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Recent News

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Pick of the Day: One Liner Madness (in NYC) 3/13
February 13, 2024
News
bell house, brooklyn, nyc comedy, one liner madness, stand up comedy

While we’re all holding our breath to get through corporate mandated romance day, why not look towards the a different, even more tense annual tradition, March Madness. Yes, the NCAA college basketball tournament that somehow humbles statisticians and fickle basketball fans alike given how unpredictable it can be.

In the spirit of that chaos, there is an annual one liner joke tournament appropriately named One Liner Madness in NYC that is coming back right around the same time as its inspiration, March Madness. Just like the tourney, 64 comedians face off and work through comedy bracketology to determine who has the very best one liner joke in NYC.

Already, there will be fierce competition from the likes of NYC comedy stalwarts Ophira Eisenberg, Josh Gondelman, Ashton Womack, Casey James Salengo, Kenice Mobley, Gianmarco Soresi, and Matt Goldich, not to mention a stellar hosting panel of Emily Winter, Larry Mancini, and Martin Urbano.

This 2024 edition of One Liner Madness is set for Wed. Mar. 13th at 7:30PM. Tickets are only $19.50 and you can (and should) snatch up them here.

Pick of the Day: I Married a Monster from Outer Space LIVE! (in LA) 2/14
February 12, 2024
News
bobcat goldthwait, dana gould, janet varney, jonah ray, la comedy, laraine newman, largo, live read

Comedy and Valentine’s Day is a strange mix, but they can work as bedfellows with some careful consideration.

Case in point, a very special live reading of another midnight movie classic led off by Dana Gould, I Married a Monster from Outer Space. This Wednesday, Feb. 14th, Gould will be joined on the hallowed Largo at the Coronet stage by Bobcat Goldthwait, Laraine Newman, Jonah Ray, Janet Varney, and more to celebrate(?) love(?) in the campiest way possible.

No need to worry about any feisty comedians probing into your relationship and, instead, you can just enjoy a sci-fi-horror-(unintentional)-rom-com (that’s a pretty good Valentine’s as far as we’re concerned) as presented by one of the most dedicated preservationists of best/worst movies with Gould.

Go get your tickets now at $46 a pop here.

 

TCB Debriefing 2/8/24 & 2/9/24: I Think You Should Leave, Andrew Orolfo, Rory Scovel, Regime, Colin Jost/WHCD
February 9, 2024
News
andrew orolfo, colin jost, i think you should leave, kate winslet, regime, rory scovel, stand up comedy, tim robinson, whcd

1. I think you be required to go to the I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson tour, starting this April, whether it’s coming to a city near you or not (Variety).

2. Andrew Orolfo might have the best joke about A.I. we’ve heard yet. Also, this whole Don’t Tell set is peak Andrew, in all his facets of being chill and yet subversive at so many turns. Please enjoy it here.

3. Rory Scovel elevates the art of the comedy special trailer with being meta for his upcoming Max special Rory Scovel: Religion, Sex, and a Few Things In Between. Give it a watch here, then set a reminder for Feb. 22nd for the premiere exclusively on Max.

4. Kate Winslet might have her next career defining role (one of so damn many) with a rich political satire (that is somehow NOT written by Armando Iannucci) with The Regime. Get your first full look here, then check for the series premiere on Mar. 3rd on Max.

5. Colin Jost will be the latest host of The White House Correspondents Dinner set, for this year, on Apr. 27th (Politico). If Jost has any sense, he will let Sarah Squirm interrupt him during his monologue.

6. We’ll leave you with this: What makes a comedy special “special” these days?

Pick of the Day: Mystery Comedy Big Game Theater 3000 (in LA) 2/11
February 8, 2024
News
alternative, big game, brodie reed, chase bernstein, hay beacon, jake kroeger, los angeles comedy

So, no matter how you feel about football, this Sunday is a big American Football day that’s also chock full of the most expensive advertising that money can buy all around the globe. It’s almost a weird glitch in the matrix where the world stops for a sport that still only majorly popular in one country.

With that in mind, why listen to the normal, run of the mill commentary you’d get during the Big Game and, instead, enjoy MST3K riffing over the telecast, commercials, half-time show, and all, from LA comedy’s best? Thank goodness that the Lyric Hyperion has got just that this Sunday with a very special event called Mystery Comedy Big Game Theater 3000. That’s right, the likes of comedy luminaries such as Chase Bernstein, Brodie Reed, Hay Beacon, and more will be riffing over the telecast this Sun. Feb. 11th at 3:30PM.

Come through to Lyric Hyperion as it’ll be FREE and, in our opinion, the best way to watch big game. Get more details/tickets here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 202: Jimmy Jatho & The Importance of Hitting Cues
February 7, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
jimmy jatho, live comedy

There are many folks that make the magic of comedy really snap and pop and one of those groups of people are the technical directors/operators/stage managers that take the logistics of comedy of all ilks and make it seamless. Jimmy Jatho has made himself one of the foremost names in that regard with his 40 plus years experience, tech’ing at least a guess-timated 30K shows all around the country in theaters big and small, Second City, UCB, Lyric Hyperion, and so much more.

Also, Jimmy has some of the best showbiz stories to boot. We talk to Jatho all about the world of tech in comedy and so much more on this week’s TCB Field Report.

Follow Jimmy @jimmyjatho on IG

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

TCB Debriefing 2/5/24: Laura Peek, Grammys, Dick Turpin, Stand Up NY, Materialists, Alan Partridge, Worth the Wait, Jenny Slate, Karen Gillan, Joe DeRosa
February 7, 2024
News
alan partridge, amazon, dave chappelle, dick turpin, don't tell comedy, grammys, jenny slate, joe derosa, karen gillan, Laura Peek, mary tudor, materialists, noel fielding, stand up ny, ticket giveaway, worth the wait

1. Dave Chappelle won another Grammy for Best Comedy Album. Apparently, Chappelle has achieved a new milestone in his storied career of reframing the category of “Best Comedy Album” to award excellence in being massively out-of-touch and somehow failing upwards anyhow (as well as not recording a comedy album, but doing a special, then releasing the audio from said special to count as an “album”).

2. You’ll know the comedy category in The Grammys is fixed when people like the fan-f’n-tastic Laura Peek have a legit shot at winning. Just watch this Don’t Tell set and you’ll know what we mean.

3. Noel Fielding is returning to something more in his late (as opposed to hosting the Bake Off) with starring as one of history’s more charming highwaymen, Dick Turpin, in The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin. Kind of seems like Our Flag Means Death, but on land, no? Take a gander for yourself with the first official trailer here, then look for it to premiere on Apple TV+ on Mar. 1st.

4. The staffers of Stand Up NY are owed so very much and, as such, are going on strike. Please support them in earning a living wage through their GoFundMe here. Stay in the loop/share @stand_up_ny_strike on IG.

5. Celine Song is moving from her critically acclaimed feature debut of Past Lives into rom com territory with, potentially, Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans starring in a project called, The Materialists (Variety). Perhaps, Song will bring prestige back into romantic comedies (because well, Woody Allen isn’t going to do that).

6. Even though you didn’t know you needed more of him, Alan Partridge, Steve Coogan‘s most famous bumbling radio DJ character, is set to make a return and what a relief it is (Deadline).

7. Lana Condor is fashioning herself into a rom com star with her latest role in Worth the Wait, a “modern take on Love Actually (which hopefully means it’s less problematic)” boasting a majorly Asian American cast (Variety).

8. Get your full first look at Jenny Slate‘s hour, Seasoned Professional, here. This might be making comedy history as the first special to be taken seriously while done in shorts starting Feb. 23rd on Amazon Prime.

9. The coolest version of Mary Tudor is going to hit the big screen soon as one Karen Gillan will be playing one of history’s most famous Marys (Variety)

10. Free Joe DeRosa tickets! WE GOT FREE JOE DEROSA TICKETS HERE! GET YOUR FREE JOE DEROSA TICKETS HERE! (seriously, we got some free tix to Joe DeRosa at the swanky Peppermint Club; if you want ’em, just let us know at thecomedybureau@gmail.com)

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A post shared by Joe DeRosa (@joederosacomedy)

11. We’ll leave you with this: One way to host SNL is get fired from it, appeal to whole demographic of disenfranchised men and libertarians with, admittedly, good comedic technique, get a Netflix special, and have SNL feel like they need to balance out their center left perspective for some reason?

Pick of the Day: Hannah Einbinder: El Rey Taping (in LA) 4/20 (RESCHEDULED from 3/17)
February 6, 2024
News
hannah einbinder, live taping, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy, sunset strip, taping, the roxy

Ever since we peeped Hannah Einbinder start forming the shape of her grand, conceptual comedic ideas on stage, we had a quite the hunch that she was on a path to something pretty damn great.

Did we know she would be an award winning prestige comedy playing opposite the renowned Jean Smart? Well, not exactly, but we can’t say that we’re entirely surprised that Hannah is rising to the occasion. Einbinder’s ornately offbeat sense of humor on stage, with all of its carefully arranged bells and whistles, is something to really behold. So, Hannah being on the precipice of taping her very first hour special is absolutely a happening that we thoroughly think you shouldn’t miss if you’re in and around LA on Mar. 17th. right at the heart of the billboard river that is The Sunset Strip at The Roxy. on 4/20 (because those damn atmospheric rivers have to cause a bunch of property damage) on The Miracle Mile for LA’s lauded, gorgeous El Rey Theatre (has one of the dreamiest marquees in the Greater LA Area).

There will be an early and late show at 7PM and 10PM respectively with tickets being $35 a pop. We have no doubt that this will sell out probably in a jif. So get your tix here.

 

TCB Debriefing 1/31/24-2/3/24: Sometimes I Think About Dying, The Onion, Friendship, Garrett Morris, Will Ferrell/Harper Steele, Larry David, River Butcher
February 3, 2024
News
andrew deyoung, dave meherje, friendship, garrett morris, harper steele, hollywood walk of fame, larry david, paul rudd, rachel lambert, river butcher, seth meyers, sometimes i think about dying, the onion, tim robinson, will ferrell

1. If we were to tell you that there was a beautifully subdued dramedy about intrusive thoughts that isn’t a horror movie, you might wonder if we were just giving you the run around about a movie that couldn’t ever exist. Yet, Rachel Lambert’s Sometimes I Think About Dying, based on Killers by Kevin Armento, emerges with a lush exploration into the interior life of someone who often fantasizes about dying, amazingly in a peaceful, serene way. Daisy Ridley gives a career redefining performance playing the most quiet character she has ever played amidst a marvelous ensemble of comedians and character actors, especially with rising comedy star/comedian Dave Meherje. The humor derived from the tiniest of minutia is something to marvel here and a testatment to Lambert’s vision as we can only imagine the sort of feat it would be to pitch a movie like this to get funding. Sometimes I Think About Dying very well could be a cinematic/comedic rally cry for hardcore introverts everywhere and, for that, it’s pretty magnificent.

2. Staffers at The Onion have reached a tentative deal with parent company G/O Media have reached a tentative agreement over increases in wages and workplace protections averting a strike (THR). Oh, just imagine the never-ending flurry of Onion-esque headlines that would be blasted at G/O Media if there was a strike.

3. Whenever the next batch of I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson comes out isn’t soon enough, but at least there will be a feature length film where Tim Robinson plays a suburban dad, ostensibly a character from I Think You Should Leave, only to have his life turned upside down by a mysterious weather man played by Paul Rudd upends his whole life. Called Friendship, this will also be the writer/director feature length debut of the brilliant Andrew DeYoung (John Early and Kate Berlant’s 555) (Deadline).

4. All hail the trailblazing comedian and SNL star Garrett Morris and his recently minted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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A post shared by Hollywood Walk Of Fame (@hwdwalkoffame)

5. The latest Will Ferrell movie, Will & Harper, will actually be a doc about Will going on a road trip with one of his best friends, Harper Steele, who recently transitioned (Variety). This might be the rare instance where you see Will actually be himself without bits (though we have no doubt that he’ll be pulling shenanigans throughout).

6. The one and only Larry David essentially does an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm during his appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers AND gets bested by Seth. Please enjoy.

7. The amazing River Butcher is out on tour all the way through March! Go see him live at throughout the country and get tix now at riverbutcher.com/shows..

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A post shared by River Butcher (@rivbutcher)

8. We’ll leave you with this: Hot take-9:30PM is not late.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 201: Ian Farley & Coming Up with a Show on the Spot
January 31, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
clown, devising, Ian Farley, process, solo show

Not that this podcast is a stranger to taking big swings or chatting with characters that might as well be from another galaxy, but, for a podcast that ostensibly pulls back the curtain, we go above and beyond with this episode by devising a show with a comedian live on tape.

If you haven’t gathered in recent episodes, TCB’s Jake Kroeger is now also the Artistic Director at Lyric Hyperion and tapped the hysterical Ian Farley to do a show next month and captured the creative process of working out what the hell his show is going to be on a podcast. Ideally, coming up with this show is this crackling and fun (part of the reason we have Ian both on the pod and doing a whole show by himself).

Follow Ian at enefarley.com

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

Pick of the Day: Date-A-Comic (in NYC) 2/14
January 31, 2024
News
brooklyn, dating, fiction bar cafe, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

For those that are looking with a sense of humor, you have a shot to really put your money where your mouth is and take a crack at dating a comedian (though, if you’re reading this, you might have done so already in LA or NYC).

Date-A-Comic, a stand-up comedy show where eligibly single comedians will perform and any and all interested audience members can leave them their number after the show. Not only are the stakes pretty high here, but the ante will be upped by the fact this edition of the show will be on Valentine’s Day (and the comics will be delightfully roasted by hosts McKenna Moore and Natalie Haytayan after their sets).

Tickets for this fun bout of stand-up, romance, and a bit of chaos is indeed set for Wed. Feb. 14th at 7PM at Brooklyn’s Fiction Bar/Cafe. Tickets are only $7.18 and you can (and should) get them here.

 

TCB Debriefing 1/27/24-1/30/24: Laurie Kilmartin, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, Jackie Fabulous, Thelma, Kate Micucci
January 30, 2024
News
jackie fabulous, kate micucci, laurie kilmartin, the second best hospital in the galaxy, thelma

1. When she wrote for Conan O’Brien for years, it was true that Laurie Kilmartin was one of the best joke writers the comedy had. That’s absolutely still true and her latest hour special Cis Woke Grief Slut is a testament to the comedy prowess of Laurie. Already, she did a whole album dedicated to her father that passed away and has done amazing material from the passing of her mother. If anything, Cis Woke Grief Slut is a splendid showcase of how Kilmartin’s exacting, dark sense of humor can be applied to more than just deaths in her immediate family. Truly, we’re always amazed (and laughing hysterically) on how Laurie has just the perfectly measured mixture of cleverness and vulnerability to get away with something as daring as satirizing dog parents’ obsession with their pooches. Cis Woke Grief Slut is streaming now thanks to Comedy Dynamics. Please enjoy it here.

2. Between Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, and the return of Futurama, interstellar adult animated comedy is having a moment and a half. From the looks of it, there is still more room for this niche subgenre as Cirocco Dunlap, Maya Rudolph, and Daniel Renfrew Behrens‘ The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy, a workplace hospital comedy in outer space with Stephanie Hsu and Keke Palmer leading off a stacked, ensemble cast is set to premiere on Amazon Prime on Feb. 23rd. Take your first gander at The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy here.

3. Jackie Fabulous is true to her name and then some. Go see her live wherever she’s playing. Get tix at jackiefabulous.com/tour.

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A post shared by Jackie Fabulous (@jackiefabulous)

4. Thelma, the comedy with June Squibb that seems to be part Mission Impossible, part Beekeeper, part Nebraska (2013) just got bought up at Sundance by Magnolia Pictures (Variety).

5. Kate Micucci is finally having her very own animated series complete with her starring and doing the theme song and more (Deadline). Whenever this premieres, this very well might be so adorable that it would give Marcel the Shell with Shoes On a run for its money.

6. We’ll leave you with this: No one has learned the lessons of Downhill and A Man Called Otto in regards to making American adaptations of hit foreign comedies.

Pick of the Day: I Cast Them Off Craigslist (Presented by Blake Rosier) (in LA) 2/16
January 30, 2024
News
blake rosier, craigslist, experimental comedy, los angeles comedy, yard theater

Though it may seem unlikely, experimental comedian Blake Rosier somehow manages to find a way to outdo himself/up the ante. Over four shows, he has embarked into the great unknown by co-hosting a show with a complete stranger that has little to no performance experience, sourced from Craigslist, that is devised within an afternoon and put up in front of a live, paying audience that very same night. Rosier has gone so meta with it by making accompanying documentaries that capture the delightful strangeness of it all.

Rosier is now bringing this grand comedy/performance experiment to its peak by reuniting with all four Craiglist strangers-turned-Rosier-collaborators on to one show for what should be the absurd, yet most enthralling reunion you see all year (any and all reality TV reunions included). This very special conclusion to I Cast Them Off Craigslist is set for Fri. Feb. 16th at 9PM and tix are only $12. Please go get them here before they sell out.

 

TCB Debriefing 1/25/24-1/26/24: Jacqueline Novak, George Carlin/AI, Rachel Kaly, JFL Moontower Austin, Solar Opposites, Honey Don’t
January 26, 2024
News
ai, george carlin, honey don't, jacqueline novak, jfl moontower, netflix, rachel kaly, solar opposites

1. Over the last several years, we have had the expressed privilege of seeing the profound comedic mind of one Jacquline Novak fine tune what is now a transcendent victory lap of the most poetic defense of a certain type of fellatio (and female agency within sexual congress). The first iterations of Get On Your Knees started pre-pandemic, then, well, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and then, after some time, Jacqueline embarked on and off again with this brilliant, most poetic hour of comedy, doused in heather gray, a simple canvas to Jackie’s exuberance and litany of philosophies behind blowjobs and everything else in the orbit of BJs. The special edition of Get on Your Knees is the culmination of years of Novak’s unstoppable enthusiasm, a true testament to her will as a performer and the splendor of this particular hour.

Even though we’ve seen it live three times already, we still laughed heartily right out the gate with “the Hound’s Way”. So, without further delay, please enjoy Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees on Netflix now.

2. The George Carlin Estate is officially suing over the AI generated George Carlin special that came out earlier this month (NBC News). Undoubtedly, this will set precedent for AI generated comedy and, honestly, it only makes sense that Carlin is still setting benchmarks well after he’s left this mortal coil.

3. Rachel Kaly impromptu free-styling (or kind of just talking?) over a Hamilton karaoke after blistering rounds of crowd work is kind of pure joy. Please enjoy it here.

4. Moontower Just For Laughs Austin, MFJLA, the amalgamation of Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival and JFL, just announced their 2024 line-up. What a world we live in where Andrew Schulz and Shane Gillis get a bigger font than The State. Badges are on sale right now.

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A post shared by Moontower Comedy (@moontowercomedy)

 

5. Last year, it was Harley Quinn, this year it’s Solar Opposites that have you covered if you’re apathetic about Valentine’s Day. Take a gander at the trailer for the Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day Special, set to premiere on Feb. 5th exclusively on Hulu.

6. If Aubrey Plaza, Margaret Qualley, and one of the Coen Brothers are making a comedy together, the question one might be wondering is how dark will this comedy be? Guess we shall see soon enough with Honey Don’t (Deadline).

7. We’ll leave you with this: Who knew that George Carlin and Taylor Swift would be fighting on a united front?

Pick of the Day: Comedy Central Featuring (in LA) 1/31
January 25, 2024
News
amberia allen, amy silverberg, andrea jin, comedy central, derrick stroup, gus constantellis, kalea mcneill, la comedy, lodge room, lorena russi, madison sinclair, morgan jay, orion levine, papp johnson, sean patton, stand up comedy, sydney castillo, zach noe towers

Comedy Central is still indeed a center for comedy in 2024. This will be reaffirmed by the their latest round of tapings for their short form stand-up digital series, Comedy Central Featuring, taped beautifully in gorgeous venues in LA and NYC. The latest round of CCSUF will return to LA’s Lodge Room complete with its ornate wood accents and warm atmosphere on Wed. Jan. 31st.

On the bill is a combo of all time favorites and great newcomers including Sean Patton, Morgan Jay, Zach Noe Towers, Amberia Allen, Andrea Jin, and more for a hot 5-7 minute set that will find its way to YouTube probably months from now.

Per usual, it’s free to attend (with RSVP) and an open bar for an hour. There are two tapings, one at 7PM and another at 9PM. Make sure you’ve got a reservation here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 200: Natasha Mercado & The Clowning Life
January 24, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
clowning, Natasha Mercado

There’s way more that goes into being a clown than just doing something wild on stage with only a few things planned and messing with the audience, especially if you want to make a legitimately living as a clown. Rising star in LA comedy’s clown scene, Natasha Mercado, is not only working on her latest solo show to tour, but is also juggling teaching clown classes and guiding incarcerated youth into the world of clown and doing several other clown shows including a completely G-rated, family friendly one, and directing multiple other solo shows.

It’s all in a days work for a clown and we talk to her all about it on this week’s TCB Field Report.

Follow Natasha @champagnetashi and get tix to #1 Son from 1/30-2/1 here.

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

Pick of the Day: Golden Spiral (in NYC) 1/24
January 24, 2024
News
golden spiral, nyc comedy, stand up

Even in 2024, things from the reaches of 2019/2020 are still making a comeback.

One of NYC’s delightfully offbeat stand-up shows, Golden Spiral, is taking a stage once again. Not only is it the sort of indie stand-up show that sources the treasure trove of astounding up and coming NYC stand-ups, but plays off the name of the show in regards to the famous Fibonacci sequence (the mathematical and natural progression of a spiral) by giving sets that are 5, 8, 13, and 21 minutes long and audiences can pay what they can along the same numerical path. There’s a comedy show angle you don’t see ever, right?

The line-up for their first back will see hosts Mindy Raf and Katie Compa take the helm once more with NYC staples Josh Godelman, Kofi Thomas, and Julia Shiplett. Do not miss the grand return of Golden Spiral and get tix here and keep up to date on all things Golden Spiral @goldenspiralcomedy on IG.

TCB Debriefing 1/19/24-1/24/24: Jon Stewart, Oscars, Paul Danke, Ramy, Steven Wright, SNL 1975, Jean Claude Van Damme, Richard Pryor
January 24, 2024
News
colbert, jean claude van damme, jon stewart, late show, oscars, paul danke, ramy youssef, richard pryor, snl 1975, steven wright

1. Jon Stewart is returning to the role that made him the voice of a generation, kind of. Stewart will resume hosting duties at The Daily Show on Mondays and then serving as an EP all the other days, leaving the rest of the correspondents to switch off hosting duties (NPR). There’s a lot to hope for here as Stewart is returning in an election year when he, somewhat infamously, left during the 2016 election cycle with a potential to have to deal with Trump running under the GOP banner. Also, we’re to assume that he’ll be able to talk freely about China and AI, seemingly two topics that seemed to be dicey while he was at AppleTV+ with The Problem with Jon Stewart.

2. This year’s Oscars might be the most comedy highlighted one in history with American Fiction, Barbie, The Holdovers, and Poor Things all garnering Best Picture nominations and accompanying noms in Best Acting, Writing, and Directing categories. Perhaps, a tip of the cap is deserved to last year’s Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once taking home all the awards to make high art comedies be taken seriously.

Also, Greta and Margot getting snubbed in their respective categories for Barbie is pretty objectively wrong.

See the full list of Oscar nominations, announced this morning, here.

3. Paul Danke has been one of the most reliable fixtures in LA’s vast, decentralized stand-up scene. For several years, Danke has only refined what was already an exacting comedy sensibility that finesses rhythm, specificity, attitude, and self-awareness that he has taken to stages DIY and pristine all over LA county (and CA and, well, the country). He has a knack for making specificity in observation accessible whether it be regarding the fate of the Dodger Dog or Jimmy Buffet’s legacy because of his unassailable cool even if he is taping an hour at a place as “out there” as Humboldt, CA. You can hear all of that and some 70’s soaked tunes on his brand new album, Mad River, fresh off the AST presses. Please enjoy Mad River right now right here.

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A post shared by Paul Danke (@pauldanke)

4. Ramy Youssef will have “more feelings” (on a new A24/HBO special) that will (probably) not have a solid British accent from the acclaimed Poor Things actor (and celebrated 21st century comedian).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ramy youssef (@ramy)

5. Steven vs. Stephen is quite the fun time and a reminder that Steven Wright is one of the best last night guests. Feel free to go down a YouTube rabbit hole to watch Steven Wright on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson after watching his Late Show interview here.

 

6. Rachel Sennott will be one of the stars of an SNL origin film from Jason Reitman, SNL 1975 (Deadline). If one of the cast of this movie ends up hosting SNL to promote this movie, it should stand to reason that they just redo 1970s SNL sketches for today.

7. The Muscles from Brussels, Jean Claude Van Damme is seemingly sticking with comedy (after his lauded, self-reflexive movie JCVD) with Le jardinier (Variety). Possible crossover with Le jardinier and The Beekeeper in the not so distant future?

8. After decades of trying to get some sort of biographical adaptation of comedy icon Richard Pryor’s life on screen, it looks like Kenya Barris might be the one to do with it an upcoming 10 part series (Variety). At this point, an entire doc could be made on trying to doing some sort of biopic on Pryor’s life.

9. We’ll leave you with this: Kids heckling clowns, the serious kind, is priceless.

Pick of the Day: Guys We F****D Live in LA 2/14
January 22, 2024
News
comedy store, corinne fisher, krystyna hutchinson, live podcast

Without a doubt, when all is said and done, one of the best, most revered podcasts about dating will be Krystyna Hutchinson and Corinne Fisher‘s Guys We F****D. So, it would stand to reason that a special Valentine’s Day live taping of their lauded, unfiltered dating and relationship show at the world famous Comedy Store should not be missed.

That is actually happening, by the way. Krystyna and Corinne are doing a live Guy We F****D on Valentine’s Day at 8PM in the Main Room of The Comedy Store and tickets are almost gone. You best go get them at $25 a pop (plus 2 drink min.) right now right here.

 

Pick of the Day: Mortified Live: Doomed Valentine’s Day (in LA) 2/15
January 19, 2024
News
los angeles comedy, mortified, storytelling, valentine's day

The prospect of Valentine’s Day and the entire gravity that comes with it is fast approaching as we’re nearing the end of January. Whether it’s a moment of celebration or digust or indifference (as a result of resolving your disgust with the holiday), it’s undeniable that a day dedicated to love is going to come with, shall we say, baggage.

That’s where Mortified, the storytelling show that hones in on teen diaries and young angst of successful comedians/writers/performers,  might be the perfect thing, especially the day after Valentine’s at The Lodge Room in Highland Park.

Whether you’re rolling solo or not, this would be the perfect thing, we think, to go the day after Valentine’s. Tickets are $20 right now and you best go get them here.

TCB Debriefing 1/17 & 1/18/24: Josh Gondelman, Suncoast, Nitecap, JoCo Cruise, Clone High S2, Schmigadoon/Rap Sh!t
January 18, 2024
News
clone high, joco cruise, josh gondelman, nitecap, rap shit, schmigadoon, suncoast

1. Josh Gondelman should run for office, mostly because he’s the sort of deeply and genuinely good person that would never want to run for office with the way American politics is run. Also, he is so damn funny. See all of what we’re saying with his Don’t Tell set here.

2. Hulu scored big with dramedy with all the wins racked up by The Bear, so they’re leaning in even more. Case in point, their latest feature release, Suncoast that sees a lonely, trauma drenched teen befriend a grizzled Woody Harrelson (is there any other kind these days?) here, then look for it on Hulu on Feb. 9th.

3. One of the coolest spots for comedy in Burbank, Nitecap, will be back in business starting next weekend.

4. Defying logic, the JoCo Cruise is the cool cruise for comedy fans and wondrous nerds alike and it’s set for its 2024 voyage on Mar. 9th. Peep a fraction of the stellar line-up, then get tickets at jococruise.com.

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5. Both Schmigadoon and Rap Sh!t have just been cancelled by Apple TV+ and Max respectively. Guess networks have it out for music based comedies.

6. Despite Max bringing down the ax today, cult favorite Clone High has been spared and is due for a second season on Max on Feb. 1st. Take your first gander of the alt history hijinks coming to season 2 here.

 

7. We’ll leave you with this: After nearly two years of not having a host on The Daily Show, Comedy Central says that they’re going to announce “new steps” for the show that just garnered another Emmy win. Sounds like they’re still not sure.

Pick of the Day: NYLaughs.Org Presents Laughter at the Lodge (in NYC) in Jan.
January 17, 2024
News
ny laughs, nyc comedy, stand up comedy

Starting this evening, the do-gooders at NYLaughs.org, who tap the rich resources of the NYC comedy scene and bring it to public spaces for the good denizens of the five boroughs are doing their latest event starting tonight until the end of the month.

They’re shacking up at Bryant Park’s lovely Lodge in their Winter Village and putting on three stacked comedy shows featuring the likes of Jordan Carlos, Ophira Eisenberg, Marina Franklin, Caitlin Peluffo, Harrison Greenbaum, Damien Lemon, and way more.

Yes, it’s all free too. Just get to Midtown Manhattan to The Lodge at Bryant Park’s Winter Village by 8PM on Jan. 24th and 31st for two more grand free shows. Keep abreast of all things NY Laughs at @nylaughs on IG.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 199: Atheer Yacoub & Finding Palestinian Comedy in the American World
January 17, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
atheer yacoub, palestine

Atheer Yacoub has survived starting in and coming up through the NYC comedy scene over the last 15 years, which is a daunting feat unto itself. Yacoub also happens to be Palestinian and has survived living in Palestine under the shadow of an ever-encroaching Israel, bringing her comedy to the forefront at this current moment.

As one of the headliners of the upcoming 20th Arab American Comedy Festival, Yacoub talks, on this week’s TCB Field Report how the Arab visibility brought about by that very festival (where she now is on the bill) was a big turning point for her comedy and how the last year has galvanized her Palestinian identity in her stand-up.

Follow Atheer @atheeryacoub on IG and TikTok and get details and tickets for The 20th Arab American Comedy Festival at arabcomedy.com.

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

TCB Debriefing 1/16/24: Emmys, Atsuko Okatsuka, Kumail Nanjiani/Emily Gordon, will.i.am, Resident Alien
January 17, 2024
News

1. Considering that The Bear, Succession, and Beef really blur the lines between comedy and drama and vice versa and seem to be rewarded for it (the three represent the big winners at this year’s Emmys), really calls into question genre classifications (especially since White Lotus probably has more jokes in it than The Bear).

2. Atsuko Okatsuka is an international comedy superstar now. Get tickets for her shows on the other side of the world at atsukocomedy.com.

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3. Comedy power couple Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon have another rom com in the works (Variety). Considering that they won an Oscar for their first one, maybe this one will get them a couple more letters in an EGOT.

4. If you wonder what an ai co-host would be like, will.i.am is going to answer that question for you since he is doing an AI themed talk show (THR). The theme song will undoubtedly be an AI cover of Grimes’ AI anthem “We Respect Power”.

5. Alan Tudyk might be having more fun than anyone else on television (save for the cast of What We Do in the Shadows). Just look at this trailer for season 3 of Resident Alien, premiring  and how much he clearly enjoys contorting his face and nailing an extraterrestrial “accent”. Look for s3 on SyFy

6. We’ll leave you with this: We overheard this late last night, “Bro comedy is making a comeback. People are ready to laugh again,” and our collective hears broke.

TCB Debriefing 1/14/24: Critics Choice Awards, AI Carlin, Get on Your Knees, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Laurie Kilmartin, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Jenny Slate, Wes Anderson, Laid, Snowflakes, Drew Barrymore
January 14, 2024
News
ai, critics choice awards, curb your enthusiasm, donald glover, drew barrymore, george carlin, jacqueline novak, jenny slate, kelly carlin, laid, laurie kilmartin, maya erskine, mr and mrs smith, snowflakes, stephanie hsu, wes anderson

1. Barbie and The Bear win for Best Comedy, film and TV show respectively, for the Critics Choice Awards. Barbenheimer was Summer 2023 and Winter 2024 will be “The Barbear”?.

2. AI tried impersonating George Carlin for a whole hour and called it a “George Carlin special” only to offer a disclaimer that it was an impersonation. Suffice it to say, it didn’t go well (stick to original, human Carlin) and Kelly Carlin responded in “kind”.

3. Witness the poesy of fellatio in the celebrated Jacqueline Novak solo show Get On Your Knees that’s due out as a Netflix special on 1/23.

4. The Donald Glover/Maya Erskine version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith is different than the Brad and Angelina version (and definitely the Hitchcock one), but, then again, is it? (it is, it’s more grounded and they’re not such expert level spies) Take a gander at the first full-length trailer here, then look for it on Amazon Prime starting Feb. 2nd.

5. Laurie Kilmartin is coming out with her latest special, the wonderfully named Cis Woke Grief Slut on Jan. 30th, which will probably make it the first noteworthy special of 2024 (sorry Pete Davidson).

6. Here’s the trailer for season 12 of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which is supposedly the final season, but, then again, how many Cher farewell tours were there? Look for what might be the final episodes of Larry David on Curb starting Feb. 4th on Max.

7. Jenny Slate makes shorts classy as they’ve ever been in the first look of her new special Seasoned Professional. Take a gander here, then look for it on Amazon Prime on Feb. 23rd.

8. Wes Anderson already has a cast so stacked that it would be more than enough star power as is with Bill Murray, Michael Cera, and Benecio Del Toro (Deadline). Expect at least 10 more of Hollywood’s biggest stars to sign on.

9. Stephanie Hsu will be the star of Peacock’s latest comedy series, Laid, from Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna (Variety). Since it’s a comedy that involves confronting the past as a result of all of her former lovers dying all of a sudden, it’s a pretty nice middle ground for Hsu between Everything Everywhere All At Once and Joy Ride.

10. Since Atlanta is over and who knows exactly when the next round of What We Do in The Shadows will be coming, you might be wondering what’s going on with comedy at FX. Cue in the Nick Kroll produced pilot from Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, Snowflakes (THR).

11. Guy Maddin, the mind behind one of the trippiest documentaries/meta pieces of art we’ve ever seen (My Winnipeg), has a G7 comedy in the works called Rumours with Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander already attached (Deadline).

12. Drew Barrymore is getting a fifth season of her daytime talk show (Variety). Daytime is still way more diverse than late night. Weird, isn’t it?

13. We’ll leave you with this: Maybe Jo Koy should have opened with AI written jokes to set expectations lower before launching into his Barbie joke?

Pick of the Day: Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head (in LA) 2/2 & 2/3
January 13, 2024
News
hasan minhaj, la comedy, off with his head, stand up comedy

It’s very rare that a comedian gets to headline the Pantages Theatre in LA. It’s a big lift, mainly reserved for the likes of Hamilton and Book of Mormon, and we think we can count, on one hand, the folks that have done it during our tenure here. Sebastian Maniscalco, Taylor Tomlinson, Jerry Seinfeld, and now, Hasan Minhaj.

Yes, Hasan is stopping in at the Pantages for his Off With His Head tour for not only one, not two, but now, three shows. Minhaj is running this latest hour with an early and late show on Feb. 2nd and a just added show on Feb. 3rd.

Tickets start at $52 and you best go get them here before they all sell out (and don’t depend on a 4th show getting added).

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