schtick or treat

It’s that time of year again where comedians dress up as well known comedians for the wonderful annual event known as Schtick or Treat. Oh yeah, it’s also Halloween too.

Mark Normand and Matt Ruby’s creation is now 11 years old and a national phenomenon and always delivers on the costumed, fake versions of the comedians you know and/or love as you can see with Henry Zebrowski as Mike Myers/Austin Powers, Jason Saenz & Nick Turner (who are returning this year as the LA hosts) as Cheech and Chong, and Teresa Lee as Ali Song.

We got a pair of tickets (normally, they’re $15 online and $20 at the door) for you to win for Schtick or Treat, which is this Sunday at The Virgil. Just sign-up for our mailing list by e-mailing us at thecomedybureau@gmail.com ASAP.

Photo Credit: Kim Newmoney

Photo Credit: Kim Newmoney

Photo Credit: Mindy Tucker

October 5, 2018

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halloween, halloween comedy, schtick or treat, stand up, virgil

‘Tis the spooky season and that means that the annual comedians-donning-a-costume-of-another-comedian-for-a-giant-show is coming soon!

Schtick or Treat (presented by Mark Normand and Matt Ruby), now in its 11th year, is back at the Virgil on Sunday, Oct. 28th at 7PM with wonderful hosts Jason Saenz and Nick Turner. As we said, your favorite comedians around town (and around the country) will dress up and perform as famous comedians, dead or alive. It’s always a blast (even that one year where an entire back table dressed up as ghosts and kept saying “boo” the whole time).

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 cash at door. Get them in advance here!

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

Win Tickets to 10th Annual Schtick or Treat

October 19, 2017

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halloween, hollywood, los angeles, los feliz, schtick or treat, silverlake, stand up, the virgil, what to do

Every year, some of the best comedians in town get into the Halloween spirit a bit by dressing up and performing as some of the most renowned comedians for our favorite comedy Halloween tradition, Schtick or Treat.

Created 10 years ago by Mark Normand and Matt Ruby, this year’s Schtick or Treat will return to The Virgil will have at least 45 acts “including” Natasha Leggero, Louis CK, Dennis Leary, Pete Holmes, Maria Bamford, Ricky Gervais, Iliza Schlessinger, Norm MacDonald, Ron White, Wanda Sykes, Andrew Dice Clay, richard Pryor, Adam Carolla, Ali Wong, Jeff Dunham, to name a few.

(covered in costume and persona will actually be James Adomian, Amber Nelson, Henry Zebrowski, Chris Thayer, Josh Androsky, Lydia Popovich, Jenny Zigrino, Nick Vatterott, Megan Keoster, Zach Broussard, Troy Walker, Adam Newman, Ed Salazar, Babs Gray, Ed Larson, Grant Lyon and many more)

You can buy tickets for $15 OR you can enter to win a pair of tickets from us here: http://thecomedybureau.dola.com/giveaways

Emily Fleming as Lucille Ball (Photo by Kevin Riggins)

Hosts and creators Mark Normand and Matt Ruby (Photo by Mindy Tucker)

Josh Androsky as Larry the Cable Guy (Photo by Kevin Riggins)

October 9, 2017

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cosplay, costume, halloween, los feliz, mark normand, matt ruby, schtick or treat, silverlake, stand up, the virgil

October is well underway which means that Schtick or Treat is only a few weeks away.

In its 10th year, dozens of comedians will dress up and perform as a plethora of comedy icons like Bobcat Goldthwait, Maria Bamford, Louis CK, Sarah Silverman, The Amazing Jonathan, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Wanda Sykes, Aziz Ansari, Ricky Gervais, Bill Burr, and more.

Tickets for the LA edition at The Virgil are $15 and can be purchased here.

If you’re in NYC, get tickets to Schtick or Treat at The Bell House also going for $15.

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

The 10th Annual Schtick or Treat Is Taking Submissions

August 30, 2017

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halloween, los angeles, schtick or treat, submissions

The annual comedy Halloween tradition that happens on both coasts, Schtick or Treat, is coming up and you, if you’d like, could have a chance to be a part of dressing up and performing as a famous comedian of your choice.

E-mail schtickbooking@gmail.com for more info.

October 20, 2016

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comedy show, east hollywood, halloween, los angeles, los feliz, schtick or treat, silverlake, stand up, the virgil, virgil village

Comedians dress up like some of their favorite comedians and perform as if they’re them. It’s Matt Ruby and Mark Normand’s 9th Annual Schtick or Treat in LA and will “feature” the likes (fake versions) of:
Adam Sandler
Alonzo “Hamburger” Jones
Andrew Nice Clay
Andy Kaufman
Aziz Ansari
Bernie Mac
Bill Burr
Bob Newhart
Brody Stevens
Buster Keaton
Carrot Top
Cheri Oteri
Daria
Eddie Pepitone
Elaine Stritch
Ellen Degeneres
Garry Shandling
Guy Branum
Jeff Foxworthy
Jerry Seinfeld
Jim Jeffries
Joan Rivers
John Cleese
Johnny Carson
Kenny Bania
Louis CK
Lucille Ball
Marc Maron
Natasha Leggero
Nate Bargatze
Nick Kroll
Patton Oswalt
Paula Poundstone
PeeWee Herman
Robin Williams
Roseanne Barr
Sonny & Cher
The Lucas Brothers
Tim Allen
Wanda Sykes
and more!

Note: Line-up subject to change.

Come catch this Halloween comedy tradition down at The Virgil on Monday, October 30th at 8PM. Tickets are $12 and you can (and should) get them here.

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

Seeso Is Going to Have 12 Week Long “Stand-Up Streaming Fest” with Janeane Garofalo, Jena Friedman, Jon Dore, Schtick or Treat, and Much Much More

September 20, 2016

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janeane garofalo, jena friedman, laurie kilmartin, mcsweeney's, mo mandel, schtick or treat, seeso, stand up streaming fest, turnt up

Seeso Is Going to Have 12 Week Long “Stand-Up Streaming Fest” with Janeane Garofalo, Jena Friedman, Jon Dore, Schtick or Treat, and Much Much More

For an entire three month stretch, Seeso has got a really solid line-up of comedy specials and showcases set to stream. It’s packed so tightly over consecutive weeks that they’ve decided to call it their Stand-up Streaming Fest.

This line-up lincludes:
-Jena Friedman’s American C*nt-Oct. 20th
-The Guest List (Seeso’s stacked comedy showcase series)-Oct. 20th, Nov. 3rd, Dec. 8th
-Janeane Garofalo’s If I May-Oct. 27th
-Schtick or Treat: Halloween Stand-Up Special-Oct. 27th
-Mo Mandel’s Negative Reinforcement-Nov. 3rd
-Dan Levy’s Lion-Nov. 17th
-Turnt Up with Eliza Skinner-Nov. 17th
-McSweeney’s Internet Tendency-Nov. 24th
-Joe Matarese’s Medicated-Dec. 1st
-Lachlan Patterson’s Live at Venice Beach-Dec. 1st
-Funny as Hell with Jon Dore-Dec. 15th
-Nick Thune stand-up special-Dec. 22nd
-Ian Harvie stand-up special-Dec. 29th
-Laurie Kilmartin’s 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad-Dec. 29th
-Brian Posehn stand-up special-Jan. 2nd.

So, it’s pretty clear to us that you should get Seeso if you haven’t already.

Post Brunch Update 11/23/10

1) Just like “Depression-a-palooza”, “Can You Tell If I’m Kidding? Comedy Show” @ The Edge of the Roof of a 13 Story Parking Garage was also a notable failure. None of that matters though as BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO is TONIGHT! Well, as much trouble as comedy, japanese snack foods, $2 fish tacos, $3 domestic/$4 imported beer, and Russell Corona and I can cause… Sign-up 6:30PM. Starts 7PM. Señor Fish, 422 E. 1st St. in Little Tokyo (near downtown).

2) Tonight’s COMEDY CRAWL is not only a big one with some KICKASS shows, but it’s also incredibly easy on the wallet (i.e. you won’t have to eat at Taco Bell tonight). Don’t believe me? try Sweet and Sour Comedy @ Genghis Cohen 7PM $5/Free for comics, then Comedy Death Ray @ UCB Theatre 8:30PM $5 (stand-by only), then Amuse and Abuse @ Esquire Bar & Lounge 8:30PM FREE, HOLY FUCK! ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY @ Downtown Independent Theater 9PM FREE, Liquid Courage @ Hollywood Improv 10PM $14/2 item min, then finally WitStream LIVE @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5, and go eat a steak because you can afford it (unless you’re really poor like me and buy food with change).

3) OPEN MIC RUN: BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO @ SEÑOR FISH 422 E. 1st St. in Little Tokyo (near downtown)/Sign-up 6:30PM/Starts 7PM, COFFEE GALLERY 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA/8PM, WESTWOOD BREWCO 1097 Glendon Ave., Westwood, CA/Sign-up (lottery) 7:30PM/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) The submissions for Tig Notaro’s Untitled Comedy Tour HAVE BEEN EXTENDED. Post a two minute video of why your “living arrangement” is worthy of Tig Notaro and her friends here and you might have a damn fine LIVE comedy show exactly where you live.

5) As I mentioned, Schtick or Treat was one of the best times I had at comedy show, especially since I got to the privilege to perform. If you missed this amazing once-a-year comedy extravaganza, check out all the highlights right here.

6) The Comedy Bureau “Tips Its Hat” today to Andrew Dewitt. Andrew posted a video of him opening an “Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: Collector’s Edition Box Set” alone in a basement on his birthday… IN 3 PARTS. It’s pretty damn fantastic, check it here. Andrew came up through the stand up comedy ranks in Chicago and now made his way here in Los Angeles performing all around town. Check out his awesome blog Dorksplosion here.

7) As people constantly ask me, “How do I get ‘Tip of the Hat’ from the Comedy Bureau?” I’ll let you know exactly how I run this fancy little operation. Everyday, I check Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr for tweets, status updates, videos, blog quotes, etc. for the best little gems in comedy in LA. Going from Midnight to Midnight in a single day, I make a short list and then, from there, determine who gets the “Tip of the Hat” and is featured here at the Comedy Bureau along with their twitter, website, blog, etc. So, if you want a “Tip of the Hat”, get to tweeting, facebooking, blogging, youtubing, etc. because I’ll be on the lookout (as I slowly realize that I have less and less of a life). Also, any “Tips of the Hat” will be permanently placed in the “Tip of the Hat Archive” which I just created right here.

8) I know you guys love the blog as much as I love writing it, so give me the opportunity to MAKE IT EVEN BETTER by donating here.

9) Back to LIVE TWEETING and actually going out. Check out if my new “Social Network” material works out here.

10) The Comedy Bureau stats: 92 people like it on Facebook, 49 followers on Twitter, and 30 followers on Tumblr. Only 499,999,829 people to take down Facebook, or at least I think so.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU

Morning Debriefing 11/3/10

1) Making it to more than one open mic in LA is so hard that I can’t even think of a metaphor to relate how incredibly difficult it really is. I missed out on the Nugget Grill & Pub at CSULB as non-student parking is about a mile away from where you’re supposed to go. HOWEVER, I managed to make it to BACK HOME IN LAHAINA in Carson and did 35 MINUTES! 35 MINUTES! No matter how many times I write that, it won’t make it seem more plausible. There was a crowd that mostly came there for the delicious Hawaiian Zagat rated cuisine, but I got 35 minutes. That’s the only selling point you should care about. Back Home in Lahaina. 2nd official “Bureau Approved” open mic. Running on first and last Tues. of every month, starting at 6PM, 519 E. Carson St. #A, Carson, CA.

2) Chatroulette LIVE! @ The UCB Theatre proved to be one of the most innovative and hilarious live comedy shows on “the scene”. Imagine taking Crank Yankers to the stage, then using real, AWESOME comedic performers as a panel, then going on the twisted/addicting website that is Chatroulette to “prank video chat” people around the world such as shirtless kids in Brazil asking to see tits. Chatroulette LIVE is farcical, macabre, and uproarious the whole way through. Hosted by the amazing Allan McLeod and Dominic Dierkes, featuring Sean Clements, Harris Wittels, Kate Micucci & Riki Lindhome, and Jackie Clarke, it’s an amazing night of the hilarity/horror of social networking gone too far. Chatroulette LIVE! $5. 1st Tues. of every month at the UCB Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, CA.

3) Post Election Comedy Crawl where you can maybe get high off some laughs: Highland Park Sing-A-Long w/Maria Bamford @ Cafe de Leche 7PM FREE, then Ed Galvez’s Punk House @ The Westside Comedy Theatre 9PM $8, then Tiffany King’s LOL Comedy Show 9PM $5, then Beer in the Shower @ White Horse Inn Cocktail Lounge 10PM FREE, then Fresh Faces @ The Hollywood Laugh Factory 10PM $20/2 drink min., and come nicely off the high with/ Anna Lee Lawson Comedy Hour @ The Next Stage Theatre 11PM $5. If that doesn’t help with trying to stomach the election results, I can’t help you.

4) On Halloween, Schtick or Treat @ Taix was absolutely fantastic the whole way through. This, however, was literally a tour-de-force impression of Russell Brand by LA Comedian Nick Rutherford. Witness.

5) Please give to the Donation Box to support what is, or will be depending on your opinion, LA’s live comedy source. Right here.

6) The Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic is PRIVILEGED to kick off its inaugural night with performances by the lovely LAUREN ROCHELLE and the one and only JOE BRAZA! Again, Nov. 9th @ Señor Fish. 6:30PM. 422 E. 1st St. DO NOT MISS!

7) No on Prop. 19 frustration and Dancing w/the Stars updates. Two topics I don’t want to hear about at open mics, but absolutely will tonight.

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Morning Debriefing 11/1/10

1) Schtick or Treat @ Taix made the word “epic” seem a woeful and paltry adjective in attempting to describe what was one of the best times I’ve ever had a comedy show. Even though there were over 30 performers, it was the epitome of a “good ol’ time” the whole way through. Seriously, what other show in LA can you see “Steve Martin”,“Russell Brand”, “Carrot Top”, “Eddie Pepitone”, “Sarah Silverman”, “Rowdy Roddy Piper”, “Kyle Kinane”, “Gilbert Gottfried”, “Andy Kindler”, “Weird Al Yankovic”, and “Jake Weisman”? That’s right you can’t think of one until 364 days from now, but go to the normally schedule French Toast every Sunday 8:30PM for FREE at the same lovely 321 Lounge @ Taix.

2) Tonight’s “Comedy Crawl” is slightly more manageable, IF YOU CAN TELEPORT!!! Go to What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8:30PM FREE, then Hotel Cafe Presents: Hotel Comedy @ The Hotel Cafe 9PM $15, then Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE, then make your last “jump” to Crash Test @ The UCB Theatre 11PM $5. BLAM!!! (if that’s the sound you make when/if you teleport)

3) Like I mentioned yesterday, there’s a new feature in a long line of innovations from the Comedy Bureau that allows you to keep track of most regularly scheduled live comedy in LA. NOW UPDATED WITH THE J-SPOT. Other fine comedy establishments soon to follow. Again here it is, The Comedy Bureau’s very own Calendars.

4) Unlike “real people” with “actual money”, comedians have to/should be working on our act and, as such, THE COMEDY BUREAU will be attempting an open mic run of 3 spots, which, if you know anything about driving in LA, is near impossible. Well, IMPOSSIBLE CAN GO TAKE A DIRT NAP!!! TRIBAL CAFE. GROUND ZERO USC. TAIX. The Comedy Bureau’s very own Bureau Director will be live tweeting during this test of endurance/patience/more patience, so stay tuned for the play-by-play right here.

5) At least, someone likes us. Thanks Shayne-Michael.com

6) Now it has a face. The Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic. NOV. 9TH. 6:30PM. Please don’t forget, mostly because I don’t have any enforceable consequences if you do.

7) Given the impulsive notion of large scale chain retailers in the U.S., is it too early to tell Black Friday jokes?

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Nightly Bulletin 10/31/10

October 31, 2010

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burbank, calendars, comedy, dominic dierkes, echo park, flappers, french toast, hollywood, josh fadem, la, laugh drink repeat, morning debriefing, schtick or treat, taix, ucb

1) Last night was seeming reserved for “getting material” as opposed to actually performing or seeing one of the many damn good shows around town. Let’s just say, I got plenty of material spending a few hours in the early morning hours of Halloween at an El Tacos Gavilan… and none of it was pretty… UNLESS YOU MEAN PRETTY HILARIOUS!!! (seriously, it was quite painful seeing, out of the corner of my eye, obese-trying-way-too-hard-to-be-slutty-girl-devil snarfing down a tray full of greasy, greasy carne asada tacos).

2) Though you’re probably already wearing your costume tour de force ready to destroy Halloween parties across LA county with how ingenious and clever it is, there is still some ghoulish-ly FANTASTIC comedy to go on a Comedy Crawl with Laugh. Drink. Repeat. @ Flappers 7:30PM $10/2 drink min., then the amazing Schtick or Treat @ Taix 8:30PM FREE, where several comedians go as several more successful comedians and do their act (sidenote: I’m on this show), then Nighttime w/Dominic Dierkes @ UCB Theatre 9:30PM $5 (stand-by only), then end the night at another late night Mexican hole in the wall taco stand because I really want this to become a bit/hate myself.

3) Ever find yourself just wanting to seeing comedy with utter desperation, but can’t really navigate through comedy club websites to find what the hell is going on? There’s a new feature from the Comedy Bureau that address that extremely specific annoyance AND it’s right here, a page w/links to every frequent comedy venue calendar in LA, except Largo’s as there site is completely Flash based, but I’ll figure out a work around. Again, this amazing innovation for all you LA Comedy denizens is right here.

4) LA Comedian/pratfall extraordinaire Josh Fadem can’t control himself on Halloween. Funny or Die agrees. Check it out here.

5) You should probably give the guy who says that he’s dressed up as a “happier version of himself if he could afford therapy and it actually worked” a break. He’s probably going through something. Maybe he can’t afford an ironically obscure costume or a costume at all or maybe he’s just trying to make up for that one year when he was 8 and dressed up as the Washington Monument and didn’t understand the phallic significance of what he was doing. Just give him a break. OK?

6) Big Trouble in Little Tokyo Open Mic @ Señor Fish. Nov. 9th. 6:30PM. Past the point of no return, so it DEFINITELY has to be AWESOME!!! More details will be leaked day by day.

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THE COMEDY BUREAU

Win Tickets to 11th Annual Schtick or Treat This Weekend!

We got a pair of tickets (normally, they’re $15 online and $20 at the door) for you to win for Schtick or Treat, which is this Sunday at The Virgil. Just sign-up for our mailing list by e-mailing us at thecomedybureau@gmail.com ASAP.

Win Tickets to 10th Annual Schtick or Treat

The 10th Annual Schtick or Treat Is Taking Submissions

Seeso Is Going to Have 12 Week Long “Stand-Up Streaming Fest” with Janeane Garofalo, Jena Friedman, Jon Dore, Schtick or Treat, and Much Much More

Post Brunch Update 11/23/10

Morning Debriefing 11/3/10

Morning Debriefing 11/1/10

Nightly Bulletin 10/31/10