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The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 148: Bobcat Goldthwait & Leaving Los Angeles
January 25, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
bobcat goldthwait, oscars 2023

Even before the pandemic, Bobcat Goldthwait had one of the most fascinating careers in comedy history with, as he says, “selling out” first as a stand-up, then finding his way to be a beloved indie director with work ranging from World’s Greatest Dad to God Bless America to Call Me Lucky to Jimmy Kimmel Live. Goldthwait continued along his own path as he moved from LA to the woods in Illinois to maintain his “day job” of doing stand-up comedy in order to make his small, but fiercely loved movies.

On this week’s TCB Field Report, Bobcat talks wonderfully in-depth with TCB’s Jake Kroeger about the ever-changing landscape of comedy through film/TV/stage through all the decades he has been in comedy and what lies ahead in the decades to come.

Follow Bobcat @bobcatgoldthwait on IG

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

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

Get a Tasty Preview of Sam Morrison’s Sugar Daddy from His Set on Seth Meyers
January 25, 2023
News
late night, sam morrison, seth meyers, stand up comedy, sugar daddy

Up and coming NYC comedy star Sam Morrison has really put himself on the map with his delightful solo show about the loss of the love of his life, Sugar Daddy. He has already done a go of it at the Edinburgh Fringe and is currently in the middle of run at the SoHo Playhouse.

As if that wasn’t enough, he just got to do a bit of it on Late Night with Seth Meyers as a stand-up set for his late night network TV debut. The way that Sam Morrison specifically has woven in humor through his own grief is so full of truth-is-stranger-than-fiction sort of surprises that we’re pretty sure you’ll want to see the whole story after watching this set.

FYI, Sugar Daddy is playing at SoHo Playhouse in NYC through 2/17.

 

Pick of the Day: The Golden Girlz (in LA) 1/27-2/5
January 25, 2023
News
alaska thunderfuck, golden girlz, jackie beat, live reading, los angeles comedy, lyric hyperion, sam pancake, sherry vine

The Golden Girlz, LA’s favorite reimagining of the revered sitcom, The Golden Girls, done by LA’s best drag performers, is returning once again (and they are still tickets available). The long running show has been one of Los Angeles’ quickest shows when it comes to selling out all available seats and it was probably for the best if you set up some sort of alert or reminder for the next one.

Fortunately for you, there are still tickets available for the latest run of The Golden Girlz, featuing your favorites Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, and Sam Pancake as well as the one and only Alaska Thunderfuck as Rose Nylund. It’ll be running this weekend and next at the new new Lyric Hyperion, specifically, Fridays and Saturdays will have 8PM and 10PM shows and Sundays will go on at 4PM, 7PM, and 9PM.

Tickets are $40 a pop right now and you better not hesitate in getting tickets as they will absolutely sell out.

Looks Like Marc Maron Is Going to Show Exactly How to Do Dark Comedy These Days in Upcoming “From Bleak to Dark”
January 25, 2023
News
comedy special, from bleak to dark, hbo, marc maron, stand up comedy, trailer

No matter which phase of Marc Maron’s career one may look at, there is an unmistakable tangle of dark comedy threads throughout his work. Of course, it comes from his candor, which was much more political in his earlier years, then got intensely personal over the last decade and half or so. In either case, Maron has a preternatural feel for how to find the comedy gold in the darkness of the human experience as opposed to what a lot of “dark comics” do by simply trying to channel unfiltered shock in their material.

With how times have been going and are currently going as you read this, Maron might be one of the most crucial voices in comedy and this latest special From Bleak to Dark might be further proof of that fact. Set to come out HBO on Sat. Feb. 11th, we’ve heard excited whispers of this new hour that Maron has been largely working out a clubs, namely The Comedy Store, Largo, and Dynasty Typewriter here in LA.

The trailer for From Bleak to Dark, just released today, seems to very much validate said whispers and we can’t wait to watch it to get in the perfect mood for Valentine’s Day.

We’ll all be able to see for ourselves when From Bleak to Dark premieres on HBO on Sat. Feb. 11th.

Pick of the Day: Karen Hall-Delusions and Grandeur (in LA) 1/27
January 24, 2023
News
classical music, clown, karen hall, los angeles comedy

As more and more of comedy (and, for that matter, the world) discovers clowning in this day and age (beyond those unfortunate ones at a kids’ b-day party), the landscape of clowning itself keeps changing, much to the delight of its own community and those who chase watching every bit of it they can.

Karen Hall is one such an individual who has made a niche for herself amongst the burgeoning clowning scene in LA as she has mixed her background as a professionally touring cellist into her clown work. We’ve gotten to see a bit of her work and the brilliance of it at The Clubhouse‘s clown night known as Catsby, often accompanying Chad Damiani and a guest doing silent improv.

Karen is setting to do her very own show this Friday that will more vigorously blend the worlds of classical music and clown that will give a special clown-ish look at her very own unique trail that she’s blazed. Called Delusions and Grandeur, Karen will be taking the stage at North Hollywood’s Theatre 68 on Jan. 27th at 8PM with tickets only being $12. Go get them here and get ready for something like you’ve probably never seen before in all of comedy (even if you’re a big P.D.Q. Bach fan).

 

Watch Fabrizio Copano Make U.S. Late Night Debut on Corden
January 24, 2023
News
fabrizio copano, james corden, late late show, stand up comedy

Fabrizio Copano has already made a name for himself as a comedian in his home country of Chile and all around South America. That said, the very clever and charming (what a great cardigan, no?) Copano has been working hard at making in-roads in the U.S. market for comedy right before and during the pandemic all the way through to now where he just debuted doing stand-up in English on U.S. late night TV (he’s done plenty of late night in South America) on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Copano made a hell of a first impression with roasting his friend, the current President of Chile, maintaining boundaries as a parent, and dissecting the label of “American” (or ‘MERican).

Give it a watch and enjoy it here.

Here’s the Very First Teaser for Bob Odenkirk as ‘Lucky Hank’
January 24, 2023
News
amc, bob odenkirk, lucky hank, teaser

There was a whiff of a teaser that we’ve gotten for Bob Odenkirk‘s next big thing AMC, Lucky Hank, but there wasn’t much more to go off of other than seeing Bob’s face as the character and the source material, Richard Russo‘s novel Straight Man. That’s especially intriguing considering whether the split between comedy and drama would be for this show.

Seems like, from this very first teaser, that Odenkirk, as the titular Hank Devereaux, will be falling more into the comedy side of things. That seems explicitly clear as Hank seems inundated with the sort of life that makes his nickname ironic (especially the final moment of the teaser).

It’s just a tiny morsel, but it’s a pretty tasty one and one that is signaling perhaps a third acclaimed show Bob Odenkirk has been in on AMC.

Look for the premiere of Lucky Hank on Mon. Mar. 19th on AMC and AMC+.

Pick of the Day: Kyle Kinane (in LA & NYC) 2/10 & 5/4
January 23, 2023
News
bell house, kyle kinane, la comedy, largo, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

In the midst of the far off time of quarantine, the brilliant comedic mind that is Kyle Kinane uprooted from his long time home of LA and headed on up to Oregon. Thus, in LA, we were unfortunately no longer gifted the chance of regularly seeing Kinane comedically explore the existential nature of whatever he happened to be going through at the time and doing so in an unbelievably colorful, almost poetic way.

As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder and any chance to seeing Kyle will be even more special these days.

Such days are indeed coming up for both LA and NYC as Kyle will be playing the hallowed stages of Largo in LA and Bell House in Brooklyn in the coming months. Kyle’s Largo date appears to be sold out, but you can chance stand-by tickets on the night of or check Largo’s site over and over to see if they added tickets. The 7:30PM-Thurs. May 4th date at The Bell House has tickets available at $40.87 a pop. Definitely go get them before they sell out here.

 

Pick of the Day: Ambush Comedy’s SPECIAL EDITION ALBUM RECORDING SHOW (in NYC) 1/25
January 20, 2023
News
album recording, ambush comedy, brittany cardwell, brooklyn, josh johnson, lucas connolly, nyc comedy, two boots pizza

Ambush Comedy has been going so long over at Brooklyn’s Two Boots Pizza that one has to wonder how much of an ambush it is anymore. They’ve already recorded one album and, in fact, they’re doing a second taping sesh next Wednesday, Jan. 25th.

Ambush’s very own (and NYC stand-up comedy staples) Josh Johnson, Lucas Connolly, and Brittany Cardwell will be recording audio and video for what has to be one of the tastiest weekly shows in NYC. Per usual, there will be free pizza and beer before the show (while supplies last) and there will be a shindig after.

Oh yeah, you’ll have two chances to be a part of the Ambush Comedy sequel with early show at 8PM and late show at 10PM. Tickets are only $10 and you best go get them here.

 

Dylan Adler (and His Backflip) Make a Network TV Debut
January 20, 2023
News
Dylan Adler, james corden, late late show

Dylan Adler had a banner year in 2022 for making so many best of/who-to-watch lists and putting out an amazing album Rape Victims Are Horny Too with collaborative partner Kelly Bachman, which all culminated into him getting hired as a writer on The Late Late Show with James Corden. With Dylan on staff for the last few months, we have been pondering what he would have up his sleeve and sort of sandbox the show might give him.

We need not ponder anymore.

Last night, Dylan got to make his debut appearance as a bit player/correspondent on Corden and really made the most out of his entire comedy repertoire (and acrobatic skills) by “attempting” to be a sports reporter for The Late Late Show. For our money, it’s the sort of appearance that puts late night/TV on notice and will hopefully lead to plenty more on-camera bits for Adler very, very soon.

Without further adieu, please watch and enjoy Dylan Adler’s late night/network TV debut here

Pick of the Day: Ben Wasserman: Live After Death (in LA) 2/20
January 19, 2023
News
Ben Wasserman, live after death, los angeles comedy, yard theater

We love when concept and venue match and we also happen to love when comedy explores and dissects into the inevitability of death. Thus, we naturally are very on board for the amazing Ben Wasserman‘s variety show about death that he ran out of a funeral parlor in NYC throughout 2022.

So cleverly called Live After Death, Wasserman made probably as silly and absurd a show about grief and loss as one can make, yet do so from a genuine place (Wasserman lost several people close to him over three years) rather doing so to be “edgy”. Ben is bringing his show to LA and doing a special performance at The Yard Theater on Mon. Feb. 10th at 9PM.

For those not looking forward to Valentine’s Day, this is probably the perfect show. Tickets are only $15 and you can (and should) go get ’em here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 147: Kenneth Rudnicki & The Comedy Fan Perspective
January 18, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
comedy fans, everything everwhere all at once

Despite the pandemic’s best efforts, an inseparable part of live comedy is the live audience. Part of the thrill of performing stand-up/improv/sketch/clown/etc. is having a crowd of (hopefully) friendly strangers communing in order to laugh. We talk to performers all the time on this podcast, but what about hearing from those who revere comedy just as much as those that take the stage, but choose to revel from the crowd?

This week’s TCB Field Report has one of the best and most intrepid comedy fans in LA, Kenneth Rudnicki (who happens to be a therapist as well!) and we get into everything in comedy on the other side of that fourth wall.

Follow Kenneth @rud_ken on IG or probably run into him at a live comedy show somewhere in LA.

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

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

Pick of the Day: Hopkins & Friends (in NYC) 1/22
January 18, 2023
News
adam pally, daniel simonsen, dina hashem, ilana glazer, james austin johnson, jess hopkins, moses storm, nyc comedy, phoebe robinson, stand up comedy, the stand

Sometimes, there’s just an amazing line-up for a classic stand-up show at a comedy club and tickets are still available for not a crazy price and those things together are worthy of highlighting.

Such is the case of Hopkins & Friends at The Stand this Sunday. Along with host Jess Hopkins, an incredibly choice NYC line-up of Adam Pally, Phoebe Robinson, Moses Storm, Daniel Simonsen, James Austin Johnson, Dina Hashem, Ilana Glazer, and John Hopkins (assuming that’s not someone from the prestigious medical institution?) will be taking The Stand’s Main Room stage at 8PM on Jan. 22nd and you ought to know that will be one hell of a show.

Also, tickets are only $25 (and there’s no item minimum). Go get ’em before they sell out here.

 

Take a Look at What Goes Into Blake Rosier Doing a Live Show with a Craigslist Stranger (in Less Than Four Hours)
January 17, 2023
News
blake rosier, craigslist

Comedian/actor/creator Blake Rosier pushes envelopes so much that one might wonder how much further he can push it. Then, he finds a way to do it.

Case in point, creating an entire live show to be performed for a live audience only four hours before showtime with, on top of all of that, a complete stranger off of Craigslist. Rosier’s dedication to experimentation and collaboration, no matter how silly or absurd he has to be in order to pull it off, continues to be so engrossing (this is the second time he has done it and it’s still wildly unpredictable).

Rosier made a “documentary” following the journey of trying to pull off such a crazy stunt and it almost feels like reality TV of a performance artist (i.e. something we’re completely on board for despite hating almost all other reality TV).

Peer into the world and mind of Blake with this latest almost full length doc of his latest Craiglist show here.

Pick of the Day: SF Sketchfest Live-streams 1/21-2/5
January 17, 2023
News
bruce campbell, john hodgman, live stream, paul f tompkins, sf comedy, sf sketchfest
One of the world’s biggest comedy festivals, SF Sketchfest, is just a few days away and if you’re not in San Francisco by this Friday (or over two weeks after that), you’ll absolutely have missed out on comedy magic that can only be conjured up by the long running massive, magical gathering of the best comedy folks around.
That said, there are a handful of very special events that will be live-streamed thanks to the good folks at Moment from the festival itself that you can tune into from all around the world (double or triple check time zones). Tickets for most of these are $20 (and you didn’t have to book hotel and airfare in SF, which you ought to will burn a hole in your wallet).
Of the dozens upon dozens of amazing live comedy shows that will be happening, you’ll be able to live-stream the following from your own home:

Hello From the Magic Tavern @ 1/21 4PM PT/7PM ET
featuring Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai and Matt Young and guest Guy Branum.

“Viva Variety” 25th Anniversary Tribute @ 1/21 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET
A Very Special Evening with Mr. and the former Mrs. Laupin and Johnny Blue Jeans, aka Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Michael Ian Black, with Ken Marino and David Wain.
Uptown Showdown Debate: In-Person vs Remote @ 1/27 10PM PT/1AM ET
with John Ross Bowie, River Butcher, Dana Gould, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Baron Vaughn and more, Hosted by Dhaya Lakshminarayanan.
SF Sketchfest Roast of Bruce Campbell @ 1/28 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET
featuring Peaches Christ, Dana DeLorenzo, David Alan Grier, Cassandra Peterson (AKA Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Kevin Pollak, Ted Raimi, roastmaster Dana Gould and more.
Judge John Hodgman LIVE! @ 2/4 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET
featuring Jesse Thorn.

Varietopia with Paul F Tompkins @ 2/5 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET

Get more details and tickets at moment.co/sfsketchfest. If you are in SF, you can get more details and tickets at sfsketchfest.com for catching everything in-person.

Pick of the Day: Kristin Lynne Wallace’s White Time (in LA) 1/26-1/28
January 16, 2023
News
elysian, experimental comedy, kristin lynne wallace, la comedy, whiteface

The Elysian’s very first festival of completely, never before seen experimental comedy shows started off with an unquestionable bang thanks to Kristin Lynne Wallace and her electrifying variety show White Time done entirely in “Whiteface”. Flipping power dynamics and twisting satire as far as she can as a “gift receipt to the Jim Crow era”, Wallace brought the house down for the inaugural Forget About Spaghetti Festival. The show ends up being a perfect combination of hysterical and sticking with you to think about its greater, far reaching commentary long after you leave the theater.

Thankfully, the Elysian is bringing much of its festival programming back for another round and Wallace’s White Time will get three performances from Thurs. Jan. 26th-Sat. Jan. 28th, all at 7:30PM. Tickets are only $12 and you best go snag them here ASAP.

 

Pick of the Day: FUN by Design: The Interior Design Game Show (in NYC) 1/18
January 13, 2023
News
caveat, game show, interior design, laura fabius, nyc comedy

Though it’s not necessarily “peak TV” or considered part of this current Golden Age of television, shows about interior design are undoubtedly some of the most popular programming around. People may not talk about HGTV the way they do Severance or The Bear, but that doesn’t seem to stop The Property Brothers from being some of the most famous people on TV.

Taking note of all the above, NYC comedian and interior designer Laura Fabius has devised a way to bring in some more (and much needed) clever fun by crossing the worlds of interior design, comedy, and game shows into one very special night. Called FUN by design: The Interior Design Game Show, top flight designers will throw down to see how good they really are.

Oh yeah, they’ll be answering interior design questions as well!

FUN by design: The Interior Design Game Show will be happening at Caveat next Wed. Jan. 18th at 7PM ET (including a livestream). Tickets are $15 (and $10 for the livestream) and you really ought to snag ’em here.

 

Jenny Zigrino Makes a Grand Start to Late Night Stand Up Sets in 2023
January 13, 2023
News
james corden, jenny zigrino, late late show

Every calendar year does technically start on January 1st, but it seems to take a couple of weeks for everyone to get into the full swing of things and actually “start” the year (including late night talk shows). Fortunately, late night is back in full swing and so has stand-up comedy being featured on such programs (and we can only hope there will be even more of it this year?)

The always on-point and hilarious Jenny Zigrino starts this year in this realm of stand-up off with a bang on Corden. She had a tight, yet very fun set dissecting the generational disconnects between Gen Z and Millennials when it comes to romance (proof that there will always be new avenues to talk about dating in stand-up, especially if you make it personal).

So, please watch and enjoy this first great late night set of 2023 with Jenny here.

Get Your Very First Look at Mel Brooks’ History of the World Part 2
January 13, 2023
News
history of the world part 2, hulu, mel brooks

Over two scores ago, Mel Brooks unveiled History of the World Part 1 on the silver screen and broke new ground on how silly and absurd you could get when satirizing historical events. So much more history has happened since the film’s release in 1981 (including how Tinseltown works) and, perhaps, it’ll be worth the wait to see Brooks, still sharp at his advanced age, and his take on things these days.

Also, Part 2 is kind of a sequel as it’s an 8 part series to be released on Hulu, though it seems like it’s a much bigger production with a main cast of Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, and Ike Barinholtz and several cornucopias of cameos including:

Pamela Adlon, Tim Baltz, Zazie Beetz, Jillian Bell, Quinta Brunson, Dove Cameron, D’Arcy Carden , Ronny Chieng, Rob Corddry, Danny DeVito, David Duchovny, Hannah Einbinder, Jay Ellis, Josh Gad, Kimiko Glenn, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Jake Johnson, Richard Kind, Johnny Knoxville, Lauren Lapkus, Jenifer Lewis, Poppy Liu, Joe Lo Truglio, Jason Mantzoukas, Ken Marino, Jack McBrayer, Zahn McClarnon, Charles Melton, Kumail Nanjiani, Brock O’Hurn, Andrew Rannells, Emily Ratajkowski, Sam Richardson, Nick Robinson, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, Timothy Simons, J.B. Smoove, David Wain, Taika Waititi, Reggie Watts, and Tyler James Williams.

Could this end up being Hulu’s own I Think You Should Leave? Maybe it will and we certainly hope so (and the teaser is promising). Go see for yourself here, then look towards the premiere on Mar. 6th on Hulu with episodes being release throughout that very week.

 

Pick of the Day: The Lyric Comedy Hour with Daniel Van Kirk and Irene Tu (in LA) Wednesdays Starting 1/18
January 12, 2023
News
beth stelling, chris estrada, daniel van kirk, ever mainard, irene tu, los angeles comedy, lyric hyperion, rory scovel

As you settle into remembering to date everything with 2023, you should also remember that the Lyric Hyperion is re-reopening with both a renewed vigor and a reverence for what the hallowed theater space used to be pre-pandemic. There is so much that’s up the sleeve of new new Lyric Hyperion that you should check out (and that we’ll highlight for you here) in the coming weeks and months (and, hopefully, years).

One of those many things will be a weekly stand-up show co-hosted by treasured LA comedy staples Daniel Van Kirk and Irene Tu called The Lyric Comedy Hour. On Wednesdays at 7:30PM starting Jan. 18th, Van Kirk, Tu, and the Lyric will bring together a nice and tight round-up of the city’s very best comedians, both established and ones that you should be on the look out for.

The inaugural Lyric Comedy Hour will have one hell of a line-up with Rory Scovel, Chris Estrada, Beth Stelling, and Ever Mainard.

Tickets are only $10 and you can (and should) get them every week here.

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret Finally Got Adapted Into a Movie (and It Looks Pretty Good from the Trailer)
January 12, 2023
News
abby ryder forston, are you there god it's me margaret, judy blume, kathy bates, kelly fremon craig, lionsgate, rachel mcadams

One of the more seminal novels to come out of the 70s enduring all the way to today is Judy Blume’s cherished work, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. It’s intriguing, given Hollywood’s ongoing search for coming-of-age stories and adaptations of any IP of any note, that the beloved novel hasn’t seen a big time adaptation until just about now. If you think about the lineage of Ladybird, Eighth Grade, Blockers, and Booksmart, it’s a blessing that there indeed will be Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret movie thanks to James L. Brooks and writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig.

The trailer looks very promising with having the nuance and charm of the original text still in tact on top of having the likes of Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates getting top billing. That said, newcomer, the actress taking on the titular role, Abby Ryder Forston, seems like she will shine bright here (kind of like Abigail Breslin did in Little Miss Sunshine).

See for yourself in the first Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret trailer here, then really see for yourself when the movie comes out on Apr. 28th.

 

Jerrod Carmichael Hosting The Golden Globes Could Be a Paradigm Shift for Awards Season (If Hollywood Is Brave Enough)
January 11, 2023
News
golden globes, jennifer coolidge, jerrod carmichael, shelly miscavige

We had a sneaking suspicion that Jerrod Carmichael would deliver an indelible performance with his first time hosting The Golden Globes, especially with all the controversy surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the governing body of these awards. Not only did he give a performance that is unlike any in awards show hosting history, but it could be the signaling of a new paradigm when it comes to accountability, creative control, and, the matter at hand of course, diversity.

Jerrod didn’t mince words or time about their lack of inclusion leading to his invitation to host the ceremony and, in a style akin to Jerrod from Rothaniel, he sat down and spoke with uncut candor. Yes, there were also jokes and they were dark and funny as to fulfill the promise of the promos claiming “a night of joy and devastation”. It seemed clear that the NBC and the HFPA really let Jerrod do what he wanted as he opened the evening by dissecting his moral quandary of hosting the Globes with lines such as “being the black face for an embattled white organization” that are truly cutting rather than the sort of the Friars-Club-roast style that Gervais brought with him for a few years.

Though there were literally jaw dropping moments (cameras were quick to catch all the gasps from the biggest celebs in attendance), this very well may be part of the appropriate penance that the HFPA is serving to make up for their transgressions. It’s hard to say what accountability looks like at these high powered, glitzy affairs since there isn’t really a consensus protocol as what “embattled” parties ought to do. Jerrod freely getting to call out the organization that specifically hired him and also taking a daring and very clever shot at Scientology and Tom Cruise (note that Top Gun: Maverick is now the 12th highest grossing movie of all time and will probably be remembered as saving the movie exhibition business at the far end of the pandemic) is a pretty good start.

Shelly Miscavige joke #goldenglobes pic.twitter.com/ms4h0ljltg

— Vulture (@vulture) January 11, 2023

The address to the Hollywood stars and power players in the room and the audience at home felt free of a teleprompter and only added to how sincere and how searing Jerrod’s monologue was. In fact, the whole evening had some semblance of that with award winners ignoring being played off, Colin Farrell starting off his speech by complimenting Ana De Armas on stage after she handed him the award, and the presence and majesty of Jennifer Coolidge (other award shows should think about having her host?). Again, there really hasn’t been an awards hosting performance quite like this one from Jerrod compared to signature hosting from the likes of Billy Crystal, Jimmy Kimmel, or Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Whether this was truly “a night of joy and devastation” will have to be discerned after awards season is over and the strategizing for the next round begins. Certainly, it was a delight to see Jerrod seemingly get free reign and we can only hope that only more of that happens (it certainly will make it more enthralling to watch and discuss and rewatch on YouTube over and over and over).

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 146: Sara Schaefer & Finding Yourself in Comedy (After Trying Everything)
January 11, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
going up, sara schaefer, solo shows

When it comes to doing all the things in comedy, few have done it quite like Sara Schaefer. Her career spans being an acclaimed stand-up comedian, an Emmy award winning writer, having her own late night talk show with Nikki Glaser, and, amongst everything else, a celebrated miniaturist. Her latest project, a solo show that’s a loving satire of the art and business of comedy, Going Up with Sara Schaefer, is about to go on tour and we talk to Schaefer, on this week’s TCB Field Report about finding her way in comedy, then adapting for lots of gigs, then finding her way back to what she really wants to do and who she truly wants to be on a comedy stage.

Follow Sara @saraschaefer1 across socials.

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

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

Pick of the Day: The Hotsy Totsy Tribute to Weird Al Yankovic! (in NYC) 1/12
January 11, 2023
News
burlesque, hotsy totsy, nyc comedy, slipper room, variety show, weird al yankovic

As Weird Al Yankovic made a legacy from parodying pop songs, it kind of stands to reason that a tribute to him might come in the form of a burlesque show. There are actually more and more burlesque and drag shows that intersect the world of comedy or pop culture (a Mel Brooks burlesque show and lots of the drag happening at Club Cumming come to mind) making for a more untraditional, but damn fun evening.

Hotsy Totsy in NYC specializes in this and are taking their night at The Slipper Room to do a burlesque tribute to the King of Parody, Weird Al. Venatrix, Perse Fanny, Rosie Tulips, Violet Luna, Bitsy Brulée, LeGrand Chaton, Miranda Raven, Handsome Brad, and Cherry Pitz are all set to do a night dedicated to Weird Al unlike you’ve ever seen before (especially if you’ve not seen seductive dancing with mustaches and wordplay)

With that in mind, you really ought to get tickets here for $25 a pop. Hotsy Totsy’s Tribute to Weird Al Yankovic is set for this Thurs. Jan. 12th w/doors at 7PM.

 

See Bob Odenkirk as Unlucky English Chair Dept. Head in His Next AMC Series “Lucky Hank”
January 10, 2023
News
amc, bob odenkirk, lucky hank

Between Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill from Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, Hutch Mansell from Nobody, Bob Odenkirk has taken on a number of career defining characters that wheel and deal with a life of violence for a decade now. Now, standing upon a career that spans him being a celebrated thespian as well as a generation defining comedian/writer, it would seem that he could do whatever he wants (especially if it’s at AMC)

That next thing is just around the corner in the form of a new series, Lucky Hank, that might marry the comedy and drama halves of his life. Set for a March 19th premiere on AMC+, Odenkirk plays the titular character that is the chairman of English department in the Rust Belt that is having a mid-life crisis. While that could be the premise for a character that Odenkirk could play on I Think You Should Leave, Lucky Hank might have a little less absurdity and more pathos as it was developed as a dramedy.

There is plenty to imagine from this teaser here (especially with how off the rails this show might go compared to everything else Bob has done in the last ten years), but it doesn’t change the fact that we’ll have to ponder about how to get AMC+ without increasing our streaming service bill too much before March 19th.

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