steve allen theater – The Comedy Bureau

Well, Officially R.I.P. Steve Allen Theater/Center for Inquiry

June 19, 2019

los angeles history, rip, steve allen theater

It seems so long ago that we had heard about the beloved Steve Allen Theater, where we spent many a late, late Saturday night at Tomorrow! with Ron Lynch or catching Cartoon Dump, a live show with comedians dressed as cartoons (as well as some cartoon classics), or catching Marc Maron work out an hour, or even, recently, watch the theater get propped up for Gene Cosineau’s acting class in Barry or performing in the parking lot of for Howard Kremer’s SquatMelt, getting sold off to be demolished and made into, probably, apartments with retail space on the ground floor (as is the trend these days in LA).

Actually, it has been so long since we heard about that sale that we wondered when (or if) the actual building was going to be torn down.

As you can kind of see above via a picture we took while going down Hollywood Blvd., we don’t have to wonder anymore. The Steve Allen Theater/Center For Inquiry (during the day, the theater was a center for skeptics organization) is now physically rubble, but a memory that big handful of folks get to share.

That being said, comedy in LA lives on, as you know from following us, quite vibrantly. Tomorrow! still happens every Saturday at midnight just a hop-skip-and-a-jump (sort of) away at the Lyric Hyperion.

Anyways, to any and all that enjoyed live performance at the Steve Allen, take a moment to cherish those times and then, cherish your present favorite theaters/clubs/etc. so they don’t come to the same fate.

October 29, 2017

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amit itelman, billy the mime, brendon small, bruce mcculloch, eban schletter, final night, janet klein, jerry minor, kate micucci, los angeles, los feliz, ron lynch, steve allen theater, tom sharpe, trepany house

Los Angeles is losing The Steve Allen Theater, a theater that should be more near and dear to its heart for all the comedy, variety, music, magic, theater, curiosities, etc. that Trepany House has presented over the years.

The least you could do is catch the theater’s swan song, which will be a show packed to the gills with Trepany House’s all time favorites.

Tickets for general admission are $20 and VIP tickets are $50. Get them quick because they will probably sell out.

October 24, 2017

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comedy musical, comedy shows, jesse elias, los angeles, los feliz, musical, ron lynch, steve allen theater

Jesse Elias is a great stand-up comedian that you might have seen on Kimmel a couple of years ago. He also has a hidden talent for singing and has been known to break out into excerpts from musicals during shows.

Well, that hidden talent will get a light shined on it this Thursday as Jesse will be performing a “musical”.

This will also be one of the last performances to be held at Trepany House at The Steve Allen Theater by the way in case you needed another reason to go.

Tickets are $12 and you can (and really should) get them here.

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

September 8, 2017

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cheap comedy, comedy show, los feliz, midnight, ron lynch, steve allen theater, tomorrow show, trepany house, variety show

It looks like the time for the Trepany House at Steve Allen Theater is actually coming to an end, and, with it, The Tomorrow Show with Ron Lynch (an LA comedy institution as far as we’re concerned) seems to be ending as well.

Though it has been running for over a decade every Saturday at midnight, there’s only a month’s worth of ‘Tomorrow’ left and, as such, this week’s show is a special “MASH-UP!” that gives a sampling of Crapshoot!, Five Minutes or Die!, and Hook-Up! (i.e. the various fan favorite formats of Tomorrow).

So, please make sure you see this or one of the three other Tomorrows. You can (and should) get tickets for this week’s MASH-UP! here.

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

July 22, 2017

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amanda rafkin, derrick c brown, hollywood, los feliz, musical, musical comedy, poet, steve allen theater, trepany house

Lauded comedian poet Derrick C. Brown (he’s made our year end list) is exploring new territory by doing a musical about a man who just gained the world record for being struck by lightning the most times and dealing with the bizarre celebrity that comes with such a title.

Called 300 Bones, it’s having a night at Steve Allen Theater thanks to Trepany House next month. The musical is written by Brown with music by Amanda Rafkin.

Tickets are $10 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.

May 24, 2017

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bad cartoons, cartoon dump, frank conniff, jerry beck, los angeles, los feliz, mst3k, steve allen theater, trepany house

Frank Conniff AKA TV’s Frank and the ‘bottom of the barrel’ of cartoon historian Jerry Beck’s archive all return for Cartoon Dump! next month at The Steve Allen Theater.

Screening of actual bad cartoons are interspersed with a live stage parody of those types of cartoons as dreamt up by Conniff and company.

Tickets are $20 and you can (and really should) get them here.

April 20, 2017

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cheap comedy, karl herlinger, los angeles, midnight, ron lynch, scot nery, steve allen theater, tomorrow show, trepany house, variety show

Before the end of the Steve Allen Theater this Summer, you need to catch Tomorrow! with Ron Lynch, the long running, beloved midnight comedy variety show.

This week’s edition is of particular interest and Fred Armisen will be co-hosting. Also, a weird and wonderful line-up of:

KARL HERLINGER (ventriloquist)
SCOT NERY (juggler)
BRYAN & JAY (couple guys)
NANA THE CATLADY (gonzo musician)
APRIL HAVA SHENKMAN (performance artist)
PONY DEATH RIDE (sassy band)
& MORE!!
and Tomorrow Show players BRIAN BARLOW, KATIE CROWN, DAVEY JOHNSON & CHRIS WALSH

Please get your tickets here.

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

February 21, 2017

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dating game, hook-up, live comedy, los feliz, parody, ron lynch, steve allen theater, tomorrow show

Trepany House and Steve Allen Theater are still standing and shows that you should see are still happening.

One of our favorite shows that happens on their stage is the Tomorrow Show with Ron Lynch’s Hook-Up!, a great spoof of The Dating Game. Valentine’s Day is well past us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still all make heavily poke fun at love, relationships, and trying to date.

Hook-Up! is happening this Saturday at midnight. Tickets are $8 and you can (and should) get them here or at the door.

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

The Steve Allen Theater/Center For Inquiry, Along with Trepany House, Will Be Torn Down This Summer

February 14, 2017

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amit itelman, center for inquiry, cfi, los angeles, los feliz, ron lynch, steve allen theater, tomorrow show, torn down, trepany house

The Steve Allen Theater/Center For Inquiry, Along with Trepany House, Will Be Torn Down This Summer

There seems to be a disturbing trend of local theaters around LA being torn down in order to build condos.

The Steve Allen Theater, the long time home of The Tomorrow Show with Ron Lynch, the first home of Re-Animator the Musical, a place where the likes of Marc Maron, Bill Burr, Bob Odenkirk and David Cross worked out long sets, etc., is coming to an end this Summer. That includes the Center for the Inquiry and Trepany House, the non-profit behind the programming at the Steve Allen.

The building will be torn down so a new set of condos can be built.

There is no word yet on when the final days will exactly be or, more importantly, their shows will have to find a new home. You can read the Steve Allen/Trepany House’s own Amit Itelman’s announcement of the whole plan here.

In the meantime, we urge you to go see one of the final shows (that includes Tomorrow! w/Ron Lynch) at the Steve Allen over the next few months.

December 24, 2016

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2017, comedy show, eddie pepitone, los angeles, martha kelly, new year's, new year's eve, nye, ron lynch, steve allen theater, tomorrow show, what to do

If you don’t already have plans for New Year’s Eve, go to the show that knows how to do shows about today turning into tomorrow, Ron Lynch’s Tomorrow!

Eddie Pepitone, Martha Kelly, Jay London, Ember Knight, champagne, live music, dancing, and, of course, host Ron Lynch are all in store for Tomorrow! Auld Lang Show.

Tickets are $20 and you can get more details here.

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

December 9, 2016

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comedy show, holiday show, john 3 reillys, kate micucci, los angeles, los feliz, steve allen theater, trepany house

An a capella trio of (and band of mischievous comedians) Randy Liedtke, Davey Johnson, and Curt Neill AKA The John 3 Reillys are putting on a holiday show that will probably be unlike any other. Seeing whether this has anything to do with John C. Reilly should peak your curiosity at the very least

The John 3 Reillys Christmas Special, presented by Trepany House, is set for next Friday at the Steve Allen Theater and will also feature such wonderful guests as Kate Micucci, Derek Hughes, Karen Kilgariff, and Katie Crown.

Tickets are $10 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.

November 27, 2016

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bill burr, comedy show, los angeles, los feliz, stand up, steve allen theater

Bill Burr is returning to the Trepany House at Steve Allen Theater this week to do another hour and it’s something we’re guessing you won’t want to miss. Already, there’s only standing room available.

Tickets are $19 and you can (and should) get them here.

More details here.

The rest of our listings for comedy events/shows as well as open mics and maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

August 31, 2016

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double feature, gene wilder, los feliz, steve allen theater, trepany house, willy wonka and the chocolate factory, young frankenstein

Trepany House at The Steve Allen Theater presents an evening in honor of the late Gene Wilder, this Saturday, September 3rd at 8PM, complete with a Wilder double feature of Young Frankenstein and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory as well as a Wonka/Young Frankenstein costume contest.

Tickets are $12. More details here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows/events as well as open mic and maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

May 12, 2016

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bill burr, comedy shows, los angeles, los feliz, may 16, steve allen theater, trepany house, what to do

Get tickets here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows/events and open mics along with corresponding maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

May 5, 2016

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bernie sanders, california, california primary, clare o'kane, comedy shows, drennon davis, hollywood, jay larson, josh androsky, kate berlant, los angeles, los feliz, reggie watts, stand up, steve allen theater, todd glass, trepany house

In addition to sign-up to vote for the California primary, volunteer, canvas, and phone bank for Bernie Sanders, there will be a hot show with Kate Berlant, Reggie Watts, Todd Glass, Jay Larson, Drennon Davis, Clare O’Kane, and Josh Androsky.

It’s all happening next Wednesday, May 11th at 6PM at Trepany House at Steve Allen Theater.

Poster by Ivy McNally

The rest of our listings for comedy shows/events and open mics along with corresponding maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

April 21, 2016

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comedy shows, los angeles, los feliz, martin starr, paul scheer, ryan hansen, sex nerd sandra, slash fiction, steve allen theater, trepany house

Get tickets here.

The rest of our listings for comedy events/shows and open mics along with corresponding maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Flyer done by Ben Mackey and graphics done by Todd Alcott.

On The Horizon: Tomorrow! with Ron Lynch presents A Special Valentine’s/Anniversary Hook-Up!

February 10, 2016

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dating game, hook-up, parody, ron lynch, steve allen theater, tomorrow show, valentine's day

One of LA’s longest running midnight comedy shows hosted by one of LA’s comedy treasures, Ron Lynch, does a delightfully mutated version of The Dating Game in Hook-Up!

Whether you’re into Valentine’s Day or believe that it’s a corporate mandated holiday that constricts us all into the idea of monogamy, it’s great to see a dating game that pits someone looking for love around a bunch of crazy people.

Catch it this Saturday night at midnight, Feb. 13th at Trepany House @ Steve Allen Theater. $8.

For complete LA comedy show listings and corresponding maps, please visit www.thecomedybureau.com

Morning Debriefing 8/7/11

August 7, 2011

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adult swim, cheap, comedy news, comedy shows, coronet theatre, david lynch, echo park, free, hollywood, irvine, los angeles, los feliz, open mic, steve allen theater, tmz, west hollywood, what to do

1) Louie will be renewed for a third season on FX. As there’s very little pattern to the show, it has us thinking that there’s kind of no way Louis C.K. can “jump the shark” except for stopping the show or going the Twin Peaks 2nd Season route.

2) Well, if you’re question to Aziz Ansari is “Why don’t you have a red dot on your forehead?” at the Tig Notaro & Friends show at Largo, his answer will be that you’re racist, which is absolutely the correct response.

3) FX’s the League had a contingency plan in case the NFL had a lockout. Sadly, it did not involve a NTSF:SD:SUV crossover.

4) Having gotten bumped from his last spot for the show running too long, Nate Bargatze will be on Conan Tues. August 9th (TBS 11PM).

5) ALSO ON AUG. 9TH, Marc Maron’s long awaited new album “This Has To Be Funny” comes out. Circle the date again on your calendars if you have to (assuming you still use an actual paper calendar).

6) According to @TrendsLA yesterday, Brody Stevens was NOT trending on Twitter. Instead, Victoria Beckham, Channing Tatum, cuddling, and youuuu were the topics Angelenos were more interested in than Brody setting @allthingsbrody on fire. Even Patton Oswalt made a hashtag #tweetlikebrodystevens in honor of him. #WTF #getyourshitTOGETHERLA #dontcareifyouwereatarave

7) ON THE HORIZON
Conan Showcase @ Nerdist Theater Fri Aug. 8th 7:30PM $8

8) COMEDY CRAWL
ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE
McDonald & Thompson @ Irvine Improv 7:30PM $25/2 item min.
Re-Animator: The Musical @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $30
French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE
Top Story Weekly @ iO West 9PM $5
The Comedy Booth @ Hollywood Improv 9PM $5/2 item min.
Powerviolence @ The Complex 9PM FREE
Gravid Water: Los Angeles @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Shitty Jobs @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only)

9) OPEN MIC RUN
PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/lottery
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
NERDIST THEATRE 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (back room of Meltdown Comics)/Sign-up 7:15PM/Starts 7:30PM/lottery/30 spots available/no purchase necessary
TSUNAMEDY @ TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 9PM/first come, first served/mixed mic
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/bottled water and coffee available

10) So many comedy anniversaries and comedian birthdays happening right around now; can we say that LA comedy had its birthday this month?

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May 23, 2011

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los angeles, los feliz, marc maron, steve allen theater, what to do, wtf podcast

WTF! w/Marc Maron LIVE!!! @ The Steve Allen Theater tomorrow night 8PM. For some reason, there are still tickets for this, so go get them right now.

May 15, 2011

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brody stevens, comedy show, kyle kinane, los angeles, mitch hedberg, relaunch, steve allen theater

The MitchHedberg.net Re-Launch Show at the Steve Allen Theater just added KYLE KINANE & BRODY STEVENS to the bill!!! (even more reason to not miss out on something that you shouldn’t miss out on)

Ron Lynch-Tip of the Hat 3/6/11

March 7, 2011

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comedic genius, comedy, los angeles, los feliz, national treasure, ron lynch, steve allen theater, tip of the hat, tomorrow show, wonders of the world

The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” this week to RON LYNCH:

“Mmmm mmmm mmm MMMMMM MMMM MMMM!?!?” (Yes, you read that right, Ron unintelligibly mumbled during his entire set last Monday at a bar…. and killed)

If you hear about me talking about Ron Lynch in person, I might say something like, “I wish these were my words, but someone beat me to them: Ron Lynch is a National Treasure.” I told that to Ron once and he told me that was enough of the flattery. The sheer humility of one of the most original and jaw-droppingly funny comedic voices of our generation is, in itself, worthy of a “Tip of the Hat”.

“On paper”, Ron’s act might seem almost too simple and hard to figure how exactly he’ll pull it off, but, by the end, it becomes more brilliant than you can imagine. Last Monday, he literally mumbled his entire set where you couldn’t understand a single thing that he was saying. Still, his deft touch and uncanny awareness as a performer not only got a bar full of twenty-something drunkards laughing, but applauding him victoriously. As is the case with Ron Lynch, there are only so many ways that I could describe what happened, but you really just have to witness him responding to audience suggestions of doing impressions while still mumbling and get uproarious laughs yourself.

Simply put, Ron shows us what comedy can be and the true artistry behind just entertaining a bunch of strangers in a darkened room, which is why he really is a more of a “wonder of the world of comedy” rather than a “national treasure”.

One of my favorite shows in Los Angeles, the Tomorrow Show, is produced and hosted by Ron Lynch every Saturday at the Steve Allen Theater starting appropriately at midnight and is something that really is “bucket list” worthy every time that you go. If you can’t stay up for that, then check back here at the Comedy Bureau for any other dates he performs because, rest assured, they’ll be here.

Morning Debriefing 12/16/10

1) Apparently, enough people read this blog in the LA comedy community so that The World Famous Comedy Store has taken notice.

The last time I heard anything from anybody at the Comedy Store was a couple a months ago when someone asked me, “Can you bring 5 people?” I’m glad that writing ABOUT comedy as opposed to writing and performing comedy, which I still voraciously commit myself to daily/nightly, is getting me somewhere. Thanks to all who read and there will be a night that I go to the Comedy Store/Improv/Ice House/etc. after I get some cash from Christmas “returns” and I’ll be pleasantly surprised if anybody knows who I am.

2) Yeah, there’s 12 shows on this list. Can I make it to all of them? Of course I can and so should you (STOP WORKING OUT THE “MOVIE PHYSICS” IN YOUR HEAD!!!) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL includes The Super Serious Show @ Smashbox Studios 7PM $18, Crisis on Infinite Comics and Comics 3-yr. Anniversary @ Meltdown Comics 7PM $5, Charlyne Yi @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5, Subversive Comedy w/Jimmy Dore & Friends @ Flappers Claremont 8PM $12/2 drink min., Comedy90210 @ Roxybury Cafe 8PM $5, 4 & 20 @ All Star Lanes 8PM FREE, Adam Carolla @ Irvine Improv 8PM $30/2 drink min., 2nd Annual Best Doorknockers Christmas Pageant Ever!!! @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10/Two-for-one $5 each, Comedy Speakeasy @ TSR Lounge 8PM FREE, Bill Burr @ Brea Improv 8PM $17/2 drink min., The Produce Section Show @ 767 Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA (downtown) 8PM FREE (say “produce section” to doorman to get in), and certainly the last, but not least by any stretch of the imagination The Josh and Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE. Not that bad, right?

3) OPEN MIC RUN: SANDWICH SPOT 3101 Ocean Park, Santa Monica, CA/Starts 7PM, COMEDY CRATE 1061 S. La Brea, Inglewood, CA/Starts 7PM, HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 7PM, CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/$3 cover/10 min., SIPOLOGY 448 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 7:30PM/Starts 8PM, TKO SHOW @ 212 CAFE 212 Pier Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 9PM, 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.

4) Staying in because you have become it’s no longer slightly breezy at 70? Watch Johnny Pemberton on MTV’s Megadrive 11PM or Matt Braunger on E!’s Chelsea Lately also at 11PM because you will something actually or verbally destroyed.

5) There are actually more open mics that happen than what I list daily above in the “OPEN MIC RUN” feature. That rundown basically lists what I think is worth your time on a nightly basis, more or less (i.e. you won’t want to entirely quit comedy after doing those rooms). For an even more comprehensive listing, go to the Greater LA Open Mic Map, which lists every open mic I know of (constantly updated).

6) Maria Bamford’s One-Hour Homemade Christmas Special! FREE! RIGHT HERE! FROM THE COMFORT OF THE VERY POSITION THAT YOU’RE SITTING IN!!!

7) For the Comedy Bureau “Tip of the Hat”, I follow over 300 people on Twitter, am friends with over 300 comics on Facebook, and follow over 80 people on Tumblr, ALL OF WHICH IS READ BY ME (that does indeed me I read every f’n tweet/blog of every person I follow). This is why I’m severely curtailing following more people on Twitter and Tumblr to keep my sanity. However, if you want to be considered for the “Tip of the Hat”, you can make my life infinitely easier by submitting a status update/tweet/quote/blog post/joke/video/picture that you took/etc. to thecomedybureau@gmail.com with your name, “FYC Tip of the Hat”, and the date in the subject line. Speaking of which…

8) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to DAVE ROSS-“@davetotheross honestly ladies, a side-hug might as well be a fork in the eye.” Dave Ross joins the “Tip of the Hat x 2 Club” here and deservedly so with his dominating and hilarious online presence (Dave’s Cats and Pussy Podcast was nominated by Punchline Magazine as one of the Best New Podcasts of 2010) and his show Holy Fuck!, one of my favorites about town. So… check out Dave’s fantastic website and follow him on Twitter and don’t miss the next edition of Holy Fuck! next Tuesday Dec. 21st at the Downtown Independent Theatre for completely fucking FREE!!!

9) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Bill Hicks on Marketing (RIP Bill Hicks… Dec. 16th was his birthday)

10) “Build it and they will donate.”-Cheap attempt #23 to get people to donate to the Comedy Bureau.

11) TONIGHT: LIVE TWEETING at a Run of Shows OR Open Mics—-follow here to find out where my comedy misadventures take me tonight. (Perhaps I’ll try some of that Asian Christmas work party material….)

12) When going over a joke with the word “normalcy” in it, someone once told me that “normalcy” was a big word. Perhaps, he’s the type of person that would only understand the term “double plus normal way”.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU

Morning Debriefing 12/16/10

1) Apparently, enough people read this blog in the LA comedy community so that The World Famous Comedy Store has taken notice.

The last time I heard anything from anybody at the Comedy Store was a couple a months ago when someone asked me, “Can you bring 5 people?” I’m glad that writing ABOUT comedy as opposed to writing and performing comedy, which I still voraciously commit myself to daily/nightly, is getting me somewhere. Thanks to all who read and there will be a night that I go to the Comedy Store/Improv/Ice House/etc. after I get some cash from Christmas “returns” and I’ll be pleasantly surprised if anybody knows who I am.

4) There are actually more open mics that happen than what I list daily above in the “OPEN MIC RUN” feature. That rundown basically lists what I think is worth your time on a nightly basis, more or less (i.e. you won’t want to entirely quit comedy after doing those rooms). For an even more comprehensive listing, go to the Greater LA Open Mic Map, which lists every open mic I know of (constantly updated).

5) Maria Bamford’s One-Hour Homemade Christmas Special! FREE! RIGHT HERE! FROM THE COMFORT OF THE VERY POSITION THAT YOU’RE SITTING IN!!!

6) For the Comedy Bureau “Tip of the Hat”, I follow over 300 people on Twitter, am friends with over 300 comics on Facebook, and follow over 80 people on Tumblr, ALL OF WHICH IS READ BY ME (that does indeed me I read every f’n tweet/blog of every person I follow). This is why I’m severely curtailing following more people on Twitter and Tumblr to keep my sanity. However, if you want to be considered for the “Tip of the Hat”, you can make my life infinitely easier by submitting a status update/tweet/quote/blog post/joke/video/picture that you took/etc. to thecomedybureau@gmail.com with your name, “FYC Tip of the Hat”, and the date in the subject line. Speaking of which…

7) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to DAVE ROSS-“@davetotheross honestly ladies, a side-hug might as well be a fork in the eye.” Dave Ross joins the “Tip of the Hat x 2 Club” here and deservedly so with his dominating and hilarious online presence (Dave’s Cats and Pussy Podcast was nominated by Punchline Magazine as one of the Best New Podcasts of 2010) and his show Holy Fuck!, one of my favorites about town. So… check out Dave’s fantastic website and follow him on Twitter and don’t miss the next edition of Holy Fuck! next Tuesday Dec. 21st at the Downtown Independent Theatre for completely fucking FREE!!!

8) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Bill Hicks on Marketing (RIP Bill Hicks… Dec. 16th was his birthday)

9) “Build it and they will donate.”-Cheap attempt #23 to get people to donate to the Comedy Bureau.

10) TONIGHT: LIVE TWEETING at a Run of Shows OR Open Mics—-follow here to find out where my comedy misadventures take me tonight. (Perhaps I’ll try some of that Asian Christmas work party material….)

11) When going over a joke with the word “normalcy” in it, someone once told me that “normalcy” was a big word. Perhaps, he’s the type of person that would only understand the term “double plus normal way”.

Report 00053

THE COMEDY BUREAU

Morning Debriefing 12/4/10

1) ON THE SUBJECT OF HECKLERS (part 1), the Comedy Bureau would like to educate the general public that heckling is not a behavior that is in ANY way acceptable no matter what your set of circumstances you happen to be coming from. It’s not a way to make the show more fun or as some “brilliant” people I’ve overheard say, “I’m helping them.” At a comedy show, as an audience member, you are meant to sit and keep quiet and listen OR if you’re not into what’s being said, have enough respect for the person on stage trying to perform their act in what is (surprise surprise people that don’t think so) one of the hardest art forms ever conceived. There is a discrepancy when the show is at a venue where the audience did not come for the show, but simply to hang out at a bar with their friends and are subsequently being “subjected” to comedy. Even in this case, you always have the option of not listening. With that all being said, if you are a person who came to see the show WITH THE INTENTION of heckling, you are UNDENIABLE PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING. In last night’s case, I had to deal with one of these “I am Heckler” types and realized that there’s a sadistic nature about the whole exchange. This person wants me to fail, to see me unravel as a performer, as if that is the way he will feel good about himself (sidenote: I don’t unravel. I deal with it and if you push me far enough, I’ll verbally rip you into enough shreds for confetti at New Year’s; ask Bobby Kern). As the show was at an “AA room”, I had reasoned that the guy felt like he earned the “privilege” to heckle as he was in AA and had as a common phrase among that crowd “been through a lot of shit”. Especially since the show was formatted to follow the AA meeting and we, the comedians, were not holding anyone “hostage”, I don’t care if you just came from a funeral; If you came to see the show, then simply don’t heckle. As comedians, whether we do this for a living or not, this is “work” for us and I will never go to the business where you are currently employed and say, “Did they warn you about us?” This concludes Part 1 of ON THE SUBJECT OF HECKLERS.

2) Steve-O is still headlining the Irvine Improv this weekend for whatever reason. For those of you that like to retain brain cells/your soul, go on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL Two Milk Minimum @ Flappers YooHoo 12:30PM $10/2 item min., then Battleship Pretension @ Meltdown Comics 8PM $5, then The Thrilling Adventure Hour @ Largo 8PM $25, then The Twelve Shiny Nickels Show @ The Fake Gallery 11PM $5/21 and over, The Midnight Show @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5 (stand by only), then Tomorrow!!! w/Ron Lynch presents Crapshoot! @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8, and finish the night with your fist raised in the air a la John Carlos for supporting comedy that actually comedy, then actually good.

3) OPEN MIC RUN: ICE HOUSE OPEN AUDITIONS 24 N. Mentor Ave./Starts 4PM, WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATRE 1323-A 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica (in alley between 3rd St. and 4th St.)/Sign-up (lottery) 6PM/Starts 6:30PM./3-5 min., SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM, 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.

4) Good news for all decent people around the world that aren’t the aforementioned “I am Heckler” types: Matt Braunger along with Brent Forrester (writer/producer on The Office) has just gotten a pilot order from Comedy Central!!! Check out more details here and the Comedy Bureau will keep you updated on its progress in development.

5) The wonderful duo of Garfunkel and Oates are both amazing and delightful. However, I think they would be amazing, delightful, and life-changing if they performed in my living room. I can’t afford that, but maybe you can by auctioning for a private show from Garfunkel and Oates right here. This is life-changing because it’s Garfunkel and Oates in the privacy of your own home AND all proceeds go to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to JIM HAMILTON-“@Jim_Hamilton With the stage covered in blood and lady halves, Boris realized why there aren’t more open mics for magicians.” Jim Hamilton gets the distinction of being the first person to get a second “Tip of the Hat” and with all of the beyond clever one-liners he has, Jim definitely deserves it. You can see him perform live and for FREE at one of the best shows in town this Tuesday, Dec. 7th at Holy Fuck! in the Downtown Independent Theatre (251 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA) 9PM. I’ll probably say this several times throughout the course of the life of the Comedy Bureau: follow Jim Hamilton on Twitter here.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon-Bill Hicks’ Worst Gig Ever

8) If you missed the tweeting storm the Comedy Bureau had last night, check it out “open mic genius” quotes, etc. here and then donate because I drove from Long Beach to East LA to Fullerton to Garden Grove to Hollywood and back to Long Beach for comedy meaning all of you.

9) So in just over a month, 104 people like The Comedy Bureau on Facebook, 64 people follow The Comedy Bureau on Twitter, and 43 people follow us/really just me on Tumblr. Thanks everyone for reading and all the support because it’s only going to get better (especially if I make any money at this).

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