Recent News – Page 20 – The Comedy Bureau

Your Next Favorite Coming of Age Comedy Might Be from Italy with “AMANDA”

June 14, 2023

Over the last several years, the good majority of notable coming-of-age comedies seem to have come in the package of American or UK indie dramedies that charm the film festival circuit. Or, is that we haven’t gotten a chance to see wondrous coming-of-age comedies from other territories around the world?

Well, AMANDA, the feature debut of writer/director Carolina Cavalli might buck this trend. With the subtle, yet biting humor of Noah Baumbach or Wes Anderson, the trailer for AMANDA offers up what could be a very strong debut following a young woman stumbling to the strangest places while looking for direction in her life, and, perhaps, the sign of another comedy auteur on the rise.

See for yourself here, then look for AMANDA, starring Benedetta Porcaroli, in limited release on Fri. Jul. 7th and on demand on Sat. Sept. 5th.

Pick of the Day: Robin Tran (in LA) 6/16

June 13, 2023

News

dynasty typewriter, los angeles, robin tran, stand up comedy

If you’re in and around LA or NYC comedy, you ought to know that one of the trade-offs to seeing your favorite comedians perform night in and night out, often at no cost to you, is that you don’t get to seem them do longer, extended, or even headlining sets.

Suffice it to say, that you should get to see more of Robin Tran than just morsels of 10-15 minutes at a time. Tran’s brilliant satirical humor about trans and Asian-American identity as well as the general absurdity she’s surrounded by everyday has made her stand out in the LA comedy scene for years now, deserving of a stage that will give her the canvas of an hour to deliver her jokes.

Fortunately, for us all, Robin will be headlining Dynasty Typewriter this Fri. at 10:30PM and it’s something you truly shouldn’t miss. Tickets are $20 and you better get them here before they sell out.

Please Enjoy This “Don’t Tell” Set from Dan Donohue

June 12, 2023

News

dan donohue, don't tell comedy, stand up comedy

With late night on hiatus indefinitely due to the WGA Strike and the current disparate nature of finding and watching stand-up sets that aren’t specials (but are part of an established brand), it’s pretty difficult to have a go to place to see who might be your new favorite comedians with great lighting and good sound (and in clips longer than a weird crowd interaction on TikTok or IG Reels).

Thank goodness Don’t Tell Comedy starting taping their full-length sets and putting them on YouTube so you can find such delightful stand-up from such delightful people as Don Donohue.

Don’t Tell Comedy has built quite the reputation with just being a pop-up comedy show institution that spreads across the entirety of North America and they have indeed been putting out an ever growing archive of select sets from their shows. Their latest comes from Donohue who has been steadfastly working his way up the ladder of the LA comedy scene with his sharply honed comedic writing (splendidly sourced from his Buzzard’s Bay, MA) upbringing), timing and command of the stage.

Please enjoy Dan’s set from a recent Don’t Tell show here (and then go down a rabbit hole of Don’t Tell sets here).

Pick of the Day: [Return of] Kevin & Kevin’s Wacky Shack (in NYC) Wednesdays Starting 6/14

June 12, 2023

News

brooklyn, harlequin vintage, kevin casey white, kevin o'brien, nyc comedy, wacky shack

Summer is just around the corner, which means the Summer Solstice is soon AND that one of NYC’s favorite outdoor comedy shows, Kevin & Kevin’s Wacky Shack, is coming back from its Winter/Spring break to bring week after week and jam packed line-ups of the very best of NYC’s best comedians, indie and club and otherwise.

Kevin Casey White and Kevin O’Brien will be return to their hosting duties over the Wacky Shack, though the “shack” itself will be moving four blocks (and one neighborhood) from its birthplace, Central Organic in Bushwick, to Harlequin Vintage in East Williamsburg. Also, the show is going to cost you 10 bucks, but it’s more than worth it.

Their very first 2023 show in Harlequin Vintage will be this Wed. 6/14 at 8PM, which means you have just around 48 hours to get your tickets right here.

Rachel Mac’s Debut Album “Teacher of the Year” Sends Up What Teaching is Really Like in 2023

June 9, 2023

News

ast records, comedy album, rachel mac, stand up comedy, teacher of the year

Though Abbot Elementary is celebrated for finding the comedy gold out of how underserved our current public school systems are in America, it’s still a network sitcom and limited to 22 minutes that are clean enough for primetime. Given what teachers have had to go through before the pandemic, during it, and right at this moment, their true thoughts on what’s going on in and around the classroom might not exactly be appropriate for the classroom.

Luckily, some teachers are stand-up comedians, unbound by network censors, and one of those teachers is the hysterical Rachel Mac. Mac gives a much more adult portrait of what life as a professional educator in 2023 is like on her debut comedy album, the aptly titled, Teacher of the Year. Mac doesn’t shy away from the realities of the class room that are much more akin to an R-rated comedy, but does so in such a matter-of-factly way that there’s a certain undeniable appeal (even though a parent might do a double take if they heard this material in the class room instead of a comedy club).

If you really want to have a hilarious warts-and-all picture of why teachers deserve better pay for teaching future generations and, overall, probably deserve more respect and admiration, on top of listening a self-assured hour of stand-up comedy that would likely get a “parental advisory” sticker if anyone bought CDs en masse anymore, then get Mac’s Teacher of the Year, available now from AST Records, and listen to it ASAP.

Pick of the Day: Holy Shit Improv 2 Year Anniversary All Day Improv Festival (in LA) 7/15

June 9, 2023

News

comedy festival, improv, los angeles comedy, silverlake, silverlake lounge

Though UCB has reopened months ago, when and how the next Del Close Marathon, the legendary multi-day, non-stop improv festival, has yet to be revealed. As such, NYC has their Fun and Dumb Improv Festival out of the Brooklyn Comedy Collective, and in the stead of DCM here in LA, the good folks at Holy Shit Improv are throwing an all day improv festival featuring the very best in long form improv, house teams and indie teams alike, in Los Angeles. It will double as a two year anniversary of doing improv at Silverlake’s favorite gussied up dive bar, The Silverlake Lounge.

This Holy Shit Improv 2 Year Anniversary All Day Improv Festival will include sets from:
Holy Shit
Dinosaur Improv
The Big Team
JV
Pretty Darn Queer
The Smokes
Bitchin’
Astronomy Club
Bimbos
Menudo
Behind A Paywall
Rat Ass
Lemon Pepper Wet
NY Piss Rangers
LYLAS
The Big Boys of Comedy
Shag
PBR Tallboys
Queen George
Sister
DopeTown 300
WIld
Glass Clown

This quasi non-stop festival will run from 1PM-9PM on Sat. Jul. 15th. Tickets are only $17 (and you ought to know space is limited). Get tickets here right now.

Pick of the Day: Normal Gossip LIVE (in NYC) 6/14 & 6/16

June 8, 2023

News

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While Scandoval has the world of reality TV wrapped around its fingers, the gossip of normal folks as captured by Kelsey McKinney and Alex Sujong Laughlin on their hit podcast Normal Gossip is something, we think, much more enthralling, hilarious, and even more beautiful than whatever reality show TV producers concoct in an editing bay. It’s a great reminder that drama and intrigue are not exclusive to famous, rich, beautiful, and/or high powered people.

McKinney and Laughlin have got such a charming show on their hands dissecting the gossip of the sorts of the people that you might pass on the street (or scroll past if you still don’t leave the house that much these days) that they’re going on tour for live tapings of Normal Gossip!

This is an instance where you should definitely leave your house, especially if you’re in NYC, to attend one or both tapings of Normal Gossip @ Town Hall in NYC come Wed. Jun. 14th and Fri. Jun. 16th at 7:30PM with special guest, celebrated writers Sabrina Imbler & Tuck Woodstock. Tickets start at $52 and know that Wed. night is almost entirely sold out. SO GO GET TICKETS HERE NOW.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 167: Babs Romen & The Green Room as The Green House

June 7, 2023

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

babs romen, house shows, los angeles comedy, paul provenza, the green room

In the time since Babs’ last appearance on TCB Field Report, she has helped erect a venue in the backyard of the one and only Paul Provenza dubbed “The Green House” (via Paul’s brilliant Showtime series The Green Room with Paul Provenza). Unlike the majority of shows that happen at a person’s home or “house venues”, there’s such a plethora of wondrous comedy gatherings that happen at the sane space of The Green House and Babs details all of it as well as the journey it took to get to transforming a patch of gravel by a hot tub into a joyous place for comedy and comedy adjacent things.

Follow Babs @babsromen on Twitter and @babsromen1316 on IG. Tickets for the live-stream of the latest Green with Paul Provenza (featuring special guest Doug Stanhope and others) on 6/17 are available at Nowhere Comedy here.

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via Patreon or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Looks Like “Bottoms” Promises One of the Most Satisfyingly Ridiculous Comedies of 2023

June 6, 2023

News

Ayo Edebiri, emma seligman, Rachel Sennott

Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott reunite after their critically acclaimed indie dark comedy hit, Shiva Baby, to bring a much more bombastic, more absurd, yet still unflinchingly resonant high school comedy with Bottoms. Queerly echoing Superbad and Not Another Teen Movie, Sennott co-stars with Ayo Edebiri as “bottoms” of the social hierarchy at their school who devise a plan to up their cache via a female-only self-defense/fight club in order to get with their probable prom queens crushes.

As if that wasn’t ludicrous enough for a comedy, the football players never take off their uniforms, the principal is explicitly problematic, and former NFL star Marshawn Lynch essentially plays himself as a teacher. If there was a way to up the ante from Sennott’s last movie, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Bottoms might have hit the mark with unbridled sarcasm, satire, and silliness.

See all of this for yourself in the very first trailer, that just happens to be a red band trailer for Bottoms here, then look for it in select theaters Aug. 25th, then more cities Sept. 1st.

Pick of the Day: Afternoon Delight with Brendon Walsh (in LA) 6/11

June 6, 2023

News

afternoon delight, brendon walsh, los angeles comedy, prank calls

Prank calls are kind of relic of comedy’s past (caller ID makes it a lot harder), but, for any of you that have done it or watched/listened to other comedy folks do it, you very well know that it can be a thrilling bit of chaotic fun (especially if “professionals” do it).

Well, very few folks crank a call quite like comedian/podcaster/prankster extraordinaire, Brendon Walsh. He was actually putting his skills on display by prank calling in front of a live audience with guests comedians, some of whom would actually be the target of the prank, with his live, in-person Afternoon Delight show. COVID-19 put that on pause for a very long time, but thankfully that wait for the next edition is coming to an end.

On Sun. Jun. 11th at the perfect time of 4:20PM, Brendon will take over The High Low in Los Feliz to do the latest Afternoon Delight, mixing stand-up and prank calls with very special guests Johnny Pemberton and Melissa Villaseñor. It’ll be the wildest afternoon you’ve probably had in awhile and we highly suggest you snag your $5 tickets right now right here.

Morgan Jay Spreads Joy (and Big F*** Energy) with “Live at the Village”

June 5, 2023

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Aside from his high pitched golden pipes and soothing guitar picking all while being able to seamless switch between earnest dramedy songs and crowd work, Morgan Jay really has a masterful knack in connecting with an audience. His latest hour special, Morgan Jay – Live at the Village, puts on a clinic with having the crowd so much on the same wavelength with him that it’s not awkward that they cut to them so often (crowd shots feel shoehorned-in, at best, in most comedy specials these days). This might be the most fun that call-and-response has ever been in a hour of comedy.

Singing your crowd work is something special and unique to Morgan and the way he croons to audience members is kind of irresistible. Jay handily utilizes his ability to hit those high notes that only some other comedians save for a single song in their hour or a tiny impression of some pop diva, but pairs it with a low key, often sultry R&B vibe. This gives the perfect comedic canvas for his satiric, yet heartfelt love songs.

Throughout Live at the Village, Jay possesses such a rambunctious (and often prurient) energy that the ride through his performance is something between going through the Tunnel of Love and Space Mountain. Jay even goes so far as explicitly wanting the crowd to make sure to engage in sexual congress, but there is an air of silliness that keeps things from getting too horny. That dynamic is made even more ironic with the fact that this special is taped at The Village, a legendary recording studio that’s hosted such a star-crossed band as Fleetwood Mac.

Morgan Jay: Live at the Village is streaming now on YouTube, at your convenience. Go watch, sing along, and enjoy it here.

Pick of the Day: 11th Annual Night of 1000 Judys (in NYC) 6/12

June 5, 2023

News

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If our memory serves us correctly, it has been far too long since the astounding Justin Sayre has put on their Night of 1000 Judys in person (the last one we can remember was done virtually). It’s both a glorious tribute to one of America’s brightest shining stars in the iconic Judy Garland and a wondrous exhibition of Justin’s brilliant comedic and musical verve.

Also, it’s a benefit, once again, for the crucial NYC org, The Ali Forney Center that serves at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth with specialized housing and services.

Joining Sayre for this edition of a Night of 1000 Judys will be many of Broadway’s very best including:

Lauren Patten (Jagged Little Pill on Broadway)
Julie Benko (Funny Girl on Broadway)
Nellie McKay (celebrated singer/songwriter)
Telly Leung (“Glee,” Aladdin on Broadway)
Alexandra Silber (Grammy nominee, Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway)
T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown on Broadway)
Carole J. Bufford (BroadwayWorld’s “Vocalist of the Year”)
jazz vocalist Hilary Kole (Carnegie Hall, Blue Note)
Jack Bartholet (Bistro Award winner)
Elizabeth Ward Land (Scandalous on Broadway)
Jae W.B. (Lincoln Center’s Festival of Firsts).

This 11th Annual Night of 1000 Judys is set for Mon. Jun. 12th at Joe’s Pub at 7PM. Whether it be because of love of Judy Garland, NYC comedy, and/or Pride, this is a night you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Tickets are going for $75-$175 and you can (and very, very much should) get them here.

Nate Craig Has the Classiest-Looking, Modern Comedy Special with “Live at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge”

June 2, 2023

News

comedy special, nate craig, stand up comedy

To see a well-tailored suit on a comedian these days, you’d almost wonder what exactly they’re trying to pull (even if it is for their special in an extremely snazzy cocktail lounge). Yet, the shine of fine woolen pin stripes and neon is almost a misdirect for Nate Craig in his latest special, Live at the Green Mill, used to heighten every bit of irony, satire, and mischief he has tucked underneath his pocket square.

Indeed, Craig chose the long-standing classy Chicago institution, The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, to tape his hour, rather than a cavernous theater with Art Noveau touches that has become standard issue for hour comedy specials these days. It’s a keen choice as stand-up comedy is best enjoyed in an intimate, dark space, while also evoking comedy from decades past where comedians only had lounges and nightclubs to show off their comedy wares. Nate uses this timeless, moody atmosphere to really make his understated sarcasm and subversion really pop (not unlike the aforementioned pocket square).

Craig even goes so far to be ironic to Swift-ian levels in a few bits (especially when it comes to “baby huffing dungeons”), something the old Colbert used to do. It’s a much appreciated surprise considering that amount of times comedians stop themselves in specials to make their intentions clear as to, comically, not get “cancelled”. Just a little bit of subversion goes a long way with Live at the Green Mill throughout the very enjoyable ride through very in-depth act outs of Americans coming out of the deadly haze of COVID-19.

Above all, Craig has such a preternatural command of the stage here that doesn’t feel forced in the slightest. Nate hits that sweet spot, wire to wire, of being fully present, not sounding over-rehearsed, and still, clearly having so much damn fun. Though there’s an air of Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks throughout this hour, Craig’s presence brightens up the evening to be almost the exact opposite of lost souls trying to find each other in a diner.

Nate Craig: Live at the Green Mill is now streaming on YouTube, free, at your convenience, courtesy of All Things Comedy.

Pick of the Day: Feminist Buzzkills Live (in NYC) 6/7

June 2, 2023

News

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Every week since Roe vs. Wade got overturned by our current conservative activist SCOTUS, it seems like some red state passes another bill that takes us back 50 years or more with abortion access. That said, the fight is far from over and no one will have to go it alone thanks to folks like The Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead and her amazing org, Abortion Access Front.

Winstead additionally co-hosts a weekly podcast, Feminist Buzzkills, with Moji Alawode-El and Marie Khan that is equal parts catharsis from the present time and rip-roaring satirical takedown of the reality that religious zealots are dictating agency over women’s bodies. And, wouldn’t you know it… they’re actually doing a live taping of Feminist Buzzkills next week in NYC at Drom on Wed. Jun. 7th at 7:30PM that would make for a great opportunity to actually see that you’re not alone in the battle for reproductive rights (and enjoy a nice night out amidst our current dystopia). They’ll even have special guests such as Jeff Hiller from Somebody, Somewhere, TikTok star V. Spehar, and NYC for Abortion Rights‘ Saffie & Henny.

Tickets are going for $25 (w/$20 table min.) and you can (and very much should) get them here.

Pick of the Day: Valley Vegas w/Neil Hamburger & Major Entertainer (near LA) 6/3

June 1, 2023

News

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For years and years and years, Neil Hamburger has had a premier LA comedy gathering under the banner of his name, usually somewhere in the hip epicenters of LA’s Eastside. Hamburger was at the beloved space The Satellite (that’s no longer with us), then at Zebulon, then, most recently, at Permanent Records Roadhouse.

Needless to say, the rest of the Greater LA Area hasn’t necessarily had much of a chance to not venture out/commute to one of the America’s Funnyman’s shows. However, this weekend, those unfortunate folks stuck in the Valley are not only getting a chance to catch Neil Hamburger, but Major Entertainer as played by everyone’s favorite Energy Vampire from What We Do in the Shadows, Mark Proksch.

Both Neil and Major Entertainer are doing a very special evening called Valley Vegas at the Corbin Bowl out in Tarzana that, to be honest, might be a perfect vibe for the alternate universe lounge act that is Neil Hamburger.

Doors are 8PM. Tickets are only $12 and you best go get them here right now.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 166: Sunanda & Finding Yourself in Britney (in Australia)

May 31, 2023

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

sunanda

From Bangkok to NYC to LA to Melbourne, Sunanda has an astounding comedy CV (resume for Americans) that ranges from directing a webisode of Broad City before it hit the big time to being awarded Best Newcomer at the renowned Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Sundanda’s journey took them all over the world, but it was doing a solo show about their deep love of inspiration drawn from the one and only Britney Spears that brought them into the spotlight.

TCB’s Jake Kroeger gets in deep with Sunanda about what goes into such a physical and creative journey, especially when it comes to what identity really means in comedy (and in life).

Follow Sunanda @youknowsunanda on IG

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via Patreon or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Pick of the Day: Summer School: Entertainment Community Fund Benefit (in LA) 6/1

May 31, 2023

News

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We’re almost at a month since this current WGA Strike began and all signs point towards it continuing for more weeks to come. As such, anything supporting the Entertainment Community Fund is crucial right now as many of those on the picket line are of humble means and are currently living off of reserves in their bank account.

There already have been a few comedy benefits supporting the ECF already in LA and NYC and there are sure more to come including the one, Summer School, happening this Thurs. Jun. 1st at 7PM at the Virgil that will double as a benefit for the ECF and People’s City Council Mutual Aid LA Fund.

The likes of such comedy stars (as well as a couple SNL folks) will be in attendance including: Andrew Dismukes, Adam Conover, Mike O’Brien, Jenny Yang, Katrina Davis, and Sophie Delaney along with hosts Aly Dixon, Elizabeth Schantz, and Jess Uhler.

Tickets are only $15 and admission is free for WGA members. Go get tickets and support the ECF/PCC Mutual Aid/WGA Strike here.

I Think You Should Leave Season 3 Is Another Splendid Absurdist Escape That’s Shorter Than Every Marvel Movie

May 30, 2023

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Between all six episodes of the brand new season of I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, the total run time is around 95 minutes. This means that the celebrated, revered, beloved sketch series is shorter than any studio tentpole movie in theaters, especially ones with the Marvel stamp on them, and probably most other movies that are at your local cineplex. For that price of time, Robinson and his co-creator Zach Kanin deliver another highly addictive, comically riotous revue of modern American life getting run a wood chipper then glued back to together by someone flirting with the darker side of a drug trip.

At this point, ITYSL has their formula down by extending narratives within commercials to a darkly personal place, people screaming in cars at each other, people’s need for validation taking them absurdly down toxic paths, American corporate culture going haywire, and, of course, Tim Robinson screaming as almost a manifestation of the current collective unconscious. It’s a testament to the writing and execution of Robinson, Kanin, and co. that ITYSL is such a dark mirror to the U.S. of A and yet, still such a joyous escape from the reality of it all (as best captured in this season’s doggy door sketch).

Season 3 of I Think You Should Leave is now streaming on Netflix and you can probably watch it through several times over in the same time it would take you to binge most other Netflix original series. So, you should probably watch it on repeat to cope with times like these like we are.

Pick of the Day: Feeld presents One Night Stand-Up (in NYC & LA) 6/13 & 6/27

May 30, 2023

News

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Kink dating app of the moment, Feeld, is getting a little, dare we say, kinky as they’re putting on special one night only comedy shows in both LA and NYC. Not only have they tapped many of the best sex-positive comedians from either scene, but there will be a chance, if you’re up for it, to have your Feeld profile “anti-roasted” during the show.

Also, you’ll have a chance to meet plenty of Feeld folks in person at the low stakes environment of a comedy night (but maybe take things elsewhere if you find that special someone that’s exactly what you’re into).

Feeld presents One Night Stand Up is set for NYC at The Bell House in Brooklyn on Jun. 13th starting at 7PM with the comedy stylings of your host Ashley Ray as well as Dylan Adler, Marie Faustin, Spike Einbinder, and Clare O’Kane. Tickets are FREE!

The LA night is going to be at the spacious Echoplex in Echo Park on Jun. 27th 7PM with the likes of Ashley Ray taking on hosting duties again and Alison Stevenson, Brian Bahe, Hannah Pilkes, and Girl God. Once more, the tickets are the nice price of FREE!

A24 Has Their Next Fantastical Comedy Lined Up with Julio Torres’ Problemista (Trailer)

May 26, 2023

News

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For 2022, A24 really pulled off some magic with having Everything Everywhere All at Once winning nearly everything it was nominated for and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On receiving heaps of critical acclaim and some awards wins as well. The exuberant imagination brimming through both comedies might be the tip of the iceberg with what lies ahead with their comedy slate including Julio Torres‘ already buzzy Problemista.

Just on paper alone, stand-out comedian and former SNL writer Torres made something eye-catching in his filmmaking debut, Problemista, that’s a magical realism/immigration/art world dramedy co-starring one of the greatest actors of our generation, the ethereal Tilda Swinton. Julio has dreamt up a story of an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador attempting to getting the right to work in the United States only to find that to be Sisyphean task guided/impeded by a manic art curator play by Swinton. Woven throughout are fantastical details and consequences such as immigrants vanishing from the face of earth if they don’t get their Green Card in order in an otherwise very grounded universe.

Otherworldly dramedy might just be A24’s forte and we’re on board for it. See all of this and more for yourself in the first official trailer for Problemista here, then look for it in theaters soon.

Pick of the Day: CHEERS TO QUEERS: The Overheard LA x Truly Comedy Show (in LA) 6/3

May 26, 2023

News

andrew stier, drew lausch, ej marcus, glaad, la comedy, mav viola, overheard la, pallavi gunalan, pride month, stand up comedy, teresa lee, truly, zach teague

In case you forgot, June is Pride Month and only a few days away as of this post. As such, there is going to be an amazing wave of LGBTQIA+ comedy that could (and should) potentially take over all of next month for you.

One of those shows, in LA, will be Overheard LA x Truly joining forces for CHEERS TO QUEERS, an exclusive evening of queer comedy supporting long-standing queer org GLAAD. Set for the beginning of June on Sat. Jun. 3rd, the likes of queer comedy luminaries Zach Teague and Drew Lausch will be making that afternoon feel like a party worthy of the much later hours. Joining them will be wondrous queer comics from the LA scene including EJ Marcus, Teresa Lee, Pallavi Gunalan, Andrew Stier, and Mav Viola.

CHEERS TO QUEERS is set for 1PM on Sat. Jun. 3rd at Truly LA. Tickets are only $15 and that’ll get you admission to the show, two drinks, access to confessional booths, and the dance party following the show. Sounds like a pretty good deal to us. Go get ’em here.

First Full Trailer for Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s “Barbie” Hints at What Could Be Next LEGO Movie

May 25, 2023

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Leading up to 2014’s LEGO Movie, there were heavy doubts from nearly everyone as to whether an entire feature length film could be adapted from a toy franchise, especially one that was largely absent of any sort of central cannon or narrative of any kind. The golden touch of Phil Lord and Chris Miller proved almost every doubter wrong and spawned an entire cinematic universe.

Film auteur power couple Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach could very well have the sort of shrewd and clever sensibility to balance adapting a historically broad IP, tell an engaging story with complex characters, be self-aware of the IP’s own inherent issues in society, and razzle dazzle with some panache and cinematic flair. The first full length trailer for the laboriously developed Barbie (remember when Amy Schumer was involved?) shows that might be exactly what’s coming. Come this Summer, Gerwig and Baumbach could be pulling off a Barbie movie that might be far more entertaining that the idea of a live action Barbie movie should be. Also, taking cues from Pixar’s playbook, it’s something that’s clearly written for adults, but has enough pastel and neon colors and high flying song and dance numbers to satisfy the “family friendly” crowd.

Of course, the dissection of the discourse around gender roles and the sexualization of Barbie is probably going to raise the ire of the former Tucker Carlson viewers, but was any sort of studio Barbie movie in 2023 (and not 1960) going to be for them?

Truly, Barbie could be a dark horse, surprise entry into cinemas this year and what a much needed surprise that would be. By the way, does it strike anyone as “kismet” that Will Ferrell essentially is playing the same role in the LEGO Movie as he does here in Barbie?

See all of that for yourself in the Barbie Main Trailer here, then look for it in theaters near you on July 21st.

Pick of the Day: Book Soup Presents Boom Chicago! (in LA) 6/29

May 25, 2023

News

book soup, boom chicago, ike barinholtz, live reading, los angeles comedy

If you’ve even had a cursory look into the history of live comedy, you’ve probably come across the name “Boom Chicago!” at least a couple of times. Acting as the Chicago improv pipeline to Amsterdam, numerous comedy stars made their bones at this renowned, sometimes infamous, institution. The likes of Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, Ike Barinholtz, Colton Dunn, Heather Anne Campbell, and more have taken the Boom Chicago! stage all before their ascension in comedy.

It should stand to reason that there should be a book chronicling all of this, right? That’s why the release of Boom Chicago Presents the 30 Most Important Years in Dutch History by Andrew Moskos, Pep Rosenfeld, & Saskia Maas (the founders of Boom Chicago) is imminent very soon. Ike Barinholtz will be hosting a special evening, presented by Book Soup, with the aforementioned authors/founders as well as stellar Boom Chicago alums that will be part panel, part improv, all at Gold Diggers in Hollywood.

On the bill thus far are:
Suzi Barrett (Drunk History, Kirby Buckets)
Jill Benjamin (History of the World, Part II, GirlBoss)
Liz Cackowski (SNL, Community)
Heather Anne Campbell (Rick and Morty, Twilight Zone)
Colton Dunn (Key & Peele, Superstore)
Josh Meyers (History of the World, Part II, Red Oaks)
Nicole Parker (Wicked, MadTV)
Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso)

Just a live reading of the book would be enough reason to go, but this is one of those stand-out, once a year type of shows that you absolutely don’t want to miss.

Book Soup Presents Boom Chicago! @ Gold Diggers is set for Thurs Jun. 29th at 8PM with tickets going for $38.58 (includes signed copy of Boom Chicago Presents the 30 Most Important Years in Dutch History). Go get tickets here, before they inevitably sell out (Gold Diggers isn’t that big, FYI).

Pick of the Day: Anna Seregina: Tour of Anna (in NYC) 6/17

May 24, 2023

News

anna seregina, nyc comedy, solo show

While LA is treated to the comedic marvel that is one Anna Seregina, NYC hasn’t been so fortunate to see what a perfect blend of clowning and stand-up can be. So, it behooves us here at TCB to notify all of you in and around the five boroughs when Anna is in town, especially if she’s doing a very special solo evening at one of NYC’s hippest, most underground (even though it’s upstairs) venues.

Yep, Anna Seregina is coming to NYC next month to put on a Tour of Anna at Life World in Brooklyn on Sat. Jun. 17 at 8:30PM. Tickets are only $10 and the address is sent to you upon purchase of tickets (since this show is such the place to be that Saturday night). Go get your tickets right now right here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 165: Josh Gondelman & Fighting for Deserved Slivers

May 24, 2023

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

josh gondelman, wga strike

We’re in the fourth week of this Writers’ Strike and it doesn’t seem like the spirits or solidarity has wavered one bit. WGA East Board Member and beloved comedian and one of the all around nicest human beings Josh Gondelman joins TCB’s Jake Kroeger for this week’s TCB Field Report to break down exactly what’s at stake here. So many unions are joining in on the picket lines of this strike every day because this is very much becoming an overall fight for labor rights as a whole and just for the very immediate future for TV and film writers, many of which wheel and deal in comedy.

Follow Josh @joshgondelman on IG and Twitter.

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via Patreon or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by @michaelpielocik

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