Recent News

Nicely Done, Tina Fey & Amy Poehler’s Opening Monologue at The Golden Globes

January 14, 2013

When it comes to award show monologues, a fine line has to be walked between making jokes that they honorees and their guests will laugh at as well as something that’s entertaining for the folks at home.

More often than not, that line is hardly walked and hosts clearly define what side their on by the jokes they tell, but Tina Fey and Amy Poehler did quite a nice job last night at the Golden Globes with their opening monologue without really ruffling anybody’s feathers on either side of the TV.

Give it a watch now.

From South Park to Book of Mormon, Trey Parker and Matt Stone Are Starting Important Studios

January 14, 2013

From South Park to Book of Mormon, Trey Parker and Matt Stone Are Starting Important Studios

If you’ve seen 6 Days to Air, the documentary about how an episode of South Park is made in 6 days, then you would totally understand why Trey Parker and Matt Stone starting their own studio was just a matter of time.

Listen to Sean Green Do 30 Min. In Front of The Steel Stacks in Bethlehem, PA

January 14, 2013

A round of applause should be given to comedian/writer/podcaster Sean Green for self-distributing his second comedy album, let alone being as funny as he is (see: The Comedy Garage). Over a year ago he put out, Whiskey Dick, which was a great album as he had to fight a hometown crowd to tell his own jokes.

This time, he does 30 minutes in front of The Steel Stacks in Live From Steel Stacks and you can download it completely for free, which, if you haven’t guessed already, we’re suggesting you do.

Hari Kondabolu & Ashok Kondabolu Start The Untitled Kondabolu Brothers Podcast

January 14, 2013

The incredibly funny and sharp Hari Kondabolu (writer on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell & just appeared on Conan last year) and his brother Ashok (member of the now defunct Das Racist) have delved into the podcast world with The Untitled Kondabolu Brothers Podcast. Both have incredible insight and funny takes into everything, really, and we’re really excited to see and hear this is happening, titled or untitled.

Click through the picture above to get to the podcast.

2013 Is Going to Be One Hell of a Year For Comedy Central’s Half Hour Specials

January 14, 2013

According to some of our well-informed sources (Yes, we do have sources. We’re a bureau for goodness sake), we have a list of who will be taping half hour stand-up specials for Comedy Central this year and, looking over the names, we’re going to go ahead and say all of it is fully Comedy Bureau approved.

Jonah Ray
Sean O’Connor
Dan St. Germain
Cristela Alonzo
Mike Lawrence
Dan Soder
Joe DeRosa
Nikki Glaser
Jared Logan
Andy Haynes
Gabe Liedman
Erik Griffin
Lil’ Rel
Baron Vaughn
Ben Kronberg
Brody Stevens
Sean Patton

More details to come as we get them.

This Better Be Funny Ep. 57 with Sara Benincasa

January 15, 2013

This Better Be Funny Ep. 57 with Sara Benincasa

This Better Be Funny this week is with Sara Benincasa!

Jake and Jeremy AKA Savory Johnson and guest Sara Benincasa (author of Agorafabulous) somehow find themselves at crossroads in conversation between children political refugees, Prince, tasteless non-jokes referencing famous baseball players, Destiny’s Child, and Star Wars without getting off topic. They also threw religion jokes into the mix there too and managed to eat breakfast at dinner time while being pretty lighthearted and non-offensive through the whole thing. Pretty impressive if you ask me (i.e. you should give it a listen ASAP).

LA Comedy Rundown 1/15/13

January 15, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
The Burn with Jeff Ross Taping @ Hollywood Center Studios Fri. Jan. 18th 6:30PM FREE w/RSVP
North Star Comedy Hour & Meat Raffle @ Genghis Cohen Sat. Jan. 19th 7PM $5

COMEDY CRAWL
Eddie Izzard: Works in Progress @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 7:30PM/9:30PM $25
Bruin Up Some Laughs @ Kerckhoff 8PM FREE
Showcase Showdown @ All Star Lanes 8PM FREE
Good Luck Show @ Good Luck Bar 8PM FREE
Comedy Central Showcase: Freshman Faces @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $5
Hob Nobbin’ with Susan Burke & Friends @ Lola’s 8PM FREE
Put Your Hands Together @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5 (stand by only)
Comedy Living Room 8:30PM FREE
Victory Lap @ The Virgil 9PM FREE
Holy Fuck Album Taping @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE
Airplane! @ Aero Theatre 9PM $11
Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
Flyover Comedy @ Hollywood Improv 9:30PM $14/2 item min.
The BEATdown: Los Angeles @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/Stand-up, sketch, improv all welcome/5 min.
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
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/5 min./First come, first served/No purchase necessary
AMSTERDAM CAFE 10905 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
THE MOTH @ LOS GLOBOS 3040 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Doors at 7PM/Starts 7:30PM sharp/Stories only/must be on theme of detours/10 spots only/lottery/$8
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/lottery/One item min.
PALMS BAR 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 6:15PM/Ends 7:55PM/5-7 min./First come, first served/One drink 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/5 min.
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
DAVE’S BAR 708 Broadway, Glendale, CA/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/one item min./8-10 min.
THE PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 9PM/Ends 10PM/Lottery/4 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
THE COMEDY STORE BELLY ROOM 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 11PM (when Crazy Cindee’s show lets out)/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary

Riot LA Coming Back Jan. 2014

January 15, 2013

Riot LA was the comedy festival that LA needed and wanted last year as it exceeded all our expectations. The next round is set for the start of 2014, but, thankfully, there’s no world is going to end to some ancient culture business, so we don’t have worry if we’ll be around for this or not.

Stay tuned for more details throughout 2013.

Jesse Case Starts, Along With the Guys Who You Brought You The “Probably Science” Podcast, “Probably History”

January 15, 2013

Jesse Case is hands down one of the funniest people we know and we have sort of a soft spot for history jokes. That’s why Jesse Case starting the Probably History podcast with many of the comedians involved with Probably Science is right up our alley and it’s on our playlist near the top of the queue.

Click through to get through to all the probably, both history and science, podcast goodness.

Lucha Va Voom Touring in Australia

January 15, 2013

That’s right, the comedy, burlesque, Mexican wrestling extravaganza hosted by Blaine Capatch, Lucha Va Voom, is heading to Australia this month for the Big Day Out Festival. Anybody who follows us from Australia should definitely check out this LA export as it is one hell of a show.

Tickets are now on sale.

Help Fund a Documentary About the Late Robert Schimmel

January 15, 2013

Help Fund a Documentary About the Late Robert Schimmel

Jeff Schimmel, the late, great Robert Schimmel’s brother, is trying to put together a documentary in tribute to Robert through Kickstarter.

It’s something you might very interested in pitching in for.

Limited CommuniCon Tickets Go on Sale Tonight

January 15, 2013

Limited CommuniCon Tickets Go on Sale Tonight

Around 6PM PST, the convention for NBC’s Community AKA CommuniCon are going on sale in a limited amount. We have a feeling this might fill up fast so you might want to get in on it early.

Specials From Harland Williams, Anthony Jeselnik, and Joan Rivers All Out Today

January 15, 2013

Three great releases from three comedians that we’ve been waiting for quite some time now to come out with a new hour of stand-up. We think you’re really going to want to shell out some dough today.

Harland Williams Force of Nature
Anthony Jeselnik Caligula (uncut album here)
Joan Rivers Don’t Start With Me

LA Comedy Rundown 1/16/13

January 16, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Hey Buddy @ Bootleg Bar Sun. Jan. 20th 7:30PM FREE
Bonky with Moshe Kasher & Chelsea Peretti @ UCB Theatre Tues. Jan. 22nd 9:30PM $5

COMEDY CRAWL
Cristela Alonzo @ Comedy & Magic Club 8PM $15/2 item min.
Comedy Central Showcase: Freshman Faces @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $5
Room 101 @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Meltdown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8:30PM $8
Facebook @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Dot Comedy @ Hollywood Laugh Factory 10PM $20-$30/2 item min.
New Show @ Middle Theatre Company 10:30PM FREE
The Hoop Dreams Comedy Hour @ New Venus Art Theatre 10:30PM $3

OPEN MIC RUN
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
DANGERFIELD’S 3 2524 1/2 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/Lottery/3 min./$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
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO. 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/lottery/One item min.
REDWOOD BAR & GRILL 316 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA (Downtown)/Starts 6:30PM/No purchase necessary
DAVE’S CHILLIN’ AND GRILLIN’ 2152 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/mixed mic
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/7 min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/First come, first served

The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week at The Nerdist 1/15

January 16, 2013

The 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week at The Nerdist 1/15

From gibberish rapping to liking the hell out of bars to a nice awards speech, here are our picks for the 5 Most Intentionally Funny Videos This Week at The Nerdist.

If you wish to be considered for 5 MIFV in the future (there is one every week), please read the rules at the bottom of the post before submitting.

Hey Pacific Northwest! Kurt Braunohler Is Recording His Album in Seattle & Portland

January 16, 2013

Hey Pacific Northwest! Kurt Braunohler Is Recording His Album in Seattle & Portland

Along with Kill Rock Stars, Kurt Braunohler is finally recording a comedy album next month, which you should all go to if you live in, around, or near Portland and Seattle. One of the dates is on Valentine’s Day, which sounds better to us than most of what you’re obligated to do on that corporate founded “holiday”.

Click the link for tickets and details.

Baron Vaughn Back on Conan For 2nd Appearance

January 16, 2013

Conan O’Brien has Baron Vaughn back for his second delightful set on Conan. Watch for one of the best cereal bits you’re ever going to see and more.

Will Ferrell’s Gary Sanchez Productions Developing Late Night Morning Talk Show on USA

January 16, 2013

Will Ferrell’s Gary Sanchez Productions Developing Late Night Morning Talk Show on USA

Yeah, you read that right. There very well may be a morning talk show on at midnight on the USA network. Basically, we really hope this makes it to air.

Video Podcast Network Launching With Your Favorite Podcasts at Sundance

January 16, 2013

Though it’s not an idea without precedent, video of podcasts have not yet been done on this scale. Snippets and clips of a few podcasts here and there, but The Video Podcast Network aims to change that with a YouTube channel. In the mix already is Earwolf and Adam Carolla and they’re doing an official live launch at the Sundance Film Festival this upcoming weekend with Comedy Bang Bang, You Made It Weird, and more.

Get tickets here.

http://www.1iota.com/show/view/Video_Podcast_Network-_Live_at_Sundance

Watch This Week of Comedy TV Premieres of Kroll Show, Legit, and Best Week Ever

January 16, 2013

This is a great week to be watching comedy on television if you’re not already doing that or you’re just obsessed with catching up on Homeland or Breaking Bad.

Tonight, Nick Kroll’s Kroll Show premieres on Comedy Central 10:30PM

Tomorrow Jan. 17th, Jim Jefferies’ Legit premieres on FX 10:30PM

The day after tomorrow Jan. 18th, VH1 officially revives it’s pop culture review show back Best Week Ever with some really funny folks like Nick Turner, Michael Che, JC Coccoli, Michelle Buteau, Jared Logan, Ali Wong, and much much more. VH1 10PM

LA Comedy Rundown 1/17/13

January 17, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Super Art Fight @ Nerdmelt Showroom Sat. Jan. 19th 8PM $8 in adv., $10 at door
Sean, Sean & Baron @ Hollywood Improv Sun. Jan. 20th 7:30PM $5/2 item min.

COMEDY CRAWL
The Great Dictator @ Egyptian Theater 7:30PM $11
Big Money @ The Virgil 7:30PM FREE
Joke Machine @ Nerdmelt Showroom 7:30PM $10
The Super Serious Show @ Club Fais Do Do 8PM $10 in adv., $15 at door
Hubble Telescope @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5 (stand by only)
Kathleen Madigan @ Comedy & Magic Club 8PM $25/2 item min.
The Business LA @ Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe 8PM $5
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Set List @ Nerdmelt Showroom 9PM $10
The Comedy Palace @ Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE
Captain Planet @ Echoes Under Sunset 9PM $5
Mapping the Heavens @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
11th Hour Show @ Clubhouse 11PM FREE

OPEN MIC RUN
CAFE AMERICANO 5770 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/3 min./No purchase necessary
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/3 min./Counts as audition/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-ish/5 min./First come, first served/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
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/5 min./Mixed mic
TRIBAL CAFE BEVERLY 3253 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 8PM/Ends 10PM/First come, first served/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.
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/Lottery/4 min./1 drink min.
COFFEE BEAN 12930 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA/Starts 7PM/mixed mic/lottery/No purchase necessary
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/mixed mic
CAFE MUSE 759 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:15PM/5 min./First come, first served/Must work clean/$3 min.
CAFE UNURBAN 3301 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 9PM/No purchase necessary
PALMS BAR 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 11PM/First come, first served/One drink min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts MIDNIGHT
IMPROV JAM @ CLUBHOUSE 1107 N. El Centro Ave., Los Angeles, CA Ste. 110/Starts around Midnight after 11th Hour Show/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary

Fox To Split FX Into FX and FXX for Comedy

January 17, 2013

Fox To Split FX Into FX and FXX for Comedy

This is only slightly surprising as FX has been having a great batting average as far as comedy programming goes. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Louie, and more have provided enough of a base for their to be two separate channels, apparently, not unlike one stocks split because of fantastic growth in a company’s capital.

Either way, this is incredibly interesting as the arena of cable is growing with comedy niche networks.

Modern Comedian Is Back Profiling Mike Lawrence

January 17, 2013

The phrase “making it” in regards to the profession of comedy is never clearly defined. Especially with the dynamics of the industry changing because of the Internet, cable, podcasts, and DIY production/distribution, the idea of success as a comedian has become more individually defined than ever.

Just take a look at Mike Lawrence on this latest episode of Scott Moran’s Modern Comedian, which is thankfully back on it’s weekly schedule at PBS Digital, and see how one of the funniest people working in comedy today has strived to legitimately tell people that he’s a comedian.

Passes Are Now on Sale for The 2013 LA Podcast Festival

January 17, 2013

Passes Are Now on Sale for The 2013 LA Podcast Festival

The inaugural LA Podcast Festival was a blast bringing together comedy podcast fans from around the entire continent and we’re sure this year won’t be any different. The line-up hasn’t been announced, but if you want to get in early on this, you can get weekend passes now.

Cameron Esposito’s and AST’s Put Your Hands Together Releases First Episode

January 17, 2013

You didn’t forget that the exciting replacement for Comedy Bang Bang, Put Your Hands Together hosted by the wonderful Cameron Esposito, was going to be released as a podcast, did you? Did you?

Well, it is and you should give it a listen because it has Kyle Kinane, Jerrod Carmichael, Steve Agee, and more. Also, just subscribe because you’re just going to or you’re unable to attend the weekly show at UCB Theatre Los Angeles.