jake kroeger – The Comedy Bureau

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 217: Jake Kroeger & Running a Bureau and a Theater (and a Million Other Things)

May 22, 2024

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to run a theater and a bureau at the same time (alongside running this very podcast), you’re in luck as this week’s episode is TCB’s very own Jake Kroeger interviewing none other than himself with his involvement as the Artistic Director of the Lyric Hyperion Theater on top of running TCB for almost 14 years. (and being on the ball to a degree where he can just talk extemporaneously for 40 minutes about curating, writing about, and doing comedy).

Follow Jake @notthesupermaket and thecomedybureau.com

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

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.

We’re Doing a Nice Lil’ Storytelling Show at the End of the Month

August 18, 2022

News

ever mainard, jackie kashian, jake kroeger, los angeles, los angeles comedy, nori reed, storytelling, weho, will hines

There used to be a very healthy stable of comedy forward storytelling shows in LA and that has yet to come back to the sort of frequency that it had in 2019. So, we’re kinda manifesting that in a storytelling show we’re putting at the ultra-cool gift shop that is New Profanity in WeHo.

Called Other Day Stories, our very own Jake Kroeger will host and present tales from LA’s very best including Nori Reed, Ever Mainard, Will Hines, and Jackie Kashian.

This very first Other Day Stories will happen on Tues. Aug. 30th @ 7:30PM (Doors 7PM) at New Profanity. Tickets are $10 and you really ought to go get them here right now.

The Comedy Bureau’s Heading West (to Venice) For Its Latest Show on May 18th

April 29, 2022

News

andres du bouchet, brodie reed, butt, jake kroeger, los angeles comedy, sasha mercie, venice

Yes, we’re already based on the West Coast, but we happen to live pretty much in the geographic middle of LA and we can actually head a little further West. It’s actually been something that we’ve been meaning to do for awhile now as a way to bring some of the lovely comedy that’s a little closer to our doorstep out to the Westside since The Comedy & Magic Club is still closed and the Eastside is only growing bigger with the amount of comedy that they have (even from before lockdown).

So, we’re doing a very special evening at a beloved and very classy speakeasy, Townhouse Venice, right around the Venice Boardwalk, with an amazing stage and those ever coveted low ceilings that are perfect for live comedy.

Per usual, we’re gathering our favorite folks from every corner comedy for this special night including:

Brodie Reed
Sasha Merci
Andrés du Bouchet

BUTT

and a few more splendid acts TBA!

Of course, TCB’s founder and director Jake Kroeger will be presiding over the evening to make sure things are up to TCB snuff.

Set the date for The Comedy Bureau Heads West @ Townhouse Venice on Wed. May 18th at 8PM PT. Tickets are $10 and proof of vaccination will be required. Go snag your tickets right now right here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 88: Dave Ross & Rededicating Yourself to Comedy

December 1, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

dave ross, jake kroeger, pen15, simpsons

Dave Ross is pretty much as cherished of a fixture in the LA comedy scene as one can be. Holy Fuck, WOMEN, Suicide Buddies, What’s it Called, and, of course, Good Heroin are just a few of the things that Dave has made over the last decade and change and left an indelible mark in comedy. So, Ross joins the Field Report this week to talk his mental/emotional/spiritual journey in both coming up in comedy in the 2010s and coming back to it out of lockdown. This conversation really spotlights the artistry in comedy and the sort of dedication and humility (on top of being funny) that comedy really requires.

Also, “hot” takes on PEN15, The Simpsons on Disney+ in Hong Kong, and more.

Follow Dave @davetotheross across socials.

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

Here’s Our Line-Up for Our 10th & 11th Double Anniversary Show at Union Hall 10/15

October 4, 2021

News

astronomy club, Dylan Adler, hannah pilkes, jake kroeger, josh gondelman, ladies who ranch, nyc comedy

Even though we’ve only officially covered NYC comedy for a couple of months, there is so much about comedy in New York that we truly, deeply champion.

So, with that in mind, we wanted to do a portrait of NYC comedy for this very special Double Anniversary Show of The Comedy Bureau, marking both the 10th and 11th years of TCB (since we didn’t do any celebrating in 2020). Note, there will be a LA anniversary show on 10/25 at the shiny and new comedy venue, The Elysian.

With the help of the marvelous Carly Hoogendyk, we have such a colorful, lovely portrait indeed of NYC comedy (that has NYC stalwarts and brand new transplants) including:

Astronomy Club
Josh Gondelman
Dylan Adler
Hannah Pilkes
Ladies Who Ranch
TCB’s very own Jake Kroeger presiding as host

That’s right, we’re not just doing a stand-up show, we’re trying to highlight all of NYC (just like we’ve done in LA for years). We would love if you came just to see your amazing faces (or part of them, anyway) and marvel how long we’ve been keeping the lights on TCB on.

We absolutely can’t wait to bring all these hysterical folks on to the Union Hall stage on Fri. Oct. 15th at 7:30PM ET. Tickets are $10 right now and $15 at the door (proof of vaccination required, of course). Snag ’em here.

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

Feel Free to Ask Us Anything During Our Weekly Office Hours @thecomedybureau

August 10, 2020

News

jake kroeger, office hours

Since there continues to be no telling when things are going to get back to normal or any sense of normality, especially when it comes to comedy, we are pretty much stuck with connecting online if we want to gather in large groups.

As such, we’ve started up a weekly TCB Office Hours (though it’s really just an hour) where TCB Founder and Director Jake Kroeger will go live on Instagram Live @thecomedybureau to answer any and all questions comedy or comedy adjacent. Well, really, he’ll entertain almost any question as quarantine/lockdown is killing him and desperately misses connecting with any and all in and around comedy.

You can ask about when live comedy is coming back or his favorites in comedy or take a guess about how many accessories he currently owns or even if he got to such a nihilistic point in quarantine that he stuffed several chili peppers in a giant chili pepper for a sort of unholy Chile Relleno.

Tune in, have comedy inquiries, some hot takes on whatever hat Jake’s wearing, or just give hearts in the margins on Saturdays at 2PM PT/5PM ET @thecomedybureau on IG Live

Pick of the Day: The Future of the Future of LA Comedy 6/23

June 22, 2020

News

barbara holliday, christian chavez, covid-19, jake kroeger, joel mandelkorn, lockdown, phase 4, reopening, youtube

At this unprecedented moment of three months of lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global uprising against systemic racism and oppression and police brutality, the idea of when live comedy will come back or where it will fit in these historic times we’re living through is a question that seems far from having an answer or an even an attempt at an answer. In LA specifically, live comedy falls under the category “Phase 4” of reopening, which seems to be far, far away at a date TBD.

Thus, we here at The Comedy Bureau are attempting to attempt to have some sort of conversation with The Future of the Future of LA Comedy.

Perhaps, this virtual roundtable discussion could lead to some start to some answers about live comedy in LA going forward in regards to reopening, safety, sustainability, diversity/inclusion, and supporting the plethora of important causes happening right now.

Joining TCB founder Jake Kroeger will be a panel of people that operate throughout all corners of the LA comedy scene including Joel Mandelkorn (producer of Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen, CleftClips), Barbara Holliday (owner/booker of Flappers Comedy Club), and Christian Chavez (owner of Echoes on Pico). Their discussion will hopefully be the start of getting on the same page as we believe that comedy and live performance in general will come back safely and maybe better than ever.

The Future of The Future of LA Comedy will be live-streamed this Tuesday, June 23rd at 3PM PT/6PM ET thanks to the fine folks at Hold The Phone Comedy. Please tune in at bit.ly/tcblayoutube.

November 16, 2018

Uncategorized

comedy show, dating game, experimental comedy, jake kroeger, silverlake

Our Bureau Director Jake Kroeger is at it again and by “it”, we mean attempting to date an entire audience rather than waste time on dating apps.

Yes, Jake Kroeger Dates the Audience returns to the Lyric Hyperion a week after Thanksgiving on 11/29 for an attempt at a meaningful connection/validation for Jake of any kind.

You’re cordially invited no matter who you are or what your relationship status is because it doesn’t have to be anything serious (or it even could be a “friend date” because that’s a thing, right?)

Please get your tickets here and join him for what will probably be one of the more fun dates you’ve ever been on.

September 9, 2018

Uncategorized

experimental comedy, jake kroeger, los angeles, silverlake

Jake Kroeger has over 30 years of life almost entirely devoid of dating anyone seriously.

Rather than go on dating apps to try and solve this remedy, he’s going to do the next best thing by taking an entire audience on a date at the Lyric Hyperion in Silverlake that also doubles a live comedy show (that’s the next best thing, right?).

If you’re in on this because you have a crush on Jake or just want to give a desperate person some acceptance and validation, you should go get your 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 6, 2017

Uncategorized

david gborie, DoLA, dtla, free comedy, jake kroeger, joe derosa, laurie kilmartin, los angeles, michael rayner, stand up

Great FREE comedy, great FREE pizza from Prufrock Pizza (served at 7PM when doors open and available while supplies last), and a great happy hour courtesy of Deep Eddy Vodka is just a few hours away.

Honestly, it’s worth the trip downtown and we would never say that lightly.

November 13, 2017

Uncategorized

billy wayne davis, catherine christina martinez, chris fleming, comedy show, huntington beach, jake kroeger, orange county, sara schaefer, stand up, the oc

THIS THURSDAY, WE WILL BE MAKING HUNTINGTON BEACH/THE OC AT THE REC ROOM HAVE MANDATORY GOOD TIMES GUARANTEED BY SOME OF OUR PERSONAL FAVORITE COMICS.

At this point in time, it’d be nice to be forced to have a good time, no?

Tickets are $15 (plus a 2 item min.).

BUY TICKETS HERE.

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

Hey OC, We’re Coming to You Live with Some “Mandatory Good Times”

November 6, 2017

Uncategorized

ahamed weinberg, catherine christina martinez, chris fleming, comedy shows, huntington beach, jake kroeger, los angeles, orange county, rec room, sara schaefer, stand up

The OC’s newest comedy club, The Rec Room in Huntington Beach (7227 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA) is having us here at The Comedy Bureau take over for a night!

So, we’re bringing some of our favorite comedians up from LA for a night where it’s bureau-mandated that you have fun.

Officially joining us will be:
Sara Schaefer (she’s won Emmys)
Chris Fleming (you might have gone and binged watched the web series Gayle)
Catherine Christina Martinez (is successfully bridging the worlds of art and comedy with Aesthetical Relations)

Also, TCB staffer/creator/director Jake Kroeger will be hosting for the evening.

Tickets are $15 with a two-item minimum. Please get them here.

Whether you’re in the Orange County or just somewhat close to the OC or maybe just up here in LA looking for a comedy show from us, you need to go to this and are required to have a good time (we all need a “good time” right now anyway).

Yes, We Are Turning 7 Years Old and (Remembered to Put On a Show to, You Know, Celebrate)

October 5, 2017

Uncategorized

byron bowers, candice thompson, comedy show, donny divanian, dr brown, fundraiser, hollywood, jake kroeger, james fritz, los angeles, meltdown comics, moses storm, nerdmelt

Yes, The Comedy Bureau will have officially served the LA comedy scene for 7 years at the end of this month. That’s 56 years in dog years and (probably 70 in “bureau years”?)

This time, we actually took enough of a break to remind ourselves that we should put on a show (and actually try to make some money doing so).

As you can see from this scrawled upon napkin straight from the very desk of TCB itself, it ought to be a really good time. Also, there will be a raffle that includes fancy enamel pins, our album (more on that later), etc.

You can get tickets now for $10 or $15 cash at door. Get tickets, more details (that are more legible) here.

So Far, We’ve Got 5 Stars for our Airbnb x Comedy Bureau Ride Along

August 22, 2017

Uncategorized

airbnb, comedy tour, jake kroeger, los angeles, personal tour, what to do

We’ve been doing our Comedy Bureau Ridealong as part of Airbnb’s new Experiences program and have been delightfully surprised by how much folks enjoyed it (as well as we get a kick of making the rounds in the LA comedy scene with people).

So far, we’re at 5 stars and we’ll let the reviews do the rest of the talking below:

Jake is a warm and friendly host. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt like it was a very local – back door experience – an opportunity which I would not have normally had. Thanks Jake. I hope we meet again 🙂
-Simone

Had a fun time with Jake! He took me to 2 comedy shows and had a blast! I highly recommend this experience!
-Ray

It’s a great experience! I and Jake have a wonderful conversation over different subject. And two shows which Jake brings me to, are excellent! It’s definitely one of the best experience I’ve taken so far. You can really experience some great aspects of LA comedy scene.
-Alexander

This was hands down our favorite night spent in LA! Jake took us on an adventure exploring sketch comedy at UCB and stand up at the Hollywood Improv. Both events were sensational and so much fun. Any comedy fans or those just looking for laughs would thoroughly enjoy this experience. In addition to the shows, Jake took us to a fun diner for some delicious grub and took time to talk and share his wealth of comedy knowledge. We hope to book this experience again! Thanks, Jake, for such a memorable night of comedy.
-Aubree

We didn’t really know what to expect so when we started it was all a wonderful surprise! We went to two hidden comedy places that Jake knew very well. We even saw some comedians that we had seen on Comedy Central. Jake was a spectacular host. He knew all the ins and outs of comedy. You could talk for days about anything related to comedy and we almost did! I would highly recommend this adventure to anyone who want to have fun and laugh for an evening!!! Thanks Jake!
-Tammy

Jake loves comedy so much he glows. A must for comedy aficionados and dilettantes alike.
-Avi

Jake is a really friendly guy He was also very knowledgeable about the comedy business and the scene We went to 2 places that we would either not have known or picked on our own
-Sachin

Jake was an awesome host point blank. This man went above and beyond his duty to get me to laugh on the night we hung out. I mean my trip to LA started fairly sheisty.. flight delays of nearly 6 hours put a damper and I missed a whole day in LA, but Jake came through in the clutch and honored his deal even when he didn’t have to. Having only seen a handful of shows in my hometown he treated me to some shows that featured local talent and I was blown away. Even my hat became a sort of litmus test in the fact that at a point I had to take off my hat because the slight pressure on my head was doing a heck of number and giving me a headache every time I would burst into laughter. This man knows his stuff and no doubt his blog/website Comedy Bureau is in great hands. Thanks to him I met some phenomenal people, that I might never have interacted with ever and for that I’m truly appreciative. Thanks again and I will catch around town again. A very appreciative and thankful guest of your experience 🙂
-Eduardo

We had such a great time! The first show was at a venue we never expected, and all of the comics were hilarious! At the end of the show, we had some drinks and met many funny people. Next, we got to sit in the audience for the recording of a standup comedy special. This was another unexpected surprise and we really enjoyed it. Jake was a perfect host. He told us about the local comedy scene, he took us to an amazing diner when we got hungry, and he helped us find our way to the hotel. If you’re here for comedy, talk to Jake.
-Danielle

Jake is a true lover of comedy. He definitely knows the LA scene. A lot of the comedy he shared with me was filled with unquestionable wit, and while some were on the mainstream circuit, there were others you might never find simply because their wit is too unique, tailored toward a very cool audience. If you want an experience like no other, look no further than your man, Jake. My only suggestion is that you must be someone with a liberal heart and mind, and someone unafraid to laugh out loud.
-Jordan

Jake was an amazing host, it was great hanging out with a local comedian and having a glimpse at the standup comedy community in LA. I would definitely book this experience again! I hand a wonderful time!
-Ali

Expert guidance from a local celebrity. Jake will be able to answer any question you throw at him, and pretty much guarantees you a good time. Highly recommended.
-Courtney

If you want to book us for a night, we’ve got slots available here.

ATTN: LA Weekly Interviews The Comedy Bureau

July 26, 2017

Uncategorized

comedy, interview, jake kroeger, los angeles

ATTN: LA Weekly Interviews The Comedy Bureau

Thanks to Jenn Swann for this wonderful article and chat.

Yeah, We’re Throwing a “4 and 5/12th” Anniversary Celebration Because We Just Got Around To Doing It Now

March 29, 2015

Uncategorized

4 and 5/12, anniversary, baron vaughn, brad silnutzer, candice thompson, comedy scene, drennon davis, echoes under sunset, jake kroeger, james austin johnson, joe wagner, los angeles, maria bamford

The short of the long of it is that not that “we’re” vastly understaffed.

On Oct. 25th, 2014, The Comedy Bureau turned 4 years old. Most of you don’t know that because “we” really didn’t say anything. So, almost half a year later, “we’re” making up for that by throwing a belated anniversary show.

So, on Fri. Apr. 3rd, The Comedy Bureau we’ll be approximately 4 and 5/12th years old and we’ll be celebrating that exact time in our history at one of our favorite venues, Echoes Under Sunset.

With special guests:
Maria Bamford
Baron Vaughn
Joe Wagner
James Austin Johnson
Candice Thompson
Drennon Davis
Presented by Jake Kroeger and Brad Silnutzer

Doors 10PM
Starts 10:30PM
Echoes Under Sunset
1310 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Donations graciously accepted

Morning Debriefing 11/7/10

1) Last night at “The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch” @ The Steve Allen Theater, I felt so honored to perform on Ron’s “5 Minutes or Less” version of the show where a simply delightful line-up does 5 minutes before all the power to the stage is cut off. For those not in the “know”, “The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch” has been a stand out even amongst an extremely rare breed of comedy shows in LA that start at midnight and take place outside of a comedy club AND are so funny that those hesistant about going to a comedy show in general WILL have a good time. With one of the best hosts “in the biz” Ron Lynch and his “magic without magic act”, last night lucky crowd witnessed daylight savings time as it happened and nicely packaged 5 minutes from Alex Mesrobian, Sean Green, Jake Kroeger (Comedy Bureau Director/the person writing this blog/me), Rob O’Reilly, Matt Champagne, John Vargas, SAX Carr, Shawn Carlow, Brandie Posey, Carlos Ramos, and Will Weldon, not to mention a fantastic musical performance from spy music extraordinaires Double Naught Spy Car. The Tomorrow Show!!! w/Ron Lynch @ The Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz). Every Saturday/Midnight. $8/Free Parking.

2) The extra hour in the day means, you guessed it, a superb comedy show on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL (football’s not worth that hour). Start off with The Breakfast Show w/Adam Shenkman @ The Strange 4PM & 8PM/e-mail AdamOCerealClub@gmail.com for details, then go to Jeff Garlin’s Combo Platter @ UCB Theatre 6PM $2, then go to Christopher Titus @ Brea Improv 7PM $25/2 drink min., then go to French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE, then Top Story Weekly @ iO West 9PM $5, “Tales of the Black Freighter” @ R-Bar 9PM FREE. OK, that’s more than an hour, but you want to go to more than one comedy show tonight. You know that you do…

3) Tonight, the Comedy Bureau will be delving into another edition of OPEN MIC LIVE TWEETING at the Sushi King, which seems like an urban legend among LA open mic as it starts at midnight on Sundays. Stay tuned for what it sure to be either a great time or one of the harder mental endurance/patience tests I’ve ever subjected myself to right HERE.

4) In addition to the Greater LA Open Mic Map, there already exists a Greater LA Comedy Landscape for all the “booked” rooms. The Comedy Bureau brings you yet another amazing innovation by putting conveniently located links at the top of the page that to both maps. When we can afford an R&D department, we’ll look into the next step of intaking your inner thoughts and desires and letting that navigate through the site, but, for now, primitive as it may be, you’ll have to scroll up and click.

5) Newly minted LA Comedy Competition “The Rickie’s” is now taking submissions. Available categories for submission include Impressions/Characters, One-liners, and Musical Comedy. E-mail therickiesINFO@gmail.com with the category you’re submitting for, a 3 min. online clip, and any other questions. Find more details here.

6) News for the Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic: Regular tacos cost $1.50, Señor Fish closes at 1AM, and I might punch co-host Russell Corona in the face, just maybe. Go to Señor Fish, 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA on Nov. 9th/6:30PM to find out.

7) The Comedy Bureau actually received its first donation from fantastic human being/great comic Jerry Brandt and extends an extra special thank you from all of us (meaning me, the one person who writes and is responsible for everything that goes into this entire agency/blog). Please be the next exemplary citizen by donating to The Comedy Bureau and all my efforts here.

8) “Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww…” I wonder if there is any language where that actually translates to laughter. Wherever that is, that’s where my comedy will obliterate.

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