Recent News

1) FX might adapt the Coen Brothers’ Fargo into a series. What would come of it has yet to be decided, but we would definitely want a woodchipper used violently in every episode.

2) So, the Chris Gethard Show now has sweet merch…

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3) Comedy tapings in less than two weeks:
Tom Papa’s Naked Truth for TBS
Mash-Up with TJ Miller for Comedy Central

4) Following a second heart attack, Gallagher announced his retirement from comedy. Upon hearing that, thousands of comedians cracked the same joke about Gallagher that has been made for the last 5 years.

5) Jenny Slate might be set to be on TV regularly again, as she is set to co-star in CBS’ comedy pilot Super Fun Night…

6) Live comedy recaps that are worth your time:
For Shame at the Hollywood Improv Lab in LA Weekly
Maria Bamford at the Laughing Skull in the Spit Take

7) Josh Fadem “promotes” a film on Kickstarter while challenging its star (i.e. Fadem being a goofy badass at Cinefile Video)

8) And now, an important message on making top ten lists online…

9) Jeremy Paul possibly channeled John McLaughlin’s Shakti in his latest Naked Declarative Statement or just wanted to play a stringed instrument while disrobed.

10) It’s only a matter of time before there is a completely fake news comedy show on TV where absolutely nothing is true, yet people will believe it wholeheartedly. Even if it’s called “¡SO THE INTERNET SEZ!”, it would probably still work.

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LA Comedy Rundown 3/25/12

March 25, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
Picture This: An Animated Comedy Show @ Little Modern Wed. Mar. 28th 10PM FREE
Marc Maron @ Ice House Thurs. Mar. 29th 8PM $20/2 drink min.
Jeff Garlin in Conversation with Mitch Hurwitz @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre Wed. Apr. 11th 8PM $30

COMEDY CRAWL
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Kool Thing @ Mint LA 8PM $5
Neil Hamburger & Special Guests @ Satellite LA 8PM $8
World Domination Party Live @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8PM $10
French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE
RTDOK Presents @ Chatterbox 9PM FREE
Powerviolence @ The Complex 9PM FREE
Top Story Weekly! @ iO West 9PM $5
DC Pierson’s Bad at Girls @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)

OPEN MIC RUN
RAFAS LOUNGE 1836 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 4PM/No purchase necessary
PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
STARLIGHT THEATRE 1125 Victoria St., Costa Mesa, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/mixed mic/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
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

Morning Debriefing 3/25/12

March 25, 2012

1) Eric Moneypenny, the man who started a Kickstarter to buy Kickstarter, gave insight to Vice as to his motives and why Kickstarter shouldn’t have rejected his idea.

2) Huffington Post made their picks of the most memorable comedy happenings at SXSW…

3) A new episode of Ted and Gracie is here and it yet again proves that Discovery Channel’s Who the Bleep Did I Marry? has nothing on Jena Friedman and Ben Kronberg.

4) If you’re still wondering about @Sketch_A_Tweet, then here’s a great video explanation/promo…

5) The Moth is having their next LA Storytelling Grandslam this Tues. Mar. 27th, this time with Eban Schletter playing his theremin, which no one should ever miss.

6) Jeremy Martin, a name some of you might not be familiar with that we think is funny, just wrote a book of short stories, Don’t Bother, that only costs $0.99 on Amazon, so maybe you should get into it because books by funny people are a precious commodity these days.

7) This is Jamie Kilstein performing, and according to Paul Provenza, during the day, outside, while it’s raining at the Reason Rally, which, as inconsequential as it may sound, is near impossible to pull off.

8) Bringing this particular Morning Debriefing full circle, both the San Francisco Comedy & Burrito Festival & The Creepy Caress Kickstarters still need your help.

9) Several comedians, whether they know it or not, will debate with themselves whether they should live tweet the season premiere of Mad Men.

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LA Comedy Rundown 3/26/12

March 26, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Art Lounge Sat. Mar. 31st 9:30PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Comedy Night @ TRiP 7PM FREE
Women Aren’t Funny Podcast @ iO West 7:30PM $5
Sad People Talking @ Royal/T 8PM $5
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Cartoon Dump @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
Keep It Clean Comedy @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
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
ANCHOR BAR 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/5 min.
PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz)/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/No purchase necessary
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
GROUND ZERO USC 615 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA (USC Campus)/nestled between three adjacent dorms approximately one block N. of Figueroa & Exposition/USC student sign-up 9PM/Non-USC student sign-up 9:15PM/first come, first served/7 min./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

Morning Debriefing 3/26/12

March 26, 2012

1) Jimmy Kimmel is set to host the Emmys and hopefully, with whatever he does, he’ll be allowed to top Movie: The Movie.

2) Tonight on late night:
Moshe Kasher on Conan (TBS 11PM)
Casey Wilson on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC 12:35AM)

3) Paul F. Tompkins will be live tweeting the season premiere of Game of Thrones, which will undoubtedly get him trending on Twitter just like he did when he live-tweeted one Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

4) Chris Gethard and Lena Dunham’s Girls get two very nice features in NY Magazine.

5) Interviews worth your time:
Jon Dore in the Smoking Jacket
Gillian Jacobs in the AV Club

6) If you can play PAL DVDs, you can buy Danger 5 on DVD, which is something you should totally invest it because the show is “that” worth it.

7) Check out the new flood of videos at the Peter Atencio, director of Key & Peele, Vimeo Page.

8) The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival just posted their line-up and schedule.

9) Internet prankster and Sirius XM’s Jake Fogelnest wants you to know in every way that you can no longer call him at 646-484-5323.

10) Comedy nerds nerded out last night as Dominic Dierkes was on the season premiere Mad Men.

Dominic Dierkes sees your social protest and raises you a bag of water.

11) Now that there’s a new light rail line to Culver City, it will take people less time to say “Ugh, that’s on the West side.” (My attempt to make the NY/LA comedy lines jump the shark by making an LA subway joke).

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LA Comedy Rundown 3/27/12

March 27, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
First! @ Silverlake Lounge Wed. Apr. 4th 7PM $8
A Night of Comedy: Project A.L.S. Benefit @ The Montalban Theatre Wed. May 2nd 8PM $100-$500

COMEDY CRAWL
The Super Ultra Mega Virgins of Comedy @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM FREE
This Is Not Happening: Bullies @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $5/2 item min.
WTF! Live with Marc Maron @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10 (standing room only)
Comedy Bang Bang @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Jenny Slate & Friends @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $25

*Petie’s Place open mic on Mon. permanently cancelled

OPEN MIC RUN
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM-5:40PM/Starts 6PM/lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 5:30PM/Stand-up, sketch, improv all welcome/5 min.
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
WESTWOOD BREW CO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/lottery/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
PEDONE’S PIZZA 1332 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 9:15PM/5-7min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
BLUE GOOSE LOUNGE 5201 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/1 drink min.
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
DAVE’S BAR 708 Broadway, Glendale, CA/Starts 10PM/first come, first served/one item min./8-10 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/bottled water and coffee provided

Morning Debriefing 3/27/12

March 27, 2012

1) Tenacious D is motherfuckin’ back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2) We’re glad this exists: Adam Cayton Holland interviewed Mitch Hedberg before he died.

3) The Comedy Awards is giving a whole bunch more categories (Podcast, Twitter account, viral video, and more) over to the voters!

4) Apparently, the entire Mash-Up pilot for Comedy Central has been online for almost a month. Don’t forget to check out to RSVP for any of the tapings next week.

5) Moshe Kasher on Conan.

6) Another awesome preview of what’s coming at the Nerdist YouTube channel….

7) So, Former Senator Arlen Specter is still doing stand-up…

8) Judd Apatow is reading Chris Gethard’s book. We sincerely hope something big comes of this.

Judd Apatow reading Chris Gethard’s book.

9) No matter what you saw on the promos, Eric Andre is indeed in Don’t Trust the B**** in Apt. 23 and is great. The pilot is up on Hulu now.

10) Two comedy essays worth your time:
Turn Left? The Lack of Right-Wing Comedians by Alf Lamont for Huffington Post Comedy
Comedy in Context for the Nerdist written by us

11) So the folks over at Funny or Die are having a whole lot of goofy fun with the Zou Bisou Bisou scene from Mad Men. Watch Danny Jelinek add lasers and elephants to it…

12) Not too long from now, in this very galaxy, Star Wars references will unfortunately be lost on people.

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LA Comedy Rundown 3/28/12

March 28, 2012

comedy news, live, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Live Read of Big Lebowski w/Oswalt, Kroll, Rainn Wilson, Azaria, and more @ LACMA Thurs. Mar. 29th $10 (stand by only)

Channel 101 March Screenings @ Downtown Independent Theater Sat. Mar. 31st 8PM/10PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Kasher in the Rye Book Release @ Barnes & Noble-The Grove 7PM FREE
Twitter Comes Alive @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8PM $10
Meltdown @ Nerdist Theater 8:30PM $8
Vaudeville Comedy Show @ Echoes Under Sunset 9PM $5
Beer in the Shower @ Dreams Cafe & Bar 9:30PM FREE
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Picture This! An Animated Comedy Show @ Little Modern 10PM FREE
Dot Comedy @ Hollywood Laugh Factory 10PM $25-$30/2 drink min.

OPEN MIC RUN
ACME COMEDY HOLLYWOOD 135 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
GRINDHOUSE CAFE 1051 N. Havenhurst, West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
CLUB FORBIDDEN 8512 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/First come, first served/One item min.
REDWOOD BAR & GRILL 316 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA (Downtown)/Starts 6:30PM/No purchase necessary
THE SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Starts 7PM/lottery/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
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

Morning Debriefing 3/28/12

March 28, 2012

1) Chris Rock will produce a Daily Show-esque panel show starring W. Kamau Bell for FX. Our question is: Will IFC call or raise with another amazing comedy show?

2) PAUL F. TOMPKINS THE VIDEO GAME. Let’s make it real even if that means just watching Jon Dore and Tompkins argue.

3) Tonight on late night:
Aziz Ansari on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC 12:35AM)
Chris Elliott on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS 11:35PM)

4) Moshe Kasher’s book Kasher in the Rye is available for purchase today and if you have any doubts, which you shouldn’t, watch him talk about it doing panel on Conan.

5) A whole bunch of interviews, profiles, and more of your favorite funny people:
Profile of Lena Dunham in the New Yorker
Bob Odenkirk interview with Nerve.com
Eugene Mirman interview with the AV Club
John Mulaney and Mike O’Brien interview with Papermag
Profile of Rory Albanese in Crain’s New York
Rob Delaney interview in Paste Magazine

6) TV Guide is getting into the stand-up game with an all female show hosted by The Office’s Kate Flannery…

7) Reggie Watts just announced his upcoming touring schedule, which will hopefully him going on stage with this bunch…

8) The new trailer for Sasha Baron Cohen’s Dictator definitely makes it seem like not another Sasha Baron Cohen movie.

9) If you were ever curious how Set List: The Improvised Stand-Up Show looked and sounded and how awesome it was at the Soho Theatre in London, well, here you go…

10) Check out our latest posts at the Nerdist:
The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week
Shut Up Gun vs. Comedy

11) As the alternative comedy “issue” seems to be coming up again, this essay I wrote last year seems pretty relevant, yet again.

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LA Comedy Rundown 3/29/12

March 29, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
Late Night with Howie Kremer 1 Year Anniversary @ Second City Hollywood Fri. Mar. 30th 11PM $5
826LA Charity Auction Hosted by Bob Odenkirk @ Amoeba Records Sat. Apr. 7th 4PM FREE

Stripped Stories @ Lola’s Martini Bar Thurs. Apr. 19th 8PM $5

COMEDY CRAWL
Gallows Humor @ Vlad’s The Retailer 7:30PM $5
Live Reading of the Big Lebowski @ LACMA 7:30PM $10 (stand by only)
Marc Maron @ Ice House 8PM $20/2 item min. (stand by only)
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Odd Thursdays @ The Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE
Conspiracy Theory Live @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
The Mo Show @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10:30PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
ROCKPAPER COFFEE 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/lottery
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 6PM/3 min./Counts as audition/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.
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.
COFFEE BEAN 12930 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA/Starts 7PM/mixed mic/lottery/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
DOWNTOWN COMEDY CLUB 114 W. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/Sign-up 8:30PM/lottery/host picked from lottery/mixed mic/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

Morning Debriefing 3/29/12

March 29, 2012

1) Apparently, we’ve become a horde of classless degenerates because Ron Burgundy is back for an Anchorman sequel…

2) Andrés Du Bouchet is a brilliant comedian. Just watch his video on how to properly draw forehead penises for proof.

3) Aziz Ansari is putting on a contest on Facebook to see what city wants a free show from him. Also, he discussed what might happen if he doesn’t get the money back from his online special on Fallon.

4) Tonight on late night: Kristen Schaal on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC 12AM)

5) Industry news a-plenty:
Cartoon Network is going back to their roots, reviving some of their most beloved programs from the 90s…
Paul Feig set to direct Ronna & Beverly across the pond for Sky…
Clerks 3 to be a stage play?
SNL to possibly feature a new female cast member.
Paul F. Tompkins will be playing a bit part on a new dramatic series, The LA Complex, on the CW. WHAAA????

6) Manos: The Hands of Fate will be coming to theaters in August, yet again, how it was meant to be with people commenting on it while it’s playing thanks to Rifftrax.

Goat-man eff tee double-u! kwmurphy: Thats right. RIFFTRAX LIVE. MANOS THE HANDS OF FATE. In theaters nationwide. August 16th. Mark your calendars. Be there. Aloha. Youre in good hands with MANOS. Other cheeky sixties TV references.

7) LA Comedy “abroad”:
Comedy at Bonnaroo
The Nerdist podcast in TX
Jen Kirkman, also, in TX
Justin Ian Daniels in Washington DC

8) LA comedy got heavily profiled on lists yesterday from Splitsider’s huge guide to LA comedy where we got several very wonderful mentions and Mashable made their picks for the best comedy podcasts.

9) The Spit Take highly recommended Moshe Kasher’s Kasher in the Rye. You should listen to them.

10) Congratulations to the San Francisco Comedy & Burrito Festival for making their Kickstarter goal. However, sketch series Creepy Caress still needs your help and now Jesse Thorn’s MaxFunCon is now going on a donation drive (of which you can support via buying an awesome lightbox).

11) Keep in mind: No one is asking what’s unfunny.

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LA Comedy Rundown 3/30/12

March 30, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Art Lounge Sat. Mar. 31st 9:30PM FREE
The Super Serious Show @ Club Fais-Do-Do Thurs. Apr. 19th 7PM $13 in adv., $20 at door

Weird Al Yankovic @ The Pacific Amphitheatre Sun. Aug. 12 8PM $20

COMEDY CRAWL
“Kasher in the Rye” Book Release @ Book Soup 7PM FREE
An Evening with James Adomian @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $8 in adv., $10
Jimmy Dore @ Flappers Claremont 8PM/10PM $17/2 item min.
Ronna & Beverly w/Julie Klausner @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Tom Segura & Christina Pazsitzky @ Ontario Improv 8PM/10PM $20/2 item min.
Ryan Stout @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $18/2 item min.
Oh My Ribs! @ The Complex 8:30PM $8
The 12 Shiny Nickels Show @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $10
Comedy Night Cap @ ACME Comedy Hollywood 9:30PM $12
The Dope Poets Society @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10:30PM $5
Late Night with Howie Kremer 1 Year Anniversary @ Second City Hollywood 11PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
ACME COMEDY HOLLYWOOD 135 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 5PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
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
LITTLE MODERN 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Starts 6:30PM/lottery/10 spots only/5 min./No purchase necessary
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/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.
SABOR Y CULTURA 5625 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is a lottery/5 min. with 3 min. work-in’s/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
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

Morning Debriefing 3/30/12

March 30, 2012

1) Despite being flour-bombed on Letterman recently, Chris Elliott still looks badass in Season 2 promo of Eagleheart.

2) Kristen Schaal had a sincere moment and is in a movie with John Claude Van Damme last night on Kimmel.

3) Tonight on late night: Megan Mullally on The Late Late Show with David Letterman (CBS 11:35PM)

4) Moshe Kasher was on KCRW to talk about his book Kasher in the Rye, which again you all should buy.

5) Mermates. Two roommates. One thinks he’s a mermaid. The other has to stay because he has nowhere else to go. Watch and enjoy.

6) Beck Bennet of Good Neighbor got a child’s take on the GOP bid (i.e. what every political analysis show should be like)

7) You can enter your shorts, sketches, web series etc. NOW into the HollyShorts Film Festival.

8) Interviews, profiles, a-plenty:
Matt Groening interview with Metro UK
Profile of Margot Lietman in Chutzpah Mag
Girls’ Judd Apatow and Lena Dunham chat in Heeb Magazine
Jon Hodgman talks to 77 Square

9) Comedy that you should be seeing that’s not in LA:
Christian Finnegan at the Cleveland Improv this weekend
Geoff Tate Recording in Cincinnati next week

10) Jon Daly is bringing his back Rafflecast podcast and is taking ideas….

11) Someone is making a Niggas in Paris remix of Rick Santorum calling Obama an “anti-war government nig-” right?

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How a Comedy Show on a Roof Gets Shut Down

March 31, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, rooftop, underground comedy

Photo by Tyler Ross

One of Los Angeles’ delightful cultural veins is the weird places that it chooses to do comedy. Often marginalized by traditional venues and even cliques of performers as well, Los Angeles’ resident comedy folks have sought out movie theaters, Chinese restaurants, laundromats, video rental stores, and even their own garages/living rooms/roofs to put on their own brand of comedy on their own terms.

Yet, there is a risk to be run as many people that are uninitiated in the world of comedy at all cannot simply compute that someone can be made to intentionally laugh in a space that wasn’t originally purposed for laughter. Specifically, they’ll call the cops for disturbing the peace because your rooftop stand-up show with a packed crowd and some of the city’s, and even the country’s, best comedians and you’ll have to end what you’ve worked so hard to build.

Such a thing happened to Alex Hooper’s and Eric Sheffield’s Long Way Down, a show that was just mentioned in Splitsider’s Guide to the LA Comedy Scene. Before you get too worried, Alex and Eric weren’t arrested or charged and they intend to relocate the show and bring the same amazing DIY comedy spirit to wherever that may be.

For now, here’s Alex Hooper’s personal account of what happened:

Last night was our one year anniversary party for Long Way Down-Comedy With a View. For those not familiar, it is a comedy show that Eric Sheffield and myself (Alex Hooper) throw monthly on the roof of our house. For 8 shows, we never had an issue. Everyone loved what we were doing and every show was more fun and special than the next.

Ricky Carmona-Photo by Tyler Ross

Last month, at our 9th show, the police showed up. They were very understanding (particularly because we lied and told them there were 30-40 people upstairs, when in fact it was closer to 150.) They let us finish the show, James Adomian handled it like the true pro he is. We wrote letters to our neighbors trying to explain our cause, we bought them chocolates, we thought we would be OK this month. Even Still, we started at 7:30 to be sure we would be done before 10.

The Roofies (our first annual award show for our audience) was going swimmingly. It was smaller, about 90 people and mostly a core group of the people who have come since the beginning. As Josh Androsky was on stage, JC Coccoli, our last comic to perform, showed up, but unfortunately not alone. Three members of the LAFD were with her.

Fire Chief: “You guys really know how to piss off the neighbors.

Androsky: Can I put that on my resume?

I went downstairs with the fire department. They weren’t angry about the show. They actually thought it was really cool. Their issue was the roof collapsing or a fire starting. Understandable. We never set out to be the Great White of Comedy. We like our audience alive.

LAFD and I exchanged information. They left, and they were very cordial to myself and Eric. JC went on stage, and told the story of her letting them in as if it were a polished bit she had been working on for weeks. "I’m tired of all you kids laughing, like we are the town in Footloose.” I’m obviously paraphrasing because we all know JC is more lyrical than that, but I was drunk and deal with authority.

Show ends. Everyone takes their gift bags, and either continues to party or goes home. We laugh, Its Silly. As Jesse Case said, “The LAFD came and Lafd. (Does that translate in writing? I hope so).

2 hours later the cops show up. I go downstairs to deal with it and I am immediately put up against the wall and handcuffed. My crime: running an illegal comedy show. Not gonna lie, my first thought after "Holy Shit!” was that this would be exactly what I needed to make it to the top! Lenny Bruce and George Carlin went through my head. Comedians who had been arrested for their art. Then my delusions of grandeur slowed as I realized I was in cuffs (cherry popped on that front), and I could go to jail. I was searched for narcotics but thankfully I had used them all. Long story short, the neighbors are pissed. Cops are tired of coming back to the same house, because “we apparently never learn."

Oh, I learned Officer Ballerina, and i get your whole good cop/bad cop routine you are doing with this clearly closeted homosexual officer/buddy/whatever, but you have no idea what you are taking away from us. It isn’t just myself, Eric, or the people who live here. Its the friends, family, and amazing audience members this show has entertained for a year. People love this. It was described as magical. If you were here, you were doing one of the coolest things in LA that night. One good friend said "It’s completely original in a town full of recycled ideas."

Long Way Down has become one of my favorite things. Its my favorite stage in the world. Over 60 comics have had killer sets. The audience didn’t care who was on stage. To us comedians, having murderers like Kinane, Andre, Brody, Adomian, etc is a treat. We know we are privy to some of the best LA has to offer. But my friends, and the people who attended this show, had pretty much never heard of anyone. They just knew, you came here to laugh. The people we put up were continually great, whether they had credits or not.

Long Way Down is on hiatus. It saddens me to say. One of my favorite things in the world is being stripped from me because of one stupid neighbor who is against laughter. But, we are not dead. This show stands for something. It stands for freedom in comedy. Freedom from rules, clubs, drink minimums, pressing bookers and promoters. Long Way Down is special, and everyone who has ever been here knows that they were part of something great.

Eric Sheffield & Alex Hooper-Photo by Tyler Ross

I stress, we are not dead. We will come back bigger and stronger than ever. As soon, as I talk to the cops and/or find a new roof. I love you all. Thank you for your unparalleled support of this underground movement. Its all been worth it.

Alex Hooper

LA Comedy Rundown 3/31/12

March 31, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
Reggie Watts @ The Fonda Theatre Wed. May 30th 8PM $40
Lost Moon Radio Hosts the LA Weekly Theater Awards @ Avalon Mon. Apr. 2nd 6:30PM $25
The Mixer 1 Year Anniversary Show @ Hollywood Improv Lab Mon Apr. 2nd 8PM $

COMEDY CRAWL
Tom Segura & Christina Pazsitzky @ Ontario Improv 7PM/9PM $20/2 item min.
Channel 101 Screening @ Downtown Independent Theater 8PM/10PM FREE
Handshucked @ Moving Arts Theater 8PM $5
Jimmy Dore @ Flappers Claremont 8PM/10PM $17
The Anytime Show @ Little Modern Theater 8PM $5
Nick Offerman’s American Ham @ Largo at the Coronet Theater 8:30PM $25 (stand by only)
The Great Depression Happy Hour @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $10
The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Art Gallery Lounge 9:30PM FREE
Magic Bag @ Little Modern 9:30PM $5
Bachelorette Party @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10:30PM $10
Seth & Ed’s Puppet Talk Show @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10 (stand by only)
The Tomorrow Show Presents: Hook-Up! @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8
The Walsh Brothers Show @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5

Morning Debriefing 3/31/12

March 31, 2012

7) The full teaser for Season 2 of Eagleheart!

1) From Megan Mullally’s story of how Nick Offerman proposed on Letterman last night, he’ll be hard to top.

2) @ApocalypseHow, @EliBraden, @ShelbyFero, @MeganAmram, @RobDelaney, & @KellyOxford star in an animated murdery “mystery”…

3) Louis CK’s Live at the Beacon Theater to air on FX…

4) We don’t personally know a person who is a fan of Downton Abbey, Arby’s, Skyrim, and Hoarders, but Downton Arby’s from Yahoo’s SketchY & Skyrim Hoarders from College Humor are just right up your alley, whoever you are.

5) The SAG-AFTRA merger just passed in case you were wondering what up and comedians will be referencing now in audition/casting/etc. jokes.

6) Venture’s Brothers’ James Urbaniak got profiled in Slate’s Browbeat…

8) If this was is a magazine ad for a Dork Forest podcast T-shirt, how could you not buy one?

9) Anthony Jeselnik revealed what he felt worst for laughing at to Denver’s Reverb…

10) How a Comedy Show on a Roof Gets Shut Down-the story of why, perhaps, we need a Los Angeles Comedy Preservation Society.

11) I haven’t watched all the late night monologues this week, but many writers must have written the joke for the headline “Reuters Loses Iranian Credentials After Female Ninjas Suit” to be, at least at first, this is a thing that really happened in real life.

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LA Comedy Rundown 4/1/12

April 1, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
Eagleheart Season 2 Preview @ Cinefamily Tues. Apr. 3rd. 10:15PM $12
Mash-Up Tapings @ El Rey Theater Apr. 3rd & 4th 7:45PM & 9:45PM FREE w/RSVP

Rockhouse! @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill Fri. Apr. 6th 8PM FRE
The Midnight Show with Brandon Johnson @ UCB Theatre Sat. Apr. 7 MIDNIGHT $5

COMEDY CRAWL
Tom Segura & Christina Pazsitzky @ Ontario Improv 7PM $20/2 item min.
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Matt Portman’s Comedy Extravaganza @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8PM $10
Un Cabaret @ Bar Fedora 8PM $20-$55
French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE
Powerviolence @ The Complex 9PM FREE
Top Story Weekly! @ iO West 9PM $5
Gravid Water @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)

OPEN MIC RUN
DANGERFIELD’S 3 4547 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 3PM/$1 donation/5 min.
RAFAS LOUNGE 1836 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 4PM/No purchase necessary
PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
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
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/mixed mic
THE BARREL 4547 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./one item min.
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 9PM/Starts 9:30PM/lottery/3-5 min./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/multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee available

Morning Debriefing 4/1/12

April 1, 2012

1) Buzzfeed is on an April Fool’s Watch for what sites are doing to “commemorate” today…

2) However, they have seemed to have forgotten about Funny or Die hacking Charlize Theron’s phone and getting her kinky sex tape…

3) Channel 101 Results! (insert bracketology joke here)

4) Congratulations to Adam Yenser for emerging as the 2012 LA March Comedy Madness Champ.

5) Paul F. Tompkins has not said otherwise, so make sure, if you’re watching Game of Thrones, to follow @pftompkins as he’ll be live-tweeting the season premiere tonight.

6) “Let’s all fall in love with Aubrey Plaza again when Safety Not Guaranteed comes out.” That’s what we thought when saw the Safety Not Guaranteed trailer this week.

7) Assuring that it’s not a prank as it will be on April 2nd and not the 1st, the Nerdist Channel on YouTube will launch tomorrow.

8) In honor of April Fool’s Day, The NY Post compiled over 100 comedians favorites jokes…

9) Whether you’ve watched Dr. Who or not, Peter Serafinowicz found a great Dalek relaxation tape…

10) There will be a year that the Mega Millions lottery will fall on April 1st, which they should really take advantage of.

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LA Comedy Rundown 4/2/12

April 2, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
Performance Anxiety 1 Year Anniversary: The Morning After Podcast/Storytelling Edition @ The Pleasure Chest Tues. Apr. 10th 8PM FREE

Tony Zaret & David Lyons Present “Tommy” @ The Blue Star Sat. Apr. 14th 9PM

COMEDY CRAWL
Lost Moon Radio Hosting the LA Weekly Theater Awards @ Avalon 6:30PM $25
Sad People Talking @ Royal/T 8PM $5
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
The BEATdown Los Angeles @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $10
The Mixer 1 Year Anniversary @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8PM $5
Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

Morning Debriefing 4/2/12

April 2, 2012

1) Check out the awesomeness that will be the Bridgetown Comedy Festival this year now that their calendar is updated…

2) The Nerdist YouTube Channel has gone LIVE! In case you we were wondering what the programming schedule was kind of like, Chris Hardwick gave us one…

3) Congrats to LA’s own Jen Murphy and Andrew Sleighter for finishing in the top four in the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival!

4) Tonight on late night:
Kate Miccuci on Conan (TBS 11PM)
Moshe Kasher on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC 1:35AM)

5) Jon Daly’s Rafflecast has finally made it’s return with Megan Amram, Rob Huebel, and Brandon Johnson as guests!

6) Not that it should be a surprise to any of you, but Alf Lamont’s article about the lack of right-wing comedians has sparked a response from a right-wing comedian on Breitbart.com.

7) We have no idea what Jason Segel and Kelly Oxford are concocting, but whatever it is, even if it’s set at the bowling alley where this Instagram was taken, we’re excited.

I throw peace signs much harder than the bowling balls Jason Segel throws. FYI- We’re now writing partners and are going to destroy everything in a way that will make you feel whole again.

8) Ladies and Gentlemen, Michael Scott’s Threat Level Midnight as a Criterion…

9) Tracy Morgan can’t speak in tweets. Here’s the proof.

10) At this year’s Comedy Awards, Don Rickles will be honored with the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence. Also, you all still have time to vote for the 6 Viewer’s Choice categories for The Comedy Awards.

11) In case you missed it last night, #PFTGOT (Paul F. Tompkins live-tweeting Game of Thrones Season Premiere)

12) Did you ever hear what the real person said to the alt comic? “What the hell is an alt comic?”

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LA Comedy Rundown 4/3/12

April 3, 2012

ON THE HORIZON
Comedy is Dead @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery Thurs. Apr. 5th 8PM $15 Sold Out
KROQ April Foolishness @ Gibson Amphitheater Sat. Apr. 7th 7PM 8PM $25-$99
Playin’ With Micucci @ Steve Allen Theater Sat. Apr. 14th 8PM $10

COMEDY CRAWL
The Naked Truth Taping @ Hollywood Center Studios 4PM FREE w/RSVP
Comedy Night @ Best Fish Taco in Ensenada 7PM FREE
Mash-Up Taping @ El Rey Theater 7:45PM/9:45PM FREE w/RSVP
The Good Luck Show @ Good Luck Bar 8PM FREE
The 4 & 20 @ All Star Lanes 8PM FREE
Bruin Up Some Laughs @ Kerckhoff UCLA 8PM FREE
Comedy Bang Bang @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
This Is New… @ Lulu’s Beehive 8:30PM FREE
Geekscape Presents @ Michael’s Bar & Grill 9PM FREE
Holy Fuck @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE
Eagleheart Season 2 Sneak Preview @ Cinefamily 10:15PM $12

OPEN MIC RUN
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5:30PM-5:40PM/Starts 6PM/lottery/20 spots only/3 min./No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 5:30PM/Stand-up, sketch, improv all welcome/5 min.
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/One item min./5 min.
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/lottery/No purchase necessary
PEDONE’S PIZZA 1332 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 9:15PM/5-7min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
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
DAVE’S BAR 708 Broadway, Glendale, CA/Starts 10PM/first come, first served/one item min./8-10 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/bottled water and coffee provided

Morning Debriefing 4/3/12

April 3, 2012

1) Comedy Central is rolling out the hour comedy specials like nobody’s business today. On Apr. 21st, Paul F. Tompkins’ storytelling special Laboring Under Delusions on Apr. 21st right after Patton Oswalt’s Finest Hour makes its network TV debut. THEN, Hannibal Buress’ Animal Furnace will debut on May 20th. All we can say is, damn.

2) Woody Allen is continuing his “European Comedy Film Tour” with his next film To Rome With Love. Here’s the trailer.

3) Want a preview of Jim Gaffigan’s upcoming special Mr. Universe? Jim Gaffigan’s got you covered.

4) Watch Keith Apicary/Nathan Barnatt straight-up fuck up everyone at a music video audition while wearing a fanny pack.

5) The Letterman-Ferguson late night duo will stay at CBS through 2014…

6) Weird Al Yankovic just premiered his web interview show, Face to Face, on the Nerdist Channel.

7) Tonight on late night:
Chris Elliott and Cy Amundson on Conan (TBS 11PM)
Maya Rudolph on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC 11:35PM)
Rachel Dratch on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC 12:35AM)
Ted Danson on The Late Late, Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS 12:35AM)

Last night on late night, Kate Miccuci showed Conan their “beach date”.

8) Patton Oswalt will be hosting this year’s Webby Awards and should set the standard for awards hosting in 2012.

9) Carol Hartsell of Huffington Post Comedy personally responded to Two & A Half Men creator Lee Arohnson’s comment about their being “peak vagina on television”.

10) On our latest episode of This Better Be Funny, we try to come up with the grittiest TV shows for children and pitch the worst movies ever with hysterical guest Andy Peters.

11) HEY! If you want to laugh at something, then laugh. Don’t let the fact that you’re the only one laughing stop you from doing so. Especially when it comes to a live comedy show, your laugh might just save a comedian’s life. (I am the Comedy Bureau and I approve this message).

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April 4, 2012

Already having fun waiting in line at the Mash-Up tapings…

LA Comedy Rundown 4/4/12

April 4, 2012