I’m headed out to a “Special Event” at the Hollywood Improv tonight to see Rob Riggle. The Improv puts this designation on shows with no guestlist, comps, discounts, etc. I have actually been told that even as someone who is trying to cover live comedy and get more people out to the shows, can’t get into these “Special Events” for anything but the full price. No problem. I get it. Business is business. The price of the show is $20 and that’s that. Get’em early because this one is going to sell out.

So you would think.

My friend graciously purchased tickets for a group of us to see the show this evening earlier in the week. Awesome.

Then I get this email yesterday from the Improv.

You mean I can go see this dude for free on Saturday? And my friend just paid $20 a ticket? Son of a bitch!

I should have known better, because the Improv does this ALL THE TIME.

Inevitably, I get an email on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning offering free tickets to the weekend show.

Here’s the point…if you want to go to a show at the Improv…don’t buy tickets early. Just wait. Eventually they will offer the tickets for free. Just join their email list.

Last week, I went to an “industry showcase” at the Hollywood Improv put on by Next Round Entertainment, which is a company that manages comedians. An industry showcase is when the management company invites producers, network execs, agents, etc. to a live comedy show, to showcase the comedians they represent.

I’m not “industry” so I have never been to one of these things before. I enjoy my live comedy with common folks. But I went to this show because my girlfriend happened to go to high school with 2 of the comedians.

An industry showcase has to be the most nerve racking experiences for a comedian. Think of a job interview…think about doing that job interview in front of 200 people…now make sure you know that all of those people are there to judge everything you do. Oh…and it doesn’t matter if you are a hell of a nice guy…or have a ton of experience…if you don’t make them laugh…you’re out. Damn! That’s tough. The audience was so tough that the host Steve Hoffstetter had to warn them that the comedians were going to swear…and they still said “ooohhh” at least 6 times during the show. I’ve never seen that happen before among adults.

I give all 9 comedians a ton of credit for getting up there and delivering the goods. Steve Hofstetter, Phil Mazo, Kerri Louise, Mike Trainor, Brandt Tobler, Matt Baetz, Bryan Bruner, Rob Gleeson, and Denis Donohue were all funny.

One comedian I would like to recognize specifically is Matt Baetz. He is a polished, big time comedian. He has a ton of potential and I really look forward to seeing what comes from his career. I’ve seen Matt a bunch of times and he’s just flat out funny. He is about to pursue comedy full time and I think it’s a great decision. Ballsy…but necessary to make things happen.

Phil Mazo and Mike Trainor were also excellent. Phil has an unassuming, dirty style that is well crafted. Trainor has a ton of energy and great material. Everyone else did a solid job, especially in that environment.

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

I’m headed to Mike Dunphy’s “The Filthy Or” Show on Thursday night at the Hollywood Improv to see Ryan Sickler bust his funny ass on stage. This show is picking up steam on the L.A. comedy scene, so I’m excited to see what’s happening. The name of the show is awkward but…the line-up is good. Rumors of pornstars in the house, which is always good. You can’t beat boobs and comedy.

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.

My experience tells me laughing leads to doing the dirty, dirty (what…I’m just sayin’)…and since it’s Valentine’s Day Weekend, everyone should be happy that there is some really good comedy going on in L.A. Here’s the quick and…..dirty.

Friday – 2/13
Lachlan Patterson/Hollywood Improv/8pm/Free (promo code: JOKE).
He’s hilarious. And Canadian…so that’s cool.

The Stag Show/Hollywood Improv/12am/Free (promo code: HAHA)
DAVE ATTELL in the HOUSE!!!!

Saturday – 2/14
Comedy is for Lovers/UCB Theater/10pm/$8
Sketches, songs, stories from some comedy duos and couples. Natasha Leggero and Duncan Trussell will be there. If your chick isn’t hot, you can check out Natasha. She’s pretty hot. She may cut your balls off though (and by “She” I mean your girlfriend and Natasha).

Sunday – 2/15
Alonzo Bodden/Ice House – Pasadena/7pm and 9pm/$15
He’s hilarious. And black…so that’s cool.

A tipster just sent us a bulletin (see bulletin below) that Doug Stanhope just posted on Myspace. Stanhope re-posted an email that he got from someone that saw Cook at the Melrose Improv. The person essentially claims Dane Cook stole a Stanhope bit. Stanhope clearly agrees. Can we get an explanation from both sides? Dane…say it ain’t so.

MYSPACE BULLETIN:

Stanhope,

I went to a show at the Melrose Improv last night, and this surprise guest comic gets onstage and starts doing this long bit about how he had to take this girl to get an abortion and how ridiculous the experience was, and then started talking about going to Heaven, and how he’d be so happy to see his grandma in Heaven, but when he got to Heaven, there was this little pissed off guy giving him shit and it was his abortion, furious at him.

And the comic was fucking Dane Cook.

Thought you should know. I got really mad. Interest is definitely waning in that douche, even in the frat crowd. I feel like people are finally realizing what a fucking joke he is and how unfunny his “jokes” are, but if he tries to make a comeback using YOUR shit so HE can get fans, I’m gonna lose it.

-Jenny

********

Good work, Dane.

I’m glad someone remembers how my bits go.

stanhope

I have not seen Dane Cook perform in more than a year and a half. Considering I saw DC perform about 25 times between 2000 and 2006, knew every word of his first two albums, and my license plate says SANGWCH – a year and a half is a long time.

I credit DC for sparking my love for stand-up comedy. He inspired me to put “Perform Stand-Up Comedy” on my 2006 New Year’s Resolutions list and to actually do it. I used to gather all my friends and take them down to the Laugh Factory to watch him perform.

But right around 2006 things changed. Other people started to get involved with Dane’s career. Other people tried to market, write, and speak in his voice. Much like what happened to Dennis Miller. Maybe it was execs at the studios, maybe it was agents, maybe it was the promotions people, I don’t really know. It just became forced and cheesy. It wasn’t authentic. It wasn’t what made Dane Cook great. It wasn’t the bond that I felt he created with his fans. So I tuned out for a while.

On Wednesday night at the Hollywood Improv at the Comedy Juice Show, I not only saw Dane for the first time since 2006…I saw something different. I saw a comedian who has matured. His material has gotten edgier and darker. His writing has gotten deeper. Yet his stage persona is still infectious. When he tells jokes about abortion, rape, and being white…you know it’s not the same as it used to be. Gone is the manic style I used to love. He has adopted a calm presence that all the greats have. It was incredible to watch.

It was so cool for me because it was like watching a friend perform. I loved it. It was just him, the mic, and a small audience in a club…making people laugh. That’s what it’s all about. Go Laugh.

Free porn and comedy…really? You don’t have to ask me twice. I’m there. This line-up is sick. Details below.

FREE PORN & COMEDY!

Sam Tripoli and Vivid Video pornstar, Monique Alexander host , The Dirty Show.

THE LINEUP
Joe Bartnick
Dana Min Goodman
Adam Hunter
Erik Lundy
Ryan Sickler
Sam Tripoli

For VIP comp, email: samtripolilive@gmail.com

Tickets are $5 at the door if you don’t send an email. Send the email.

The Improv Comedy Lab
8162 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046

*Street Parking is available