that’s technically less and more scary (because of the pandemic) at the same time.

Will Smith Hosted Stand-Up Series “This Joka” Coming to Quibi
April 2, 2020
News, Uncategorized
baron vaughn, clayton english, david gborie, demi adejuyigbe, george wallace, rosebud baker, sean patton, this joka, vanessa gonzalez, will smith

(via Deadline)

Quibi was about to tape its own stand-up series at the Hollywood Improv right when this current pandemic shut all live entertainment down for the time being.

Fortunately, there was a stand-up series that had already been shot by Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios several months ago in Las Vegas and that series, called “This Joka”, has found its way to the just-about-to-launch mobile streaming platform Quibi (set to launch next week on Apr. 6th).

Many of our favorite comics that we’ve gotten to see up close in the before times will be featured on this series including:

Baron Vaughn
Chris Estrada
Christi Chiello
Clayton English
Daphnique Springs
David Gborie
Demi Adejuyigbe
George Wallace
Jackie Fabulous
Martin Urbano
Punkie Johnson
Rosebud Baker
Sam Tallent
Shane Torres
Shawn Wasabi
Vanessa Gonzalez

Per Quibi’s platform, episodes won’t be longer than 10 minutes and there are 16 of them ordered, which probably means that each episode will be a showcase set and conversation with the comics line-up. Also, Will Smith hosted all of This Joka and the one and only Lance Bangs directed the whole thing, making this stand-up series just all the more intriguing.

Moontower Comedy Festival Rescheduled for Sept. 16th-19th
March 25, 2020
News, Uncategorized
atx, austin, comedy festival, moontower, texas

Large gatherings/events of all kinds all over the world in March and April got cancelled and postponed due to COVID-19. Even this year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo might get pushed back. Certainly, live comedy has had to take a pause right along with the rest of the world.

Inevitably, the postponements will get followed up by rescheduling (which we ought to note might be subject to change as everything currently is). Still, it’s hopeful to hear that Austin’s big time annual comedy shindig, The Moontower Comedy Festival is, for now, set to return Wed. Sept. 16th- Sat. Sept. 19th. Hopefully, by then (even before then would be better), there will be some relative return to normalcy and going out and gathering with folks will be allowed again.

Line-up, tickets, and specifics have yet to be announced, but we will absolutely keep you updated.

“It Started As A Joke” Documentary About Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival Gets a Trailer and Apr. 3rd Release Date
March 20, 2020
News, Uncategorized
documentary, eugene mirman, eugene mirman comedy festival, trailer

As you quickly work through binging stuff you had been thinking about watching for weeks, months, years in these weird times, you undoubtedly will be looking forward to something entirely new to watch.

Unless you managed to catch It Started as a Joke at SXSW last year, there will be a never-before-seen insiders look into the decade long run of the beloved Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, helmed by, of course, the one and only Eugene Mirman. As far as comedy festivals go, that’s more than an impressive run and, in this doc, you’ll get to see exclusive interviews with Michael Ian Black, Kristen, Schaal, Wyatt Cenac, Ira Glass, John Hodgman, Kumail Nanjiani, Reggie Watts and Michael Showalter and performances by Daniel Kitson, Janeane Garofalo, Jim Gaffigan, Jon Glaser, Mike Birbiglia, Bobcat Goldthwait, and more.

You’ll only have to wait until April 3rd to stream on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, FandangoNow, Sony, and Microsoft Xbox. You can pre-order It Started As A Joke via Apple right now.

Here Are Some Delicious Teasers for What We Do In the Shadows Season 2
March 18, 2020
News, Uncategorized
fx, season 2, teaser, what we do in the shadows

Season 1 of What We Do In the Shadows managed to expertly pull off both adapting the beloved movie of the same name from Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement into a TV show, staying faithful to the look and tone as well as introduce a new facet of the “grounded” vampire universe with a whole new cast of new characters.

Truly, one of the best things we saw last year.

Season 2 is right around the corner as you can see in these teasers and, thankfully, it’ll be one thing (probably) that won’t get postponed. Look for season 2 of What We Do In the Shadows to premiere on Wed. Apr. 15th on FX.

Community to Stream on Both Netflix and Hulu
March 17, 2020
News, Uncategorized
community, hulu, netflix, now streaming, where to watch

(via Variety)

Due to the notion of self-distancing and, in general, staying home in these weird times, we have no doubt that you’re indulging every show and movie that you ever thought about watching/rewatching.

So, now is about as good a time as ever to find out that the landmark sitcom Community created by Dan Harmon will not only be on one streaming service, but, due to a nifty deal that Sony Pictures TV struck, be available on both Hulu and Netflix. The series is already on Hulu and will begin streaming on Netflix on Apr. 1st.

There are six seasons to watch and maybe this will lead to #sixseasonsandamovie becoming a reality.

The Midnight Gospel Teaser Hints at Netflix Animation Getting as Trippy as It Has Ever Been
March 17, 2020
News, Uncategorized
adult swim, duncan trussell, netflix, pendelton ward, the midnight gospel

Combining the otherworldliness of both Pendelton Ward, creator of Adventure Time, and comedian Duncan Trussell can only amount to something super trippy, wildly colorful, and mischievously subversive. To be those things at Netflix (considering their animation line-up already including BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie, and LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS) is quite a feat.

Thus, The Midnight Gospel has been born or, rather, is set to be born on April 20th when all episodes stream on Netflix.

Get a taste of how they’re going to expand and tickle your mind with this teaser (we don’t even want to giveaway too much in order to let you let the idea of The Midnight Gospel wash over you sans any hints)

Conan O’Brien Demonstrates How to Sanitize a 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
March 17, 2020
News, Uncategorized

Conan O’Brien is giving you BOTH tips to stay safe and healthy and absolutely brilliant content to keep you sane in these weird times of COVID-19. Please enjoy this latest bit of comedy genius here.

Conan Takes Extra Steps With His Staff to Stop Spread of COVID-19
March 13, 2020
News, Uncategorized

Even in these grim times, Conan O’Brien can still come up with a hysterical remote. Please, please enjoy Conan’s DIY tips for how he’s combatting the spread of this novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, here (even if you have done so many times already when it dropped earlier this week).

Three Busy Debras Get a Full Trailer for Their Adult Swim Series
March 12, 2020
News, Uncategorized
adult swim, alyssa stonoha, mitra jouhari, sandy honig, three busy debras

We were already pretty thrilled at the prospect of a Three Busy Debras series on Adult Swim.

This trailer is just a bit more a sneak peek of the fun, absurdist, feminist chaos that Sandy Honig, Mitra Jouhari, and Alyssa Stonoha have in store for us all. We can’t wait.

Look for Three Busy Debras to premiere on Adult Swim on Mar. 29th at midnight.

Quibi Picks Up Joel Kim Booster’s “Trip” to Series
March 11, 2020
News, Uncategorized
joel kim booster, quibi

(via Deadline)

Even when it was announced that it was in development, we were very excited for Joel Kim Booster‘s modern-day, gay rom com inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

As far as we’re concerned, Booster’s wickedly sharp sense of humor needed to be in a show somewhere and it’s finally going to happen as the upcoming mobile only streaming service Quibi just ordered it to series.

We’re sure that people will be binge watching everything as they stay indoors and consequently run out of things to watch soon enough. So, it’s nice to know something this unique is on the horizon.

Please Enjoy Marlena Rodriguez’s Late Night Debut on A Little Late with Lilly Singh
March 11, 2020
News, Uncategorized
late night, lilly singh, marlena rodriguez, stand up

From where we’re looking, it might seem like there’s a nice little wave of late night stand-up debuts this month. Last week, Hannah Einbinder dazzled on Colbert. This week, Marlena Rodriguez graces the stage of A Little Late with Lilly Singh for her very own late night network TV debut (and we sincerely hope more are coming over the next couple of weeks)

Rodriguez blends bits of sobering honesty with undeniable silliness, which she especially commits during act outs. It’s a very satisfying mix of the dark and the light that Marlena has perfected over the years.

So, please enjoy Marlena’s comedic stylings with this very set from last night’s A Little Late with Lilly Singh.

Apple TV+ Gets a Bit of That Bob’s Burgers Magic with Trailer for Loren Bouchard’s Central Park
March 10, 2020
News, Uncategorized
apple tv plus, loren bouchard, stanley tucci, trailer

Unlike Disney+, Apple TV+ hasn’t exactly gotten to ride the coattails of something like The Mandalorian. Perhaps, this super charming musical animated series from beloved Bob’s Burgers creator Loren Bouchard might be the thing to put Apple TV+ on the map.

There are clever songs with animated dance numbers, the comfort and familiarity of Bouchard’s aesthetics from Bob’s Burgers, and even Stanley Tucci voicing an evil 1%-er in the vein of a Captain Planet villain dead set on paving over Central Park to build more NYC high rises. See all of this for yourself in the newly unveiled trailer.

Certainly, we’re very on board to see what Central Park is all about. We’ll look forward to May 29th when it premieres on Apple TV+.

The Sklar Brothers Deliver Another Classic Sklar Brothers Set on Conan
March 10, 2020
News, Uncategorized
conan, late night, sklar brothers, stand up

 

Simply put, The Sklar Brothers are and have always been a true joy to watch. Their cadence, act outs, writing, rhythm, imagination always make for a joyful ride through their marvelous brand of comedy. Of course, as their duo of twins, they are just able to hit those punchlines and tags so damn fast and it never fails to have us cackling wherever and whenever we happen to be watching them.

All of that is on display with their latest appearance on Conan, which you should very much watch here.

Pick of the Day: Jackie and Laurie Present
March 10, 2020
News, Uncategorized
burbank, jackie kashian, laurie kilmartin, los angeles, pick of the day, stand up comedy

Hands down, one of our all time favorite podcasts is The Jackie and Laurie Show with the amazing, brilliant, hysterical pairing of Jackie Kashian and Laurie Kilmartin. Their weekly perspective as some of the funniest comedians working today (that happen to be older women) is a true joy and illuminating on how far we’ve come with representation in comedy and how much further we need to go.

This evening is a special showcase that not only feature Kashian and Kilmartin, but a collection of their “Comics of the Week”, a handpicked line-up of their favorite female comics that you need to see, which will include Marcella Arguello, Hannah Einbinder, Robin Tran, Kimberly Clark, Bernie Pauley, Amy Anderson.

So, you’ll get a bit of Jackie and Laurie and an amazing stand-up show all in one night. Tickets for Jackie and Laurie Present are $20 (+2 item min.). Please go get them here.

Welcome to TCB 3.0
March 9, 2020
News, Uncategorized

TCB 3.0 has been so long in the works (since sometime last year-honestly, it has been so long that we forget when we embarked on this journey with our web designer Andrew Delman and some gracious guidance from Derek Meklir). Anyhow, finding anything and everything you wanted to know about LA comedy has just gotten a huge upgrade (even as we have just “soft” launched) and we wanted to give you a quick tour of what you can do with the new and improved Comedy Bureau, outside of our spiffy new look.

Read More

Please, Please Enjoy Hannah Einbinder’s Network TV Debut on Colbert
March 9, 2020
Uncategorized
hannah einbinder, late night, stand up comedy

Poise.

Hannah Einbinder has honed so many skills in her comedy craft in her rise through the comedy ranks and discovering her unique, original voice and persona. Yet, we have to note that her poise, her ability to stay composed in her highly conceptualized bits is entrancing and only makes her comedy stylings so much more emphatic and hysterical. We’ve actually got to see Einbinder develop her style over the last few years and it’s quite the treat to see the fruits of her labor be this set on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

For years, we’ve been saying be on the look out for Einbinder, but now The Late Show is doing it too (and for good reason). So, please, please, please enjoy Einbinder’s network TV debut with this set.
March 5, 2020
Uncategorized

Just a quick heads up. You may be waking up to TCB 3.0 tomorrow (i.e. we may be down for an hour or so around midnight tonight).
Also, Los Angeles, its comedy scene, and everything around them, we love you and we hope you love the new us (much love again to our wonderful web designer Andrew Delman.
Please support us on Patreon/Venmo (at JakeKroeger) or anything else we might be asking for in the very near future.
Also, this will be a “soft launch”, FYI.

UPDATE on TCB 3.0:

We’ll be (soft) launching this morning, Thurs. Mar. 5th. Maybe we’ll even be jaunty and do some sort of countdown. Stay tuned!

Enjoy The Cooties’ New Anthem for Shut-Ins “Stay Home”
March 5, 2020
Uncategorized
musical comedy, stay home, the cooties

The Cooties make such an outstanding blend of comedy and music as they have some of the best harmonies of any and all that have attempted a funny song and some of the most ridiculous lyrics ever sung.

Case in point: their latest single/music video for “Stay Home”. Enjoy it wherever you are (probably while at home though as it literally sings the praises of not going out) here.

Yes, Quibi Will Be Having a Stand-Up Series “Hot Off the Mic”
March 4, 2020
Uncategorized
hot off the mic, quibi, stand up comedy

Yes, Quibi Will Be Having a Stand-Up Series “Hot Off the Mic”

For a platform that’s only for mobile and touts featuring heaps and loads and endless rows of content that’s ten minutes or less, it would just make sense that they have their own stand-up comedy series, right?

Well, Quibi is that exact platform and they’re already on to making a stand-up comedy series exclusive to their platform called Hot Off The Mic. There’s no word yet to who will make Hot Off The Mic’s line-up, but you can buy tickets to the live tapings that will be taking place at The Hollywood Improv’s Main Room all this month. Do so here.
March 4, 2020
Uncategorized
baby wants candy, cameron esposito, comedy show, dtla, free comedy, free show, los angeles, musical comedy, stand up comedy, union station

Though it’s often not included in montages of LA, one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful structures is the pristine Union Station in DTLA. Its Art Deco design calls back to a timeless LA look from decades past, not to mention that it possessing all the charm of a classic train station.

So, wouldn’t it be great to watch comedy with LA’s most lovely train station as the backdrop? 

Indeed, there will be a live comedy show next week, Clock Tower Comedy, featuring some of LA’s best in improv, musical comedy, and stand-up. Shamilton, the Hamilton-inspired musical improv show is absolutely one of the top musical comedy shows in LA and the one and only Cameron Esposito is bright, shining, genuine, sharp stand-up comedy luminary. 

Best of all, admission is free! Get more details here.

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