Variety Picks 10 Comics to Watch for 2014
Ron Funches, Cristela Alonzo, Pete Davidson, Fortune Feimster, Nathan Fielder, Grace Helbig, The Lucas Brothers, Greg Poehler, Lena Waithe, and Harvard Sailing Team are Variety’s picks this year for what to watch in comedy.
Congratulations to all these folks and, like the list suggests, you can currently (or very soon) watch many of these acts on TV or, in Funches case, the side of many buses.
Amazon Orders Jay Chandrasekhar Dramedy Pilot ‘Really’
Amazon Studios is pushing forward with their development slate by adding a project from Broken Lizard’s Jay Chandrasekhar. A dramedy, which is a new direction for Chandrasekhar who has directed Super Troopers, entitled Really will feature an ensemble cast of Sarah Chalke, Selma Blair, Luka Jones, Travis Schuldt, Lindsay Sloane, Hayes Macarthur, Collette Wolfe and and Rob Delaney.
As in the past, we will all get to see the pilot once it’s done at Amazon.
Obvious Child’s Jenny Slate stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers last night to share some of her most wondrous, embarrassing stories including taking a prom picture with a HS kid as she’s a full grown, way too excited woman as well as confusing astronomy and astrology in a class where she was too high.
So, enjoy those and then, of course, go see Obvious Child.
The Simpsons Casts Will Forte in Role That’s Been a Long Time Mystery
In the Simpsons universe, the proprietor of King Toot’s Music Store, the establishment right next to Moe’s Tavern, has never been seen, but that’s going to change in the upcoming season.
Will Forte has been cast as the owner of King Toot’s. So, naturally, given The Simpsons comedic strategy with neighbors, King Toot’s and Moe’s should have plenty of fun in an all out rivalry, despite selling different products.
Season 4 Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee by Jerry Seinfeld Is Here
One of the most decorated comedy web series is now back for its 4th season with a whole new set of cars, one of which Jerry kind of doesn’t like, and more gorgeous shots of coffee being made.
Though Jerry singing the theme in the first episode can be jarring, intentionally jarring product placement is also really fun as well.
There’s Still a Chance for a Zoolander Sequel
While in a film festival in Sicily, Zoolander star Ben Stiller addressed the possibility of a Zoolander sequel. There’s a script being worked on but, Stiller commented, “I can’t say that it’s actually a reality yet, but I hope some day it is”
Hopefully, Ben will make time in his and Red Hour’s schedule to make this happen.
ON THE HORIZON
Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal Album Recordings @ The Virgil Mon. Jun. 23rd & Jun. 30th 8PM $5 in adv., $8 at door
The Last Two Headed Beast: A Storytelling Show @ Stories Books & Cafe Sat. Jul. 5th 8PM FREE
COMEDY CRAWL
Play by Play @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5
The Manifesto Show @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Unnecessary Evil @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
Camp Nerdmelt @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM FREE
Lost Moon Radio Presents Million Dollar Hair at Hollywood Fringe Fest @ Hudson Theatre 8PM $18
Matthew McComedy @ Karma Lounge 8PM FREE
The Swarm @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10
Peachy Keen @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Sarah Silverman & Friends @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 9PM $30
Diamond Lion @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5
OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/First come, first served/must improvise set of never before seen provided set list/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 5:45PM/Lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Lottery/One item min./4 min.
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./One item min.
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
BOB’S ESPRESSO 5251 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
SABOR Y CULTURA 5625 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is a lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary
TAO COMEDY STUDIO 7466 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/5 min./$5 cover includes drink
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107 El Centro, Los Angeles, CA Ste. 110/Starts 10:30PM after Manifesto Show/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary
INSIDRE JOKES @ TCL CHINESE 6 THEATRES 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/4 min./No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/lottery/3-5 min.
Bumbershoot Announces This Year’s Comedy Line-Up
Paul F. Tompkins’ Dead Author Podcast, W. Kamau Bell, Ted Alexandro, Matt Braunger, Cristela Alonzo, Beth Stelling, PDX Comedy Block Party, NW Comedy Fest’s Canadians of Comedy, and plenty more are coming to Bumbershoot are coming to Seattle at the end of August/beginning of September.
There’s plenty of great music too. So, get your tickets now.
Monty Python Live Show to Air on Sundance Channel
If you can’t make it to the sold out shows at the O2 Arena or to a participating movie theater here in the U.S. for Monty Python’s live reunion, then worry not as the Sundance Channel has just acquired rights for it to premiere on their network.
Still, if you can catch the shows live or in live broadcast, you should definitely go do that and then rewatch it when it comes on Sundance.
One of the best alternative history WWII action comedy series around, Danger 5 is finally available here in America via Hulu. Even outside of that incredibly specific sub genre, it’s fantastic.
How fantastic? Well, try a WWII where Hitler has dinosaurs and diamond soldiers.
Steve Carell to Produce ‘International Incident’ Starring Ken Jeong
The formula of Conan O’Brien plus video games has been great for the Clueless Gamer web series.
So, naturally, Conan visiting one of the world’s biggest video game conventions would be damn hilarious (and it is). Watch it here.
David Wain appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers this week mostly to promote the upcoming meta rom com They Came Together.
However, he also let us know that the supposed Wet Hot American Summer Prequel is really happening. Watch the confirmation here.
ON THE HORIZON
Good Looks @ Play (in Arts District) Tues. Jun. 24th 8PM FREE
Light Fantastic @ Federal Bar Wed. Jun. 25th 8:30PM $10
COMEDY CRAWL
They Came Together at LA Film Festival @ Regal Cinemas LA Live 2PM $13
Big Money @ The Virgil 7PM FREE
Pajama Men: Just The Two of Each of Us @ Nerdmelt Showroom 7PM $10
Coagula Comedy @ Coagula Curatorial 8PM FREE
2 Headed Dog @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $12
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Risk! True Tales Boldly Told @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM FREE
Kinda Sketchy Comedy Show @ Hyperion Tavern 9PM FREE
Little Joy @ Little Joy Cocktails 9PM FREE
Prom Night @ Nature’s Brew 9PM FREE
The Comedy Palace @ The Palace Restaurant 9:30PM FREE
Natasha Leggero in London! Paris! Costco! @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
Jason Nash is Married and Friends @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $15/2 item min.
OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./First come, first served/25 spots only/counts as audition/No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/lottery
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served
VILLA CATRINIA 251 N. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 6:45PM/Only 20 spots available/5 min./Hosted by Paula Johnson
LOADED 6377 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/Ends 8:15PM/15 spots only/5 min./No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign up is 12PM at Facebook page/See http://www.facebook.com/BombShelterComedyfor more info and to sign up/First 23 spots guaranteed on Facebook/Lottery for remaining spots/Starts 7PM/One drink min./5 min./Hosted by John Silver & Ryan Pfeiffer
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Lottery/4 min./1 item min.
FANATIC SALON 3815 Sawtelle Blvd., Culver City, CA/Starts 7PM/Ends 9:30PM/$5 cover/7 min./water and coffee provided/Hosted by Lydia Robinson
RAFA’S LOUNGE ART GALLERY 1836 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/10 spots/Lottery/3 min./Mixed in with booked spots/Hosted by Scott Luhrs
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
THE CHATTERBOX 934 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, CA/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/Lottery/5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Steve Hernandez & Ellie McElvain
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
GAL PALACE 131 S. Rampart Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (in a house)/Sign-up 8:45PM/Starts 9PM/Ends 11PM/First come, first served/4 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Mt. Yanker and Chrysanthe
IT’S A GRIND 247 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served
KNUCKLEHEADS 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Ends 11PM/5-7 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Dan Fawcett
55 DEGREE WINE 3111 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 9PM/Starts 9:30PM/Lottery/4 min./Hosted by Logan Guntzelman & Rachel Maczuzak
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM after Main Room show
All of our time is valuable. However, psychics’ time are even more valuable according to Emily Heller’s web series at Above Average, The Future
That’s what Olivia Wilde learned the hard way, which also happens to be the funny way. Watch it here.
Showtime Orders ‘Roadies’ Comedy Pilot From Cameron Crowe, Winnie Holzman & J.J. Abrams
Showtime has now ordered the pilot of the Cameron Crowe rock concert comedy project known as Roadies that will be produced by J.J. Abrams and Winnie Holzman.
There’s still no word on casting, but with these names attached already on the project, as we stated before, Roadies will probably have a more than noteworthy cast.
Mike Birbiglia Set to Visit 32 Cities and Counting on Thank God For Jokes Tour
From July 17th to New Year’s Eve, Mike Birbiglia will be touring throughout this great land for his Thank God For Jokes Tour. Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Kalamazoo, Miami, Denver, Montreal, Jacksonville, Toronto, Cleveland, St. Louis, and so many more (and more to come) will get to see Birbiglia over the next several months.
Many tickets are now on sale, FYI.
Humorist/writer/artisanal pencil sharpener David Rees is going to be the host of a brand new how-to show on National Geographic starting this July. Given how great he was at enlightening the world on how to properly sharpen a pencil, this series Going Deep should be pretty great.
Watch a promo for Going Deep, premiering Mon. July 14th here.
Prospect Park in Brooklyn is a wilder place than ever before (possibly). That’s why comedian Dave Hill has taken to his Western wear and horse to patrol the paths full of unassuming pedestrians in order to keep things safe.
Watch Dave Hill: The Sheriff of Prospect Park here.
Kyle Kinane To Record New Special in August in Athens, GA
Having recorded Death of the Party and Whiskey Icarus on the West Coast, perhaps it’s time the East Coast got to see the amazing Kyle Kinane record a stand-up special. The 40 Watt in Athens, Georgia will get to see Kinane do just that next month.
Mark August 16th down on your calendar if you’re able to go (and you should make whatever arrangements necessary to do so). Tickets are not on sale yet, but be sure to snatch them up quick as soon as they do.
As there are complaints about the conditions down in Brazil during the World Cup, Conan O’Brien had a chat with the head of public relations down there to see what the deal is. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), the guy (Andres du Bouchet) that Conan was able to reach was not unlike the guy (also Andres du Bouchet) who was covering PR for the Sochi Olympics earlier this year.
ON THE HORIZON
Claudia O’Doherty: The Telescope @ UCB Theatre Tues. Jun. 24th 7PM $5
All Things Comedy @ The Bootleg HiFi Mon. Jun. 23rd 9PM $15-$35
COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Central’s “@midnight w/Chris Hardwick” @ Hollywood Center Studios 3:15PM FREE w/RSVP
Room 101 Improv @ The Last Bookstore 8PM FREE
Not Safe For Work @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM FREE
The Super Serious Show @ The Virgil 8PM $7 in adv., $10 at door
Bill Burr @ Flappers Burbank 8PM/10PM $25/2 item min. (stand by only)
Cheaper Than Therapy @ Bar Lubitsch 8PM $10
“-ologies, -isms, and -paths” @ Second City Hollywood 8PM $10
Meltdown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8:30PM $8 (stand by only)
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Prompter Takes Over Extra Credit @ The Clubhouse 10PM FREE
OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
PANINI GARDEN 2715 Main St., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 9PM/First come, first served/5 min./Hosted by Jordan Likover
ICE HOUSE STAGE 2 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6PM/4 min./Lottery/No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/First come, first served/One item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
CORK’S LOUNGE 5043 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA/For spot 7PM-8:30PM must sign up in advance at jaketaveren@monkeyheadconcepts.biz/For spots 8:30PM-10PM sign-up at venue before pre-booked show/First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Danielle Arce
OPEN MICHELLE @ WILDE THISTLE 3456 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Female performers only/5-7 min./One item min.
THE GRANDVIEW MARKET 12210 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 6:45PM/Mixed mic/4 min. for comics/1 song musicians/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Monika Scott and Morgan Jay
ZOEY’S CAFE 185 E. Santa Clara, Ventura, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/10 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Samantha Ross
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/mixed mic
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM w/one drink min./Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
THE OYSTER HOUSE 12446 Moorpark St., Studio City, CA/Starts 10PM/Ends 1AM/First come, first served/5 min./Hosted by Gary Carver
O’HARRA’S 1000 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/Lottery/3-5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Justin Williams
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts 10:30PM/First come, first served/1 item min.
HOUSE OF TACOS 5616 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/First come, first served
It’s not long before Drunk History is back in our lives. Season 2 premieres on July 1st at 10PM on Comedy Central. While that’s some weeks away, they just released one of the stories featuring a great, drunk Allan McLeod and Jordan Peele reenacting scientist Percy Julian.
Spoiler alert: it’s great. Watch it now.
Monty Python Reunion Show To Have Big Dance Numbers and Will Be a “Little Bit Ruder”
Some details were released about Monty Python’s upcoming run at the O2 Arena in London. There will be some of your favorite sketches, but there will also be a large number of dancers dancing in big music numbers and have several costume changes.
It would be hard to pull off otherwise, but Monty Python is indeed going to go bigger as well as a little ruder, whatever that ends up meaning.
We’ll have to wait until next month to find out.
Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen To Make a Double Album for Kill Rock Stars
You did read that right. Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal, which was one of the best comedy shows in NYC and is now one of the best comedy shows here in LA, is recording a live comedy double album for Kill Rock Stars. Joining Kurt and Kristen will be an amazing line-up featuring: Nate Bargatze, Emily Heller, Andres du Bouchet, Karen Kilgariff, Kyle Kinane, Heather Lawless, Eddie Pepitone, Eugene Mirman, and Aparna Nancherla.
Both tapings are happening at Hot Tub’s current home, The Virgil here in LA, on Mon. Jun. 23rd and Mon. Jun. 30th at 8PM. We highly suggest getting tickets for this ASAP.