michael rayner – The Comedy Bureau

Pick of the Day: The Yard Theater Fundraiser 9/25

September 15, 2020

amrita dhaliwal, ashley ray, black francis, chris walsh, dean evans, erica rhodes, fundraiser, jon huck, mark fite, michael rayner, save our stages, yard theater

The Yard Theater in LA was just getting on its feet with building out its live programming schedule featuring comedy, music, theater, etc. just before lockdown started. They had plenty of classes and open mics as well and were poised, under the guidance of one John Ennis, to return this space (The Yard Theater used to be another multi-purpose variety venue called The Fake Gallery, FYI) to being a beloved, go-to indie venue.

You already know the story from there when March of this year came around and as we are in our sixth months of all venues being dark in LA, The Yard Theater is putting together one hell of a live-stream fundraiser to keep the ability to reopen in the future.

Slated for The Yard Theater Fundraiser Fundstacular are:

The Pixies’ Black Francis

Erica Rhodes

Jon Huck

Mark Fite

Ashley Ray

Amrita Dhaliwal

Brett Johnson
Michael Rayner

Neal Dandade

John Tottenham

Ellen Sugarman
Chris Walsh

Dean Evans

& More

That’s pretty damn great and brings in some of LA’s best from all sorts of corners of performance. Tickets range from $15-$31.50 (will include an exclusive button and poster) and you can and very, very much should get them here.

Post Modern Vaudevillian Michael Rayner Outdoes Your Tik Tok Without Any Dancing or Sketches

April 27, 2020

News

balancing, juggling, michael rayner, success story, tiktok

As performers and viewers alike are stuck at home, the prospect of diving into the Gen Z driven social media platform TikTok has become more and more likely. There are certainly plenty of comedians that have often derided TikTok in the past and yet, they have now succumbed to figuring out the dance-centric videos or bits that seem reminiscent of Vine, often to little success.

That’s not to say it’s impossible from comedians of older generations to figure out the newest thing as one, Michael Rayner, a juggler/balancer/stand-up comedian/self-proclaimed postmodern Vaudevillian, has virtually blown up over night on TikTok. Garnering 103.2K followers on the platform as of this post (gaining almost the entirety of it in just a few weeks), would you have guessed that someone who came up performing on late night for decades, including appearances on Letterman and Corden, and who has been spinning cheeseburgers on parasols would be a TikTok hit?

Certainly, his endless bag of feats that include balancing random people’s shoes, a wheel barrow, and action figures as well as juggling almost anything and spinning food on a parasol have been quite the perfect fit for TikTok. Dive into Rayner’s TikTok here to see all of this for yourself.

We’ve seen Rayner do this plethora of tricks, feats, and bits for several years now whether it be at something as hip as Tomorrow! with Ron Lynch or during a show for families in a local library and have always been blown away by them every time (especially as he can usually do crowd work that can skew family friendly or not while juggling, balancing, etc.). Finally, he’s gotten a bit of the following he very much deserves and proves that there’s a way to do TikTok for comedy that isn’t trying to copy what the kids are doing.

If you’re digging Michael Rayner like we’ve done for years, you can tip him at his Venmo @mcrayner55 or even book him for a live-stream show by e-mailing mcr44@me.com.

April 18, 2019

Uncategorized

carmen christopher, jason kaye, katie dill, laura kightlinger, lyric hyperion, michael rayner, ron lynch, silverlake, tomorrow show, wesley doloris

First it was Steve Allen Theater, then it was Dynasty Typewriter, and now, The Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe in Silverlake will be the home to the legendary midnight variety show Tomorrow! with Ron Lynch.

The show has been going for over 14 years and might coming to its most perfect home yet. The “re-return” show has a great collection of comedy from all corners of the art form and just so happens to be happening on 4/20.

Tickets are still only $10. Get more details here (and get hooked on this LA comedy institution already).

January 26, 2018

Uncategorized

comedy variety show, dynasty typewriter, experimental comedy, hayworth theater, jay london, karl herlinger, kate micucci, liquid feet, los angeles, michael rayner, natalie palamides, puppets, ron lynch, stand up

Though once thought to be possibly far and gone, the legendary comedy variety extravaganza Tomorrow! Show with Ron Lynch is coming back and coming back soon!

The Steve Allen Theater is sadly no more, but Ron and company will be enjoying burning the midnight oil with chaotic glee at a new home in LA’s newest comedy venue The Hayworth Theater.

Unsurprisingly, the line-up is full of Tomorrow! favorites and ought to not be missed.

Tickets will be $10. Get more info here.

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

December 6, 2017

Uncategorized

david gborie, DoLA, dtla, free comedy, jake kroeger, joe derosa, laurie kilmartin, los angeles, michael rayner, stand up

Great FREE comedy, great FREE pizza from Prufrock Pizza (served at 7PM when doors open and available while supplies last), and a great happy hour courtesy of Deep Eddy Vodka is just a few hours away.

Honestly, it’s worth the trip downtown and we would never say that lightly.

November 22, 2017

Uncategorized

david gborie, deep eddy vodka, DoLA, downtown la, dtla, free comedy, free show, joe derosa, laurie kilmartin, los angeles, love song bar, michael rayner, stand up

Through thorough surveillance of our own employees at The Comedy Bureau, we have found that talking at a water cooler during your break is one of the best parts of people’s day.

So, we’re trying desperately to copy that “vibe” and bring it to you in a night of comedy with our personal favorites that we’ve had our eyes on for years.

With assistance from Deep Eddy Vodka and DoLA, we will present comedic performances from Laurie Kilmartin, Joe DeRosa, Michael Rayner, David Gborie for “Water Cooler Talk” to be hosted by TCB’s own Jake Kroeger.

Cool (and hungry) people should arrive early for free pizza from Prufrock Pizzeria between 7PM and 8PM while supplies last!

Water Cooler Talk will commence at The Love Song Bar on Tuesday, December 5th with doors open (and, again, free gourmet pizza) at 7PM and the show starting promptly at 8PM.

Flyer by Morgan Heslin.

December 23, 2016

Uncategorized

comedy show, los angeles, melissa villaseñor, michael rayner, neil hamburger, stand up, the satellite

With the holiday season upon us, we’re getting a special gift of Neil Hamburger doing his residency show at The Satellite on a weeknight.

Joining Neil next Thursday will be a stacked line-up of Melissa Villasenor, Jon Daly, Ian Abramson, Michael Rayner, and Minori Hinds.

As always, tickets are $8 and you can (and should) get them here.

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

Gaze My Navel: Gonzo!

March 24, 2011

Uncategorized

comedy shows, free, letterman, live, los angeles, michael rayner

Gaze My Navel: Gonzo!

thesofiya:

So tomorrow’s is the birth of the stand-up show I’m co producing with my writing partner Dave Rankin. I’m very excited to really make it our own. To that effect, there will be Angel City Derby girls, bubbles, a (possibly) homeless (we’re not sure) aging rocker who can really fucking rock it out,…

Morning Debriefing 2/20/11

February 20, 2011

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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.

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The 2010 Post Brunch Update

1) Many who report on comedy in some fashion like to make “best of” lists at the end of every year. As with every list, there’s always debate, so, in the comedic spirit, I’ll stir the pot even further with The Comedy Bureau’s very own “The Very Best of ‘Best of Comedy in 2010” List featuring the top year end comedy lists as decided by Bureau Director Jake Kroeger himself. It doesn’t get any more “postmodern” than this folks…

1. 10 Moments Comedians Made Us Think This Year-Splitsider
2. 10 Best Comedy Albums of 2010-Amazon.com
3. The 10 Must Have Stand Up Comedy DVDs from 2010-Punchline Magazine
4. 15 Funny People We Lost in 2010-Splitsider
5. Top 5 Funniest TV Comedies-Huffington Post-Matt Wilstein
6. 2010 Wasn’t So Shitty After All-Mike Bridenstine

2) WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF another Saturday. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that there’s some great laughs to be found on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL. Start with The Not Inappropriate Show @ UCB Theatre 4PM $12, then go to Michael Rayner @ Flappers Burbank YooHoo Room 7:30PM/9:30PM $20, then Christopher Titus @ Flappers Burbank 8PM/10PM $60, or just go to San Francisco and do the 15th Annual Comedy Countdown @ Palace of Fine Arts 9:30PM $60-$114.

3) OPEN MIC RUN: FLAPPERS BURBANK BAR 102 E. Magnolia, Burbank, CA/Starts 5PM, MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/Starts 5PM/$5/multiple sets allowed

4) The Ultimate Free & Cheap LA Comedy List ½-1/8. Thanks Wisepix.

5) With the popularity of Paul F Tompkins Live Tweeting during a major holiday with his #midnightmass2010, Paul has decided to do it yet again with New Year’s Day and The Twilight Zone Marathon on SyFy. Follow @pftompkins after Midnight PST to join in the after hours/New Year’s fun while you wait for the Rose Parade (because you were waiting to watch the Rose Parade, right?)

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to the entire LOS ANGELES COMEDY COMMUNITY that give the entire Comedy Bureau Staff/me something to write about everyday and the inspiration/will to write/perform every night.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: George Carlin-Modern Man

8) Donate to The Comedy Bureau. Leave 2010 on a good note.

9) Last night, a comic asked to be heckled, just like 2010 did.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU

The 2010 Post Brunch Update

4) The Ultimate Free & Cheap LA Comedy List ½-1/8. Thanks Wisepix.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: George Carlin-Modern Man

8) Donate to The Comedy Bureau. Leave 2010 on a good note.

9) Last night, a comic asked to be heckled, just like 2010 did.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU