Live Comedy L.A.

I spun the one’s and two’s on Tuesday night at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock. Really it was more like sliding a little bar up and down for 3 second intervals…but whatever…I did my best to fill in for the regular sound guy…the legendary Ted Balaker. I like to think of him as the Laugh Lounge’s version of Kid Capri.

Erik Lundy and Ryan Sickler came out to the show for support. Sounds like Lundy and our girl Christina Pazsitzky might have some great projects going on in the near future for movies and TV. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Sickler was just pimpin’ it (not really…Dana Goodman is his gf…he was there to support).

Fun line-up at the Laugh Lounge. Laura Rosenberg hosted. She’s definitely one of the best hosts in town. Her energy is great for a show. If you want a quality show, get Laura Rosenberg, Richie Angeles, or Carl Hess as your host. Not sure there’s a reason to go beyond those three.

Dana Goodman has one of the best opening lines in comedy, “Titties in the house!”. It never gets old.

Jonny Laquasto and Matty “Ballgame” Balaker had good sets and I really appreciate their support of the website.

Saw Ryan Niemiller for the first time. Ryan has a handicap of some type with his arms…not sure what the condition is…but he didn’t make reference to it until probably 3 or 4 minutes into his set. Brilliant. Really looking forward to seeing him again.

I enjoy hearing Josh Wolf talk about his two teenage kids. He’s probably in his late 30’s, so having two teenage kids at his age can make for some great material. However, the last two times at Laugh Lounge he’s told two very random, very long stories. I think Josh Wolf could have a show about a young-ish dad with two teenagers. He should stick with developing that. It’s about creating intellectual property folks.

Franjola headlined and had the joke of the night…and I quote, “They’ve been able to create the perfect storm of douchebaggery in Hollywood AND Sherman Oaks by putting an Arclight right next to a 24-Hour Fitness in both locations.” Love that guy. Although, he doesn’t like to be filmed so that we can put his stuff on the internet. It’s a mistake. I’ll work on him. Chris is one of the few comedians who is truly educated about current events and could very easily step into a role like Joel McHale has on TalkSoup on E! or even a role like Jon Stewart has on the DailyShow on Comedy Central. He’s doing a tour soon with some of the other folks from “Chelsea Lately” round table. 20 stops at colleges around the country. I’m hoping that builds his buzz. He’s gonna need a Web 2.0 strategy to capitalize though. The kids use Facebook and widgets Franjola. But that’s my opinion…what do I know.

I mentioned last month that Los Angeles comedian Jeff Short is in a national TV commercial for the Sharp Aquos. Here it is. I want to tell you where Jeff is performing…but he does not have the info available. So I will tell you he is friends with comedian Aisha Tyler…who is smokin’ hot and funny.  Enjoy the commercial and go meet Aisha when it’s done.

Sharp Aquos Commercial

A packed house at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge last night saw one of the best line-ups in the show’s history. Chris Franjola, Christina Pazsitzky, Tom Segura, and Sarah Colona are 4 of the best stand-up comedians in the city and probably the country - and we got to see all of them in one show. It’s a really a tribute to the great job that Matty “Ballgame” Balaker has done. I would also like to give a shout out to the management at Red Rock for giving the show such great support. Prior management was not as supportive, but the new guys have really worked hard to help Matt. They understand what a great asset comedy can be to the establishment.

A few highlights:
- Christina Pazsitzky’s performance last night proves that the judges on Last Comic Standing do not choose the funniest people. I find it impossible…and I mean impossible…to believe that there are even 10 people in any city funnier than her. America got to see maybe :30-seconds of her act. Not fair. She’s unreal. She has reached a point in her comedy career that being on stage is second nature. She doesn’t have to think. Choosing to pursue stand-up comedy full time was a great decision. Please…for the love of holy hell…go see her live.

- Tom Segura did 20 minutes of new material that I have never heard before and it was incredible. I have seen Tom about 7 or 8 times. To do that much material…and for me to never have seen it…means he’s a great writer.

- When Sarah Colona performs…I feel like I’m getting a raw look into her life…and it’s so amazing. She is why stand-up comedy is so cool. When she jokes about her age and the number of men she slept with and her “roofy girlfriend”…it’s real…and it’s hilarious.

- Chris Franjola did the impossible last night…he dealt with a ridiculous heckler…and still pulled off a terrific set. I love Franjola. He’s a pro. Plus…he mentions my website on stage. He said, “Live Comedy L.A…what the fuck is that”? Genius…if you ask me.

- Chris Millhouse and Jessica Glassberg also performed. I think both had great stage presence. Especially Chris…he was very cool up on stage. With some material development…he’ll be solid.

Great time again at the Laugh Lounge.

HEY…make sure to check out Sarah Colona on Chelsea Lately on E! on Thursday night. Tivo that action so you know who I’m talking about.

Line-up:
Brad Stewart
Paul Goebel
Lizzy Cooperman
Murray Valeriano
Rob Delaney
Liz Feldman
Brently Heilbron
Cornell Reid
Brody Stevens

I hit up the show at Room 5 for the first time on Sunday. Brad Stewart runs the show there…I’m not gonna lie to you…he’s a good guy. The venue is really, really cool. Small room, great seating, easy bar access, good sound…and the crowd was great. Right there with 3 Clubs in terms of venues for comedy. Plus, I think Sunday night at 7pm is a stellar slot for comedy in L.A. Plus…it’s FREE and there is no drink minimum. I’m getting food in the restaurant below next time…and my girlfriend and I are making a date out of it. Cheaper than a movie folks.

It’s not a workout room…but it’s a good place to see comedians try out new material in a friendly environment…always a plus in my book. I think if Brad shortens the line-up and adjusts the comedian placement in the line-up a little better…he’s set. BTW…a disclaimer…I don’t know anything about anything…so take what I say with a grain of salt. Let’s check out the comedians:

Brad Stewart -
Brad’s wigger is stellar…I’m tired of these assholes wearing their hats to the side also. I think Brad did about 10 and he was very smooth…and clean…very tough. Looking forward to seeing him again.

Paul Goebel -
Paul seems like he’s been doing comedy forever…he’s a pro. This guy just had weight loss surgery and his ass disappeared…apparently he’s killing his tail bone.

Lizzy Cooperman -
Let me say that the audience seemed to love Lizzy…she got a lot of laughs. I would compare her style to a Robin Williams-like effort. I’m not a fan. That doesn’t mean it’s bad…I just don’t see that as stand-up. I see that as Broadway. If Lizzy was doing a one woman show…she would kill…she’s very talented.

Murray Valeriano -
For some reason nothing is sticking with me on Murray…possibly because I saw the show two days ago…and he was in the middle. I’ll have to see him again…my bad.

Rob Delaney -
I’ve never seen Rob before…and although he tried hitting on my gf (which was actually funny)…he was solid. His closer…which he actually fumbled because it was a new joke was the best. Apparently…he’s ok with his wife farting…but she’s not allowed to cry…or so his mom thinks…hilarious. Love watching comedians work out there jokes.

Liz Feldman -
Another comedian I saw for the first time…and she easily had the set of the night. I can’t wait to see her again. She’s a lesbian with scoliosis…ahh yeah…jokes abound my friend. The best was when she was talking about how the stuff you do in the shower is definitely stuff you wouldn’t do in public. She rocked!

Brently Heilbron -
Brently was workin’ hard…I mean he got up on the stage and did not stop. Like Lizzy…his was more of a performance…than stand-up…in my opinion…but talented and got laughs.

Cornell Reid -
Cornell disrespected the audience in my opinion by going up on the stage drunk…or what appeared to be drunk. It’s shit…comedians shouldn’t do it. I’m sure he’s better than his showing…but don’t go up drunk and waste our time. Not cool.

Brody Stevens -
Honestly…I love this guy. I really do. He is the most unique comedian in the city. “818 till I die!” That never gets old to me. Brody did a short set which disappointed me only because I wanted see him go longer…but he was still awesome. If you want to see a performance outside the norm…go see Brody. Why in the name of Jesus is Brody not a sideline reporter for Fox Sports…really, he’s not better than Andria Kremer or Bonnie Berstein? Somebody is screwing this one up.

No Name Comics - Every Sunday Night
Room 5 7pm
143 La Brea L.A. 90036