Live Comedy L.A.

Variety Magazine came out with a list of “Top 10 Comics to Watch”. No disrespect to Variety or the 10 comedians they chose, but I have a different definition of “watch”. Their definition is “to keep an eye on in the media and movies”. My definition is “to go see in a club and laugh your ass off”. To each his own. I happen to think my list can and will accomplish both feats. But what do I know.

So here is the “10 Really Good Comedians that You Should Go Watch in a Club to Laugh Your Ass Off” list.

1. Ryan Sickler
2. Dana Min Goodman
3. Tom Segura
4. Christina Pazsitzky
5. Jason Gillearn
6. Chris Franjola
7. Steve Flye
8. Andrew Norelli
9. Sam Tripoli
10.The Unknown Comedian

Starting on Monday, we will spotlight each of these comedians. I guarantee…if you go see any of these comedians live…it’ll be a good night.

Last night, I went to Dan Bialek’s new show “Twelve Shiny Nickels” at The Gardner Theaters. It’s a new concept show where 12 comedians do their best 5 minutes of material so that the audience is in and out in one hour. Sounded interesting given that I think stand-up comedy line-ups should have no more than 6 or 7 comedians at the absolute maximum because no one benefits from a long show with a lot of comedians. No one. Dan’s idea was intriguing because he was going to get us in and out in 1 hour. (more…)

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.

I asked a few of my favorite L.A.-based comedians a simple question - if you have the night off and feel like going to laugh, who are you going to see? One stipulation…it must be another L.A.-based comedian so that our readers can go see them. Here are the answers I got:

Greg Fitzsimmons - Greg Proops Chat Show at Largo
Tom Segura - Bert Kreischer
Brian Scolaro - Ben Gleib, Bobby Lee, Elon Gold, Ian Edwards
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker - Bert Kreischer
Dana Min Goodman - Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro, Greg Fitzsimmons
Jason Gillearn - Ian Edwards
Ryan Sickler - Zach Galifiniakis
Chris Franjola - Jason Gillearn, Brody Stevens, Tom Segura
Duncan Trussell - Brian Holtzman
Andrew Norelli - Brent Weinbach
Bob Bledsoe - Zach Galifiniakis

Comedy is very subjective…so you are going to have to get out there and see these guys and gals yourself. But make no mistake about it, comedians are a tough crowd folks. I watch comedians in the back of the room during shows…when the audience is cracking up…they are not laughing. So when they say a comedian is funny, chances are, he/she is bringin’ the goods. Hope you find some new comedians to see from this list - I know I have. A quick search on Myspace or Google will help you find these comedians…or subscribe to our page…we’ll let you know where they are performing in L.A.

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…

If you are a fan of stand-up comedy or just feel like a good laugh this week…Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge at Red Rock is set for killer line-up. Brian Scolaro, Tom Segura, and Jeff Short are simply 3 of the best stand-up comedians in the country…let alone Los Angeles. It’s FREE, there’s no drink minimum…and you can park in the $4 lot across the street. Take a cheap date…hell…take your wife…and get some laughs on the cheap. But I promise you…this is the real deal. Check out this VideoShot of Segura…and I’ll see you on Tuesday at 8:30 at Red Rock.

Live Comedy L.A. friend and favorite Ryan Sickler makes his broadcast debut tonight on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Sickler is the second guest. The show is scheduled for 12:37 AM.

We’ve written about him a million times…and he’s one of the best in the business…it’s so great to see that he will be in front of a national audience. Get ready for CAIDS and Dash of Downs to be household jokes!!!

Don’t forget to check out the trailer for Sickler’s movie Cutman. He and fellow comedian Tom Segura co-wrote the short film.

If you haven’t seen L.A comedian Ryan Sickler you’re definitely missing out. He’s one of my favorites. But it looks like he’s making some things happen outside of the clubs in the L.A.-area…so check it out.

Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS - Monday, Nov. 5 - 12:35am (I understand that is officially Tuesday…but for those of us who are time and date challenged…just stay-up on Monday night…or Tivo it). Sickler is performing a 4 minute set.

Cutman Screening - Thursday, Nov. 15 - 8:30 @ L.A. Center Studios.
Sickler and Tom Segura did a short about a boxing cutman. So damn good! I think it has the potential to be a series…at least a web series…if re-packaged properly. Hit up Sickler if you want to go see it. We’ll repost here.

Line-Up:
Matt Baetz
Mark Serritella
Matty “Ballgame” Balaker
Andy Kozel
Bryan Erwin
Brian Keith Etheridge
Matt Iseman
Tom Segura

Big line-up for the Laugh Lounge. But here’s the key difference between Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge and the typical “room”. Ballgame books very good comedians up and down the line-up. Every “room” has it’s purpose…the “rooms” that put up 12 comedians are for comedians to practice…this “room”…is for top performers…and the great up and comers. Normally I say there is no reason to have more than 5 - 6 comedians in the line-up…and that’s the most. But if you’re solid all the way through…and everyone keeps their sets tight…8 is ok. 10 - 12 comedians kills an audience no matter what though.

Matt Baetz - mattbaetz.com
Hands down the best host in Ballgame Laugh Lounge history. He’s the perfect host. Great material. Tight set. Made sure he knew everyone coming to the stage…and was interested in seeing them. That’s the key right there. I was late unfortunately for the beginning of his set…but I hope Matt is getting spots at the big clubs…and going on tour. I see big things for him. He has the tools.

Mark Serritella - markserritella.com
For some reson, Mark’s set isn’t sicking with me. It was very smooth and he has his stuff dialed…I just need to see him again to get the material down.

Matty Ballgame - myspace.com/balaker
Nobody in comedy writes more new jokes than Ballgame. I’m not kidding. He prides himself on putting himself out there…and we all need to respect him for it. It’s easy to use the security blanket…Matt rarely does. That’s how you become famous…throw your balls out there!

Andy Kozel - myspace.com/andykozel
Andy had one of the best jokes of the night…his “America’s Most Wanted” bit was spot on. I always change the channel because it scares the shit out of me…but then I have to turn it back…I just have to. I thought Andy got off to a slow start…but he brought it back around with “America’s Most Wanted” and closed strong. Looking forward to seeing him again.

Bryan Erwin - bryanerwin.com
Bryan has been at Laugh Lounge a bunch…he’s polished. A little fast…but his parenting material is solid…and this guy is dirty. I’m digging it.

Brian Keith Etheridge - myspace.com/briankeithetheridge
BKE crushed it this time around. His “sucking dick” tirade at the end of his set was just awesome. He was calling out girls left and right…and the crowd was on the floor. I love when comedians push the envelope. Stand-up comedy is still the only place you can do this…that’s why it’s the greatest.

Matt Iseman - mattiseman.com
Matt has really good stage presence….loved his joke about his new girlfriend…who is smokin’ hot comedian Kris Lezect. She uses him as a scratch post when she’s having an orgasm…he just gets in the way. We should all be so lucky. Anyway…back to the blog. I’d like to see new material from Matt. He’s a solid performer and a cool dude though.

Tom Segura - tomsegura.com
Tom is hands down one of the top 10 comedians out there. I love this guy…I’ve written about him many times. He and Sickler make the best writing team in the business. Someone just needs to let them have free reign on a project. His racial, sexual, and dirty humor is off the charts funny.