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
Variety Magazine came out with a list of “Top 10 Comics to Watch”. No disrespect to Variety or the 10 comedians they chose, but I have a different definition of “watch”. Their definition is “to keep an eye on in the media and movies”. My definition is “to go see in a club and laugh your ass off”. To each his own. I happen to think my list can and will accomplish both feats. But what do I know.
So here is the “10 Really Good Comedians that You Should Go Watch in a Club to Laugh Your Ass Off” list.
1. Ryan Sickler
2. Dana Min Goodman
3. Tom Segura
4. Christina Pazsitzky
5. Jason Gillearn
6. Chris Franjola
7. Steve Flye
8. Andrew Norelli
9. Sam Tripoli
10.The Unknown Comedian
Starting on Monday, we will spotlight each of these comedians. I guarantee…if you go see any of these comedians live…it’ll be a good night.
We’re celebrating live comedy, Live Comedy L.A., and yes…my 30th birthday this Saturday at Red Rock with a show that will blow you away. The line-up is awesome. If you want to laugh, please come down and enjoy the celebration with me. The show is FREE. Yeah…FREE COMEDY. I swear to you…this line-up rivals any of the line-ups you will see at a major club this weekend. Hope to see you there.
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.
Chris Franjola will make another appearance on the E! Channel’s Chelsea Lately starring Chelsea Handler. Franjola performs stand-up comedy in L.A. regularly. He’s hilarious - we’ve written about him almost as much as we’ve written about Ryan Sickler (stop your man crush jokes ASAP).
If I had to name a “Top 5 to 7 Stand-Up Comedians Who Have the Potential To Make It on a Sitcom”…Franjola is right there. So if for some reason that burger from your Memorial Day BBQ isn’t sitting right…or you just don’t feel like watching Leno or Letterman and want to check out some L.A. Comedians on T.V….and you’re up…check out Franjola.
Day: Monday, May 26, 2008
Show Time: 11:30pm on E!
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.
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!
Apparently, stand-up comedy is back with a vengeance on Tuesday night’s in Los Angeles. Here’s a quick and dirty for you because it’s late you need to make decisions because you have a date in 30 minutes and you have no idea what you’re doing.
8pm: Canoga Park Bowl
The Dirty: This show is put on by Dante from Last Comic Standing…it’s for mostly up and comers…but if you want free and low key…it’s not bad. Don’t expect much though…go in with LOW, LOW, LOW exectations.
8:30: Red Rock - Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge
The Dirty: Matty Ballgame puts on the best room in the city. No cover…no drink min. and the best comics in town. Chris Franjola is in the house tonight…I’ll be there.
10pm: Laugh Factory - Jay Davis’ Life of the Party
The Dirty: Looks like Jay is bringing in Dane Cook for tonight festivities…and probably a few other rock star comedians. Get there EARLY..like EEEEARLY…and get on Jay’s list on Myspace.
For get expensive dinners…forget night clubs…forget bars…it’s all about stand-up comedy tonight people. I’ll let you know how Red Rock was tomorrow.
Line-Up:
Matt Baetz
Jessica Glassberg
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker
Josh McDermitt
Sarah Colonna
Chris Franjola
Brian Scolaro
Let me tell you why I love live comedy…you never know what’s going to happen. This Stevie Nicks look-a-like chick kept interrupting the show. It was kind of funny at first…but as all obnoxious crowd members go…it got annoying. Ballgame handled it well…but eventually she had to be tossed…loved it. Look folks…as much as we think live comedy is some type of interactive thing…90% of the time…it isn’t…so per usual…keep your yapper shut. If the comedian wants to engage the crowd…he’ll come calling…don’t worry. There is nothing worse than an audience member thinking they are funny…you’re not…no really…you’re not. Me included. Big crowd last night…the show may have reached the tipping point…people are starting to talk about it. Onto the comedians.
Matt Baetz -
Best host in town…hands down…it’s not even close. Not only does he get the crowd warmed up with very good material…he knows every comedians name…and you can just tell things were loose. Matt hosts in a way where he doesn’t make it about him…it’s about the show. By doing so…he comes off way more professionally…and his material and skills shine. Not to mention he was dealing with that d-bag lady in row 2. I’m not kidding…she kept saying she was from Texas…so damn annoying. But Baetz handled her. This guy is a gamer…go see him…ASAP!
Jessica Glassberg -
I really liked her slutty baby material…she called her Slutty McSlutterson…and she did some Pussy Cat Dolls action. I think she hung with the jury duty material for about 3 minutes too long…but I’m sure she was testing. She has good presence…and she’s cool. Some material development and she’ll be good to go.
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker -
Ballgame was solid…unflapped by Stevie Nicks…he powered through his set. The unfortunate thing is…because of this chick…I’m having a tough time remembering his material. But he handled her really well…didn’t lose his cool…got the crowd laughing at her…never lost his confidence on stage…and kicked ass. Folks…this chick actually walked on stage…anything less than Ballgame kicking her in the ass was a miracle. That’s a pro, ladies and gentlemen.
Josh McDermitt -
My first time seeing Josh. He was solid…his joke about you are what you eat was great. He said, “I don’t agree…I’ve never eatin’ a 29 year old loser who still lives at home with his dad.” Awesome. Looking forward to seeing him again.
Sarah Colonna -
Sarah is great. So cool. She’s getting Britney, Paris, Lindsey, Tom Sizemore, and The Hof…all in a house for a show called….”So You Think You Can Drink”. Genius. I love the roofy girl too. And she cut the her vibrator joke at the end at the perfect spot. Awesome set.
Chris Franjola -
I’m telling you right now…there are very few comedians on Franjola’s level. He’s off the cuff…he’s current…he’s quick. Can we get this cat a show or something…seriously. Can we put him, Sickler, Segura, Brody…I could go here…in some stuff. Franjola closed with his sex joke…which kills. I also love the one about his neighbor taping himself having sex…that is unreal. Go see Franjola…seriously.
Brian Scolaro -
There is one joke I will never get tired of…and Brian may be sick of it…but I’m not…and no audience I have ever seen is…the sneezing joke. I think it might be the best joke of all time. I scream like a chick every time I hear it. His caveman material was great too. Scolaro was awesome…he’s a cool dude.
Great time last night…if you aren’t going to stand-up comedy…you are missing out. It’s too good not to go.
Line-Up:
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker
Matt Hummell
Bob Bledsoe
Natasha Leggero
Duncan Trussell
Chris Franjola
6 comedians…perfect size. Everyone kept it tight. Matty had some Laugh Lounge first timers in the line-up also which is great to see. Love it when I get to see new comedians.
Ballgame -
Matty is a good host…kept it tight this time around. Still slingin’ new jokes. But he pretty much let the other comedians have it tonight.
Matt Hummell -
First time seeing Matt…I’m gonna need to see his material again…but he kept it tight. Gotta love that.
Bob Blesoe -
Bob is a riot. Starts off the show with the joke about someone leaving a message on the wall in the bathroom about giving blow jobs…but didn’t leave a number. Hilarious! Plus his joke about the Wisconsin girl’s accent is stellar. I like Bob a lot. He was in the line-up during my debut…so it was cool to see him without the stress of that night.
Natasha Leggero -
Wow! She’s off the charts. Her stage persona is part stuck-up…part cute as hell. I loved her bit about doing comedy to get laid…it was sarcastic of course…which is her MO…but it rocked. Can’t wait to see her in action again.
Duncan Trussell -
Clearly Duncan is a sick fuck…and I love it. Little Hobo is unreal…his bit about channeling was stellar. He didn’t do “Fuck Blob” which is one of my favorite jokes of any comedian…but that’s ok. Duncan is still top 10. I love this guy.
Chris Franjola -
Franjola’s joke about watching his neighbor’s video of him fucking an old girlfriend has officially reached “all time” status. You can put it with Scolaro’s Sneezing, Jokoy’s Fighting, Dane’s Someone Shit on the Coats, and Sickler’s CAIDS and Dash of Downs. It’s a riot. Franjola is awesome…and I hope I can get him to perform at my 30th birthday party.