Someone has to say it…most comedian websites suck. They do. And it needs to change now. It’s time to jump into Web 2.0 and head into the 2010 web (as Robert Scoble calls it). It’s not a hard change to make, but you first need to recognize what the problem is before you can accept that your site is needs an overhaul.

I’m no website guru, but I do enough reading and web surfing to know that comedians in general need a complete overhaul of their web presence. Here are a few signs that you are waaay behind and not taking advantage of the internet like you should be.

1. Your site has a splash page of any type before you actually get to the website. (Pablo Francisco)
2. Your site has to “load” because it has so much flash. (Charlie Murphy and Ralphie May)
3. Your site is built with way too much flash. (Adam Ferrara)
4. Your site navigation is so “not” intuitive that you have to have a link that says “Click Here to Switch to Standard Navigation”. (Bert Kreischer)
5. Your site is just a brochure and there is no reason for people to keep coming back because you are offering them no content. (Jimmy Dore)
6. You can’t see your site on the iPhone.

I’m not knocking the comedians btw. Just giving you examples of problems.

These are actually just a few of the things to look for when determining if you need to make a change. But let’s not concentrate on the negative. Let’s concentrate on the positive.

Your website should look like Chris Hardwick’s a.k.a. Nerdist. It’s simple. Easy to read. Loads quickly. Offers updated content so people will comeback and interact (i.e. comment). It is REALLY easy to maintain, change, and control. And wouldn’t you know it…ties in all of his social networks. But not just with a logo. The content he provides on the site makes those social networks relevant and effective. By effective…I mean driving traffic to his site. Not just keeping his fans on Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace. What good is that? You want to be able to own your relationships on your social networks and be able to move those people onto your site and create repeat, loyal users/followers. On your site. That’s called marketing.

Chris uses Word Press. He uses a theme called Thesis (I use the same theme…it’s very easy to make updates and change things around). Created a few logos and some links…and boom…he has more interactivity on his site than most comedians could dream about. And it didn’t cost him thousands of dollars…I guarantee it. Word Press is free. Thesis is $87 (and there are free themes out there like Thematic that may work just as well). You can get cheap hosting. So maybe you need a graphic artist/CSS/HTML guy to do a few tweaks for you…no big deal. Now you have yourself a website that is relevant.

Some other comedian sites that you can look at that make sense: Paul Ogata (easy to read, simply, loads fast), Joe Rogan (great content, relevant info, community, loads fast), Brody Stevens (needs some tweaking…but he provides content), Christina Pazsitzky (low tech, good content…gets the job done perfectly).

The point is…most of the sites for comedians that I am seeing look like consumer products websites. How often do you visit “Oreo.com”. Never. And if you do…you never visit again…because there is no reason to. Most ad agencies put all this flash in so they can justify their cost. They can say, “Whhooo…look how nice and pretty it is.” Your guy is probably doing the same thing.

Check out the sites that have risen to prominence in the last 3 – 5 years. Gawker Media sites, Federated Media sites, Buzz Media sites. Your site should be the same…and it’s not hard to do. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

Remember…you are in the content business. Don’t forget it.

Just finished up an interesting conversation with one of my favorite L.A. comedian’s Chris Franjola. You know Chris from the “Chelsea Lately” show. He is a writer and a regular on the Round Table segment. He has had an interesting career path. It’s not the feast or famine lifestyle that most comics lead. At the core, he seems to have used his strength in writing to build a foundation for success. And now he has caught a train on the very successful “Chelsea Lately” show on E! Listen to more about what Chris has to say about comedy and his experiences on “Chelsea Lately”. (I think I kept bumping the mic…sorry about that).

CLICK HERE TO PLAY (RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD)

I just finished talking with Los Angeles comedian Kerri Pomarolli. That’s three ladies in a row on the podcast. She’s so cool and so nice. I really enjoyed talking with her. Kerri is 100% clean and is huge in the Christian comedy scene. Plus she does all the major clubs as well. She and her husband, comedian Ron McGehee, are headed to Africa this summer to help orphans. If you are interested in donating go to www.kerripom.com. Ron and Kerri are going through Heart 4 Africa. Listen to what Kerri has to say about branding herself, God, and comedy in the podcast below.

CLICK HERE TO PLAY (RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD)

If you are a comedian without a blog, you’re missing the point. Embrace Web 2.0 and all that it has to offer to further your career, your connection with fans, and your brand.

I just got a friend request on Myspace from Los Angeles comedian Christy Murphy. The first thing I noticed on her Myspace page was her blog “Inspirational Otter”. Pretty simple, but cool.

It’s easy to create a blog, I use WordPress…but you can use Blogger or Typepad.

You should also be using Facebook, IM, Twitter, Flickr, Sprout, Widgetbox, Youtube, Justin.tv and every other Web 2.0 tool and application you can think of or learn about to promote yourself. Also, learn what RSS is. Read TechCrunch and NewTeeVee everyday. In fact, sign-up for Google Reader and read them there.

What I’m learning more and more when I talk to comedians is that the people who represent you don’t know jack about this stuff…so you need to. And if you don’t have representation, it’s even more imperative.

If you have questions, let me know. Now make it happen.

Another magazine, another list of comics to watch. I have my own list of “comics to watch” that I am slooowly going through. The reality is…there are so many great comedians out there that you should just get out to the shows and decide for yourself.

Funny story:
The second comedian on the list is Tiffany Haddish, who performs at the Laugh Factory quite frequently. I was in the audience one night 3 years ago and she started hitting on me from the stage (or maybe my ego was hoping that she was hitting on me). But she actually came over to me after the show and gave me her number. Tiffany is a pretty girl…and black. I’m white a white dude. As she was giving me her phone number, a black comedian saw her doing it and goes, “Oh come on man, help a brotha out!” It was probably her husband.

Rolling Stone: 5 Comics to Watch

Dash of Downs. CAIDS. Vaccination Scar. Three of the greatest jokes ever told from one L.A. comedian – Ryan Sickler. I’ve seen Sickler close to 20 times and his material never gets old. In fact, it has gotten better since I first saw him last year at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock. He has settled into a smooth rhythm on stage that all great comedians have.

The key to Sickler’s greatness is two fold – his writing skills and his “every guy” attitude. I find that many comedians talk about similar topics. Honestly, how much is there to talk about. Life is life – we all live in it. I’ve never heard anyone talk about CAIDS. I’ve never heard anyone talk about a retarded child with only a Dash of Downs. And I sure as hell have never heard anyone talk about hot Latinas with vaccination scars. The guy just understands the importance of writing…and writing…and writing more…until he comes up with something that no one else has thought of.

Also, Sickler is just a dude. A guy who likes football, boxing, and beer. He’s from Baltimore. He loves tits and ass. This is what America should be. I’m so tired of having to watch Faith Hill or Pink show up on Sunday Night Football. I’m tired of Ryan Seacrest producing shows like “Bromance”. Ryan Sickler gives me hope that one day we will have entertainers that act like men.

Sickler recently did a set for the Late, Late Show and performed on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham. He has several projects in the works, including a comedy he co-wrote with fellow comedian Tom Segura, called Cutman.

Check out these clips of Sickler doing his thing and make sure to catch him live around town (We’ll keep you in the loop on where he is scheduled to perform or you can check his Myspace):

Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham

Ryan Sickler with Jay Mohr at the Brea Improv

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.

Comedian Andrew Norelli will be filming for the Late, Late Show on Monday. Norelli is of the country’s best comedians and his appearance is well deserved. On Tuesday, I appeared on Stuart Paap’s internet show “Live From the Future” and gave a list of comedians that I thought were going to be big in the very near future. I was remiss in leaving Norelli off this list. It was a huge oversight. If you read this page, you are aware that I think Norelli is just as good as bigger name comedians like the great Daniel Tosh. Norelli is professional and will be big time. It’ll be great to see him on the Late, Late Show.

If you are interested in seeing the set live before he performs it on the Late, Late Show, Andrew will be doing a run through on Sunday at No Name Comics. We gave you all the details here. Hope to see you there.