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Get “In The Know”, LA’s Newest Place to Find Out What’s Going on Personally Curated by Some of LA’s Best Curators

June 11, 2018
Uncategorized
events, la, los angeles, what's going on
image

If you’re reading this, odds are you know that we strive to keep you up-to-date about everything-you-need-to-know in and around comedy in Los Angeles. We curate our listings from hundreds and hundreds comedy events to tell you what we truly think is worth going out and catching live.

TCB readers have enjoyed that have kept them aware of the coolest house shows all the way to the big one-offs at the Ace. 

Now, we’ll get to do this on a bigger scale/more all-inclusive way.

So, with the ever growing demand of LA folks wanting to know what’s really going on in this vast metropolis of ours, consumate man-on-the-LA-scene Shane Carpenter has assembled the like minds in different fields (music, dance, art, etc.) of Restless Nites, Buzzbands.LA, High Voltage Magazine, We Found New Music, Curate LA, and us here at The Comedy Bureau to create In The Know.

ITK will offer a straight up, user-friendly calendar to really know the best events in LA in all fields. Shane and web designer Royce Hsu have just launched it and already we could be the start of something special. 

See for yourself at: https://intheknow.la/ (and feel free to Add to Home Screen on your mobile device’s Internet browser to make it more like an App).

Brooks Wheelan Going on The Brooks Wheelan Falls Back on Stand Up Comedy (sorta) Tour

July 19, 2014
Uncategorized
amsterdam, brooks wheelan, comedy tour, la, montreal, nyc, snl, stand up

You might have heard that SNL cast member Brooks Wheelan was recently let go from SNL, but we would hope you know that Brooks is a really funny stand-up. In fact, that’s how he got noticed in the first place.

Now, he’s going on tour or “falling back (sorta)” to do that very thing that got him to a SNL audition. 

From now through November, he’ll be stopping by Montreal, NYC, Amsterdam, Connecticut, Indiana, Seattle, LA, and St. Louis. Brooks says, “Go to my bad website for details.”

February 24, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, la, simpsons

Things to Do in Los Angeles According to Bart Simpson (via Hidden Los Angeles)

Is it sad that I’ve seen all of these on a semi-regular basis?

February 24, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, hollywood improv lab, la, red velvet

The Return of Red Velvet Comedy….

Morning Debriefing 2/23/11

February 23, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy crawl, kyle kinane, la, morning debriefing, norm macdonald, on the horizon, open mic run, robert buscemi, tony sam

1) Norm MacDonald (@NormMacdonald) was trending on Twitter in Los Angeles.  Apparently, he tweeted 14 times yesterday adding to his 16 total times he has tweeted since 2009… and he still has over 30,000 followers.  Makes Follow Fridays seem kind of pointless, doesn’t it?

2) THIS FRIDAY IS KYLE KINANE’S COMEDY CENTRAL PRESENTS SPECIAL.  YOU DO REALIZE THAT, DON’T YOU? FEB. 25th COMEDY CENTRAL 11PM.

3) ON THE HORIZON:
Comedy Showcase @ 3rd St. Promenade Playhouse Fri. Feb 25th 9PM $6 online/$12 at door
Cartoon Dump w/Emo Phillips and Kyle Kinane @ The Steve Allen Theater
 Mon. Feb. 28th 8PM $10
Red Velvet Comedy Returns @ Hollywood Improv Lab Fri. Mar. 4th 10PM $5
Battleship Pretension @ Meltdown Comics Sat. Mar. 5th 8PM $5 

3) Charlyne Yi Interview in Serial Optimist. Charlyne is amazing and Serial Optimist knows what they’re doing so READ IT!!!

4) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL
Adam Shenkman’s “Silverlake ARM Wrestling Tournament” @ Silverlake Lounge 6PM FREE
Merrillwood LIVE @ Zephyr Theatre 7:30PM $10/Free for comics 
“If This Doesn’t Work, I’m Moving Home” A Variety Hour @ Harlem Place Cafe 8PM FREE 
Fix Up Show @ ACME Comedy Theatre 8PM $15 
Welcome to Hollyweird (Charity Event) @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $15/2 item min.
Meltdown @ Meltdown Comics 8:30PM FREE
The Mostly Normal Show @ Hollywood Improv Lab 9PM $5
Just for Laughs Showcase @ Punk House 9PM $8 
Beer in the Shower @ Whitehorse Cocktail Lounge Inn 9:30PM FREE
Denver Smith Presents @ Next Stage Theatre 11PM $5 

5) OPEN MIC RUN
THE SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7PM 
CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM 
CAFE MUSE 6547 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 8PM
LIBRARY A COFFEEHOUSE 3418 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM 

6) Recently: Man has 39 Wives, nearly 100 children.  When I first read that, I hope that his 100 children just do impressions like a bad comic all the time until he goes clinically insane.

7) If you choose to dance while people are telling jokes instead of talking, you’re still heckling.  In fact, you’re worst.  Stop it.

Report 00124

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Morning Debriefing 2/22/11

February 22, 2011
Uncategorized
bill hicks, chris dunham, comedy, comedy crawl, everybody's talkin, la, morning debriefing, on the horizon, open mic run, paul jay, wisepix

1) Hilarious comedian Paul Jay was recently threatened by someone unknown to the Comedy Bureau at the Westwood Brewco Open Mic, sometimes referred to as the “open mic of love” over an incident that happened about a month ago.  Apparently, the person dishing out the threats took offense to a comment that Paul made in trying to shut him up as this person was talking during the whole show.  If anything is “going down” tonight, I urge anyone there to have Paul’s back because he’s a good man, a funny man, and anyone who claims they were whispering during the whole show and then wants to fight over being told to be quiet is pretty much in the wrong.

2) Real People liking good comedy: Everybody’s Talkin’ Comedy Show Review (via Wisepix).  

3) The hilarious “Puddin” live action comic strip with Eddie Pepitone will be featured here everyday, but you can follow them on Twitter if you feel like beating the Comedy Bureau to the punch @puddinstrip.

4) ON THE HORIZON:
Birds of Prey @ Comedy Central Stages 8PM FREE/call (323) 960-5519
Eddie Pepitone Bloodbath @ Hollywood Improv Lab Mar. 8th
Glenn Wool @ Hollywood Improv Lab Thurs. Mar. 10th 10:30PM $5
LA Comedy Fest’s First Fridays Variety Show @ Theatre Asylum Fri. Mar. 4th 10:30PM $10
Timeline B (Sax Carr Taping) @ Meltdown Comics Fri. Mar. 11th 8PM FREE
The Midnight Show Showcase @ UCB Theatre Thurs. Mar. 17th 8PM $5

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL
Biscuits & Gravy @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5
Comedy Death Ray @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
First Therapy Comedy Show @ Blue Monkey Lounge 8:30PM FREE 

7) OPEN MIC RUN
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO @ SEÑOR FISH 422 E. 1st, Los Angeles, CA (downtown)/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Starts 8PM
WESTWOOD BREWCO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7:30PM/Starts 8PM  

8) Recently: Man was shot dead for eating popcorn too loudly at a ‘Black Swan’ screening.  This makes me wonder, briefly, why Bill Hicks didn’t go further in handling this heckler.

9) Special Thanks to Comedian Chris Dunham for his donation to the Comedy Bureau.

Report 00123

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Morning Debriefing 2/21/11

February 21, 2011
Uncategorized
big trouble in little tokyo, chris fairbanks, comedy, fuel tv, glenn wool, jerrod carmichael, kyle kinane, la, marc maron, morning debriefing, ron babcock, wtf

1) Kyle Kinane Interview by Ron Babcock in a nudie mag for women called Pool Boy.  I’m just going to focus on the first six words of the previous sentence.  

2) Would you look at that…?  You can have a comedy special on Fuel TV.  On Feb. 28th, Chris Fairbanks will air his special that he taped at M-Bar in November of last year, though just like every other channel that airs comedy specials, it’ll be on 1AM.

3) ON THE HORIZON: Shows you should be watching for because they might/should sell out
Welcome to Hollyweird Charity Event @ Hollywood Improv Wed. Feb. 23rd 8PM $15
The Sarah Silverman and Friends @ Largo
Thurs. Feb. 24th 7:30PM $25
Conan Writers @ Hollywood Improv Thurs. Feb. 24th 8PM $14/2 item min.
Jeff Ross’ Roast in Peace @ The Comedy Store Fri. Feb. 25th 8:30PM $20
The Paul F. Tompkins 9th Anniversary Show @ Largo Sat. Mar. 19th 8:30PM $25

4) To go with Marc Maron coffee mugs, I just found WTF Roast Coffee.

5) Big Trouble in Little Tokyo is happening folks.  Don’t worry.  Glenn Wool and Jerrod Carmichael have got our backs on this one.  Tomorrow. Señor Fish. 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA. Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM.

6) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-That’s the “nice price”
4 & 20 @ All Star Lanes 8PM FREE
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Melgard Mondays @ Melgard Public House 9PM FREE
Comedy Night @ Cherry Pit 9PM FREE
Keep It Clean Comedy @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE

7) OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min.
CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PMish
JAKE’S
38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7:30PM/Starts 8PM.  First 15 spots are 5 min. paired with 3 min. work-ins throughout the show. 
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8PM-ish
HARLEM PLACE CAFE 124 W. 4th St. (in alley between Main and Spring St.)/Starts 8PM/e-mail speakeasyopenmic@gmail.com for spots
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 Cover/Free coffee & water. 

8) Recently: I read this headline, “Washington: the blackest name in America”. I also had trouble thinking of something to post in this section today, so I’m just posting something without much of a purpose besides it being hilarious: Claire Titelman.

9) When you ask to be brought up on stage by having the host say, “Our next comic comes all the way from the city of ASSHOLE!” I begin to wonder wy you ever left.

Report 00122

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Morning Debriefing 2/20/11

February 20, 2011
Uncategorized
blake griffin, britney spears, comedy, comedy crawl, dunk contest, frolic, jake's, josh rencher, la, lauri roggenkamp, michael rayner, morning debriefing, neil hamburger, open mic run, steve hernandez

1) Though he has a penchant for provoking, it’s still amazing that Neil Hamburger (@Neil_Hamburger) proves that you can get heckled on Twitter and that, sometimes, the best way to deal with them is to let the heckler put their own foot in their own damn mouth.  After a few tweets along the lines of: “I apologize to @BritneySpears and her fans.  Feeling guilty after meeting her kids in line at local free clinic. #MentalIllness #Malnutrition,” Neil Hamburger’s Twitter feed filled with some, perhaps, ill-conceived “heckles” tweeted at him that he thankfully retweeted and are, now, featured here. 

“Stop running your mouth you fucking ugly loser. You’re irrelavent. Don’t take it out on Brit, bitch!”

“wow @Neil_Hamburger….i never thought someone could be as ignorant and unsophisticated as you are. karma is a bitch…be ready for it.”

“FEMME FATALE will come for your ass you sad failed comedian. NOBODY knows who you are. LMAO”

“Sorry. mean people like @Neil_Hamburger aren’t amazing. Open ur eyes people. People like him is the reason why there’s so much hate…”

“Using Britney, her mental illness, and her kids for publicity, are we? Hope it makes you sleep better at night, sir.”

“America’s #1 Funnyman? HAHAHA You gotta be kidding. You’re such a nobody, look in the mirror… You fucking failed abortion.”

“You’re such a fail. Trying to become famous making fun of people who will always be more succesfull than you’ll ever be”

“Haha, dumb fuck. You’ll never be as succesful as Britney. Go DIE ignorant, motherfucker. FAILED COMEDIAN.”

“HEY!! BACK OFF BRITNEY SPEARS!!! BRITNEY IS THE QUEEN!! YOU ARE AN IGNORANT PERSON!!! I AM A BRITNEY & MJ FAN!!!”

“your second name is so unfortunate Lol, get ran over by a bus plz.”

“You can only wish your career is as successful as Britney’s.”

“could you please stop retweeting people who are sarcastically responding to you? it’s really annoying”

2) Josh Rencher’s Frolic is back from yet another hiatus, which I guess would make it Frolic 3.0?  Mar. 2nd. 9PM FREE at Far Bar in Little Tokyo.  What’s Frolic?  Well, I wrote about it right here.  Check back at the Comedy Bureau next week for more details.  

3) The birth of a new open mic that could possibly fill in a void that the comedy community has been somewhat feeling on Mondays: Jake’s 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA. Sign-up (lottery) 7:30PM/Starts 8PM.  First 15 spots are 5 min. paired with 3 min. work-ins throughout the show.  Hosted by the gracious Steve Hernandez.

4) Again, in case you don’t like scrolling down, Tip of the Hat 2/19: Lauri Roggenkamp

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-even if it isn’t a 3 day weekend….
Jeff Garlin’s Combo Platter @ UCB Theatre 6PM $2 (stand by only)
Comedy Without a Cause @ Boardner’s 7PM FREE 
Sunday Funnies @ Zoey’s (in Ventura) 7PM $5 
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Comedy Barre @ Barre Vermont 8PM FREE/2 drink min. 
An Evening with Ted Leo @ Center for the Arts Eagle Rock 8PM $10
Big Ten Comedy All Stars @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $14/2 item min.
French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE 
Powerviolence Comedy Night @ 6470 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood 8:30PM FREE 
Top Story Weekly @ iO West 9PM $5 
Matt Mira & Thomas Lennon Present ONESTAR @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Race Riot @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $14/2 item min. 

6) OPEN MIC RUN
PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM 
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min. 

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/multiple sets allowed

7) Recently: Blake Griffin dunked over a car in his victory at the NBA Dunk Contest last night, but can he spin a cheeseburger on an umbrella like Michael Rayner (and also be funny while doing it?)  Didn’t think so.

8) I went though nearly an hour of straight bombing yesterday just to have a good 7 min. set.  In that time, I yelled at myself in my car while stuck in traffic, questioned myself in my intentions as a comedian, and depressed the few people that bothered to listen to me and not the person dancing outside in the rain.  Sometimes, that’s what you need to do to prepare for a show.

Report 00121

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Tip of the Hat 2/19: Lauri Roggenkamp

February 20, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, hot toddy, la, lauri roggenkamp

The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” this week to LAURI ROGGENKAMP:

“@lauriroggenkamp I think I was given a sign last night that I eat too much because the drive thru lady cut me off while I was still ordering.”

The last few “Tips of the Hat” have been to performers that tour the world doing stand up or are sort of local legends in their own right.  Lauri Roggenkamp may not get perform in Hungary or get to be on Chelsea Lately once a month, but she is fuckin’ hilarious on a consistent basis, which is one of the main qualifiers to be featured here.

Lauri Roggenkamp is a multi-faceted performer as she frequently switches caps between stand-up, sketch, and improv throughout Los Angeles very well having performed often at iO West and UCB Theatre.  Still, the most enjoyable thing about Lauri, especially when it comes to her stand up performances, is the delightful, but unflinching brand of honesty she has honed.

Unabashed and unfiltered in her material about her weight/appearance and people’s constant curiosity as to what her sexual preferences are, Lauri delivers it in such an endearing way that you forget how dark it is while laughing hysterically.  Her likability is so great that even at a roast, she was fact-checked by the person she was roasting, proved wrong, and actually acknowledged that she didn’t fact-check any of her jokes, then still got uproarious laughter the whole way through.

Currently, Lauri is part of the iO West sketch group Hot Toddy that performs weekly and does stand up everywhere from the Hollywood Improv to a Southern Style seafood restaurant in Orange County, but is undeniably funny in all of those circumstances.  Follow her on Twitter, follow her on Tumblr, and check back here at the Comedy Bureau for details on her next performance.

Morning Debriefing 2/19/11

February 19, 2011
Uncategorized
brandie posey, comedy, comedy crawl, la, morning debriefing, open mic run, patton oswalt, radiohead, rooftop college comedy competition

1) The Rooftop College Comedy Competition on Mar. 22nd pits students from LMU and Chapman University to see who is the funniest.  How is this not an open mic that you’d have to pay to see?  

2) Sell-Outs: Just a heads up on some great shows that are SOLD OUT, though you might just show up and see if there are any tickets at the door because people in LA tend to be quite flaky.
Matt Mira and Thomas Lennon present ONESTAR @ UCB Theatre Sun. Feb. 20th 9:30PM
West Memphis Three Benefit Show w/Oswalt, Silverman, and Tompkins @ Largo Mon. Feb. 21st 8PM $40
An Evening with Bill Maher @ Ice House Mon. Feb. 21st 8PM $40

3) Thank Brandie Posey (@brandazzle) for braving the rain for watching Dave Coulier’s set at Flappers last night tweeting it under the #CoulierGenius hashtag.  

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-You better stay up tonight…
2 Milk Minimum @ Flappers Burbank 11:30AM $10/2 item min.
The Swarm @ UCB Theatre
7PM $5 (stand by only)
The Anytime Show w/Dominic Dierkes @ Smodcastle 8PM $8
Grand Theft Audio LIVE @ Meltdown Comics 8PM $8
Lettuce Entertain You w/Stand Up @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10 (stand by only)
Dole-White @ 1269 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 10PM FREE
Magic Bag @ Smodcastle 10PM $8
The 12 Shiny Nickels Show @ Fake Gallery 11PM $5
The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch Presents: Hook-Up @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8

6) OPEN MIC RUN
SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Starts 2PM/people usually give feedback at end of set
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min.
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATRE 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd and 4th St.)/Sign-Up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed

7) Recently: Radiohead’s new album came out to uproarious…. outrage especially via Twitter.  Anyone think they will get to the point where fans will want to chase them with pitchforks like Patton Oswalt wants to kill George Lucas with a shovel?

8) A kid an open mic asked me where we can make money doing comedy in LA and I literally told him, a la Chinatown because it was raining and there were neon signs all around, “It’s LA. Forget about it.”  Welcome to Jadedville. (also, I find it hilarious that I’m Jake and I’m the one saying it.)

Report 00120

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Just So You Know What You Have to Go Through to Get “Passed” at the Comedy Store

February 18, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy store, la

Just So You Know What You Have to Go Through to Get “Passed” at the Comedy Store

February 18, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, eddie pepitone, la

Eddie Pepitone’s Daily “Puddin’”-Race War

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Morning Debriefing 2/18/11

February 18, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy crawl, comedy store, jeff ross, justin bieber, la, largo, march comedy madness, matty goldberg, morning debriefing, open mic run, paul f tompkins, super serious show, trick, ultimate free and cheap la comedy list

1) Comedy Extravaganzas to Watch for: Jeff Ross’ Roast in Peace @ The Comedy Store Fri. Feb. 25th and The Paul F. Tompkins Show 9th Anniversary Celebration @ Largo Sat. Mar. 19th.  I can’t really afford any of this, but if you can, you’d really should tear up your money for missing it.

2) The Ultimate Free & Cheap LA Comedy List 2/20-2/26.  Thanks Wisepix.

3) Due to the circumstances beyond their control, the very popular comedy and variety show Trick @ Bordello Bar has been cancelled for the month of February.  More details on the next show soon.  Also, note to new management, people would have come to the show in herds.

4) Open Call for the March Comedy Madness is taking place today at the Comedy Store Original Room from 3PM to 7PM.  They’re asking for 2 minutes of funny and apparently no entry fee, so what’s the harm in hitting another spot tonight.  Here are more details.

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-Takin’ it easy… sort of…
The Jen Kirkman Talk Show @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only)
Robot Seizure @ The Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5
Stood Up Friday Night: Musical Comedy @ Moving Arts Theatre 10PM $5 
Stand Up Spotlight: Dave Foley @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)

6) OPEN MIC RUN
SET LIST @ FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Sign-up 5PM
iCANDY
1708 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/$3 min.
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM 
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Starts 7PM
GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/Starts 8PM
TRINITY CHURCH 1015 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 8PM 

7) Recently: Justin Beiber made some very astonishing comments about rape, then was shot in an episode of CSI, and subsequently still makes his music.  With all that in mind, I’d like to see him play Dwayne Wade one-on-one like comedian Matty Goldberg did.  Over and over.

8) The Super Serious Show is why most people should equate stand up comedy to overweight balding men insulting front row audience members with bigoted commentary and subsequently why you should believe in live comedy.

Report 00119

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Morning Debriefing 2/17/11

February 17, 2011
Uncategorized
anti-laser, comedy, comedy awards, comedy crawl, conan, eddie pepitone, jeopardy, la, meltdown comics, morning debriefing, open mic run, reggie watts, super serious show, watson

1) RT @comedymeltdown Top secret meeting&dealings regarding the renewal of @meltdowncomics gallery space and the future of @comedymeltdown Stay tuned&thank you!

2) So… Eddie Pepitone is having an live action single panel comic strip updated DAILY Mon. through Fri.  So… you should probably watch it.

3) Reggie Watts on Conan.  You can witness what’s its like to see him live, which is really the only way to do it, at the SUPER SERIOUS SHOW (details below in the Comedy Crawl)

4) The First Annual Comedy Awards have another category, Viral Video, that is up for a vote.  You actually have a say in this, so maybe something that is deserving might win.  That’s all up to you folks….

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-Damn straight…
Just for Laughs Showcase @ Comedy Store Belly Room 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 7:30PM 
The Super Serious Show @ Smashbox Studios 8PM $15
Adam Carolla Show w/Dr. Drew & Jeff Ross @ Jon Lovitz Comedy Club 8PM $15/2 drink min.
Everybody’s Talkin’ @ Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock 8PM $5 suggested donation
Comedy Speakeasy @ TSR Lounge 8PM FREE
Comedy 90210 @ Roxbury Cafe 8PM $5
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE 
Mapping the Heavens @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Just for Laughs Showcase @ The Laugh Factory 8001 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 10PM $20/$30 VIP/2 item min.
Live at Carnegie Hall* @ Hollywood Hotel 10PM FREE 

6) OPEN MIC RUN
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM 
THE SANDWICH SPOT 3101 Ocean Park Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 7PM
CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/$3 cover/10 min. guaranteed
TKO SHOW @ 212 CAFE 212 Pier Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 9PM

7) Recently: OK, so recently developed are the Jeopardy Playing Robot, which I’ve reasoned is a robot programmed just stupid enough to make a knowledge based competition fair, and an Anti-Laser.  I feel that there is no need for a comedy clip to comment on how hilariously wasteful this is.

8) Every time a comic on stage says, “Fuck you, that’s funny,” when they’re getting laughs, doesn’t deserve any laughs.  (Yes, this happens… a lot.)

Report 00118

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Morning Debriefing 2/16/11

February 16, 2011
Uncategorized
american: the bill hicks story, bill hicks, comedy, comedy crawl, comedy is dead, jim jeffries, la, marty's, morning debriefing, open mic run

1) Just a reminder: American: The Bill Hicks Story will debut in LA at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Hollywood on April 15th.  Please check back at the Comedy Bureau for more details on this as the date approaches.

2) Jim Jeffries on Lopez Tonight.  THAT’S JIM JEFFRIES DOING A CLEAN SET on cable television and pulling it off.  Well, just watched it and it’s pretty much clean until that last bit.  

3) If nothing else, the name, Comedy is Dead, should be a huge selling point, especially when it takes place within a real cemetery and Neil Hamburger is on the line-up.  Mar. 3rd. Hollywood Forever Cemetery 8PM $15. RSVP at comedyisdead@gmail.com

4) Whatever your opinion of Marty’s/The Open Mic, the open mic where you pay $5 to do multiple sets in front of nothing but comics 7 nights a week, 6 hours at a time, it was their one year anniversary yesterday.  Considering that pure comedy open mics have been quite the high turnover rate lately, the Comedy Bureau extends a congratulations to Marty’s for making it a year.

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-Forget about the “hump” in hump day.
Web Series Unplugged @ El Cid 7PM $8
Just for Laughs Showcase @ Hollywood Improv Lab 7:30PM FREE 
Getaloada Comedy @ Foundation Room-House of Blues 8PM FREE
An Anti Valentine Comedy Show and AA Meeting @ Harlem Place Cafe 8PM FREE 
Fix-Up Show w/J. Keith Van Straaten and Special Guest Henry Winkler @ ACME Comedy Theatre 8PM $15
Smartest Man in the World LIVE @ Comedy Central Stages 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 8PM FREE Call (323) 960-5519
Meltdown @ Meltdown Comics 8:30PM $8
The Ed Galvez Punk House @ Westside Comedy Theatre 9PM $8
Beer in the Shower @ Whitehorse Cocktail Lounge Inn 9:30PM FREE
Just for Laughs Showcase @ Laugh Factory 10PM $20/$30 VIP/2 item min.
Anna Lee Lawson Comedy Hour @ Next Stage Theatre 11PM $5

6) OPEN MIC RUN
THE SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7PM 
CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM 
CAFE MUSE 6547 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 8PM
LIBRARY A COFFEEHOUSE 3418 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM  

7) Recently: We’re in the thick of awards season. To show you how much I care, I’m posting this clip of Jerrod Carmichael doing absolutely no material on awards, but is hilarious.

8) Stickers saying, “The Comedy Bureau Approves” or something along those lines, thoughts?  OK, I get it.  I’ll stop.

Report 00117

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

The Most Important Snub(s) of All in the Comedy Awards

February 15, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy central, first annual comedy awards, la, mtv

 

The First Annual Comedy Awards.

First off, this should be called the First Annual Comedy Awards in Film and Television, just to be perfectly accurate as to what they are and aren’t giving recognition too.  Second, forget about the significance of snubbing 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, and Community.  There are much bigger snubs at hand and I’ve bolded them for you to cut to the chase.

COMEDY SERIES
COMEDY ACTOR — TV
COMEDY ACTRESS — TV
COMEDY ACTOR — FILM
COMEDY ACTRESS — FILM
LATE NIGHT COMEDY SERIES
SKETCH COMEDY/ALTERNATIVE COMEDY SERIES
STAND-UP SPECIAL
COMEDY FILM
ANIMATED COMEDY FILM
ANIMATED COMEDY SERIES
COMEDY WRITING — TV
COMEDY SCREENPLAY
COMEDY DIRECTING — TV
COMEDY DIRECTOR — FILM

Again, this is being billed as the “First Annual Comedy Awards”, which would denote recognition towards the art of comedy in seemingly all of its various manifestations.  Instead, there is only one “nod” towards stand-up, which, whether you like it or not, is still a major component of comedy today.  

Even within that nomination, Comedy Central and MTV, limited its scope to a “stand-up special”, which means it had to be aired on TV in order to be considered for an award.  This is an unnecessarily exclusionary policy as only stand up comedy that is formatted for TV as opposed to a stand up comedy album, which is usually unfiltered, uncensored, and better as it has no exact time constraints.

Not only is there a kind of an afterthought of a category for stand up at the First Annual Comedy Awards, there’s also nothing recognizing comedy podcasts that either deal with the art of Comedy or just plain funny.  What about funny people that Tweet? What about the funniest book?  Funniest viral video? 

Also, just like the Oscars, there is a separate category for those in the realm of animation.  This is yet another unfairly exclusive move on the Comedy Awards and even furthered by having another category for Sketch Comedy/Alternative Series. If you ever want to devalue someone’s award, have a “/” in their category.  In considering the BEST in comedy in regards to a series, there should be no dissociation between live action or animation because, in the end, both awards cheapen the other.  Just have a Best Comedy Series and whether it be animated, live action, on TV, or on the web, may the best production win and it would have so much more weight and prestige as an award (is that the goal of awards ceremonies anymore?)

The thinking process, unfortunately, is that no one would watch a telecast with sub-genre categories that I just mentioned and there would be numbers to back that argument up.  In fact, I would say that most of America wouldn’t care about who is the funniest person on Twitter, etc.  Then again, I firmly believe with not just the First Annual Comedy Awards, but also with the Grammys, Oscars, Emmys, and other televised awards show is that none of them should be aired ever.

It’s a specific industry recognizing its peers and we have no real business in dictating or judging how any of that should be carried out.  If any of these awards shows weren’t aired, (yes, I understand that’s advertising dollars down the drain, but just go with this argument for a bit longer) there would be significantly less pressure to pander to an audience who have no foundation from which to be a judge of any of these categories.  The People’s Choice Awards already exists, so any other awards ceremony like the Comedy Awards should be along on the lines of honoring the best in the art of comedy for those involved in comedy because they would know better than anyone else.

A corollary to an earlier point I made in this article: The First Annual Comedy Awards should actually be called The First Annual Comedy in Film and TV Awards Made Palatable and Relatable for “That” Key Demographic.

Morning Debriefing 2/15/11

February 15, 2011
Uncategorized
action figure therapy, big trouble in little tokyo, comedy, comedy crawl, jim gaffigan, la, morning debriefing, open mic run, Señor Fish, set list, splitsider

1) “Set List”-the Improvised Stand-Up show, in essence “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” for stand up is taping its pilot for Comedy Central tonight at the Comedy Central Stages.  Perhaps, you should go.  Details below in the COMEDY CRAWL.

2) What to Watch/DVR this Week via Splitsider

3) Do you LOVE hilarious web series Action Figure Therapy? Well, there’s ringtones now to get your fix….

4) Big Trouble in Little Tokyo with Ron Lynch and Sean Patton. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: ‘Nuff said. (sign-up 6:30PM/starts 7PM/Señor Fish 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA)

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-OK, now that we’re done with that love stuff…
Good Luck Show @ Good Luck Bar 7:30PM FREE
Just for Laughs Showcase @ Three of Clubs 1123 Vine St. 8PM FREE
Set List Taping @ Comedy Central Stages 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 8PM FREE-call (323) 960-5519 for RSVP
Comedy Death Ray @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Holy Fuck @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE
Lower Crust Comedy @ Genghis Cohen 740 N. Fairfax, Hollywood, CA 9PM $6
Just for Laughs Showcase @ Laugh Factory 10PM $20 general/$30 VIP/2 item min.

6) OPEN MIC RUN
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO @ SEÑOR FISH 422 E. 1st, Los Angeles, CA (downtown)/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Starts 8PM
WESTWOOD BREWCO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7:30PM/Starts 8PM 

7) Recently: This article, “Moral Crusade Against Foodies” went viral yesterday.  Yes, foodies are extreme.  Why can’t we all just meet up at point of reconciliation with bacon?  Like Jim Gaffigan says, “Frying bacon even sounds like applause.”

8) We made it through Valentine’s Day.  We made it and by we, I mean I only started drinking at 3:30PM yesterday.

Report 00116

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

February 14, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, la, valentine's day

I feel better now, especially since I heard that this guy hits the streets of LA EVERY VALENTINE’S DAY! (via Johnny Gold)

Morning Debriefing 2/14/12

February 14, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy crawl, grammys, la, mike o'connell, morning debriefing, open mic run, rejectedcandyhearts, serene branson, tiger lily

1) 2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1: Best #Grammys and #RejectedCandyHearts Tweets from yesterday from LA:

“@pauljaycomic Arcade Fire won the Grammy for Best Album. Does this mean the Grammys are suddenly relevant, or that Arcade Fire are suddenly irrelevant?” Paul Jay

“@ChelseaVPeretti I’d like to watch a singer who is a single threat: good at singing.” Chelsea Peretti

“@WendyLiebman In lieu of watching the #Grammys, I sang karaoke while balancing an egg on a spoon.” Wendy Liebman

“@moshekasher WHO IS ANYONE IN MUSIC? I literally do not know any of these white people! #grammys” Moshe Kasher

“@FrankConniff If Lady Gaga was "born this way” did doctor tell her parents, “Congratulations! It’s a 9 pound publicity whore!” #Grammys" Frank Conniff

“@paulcibis 500 ft. Away At All Times Is Just A Number #rejectedcandyhearts” Paul Cibis

“@Kabelion I’m going to kill you and your family (turn over) if you break up with me. #candyheartrejects” Jeremy Paul

“@TesstifyBarker This is made of birth control pills I haven’t been taking. #candyheartrejects” Tess Barker

“@scott_bowser D-FENS #rejectedcandyhearts” Scott Bowser

“@teamyasumura Get in the car. #candyheartrejects” Robert Yasumura

“@mrseanpatton At least this ain’t cum #rejectedcandyhearts” Sean Patton 

2) WIN A DATE at WHAT’S UP TIGER LILY? TONIGHT If anything, a date with a comedian will leave you with a great story.  YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO LOSE (well… perhaps your innocence depending on who you go out with)

3) OK, every Big Trouble in Little Tokyo is fantastic, but, with all gravity I can muster, this week we have none other than Ron Lynch AND Sean Patton!!!  I’m not going to bother saying anything else other than sign-up is at 6:30PM/start is at 7PM/@Señor Fish-address is 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA. Really, that’s all I need to say.

4) Misery is a Self-Centered Wanna Be: A Cautionary Tale to Comics on Valentine’s Day (just in case you didn’t want to scroll down four or five posts)

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-Yes, comedy is the right choice for Valentine’s Day.
Just for Laughs Sketch Showcase @ UCB Theatre 5PM FREE
Just for Laughs Showcase @ Jon Lovitz Comedy Club 8PM $5/2 drink min.
Harland Williams @ Irvine Improv (Special Valentine’s Day Event) 8PM $65 dinner special
What’s Up Tiger Lily?: The Wigmaker’s Son @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill
8PM FREE 
Are You F*#king Kidding Me? @ Puka Bar 8:30PM FREE
Stand Up Saloon @ Old Towne Pub 10PM FREE
Keep It Clean Comedy @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE 

6) OPEN MIC RUN 2/14/11
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min.
HARLEM PLACE CAFE 124 W. 4th St. (in alley between Main and Spring St.)/Starts 8PM/e-mail speakeasyopenmic@gmail.com for spots
GROUND ZERO CAFE 615 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA (USC on campus nestled in between dorms near intersection of Figueroa and Exposition)/USC student Sign-up 9PM/Non Student Sign-up 9:15PM/Starts 9:30PM 
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 Cover/Free coffee & water.

7) Recently: Local LA Reporter Serene Branson literally spoke gibberish on TV last night in a post Grammys report, perhaps taking a cue from Mike O’Connell.

8) Yes, mr. or ms. bad crowd work comic, I came here alone and perhaps I’m too good of a person as I will not engage with you, but seriously, tell a damn joke or quip or just a line that first off makes sense and then strive to be actually funny.  More importantly, leave me alone like I already am.

Report 00115

THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau 

Misery is a Self Centered Wanna-Be: A Cautionary Tale to Comics on Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, I know what you're thinking... (no you don't), la, valentine's day

Part of the ongoing series “I Know What You’re Thinking… (No, You Don’t)”

I hate this day.  

I absolutely fucking hate this day. (cough cough Valentine’s cough Day cough cough)

There are several reasons as to my loathing to this particular day designated as one where couples far and wide are reminded to pronounce or rekindle their love with the significant other they so luckily have.

1) I’ve never had a girlfriend.

2) I’m already a bitter person. EX. In high school, a girl during Honors Algebra 2, doodled a representation of my being as a sad bunny stabbing itself beneath a rain cloud.

3) Most of I’ve ever gotten out of women: You’re a really good friend. 

4) On top of all that, I’m a comic.

Almost needless to say, I’ve never had someone “be my Valentine” and have always chosen to deal with fleeting demonstrations of deep public affection between people for the duration of Valentine’s Day by purposely being alone like it was some badge of honor, though I’d grumble about the whole ordeal like the bitter old man that uses his cane to shush younger people living above or below him that I sometimes think that I am.

This behavior was magnified probably 10-fold since becoming a comic as a large component of comedy is finding the accepted inconsistencies within society and then essentially complaining about them.  Thus, I’ve become even more prone to being critical of the happiness of people in relationships.  EX. I’ve made such proclamations on stage that I’d simply like to yell at people holding hands and that there is no such thing as love; there’s only settling.

Last Thursday, I saw the lovely, talented, and hilarious musical duo of Garfunkel and Oates at Largo and heard their song “I Would Never (Have Sex with You)”, which is about how being “just" friends between men and women will never amount to anything.  This is basically every extended amount of interaction I’ve ever had with women and, as such, you might think that I was horribly offended by such a song.  Though it was painful hearing the lyrics, "Remember the time we went to Dave and Busters and played Dance Dance Revolution until we won a keychain?  Let’s do it again… but there is a bigger problem… I would have never sex with you,” I laughed so hard that I nearly broke into tears (emphasis on nearly).

It wouldn’t be fair to say that I’ve turned a new leaf completely as I’m probably going to end up eating pancakes and tweeting in some 24 hours diner tonight, but instead of perpetuating my own misery in single-dom, I’m now looking to “take the high road” and trying to eschew my own negativity (emphasis on trying), wishing the best to those in love.  I realized that spreading contempt, even ironically, in the end, only comes back to the person originating and the happy couple will just move on. 

So to those comics out there spending Valentine’s Day alone in this vast disconnected metropolis, I’d urge you to hold off from knocking back a tall boy with your eggs and watching 500 Days of Summer after watching the lesser known dark romantic comedy Dedication (NOTE: I’ve only done these things on separate occasions) because it’s only going to make you lose followers on Twitter and leave you still feeling miserable flirting with suicide. Instead, if a pair that seems particularly beaming after they just finished engaging in arduous embrace makes eye contact with you, just smile.

With all of that being said, I still hate this day.

Post Brunch Update 2/13/11

February 13, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy central stages, comedy crawl, grammys, greg proops, hudson guild theatre, just for laughs, la, montreal, morning debriefing, neil hamburger, open mic run, post brunch update, sean patton, set list, smartest man in the world, troy conrad

1) A Letter to Neil Hamburger.  In this article, some people forget that it’s comedy and are personally offended, which, in very sparing occasions, I can understand, but what about holding five old fashioned glasses with various cocktails, over greased hair, and an ill fitting suit is serious?

2) Montreal Just for Laughs Callbacks start tomorrow.  Here’s the schedule thus far.

3) At the Comedy Central Stages this week: Set List w/Troy Conrad pilot taping on Tues. and Smartest Man in the World LIVE w/Greg Proops.  BOTH FREE at 8PM.  Call (323) 960-5519 for reservations. 6539 Santa Monica Ave., Los Angeles, CA

4) Live Tweeting the Grammys, you better believe that a multitude of jokes will be posted tonight and the Comedy Bureau will be there for all of it.  Follow @thecomedybureau for the funny tonight instead of just watch the Grammys sans commentary. 

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL–
Jeff Garlin’s Combo Platter @ UCB Theatre 6PM $2 (stand by only)
Harland Williams @ Irvine Improv 7PM $22/2 item min.
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
Comedy Barre @ Barre Vermont 8PM FREE/2 drink min.
perestroika @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
French Toast @ Taix
8:30PM FREE
Comedy Night @ Chatterbox 9PM FREE
Top Story Weekly! w/Damien Fahey and Matt Manser @ iO West 9PM $5
Sunday Sunday Sunday-FAILentine’s Edition @ The Improv Space 9:30PM FREE

6) OPEN MIC RUN 2/13/11
PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM 
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min. 
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/multiple sets allowed

7) Recently: The Grammys are on tonight.  Let’s kick it off with what Sean Patton has to say about Lady Gaga.

8) I had my first brush with fame yesterday and totally acted nonplussed about it like a famous person would.  The only thing missing in this equation: $$$$ (like… any of it).

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THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Tip of the Hat 2/12: Reggie Watts

February 13, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, la, reggie watts

The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” this week to REGGIE WATTS:

“Horse walks into a bar and the bartender says, ‘It’s probably not a good idea that you’re in here.  You’re a very large animal and any sudden movements and you may injure somebody.  I don’t know why you’re here.  None of the glasses are ergonomically designed for you to drink from them, so you should probably leave.”

When it comes to making people laugh, there are jokes, there are stories, funny songs, props, magic tricks, and then there is pure abstraction.  Reggie Watts pretty much is able to do all of that (I do have yet to see him perform a traditional magic trick) and does so in a way that I really feel privileged to witness.  He is a NYC based comedian that tours the world, but he’s fortunately in LA for a few days and thus here at the Comedy Bureau.

Though Watts takes his songs, which are self-generated through a looping station and his own voice, efforts, asides, “jokes”, accents, affects, gibberish, noises, etc. in the spirit of an on-going prank, I never feel duped.  Many “abstract” comedians push the art form to point of completely eschewing comedy altogether and audiences can easily feel uncomfortable as they don’t understand what is supposed to be funny and can’t relate to whatever is being attempted on stage.  With that in mind, Reggie manages to make any time he’s on stage a delightful, whimsically absurd ride that he creates from absolute scratch, I feel, is very accessible to a wide range of people as, above all else, Reggie is quite the gifted musician. Being able to sing in different voices and different languages, make his own beats and noises, and rap, all on the spot, Reggie is able to delve into a realm of comedic incongruity and make it work beautifully.

I saw Reggie two days ago get a huge line off of saying, “It’s great to be here, really great to be here.  Now, I’m going to talk about tech futures.”  There wasn’t any real punchline or metaphor, as he actually talked about “tech futures” like it was a weekly business meeting and an entire room of over 100 people were rolling in laughter in their seats.  Then, he told the joke in bold above about a horse walking into a bar, which got an applause break, which was well deserved.

Though reading a description of Reggie’s act still might seem weird and possibly not funny, I urge you to go see him live if you’re able to because it’s almost otherworldly in the best, most enjoyable and inspiring way possible.  It really should be a testament to how brilliant a performer Reggie Watts is when you can write anything that he said, sang, or rapped, and be completely baffled as to what he was trying to to do, THEN seeing him perform it and make you genuinely laugh and be amazed.

You can see him tonight Feb. 12th at Meltdown Comics on the Heart of Darkness 7:30PM $8 and his album “Why S#!+ So Crazy?” is both something that I’ve been listening to on repeat for the last two weeks and something you should buy.  www.reggiewatts.com/@reggiewatts

Morning Debriefing 2/12/11

February 12, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy crawl, death valley, jackie kashian, just for laughs, la, marc maron, montreal, morning debriefing, open mic run, saturday night, steve agee

1) Finally!!! It’s Saturday Night and I Need a Laugh (and I’m in LA).  This is a recent piece I wrote about the perspective of most people in Los Angeles who have no idea that comedy exists outside of the Laugh Factory, Comedy Store, and the Hollywood Improv, what they should REALLY expect from aforementioned clubs on a given Saturday night, and what the alternative can be, which, in this case, was cult favoriteThe Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch. 

2) Marc Maron Mugs and Jackie Kashian Trading Cards.  I’m suspicious of falling into the horrible vortex of consumerism, but you’re telling me that you won’t buy any of these?

3) Death Valley = Steve Agee + Zombies + San Fernando Valley = Possible redemption for MTV and its more recent series Skins.

4) The Comedy Bureau Tips Its Hat to the almost enigmatic Reggie Watts, who is in town for a few days.  Write-up/article to come later today.

5) *Just for Laughs Callbacks/Showcase Schedule UPDATED*

6) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-Back to work people…
Two Milk Minimum @ Flappers Burbank 11:30AM $10/2 item min.
The Swarm @ UCB Theatre
 7PM $5
Harland Williams @ Irvine Improv 7PM/9PM $22/2 item min.
Heart of Darkness @ Meltdown Comics 7:30PM $8
The Anytime Show w/Dominic Dierkes @ Smodcastle 8PM $8
James Adomian @ Flappers Claremont 8PM/10PM $15/2 drink min.
Persona @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5
The Playin’ with Micucci Valentine’s/President Day Special @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10 (standing room only)
The Ed Galvez Punk House Weekend Edition @ Westside Comedy Theatre 9PM $10
Magic Bag @ Smodcastle 10PM $8
That’s the Light @ Asylum Theatre 10:30PM $10
The Twelve Shiny Nickels Show @ Fake Gallery 11PM $5
The Tomorrow Show: For Love or Money @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8

7) OPEN MIC RUN 2/12/11
LAUNDROMIC 1054 Vine St., Hollywood, CA/Starts 4:30PM
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min.
WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATRE 1323-A 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA (in alley between 3rd and 4th St.)/Sign-Up 6PM/Starts 6:30PM
BURBANK MOOSE LODGE 1901 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA/Starts 7:30PM
SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min.
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed

8) Recently: It was announced that Beyonce is going to headline the prestigious Glastonbury Music Festival, which is, I guess, no longer prestigious.  Similarly, Miley Cyrus is hosting SNL in the coming weeks.  Tonight, Reggie Watts will be playing the back of a comic book store and I’d still see that anytime over the previous two.  Here’s why.

9) To anyone who thinks that I actually go to every single show on the Comedy Crawl, go ahead and keep thinking that because that sounds pretty amazing.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU/@thecomedybureau

Finally!!! It’s Saturday Night and I Need a Laugh (and I’m in LA)…

February 12, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy store, elon gold, hollywood, improv, la, laugh factory, ron lynch, saturday night, tomorrow show

To both consumers and producers of live entertainment alike, Saturday is THE prime night.  As far as live comedy is concerned, many venues want to put their best foot forward as most of the workforce wants a “good ol’ time” filled with laughter and will pay HANDSOMELY to be entertained.

On Jan. 29th 2011, The Comedy Bureau was indeed out in force to see what a night in LA comedy for those regular 9-5ers that have no idea what “alternative comedy” is or that it even exists or that comedy shows happen outside of comedy clubs.  With this mission, the Comedy Bureau went to the three big names that many “normal” people in LA and around the world associate with stand up comedy: The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, and the Hollywood Improv.  Also, as a contrast, we went to the incredibly underground, cult comedy show The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch at the Steve Allen Theater.  

We paid full price.  We saw.  We shed our attitude as comics and tried to be actual audience members.   We took notes.

And with all of that in mind, this, comedy community, is what to expect if you went to see these shows because you wanted to laugh on a typical Los Angeles Saturday night:

The Laugh Factory

Lit with bright names and big faces along Sunset Blvd., the Laugh Factory in Hollywood stands on at the end of a row of beyond hip and trendy AND certainly beyond affordable night clubs and, as such, follows suit with a general admission charge of $25 and a “VIP” charge of $35 with that traditional 2 drink minimum.  According to their menu, a single order of Coca-Cola (soft drinks tend to be the cheapest things on comedy club menus) runs $8.

This means: If you were going alone and chose to park for free several blocks away from the Laugh Factory, you would be paying at least $40.  If you’re like most people, you’re probably out on a date and will probably pay for valet parking, which will put you in the realm of the night costing $100+.

For that much money one would logically think that you would get to see the biggest names in stand up comedy.  At the 10PM show, which is billed as “All Star Comedy”, the line-up included: Chris D’Elia, who just had a Comedy Central Special, but is largely still “on the rise” in regards to being a “name” in stand up comedy, Tony Rock, who is Chris Rock’s brother, Al Del Bene, who been on Comics Unleashed (broadcast network show featuring stand up comics that’s on at the same time as Last Call w/Carson Daly), Dov Davidoff, who also has his own Comedy Central Special, but is largely known for his performance in the Mark Wahlberg vehicle “Invincible” as the childhood friend of Vince Papale that reminds him of his roots,  Johnny Sanchez who I also found has his own Comedy Central Special as well as being part of the “Payaso Comedy Slam”, and a secret special guest.  Such a line-up isn’t exactly along the lines of the type of comedy that the Comedy Bureau regularly features as this is a very “mainstream comedy” line-up that talks about racial stereotypes, sex, and curses a lot, but then again, everyone has their own personal taste in comedy and I’ve seen such a line-up “kill” a club crowd before.

With that being said, we didn’t know find out who the special guest was because we didn’t see the show.  We wouldn’t pay $40 to see Louis CK much less a line-up of comics on the rise that aren’t really aren’t our “cup of tea”.

The Hollywood Improv

Several blocks away from the Sunset Strip, the Hollywood Improv rests in a neighborhood of trendy boutiques along what’s arguably the more famous part of Melrose Ave as a clear stand out with it’s old fashioned neon sign and marquee.  In that spirit, the Hollywood Improv actually runs several shows that are closer to what most traditional stand up shows around the rest of the country with openers, features, and headliners.  This is unique to the Improv as, currently, no single comic headlines the Comedy Store or the Laugh Factory, though there are several features there as opposed to the standard 1 or 2 in their line-ups and the headliner only gets to do half an hour as opposed to a full hour.  Still, this is the closest you’ll get to what most stand up shows are like everywhere that isn’t LA or NYC in LA.

We also looked forward to the sight of slightly friendlier prices.  Unlike the Laugh Factory, the cover was only $18 plus the 2 drink minimum, of which a beer, not a glass of Coca-Cola, costs $7.  Free street parking was slightly more available at the Improv and much closer to the venue than at the Laugh Factory or the Comedy Store.

Getting into the Improv, we attended the 7:30PM show w/Elon Gold, who has been on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno several times, half-packed with what appeared to be friends of host Ben Morrison, a regular at most of the clubs in the LA area.  Morrison opened the show strong, but ran the light/went over his time by about 4 minutes with typical club comic material about masturbation and going to gay bar, which was trying. 

Despite that, we were glad to see that other comics on the line-up included a few that have been mentioned, featured, or retweeted on Twitter by The Comedy Bureau: Josh Comers, who currently and deservedly writes for Conan, Jarrod Harris, who has only been on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, but is certainly funny enough for a half-hour special, Michelle Buteau, who has been on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and has toured regularly throughout the world as far as Amsterdam.  All of them, another feature Nigel Lawrence, and headliner Elon Gold, even though he relies heavily on a vast array of voices and characters in a way that isn’t much to our liking, showed the “intimate” crowd a legitimate good time that ran around 2 hours.  

Once more, with no regard to my opinion of who was on stage and what material they were doing, people genuinely had a good Saturday night at the Hollywood Improv.

The Comedy Store

The World Famous Comedy Store.  Just process that self-proclaimed moniker for a moment and think as to what type of stand up comedy show you would see there.  With so much history literally written on the walls of the Comedy Store, many people have come to the assumption that this is the epitome of stand up comedy.

In fact, I’d wager that most people would equate a Saturday night at the Main Room of the Comedy Store, the biggest of the three rooms located there, to be the stand up comedy “end all be all”.  Along this notion, we went to the 9PM Main Room show costing us $20 for admission and a 2 drink min billed as 14 National Touring Headliners.

Looking at the posted line-up, we discovered that all the comics were scheduled to do 15 minutes, which already makes the show at least run over 3 hours.  Now many show producers have the attitude of “you may come and go as you like” to a show like this, but I argue that a show where the audience WANTS to stay the whole time is infinitely better and will be more likely to have people come back and see the show again.  

However, this show ran 4 hours. 4 HOURS.  With a line-up (in order) of Kevin Christy, Argus Hamilton, Jeff Altman, Iliza Schlesinger, Dom Irerra, Ahmed Ahmed, Chris D’Elia, Ian Edwards, Rick Ingraham, Sam Tripoli, Mike Young, and Barry Diamond, the show went 4 hours and having fulfilled my 2 drink minimum obligation within the first hour, I was plenty sober and annoyed by the end of the show around 1:30AM. 

Now, the aforementioned line-up at this particular show isn’t one that I’d normally go and see (though I did enjoy Argus Hamilton and Ian Edwards), but, in attempting to be objective about this whole report, the crowd of approximately 200 people were legitimately having a good time even when Chris D’Elia, who was getting plenty of laughs, told the audience, “Fuck you!! That’s funny!!!” all the way up until Rick Ingraham.  

Ian Edwards had a great set and consequently the show was around 2.5 hour mark, then Ingraham went up and did a very rigid style of crowd work asking anyone within his line of sight “What do you for a living?” An audience member was so annoyed that they shouted, “Tell a fucking joke!”, which was the point where people started walking out on the show.  Sam Tripoli continued to walk people as he complained that no one made a connection with him and blamed the audience for not liking punchlines. With only himself and one more comic to go, Mike Young got up and then complained about his spot being nearly a half hour later than the posted time (since most comics went over their time) as well as there being a minute fraction of the original crowd present for his set.  With the 20 or so people left in the cavernous Main Room that can actually seat 300, Barry Diamond injected some energy by singing a song and then weaving in and out interesting characters and sheer absurdities that I started to enjoy.

At that point when the show was over the 3 hour mark, Barry Diamond decided to work on his “hour” and simply just kept going and going and going and going some more, and then say he should have gotten off stage long ago, and then kept going.  I went from enjoying his act to resenting his refusal to get off stage, both as a comic and an audience member.  This isn’t an open mic.  This is the Comedy Store Main Room on a Saturday night and people have paid a considerable amount of change to be entertained rather than watch someone work on their hour.

Like I said, I perhaps didn’t enjoy the line-up for the most part, but, objectively, the crowd was having a good rollicking time up until the show was passing the three hour mark and the comics starting blaming the audience, which is when people started leaving and the people they stayed had sort of a feeling of being taken hostage (i.e. couple in front was insulted by comic on stage and was visibly shocked and confused).  Going out on a Saturday to the Comedy Store Main Room, this ordeal might be what to expect if you go. Sure, you could just pop in and pop out to see part of the 14 National Touring Headliners that people only marginally know (audience member clearly had no idea who Iliza Shlesinger, arguably the most recognizable name on the line-up, as he mispronounced her name), but do you really want to pay $20 cover, 2 drink minimum, and $15 parking because you don’t want to walk a mile for free parking to do that?

The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch @ The Steve Allen Theater

Appropriately located just outside of Hollywood in Los Feliz, the Tomorrow Show represents the comedy that most people don’t know and subsequently SHOULD KNOW.  It’s alternative, indie, underground, unpredictable, and most importantly: funny.  

Independently booked, produced, and hosted by the amazing and hilarious Ron Lynch, the Tomorrow Show is a live variety comedy show that includes stand-up, sketch, music, and, on this particular night, a sword swallower.  For only $8 with no minimum of any kind (show is B.Y.O.B.), you can get to be a part of this late night madness as the Tomorrow Show appropriately starts at midnight.  

Due to the incredibly late, at least by unfortunate Los Angeles standards, start time, the Tomorrow Show remains part of the vast indie/underground/alt comedy scene that many of the “normal” people we met at the Improv and the Comedy Store have no idea exists and consequently has a much smaller turnout than that of a major comedy club.  Still, going on its sixth year, the Tomorrow Show has an incredibly loyal fan base that keeps coming back because of the bona fide good time that they have (that was made better as it was under 2 hours).

This night, or early morning, the line-up consisted of Greg Barris, Karl Hess, Robert Selander, Chuck Sklar, Barry Rothbart, Matt Kirshen, sketch group the Doorknockers, and sword swallower Brett Loudermilk.  Most of these names are just as unrecognizable to the average person as any of the other names mentioned in this article, but just like at the Improv and the first 2 hours of the Main Room at the Comedy Store, the crowd, small as it was, had a wonderful night/early morning.

 With seemingly random interruptions, jokes about zombie conspiracy theories, and absurd, off-the-wall stories, the Tomorrow Show can be categorized as chaotic, especially in the early hours of the morning, but it represents a style of comedy that is different where it isn’t just typical types of jokes about race and/or dicks.  Though, it isn’t for everyone, the Tomorrow Show is proof that there’s an alternative where comedy can be something else and even something more.  

So Next Saturday Night…

The Comedy Bureau urges you all to simply check here and elsewhere before you go out on a Saturday night to see some live comedy because it does happen outside of Hollywood and outside of a comedy club and it can be something besides overweight balding men shouting obscenities and exploit racial stereotypes AND it can be fantastic.

Special Thanks to Chris Adams, Joe Braza, Russell Corona, Courtney Howerton, and Jeremy Paul in helping making this article possible.

Morning Debriefing 2/11/11

February 11, 2011
Uncategorized
comedy, comedy crawl, conan, dana gould, gallagher, kristy mangel, la, march comedy madness, morning debriefing, open mic run, re: com, sklar brothers, that's the light, ultimate free and cheap la comedy list

1) One-on-one single elimination stand up comedy is here: March Comedy Madness.  Now taking submissions. Details here.

2) A few days ago, I posted that I was disappointed that the @RealGallagher Twitter account was fake as it included tweets that were horribly homophobic, racist, and reactionary.  Yesterday, I read this article about a recent performance of Gallagher and, to my bittersweet delight, those tweets weren’t too far off.

3) The Ultimate Free & Cheap LA Comedy List 2/13-2/19. Thanks Wisepix.

4) Are you tired of hearing a comedian’s WHOLE set and just want to hear their brilliant closer?  Of course you’re not, but “That’s the Light” is a showcase of many of LA’s best doing exactly that.  Telling their best ending joke will be: Lizzy Cooperman, Matt Champagne, Sean Green, Raj Desai, Erica Doering, Robert Yasumura, Troy Conrad, Jan Davidson, and more!  Also, they’re being judged by none other than Taylor Negron, Barry Sobel, and Larry Joe Campbell as this is part of a series with the Los Angeles Comedy Festival. 10:30PM $10 at the Asylum Theatre in Hollywood (6320 Santa Monica Blvd.) E-mail tickets@lacomedyfest.com for reservations.  Don’t miss it.

5) Dana Gould on Conan.

6) In the same fervent spirit as myself, though much more far reaching, Kristy Mangel has her amazing, fantastic, in-depth, enlightening comedy magazine RE: COM available for digital download for $2.  Marc Maron’s on the cover, so at least click on the link, will you?

7) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-OK, it’s just three shows, you can do this…
Harland Williams @ Irvine Improv 8PM/10PM $22/2 item min.
James Adomian @ Flappers Claremont 8PM/10PM $15/2 drink min.
Stood Up Friday Night @ Moving Arts Theatre 10PM $5 

8) OPEN MIC RUN 2/11/11
iCANDY 1708 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/$3 min.
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM 
MAX BLOOM’S 200 N. Malden Ave., Fullerton, CA/Starts 7PM
GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/Starts 8PM

9) Recently: Mubarak stepped down.  Maybe Andrew Dice Clay should also step down like the Sklar Brothers suggested.

10) Miley Cyrus is hosting SNL. Perhaps, I should just invent a time machine to go back to the seventies where I belong.  

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