Famous comedians often “pop-in” to comedy clubs to do short sets when they are either working on new material or preparing for a big show. This is one of the great aspects of going to see live comedy. At any point, the greats like Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Dave Chappelle, Sarah Silverman, or Jim Gaffigan could show up and you had no idea they were going to be there. It’s exciting.

Often times, these comedians tell the club before hand that they will be coming in but they do not want to be “billed”. Meaning they don’t want anyone to know they are coming. As a fan, this is frustrating because who wouldn’t want to see Chris Rock in an intimate setting with only 200 people. You feel like you missed out if you didn’t go. It also seems counter intuitive for the clubs business. If they announce Chris Rock is in a line-up, they would be sold out in a heart beat.

I had trouble understanding this concept somewhat, but more so the “suprise guest” concept that is often used. Just tell us who is going to be there. I don’t want to pay for a surprise. If it’s a surprise…just don’t say anything.

Luckily, Doug Benson gave me a clear explanation on all of this…via Twitter…because his shows this weekend at the Improv have several unbilled, “suprise guests” that he, nor the Improv can speak of…and comedy nerds like me keep asking. Doug said that comedians don’t want to be billed because they are working on new material and don’t want the pressure of having people pay specifically to see them bring their A game. They don’t want people to be disappointed, if they get material that is still being “worked out”. Additionally, if someone goes to that show and is disappointed, it affects the comedian’s future box office returns when they headline their own show…word of mouth is powerful.

That makes sense to me. Essentially, comedians are dealing with what we all are dealing with in life…maintaining expectations. It’s possibly the single most import aspect of success or failure….at anything.

Maybe one day comedy goers at the clubs will appreciate the process of crafting a joke and creating new material, so they can understand how this whole thing works. Until then, I get the unbilled comedian now. “Suprise guest” still kind of pisses me off though. It creates an expectation. Seems somewhat ironic to me.

Anyway…go see Doug Benson at the Improv this weekend. He’s great. Don’t expect any surprise guests. If someone does come…then it’s just gravy. Just trying to maintain your expectations.

The Hollywood Improv is keeping a tight wrap on who the “suprise” guests are at Doug Benson’s shows this weekend.  I asked the PR person for the Improv and she wouldn’t tell me.  I asked Doug on Twitter and he just said it’s 2 L.A. heavyweights.  So I tried folks…maybe they consider me “media” and just don’t want to tell the enemy.  Little to they know I’m just a dude at a desk.  You would think the Improv would want to promote great guests.  And why would a comedian not want to be billed?  I’m sure there is good reason…I just don’t know it.

Anyway…this line-up stands on it’s own either way.  Benson is a 6-tool comedian (I have no idea what the 6 tools are…I took that from baseball)…and his McGriddles joke is a Top 5′er.  Plus Steve Agee and Daniel Kinno are great.  So anyone in addition to those guys is gravy.

My guess…Gaffigan is at least one of the comedians.  Who do you think it is?

Friday, April 10th / 8:00PM – $20
DOUG BENSON
Host: Blaine Capatch
8:10 Rob O¹Reilly
8:22 TBA
8:37 Doug Benson

Saturday, April 11th / 7:30PM – $20
DOUG BENSON
Host: Daniel Kinno
7:40 Steve Agee
7:52 TBA
8:07 Doug Benson

9:30 – $20
DOUG BENSON
Host: Daniel Kinno
9:40 Steve Agee
9:52 TBA
10:07 Bil Dwyer
10:19 Doug Benson

Try the promo code: HIGH for FREE tickets on Improv.com

Comedy just might be what people need in the bad economy…at least in L.A. They just may have listened to my advice. The Hollywood Improv was packed last night to see Iliza Shlesinger headline a stellar line-up. Sold out, folks. And apparently she just about sold out the show earlier in the night.

The surprise of the night was the pop in from Jim Gaffigan. He did about 10 minutes on bowling and bacon. Gaffigan rarely does announced club appearances so it’s awesome to be there when he does show up.

Doug Benson, one of my favorites, did a set also. Ton of new material, all great, but “McGriddles” just kills. Hopefully Benson comes out with a new weed inspired project soon. He talked about doing a movie where he plays a superhero that fights crime by just sitting at home on his couch. Awesome.

Iliza closed the show with a 20-30 minute set. She bookended some of her classic material (Waterslide, Call from a Crush, etc.) with a ton of new stuff. Which was really good. I hadn’t seen her live since prior to Last Comic Standing and she’s clearly still writing good material.

Iliza has a very clear confidence on the stage and a clear understanding of where the audience is during her set. It’s tough to follow Jim Gaffigan and Doug Benson. They are great comedians. The audience has laughed a lot by the time she comes up and sometimes there is a lull. She’s not afraid to call the audience out on their behavior and refocus them. It’s artful really. She doesn’t complain like most comedians do when an audience isn’t giving them the reactions they are looking for…she refocuses them. I dig it.

I noticed something strange when I was outside the Improv prior to the show. Iliza seems to have male groupies. No joke. Dudes who just wanted to meet her. They may have been “industry” folks…I don’t know. But it was a lot of dudes.

Also, wanted to mention really great sets from Jay Motepare and Daniel Kinno. Definitely get out to see them.

Thanks to Kara Baker at Avalon Entertainment for the invite.

Line-Up:
Quinn Dahle
Louis Katz
Daniel Tosh
Matt Ralston
Daniel Kinno
Matt Fulchiron
TBD Comedian
Doug Benson

This was the “Best and Brightest” show at the Improv. I’ll be honest…this line-up was too big…and there were too many comedians looking at notes for this show. I guess I don’t expect that at the Improv…which is my favorite of the three big clubs in the city. This was like a mish mash line-up…new comedians who didn’t seem ready to be there…and a GREAT comedian who they put up too early. Not sure what was going on with this one to be honest.

Quinn Dahle -
Quinn is not a host. Didn’t have the material to warm up the crowd…and the only credit he used for every comedian was that they were from Comedy Central. Hey…I loved seeing him…but I don’t think it’s fair to put him in the host role. The clubs need to give this role more importance. Just my opinion.

Louis Katz -
First time seeing Louis…he had some good stuff…but nothing stuck with me this time…which isn’t necessarily bad. However, he used his notes a ton. I just think if you are at the Improv…you shouldn’t use notes. At what point do comedians not use notes. It’s actually becoming a problem…if they are using them at small work out rooms…small paid rooms…bigger paid rooms…weekday shows at the big clubs…then when aren’t they using them. Just an observation.

Daniel Tosh -
You can see my many takes on Tosh in previous blogs…he’s one of the best…I love him. His “Chilly Doggin” reference was awesome. The guy kills it. Don’t know why they put him up so early.

Matt Ralson -
Don’t know why his set isn’t sticking with me…probably because I’m writing this 3 weeks too late.

Daniel Kinno -
I’m making a prediction…Kinno will be one of the young, hot comics in the very near future…much like Bret Ernst was back in 2004. He has good presence and great material. I’ve seen him twice now…and he kills. Needs to drop the notes at the Improv though.

Matt “The Fullcharge” Fulchiron -
The only other time I saw The Fullcharge was doing a tight 3 at Red Rock. He busted out a sweet 12 and I dug it. He’s got the goods. He tells jokes so fast it’s almost too hard to remember them. But he’s damn good.

Doug Benson -
Love Benson. Seen him a million times…and he still kills. He did McGriddles…which is the best joke…I can never hear it too many times. Hope he wins Last Comic Standing.