Morning Debriefing 4/4/11

1) American-the Bill Hicks Story hits U.S. theatres this week on April 8th, but the earliest you can see it is April 13th at the Comedy Store then April 15th at the Laemmle Sunset 5.  Something is wrong with this picture.  If it changes, the Comedy Bureau will let you know.

2) LA via AustraliaHear clips of Garfunkel and Oates & Maria Bamford live in Melbourne

3) Brand New Open Mic coming next week: 
Smiles Nightclub
13615 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Every other Wednesday
5 minutes of stage time with 1 item purchase
$3 Domestic Beer, $3 Soda, Half off apps
Contact Chris Dunham or TK Matteson
www.facebook.com/chrisdunhamlivewww.facebook.com/tkocomedy 

4) The Comedy Bureau’s own calendars have been updated with a few new venues!

5) Once again, Conan on WTF w/Marc Maron.

6) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL
What’s Up Tiger Lily @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

7) OPEN MIC RUN
RED ROCK 8782 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/multiple sets allowed/$5 min.
CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PM-ish
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7:30PM/Starts 8PM
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/call (213) 483-4458
D’AMORE’S 8369 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 8PM/Purchase required 
GROUND ZERO USC 615 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA/USC Campus/Nestled between 3 dormitories approximately a block away from the intersection of Figueroa and Exposition/USC student sign-up 9PM/non-USC-student sign-up 9:15/Starts 9:30PM  

8) Yesterday, the Comedy Bureau posted the article, “Why are THEY on the Show?” about the unfortunate trading of spots on shows that happens in LA and some readers were wondering a few things.  Specifically, The Comic’s Comic wondered about comics who struggle to get stage time starting their own room.  I have no problem with other comics starting their own room to get their own stage time if they can’t get it elsewhere.  Again, I reiterate stay away from trading spots.  Whether they are good or bad as comics is a matter of subjectivity to me really, but, as I point out in the article, if they can find an audience of their own, my opinion doesn’t really matter.  Another reader wondered that if a person works the Haha, Ice House, Comedy Store, Improv that they should get a shot at performing at another room.  First off, there are plenty of comics that are (and I’m putting this very politely) raw that get to perform at all of those clubs.  Once more, as I pointed in the article, plenty of comics can get laughs, but if they’re not funny to the booker, why should the booker put them up?  Last week, I saw someone do nothing but offensive material jumbling up the most controversial topics to date (i.e. Libya, Tsunami, and Liz Taylor’s Death) into one dick joke ridden mess and kill.  Did I laugh? I didn’t even smile.  Just because this comic happened to do good on a certain night because they had a good spot on the show, I don’t feel obligated or guilted to promote their comedy as, plain and simple, I don’t find them funny.  If you have any further questions regarding this article or anything else, please send them to thecomedybureau@gmail.com.

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