Garfunkel and Oates performed their new song “This Party Took a Turn for the Douche” for the first time live last night at Tom Arnold’s weekly show at the Laugh Factory. Per usual, G and O killed it. They are so interesting and cute and funny and clever, you can’t help but love them. Musical comedy acts are mostly cheesy crap. But these girls are definitely must see live comedy. The video doesn’t do them justice. Kind of like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. They’re just so much better in person. Can someone please get them on stage with Dragon Boy Suede, so we can figure out who the best comedy rappers are in game?

The rest of the line-up was spectacular. It actually ended up being a super big line-up, which I rail against constantly, but I didn’t mind last night. Comedians may have gotten antsy…but whattaya gonna do?

Tom Arnold’s set up-front was really, really good. I’ve seen this show 3 or 4 times now and this was his best performance. Pretty amazing how stand-up comedy is one of those crafts where you can constantly improve. I’d still like to see him shorten up the in between parts.

What can you say about Tom Segura? Really. I just saw him at Ballgame’s and I still laughed. Dude just writes and writes and writes. He’s hilarious. His new joke about staring at the dudes bulge is great.

Tim Allen stopped in for a guest spot. He was funny. He was. But I hope one day all comedians can feel what it’s like to get laughs based on who you are. That’s when you know you’ve made it. The crowd just laughed harder because they knew it was Tim Allen. They put a little extra umph in the laugh.

Duncan Trussell, Greg Fitzsimmons, and Bobby Lee were great as always.

Finally, I really enjoyed watching 20-year old Alex Edelman and Scotsman Danny Bhoy. Edelmans scarcasm and poise on-stage was solid. And at 20, you can expect big things if he sticks with it and works hard. He ran out of steam with out 2 minutes to go in his routine, but he was good. Check him out if you can before he heads back to film school in NY. Bhoy was very relaxed and told some great jokes about the Irish (I’m Irish…and I still loved them). I can imagine people go crazy for those jokes in the UK. He’s only been in L.A. 2 weeks but I expect you’ll hear more from him.

Los Angeles has a ton of live comedy going on every night of the week. Some good, some not so good. To the best of my ability, I will make recommendations at the beginning of the week, so you can go laugh.

Monday – 1/19
What’s Up Tiger Lily / Cuba Libre Bar / 8pm / Free
I haven’t been to this show, but I can say with confidence that any time you get Maria Bamford, Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe on 24), Tom Papa, Chris Hardwick, and some other good comedians into one show…you should go.

Tuesday – 1/20
Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge / Red Rock Bar and Eatery / 8:30pm / Free
It’s my favorite room in the city. This week Matty Ballgame puts up Ari Shaffir, Paul Ogata, Duncan Trussell, and Raj Desai among others.

Wednesday – 1/21
Comedy Juice/Melrose Improv/10pm/$7 (email guestlist@comedyjuice.com)
Always a killer line-up. This week features Bobby Lee from MADtv, Shang, and Last Comic Standing winner Iliza Sheslinger. Big timers pop into this show all the time.

Thursday – 1/22
Word Girl Live Reading / UCB LA / 8pm / $5
A live reading of this animated series that appears on PBS. WordGirl features the voices of Patton Oswalt, Maria Bamford, Jeffrey Tambor, and other comedic actors. Should be very cool.

Friday – 1/23
Comedy Meltdown / Meltdown Comics / 8pm / $8 (Free Asahi Beer and TeaZazz)
Linda Pine puts on a great show in the back of Meltdown Comics. This line-up includes the always sassy and pretty smokin’ Natasha Leggero. Comedy Meltdown used to be free…but now it’s $8. Blame the economy. A well run show regardless.

I’ll give you weekend recommendations later in the week.

I asked a few of my favorite L.A.-based comedians a simple question – if you have the night off and feel like going to laugh, who are you going to see? One stipulation…it must be another L.A.-based comedian so that our readers can go see them. Here are the answers I got:

Greg Fitzsimmons – Greg Proops Chat Show at Largo
Tom Segura – Bert Kreischer
Brian Scolaro – Ben Gleib, Bobby Lee, Elon Gold, Ian Edwards
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker – Bert Kreischer
Dana Min Goodman – Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro, Greg Fitzsimmons
Jason Gillearn – Ian Edwards
Ryan Sickler – Zach Galifiniakis
Chris Franjola – Jason Gillearn, Brody Stevens, Tom Segura
Duncan Trussell – Brian Holtzman
Andrew Norelli – Brent Weinbach
Bob Bledsoe – Zach Galifiniakis

Comedy is very subjective…so you are going to have to get out there and see these guys and gals yourself. But make no mistake about it, comedians are a tough crowd folks. I watch comedians in the back of the room during shows…when the audience is cracking up…they are not laughing. So when they say a comedian is funny, chances are, he/she is bringin’ the goods. Hope you find some new comedians to see from this list – I know I have. A quick search on Myspace or Google will help you find these comedians…or subscribe to our page…we’ll let you know where they are performing in L.A.