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Here’s a Rundown of New Year’s Eve 2021 Comedy Live-streams Worldwide
December 29, 2020
News
comedy livestreams, comedy shows, new year's eve

New Year’s Eve for this year is going to be have to be done at home, virutally, since the pandemic didn’t end by Easter or the Summer or October. As such, there will be no normal mass gatherings in the streets waiting for the ball to drop or packed bars or venues where you can sip champagne and hopefully have someone to kiss at the stroke of midnight local time.

While there also won’t be any NYE’s comedy live-streams in person (or there really shouldn’t be in almost every country around the world anyway), there will be a whole bunch of NYE’s comedy live-streams from every corner of the globe. Here’s a nice, convenient list of said comedy live-streams that will feature the likes of anyone from Mike Birbiglia to Reggie Watts to Romesh Ranganathan to Cameron Esposito to Laurie Kilmartin to Myq Kaplan to Judah Friedlander to Sandra Bernhard to so many more.

Take a gander, all in chronological order.

Just the Tonic Comedy Club- Working From Home: New Year’s Eve Special with Romesh Ranganathan & Al Murray (from the UK) 11AM PT/2PM ET £8.14 – £22.15

Mike Birbiglia: Working It Out (Virtually) (from NYC) 1:30PM PT/4:30PM ET & 3:30PM PT/6:30PM ET $25-$49

#UPYOURS 2020 (from the UK) 1:30PM PT/4:30PM ET £11.37

Every Joke I Wrote This Year with Teresa Lee (from LA) 3PM PT/6PM ET $20-$25

Lane Moore’s New Year’s Eve Zoom Hangout (from NYC) 5PM PT/8PM ET $20

Cameron Esposito’s New Year Steve (from LA) 6PM PT/9PM ET Free w/RSVP

The Comedy Studio’s New Year’s Late Show (from Boston) 6PM PT/9PM ET $20-$25

Judah Friedlander’s New Year’s Eve (from NYC) 6PM PT/9PM ET $1

“Us,” A New Year’s Eve Show with Christopher Titus and Rachel Bradley (from LA) 7PM PT/10PM ET $20-$60

Comedy Oakland: New Year’s Eve Special Show (from Oakland) 7PM PT/10PM ET FREE

Punchline SF: LIVE COMEDY ON ZOOM! Virtual Comedy on NYE (from SF) 7PM PT/10PM ET FREE w/RSVP

UnCabaret NYE Zoom Edition (from LA) 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET

Greg & Gleib: It’s an NYE Thing – Improv Comedy Celebration (from LA) 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET $15-$75

New Year’s Eve “Desi Comedy Night” Virtual Comedy Countdown (from SF) 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET $15-$35

New Year’s Thrillin’ Eve (from LA) 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET Pay what you can

KO Comedy Presents Bye Bye 2020 (from SF) 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET Free w/RSVP

NYE Comedy Mega Show (from LA) 8:30PM PT/11:30PM ET $10-$20

 

Pick of the Day: Vision Board Party with Ron Funches 12/30
December 29, 2020
News
ron funches, vision board

Prospicience is a tall order these days, but it can be helpful if you can try envisioning what you might want to look forward to in the coming days, weeks, months of lockdown/quarantine (and hopefully the end of the pandemic).

With that in mind, it might be helpful/a good time to join in making vision boards with the hilarious and life-affirming Ron Funches. In fact, he’ll be hosting a Vision Board Party on his Twitch channel twitch.tv/ron_funches, Wed. Dec. 30th, where he and special guests will indeed be making vision boards and undoubtedly have the best commentary to be had while making vision boards.

Funches’ Vision Board Party streams at 4PM PT/7PM ET. Tune in here.

Martin Scorsese and Fran Lebowitz Made “Pretend It’s A City”, a Comedy Special(?) for Netflix
December 28, 2020
News
fran lebowitz, martin scorsese, netflix

What makes a comedy special? Is it just simply having the network or streaming service behind it label it as such? Does it actually gaining critical acclaim for its humor count? Maybe the Golden Globes sticking in its comedy and/or musical category counts?

In any case, the boundaries of comedy specials get more and more blurred and comedy, as an art form, is getting all the better because of it.

Cue Netflix’s latest special(?) on deck, Pretend It’s A City. Directed and presented by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, it features an on-going conversation between celebrated author and luminary Fran Lebowitz and Scorsese. One might not think that reads “comedy special” in the traditional sense on paper, but the trailer suggests a very humorous “in conversation” special that plays on the satirical philosophizing of Lebowitz and the metaphorical and literal lens of Martin Scorsese.

It’s not traditional stand-up or improv or sketch/characters, but the verve of Fran is admittedly enticing. Besides, Netflix’s last special was NATE, so they are definitely doing more than dipping their toes into deeper, uncharted waters with comedy.

See this all for yourself in the trailer for Pretend It’s A City here. Then, catch it next year/next week on Jan. 8th on Netflix.

Pick of the Day: NYE Comedy Mega Show 2021
December 28, 2020
News
andrew michaan, brent weinbach, fred armisen, moshe kasher, natasha leggero, reggie watts

Though it has to be virtual, NYE’s comedy shows are still very much happening and they’re streaming from all around the globe (which should make it so much easier to tune into whatever your favorite(s) might be).

We’d like to start off by highlighting one of this particular NYE’s Comedy Mega Show that’ll ring in the New Year for the East Coast and the Midwest as well as feature a grand line-up of Reggie Watts, Natasha Leggero, Moshe Kasher, Fred Armisen, Brent Weinbach, and Andrew Michaan. Whether that would be in person or not, that’s pretty stellar for a New Year’s Eve comedy line-up.

Luckily, you can stream it safely from home and remember that time kind of still functions.

NYE’s Comedy Mega Show starts on Dec. 31st 8:30PM PT/11:30PM ET and tickets are $15-$25. Go get them here.

What We Do In The Shadows Made The Best Yule Log Video
December 24, 2020
News
what we do in the shadows, yule log

It would just stand to reason that one of the best comedies of the last few years would make the best video of fire burning to have playing in the background while you’re in the thick of the holidays.

It’s been a minute since the finale of the last season, but we are thankful to the all powerful vampires that have dominion over a specific part of Staten Island for what is non-coerced holiday fun.

Please enjoy/play/loop What We Do In the Shadows’ Yule Log here

UCB Sells Off Sunset Location, Plans to Keep UCB Franklin Going
December 24, 2020
News
closure, covid-19 closure, ucb, ucb franklin, ucb sunset, upright citizens brigade

Just announced last night, The UCB4 (Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts) announced the closure and sale of the second LA based home of the Upright Citizens Brigade located near Thai Town on Sunset Blvd. The massive complex was bought and refurbished from an abandoned rehab center six years ago and represents a big step forward for UCB as a theater, institution, and company. There were three stories that housed a main stage, a training center, studios for film/video/podcast, cafe, lounge/second stage, and valet parking.

It was a big undertaking for UCB, but it was a bright, shiny, new home for one of the most recognizable brands for comedy in the country. The ever-enduring COVID-19 pandemic has forced a sale and subsequent closure of the theater since mortgage payments couldn’t be made with only so much revenue coming in from virtual classes (especially as it it’s still very murky as to when and how live venues will be allowed and have guidance to safely reopen).

Fortunately, UCB plans to keep their longstanding first location on Franklin Ave, the tiny black box theater that is just the main stage and nothing else, open as they also transition to a non-profit. If UCB Franklin does manage to reopen on the other side of COVID-19, it will be the Upright Citizens Brigade’s only physical location (down from 3 & 1/2  of them pre-pandemic).

While it had to go through its own shake-up and reckoning earlier this year to rid itself of toxic practices and institute true inclusion and diversity, UCB still represents a major pillar in comedy and we can only hope that it will keep getting to fulfill that role going into the future.

An update from the UCB4 pic.twitter.com/QN1lmjvHle

— UCB Theatre LA (@ucbtla) December 24, 2020

Pick of the Day: Mr. Jackson & Mr. Tompkins: A Two Gentleman Improv Show 12/27
December 24, 2020
News
detroit creativity project, improv show, marc evan jackson, paul f tompkins, virtual comedy

The improvised comedy and sharply pointed style of both Paul F. Tompkins and Marc Evan Jackson only come together every so often (maybe just a tad more often than this week’s Great Conjunction), but it really is special when it does happen.

That time is coming around once again, virtually because of the ongoing pandemic of course, as their Two Gentleman Improv Show will be happening this Sun. Dec. 27th at 4PM PT/7PM ET as a somewhat belated holiday gift (if you’re getting presents shipped, odds are you’ll be getting something on that day).

Per usual, Tompkins and Jackson are bringing their improv powers together for the wonderful cause that is the Detroit Creativity Project, an org dedicated to giving access to improv for underserved students in Detroit’s public schools.

Tickets for this holiday improv evening are $12.50 and you can (and very much should) get them here. If you’re looking for a last minute gift for a comedy fan in your life, this is probably a solid bet, FYI.

Pick of the Day: Gotham Comedy Club: A Very Jewish Christmas 12/24
December 23, 2020
News
Jared Freid, marion grodin, mike yard, monroe martin

Well, Christmas Eve is tomorrow and, just like the before times, there are very few comedy shows going on. Yet, there are a handful, which is especially nice in these times where will be as isolated as we’ve ever been in our collective lifetimes and, ostensibly, even less things will be happening as we continue to shelter-at-home.

Gotham Comedy Club in NYC has had a holiday-ish themed comedy show, A Very Jewish Christmas, for decades and they’re going to uphold their tradition to mark a quarter of a century of having a very inclusive holiday comedy show. This virtual edition, presented by RushTix, will feature the likes of NYC’s finest including Monroe Martin, Mike Yard, Jared Freid, and Marion Grodin on Christmas Eve at 5PM PT/8PM ET.

Tickets are $20 and you can snag them here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 39: Zane Rubin & The Miracle of Getting Things Made
December 23, 2020
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
covid-19, eddie izzard, indie filmmaking, john mulaney, relief bill, zane rubin

Rising star filmmaker Zane Rubin has craftily built a delightful filmography of darkly comedic and hysterically discomforting work. That ranges from short films to web series and everything in between at networks like Comedy Central and the like. As you might guess, she, like the rest of Tinseltown, had to set almost all of her 2020 plans aside due to the pandemic. Zane still kept at writing scripts, pitching over Zoom, and whatever else you could feasibly do in regards to indie filmmaking that you can do under the umbrella of COVID. She zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger about her quarantine journey and also dishes on “hot” takes for Mulaney’s going to rehab, Eddie Izzard using she/her, and the COVID-19 Relief Bill’s provisions for movie theaters/live venues.

You can find Zane @zanesrubin on IG and Twitter, watch CREAT(E)URE on Hulu, and get into Zane’s work at zanerubin.com.

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

FX’s Orders Latest Series “Reservation Dogs” from Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi
December 22, 2020
News
fx, reservation dogs, sterlin harjo, taika waititi

(via Deadline)

FX has been near flawless with their comedy programming over the last several years. Better Things, Atlanta, and What We Do In The Shadows all serve as critical and commercial hits for the network (often getting nominated or winning Emmys and the like). They don’t look to stop their streak any time soon as the cabler just picked up what we suspect will be golden nugget for them in Reservation Dogs, a series following the lives of Indigenous kids in Oklahoma causing trouble (and also fixing it), from the minds of Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi.

The series will draw from Harjo’s childhood, but we’re sure Waititi’s trademark subversive cleverness will be well woven into the show.   Waititi, of course, is one of the minds behind the aforementioned What We Do In The Shadows (as well as JoJo Rabbit and Hunt For the Wilderpeople), and collaborated with Harjo on the pilot for FX. It’s intriguing as both Harjo and Waititi come from indigenous backgrounds, though from different sides of the planet.

With all of this in mind, we can’t wait to see what the show really is and hope that it’s timed out so it airs in between seasons of What We Do In The Shadows.

History of Swear Words Trailer Shows Nic Cage to Be Joined by Sarah Silverman, Nikki Glaser, Jim Jeffries & More
December 22, 2020
News
elvis mitchell, history of sweaar words, jim jefferies, joel kim booster, netflix, nicolas cage, nikki glaser, patti harrison, sarah silverman

History of Swear Words will be the latest bit of edutainment from Netflix and, today, we got a little bit of a better sense what the split between the education and entertainment will be.

Certainly, tapping Nic Cage hosting a program about swearing is the spot on fun choice. Having an extensive panel that stretches from such luminaries as Elvis Mitchell to a whole row of comedians including Sarah Silverman, Jim Jefferies, Nikki Glaser, Joel Kim Booster, and Patti Harrison to linguistics experts does suggest a pretty good edutainment balance (i.e. this won’t entirely be Nicolas Cage screaming obscenities, but that’s certainly in there).

Get a look of what’s in store for History of Swear Words with this trailer, then look for it to start streaming on Tues. Jan. 5th, 2021 on Netflix.

#Pick of the Day: Mike Birbiglia: Working It Out LIVE 12/28 & 12/31
December 22, 2020
News
dynasty typewriter, jokes, mike birbiglia, nowhere comedy club, working it out

Mike Birbiglia has stood out during this trailblazing era of live-stream/virtual comedy. Not only has he come up with a very successful way to present his comedic stylings and develop new material at the same time, but he has raised so much money for comedy venues across the country via TipYourWaitstaff.

Thus, Birbiglia’s headlining virtual performances sell out pretty quick and has thusly had to up his bookings. A few nights of his latest run of Working It Out are already sold out, but there are tickets available for 12/28 (which will be a benefit for Dynasty Typewriter to boot) and the afternoon of NYE at 1:30PM PT/3:30PM ET & 3:30PM PT/6:30PM ET (it’ll be New Year’s in the UK for the late show, FYI).

Tickets are still going for $25 and you can and best go get them at NowhereComedyClub.com.

Please Enjoy Possibly the Raunchiest and (Most Informative) Song About “Wine Country” from Lost Moon Radio
December 21, 2020
News
lauren flans, lost moon radio, wine country

When it comes to Lost Moon Radio, you can count on high brow and low brow being so perfectly blended and balanced.

That’s exactly what you get with one of their brand new songs from their very first exclusively virtual show, Lost Moon Radio’s Doing Fine, from two months ago, Wine Country. We have not heard every rap song about wine, but we’re almost willing to bet money that the good folks at Lost Moon Radio came up with a hysterically dirty song about journeying through California’s storied wine country, performed flawless by Lauren Flans. Also, they made sure there are plenty of great facts and terminology that you learn along the way while bopping your head to so much wine based innuendo.

So, please enjoy Lost Moon Radio’s Wine Country here and maybe you can plan your own trip to live this fantasy far off in 2021.

 

Eddie Izzard Will Now Be Using She/Her for Pronouns
December 21, 2020
News
eddie izzard, pronouns, she her

(via Deadline)

Gaining acceptance of gender as fluid and honoring people’s humanity by recognizing them as they see themselves has been one of the more defining movements of our time. Issues surrounding trans and non-binary folks and the visibility of their lives has come more to the forefront and some progress has been made with their inclusion into society/all of our daily lives.

Living and working comedy legend Eddie Izzard has often treated gender as fluid for decades now, breaking outdated gender norms and conventions and she is doing so once again. Just announced today, Izzard will now use she/her pronouns specifically from now on. Pronouns have been a particular sticking point when it comes to trans and non-binary acceptance with many people making adjustment and others vehemently refusing to acknowledge someone’s desired pronouns. Izzard definitively choosing to use “she/her” as someone who has gained such notoriety and was largely referred to as a man with he/him pronouns should be a good step forward for normalizing gender fluidity.

Also, we have no doubt that she’ll come up with a brilliant bit about it and we can’t wait to see everything she has to say about it (that will very be likely done in four different languages because Eddie is just that much of a genius).

Congress’ Proposed $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill to Include $15 Billion for Movie Theaters/Live Venues/Museums
December 21, 2020
News
covid 19 relief, save our stages, stimulus bill

(via CNBC)

Congress seems to be reaching some sort of deal with their latest, vastly overdue COVID-19 relief bill with $900 billion budgeted to cover unemployment insurance, rental assistance, vaccine distribution, etc. Part of that proposed bill, which Congress is looking to vote on tonight, will be $15 billion that will go to serve as relief for movie theaters, live venues (we’re hoping that means comedy venues as well), and cultural institutions such as museums.

The specific breakdown of where and how that will be distributed or how many venues (or even which specific venues) might get this relief funding will have to be seen as Senate and House leaders have just agreed on it. Based off of the fact that latest round of direct payments to Americans has shrunk from $1200 to $600 in this bill, our guess is that it’ll be a minimal amount of relief and it might not be enough for some venues to stay afloat as the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out over the next several months. In the meantime, we’ll just have to keep doing direct relief/mutual aid for venues via GoFundMe or benefit shows.

Pick of the Day: Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer 1/6/21
December 21, 2020
News
live podcast, live stream, nicole byer, on location live, why won't you date me

Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer has been and continues to be one of the best podcasts about dating/relationships/sex that has ever existed. Actually, it’s just one of the best podcasts, no further discussion needed. Byer’s candor, penchant for sex positivity to the nth degree, and overall undeniable hilariousness has been the perfect mix in Byer’s intimate chats with her guests about their and her love lives.

If you’re looking for something to look forward to in 2021, let it be a very special live-stream edition of Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer that’s set for Thurs. Jan. 6th 6PM PT/9PM ET via On Location Live (it will be up to watch for a few days after in case you can’t make it at the time of the stream).

Tickets are only $10.50 and you can and very, very much should already look towards a better year in a couple weeks by getting tickets here.

Get Into a Better Kind of Holiday Spirit with Matt Rogers’ “Hottest Female Up in Whoville”
December 18, 2020
News
hottest female up in whoville, matt rogers, the grinch

Since we’re already in the thick of the holiday season, the air is rife with various holiday staples like Jingle Bells or whatever Trans-Siberian Orchestra track has a hot guitar solo. May we suggest a deeper cut to add into your festive music rotation?

Try Matt Rogers’ “Hottest Female Up in Whoville”, a song that was “cut” from the film adaptation of The Grinch that speaks the truth of one of Whoville’s sultry residents, Martha May Whovier. Rogers performs it here, on top of a grand piano of course, with the brilliant Henry Koperski at the keys.

It may be your new favorite song to play throughout December from now on if you’re looking for something to really bring some actual spice to these weeks of what have largely become forced communal joy.

Please enjoy Rogers and Hottest Female Up In Whoville here.

People don't know @MariahCarey wrote "Where Are You Christmas?" from The Grinch. That was from the perspective of Cindy Lou Who. She also wrote this CUT SONG from the film, "Hottest Female Up In Whoville", from the POV of Martha May Whovier. Here's me and @HenryKoperski doing it. pic.twitter.com/8IsBpJgae9

— Matt “Santa” Rogers (@MattRogersTho) December 27, 2018

Pick of the Day: Ally Coalition 7th Annual Talent Show 12/21
December 18, 2020
News
aidy bryant, ally coalition, Bu Wellness Center, Chris Laker, jacqueline novak, kalen allen, Lost-n-Found Youth, mike birbiglia, New Alternatives, Oakland LGBT Center, reggie watts, roy wood jr, Ruth Ellis Center, talent show, the lucas brothers, Youth Breakout

It’s almost as if there is an advent calendar for holiday charity live-streams that feature some of the biggest and brightest and best in comedy and music every day this week (and maybe next). There have been plenty of Georgia Runoff benefits, but they’re also big time festival-gala-ish line-ups that are supporting issues that are a little broader.

In the case of the Ally Coalition’s 7th Annual Talent Show, it’s supporting unhoused LGBTQ youth, some of the most vulnerable members of our population. For their very special evening, they’ve got the likes of Mike Birbiglia, Aidy Bryant, Reggie Watts, Jacqueline Novak, Chris Laker, Roy Wood Jr., The Lucas Brothers, and Kalen Allen on the bill. That’s in addition to musical performances from the likes of St. Vincent, Sleater-Kinney, Brittany Howard, Bleachers, Hayley Williams, and more.

It will all be streaming this Sun. Dec. 21st at 6PM PT from Jack Antonoff’s Twitch.

Get more info, full line-up, and details on specific orgs (Ruth Ellis Center, New Alternatives, Youth Breakout, Oakland LGBT Center, Bu Wellness Center, Lost-n-Found Youth) at theallycoalition.org.

Tiffany Haddish Is Launching Her Own ‘She Ready’ Internship Program
December 17, 2020
News
she ready, tiffany haddish

So much of Tiffany Haddish’s spirit, both on stage with her comedy and off, is dedicated to uplifting people. Already she has done multiple showcases highlight her favorite comedians that she wants to share with the world via Netflix. She’s similarly motivated to start an internship program branded with her catchphrase, She Ready.

Haddish grew up in the foster care system and she is thusly making that the focus of The She Ready Internship Program. She’s looking to connect “transition-age foster youth with transformative experiences in the media, arts and entertainment industries.” The internships will serve Tiffany’s She Ready Productions has and it’ll kick off next year.

Get more details/info about the internship here.

SF Sketchfest Announces Virtual “Festpocalypse” Fundraiser This Coming January
December 17, 2020
News
aparna nancherla, arden myrin, bobcat goldthwait, chris gethard, dana gould, dave hill, eddie izzard, emily v gordon, eugene mirman, festpocalypse, greg proops, jo firestone, joel kim booster, jonah ray, kevin pollak, kumail nanjiani, margaret cho, noel fielding, patton oswalt, paul f tompkins, reggie watts, ron funches, sf sketchfest
OK, so there won’t be an in-person SF Sketchfest come this January. You already knew that, right?
Just because that’s the case, doesn’t mean that SF Sketchfest, one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals, won’t forego doing anything. In fact, they’ve got something pretty big on deck, virtually of course, called Festpocalypse. It will be a special, massive one night only  event that will raise money to keep SF Sketchfest alive and well and going after all of the COVID-19 pandemic is finished.
How massive is it? Well, take a gander at who they have slated for Festpocalypse:
The Kids in the Hall, The State, Mr. Show’s David Cross & Bob Odenkirk, The Upright Citizens Brigade, Parv & Pudi with Parvesh Cheena and Danny Pudi, plus “Saturday Night Live” alumni Fred Armisen, Dana Carvey, Rachel Dratch, Janeane Garofalo, Tim Meadows, Laraine Newman, Sasheer Zamata and original writer Alan Zweibel. Sketch troupes Kasper Hauser, The Latino Comedy Project, White Women and Australia’s Netflix sensations Aunty Donna appear as well. 
Festpocalypse also features top stand-up comics and writers including Brits Eddie Izzard and Noel Fielding, plus Margaret Cho, Jo Firestone, Ron Funches, Chris Gethard, Dave Hill, Joel Kim Booster, Bobcat Goldthwait, Emily V. Gordon, Dana Gould, Eugene Mirman, Arden Myrin, Aparna Nancherla, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Kevin Pollak, Greg Proops, Jonah Ray, Paul F. Tompkins, Reggie Watts and more. Also, live short film riffing with RiffTrax featuring “Mystery Science Theater 3000” alumni, fake Uptown Showdown debates, a visit with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and “Weird Al” Yankovic, a game show hosted by Jimmy Pardo, movie games hosted by Doug Benson, swift justice from Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn, and a rare reunion of The Slipnutz members Andy Blitz, Jon Glaser and Brian Stack.
Film and television stars slated for appearances include Alan Arkin, Paget Brewster, Chris Elliott, Elliott Gould, Christopher Guest, Jon Hamm, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock, Bill Irwin, Jane Lynch, Oscar Nuñez, Andrea Savage, and Aisha Tyler, as well as The Tenderloins, creators of the hit show “Impractical Jokers.” Cult cinema aficionado and drag superstar Peaches Christ will take a look back at the festival’s past film celebrations.
The show also features improv by Groundlings alumni The Black Version, the esteemed Improvised Shakespeare Company and festival regulars Theme Park. Musical performances will include Bill Frisell, Jean Grae, Rhett Miller, The Milk Carton Kids, Eliza Skinner, Epic Lloyd, Jonathan Coulton, Paul and Storm, and John Roderick.

How will they fit that much show into one night? We’re not really sure, but you best clear out Sat. Jan. 30th so you can watch, enjoy, and support SF Sketchfest via Festpocalypse starting at 5PM PT/8PM ET so you can pack in all of what’s listed above (i.e. all the live comedy you could possibly want from SF Sketchfest from the comfort of your own quarantine).

Tickets start at $20, which is pretty swell price. If you can’t make it on Jan. 30th, you’ll be able to watch it through Feb. 1st. Go get your tickets at sfsketchfest.com right now.

Pick of the Day: The George Lucas Talk Show Holiday Special 12/20
December 17, 2020
News
connor ratliff, feeding america, george lucas talk show, planet scum

The Sunday before Christmas, The George Lucas Talk Show, Connor Ratliff’s legendary talk show that he hosts as retired filmmaker George Lucas, is going big for a holiday special that will very likely go much better than a certain infamous Star Wars Holiday Special.

This Sunday, Dec. 20th, Ratliff along with The George Lucas Talk Show crew of Patrick Cotnoir and Griffin Newman will be joined by a cavalcade of special guests from far, far away (because aren’t we all far, far away from each other in this pandemic) for a 15 HOUR marathon fundraiser for Feeding America. We have no doubt that there so’s so much up the sleeves of Lucas’ satin bomber jacket that will fill that 15 hour run.

Per @connorratliff:

TWO GOALS FOR THIS SUNDAY’S GEORGE LUCAS TALK SHOW HOLIDAY SPECIAL:

1) to raise at least $20k for @FeedingAmerica

2) to do a 15-hour show that doesn’t feel as long as The Star Wars Holiday Special. (Any tips, @HamillHimself?)

How to give: • http://bit.ly/gltsgives • donate directly, send receipt to thegeorgelucastalkshow@gmail.com

The George Lucas Talk Show Holiday Special starts 7AM PT/10AM ET this Sunday over at Planet Scum.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 38: Jill Paiz-Bourque & Big Business in Comedy Live-streaming
December 16, 2020
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
bbc, boots riley, chappelle's show, i'm a virgo, jill bourque, new comedy awards, rushtix

The proliferation of virtual comedy due to the COVID-19 pandemic would naturally bring about the creation/transition of entire platforms/venues/etc. in order to serve a gradual mass exodus of comedy, for the time being, into the live-streaming sphere. Jill Paiz-Bourque founded RushTix to serve that exact purpose and has done quite well with building and creating a premium comedy live-streaming platform that aims to be a destination for comedy fans and those in dire need of that connection that they would get at any sort of live show (but especially in live comedy). Jill zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger to detail RushTix rise to putting on comedy live-streams that boast thousands of attendees as well as get in “hot” takes on Chappelle’s Show being taken off HBO Max, BBC’s new New Comedy Awards, and Boots Riley getting the green light for his new series I’m a Virgo. 

Follow @RushTix across socials & visit RushTix.com for schedule/tickets/info & follow Jill @jillbourque on Twitter.

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: Normalize Everything 12/19
December 16, 2020
News
atsuko okatsuka, benefit show, comedy fundraiser, jeena bloom, johan miranda, kazu kusano, maddie connors, mental health

With or without a pandemic, the issue of mental health is so vitally important and yet, even after all the progress that has been made over the last few years, is still not regarded seriously enough. With COVID-19 still keeping us so isolated, more so than most of us have ever been, the importance of one’s mental health has become more glaringly clear.

So, along those lines, wonderful LA based comedians Atsuko Okatsuka and Maddie Connors are hosting a special benefit show, NORMALIZE ANYTHING, that will raise money for for Painted Brain, a marvelous LA based mental health org.

Joining Atsuko and Maddie will be the very special comedic stylings of Jeena Bloom, Johan Miranda, and Kazu Kusano (FYI, they are all comics whose parents suffer from mental illness and are perfect for a show such as this).

RSVP, donate, and tune in to NORMALIZE EVERYTHING this Sat. Dec. 19th at 7PM PT/10PM ET.

Search Party Season 4 Finally Has a Teaser
December 15, 2020
News
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Quarantine has lasted so long that we almost forgot a brand new season of the amazing dark comedy thriller series, Search Party, was on the horizon. It’s not on TBS anymore, so you’ll have to have HBO Max or “have access” to HBO Max, but the prospect of Dory now missing for this latest season has us really jonesing for this fourth season of Search Party to premiere already.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until Thurs. Jan. 14th, 2021 until we get our Search Party fix. Until now, we can obsess over this teaser that poses a whole new game for Elliott, Portia, Drew, and a Dory that might just be getting her long overdue comeuppance.

BBC Comedy Association to Revive New Comedy Awards & Appoint a “Young People’s Comedy Laureate”
December 15, 2020
News
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Just over the weekend, the BBC’s BBC Comedy Association announced the plans for the next year and going forward with the rebooting their New Comedy Awards, a comedy competition dedicated to finding new talent. It has been off the air since 2006, but it will be brought back to UK audiences (and, hopefully, us Yanks via some streaming service?) as part of a fresh commitment by the BBC to “promote inclusion and representation”.

New comedy talent getting a legit chance on TV or just a set of awards dedicated to comedy is hard to come by these days, so we’re intrigued at what this new version of BBC’s New Comedy Awards will bring in the coming year.

Additionally, BBC Comedy Association Controller of Comedy Commissioning  Shane Allen announced that a Young People’s Comedy Laureate will be appointed next year to head up outreach for workshops, masterclasses, and the like all around the UK. From the looks of it, we’re guessing that’ll be a UK comedian of note, but we’re also excited to see who that might be. After all, Fleabag had its TV roots at the BBC.

Seeing what comes of this, maybe U.S. based networks/streaming services will have to do better than another season of Last Comic Standing or Bring the Funny.

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