Recent News

Comedy Bang Bang Live Is Coming to an End Nov. 27th

November 14, 2012

Comedy Bang Bang Live Is Coming to an End Nov. 27th

One of LA comedy’s longest running, most respected institutions, Comedy Bang Bang, at one point known as Comedy Death Ray, at UCB Theatre, formerly at M Bar, is having its swan song at the end of this month, Nov. 27th. People lining a couple of blocks a sidewalk coming to watch some of the city’s best comics is always a beautiful thing and it will be sad to see the live show go.

Though the weekly show ends this month, there will still be the Comedy Bang Bang Nativity Pageant on Dec. 4th at the Montalban Theatre. Even with all of this in mind, Scott Aukerman undoubtedly will have something else in store for what he does live and we’ll all definitely be waiting in line on whatever street it is for it.

Portlandia Comes Out with Handy Guidebook

November 14, 2012

In anticipation of their return next year, Portlandia on IFC has just released a book, ‘Portlandia: A Guide for Visitors’ that’s a handy guide to the world of Portlandia. Whether it’s actually handy in Portland is up to you to find out.

Either way, this is step one to avoiding having to shop on Black Friday. Oh, and just for the hell of it, here’s the link to buy the book at Portland’s own famous Powell’s City of Books.

‘Eddie Murphy: One Night Only’ Is Probably Closest We’ll Get to Eddie Murphy Doing Stand-Up Again

November 14, 2012

‘Eddie Murphy: One Night Only’ Is Probably Closest We’ll Get to Eddie Murphy Doing Stand-Up Again

Tonight at 10PM, Spike TV is having a tribute special to the one and only Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy: One Night Only. He will make an appearance as will Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, and CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.

According to the pictures, Eddie Murphy will be on stage holding a microphone, which, as we said above, will be the closest we’ll get to see him doing stand-up again even though we all desperately want that to happen.

LA Comedy Rundown 11/15/12

November 15, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Jen Kirkman & Friends @ Hollywood Improv Sat. Nov. 17th 10PM $18/2 item min.
The Willie Hunter Show w/Special Guest Bill Burr @ The Comedy Store Mon. Dec. 3rd 11PM No cover/2 drink min.

COMEDY CRAWL
Beards of Comedy @ Nerdist Showroom 7PM $10
Live Read of Manhattan, Directed by Jason Reitman @ LACMA 7:30PM $10
The Comedy Garage @ Rafa’s Lounge Art Gallery 8PM FREE
A Carlin Home Companion @ Santa Monica Playhouse 8PM $10
The Super Serious Show @ Club Fais Do-Do 8PM $13 in adv., 20 at door
The Business LA @ Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe 8PM $5
Tommy Johnagin @ Comedy & Magic Club 8PM $15/2 item min.
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Sarah Silverman & Friends @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 9PM $25
Set List @ Nerdist Showroom 9PM $10
The Comedy Palace @ The Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE
Matt Portman’s Bar Mitzvah @ Jaragua 9PM FREE
Mapping the Heavens @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
Midnight at the Improv w/Wayne Federman @ Hollywood Improv MIDNIGHT FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
CAFE AMERICANO 5770 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
PALMS BAR 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Starts 6:30PM/First come, first served/One drink min.
ROCKPAPER COFFEE 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/lottery
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 6PM/3 min./Counts as audition/No purchase necessary
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
SANDWICH SPOT 3101 Ocean Park Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/first come, first served
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
TRIBAL CAFE BEVERLY 3253 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served/6 min./No purchase necessary
ZAPATA VIVE 101 S. First St., Arcadia, CA/Sign-up 6:45PM/lottery/5 min./20 spots only
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6:30PM/pre-booked 5 min. spots by lottery by e-mail/3 lottery 3 min. spots available if show up/One drink min./
THE COMIC BUG 1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/3 min./mixed with booked spots/No purchase necessary
COFFEE BEAN 12930 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA/Starts 7PM/mixed mic/lottery/No purchase necessary
CAFE MUSE 259 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 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
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT

The Burn with Jeff Ross to Return for Six Episodes

November 15, 2012

The Burn with Jeff Ross to Return for Six Episodes

Beware everyone of either getting roasted by Jeff Ross or yelled at by Billy Eichner because they’re both officially coming back.

The Burn returns to Comedy Central in early Jan. 2013.

The Hollywood Improv Says Farewell to The Improv Lab

November 15, 2012

Pictured above is the curtain in front of which, over the last 2 years has housed some of the most innovative and original comedic talents in LA and beyond (people ran their album hours here, all character comedy shows happened, and gypsy jazz got mixed with comedy, and more) . It’s the curtain of the The Hollywood Improv Lab, the side room to the much more renowned Hollywood Improv and it was just announced that it will be closing it’s doors as part of this Improv’s new set of renovations.

We don’t know what is happening with this curtain just as we don’t know what’s happening with the space, but we suspect that there’ll be something great in store as the Hollywood Improv in general has been really, to our liking, revamping their line-ups, schedules, and experimenting (i.e. giving Wayne Federman a midnight show in the main room that’s completely free to attend-it’s happening tonight if you’re interested)

Modern Comedian Returns and Goes Weekly as Part of PBS Digital

November 15, 2012

The amazing web series Modern Comedian by Scott Moran is finally back and now under the auspices of PBS Digital. We’re thrilled to hear that it’s going to be a weekly series that all of you should watch even if you’re casually interested in comedy.

Here’s the latest episode profiling one of LA comedy’s most punk rock comedy group/show/house/etc. Powerviolence.

Who Knew It Would Be So Fun to Kick Dan St. Germain Out of Everything?

November 15, 2012

There are no surprises here with Dan St. Germain’s My Damn Channel web series ‘Kicking Dan Out’, just a really fun time watching Germain getting himself kicked out of several different situations such as an apartment or out of a juggalo group. There’s even this latest one where Dan gets kicked out of an OWS protest.

Johnny Carson Biopic To Be Made

November 15, 2012

Johnny Carson Biopic To Be Made

An entire generation of people will be surprised to find that Carson always refers to Johnny Carson way before Carson Daly in the late night world when this movie comes out. Interestingly, being penned by the guy behind Hitchcock starring Anthony Hopkins.

We don’t know who would play Carson exactly, but we hope it’ll be some late night host worthy comedian for authenticity’s sake.

LA Comedy Rundown 11/16/12

November 16, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Air Sex World Championships + Comedy Show @ The Satellite LA Sat. Nov. 17th 8:30PM $10-$12
Holy Fuck 3 Year Anniversary w/Chris Hardwick & More @ Downtown Independent Theater Tues. Nov. 27th 9PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Coagula Comedy Show @ Coagula Curatorial 8PM FREE
Jimmy Dore @ Flappers Claremont 8PM/10PM $20
The Swarm @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10
Impro(vs)tandup @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
The Ho Ho Show @ Hollywood Hotel 10PM $5/1 drink min.
The Jesse Miller Talk Show @ Hollywood Improv MIDNIGHT $5/1 drink min.

OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/given “set list” of topics to do jokes off of/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/5 min./One item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/5 min./First come, first served/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
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
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery

Conan O’Brien Is One of the Best at Reviewing Video Games

November 16, 2012

Maybe that has something to do with the fact that he is not at all a video game enthusiast. Watch Conan get really into Hitman: Absolution.

Take a Hilarious Tour Through Comedy History with Mel Brooks on Jimmy Kimmel Live

November 16, 2012

Mel Brooks stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote his new DVD box set of The Incredible Mel Brooks: An Irresistible Collection of Unhinged Comedy, which you should pick up based on this interview alone. He talks how he got notes on Blazing Saddles, gives notes to Kimmel on his unfriend sketch, and is just overall hilarious.

Watch the rest of the interview past the jump and hope Brooks does more late night appearances for his HBO special on Dec. 10th, Mel Brooks Strikes Back!.

Anyone Want to Be a Hero for Comedy and Put Up the Chris Gethard Show for Two Months?

November 16, 2012

Anyone Want to Be a Hero for Comedy and Put Up the Chris Gethard Show for Two Months?

The public access network, Manhattan Neighborhood Network is going to renovate, displacing the wonderful Chris Gethard Show for several weeks. We know that we’re based in LA, but we also do know that plenty of NYC folks read this blog and it would be really amazing if you could help a show, arguably one of the funniest, stay alive by giving it a place (or thinking of one).

LA Comedy Rundown 11/17/12

November 17, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Greg Proops Film Club: The Big Sleep @ Cinefamily Tues. Nov. 20th 8PM $12
The BEATdown LA @ UCB Theatre Mon. Nov. 26th 11PM $5

COMEDY CRAWL
Jimmy Dore @ Flappers Claremont 7PM/9PM $20
Rob Schrab’s Birthday/Found Crap @ Cinefamily 7PM $12
Playin’ with Micucci @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Air Sex World Championships + Comedy Show @ Satellite LA 8:30PM
Hot Toddy Guest List @ iO West DCT 8:30PM/10:30PM $5
Michelle Buteau @ Garrett Morris Downtown Blues & Comedy Club 9PM $20
Patton Oswalt & Friends @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 9PM $25
Field Day @ Little Modern 10PM $3
Jen Kirkman & Friends @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $18/2 item min.
Tournament of Nerds @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5
The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch Presents Comedy Clubhouse @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8

OPEN MIC RUN
DANGERFIELD’S 3 2524 1/2 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Lottery/3-5min./$2 cover
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/One drink min./First come, first served
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER 1323-A 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd and 4th St.)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/no purchase necessary/4 min.
TRIBAL CAFE BEVERLY 3253 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Booked show at 9:30/No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 10PM/Starts MIDNIGHT/lottery

Good For Letterman For Having Carmen Lynch on The Late Show

November 17, 2012

The stand-up sets on Letterman today are still a far cry from what they were in the last century (i.e. no mic or mic stand, stationary in one place, etc.), but having hilarious people on like NYC’s Carmen Lynch does make up for that.

Here’s her set that you should all watch.

Here’s 90’s Nostalgia We Can Get Behind: Key & Peele Parody The Power Rangers

November 17, 2012

Of course, Key & Peele call it ‘Power Falcons’, but it’s funny all the same that they pick on one of the more obvious gaffes by the team responsible for adapting the series for America. Also, this is 90’s nostalgia we’re behind because it’s really funny, not just remembering the 90’s for the sake of the 90’s.

Have a hardy nostalgic laugh this Saturday morning by watching it here.

Get a Preview of Kyle Kinane’s New Hour on Comedy Central ‘Whiskey Icarus’

November 17, 2012

Premiering next Sat. Nov. 24th 11PM on Comedy Central, Kyle Kinane will serve up his latest hour of stand-up entitled ‘Whiskey Icarus’. We’ll just say this about this preview clip and the whole special: rare are the men can make jokes about pizza and depression like Kinane and it’s a beautiful and hilarious thing.

LA Comedy Rundown 11/18/12

November 18, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Jazzin’ with Sean O’Connor & Julian McCullough Hurricane Sandy Benefit @ Mint LA 8:30PM $10
Guy Branum’s Talk Show: The Game Show-Tournament of Champions @ Hollywood Improv Fri. Nov. 30th MIDNIGHT $5/1 drink min.

COMEDY CRAWL
1642 Comedy & Social Club @ 1642 Beer & Wine 6PM FREE
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Playin’ with Micucci @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
French Toast @ Taix 8;30PM FREE
Neal Brennan & Friends @ Westside Comedy Theater 9PM $5
Powerviolence @ Strait Jacket Society 9PM FREE
Top Story Weekly w/Dan Banas @ iO West 9PM $5
This Feels Terrible @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
Super Kudzu @ iO West 10PM $5
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)

OPEN MIC RUN
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2907 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 4:30PM/Starts 5PM/4 min./No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 5PM/Ends 7PM/5 min./First come, first served/1 item min.
PARADISE PERKS 15475 Jeffrey Rd., Irvine, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/10 spots only/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
BAR LUBITSCH 7702 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/Lottery/5 min./One drink min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/mixed mic
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./One drink min.
THE BARREL 4547 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./One item min.
FLAPPERS CLAREMONT 532 W. 1st St., Claremont, CA/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary

Guess We Won’t Be Getting Those Maria Bamford Black Friday Commercials

November 18, 2012

It’s that time of year, well, would be that time of year when we’d all, in the midst of panicking about various Thanksgiving plans, be comforted at the sights and sounds of Maria Bamford prepping for Black Friday sales at Target. We dare say it was almost a perennial tradition in comedy, but, alas, according to this tweet, this great ad campaign will not continue.

Really, there’s only one thing we can do in this situation, which is get something nice and warm to sip and watch Bamford’s Target ads on YouTube again (or really anything Maria Bamford does because she’s hilarious and life-affirming).

Required Online Comedy Reading List 11/18

November 18, 2012

This Sunday afternoon before the week of Thanksgiving seems as good as time as any to give you our every-once-in-awhile recommendations for online posts, articles, columns, etc. for and about comedy.

Advice To Young TV Writers (but really: What Happened To My NBC Show) by Stephen Falk for his blog
Stand-Ups and Their Salaries by Jason Zinoman and Megan Angelo for NY Times
Tim Heidecker on youth, Louis C.K. and why ‘The Comedy’ is ‘grotesque’ by Steven Zeitchik for LA Times
Top Ten Sexiest Up-and-Coming Funny Young Underrated Comics with Genitalia That You Should Be Following on Twitter Whose Fresh Faces We Love to Watch by Sara Schaefer for Splitsider
Esquire’s Comic’s Comic Series featuring Moshe Kasher, Brendon Walsh, Chelsea Peretti, Hugh Moore, and more
Tig Notaro’s “Live” and the Future of Comedy Albums by Jake Kroeger for The Nerdist
Frankie Boyle jokes played in court as comedian launches libel action by Josh Halliday for The Guardian

LA Comedy Rundown 11/19/12

November 19, 2012

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Last Comedy Bang Bang Live @ UCB Theatre Tues. Nov. 27th 8:30PM $5
The Show Where TREVOR MOORE Does a Talk Show Thing and JOSH FADEM Does Some Other Stuff Too @ Steve Allen Theater Mon. Dec. 3rd 8PM $10

COMEDY CRAWL
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Harmontown @ Nerdist Showroom 8PM $10
Cindy Crawford Comedy Show @ MiMoDa 8:30PM $8
Jeff Garlin in Conversation with Sarah Silverman @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $30
Keep It Clean Comedy @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Dat Shit @ Westwood Brew Co 10:30PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
RED ROCK 8782 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/1 item min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served
ANCHOR BAR 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5 min.%3

‘Silver Linings Playbook’ Needs To Be The Next Movie You See

November 19, 2012

We saw Silver Linings Playbook last night suspecting that they’re might be then the trailer was suggesting, especially being from David O. Russell and our instincts were absolutely right. We’re not going to delve into specifics, but we’ll this is how romantic comedies should be made and if you hadn’t any doubts about Bradley Cooper’s acting or Jennifer Lawrence going the route of the tentpole summer blockbuster, or waiting for the Robert DeNiro that you came to know in The Godfather and Taxi Driver, this is the movie to put all those doubts to rest. Even Chris Tucker’s supporting role is killer, especially if you just recently watched him in drag in The Fifth Element.

Did we mention that it’s absolutely hilarious, heart-wrenching, life-affirming, and a reason why you’ll want to dance more often? Go see it now, here’s LA showtimes.

Download the This American Life Special That Was Simulcasted in Theaters

November 19, 2012

Download the This American Life Special That Was Simulcasted in Theaters

Complete with Mike Birbiglia short, Tig Notaro story, David Sedaris in clown make-up, and more, the exclusive event is now available online to stream or download for $5. Given his past reservations about Sleepwalk With Me, we wonder what Joss Whedon has to say about this latest effort from team This American Life.

Even If Nolan’s Batman is Finished, ‘Badman’ From Pete Holmes, Matt McCarthy, and Oren Brimer Isn’t

November 19, 2012

Even though Christopher Nolan will probably never do another Batman movie though fans and studios alike would love him to do so, we’re just happy to see that Pete Holmes, Matt McCarthy, Oren Brimer, and Alison Becker in Marion Cotillard’s role made this latest parody of The Dark Knight Rises that isn’t about Bane’s voice.

Remember That Trapped in the Closet with R. Kelly Returns This Week on IFC

November 19, 2012

Remember That Trapped in the Closet with R. Kelly Returns This Week on IFC

Fri. Nov. 23rd 9PM on IFC, R. Kelly’s series makes it long awaited return and should make a great alternate to shopping on Black Friday.