My podcasting career is up to a whopping 7 interviews now. I have really enjoyed each one of them and appreciate the time the comedians have given me. On Tuesday, 5 of the 7 people who I have interviewed were at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge…either performing or playing DJ (Matty Ballgame…yeah…he’s a hedge fund manager, a comedian, and a DJ). And I think the lesson for the night was pretty clear…I have talked with some damn funny people.

Ritchie Angeles was a special guest host for the evening. He just has a special way of bringing the excitement of a sports announcer to the comedy show. Gives you those little goosebumps you get at a ballgame.

Rebecca Michael did all new material for the crowd…and I thought she was great. I felt it was time for Rebecca to push herself past her old material and take the next step…and she shined. As a newer comedian, this is a difficult but necessary step. Can’t wait to see her continue the development of her new jokes.

Chris Franjola from Chelsea Lately closed the show with a stellar set of crowd work. Essentially, he went up on stage not really wanting to do material – this is actually when Franjola is at his best. He’s relaxed and off the cuff. Luckily he hit comedy gold…a group of 4 girls in their early 20′s sitting in row two…and a dude with a puffy vest jacket in row one. It doesn’t get much better than that people. He went back and forth with these folks…and it killed.

I normally don’t like to categorize comedians…male, female, black, Asian…because funny is funny. Who cares? But people do it all the time. So I want to make this very easy to read for everyone. Christina Pazsitzky cemented herself as the best female comedian in the city. The mark of a great comedian is continual development of great material. It’s about writing. I’ve seen CP (or Pezz if you’re nasty) perform almost 10 times. She continues to make me laugh over and over again with great, new material. She’s dirty, she’s cute, and I’m pretty sure she’s smarter than most of us. She told a joke about her husband’s obsessive grabbing of his crotch that had me screaming. Get off your ass and go see her…she’s in town for the summer.

Finally a big shout out to Patrick Keane. He’s hilarious. He tells a joke about Kane and Abel that is one of the best jokes I’ve heard. Definitely check him out when you get a chance.

“Sorry…I like to party…” – if you were at the show…you know what that means. Actually…I was there and still don’t know what it means…but Franjola had a field day with it. Thanks to the ladies in row 2.

Matty “Ballgame” Balaker has been putting on Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge for 3 years now.  That’s a pretty incredible number.  There are very few live comedy shows in Los Angeles that last that amount of time.  The success of the show stems from Matt’s unwaivering passion for stand-up comedy, his professionalism, and his understanding that the audience comes first.  The show has been so successful that Red Rock as completely transformed it’s upstairs lounge from grandma’s attic to a borderline swanktasic lounge.

Over the past 3 years, I would venture to say I have seen 90% of the shows. As a regular dude with a job and responsibilities, it’s an easy way for me to get my comedy fix. It’s free, there’s no drink min., parking is easy, food is good if I want it, and the comedians are the best in the city. Plus I’m out the door by 10pm.

In those 3 years, I have seen great sets from the likes of Alonzo Bodden, Greg Fitzsimmons, Bert Kreischer, Ryan Sickler, Tom Segura, Bret Ernst and many others. But I think most show regulars would agree that the definitive performance at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge was Joe Rogan’s 1 hour and 15 minute set in 2007. It was probably the funniest stand-up routine I have ever seen live.

Last night, I believe Sam Tripoli delivered the best set Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge has seen since Rogan. He brought is A+ game and was spitting heat from the moment he grabbed the mic. He unloaded on the the eclectic Asian hair dresser in the front row and tried to get her in a threesome with a blonde at the end of the row. He even hit swine flu with the line of the night, “One Mexican dude fucks a pig and we are all screwed. Meanwhile, chicks have been blowing donkeys down there for years, and everything has been fine. What’s going on?!”. The guy was on fire…moving from off the cuff audience work to written material with little detection.

Tripoli is a unique talent in the sense that he should not be contained. I’m sure network execs try to fit him into a bottle…but in order to get his full potential…they just need to let that guy loose.

The rest of the line-up was solid as well, but I have to say the night belonged to the Crime Fighter. Not only did he kill, but he walked in with a hot blonde with at least DD’s. And who doesn’t love comedy and boobs. Well done sir…well done.

The Live Comedy L.A. podcasts will be conversations with comedians, producers, bookers, managers, venue operators, and other people in the L.A. comedy scene. Simple. Direct. And no bullshit. I use Skype to record the call and post it using GCast.

The first podcast is with Matty “Ballgame” Balaker, producer of Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock. I’m happy with the way it turned out. It’s VERY low key and I expect I will get better but it’s a good start. Hope you enjoy.

CLICK HERE TO PLAY (RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD)

The LCLA Podcast will be back next week with Rebecca Michael and Chris Franjola to talk about their new show “Commercial Break” on thestream.tv.

If you are interested in being on the LCLA Podcast shoot me an email at info@livecomedyla.com

For those who enjoy comedy and laughing, discovering a talented comedic performer for the first time is one of the greatest parts of going to see shows. At any given time, you could be seeing the next Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, or Dave Attell before anyone knows who they are. That’s awesome.

Last night at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge, Geoff Lott popped his Laugh Lounge cherry with a very intelligent, hilarious, and clean set. I had not see Geoff before but I get that same feeling I got when I saw Ryan Sickler, Christina P., and Tom Segura…he’s got “IT”. I have a feeling it’s do to his ability to write…and write…and write. Keep an eye out for Geoff around town, I think you’ll like what he’s got.

Also great sets from Bob Bledsoe, Kevin Shea, Laura Hayden, Chris Edwards, Dave Forseth, and Matty Ballgame Balaker. The show is still going strong after 2 years and it’s such a great place to go.

Check out this video from Geoff Lott’s Myspace page:

Geoff Lott, June 2008

Last month at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge, Playboy Cyber Girl Natasha Budhi a.k.a The Chocolate Bunny crashed the show when Bert Kreischer was on stage. Matty “Ballgame” Balaker and his bro Ted cut this video that includes some clips of “Her Chocolateness”.

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.

Matty “Ballgame” Balaker has solidified himself as one of the premier promoters of stand-up comedy in our city. Tonight’s show at Red Rock was off the charts. Ballgame consistently brings in the best newcomers like Rebecca Michael…the top featuring comedians like Iliza Sheslinger and Jeff Short…and top headliners like Tom Segura and Brian Scolaro. If you have not been to this show yet…you really are missing out on a great Tuesday night of laughs in the middle of the week. I have a regular job…I need to laugh…this show helps me de-stress…it’s awesome. Did I mention it’s free. Imagine that…you get to laugh for free. Oh…and there was a black midget in the house. Yep…heaven.

Quick Line-Up Run: Matty “Ballgame” Balaker, Joe Braza, Rebecca Michael, Tony Moser, Eliza Shlesinger, Jeff Short, Tom Segura, Brian Scolaro

I loved Joe Braza’s first person references…hilarious. Great to see Rebecca Michael do her thing. I went to her show at IO West on Sunday (which is great btw)…and to be doing stand-up for only a year…she is great. This isn’t easy folks…I’ve done it. There is nothing more difficult. Eliza Shlesinger did her 6 minute set for the Montreal Showcase. It was so polished. I watched Iliza for about a year now…and this 6 minute set was so dialed. I love when she does the joke about coming out of the water looking like a rat…awesome. Jeff Short brought some great new material…”gay guys never lose a staring contest”…LOL! And what can you say about Tom Segura and Brian Scolaro…I have written about them countless times…and they are two of the best comedians we have. I just saw Scolaro on Sunday…and I laughed just as hard at the “Sneezing” joke today as I did Sunday.

More updates this week on some good weekend shows coming up…

I have said it before and I will say it again…I believe Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge is the best stand-up comedy show in Los Angeles right now. Matty “Ballgame” Balaker gets great comedians…there is no cover…there is no drink minimum…there is no line…the atmosphere is totally friendly…and the show lasts a perfect 90 minutes. I’m not saying it’s the best business model…I’m just saying it’s the best stand-up comedy show. I go every time the show is put on…which is the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month…and it’s a great time. All the comedians agree…this is a stellar room for comedy in Los Angeles.

Tuesday’s line-up is sweet and I’m sure I will talk more about it next week…but I’d like to highlight Andrew Norelli right now. He is one of L.A.’s hidden jewels. He is simply one of the best stand-up comedians in our city and I would venture to guess in the country. Get to this show to see him…in the mean time…check him out in this VideoShot.

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.

Kicked off the year in comedy with a show at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock on Tuesday night. Check the line-up:

Bob Bledsoe: ProfileShot – VideoShot
Jonas Garvin: ProfileShot
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker: ProfileShot
Iliza Shlesinger: ProfileShot
KT Tatara: ProfileShot – VideoShot
Duncan Trussell: ProfileShot – VideoShot
Ryan Sickler: ProfileShot – VideoShot

Highlights:
Bob Bledsoe kicked off the show and then wrapped it back around with a set in the middle that he is sending into Leno. I’ve seen Bob a few times and it was great seeing his classic material, plus the new clean stuff that will hopefully end up on the Late Night Shows. Jonas Garvin took the stage for the first time at Red Rock…I have not seen him before. Great stage persona…with some material development…he’ll be good. Matty Ballgame had me screaming out loud when we was talking about inviting his girlfriend’s friend over for a BBQ and a threesome. I’ve heard the joke before…but he nailed it. Iliza is always great…and KT is just a stellar comedian. He’s very polished. I expect big things from him. Duncan Trussell is an extremely intelligent, extremely funny individual who I could watch over and over again. I have the feeling this guy has tons of material at home that he’s just waiting to throw at us. I hope he never does clean set in his life…it would kill it. And of course Sickler took the stage at Red Rock for the first time in a while. I love this guy. He’s a buddy…so I’m biased. His new tortilla joke had me laughing “about 10 tortillas”. I’d like to see some new stuff…which I know we will. In the mean time…he’s comedy is like a good tune…I turn it up every time it comes on.