Recent News – Page 21 – The Comedy Bureau

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

June 5, 2023

comedy special, morgan jay, musical comedy

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

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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

News

i think you should leave, tim robinson, zach kanin

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

a24, julio torres, problemista, tilda swinton

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

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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

News

barbie, greta gerwig, ryan gosling, trailer

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

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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

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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

I Think You Should Leave Season 3 Promises More Delightful Chaos from Tim Robinson (Trailer)

May 24, 2023

News

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We don’t want to speak for everyone, but, as far as most of the folks we know, Tim Robinson screaming and writhing wildly is kind of a panacea for the ever burgeoning chaos of our times. The first two seasons of I Think You Should Leave have left an indelible mark in culture as well as comedy history (especially if you look at the timeline of sketch comedy leading up to now).

With that said, there is only so many times we can watch Coffin Flops or Dan Flashes on repeat before we need a new season of I Think You Should Leave. Lucky for all of humanity that season 3 is right around the corner, a week away in fact with a premiere date of Tues. May 30th. Netflix announced the date and released the first official trailer for this latest season and it has plenty of Tim and company losing it (especially while in a car) to the nth degree.

Please enjoy it here and know that you’ll only have to wait a week to watch the latest season.

Greg Warren Makes The Best Peanut Butter Sales Jokes of All Time with “The Salesman”

May 23, 2023

News

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In the ever evolving quest to stand out in stand-up comedy these days, especially if you’re a cis-straight white man, the already crowded field, many of whom are still also cis-straight white men and the well-worn territory of comedic material up the ante to make a mark in the comedy ether.

“The Salesman”, the latest hour/special from veteran comedian Greg Warren, shows that the challenge described above is not impossible, yet one that needs something intensely personal, clever, and unlike anything you’ve really seen before in order to beat it. To our knowledge, an hour of comedy that mostly touches on the comedic ins and outs and nuances of selling peanut butter is something that has never been attempted, much less done so superbly to uproarious laughter and repeated applause. Even in the realm of solo shows that are essentially narrative driven hours of stand-up comedy, selling consumer goods hasn’t historically been a hotbed of inspiration.

Warren indeed sources most of The Salesman from his life and times working as a salesman almost as if he’s doing the peanut butter sales version of Steve Martin’s renowned bit “made for” a convention of plumbers from Let’s Get Small. That said, Greg’s deep dive of the capitalist machinations and dynamics that come into buying a jar of peanut butter from your local grocery store are fascinating, all while achieving that always desirous moniker: being relatable. You might have to had grown up in America and be subject to the peanut butter brand hierarchy to understand Jif’s dominance as a brand, but exceptionalism is pretty natural to the human experience.

No need for Last Week Tonight to cover peanut butter sales. Warren has done a pretty exhaustive and very enjoyable satirical tour of the whole industry that you can and should go enjoy right now. Greg Warren: The Salesman is streaming now, free of charge, on YouTube here.

The Comedy Bureau’s Most Wanted List 2023

May 23, 2023

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It’s our personal favorites that should be your new favorites (if they aren’t already). Line-up revealed soon, per TCB protocol, but, in the meantime, while you’re pondering who it could be, go get tickets here.

That’s all we’re going to tell you… for now.

China and Their Military Can’t Take a Joke and Fine Chinese Comedian $2 Million

May 22, 2023

News

china, li haoshi, Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media

(via CNN)

It’s the mark of great leadership when you dole out a $2 million fine, cost someone their job, and prohibit the entertainment group he works for from putting on shows until further notice just because they made a passing comment about your standing military, right?

The above ironic observation is harsher than the comment that Chinese comedian “Boat” Li Haoshi made while performing in Beijing for a performance for the Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media, a entertainment firm responsible for many public stand-up comedy performance in China. Essentially, he compared China’s current army and their capabilities to two stray dogs he adopted chasing a squirrel. Reportedly, Haoshi didn’t go any further than that in his “roast” of the People’s Liberation Army, directly chaired by President Xi Jinping. Yet, Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media and Li Haoshi were fined $2 million for breaking a law passed last year that made any sort of slander against the Chinese military blasphemous and illegal.

While it seems to be a pretty insane, childish, and totalitarian response to a rather innocuous joke, this shouldn’t come as a total surprise since Xi Jinping has ascended to power and, in years past, banned mentions of Winnie the Pooh in comparison to him. This is just the latest step in stamping out freedom of expression and getting closer to a real life version of Orwell’s 1984.

If you give such a small insult (if you can even call it that?) such credence, one could argue that you just gave the joke more power and truth than just letting it be. We can only hope that an era of blistering comedy from and about Xi and modern day China is bubbling under the surface only waiting to explode because Xi is obsessed with projecting strength, even more so than America, or the most toxic of straight men.

Pick of the Day: Pop Show with Ziwe (in NYC) 6/23

May 22, 2023

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Five months ago, Showtime and its parent company, Paramount, made the idiotic decision to end their groundbreaking late night talk/variety show, Ziwe, hosted by the iconic Ziwe. For our money, it was a shining beacon of hope for late night at a time when the world of late night is still unsure how it’s going to move forward, especially with a format that largely hasn’t changed in nearly 70 years.

Still, though Paramount is busy trying to figure what reality TV to shove down our throats during this WGA Strike, you can thankfully catch Ziwe do her live Pop Show with Ziwe in NYC at Irving Plaza this Summer. Come Fri., Jun. 23rd at 8PM, one better be in Union Square getting ready to line-up for this show.

Tickets are $48 and, somehow, still available. Go get them right now here before that becomes not the case.

Pick of the Day: Dan St. Germain Taping (in NYC) 6/1

May 19, 2023

News

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As we’re in the thick of 2023, many a plans laid out for 2020 are now coming into fruition. That includes a bunch of folks’ solo shows that are Scotland-bound for the Edinburgh Fringe Festivals as well as plenty of tapings for specials and albums that had to be put on hold due to COVID-19.

NYC comedy’s Dan St. Germain had two delightful hours of comedy, “no real winners here” and “Bad at the Good Times”, out before the pandemic and 2020 seemed probably about a ripe time for a new one, perhaps an hour special. Well, we’ll just fast forward to here in 2023 because you’re well aware of what happened in the mean time. St. Germain’s seasoned, classical style stand-up with rollicking, punchline-filled commentary on the world around him is going to be captured in his first hour special next month at Old Man Hustle/BKLYN Comedy Club.

You’ve got two chances to catch St. Germain bring the heat on Thurs. Jun. 1st at 8PM or at the late show at 10PM. Tickets are $20 and you can (and should) go get them here.

Please Enjoy the Demented Theater Kid Energy in the Trailer for “Theater Camp”

May 18, 2023

News

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If the stage musical episodes of Euphoria and PEN15 were some of your favorite episodes of television in recent memory, then you really want to set a reminder for Aug. 25th when Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, and Noah Galvin‘s Theater Camp comes out in theaters.

Starring Gordon and Ben Platt, Theater Camp lovingly delves into the most ridiculous (maybe even toxic) parts of unapologetically a theater kid at a sleepaway camp, both as camper and counselor. There are age inappropriate productions, plenty of artistic license going unchecked, and unshakeable self-importance run amok.

From the looks of this first trailer, Theater Camp makes good on all of its festival buzz and however many minutes of a standing ovation it got (because that’s a thing that film festivals feel is still a good tradition to keep going?). There’s a certain sense of a torch being passed from the irreverent spirit of Christopher Guest mockumentaries of the the late 90s/00s to certain kids getting irreversibly hooked on musicals and it sure seems pretty damn fun.

So, we’ll say it again: set a reminder for Aug. 25th.

Pick of the Day: Self Help Me w/ Jenny Yang: A Competitive Self Care Comedy Show (in LA) 5/21

May 18, 2023

News

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With the conversation surrounding mental health being more prominent than ever in human history, one should wonder about how much they know about health and wellness (and not just what you’ve seen or heard of on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop).

Lucky for us all, LA comedy’s Jenny Yang has created a self-help game show, Self Help Me, to test such niche knowledge and really dive into what’s really behind the latest trends in self-help (as well as create content through specialized anxieties). LA comedy scene favorites and wellness experts alike will face off and Yang is assembling quite the field of competitors including Nicole Byer, Joel Kim Booster, Ron Funches, Daniel Webb, Dr. Ally Powell-Hicks, and Desmond Chiam.

This round of Self Help Me is set for Sun. May 21st at 4PM @ Dynasty Typewriter. Tickets are $20 and you really ought to help yourself and go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Kevin McDonald Superstar (A Rock Opera) (in NYC) 8/31

May 17, 2023

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bell house, dave foley, dave hill, jean grae, john wlaysweski, julie klausner, kevin mcdonald, kids in the hall, musical comedy, nyc comedy

The prospect of Kids in the Hall’s Kevin McDonald doing a new anything is definitely worth your time, attention, and money. The more elevated prospect of him doing a full on rock opera that’s based on “totally true events” should make it somehow more imperative for you to buy tickets and go to The Bell House on Thurs. Aug. 31st at 7PM.

Come this August, neither is just a fabricated scenario. Kevin McDonald and @ThisMyShowPresents will be premiering Kevin McDonald Superstar (A Rock Opera) at Brooklyn’s Bell House that’s all sourced from the life and times of Kevin McDonald. Joining him will be a treasure trove of NYC comedy including KITH’s Dave Foley, Dave Hill, Julie Klausner, Kevin McDonald, Jean Grae, and John Wlaysweski.

We’re pretty sure this is going to sell out way in advance, so go get your tickets for $30.57 a pop here right now.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 164: Mike Bridenstine & Butthole Vietnam/Chronicling History of a Comedy Scene

May 17, 2023

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

chicago comedy, comedy history, mike bridenstine

The collectors and curators of comedy history are rare, but they are usually delightful beings to not only shoot the breeze with, but learn the tenor of a comedy scene in decades past.

One of our favorite comedy folks, Mike Bridenstine, transplanted from a time period of Chicago comedy that has vastly influenced comedy at this very moment, has captured an exhaustive history of those years in his book The Perfect Amount of Wrong, which boasts the early days of Kumail Nanjiani, Hannibal Buress, Cameron Esposito, Jena Friedman, and many more. We talk to Bridenstine about what it takes to pull off a historical account of comedy, why to do it, and what is holding back TCB’s Jake Kroeger from doing his own comedy history book.

Also, Mike really wanted this episode to be called “Butthole Vietnam” and we love making our guests happy.

Follow Mike @mikebridenstine on IG & @brido on Twitter and listen to Hunk wherever you get your podcasts and, most importantly, pre-order his book The Perfect Amount of Wrong here or wherever you get your books.

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

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