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Recent News

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Morning Debriefing 11/24/11

November 24, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) Don’t forget that there will be a whole bunch of traffic around Target’s everywhere near midnight and the Pardcast-a-thon is tomorrow.

2) Our pals at Lost Moon Radio have joined in the holiday spirit and made a holiday album “It Had To Be Yule”. With tracks such as “Patrick Stewart’s A Christmas Story”, this will definitely beat out whatever you were going to hear on KOST 103.5FM.

3) Here’s a special Puddin’ marking the traditions of Thanksgiving…

4) NBC is thankful for giving into apologizing to Michelle Bachmann for the music that brought her on at Fallon earlier this week.

5) Below is probably the last image that will ever be of the short-lived independent LA comedy venue known as Dangerfield’s 2. [via AsteriosKokkinos]

Here’s photos from the closing night of Dangerfield’s II

6) FoD does a great send-up of Megyn Kelly, the Fox news anchor that commented that pepper spray is essentially a food product in regards to the UC Davis pepper spray incident, with the amazing Erin Gibson.

7) LA Weekly chats with Ron Swanson/Nick Offerman about meat and things.

8) Will Weldon is the One Night Man (Full Disclosure: it’s not a super hero thing, but it’s really funny)

9) ON THE HORIZON
Second City Late Night with Paul F. Tompkins & Maria Bamford @ Second City Hollywood Fri. Dec. 9th 11PM $5

10) Yeah, it’s Thanksgiving and I still posted. ANYONE THANKFUL TO FIND OUT THAT THEY PROBABLY SHOULDN’T TRY TO GO TO AN OPEN MIC TODAY? 

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Morning Debriefing 11/25/11

November 25, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) Let’s start off Black Friday right with Michele Bachmann plugging her book Core of Conviction FoD style.

2) We have no idea how this slipped through the Comedy Bureau interdepartmental walls, but faux-retro-action-comedy web series Danger 5 did. It’s crazier than Inglorious Basterds in much more manageable lengths. Watch the trailer. [via JackieKashian]

3) There are no doorbusters here, but Team Coco just opened their new online store, which you can buy Conan merch without any risk of bodily harm from other shoppers.

4) The Midnight Show gives you tips on how to plant your own vegetables. That’s all there is to it…

5) You do know you can write for Cracked, right?

6) Though we missed posting this on or before Thanksgiving, Alison Agosti gives some great tips on how to get into the holiday spirit, especially you hate things like getting into the holiday spirit.

7) The Pardcast-a-thon starts at 6PM PST tonight and going for 12 hours. Laugh and donate. That’s all you need to do with that one

8) COMEDY CRAWL
Best of Groundlings @ Groundlings Theatre 8PM $20 
Maximum Fun w/Jesse Thorn @ Ice House Stage 2 8PM $10/2 drink min.
Christina Pazsitsky @ Flappers Burbank 8PM/10PM $17/2 item min.
12 Shiny Nickels @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $10 

9) OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/given “set list” of topics to do jokes off of/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/4 min./no purchase necessary
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Starts 7PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 8PM/No foul language/No purchase necessary/first come, first served   
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel, past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served/coffee and bottled water available  
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery  

10) I think it would be beneficial to societal order and also a lot funnier if everyone doing Black Friday shopping had to verify that they were shopping for anybody but themselves.

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Morning Debriefing 11/26/11

November 26, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) Jimmy Pardo’s Pardcast-a-thon, which only ended a few hours ago, finally tallied a whopping $34,636.39 for Smiletrain. Also, apparently, Jon Hamm showed up and got drunk. Congrats on both counts!

2) So, Insane Clown Posse came into the closet for SNL Writer Mike O’Brien’s his web series 7 minutes in Heaven…

3) Not that it makes any difference hearing it from us versus all the other great things you’ve heard about it, but The Muppets movie is definitely worth catching.

4) Humor magazine, The Devastator, featuring contributors from the Daily Show, The Onion, McSweeney’s, The Cobert Report, Adult Swim, and more just made a new issue available for purchase/subscription.

5) Eddie Pepitone’s first live comedy album, “A Great Stillness” will be released and celebrated on Dec. 1st!

6) If you’re not following David Seger’s ‘New In November’ run where he makes a video and posts it online everyday, then you need to stop doing your NaNoWriMo novel and check it out for things like Whiskey Vision (taping a camera to bottle of Jack Daniels then letting the night unfold).

7) ON THE HORIZON
Team Coco Live @ UCB Theatre Fri. Dec. 2nd 8PM $10

8) COMEDY CRAWL
ASSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
The Ed Galvez Punk House Weekend Edition @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $8
Best of Groundlings @ Groundlings Theatre 8PM/10PM $20
Comedy Extravaganza “Orphans” Thanksgiving Edition @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $10 
Christina Pazsitsky @ Flappers Burbank 8PM/10PM $17/2 item min.
Hello Giggles Presents: Letters to My Younger Self @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10 (stand by only) 
The Walsh Brothers @ UCB Theatre $5 MIDNIGHT
The Tomorrow Show Presents Extra Helpings with the Doorknockers @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8 

9) OPEN MIC RUN
SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Starts 2PM/feedback given at end
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/coffee & water provided
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd and 4th St.)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/no purchase necessary/4 min.
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery  

10) Apparently, people were also trying to get Black Friday deals at a gun store because they were either waiting for the right time for home security or the upcoming zombie apocalypse is conveniently scheduled right after the holidays. 

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Morning Debriefing 11/27/11

November 27, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) From what we can understand, cybersecurity company Norton will have various performance artists performing various people’s Facebook wall who participate in their upcoming live webcast event, Stuff Theatre.

2) If you missed the live broadcast on PBS of Woody Allen: A Documentary, Part 1 is now online.

3) Channel 101 NY reveals its nominees…

4) Last Call with Carson Daly does some pretty interesting field pieces (including one’s on Twitter pioneers Megan Amram and Kelly Oxford), but they hardly ever put them up right after they air. That’s why a chat with Dave Attell at the Comedy Store and an interview with Reggie Watts might have slipped through past your Google Reader.

5) This is an incredibly comedy nerdy news item, but, reportedly, as he has done before, Tom Lennon will be the voice of Craig Ferguson’s robotic sidekick Geoff on this Monday through Wednesday on the Late Late Show on CBS 12:35AM.

6) ON THE HORIZON
The Imaginary Radio Program @ Nerdist Theater Thurs. Dec. 8th $8 in adv., $10 at door

7) COMEDY CRAWL
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Bill Cosby @ Fred Kavli Theatre 8PM $54-$79
Neil Hamburger & Special Guests @ The Satellite LA 8:30PM $8
French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE
Powerviolence @ The Complex 9PM FREE
Jeselnik & Co. @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only) 

8) OPEN MIC RUN
PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/lottery
SUNDAY SKETCH SHOW 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA/this is an open mic for sketches/Starts 7PM/Sign-up in advance/no purchase necessary/
NERDIST THEATER 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (back room of Meltdown Comics)/Sign-up 7:15PM/Starts 7:30PM/lottery/30 spots available/no purchase necessary
TSUNAMEDY @ TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/mixed mic
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee available   

9) I’m excited that the NBA’s back as I was really for people staring daggers at me when we turn off the game to start a comedy show.

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Morning Debriefing 11/28/11

November 28, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) There’s going to be a Flight of the Conchords movie?

2) The winners of the Fake Criterion Year One Contest gave the Criterion cover treatment to Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (Honorable Mention) Batman and Robin (Honorable Mention), Death Wish 3 (3rd Place), American Ninja 2 (2nd Place), and Back to the Future 2 (1st Place). Maybe Criterion will release some of these (meaning American Ninja 2) with ironic commentary or something.

3) What an episode of Conan that’s airing tonight with Jason Segel and Das Racist (TBS 11PM)

4) You know you’ve been waiting for a brand new episode of the Tommy Wi-Show, so here’s Tommy f’n up big time in Little Big Planet 2.

5) Support Jon Daly’s 24 Hour Goatee Project. Also, don’t ask questions about it…

6) One of fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin’s top competitor’s in the Wilkes-Barre area, Staples, will be actually printing Dunder Mifflin paper. 

7) Congrats to both Reginald D. Hunter and Gina Yashere for garnering multiple nominations in the UK’s Black Comedy Awards. Chris Rock was also nominated for Best International Comedian, but that almost goes without saying, though Bill Cosby is nowhere to be found.

8) Puddin’-“Court” w/guest Andy Richter (who’ll be guest-starring all this week)

9) COMEDY CRAWL
Star Dreck @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $10
Cartoon Dump @ The Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE 

10) OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PM-ish/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
RED ROCK 8782 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served
PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz)/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery
RAINBOW BAR & GRILL 9015 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up before 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/$2 cover/mixed mic
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is lottery/no purchase necessary
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee provided    

11) Just like that stupid house on your block that already has its Christmas lights up, comedians are not going to wait until December to start the overkill of Christmas humor.

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Writing About vs Doing: Comedy (and What’s Wrong with the Study of It)

November 29, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy theory, humor conference

Writing About vs Doing: Comedy (and What’s Wrong with the Study of It)

In the article linked above, “Standup Comity”, Boston comic and Onion contributor, Steve Macone gives a detailed recap of comedy scholars performing stand-up, some of them for the very first time, at the 2011 International Society for Humor Studies Conference. 

Not that anyone calls out ‘spoiler alert’ for recaps/write-ups/essays/etc., but, just in case, SPOILER ALERT: at the end of this article, Macone comments on the divisive attitude that most comics have on comedy scholars and their general dismissal of whatever theory they come up with. Instead of the “hate that people who study comedy get the luxury of feeling like they know anything about comedy when we are told every night that we do not,” I humbly believe that this “hate” rests on the idea that comedians are being told what comedy is and what it isn’t and subsequently, how they can and can’t do it by people who don’t experience how freeing and terrifying trying to making people laugh by yourself can be on a regular basis.

The problem with comedy theory and those that are dedicated to studying it through a laptop or, even worst, in a laboratory is that stand-up is hardly ever done through a database or in a brightly lit, white room with high ceilings and little audience. It’s done in cramped, dark comedy clubs, bars, coffee shops, and sometimes under a floodlamp in a public park on a nightly basis. In a laboratory setting, Tig Notaro doing her bit about pushing a stool around stage might prove to be more weird than funny out of context. However, within the context of a comedy show, it’s hilarious and has killed the 10 or more times I’ve seen it.

More so than ever, comedy, especially that of stand-up, is in a revolutionary phase where it’s constantly redefining and rejecting itself over and over. As this is the case, comedy scholars, theorists, observers, and so forth should concern themselves less with the tired concerns of making jokes about rape, the comedic standing of a gender, or how to fully contextualize their hypothesis on comedy as it relates to cultural norms through a witty (or not so witty as the case may be) title and its scientific explanation preceded by a colon in the title (ex. “A Comic Rejoinder to American Culture’s Hegemony of Sensitivity: White, Hyper-Masculinity in HBO’s Comedy Series Eastbound and Down”).

In short, studying stand-up comedy now isn’t about the content. Anthony Jeselnik and his no-topic-goes-untouched approach to jokes have proven that even the most racy of topics can be made funny. Comedy scholars should be focusing on is the Andy Kaufman Award competition, Rory Scovel and Jon Dore performing their acts simultaneously on Conan to uproarious laughter, or perhaps how Bill Cosby crafted his famous 26 minute track on “To My Brother Russell, Whom I Slept With” or Emo Phillips’ joke on religion (regarded as one of the best jokes on religion). These are all things that redefine the form in a legitimate way, but go, for the most part, unstudied and appreciated only by comedy nerds.

Instead of trying to confine comedy in their understanding of it, comedy scholars would be much more appreciated by comics if they attempted to find new ways to make people laugh, just like comics do on a nightly basis.

Morning Debriefing 11/29/11

November 29, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) RIP Patrice O’Neal. Hopefully, Netflix will categorize you accurately now.

2) Conan is definitely killing it this week with tonight’s episode featuring Nathan Fillion, who is hilarious in a thing called PG Porn, Angela Kinsey, and many comedians’ favorite thing to listen to alone, Morrissey. I guess that’s the only way you can top Jason Segel’s story about Mickey Rooney and Das Racist bringing a MJ impersonator on stage. Also, Jon Stewart will be interviewing Betty White tonight on the Daily Show (Comedy Central 11PM)

3) Soundcloud is calling for podcasts!

4) And now, a very important message from Joselyn Hughes on introducing comics during a live show. Also, she sets f’n records.

5) Bob Odenkirk is hilarious when angry, especially if Andre Hyland/Phil Gower (holistic new age therapist) is the one egging him on.

6) Here’s a very interesting look at the history of laugh track and, perhaps, why it won’t gracefully die.

7) To add to the excitement of Kristen Schaal having an arc on 30 Rock, Louis CK will be returning as his lovable cop on Parks and Recreation. That news coupled with Community being TV Guide’s fan favorite must make Community fans feel a little better about the state of NBC’s comedies.

8) The new Power Rankings for Humblebrag are here and to no one’s surprise, Tyler, The Creator from Odd Future is crushing it.

9) Is there a weekly list of 5 of the best sketches, web series, uploaded live performances in comedy? Yes, there is such a thing on the Nerdist…

10) ON THE HORIZON
Susan Burke’s Smoke Worry Fuck @ UCB Theatre Thurs. Dec. 1st 8PM $5
Murray Valeriano Taping @ M Bar Wed. Dec. 14th 7PM No cover/$10 min.

11) COMEDY CRAWL
Performance Anxiety @ The Pleasure Chest 8PM $7
Harland Williams @ Flappers Burbank 8PM $20/2 item min.
The Dork Forest Live @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $10
The Good Luck Show @ Good Luck Bar 8PM FREE
Comedy Bang Bang @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Therapy! @ Blue Monkey Lounge 8:30PM FREE
Nick Kroll & Friends @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 9PM $25
Holy Fuck @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE 

12) OPEN MIC RUN
ACME COMEDY HOLLYWOOD 135 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6PM/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/first come, first served
WESTWOOD BREW CO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
VINNY’S PIZZA 12740 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/first come, first served
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic 
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/first come, first served/$4 min.
PETIE’S PLACE 6025 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, CA/Starts 9PM/one drink min./first come, first served
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd St. Promenade and 4th St.)/Sign-up 9:45PM/Starts 10PM/lottery/$1 cover
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee provided  
BLUE MONKEY LOUNGE 5521 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 11PM after booked show/1 drink min./first come, first served 

13) Regarding this venting on the study of comedy, let me just say that I really love comedy, just in case this post and the hundreds of other ones just like it that we written by me weren’t evidence enough.

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Kristine Levine-Tip of the Hat 11/29

November 30, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy profiles, tip of the hat

It’s been over 5 months since we’ve given our last Tip of the Hat, but, as has always been our problem, we’ve been vastly understaffed. Yet, we won’t get into what departments we had to cut in order to come under budget because this latest Tip of the Hat going to Portland based comedienne Kristine Levine is well overdue.

Also, she’s in town (in LA, that is, you know, where we’re based), which you should take advantage of catching her do a set.

I first caught her opening for Doug Stanhope a few months ago at the Main Room of the Comedy Store at which Stanhope let her perform over 30 min. and absolutely crushing the audience in laughter while doing it. Most headlining comics generally a) don’t let their openers do that much time and b) get openers that do well, but don’t “crush”. Of course, Stanhope, who fears almost nothing when taking the stage, especially at his own show, let Levine, who probably no one in LA knew and largely still doesn’t (we’re hoping to change that), go through what many LA-based comedy venues would consider headlining and going to Jeselnik’s famed “applause break city”.

As far as comedic prowess goes, that’s definitely counts as that proverbial “saying something”.

Combing through her bio, you’ll find a brief comparison to “a brutal cross between Lenny Bruce and Roseanne Barr” which you can only reconcile in your brain by watching her live. As she’ll tell you, she’s an overweight porn clerk (which is hilarious as that’s the first time we’ve ever heard that job title said that way) and a proud mother of three kids, which has made for an incredible well to draw from in her brand of comedy. It’s debatable whether honesty makes for the best comedy, but Levine certainly makes a damn good case for it being so by telling stories and observing motherhood, romance, and the oddities of life with the only filter being that it’s undeniably hilarious. If only all those journalists, essayists, and bloggers that continue the discourse on women being funny would see Levine, they’d probably switch their focus to how funny pornography, especially when discussed sincerely, can be.

Not to sound like a host introducing her at a live show, but she does tour the country, you’ve might have caught her in an episode of Portlandia, and she will be in what will undoubtedly be a highly anticipated comedy documentary, The Unbookables, very soon.

Like we mentioned earlier, Kristine is in town and can be seen opening for Stanhope in both Irvine (Wed.) and Brea (Thurs.) as well as tonight, in her element, at the famous (or infamous if you like) Pleasure Chest at Performance Anxiety tonight at 8PM along with several other shows throughout the city until Dec. 16th. Check back here at the Comedy Bureau for her upcoming dates or follow her on Twitter @KristineLevine.

Morning Debriefing 11/30/11

November 30, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) Patrice O’Neal will not only have his special “Elephant in the Room” aired on Comedy Central at 8PM (edited) and at 12AM (uncensored) tonight, but a brand new album, Mr. P, from O’Neal will be released posthumously next year.

2) And then there was a teaser for Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie in which they quote themselves a bunch…

3) On Conan last night, Nathan Fillion revealed how he will go undefeated at Halloween. Tonight, Bill Cosby will be on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC 11:35PM), Nick Kroll AND Michael Kosta will be on Conan (TBS 11PM), & David Sedaris will be on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS 12:35AM). It’s a lot to leave in boldface type, but it’s deserving.

4) Christina Pazsitsky’s “It’s Hard Being A Person” came out yesterday!

5) It seems everyone’s reading Rookie Mag’s feature of letters from and to funny people like Maria Bamford, Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro, Gina Yashere, and more.

6) Norton’s Stuff Theatre is happening right now.

7) Nando’s, a fast food chicken chain, went from using Reggie Watts in their ads to making fun of Mugabe and Gaddafi?

8) Puddin’-“Brando” w/guest Andy Richter

9) COMEDY CRAWL
Women! Comedy! Festival! @ Room 101 7PM FREE
Doug Stanhope @ Irvine Improv
8PM $25/2 item min.
Meltdown @ Nerdist Theater 8:30PM $8
Comedy Cult @ Home Room 9PM $5
Venice Underground @ Townhouse & The Del Monte 9PM FREE
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Beer in the Shower @ Dreams Bar & Cafe 9:30PM FREE
Comedy Juice @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $14/2 item min.
Roast the Week @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10:30PM $5 
Throwback @ Next Stage Theater 11PM $5 

10) OPEN MIC RUN
SMILES NIGHTCLUB 13615 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA/Sign-up 5:45PM/Starts 6PM/first come, first served/No purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
THE SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Starts 7PM/lottery
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
GRINDHOUSE CAFE 1051 N. Havenhurst, West Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
LIBRARY A COFFEE HOUSE 3418 Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM 
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel, past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served/coffee and bottled water available  
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT  

11) Not that its shocking to most people that follow this site, but making Jerry Sandusky jokes aren’t shocking or controversial, especially if that’s what you’re going for.

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‘Smoke, Worry, Fuck’ and Get ‘Smashed’ about Susan Burke

December 1, 2011
Uncategorized

In Sundance’s newest line-up of films for their 2012 run that was announced today, you might have caught such high profile comedy names as Nick Offerman, Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, and Lizzy Caplan. One name that you might have just read, but not taken note of was that of Susan Burke co-writer of the 2012 Sundance selection, Smashed.

Susan Burke. Learn the name.

Going against the oft-quoted advice of comics past to never start in LA, Susan has worked her way up through the windy, unmarked road trailing through the LA comedy scene doing sketch and stand-up to having penned a movie that not only has made it into Sundance, but has in the cast, the aforementioned Offerman as well as Megan Mullally. If you’ve seen her with the hilarious sketch group, Birds of Prey or her stand-up, you might, now, want to catch her one person storytelling show Smoke Worry Fuck tomorrow at the UCB Theatre in LA. So many people romanticize about how they wish they could catch their favorite comedians right before they broke, but so rarely take the opportunity when it’s presented. Smoke Worry Fuck is your chance to do so.

(Did you learn it yet? OK, maybe it’ll take a minute or so. I hear somewhere that something is committed to memory after 25 or so repetitions of it in your head. I’m not sure if “somewhere” is a credible source, but certainly we’re a more than credible source on what’s coming up in comedy, especially if it has in roots in LA or has even once stopped by one of hundreds of charming dive bars, of which Susan has plenty of funny stories about, for a few hours.)

Once you’ve learned the name, it should be easier to remember to go see the show, paired with Brian Finkelstein’s Three Strikes (he’s one of the hosts of the Moth in LA) and directed by another one of the funniest people we’ve come to know and love, Joe Wagner. We don’t think you need to remind yourself 25 times now.

December 1, 2011
Uncategorized

What every comedy venue marquee should look like right now…

Morning Debriefing 12/1/11

December 1, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) That’s right Eddie Pepitone’s live album A Great Stillness is finally out! Go celebrate by purchasing a copy then going to his Bloodbath, the show that is, tonight at the Hollywood Improv Lab.

2) The world of Twitter, and the whole world for that matter, should thank Neil Hamburger for perpetuating the trending topic on #AXESnoConeFlavors (read AXE SnoCone Flavors), the way they ought to be like “Value Gin and Despair”.

3) Last night, Nick Kroll talks about crapping his pants on Conan and Bill Cosby uncovers the great mystery of making the best stuffing for turkey on Leno. Tonight, Zooey Deschanel, Harland Williams, and Laurie Kilmartin cap off a near perfect week on Conan (TBS 11PM).

4) Accolades in the world of comedy went all around yesterday as Weird Al Yankovic got his due in Grammy nominations, Tim & Eric/Nick Offerman/Susan Burke/Lizzy Caplan/more made it into 2012 Sundance, and Beginners gets plenty of well-deserved praise in multiple nominations at the Spirit Awards.

5) Wanna be an audience member at one of the upcoming tapings for the Nerdist on BBC this Sun.?

6) “Death to Bringer Shows” by Barbara Gray. Please read and pass along.

7) Steve Benaquist goes as a Bank of America employee canvassing Occupy LA and makes sure, despite the gravity of the events taking place, we don’t lose ourselves in being too serious. 

8) GQ asks Parks and Recreation’s Jean-Ralphio about being a guy…

9) Just because you don’t have an office because you’re a comedian doesn’t mean you there won’t be a toy drive to go to this holiday season. Friday Dec. 16th at All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock from 7PM-2AM, there’ll be just such an office party/toy drive presented by Brandie Posey.

10) If you’re like us and like hilarious and dark, then you’ll like the NY based web series “It Gets Betterish”.

11) What’s What-“the Ohio Sex Study”

12) ON THE HORIZON
The 1988 Nakatomi Corporation Christmas Party @ UCB Theatre Mon. Dec. 12th 11PM $5
2011 Comedy Bang Bang Nativity Pageant @ UCB Theatre Tues. Dec. 13th 7PM  

13) COMEDY CRAWL
Gallows Humor @ Vlad’s the Retailer 7:30PM $5
Smoke.Worry.Fuck @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5
Two Thumbs Way Down @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $10
Doug Stanhope @ Brea Improv 8PM $25/2 item min.
Gonzo V: The Turduckening @ L Bar 8PM FREE
The Eddie Pepitone Bloodbath & CD Release @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Odd Thursdays @ The Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE
How to Live with Chelsea Peretti @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)

14) OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA 6PM/1 item min./first come, first served
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
ZAPATA VIVE 101 S. First Ave., Arcadia, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/20 spots available/5 min.
COFEE BEAN 16101 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA, Suite 180/Starts 7PM/mixed mic/no purchase necessary
SANDWICH SPOT 3101 Ocean Park Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/first come, first served
CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/first come, first served/10 min.
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
VINNY’S PIZZA 12740 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
CAFE UNURBAN 3301 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 9PM/No purchase necessary 
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel, past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served/coffee and bottled water available   
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT  

15) It’s best to not hand jokes on a notecard to people that don’t think you’re funny unless giving people more reason to hate you is “your thing”.

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Morning Debriefing 12/2/11

December 2, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) Watch the comedic brilliance of Harland Williams then Laurie Kilmartin bring the heat last on Conan.

2) After quoting themselves in their teaser, Tim and Eric do a fake promo featuring themselves before their red band trailer.

3) NY’s Chris Gethard of the late night variety show madness known as the Chris Gethard Show is coming out with a book entitled “A Bad Idea I’m About To: True Tales of Seriously Poor Judgment and Stunningly Awkward Adventure”. How can you not go for that?

4) We’re not going to delve into how you can do a lot of what you need to do/be in comedy without going to college because we don’t want to feel like you’re wasting money, but the Student Academy Awards did just open for submissions. [via ComicBible]

5) Also, on sale, today, DVDs and downloads of Cinematic Titanic LIVE, which is a live version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 minus costumes with the original cast and creator. Again, we ask, how can you not go for that?

5) Though you might be leery in CNN covering comedy, you need to be checking out their profile series of comedians they’ve been doing. There’s this nice one of Bill Burr discussing his conspiracy theorist past.

6) Why you gotta be like that @EveryTweet_Ever?

Come see me at my comedy/music show you'll find an excuse to miss!

7) A track from Patrice O’Neal’s upcoming album has been released.

8) COMEDY CRAWL
Dead Authors @ UCB Theatre 6:30PM $5
Matt Champagne @ Flappers Claremont
8PM $15
Team Coco Live @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 
The 12 Shiny Nickels Show @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $10
Really F*cking Great Show @ Fanatic Salon 9PM $10
Comedy Car Hole @ Comedy Car Hole 9PM FREE
The Also-Ran Comedy Hour @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10:30PM $5 

9) OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/given “set list” of topics to do jokes off of/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/4 min./no purchase necessary
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Starts 7PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Starts 6:30PM/Sign-up 6PM/first come, first served
GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 8PM/No foul language/No purchase necessary/first come, first served   
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel, past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served/coffee and bottled water available  
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery  

10) I don’t know if I’ve said this already, but one of the things, if I so had the power, I’d change in the entertainment biz would be standing in an informal line to talk to somebody at anything. I don’t have a solution, but it’s weird and makes everyone waiting feel stupid.

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Morning Debriefing 12/3/11

December 3, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) You can say tweets and short quips and more AND have people what your voice, which you probably hate, really sounds like? Eardrop (from Earwolf) has arrived for just to answer that question.

2) Now that there’s a little more warning, we know that Wendy Liebman’s Showtime special “Taller on TV” will be re-airing at 3:30AM on Showtime throughout this month.

3) Dan Harmon’s thoughts on Community being voted TV Guide’s fan favorite before NBC tabled the show midseason.

3) London and the Soho Theatre is loving the improvised stand-up show Set List and we sure do miss them here.

4) If you’ve ever wondered about watching an entire episode of the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson instead of the clips of interviews and stand-up and if it’s hip or not, read the A.V. Club’s take, then have your own opinion for once.

5) LA Weekly covers Women! Comedy! Festival! at Room 101.

6) For those looking for who like our calendars on “the bleaker tip”, there’s a hilariously dark one called “Death on the Mountain” by Abbey Luck depicting bizarre tragedies year round. The perfect gift for someone who just watched Melancholia and liked it (Yes, that’s us). [via Annie Lederman]

7) ON THE HORIZON
Bill Burr @ Brea Improv Dec. 8th-11th $25/2 item min.
One-Two Punch @ Benton Manor Sat Dec. 10th 8PM $3

8) COMEDY CRAWL
Pixar’s “La Luna” Advanced Screening @ Cinefamily 2PM $10
Space Ghost: Coast to Coast-Cast/Creators Reunion @ Cinefamily 5PM $12
The Thrilling Adventure Hour @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 7:30PM/10:30PM $25 (stand by only)
Long Way Down @ Roof Dog Terrace 7:30PM FREE
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Two-Headed Beast @ Stories, Books, & Cafe 8PM FREE
LETTUCE Entertain You (With Stand-Up) @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10
The Midnight Show @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5 (stand by only) 

9) OPEN MIC RUN
SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Starts 2PM/feedback given at end
ICE HOUSE 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA/Starts 4PM/Sign-up is lottery/No purchase necessary/5 min.
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/coffee & water provided
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd and 4th St.)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/no purchase necessary/4 min./first 18 spots guaranteed only 
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery  

10) If there were only an app for Google that would tell people that try to fact check jokes during a show to stop trying to ruin the entertainment for themselves, that would be a pretty great start to the holiday season.

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Morning Debriefing 12/4/11

December 4, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) For those of you that follow and enjoy @EddiePepitone on Twitter, your wishes have finally come true via the web series NitTwits: Eddie’s “To Do Lists” come to life.

2) The Zero Film Festival, an LA film festival dedicated to those that finance themselves, the self-starters that do it most of their filming probably on the sly, is looking for submissions.

3) Comedy Nerds United compiles comedians and their muppet look-a-likes. No, there is no other way around like that “Man or Muppet” song in the new movie. It’s just comedians.

4) It takes quite the prank video to get mentioned at the Comedy Bureau, but asking Target employees for items on a list that your “friends” wrote that you’ve never seen is pretty good. Yeah, we know you saw the first one (it has over a million views), here’s the new one Mediocre Films uploaded today.

5) And now for an important message from Connected Comedy and the importance of web videos in comedy.

6) ON THE HORIZON
Persona @ Hollywood Improv Lab Wed. Dec. 14th 8PM $5

7) COMEDY CRAWL
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Lazy Sunday @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $5
French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE
Powerviolence @ The Complex 9PM FREE
RTDOK Presents @ Chatterbox 9PM FREE
Gravid Water @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only) 

8) OPEN MIC RUN
PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/lottery
PARADISE PERKS 15475 Jeffrey Rd., Irvine, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/only 10 spots available
NERDIST THEATER 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (back room of Meltdown Comics)/Sign-up 7:15PM/Starts 7:30PM/lottery/30 spots available/no purchase necessary
TSUNAMEDY @ TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/mixed mic
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee available  

9) It’s great that any comedian wants to be honest and is tired of their stupid old act, but there’s no need to announce as your entire set that you’ll be doing that AT YOUR NEXT SHOW that you incidentally want people to come to. That’s wasting everyone’s time.

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Morning Debriefing 12/5/11

December 5, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) 12/16/61, an unreleased recording of Bill Hicks performing when he was 21 will be released next week. [via Laugh Button]

2) Solid holiday comedy nerd gift guide from HuffPo Comedy.

3) The Midnight Show’s version of the Muppets. In short, awesome.

4) Danger 5, the retro alternative WWII comedy action web series, came out with its 2nd and 3rd parts. Watch and wonder why this isn’t on Adult Swim.

5) Fake Criterions wants to know what you would design for the Criterion cover of Manos: The Hands of Fate. There’s a good reason for this…

6) In other Muppets news, Fox News has found a conspiracy in showing the film to children. Whether or not that’s a big surprise would be the real surprise I guess?

7) ON THE HORIZON
The 2011 Channel 101 Channy Awards @ Downtown Independent Theater Sat. Dec. 10th 8PM
The 3rd Annual Doorknockers Christmas Pageant @ Steve Allen Theater
Thurs. Dec. 15th 8PM $10

8) COMEDY CRAWL
P.O.V. @ Groundlings 8PM $10
The Mixer @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8PM $5
Telethon @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $10
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Brunch @ The Park Restaurant 9PM FREE
Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 

9) OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PM-ish/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
RED ROCK 8782 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served
PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz)/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery
RAINBOW BAR & GRILL 9015 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up before 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/$2 cover/mixed mic
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is lottery/no purchase necessary
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee provided    

10) May the best sketch about the conference regarding picking Madonna to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show win…

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December 6, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, how is something funny, podcasts

thisbetterbefunny:

In the inaugural episode of the “This Better Be Funny” Podcast, host, creator, writer/comedian Jake Kroeger, co-host, writer/comedian Jeremy Paul, comedienne and Cristiana delve into deep conversation involving the pitching of jokes/sketches/bits to each other and the subsequent approval or rejection of them. Taking place at some cafe in Hollywood, the three go down the comedy rabbit hole and wonder if they just walked one of the coffee shop’s patrons.

Many folks wanted us to start a podcast talking comedy. In our opinion, there are way too many of those and, honestly, we can’t do better than Marc Maron and WTF. Instead, we’re doing what hasn’t been done by any other comedy podcast (if it has, then please let us know as we’d love to hear it), which is get to the crux of the comedic creative process. It’s the process that Jerry Seinfeld’s documentary Comedian gave a brief glimpse of, but never fully explored.

Specifically, the This Better Be Funny Podcast will have comedians pitching what they think is funny to each and going down the comedy “rabbit hole” in search for the truly funny. In the spirit of the podcast, it’s not recorded at someone’s efficiency apartment in Echo Park where someone has to apologize for the mess and offer milk. This is recorded wherever comedians actually huddle together like dive bars, coffee shops, taco stands, and more and ask each other “Is this funny?”

Hosted by Jake Kroeger, the Director of the Comedy Bureau along with comedian Jeremy Paul who claims the only credit he needs is that he’s from Peoria, Il every week and a myriad of guests that range from “big time” to “about to break” to “funniest person that no one knows”, but ones that will always be funny.

Listen, laugh, be enlightened at horrible comedians can be to each other.

Morning Debriefing 12/6/11

December 6, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) Ryan Stout’s album Touché, a fine example in both how precise and well-crafted a joke can be and how can you successfully grade an audience while you’re telling them, came out today as well as Season 1 of Portlandia on DVD and Blu Ray. Maybe your second cousins don’t need Christmas gifts?

2) Tonight, Patton Oswalt stops by on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (CBS 12:35AM) and Conan has yet another stellar episode planned with guests Paul F. Tompkins, Tig Notaro, and Sofia Vergara from Modern Family (TBS 11PM).

3) Steve Martin’s chat, parts 1 and 2, with Jimmy Fallon last night makes us desperately wish that Martin would go back into stand-up.

4) Laughspin is now taking votes for their 2011 Readers Choice Comedy Awards. There’s a lot of funny people nominated, so go vote.

5) Yesterday, we started the This Better Be Funny Podcast, which isn’t so much talking about comedy as it is comedians finding how their jokes are/aren’t funny.

6) Funny or Die does a nice mash-up of every overly star studded holiday movie.

7) Another week of the Nerdist’s 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week.

8) ON THE HORIZON
Liezl Was Here Gallery Showcasing @ IDA Fri. Dec. 9th 6PM
Bill Hicks’ Ninja Bachelor Party Screening Cinefamily Fundraiser @ The Comedy Store Fri. Dec. 16th 11:30PM $10

9) COMEDY CRAWL
The 4 & 20 @ All Star Lanes  8PM FREE
Good Luck Show @ Good Luck Bar 8PM FREE
Comedy Bang Bang @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Holy Fuck @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE
Geekscape Presents II: Deep Space Atlantis SVU @ Michael’s Bar & Grill 9PM FREE

10) OPEN MIC RUN
ACME COMEDY HOLLYWOOD 135 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM/Starts 6PM/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/first come, first served
WESTWOOD BREW CO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/first come, first served
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic 
VINNY’S PIZZA 12740 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/first come, first served/$4 min.
DAVE’S BAR 708 Broadway, Glendale, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd St. Promenade and 4th St.)/Sign-up 9:45PM/Starts 10PM/lottery/$1 cover
MAX STEINER’S 2500 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 9PM/Starts 10PM after booked show/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee provided   

11) Man, do I sure hate passive aggressive comments from comedians on social networks that passive aggressively never point out who they have the problem with.

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Jesse Case-Tip of the Hat 12/6

December 7, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy profiles, tip of the hat

Still in a mode of catching up on this Tip of the Hat feature that we’ve taken off for a few months, we’d next like to bestow the honor on the one and only Jesse Case. Those of you that have been lucky enough to catch Jesse on the road, frequenters of the LA comedy scene, and avid fans of the now defunct reality competition series Last Comic Standing might know who Case is, but many outside unfortunately don’t know of his comedic brilliance.

It’s one thing to say that we’ve seen Jesse Case absolutely have two audience members rolling in their seats that are surrounded by completely empty tables and booths, but’s it’s definitely a whole other thing to see it happen live. While there are plenty of talented stand-ups and performers in the Los Angeles area, few possess the ability to bring a show that’s a couple of audience members from being a showcase of the existential condition to something that’s undeniably hilarious. In short, Jesse Case has that “ringer” ability. 

Whether it be a dive bar, an AA recovery hall, a comedy club, a 500 seat theater, the 2nd floor of a Chinese restaurant, or something else, Case has an act that not only we’ve seen destroy, but one that we can almost quote word-for-word and yet, still laugh hard when he tells it. Largely by playing any and all such places, Jesse has honed his comedy to be that funny. Case, much like Dave Attell who barely told anybody in the weeks preceding the premiere of Dave’s Old Porn that it was happening, is more concerned with his comedy than anything else. That’s why you’ll be hard-pressed to find a clip of his stand-up online, which we would normally feature after this paragraph, but, due to Case focusing on going out every night and tweaking every bit of his jokes to perfection, we, alas, have nothing to show you.

Take our word for it or ask local comics that perform regularly and they’ll tell you the same as is written here.

One of the sharpest observers of what’s taken for granted in comedy, Case exhibits exactly how a hilarious 5 minute bit can derived by a mind shrewd enough to see it from the simplest observations such as Christian bands only singing about being Christian and nothing else or the diagrams on the wall in the hospital examination room. Jesse has, for our money, one of the best jokes of 2011 and it isn’t some unbelievable 10 minute story on how he inadvertently got caught in the mob or a brilliant, well-crafted rant on love. It actually only has one punchline and, for the sake of how great it is, we’re not going to tell you anymore. 

Just seek him out on whatever show that has him wisely on the line-up. Follow @jessecase on Twitter or check back at the Comedy Bureau to see him in the several shows that he’s performing at in the Greater LA area and beyond.

Morning Debriefing 12/7/11

December 7, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) Comedy Central announces its production/development slate. Good news for Matt Braunger, Kumail Nanjiani, Rob Delaney, Kyle Kinane, Eugene Mirman, Anthony Jeselnik fans/comedy fans in general.

2) Last night Paul F. Tompkins discusses Sky Mall on Conan, Tig Notaro does her famous stool pushing bit also on Conan, and Patton Oswalt reveals why he enjoyed working on Failure to Launch. Tonight, the other Patton in stand-up that everyone needs to know about, Sean Patton is, yes, on Conan (TBS 11PM).

3) The WGA Awards just released their TV nominations and while 30 Rock and Louie and Modern Family all got their due, we’re so glad that John Benjamin Has A Van got nominated.

4) On top of the news that MTV’s Liquid TV is coming back, it’s even greater news to hear the amazing Drennon Davis will be doing a series for it.

5) You might have heard that Weird Al Yankovic took the stage with Garfunkel and Oates last month at the Super Serious Show. Well, here’s the proof.

6) IFC’s blog compiles a list of the funniest movie deaths that weren’t at all meant to be funny. 

7) ON THE HORIZON
Benefest @ Steve Allen Theater Wed. Dec. 14th-Sat. Dec. 17th $35-$300

8) COMEDY CRAWL
Library Cards @ UCB Theatre 6:30PM $5
This Is Not Happening: Deflowered @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $5/2 item min.
A Kiss From Daddy/Birthday Boys @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5 (stand by only)
The End Show @ The Last Bookstore 8PM FREE
The Rudy Casoni Variety Show @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
Wednesday Night Raw Impact Comedy Smackdown @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5
Meltdown @ Nerdist Theater 8:30PM $8
Frolic! @ Far Bar 9PM FREE
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Beer in the Shower @ Dreams Cafe & Bar 9:30PM FREE
Fresh Faces @ Hollywood Laugh Factory 10PM $10-$30/2 drink min.
Matty’s Pizza Party @ Next Stage Theater 11PM $5 

9) OPEN MIC RUN
SMILES NIGHTCLUB 13615 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA/Sign-up 5:45/Starts 6PM/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
THE SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Starts 7PM/lottery
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
GRINDHOUSE CAFE 1051 N. Havenhurst, West Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
LIBRARY A COFFEE HOUSE 3418 Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM 
DAVE’S CHILLIN’ AND GRILLIN’ 
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel, past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served/coffee and bottled water available  
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT  

10) A real disservice is done when someone shakes the hand of a comedian who just got off the stage when that someone doesn’t think they’re funny. In all likelihood, someone will have to hear that half-ass pun all over again.

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Even If in Space, Go See Lost Moon Radio

December 8, 2011
Uncategorized

When you hear the name Lost Moon Radio what do you think of?

Do you think of a terrestrial radio station? Do you think of an extraterrestrial radio station? Podcast, maybe? Does the newly discovered Kepler-22b somehow come to mind? 

Do you at any point think that it might be a comedy extravaganza that occurs every couple of a months in LA? The other three questions are more rhetorical than anything else, but Lost Moon Radio is absolutely every bit of a comedy extravaganza currently residing in Club Fais-Do-Do on the eastern outskirts of Culver City. Unlike a stand-up, improv, sketch, or even musical comedy, Lost Moon Radio defies any identity as a live comedy show of anything short of a comedy spectacle. 

Literally, it’s like nothing we’ve seen before here at the Comedy Bureau and at comedy shows we’ve seen:
-Stand-up in complete darkness
-Sketches that had so many plants in the audience that they were unsure if the person they were yelling at was a plant
-Funny sword swallowers, knife throwers, and balancers
-An entire hilarious comedic performance where there isn’t a single intelligible word spoken 

Those are all things we’ve seen at comedy variety shows, but the Lost Moon Radio Company is something else altogether. Featuring the same talented groups of writers, performers, and musicians, Lost Moon Radio melds sketches within what is a sort of radio hour all performed live with a comedic sensibility akin to the old, absudist Woody Allen. 

At their last show, we saw:
-A fictional BBC educational show intended for kids as would have been done by David Bowie
-Guided group meditation through a horrific memory of the Vietnam War
-A giant space bird costume as the inspiration a spectacular musical number
-A great running Marc Bolan joke

As the Lost Moon Radio doesn’t do their show weekly or monthly and, instead, goes on runs like a theatrical company, they inject a whole lot more production value into their shows. It’s an aspect of most popular live sketch shows that leave to the imagination of the audience and leave the humor to sharp writing and great performances. LMR brings all of that together in addition to a myriad of characters, live songs, and elaborate sets and heighten their humor all the more for doing so.

Luckily, their next “episode” opens in two days on Fri. Dec. 9th and continuing on the 10th, 15th, 16th, and 17th at 8:30PM followed by live band karaoake. Basically, we’ve stop trying to figure how to categorize Lost Moon Radio and settled on just saying, “That’s one hell of a funny show.”

Morning Debriefing 12/8/11

December 8, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) Sean Patton spins, shrieks, and “brings it” on Conan.

2) Finally, the Book of Mormon is coming to LA…

3) Last week, the story broke that the Apple iPhone 4S’ virtual concierge service, Siri, lacked in providing assistance when asked about birth control, rape prevention, and the like. Apparently, now, Siri is trying too hard to make up for it.

4) Improv Everywhere is coming out with a DVD of their massive comedy performance art exploits including their famous Annual No Pants Subway Ride.

5) Will Ferrell makes a case for best celebrity endorsement of the year with ads for Old Milwaukee.

6) Next to the Three Stooges trailer, the trailer for 5 Year Engagement w/Jason Segel looks absolutely magical. 

7) Funny or Die enlists Megan Mullally to run an actresses’ home with Aubrey Plaza, Lizzy Caplan, Casey Wilson, and Lake Bell.

8) Alan Lebetkin and Scott Garner of Language Arts Films “found” a recruitment video for the entire Internet.

9) The Christmas Outpour of Support Drive for NBC’s Community continues on College Humor, The Soup, and Splitsider. 

10) Puddin’-“Horatio”

11) COMEDY CRAWL
Bill Burr @ Brea Improv 8PM $22/2 item min.
The Imaginary Radio Program @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $10
Roadshow! @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8PM $11/$5 with online promo code “FRIENDS”
Subversive Comedy w/Jimmy Dore @ Flappers Burbank 8PM $12/2 item min. 
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Infinite Jest @ Villany Prdt 9PM FREE
Nick’s Big Talk Show @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
The Comedy Palace @ The Palace Restaurant 9:30PM FREE
Sweet, Sweet Stand-up @ M Bar 10PM $5 suggested donation 

12) OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA 6PM/1 item min./first come, first served
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
SANDWICH SPOT 3101 Ocean Park Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/first come, first served
CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/first come, first served/10 min.
VINNY’S PIZZA 12740 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8PM/first come, first necessary/no purchase necessary
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
CAFE UNURBAN 3301 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 9PM/No purchase necessary 
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel, past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served/coffee and bottled water available   
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT  

13) If you can’t handle feeling incredibly insecure on a regular basis, then you probably shouldn’t do comedy.

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December 8, 2011
Uncategorized
live at beacon theater, louis ck

“@louisck outtake of my new standup special available only at http://www.louisck.com $5 Dec. 10 stream or d-load. dogs.”

Go internet/comedy nerds…

(Source: http://www.louisck.com/)

Morning Debriefing 12/9/11

December 9, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) SF Sketchfest is coming and boy, oh boy do they have a doozy of a line-up. Eddie Izzard, Reggie Watts, Wet Hot American Summer: The Live Radio Play, Jon Benjamin Has A Van LIVE, Set List, and more.

2) The Nerdist YouTube channel just launched!

3) Kyle Kinane has a lovely chat with the A.V. Club Toronto.

4) The Story Behind Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.

5) Bill Maher will help start a comedy channel for Yahoo. Not that we’re the betting kind, but I’d imagine it’s a pretty safe bet that much that channel we’ll be dedicated to the legitimacy of Yahoo’s trending topics.

6) Nick Offerman and Aziz Ansari will be on Bob’s Burgers.

7) Just in case, you didn’t catch it for the thousands of time it was posted yesterday, here’s Louis CK’s outtake for his latest special Live at the Beacon Theater coming out online on Dec. 10th for $5.

8) COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy For the Cure @ CSULB USU Beach Auditorium 7PM $10/$5 for students
Bill Burr @ Brea Improv
8PM/10PM $25/2 item min.
It Came From LA @ Dom’s Lounge 8PM
Garfunkel & Oates: Ho, Ho, Hoes? Holiday Show @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8PM $25
Lost Moon Radio @ Club Fais-Do-Do 8:30PM $13-$25
The 12 Shiny Nickels @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $10
Adult Contemporary Comedy @ Fake Gallery 9PM FREE
Harmontown @ Nerdist Theater 9PM $10
Deathsquad @ Ice House Stage 2 10PM $10/2 item min.
The Jesse Miller Talk Show @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10PM $5
Late Night w/Howie Kremer @ Second City Hollywood 11PM $5 
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World @ New Beverly Cinema MIDNIGHT $8 

9) OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/given “set list” of topics to do jokes off of/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/4 min./no purchase necessary
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Starts 7PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/first come, first served
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 8PM/No foul language/No purchase necessary/first come, first served   
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel, past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served/coffee and bottled water available  
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery  

10) Hey happy couples, thank you for going to live comedy shows, taking part in the mirth of the night and laugh, but there’s no damn need to play footsie while I’m standing next to you to remind you that I don’t have that. Take your laughing and quit while you’re ahead.

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Morning Debriefing 12/10/11

December 10, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy news, los angeles

1) At 9AM PST, Louis CK will be releasing his newest special Live at the Beacon Theater on louisck.net. At 10AM PST, check the internet for memes and .gifs of said special.

2) Funny or Die continues to find the gold in the GOP’s garbage as DC Pierson plays Jesus in response to Rick Perry’s most recent campaign ads.

3) Plenty of you probably know this, but for those of you on Instagram (is that what people that go outside do?) Young Adult is now playing at select theaters in LA.

4) Add another book to your comedy nerd Christmas List: Mourning Remembrance by Jim Earl. What’s more festive than fictional obituaries?

5) Just when you thought the jokes about the Comic Sans font were dead, here’s a blog to bring a whole new life to it. [via JFineOriginal]

6) Our Facebook Page has a whole bunch of stuff on it that isn’t posted here or on our Twitter, so like it to be even more impressed of how great it would be if an entire team was curating the Comedy Bureau.

7) Here’s a response we wrote for the Nerdist regarding a NY Times article claiming comedy (specifically those of sitcoms) are over. Before you think it’s “preaching to the choir”, read the whole thing.

8) ON THE HORIZON
Justin Willman’s Magic Meltdown (Pete Holmes is on the line-up and just might do his now famous bit about magic) @ Nerdist Theater Tues. Dec. 13th 8PM $8 in adv./$10 at door
The Brendon Small Secret Experimental Show @ Steve Allen Theater Sat. Dec. 17th 8PM $10-$300

9) COMEDY CRAWL
Bill Burr @ Brea Improv 7PM/9PM $25/2 item min.
The Creepy Caress Show @ Flappers YooHoo Room 7:30PM $10/2 item min.
Loud Noises! @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $10
The 2011 Channel 101 Channy Awards @ Downtown Independent Theater 8PM FREE
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Hutch’s Comedy BBQ & Laughs @ Hutch’s Barbecue 8PM FREE
Paul Scheer’s 3rd Annual Sexy Christmas Spectacular @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8PM $25 (stand by only)
One-Two Punch @ Benton Manor 8PM $3
Lost Moon Radio @ Club Fais-Do-Do 8:30PM $13-$25
Magic Bag @ Underground Annex Theater 10PM $5 

10) OPEN MIC RUN
SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Starts 2PM/feedback given at end
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/coffee & water provided
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd and 4th St.)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/no purchase necessary/4 min. 
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery 

11) Thanks to my purchase of DVD of Mike Mills’ the Beginners, I can simultaneously cry and laugh with the simple push of the play button.

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