la comedy – Page 4 – The Comedy Bureau

Pick of the Day: Custody Battle (in LA) 7/16

July 8, 2021

alec cole, custody battle, la comedy, lindsay adams, maddie collins, matt legrande, max beasley, tara mcgorry

At this point, you’ve probably caught wind of a thing called Roast Battle. Maybe you’ve even heard of it’s antithesis, Boast Rattle.

Well, now, there’s a new niche twist to two comedians going at each other’s throats with the best jokes they can come up with and it’s called, Custody Battle. If the comics are fighting for custody of something, the jokes might even get a little more personal, perhaps, but with the artifice of fake(?) hearing for custody of someone or something. Also, this will be a showcase of great women and LGBTQIA+ comedians.

On the inaugural Custody Battle, will be very fierce pairings of:
Matt LeGrande vs. Lindsay Adams
Tara McGorry vs. Maddie Collins
Alec Cole vs. Max Beasley

(plus a secret headliner).

Additionally, Custody Battle is happening on Fri. Jul. 16th at 9PM PT at an indie underground spot called Baader House that you’ll need to buy tickets in order to get the address (though we can tell you that it’s in on the Eastside in Boyle Heights). Tickets are $5 and you can Venmo @makeoutmusic for tickets.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 67: Sarah Squirm & The Craft of Absurdity

July 7, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

i think you should leave, la comedy, netflix, new venues, the standups, tim robinson

Sarah Squirm, a trailblazer in meshing the grotesque into comedy, joins us for this week’s TCB Field Report to not only break down the shift from quarantine life back into in-person life that’s somewhat like the before times, but also get into the nitty gritty of absurdist comedy. We actually dissect several parts of the absolute must-see season 2 of I Think You Should Leave in breaking down how to come up with absurdist humor. Also, “hot” takes on Netflix’s latest line-up of half hour specials and new comedy venues that opened in LA as we’re coming out of lockdown.

Follow Sarah @sarahsquirm and watch The Sarah Vaccine on Means.TV

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

Pick of the Day: The Return of Blair & Greta Show (in LA)

July 7, 2021

News

blair socci, greta titelman, la comedy, stand up comedy

Often, on a Tuesday night, you could find us leaning at the back of the room filled with church pews at a somewhat peculiar, but beloved Chinese restaurant on Fairfax called Genghis Cohen. The reason for such a thing was the amazing weekly Tuesday stand-up show run by Blair Socci and Greta Titelman. Blair and Greta could do the whole show themselves with their own brands of wild, hilarious energy, but they’d always have a grand line-up of LA favorites and the best folks who were stopping through LA.

Fortunately, Genghis Cohen survived throughout lockdown and, as such, The Blair & Greta Show are returning as well, giving us back one of our favorite Tuesday night comedy haunts. They’re starting back up on Tues. Jul. 20th at 8PM PT and, like they used to do, are keeping admission free every Tuesday. Their line-up for the first show back is TBA, but you most definitely should follow @blairgretashow to keep yourself in the loop on who you’ll be so lucky to see.

Pick of the Day: Eddie Pepitone & Friends (in LA) 7/12

July 2, 2021

News

dana gould, dynasty typewriter, eddie pepitone, james adomian, la comedy, stand up comedy

The NY Times named Eddie Pepitone’s For the Masses 2020’s Funniest Comedy Special. That special just happened to be shot at Dynasty Typewriter at The Hayworth Theater back in 2019. We just happened to bare witness to one of the tapings and it remains as one of the best nights of stand-up comedy we’ve ever seen.

2 years and a a good portion of a pandemic later, Pepitone is back at the very same hallowed venue to rumble its walls and seats with rolling laughter (along with some pals in James Adomian, Dana Gould, JT Habersaat, and Steve Lolli) on Thurs. Jul. 12th at 8PM PT.

Tickets are $20 now and $25 on the day of and you best go get your tickets before they sell out.

Pick of the Day: John Mulaney: From Scratch (in LA) 6/24-6/30 & 7/5-7/14

June 29, 2021

News

john mulaney, la comedy, live comedy, troubadour

You might have heard that John Mulaney is working on a new hour, From Scratch, as well as an entirely new phase of life. Vulture’s Jesse David Fox captured what that experience was like as the beloved Mulaney is drawing from such a personal vein unlike he has ever done before.

John had a run of From Scratch that sold out in NYC and now it’s in LA at The Troubadour from now to Jun. 30th and then Jul. 5th-14th. Currently, all the shows are sold out, but that doesn’t mean you should give up hope for stand-by tickets or checking @thetroubadour for possible tickets to get released last minute. There are still plenty of these very exclusive shows that you might get lucky (though be prepared to spend a pretty penny for it).

Pick of the Day: The Big One (in LA) 7/2

June 28, 2021

News

broderick baumann, Carly Kane, comedy show, Holmes Holmes, la comedy, Meg Indurti, Molly Kearney, sarah squirm, will miles

The grand tradition of house shows in LA is alive and well and ever burgeoning. There’s a whole crop of Chicago comics that just moved to the fair city of Los Angeles and are already getting a house show going in an increasingly hip part of town, Highland Park.

Called The Big One, it is set to happen the first Friday of the month (and hopefully not accompanying “the big one” earthquake?) and the inaugural show is set for Fri. Jul. 2nd at 7PM PT thanks to Meg Indurti, Molly Kearney, Carly Kane, and Broderick Baumann. Their first line-up will that includes lots of folks from the Paris of the Midwest that have made their home West including Holmes Holmes, Will Miles, and Sarah Squirm.

Tickets are $15. Address will be provided upon purchase. Go get ’em here.

Pick of the Day: Faded 7/9 (in LA)

June 24, 2021

News

bri pruett, david gborie, faded comedy, la comedy, mike mulloy, sean jordan, zak toscani

When it came to Friday nights in LA, one of the best spots to be for live stand-up comedy was tucked away through several hallways at an acting studio on Melrose. That was where Faded Comedy had finally made their new home and was packing in crowds with truly many of the city’s best stand-ups (and whoever was great that happen to be in town). The Faded Comedy gang of Mike Mulloy, David Gborie, Sean Jordan, Zak Toscani, and Bri Pruett corralled a great weekly stand-up show no matter where it was (originally at an art supply store, then a belly dancing studio).

Now, they’re back at the Lounge on Melrose right where they left off from March 2020 and they’re doing limited capacity with proof of vaccination upon their return, scheduled for Fri. July 9th. Tickets are $15 and are being sold in pairs or groups of four. Thus, you should go get your tickets right when then go on sale this Fri., Jun. 25th at 12PM PT.

Pick of the Day: Yard Apples (LA) 6/24

June 21, 2021

News

amber preston, chris walsh, frank fairfield, jackie kashian, john ennis, jono zalay, Kiran Deol, la comedy, ron lynch

One of the main great things that The Yard Theater in LA (formerly known as The Fake Gallery in a past era of comedy) had going just before lockdown was their recurring show, Yard Apples.

As we mentioned before, The Yard had done wonders to gussy themselves up and it was prime, before March 2020, to have so many more lovely comedy, music, and variety shows within its walls. They’ve thankfully survived and now is your chance to go see what we’re sure will be marvelous programming starting with Yard Apples on this Thurs. Jun. 24th at 8PM PT.

This first Yard Apples back has the venue’s proprietor himself, John Ennis, along with the amazing Chris Walsh and Frank Fairfield, host LA favorites Amber Preston, Jono Zalay, Kiran Deol, Jackie Kashian, and Ron Lynch.

Tickets are only $10 (proof of vaccination required at door). Go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Nick and Andrew’s Hellscape 6/25

June 16, 2021

News

andrew michaan, atsuko okatsuka, chelsea peretti, comedy shows, dj douggpound, hannah einbinder, joe mande, kate berlant, la comedy, los angeles, nick thune, ron funches

Jam in a Van has been going for a minute in providing a unique outdoor comedy experience in a secret West LA location. On top of a DIY built, outdoor space, your ticket gets you and your party your own cooler of tasty refreshments (as opposed to waiting around to order two drinks).

Several different shows have come through and come through again in their space, but Nick and Andrew’s Hellscape, set for Fri. Jun. 25th, has one hell of a stacked line-up that could very well be a festival line-up if there were any big festivals happening this month. Chelsea Peretti, Ron Funches, Joe Mande, Hannah Einbinder, Atsuko Okatsuka, Kate Berlant, and hosts Nick Thune and Andrew Michaan are splitting an early show 7PM PT and a late show 9:30PM PT (not everyone will play both shows).

You really ought to not miss this show or, really, both shows if you can swing it. Ticket prices are as follows:

Regular Reserved: $35 (plus $2.50 handling fee)
($75 per pair).
VIP Premium seating and a Mr. Heater heater at your seat: $50 (plus $2.50 handling fee) ($105 per pair).

Go get your tickets as space is very limited for Jam in a Van here.

It’s June 15th and Comedy in LA Is Really Reopening This Week

June 15, 2021

News

flappers comedy, la comedy, reopening, silverlake lounge, westside comedy theater

As you probably well know, a good majority of Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 mandates, especially in regards to masks and social distancing, have been lifted. That leaves way more latitude for events, gatherings, and the like to happen, especially in regards to live comedy (though we hope protocols and caution are observed as LA county only made it to 55% of its population being fully vaccinated by today).

So, this week there are several venues that are reopening with live comedy as they thankfully survived and are more than ready to have folks come through their doors to enjoy some live comedy.

Namely, Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica, Flappers Comedy Club, Bar Lubitsch, and Silverlake Lounge, all of which had several great comedy shows within their walls are putting on shows this week. Definitely count on more indie shows to come roaring back as well including Bear City, Cult Comedy, and more very soon in addition the live in-person shows for fully vaccinated audiences that were already happening at Dynasty Typewriter, Hollywood Improv, and The Comedy Store.

Of course, you can, as always, check our listings to keep up to date on all comedy happenings in LA, and now, NYC.

Pick of the Day: Stamptown (in NY & LA)

June 7, 2021

News

clowning, comedy shows, daniel simonsen, idiot, jo firestone, jordan temple, la comedy, Marcia Belsky, martin urbano, nyc comedy, rosebud baker, stamptown, stavros halkias, zach zucker

Before lockdown, you may have not gotten a chance to catch the madcap variety show that is Stamptown hosted by one of its fearless leader Zach Zucker, but you damn well better not miss your chance this time around. It’s a wild round-up of comedians from every corner of comedy, though it definitely leans in to comedy’s more chaotic, alternative edges.

They’re currently doing recurring shows in both NY and LA, outdoors and indoors, for fully vaccinated audiences. They’ve got a backyard show lined-up for Jun. 15th in NYC as well two indoors shows, Jun. 17th @ Asylum NYC and Jun. 23rd @ Union Hall.

Follow them @stamptown on IG for further updates on shows as they sell out pretty quick.

Line-up for 6/17:
Rosebud Baker
Marcia Belsky
Please Don’t Destroy
Aj Holmes
Steve Girard
Daniel Simonsen
Jordan Temple
& Emily Wilson

Line-up for 6/23:
Jo Firestone
Martin Urbano
Larry Owens
Daniel Simonsen
Stavros Halkias
Marcia Belsky

Pick of the Day: The Comedy Roof 6/2

May 31, 2021

News

ahmed al-kadri, brian simpson, dtla, grand central market, jenny jennings, joe mande, la comedy, nick skardarasy

If you’ve followed for us any of our 10 year and a half run, you very likely know and enjoy LA comedy’s penchant and expertise for doing comedy outdoors. Having had years of comedy taking advantage of the postcard quality weather that we’re privileged to have in LA, doing comedy outdoors due to the pandemic wasn’t such a huge sweat around here.

Shows such as The Comedy Roof popped up on the roof of the parking garage next to Grand Central Market in DTLA to keep this facet of the scene going. Also, they observed as much COVID-19 protocols as they could (including mask policy, very socially distant tables/chairs, separate entrances and exits, etc.). On top of that, you literally get a pretty gorgeous view of DTLA’s skyline.

So, The Comedy Roof folks are back at it with their latest show coming this Wed. Jun. 2nd at 8PM PT (Doors 7:30PM PT) with a stacked line-up of:

Joe Mande (Comedy Cental, NBC)
Brian Simpson (Comedy Central, BS with Brian Simpson)
Nick Skardarasy (CollegeHumor, The A.V. Club)
Jenny Jennings (ROM-COMedians)
Ahmed Al-Kadri
+ Jeff Buck, Vee Bentley, Kate Mason, & Mikel Albagdadi

Tickets are only $15 and you can (and very much should before they sell out) get them here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 41: Luisa Diez & Reimagining Comedy (When COVID’s Over)

January 6, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

chris rock, la comedy, nyc comedy, richard pryor

It’s the first ep. 0f 2021 and the future of comedy is still very, very much up in the air. Not only is the pandemic set to probably keep live comedy a precarious endeavor through a good portion of 2021, but what will be left on the other side of the pandemic in regards to talent, venues, etc. is, as with all things at this time, uncertain.

To parse through all of that (and maybe even solve all of comedy’s problems) at the top of this year/just another week is venerable NYC indie comedy producer/arts & media consultant/co-host of Why You Mad? Luisa Díez. Luisa zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger to analyze how comedy changed in 2020, comedian migratory patterns, and even how comedians can dish it, but often can’t take it. Also, “hot” takes on re-releases of Chris Rock and Richard Pryor and tv/film production having to halt due to COVID-19.

Follow Luisa @luisadieznuts on Twitter and get into her podcast that she co-hosts with Jake Flores, Why You Mad?

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

“Super Serious” Offers an Oral History of LA Indie Stand-Up Scene in a Gorgeous Coffee Table Book

It’s unclear as to exactly what was going on in 2010 in LA comedy, but it was the starting point of almost everything that makes it special now (well, right before COVID-19 struck anyway). The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail started around then, WTF with Marc Maron was picking up steam and kickstarted LA’s comedy podcast explosion, and even we had our humble beginnings around then. Also, so many indie comedy shows popped in and around LA giving the LA comedy scene the sort of connective tissue that it was missing years prior.

One such show is The Super Serious Show and, as they’ve kept their high flying variety show going for a decade between a handful of unique, wondrous venues around LA, they’ve seen the ebbs and flows, the new, the old, the highs, the shifts, the rumblings, the lows, and everything in between that has been going in the venerable indie LA comedy scene, especially when it comes to stand-up. Thus, Super Serious Show co-creator and portrait photographer Mandee Johnson assembled a lovely and exhaustive oral history of the comedy scene here in LA, accented by her signature polaroid portraiture of the hundreds and hundreds of performers that have stepped on The Super Serious Show stage. Contributors to this special oral history entitled Super Serious: An Oral History of Los Angeles Independent Stand-Up Comedy include Hasan Minhaj, Rory Scovel, Anthony Jeselnik, Karen Kilgariff, Baron Vaughn, Dave Anthony, Andy Kindler, Natalie Palamides, Kristen Schaal, Ron Funches, Reggie Watts, Rachel Bloom, Dana Gould, Eddie Pepitone, Cameron Esposito and dozens more.

If you’re as obsessive about comedy as we are, it’s definitely a must have for your coffee table (or whatever table you have). Super Serious: An Oral History of Los Angeles Independent Stand-Up Comedy is available for pre-order now and will be released on Aug. 18th from Andrews McMeel Publishing. Given how there are plenty of shipping delays for non-essential items these days in the U.S., best to put your order in now. Get more details and get your copy here.

Fun news alert: We have a BOOK!

Super Serious: An Oral History of Los Angeles Independent Stand-Up Comedy is available for pre-sale NOW!

Learn more: https://t.co/XRUUsXZ7Xq @mandeephoto @AndrewsMcMeel @_triangle_house #SuperSeriousShow #SuperSeriousBOOK pic.twitter.com/F9GZunTsYZ

— Super Serious Show (@seriousshow) July 14, 2020

Here’s a List of Local Comedians That Really Need Financial Support Because of COVID-19 Pandemic

March 19, 2020

News

aid, la comedy, local aid, los angeles, relief, support, support artists

In addition to great comedy livestream benefits that are happening like Comedy Quarantine and King Lear From Home or a GoFundMe for venue staff at Lyric Hyperion, a Google Doc has been assembled for comedians and comedy folks in LA that are financially affected the most as nearly all live, in-person entertainment has effectively shuddered for the coming weeks.

Per the doc:

What is this: Comedians rely on live performances to make their living, and many comedians are losing or canceling paid work due to covid-19 and CDC recommendations. There are other ways to support your favorite comedians – many of them have merch, albums, or skills that can be booked that don’t require seeing them in person (notes on scripts, graphic design, etc!).

See, share, potentially join in on (NOTE: Please use your best judgment when including your needs on this document; if you have a full-time job with benefits and are not losing financial income, this might not be the document for you) the Alternate Income for Comedians! here: bit.ly/HelpComediansCOVID19

Win Tickets to A Cold Hour with Rory Scovel

August 30, 2017

Uncategorized

free tickets, la comedy, los angeles, lyric hyperion, residency, rory scovel, silverlake, stand up

This September, the fantastic Rory Scovel will be doing a two week run of dates at the Lyric Hyperion where he will be doing a “cold hour”.

If that sounds pretty nice to you, we’ve got a pair of tickets that you could win for Friday 9/15 and 9/22.

You can (and should) enter to win here.

FYI, we’re also giving tickets away for this Saturday’s Harmontown @ Starburns Castle too.

All of our listings for shows and open mics in the Greater LA Area are updated for next week and beyond!

August 7, 2017

Uncategorized

comedy, la comedy, los angeles

If you dig that, please pledge a few (or a lot of) bucks to our Patreon.

Hey LA and comedy, we think you’re worth it (i.e. all of our time).

July 8, 2017

Uncategorized

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Hey LA and comedy, we think you’re worth it (i.e. all of our time).

If you feel the same way about The Comedy Bureau, please pledge some $ to our Patreon.

To have The Comedy Bureau keep supporting LA and comedy at large, it needs your support on Patreon.

July 6, 2017

Uncategorized

comedy shows, crowdfunding, diy, la comedy, los angeles, patreon

To have The Comedy Bureau keep supporting LA and comedy at large, it needs your support on Patreon.

Please pledge $ if you can.

Showtime Orders Pilot About 1970s LA Comedy Scene From Jim Carrey and Dave Flebotte

August 12, 2015

Uncategorized

comedy scene, jim carrey, la comedy, showtime

(via Variety)

While comedy is certainly thriving in LA as you read this, there was another time in the 70s when LA was also really cooking when it came to comedy. So, now is probably as good a time as any to tell those stories.

Former comedian Dave Flebotte wrote the dark comedy pilot, “I’m Dying Up Here” (based on a book I’m Dying Up Here by William Knoedelseder) which focused on the hey day of comedy clubs in Los Angeles back in the 1970s. With Carrey on board as an EP, Showtime has just ordered a pilot.

With how many podcasts talk about the history of comedy or what comedy was like back in the day, we’d bet lots of folks will want to watch this.

Patton Oswalt Gearing Up For His Next Album/Special Almost Entirely in LA

April 5, 2013

Uncategorized

comedy album, comedy special, la comedy, patton oswalt

Patton Oswalt Gearing Up For His Next Album/Special Almost Entirely in LA

In this post on his blog entitled “Comedy Without Planes”, Patton Oswalt describes how gone are the days of jetting around the country to refine material for his upcoming special/album. Instead, feeling drawn to his family and his home here in LA, he’s keeping it local and sharpening his jokes and stories around town at places like the Fake Gallery, Largo at the Coronet Theatre, and The Irvine Improv.

Where he will ultimately record his album will be announced, soon, but you should grab tickets to all these shows as we’re sure they will sell very fast.

Hey Comedians in LA! Get Some Free Professional Photos/Headshots

April 5, 2013

Uncategorized

free, headshots, la comedy

Hey Comedians in LA! Get Some Free Professional Photos/Headshots

There is a photographer named Cowboy and a comedian named Dustin David who are literally stopping by live shows around LA and taking very nice B&W pictures of any comedians that wish to have their pictures taken (even ones not performing at the show they’re at). There’s no charge, no sign-up, and you get what might be the cover of something.

Click the link above for more details.

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