kurt braunohler – The Comedy Bureau

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 208: Kurt Braunohler & 20 Years of a Weekly Comedy Show

March 20, 2024

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2005 seems both so recent and yet so distant, but that marks the time at which a happenstance pairing of Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal backstage at the Peoples Improv Theater in NYC eventually led to run of the longest running, most beloved weekly live comedy shows in comedy history, Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen.

Coming up on its 20th anniversary (and subsequent swan song), Hot Tub has been a treasure in LA, NYC, and wherever its toured (notably, for us, in Portland & Edinburgh). Kurt joins us this week to give an oral history of what is and will always be one of the landmark comedy shows of the this part of the 21st century.

Follow Kurt @kurtbraunohler across socials and at kurtcomedy.com. Find all things Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen @hottub_show across socials.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger
Photo by @nickgast

Pick of the Day: The Bananas Podcast Splitty in the City 1K (in LA) 7/29

July 21, 2023

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bananas podcast, elysian theater, kurt braunohler, live podcast, los angeles comedy, race, scotty landes

Many a years ago, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Kurt Braunohler to bring the extraordinary into many of our humdrum lives. Whether it’s introducing every comic the same way on Hot Tub because it’s Groundhog Day, making it snow in LA, jet skiing the Mississippi River, etc., Braunohler has a knack for bring sublimely ridiculous.

Well, he’s at it again as the podcast he co-hosts with Scotty Landes, Bananas, is not only doing a live episode next weekend, but having it be preceded by a 1K downhill jog (pointedly being called an “un-race”) right before the recording/show. Participants are highly encouraged to appropriately dress as bananas, take the race at their own comfy pace, and enjoy the sweet sounds of that turn-of-the-millennium classic Who Let the Dogs Out? by the Baja Men on repeat.

This splendid bit of absurdity is set to take place on Sat. Jul. 29th with registration & bib pick-up at The Frogtown Brewery between 2PM-3:30PM with the un-race beginning at 3:50PM. The actual live Bananas will happen at 4:30PM at The Elysian where the 1K finishes.

Go get your tickets ($25 a pop) for what should be one of the most beautiful comedic sights in LA this year here.

Pick of the Day: Parlimentary Lights (in LA) 2/27

February 22, 2023

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annie paradis, beth stelling, derrick c brown, jenson titus, kurt braunohler, live debate, los angeles comedy

There are few surefire comedy formulas like comedians debating a point on stage. It’s such a fun phenomena, one has to wonder why it doesn’t happen much, much more often (there is Culture Court at The Comedy Store, but there needs to be more).

Thankfully, comedian/poet/raconteur Derrick C. Brown is bringing around such a comedy debate show in Parliamentary Lights this coming Monday. Brown will host the likes of such comedy luminaries as Beth Stelling, Kurt Braunohler, Annie Paradis, Jenson Titus, and more in what should be a fierce contest of, very likely, using comedy to overcome any sort of sound logic.

You’ll just have to go get a ticket for only $10 and see for yourself on Mon. Feb. 27th at 7:30PM to the Lyric Hyperion. Go get tix here right now.

Pick of the Day: Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen @ Permanent Records Roadhouse (in LA) Wed. Starting 1/11

January 5, 2023

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Finally, at long last, Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal is returning (again). There was a brief window last year where we got some semblance of what we left on Mondays nights in 2019, but then it went away again (and we didn’t know how long it would be gone this time).

Thank gracious goodness that Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen, one of LA comedy’s most venerable weekly comedy shows, is coming to a new home starting next week with a new day as well. Starting Jan. 11th, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen will be at Permanent Records Roadhouse in Cypress Park/Glassell Park on Wednesdays at 8PM sharp.

This first 2023 Hot Tub will, as you’d expect, will have an unbelievably stacked line-up of treasured comedians that just happen to reside in the City of Angels including Nick Kroll, Sheng Wang, Christina Catherine Martinez, Blair Socci, and Sophie Buddle.

Advanced tickets are already sold out, but there will be door tickets available for $12. Note that you’ll probably want to be there early if you want to be able to snag them (the pupusas a couple doors down is a pretty great option while you wait, FYI).

Follow @hottub_show closely to get advanced tickets for the coming weeks.

*poster by Adrienne Lobl

Watch and Enjoy Kurt Braunohler Returning to Do Stand Up on The Tonight Show for 3rd Time

November 10, 2022

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Stand up on late night has ticked a little closer to where it was 2019, but it’s still not a plethora of comedians that are showing off an incredibly tight 5, hoping to be called to the couch by Johnny Carson. That said, the lack of frequency makes performing on any late night show special in its own way and getting to return to the same show as a favorite to perform multiple times is even rarer accomplishment with the lack of slots going around.

So, Kurt Braunohler, fresh off the release of his latest special Perfectly Stupid, available at perfectlystupid.com, marks his 3rd set on The Tonight Show last night and delivered what we think is a classic Kurt set (some absurdly clever short jokes and examining the human condition through a ridiculous and hysterical story he went through with some perfectly chosen yelling).

Go see and enjoy it all for yourself here.

Pick of the Day: Clocktower Comedy (in LA) 3/12

March 1, 2022

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amy miller, asif ali, chris estrada, dtla, kevin camia, kurt braunohler, langston kerman, los angeles comedy, naomi ekperigin, steve hernandez, union station

Right around now, the two year mark of when the reality of COVID-19 was starting to set in for folks here in America, there seems to be things coming back from the appointed time that they were supposed to happen in March 2020.

One of those things was an outdoor comedy show at LA’s iconic train hub, Union Station in DTLA. A variety of stand-up and improv had been all booked and it was definitely going to be one of those highlight, pop-up shows with one of LA’s most picturesque Art Deco back drops.

Called Clock Tower Comedy, it’s now actually, really going to happen at Union Station on Sat. Mar. 12th at the North Patio. For only $5, you’ll get to see the LA’s very best with Naomi Ekperigin, Kurt Braunohler, Asif Ali, Langston Kerman, and Chris Estrada along with co-hosts in LA darlings Steve Hernandez and Amy Miller.

Tickets are only $5 right now (and $7 at the door. Go get them right here right now.

Pick of the Day: (Actual Return of) Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen (in LA) 2/28

February 17, 2022

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kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, los angeles, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy, the virgil

Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen, arguably LA’s most venerable weekly comedy show, was supposed to come back some weeks ago, but, due to the variants, continued to postpone their return like so many other live events around town.

We were so excited to return to the Virgil and post up in the back, resting on the prickly back door that opens up into the show room and watch Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal lead off many of LA and elsewhere’s best and brightest in comedy, famous and needing-to-be-discovered, classic stand-ups and bonkers weirdos. Also, we can’t wait to see how Kurt and Kristen incorporate the pandemic rat from the Hot Tub live-stream into the in-person show.

So, we’re thrilled, yet again, to say that Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal is returning (again, we hope) to The Virgil on Mon. Feb. 28th at 8PM PT sharp. Tickets and line-up to come soon! Follow @hottub_show on Twitter and IG for updates (and to make sure you snag tickets before they inevitably sell out.

Pick of the Day: (The Return of) Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen (in LA) 1/10

November 30, 2021

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kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, live comedy, los angeles comedy, the virgil

In all this time that we’ve been pondering how and when LA comedy is going to return on this side of the pandemic, one of the biggest questions that kept pestering us was the return the show we probably went to the most, Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen.

It was almost a surefire bet that you’d find us standing in the back of the Virgil at 8PM PT on Mondays sharp to enjoy one of LA’s (and what used to be NYC’s) very best weekly shows. Of course, we haven’t gotten any sort of chance to do that as The Virgil has remained dark even amidst many of LA’s bars and watering holes having reopened months ago. We’re grateful that Hot Tub went virtual and did a smash up job on Twitch for months and months and months during lockdown.

So, finally, that big question about Hot Tub is now answered as it was announced today that Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal are going to officially return on Jan. 10th, 2022, same time at 8PM PT and same place, The Virgil.

Line-ups and tickets are yet to be posted, but rest assured that it will be a stellar show per usual and that tickets will very likely sell out quickly for quite some time. Follow @hottub_show on Twitter and IG, so you don’t miss out on all things Hot Tub in 2022.

Pick of Day: In Stitches-Hydrocephalus Association Benefit 11/19

November 18, 2020

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chris estrada, dan levy, Debbie Allen, esther povitsky, hyrdocephalus, jamie lee, jesse tyler ferguson, kurt braunohler, max greenfield, Meghan Trainor, natasha bedingfield, neil patrick harris, Nigel Lythgoe, rachael harris, sebastian maniscalco, wayne brady, whitney cummings

One of the biggest benefit shows this week is dedicated to raising money in the fight for the deadly condition known as Hydrocephalus via the Hydrocephalus Association. The condition is caused by build-up of fluid in the brain and can currently only treated by brain surgery.

Annually, the Hydrocephalus Association puts on a big benefit show, In Stitches, and they’ve really outdone themselves this year with this 2020 virtual edition. For comedy, Whitney Cummings, Kurt Braunohler, Chris Estrada, Jamie Lee, Dan Levy and Esther Povitsky are on the bill, but there will also be a special musical performance from Natasha Bedingfield as well as some cameos from Debbie Allen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Neil Patrick Harris, Rachael Harris, Nigel Lythgoe, Wayne Brady, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Meghan Trainor.

That’s bordering on a mini-festival line-up and should make for a pretty swell Thursday evening this week.

In Stitches is virtually set for Thurs. Nov. 19th at 6PM PT/9PM ET. Tickets for the live-stream start at $50. There will also be a silent auction and a virtual red carpet starting at 5:30PM PT/8:30PM ET.

Pick of the Day: Return of Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen (and Launch of Patreon) 9/14

September 10, 2020

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Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen has been such a bedrock in the world of community wherever it has been. NYC, LA, festivals across the country, etc. have gotten blessed with Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal and the extremely well curated and produced line-up of stand-ups, variety acts, and other marvelous weirdos every Monday for several years.

Even in this pandemic, Hot Tub Home Edition, presented by CleftClips along with Hold The Phone Comedy, has brought some peace and joy to Mondays (as well as a reminder that it is Monday in a world where time feels meaningless). They took August off, but are now coming back in this coming Mon., Sept. 14th and will be launching a Patreon that has also sorts of exclusive goodies for supporters. Depending on what tier you sign-up for, you can get discounted merch, access to archived shows, live audience access for Hot Tub Home Edition, and even Q&As with Kurt and Kristen.

Sign-up for Hot Tub’s Patreon and support one of comedy’s most venerable indie institutions here.

If you can’t spare the support, you can still enjoy Hot Tub Home Edition for FREE at holdthephone.tv every Monday at 8PM PT/11PM ET.

Pick of the Day: Santé D’Or Presents The Comedy For Kittens Cat-Astrophe Fund Show!

August 18, 2020

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christina catherine martinez, colleen green, jared logan, kevin tit, kurt braunohler, nikki glaser, paige weldon, sante d'or, zach carper

There is so much in this world that needs saving right now, especially if it was something that needed to be saved before COVID-19 took hold of the world. The Santé D’Or Foundation in Los Angeles does so much as a volunteer run animal adoption agency and often does comedy benefit shows to support their efforts.

With the presence of the pandemic, rescue animals needing to find a home is more crucial than ever as space and staff to take care of them is extremely limited. So, they are still doing a benefit show, Comedy for Kittens Cat-astrophe Fund Show, but doing so virtually with the lovely aid of Dynasty Typewriter.

Thurs. Aug. 27th at 6PM PT/9PM ET, a line-up of NIKKI GLASER (Netflix), KURT BRAUNOHLER (The Big Sick), PAIGE WELDON (Late Late Show with James Corden), CHRISTINA CATHERINE MARTINEZ(FX’s Cake) , and KEVIN TIT(Hard Times) wash over you, and revel in the musical reprieves by COLLEEN GREEN and ZACH CARPER (FIDLAR) will join host JARED LOGAN (Best Week Ever) for this special evening in support of Santé D’Or.

Tickets are $5-$20 and you can (and should) go get them here (live-stream link will be sent after purchase).

Kurt Braunohler and Lauren Cook Find a Very Special Therapist for “Quarantine Therapy”

May 14, 2020

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kurt braunohler, lauren cook, quarantine life, sketch comedy, therapy

The way that we’ve all been stuck indoors has probably brought many people past the point of going stir-crazy into meltdowns, outbursts, etc. with their families or whomever they’re quarantined with. Therapy has always been important, but it’s an absolutely vital service to have someone to talk in these pandemic times.

That’s why husband/comedian Kurt Braunohler and wife/storyteller Lauren Cook sought out a “very special” therapist to deal with the strain of their relationship and made a short/sketch to “document” how they’re working through the unprecedented stress/anxiety brought about COVID-19.

Please enjoy “Quarantine Therapy” here.

View this post on Instagram

It’s hard to find someone to listen.

A post shared by Kurt Braunohler (@kurtbraunohler) on May 12, 2020 at 3:13pm PDT

Handy Dandy Guide to Weekly/Daily Comedy Livestreams (While We’re All Hunkered Down))

Though it was for a terrible reason, the world of comedy has pretty much pivoted on a dime (with growing pains to be sure) into a cornucopia of live-streaming through several online platforms. Two weeks into a good majority of the major comedy hubs of LA and NYC being sheltered in home, there have already been a whole row of weekly and even daily livestreams featuring your favorite comedians and comedy folks. Best of all, you don’t have to live in LA or NYC or really anywhere to see these. Many are free or for donations and can be seen so long as your WiFi is solid. Also, that means many of the best comedians around the country will be showing up on all sorts of shows as they just have to join in on Instagram Live, Twitch, Zoom, etc.

For the time being, these livestream shows have set up shop and will be here every week or most days of the week to keep you from going entirely insane while being stuck at home. Take note that there are plenty of one-off special events that are happening as well not mentioned here. Check our listings frequently for when and where those shows will be happening.

Obviously, we’ll update this post the more that we find.

Comedy Quarantine-daily stand-up show, Monday-Friday at 7pm PST/10PM on Instagram Live @comedyquarantine, hosted by Barbara Gray and Teresa Lee, donations accepted for comedians and COVID-19 relief.

Eddie Pepitone: Live From the Bunker-live rants and guest interviews from Eddie Pepitone, Monday-Friday, 4PM PST/7PM EST on Instagram Live @eddiepep, free.

Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen (Home Edition)-same great weekly stand-up show with Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal on Mondays at 8PM PST/11PM PST at http://holdthephone.tv/, donations accepted for comedians and COVID-19 relief.

New Material Show with Maria Bamford-Maria Bamford works out 1/2 hour of new material Monday-Friday 3PM PST/6PM EST on Zoom, donate $5 or more to food bank or Venmo $1 to @maroo-bamfoo.

Kurt Braunohler Has a Multi Cam Sitcom “Dad vs. Father” in Development at CBS

November 14, 2018

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Kurt Braunohler Has a Multi Cam Sitcom “Dad vs. Father” in Development at CBS

If there someone to subvert the tropes of the multi cam sitcom, it might just be Kurt Braunohler.

Having hosted an absurdist game show, navigating the Mississippi River on a jetski, and driving across the country w/a giant double-sided butt sculpture, we can only wonder what Kurt has up his sleeve here. Also, we’re curious if and how his dads against dads joke might figure in here.

Hopefully, it’ll get a green light and we’ll find out.

Win Ticket’s to Next Week’s Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen (7/30/18)

July 27, 2018

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byron bowers, comedy show, david venhuizen, DoLA, esther povitsky, free tickets, hot Tub, jay larson, kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, marcus coleman, the virgil, will weldon

Another Monday is coming, which also means you could win a pair of tickets to Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen that we just happen to have handy with us!

Enter to win at here: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

July 10, 2018

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coleen green, comedy show, cyrus ghahremani, joe wong, jon daly, kurt braunohler, los angeles, musical comedy, nicole byer, silverlake

Jon Daly is one of those envelope pushing people who we’re always to see what new trail they’re trying to blaze.

This time, Daly has a new album with him on a saxophone (just take a moment to enjoy a Elvis-inspired Daly with a sax in the flyer above) and his band featuring Cyrus Ghahremani & Joe Wong. He’ll be marking the release with a live show that’s pretty stacked as you can see above at The Satellite.

Tickets are $8 and you really ought to get them here.

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

Win Tickets to Next Week’s Hot Tub with Ron Funches, Justin Willman, Nate Craig, Zainab Johnson, and more!

June 28, 2018

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comedy show, DoLA, free tickets, hot Tub, kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, los angeles, stand up, the virgil

A perfect way to ramp up to a midweek 4th of July, as far as we’re concerned, is another visit to Hot Tub with Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal!

Per our weekly tradition, we have a way for you to do just that for FREE!

Enter to win our pair of FREE tickets: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

Hot Tub’s Finally Back and So Is Our Ticket Giveaway

May 31, 2018

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Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen took Memorial Day off, which has given us a bit of Hot Tub withdrawals.

Luckily, the next show is this coming Monday and, per usual, we got tickets for you to win!

Enter for your chance to snag ‘em here: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

And Here’s Your Chance to Win Tickets to Hot Tub on May 21st

May 17, 2018

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ashley barnhill, comedy show, dave stone, DoLA, free tickets, greg barris, hot Tub, joe derosa, kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, los angeles, madison shepard, ramon rivas

Another Monday is coming and that means another hot serving of Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen is coming too.

Oh, that also means we got a pair of tickets for you to win! Enter here: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

Win Hot Tub Tickets to James Acaster, Moses Storm, Jenny Zigrino Next Week!

May 10, 2018

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comedy show, free tickets, hot Tub, james acaster, jenny zigrino, kara klennk, kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, laura prangley, los angeles, los feliz, moses storm, silverlake, stand up, vladimir caamano

From across the pond to favorites of the scene, next week’s Hot Tub is another round of live comedy not to miss.

Per usual, we’ve got a pair of tickets that could be yours!

Enter here at DoLA for your chance to win: http://dola.com/events/2018/5/14/hot-tub-w-kurt-kristen

May 3, 2018

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Here’s your weekly chance to win tickets for you and a loved one (maybe?) to next week’s @hottubshow!

Enter to win here: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

Man oh man, we’ve got a whole lot of tickets to giveaway to some really amazing shows including:Eddie Pepitone’s solo show, Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen, and the always fun 4:20 induced Gateway Show.

If you want to win a pair of tickets to any of these, please enter here: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

Win Tickets to Hot Tub to See Barry Rothbart, Deanne Smith, David Gborie!

April 26, 2018

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comedy show, DoLA, free tickets, kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, los angeles, los feliz, silverlake, stand up, ticket giveaway

This week’s Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen has the host of a “get-high-and-save-the-world” podcast, a wondrous visitor from up North, a comic to be featured on the upcoming New Negroes, and more!

Per usual, it’s pretty great and we’ve got tickets for you to win!

Enter here: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Win Tickets to Next Week’s Hot Tub

April 18, 2018

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allen strickland williams, comedy show, eddie pepitone, free tickets, hot Tub, jackie kashi, kevin avery, kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, los angeles, los feliz, melissa villaseñor, silverlake, stand up

A writer for The Jim Jefferies Show, SNL cast member, and a “mindnoodler” are just a few of the special guests joining in for Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen next week!

Lucky for you, as always, we’ve got a pair of tickets for you to win. Just enter here via DoLA: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

FYI, you can still also win tickets to catch Tracy Morgan at The Novo too!

Win Tickets to See Jonah Ray, Kate Berlant, Nina Conti at Next Week’s Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen

April 5, 2018

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comedy show, DoLA, free comedy, free tickets, hollywood, kristen schaal, kurt braunohler, los angeles, los feliz, puppets, silverlake, stand up, the virgil, ticket giveaway

From the heights of being the host of the new MST3K to expert puppetry from across the pond to the several dimensions that Kate Berlant occupies, next week’s Hot Tub, per usual, ought to be a doozy.

As you also should know by now, we’ve got a pair of tickets for you to win to catch this magic. Enter here: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

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