Live Comedy L.A.

There is a ton of live comedy going on this weekend…too much to list…so much that I need to do start my list on Wednesday night in case I forget anybody…which I’m sure I will. At some point, I’ll design the calendar system to keep track of all the comedy…but I’m not going to make it open source because I refuse to send you to bad shows. Here’s the run down:

Thursday//June 26//Katt Williams//Gibson Amphitheater (I’ll be there…say hi)

Friday//June 27//Suli McCullough

Friday//June 27//Shang//Downtown Comedy Club

Friday//June 27//Comedy Meltdown

Saturday//June 28//Joe Rogan + Duncan Trussell//Improv - 8pm and 10pm
Rogan is doing an hour set

Here is your schedule of stand-up comedy for the week in the city of Los Angeles - plenty of chances to see Joe Rogan and Jamie Kennedy…so get to it:

Tuesday, March 11th:

• 10pm - Valley Nights - Hollywood Improv - Joe Rogan headlines this show brought to you by local promoter Tim Mars. $13 online or at the door.

• 10pm - Life of the Party with Jay Davis - Laugh Factory - Looks like Jamie Kennedy will be there…and more than likely you will see Dane Cook. $10 if you get on Jay’s List.

• 10pm - Comedy Juice - Irvine Improv - Brian Scolaro, Ben Gleib, Nick Thune, Chris Porter. Stellar line-up in the O.C. Free.

Wednesday, March 12th:

• 8pm - Snuggle Time - Westside Ecclectic - Rob Delaney hosts a great line-up led by the unbelievable Tig Notaro and the incredible Natasha Leggero. I think it’s $5…but don’t quote me.

• 10pm - Comedy Juice - Hollywood Improv - Jamie Kennedy and Doug Benson. Hit up guestlist@comedjuice.com for $7 tickets.

• Check Time - Ontario Improv - Rice and Beans of Comedy - Bobby Lee and Johnny Sanchez.

Friday, March 14th:

• 8pm - Hollywood Improv - Chris Porter headlines. Use PROMO CODE: PORT for FREE tickets

• 8pm - Downtown Comedy Club - Jamie Kennedy

• 8:30pm - Ice House Pasadena - Joe Rogan

• 10pm - Downtown Comedy Club - Jamie Kennedy

• 10:30pm - Ice House Pasadena - Joe Rogan

Saturday, March 15th:

• 8pm - Downtown Comedy Club - Jamie Kennedy

• 9pm - Ice House Pasadena - Joe Rogan

• 10pm - Downtown Comedy Club - Jamie Kennedy

• 10pm - Hollywood Improv - Chris Porter headlines. Use PROMO CODE: PORT for FREE tickets

• 11pm - Ice House Pasadena - Joe Rogan

Tons of options for some really good stand-up comedy in Los Angeles this week. From Free to not that expensive. If you are looking for plans this weekend, look no further. Go Laugh.

Rogan. It’s a show you do not want to miss. He delivers what could be the best live comedy performance ever. There is only one excuse for missing these shows - watching NCAA Basketball conference tournament games. But that’s it.

Friday, March 14th - 8:30pm and 10:30pm
Saturday, March 15th - 9pm and 11pm

Check the Ice House Website for details.

I have several friends who are very good stand-up comedians. Top notch, no bullshit performers. Unfortunately there are a lot of these people out there. It has been my observation that the difference between a very good stand-up comedian and a great stand-up comedian is the ability to promote oneself and to have no fear in doing so. Let’s put aside writing ability…because if you can’t write…you’re dead in the water right off the bat. If you want to become great…or even well known…you need to promote…or you will hover in the middle somewhere for your entire career. In our society, that means embracing technology at it’s earliest adoption points…and embracing every consumer touch point. This means you just can’t be a writer…you just can’t be a stand-up comedian…you have to be a business person that manages your own career. So many comedians I see seem to think writing is enough…letting other people get them a gig here or a gig there is enough. The tools are available for comedians to be known by everyone in the world.

Dane Cook and Joe Rogan are two prime examples of comedians who have embraced technology to become gigantic. These two gentleman are on opposite ends of the spectrum as far as jokes and personality are concerned…save the fact that Dane doesn’t drink and Joe gets high everyday. However, they both fully understand that the way to success in our society and economy is using the internet and technology to boost your career. And they both understand it’s an active approach…that needs to be tweaked and played with constantly. Comedians are use to perfecting something and not going with it until it’s exactly right. That’s not the world we live in…people who try new things on the internet are rewarded…and so will you.

Both have recently started using a service called justin.tv - a live video service community. Every comedian should be on here…immediately. I mentioned something to a friend about doing live shows on justin.tv and he said comedians are hesitant about being taped. I told him…great comedians embrace technology and the unknown…middle market comedians are afraid.

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.