Recent News

Dramedy Reigns in This Year’s Spirit Awards Nominations

November 27, 2013

2014, nominations, spirit awards

Dramedy Reigns in This Year’s Spirit Awards Nominations

While there absolutely is a bias towards drama with The Oscars, comedy has a little more of a chance with The Spirit Awards as many indie comedies tend to be better received critically.

Even with that in mind, this year’s Spirit Awards definitely skewed towards dramas with lots of hilarious moments, comedies with lots of tension (and the two outright comedies in the wonderful In A World and Computer Chess) including Nebraska, Spectacular Now, Blue Jasmine, Inside Llewyn Davis, Frances Ha, Crystal Fairy, , Afternoon Delight, and Don Jon.

We’re not suggesting that’s necessarily a bad thing (we’ve seen the majority of these films and they were all pretty great), but it’s definitely a trend.

Paul Scheer’s Arscheerio Paul on Arsenio (Or the Other Way Around?)

November 27, 2013

arscheerio paul, arsenio hall, paul scheer

Paul Scheer’s Arscheerio Paul has become a point of fascination for Arsenio Hall to the point where Arsenio had Arscheerio come on in probably one of the greatest, most meta bits you’ll see on Arsenio.

Watch their interview (of each other?) here.

‘This Is Where I Leave You’ with Jason Bateman and Tina Fey To Come Out Sept. 2014

November 27, 2013

jason bateman, tina fey

‘This Is Where I Leave You’ with Jason Bateman and Tina Fey To Come Out Sept. 2014

Post Arrested Development/30 Rock, both Jason Bateman and Tina Fey have been both extremely busy with developing plenty of projects, being in The Muppets, etc. and we’re curious to see what a dark family comedy with the two will become.

Kurt Braunohler Beat Up a DJ in a Bar Fight, Kurt Braunohler Style

November 27, 2013

ari shaffir, bar fights, kurt braunohler, storytelling, this is not happening

If the hilarious Kurt Braunohler had to get in one bar fight, it might be with a DJ that’s provoked by Kurt scream spelling and ending up in something much weirder than traditional fighting.

Oh wait, he did get one such bar fight and it’s the only one he’s ever been in. See what exactly happened on this episode of This Is Not Happening with Ari Shaffir.

LA Comedy Rundown 11/28/13

November 28, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Jay Larson @ Hollywood Improv Fri. Nov. 29th 8PM $15/2 item min.
Underbelly 1 Year Anniversary @ Echoes Under Sunset Sat. Nov. 30th 9PM FREE
The Walsh Brothers Show @ UCB Theatre Sat. Nov. 30th MIDNIGHT $5
Comedy Night 2 Year Anniversary @ Best Fish Taco in Ensenada Tues. Dec. 3rd 8PM FREE
Big Money Presents An Hour with Baron Vaughn @ The Virgil 7PM FREE
Picture This! An Animated Comedy Show @ Nerdmelt Showroom Sun. Dec. 8th 8PM FREE
Eagleheart: Paradise Rising Sneak Preview @ Vista Theatre Fri. Dec. 13th MIDNIGHT FREE w/RSVP

COMEDY CRAWL
All our favorite shows are off tonight, so, well, enjoy Thanksgiving, we guess…

OPEN MIC RUN
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM/First come, first served/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Laura Crawford

Budd Friedman, Founder of The Improv Comedy Clubs, Talks Jimmy Fallon Making It in Comedy

November 28, 2013

budd friedman, comedy history, fallon, improv, late night

The very first Improvisation Comedy Club, now known internationally as The Improv with several locations across the U.S., was founded by Budd Friedman and he stopped by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to wax nostalgic about Jimmy coming up in comedy.

Watch a nice walk down comedy lane between Budd and Jimmy here.

‘Rick and Morty’ Has Made a Rushed Licensed Online Game That Will Make Thanksgiving Tolerable

November 28, 2013

adult swim, online game, rick and morty, video game

‘Rick and Morty’ Has Made a Rushed Licensed Online Game That Will Make Thanksgiving Tolerable

The highly anticipated animated series from Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland Rick and Morty has made a video game a “rushed licensed game” that’s so damn fun, just for how meta and proactively self aware it is.

If you’re having a decidedly not great Thanksgiving, this might make up for it/will keep you entertained until next Mon. Dec. 2nd when Rick and Morty premieres on Adult Swim 10:30PM.

TV Everywhere and Comcast Aiming to Make TV More Twitter Friendly

November 28, 2013

comcast, tv everywhere, twitter

TV Everywhere and Comcast Aiming to Make TV More Twitter Friendly

TV Everywhere and Comcast are developing a Twitter specific button/app that will allow users access to an embeddable link to whatever show/content they’re tweeting about.

Could this have saved Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell or Nikki & Sara Live? We will never know, but this is the sort of thing, especially given Nielsen’s new inclusion of Twitter chatter into ratings, that might have helped.

LA Comedy Rundown 11/29/13

November 29, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
The Eric Andre Show Live @ Echoplex Tues. Dec. 3rd 8PM $12
Prompter @ UCB Theatre Fri. Dec. 13th 8PM $10

COMEDY CRAWL
Dave Waite @ Flappers Yoo Hoo Room 7:30PM/9PM $10/2 item min.
Unnecessary Evil @ Westside Comedy Theater 8PM $10
Chris Porter @ Ontario Improv 8PM/10PM$17/2 item min.
Jay Larson @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $15/2 item min.
Peachy Keen @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Diamond Lion @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/First come, first served/must improvise set of never before seen provided set list/No purchase necessary
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./One item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
PANINI GARDEN 2715 Main St., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Ends 9PM/Lottery/Hosted by Solange Castro
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/booked show after/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
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/5 min./1 drink min.
SABOR Y CULTURA 5625 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is a lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary
TAO COMEDY STUDIO 7466 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/5 min./$5 cover includes drink
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts 11:30PM/lottery

More Wonderful “No, You Shut Up” with Paul F. Tompkins and a Vulture

November 29, 2013

fusion, paul f tompkins, vulture

Dealing with your television provider is more than a hassle, but Paul F. Tompkins brand new show No, You Shut Up on Fusion is proving that you might want to go ahead and try to deal with whoever to get Fusion.

Watch Tompkins interview this vulture/war correspondent/author.

Get Dan Telfer’s New EP “The Pacman Always Rings Twice”

November 29, 2013

dan telfer, dinosaur, drunk comedy, ep, pacman

The very funny Dan Telfer had a sort of riff session at the release party of his last album that even includes more of his famous “best dinosaur” bit and has recorded it into this EP The Pacman Always Rings Twice.

Not only should you get it and listen what Dan after a beer and a whole bottle of wine is like, but you can do so at the price of whatever you want to pay.

Get The Pacman Always Rings Twice at Bandcamp now.

Conan O’Brien Checks Up on Pete Holmes at The Pete Holmes Show

November 29, 2013

conan o'brien, pete holmes, pete holmes show, tbs

Conan O’Brien, the man who brought The Pete Holmes Show to TBS, visits Pete, just a short walk across the Warner Bros. Studios backlot, and they compare starting out in late night as well as Conan pointing out a little known fact about Pete’s body.

Watch parts one, two, three, and four now.

Pardcast-a-Thon 2013 Is Under Way

November 29, 2013

anti black friday, charity, jimmy pardo, pardcast-a-thon, telethon

Pardcast-a-Thon 2013 Is Under Way

If you’re not doing the whole Black Friday thing, enjoy the fun of the 2013 Jimmy Pardo’s Pardcast-a-Thon being livestreamed at the link and use that money you might have spent on doorbuster deals to donate to Smile Train, the charity Pardo has been supporting with Pardcast-a-Thon for years.

LA Comedy Rundown 11/30/13

November 30, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Crashbar Improv Says Goodbye @ Artworks Theatre Dec. 1st & 8th 7PM FREE
The Imaginary Radio Program with Special Guest James Adomian @ Ham & Eggs Tavern Sat. Dec. 7th 9PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Chris Porter @ Ontario Improv 7PM/9PM $17/2 item min.
Dave Waite @ Flappers Yoo Hoo Room 7PM/9PM $15/2 item min.
Thanksgiving Leftovers @ Rafa’s Lounge Art Gallery 8PM FREE
The Movember Nerdmelt Comedy Show @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10
Underbelly 1 Year Anniversary @ Echoes Under Sunset 9PM FREE
Ben Schwartz Presents Snowpants @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10 (stand by only)
Jimmy Dore & Friends @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $18/2 item min.
12 Shiny Nickels @ Westside Comedy Theater 11PM $10
The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8
The Walsh Brothers @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5

OPEN MIC RUN
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 3:30PM/Starts 4PM/Ends 6PM/5 min./One item min.
FLAPPERS BURBANK YOOHOO ROOM 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA/Starts 4:30PM/First come, first served
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/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/5 min./first come, first served/one drink min.
BREWDOG PUB 8300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/4-8 min./Mixed mic/1 item min.
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 11PM/Starts around 11:30PM/lottery

Bill Burr on Gay Marriage While on The Pete Holmes Show

November 30, 2013

bill burr, gay marriage, pete holmes, pete holmes show

This week had so many good guests on The Pete Holmes Show one of which was the amazing Bill Burr.

Watch Burr get into the rhythm of his podcast in giving his take on gay marriage while on Pete Holmes’ televised version of his podcast giggling the whole way through.

David Rees’ How To Sharpen Pencils Gets a Mini Doc

November 30, 2013

artisnal, david rees, documentary, how to sharpen pencils, mini doc, pencil sharpening

Wonderful humorist David Rees has not only brought joy to many through his writing, but has also enlightened us all on the discipline of artisanal pencil sharpening. His book How to Sharpen Pencils: A Practical & Theoretical Treatise on the Artisanal Craft of Pencil Sharpening for Writers, Artists, Contractors, Flange Turners, Anglesmiths, & Civil Servants has reminded us of the importance of a sharp No. 2 pencil as well as the hilarious things in life that we often overlook.

Luckily, How To Sharpen Pencils has been made into a short mini doc that is both actually informative as well as damn funny and has been making the rounds at film festivals.

Watch How to Sharpen Pencils as directed by Kenneth Price and written by David Rees himself now.

And Here Are The 2013 Channel 101 Channy Nominations

November 30, 2013

awards, channel 101, dan harmon, nominations, rob schrab

And Here Are The 2013 Channel 101 Channy Nominations

Among all the nominations coming up this award season, you might have overlooked the ones for the awesome homegrown talent known and seen here in LA in Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab’s Channel 101.

There were so many great short form programs such as Car Jumper, Marquis Vs., Baby Mentalist, and more that graced the screen of the Downtown Independent as well as the screens of many a laptop connected to the Internet.

Details on the actual awards ceremony, but now enjoy the list of nominees that includes such categories as copyright infringement.

LA Comedy Rundown 12/1/13

December 1, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Sappity Tappity Comes Home: A Christmas Special @ UCB Theatre Fri. Dec. 6th 8PM $10
Happy Contest Time @ 3 Clubs Tues. Dec. 3rd 8PM FREE

COMEDY CRAWL
Crashbar Improv Says Goodbye Pt. 1 @ Artworks Theatre 7PM FREE
Chris Porter @ Ontario Improv 7PM $17/2 item min.
I Love Burbank @ Flappers Yoo Hoo Room 7PM $10/2 item min.
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Philippines Benefit at Venice Underground @ Townhouse 8PM $10
UnCabaret @ First and Hope 8PM $20-$30
Harmontown @ Nerdmelt Showroom 8PM $10
John Ennis Presents “The Country Western Show” @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
The Drop-In Show @ Hot Mess Vintage 8PM FREE
Patton Oswalt & Friends @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $25 (stand by only)
Neal Brennan & Friends @ Westside Comedy Theater 9PM $5
Chatterbox Comedy @ The Chatterbox 9PM FREE
Gravid Water @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5
French Toast @ Taix 9:45PM FREE
Powerviolence @ Theatre 6470 9:30PM FREE
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)

OPEN MIC RUN
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 4PM/Ends 6PM/5 min./One item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM-ish/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/7 min./One drink min.
THE PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8:30PM/Starts 8:45PM/Lottery/No purchase necessary/Hosted by Harry Moroz, Pedro Salinas, and Sarah Morisano
PIG N’ WHISTLE 6714 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM/First come, first served/6 to 8 min./Mixed mic/5 min.
CAFECITO ORGANICO 710 N. Heliotrope Dr., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/Ends 9PM/5 min./First come, first served/$2 donation/Hosted by Simon Gibson
THE LEXINGTON 129 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/5 min./No purchase necessary/Hosted by Zane Golia
COCK N BULL 2947 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA/Sign-up 8:45PM/Starts 9PM/First come, first served/5 min./No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ ARTWORKS THEATRE 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Starts around 10PM after Crashbar/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary

Ron Burgundy Co-Anchors Real Newscast in North Dakota

December 1, 2013

anchorman 2, art imitates life, north dakota, ron burgundy

Ron Burgundy Co-Anchors Real Newscast in North Dakota

Will Ferrell seems dead set to subvert the idea of art imitating life with all these live, in character, Ron Burgundy appearances. He might have just achieved that by co-anchoring a real newscast as Burgundy in North Dakota, actually delivering the news as well as peppering a little bit of “classy” here and there.

If the Anchorman property were to have more sequels, we’re guessing that this would be Anchorman 5?

Brent Weinbach’s Gangster Party Line Is a Real Number That Has Plenty of Great Voicemails

December 1, 2013

brent weinbach, gangster, hotline, party line

Brent Weinbach’s Gangster Party Line Is a Real Number That Has Plenty of Great Voicemails

Brent Weinbach’s hilarious video Gangster Party Line, which has gone viral, uses a real phone number, which so many people call and have left “some shit talkin” voicemails. There are thousands upon thousands of voicemails that they’re going through to highlight the best, some of which are already posted on the site at the link, gangsterpartyline.com.

On occasion, “someone” will answer the phone and talk some shit like we saw last night at Underbelly, making for one of the funniest things we’ve seen all year.

Kyle Kinane vs. @Pace_Foods

December 1, 2013

free salsa, kyle kinane, pace foods, pace picante, twitter fights, winnie cooper

Apparently, the holiday season has started off with nice spicy bang as the great Kyle Kinane has gotten into a hilarious back-and-forth with the Pace Picante Twitter account as it has been automated, a “glitch” as Pace Foods says, to respond positively (i.e. GRAB SOUTHWEST BY THE BOTTLE in response to anything, positive or negative).

Testing the limits of their robots, actual humans responded, tried to work it out with some exchange of salsa, at which point Kinane continued to have fun and this may have all ended up being a big rigmarole in getting free salsa, win over Danica McKellar, and more.

Either way, thanks to Kyle Kinane for starting off December right by having a good amount of fun with a corporate Twitter account.

LA Comedy Rundown 12/2/13

December 2, 2013

comedy shows, los angeles, open mics

ON THE HORIZON
Tig Has Friends @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre Tues. Dec. 13th 9PM $25
An Evening with Jake Weisman @ Nerdmelt Showroom Fri. Dec. 20th 9PM $5

COMEDY CRAWL
Monday Night Improv @ The Clubhouse 8PM FREE
Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal @ The Virgil 8PM $5 in adv., $8 at door
Very Federman Christmas @ Largo at the Coronet Theatre 8:30PM $25
Doug Benson Movie Interruption: The Polar Express @ Cinefamily 9:45PM $14
Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/5 min./First come, first served/$3 min.
FLAPPERS BURBANK 102 E. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, CA/Starts 6PM/Mixed mic/No purchase necessary
SARDO’S 259 N. Pass Ave., Burbank, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM/Ends 8:30PM/7 min./First come, first served/1 drink min.
ROCKPAPER COFFEE CO 7509 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 6PM/Ends 8PM/5 min./First come, first served/1 item min.
ANCHOR BAR 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/5 min.
THE WAREHOUSE LOUNGE 4499 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA/Starts 7PM/Ends 7:45PM/First come, first served/5 min./8 spots only/No purchase necessary
NERDMELT SHOWROOM 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/25 spots only + 5 spots for following week/Lottery/3 min./No purchase necessary
8 ESPRESSOS 11901 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 7:45PM/Female performers only/No purchase necessary
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7:30PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
GROUND ZERO USC 615 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA (nestled between 3 dorms approximately one block North of the intersection of Figueroa Ave. and Exposition Blvd.) USC student sign-up 7:30PM/Non-student sign-up 7:45PM/Starts 8PM/First come, first served/If not student, you might not get up/Limited # of slots/7 min./No purchase necessary
ECHOES UNDER SUNSET 1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:15PM/Lottery/15 5 min. spots/15 3 min. spots/One item min.
PALACE RESTAURANT 2112 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz)/Sign-up 8:45PM/Starts 9PM/lottery/No purchase necessary
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up 9:30PM/Starts 10PM/Lottery/4 min./No purchase necessary
IMPROV JAM @ THE CLUBHOUSE 1107-A El Centro Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts around 11PM after Monday Night Improv/Anyone can play/No purchase necessary

First Episode of Brody Stevens: Enjoy It! is Online at Comedy Central

December 2, 2013

brody stevens, comedy central, enjoy it, first episode, positive energy, premiere

First Episode of Brody Stevens: Enjoy It! is Online at Comedy Central

If you missed the premiere of Brody Stevens’ Enjoy It or really need a good introduction into the comedy and life of Steven Brody Stevens, the entire first episode is up at Comedy Central for you to watch.

So, get some positive energy in your Mondays, so you won’t even think about having “a case of them”.

Update on Kyle Kinane vs. @Pace_Foods

December 2, 2013

kyle kinane, pace foods, pace picante, wikipedia

Update on Kyle Kinane vs. @Pace_Foods

Within the last 24 hours since we reported this story of one Kyle Kinane hilariously taking on the automated corporate Twitter account of Pace Picante, not only have several news sources online picked up the story, but it’s become an entry in the Pace Food Wikipedia page, several other corporate higher ups got involved, and someone at Pace might have lost their job.

We’d like to think this whole incident might lead to an entire social media manual for corporations in how to handle the Internet and not implode, specifically dealing with comedians, and how they’ll still probably get it kind of wrong.

UPDATE: This entire incident was orchestrated by “master prankster” @RandyLiedtke.

Set List Makes Its UK Television Debut in a Few Hours

December 2, 2013

premiere, set list, sky atlantic hd, uk

Set List Makes Its UK Television Debut in a Few Hours

From the walls of the Fake Gallery here in LA to the broadcast feed of Sky Atlantic HD, Set List: The Improvised Stand Up Show will premiere in the UK as a TV series.

Congratulations to them and, if you can watch it at 10:15PM in the UK, we highly suggest you do and not miss what has become an international comedy phenomenon.