mental health – The Comedy Bureau

Pick of the Day: PSYCH! A Diagnostic Stand-Up Therapy Comedy Show (in NYC) 4/27

April 4, 2024

caveat, emily flake, kate sisk, kenice mobley, mental health, nyc comedy, stand up comedy, therapy

It’s not a hard requirement to have mental health issues when pursuing a career in comedy, but there certainly to seems to be a strong common thread between many stand-up comedians and their difficulties with anxiety, depression, and the like. It certainly comes through in many of their wonderfully crafted jokes/bits/stories.

Other times, you hear comedic material and you might ponder, from the audience, is the person on stage OK?

With that in mind, Aimee LeCours, both a comedian and LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) is going to talk to a rousing line-up of NYC comedians about what they talk about on stage and possibly see what exactly lies beneath what might seem, on the surface, just a pretty great joke for the upcoming live show, PSYCH!

Emily Flake, Kate Sisk, and Kenice Mobley will get put under the emotional microscope on Sat. Apr. 27th at 4PM at Caveat in NYC’s LES. Tickets are only $15 and you best go get them here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 116: Comedy Give Back (Amber J Lawson & Zoe Friedman) & Looking Out for Comedians

June 15, 2022

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

amber j lawson, brody stevens, comedy gives back, mental health, zoe friedman

Though the comedians today aren’t as unhinged as those of decades past, the community of comedy is one that is still very much in need of supportive infrastructure rather than the less blind leading the more blind as it is now. Thanks to Comedy Gives Back, working comedians have some sort of a safety net as CGB is dedicated to making sure that comedians (who so often help folks get through the darkest of times), can get through their own dark times.

This week’s Comedy Bureau Field Report has two of the three founders of Comedy Gives Back, Amber J Lawson and Zoe Friedman, talk about their altruistic aims to make sure things like living expenses, health insurance, mental health, and more are covered rather than relying on a deluge of GoFundMe’s.

Comedy Gives Back’s Brody Stevens Festival of Friendship 818 Walk is on Aug. 20th. Register here.
Donate to Comedy Gives Back here.
Follow Comedy Gives Back on all platforms @comedygivesback

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: Normalize Everything 1/30

January 21, 2021

News

atsuko okatsuka, byron bowers, jibz cameron, katy french, mental health, normalize everything, sadia azmat, valerie tosi

Some people felt a modicum of relief yesterday as Biden got sworn in as POTUS, but the wounds and scars we’ve endured (and are going to very likely going to continue to endure) need to heal (especially in regards to mental health).

Thus, a comedy live-stream on mental health, specifically great comedians sharing their lives that they’ve lead with parents with mental illness might be something pretty perfect for right now. Atsuko Okatsuka is hosting yet another Normalize Everything that is exactly that, thanks to mental health org Painted Brain.

This round will feature another grand line-up that includes Byron Bowers, Jibz Cameron, Valerie Tosi, Sadia Azmat, and Katy French.

Normalize Everything is set to stream on Sat. Jan. 30th at 7PM PT/10PM ET. All you have to do is RSVP for live-stream access and you can (and should) do that right here.

Pick of the Day: Normalize Everything 12/19

December 16, 2020

News

atsuko okatsuka, benefit show, comedy fundraiser, jeena bloom, johan miranda, kazu kusano, maddie connors, mental health

With or without a pandemic, the issue of mental health is so vitally important and yet, even after all the progress that has been made over the last few years, is still not regarded seriously enough. With COVID-19 still keeping us so isolated, more so than most of us have ever been, the importance of one’s mental health has become more glaringly clear.

So, along those lines, wonderful LA based comedians Atsuko Okatsuka and Maddie Connors are hosting a special benefit show, NORMALIZE ANYTHING, that will raise money for for Painted Brain, a marvelous LA based mental health org.

Joining Atsuko and Maddie will be the very special comedic stylings of Jeena Bloom, Johan Miranda, and Kazu Kusano (FYI, they are all comics whose parents suffer from mental illness and are perfect for a show such as this).

RSVP, donate, and tune in to NORMALIZE EVERYTHING this Sat. Dec. 19th at 7PM PT/10PM ET.

Pick of the Day: Comedy, Coping, & Change: Finding Hope in Humor 6/30

June 29, 2020

News

chris gethard, maria bamford, mental health, panel discussion, the wrap, tyler davis, wyatt cenac

Whether it’s a more traditional stand-up show or a webinar panel discussion or something else altogether, a line-up of Maria Bamford, Wyatt Cenac, Tyler Davis, and Chris Gethard is something that you should show up for.

The Wrap and Topic are bringing us all such a panel discussion entitled Comedy, Coping, & Change: Finding Hope in Humor and we have no doubt that it’ll be the sort of conversation that’s heartfelt, riveting, funny, and healing, especially with a line-up that has channeled so much of their energy and comedy towards changing attitudes on mental health, social justice/reform, and overall humanity.

This Comedy, Coping, & Change: Finding Hope in Humor panel is set for this Tues. 6/30 at 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET. All you have to do to join in RSVP here.

Maria Bamford Will Have Her Own Mental Health Focused Talk Show “What’s Your Ailment?!”

December 5, 2019

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maria bamford, mental health, talk show, topic, what's your ailment

First off, you should be excited that Maria Bamford will be having a brand new show. Maria is unequivocally one of the all time funniest people and also one of the comedians that approaches and normalizes mental health in such a beautiful way.

Her new series, What’s Your Ailment?!, that will be coming to streaming platform Topic will feature Bamford talking to other performers about mental health and we’re willing to be it’ll be some of the best conversations about anxiety, depression, etc. etc. that will be enlightening and riveting and have some undeniable, out-of-left field laughs.

What’s Your Ailment?! with Maria Bamford will be perfect palate cleanser after Christmas as it premieres on Dec. 26th on Topic.

September 17, 2019

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benefit show, comedy show, gary gulman, judd apatow, largo, maria bamford, mental health, patton oswalt, stand up comedy

Gary Gulman is stopping by once more at Largo (he comes by about once a year). However, this time is extra special as it will be an evening that triples as a heads up on his upcoming HBO special The Great Depresh, a wondrous, wondrous line-up of comedians as you can clearly see with Maria Bamford and Patton Oswalt, and a benefit for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services as well as a conversation about mental health.

It truly is going to be a special night, even by Largo’s high standards, and definitely worth the $58.50 ticket price. Go get your tickets for this evening of The Great Depresh here.

Trailer for SoulPancake and Funny or Die’s Mental Health Doc “It’s Not That Funny”

June 4, 2019

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chris gethard, depression, documentary, funny or die, mental health, sara benincasa, sarah silverman, wayne brady

Though the thumbnail here says that “comedy won’t save you”, we will say that comedy has done a lot to shine a light on the importance of mental health via the struggles of many a comedian (though it’s not a pre-requisite to be depressed to do comedy) with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, etc.

SoulPancake and Funny or Die are continuing with that notion with this documentary It’s Not That Funny featuring Sarah Silverman, Chris Gethard, Wayne Brady, Sara Benincasa, and more talking frankly about how they’ve managed and dealt with their mental health while in comedy.

See a bit of it for yourself with this trailer.

We’re guessing if you’re a fan of the Hilarious World of Depression, this will be right up your alley. Look for It’s Not That Funny to release soon via SoulPancake and Funny or Die.

May 16, 2019

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benefit show, brody stevens, mental health

The tragic loss of the brilliant Brody Stevens is still reverberating throughout comedy and will for quite some time. His passing makes the issue of mental health and its crucial importance in our lives.

With that in mind, Largo is holding a benefit in Brody’s memory for NAMI (National Association on Mental Illness) that will feature Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis, and more next Wednesday, May 22nd 8:30PM.

Tickets are $55.25 right now. Go get them here.

February 25, 2019

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benefit show, brody stevens, comedy show, enjoy it, festival of friendship, mental health, stand up, west hollywood

As you probably know by now, the beloved Brody Stevens passed away. It has affected so many people as Brody was a part of so many different circles, scenes, groups, etc. and had such strong connection with all of them.

In light of his struggles with mental health, there will be a festival at The Comedy Store in Brody’s honor that will benefit Brody’s family and mental health awareness foundations.

This first Enjoy It! Brody Stevens’ Festival of Friendship: A Night of a Thousand Loving Friends of Brody Stevens will take place next Tuesday, March 5th at The Comedy Store, presented by Sam Tripoli, Sarah Mello, and JC Coccoli.

From the looks of it, this will be a recurring thing and we can’t think of a better way to remember Brody for years and years to come.

Tickets for the main room shows are now available here and here, respectively.

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

Mark Normand Serves Up Another Classic Late Night Set on the Tonight Show

July 17, 2018

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late night, mark normand, mental health, stand up, tonight show

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Mark Normand’s style, writing, cadence, persona, etc. are kind of perfect for the demanding nature of doing stand-up on a late night talk show.

His tight writing, structure, and transitions (and the fact that he dons a suit) calls back to a sort of a classic tight 5 on Carson (this set just happens to be a bit over 5 min. FYI).

In any case, you should enjoy Normand’s set here.