Recent News – Page 546 – The Comedy Bureau

February 26, 2020

eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, film independent, live read

Not only is this an exclusive live read of the trippy existential rom com Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, it will be such a live read with a stellar cast of Tessa Thompson, Adam Scott, Kiersey Clemons, Kelly Marie Tran, and Bridget Regan under the direction of Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud, The Hero, All the Bright Places).

It’s a modern classic and this one night only event will be held at the Directors Guild of America next week on Wed. Mar. 4th thanks to Film Independent (the folks behind the Spirit Awards). Tickets are $50 for GA (and will very likely sell out very quickly). Go get tickets ASAP here.

Watch Trailer for Marc Maron’s Latest Special “End Times Fun”

February 26, 2020

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end times fun, marc maron, netflix, trailer

While Marc Maron has been very successfully pushing forward on the fronts of being an actor and one of podcasting’s biggest icons, Maron has thankfully, during all that time, kept to one of the things he does best, stand-up.

His dissection of his own anxieties as well as those of the world over his last several hours are real comedy gems. This latest special End Times Fun seems to promise that streak will keep going.

See for yourself in the trailer for End Times Fun right here, then look for it to drop on Netflix on Tues. Mar. 10th.

Whitmer Thomas Delivers HBO One of Their Most Personal Comedy Specials Yet with “The Golden One”

February 26, 2020

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the golden one, whitmer thomas

If you’ve been tracking HBO’s progression with comedy specials over the last two years like we have, you might have noticed that they’re taking a lot of chances. They’re going bolder, more vulnerable, personal, even into unprecedented/uncharted territory (see Julio Torres’ My Favorite Shapes or Drew Michael).

In the vein of getting incredibly and deeply personal, HBO has gotten quite the enrapturing special in The Golden One from Whitmer Thomas. They’ve gone to this territory before with Chris Gethard’s Career Suicide and Gary Gulman’s The Great Depresh, but there’s a parallel arc of documentary footage that follows Whitmer reconnecting with estranged family members that arguably brings us as close to the emotional bone as you might have seen in a comedy special. On top of that, Whitmer crafts a quilt of sorts from charming, funny, genuine, heartfelt music and stand-up, switching between the two at his beloved hometown venue, the Flora Bama.

We were lucky enough to see Whitmer develop this in LA at one of Silverlake’s favorite haunts, The Satellite (this cocktail napkin pictured on the bar at The Satellite FYI). We were already blown away by the songs and stand-ups and the juxtaposing of it all. Then, the gritty feel of Whitmer being back in his hometown added a whole other rich layer and depth to The Golden One.

The Golden One already premiered on HBO this past weekend, but can (and should) be streamed on HBO GO or HBO Now.

February 27, 2020

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book of mormon, comedy show, improv, los angeles, musical comedy, ucb, upright citizens brigade

Perhaps a ticket to the current run of Book of Mormon at The Ahmanson (starts at $45) is a little too steep for you right now? Maybe you’ve seen the national touring cast of Book of Mormon in tip top form, but would like to see what else they have up their sleeve outside of the groundbreaking musical?

In either case, there’s something that’s perfect on the horizon for both sorts of folks next month. That national touring cast of Book of Mormon and many of UCB’s very best will be going head-to-head in a show that runs them through the gauntlet of improv, bits, musical comedy, and more!

You’ll get the best of so many worlds in one show and all for the nice price of $14. Book of Mormon vs. UCB @ UCB Sunset is set for Mon. Mar. 9th at 8PM and you best get your tickets real quick right here.

Deerskin Trailer Promises Another Insane, Mind-Bending Comedy from Quentin Dupieux

February 27, 2020

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adele haenel, greenwich entertainment, jean dujardin, quentin dupieux

When it comes to the realm of the truly absurd and wonderfully demented comedies in film, Quentin Dupieux is one of our favorites leading the charge with pretty much everything he does. His previous work including Wrong and Wrong Cops are so hysterically bonkers and yet, so stylized that we’ll never forget how much we were enraptured and tilting our head back from laughing so hard.

Dupieux’s latest Deerskin features two of France’s most revered actors in Jean Dujardin (The Artist) and Adele Haenel (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) embarking on a movie where a man gets kind of possessed by this super stylish jacket and driven to do some truly wild and bizarre things. The stature of the cast juxtaposed with Deerskin’s premise really has us on board to see it as soon as we can.

See for yourself in the Deerskin trailer here, then look for it to start hitting theaters on Mar. 20th.

Jim Tews’ Oatmeal Is Another Fantastic Album That Marvelously Deconstructs Masculinity

February 27, 2020

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blonde medicine, jim tews, oatmeal

For as much as the hysterical Jim Tews is self-deprecating about himself, his generation, his generation of men, etc., Tews shows that masculinity and being a millennial can be more complex and evolved these days than some stereotypes might suggest and still be so damn funny.

For his latest album, Oatmeal, Tews really digs deep into himself, his fears, anxieties, peculiarities, but does so with charm and self-assuredness that it makes for several truly great bits and stories throughout the hour. It’s a great balance of absolute honesty, but not in a stark, take-it-or-leave-it way. Jim maintains a quietly playful spirit throughout whether he’s talking about getting hit by a car or getting out a relationship or owning cats as a guy. This record ought to stand as a testament to how great it can be when men truly get in touch with their feelings.

Oatmeal is out this Fri. Feb. 28th, fresh off the presses from Blonde Medicine. You can (and very much shouuld) get it off of Apple Music here or Amazon here.

February 28, 2020

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comedy show, dynasty typewriter, los angeles, podcast, rob schrab, schrab home video

Since the departure of Harmontown, it has been quite a few minutes since Dynasty Typewriter had a big time weekly podcast recording within its wonderful walls.

However, that’s all about change with the one and only comedy/artist/producer/purveyor of wonderfully terrible things Rob Schrab (Channel 101, Monster House, Scud: The Disposable Assassin). A podcast called Schrab Home Video will take residence at Dynasty Typewriter at Hayworth Theater starting Mar. 15th and it’ll be “part clip-show, part talk show, and still more parts A/V installation and basement hang”. Of course, Schrab will talk to his vast, wide web of cool comedy, horror, animation folks that he is connected to and it should be a damn good time every Sunday early evening at 5PM.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of and you really ought to go get yours for the very first show here.

Sneak Peek (and Only a Peek) of TCB 3.0

February 28, 2020

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So, here’s just a slightly bigger taste than we’ve given you over the past months of what the brand new TCB will look like (shout out to our web designer Andrew Delman) with it’s high powered maps, more intuitive navigation, custom searches, etc. etc.

Like we said, it’s going to be so much better and it’s coming very, very, very, very, very soon. (it’d be really great if you backed Patreon or Venmo @jakekroeger as this has been a massive overhaul and we need to cover costs; there might even need to be a GoFundMe as we’re not actually a government funded bureau).

March 2, 2020

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chris gethard, comedy show, experimental comedy, los angeles, lyric hyperion, robby hoffman, tcgs

Robby Hoffman is at it again.

“It” being commandeering beloved and retired The Chris Gethard Show to do her own version of the show, which is arguably a very on-brand TCGS to continue to the show.

Hoffman’s version of the show gets into similar beautiful and hilarious chaos that Gethard did, but does so with her own cheeky alpha energy. Also, special guests could range from comedians, actors, etc. all the way to real estate agents making for a truly unpredictable, but downright hysterical night.

Tickets usually sell out for this, so best go get them for $12 right now (even though the show is a month away).

Let’s Go Atsuko Picked Up at Quibi as Series via National Lampoon

March 2, 2020

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atsuko okatsuka, let's go atsuko, national lampoon, quibi

Let’s Go Atsuko Picked Up at Quibi as Series via National Lampoon

For quite some time, we’ve been hoping that the charming, whip-smart Atsuko Okatsuka would get to host her own show on TV.

She has more proven her mettle as a host of a viable TV series format with Let’s Go Atsuko!, a “woke Japanese game show”, both as a podcast and a live stage show. The trivia series explores the complexities of social cues in this day and facing fears all while being as silly as possible.

So, since partnering up with the new and improved National Lampoon, Atsuko has gotten a series order at Quibi for Let’s Go Atsuko, which is probably the perfect thing for the 10 minutes or less, mobile only format.

Again, we’re mostly excited that Atsuko is getting her own TV (albeit, non-traditional) show.

The Next Comedy Festival Coming to LA Will Be Coming Courtesy of Netflix with Their Very First “Netflix Is a Joke Fest”

March 2, 2020

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comedy festival, los angeles, netflix is a joke, stand up comedy

Throwing a comedy festival in Los Angeles is a very, very, VERY daunting prospect. There’s virtually a festival’s worth of comedy every night of the week (a notion you’ve probably had yourself as a reader/follower of the site).

The resources of entertainment titan like Netflix does afford plenty of resources, access to talent and venues as you can clearly see in the star-studded and internationally stacked line-up above (or in this slick announcement video) that spans dozens of shows and venues.

The last truly great LA comedy festival, in our opinion, was Riot LA (bringing a damn fine comedy extravaganza to DTLA for a few years) and we’re very excited to know that Riot LA’s founder Abbey Londer is spearheading this new festival (as she is someone who can definitely pull it off and pull it off so well).

So, with all of that in mind, look to the end of April/beginning of May for Netflix Is a Joke Fest to take over LA comedy.

Sneak a Peek at Cake Season 2, Premiering This Week

March 3, 2020

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The wild and mind-bending short form collection that FX is calling Cake is set to return for another round this week.

That’s another whole season of insane live action and animated bits from all sorts of comedy folks from all around the globe. Just take a glimpse for yourself in this preview/teaser here, then look for the premiere this Thurs. Mar. 5th on FX.

March 3, 2020

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comedy shows, david x cohen, futurama, improv comedy, long form improv, los angeles, santa monica

Pretty, Pretty Pony is and has been, hands down, one of our favorite improv groups amidst the ever-multiplying number of improv teams in and throughout LA. You should always catch their monthly residency where they do improv based off of a monologist’s stories at the Westside Comedy Theater for their high-level, yet subversive long form improv done exquisitely by a cast of Cole Stratton, Joey Greer, Vanessa Ragland, Ed Roe, Atul Singh, Chris Alvarado.

This edition of Pretty, Pretty Pony is especially special as their guest monologist is none other than David X. Cohen who has brought us one of the more fun visions of the future with Futurama. Undoubtedly, his stories of his own past ought to be something pretty special too.

Tickets are only $6 and you can (and should) get them here.

Please Enjoy Cameron Esposito, Gay Divorcee Trailblazer, and Her Latest Set on Conan

March 3, 2020

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cameron esposito, conan, late night, stand up comedy

Even though Cameron Esposito went through a lot of hurt last year with her divorce, the warmth and charisma are everlasting as evidenced in her latest late night set.

Esposito spoke so eloquently about her divorce and the LGBTQ perspective during her performance on Conan last night and cleverly highlighted just how new “gay divorce” is.

With that in mind, enjoy Cameron Esposito’s return to Conan here.

March 4, 2020

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baby wants candy, cameron esposito, comedy show, dtla, free comedy, free show, los angeles, musical comedy, stand up comedy, union station

Though it’s often not included in montages of LA, one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful structures is the pristine Union Station in DTLA. Its Art Deco design calls back to a timeless LA look from decades past, not to mention that it possessing all the charm of a classic train station.

So, wouldn’t it be great to watch comedy with LA’s most lovely train station as the backdrop?

Indeed, there will be a live comedy show next week, Clock Tower Comedy, featuring some of LA’s best in improv, musical comedy, and stand-up. Shamilton, the Hamilton-inspired musical improv show is absolutely one of the top musical comedy shows in LA and the one and only Cameron Esposito is bright, shining, genuine, sharp stand-up comedy luminary.

Best of all, admission is free! Get more details here.

Yes, Quibi Will Be Having a Stand-Up Series “Hot Off the Mic”

March 4, 2020

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hot off the mic, quibi, stand up comedy

Yes, Quibi Will Be Having a Stand-Up Series “Hot Off the Mic”

For a platform that’s only for mobile and touts featuring heaps and loads and endless rows of content that’s ten minutes or less, it would just make sense that they have their own stand-up comedy series, right?

Well, Quibi is that exact platform and they’re already on to making a stand-up comedy series exclusive to their platform called Hot Off The Mic. There’s no word yet to who will make Hot Off The Mic’s line-up, but you can buy tickets to the live tapings that will be taking place at The Hollywood Improv’s Main Room all this month. Do so here.

Enjoy The Cooties’ New Anthem for Shut-Ins “Stay Home”

March 5, 2020

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musical comedy, stay home, the cooties

The Cooties make such an outstanding blend of comedy and music as they have some of the best harmonies of any and all that have attempted a funny song and some of the most ridiculous lyrics ever sung.

Case in point: their latest single/music video for “Stay Home”. Enjoy it wherever you are (probably while at home though as it literally sings the praises of not going out) here.

March 5, 2020

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Just a quick heads up. You may be waking up to TCB 3.0 tomorrow (i.e. we may be down for an hour or so around midnight tonight). Also, Los Angeles, its comedy scene, and everything around them, we love you and we hope you love the new us (much love again to our wonderful web designer Andrew Delman. Please support us on Patreon/Venmo (at JakeKroeger) or anything else we might be asking for in the very near future.
Also, this will be a “soft launch”, FYI.

UPDATE on TCB 3.0:

We’ll be (soft) launching this morning, Thurs. Mar. 5th. Maybe we’ll even be jaunty and do some sort of countdown. Stay tuned!

Pick of the Day: 2nd Annual Brody Stevens Festival of Friendship

March 6, 2020

News

brody stevens, comedy show, los angeles, stand up comedy, weho

May Brody Stevens rest in peace and may we remember the joy and light and artistry in comedy that he kept pushing further and further.

A great way to honor his memory is be in attendance for this 2nd Annual Festival of Friendship at one of what essentially was Brody’s home club, The Comedy Store next Tuesday.

The line-up is set to feature:
Bobby Lee
Steve Rennazzizi
Anthony Jeselnik
Josh Wolf
Adam Ray
Tony Hinchcliffe
Brenton Biddlecombe
Brian Redban
Matt Braunager
Cort McCown
Jayson Thibault
Annie Lederman
with Master of Ceremonies Sam Tripoli
+more TBA!

Please go get your tickets for this very special occasion. They are $20 (+2 drink min.) and you can (and should) purchase them here.

Kids In The Hall Are Coming Back Thanks to Amazon

March 6, 2020

News

amazon, bruce mcculloch, dave foley, kevin mcdonald, kids in the hall, mark mckinney, scott thompson

(via Deadline)

The landmark dark and absurdist humor of the legendary Canadian sketch group, Kids In the Hall, are indeed set to return via Amazon Prime. The entire group, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson are all on board for 8 brand spankin’ new episodes.

They’re planning on bringing back many of your favorite characters, but we hope we get something new and as wonderfully offbeat for today as the Kids in the Hall were for the 90s.

Thus, the amassing of content for the streaming wars continues and Amazon, for our money, scored big.

Vanessa Gonzalez’s My Birthday’s Tomorrow Is a Really Damn Good Debut Album

March 6, 2020

News

ast records, comedy album, stand up comedy, vanessa gonzalez

It has been a relatively short time since Vanessa Gonzalez touched down in LA from Austin and she has been nothing but a delightful and silly force to be reckoned with.

Gonzalez combines a measured amount of attitude and verve with an irresistible sense of play in her stand-up. She speaks from the heart, expressing herself emphatically through all of her deeply personal stories, but threads so much fun in every bit that she does that it doesn’t matter how dark or blue she gets. Vanessa is just undeniably a hoot to watch and listen to. Her style is shown off exquisitely on her debut album, My Birthday’s Tomorrow, which offers so much vulnerability (pretty much from the second she takes the stage), but still is full of Vanessa’s unique charm.

My Birthday’s Tomorrow is available today from AST Records at Apple Music, Amazon, or wherever you get/listen to comedy albums.

Pick of the Day: Don’t Laugh at Aaron

March 9, 2020

News

experimental comedy, nick kocher

Essentially, accomplished and esteemed writer, sketch performer, and comedian Nick Kocher is daring you to see if you can make it through the length of an entire live comedy show without laughing? The irony of daring people to not laugh at any comedy show is so rich that we can’t help already giggle at the idea of it.

Kocher is upping the stakes by letting his friend Aaron Schroeder (who is explicitly not a comedian) take the stage and just share his life, which is amazingly ridiculous (and very hard to not laugh at). We’re not sure what the prize is at this point, but you really ought to see what your limits of controlling your own laughter/seeing Aaron be his truest self and basking in the wonder of that.

We actually got to see a test run of this at Everything’s Great, which Nick co-hosts, and pretty much everyone failed to not laugh.

Tickets for Don’t Laugh at Aaron are $7 and you can should go get them here.

Please, Please Enjoy Hannah Einbinder’s Network TV Debut on Colbert

March 9, 2020

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hannah einbinder, late night, stand up comedy

Poise.

Hannah Einbinder has honed so many skills in her comedy craft in her rise through the comedy ranks and discovering her unique, original voice and persona. Yet, we have to note that her poise, her ability to stay composed in her highly conceptualized bits is entrancing and only makes her comedy stylings so much more emphatic and hysterical. We’ve actually got to see Einbinder develop her style over the last few years and it’s quite the treat to see the fruits of her labor be this set on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

For years, we’ve been saying be on the look out for Einbinder, but now The Late Show is doing it too (and for good reason). So, please, please, please enjoy Einbinder’s network TV debut with this set.

You Knew That Desus & Mero Do Their Own Warm-Up on Their Show, Right?

March 9, 2020

News

desus and mero, late night, showtime

If you wonder how unstoppable Desus Nice and The Kid Mero are when it comes to riffing, you should know that, in addition to riffing their way through their own Showtime show and their podcast, The Bodega Boys, they warm-up the crowd themselves on their own show.

Almost 100% of the time, a stand-up comedian that isn’t definitely not the host of the show does some combo of explaining the rules, doing some stand-up, and some crowd work to the audience in attendance in order to bring the energy of the room to higher, cohesive point.

Yet, Desus & Mero can do that all by their damn selves. Thankfully, Showtime has put all of that online, for your convenience, on the Desus & Mero YouTube channel. Dig in and enjoy.

Welcome to TCB 3.0

March 9, 2020

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TCB 3.0 has been so long in the works (since sometime last year-honestly, it has been so long that we forget when we embarked on this journey with our web designer Andrew Delman and some gracious guidance from Derek Meklir). Anyhow, finding anything and everything you wanted to know about LA comedy has just gotten a huge upgrade (even as we have just “soft” launched) and we wanted to give you a quick tour of what you can do with the new and improved Comedy Bureau, outside of our spiffy new look.

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