Sorry for the late recap on last week’s special edition of Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge: The Chelsea Lately Special.

The concept of having a comedy show tied to a TV program is a stroke of genius by show producer Matt Balaker. I can see him continuing to do this with other TV shows that have writing and performing staff members that are stand-up comedians (…and let’s be honest…that’s every show). It will fill the room because people will want to see their co-workers perform and it will give the general public a chance to see names and faces they are familiar with from their favorite shows. Also, it gives Balaker a chance to put up one or two additional comedians in the line-up for exposure to show execs, as well as some exposure for himself. Very saavy, if you ask me. If I’m Matty Ballgame, I’m trying to get Laugh Lounge: The Late Late Show Special, The Office Special, The Comics Unleashed Special, etc. And if I’m a comedian, I’m making friends with Matty Ballgame.

The line-up was solid. Balaker kicked things off with some classic girlfriend material and closed strong with current events. I continue to be impressed by his writing efforts. He is creating new jokes for every show, which any comedian will tell you is extremely difficult. Comedians have a tendency to get lazy and rely on the same jokes over and over again. That’s not a recipe for long-term success. It’s a recipe for about 15 minutes of fame. Last Comic Standing fame…really.

The rest of the line-up was solid. I enjoyed seeing Guy Branum for the first time, as well as Jen Kirkman. Dave Hanson is one of my favorite comedians in the city because he’s a man’s man. Chris Millhouse did a solid set in front of the Chelsea staffers and Josh Wolf did a quick 5. I’m sure Josh is a hell of a nice guy, but I think you have to be an extraordinary comedian to be a “story teller”. I’m just not getting sets. I think TV folks could turn his life into a good TV show – young, divorced dad with custody of his two teenage children. But it’s tough on stage.

Anyway, Chris Franjola closed strong. He got heckled again. He handles the hecklers pretty well, though. Sometimes I wish Chris would just do crowd work and not worry so much about being the “headliner”. He’s best when he is loose and able to go into the crowd.

On a side note, Red Rock completely remodeled the upstairs lounge. It actually looks high end. I have a feeling it’s a direct result of the comedy show. Seriously. This place is pretty slow without the show. Let’s hope the remodel kills the attic jokes, the ski lodge jokes, etc. Please God let it kill those jokes.

2009 Comedy Season Totals
Show Count: 7
Total Ticket Cost: $38
Total Min. Drink Cost: $12

Really big crowd last night for a solid line-up at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. First time Red Rock performers Ari Shaffir (you may know him from Joe Rogan’s crew) and Todd Womack (Video) crushed it. Ari is mostly associated with Joe Rogan so it was cool seeing him away from that crew because he absolutely has the talent to stand alone. Don’t get me wrong…it kicks ass for him to have a partner like Rogan…along with Joey Diaz…they have a killer show that everyone should see. Ari’s stage presence and writing are awesome. Todd Womack was a great suprise because I had not see him perform previously. I love seeing new, awesome comedians. I think Todd performs at UCB a lot…so I’m definitely going to check him out there. Hit up his videos when you have a chance.

The rest of the line-up was solid:
Matt Balaker: ProfileShot
Sari Karplus: ProfileShot
Dave Hanson: ProfileShot
Jason Gillearn: ProfileShot
Nick Thune: ProfileShot – VideoShot

A word on Thune. I thought he mailed in this performance and is capable of much better. I really haven’t seen new material from Thune in about 2+ years and didn’t really appreciate the fact that he wasn’t giving a full effort. You bring 100% every time…or stay home. Bone Hampton brings 100% every time…Jason Gillearn brings 100% every time…Joe Rogan brings 100% every time. Thune brought about 50% and his attitude showed. Having a bad set is one thing…mailing in a performance is another.

The Laugh Lounge Gets Dirrrrrrty
Line-Up:
Matty Ballgame
Brian Swinehart
Dave Hanson
Dana Min Goodman
KT Tatara
Ben Gleib
Ryan Sickler

Shaq’s Donkey Dong, Dash of Downs, Sneezing Dicks…the Laugh Lounge got dirty last night…and I loved it!

Really good crowd again last night…consensus is among comedians – this room kicks ass. It got a little rowdy for the first time…especially the drunk girls with big boobs (don’t they always) but the comedians handled it. Loved that. On to the comedians….

Matty Ballgame
Commits to new jokes like nobody in the business…I swear. Some didn’t workout today…but like they say…fuck it. I was surprised that the classics didn’t hit like normal – football isn’t an annoying bitch – that rocks. I want to give Matty major recognition for his hosting skills. He introduces every comedian with class…talks about them like he knows them…gives their proper credits…and gets you excited to see them…that’s how it should be done. He should host every show.

Brian Swinehart
B Swine! When he gives the address of the Vagabond Hotel on Vine…it’s priceless. Brian continues to get better from the first time I saw him at Sickler’s show in Hollywood. I’m glad he came with his A material tonight.

Dave Hanson
First time seeing Dave…he was smooth…and he eased into the dirty. This guy asked his dad what an orgasm feels like…he said it feels like a sneeze…it feels like your penis is sneezing. Just awesome. Plus he did a joke about cumming on a girl’s face…told you…it was dirty tonight. Looking forward to seeing Dave again.

Dana Min Goodman
Holy Shit! I said Dana was supposed to be the dirtiest female comedian there is…wrong…she’s the dirtiest comedian period…it was awesome! She’s so poor it’s either food or tampons…turns out her apartment is all bloody…OH SHIT! She closed with an almost eloquent story of Shaq fucking her with his horse dick…nice. I can see how a crowd can go either way with Dana…either totally shocked…or just rolling. But either way you have to appreciate the creativity of the dirtiness…at least I do. Funny thing is…she’s totally cool…and just spits great game. Part of the fun of seeing Dana is watching the audience. I’m taking my girlfriend to see her…should be fun.

KT Tatatara
KT had an awesome set…probably the set of the night. He’s polished and knows his shit. His bit about being mistaken for a girl is hilarious. He didn’t do his joke about cumming across his girlfriend’s bible…but he actually meant to cum on her face…but he did do the one about girls getting all frozen when you cum on them…it’s a teaspoon! Good stuff!

Ben Gleib
Gleib is a polished comedian…his set was interrupted by the drunk girls several times…but he handled it. I was impressed by his crowd work…it’s good to see comedians go into the crowd when people are being obnoxious. Gleib puts on a great show at the Improv…Comedy Juice.

Ryan Sickler
Fresh off taping Craig Ferguson…Sickler laid it down. We got the classics…Costco guy…character sketch…but Sickler gave us some new stuff…including the Spider. The spiders at his house build shit…not cobwebs…tool sheds. Thank God he closed with Dash of Downs…because I started to get nervous. Love this guy. Check’em out at the Ontario Improv all this weekend.

The Laugh Lounge isn’t always this dirty…but it’s good to get it in there once in a while. Gotta love stand-up.