chatterbox

Though still far from what travel guides what consider the “hip” neighborhoods in and around LA, West Covina still remains home to one of the LA comedy scene’s best weekly nights of comedy at The Chatterbox. Partially due to its distance from LA proper as well as their well-earned group of regulars, Chatterbox Comedy, is well worth the trip to further reaches of the Greater LA Area for both comics and comedy fans.

Starting Sat. Oct. 7th at 8PM, you’ll have more chances to see what a great room they’re running out East as Chatterbox is launching a weekly Saturday night show for headliners (as opposed to their showcase format of 6-7 comics). This Saturday night show, which will be called Chatterday Nite, will go with a more traditional headliner format of host, feature, headliner and starting off with the amazing homegrown talents of Chris Estrada, Scott Luhrs, and host Corina Sagun.

Chatterday Nite will be every Saturday night, pairing quite nicely with the Sunday night show. So, make plans to head out to The Chatterbox starting, again, on Oct. 7th after you get your tickets for $10 a pop here. Keep up to date with all things Chatterbox Comedy @chatterboxcomedy on IG.

Pick of the Day: Chatterbox DTLA (in LA) 4/5

March 24, 2023

News

chatterbox, dtla, los angeles comedy, scott luhrs, stand up comedy, steve hernandez

It’s a kind of a testament to how far reaching the Greater LA Area really is when one of the best rooms/night/spots for comedy is on Sundays all the way out in Covina. Chatterbox has been home to one of LA’s favorite stand-up showcases for well over a decade thanks to its original hosts Steve Hernandez and Scott Luhrs.

All the way in 2023, Sunday nights in Chatterbox as well as its Thursday night open mic are both a hub that connects the Inland Empire and LA and presents one of the best curated line-ups every week from shrewd, uncompromising booking.

Now, for all those that think the Covina is another planet entirely from LA and never wanted to make the trek out, you’ll be thrilled to know that there will be a Chatterbox opening in DTLA (352 S. Broadway) and, with it, an accompanying night of comedy that’s set to start on Wed. Apr. 5th at 8PM. Hernandez and Luhrs will be leading off a line-up of their all time favorites including Caleb Hearon, Amy Miller, Byron Bowers, Ricky Macias, and Stevona Delgado.

It’ll be less of a drive (though parking in DTLA is still, well, parking in DTLA) and you really ought to buy your tickets at $10 a pop for this inaugural Chatterbox DTLA comedy night here.

Pick of the Day: Chatterbox Comedy Night-Return of (near LA) 12/26

December 7, 2021

News

chatterbox, los angeles comedy

Leading up to lockdown, one of LA’s very best shows was actually a bit of a trip from Los Angeles proper. In the humble streets of Covina, since 2010, The Chatterbox has housed a beloved weekly show (and weekly open mic) that was heralded so much for its energy and vibe that it was worth the drive from WeHo/Silverlake/DTLA/Highland Park to 943 N. Citrus Ave.

Simply called Chatterbox Comedy Night, a packed crowd assembled with only a bit of promotion just after 9PM like clock work on Sunday nights to see some of the best line-ups that the Greater LA Area, thanks to Steve Hernandez, had to offer (as well as a showcase worthy up and comers).

Thankfully, The Chatterbox itself survived and the open mic has already made its return and, as of Sun. Dec. 26th, the marquee Sunday show will be returning to its long held time slot. Proof of vaccination and masks (when not drinking) will be required.

Plan accordingly after whatever you’re doing for Christmas so you can make it out there for what will very likely the best, last shows of 2021.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 24: Steve Hernandez & Calculated Risks

September 9, 2020

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

chatterbox, comedy news, comedy podcast, ellen, i'm thinking of ending things, jake kroeger, maria bamford, snl, steve hernandez, ted alexandro

Before lockdown, one of LA’s best comedy shows, sometimes described as one of the best indie comedy shows in the entire country happened on Sunday Nights at The Chatterbox in Covina. Steve Hernandez not only built the show from the ground up over several years, but has also grown his own personal podcast empire in co-hosting Views From the Vista, The Male Gaze, and Who’s Your God? (as well as an upcoming fourth podcast that he reveals on the pod). Steve zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger to talk on how Steve meticulously has adjusted and planned for the survival of all those things and what may or may not come for live comedy in LA in the coming months and years. Also, there’s some “hot” takes on SNL promoting Ego Nwodim to repertory player and Ellen DeGeneres setting a return date for her show and promising that “we’re gonna talk about it.”

In the midst of all of that, Jake gets into his hang-ups with the new Charlie Kaufman movie I’m Thinking of Ending Things even though he hasn’t seen it yet.

Follow Steve @hernia on IG and @bighern on Twitter. Listen/subscribe to Views From the Vista, The Male Gaze, and Who’s Your God?

Shout outs: Maria Bamford’s You Are (a Comedy) Special, Ted Alexandro’s CUT/UP

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

Melissa Villasenor Is Recording Her First Album Next Month

April 28, 2016

Uncategorized

album recording, chatterbox, comedy album, covina, los angeles, melissa villaseñor, stand up

Sunday May 15th at 9PM at The Chatterbox in Covina to be exact.

Melissa Villasenor has always been a delight with all the voices and personal stories in her comedy for the many years that we’ve seen her in and around and throughout the comedy scene in LA (as well as her notable run on America’s Got Talent).

So, she is recording her very first album next month and we think you ought to go see how much of a delight she is for yourself.

Morning Debriefing 12/12/10

1) Last night, instead of performing/watching comedy, I was pretty much coerced into going into my mother’s Christmas work party at the Hilton Alhambra (one of the most Asian-centric parts of town) as a form of Christmas family time bonding, which is simultaneously a horrible situation I have no desire of being in AND a great source for material, especially considering the honest, personal approach I take to my act. Knowing that everyone’s process of developing material for performing comedy is drastically different, I’d like to offer a glimpse into my own personal process where I draw directly from personal experience. Listed below is a series of tweets I wrote throughout the duration of the party/death march of boredom/worst quiz I have ever sat through that will probably turn into 1-2 minutes of material (will keep you updated on progress). Perhaps, all of these random 140 characters or less thoughts will become nothing, but, either way, this is where my my comedy writing process starts…

-Surrounded by first generation Asians in the patient care industry. Already feeling uncomfortable. Step 1 complete.
-I don’t know why I checked Asian/Paciic Islander on any application. I don’t relate to any of these people. #jokesomewhere
-I have more in common with the “table 8” sign than all the Asian people here as it doesn’t tell me, “Go to grad school.”
-Currently listening to lounge version of Girl From Impanema, which sounds like the original if it was dosed with Ambien.
-If someone asks if I do jokes about how I’m not an Asian doctor, I would consider them heckling me in conversation
-I’m uncomfortable with how Asian-centric this party is; I feel about as asian as Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
-“Go ahead and speak Asian! I wasn’t going to talk to you anyway!” something I want to say at this party.
-Yelling “I’m not Asian for fuck sakes” is a bad idea. Christmas Techno music… a much worst idea.
-Christmas parties like this make me understand why cyanide for human consumption was discovered. #toodark? #dontcare
-Someone who can barely speak English is giving speech; needs translator who speaks “shut the hell up I’m hungry as fuck”
-Knowing how to use chopsticks is about as Asian as I get. #igrewupinamerica #damnit #usausausa
-Phone was nearly dead and thus kept me from sharing my hate of this stupid party with the world.
-in a quiz for a prize in which the answer to why did Scrooge change his mind was because he cared about people #bullshit
-My answer to scrooge’s change of heart: fear of the proletariat rise #yeahimpretentious #ihatethisparty
-In a room full of Asians, the answer to How many planets are there in our solar system was somehow 9. #falsestereotypes
-“Tokyo is the most populated city, bitch and that motherfucker doesn’t deserve a TV.” Christmas brings out the best in us.
-Into hour 5 of this party and I just want to yell racial epithets so I can leave.
-Actual Riddle for TV: Harry died on land and people were happy, David dies on land and people were happier. Who are they?
-Answer to riddle in last tweet: they were typhoons. My answer: Go fuck yourself
-For big screen tv, we’re asked to pick out three distinct items in a picture of a bum and a volunteer. #whyamistillhere
-My next set of answers to this quiz are going to be shenanigans, gobbledygook , and complete and utter bullshit.
-It irks me to think why my Dad ever wonders why I appear to be angry on stage. #6hrparty

2) Going on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL is a perfect alternative to going postal on people in the Grove parking structure because you want to show off this year at Christmas. Start off with Jeff Garlin’s Combo Platter @ UCB Theatre 6PM $2, then Eban Schletter’s Cosmic Christmas @ Glendale Planetarium 5PM/7PM $10, then Alonzo Bodden @ Brea Improv 7PM $17/2 item min., then Race Riot @ Hollywood Improv 7:30PM $14/2 item min., then ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE, then Comedy Night @ Chatterbox 8PM FREE, then Please, Thank You, & You’re Welcome @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE, then French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE, then Top Story Weekly @ iO West 9PM $5, then The Comedy Crush Bad Sweater Holiday Show @ The Hollywood Improv 9:30PM $14/2 item min., then Sunday Sunday Sunday @ Improv Space 9:30PM FREE.

3) OPEN MIC RUN: PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM, SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min., SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min., MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed

4) The Comedy Bureau Calendars is finally updated in full!!! Every single club listed actually goes to there Calendars/Upcoming shows page. All of the minor inconvenience that remained on that list is now completely GONE offering you ease in searching for shows in LA unless clicking is a “big deal” for you.

5) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to JACKIE KASHIAN-“@jackiekashian I said to him, "so you’ve never done standup before?” he paused. a long time. “open mike?” he said, “well, I was on the bus this one time.” After heckling Sam Kinison many years ago, Jackie has never looked back in her vast and successful journey as a comedienne. Touring throughout the world and having been on TV several times, she shares her uproariously funny anecdotes about her dad, her husband, and herself. Thus, do not miss Jackie’s hilarious podcast Dorkforest or her website, blog, or Twitter.

6) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Jon Stewart Stand Up (1996)

7) If you read the Twitter feed excerpt from above, I think you’ll agree with me in wanting to donate to the Comedy Bureau. Do so right here.

8) As I stride further and further into comedy, I seem to know less and less “real” people. The “jury” is still out on whether this is a good or bad thing. The Comedy Bureau will keep you updated on my/its sanity.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU

Post Brunch Update 11/14/10

1) “Hook-Up w/Ron Lynch” @ The Steve Allen Theater in all its chaotic hilarity actually spreads an air of actually wanting to “hook-up” as I saw several people, not on the show, exchanging numbers after the show. Host Ron Lynch takes the format of the classic “Dating Game” and nostalgically puts it through a blender to come out with an uproarious live comedy show. There’s an on-call bartender, Davey Johnson as a stressed out stage manager, Brady Novak as a warm-up guy who doesn’t think his career is going to work out, Cornell Reid as the warm-up to the warm-up guy, Randy Liedtke as a psychic/stage hand, “speed rounds” of questioning that no one has ever gotten right, and then the actual questioning of bachelors and bachelorettes for a REAL date. The packed Steve Allen Theater was rolling in laughter the entire time and definitely felt the love. "Hook-Up w/Ron Lynch“ takes the place of the Tomorrow Show at the Steve Allen Theater (4773 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA [Los Feliz]) once a month. Midnight $8. Check back at the Comedy Bureau for the next one.

2) I should really go with Comedy Triathlon, but COMEDY CRAWL is catchier and less intimidating. See how much laughter you can handle starting off with LIAR @ Flappers YooHoo Room 7PM $10/2 drink min., then Chatterbox Comedy Night @ Chatterbox 8PM FREE, then French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE, then Comedy Revival @ Comedy Store Belly Room 8:30PM $5/2 drink min., then Top Story Weekly @ iO West 9PM $5/21 and over only, and cross the finish line at Sunday Sunday Sunday @ The Improv Space 9:30PM FREE.

3) OPEN MIC RUN: LIBRARY CAFE 800 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 5PM (going to check this one out today), SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 7PM/one item min., MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 5PM-11PM/$5 cover.

4) The Comedy Bureau is calling an audible by switching it’s Twitter Tip of the Hat to a Tip of the Hat of anything twitter/facebook/video/etc./etc. that’s worthy of mention. Today’s tip of the hat goes to the hilarious and incredibly bold Asterios Kokkinos. Perhaps "bold” isn’t the right word, but judge for yourself by watching him pitch horrible script ideas at a pitch convention here.

6) REVIEWS relinked. Just like I promised, though I broke probably 10 other promises in the promise, but when they’re promises to yourself that you would finish this post by 11PM, it’s OK, right? Again, updated reviews here.

7) Big Trouble in Little Tokyo 2nd Edition, this Tues. Nov. 16th @ Señor Fish. Shameless promotion tactic #13: Raffling off random Japanese Food Item. Sign Up 6:30PM, Starts 7PM. 422 E. 1st St. Do not miss.

8) The Comedy Bureau has “mission objectives”. See if it completes them via his twitter account right here.

9) Be the 2nd Person ever to donate to the Comedy Bureau and go down in history. Seriously. Doubt it? Only one way to find out… DONATE.

10) I’m just going to say being a nice guy both won and was funny last night. Usually, it’s just funny and then nobody wants to hear how sad it is several months later.

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