We’re celebrating live comedy, Live Comedy L.A., and yes…my 30th birthday this Saturday at Red Rock with a show that will blow you away. The line-up is awesome. If you want to laugh, please come down and enjoy the celebration with me. The show is FREE. Yeah…FREE COMEDY. I swear to you…this line-up rivals any of the line-ups you will see at a major club this weekend. Hope to see you there.
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…
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.
FYI: Trying some things with Snap.com functionality…just mouse over the links and see what happens. Should be able to see web pages and Youtube videos right here without leave. Cool stuff!
Line-Up:
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker
Dave Lease
Adam Richmond
Bernadette Balagtas
Michael Batts
Brody Stevens
Alonzo Bodden
Red Rock was jammed again for another Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. Pretty great for Thanksgiving week. I love how management is really embracing this show. They have rearranged seating…added tables…adjusted lighting…hell…we might even get a waitress up there if this keeps up.
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker -
Matty did some great call back material to the last show when a crazy woman essentially attacked him on stage. It’s great that Matt recognizes the regulars and makes them feel welcome. I want to mention Matt’s customer service skills quickly while I have a chance. We talk about this a lot here but it is rarely implemented at the clubs and especially at the rooms. Before and after every show, Matt is introducing himself to each person in the crowd and thanking them for coming. I’ve never been thanked for attending a show at the Improv or at the Laugh Factory…and I pay money to go there. Take note folks.
Dave Lease -
It was my first time seeing Dave and his first appearance at Red Rock. He was really good. Loved the joke about hell at the end.
Adam Richmond -
Adam is nuts…and it’s awesome! Tons of energy…and really fun. He ended his set with a brilliant line. The one thing a dude doesn’t want to say to a woman in a very intimate moment…”I want you inside me.” HILARIOUS!
Bernadette Balagtas -
I love Bernadette. She’s hilarious, clean, and really cool. She’s the type of comedian that everyone can appreciate.
Michael Batts -
Michael is Bernadette’s husband. They do a great back and forth when he comes up on stage and she sits down. I’d like to see some new material from Michael…but that is only because I like him so much. The Jaime Fox stuff gets me everytime.
Brody Stevens -
Everyone knows how much I love Brody. Some people just don’t get him…he is definitely an acquired taste. But I think he’s brilliant. For some reason, people take his stage persona as being serious, because his style is so unique. I’ll make it very clear…he’s joking!!! I think it’s amazing when he says stuff like “I’m brilliant. I know math. I got my degree online.” He provides this contrast of himself that is just amazing. 818 till I die!!! BTW…joke of the night. “I’m not one of those West Side Jews…a Montana Ave. Jew. I’m a Valley Jew. A blue collar Jew. My dad ran the Swap Meet.” I’m almost fell over laughing at that.
Alonzo Bodden -
I can pretty much guarantee Alonzo Bodden gives his best performances at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. You can tell he is so relaxed…and he’s just kickin’ jokes. No pressure. Just he and the audience. It’s so much fun. And some how…when he performs…there is always great interaction with the crowd. This time he reminded a “heckler” that he can rely on the heckler to always be there to help him. It was absolutely hilarious…especially if you see a lot comedy or if you are a comedian. Terrific.
Line-Up:
Matt Baetz
Jessica Glassberg
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker
Josh McDermitt
Sarah Colonna
Chris Franjola
Brian Scolaro
Let me tell you why I love live comedy…you never know what’s going to happen. This Stevie Nicks look-a-like chick kept interrupting the show. It was kind of funny at first…but as all obnoxious crowd members go…it got annoying. Ballgame handled it well…but eventually she had to be tossed…loved it. Look folks…as much as we think live comedy is some type of interactive thing…90% of the time…it isn’t…so per usual…keep your yapper shut. If the comedian wants to engage the crowd…he’ll come calling…don’t worry. There is nothing worse than an audience member thinking they are funny…you’re not…no really…you’re not. Me included. Big crowd last night…the show may have reached the tipping point…people are starting to talk about it. Onto the comedians.
Matt Baetz -
Best host in town…hands down…it’s not even close. Not only does he get the crowd warmed up with very good material…he knows every comedians name…and you can just tell things were loose. Matt hosts in a way where he doesn’t make it about him…it’s about the show. By doing so…he comes off way more professionally…and his material and skills shine. Not to mention he was dealing with that d-bag lady in row 2. I’m not kidding…she kept saying she was from Texas…so damn annoying. But Baetz handled her. This guy is a gamer…go see him…ASAP!
Jessica Glassberg -
I really liked her slutty baby material…she called her Slutty McSlutterson…and she did some Pussy Cat Dolls action. I think she hung with the jury duty material for about 3 minutes too long…but I’m sure she was testing. She has good presence…and she’s cool. Some material development and she’ll be good to go.
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker -
Ballgame was solid…unflapped by Stevie Nicks…he powered through his set. The unfortunate thing is…because of this chick…I’m having a tough time remembering his material. But he handled her really well…didn’t lose his cool…got the crowd laughing at her…never lost his confidence on stage…and kicked ass. Folks…this chick actually walked on stage…anything less than Ballgame kicking her in the ass was a miracle. That’s a pro, ladies and gentlemen.
Josh McDermitt -
My first time seeing Josh. He was solid…his joke about you are what you eat was great. He said, “I don’t agree…I’ve never eatin’ a 29 year old loser who still lives at home with his dad.” Awesome. Looking forward to seeing him again.
Sarah Colonna -
Sarah is great. So cool. She’s getting Britney, Paris, Lindsey, Tom Sizemore, and The Hof…all in a house for a show called….”So You Think You Can Drink”. Genius. I love the roofy girl too. And she cut the her vibrator joke at the end at the perfect spot. Awesome set.
Chris Franjola -
I’m telling you right now…there are very few comedians on Franjola’s level. He’s off the cuff…he’s current…he’s quick. Can we get this cat a show or something…seriously. Can we put him, Sickler, Segura, Brody…I could go here…in some stuff. Franjola closed with his sex joke…which kills. I also love the one about his neighbor taping himself having sex…that is unreal. Go see Franjola…seriously.
Brian Scolaro -
There is one joke I will never get tired of…and Brian may be sick of it…but I’m not…and no audience I have ever seen is…the sneezing joke. I think it might be the best joke of all time. I scream like a chick every time I hear it. His caveman material was great too. Scolaro was awesome…he’s a cool dude.
Great time last night…if you aren’t going to stand-up comedy…you are missing out. It’s too good not to go.
The Laugh Lounge Gets Dirrrrrrty
Line-Up:
Matty Ballgame
Brian Swinehart
Dave Hanson
Dana Min Goodman
KT Tatara
Ben Gleib
Ryan Sickler
Shaq’s Donkey Dong, Dash of Downs, Sneezing Dicks…the Laugh Lounge got dirty last night…and I loved it! (more…)
Line-up:
Zack Pollard
Matty Ballgame
Erik Lundy
Christina Pazsitzky
Ron McGehee
Lachlan Patterson
Andrew Norelli
I grabbed a couple visiting from Minnesota off the Sunset strip to come see this show…they loved it…good stuff!
Zack Pollard -
Zack was really good as the host. He took the job seriously and introduced the comedians with energy and very clearly…I can really appreciate that. I think his material needs development…but he has good stage presence and verbal skills.
Ballgame -
Always coming with new material…his joke about catching up with old friends was absolutely stellar…that’s a keeper!
Erik Lundy -
This is my second time seeing Erik and he just seems frustrated by comedy and his heart isn’t there. He had a tough set.
Christina Pazsitzky -
She’s off the charts good…I love her. I want her at my 30th birthday. She’s dirty and clean…and smart…her material is great…she’s quick. She has the goods to be big time.
Ron McGehee -
I’ve seen Ron kill…tonight wasn’t it. His marriage material wasn’t hitting home with this crowd…but he kept plowing ahead with it. I respect that. That stuff happens.
Lachlan Patterson -
So good. Laid back…great material. Canadian. You’ll love this guy.
Andrew Norelli -
Norelli officially became big time in my eyes. I’ve seen him 3 times…and he hit it out of the park. BTW…Norelli has been doing comedy for 10 years…so who the fuck am I to say he’s big time now…he’s an established comedian. But to me…he has the material…the attitude…the presence…to be big. He just doesn’t have the name recognition yet. In my book…he’s as good as Byrne and a few other guys at that level. He and Sickler are killer. I’ll get Norelli to my 30th too. His joke about customer service at Sprint had me screaming…and his joke about Indians was priceless. Love this guy!
Line-up:
Taylor Williamson
Taylor Morgan
Kyle Smith
Jason Gillearn
Matt Fulchiron
Greg Fitzsimmons
Matt Ballgame billed this show as the one year anniversary…reality is…this show has been going on for over a year and just keeps building momentum. The audience keeps getting bigger and the comedians keep getting better. Ballgame’s show is a step above everyone else’s. From a audience perspective…you get to see the top headliner’s in the country and the best up and comers in the city. This isn’t a workout room…and Ballgame doesn’t throw up 12 comedians so that the audience just gets bored as shit. Even I don’t like that. For the comedians…you get a highly organized highly professional show. Great environment…great mixed crowd…and a line-up with other great comedians. You go in…you laugh hard for an hour and a half…and you our out. Best comedy show in the city!
This show was packed with frat guys…which threw a few of the comedians…very interesting to watch their reactions.
Taylor Williamson…solid.
Taylor Morgan…first time seeing her. She was good…dirty…I always like dirty and it worked well with this crowd. We talked before the show and she told me she was going to break out that material…so it worked.
Kyle Smith…I like Kyle a lot. His nickname joke is hilarious…Kyle “The Hookerstabber”. Awesome.
Gillearn…always solid. He never gets old to me. He’s not big nationwide…but in L.A. he’s the man.
Matt “The Fullcharge” Fulchiron…not gonna lie…he was off his game. The crowd may have thrown him.
Greg Fitzsimmons…what can you say…he’s a genius. I would love to spend an hour talking comedy with Greg. He’s awesome.