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.
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:
Go watch a live taping of the BET stand-up comedy show for free. This should be fun.
Shang is coming to Los Angeles this week for a four day stretch of stand-up comedy shows that I highly recommend seeing. If you have not seen Shang live - his comedy is a great time. I saw him for the first time at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge in March and he killed.
I’m most impressed with Shang’s ability to build his own personal brand - much like Dane Cook, Joe Rogan, and Jim Gaffigan have done. He’s a promoter. He could just wait around and hope that TV deals and movie deals hit him…but instead he’s out hustling. The video below is just one example:
I highly recommend checking out Shang at one of these shows this week:
Thursday, June 26, 2008
9:30
THE M BAR
Friday, June 27, 2008
9:00P
THE DOWNTOWN COMEDY CLUB
Saturday, June 28, 2008
7:30P
HOLLYWOOD PARK CASINO-W/JON B
Sunday, June 29, 2008
8:00P
SPOKEN FUNK AT THE M BAR
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.
Chris Franjola will make another appearance on the E! Channel’s Chelsea Lately starring Chelsea Handler. Franjola performs stand-up comedy in L.A. regularly. He’s hilarious - we’ve written about him almost as much as we’ve written about Ryan Sickler (stop your man crush jokes ASAP).
If I had to name a “Top 5 to 7 Stand-Up Comedians Who Have the Potential To Make It on a Sitcom”…Franjola is right there. So if for some reason that burger from your Memorial Day BBQ isn’t sitting right…or you just don’t feel like watching Leno or Letterman and want to check out some L.A. Comedians on T.V….and you’re up…check out Franjola.
Day: Monday, May 26, 2008
Show Time: 11:30pm on E!
John Caparulo just hit big screens nationwide in Vince’s Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show…and now is a great chance to see him perform LIVE stand-up comedy in Los Angeles…for FREE. Jump on the Improv Website and use the PROMO CODE: FUN to get 4 FREE tickets to a show this weekend that he is headlining. Here are your options:
Friday, February 29 @ 8pm
Saturday, March 1 @ 8 or 10pm
He is terrific in the movie…but you will truly appreciate is rapid fire humor in person without the editing. John has a great story btw…
John grew up in the Ohio Valley, but it wasn’t long before his dreams would take him out west. After he graduated from Kent State University he headed to Hollywood. Upon his arrival in the big city, John got a job as a doorman at the world-famous Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard. It was there that he honed his skills amongst some of the most prolific comics in the business, such as Eddie Griffin, Joe Rogan, and Andrew Dice Clay. All the hard work started to pay off as the Hollywood industry began to take notice. John was signed by top-level representation. He then made his national television debut on “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn” and gave a memorable performance. Appearances soon followed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and The Game Show Network’s “Funny Money.” In 2003 John performed at the “Just For Laughs” comedy festival in Montreal and received an overwhelming response from industry attendees.
If you were thinking about heading to a movie Friday or Saturday night, skip it…do you really need to spend $15/ticket at the ArcLight or the Grove on “Jumper” when you have those loans to payoff.
There are several great stand-up comedy concerts coming to Los Angeles in the next few months. These are comedians you will rarely see in the clubs so it might be worth going to see the show if you are a fan. I already have my tickets for Chris Rock and Artie Lange in April.
MARCH
Larry the Cable Guy
NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE , Los Angeles, CA
Sat, Mar 1, 2008 08:15 PM
Tickets Available Here at Ticketmaster
April
Artie Lange
Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk , Universal City, CA
Sat, Apr 5, 2008 08:15 PM
Tickets Available Here at Ticketmaster
Chris Rock: No Apologies
Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk , Universal City, CA
Wed, Apr 23, 2008 08:15 PM - Tickets Available Here at Ticketmaster
Thur, Apr 24, 2008 08:15 PM - Tickets Available Here at Ticketmaster
Fri, April 25, 2008 08:15 PM - Tickets Available Here at Ticketmaster
May
Lisa Lampanelli
Grove of Anaheim , Anaheim, CA
Fri, May 9, 2008 08:00 PM
Tickets Available Here at Ticketmaster
June
Steve Harvey
Kodak Theatre , Hollywood, CA
Fri, Jun 6, 2008 08:00 PM - Tickets Available Here at Ticketmaster
Sat, Jun 7, 2008 08:00 PM - Tickets Available Here at Ticketmaster
Let’s pretend for a minute you have a date. And let’s say you’re still getting to know this person…meaning…no weekend dates yet (don’t make that mistake). You don’t want to spend a lot of money yet because you aren’t too sure where things are going. You know what I’m talking about. So what are your options…drinks…coffee…nope…dumb. Go with comedy. Trust me on this one. I submit to you the ultimate cheap date…the best stand-up comedy show in the city…Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. No cover…no drink minimum…and just a great time. Guaranteed action folks.
Last night’s show was stellar. Tight sets from everyone. The place was packed! Let’s check the line-up and see what happened:
Ritchie Angeles: ProfileShot
Chris Edwards: ProfileShot
Adam Gropman: ProfileShot
Scott Nelson: ProfileShot
Matt Dwyer: ProfileShot
Mike O’Connell: ProfileShot
Chris Franjola: ProfileShot
Ritchie Angeles was an incredible host. He was exactly what you look for in a host of a stand-up comedy show. Funny, professional, and dialed into the intros. He set aside his ego (not that he has one - but we all do in one way or another) for the good of the show. His introductions were stellar…made everyone in the audience look forward to the comedians when they came up. I hope every comedian thanked him at the end of the show. And if you are a comedian who has a good host at your show…make sure to thank him or her.
Chris Edwards was great also. It was his first time at Red Rock and it was my first time seeing him. He led off with a joke about a woman calling him a Todd Bridges and Carlton Banks look-a-like. Hilarious! Because it was true.
Adam Gropman was off the charts last night. Adam’s last performance at Red Rock was tough…but I knew he could bring it back around…and he nailed it last night. The jokes about dating an older woman had me screaming. So good. Awesome to watch the process and how slight changes in the routine can make such a big difference.
Scott Nelson crushed it too. He has a joke about pens that was the joke of the night. I hate to compare but to help you out a bit…he has a little Seinfeld flare to him. Good show.
Matt Dwyer is a sick bastard…and I love it…and think everyone else does too. After gulping down his wine…he just rattles off some sick stuff that had the crowd rolling. His existential outlook is funny.
Mike O’Connell was out of place. He’s a very talented guy…but his guitar…one man show routine was not stand-up. I don’t want to judge…because performance is performance…but I’m a purest when it comes to stand-up. I also think he went on too long…but that’s not my call. I have to admit though…the Asian Baby song was funny. Great actor…great performer…
Chris Franjola is off the charts funny. He brought some new material…which I always appreciate. I actually think Franjola is the funniest when he just does off the cuff material…crowd work. His older stuff was great too. His joke about watching his buddy’s video tapes will never get old. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again…Franjola is one of the top comedians in our city. I don’t know what I have to do…but everyone needs to go see him. I will call him out on one thing though…he talked a little trash about the “line-up card”. I don’t think Chris knows I invented the “line-up” card so people know who to search when they get home from the show. Instead of typing in Chris Granola…or Chris Frijoles…in the Google search box…they’ll search for Franjola (not too often you can use a comedians joke against him - if you were there…you’ll get it!). It’s all about organic search engine optimization folks.
Folks…Los Angeles stand-up comedy rocks!
Apparently, stand-up comedy is back with a vengeance on Tuesday night’s in Los Angeles. Here’s a quick and dirty for you because it’s late you need to make decisions because you have a date in 30 minutes and you have no idea what you’re doing.
8pm: Canoga Park Bowl
The Dirty: This show is put on by Dante from Last Comic Standing…it’s for mostly up and comers…but if you want free and low key…it’s not bad. Don’t expect much though…go in with LOW, LOW, LOW exectations.
8:30: Red Rock - Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge
The Dirty: Matty Ballgame puts on the best room in the city. No cover…no drink min. and the best comics in town. Chris Franjola is in the house tonight…I’ll be there.
10pm: Laugh Factory - Jay Davis’ Life of the Party
The Dirty: Looks like Jay is bringing in Dane Cook for tonight festivities…and probably a few other rock star comedians. Get there EARLY..like EEEEARLY…and get on Jay’s list on Myspace.
For get expensive dinners…forget night clubs…forget bars…it’s all about stand-up comedy tonight people. I’ll let you know how Red Rock was tomorrow.