Live Comedy L.A.

Sebastian Maniscalco has been performing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles for years. He’s the classic story of a waiter in Los Angeles trying to make it big by coming up through the ranks of stand-up. Even leaving in the middle of shifts to go do sets and then heading back to work.

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him perform live at the Comedy Store, where he is a regular, on one occasion. He’s absolutely hilarious. His big break recently came with the theatrical release of Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show, where he starred along side fellow Los Angeles comedians Bret Ernst, John Caparulo, and Ahmed Ahmed. Sebastian is doing stand-up full time now and touring the country. His schedule looks pretty packed on his Myspace page but you can definitely catch him at the Hermosa Comedy and Magic Club in September. I also think you can probably catch him at the Comedy Store between road gigs…just call ahead.

In the mean time, Sebastian’s “Comedy Central Presents” special re-airs on the 4th of July at 6:30pm, so set your DVR’s. In the meantime, here is something to wet your appetite:

Over the past 3 or 4 years I have watched Bret Ernst and to a lesser degree John Caparulo, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Ahmed Ahmed work the L.A. comedy scene. I actually remember the first time I saw Bret at the Laugh Factory in 2004 do his roller skating joke…it was unreal then…and it was even more unreal watching him do it on a gigantic screen that is currently showing in theaters across the country in Vince’s Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show. Needless to say…I loved the film. But more than anything…I love the fact that these four gentlemen have the opportunity to show their skills to millions of people across the country. It’s great that Vince Vaughn felt compelled to take the time to help these guys out. It’s something that I would love to be able to do one day as a supporter of stand-up. He didn’t just lend his name either…you could tell he was working hard to promote each show and was with the comedians through out the 30 days. I thought director Ari Sandel did an incredible job of capturing who the comedians were on a personal level…giving the audience a sense of what their insecurities are…and delivering a very real experience for the audience. It didn’t seem contrived. Just fun…and very funny.

I encourage everyone to go see this movie…but more importantly…I encourage everyone to go see these gentleman live in the clubs. In addition, I hope it is clear that great comedians like Bret Ernst, John Caparulo, Sabastian Maniscalco, and Ahmed Ahmed are performing in clubs everyday…especially in our great city. Get out there and see them…support them…and tell your friends about them. We’ll do our best here at Live Comedy L.A. to keep you in the loop on who’s going to be where and when.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO SEE ARTIE LANGE ON APRIL 5

Go see these comedians this weekend. Trust me. Juuuust trust me. Good deals to see some of the best…

Ryan Sickler - Ontario Improv: 10/19 (8pm, 10pm), 10/20 (7pm, 9pm, 11pm), 10/21 (7pm). Pretty sure you can still give them the myspace promo-code LAUGH and get into the Friday and Sunday shows free. He’s the guy. He had instant classics with Dash of Downs and CAIDS. I request these jokes…that’s how good they are. I repeat…I request these jokes.

Suli McCullough - Laugh Factory: 10/19 (8pm). Suli’s slow, deliberate, friendly style is great. It’s “Crazy Legs” people!

Sebastian Maniscalco - Hermosa Beach Comedy and Magic Club: 10/19&20 (8pm). Sebastian has definitely launched his career to the next level. His material on cell phones, coffee, and basically how Americans have become a bunch of pussies is terrific.

Jason Gillearn - O’Brien’s (Main St. in Santa Monica): 10/20 (9pm). Pretty sure it’s free. Gillearn is a dirty bastard and is one of the most consistently funny comedians in Los Angeles. He’s not known nationally (although has appearances on Kimmel and the like)…he’s truly one of the best in the biz. The guy teaches juvenile offender kids…that’s endless material.

Andrew Norelli - Room 5 (143 N. La Brea): 10/21 (7pm). Maybe a small cover ($5-$10). Norelli is worth the price of admission…whatever the cost. He’s a big timer…no joke…see him while it’s cheap. His jokes are untouchable…he’s as good as Tosh.

Iliza Shlesinger - Hollywood Improv: 10/20 (8pm). Iliza is one of the top up and coming comedians out there in my opinion. She is very polished. I’ve said it before…she has the “I don’t give a fuck attitude” that you have to have. Watch her when a joke doesn’t work…she just powers through…one of the best in the biz at it. And it happens to EVERYONE!