Matty “Ballgame” Balaker has been putting on Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge for 3 years now. That’s a pretty incredible number. There are very few live comedy shows in Los Angeles that last that amount of time. The success of the show stems from Matt’s unwaivering passion for stand-up comedy, his professionalism, and his understanding that the audience comes first. The show has been so successful that Red Rock as completely transformed it’s upstairs lounge from grandma’s attic to a borderline swanktasic lounge.
Over the past 3 years, I would venture to say I have seen 90% of the shows. As a regular dude with a job and responsibilities, it’s an easy way for me to get my comedy fix. It’s free, there’s no drink min., parking is easy, food is good if I want it, and the comedians are the best in the city. Plus I’m out the door by 10pm.
In those 3 years, I have seen great sets from the likes of Alonzo Bodden, Greg Fitzsimmons, Bert Kreischer, Ryan Sickler, Tom Segura, Bret Ernst and many others. But I think most show regulars would agree that the definitive performance at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge was Joe Rogan’s 1 hour and 15 minute set in 2007. It was probably the funniest stand-up routine I have ever seen live.
Last night, I believe Sam Tripoli delivered the best set Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge has seen since Rogan. He brought is A+ game and was spitting heat from the moment he grabbed the mic. He unloaded on the the eclectic Asian hair dresser in the front row and tried to get her in a threesome with a blonde at the end of the row. He even hit swine flu with the line of the night, “One Mexican dude fucks a pig and we are all screwed. Meanwhile, chicks have been blowing donkeys down there for years, and everything has been fine. What’s going on?!”. The guy was on fire…moving from off the cuff audience work to written material with little detection.
Tripoli is a unique talent in the sense that he should not be contained. I’m sure network execs try to fit him into a bottle…but in order to get his full potential…they just need to let that guy loose.
The rest of the line-up was solid as well, but I have to say the night belonged to the Crime Fighter. Not only did he kill, but he walked in with a hot blonde with at least DD’s. And who doesn’t love comedy and boobs. Well done sir…well done.
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Thanks Brendon. Crimefighter destroyed. I think he’s well suited for the venue.