sf sketchfest – The Comedy Bureau

TCB Debriefing 4/26-5/3: SF Sketchfest, Ian Abramson, Dave Merheje, Peabody Awards, Alex Edelman/Tonys, Keke Palmer/SZA, Scooby Doo, Chonga Girls, The Ugly Stepsister, Netflix, Jerry Seinfeld

May 3, 2024

alex edelman, chonga girls, dave merheje, ian abramson, jerry seinfeld, keke palmer, netflix, peabody awards, scooby doo, sf sketchfest, sza, ugly stepsister

1. SF Sketchfest, one of the biggest comedy festivals in the entire world, is now taking submissions for (pretty much) anything and everything for next year’s festival (Jan. 16th-Feb. 2nd). Find out more details, deadlines, submission fees, and more at sfsketchfest.com/get-involved.

2. Ian Abramson has told jokes in a shock collars controlled by the audience, challenged comedians to perform in an empty space while an audience watch a live feed from a remote location (and this was well before the pandemic), and even created his own DIY version of SNL when COVID-19 indefinitely postponed Saturday Night Live in 2020. With such daring feats, it’s almost unbelievable that Ian hasn’t done the simple, tried and true format of a comedy special (especially since Ian is one of the most original and purely silly comedians working today). Thank goodness for Heist, Ian’s first hour special that was just released by Comedy Dynamics, which, effectively is a greatest hits of the beautifully intricate absurdist comedy that Ian has perfected. Many a time there is a dual joy to be had from an Abramson bit in the mere spectacle of him being able to do it (or survive it in the case of the shock collar) and how surreally and deeply funny it really is. Suffice it to say that if you’re pining for the stand-up of 70s Steve Martin, get into everything Ian Abramson right now.

3. Dave Merheje continues his well deserved ascent in comedy with a killer Don’t Tell set. Per usual, Dave blurs the line between being off-the-cuff and doing material better than almost anyone since he’s so extremely present on stage. Please enjoy his set here.

4. The Career Achievement and Trailblazer Award for this year’s Peabody Awards are going to comedy with the honors going to the comedy legend Mel Brooks and potential comedy legend in the making Quinta Brunson (Variety).

5. Alex Edelman will be getting the T of EGOT covered very soon because of the brilliance of Just For Us.

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6. Don’t be surprised if the upcoming Keke Palmer and SZA buddy comedy from Issa Rae is the buddy comedy you didn’t know you were waiting several years for (Deadline).

7. Though it’s far from a sure thing, Tinseltown is dead set on cashing in on live action versions of animated IP, hence another go at a live action Scooby Doo (Deadline).

8. Fingers crossed that The Chonga Girls will have the magical ingredient to make multicam work (it’s a long way to fall from Seinfeld to Big Bang Theory, FYI) as a concept again with their CBS project in development (Deadline)

9. If you were wondering if there was going to be some sort of gritty reboot of all the Disney canon following Winnie the Poo: Blood and Honey, indeed that is a thing. Just check the villain origin story vehicle that is The Ugly Stepsister coming as the first feature from Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt (Variety).

10. Netflix is sticking with their stars by giving specials to pretty their biggest stars (that don’t keep tripling down on problematic trans jokes) Ali Wong, Bert Kreischer, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy and Michelle Buteau. Wonder if they’ll ever get back to their roots when started off with a not-yet-famous Ali Wong, Tom Segura, and Jen Kirkman.

11. We’ll leave you with this: Jerry Seinfeld is still not over not being able to do his iPhone bit at colleges?

TCB Debriefing 12/8/23: Andy Iwancio, Dusty Slay, Naughty, SF Sketchfest

December 8, 2023

News

andy iwancio, dusty slay, olivia wilde, sf sketchfest

1. Sometimes, holiday gifts aren’t hiding in a tree or in a stocking or even deeply hidden behind only to be forgotten until a round of spring cleaning. Sometimes, a comedy album, one free of being a special first only to be released as an “album” so it could qualify for Grammy nominations, comes in around December only to dazzle and startle and make us, most importantly, laugh heartily. This year, that album comes from Andy Iwancio with Better Living Through Femmistry, a supremely delightful ride in being all flavors of sarcastic, ironic, subversive through a trans woman lens in 2023. There is even a certain raw quality to the recording that adds a cheeky punk rock layer to Iwancio’s whipsmart writing, steadfast delivery, and delightful openess.

Please enjoy and give a listen to Better Living Through Femmistry here.

2. Netflix subscribers will be “having a good time” when Dusty Slay‘s hour special Workin’ Man comes out Jan. 16th.

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3. The writer of Cocaine Bear is teaming up with Olivia Wilde (don’t forget that Booksmart was a certified and critically acclaimed hit) to make a “Bridesmaids in the North Pole” called Naughty (Deadline). We’re assuming that some version of the tagline for this movie might be “You’re going to want to be on this naughty list.”

4. SF Sketchfest is almost a month away and, like a SF comedy advent calendar, they’ve got more treats to peep everyday leading up to it, especially this holiday season (including Puddles Pity Party and The Crossword Show with Zach Sherwin).

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5. We’ll leave you with this: A polite reminder to audience members that it’s best to assume that comedians on stage can hear you talking during the show, no matter what you’re saying.

TCB Debriefing 11/16 & 11/17/23: Maria Bamford, SF Sketchfest, Nathan Fielder/Kimmel, Verified Stand Up, Eric Andre, Taika Waititi, David Letterman, Dex Carvey

November 17, 2023

News

david letterman, dex carvey, eric andre, jimmy kimmel live, maria bamford, nathan fielder, netflix, sf sketchfest, taika waititi, verified stand up

1. A slight break from the horrors of the world is coming because Maria Bamford is coming out with a new special, Local Act, next month, taped lovingly at one of LA comedy’s most intimate venues, Public Displays of Altadena.

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2. SF Sketchfest, one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals, just made its first (of many) line-up announcements, and it’s already more than stuffed than any stocking will be this holiday season. Take a peep at (many of) your favorites coming to SF from Jan. 18th-Feb. 4th. Tickets go on sale this Sun. at 10AM at sfsketchfest.com.

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3. Nathan Fielder calls out NY Times for correction for calling his acting “stale” on Kimmel alongside Emma Stone. Please enjoy Fielder looking like Leon the Professional and forcing Jimmy to call the NY Times after hours here.

4. Take a gander at the trailer for Netflix’s latest stand-up series that, per usual, has the most bland sounding, uninspiring name, Verified Stand-Up, but pretty great comics in Asif Ali, Dulcé Sloan, Gianmarco Soresi, Isiah Kelly, Leslie Liao, Nimesh Patel, Robby Hoffman, Rosebud Baker, Sabrina Wu, and Vanessa Gonzalez. Look for it on Netflix on Nov. 28th. *Please never forget that Netflix could come up with something slicker and catchier that could be translated into however many dozen languages they stream in.

5. Eric Andre is headed out on the road once again with The Eric Andre Show Live next month, which means America better get ready for a bunch of desks getting annihilated. Get tickets at ericandretour.com.

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6. Taika Waititi won’t be doing a Thor 5 even if the MCU wants to do one (THR). Given the reception of Love and Thunder and the MCU’s lukewarm 2024, it’s best that they go back to the drawing board for their next phase (or reimagine the idea of doing 10 years of movies that coalesce into one 20 minute battle scene).

7. David Letterman will be the guest on a post-Thanksgiving ep. of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after nearly 9 years after signing off from the Ed Sullivan Theater. Any takers on if he’s going beard or no beard for his big reunion?

Eight and a half years after David Letterman signed off as host of CBS’ The Late Show, the comedian is returning to the Ed Sullivan Theater on Monday, Nov. 30, to be interviewed by his successor, Stephen Colbert, for the first time https://t.co/fCYuTJnojI

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) November 17, 2023

9. We’ll leave you with this: R.I.P. Dex Carvey, who made his way with a full heart through the LA comedy scene over the last several years.

Dana Carvey’s eldest son, Dex, died Wednesday evening from a reported drug overdose, according to a statement from his parents. He was 32 https://t.co/KBC2hwNcIA

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) November 16, 2023

TCB Debriefing 8/23/23: Ever Mainard, SF Sketchfest, A Very Good+ Night of Comedy, Barbie’s New Record

August 23, 2023

News

barbie, don't tell comedy, ever mainard, kennedy center, sf sketchfest

1. If you’ve somehow been a follower of TCB for any amount of time and don’t know Ever Mainard, you need to fix that issue immediately. Thankfully, they have a brand spankin’ new set for you to see, enjoy, and subsequently become obsessed with Ever’s vulnerable sense of mischief. Please enjoy it repeatedly here.

Also, in case you didn’t know, the new Premium Blend/Comedy Central Presents/Netflix’s The Comedy Lineup/late night sets is Don’t Tell Comedy.

2. If you’re perhaps interested at taking a shot at performing at one of the most prestigious, largest comedy festivals in the world, the SF Sketchfest deadline is coming up fast. Submissions are due at 11:59PM PT on Sun. Sept. 3rd. Get more details and send in your stuff here.

3. A Very Good+ Night of Comedy has nothing to do with a new streaming service, but, instead is probably one of the biggest comedy gala benefits of the year. Supporting Jessica Seinfeld’s Good+Foundation that systemically addresses poverty, headliners Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer and Ronny Chieng are all set to perform at Carnegie Hall in mid October (Deadline).

4. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has officially become the highest grossing movie of 2023 thus far, beating out The Super Mario Bros. Movie (CNN). With an IMAX version that includes a post-credit scene, it’s due to beat more records even if it’ll only play in certain parts of Asia and the Middle East.

5. So, do we need to watch stuff on DVD/VHS rather than streaming or cable to support the strike as media consumers?

2024 SF Sketchfest Submissions Are Now Open

May 5, 2023

News

2024, comedy festival, sf sketchfest

At May 5th, we’re nearing the halfway point of the year, believe it or not. That also means that the first big comedy of the year, SF Sketchfest, is also approaching. Taking place between the end of January and beginning of February, SF has brought thousands of amazing comedians and comedy shows and more to the Greater SF/Bay Area for over a score.

The 2024 SF Sketchfest should be no different and you could even be part of it. They’re taking submissions for all sorts of comedy folks/shows/podcasts/etc. for next year’s festival which will run from 1/19-2/4.

The deadline to submit is midnight PST on Sun. Sept. 3rd. You’ll get the news of whether you made it in on Sun. Oct. 15th. Best of all, the submission fee is only $10. Go get more details and submit to be part of one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals here.

Pick of the Day: SF Sketchfest Live-streams 1/21-2/5

January 17, 2023

News

bruce campbell, john hodgman, live stream, paul f tompkins, sf comedy, sf sketchfest

One of the world’s biggest comedy festivals, SF Sketchfest, is just a few days away and if you’re not in San Francisco by this Friday (or over two weeks after that), you’ll absolutely have missed out on comedy magic that can only be conjured up by the long running massive, magical gathering of the best comedy folks around.

That said, there are a handful of very special events that will be live-streamed thanks to the good folks at Moment from the festival itself that you can tune into from all around the world (double or triple check time zones). Tickets for most of these are $20 (and you didn’t have to book hotel and airfare in SF, which you ought to will burn a hole in your wallet).

Of the dozens upon dozens of amazing live comedy shows that will be happening, you’ll be able to live-stream the following from your own home:

Hello From the Magic Tavern @ 1/21 4PM PT/7PM ET
featuring Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai and Matt Young and guest Guy Branum.

“Viva Variety” 25th Anniversary Tribute @ 1/21 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET
A Very Special Evening with Mr. and the former Mrs. Laupin and Johnny Blue Jeans, aka Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Michael Ian Black, with Ken Marino and David Wain.

Uptown Showdown Debate: In-Person vs Remote @ 1/27 10PM PT/1AM ET
with John Ross Bowie, River Butcher, Dana Gould, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Baron Vaughn and more, Hosted by Dhaya Lakshminarayanan.

SF Sketchfest Roast of Bruce Campbell @ 1/28 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET
featuring Peaches Christ, Dana DeLorenzo, David Alan Grier, Cassandra Peterson (AKA Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Kevin Pollak, Ted Raimi, roastmaster Dana Gould and more.

Judge John Hodgman LIVE! @ 2/4 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET
featuring Jesse Thorn.

Varietopia with Paul F Tompkins @ 2/5 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET

Get more details and tickets at moment.co/sfsketchfest. If you are in SF, you can get more details and tickets at sfsketchfest.com for catching everything in-person.

SF Sketchfest 2023 Adds Fred Armisen Residency, James Adomian, Alison Leiby, and More

December 5, 2022

News

2023, alison leiby, dumb people town, fred armisen, james adomian, sf comedy, sf sketchfest

SF Sketchfest, the first mighty comedy festival of every year, is really happening once more. The nearly three week comedy extravaganza that takes over all of SF already has a gigantic line-up, but has just announced more than a few additions that might just make you make the trek to San Francisco if you weren’t already planning to (or just going in general if you already live in the Bay Area).

Just added for 2023 SF Sketchfest are:

Fred Armisen Residency: Comedy for Bass Players but Everyone is Welcome
3 nights with a different guest bass player each night – special guests TBA
The Red Room Orchestra play the music of “Twin Peaks” & “Repo Man”
Dumb People Town with The Sklar Bros. and Daniel Van Kirk
James Adomian with Jes Tom
Ilana Glazer Presents: Alison Leiby: Oh God, A Show About Abortion
Mic Drop: A Night of Music, Rap and Comedy with Drennon Davis, EpicLLOYD, Eliza Skinner and more
Behind the Bastards with Robert Evans
The Setup with Abhay and Richard Sarvate

Again, this edition of the festival runs from 1/20-2/5 and, you’re thinking what we’re thinking, you’ll want to go snag tickets here.

SF Sketchfest Will Return in a Year

January 14, 2022

News

comedy festival, sf comedy, sf sketchfest

Thanks to the Omicron and Delta variants of COVID-19, SF Sketchfest had to postpone their in-person shows for another year. It was awful news after the year that 2020 and 2021 had been and the boatloads of levity that the gigantic annual comedy festival brings to any and all that are in attendance.

So, SF Sketchfest is foregoing trying to schedule something for later 2022 and opting to have their next in-person edition happen in 2023 when they would normally have it both for safety and venue availability reasons. Specifically, Jan. 20th-Feb. 5th, 2023 is when SF Sketchfest will rise again and, hopefully, the pandemic will be under much more control by then.

In regards to what current ticket holders might be able to do, the organizers of SF Sketchfest have advised, “…to hang on to their tickets as the festival reaches out to each and every ticket holder as soon as possible with new dates, details and options.”

You can keep a close watch on any new updates (maybe an online satellite show of some kind?) at sfsketchfest.com.

SF Sketchfest 2022 Postponed Due to COVID-19 Surge

December 30, 2021

News

covid closure, postponed, sf sketchfest

Over the last few weeks, you’ve probably seen and heard about live shows, performance venues, and awards shows canceling or postponing due to this most recent surge of the Omicron and Delta variants of COVID-19. There have been outbreaks not only amongst live comedy all across the country, but nearly all of live performance has been severely affected and has temporarily gone dark as a result.

SF Sketchfest always happens in January, which puts this festival, one of the biggest comedy festivals in the entire world, in potential reach of this latest surge in COVID-19 cases. Without any sort of advance knowledge of when numbers will trend down to safe-ish levels, the organizers of SF Sketchfest posted their postponement announcement just a few hours ago.

We have no doubt that this was a tough decision as SF Sketchfest had to got to a virtual one-day festival for 2021 and was geared up for an exciting three weeks of finally getting to be back in person and having the hundreds of shows and thousands of comedians performing for multitudes of audiences in and throughout the Greater SF Area.

SF Sketchfest founders Cole Stratton, David Owen and Janet Varney aim to maintain as much of this current line-up as possible and are looking for dates in the (hopefully) not so distant future. Stay tuned @sfsketchfest on Twitter and @sf_sketchfest on IG for further updates.

2022 Festival Update: pic.twitter.com/3BL2Ct6iLW

— SF Sketchfest (@SFSketchfest) December 30, 2021

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 87: Carl Tart & Indie Improv Days Again

November 24, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

carl tart, grammys, sf sketchfest, taliban

Long form improv comedy was free flowing pre-pandemic with dozens and dozens of shows filled by so many teams it was often hard to keep track of all of their names. On this side of the pandemic, long form improv is coming back, but like everything else, it’s not the same. We get improv and podcast star Carl Tart (also co-starring on the upcoming Grand Crew on NBC) to break down the state of improv in LA and how it’s reminiscent of the days when he was coming up.

Also, actually hot takes on The Grammys nominations for comedy and the Taliban banning comedy where people are humiliated.

Follow Carl @dammitcarl on IG

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

SF Sketchfest Makes Gigantic First 2022 Line-Up Announcement

November 19, 2021

News

comedy festival, sf comedy, sf sketchfest

The days of having a ponderously big line-up for a live, in-person comedy festival seems like such a thing of a decade ago, despite Jan. 2020 (the last “normal” SF Sketchfest) only being nearly two year in the past.

Well, on this side of the pandemic, we’re getting back to SF Sketchfest being at full strength and announcing their massive schedule/line-up that spans around three weeks of some of the best comedy from North America and beyond. This morning, they just made the first official line-up announcement for 2022 SF Sketchfest running Jan. 7th-23rd, and, oh boy howdy, is it an early holiday gift for comedy fans of all kinds.

Just take a gander at what they’ve going so far:

SPECIAL EVENTS & LIVE IN-PERSON TRIBUTES

SF Sketchfest Tribute to Cheech & Chong
50th Anniversary Celebration with Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong in conversation with Ben Fong-Torres
SF Sketchfest Tribute to Laraine Newman
with friends Dana Gould, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen and Cole Stratton
SF Sketchfest Tribute to David Alan Grier
in conversation

SF Sketchfest Roast of Bruce Campbell
with guests Jeffrey Combs, Sharon Gless, David Alan Grier, Kane Hodder, Cassandra Peterson (AKA Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Ted Raimi, Jennifer Tilly and roastmaster Dana Gould
“Perfect Strangers” 35th Anniversary
with Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot
“Viva Variety” 25th Anniversary Tribute
A Very Special Evening with Mr. and the former Mrs. Laupin and Johnny Blue Jeans, aka Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Michael Ian Black, in conversation with Ken Marino
“Role Models” Live Read
with David Cross, Beth Dover, Nyima Funk, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Phil LaMarr, Joe Lo Truglio, Jane Lynch, Ken Marino, A.D. Miles, Adam Scott, Bobb’e J. Thompson, David Wain, Matt Walsh and more, with live music by the Red Room Orchestra
The 5 Year Anniversary of the 10 Year Anniversary of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival
with Eugene Mirman and friends Jena Friedman, Janeane Garofalo, Kristen Schaal, Sarah Vowell, Reggie Watts, and more
Let’s Make a Poop! With Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
Game show podcast with celebrity panelists including “Weird Al” Yankovic and more
The 1491s
Asian AF
with Jason Choi, Will Choi, Miss Golightly, Misha Han, Mic Nguyen and more
Maria Bamford
with Jenny Yang
Live at the Sydney Goldstein Theater
The Black Version
with Jordan Black, Nyima Funk, Daniele Gaither, Phil LaMarr, Karen Maruyama, Gary Anthony Williams and Cedric Yarbrough
David Cross: I’m From the Future
with Irene Tu
The Improvised Shakespeare Company
Judge John Hodgman
with John Hodgman and Jesse Thorn
Stuff You Should Know
with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
Upright Citizens Brigade: ASSSSCAT
with Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, D’Arcy Carden, Jessica McKenna, Tim Meadows, Zach Reino and more
Varietopia with Paul F. Tompkins and more

CINEMA & TELEVISION SPOTLIGHTS

The Benson Movie Interruptions: “The Goonies” and “The Lost Boys”
with Doug Benson and surprise guests
“Futurama” vs. COVID-3019!
with David X. Cohen, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, Phil LaMarr, Lee Supercinski, Lauren Tom and Billy West
A Narfy Afternoon with “Pinky and the Brain”
with Maurice LaMarche & Rob Paulsen, moderated by Cole Stratton
Riffapalooza
with Bill Corbett, Frank Conniff, Kevin Murphy, Mary Jo Pehl, Jonah Ray and J. Elvis Weinstein

IMPROV & SKETCH

BriTANick
Dinosaur Improv
with Owen Burke, Chad Carter, Rob Huebel, Jason Mantzoukas, Seth Morris, Charlie Sanders, Paul Scheer and more
The Groundlings: Cookin’ With GAS
Killing My Lobster
With Cobranauts, Hosted by Mark Smalls
Naked Babies
with John Ross Bowie, Rob Corddry, Brian Huskey and Seth Morris / PalmerTrolls with Ben Palmer
Please Leave The Bronx and The Great Difficulties
Hosted by Matt O’Brien
SponTourCo
with Paul F. Tompkins, Eugene Cordero, Tawny Newsome and Janet Varney
SuperMarried
with John Ross Bowie and Jamie Denbo / Grifter, Hosted by Haley Hoffmeister
Theme Park Improv
with Ian Brennan, Simon Helberg, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock, Jessica Makinson, Oscar Nuñez, Cole Stratton and Janet Varney with guest monologist Wendi McLendon-Covey
White Women
with Ronnie Adrian, Zeke Nicholson, Ify Nwadiwe, Ishmel Sahid, Carl Tart and Lamar Woods
3Peat
with TSTMRKT, Hosted by Alexandria Love

THEATER & STORYTELLING

Bruce and Friend Kevin
with Bruce McCulloch and Kevin McDonald
Celebrity Autobiography
with Mario Cantone, Sharon Gless, Tony Hale, Wendi McClendon-Covey, Laraine Newman, Oscar Nuñez, Eugene Pack, and Jennifer Tilly
The Comedy Pack
An afternoon of short comedies by Eugene Pack starring Tony Hale, Tim Kazurinsky, Oscar Nuñez, Jennifer Tilly, George Wendt, and more
Fake TED Talks
with Jean Grae, Bruce McCulloch, Paul & Storm, Adam Savage, Laser Malena-Webber and more
Lottie Platchett Took a Hatchet!
with Drew Droege, Tom Lenk, Ryan Garcia, Jessica Hanna, Tom DeTrinis, Justin Elizabeth Sayre and Pete Zias
The Medievalists: a play reading by Bill Corbett
with Paget Brewster, Jason Ritter, James Urbaniak and more
Mortified
Porchlight: A Storytelling Series
with guests David Cross, Chris Garcia, A.D. Miles, Ify Nwadiwe, and Atsuko, hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte, with music by Marc Capelle
RISK! with Kevin Allison
with guests Mary Jo Pehl, Jonah Ray, Shalewa Sharpe and more
Selected Shorts: Too Hot for Radio
with Tony Hale, Baron Vaughn and more
Stop Joking for 100 Years And Other Requests From My Kid (Stories of Parenting and Childhood)
with Eugene Mirman and friends Nore Davis, Jena Friedman, Janeane Garofalo, Dana Gould, Natasha Leggero, Bobby Tisdale, Baron Vaughn, Reggie Watts and Jenny Yang

PODCASTS & TALK SHOWS

Add to Cart with Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak
Alchemy This with Kevin Pollak
with Chris Alvarado, Craig Cackowski, Joey Greer, James Heaney and Cole Stratton
The Bechdel Cast with Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus
The Bitchuation Room
with Francesca Fiorentini, Nato Green and more
Community Focused Dynamics with Kaseem Bentley and Murahd Shawkey
Dead Eyes with Connor Ratliff
Doug Loves Movies with Doug Benson
The Endless Honeymoon Podcast with Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero
Gettin’ Better with Ron Funches
The George Lucas Talk Show
With Patrick Cotnoir, Connor Ratliff and Griffin Newman
The Greatest Generation
with Adam Pranica and Benjamin Ahr Harrison
Hello From the Magic Tavern
with Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai and Matt Young
Hey Riddle Riddle
with Erin Keif, JPC, Adal Rifai and more
John Hodgman & Adam Savage: Spin-a-Wheel Conversation
Jordan, Jesse, Go!
with Jordan Morris and Jesse Thorn
Lady to Lady
with Tess Barker, Babs Gray and Brandie Posey
Live Wire with Luke Burbank
Mission to Zyxx
Nature Talks to Itself
with Jace Armstrong and Justin Michael and guest D’Arcy Carden and more
Nerd Rage: The Great Debates
Off Book: The Improvised Musical with Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino
Pod Yourself a Gun: A Sopranos Podcast
with Matt Lieb, Vince Mancini and Brent Flyberg
Ringheads with Bill Corbett and Sean Thomason
Talking Simpsons
Will You Accept This Rose? with Arden Myrin
with Paget Brewster
Yo, Is This Racist? with Tawny Newsome and Andrew Ti
with Mohanad Elshienky and Jean Grae

STAND-UP COMEDY

Todd Barry
with Ever Mainard and Paco Romane
Janeane Garofalo
Joel Kim Booster’s Joy F*ck Club
with Atsuko, Nori Reed, Jes Tom, Irene Tu
An Evening with Jeff Garlin: “Use Me” Tour
Michael Winslow
RB Butcher
with Hayden Kristal
Beth Stelling
with Ever Mainard and Hosted by Ja-Ron Young
Sasheer Zamata
Shane Torres
with Mike Carrozza and Jane Harrison
Atsuko & Friends
with Atsuko, Michael Ian Black and more
Smug Shift with Moshe Kasher and Brent Weinbach
and guests Demi Adejuyigbe, Johnny Pemberton, Robin Tran and more
Everything’s Great!
with Demi Adejuyigbe, Nick Kocher and Addie Weyrich and guests Ginny Hogan, Natasha Leggero and more
Jay Jurden / Peter Smith
Hosted by Marcus Williams
The Charm Offensive
with Krista Fatka, Paco Romane and David Roth and guests Julie Ash, Dro Knows, Jade Theriault and Marcus Williams
Comedy Baseball
with Steve Ausburne, Matt Baetz, Colin Braun, DNA, Greg Gettle, Justin Gomes, Andrew Holmgren, Ben Kolina, Robert Omoto, Ivy Vasquez, Natasha Vinik and Mikey Walz
Cosplay Comedy
with Leiroy Abueg, K. Cheng, Kyle Chrise, Jason Cole, April Cowgur, Bryce Druzin, Sarah Giambruno, Janie Hanmaker Gunn, Alexander McAllister, Arturo Raygoza and Hank Romero
Diversity Hires
with Luisa Isbell and Sureni Weerasekera and guests Hayden Kristal, Alvin Kuai, Alexandria Love and Moe Yaqub
Donde Esta Mi Comedy? with Baruch Porras Hernandez
and guests Julian Fernandez, Isa Medina, Jota Mercury and Armando Torres
DOPE Show with Kaseem Bentley and Murahd Shawkey
with guests Ehsan Ahmad, Wally Baram, Ian Levy, Dauood Naimyar, Joshua Stokes and Sureni Weerasekera
Facial Recognition Comedy
with Zahra Ali, Fizaa Dosani, Pallavi Gunalan, Sabeen Sadiq and more
Femmes The Rules
with Mary Jane French, Sammy Mowrey and Bailey Norton and guests Jeena Bloom, Katrina Davis, Tyler Jackson, Drew Lausch, Ever Mainard and Mateen Stewart
Funnilingus
with Dana Donnelly, Pallavi Gunalan and Ellory Smith and guests Blair Dawson, Diana Hong, Leah Rudick, Laura Sanders and Atheer Yacoub
The Gateway Show with Billy Anderson
and guests Scott Eason, Melissa Shoshahi, Billy Sullivan, Armando Torres,
Interruption Show with Dalia Malek
and guests Alex Falcone, Holly Lynnea, Matt Knudsen, Mic Nguyen and Chad Opitz
Jolli-baes with Andrew Orolfo
and guests Marcus Cardona, Aivy Cordova, Andrew Lopez and Wilfred Padua
Kwaczala-palooza with Joe Kwaczala
and guests Luke Craig, Dana Donnelly, Alex Falcone, Ellory Smith and Torio Van Grol
Lady to Lady and Ladyfriends
with Tess Barker, Babs Gray and Brandie Posey and guests Alyssa Al-Dookhi, Nataly Aukar, Katrina Davis, Veronica Kwiatkowski and JoAnn Schinderle
Locals Only!
with Steven Asifo, Hayley Beacon, Justin Careesi, Max Eddy, Geulah Finman, Jesse Hett, Gary Hughes, Nick Leonard, Orion Levine, Jeanette Marin, Melissa McGillicuddy, Annette Mullaney, Luke Soin, Ta’Vi, Jade Theriault, Travis Thielen, Andrew Young and Zorba Jevon Hughes
Mental Health Comedy Hour
with Wonder Dave and Kristee Ono and guests Lola Anthema,Kari Burt and Dan Weber
The Old School Comedy Masters
with Larry “Bubbles” Brown, Mike Meehan and Johnny Steele
Resistance is Fertile
with Brooke Heinichen and Luisa Isbell and guests Darlene Bereznicki, Loren Kraut, Becky Lynn, JoAnn Schinderle and Ally Taylor
The Setup
with Abhay and Richard Sarvate and guests Virginia Jones, Lizzie Martinez, Joe Praino, Steven Rogers and Atheer Yacoub
Special Release: Dhaya Lakshminarayanan & Karinda Dobbins
Talkies
with George Chen, Aviva Siegel, Land Smith and Nick Stargu and guests Katie-Ellen Humphries, Chad Opitz, Jay Shingle and Jordan Thewlis
The SF Sketchfest Dozen:
Will Miles & Blair SocciMike Drucker & Nori Reed
Amy Miller & Zach Zimmerman
Johnny Pemberton & Jenny Yang
Shalewa Sharpe & Sam Tallent
Fumi Abe & Joyelle Nicole Johnson
SF Sketchfest Threesomes:
Grant Gordon & Hannah Pilkes & Jeff Wright
Katrina Davis & Hanna Dickinson & Mike Merrill
SF Sketchfest Killer Lineups:
Chris Garcia, Kate Willett, Sahib Singh, Jes Tom, Shain Brenden and Seth Allen
Nore Davis, Robin Tran, Andrew Orolfo, Maeve Press, Casey Ley and Nick Sahoyah
Mohanad Elshieky, Yamaneika Saunders, Orlando Leyba, Kenice Mobley, Joe Kwaczala and Laura Sanders

VARIETY & GAME SHOWS

Choose Your Own Adventure — A Drag Show
Comedy Psychos
with Leiroy Abueg, Holly Annabel Brown, The Advertising Brothers, Joel Jimenez, Chris Riggins and Alyssa Westerlund
The Crossword Show with Zach Sherwin
Drennon Davis & DJ Real
Hosted by Darlene Bereznicki
Filipino AF
with Will Choi and Joy Reguillano
Get It?! with Joe Klocek
with Joseph Anolin, Aivy Cordova and Ryan Goodcase
Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm & Friends
Kyle Gordon / Don’t Watch This Show Live!
Hosted by Krista Fatka
Music Night
with The Doubleclicks, DJ Real, Chaki, The Satan Sisters, Ben Visini and Mikey Deadleg
Play Date with Puddles, Dave Hill and Steve Agee
Shit Arcade with Mike Drucker
Tinder Live with Lane Moore and Janeane Garofalo
Turning Tricks — The Magic Show
with Robert Strong and guest magicians Jade, Jay Alexander, Kevin Blake, Andrew Evans and David Gerard
Uptown Showdown Debate: “In Person vs. Remote”
Hosted by Dhaya Lakshminarayanan with RB Butcher, Jen Friedman Dana Gould, Baron Vaughn and more
Vanessa Gonzalez / The Latino Comedy Project Presents: “Gentrif*cked!”
Wheels Off with Rhett Miller
with Natasha Leggero

EMERGING STAND-UP, SKETCH, IMPROV & PODCASTS

Abhay, Aivy Cordova, Alex Falcone, Alex Price, Alexandria Love, Ali Clayton, Ally Taylor, Alvin Kuai, Alyssa Al-Dookhi, Alyssa Westerlund, Andrew Holmgren, Andrew Lopez, Andrew Young, Annette Mullaney, Armando Torres, Arroz Con Pho, Arthur Gaus, Atheer Yacoub, Aviva Siegel, Babs Gray, Back Alley Racket Club, Bailey Norton, The Ballroom, Baruch Porras Hernandez, Becky Lynn, Ben Kolina, Ben Visini, The Big Boyzzz, Billy Anderson, Bingewatch, Black Cat Sketch Comedy, Blair Dawson, Brandie Posey, Brian Sullivan, Brooke Heinichen, Business Casual, Butt, Chad Opitz, Chaki, Chicken Scratch Improv, Chris Riggins, Clara Bijl, Cluedunit, Cobranauts, Colin Braun, Colin Mahan: Himselves, Comedy Dance Chicago, Dalia Malek, Dan Weber, Dana Donnelly, Darlene Bereznicki, Dauood Naimyar, David Nguyen, David Roth, Daytime Talk at Night, Diana Hong, DNA, The Doubleclicks, Drew Lausch, Dro Knows, Drunk Theatre, Ehsan Ahmad, Ellory Smith, Emily Walsh, Erick Hellwig, Ever Mainard, Fizaa Dosani, Fred Le, Friendo, Garage, Gary Hughes, George Chen, Geulah Finman, Ginny Hogan, Girls Night, Goldbaby, Granny Cart Gangstas, Greg Gettle, Grifter, Hayden Kristal, Hayley Beacon, Haley Hoffmeister, Holly Annabel Brown, Holly Lynnea, Isa Medina, Ian Levy, Improv All-Stars, Ivy Vasquez, Jack Blankenship: A Funeral For My Face, Jade Theriault, Jake Mattera, Jalisa Robinson, Jason Choi, James Mwaura, Jamie Wolf, Jane Harrison, Janesh Rahlan, Jay Shingle, Jeanette Marin, Jeena Bloom, Jenn Scott, Jeremy Furlong, Jesse Hett, JoAnn Schinderle, Joe Praino, Joel Jimenez, Joey Avery, John Hastings, John Kennedy, Jon Blair, Jordan Thewlis, Josef Anolin, Josh Covitt, Joshua Stokes, Jota Mercury, Julia Hladkowicz, Julian Fernandez, Julie Ash, Justin Careesi, K. Cheng, Kari Burt, Karthik Lavangu, Kaseem Bentley, Katie-Ellen Humphries, Krista Fatka, La Spazzatura, Lady ADHD, Land Smith, Laura Sanders, Lauren Vernea, Leah Rudick, Leiroy Abueg, Lemon Pepper Wet, The Lesbian Agenda with Sophie Santos, Linda Hollywood’s Big Hollywood Night, Living Impaired, Liz Stone, Lizzie Martinez, Loren Kraut, Lucas Zelnick, Luisa Isbell, Luke Craig, Luke Soin, Luxury Cruise Singles Mixe, Marcus Cardona, Marcus Williams, Mark Smalls, Martin Phillips, Maryland Night Live, Mateen Stewart, Matt Baetz, Matt Knudsen, Matt O’Brien, Matt Storrs, Max Eddy, Melissa McGillicuddy, Melissa Shoshahi, Mic Nguyen, Mike Lane: Mixed Race Sweetie, A Million Shetland Ponies, MIke Carrozza, Mikey Walz, Milwaukee!, Misha Han, Miss Directions, Model Minority, Moe Yaqub, Moon Goon, Murahd Shawkey, Nataly Aukar, Natasha Vinik, Nick Leonard, Nick Skardarasy, Nick Stargu, Odell & DeJong, Orion Levine, Paco Romane, Pallavi Gunalan, PalmerTrolls with Ben Palmer, Papp Johnson, Peet Guercio, Phil Griffiths, Public Works, RecRoom Improv, Reid Clark, Richard Sarvate, Robert Omoto, Ronn Vigh, Running With Glitter, Ryan Goodcase, Ryan Thomas, Sabeen Sadiq, Samantha Gilweit, Sami Sutker, The Satan Sisters, Scott Eason, Sean Keane, Seth Allen, Shain Brenden, Shoot the Moon, Squad Patrol, Stephen Taylor, Steven Asifo, Steven Rogers, Strong Male Leads, Super Black: An Improvised Blaxploitation Film, Sureni Weerasekera, Surviving San Francisco: Still Got That Weak-Ass Fro, TammyTeaLove, Ta’Vi, Tess Barker, Tony Camin, Torio Van Grol, Tory Ward, Travis Thielen, Trouble With Shapes, TSTMRKT, Ty Clay, Tyler Jackson, Veronica Kwaitkowski, Vincent Chuang, Virginia Jones, Walker Glenn, Wild Wild Christian, Wilfred Padua, Winslow, Women of Color Anonymous, Your Friends Comedy, Zach Wycuff, Zahra Ali, Zorba Jevon Hughes.

If you couldn’t find several comedy treasures for you in there, we honestly don’t know what to do with you.

Tickets for all SF Sketchfest shows will go on sale Sun, November 21 at 10AM PT/1PM ET. Get more details and buy tickets this Sunday at sfsketchfest.com.

SF Sketchfest Announces Dates for 2022, Open Submissions, and Will Require Proof of Vaccination

August 24, 2021

News

improv, open call, podcasts, sf comedy, sf sketchfest, sketch comedy, stand up comedy, submissions

SF Sketchfest snuck in one of the last big festivals in 2020 right before lockdown and then went virtual for 2020 and, we’re glad to say, is back for a full-fledged, in-person festival for 2022.

Specifically, one of the world’s foremost comedy festivals, both in duration and depth and variety of comedy, will be taking place from Jan. 7th-23rd, 2022 all throughout San Francisco. Even though that’s a ways away, you’ll be glad to know that they’re taking proper precautions by requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for everyone involved including attendees, performers and staff.

Tickets go on sale in November, but, more importantly, you can submit for consideration be part of the SF Sketchfest (and they pretty much accept any and all types of comedy) up until midnight PT on Oct. 15th.

Get more details, submit, and more at sfsketchfest.com

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 44: Cole Stratton & Keeping a Major Comedy Festival Alive

January 27, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

chappelle, cole stratton, emmys, festpocalypse, sf sketchfest, stay at home order

The beginning of every year, as far as comedy is concerned, can be celebrated with the venerable SF Sketchfest, one of the biggest, most respected, longest running comedy festivals in the world. It’s three weeks of hundreds of shows and thousands of the best performers in comedy all over San Francisco making for the first big comedy event of the calendar year.

Of course, that can’t happen this year due to COVID-19 and SF Sketchfest co-founder Cole Stratton zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger about what to do in place of nearly a month of live in-person shows with one big virtual comedy extravaganza (and fundraiser for SF Sketchfest itself) Festpocalypse. Cole also details how doing improv has adapted to the virtual space as well as “hot” takes on Chappelle getting COVID-19, the CA stay-at-home order being lifted, and the debacle of combining the late night and sketch variety categories with the Emmys.

Oh yeah, we’ll remind you once more: don’t gather in person to watch the Super Bowl. Watching it alone is fine.

Follow Cole @colestratton on Twitter and @strattoncole on IG. Get tickets and more info about SF Sketchfest: Festpocalypse this Sat. Jan. 30th at 5PM PT/8PM ET here.

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: SF Sketchfest’s Festpocalypse 1/30

It’s the first day of 2021 even though it feels like 2020 is still going on and doing it’s terrible, terrible thing, you can, if you’re up for it, try to start the year anew.

In that regard, we’d like to remind you of the first real big comedy event of the year (it’s still virtual, FYI): SF Sketchfest’s Festpocalypse. Coming in at the end of January right around when SF Sketchfest, one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals would normally happen, Festpocalypse will be a virtual event at a proportion that SF Sketchfest hasn’t ever done. Just take a gander at that line-up on the flyer. Even though it’s taking place over one day only, it really is a bill that they’d have at their normally scheduled, three week comedy festival extravaganza that takes over San Francisco.

Also, you should note that Festpocalypse is a fundraiser for SF Sketchfest to keep going in the future when doing a big time festival will be allowed.

Festpocalypse is set for Jan. 30th and will begin streaming at 5PM PT/8PM ET. Tickets start at only $20, but go up if you want to snag some merch. Go get them here.

SF Sketchfest Announces Virtual “Festpocalypse” Fundraiser This Coming January

OK, so there won’t be an in-person SF Sketchfest come this January. You already knew that, right?

Just because that’s the case, doesn’t mean that SF Sketchfest, one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals, won’t forego doing anything. In fact, they’ve got something pretty big on deck, virtually of course, called Festpocalypse. It will be a special, massive one night only event that will raise money to keep SF Sketchfest alive and well and going after all of the COVID-19 pandemic is finished.

How massive is it? Well, take a gander at who they have slated for Festpocalypse:

The Kids in the Hall, The State, Mr. Show’s David Cross & Bob Odenkirk, The Upright Citizens Brigade, Parv & Pudi with Parvesh Cheena and Danny Pudi, plus “Saturday Night Live” alumni Fred Armisen, Dana Carvey, Rachel Dratch, Janeane Garofalo, Tim Meadows, Laraine Newman, Sasheer Zamata and original writer Alan Zweibel. Sketch troupes Kasper Hauser, The Latino Comedy Project, White Women and Australia’s Netflix sensations Aunty Donna appear as well.

Festpocalypse also features top stand-up comics and writers including Brits Eddie Izzard and Noel Fielding, plus Margaret Cho, Jo Firestone, Ron Funches, Chris Gethard, Dave Hill, Joel Kim Booster, Bobcat Goldthwait, Emily V. Gordon, Dana Gould, Eugene Mirman, Arden Myrin, Aparna Nancherla, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Kevin Pollak, Greg Proops, Jonah Ray, Paul F. Tompkins, Reggie Watts and more. Also, live short film riffing with RiffTrax featuring “Mystery Science Theater 3000” alumni, fake Uptown Showdown debates, a visit with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and “Weird Al” Yankovic, a game show hosted by Jimmy Pardo, movie games hosted by Doug Benson, swift justice from Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn, and a rare reunion of The Slipnutz members Andy Blitz, Jon Glaser and Brian Stack.

Film and television stars slated for appearances include Alan Arkin, Paget Brewster, Chris Elliott, Elliott Gould, Christopher Guest, Jon Hamm, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock, Bill Irwin, Jane Lynch, Oscar Nuñez, Andrea Savage, and Aisha Tyler, as well as The Tenderloins, creators of the hit show “Impractical Jokers.” Cult cinema aficionado and drag superstar Peaches Christ will take a look back at the festival’s past film celebrations.

The show also features improv by Groundlings alumni The Black Version, the esteemed Improvised Shakespeare Company and festival regulars Theme Park. Musical performances will include Bill Frisell, Jean Grae, Rhett Miller, The Milk Carton Kids, Eliza Skinner, Epic Lloyd, Jonathan Coulton, Paul and Storm, and John Roderick.

How will they fit that much show into one night? We’re not really sure, but you best clear out Sat. Jan. 30th so you can watch, enjoy, and support SF Sketchfest via Festpocalypse starting at 5PM PT/8PM ET so you can pack in all of what’s listed above (i.e. all the live comedy you could possibly want from SF Sketchfest from the comfort of your own quarantine).

Tickets start at $20, which is pretty swell price. If you can’t make it on Jan. 30th, you’ll be able to watch it through Feb. 1st. Go get your tickets at sfsketchfest.com right now.

#Pick of the Day: SF Sketchfest Presents Plan 9 From Outerspace 10/29

October 28, 2020

News

baron vaughn, bob odenkirk, bobcat goldthwait, dana gould, david koechner, janet varney, jean grae, jonah ray, kat aagesen, laraine newman, maria bamford, oscar nunez, paul f tompkins, plan 9 from outer space, sf sketchfest, tim meadows

In the search for a way to safely celebrate and somewhat adequately celebrate Halloween, might we suggest a special virtual adaptation of one of the most renowned cult films of all time, Plan 9 From Outer Space.

The amazing Dana Gould will be at the helm for this special live-stream event presented by, as they’re foregoing an in-person festival when they would normally have it in January, SF Sketchfest. Gould has led live-reads of Plan 9 From Outerspace over the years, but this edition will be special as there will be an original cast member, a real prop flying saucer which was used on set in Ed Wood’s shoot as well as a cast chock full of stars including Maria Bamford, Bobcat Goldthwait, Jean Grae, David Koechner, Tim Meadows, Laraine Newman, Oscar Nunez, Bob Odenkirk, Jonah Ray, Paul F. Tompkins, Janet Varney, Baron Vaughn, Kat Aagesen, plus musical accompaniment by Eban Schletter.

This very special edition of Plan 9 From Outer Space is set for Thurs. Oct. 29th at 6PM PT/9PM ET. Tickets are $10 and you can (and very much should) get them here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 26: Fifi Dosch & Being Out/Getting Out

September 23, 2020

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

art of self defense, chappelle, emmys, fifi dosch, jenny slate, lgbtq, little nicky, pen15, quibi, save our stages, schitts creek, sf sketchfest, trans lives

Fifi Dosch has taken one hell of a road to get where she is now as a trans woman who, after achieving her goal of getting to the status of paid regular at one of the most legendary comedy clubs in the world, The Comedy Store, found that there was something still very much missing in her life. Dressing up as a woman on stage brought Fifi to the realization that of who she really was and prompted her transition to being an out trans woman. Additionally, that was followed up with, just a week or so before recording this very episode, a decision by Fifi to move on from stand-up entirely, despite being well on her way to her previous goals, to focus on writing and spending more time with the simple pleasures of her life. Fifi takes TCB’s Jake Kroeger through this whole journey as well as dishing out hot takes on this year’s Emmy winners in comedy, SF Sketchfest going virtual for 2021, the “rally to reopen”, and Jenny Slate’s newest hosting gig at Quibi.

Follow Fifi at @fifidosch on Twitter and IG and please listen/subscribe to Fifi Quest.

Shout outs: season 2 of PEN15, The Art of Self-Defense, Little Nicky starring Adam Sandler

SF Sketchfest Is Going Virtual (and Postponing What Would Have Been Their 20th In-Person Festival)

September 21, 2020

News

baron vaughn, bobcat goldthwait, dana gould, david koechner, janet varney, jonah ray, maria bamford, paul f tompkins, plan 9 from outer space, sf sketchfest

Though some big time festivals and awards ceremonies have happened in the last month or so, they have been done so in a strange fashion with largely no audience, limited attendees, and everyone in masks, observing social distancing when possible, and still relying largely on remote interviews/guests/presenters.

One of the world’s biggest and most renowned comedy festivals, SF Sketchfest happens at the beginning of the year and, a few months ago, late January might have seemed like a safe time for when the pandemic might have been over, but that more and more seems to be not the case given the progress of vaccines and the continued return of COVID-19 case numbers rising around the world. So, SF Sketchfest has opted to postpone what would have been their 20th year and their big shindig for 2021 and, as you might guess, go virtual with live-streaming events to give the SF Sketchfest loyal something to look forward to.

They’ll be starting this virtual SF Sketchfest programming with a bang by doing a very special adaptation of cult movie classic Plan 9 From Outer Space that will feature miniature special effects and a marvelous cast including Maria Bamford, Bobcat Goldthwait, Dana Gould, David Koechner, Jonah Ray, Paul F. Tompkins, Janet Varney, Baron Vaughn and more TBA & musical accompaniment by Eban Schletter. This special virtual edition of Plan 9 From Outer Space is set for Thu. Oct. 29th at 6PM PT.

Tickets are $10 and can be snagged here.

Follow @sfsketchfest on Twitter and @sf_sketchfest on IG for updates on more happenings for the virtual SF Sketchfest.

SF Sketchfest Launches “Live from the Archive” to Release Exclusive SF Sketchfest Performances

May 5, 2020

News

best in show, george wallace, live from the archive, patton oswalt, sf sketchfest

SF Sketchfest is in the top, top echelon of comedy festivals around the world with it’s wide, wide variety of comedy and it pretty much spanning three weeks in San Francisco. Thankfully, it usually is in the very beginning of the year and will probably(?) not get postponed like so many comedy festivals that are happening well before it.

In the meantime, SF Sketchfest has stepped up to the plate to provide some exclusive content in the on-going effort to keep all of us staying at home from going entirely insane. They just announced this week that they will be releasing videos of singular performances, often never-before-seen, that happened at SF Sketchfest in years past.

This will include:
a Best in Show reunion
George Wallace and Patton Oswalt in conversation
Roast of Peaches Christ
and much more to be announced (seriously, some once-in-a-lifetime stuff happens at SF Sketchfest and you might have a chance to actually see it now)

You’ll be able to digitally rent these performances for $5 for 48 hours. Proceeds will keep SF Sketchfest going strong as charities supporting comedy and the arts in the Bay Area.

Get in on all of SF Sketchfest: Live From the Archive here.

2020 SF Sketchfest Makes First Line-up Announcement

November 22, 2019

Uncategorized

comedy festival, line-up, sf sketchfest

That time of the year where San Francisco gets overtaken by a three week full tilt extravaganza of comedy known as the SF Sketchfest is just around the corner (Jan. 9th-26th).

For this 19th edition, they’re stacking the line-up, per usual, with more than you can probably handle.

So far, just a fraction of their line-up includes:

Maria Bamford, Fred Armisen, Macaulay Culkin, Patton Oswalt, Margaret Cho, Chris Redd, The Chris Gethard Show, Tributes to Busy Philipps, Robert Klein, Sandra Bernhard, Tony Shaloub, Freestyle Love Supreme with Lin Manuel Miranda, the casts and creators of Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Airplane!

Know full well that there are so many (probably hundreds) of other things yet to be announced as SF Sketchfest is legitimately one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals.

Tickets go on sale this Sun. Nov. 24th at 10AM PST. Once they’re available, go get ‘em here.

17th Annual SF Sketchfest Announces Adds Rachel Bloom, Maria Bamford, Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Tony Hale, and Laurie Kilimartin to Line-Up

November 30, 2017

Uncategorized

2018, comedy festival, san francisco, sf sketchfest

The newly announced portion of 17th SF Sketchfest is all in addition to:

Ricky Gervais, Jane Lynch, Dick Cavett, Lewis Black, Danny McBride, Jody Hill, Paul F. Tompkins, Bill Burr, Pamela Adlon, Christopher Guest, Jeff Goldblum, Julie Benz, David Cross, Jane Kaczmarek, Lance Reddick, David Strathairn, Fred Willard, Laraine Newman, Peter Asher, Janeane Garofalo, Rachel Dratch, Pete Holmes, Paget Brewster, Thomas Lennon, Jack McBrayer, Eugene Mirman, Aparna Nancherla, Busy Philipps, Kevin Pollak, Rob Riggle, Michael Showalter, David Wain, Sasheer Zamata, Broken Lizard, cast members from “Twin Peaks”, “Animal House”, and MUCH MORE!

Per usual, there’s probably more comedy goodness that will be stacked on top of an already gigantic line-up for SF Sketchfest.

Get more details and tickets to individual shows here!

The 16th Annual SF Sketchfest Line-Up Announced and Tickets Are Now on Sale

November 21, 2016

Uncategorized

doug benson, harmontown, jeff goldblum, john hodgman, kids in the hall, megan mullally, mike judge, pamela adlon, patton oswalt, paul f tompkins, san francisco, sf sketchfest, tim & eric, tony hale, ucb

The gigantic (but maybe not on the scale of billions and billions) line-up for the 16th Annual SF Sketchfest has just been announced. This flyer is just scratching the surface of how many great performers are on the bill.

In fact, there are currently over 700 performers that will be in more than 230 shows at 17 different venues over the course of 2 and a half weeks. Even if you’re not in or around San Francisco, it might be worth it to trek to SF to see what’s happening.

SF Sketchfest is set for January 12th-29th, 2017 and you can get tickets right now right here.

SF Sketchfest 2017 Enlists Seth Morris to Try to Explain How Cosmically Big Sketchfest Is

November 19, 2016

Uncategorized

comedy festival, jessica mackinson, seth morris, sf sketchfest

One of the universe’s biggest comedy festivals is coming very soon. That’s right The 16th Annual SF Sketchfest, presented by Audible, will be coming through San Francisco from January 12th-29th, 2017.

Exactly how big is it? Well, let Seth Morris try to explain, then watch Jessica Makinson correct that explanation in this announcement video.

The 2016 SF Sketchfest Announces Its Annual Massive Line-Up of Comedic Treasures

Without fail, SF Sketchfest’s cup runneth over with many of comedy’s best and brightest for nearly a month.

From Jan. 7th-24th, the gargantuan comedy festival known as SF Sketchfest will once again take over numerous venues throughout San Francisco. They’ve announced the line-up today and we’ll give you just a sample straight from the press release:

The 2016 SF Sketchfest features a 20th anniversary tribute to “Waiting For Guffman,” with a screening and cast reunion with Christopher Guest, Bob Balaban, Parker Posey and Fred Willard; in-person tributes to iconic actor Sally Field in conversation with Michael Showalter along with a screening of their new film, “Hello, My Name is Doris;” Jeff Goldblum in conversation and in musical performance with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra; Patton Oswalt in conversation with Boots Riley; hit animated series “Bob’s Burgers” with creator Loren Bouchard and cast members Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Larry Murphy, John Roberts and Kristen Schaal; acclaimed comedic author Dave Barry in conversation; spotlights on film favorites including “Hot Shots” 25th Anniversary with Jim Abrahams and Pat Proft; “Teen Witch”: The Peaches Christ Experience; and “Hook” 25th Anniversary; TV spotlights “Fishing with John” 25th Anniversary with John Lurie in conversation with Parker Posey; “Drunk History” with Derek Waters and friends; “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” live; “Galavant” with creators and cast, and “Sledge Hammer!;” celebrations of animated comedies “BoJack Horseman,” “Futurama” and “Dr. Katz Professional Therapist”; popular radio programs StarTalk Live with Bill Nye the Science Guy and Eugene Mirman and NPR’s Ask Me Another; appearances by comedians and actors including Pamela Adlon, Scott Adsit, Maria Bamford, Todd Barry, Guy Branum, Stephanie Courtney, Cameron Esposito, Noel Fielding, Dave Foley, Judah Friedlander, Ron Funches, Jeff Garlin, Janeane Garofalo, Chris Gethard, Bobcat Goldthwait, Dana Gould, Jon Hamm, Dan Harmon, John Hodgman, Moshe Kasher, Andy Kindler, Nick Kroll, Natasha Leggero, Beth Littleford, Jason Mantzoukas, Kevin McDonald, Thomas Middleditch, Laraine Newman, Tom Papa, Jimmy Pardo, Eddie Pepitone, Chelsea Peretti, Jim Rash, Paul Scheer, The Sklar Brothers, Martin Starr, Eric Stonestreet, Scott Thompson, Paul F. Tompkins, Michael Urie, Baron Vaughn, Jessica Williams; top comedy collectives Upright Citizens Brigade and The Groundlings; and musical performances by Princess featuring Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum in an Evening of the Music of Prince, Jonathan Coulton, Kate Micucci, Rhett Miller, Paul and Storm and more.

Yes, there’s more that’s coming round the bay than what you see above. If you’re already sold on going (and we struggle to think why you wouldn’t be), tickets go on sale this Sun. at 10AM PST here.

Tickets Now on Sale for 2015 SF Sketchfest

December 14, 2014

Uncategorized

2015, comedy festival, now on sale, paul f tompkins, san francisco, sf sketchfest

Between now and when we posted about the line-up for the 2015 SF Sketchfest, we’re assuming you’ve been at refreshing your the SF Sketchfest schedule page with credit card at the ready to get your tickets.

Even if that’s not the case, you probably still want to go the gigantic going through Jan. 22nd all the way to Feb 8th next year. So, you can get, as of a few minutes ago, can buy as many SF Sketchfest tickets as your heart desires.

Here’s a fun promo to remind you of how amazing the line-up is.

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