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joel mandelkorn

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The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 247: Joel Mandelkorn & Closing Out a 20 Year Weekly Show

February 20, 2025
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
hot Tub, joel mandelkorn, kurt and kristen, la comedy

Legendary weekly comedy show, Hot Tub with Kurt Kristen, just marked its 20th year anniversary this past weekend and, for now, has come to its end. It marks the end of an era and the wonderment of what lies ahead with the new era ahead. As such, we talk with long time Hot Tub co-producer Joel Mandlekorn (shout out to his co-producer/partner Mandee Johnson as well for making Hot Tub one of LA comedy’s best shows) and pulling off one hell of a finale and where we all might go from here.

Follow Joel @cleftclips

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

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 231: Joel Mandelkorn & The Centers of a Comedy Scene

September 4, 2024
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
comedy scene, joel mandelkorn, los angeles

Longtime LA comedy stalwart/producer extraordinaire Joel Mandelkorn returns to the TCB Field Report as one of the marquee show he produces, Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen, is coming to a close. We talk with Joel at length at what makes the center of a comedy scene, what that has been in the past, and what to look for going forward in trying to find that hub of comedy connective tissue going forward.

Follow Joel @cleftclips and @hottub_show on IG.

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

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 132: Joel Mandelkorn & Slow Apocalypse Variety Hr.

October 5, 2022
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
joel mandelkorn

Joel Mandelkorn remains as both the frequent guest of this podcast and one of the most highly regarded comedy producers out there. One of the most notable shows he produces, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen, is still in hiatus, but we catch up with him in what he gleefully calls the “slow apocalypse” and eek out some hot takes on what’s going on in comedy at large including The Daily Show, Bros, etc.

Follow Joel @cleftclips across platforms.

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
Photo by Mandee Johnson

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 93: Joel Mandelkorn & Oof, It’s 2022

January 5, 2022
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
betty white, joel mandelkorn, john bowman

It’s technically a new year even though 2020 feels like it’s still happening. So much live comedy has already gone dark at the top of the year making the rest of 2022 feel uncertain to say the least.

That said, there was a bunch of great comedy things in happened in 2021 as captured in our actual-end-of-year list. We have Joel Mandelkorn, indie comedy producer extraordinaire, as one of the best authorities on the happenings in comedy, in for this week’s TCB Field Report to scratch the surface of what was great in comedy last year and break down what’s there to look forward to, if anything, in 2022 comedy. Also, RIP Betty White and John Bowman.

The 100 Best Things in Comedy We Were Witness To in No Particular Order

Follow Joel @cleftclips on Twitter and IG and listen to Haunt the Johnsons on Audible.

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

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 40: 2020 Wrap-Up/Best of/Looking Forward (w/Joel Mandelkorn)

December 30, 2020
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
2020 wrap up, aparna nancherla, baited, comedy crossing, corporate, dana donnelly, eddie pepitone, hot Tub, how to with john wilson, joel mandelkorn, laurie kilmartin, sara schaefer, super serious, what we do in the shadows, ziwe

2020. Was it the year that comedy took a “little nap”? Was it a year where the effects of the pandemic will forever change the business dynamics and artistic direction of the art form of comedy? Were the latest seasons of Corporate and What We Do In The Shadows some of the year’s best TV?

As it’s the last week of 2020, TCB’s Jake Kroeger gets to the bottom of all these questions in a very special, year-end wrap-up episode of the TCB Field Report. He’s joined by one of the sharpest minds in comedy, veteran indie comedy producer Joel Mandelkorn to shout out their favorite/most sturdy/noticeable things in comedy in 2020 as well as what lies ahead for comedy in 2021 if the world hasn’t sunk into total mayhem at that point.

Shout outs to: What We Do In The Shadows, Corporate, How To With John Wilson, Baited with Ziwe, Eddie Pepitone: For the Masses, @aparnapkin, @danadonly, @saraschaefer1, Comedy Crossing, and Laurie Kilmartin.

Follow Joel @cleftclips & Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen @hottub_show and please get Super Serious: An Oral History of Los Angeles Independent Stand-Up Comedy

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 The Future of Future of LA Comedy Roundtable Discussion

June 25, 2020
News
christian chavez, comedy reopening, echoes on pico, flappers, hot Tub, joel mandelkorn, roundtable discussion

Earlier this week, we assembled a panel of folks behind the scenes of LA comedy to discuss where they’re currently at with the state of the world and what might lie ahead. The panel consisted of Joel Mandelkorn (CleftClips, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen), Christian Chavez (owner of Echoes on Pico), Joshua Snyder (Booker of Flappers Comedy Club) who stepped in for Flappers Owner Babrara Holliday, and TCB’s founder Jake Kroeger as moderator to give us all a nice strata of different segments in comedy.  Thanks again to Hold The Phone Comedy to hosting this live-stream.

The discussion goes through a myriad of the crucial topics in regards to reopening, safety, sustainability, inclusion, and more and though there isn’t a specific answers to how anything is going to happen in the not so distant future, it’s a conversation that got the wheels turning and offered a glimpse of what the different corners in LA comedy are thinking right now.

You can now stream the whole Future of Future of LA Comedy Roundtable discussion here.

 

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.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 2: Joel Mandelkorn & Live-streaming Live Comedy

April 8, 2020
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
butterboy, gayme show, hot tub with kurt and kristen, joel mandelkorn, livestream comedy, workplace comedy

This second episode of The Comedy Bureau Field Report goes a bit behind-the-scenes as TCB founder Jake Kroeger sits (remotely) down with one of the best comedy producers around, Joel Mandelkorn (Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen, The Super Serious Show, Toasty, plenty of short films and TV projects). Having co-produced (with producer/life partner Mandee Johnson) Hot Tub with Kurt [Braunohler] and Kristen [Schaal], absolutely one of LA’s best weekly comedy shows, Joel had to hit the ground running into translating that show into a live-stream stand-up show because of, well… you know, the global pandemic. Also, we go to 40 minutes, but it’s worth it.

They talk the challenges and nuances of such an endeavor as well as a workplace comedy TV series set in the times of COVID-19 already being in the works, premium free series that are suddenly free at HBO and IFC, (as always) what you should be watching and listening to (GAYME SHOW and Butterboy), and what we think the future holds for the sort of comedic bits that’ll work months from now in seeing live comedy again.

Tune into Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen Home Edition on Mondays at 8PM PST/11PM EST at holdthephone.tv, Follow Joel @cleftclips and follow The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB’s GoFundMe.

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

Morning Debriefing 7/8/11

July 8, 2011
Uncategorized
cheap, comedy contest, comedy news, comedy shows, current tv, earwolf, erin gibson, free, fullerton, joel mandelkorn, laff-down, long beach, los angeles, los feliz, modern lady, open mic, paul provenza, santa barbara, santa monica, silverlake, super serious show, what to do

1) Congratulations to Ahmed Bharoocha, Brooks Wheelan, and Jeremy Paul for finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, in the Ultimate Laff-Down, one of LA’s longest running comedy competitions.  Go see them at one of the many shows they’ll surely be on; they won’t disappoint. 

2) Paul Provenza on Good Morning NY

Paul Provenza: MyFoxNY.com

3) Comedy podcast network Earwolf will now have a blog with Joel Mandelkorn(producer of the Super Serious Show & Plop List) as it’s editor.  It’s even more great comedy news if here’s not enough.

4) Why You Should Watch Louie… if you’re not already sitting at your computer waiting for it to come to Hulu.

5) See Robyn Von Swank, one of comedy’s best photographers, at work for Weird Al Yanovic’s “Alpocalypse”.

6) Watch Erin Gibson what people walking along Hollywood Blvd. think the perfect wife is/why I don’t walk down Hollywood Blvd. that often.

7) How to Find Your Comedy Niche via Connected Comedy. Give it a read-it’s good advice.

8) Puddin’-“Diary”

9) ON THE HORIZON
Lopez Tonight Showcase @ Flappers Burbank Thurs. July 14th 10PM 
Nick Thune & Friends w/Maria Bamford & Harland Williams Tues. July 19th 8PM $20 

10) COMEDY CRAWL
Re-Animator: The Musical @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $30
Set List @ Velvet Jones 8PM $15
Risk! True Tales Boldly Told @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10
Smaudition @ Jon Lovitz Comedy Club 8PM $10/2 item min.
The 12 Shiny Nickels Show @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $10
Stood Up Friday Night: If I Had a Million Dollars @ Moving Arts Theater 10PM $5 
First Fridays @ Theatre Asylum 10:30PM $10
Also-Ran Comedy Hour @ Hollywood Improv Lab 10:30PM $5
Re-Animator: Cast Benefit @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $15 

11) OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM/Starts 5:30PM/given “set list” of topics to do jokes off of/first come, first served/no purchase necessary
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
iCANDY 1708 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/first come, first served/$3 min./mixed mic/booked show in middle around 8PM
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM/4 min./no purchase necessary
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Starts 7PM/booked show after/no purchase necessary
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 8PM/No foul language/No purchase necessary/first come, first served   
TRINITY CHURCH 1015 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 8PM/must work clean/no purchase necessary/first come, first served 
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 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served/coffee and bottled water available   
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts MIDNIGHT 

12) So we’re on a show tonight, but in the interest of keeping our integrity and our own horrible opinion of ourselves as stage performers, we’ll let you figure out what show in Silverlake it is.

Report 00208

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Post Brunch Update 11/19/10

November 19, 2010
Uncategorized
birds of prey, christina pazsitksky, comedy, comedy bureau, comedy car hole, culver city, dead authors, emily maya mills, glendale days inn, hollywood, hot toddy, icandy, io west, joel mandelkorn, kirk zipfel, la, lizzy cooperman, marc maron, moving arts theatre, santa monica, sean conroy, silverlake, silverlake lounge, SmashBox Studios, stood up friday night, sunset grill, super serious show, susan burke, ucb, wtf

1) The Super Serious Show @ Smashbox Studios was one of the best produced shows, thanks to show producers Joel Mandelkorn and Mandee Johnson, that I’ve been to in recent memory. Inside an extremely hip studio space (there’s a bar in the lobby), the set-up for the show was gorgeous. I almost didn’t believe I was at a comedy event with the all the camera equipment, the DJ spinning, food truck, GOOD FREE BEER (not that Tecate BS at most shows), gourmet cookies and cupcakes, and Christmas lights strung beautifully overhead. Already a cool, laid-back party, the Super Serious Show takes everyone’s good time and makes it great once the show actually commences. Every performer got to showcase their brand of humor perfectly as they were lit just right and everyone was seated intimately in addition to the entire line-up being truly some of L.A.’s best in comedy. Last night’s crowd at Smashbox Studios were treated (and then some) to the amazing talents of Sean Conroy, sketch group Birds of Prey (Lizzy Cooperman, Susan Burke, and Emily Maya Mills), Christina Pazsitsky, Marc Maron, and the music/comedic truths of Kirk Zipfel. Admission for the Super Serious Show is $15 at the door, but I say, with all sincerity, it’s entirely worth it. The Super Serious Show is on every third Thursday of the month at Smashbox Studios 8549 Higuera St., Culver City, CA. Pre-sale $10/$15 at door. Check back at the Comedy Bureau for details on the next one on December 16th.

2) Instead of watching Harry Potter, take a journey on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL because it’s cheaper and won’t make you wait for the second half for several months. Try out Dead Authors @ UCB Theatre 7PM $5, then WTF with Marc Maron @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10, then Comedy Car Hole @ Comedy Car Hole 9PM FREE, then The Fake Show @ The Fake Gallery 9PM $10, Tammy Jo Dearen’s Laughing Stock @ Club 8572/The Palms @ 9:30PM $10, then Stood Up Friday Night @ Moving Arts Theatre 10PM $5, and end the night/not be possibly disappointed with a cliffhanger at Hot Toddy @ iO West 10:30PM $5

3) OPEN MIC RUN: SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM, iCANDY 1708 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/$3 min., GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/8PM, SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood/6PM, TRINITY OPEN MIC 1019 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 8PM, MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 cover/multiple sets allowed.

4) On Thanksgiving week, there is plenty to give thanks for. Here’s one thing: The Ultimate Free and Cheap LA Comedy List. Thanks also to Wisepix.

5) Zach Sherwin AKA MC Mr. Napkins AKA all-around hilarious comedian is dropping his self-titled album 11/30/10 off of Comedy Central Records. Even if you don’t like rap songs about analyzing rap lyrics, geography, and bees, you should still be on the lookout for it because he’s that good. OR, you can just pre-order it on iTunes here.

6) The Comedy Bureau extends a congratulations to Shayne Michael as winner and Erik D. Schulte as the audience favorite for the first Joe Braza Comedy Invitational.

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to Paul Jay. “@pauljaycomic Love is: not throwing a nerd fit when your girlfriend watches "Casino” in the wrong aspect ratio.“ Follow him on twitter here or check out his awesome podcast, The Biggest Mistake here.

7) "Misadventures” isn’t exactly how I would describe the nightly explorations of the Comedy Bureau. I think “ceaseless insomnia-induced sojourn” is more appropriate. Don’t get me wrong, I have fun. It just never stops. NEVER. Follow the Comedy Bureau’s LIVE TWEETING of “whatever it is” here.

8) I would like an auctioneer to say, “Do I hear….?” in regards to donating to the Comedy Bureau, but I think they would have to start off with, “Do I hear…. anything?” Change that and donate here.

9) What happened to old school hecklers that actually made some sort of sense when they were interrupting? In this last week, I’ve seen mostly crazy people wearing a bunch of hats simultaneously that just say, “My name is Taxi-cab guy. I like house music.”

Report 00028

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