tip of the hat – Page 2 – The Comedy Bureau

Morning Debriefing 1/21/11

January 21, 2011

comedy, comedy crawl, conan, la, marc maron, morning debriefing, open mic run, tip of the hat, ultimate free and cheap la comedy list

1) IT’S A SITE!!!! IT’S A SITE!!! The URL for the Comedy Bureau is now www.thecomedybureau.com. It’s becoming more legitimate every day (though payroll is still quite an imaginary concept here at the Comedy Bureau offices).

2) The Ultimate Free & Cheap LA Comedy List 1/23-1/29. Thanks Wisepix.

3) In case you didn’t catch him on TV and/or Bar Lubitsch: Marc Maron on Conan. You’re welcome.

4) The new form of the TIP OF THE HAT is premiering today. Check back at the Comedy Bureau for the who was the funniest in my tumblr/twitter/facebook feeds this week.

5) Two huge “one night only” shows TOMORROW: RED BAR RADIO LIVE @ THE MINT 7:30PM $10 and BEARDS OF COMEDY @ MELTDOWN COMICS 8:30PM $10. Don’t miss out.

6) Jan. 30th will mark the 100th day of the Comedy Bureau. There will be a celebration of this. Details coming soon.

7) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-NO, there isn’t a better way to spend your Friday night.
Destructo @ Meltdown Comics 8PM $5
Risk! True Tales Boldly Told @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10
Greg Proops @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $20/2 item min.
Heart of Darkness @ Burbank Moose Lodge 9PM $5
YooHoo Fridays @ Flappers Burbank-YooHoo Room 9:30PM/11PM $10/2 drink min.
Stood Up Friday Night: Superpowers @ Moving Arts Theatre 10PM $5

8) OPEN MIC RUN-*updated*

9) It was rumored yesterday and talked “a storm” about on Twitter that Willow Smith was in talks to star in a remake of the classic musical “Annie”. I don’t want to see any of that happen. I’d rather see a “shot for shot” remake of this (having nothing to do with Jaden or Willow).

10) Comedian version of “Another day, another dollar.”: Another show, and, ehhh, another show.

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Morning Debriefing 1/18/11

January 18, 2011

Uncategorized

comedy, comedy crawl, la, lewis black, morning debriefing, national comedy college competition, open mic run, rooftop comedy, serialkillerpickuplines, tip of the hat

1) Some big changes are coming to the Comedy Bureau to streamline it even further for even more “to-the-point” consumption of the best in LA comedy. Stay tuned (even within this post).

2) #serialkillerpickuplines is one of the best joke hashtags that I’ve seen since I’ve been on Twitter. Check it out for a good dark laugh. @pauljaycomic and The Comedy Bureau’s very own @kabelion have some damn good ones.

3) National Comedy College Competition is now open for submissions. If you’re in a participating school and damn funny, you should do this.

4) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL-if you don’t have $5, then you have bigger problems.
Out West Comedy Show @ RoosterFish 8PM FREE
Comedy Death Ray @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)

7) OPEN MIC RUN:
THE PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 4:30PM/Starts 5PM
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO @ SEÑOR FISH 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM
WESTWOOD BREWCO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7:30PM/Starts 8PM
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Starts 8PM
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

*Starting tomorrow on the “OPEN MIC RUN” will be listed as a route of suggested open mic daily on the Greater LA Open Mic Map.

8) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to… actually, I’m going to scale the “Tip of the Hat to weekly event that will be revealed on Fridays. For those fans of the "Tip of the Hat”, I’m sorry that you won’t see it everyday, but there will be a more extensive write-up of the comedic performer that the Comedy Bureau chooses to feature.

9) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: is going to be renamed to reflect something more current and topical as what will be posted here will be comedy that is both relevant to right now and somehow happened years ago. Ex. Starbucks came out with the new Trenta size and (even though I’ve already posted it) Lewis Black bit about Starbucks and the End of the Universe will be posted.

10) More big changes coming to the Comedy Bureau to make it better for all of you graciously and thankfully read as well as myself who makes the Comedy Bureau almost a part time job except for the getting paid part.

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Morning Debriefing 1/17/11

January 17, 2011

Uncategorized

big trouble in little tokyo, chris rock, comedy, comedy crawl, golden globes, la, lizz winstead, morning debriefing, open mic run, the morning after, tip of the hat

1) The fact that the Golden Globes lumps Comedy with Musicals in their consideration for awards is just another reason why people shouldn’t care about the Golden Globes.

2) The Morning After… Podcast just got featured in the LOS ANGELES EXAMINER. Check it out here. Though it’s a hilarious look into the porn industry, I’m pretty sure this is not NSFW.

3) Have the Walsh Brothers STOP and Greg Barris STOP $2 fish tacos STOP $3-$4 beers until 9PM STOP and nothing, hopefully about the Golden Globes though that’s out of my control really STOP Go to Big Trouble in Little Tokyo @ Señor Fish (422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA) STOP 6:30PM STOP or you’ll never STOP hitting yourself.

4) OK, Golden Globes are OVER now folks-time for a COMEDY CRAWL
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Melgard Mondays @ Melgard Public House 9PM FREE
Comedy Night @ Cherry Pit 9PM FREE
Keep It Clean Comedy @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand-by only)

5) OPEN MIC RUN:
CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PMish
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8:15PM
PUKA BAR 710 W. Willow St., Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 8PM
GROUND ZERO USC 615 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA (on campus, nestled in between three dormitories near intersection of Figueroa and Exposition)/USC student sign-up 9PM/non-USC student sign-up 9:15PM/Starts 9:30PM
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to LIZZ WINSTEAD-“@lizzwinstead Megan Fox is so brilliant she only feels safe letting very few people know about it. #GoldenGlobes” Lizz Winstead is one of the co-creators of the Daily Show. I don’t think I really need to say more than that. Check back at the Comedy Bureau for upcoming dates. Twitter. Website.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Chris Rock-Martin Luther King Boulevard

8) As I was not invited to the Golden Globes, I personally didn’t watch the Golden Globes as it’s the entertainment industry putting on a show for themselves and then making all of the world watch it, just like nearly any other awards ceremony. It has nothing to do with me, really, and I’d rather do an open mic.

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Morning Debriefing 1/17/11

January 17, 2011

Uncategorized

big trouble in little tokyo, chris rock, comedy, comedy crawl, golden globes, la, lizz winstead, open mic run, the morning after, tip of the hat

1) The fact that the Golden Globes lumps Comedy with Musicals in their consideration for awards is just another reason why people shouldn’t care about the Golden Globes.

2) The Morning After… Podcast just got featured in the LOS ANGELES EXAMINER. Check it out here. Though it’s a hilarious look into the porn industry, I’m pretty sure this is not NSFW.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Chris Rock-Martin Luther King Boulevard

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Morning Debriefing 1/14/11

January 14, 2011

Uncategorized

comedy, comedy crawl, funny or die, garfunkel and oates, greater la comedy landscape, la, morning debriefing, open mic run, steven wright, tip of the hat, tj miller, ultimate free and cheap la comedy list, wisepix

1) Congratulations to Garfunkel and Oates (@garfunkeloates for you Twitter folks) for inking a development deal with HBO. If you have a Variety subscription, you can read more details here.

2) HBO’s Funny or Die Presents returns tonight at MIDNIGHT. It’s Friday, so it’s not that late and you should watch. WATCH!!!

3) The Ultimate Free and Cheap LA Comedy List 1/16-1/22. Thanks Wisepix.

4) The Greater LA Comedy Landscape has been a popular feature here at the Comedy Bureau (according to Google it has more views than our home page) and it’s going to get even better as it will soon be updated with more detail and any reviews that I’ve written about shows around LA.

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL may be small, but certainly not in stature.
Save the Max @ Westside Comedy Theatre 7:30PM $10
Jim Jeffries @ Brea Improv 8PM/10PM $20/2 drink min.
Stood Up Friday Night @ Moving Arts Theatre 10PM $5

6) OPEN MIC RUN:
FLAPPERS BAR 102 E. Magnolia Burbank, CA/Starts 5PM
iCANDY 1708 E. Broadway/Sign-up 6PM/Starts 7PM/$3 min.
SILVERLAKE LOUNGE 2906 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA (Silverlake)/Sign-up (lottery) 6:30PM/Starts 7PM
GLENDALE DAYS INN 450 N. Pioneer Dr., Glendale, CA/Starts 8PM
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Big Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed.

7) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to TJ MILLER-“I’m Having a Difficult Time Killing My Parents (Sundance Trailer)” In terms of being “off the cuff”, seeing TJ Miller live will completely amaze you in where the “rabbit hole” is and how far he’ll take you down it laughing the whole way through. You can see him at Melgard Mondays @ Melgard Public House 9PM FREE and Out West Comedy Show @ RoosterFish 8PM FREE. Website. Twitter.

8) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Steven Wright’s Tonight Show Debut

9) Does anyone get any followers on Twitter off of Follow Fridays or is the equivalent to shaking someone’s hand at the end of an open mic?

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Morning Debriefing 1/14/11

January 14, 2011

Uncategorized

comedy, comedy crawl, funny or die, garfunkel and oates, greater la comedy landscape, la, open mic run, steven wright, tip of the hat, tj miller, ultimate free and cheap la comedy list, wisepix

1) Congratulations to Garfunkel and Oates (@garfunkeloates for your Twitter folks) for inking a development deal with HBO. If you have a Variety subscription, you can read more details here.

2) HBO’s Funny or Die Presents returns tonight at MIDNIGHT. It’s Friday, so it’s not that late and you should watch. WATCH!!!

3) The Ultimate Free and Cheap LA Comedy List 1/16-1/22. Thanks Wisepix.

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL may be small, but certainly not in stature.
Jim Jeffries @ Hollywood Improv 8PM/10PM $20/2 drink min.
Stood Up Friday Night @ Moving Arts Theatre 10PM $5

8) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Steven Wright’s Tonight Show Debut

9) Does anyone get any followers on Twitter off of Follow Fridays or is the equivalent to shaking someone’s hand at the end of an open mic?

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Morning Debriefing 1/13/11

January 13, 2011

Uncategorized

bradley fojas, comedy, comedy crawl, conan, free, harold and maude, jesse miller talk show, la, matt champagne, matt knudsen, morning debriefing, norton anti-virus online university, open mic run, tip of the hat, zazzle.com

1) Conan O’Brien making ground since arriving at TBS: Conan is the #1 late night talk show (of sorts) and also won’t think about talking to Leno again.

2) One of the best shows in LA, THE JESSE MILLER TALK SHOW, now has Jesse Miller T-shirts that are, as Jesse Miller would say, “Hard as hell right there.” Pick them up off of Zazzle.com right here.

3) Two of the newest members to Twitter just happen to be some of the funniest people in the LA area. Please follow @fojasbradley (Bradley Fojas) and @champagnematt (Matt Champagne) as I’m sure they’ll kill it on Twitter just like they do on stage.

4) Wanna see Eddie Pepitone eat while attempting to run a football in for a touchdown at the LA Coliseum? Of course you do. Watch “Norton Anti-Virus Online University Bowl” that was on recently on Conan.

5) With tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL, you definitely got your work cut out for you.
Moshe Kasher @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5
Brassy @ The Zephyr Theatre 8PM FREE
Jim Jeffries @ Brea Improv 8PM $20/2 item min.
Subversive Comedy w/Jimmy Dore @ Flappers Burbank 8PM $12/2 drink min.
The Josh & Josh Show @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30PM FREE
Holy Fuck @ Downtown Independent Theatre 9PM FREE
Comedy Palace @ Palace Restaurant 9PM FREE

6) OPEN MIC RUN:
SANDWICH SPOT 3101 Ocean Park, Santa Monica, CA/Starts 7PM
HOLLYWOOD HOTEL 1160 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM
CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/10 min.
212 CAFE 212 Pier Ave., Santa Monica, CA/Starts 9PM
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed

7) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to MATT KNUDSEN-“@matt_knudsen I superglued my friends hand to his forehead. Well technically I just put superglue in the palm of his hand and then sunk his Battleship.” This is Matt’s 2nd Tip of the Hat and The Comedy Bureau is glad to continue, as he would say, to be “Knudsen Champions”. Matt is definitely a delight to watch and experience simultaneously his quick wit and very, cool, laid back style. You can see him this Saturday at The Tomorrow Show w/Ron Lynch @ The Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8. Website. Twitter.

8) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Harold and Maude Trailer

9) Every comedy show I’ve been in the last week has been packed to capacity. I hope this is not just a trend and people are genuinely excited about seeing live comedy in LA and not just making it their New Year’s Resolution to watch more live comedy because all their friends do it.

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Morning Debriefing 1/12/11

January 12, 2011

Uncategorized

arizona shootings, arrested development, comedy, comedy bureau, comedy crawl, conan o'brien, funny or die, jim carrey, jon stewart, la, morning debriefing, open mic run, patton oswalt, tip of the hat

1) One question for seemegetfamous.tv: ARE YOU FOR REAL?

2) Many have you who are normal and don’t go out every night probably saw The Daily Show’s John Stewart’s heartfelt words in response to the recent shootings in Arizona. If you didn’t, here it is right here. Just note that Jon Stewart takes time aside from joking or any sort of political agenda and reminds us all that humanity still exists. Still, parts of this are very funny (especially w/John Oliver).

3) The Arrested Development Movie is a ‘Real Priority’. Finally.

4) HBO’s Funny or Die Presents Season 1 is now on DVD or, as they say, in “a box of crap”. Either way you should buy it in stores or download it from iTunes NOW.

5) Is tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL always this good? Why don’t you go and find out? (the answer is yes)
“If This Doesn’t Work, I’m Moving Home” A Variety Hour @ Harlem Place Cafe, 124 W. 4th St. (in alley between Main and Spring St.) 8PM FREE
Maria Bamford’s Eagle Rock Sing-a-long @ Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock 8PM $5 suggested donation
Meltdown @ Meltdown Comics 8:30PM $8
Beer in the Shower @ Whitehorse Cocktail Lounge Inn 9:30PM FREE
Jesse Miller Talk Show @ Next Stage Theatre 11PM $5

6) OPEN MIC RUN:
LIBRARY A COFFEE HOUSE 3418 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM
CAFE ON 2ND 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM
THE SPOT CAFE 4455 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 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

8) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to PATTON OSWALT-“@pattonoswalt 5:43 a.m. Leaving Los Angeles for Fargo. (First sentence of Worst Detective Novel Ever)” Having attained that status of the general population knowing who he is AND finding him hilarious, Patton just released his own book entitled, “Zombie Spaceship Wasteland”, which you should definitely check out already having been acclaimed by such prolific writers as Dave Eggers. Unfortunately, he’s next LA show at Largo is already sold out so check back at the Comedy Bureau for details on his next one. Twitter. Website.

9) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Jim Carrey as Conan O’Brien (I know this isn’t that “underground”, but someone told me that Conan was only a good show because of Conan and nothing else.)

10) Is “I’m still here” the #1 self-affirmation for comedians or is that just me?

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Morning Debriefing 1/11/11

January 11, 2011

Uncategorized

comedy, comedy awards, comedy crawl, hilarious, julius sharpe, la, louis ck, mike bridenstine, morning debriefing, open mic run, sabor, tip of the hat, unbookables

1) ON JAN 24TH THERE WILL BE A NEW COMEDY CLUB IN TOWN: SABOR COMEDY LOUNGE! Located in downtown, the Sabor Comedy Lounge promises to be the hottest new comedy in LA with some of the best Latino and non-Latino acts. Check back at the Comedy Bureau for more details on the “sabor”.

2) Louis CK’s Hilarious is out on CD/DVD download on iTunes today, which means you should drop everything that you’re doing (a la “Don’t Stop Believing” Karoake Family Guy scene) and buy it and listen/watch.

3) Comedy Central and MTV have just announced their first annual Comedy Awards giving recognition to the “best” in the comedic arts decided by those in the comedy community including Billy Crystal, Will Ferrell, Whoopi Goldberg,Seth MacFarlane, Adam McKay, Jimmy Miller, Jay Roach, Ray Romano, and Rory Rosegarten. Taking place on Mar. 26th at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC and airing on several networks on April 10th, check back at the Comedy Bureau for more details.

4) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL may be small, but it’s DAMN MIGHTY!!!
Comedy Death Ray @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Blamblamblam @ R-Bar 9PM FREE (there’s a password at the door).

5) OPEN MIC RUN:
THE PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Sign-up 4:30PM/Starts 5PM
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO @ SEÑOR FISH 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM
WESTWOOD BREWCO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7:30PM/Starts 8PM
COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/Starts 8PM
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

6) Still haven’t gotten any sponsors, but here’s a Seattle’s Best commercial with Mike Bridenstine in it.

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to JULIUS SHARPE-“@juliussharpe Hangman is a pretty good career. You basically tie a knot and work 8 seconds a day.” Like many of Twitter’s funniest, Julius is a member of the writing staff for Family Guy. Julius has been on TV in both sketches and doing stand-up, so check back at the Comedy Bureau for more details on a performance or perhaps another brilliant tweet. Twitter. Myspace. IMDB.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: The Unbookables Trailer

8) Adomian. Kinane. Señor Fish. Happy Hour. 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA. Sign-up 6:30. Starts 7PM. Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic. Be there.

9) There was an actual miscount and I’m on Report number 81. I was really hoping it was 100 already and I could just throw a party for that reason alone. Oh well.

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Morning Debriefing 1/11/11

January 11, 2011

Uncategorized

comedy, comedy awards, comedy crawl, hilarious, julius sharpe, la, louis ck, mike bridenstine, open mic run, sabor, tip of the hat, unbookables

4) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL may be small, but it’s DAMN MIGHTY!!!
Comedy Death Ray @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand by only)
Blamblamblam @ R-Bar 9PM FREE (there’s a password at the door).

6) Still haven’t gotten any sponsors, but here’s a Seattle’s Best commercial with Mike Bridenstine in it.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: The Unbookables Trailer

8) Adomian. Kinane. Señor Fish. Happy Hour. 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA. Sign-up 6:30. Starts 7PM. Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic. Be there.

9) There was an actual miscount and I’m on Report number 81. I was really hoping it was 100 already and I could just throw a party for that reason alone. Oh well.

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Morning Debriefing 1/10/11

January 10, 2011

Uncategorized

big trouble in little tokyo, chris d'elia, comedy, comedy crawl, comedy death ray, huffington post, la, morning debriefing, open mic run, patton oswalt, Señor Fish, tip of the hat, travis lipski

1) I couldn’t get into ASSSSCAT last night at the UCB as there was over 100 people waiting along Franklin Ave. to watch live comedy. Great for live comedy in LA, for me, well…. Either way, I headed down to Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, which is something you’ll hear more about later today (yes, that means a review) and a comedy institution (an independent stand up show that’s on its 4th year running) you should never miss. Also, I’m going to take a break from some of my normal tendencies and be positive on some thoughts on where the LA comedy scene is headed.

2) In promoting his new book Zombie Spaceship Wasteland, Patton Oswalt had the following to say to Huffington Post Comedy. Oh yeah, you should really check out Zombie Spaceship Wasteland.

3) Comedy Death Ray on IFC w/Scott Aukerman and friends is ON tonight. 10PM. If you choose to stay in, this is what you should do.

4) Big Trouble in Little Tokyo is TOMORROW. JAMES ADOMIAN and KYLE KINANE and random raffles and fish tacos galore. Señor Fish, 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA at 6:30PM is the place to be.

5) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL is like a Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes for free, awesome live comedy.
What’s Up Tiger Lily @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Are You F*#king Kidding Me? @ Puka Bar 8:30PM FREE
Stand Up Saloon @ Old Towne Pub 10PM FREE
Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE

6) OPEN MIC RUN:
CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PMish/10 min.
SPEAKEASY @ HARLEM PLACE CAFE 124 W. 4th St. (in alley between Main and Spring St.)/Starts 8PM/optional sign-up via e-mail: speakeasyopenmic@gmail.com
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8:30PM
GROUND ZERO USC 615 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA (nestled in between three dormitories near intersection of Exposition Blvd and Figueroa St.)/USC student sign-up 9PM/non-USC student sign-up 9:15PM/Starts 9:30PM/7 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

5) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to CHRIS D’ELIA-“@chrisdelia Saying "I’m into astrology” is basically like saying “Some things I say don’t matter.” When it comes to Chris D’Elia, he only does two things: He goes up and he kills. Performing at some major club in LA nearly every night, Chris is almost a “comedy machine”, though he’s anything but robotic. Catch him on Glory Daze on TBS or Twitter or at his website.

6) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Travis Lipski and Harleys

7) People are recognizing the “Comedy Bureau” on the streets. Well… have comics become people again or is the jury still out on that one?

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Morning Debriefing 1/10/11

January 10, 2011

Uncategorized

big trouble in little tokyo, chris d'elia, comedy, comedy crawl, comedy death ray, huffington post, la, open mic run, patton oswalt, Señor Fish, tip of the hat, travis lipski

2) In promoting his new book Zombie Spaceship Wasteland, Patton Oswalt had the following to say to Huffington Post Comedy. Oh yeah, you should really check out Zombie Spaceship Wasteland.

3) Comedy Death Ray on IFC w/Scott Aukerman and friends is ON tonight. 10PM. If you choose to stay in, this is what you should do.

4) Big Trouble in Little Tokyo is TOMORROW. JAMES ADOMIAN and KYLE KINANE and random raffles and fish tacos galore. Señor Fish, 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA at 6:30PM is the place to be.

6) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Travis Lipski and Harleys

7) People are recognizing the “Comedy Bureau” on the streets. Well… have comics become people again or is the jury still out on that one?

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Post Brunch Update 1/9/11

January 9, 2011

Uncategorized

big trouble in little tokyo, bob's burgers, comedy, comedy bureau, comedy crawl, greater la open mic map, james adomian, kyle kinane, la, morning debriefing, open mic run, Señor Fish, tip of the hat, zach galifiankis

1) The Greater LA Open Mic Map has just been UPDATED with several new places to find some stage time. All the leg work done for all of you. You’re welcome.

2) The premiere of BOB’S BURGERS is tonight on FOX at 8:30PM featuring the voices of none other than Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, and even a guest “appearance” by Ron Lynch of the always amazing TOMORROW SHOW. DON’T MISS IT!!!! (unless you can DVR it, then go to a live comedy show instead) OR LOUIS CK’s new special HILARIOUS on Comedy Central at 10PM or catch Matt Manser on Californication on Showtime 9PM. It’s all good.

3) James Adomian and Kyle Kinane. Big Trouble in Little Tokyo @ Señor Fish. 1/11. 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA. Sign-up 6:30PM. Starts 7PM. That’s all.

4) Forget whatever “happened” yesterday with some laughs at tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL Norm MacDonald @ Ice House 7PM $22.50/2 drink min., ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7:30PM FREE, French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE, Top Story Weekly w/Bill Burr @ iO West 9PM $5, Gentle Evening w/Josh and Dan @ Fake Gallery 9PM, Sunday Sunday Sunday @ The Improv Space 9:30PM FREE.

5) OPEN MIC RUN: SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min., PALMS 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM, SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/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.

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to SARAH HYLAND-“Kentucky Lightning-The Kentucky Kardashians” Characters and costumes galore, Sarah Hyland always brings her hilarious satirical renditions of many of the people throughout her life, as well as herself, to any and every stage as one of LA’s most original comics. Check back at the Comedy Bureau for details on her next show. Website. Twitter.

7) From the “You Should Been There” Lagoon: Zach Galifianakis berates an audience member

8) Andy Kindler was recently quoted as saying, “There’s no room for cool in comedy.” My thoughts on this and the state of LA comedy later.

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Morning Debriefing 1/8/11

January 8, 2011

Uncategorized

big trouble in little tokyo, bridgetown comedy festival, comedy, comedy bureau, comedy crawl, la, morning debriefing, open mic run, paul jay, shorty awards, stand up showdown, tip of the hat

1) The 2011 Bridgetown Comedy Festival is now taking submissions for stand up comedians and sketch comedy performers. Recently just voted by Punchline Magazine readers to be the Best Comedy Festival, it’s one that many comedians say is nothing but fun. More details on submitting here.

2) Comedy Central’s Stand Up Showdown still going and and according to their current Top 20, Ryan Stout is at the bottom and Matt Braunger is absent altogether. Let’s fix this comedy fans of America.

3) OF COURSE THERE’S AWARDS FOR TWEETING!!! The 3rd Annual Shorty Awards are here and are taking nominations from the twitter community at large by having any Twitter user tweet, “I nominate @twitteruser for a Shorty Award #humor because…” If you don’t give a reason for the nomination, the nomination WILL NOT COUNT. Currently, in the humor section, there are no comedians that are featured here at the Comedy Bureau in the top 6. Want some suggestions? How about @eddiepepitone, @lizzycooperman, @pauljaycomic, @dubouchet, @matt_knudsen, @matt_dwyer, @kylekinane, @tonysam76, @sbellelauren, @stoutryan, @davetotheross, @thejamielee, @robertbuscemi because they all kill it on Twitter.

4) The Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic is back with a kick in your face this Tues. with none other than JAMES ADOMIAN and perhaps another super special kick ass guest!!!! That should be enough for all of you. Señor Fish, 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA (Little Tokyo/near downtown) Jan. 11th. Sign-up 6:30PM. Starts 7PM.

5) I still have no idea what “Angry Birds” is and, frankly, I’d rather go on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL. Join me, why don’t you? Norm MacDonald @ Hollywood Improv 7:30PM/9:30PM $20/2 item min., ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10, The Twelve Shiny Nickels Show @ The Fake Gallery 11PM $5, Tomorrow!!! w/Ron Lynch @ The Steve Allen Theatre MIDNIGHT $8, The Midnight Show w/Matt Braunger @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5 (stand by only).

7) OPEN MIC RUN: SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min., WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATRE 1323 A 3rd St., Santa Monica (in alley between 3rd and 4th St.)/Sign-up 6PM (lottery)/Starts 6:30PM, SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/one item min., MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed.

8) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to PAUL JAY-“@pauljaycomic Magic Mountain is a great place for the Batman ride. Any kid who goes there stands a good chance of watching their parents get shot.” This is Paul Jay 2nd Tip of the Hat, which I don’t give lightly as there’s over thousands of posts, tweets, videos, etc. that I go through everyday. Still, Paul destroys it on Twitter just like he does on stage and on his podcast The Biggest Mistake. Twitter. Tumblr. Check back at the Comedy Bureau for upcoming show dates.

9) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Trailer

10) I wonder if Vegas has any odds on how long comics will be talking about taking the N word out of Huckleberry Finn. Any takers? Sure seems like it’s going to be awhile.

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Morning Debriefing 1/8/11

January 8, 2011

Uncategorized

big trouble in little tokyo, bridgetown comedy festival, comedy, comedy bureau, comedy crawl, la, open mic run, paul jay, shorty awards, stand up showdown, tip of the hat

5) I still have no idea what “Angry Birds” is and, frankly, I’d rather go on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL. Join me, why don’t you? Norm MacDonald @ Hollywood Improv 7:30PM/9:30PM $20/2 item min., ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10, Tomorrow!!! w/Ron Lynch @ The Steve Allen Theatre MIDNIGHT $8, The Midnight Show w/Matt Braunger @ UCB Theatre MIDNIGHT $5 (stand by only)

9) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Trailer

10) I wonder if Vegas has any odds on how long comics will be talking about taking the N word out of Huckleberry Finn. Any takers? Sure seems like it’s going to be awhile.

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Morning Debriefing 1/3/11

1) Why should you be reading the Comedy Bureau? Well… if you’ve ever read the mission statement, you can trust in the entire Comedy Bureau staff to keep you up to date on the best shows, open mics most worthy of your hard earned free time, all pertinent LA Comedy news big and small (all the way from Matt Braunger getting a pilot order from Comedy Central to when Paul F Tompkins is having a live tweeting event), and who really is on the trailblazing forefront of comedy in this town and what they’re doing to make it so, with the personal, one-of-a-kind personal touch of a comedian firmly dug into the trenches of the best and worst that Los Angeles has to offer comedy-wise (This is How to Make It in Comedy?). Just like when people frequently ask me how to get featured here, I tell them, “be funny and I’ll find it.”, conversely, if you want unequivocal, undeniable funny, keep finding your way back to the Comedy Bureau.

2) Boy, oh boy, we’re back in business with a regular COMEDY CRAWL and some of the best shows/comedians/people to make you laugh after sitting in traffic after getting off work on the first Monday of 2011: What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE, Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE, Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 (stand by only).

3) OPEN MIC RUN: CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PM, ARTIST ANARCHY @ PUKA BAR 710 W. Willow St., Long Beach, CA/Starts 8PM, TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA (echo park)/Starts 8:30pm, SPEAKEASY @ HARLEM PLACE CAFE 124 W. 4th St., Los Angeles, CA (downtown)/Sign-up via e-mail speakeasyopenmic@gmail.com by 4PM/Starts promptly at 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) I understand if you just want to get home and have your comedy just done for you (though that’s pretty much what you do during a live show) Luckily, all you good folks can tune into IFC’s “Comedy Death Ray” w/host Scott Aukerman premiering tonight at 10PM and then catch Matt Braunger on the Late Late Show w/Craig Ferguson 12:35AM on CBS.

5) “Is This Thing On?” Not only, “is it on”, the Gallery 1988 exhibition of 100 artists “taking” on representations of funny people like Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Bill Murray, Louis CK, and many many more is something not to be missed. Starting this Fri. Jan. 7th at Gallery 1988, check back at the Comedy Bureau for more details this week.

6) Something that you might not know about the Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic this Tues.: Señor Fish is open until 1AM and if there’s people still on the list, I’ll keep it running until then. Oh yeah, Jackie Kashian & Andy Peters are going to be there too. That’s enough reasons to go I think. 422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM.

7) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to JACKIE KASHIAN-“@jackiekashian My Vision Board wants me to get bi-focals.” This is Jackie’s second of the Tip of the Hat and I’m more than happy to give it to her just like I’m happy to go out of my way to see her because she is one of a couple of comedians who I literally witness “just turn it on” whenever they feel like it since they have the ability to do that. Also, her stories about her dad and husband are ones that need to be heard. You can do so tonight at What’s Up Tiger Lily? 8PM FREE, tomorrow at Big Trouble in Little Tokyo, and this Wed. at Meltdown @ Meltdown Comics 8:30PM $8 Website. Twitter. Tumblr. Dorkforest.

8) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Dr. Stangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb-Trailer

9) Donate to the Comedy Bureau or I’ll fade out of the picture a la Michael J. Fox in the photo in Back to the Future.

10) If you’ve ever wonder the Comedy Bureau Offices look like, I’ll be driving my car around various open mics around LA tonight. No tours, however, are currently available at this time.

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Morning Debriefing 1/3/11

8) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Dr. Stangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb-Trailer

9) Donate to the Comedy Bureau or I’ll fade out of the picture a la Michael J. Fox in the photo in Back to the Future.

10) If you’ve ever wonder the Comedy Bureau Offices look like, I’ll be driving my car around various open mics around LA tonight. No tours, however, are currently available at this time.

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Morning Debriefing 1/2/11

1) In regards to Huffington Post’s “50 Funniest People of the Decade”, do those in charge of “informing” the public on “what is comedy” even know what comedy is anymore? Within their end-all, be all list for 2001-2010, they, first off, include Anderson Cooper, a strict journalist. Out of entire 10 years of comedy, the Huffington Post Comedy Staff actually decided to put the names Anderson Cooper amongst names like Mitch Hedberg, George Carlin, Conan O’Brien, and Paul F. Tompkins, which can only leave me to draw the conclusion that, like so many other “Best/Most Ever” lists, this is more of a popularity contest. Just like winning the Grammy for “Best Hip Hop Artist” has no actual bearing on talent so much as it does Soundscan’s numbers on someone’s shitty, air-horn laden, drenched-in-autotune single, being put on this particular list of who were the funniest people in the last ten years doesn’t necessarily indicate that the person “defined comedy” in that time (which is what the name of the list leads readers to believe). I understand that compiling such lists are incredibly stressful and time-consuming as I spent nearly three solid hours composing #Follow2011LAfunniest, a list of who you should follow on Twitter in 2011 (which is way better than Huffington Post version, if I may say so myself). There is a constant debate, even with only one person calling the shots, in trying to decide who makes the cut, but, you have to be objective as possible with what you’re compiling the list for. Thus, Huffington Post should have made “The 50 Funniest People that I Happen To Know About and/or Are Really Popular” to be more accurate. That’s why #Follow2011LAfunniest has people that may not have as many followers as @azizansari, but are consistently funnier than him along their entire log of Tweets. Several people are surprised with omissions of this Huffington Post list considering they are comedians/writers that are much funnier than the one’s featured. However, in deciphering what that list is really based on, I’m surprised that names omitted include Larry King and Russell Peters.

2) Oh, look, all kidding aside, you could physically make all of these shows, for once, on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL (as well as afford them): The Not So Inappropriate Show @ UCB Theatre 4PM $12 (stand-by only), ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 7PM FREE, French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE.

3) OPEN MIC RUN: PALMS (call 310 652 6188 before going) 8572 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM, SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min., SUNSET GRILL 7439 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/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

4) STARTING JAN. 3RD (that’s tomorrow) Scott Aukerman of Comedy Death Ray will host IFC’s own “Comedy Death Ray” featuring a 90 minute block of now-comedy classics like “Arrested Development”, “Freaks and Geeks”, “Undeclared”, “The Larry Sanders Show”, and “The Ben Stiller Show”. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, tune in on IFC at 10PM to not only catch some of the best comedy series ever created, but Scott Aukerman and several other figures within the comedy world weighing in on them.

5) Big Trouble in Little Tokyo. Jokes. Destruction of public property. Fish Tacos. Jackie Kashian & Andy Peters. Don’t miss it. Señor Fish 422 E. 1st St. Sign up 6:30PM. Starts 7PM.

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to LIZZY COOPERMAN: “AFFIRMATIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR [HQ]” Lizzy is almost beyond words, but here I am, yet again, writing about her comedic genius. Three Time Tip of the Hat winner Lizzy Cooperman is of such a rare ilk of skilled comedic performer that she still makes me laugh with the same jokes even though I’ve heard them 20 times. You can “witness” her this Tues. Jan 4th at Shooting Gallery @ Club 8572/Palms 8:30PM $10 or Thurs. Jan. 6th at Persona @ The Hollywood Improv Lab 8PM $5. Website. Twitter. Birds of Prey.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Ron Lynch-Comedian of the Future

8) Donate to the Comedy Bureau. In 2011, there are no other problems, except the Comedy Bureau having $nothing.

9) 2011 Comedy Predictions: Getting a Favstar 100 on Twitter will become more important than doing certain rooms/shows.

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Post Brunch Update 1/1/11

1) “#Follow2011LAfunniest” represents the 13 funniest folks (2+0+11) in LA on Twitter. If you want your 2011 to be anything resembling an improvement from 2010, then you should read EVERYTHING these fine people write (oh yeah, you should go see them at a show… they’re pretty hilarious in real life too). #Follow2011LAfunniest Lizzy Cooperman (@lizzycooperman), Eddie Pepitone (@eddiepepitone), Kyle Kinane (@kylekinane), Paul Jay (@pauljaycomic), Andrés du Bouchet (@dubouchet), Matt Knudsen (@matt_knudsen), Matt Dwyer (@matt_dwyer), Tony Sam (@tonysam76), Ryan Stout (@stoutryan), Dave Ross (@davetotheross), Lauren Ashley Bishop (@sbellelauren), Robert Buscemi (@robertbuscemi), and Jamie Lee (@thejamielee).

2) 8PM’s about when you’ll regain consciousness today, I mean this evening and try to remember where you left jacket, your wallet, and, incidentally, your innocence. Just go on tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL and forget about it with Hipster New Year w/Eddie Pepitone @ Flappers Burbank 8PM/10PM $17/2 drink min.

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

4) THE BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO OPEN MIC is back for another round with none other than JACKIE KASHIAN and ANDY PETERS! Don’t miss out on some ass-kicking fun at Señor Fish (422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA) this Tues. ¼. Sign-up 6:30PM. Starts 7PM.

5) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to HASAN MINHAJ-“Law School Application” In his bio on his website, there is a line that reads “Today, Hasan enjoys writing biographies about himself in the third person.” Taking his observations about the world and himself throughout the country, Hasan is a comedic whirlwind that should be seen when you ever he’s going on stage. Such an occasion will happen on Mon. 1/3 at Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE and Tues. ¼ at Fresh Faces @ the Hollywood Laugh Factory 8PM $20/2 drink min. Here’s his website again along with his Twitter.

6) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Lenny Bruce All Alone (yes, I know I’ve posted this before, but if we’re taking this “brand new year” thing seriously, this is one of the first things I want anyone/everyone to watch in comedy.)

7) Donate to the Comedy Bureau. You can start off the year (if you believe in that sort of thing) as a good person (again, if you’re into that sort of thing) if you do so.

8) New Year’s Resolution jokes here we come, including the joke-within-itself of considering starting in comedy as an acceptable resolution.

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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 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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Morning Debriefing 12/29/10

1) Seriously, all irony aside, one great BIG thank you to everyone who came out to the Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic last night. IT WAS BLAST!! MATT KNUDSEN AND TONY SAM WERE A BLAST!!! EVERYONE WAS A BLAST!! In fact, management at Señor Fish has liked what we do so much that they’re putting an order in for a spotlight. How about that? The venue actually wanting to help the show. Again, thanks to all your support, only bigger and better things will come along for this room. NEXT WEEK ROUNDHOUSE KICKING THE YEAR OFF: JACKIE KASHIAN & ANDY PETERS!!! Don’t miss out ¼ @ Señor Fish!!!

2) Looking for a new year’s resolution, but don’t know exactly what to abstain from for a month? Perhaps you’ll get inspired at tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL with Lettuce Entertain You (with Stand Up) @ UCB Theatre 8PM $5, Women Who Kill @ Hollywood Improv 8PM $14/2 drink min. The Meltdown @ Meltdown Comics 8:30PM $8, Biscuits & Gravy @ Hollywood Improv Lab 8:30PM $5, Ed Galvez’s Punk House @ Westside Comedy Theatre 9PM $8, and Nighttime w/Dominic Dierkes @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5.

3) OPEN MIC RUN: SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/one item min., LIBRARY A COFFEEHOUSE 3418 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA/Sign-up 8PM/Starts 8:30PM, CAFE ON 2ND (call 626 284 1292 before going) 7 S. 2nd St., Alhambra, CA/Sign-up 7PM/Starts 7:30PM/$3 min./10 min. guaranteed, MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA/5PM to 11PM/$5/multiple sets allowed.

4) Corollary to Pound for Pound Open Mics. Note: Open mics on the weekend are generally pretty rough to do and I usually try to do other things comedy wise, but if you insist on finding somewhere to perform, here are my recommendations.
Saturday: Westside Comedy Theatre-Though short on stage time, people do occasionally wander in.
Sunday: Marty’s/The Open Mic-You do have to pay $5 and there’s no real opportunity for real people to watch you, but you do get to perform as many times as you want as well as experiencing a very diverse crowd of comics.

5) Now a word from some commercial sponsors at T-mobile. OH LOOK… it’s Barry Rothbart. (Note: The Comedy Bureau doesn’t have any sponsors)

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to JARROD HARRIS-“@JarrodHarris ‘Hey, everyone makes mistakes.’ – Wayne Harris: I’ll never ask my dad what it was like when I was born again.” Touring throughout the country as part of the Southern Comedy Quartet, Jarrod takes his very personal, painfully funny brand of comedy thankfully throughout the entirety of the Los Angeles comedy scene. You can actually check him out tonight on his show Biscuits & Gravy down at the Hollywood Improv Lab 8PM $5. Don’t miss out on his website, Twitter, or hilarious video series Action Figure Therapy.

7) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Tracy Morgan Interview on Late Night w/ Conan O’Brien

8) Donate to the Comedy Bureau. Please x 10,000,000.

9) I’ve been writing for the Comedy Bureau for 2 months straight and just now realized it. I was really hoping it was a year before I had lost sense of time. Oh well….

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Morning Debriefing 12/6/10

1) Most comics in Los Angeles find that they can only get up once a night. Some of the more dedicated comics hustle out to do two spots in one night, then the hardest workers I find can do about four in one night, if there’s the opportunity to. Tonight, for benefit of the LA comedy community, the Comedy Bureau is going to go up about 8 times, possibly even more, by performing at Marty’s/The Open Mic from 5PM to 11PM to let you know what it’s like without you ever having to try it. Marty’s is an open mic that allows performers, after they pay the $5 cover, to go up as many times as they want/feel is necessary/can handle. You can follow this journey into what very well might be a productive night of comedy OR comedy purgatory bordering on the tips of the flames of comedy hell on Twitter right here.

2) Nice and easy seems to be theme of tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL with all of the weekly shows regularly listed here in full effect (NOT TO MENTION THAT ALL OF THIS COSTS JUST $5) Start off with What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE, then Comedy Show @ The Cherry Pit 9PM FREE, then Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE, and I’m sure you’ll have enough money to finish off the night at Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5 and be able to get home.

3) OPEN MIC RUN: CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts “around” 7PM/10 min., TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park)/Starts 8:15PM, CASEY’S 613 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA (downtown)/Sign-up (lottery) 7PM/Starts 8PM, 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) Louis CK was on the Tonight Show. I didn’t get to watch it live because I was performing at an AA room, but I watched parts 1-3 of the interview here, here, and here.

5) BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO is back for PART 5!!! Tomorrow night’s very, incredibly, special guest: ABBEY LONDER!!! Oh yeah, don’t forget $2 fish tacos and raffles galore (meaning probably 3). Tues. Dec. 7th @ Señor Fish (422 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA) Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM.

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to MATT KNUDSEN “@matt_knudsen I love reindeer. They are delicious.” Armed with his incredibly astute, sharp one-liners and his remarkably delightful low-key presence, Matt Knudsen not only gets to entertain all around Los Angeles, but is regularly featured on several TV shows including, most recently, Detroit 1-8-7 and Men of a Certain Age. He just released an album, “The Comedic Stylings of Matt Knudsen”, which you should definitely buy and can be seen live this week at the “Toys for Tots Benefit” @ Hudson Mainstage Wed. Dec. 8th and improv group “The Waterbrains” @ The Westside Comedy Theatre“ Fri. Dec. 10th $10. Do not forget to check out his website and follow him on Twitter.

7) From the "You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Sam Kinison’s First Appearance on Letterman

8) I’m doing basically an entire 12 hour day for LA Comedy today. Please donate (cash donations in person accepted as Tumblr is down).

9) Tumblr can’t stop the Comedy Bureau, but many near and dear friends tell me “dating a woman” would probably do the trick. I’ll guess we’ll have to find out….

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Morning Debriefing 11/27/10

1) I have to give credit once more to Shayne Michael and the energy he has put back into the iCandy open mic/K.A.S. Comedy Etc. Show. With being one of the longest running open mics in the LA area, iCandy/Coffee Haven has seen its share of highs and lows and with a new sound system and a revitalized format that keeps a good energy about the room (i.e. booked show, raffles, etc.), comics who go to iCandy can expect to actually work on their material, which is the purpose of an open mic.

2) What better way to get into the holiday spirit than going to a run of shows that include the words: milk, asssscat, boners, back room, and family. THUS, don’t miss tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL with Two Milk Minimum @ Flappers Burbank 12:30PM $10/2 item min., then Space Boners Gives Thanks! @ Silverlake Lounge 7PM FREE, then ASSSSCAT @ UCB Theatre 8PM $10 (stand by only), then The Back Room @ UCB Theatre 10PM $10, and finish with Ron Lynch and Craig Anton host a Tomorrow! Family Thanksgiving @ Steve Allen Theater MIDNIGHT $8.

3) OPEN MIC RUN: LAUNDROMIC 1054 Vine St. Los Angeles, CA/Starts 4PM, WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATRE 1323-A 3rd St (in alley between 3rd and 4th)/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 cover/multiple sets allowed.

4) As it was brought to my attention, even though I knew I needed to get around to it, the “Bureau Approved” page is updated again with a section for shows and open mics. Also, the “Calendars” page got updated with Comedy Store Line-ups and link directly to the Largo Calendar. I might be running out of ways to make this easier for you guys… I’m just sayin’.

5) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to PAUL DANKE “@pauldanke every black friday, I get up early, go to best buy, and when the doors open. I rob the shit out of people’s cars. #IPODSFOREVERYONE” When not chilling back in his jean jacket, Paul Danke absolutely rips it on stage. According to several sources, Danke closed out the Holy Fuck! One Year Anniversary like a hero, which is certainly no surprise to the Comedy Bureau. Going up all around town as well as his own fantastic show The Comedy Garage (run with Cornell Reid and Sean Green), Paul has definitely earned his praise for his stand-up as well as doing featured blogging for FunnyorDie.com. You can witness Paul Danke tomorrow at French Toast @ Taix 8:30PM FREE or on his blog The Art of Coming Off Casual or his amazing Twitter.

6) From the “You Should Have Been There” Lagoon: Michael Keaton does Stand-up

7) Donate here. Live Tweeting here. Donate here. Live Tweeting here. (insert catchy jingle that’s so catchy you would actually do either or both of the two)

8) On the subject of handling hecklers: Why is there the type of heckler who interrupts your set and then applauds and congratulates you after you yell at him for 4 minutes ripping him to shreds as a person? There should be a new subcategory of psychological disorders in DSM IV that addresses this.

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Morning Debriefing 11/25/10

1) I know you guys need to get to your friends, families, and some damn fine turkey, so I’ll keep this short… well, all of that depends on whether you enjoy reading this blog or not, which, in the case of the “Comedy Blog Reader Masochist”, prompts me to ask, “Why do you exist?”. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!!!

2) I almost don’t want to call it a COMEDY CRAWL for tonight, but for the sake of branding, I’ll stick with it. Tonight’s Comedy Crawl consists of, meaning this is the only shows going on that I know about, 16 Headlining Comics @ The Original Room of the Comedy Store 9PM $15/2 drink min. AND Free Thanksgiving Dinner @ The Hollywood Laugh Factory 1PM/3PM/5PM/7PM FREE (though I think the actual show might have $20 cover according to site). That’s it.

3) NO OPEN MIC RUN FOR TODAY: I don’t even hate myself that much to do an open mic on Thanksgiving and a third of my material is on suicide.

4) The mutli-talented Charlyne Yi finally has The Old Lumps’ (her fantastic band) album “Getting Intimate with the Old Lumps” online. Yeah, you’ve seen her in Paper Heart or at her own one-of-a-kind show at the UCB Theatre, but check out her musical side, which is like all her artistic “sides”: a nostalgically rollicking good time that reminds you of the childhood that you might never had, but wish you did. Check “Getting Intimate with the Old Lumps" here.

5) Jimmy Pardo is definitely kicking off the Holiday Season right with his ”Pardcast-a-Thon“ going from 6PM tomorrow for 12 hours straight having all proceeds go to Smile Train benefiting extremely underprivileged children who need cleft palate surgery regain their smile as well as the ability to speak properly, eat, and lead a normal life (not that comedians really know what that’s like). There will be tons of big guests as well as Jimmy Pardo himself, so tune in for some laughs/charity here.

6) As it premiered yesterday, the ”Bureau Approved“ section of this blog serves as a convenient resource for the best of the best podcasts, webseries, sketches, blog posts, clips, performances, etc. of LA Comedy so you don’t have to search through any of these reports to do so. With that in mind, I’ll start tomorrow to feature items from the ”Bureau Approved“ that I did not have the privilege to witness the inception of in a new feature I’m going to call ”From the Depths of ‘You Should Have Been There’ Lagoon“ or for you initialism-inclined FDYSHBTL. Hopefully, with this, we’ll never forget… (what’s funny that is)

7) The Comedy Bureau "Tips Its Hat” today to KYLE KINANE-“@kylekinane Where can I get some giant bows for all these Lexuses I’m giving out for Christmas? I’ll look like a real asshole if I don’t wrap them.” Having already been to the Just For Laughs Comedy Fest in Montreal this year and opening for Patton Oswalt, Kyle’s been hitting the road taking his ingenious and hilarious musings on life as a “simple creature” from here in LA all the way to Winnipeg as everyone is finally starting to appreciate how damn funny he is. You can see Kyle next week at Comedy Death Ray @ The UCB Theatre Tues. Nov. 30th 8:30PM $5 or at Battleship Pretension @ Meltdown Comics Sat. Dec. 4th $5 or on Comedy Central because, yeah, he has a ‘Comedy Central Presents’ special too. Here’s his blog, “Shooting for Third”, and a link to his Twitter here.

8) For “Tip of the Hat”, I literally comb through everyone I follow on twitter, facebook, and tumblr, making it quite a tedious process. However, if you’d like to make it a little easier on me/draw my attention for “Tip of the Hat” consideration, e-mail thecomedybureau@gmail.com with ’for your consideration tip of the hat’ in the subject line.

9) OK, I know this is running a little long, so I’ll cut it short here. I/The Comedy Bureau LIVE TWEETS here, so, for that reason and many others, you should donate to The Comedy Bureau/me here.

10) THIS IS OFFICIALLY A MONTH THAT I’VE BEEN BLOGGING EVERY SINGLE DAY and I haven’t been to therapy yet (on top of doing stand up every night/trying to make money freelancing during the increasingly small time I have day). There should be an award for this.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU

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