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improvised stand up

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Pick of the Day: Rory Scovel – Improvised Stand-Up (in LA) 9/20
August 31, 2021
News
improvised stand up, la comedy, largo, riffing, rory scovel, stand up comedy

We sincerely, sincerely hope that you’ve seen Rory Scovel: Live Without Fear, the amazing documentary comedy special that captured the very special lightning in a bottle that comes with so many Scovel performances, especially if he’s improvising the whole thing.

If you haven’t, we then hope you’ve at least caught some of Rory mixing whimsy and complete honesty in the moment in person over the last several years. For us, watching Rory is always something revelatory and hysterical and we very much don’t miss any chance we have to go watch him live.

With that in mind, Rory will be doing a very special, exclusive, improvised stand-up performance at Largo at the Coronet Theatre on Mon. Sept. 20th at 8PM PT. In case it wasn’t clear already, clear out that night and make sure you go to this. Tickets are $46 (includes service charge) and you best go get them here before they sell out.

Just a Friendly Reminder That Rory Scovel’s Daredevil-ish Stand-Up Special “Live Without Fear” Is Streaming on YouTube Now
June 24, 2021
News
comedy special, documentary, improvised stand up, live without fear, rory scovel, stand up

We’ve written extensively about Rory Scovel‘s brand new docu-comedy special, Live Without Fear, that captured six performances where Rory went up for a whole hour without anything. No prepared material, no pre-configured crowd work, and even no suggestions from the audience. Scovel only had his instincts and his penchant for mischievous curiosity, which provided the lightning to be caught in the bottle by director Scott Moran.

It was one of the funniest things we saw in 2019 and now, it might be, with its official release and convenient streaming on YouTube, be one of the funniest things we were witness to in 2021. Please enjoy Live Without Fear here.

Pick of the Day: Gilbert Gottfried Does Set List Live! 4/23
April 20, 2021
News
carmen morales, gilbert gottfried, improvised stand up, nowhere comedy club, set list

Before lockdown, when international comedy was able to be done in person, there was a phenomenon known as Set List that challenged comedians ’round the world to improvise stand-up based off of absurd, never-before-seen topics as if it was a part of their long-standing, best-selling act. It had played almost every single comedy festival in existence and had been a TV show in both the UK and Australia.

Of course, in person comedy has taken a “sabbatical” due to the pandemic, but the virtual space has provided for plenty of new avenues and innovation and transition in comedy. Set List, given it’s reach and the fact that both comedians and audience discover a never-before-seen topic together makes it kind of a dream for virtual comedy, which is why we’re thankful to see the iconic Gilbert Gottfried do a whole Set List show (with Carmen Morales opening) this Friday at 5:30PM PT/8:30PM ET via Nowhere Comedy Club.

Gottfried speaking on completely random topics, after all of what the world has been through, really ought to be one of the more thrilling comedy experiences throughout the entirety of this virtual era of live comedy.

Tickets start at $10 and you can (and very much should) get them here.
December 10, 2019
Uncategorized
alonzo bodden, comedy show, drew lynch, eliza skinner, improvised stand up, los angeles, paul provenza, rick overton, set list, stand up comedy

Set List is and has been in rarefied air playing almost every big time international comedy festival and airing as an original TV series on opposite sides of the planet. 

It’s such a special show as you get to some of the best comedic minds actually at work conjuring up material from thin air (well, thin air and a never before seen topic).

So, don’t miss the return of Set List to LA at the Hollywood Improv this Friday with some of their personal favorites. Tickets are $10 (plus 2 item min.) Go get your tickets here.
June 6, 2018
Uncategorized
andy peters, byron bowers, improvised stand up, jay mohr, kira soltanovich, rick overton, sam tripoli, set list, sycamore tavern, troy conrad

It’s been awhile, but Set List: Improvised Stand-Up is doing their next proper show next week at Hollywood’s Sycamore Tavern. 

Whether you’ve never seen it or not, you should go check out watch how esteemed comedians’ brains work while joking about an abstract, never-before-seen topic. Set List started here in LA, but has, over the years, toured nearly every comedy festival as well as been adapted into a TV show overseas.

Creator Troy Conrad gathered a heck of a line-up for this one too.

Get tickets here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, screenings, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.
December 14, 2016
Uncategorized
comedy show, fairfax, henry phillips, hollywood, improvised stand up, jay mohr, kira soltanovich, los angeles, melrose, set list, stand up, weho, wil anderson

See stand-up comedy created before your very eyes with the world renowned improvised stand-up show Set List. It’s having its latest round at the Hollywood Improv this Sunday, December 18th with a great line-up of Wil Anderson, Kira Soltanovich, Jay Mohr, and music from Henry Phillips.

You can (and should) get your tickets here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, open mics, and maps can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Preview Netflix Doc “Hannibal Takes Edinbugh” with Hannibal Buress Doing ‘Set List’
April 7, 2016
Uncategorized
documentary, edinburgh fringe, fringe festival, hannibal buress, improvised stand up, netflix, set list

Tomorrow, Netflix is giving us another dose of Hannibal Buress on top of the hour special Comedy Camisado they released earlier this year. 

The documentary specifically follows Hannibal as he goes through a run at the legendary Edinburgh Fringe Festival and aptly called Hannibal Takes Edinburgh.

You can get a taste with Hannibal doing and improvised stand-up warm up and improvised stand-up on Edinburgh Fringe Festival favorite, Set List (started here in LA). 
July 2, 2015
Uncategorized
improv, improvised stand up, santa monica, stand up, westside comedy theater, wormhole

We’re going back into a wormhole with our show that cross dimensions of jokes, bits, meta jokes and bits, and even something deeper and more hilariously bizarre than that. 

Once again, Wormhole is improv based on stand-up based on improv based on improvised stand-up.

Join us, Matt Kirshen, Pretty Pretty Pony, and Matt McCarthy on Tues. July 14th at Westside Comedy Theater at 9PM for the journey that will probably change your life, but will most certainly make you bust up with laughter. 

It’s only $5 to strap in and go into the vast, undiscovered territory of deep(?) comedy. Get your tickets here.

We’re Going Into Another “Wormhole” on July 14th
June 30, 2015
Uncategorized
cole stratton, improv, improvised stand up, matt kirshen, santa monica, set list, westside comedy theater, wormhole
image

While an unmanned Space X ship exploded recently, we’re just going ahead with jumping into deep space, comedic deep space that is, and headed into other comedic dimensions again with our show/experiment Wormhole. 

For those not acquainted, Wormhole takes you through improv that’s based on stand-up that’s based on improv that’s based on improvised stand-up.

Internationally renowned comedian Matt Kirshen, acclaimed improv group Pretty, Pretty Pony, and another special guest will be taking us through the various dimensions/self-referential bits/etc..

Join in Tues. July 14th at 9PM at Westside Comedy Theater $5.
May 16, 2015
Uncategorized
chris fairbanks, comedy shows, drennon davis, improv, improvised stand up, karen kilgariff, los angeles, stand up

The amazing Drennon Davis and Karen Kilgariff will joining us in our great big comedy experiment, Wormhole, this Sun. 5/17 at El Cid. 

Doors 7PM/Starts 8PM/21+ only/FREE

Don’t miss comedy history. 

Our “Wormhole” Now Has Chris Fairbanks and WCT’s Draft Pick Leading Us Into The Comedy Unknown
May 14, 2015
Uncategorized
chris fairbanks, el cid, improv, improvised stand up, stand up, westside comedy theater, wormhole

Yesterday, we announced our latest live show endeavor, Wormhole, would break new ground in comedy.

Now, we’re happy to announce that the likes of the hysterical Chris Fairbanks who you’ve most certainly enjoyed on Conan, and some of Westside Comedy Theater’s finest improvisers will be leading us through the new, uncharted dimensions of the show.

Don’t miss out on going to somewhere potentially way cooler and definitely more fun than Mars, especially because it’s free, by going to Wormhole this Sun. at El Cid, doors 7PM/starts 8PM.
May 13, 2015
Uncategorized
comedy shows, el cid, improv, improvised stand up, los angeles, stand up

So, here’s The Comedy Bureau’s next live show: Wormhole

Unlike anything that’s ever been done in the entire history of comedy, Wormhole is a show featuring improv based on stand-up based on improv based on improvised stand-up.

If you’re thinking this is the comedy equivalent of Inception, you’re on the right track.

Featuring LA’s best stand-up and improvisers TBA
Presented by The Comedy Bureau

Sun. May 17th
El Cid-4212 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Drinks on the patio 7PM
Starts 8PM
FREE

Watch Andy Haynes on Set List
May 31, 2014
Uncategorized
andy haynes, improvised stand up, nerdist, set list

Set List The Improvised Stand-up Show continues its run on The Nerdist YouTube Channel with another never before seen set list. Andy Haynes gets a crack at running through a “set list” that includes racism and chimps and not coming off racist at all.

Watch it here.

It Shouldn’t Surprise You That Bobcat Goldthwait Killed at Set List
May 23, 2014
Uncategorized
bobcat goldthwait, galway, improvised stand up, set list

Bobcat Goldthwait has such a wide, varied background spanning decades when it comes to comedy. As a stand-up, actor, writer, and director, Bobcat knows the ins and outs of how to make comedy work in almost any situation.

That’s why doing improvised stand-up on Set List was seemingly effortless for him. Watch him do that right here.

Chris Fairbanks Going Off The Rails Is Perfect For Set List
May 10, 2014
Uncategorized
chris fairbanks, improvised stand up, set list

If you’ve ever seen the wonderful comedic stylings of Chris Fairbanks, you’d know that he’s great at riffing and going off the cuff.

That’s why him doing improvised stand up on Set List is pretty great. 

Jon Daly Goes To The Outer Limits of Set List
March 30, 2014
Uncategorized
improvised stand up, jon daly, nerdist channel, set list

The hilarious Jon Daly, who you should know from such programs as Kroll Show, Comedy Bang! Bang!, or even his turn as Bill Cosby Bukowski, did Set List and, like he normally does with the rest of his comedy, possibly took us to the furthest reaches conceptually while still being funny that you might be able to go in improvising stand up. 

See what we mean here.

Watch Jen Kirkman Go For All or Nothing on Set List
March 10, 2014
Uncategorized
improvised stand up, jen kirkman, nerdist, nerdmelt, set list

As she states before her set, Jen Kirkman really goes for making improvising stand-up on Set List seem like it’s all normal and part of a regular act, which is definitely one of the hardest parts of doing Set List.

Watch her set here. 

Watch Greg Proops Exquisitely Go Through His “Set List”
March 1, 2014
Uncategorized
greg proops, improvised stand up, nerdmelt, set list

A perfected balance of improviser and stand up is found in only a handful of comedic performers and Greg Proops is one of them. That’s why he’s one of the best to ever do improvised stand up on Set List.

Just watch him go through these never before seen topics like he’s just doing his normal act.

Watch Kyle Kinane Do Improvised Stand Up on Set List
February 15, 2014
Uncategorized
improvisation, improvised stand up, kyle kinane, set list

Self-proclaimed non-improviser, but one of the stand-up comedians around Kyle Kinane ventures into Set List: Stand Up Without a Net. 

Of course, Kinane handles never before seen topics like “why why why why why why why god why” quite well. Watch him do so here.

UK Based French Comedian Marcel Lucont Nails It on Set List
January 4, 2014
Uncategorized
improvised stand up, marcel lucont, nerdist, set list, uk, uk comedy

The UK based French comedian Marcel Lucont isn’t thrown off by the random topics of Set List even if English may be his second language. 

Watch Lucont do improvised stand-up like it’s completely part of his normal act/he’s an native English speaker.

Rich Hall Won’t Be Thrown By Random Syllables/Words at Set List
December 9, 2013
Uncategorized
improvised stand up, nerdist, rich hall, set list

One of the best to do improvised stand up on Set List is Rich Hall (you should/might know from SNL long ago) for making it seem like it’s almost a normal hilarious stand-up routine and seamlessly injecting crowd work while doing so.

Watch Rich Hall do Set List on The Nerdist YouTube Channel here.

Jackie Kashian’s Brings True Life Into Set List: The Improvised Stand Up Show
August 24, 2013
Uncategorized
improvised stand up, jackie kashian, set list, wisconsin

Much of the time on Set List: The Improvised Stand Up Show, comedians are just rolling with whatever topic they’re thrown and often going to such heights of absurdity with none of their improvised material having much to do with them personally. Yet, there are still a handful of great comedians that can still bring their own experiences into the obtuse topics on Set List.

One such comedian is the wonderful Jackie Kashian, which you can watch how she ties in being from Wisconsin into her never before seen set list here from Set List at Nerdist’s YouTube Channel.

Set List to Tape 40 Episodes for Nerdist Channel All Over the Globe
August 15, 2013
Uncategorized
cabo san lucas, edinburgh, fringe festival, improvised stand up, international comedy, jfl, nerdist, nerdist channel, set list, toronto

           

image

Set List: The Improvised Show just got 40 more episodes ordered at the Nerdist Channel to be shot anywhere from Nerdmelt here in LA to The Cabo San Lucas Comedy Festival to Edinburgh Fringe Festival to JFL 42 in Toronto. 

Some of the performers that have taped/to tape soon include: Greg Proops, Brendon Walsh, Baron Vaughn, Eddie Pepitone, Jon Daly, Greg Fitzsimmons, Kyle Kinane, The Sklar Brothers, and Chris Fairbanks.

Oh, did you not know that Set List is killing it everywhere?

Neil Hamburger Deconstructs Improvised Stand Up on Set List: The Improvised Stand Up Show
August 9, 2013
Uncategorized
improvised stand up, neil hamburger, set list

Self-labeled America’s Funnyman Neil Hamburger gives a go at Set List: The Improvised Stand Up Show by deconstructing the very fabric of it and still making it pretty damn funny.

Watch it here.

Todd Glass & Dana Gould on Set List: The Improvised Stand-Up Show
June 21, 2013
Uncategorized
dana gould, improvised stand up, nerdist, set list, todd glass

This latest batch of episodes of Set List on Nerdist’s YouTube channel has the amazing Todd Glass and Dana Gould going up and doing improvised stand-up in such a way that you get drawn into thinking that it’s almost not made up on the spot (even if Todd Glass is questioning the whole mechanism of Set List).

Watch Todd here and Dana here.

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