los angeles comedy

Pick of the Day: Hasan Minhaj: The King’s Jester (in NYC 2/25-2/27 & LA 4/24 & 4/26)

February 11, 2022

bank of america performing arts center, los angeles comedy, nyc, nyc comedy, radio city music hall, segerstrom center for the arts

Hasan Minhaj’s stellar comedy special Homecoming King came out in 2017 on Netflix, which is awhile ago, but feels even longer for the seemingly interminable amount of time that has made up the last two years. Since that time, Minhaj made his presence known through his very own topical late night comedy show Patriot Act (we’ll always think that was a horrible call on Netflix’s part to cancel it) and then got a key role in the second season of The Morning Show. Oh yeah, he just launched his very own production company 186K Films and is building his own entertainment empire.

We’re thankful that doing stand-up/storytelling on stage is still part of that ascent as Minhaj is currently on tour with his brand new hour The King’s Jester. He’s touring throughout the country, but will specifically be stopping by Radio City Music Hall in NYC from Feb. 25th-27th (tickets for 25th still available) and coming around LA via Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa on Apr. 24th and Thousand Oaks’ Bank of America Performing Arts Center on Apr. 26th.

Tickets start around $45 and go up from there. You really ought to get them sooner rather than later, especially if you wanna snag ones at that price. Get tickets for all the aforementioned dates at hasanminhaj.com.

Pick of the Day: Ron Lynch Presents Hook Up! The “Tomorrow!” Dating Show (in LA) 2/12

February 10, 2022

amber preston, brady novak, dating game, elysian, los angeles comedy, mark fite, randy liedtke, ron lynch, steph tolev, valentine's

OK, if you have to go to something romance or dating themed this weekend because of Valentine’s Day in LA, we’d make sure to tell you about how much of corporate money-grab that Valentine’s Day is rooted in THEN tell you to enjoy one of our all-time favorite shows, no matter what time of year it is, Hook Up!, the dating game edition of Tomorrow! with Ron Lynch.

As far as dating games go, it’s not as wild in the sense of Temptation Island or Too Hot to Handle, but it’s still a crazy, absurd mutation of the classic Dating Game and we have loved it for that very reason for several years. Given our hatred of Valentine’s, it’s one of the only things that we’re looking forward to this weekend (also, we couldn’t care less about the Super Bowl).

Ron Lynch will be presiding as host of the romantic hijinks and chaos and be also joined by the stand-up comedy stylings of Steph Tolev, Brady Novak, Mark Fite, Amber Preston, and Randy Liedtke.

This edition of Hook Up! will go down at Tomorrow!’s new home, The Elysian, this Sat. Feb. 12th at Midnight. Tickets are still only $10 and you best go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Comedy Central Stand Up Featuring Tapings (in LA) 3/1

Comedy Central is doing another round, their 10th season in fact, of their short form digital stand-up series, Comedy Central Stand Up Featuring in LA. As the Satellite has sadly closed its doors awhile ago, CC will be going to another hip venue in LA on Tues. Mar. 1st, the even more kitschy Lodge Room in Highland Park (the place where you can catch Paul F. Tompkins on a somewhat regular basis these days).

Also, of course, they have rows upon rows upon rows of great handpicked comedians that, if you’re reading this, you’ve might have come to know and love by seeing them making the rounds in LA, NYC, and elsewhere. This gorgeous line-up will include (over 3 shows):

6PM: Brittany Schmitt, Mike Mulloy, Jes Tom, Jamel Johnson, Brandon Wardell & Chloe Radcliffe

8PM: Daniel Weingarten, Giulia Rozzi, Niles Abston, Felonius Munk, Mo Welch & Chloe Hillard

10PM: Danielle Perez, Joey Avery, Ali Macofsky, Sean Grant, Katrina Davis & Caleb Hearon

The show is FREE (almost nothing is free at the Lodge Room, FYI) with RSVP to 21+ with proof of vaccination. Go get your tickets right this second at theblacklistnyc.com/ccsufla.

Pick of the Day: Improvised Stand-Up with Rory Scovel (in LA) 2/27

February 7, 2022

elysian theater, improv, improvised, los angeles comedy, rory scovel, stand up comedy

There are plenty a comedian that try to do, shall we say, comedy alchemy by, ostensibly, taking nothing and making comedy gold out of it. There’s even a long running improv comedy podcast called Alchemy This that seeks out to attempt this feat.

Rory Scovel has made it a mission of his to completely improvise his stand-up sets and, for our money, we think that he has figured it out. His fearlessness in getting abjectly silly and then masterfully dissecting his own flights of absurdity is truly captivating for an hour. All told, it really feels like magic.

So, all of LA, you shouldn’t miss out on Rory’s latest trek into the comedy unknown at the end of this month at The Elysian. Improvised Stand-Up with Rory Scovel is set for Mon. Feb. 27th at 7PM PT. Tickets are only $12 and you best go get them now here.

The Pack Theater Is Coming Back Next Month! (and Is Accepting Submission for Live Shows)

February 3, 2022

improv, live comedy, los angeles comedy, open call, pack theater, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, submissions

Pre-pandemic, you could often find us more than once a week at tiny, but mighty comedy venue known as The Pack Theater. Founded by legendary improviser Miles Stroth, it was a great place for in-betweeners, experimenters, risk-takers, and comedy folks who had that DIY/punk rock spirit to what they wanted to do in the art form. That really resonated with us, which is why we ended up catching some of our favorite shows there as well as coming on board to produce the micro-short-form variety show, Speedface.

That’s why we’re overjoyed to hear that The Pack survived all the way to this side of the pandemic, especially being one of the pioneering venues when it came to transitioning to virtual comedy, and they’re going to reopen for in-person shows back in Hollywood starting next month.

In fact, they’re accepting pitches for new shows right now.

Think about/keep the following in mind when considering applying:

-Slots will be available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights with the possibility of having a Saturday night slot as well.

-All applications will go to the Artistic Committee for evaluation. We are especially interested in shows that come from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and all traditionally marginalized voices.

We are looking for the the following types of shows including, but not limited to:

-Stand Up shows (roast shows, open mics, booked shows with a hook)
-Improv based shows with a hook or theme
-Variety shows
-One-off shows to be featured on 5th weeks (one person shows and comedic theater type shows welcomed)
-And of course the random weird wtf shows that we love at the Pack

If interested, read up more and apply here.

Keep up to date with everything Pack Theater related @packtheater across socials.

Pick of the Day: Chris Redd: Why Am I Like This? (in LA) 2/15

February 2, 2022

chris redd, dynasty typewriter, los angeles comedy, snl, stand up comedy

Throughout every season of Saturday Night Live, there are bye weeks that allows the cast and writers to, well, do whatever they want. Sometimes, they take some well earned rest, but many of them choose to go back to the things that brought them to the institution that is SNL in the first place.

Thus will be the case when SNL’s Chris Redd returns to LA and headlines Dynasty Typewriter this month with his vibrant and colorful observational stand-up comedy. Redd had been making his way in LA right before he got cast a few years ago (or over a decade ago if you feel like the pre-pandemic times were a very long time ago) and you’ll have a small window here to see him live.

Redd is set for a special evening of stand-up comedy that he’s calling Why Am I Like This? on Tues. Feb. 15th at 8PM PT, thankfully saving us from any residual, forced schmaltz of Valentine’s Day.

Tickets are $25 and you can (and should) go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Convoy… for two. (in LA) 2/13

February 1, 2022

alex berg, alex fernie, improv comedy, long form improv, los angeles comedy, todd fasen, valentine's day, what to do, yard theater

Though we have our own reservation of the corporate-fueled holiday that is Valentine’s Day, the prospect of getting a private improv show from one of LA’s celebrated improv teams Convoy (Alex Fernie, Alex Berg & Todd Fasen) for you and your significant other is something really special that you really ought to not miss out on.

Sunday, February 13th will see Convoy giving three private improv performances for three separate audiences of exactly two people. Not only will you see improv at its highest levels, but the veteran improvisers of Convoy “guarantee” they will strengthen your relationship.

Convoy… for two. will happen at The Yard Theater on Feb. 13th at 9PM PT, 9:30PM PT, and 10:30PM PT and you can (and oh goodness you should) enter here for your chance to win tickets. You have until Feb. 8th to enter and winner will be notified by Feb 10th.

Pick of the Day: Stand up and Clown (in LA) 2/7

January 28, 2022

ahamed weinberg, anna seregina, babs gray, christina catherine martinez, clown, elysian theater, ify nwadiwe, jessy morner ritt, kyle mizono, los angeles comedy, morgan jay, stand up comedy

It is our firm belief that when the different disciplines of comedy get cross-pollinated that some of the best, most boundary pushing comedy gets made. We also believe that Chad Damiani “live directing” (or ruthlessly roasting) people attempting clown is some of the funniest things we’ve ever seen.

Stand Up and Clown will combine all of that comedy goodness into a crucible of glorious failure and celebratory stupidity. Basically, Damiani, a veteran of the clowning and improv world will do his “live directing” of great stand-up comedians trying their hand at clown.

This first edition has a bunch of wondrous LA comedians that we can’t wait to see under Chad’s gun including:

Babs Gray
Morgan Jay
Christina Catherine Martinez
Kyle Mizono
Jessy Morner-Ritt
Ify Nwadiwe
Anna Seregina
Ahamed Weinberg

This inaugural Stand Up and Clown will happen at The Elysian on Mon. Feb. 7th at 9:30PM PT. Tickets are $12 right now and you really ought to get your tickets ASAP here.

Pick of the Day: Maria (Bamford) in the Morning (in LA) 1/29

January 26, 2022

dynasty typewriter, los angeles comedy, maria bamford, stand up comedy

If you’ve been going out to stand-up shows recently, you might have noticed that one and only, almost magical Maria Bamford has been popping up here and there. Throughout so much of this time, Maria has been a graceful presence that has not only kept her legendary comedy chops, but shepherded so many of us through the darkest times since 2020 (and probably even longer than that).

So, as always, any chance to see Maria, especially when she’s headlining, should not be missed, come hell, high water, COVID, etc. etc. There will be a chance to see Bamford headline Dynasty Typewriter near MacArthur Park bright and early this Saturday at 11AM PT, which, we’d bet, is the best way to start your weekend.

Tickets are only $10 right now and you best snag them while you still can.

Pick of the Day: Moses Storm’s Interactive Trash White Screening (in LA) 1/20

January 19, 2022

los angeles comedy, moses storm, screening

In 2020, Moses Storm was posed to tape his very first comedy special for HBO and just about had everything set (venue, look, material, etc.) when COVID-19 sent us all into that very first lockdown.

Almost two years later, Moses got to shoot that very same special (right under the wire before Omicron hit) and is actually, finally set to have it released at HBO Max this Thurs. Jan. 20th.

To mark the occasion, Moses is going to be doing a very special, exclusive screening of this special, Trash White, that will feature an interactive element for anyone in attendance. Moses did one of our all time favorite things in comedy years and years ago when he screened Modern Millennial at the Downtown Independent and had everyone watch it at a YouTube link on their phones.

We have no idea what he’s going to do for this screening, but you really ought to be in attendance at the Hollywood Improv this Thurs. Jan. 20th at 9:45PM PT. Tickets are free, but seats are first come, first served.

Pick of the Day: The Frogtown Show (in LA) 1/22

January 14, 2022

emily maya mills, erin lennox, frogtown show, jared goldstein, jermaine fowler, johnny pemberton, los angeles comedy, michael joyce, mitra jouhari, noah gardenswartz, stand up comedy

Inch by inch, show by show, there are things in live comedy that are indeed happening after the bummer of the holiday break and the quiet nightmare that Omicron has been. Despite more cancelations and postponements happening and more inevitably coming (Largo has continued to stay dark beyond just their initial two weeks of postponements), you might be delighted to know that the beloved outdoor stand-up show Frogtown Show @ Spoke Bicycle Cafe is returning back to it’s bi-weekly (2nd & 4th Saturdays) schedule this month.

On Sat. Jan. 22nd at 7:30PM PT, the magical patio of Spoke Bicycle Cafe will host hosts Erin Dewey Lennox, Emily Maya Mills, and Jared Goldstein as well as their very first 2022 line-up, which is stacked per usual. They’ve got Jermaine Fowler, Mitra Jouhari, Johnny Pemberton, Michael Joyce, and Noah Gardenswartz.

Tickets start at $5 (plus 2 item min.) and you really ought to snag them up before they sell out here.

Pick of the Day: The Nonsemble Presents: The Month Long Ham Festival (in LA) Starting 2/20

January 13, 2022

Araceli Lemos, david gordezky, dean evans, Emily Maverick Shankman, experimental comedy, Frankie Halbiger, Joe Pisanzio, los angeles comedy, Magi Calcagne, performance art, the elysian theater, Woody Curry, Zack Reimers

As we stand at the precipice of the middle of January with very little to show for it, February seems to be the month to look forward to when things won’t be canceled or postponed all the time.

So, one should look forward to the ever changing performance art clowning showcase that will be The Month Long Ham Festival coming to The Elysian on the 3rd Sundays of the month. According to the Nonsemble, a collective of comedy folks from the clowning-side of things, they’re going to attempt “26 original works of performance art” in just an hour. We’re sure that’s going to be the sort of the grand and hilarious chaos that we’ll need when it’s safer to go to things.

The NONSEMBLE includes: Dean Evans, Magi Calcagne, Emily Maverick Shankman, Zack Reimers, Frankie Halbiger, Joe Pisanzio, Araceli Lemos, Woody Curry, and David Gordezky.

Get your tickets to the first installment of The Month Long Ham Festival on Sun. Feb. 20th at 7PM PT at The Elysian at $12 a pop here.

Pick of the Day: Clown Zoo (in LA) 1/12 (@ Old LA Zoo) 1/29 (@ Elysian)

January 6, 2022

bill o'neill, chad damiani, christina catherine martinez, clown zoo, clowning, Corey Podell, courtney pauroso, elysian, Ian Braschie, jim venable, juzo yoshida, los angeles comedy, max baumgarten, natalie palamides

This first week of 2022 has been greeted with daily cancellations and postponements of all things of all shapes and sizes. So, we’re doing our darnedest to find what to look forward to in the coming weeks (that hopefully doesn’t get canceled or postponed either).

Clown Zoo, the outdoor comedy juggernaut (made our 100 best list again), faithfully served the LA area on Wednesday afternoons to provide one of the most fun, ridiculous live shows of this whole pandemic. The abandon and chaos with which they do an outdoor, traditional mask show is one of the surefire comedy bets we can always count on. They (and by they, we mean Natalie Palamides, Courtney Pauroso, Corey Podell, Chad Damiani, Christina Catherine Martinez, Max Baumgarten, Ian Bratschie, Juzo Yoshida, Bill O’Neill, and musical accompaniment by Jim Venable) are making a triumphant return for 2022 this month!

On Wed. Jan. 12th at their coveted time of 12:30PM PT, Clown Zoo will reconvene for their standing weekly show at the Old LA Zoo in Griffith Park (still outdoors and still socially distanced) and, as a new and thrilling entry in 2022, the Clown Zoo bunch will be going indoors at The Elysian for a monthly show starting Sat. Jan. 29th at 8PM PT (proof of vaccination and masks required).

The Wednesday show is still FREE, but you can (and very, very much should) snag your tickets for Clown Zoo Presents for $20 right here right now before they very likely sell out.

Pick of the Day: Dina Martina: Chariots of Failure (in LA) 1/27-2/6

January 3, 2022

dina martina, los angeles comedy

We made it to 2022, somehow, and, though we’re still in the turbulence of 2021 and 2020, there are things to look forward to that will kick this year off with a proper bang (tentatively). One of those things is the return of Dina Martina to Silverlake’s Cavern Club Celebrity Theater (attached to Casita Del Campo).

Dina is an otherworldly drag performer and something that will jolt your senses in a hysterically devil-may-care way as the self-styled “Second Lady of Entertainment”. The song and dance and ensemble of Martina are simultaneously subversive, surreal, and just downright hysterical and something that we dearly missed for the last two years (at least).

Dina will be doing a run of Chariots of Failure from Thurs-Sun. from Jan. 27th to Feb. 6th. Tickets are $33.85 and are selling out quick. Go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Russell Howard (in LA) 4/8 & 4/9

December 22, 2021

dynasty typewriter, los angeles comedy, russell howard, stand up comedy

International superstar touring UK comedian Russell Howard was actually slated to do a whole run of shows in LA at Dynasty Typewriter in spring 2020. You know that didn’t happen and we all headed indoors to explore what virtual comedy was like.

With the Omicron variant sparking several closures of public gatherings and indoor events across the world for, at least, the rest of the year, one can only look to further in the future for an assured (probably) return, once more, to indoor comedy shows at proper venues.

So, Howard rescheduled the show far, far in advance in 2022 to get ahead, at the time, of anything might happen with the ever evolving pandemic (like the Omicron variant of COVID-19). He has four shows lined-up for Friday Apr. 8th and Saturday Apr. 9th both at 8PM PT & 10PM PT. We’re not the betting types, but we’re pretty sure that these shows will happen and the high energy, sharply funny, and positive energy of Howard is something you could probably use right now.

Go buy tickets at $25 a pop for Howard’s late shows on those dates since the early shows have already sold out.

Pick of the Day: Girl God (in LA) 1/15

December 20, 2021

april clark, girl god, Grace Freud, los angeles comedy, sketch comedy

Most venues, bars, theaters are opting to go dark in LA and NYC for, seemingly, the rest of the year. Thus, we’ve got to look to next year for some sort of light of a future comedy show to catch at this stretch of that ever present, metaphorical tunnel.

So, earlier in the fall, Girl God (Grace Freud and April Clark) served up their special brand of “hot trans dykes who do dumb shit on stage” (that’s their very own description of their act) to NYC for a taping. Coming Sat. Jan. 15th at 10PM PT, LA will get the Girl God treatment at The Elysian with an exclusive performance that ought to be the sort of absurdist start to 2022 we all need.

Do not miss on the brilliantly daft antics of Freud and Clark and go get your tickets for $16 right here right now (and hope that shows aren’t cancelling or postponing a month from now).

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 90: Sean Casey & Making Works in Progress Cozy

December 15, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

glendale room, los angeles comedy, mask mandate, sean casey, the black list

At this side of the pandemic, there’s a whole row of exciting new comedy venues that have popped up in the stead of all the ones that have closed, one of them being The Glendale Room, located in the vibrant streets of Downtown Glendale. This week’s TCB Field Report has the founder of The Glendale Room, Sean Casey, chat with us about providing a crucial space that can be comfy for those on the rise in comedy or those with success, a place to be a “work in progress”. On top of all of that, it might be the coziest venue in town with its bookstore vibe.

Also, “hot” takes on comedy The Black List, CA’s new universal indoor mask mandate, and more.

Follow The Glendale Room @theglendaleroom on IG and Twitter.

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: Johnny Pemberton (in LA) 12/22

December 15, 2021

johnny pemberton, los angeles comedy

One of the more dynamic performers that LA has known and loved is the comedic whirlwind that is Johnny Pemberton. Whether he’s wearing an oversized suit playing (if we remember correctly) a cruise ship comedian or donning a rat tail and a Southern accent to play teamster/DJ/mystic/Hollywood insider Dicker Troy or tying himself at one of a rope to Josh Fadem or just being his very own self on stage, Pemberton’s daring has had us hysterically laughing and gasping for over a decade now.

It’s just another thing we miss from the before times that is thankfully coming back, specifically next Wed. Dec. 22nd at the Yard Theater in East Hollywood at 7PM PT for Johnny’s Cool Fun Nice Hour. Don’t miss out on whatever Pemberton has dreamed up and is fearlessly going to put his all into on stage. Tickets are only $10 and you really ought to go get them here.

Pick of the Day: Chatterbox Comedy Night-Return of (near LA) 12/26

December 7, 2021

chatterbox, los angeles comedy

Leading up to lockdown, one of LA’s very best shows was actually a bit of a trip from Los Angeles proper. In the humble streets of Covina, since 2010, The Chatterbox has housed a beloved weekly show (and weekly open mic) that was heralded so much for its energy and vibe that it was worth the drive from WeHo/Silverlake/DTLA/Highland Park to 943 N. Citrus Ave.

Simply called Chatterbox Comedy Night, a packed crowd assembled with only a bit of promotion just after 9PM like clock work on Sunday nights to see some of the best line-ups that the Greater LA Area, thanks to Steve Hernandez, had to offer (as well as a showcase worthy up and comers).

Thankfully, The Chatterbox itself survived and the open mic has already made its return and, as of Sun. Dec. 26th, the marquee Sunday show will be returning to its long held time slot. Proof of vaccination and masks (when not drinking) will be required.

Plan accordingly after whatever you’re doing for Christmas so you can make it out there for what will very likely the best, last shows of 2021.

Pick of the Day: Alice Hamilton Taping (in LA) 12/8

December 6, 2021

alice hamilton, live taping, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy

We are grateful that for a good portion of 2021 that we’ve gotten to actually watch enough good ol’ live, in-person comedy that we’ve had a chance to see and discover comedy folks that we haven’t had a chance to ever see. It should come as no surprise, but that’s one of absolute favorite things to do and part of the reason why we watch several hours of live comedy every night of the week.

One of the folks that we delightfully came across this year was Alice Hamilton. Whether it was an overly hip taco spot or the rooftop lounge of a chic hotel, we enjoyed Alice’s very sharp writing and unshakeable presence on stage. Thankfully, more and more folks are seeing what we’re seeing around town and Alice gets up quite a bit.

With that in mind, Alice is doing a taping this Wednesday at 8:30PM PT at the Fourth Wall Comedy Cafe in Thai Town where you can see her do an extended set (which is always such a rare thing in town). She’ll be joined by Miranda Meadows and JP Puthenveetil opening the show, which will be FREE.

Don’t miss this chance to see Alice’s marvelous comedy stylings (especially since space is limited). RSVP here.

Netflix Is A Joke Fest Is Back (and Even Bigger?) for 2022

One of the first major comedy festivals to get postponed indefinitely because of COVID-19 was Netflix’s gigantic celebration of comedy that brought out all their biggest stars and their accompanying constellations, Netflix Is a Joke Fest. It was also going to be the first big comedy festival in LA in years (since Riot LA in DTLA ended its run).

For 2020, Netflix seemingly spared no expense to make the biggest comedy festival they could in Los Angeles and it was heartbreaking to see none of that happen in 2020 and have no idea if and when it would happen again.

Well, on this side of the pandemic, Netflix Is a Joke Fest was just announced to be back on, running from Thurs. Apr. 28th-Sun. May 8th, and Netflix is making sure to make it even bigger it would appear. Their stable of venues includes LA’s biggest (which wasn’t planned for 2020) including Dodger Stadium, Staples Center (now known as Crypto.com Arena), The Forum, and The Hollywood Bowl on top of beloved LA comedy haunts, old and new, The Comedy Store, The Hollywood Improv, Dynasty Typewriter, and The Elysian.

The top billing for the line-up is also more robust than we remember. On the schedule, the streamer has David Letterman, Tina Fey/Amy Poehler, Ali Wong, Eddie Izzard, Larry David, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Seth Rogen’s Table Reads, Marc Maron, Jane Fonda/Lily Tomlin, John Mulaney, Mike Birbiglia, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Colin Quinn, Mike Myers, Chris Rock, Ilana Glazer, Jimmy Carr, Taylor Tomlinson, Margaret Cho, Ben Schwartz, and Kevin Smith.

Oh yeah, there’s Dave Chappelle too as well as Aziz Ansari who are two of Netflix’s biggest gets within their talent pool, but have had the “cancellation” treatment. We have no doubt that their shows will sell out.

As they are billing it as the “biggest comedy event in history*, *probably” (SF Sketchfest does have way more programming and the Edinburgh Fringe is bigger than most festivals, period.), they’ve also filled out their line-up with plenty of folks (including many of our absolute favorites) that you shouldn’t miss if you’re putting the money down for Netflix Is a Joke Fest. That includes Todd Glass, Melissa Villaseñor, Guy Branum, Natalie Palamides doing Laid, Beth Stelling, James Adomian, Robin Tran, Mae Martin, and Sam Jay.

You can take a gander at the schedule here, then go get tickets starting this Fri. Dec. 10th at NetflixIsAJokeFest.com.

Pick of the Day: Moon Goon’s Hallmark Christmas Movie in 4D (in LA) 12/8

The 4D Movie Experience is usually relegated to movies of the Fast & Furious persuasion as such films have ample opportunity to rumble seats and blow air on the back of your neck in addition to have HD surround sound.

That said, wouldn’t it be kind of great, especially during this holiday season, to get the 4D movie experience for something along the lines of a wholesome Christmas movie? What would the 4D effects even be for that?

Well, such curiosities will be satisfied as a great long standing LA comedy group Moon Goon will put on a Hallmark Christmas Movie in 4D live on stage in an adorable Hollywood black box theater. It’s even being billed as interactive, which we ponder if that means it’ll be like Sleep No More? No matter what happens, we’re sure it’ll beat whatever drive-through interactive movie experience you might have had in 2020.

Moon Goon is comprised of the comedy talents of Mary Anthony, Kylie Brakeman, Jill Cepela, Jeremy Culhane, Jasmine Don, Josh Fleury, Angela Giarratana, Paul Heredia, Mary Lou, Skyler Madsen, Chance McCrary, Patrick McDonald, Nikki Mckenzie, and Andrew Santiago.

Moon Goon’s Hallmark Christmas Movie in 4D is set for Wed. Dec. 8th at the Broadwater Black Box at 8:30PM PT and will be presented by The Comedy Co-op. Tickets are only $12.25 (i.e. the date of Christmas). Go get them here before they sell out.

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

November 30, 2021

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 the Day: The Cooties (in LA) 12/3

November 29, 2021

eric jackowitz, ethan edenburg, jacob jeffries, los angeles, los angeles comedy, musical comedy

When it comes to musical comedy, especially in LA, it’s harder to have much more fun than you can have with the sweet harmonies and pure absurdity of The Cooties. Ethan Edenburg, Eric Jackowitz, and Jacob Jeffries together make up for such a subversive power pop trio that we’ve enjoyed so thoroughly throughout the years, whether it be on stage or when going through their music video collection for the umpteenth time.

Thank goodness that they’ve got an in-person performance lined-up this very week that you can catch over at Tom Bergin’s Public House on Fairfax where they’ve hand a solid Thursday stand-up show for just over a year now.

Tickets are only $5 and we strongly believe it might be one of the best ways to spend your Friday night this week. Go get your tickets right here right now.

Pick of the Day: Hags with Steph Tolev and Daniel Webb (in LA) 12/2

November 26, 2021

daniel webb, los angeles comedy, stand up comedy, steph tolev, venice

One of the most fun, raucous stand-up shows we’ve ever been to didn’t necessarily have any bells or whistles or some sort daring stunt required by the comedians on the bill. It just happen to have Steph Tolev and Daniel Webb. Those two co-hosting is such an uproarious good time in of itself as they, individually, are a hoot and a half. Go down a YouTube rabbit hole for Steph and Daniel if you don’t believe us. We dare you.

They were just getting into a rhythm with their show Hags before lockdown over at the Virgil. Now, they’re returning with their first post-lockdown in-person show and we’re so thankful that this upcoming edition of Hags is just on the horizon, coming next week, Thurs. Dec. 2nd at 8PM, at the beloved Venice watering hole, Townhouse. Also, they’ve put together quite the line-up with Nicole Byer, Cristela Alonzo, and Mary Lynn Rajskub.

Tickets are only $10 and you really ought to snag them up quick. This is one of the best line-ups next week in LA, FYI.