Live Comedy L.A.

Lauri Roggankamp is quickly becoming one of my favorite comedians to see in Los Angeles and she simply crushed Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock on Tuesday night. She has two qualities that I think are going to take her a long way in comedy - she has developed her own unique voice and she knows no boundaries (not too mention a little thing called great material). I love her…I really do.

There were four, totally obnoxious drunk chicks in the front row that most of the comedians were having a difficult time handling…Lauri was such a pro in how she dealt with them…she called them out like the whores that they were. STELLAR!!! If you read this blog…trust me…go see Lauri. Her jokes about Mexicans on the room, her body, and eating will put you the floor.

Lachlan Patterson is also fantastic. He’s quick and his rhythm is spot on. I’d love to see long set from him. I’ve seen three short sets…I feel like I could watch him do his thing for a while and not get bored at all.

Brand Vestal, Jonny Loquasto, Jamie Kaler, and host Rebecca Michael (filling in admirably for Matty Ballgame Balaker) all did a nice job. And I’d like to give special notice to Adam Hammer. Adam did a bunch of dirty material that I think he was just trying out…and that takes a lot of guts. It was a little forced…but you have to do it. Nice work.

Former head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and 2-time NBA Champion Houston Rockets, and University of Michigan alum Rudy Tomjanovich was in the house last night for a stellar line-up for Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock. Other notables in the crowd included Brad Stewart from No Name Comics and my girlfriend ; ).

Alonzo Bodden is always incredible to watch at the Laugh Lounge because of how informal and intimate the setting is. He seems very comfortable with the audience. It’s the ultimate in live comedy. I’d love to see an All-Star Show at the Laugh Lounge…maybe for my birthday show (hint…hint). The rest of the line-up was great. I loved watching Keith Healy. He has improved so much…terrific to watch. Jen Murphy was dirtier than ever…and I loved it. Rebecca Michael nailed it. Patrick Keane…as Alonzo Bodden said…is an incredible joke writer. And Patrick Keane…as Alonzo Bodden said…is an incredible joke writer. And Laura Hayden was awesome in her white jeans on the 28th day.

The crowd continues to grow…and I hope L.A. keeps supporting live comedy. See you around town…go laugh.

Buy Alonzo Bodden’s new CD - “The Bootleg”

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…

Stand-up comedy maven, Rebecca Michael, launches her Masters of Comedy Show this Sunday - March 2nd at Improv Olympic. Rebecca has only been doing comedy for a year but her dedication to the craft is paying dividends as she also makes an appearance at the Punchline in S.F. this weekend (Watch out Matty Ballgame!). I will definitely be the house tomorrow for her first comedy promotion. Rebecca was able to pull Live Comedy L.A. favorite Brian Scolaro as the headliner. Scolaro has the funniest joke I’ve ever seen. He does a sneezing routine that is off the charts and never…EVER…gets old. I scream like a little girl when I hear it. $5 at the door…gotta love that.