Crazy show last night at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. The line-up was killer - Last Comic Standing winner Iliza Schlesinger was in the house warming up material for her tour; Ryan Stout from MTV threw down 10 minutes; Carlos “The Chicken Whisperer” Kotkin killed it; plus new comer Brad Schecter did a quick 5; and Matty “Ballgame” Balaker brought the heat with some great jokes about disappointing his parents.
Just want to call out two great comedians - “Dragon Boy Suede” Howard Kremer did Ballgame’s show for the first time. I’ve said it before…he’s probably top 10 most talented comedians out there. He gave me a CD last night with the greatest song ever on it called “Nut Valet”. Did I mention DBS raps? Get this guy a show…now!
Finally, I got to see a complete set from Bert Kreisher. Jesus…he’s good. He’s all energy…and dirty. He does a joke about his baby girl sucking on a finger that killed. Plus…one of the great moments in Ballgame’s history happened last night. Playboy Cyber Girl Natasha Budhi (NSFW) a.k.a. “The Chocolate Bunny” showed up to the Laugh Lounge in an outfit that showed three-quarters of her beautiful and gigantic breasts. Some how she ended up on stage with Kreisher in one of the funniest exchanges ever. We need more Playboy Cyber girls at live comedy shows - you will be heavily promoted here at Live Comedy L.A. - I’m just sayin’.
Congrats to Los Angeles comedian Iliza Shlesinger for winning NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Looks like America agreed with me. Iliza will probably start going on tour and hitting clubs around the country, so I’m not too sure how many opportunities we’ll have to see her here in the L.A.-area over the next 10 - 12 months.
We’ve been writing about Iliza for a few years. So it’s cool to see her do well. What can you say…read about the comedians here…go see them in the clubs…and then see them when they make it big on TV and in the movies. It’s kinda cool. You can say…I used to watch them when.
Anyway, the folks at Current.com sent me some clips of Iliza that I thought you might dig. Iliza will be around for a while, so keep an eye out (and not just on her boobs fellas).
This season, there are two L.A. comedians still on Last Comic Standing (literally as I type) - Adam Hunter and Iliza Shlesinger. Here is what I find strange - the incredible support Adam Hunter is getting from his fellow comedians and the lack of support Iliza is getting. I am basing this off of the barrage of bulletins, event listings, and e-mails that I’m seeing on Myspace that say “Support Adam Hunter on Last Comic Standing”. Jay Davis, Steve Byrne, Andy Kozel, and some dude named Toogie…among others have all been promoting Adam Hunter via Myspace. I see none of this for Iliza. Why? I want to know why.
Of the comedians left, my choice is Iliza. I have seen her perform close to 10 times in person. I’ve done many write-ups on her performances at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge and elsewhere.
Iliza Sheslinger was featured on this week’s episode of Last Comic Standing at the San Francisco audition and made it through to the semi-finals. Iliza is based in L.A. She’s very good. She takes the stage like she owns the place. I love how she still swears in the audition.
See Iliza Live:
Free Beer Comedy Show
Saturday, June, 14 2008 - 11:00 PM
Whitefire Theater
13500 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks , CA
Our girl Christina Paz just had a 3 minute vignette on Last Comic Standing from the Tempe audition. My questions - did her agent get her placement on the show, how did she get such a long segment, and will America be able to spell her last name? CP is too good to have waited in line with everyone else. The segment was cool…she did an excellent job. Who knew she went to law school for two weeks…then dropped out.
Other L.A. comedians included Josh McDermitt (who was excellent as always), Adam Hunter, Bobby Miyamoto, and Rob Little - to be honest…it seemed like all the comedians from the LCS Tempe audition were from L.A. So if you liked any of them…you can probably see them live any night of the week here. We’ll keep you in the loop.
CP didn’t make the cut…which is mind boggling. And neither did Josh McDermitt. Adam Hunter did make it…so good luck to him.
Andrew Norelli was just spotted as one of the 10 comedians in the Honda Sweepstakes Online Voting competition taking place in conjunction with Last Comic Standing. He is not on LCS…it’s more like a promotional tie-in that Honda is doing with the show. Here’s the point…get online now and go vote for Norelli. He’s an L.A. comedian and one of the the most underrated comedians in the country. Go here.
Apparently, stand-up comedy is back with a vengeance on Tuesday night’s in Los Angeles. Here’s a quick and dirty for you because it’s late you need to make decisions because you have a date in 30 minutes and you have no idea what you’re doing.
8pm: Canoga Park Bowl
The Dirty: This show is put on by Dante from Last Comic Standing…it’s for mostly up and comers…but if you want free and low key…it’s not bad. Don’t expect much though…go in with LOW, LOW, LOW exectations.
8:30: Red Rock - Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge
The Dirty: Matty Ballgame puts on the best room in the city. No cover…no drink min. and the best comics in town. Chris Franjola is in the house tonight…I’ll be there.
10pm: Laugh Factory - Jay Davis’ Life of the Party
The Dirty: Looks like Jay is bringing in Dane Cook for tonight festivities…and probably a few other rock star comedians. Get there EARLY..like EEEEARLY…and get on Jay’s list on Myspace.
For get expensive dinners…forget night clubs…forget bars…it’s all about stand-up comedy tonight people. I’ll let you know how Red Rock was tomorrow.
Last Comic Standing is looking for one thing - someone who can bring the funny! Candidates should be at least 18 years of age and be prepared to showcase their funniest two minutes for the talent scouts. The top comics from each city will advance to the semi-finals where they will be narrowed down to the top 10 finalists, who will then engage in a fiercely funny and fast-paced competition where only one will become the next Last Comic Standing.
Los Angeles, CA - NEW DATE! Jan. 29th
Hollywood Improv
8162 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
310-651-2583
Doors open at 9:00 a.m.
TALENT SCOUTS: Angela Kinsey & Oscar Nuñez (The Office)
Yeah…looks like L.A. has a comedy festival. This is the second time they have done this within the year. I didn’t make it last time…and I’m not so much into the musical comedy stuff…but there are a bunch of stand-up comedy shows to check out for like $12. Looks like a couple of the folks from Last Comic Standing will be there…Dante and Debra DiGiovanni. Plus Shang…who gets a lot of pub…but I haven’t seen him.
I have seen Sarah Colonna and I really like her…she performs on the 23rd and the 26th. The great thing about a festival like this is that you might discover the next great comedian.
