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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.

Pick of the Day: MAKE THAT SANDWICH (in LA) 3/18
January 10, 2023
News
lindsay ames, los angeles comedy, make that sandwich, ucb franklin

True multi-hyphenate Lindsay Ames has come up with so many amazing things over the years between comedy, filmmaking, cooking, and more. One of the best things she has ever created is a game show, Make That Sandwich, that brings a lot of her passions all into one scrumptious and oh so very funny concoction.

Contestants, usually comprising some of the best comedy and comedy adjacent folks around (Nicole Byer, Randall Park, Sam Reich, Adam Conover, Milana Vayntraub, Reggie Watts, Moby, Tiny Chef, Carl Tart) take turns either adding an ingredient to a sandwich (that will actually be made for consumption) or calling for the sandwich to be created by yelling, “MAKE. THAT. SANDWICH.” The result is a one of a kind, unique sandwich and a hell of a fun evening.

So, the latest edition of MAKE THAT SANDWICH is set for Sat. Mar. 18th at 10PM at UCB Franklin. Get tickets now at $15 a pop here before it sells out (space in UCB Franklin is very limited)

 

Sure Sounds Like Jerrod Carmichael Has a Lot of Fun Up His Sleeve for Golden Globes
January 9, 2023
News
golden globes, jerrod carmichael, tonight show

If you’ve seen any promo for the upcoming Jerrod Carmichael hosted Golden Globes, you might notice that there’s a chance that it’ll be unlike any Golden Globes that has come before. It won’t be the potshot-filled roast of Ricky Gervais or the brilliant warmth and bits of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. 2023’s Golden Globes, so it would seem, will be an event since Jerrod Carmichael is dead set on doing things his way and braking any sort of previous awards host mold.

Last Friday, Jerrod went on The Tonight Show and shared just a bit of his plans (as well as a wonderfully contemptuous relationship with NBC Marketing) on his ideas of how to promote this Golden Globes. His ideas were so delightfully against-the-grain that we can only imagine that Carmichael will try to get away with whatever he can (and we can only hope that NBC and the HFPA allow him to do so).

Don’t expect a traditional late night-ish monologue or, perhaps, even staying on whatever copy is being fed through a teleprompter. If Jerrod does it how he has done things for the last couple of years, it will be both completely from the heart and so darkly funny at the same time.

Guess you’ll have to tune in on NBC or Peacock at 5PM PT/8PM ET Tues. Jan. 10th to find out.

 

Pick of the Day: Shouting at the Screen with Wyatt Cenac and Donwill (in NYC) 1/19
January 9, 2023
News
brooklyn, donwill, nyc comedy, wyatt cenac

With movie theater going back as much as it’s probably going to be, it’d be really great to have MST3K style screenings where cinema oddities get screened with a select panel of great comedy folks riffing every which way they can throughout the whole running time.

Nitehawk Cinema will have a dream of such an event, Shouting at the Screen, with an incomparable duo of Wyatt Cenac and Donwill diving back into the 70s Blaxpolitation filmography and providing a hysterical 2023 lens to “an important bygone era of black independent cinema”.

This first show is set for Nitehawk Cinema in Prospect Park in Brooklyn on Thurs. Jan. 19th at 9:15PM. Tickets are $17.50 and you really ought to get them here.

Get Your First Taste of Jerrod Carmichael as Host of The Golden Globes
January 6, 2023
News
golden globes, jerrod carmichael, nbc

There’s a lot to be curious over this latest edition of The Golden Globes, especially considering that it wasn’t too long ago that it seemed like the controversial awards ceremony might be gone for good due to troublesome diversity and inclusion practices (or lack thereof).

For our money, one of the most intriguing things will be Jerrod Carmichael, who has returned as a stand-up lightning rod thanks to his critically acclaimed hour special, Rothaniel, hosting this year’s Golden Globes, perhaps giving a fresher, actually edgier update to awards season hosting.

For the looks of the promos that were just cut, Jerrod might actually to get to do his spin on things as a host, which will be a much enjoyed reset on the odd high stakes gig that is delivering jokes to the most famous people on the planet.

Take a gander at all these promos here, here, then here, and also here. Then, catch Jerrod host the whole thing on Tues. Jan. 10th 8PM ET/5PM PT on NBC and live-streamed on Peacock.

 

Pick of the Day: Ismael Loutfi-HEAVENLY BABA: MY DAD’S PLAN TO CONVERT FLORIDA TO ISLAM (in NYC) 1/17
January 6, 2023
News
caveat, ismael loutfi, nyc comedy, solo show

We put the brilliantly funny Ismael Loutfi on our 100 Best Things in Comedy We Were Witness To for his great half hour special that was released via Comedy Central. 2023 should be yet another year where you should take every chance to catch Ismael comedically explore the Muslim American experience in an unforgettable and astute and, of course, damn hilarious way.

This solo show has Loutfi follow the story of his Dad’s ill-fated plan to try to convert all of Florida, one of the wildest states in the lower 48, all to Islam. Already, that sounds like a movie and Loutfi will probably deliver the tale in a way where it should be even more clear that it ought to be a movie.

Heavenly Baba: My Dad’s Plan to Convert Florida to Islam is set for Tues Jan. 17th at 9:30pm at Caveat on NYC’s LES. Tickets are $15 right now and you really ought to go get them here.

The Daily Show Announces Schedule for First Round of Fill-In Hosts for Trevor Noah
January 5, 2023
News
chelsea handler, dl hughley, leslie jones, sarah silverman, the daily show, wanda sykes

Trevor Noah had indeed bid adieu to The Daily Show and the search for his replacement is well underway. As announced late last year, Comedy Central has opted to take their time with finding the next successor to The Daily Show mantle and, in the mean time, have a stable of hosts to take on hosting duties (potentially auditioning themselves for the role, perhaps?).

The first round of these hosts will go as follows

Leslie Jones 1/17-1/19
Wanda Sykes 1/23-1/26
DL Hughley 1/30-2/2
Chelsea Handler 2/6-2/9
Sarah Silverman 2/13-2/16

That very well could be a wide expanse of The Daily Show could and will feel like over the next month and a half as Leslie Jones’ Daily Show is probably going to be a tad different from Sarah Silverman’s. One should note that Handler has enthusiastically expressed interest in returning to late night and having a more socio-political bent on top of covering pop culture and Silverman ostensibly had her own version of The Daily Show with the amazing I Love You, America on Hulu.

Also, don’t be surprised if Comedy Central sneaks in some experimentation with the format itself. We personally hope they sneak the panel debate that The Nightly Show used to have back into this sort of show.

In any case, if you’d like to see this up close and personal for yourself and you happen to be in the NYC area, you can get free tickets from 1iota here.

Pick of the Day: Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen @ Permanent Records Roadhouse (in LA) Wed. Starting 1/11
January 5, 2023
News
comedy show, hot tub with kurt and kristen, kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, los angeles comedy, permanent records roadhouse

Finally, at long last, Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal is returning (again). There was a brief window last year where we got some semblance of what we left on Mondays nights in 2019, but then it went away again (and we didn’t know how long it would be gone this time).

Thank gracious goodness that Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen, one of LA comedy’s most venerable weekly comedy shows, is coming to a new home starting next week with a new day as well. Starting Jan. 11th, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen will be at Permanent Records Roadhouse in Cypress Park/Glassell Park on Wednesdays at 8PM sharp.

This first 2023 Hot Tub will, as you’d expect, will have an unbelievably stacked line-up of treasured comedians that just happen to reside in the City of Angels including Nick Kroll, Sheng Wang, Christina Catherine Martinez, Blair Socci, and Sophie Buddle.

Advanced tickets are already sold out, but there will be door tickets available for $12. Note that you’ll probably want to be there early if you want to be able to snag them (the pupusas a couple doors down is a pretty great option while you wait, FYI).

Follow @hottub_show closely to get advanced tickets for the coming weeks.

*poster by Adrienne Lobl

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 145: Bobbie Oliver & Safe Space Upkeep
January 4, 2023
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
bobbie oliver, los angeles comedy, safe space, tao comedy studio

Plenty is said about “safe spaces” and the effects they have on social discourse and, very specifically, comedy, but it isn’t often that you actual hear from a legitimate safe space and the folks that built something to directly address rampant, systemic issues in the art form and community of comedy such as misogyny, exclusion, and even hack writing.

Bobbie Oliver has spent several years taking on all such issues through her own classes and workshops as well as the venue she founded in LA, Tao Comedy Studio, dedicated to being as inclusive as can be and free of chauvinist and purely edgelord comedians. TCB’s Jake Kroeger kicks off 2023 with a deep chat with Bobbie Oliver about pushing the art form forward (as well as addressing Andrew Tate ever claiming he was being some sort of comedic character).

Find more about Tao Comedy Studio at taocomedystudio.com and follow @taocomedystudio across platforms and follow Bobbie @thebobbieoliver on Twitter on IG and watch her special, Bobbie Oliver’s Greatest Hits.

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 Ledge Theatre Grand Opening @ Impro Studio (in LA) 1/6
January 4, 2023
News
improv comedy, ledge theatre, los angeles, sketch comedy

Throughout 2022 in LA, you might have come across mention of The Ledge Theatre while perusing the calendars of Lyric Hyperion, Pack Theater, and Skiptown Playhouse. For the unfamiliar, The Ledge is a theatre collective wholly dedicated to diversity and inclusion, especially when it comes to sketch and improv comedy. They have hopped around to the three aforementioned venues.

Starting this Friday, The Ledge will have a new home in conjunction with The Impro Theatre, a long standing black box on the second floor of a Los Feliz strip mall that we’re thankful for surviving through the pandemic. To kick things off, they’re having a Grand Opening show on Fri. Jan. 6th at 7PM featuring performances from:

JUST LIKE WATER
Just Like Water does the monoscene! One location, no cuts, no edits, just improv. Just like Water. Featuring @michellethevoice , @karenbaughn , @itsmiaschauffler , @artouncartoon , @burncoryburn , @androssthegreat and @thedjrouse .

KoKo
KoKo is a 2 person improv troupe that includes @teruko_teru & @bilekoazizawissajr Teru and Bileko met in the improv circuit at Westside comedy and Teru noticed “hey your name has a ‘Ko’ just like my name” Hence that’s where the name comes from. The improv form that “Ko-Ko” does is an Armando style, based on original characters, objects, and just plan on fun! Ko-Ko plans on becoming a name in the improv community!

POWER SAUCE
Power Sauce (@gillikis , and @nativi_rad ) will regale you with a novel yet timeless tale by stirring up a serving of some good ol’ fashioned long-form improv. Just toss in a suggestion, sit back, and behold the Power of Sauce!

BREAD
BREAD is a Los Angeles based improv team made up of queer people of color. Laugh your gluteus (glutenous?) maximus off with BREAD! Featuring: @msadriansnow , @jesse_is_awesome , @mikiannmaddox , @thetonyrodrig , @ericchadho , @melizardpeng and @elisaxfilm .

Landry & Summers
Since 1986 @landrysummerscomedy (@shaunlandry1 and Hans Summers) have been Improvisational and Sketch Theatre. Shaun started The Ledge. Hans watches and helps shaun run The Ledge.

Tickets are only $15 and you can (and should) get them here.

Pick of the Day: Colin Quinn-Small Talk (in NYC) 1/6-2/11
January 3, 2023
News
colin quinn, james fauvell, lucille lortel theatre, nyc comedy, solo show

At this point, Colin Quinn is an institution unto himself in comedy and in NYC. Even before his big shows taking on the history of NYC and the U.S. Constitution, Quinn had, for our money, his reputation crystalized from his stand-up and hosting Tough Crowd (which would be a perfect show for right about n0w).

That’s all to say that you should always go out of your way to watch his next big thing, which, for 2023 is a show all centered on the art of “small talk”. For your money, Quinn is going to relate his mastery of casual conversation and, very likely, make your life all the better for it both at the show and later on in life.

Colin Quinn: Small Talk is set for a run on the Lucille Lortel Theatre in NYC from Jan. 6th-Feb. 11th. Tickets start at $41 and you can (and should) go get them here.

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