Pick of the Day: Laughing All the Way to The White House 10/20

As you may well know, Wisconsin is a major swing state. As such, there are plenty of big fundraisers that are going towards making sure it swings left.

One of them, Laughing All the Way to the White House, will be one of the biggest comedy live-stream fundraisers that we’ve seen yet. Slated for this Tue. Oc.t 20th at 6PM PT/8PM CT/9PM ET, the live-stream will feature the likes of: Sarah Silverman, Sarah Cooper, Seth MacFarlane, Kumail Nanjiani, Mike Birbiglia, Hasan Minhaj, Lewis Black, Bassem Youssef, Chelsea Peretti, Whitney Cummings, Judd Apatow, Roy Wood Jr, Maria Bamford, Harry Shearer, Bradley Whitford, Sklar Brothers, Mandy Patinkin, Ahmed Ahmed, Cristela Alonzo, Greg Proops, Jackie Kashian, Will Forte, Ben Gleib, and more.

That’s a line-up worth catching in support of almost any cause. Taking Wisconsin back for the left just happens to be a really great cause to boot.

Access to the live-stream is available via donation. Do so here.

Pick of the Day: Mike Birbiglia-Working It Out (Virtually) 10/22

September 25, 2020

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Mike Birbiglia is doing another special virtual evening where he’ll be “working it out”, though more just by himself than his brand new podcast of the same name. Birbiglia was already incredibly dedicated to the craft of comedy and has been pretty amazing showing his craftsmanship that has taken him to the rarefied air of performing on Broadway and around the country to sold out crows on a regular basis.

On, Thu. Oct. 22nd at 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET, Birbiglia will be “going up” at the Nowhere Comedy Club to work it out live. Tickets are going for $15-$50 and go ON SALE on Wed. Sept. 30th at 9:55AM PT/12:55PM ET (they’ll very likely sell out fast). Make sure you get them quick.

Mike Birbiglia Turns “Tip Your Waitstaff” Into Podcast “Working It Out”

June 15, 2020

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ira glass, john mulaney, jon laster, mike birbiglia, working it out

At the advent of lockdown because of COVID-19, Mike Birbiglia opted to aid comedy venues’ staff with his IG live-stream Tip Your Waitstaff where he and other notable comedians would work on material together. It was an unprecedented look into the comedy writing process both in form and tone that really hasn’t been seen or heard outside of being a comedian yourself that was taking part of the process. Also, it raised thousands and thousands of dollar for staffers that were furloughed.

Birbiglia discovered that within that process and recognizing that touring and doing shows, especially at his level, is a ways away, he could do something more with that Tip Your Waitstaff format. Thus, Working It Out was born (and released today). Birbiglia still engages back and forth with guests (the first three are Ira Glass, John Mulaney, and Jon Laster) on premises, bits, etc. and, like your Tip Your Waitstaff, is a look at the usually heavily guarded process of writing comedic material that you really ought to take a listen whether you’re a comedian or you’re fascinated by how comedians come up with.

Also, you won’t have to tune in on Instagram Live randomly to catch it’s happening in the middle of the day.

Get into Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out wherever you get into podcasts.

Please Enjoy Mike Birbiglia’s Commencement Speech for Georgetown’s Class of 2020

May 18, 2020

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It’s that time of year where waves of graduations are happening at every level. As far as comedy is concerned, that does usually mean that there is a handful of great commencement speeches that are given by comedians and, essentially, you get to see inspirational stand-up done in a gowns and ceremonial hats. The speeches are meant for the graduates, but there’s a certain joy in still watching such addresses no matter what stage of life you’re in.

The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously made an in-person graduation with hundreds or thousands of people gathering impossible at the moment. Yet, the commencement speeches are still coming through for the classes of 2020 remotely.

Mike Birbiglia just remotely gave such a speech that was pretty damn perfect for the Georgetown University Class of 2020 and the almost unbelievable times that we live in. Birbiglia makes a rather short speech as far as commencement speeches go, but it’s so perfectly worded (as it would be from someone who routinely does celebrated solo shows on Broadway).

Please enjoy it and maybe feel a little more inspired about life going forward here.

In Case You’ve Missed Tip Your Waitstaff with Mike Birbiglia on IG Live, There Are Clips and Episodes on YouTube

May 12, 2020

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For weeks and weeks now, Mike Birbiglia has been writing jokes with other famous comedians to raise money for the furloughed staff of comedy clubs across the United States. Called Tip Your Waitstaff, it has managed to bring in thousands and thousands of dollars in donations to support said staff and has been one of the most successful comedy live-streams to come during this pandemic era of comedy.

Since Tip Your Waitstaff broadcasts on Instagram Live meaning that you have to tune in live on Instagram when Mike broadcasts it @birbigs or watch it from his IG Stories within 24 hours. While he does do it a few times during the week, you might not be able to tune around 11AM-12PM PT (around when it usually happens) and you’ll miss the meeting of the comedic minds between Birbiglia and Patton Oswalt or Maria Bamford or John Mulaney or Roy Wood Jr.

Thankfully, Mike has been nice enough to put select clips of those Tip Your Waitstaff sessions (and even a full episode here and there) on YouTube for you to enjoy whenever you’d like. Still, if you can, you should donate and support these clubs in order for comedians to have a place to regularly perform when things start coming back (especially since live performance venues are probably going to be one of the last things to open).

Handy Dandy Guide to Weekly/Daily Comedy Livestreams (While We’re All Hunkered Down))

Though it was for a terrible reason, the world of comedy has pretty much pivoted on a dime (with growing pains to be sure) into a cornucopia of live-streaming through several online platforms. Two weeks into a good majority of the major comedy hubs of LA and NYC being sheltered in home, there have already been a whole row of weekly and even daily livestreams featuring your favorite comedians and comedy folks. Best of all, you don’t have to live in LA or NYC or really anywhere to see these. Many are free or for donations and can be seen so long as your WiFi is solid. Also, that means many of the best comedians around the country will be showing up on all sorts of shows as they just have to join in on Instagram Live, Twitch, Zoom, etc.

For the time being, these livestream shows have set up shop and will be here every week or most days of the week to keep you from going entirely insane while being stuck at home. Take note that there are plenty of one-off special events that are happening as well not mentioned here. Check our listings frequently for when and where those shows will be happening.

Obviously, we’ll update this post the more that we find.

Comedy Quarantine-daily stand-up show, Monday-Friday at 7pm PST/10PM on Instagram Live @comedyquarantine, hosted by Barbara Gray and Teresa Lee, donations accepted for comedians and COVID-19 relief.

Eddie Pepitone: Live From the Bunker-live rants and guest interviews from Eddie Pepitone, Monday-Friday, 4PM PST/7PM EST on Instagram Live @eddiepep, free.

Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen (Home Edition)-same great weekly stand-up show with Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaal on Mondays at 8PM PST/11PM PST at http://holdthephone.tv/, donations accepted for comedians and COVID-19 relief.

New Material Show with Maria Bamford-Maria Bamford works out 1/2 hour of new material Monday-Friday 3PM PST/6PM EST on Zoom, donate $5 or more to food bank or Venmo $1 to @maroo-bamfoo.

Mike Birbiglia’s Netflix Special for “The New One” Gets a Trailer

November 14, 2019

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Perhaps, you didn’t get the chance to catch Mike Birbiglia’s latest show that has played Broadway, toured the country, and had an extended run here in LA at the Ahmanson.

Lucky for you, all you’ll need to see it come Tues. Nov. 26th is Netflix as Birbiglia taped it, somewhat in secret, as a special already.

As it explores both pros and cons of becoming a parent, it should be the perfect thing to watch before Thanksgiving. Get a taste of what’s to come in this trailer.

Mike Birbiglia’s The New One to Come Out as Netflix Special Right Before Thanksgiving

October 21, 2019

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Mike Birbiglia’s The New One to Come Out as Netflix Special Right Before Thanksgiving

If you didn’t get a chance to catch Mike Birbiglia’s latest show The New One on Broadway on here in LA, you’ll have a chance to see it in the form of a comedy special over on Netflix starting Tues., Nov. 26th.

Apparently, Birbiglia shot the special in secret awhile ago and also, according to this announcement, wants you to cancel Thanksgiving. For Birbiglia, we’re down with that.

On a separate note, anyone notice that Netflix is going really lo-fi, albeit personal, with these announcements for their biggest comedy specials?

July 25, 2019

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Master comedian/storyteller Mike Birbiglia wrapped up a celebrated run on Broadway with his latest solo show The New One.

Now, he’s taking The New One around the country that includes a 5 week run at the Ahmanson Theatre in DTLA. Also, as you can see above, there will be tickets that are only $35 (some Orchestra seats are going for $110-$145).

So, go get your tickets quick and use the promo code ONSALE35 here.

Jacqueline Novak Is Going Off-Broadway with “Get On Your Knees”

May 29, 2019

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get on your knees, jacqueline novak, john early, mike birbiglia, natasha lyonne

Some of you might have been lucky enough to catch Jacqueline Novak here in LA work on what is now going to be a full-fledged Off-Broadway show, Get On Your Knees.

Certainly, there has been plenty of buzz about this exquisite show (Mike Birbiglia and Natasha Lyonne have attached their names as well as John Early set as director) have attached the that dissects the concept of the blowjob since Jacqueline has been “quietly” workshopping it around LA over the last few months. We caught it for ourselves a few months ago and it truly was a magnificent exploration of something that’s normally reserved for the arena of mere “dick jokes”.

Get On Your Knees will indeed be headed to the Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC this Summer, but you really ought to keep tabs on Jacqueline’s Twitter and Instagram so you might just get one last chance to catch this like on Jun. 20th at Lyric Hyperion.

Mike Birbiglia’s The New One Will Be Coming to the Ahmanson in DTLA This Fall

April 1, 2019

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Mike Birbiglia’s The New One Will Be Coming to the Ahmanson in DTLA This Fall

Mike Birbiglia doesn’t come through LA often and, even more rarely does a run of his award winning, critically acclaimed solo shows that have become Broadway shows and Netflix specials.

So, him doing a run of his Broadway show The New One at the Ahmanson at the gigantic Los Angeles Music Center in DTLA will probably be like seeing a shooting star we’d say. The run will go for a month from Oct. 23rd to Nov. 24th and individual tickets aren’t even on sale yet.

That being said, it’s the sort of show that will undoubtedly will sell out and you should be watching closely for when they go on sale (or, if you have the wallet for it, buy season passes for the LAMC).

Mike Birbiglia Wasn’t Aware He Met Gerard Butler, Then Something Else Weirder Happened

December 19, 2018

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Somehow, Mike Birbiglia keeps having wonderfully odd things happen to him in his life and distilling it perfectly into a story.

This story told on this week’s Late Night with Seth Meyers is yet another example amongst many of this fact. Please enjoy.

Mike Birbiglia Wasn’t Aware He Met Gerard Butler, Then Something Else Weirder Happened

December 19, 2018

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gerard butler, mike birbiglia, seth meyers, storytelling, the new one

Somehow, Mike Birbiglia keeps having wonderfully odd things happen to him in his life and distilling it perfectly into a story.

This story told on this week’s Late Night with Seth Meyers is yet another example amongst many of this fact. Please enjoy.

Mike Birbiglia’s The New One to Have a Broadway Run

September 26, 2018

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Perhaps the work of Nick Kroll and John Mulaney and Oh, Hello broke down a bit of a barrier between comedy (that of the stand-up, sketch, and improv world that is) and Broadway.

Maybe the finely woven joke and story tapestries of Mike Birbiglia that have toured the world and been adapted into movies just naturally found its way to Broadway as it’s one of the few places Mike’s work has yet to make its mark.

In any case, the brilliant Mike Birbiglia will be doing a Broadway run at the Cort Theatre of his latest show, the New One this Fall/Winter.

If you’re in, around, or going to NYC, you should go snag your tickets here.

Judd Apatow Gets Looks of Concern in Trailer for His Netflix Special

November 14, 2017

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On December 12th, a brand new comedy special from Judd Apatow will stream on Netflix. It won’t be some sort of variety TV special. It will be an hour of stand-up special from the writer/director/producer that used to do stand-up several years ago, first coming up with Adam Sandler before heading off to writing gigs at places like The Larry Sanders Show.

As it turns out, the idea of Judd Apatow: The Return as a stand-up special has caused some alarm for comedians who he has personally worked with behind the camera over the years.

See for yourself in this trailer what Chris Gethard, Amy Schumer, Mike Birbiglia, and more have to “say” to Apatow about returning to doing stand-up.

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