Let’s pretend for a minute you have a date. And let’s say you’re still getting to know this person…meaning…no weekend dates yet (don’t make that mistake). You don’t want to spend a lot of money yet because you aren’t too sure where things are going. You know what I’m talking about. So what are your options…drinks…coffee…nope…dumb. Go with comedy. Trust me on this one. I submit to you the ultimate cheap date…the best stand-up comedy show in the city…Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. No cover…no drink minimum…and just a great time. Guaranteed action folks.
Last night’s show was stellar. Tight sets from everyone. The place was packed! Let’s check the line-up and see what happened:
Ritchie Angeles: ProfileShot
Chris Edwards: ProfileShot
Adam Gropman: ProfileShot
Scott Nelson: ProfileShot
Matt Dwyer: ProfileShot
Mike O’Connell: ProfileShot
Chris Franjola: ProfileShot
Ritchie Angeles was an incredible host. He was exactly what you look for in a host of a stand-up comedy show. Funny, professional, and dialed into the intros. He set aside his ego (not that he has one - but we all do in one way or another) for the good of the show. His introductions were stellar…made everyone in the audience look forward to the comedians when they came up. I hope every comedian thanked him at the end of the show. And if you are a comedian who has a good host at your show…make sure to thank him or her.
Chris Edwards was great also. It was his first time at Red Rock and it was my first time seeing him. He led off with a joke about a woman calling him a Todd Bridges and Carlton Banks look-a-like. Hilarious! Because it was true.
Adam Gropman was off the charts last night. Adam’s last performance at Red Rock was tough…but I knew he could bring it back around…and he nailed it last night. The jokes about dating an older woman had me screaming. So good. Awesome to watch the process and how slight changes in the routine can make such a big difference.
Scott Nelson crushed it too. He has a joke about pens that was the joke of the night. I hate to compare but to help you out a bit…he has a little Seinfeld flare to him. Good show.
Matt Dwyer is a sick bastard…and I love it…and think everyone else does too. After gulping down his wine…he just rattles off some sick stuff that had the crowd rolling. His existential outlook is funny.
Mike O’Connell was out of place. He’s a very talented guy…but his guitar…one man show routine was not stand-up. I don’t want to judge…because performance is performance…but I’m a purest when it comes to stand-up. I also think he went on too long…but that’s not my call. I have to admit though…the Asian Baby song was funny. Great actor…great performer…
Chris Franjola is off the charts funny. He brought some new material…which I always appreciate. I actually think Franjola is the funniest when he just does off the cuff material…crowd work. His older stuff was great too. His joke about watching his buddy’s video tapes will never get old. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again…Franjola is one of the top comedians in our city. I don’t know what I have to do…but everyone needs to go see him. I will call him out on one thing though…he talked a little trash about the “line-up card”. I don’t think Chris knows I invented the “line-up” card so people know who to search when they get home from the show. Instead of typing in Chris Granola…or Chris Frijoles…in the Google search box…they’ll search for Franjola (not too often you can use a comedians joke against him - if you were there…you’ll get it!). It’s all about organic search engine optimization folks.
Folks…Los Angeles stand-up comedy rocks!
