Live Comedy L.A.

Quinn Dahle is an L.A.-area comedian with similar credits to every other comedian in our city. He appears at the Improv, the Laugh Factory, and M Bar among others. He has a “Blue Collar”, hillbilly sense about is humor. One of the good ole’ boys.

Last Tuesday evening, November the 4th, a history making evening, Dahle was scheduled to perform at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. The Laugh Lounge is often featured in this space for the quality of its programming, the professional manner in which it is run, and the terrificly loyal crowd that supports the room twice monthly. On this day, the crowd for the show was uncharacteristically light. In fact, the crowd was light in establishments across the city given the significance of the evening. If you don’t recall, the citizens of our country were at home glued to their televisions, eagerly anticipating the results of the presidential election.

Dahle took this opportunity to demonstrate unprofessionalism that is entirely unacceptable to this fan and supporter of stand-up comedy. After arriving at Red Rock for his set, Dahle saw the small crowd and expressed his “nervousness” about performing to show runner Matt Balaker. After assuring Balaker he would still perform, Dahle decided to bail entirely on the set mid-intro. Escaped out the back door.

In my opinion (and it is not humble at this moment), Dahle committed an act of unprofessionalism that is unforgivable.

If you expect to one day become more than just a no name comedian, it is important to conduct yourself professionally in all circumstances. Whether you are in front of 800 people or 8.

In a city like Los Angeles, you never know who might be in the audience. The great ones have that in the back of their mind each and every night. Not sure Quinn Dahle is one of the great ones with a move like this.

Turns out an executive from E! Entertainment was in the audience.

Update:
Marty Ross filled in for Dahle on the spot. He was there just to support the show. Slammed down a nacho and hit the mic like a professional. The show must go on!

Last month at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge, Playboy Cyber Girl Natasha Budhi a.k.a The Chocolate Bunny crashed the show when Bert Kreischer was on stage. Matty “Ballgame” Balaker and his bro Ted cut this video that includes some clips of “Her Chocolateness”.

I spun the one’s and two’s on Tuesday night at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock. Really it was more like sliding a little bar up and down for 3 second intervals…but whatever…I did my best to fill in for the regular sound guy…the legendary Ted Balaker. I like to think of him as the Laugh Lounge’s version of Kid Capri.

Erik Lundy and Ryan Sickler came out to the show for support. Sounds like Lundy and our girl Christina Pazsitzky might have some great projects going on in the near future for movies and TV. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Sickler was just pimpin’ it (not really…Dana Goodman is his gf…he was there to support).

Fun line-up at the Laugh Lounge. Laura Rosenberg hosted. She’s definitely one of the best hosts in town. Her energy is great for a show. If you want a quality show, get Laura Rosenberg, Richie Angeles, or Carl Hess as your host. Not sure there’s a reason to go beyond those three.

Dana Goodman has one of the best opening lines in comedy, “Titties in the house!”. It never gets old.

Jonny Laquasto and Matty “Ballgame” Balaker had good sets and I really appreciate their support of the website.

Saw Ryan Niemiller for the first time. Ryan has a handicap of some type with his arms…not sure what the condition is…but he didn’t make reference to it until probably 3 or 4 minutes into his set. Brilliant. Really looking forward to seeing him again.

I enjoy hearing Josh Wolf talk about his two teenage kids. He’s probably in his late 30’s, so having two teenage kids at his age can make for some great material. However, the last two times at Laugh Lounge he’s told two very random, very long stories. I think Josh Wolf could have a show about a young-ish dad with two teenagers. He should stick with developing that. It’s about creating intellectual property folks.

Franjola headlined and had the joke of the night…and I quote, “They’ve been able to create the perfect storm of douchebaggery in Hollywood AND Sherman Oaks by putting an Arclight right next to a 24-Hour Fitness in both locations.” Love that guy. Although, he doesn’t like to be filmed so that we can put his stuff on the internet. It’s a mistake. I’ll work on him. Chris is one of the few comedians who is truly educated about current events and could very easily step into a role like Joel McHale has on TalkSoup on E! or even a role like Jon Stewart has on the DailyShow on Comedy Central. He’s doing a tour soon with some of the other folks from “Chelsea Lately” round table. 20 stops at colleges around the country. I’m hoping that builds his buzz. He’s gonna need a Web 2.0 strategy to capitalize though. The kids use Facebook and widgets Franjola. But that’s my opinion…what do I know.

Per usual, I’ll be at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock. The line-up is particularly good though. Chris Franjola, Tom Segura, and Dana Min Goodman…three of my favorites and three of the best in Los Angeles…will be in the house. I’ll be in the back having a Coke. Say hi.

Red Rock Bar and Eater
Sunset Blvd.
8:30PM
Upstairs Lounge
FREE

Crazy show last night at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. The line-up was killer - Last Comic Standing winner Iliza Schlesinger was in the house warming up material for her tour; Ryan Stout from MTV threw down 10 minutes; Carlos “The Chicken Whisperer” Kotkin killed it; plus new comer Brad Schecter did a quick 5; and Matty “Ballgame” Balaker brought the heat with some great jokes about disappointing his parents.

Just want to call out two great comedians - “Dragon Boy Suede” Howard Kremer did Ballgame’s show for the first time. I’ve said it before…he’s probably top 10 most talented comedians out there. He gave me a CD last night with the greatest song ever on it called “Nut Valet”. Did I mention DBS raps? Get this guy a show…now!

Finally, I got to see a complete set from Bert Kreisher. Jesus…he’s good. He’s all energy…and dirty. He does a joke about his baby girl sucking on a finger that killed. Plus…one of the great moments in Ballgame’s history happened last night. Playboy Cyber Girl Natasha Budhi (NSFW) a.k.a. “The Chocolate Bunny” showed up to the Laugh Lounge in an outfit that showed three-quarters of her beautiful and gigantic breasts. Some how she ended up on stage with Kreisher in one of the funniest exchanges ever. We need more Playboy Cyber girls at live comedy shows - you will be heavily promoted here at Live Comedy L.A. - I’m just sayin’.

Quick recap on Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock from Tuesday night.

First, it was great to see Brad Stewart from No Name Comics do his first at Ballgame’s. He said the room lived up to the pub I give it on the site, which is good to hear. Brad was very smooth. I plan on hitting up his show at Room 5 this Sunday.

I have to say that the sets of the night go to Jason Gillearn and Patrick Ney. They were both hilarious. Gillearn is so relaxed on stage. The audience just hangs on each word. He’s a top 5 comedian in the city.  Very underrated in the public.  Comedians know how good he is.  I think Ney has honed his act very well. These are definitely two comedians I recommend going to see.

Next Laugh Lounge on July 15 has a killer line-up that includes Shang and Ari Shaffir.

Also, thanks to Matty “Ballgame” for the website mentions at the show.

A packed house at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge last night saw one of the best line-ups in the show’s history. Chris Franjola, Christina Pazsitzky, Tom Segura, and Sarah Colona are 4 of the best stand-up comedians in the city and probably the country - and we got to see all of them in one show. It’s a really a tribute to the great job that Matty “Ballgame” Balaker has done. I would also like to give a shout out to the management at Red Rock for giving the show such great support. Prior management was not as supportive, but the new guys have really worked hard to help Matt. They understand what a great asset comedy can be to the establishment.

A few highlights:
- Christina Pazsitzky’s performance last night proves that the judges on Last Comic Standing do not choose the funniest people. I find it impossible…and I mean impossible…to believe that there are even 10 people in any city funnier than her. America got to see maybe :30-seconds of her act. Not fair. She’s unreal. She has reached a point in her comedy career that being on stage is second nature. She doesn’t have to think. Choosing to pursue stand-up comedy full time was a great decision. Please…for the love of holy hell…go see her live.

- Tom Segura did 20 minutes of new material that I have never heard before and it was incredible. I have seen Tom about 7 or 8 times. To do that much material…and for me to never have seen it…means he’s a great writer.

- When Sarah Colona performs…I feel like I’m getting a raw look into her life…and it’s so amazing. She is why stand-up comedy is so cool. When she jokes about her age and the number of men she slept with and her “roofy girlfriend”…it’s real…and it’s hilarious.

- Chris Franjola did the impossible last night…he dealt with a ridiculous heckler…and still pulled off a terrific set. I love Franjola. He’s a pro. Plus…he mentions my website on stage. He said, “Live Comedy L.A…what the fuck is that”? Genius…if you ask me.

- Chris Millhouse and Jessica Glassberg also performed. I think both had great stage presence. Especially Chris…he was very cool up on stage. With some material development…he’ll be solid.

Great time again at the Laugh Lounge.

HEY…make sure to check out Sarah Colona on Chelsea Lately on E! on Thursday night. Tivo that action so you know who I’m talking about.

Tuesday is always a big night for live comedy in Los Angeles. Tonight is no different - Dane Cook, Judd Apatow, Sarah Silver, and many more on the card.

Laugh Factory - Jay Davis Comedy:
Jay is friends with all the best comedians in the city and they all do his Tuesday night show at the Laugh Factory…including Dane Cook (who will probably be there tonight).

Info:
10pm @ Laugh Factory
E-mail Jay @ his Myspace for half of the tickets (which means $10). Get there early!!!

Upright Citizens Brigade:
UCB has two unbelievable shows tonight - Comedy Death Ray with Sarah Silverman and Marc Maron and See You Next Tuesday with Judd Apatow (yeah…that Judd Apatow).

Info:
Comedy Death Ray @ 8:30pm
$5

See You Next Tuesday @10:30
FREE

Red Rock - Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge:
I venture to say that tonight’s line-up just might be the best in Laugh Lounge history. Colona, Franjola, Pazsitzky, Segura all in one line-up? Really? For Free? Really?

Info:

Lauri Roggankamp is quickly becoming one of my favorite comedians to see in Los Angeles and she simply crushed Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock on Tuesday night. She has two qualities that I think are going to take her a long way in comedy - she has developed her own unique voice and she knows no boundaries (not too mention a little thing called great material). I love her…I really do.

There were four, totally obnoxious drunk chicks in the front row that most of the comedians were having a difficult time handling…Lauri was such a pro in how she dealt with them…she called them out like the whores that they were. STELLAR!!! If you read this blog…trust me…go see Lauri. Her jokes about Mexicans on the room, her body, and eating will put you the floor.

Lachlan Patterson is also fantastic. He’s quick and his rhythm is spot on. I’d love to see long set from him. I’ve seen three short sets…I feel like I could watch him do his thing for a while and not get bored at all.

Brand Vestal, Jonny Loquasto, Jamie Kaler, and host Rebecca Michael (filling in admirably for Matty Ballgame Balaker) all did a nice job. And I’d like to give special notice to Adam Hammer. Adam did a bunch of dirty material that I think he was just trying out…and that takes a lot of guts. It was a little forced…but you have to do it. Nice work.

Former head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and 2-time NBA Champion Houston Rockets, and University of Michigan alum Rudy Tomjanovich was in the house last night for a stellar line-up for Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock. Other notables in the crowd included Brad Stewart from No Name Comics and my girlfriend ; ).

Alonzo Bodden is always incredible to watch at the Laugh Lounge because of how informal and intimate the setting is. He seems very comfortable with the audience. It’s the ultimate in live comedy. I’d love to see an All-Star Show at the Laugh Lounge…maybe for my birthday show (hint…hint). The rest of the line-up was great. I loved watching Keith Healy. He has improved so much…terrific to watch. Jen Murphy was dirtier than ever…and I loved it. Rebecca Michael nailed it. Patrick Keane…as Alonzo Bodden said…is an incredible joke writer. And Patrick Keane…as Alonzo Bodden said…is an incredible joke writer. And Laura Hayden was awesome in her white jeans on the 28th day.

The crowd continues to grow…and I hope L.A. keeps supporting live comedy. See you around town…go laugh.

Buy Alonzo Bodden’s new CD - “The Bootleg”