Saturday, July 30, 2005

Chelsea Handler and some local funny bloggers

It seems like about a million years ago that I read Chelsea Handler's book My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands, which I reviewed for BUST (should be in their latest Men We Love issue, but I'm not sure). It's weird how lately I just keep picturing all these memories clear as day - that was during the whole staying at H's/cupcake baking/crushed out/depressed days. Anyway, Chelsea is also going to be in the October issue of Penthouse as the comedian Q&A (the column is called Stand Up Guys but sometimes they interview a girl) and is in Sunday's NYT.

In totally other news, Rob P's take on telling people he just got back from Afghanistan is hilarious, especially the photo.

Matt Goldich mentioned that he's doing a "ton of shows" in preparation for his upcoming Comedy Central taping. Then I clicked through and saw that he's actually doing practically every alternative show in NYC during the month of August. I will be at some of these, at the very least Comedy Pro Shop tomorrow night, maybe Twin Killing on Monday. Would love to go to Crash Test if I wasn't so old and crochety, but maybe one of these days when I don't feel like I'll need sleep during the rest of the week.

Jess Wood's last 2 shows at Three of Cups

Sad news about this show ending but hopefully Jess Wood has lots of great new stuff she'll be offering up to us...

Yes,
it is true, I am moving up and out of the cups, but
before I go, do I have a couple-a shows for you!
FREE & FUNNY, no shit.
"Gettin' Wood"

Monday Aug.1st 8pm
Rachel Feinstein, Jason Good, Ophira Eisenberg, Jeff
Mac, Charlie Gaeta and Joe Divito

Monday Aug.8th 8pm
Todd Levin, Eric Kirchberger, Rachel Parenta, Matt
Goldich and Mike Weingartner

With me hosting and giving away free candy-all in nice
a.c....
Watch in Sept. for my new space, it's cool, real and a
brand new, freshly painted, hipper-than-hipster spot

Three of Cups, corner of 5th St/1st Ave

Patrick Borelli on the radio right now!

From Patrick Borelli:

I'll be hosting an Internet radio show from 2-4 PM today. If you're
sitting in front of your computer this afternoon, tune in here:

http://www.eastvillageradio.com/

I'm going to have one guest, Garvy J (www.garvyj.com) in the studio
from 3-4 to talk about his new album. His music is really amazing and
he played every instrument himself, which is impressive once you hear
his music.

If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and say hi. The radio station
is a tiny storefront on 1st avenue between 1st & 2nd street.

You can call the station at 212-254-7104.

Friday, July 29, 2005

okay, okay, I'll see The Aristocrats already

I've been hearing about this movie for MONTHS. Not sure when I can squeeze it in this weekend and next week is out, but I'll try, maybe Sunday afternoon before Pro Shop.

A.O. Scott loved it

Through a series of interviews with an all-star cast of dozens of performers, television writers and other intellectuals - among the best known are Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, Drew Carey and the animated boys of "South Park" - the filmmakers overturn two bits of received wisdom about humor. The first is that what is funny cannot be explained, the second that it dies by repetition. Indeed, the more you hear the joke - and you hear it, in bits and pieces and all the way through, at least 60 or 70 times - the deeper you appreciate its peculiar fascination. And as various comedians reflect on its meaning and history - Mr. Carlin is particularly thoughtful in this regard - you come to understand the codes and customs of that peculiar guild that makes a living by trying to make the rest of us laugh.

or maybe just happy

Alan Fessenden's I Think I'm Dumb and Becky Yamamoto's Something Something Hope

Best part is the photo, a must click - see above URL for details, I may try to go in 2 weeks

Are you an American?  Still wondering how to earn your First Million?  Wanna know how to talk to the Ladies?  Ever try to prove to your friend how not racist you are?  Well than Alan Fessenden believes that I Think I’m Dumb is the show for you. Alan is an average guy who happens to think he’s dumber than you. I think I’m Dumb is a smart comedy written and performed by Alan Fessenden. Developed to explore his own stupidity on an array of subjects such as women, race relations and foreign cultures; I think I’m Dumb is edgy, risky and honest comedy about people you know and the things they say when you’re not looking.

In Something Something Hope A wannabe rock star/comedian Becky Yamamoto meets her nemesis/true inspiration a jingoistic and hopeful yet world weary Carnival Cruise Ship singer (Rosie McDavis) on a mysterious Carnival Cruise ship, the SS Hope: a ship that cruises in the seas of dreams and imagination. Through song, dream sequences and confession, Becky and Rosie ride the rough seas of relationship and face the storm that is “showbiz”.  Becky tries her best to keep a happy face, while Rosie shows her best Hollywood teeth smile clad in sequin.  The battle of gloomy pessimism and an undying, unrealistic hope takes place aboard a lovely Carnival Cruise line shi

Cracked Out Crash Test

Monday night is also Twin Killing at Swift and the Drink at Work party at Sibera, now with Demetri Martin replacing Christian Finnegan becuase he just landed a movie role.

August 1, 8 and 22 Best Week Ever Live is at UCB:

VH1's Best Week Ever - LIVE!

See Best Week Ever's top panelists slice and dice their way through the week's big stories in pop culture. They won't have the crutch of basic cable production values -- it's nothing but raw nerve and sharp wit in this live show.

Starring a rotating cast including Jessi Klein, Mike Britt, Craig Baldo, Rob Huebel and other surprise special gu

Also this killer lineup at Aziz Ansari's show Crash Test, which if I can stay up that late I just may go to since my chances of getting to Welcome to Our Week this week are slim:

The UCB Theatre's FREE Weekly Stand-Up and Alternative Comedy Showcase


This week's line-up:

JESSI KLEIN
(VH1's Best Week Ever)

NICK STEVENS
(The Shark Show)

NICK KROLL
(co-host Welcome To Our Week)

Guest Co-Hosts BRETT GELMAN & JON DALY
(Cracked Out)

Hosted by AZIZ ANSARI

Monday, August 1
11:00pm
FREE
Reserve tickets here

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Twin Killing, Monday August 1st

Hosts:
Matt Goldich (soon to be taping Comedy Central's "Premium Blend") and
Chris Jurek (Time Out NY: "Delightfully bizarre.")

Featuring:
Roger Hailes (VH1, Chappelle's Show)
Heather Lawless (Variety Shac)
Todd Levin (soon to tape "Premium Blend")
Brad Steuernagel ($1 Room)

Here are the details:
Monday, August 1, 2005
Swift
34 East 4th Street (between Lafayette and Bowery)
NYC
8:30 pm
FREE

Saturday - Shark Show + Pink Steel

I already posted about the Pink Steel part (cupcakes, people, cupcakes!) but here's the Shark Show info, copied and pasted directly from their newsletter:


THE SHARK SHOW and PINK STEEL!!!

THE SHARK SHOW
We Beat The Heat, But No Rest For The Wicked.
You're in town. You're looking for something to do on a summer Saturday night that kicks serious ass. And you don't want to spend a ton of money doing it. And who would? Only a-holes spend tons of money "doing it". A-holes and Thai men. ANYWAY...
Have we got some fun for you. In fact, we've got a night full of so much fun for you, you may have to take a kick-ass break starting Sunday. Which is fine by us. So long as you rock this Saturday at THE SHARK SHOW, Live from The Parkside Lounge, 317 E Houston Street (corner of Attorney St.) @ 8pm. For just $5, you got over an hour of all-new comedy from THE SHARK SHOW guys and this week's special guests...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**If he ran for mayor, since he knows everyone and is funny, he'd do well - SETH HERZOG
**A funny dude making his return to the show - MATT GOLDICH
**New to the show, but no stranger to funny - SCEN WECHSLER
**Proudly brought to you by your hosts and houseband; NICK STEVENS, GABE MCKINLEY, DAN GABA & ARI VOUKYDIS, with RYAN W. GATES on lights, sound and the itunes of Doom.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And here's where the show, and this email, really get rocking,, with parties and plugs...
**Stick around post-show and celebrate SHARK SHOW grandpa Dan Gaba's thirty-third birthday. Yup, it's the olde triple-triple for the senior member of The Shark. In lieu of flowers, Dan asks that you bring cans of Ensure and Centrum Silver multi-vitamin bottles for his old bones. His birth anniversary shall be the highlight of yet another delightful SHARK-AFTER-DARK party.
**PLUS - following our show, at The Parkside, is one of our favorite bands in the world, the men that present heavy metal at its gayest - PINK STEEL (www.pinksteel.org) Udo and Hanson will be fighting for cock from 10pm on, and chances are, if you see THE SHARK SHOW and want to stick around for German acoustiporn for a while, everyone will end up a winner...and gay.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Christian Finnegan interviewed in Penthouse!

I'm so excited - in Penthouse's Stand Up Guys column this month (September issue), the comedian interviewed is Christian Finnegan, and it's a great interview too. Kambri wrote a funny little blurb about it. We have some great comics lined up in the coming months too (I don't really have anything to do with it except enthusing about my favorite comics endlessly to the comedy editor). In other news, next month (October issue) my Girl Talk column starts in Penthouse.

Did you know Chicks & Giggles is now weekly?

Why diet when you can come laugh your butt off? See YOU on Tuesday!

Next show: Tuesday, August 2
8:30 pm
RAGA
433 East 6th Street (1st/A)
FREE!

Featuring Fantastic Funnies from:

Carolyn Castiglia <http://www.carolyncastiglia.com/> is hostin' it up per usual!

Vicky Bond (Brooklyn Comedy Co.)

Nikki Chawla<http://www.comedysoapbox.com/comedianstemplate.cfm?comedianID=253>(New York Comedy Club)

Claudia Cogan <http://getthefoutofhere.blogspot.com/> (Becky and Claudia's Supreme Offering)

Emily Epstein <http://www.comedysoapbox.com/comedianstemplate.cfm?comedianID=2068>(Laugh Lounge)

Correne Kristiansen <http://www.correne.com/> (Saturday Night Live)
Rachael Parenta <http://rparenta.blogspot.com/> ($1 Room)

And, back from her stint with the red-headed Partridge... Bex Schwartz!
<http://bexschwartz.blogspot.com/>(VH1)

Check out the pictures from last night's show:
http://chicksandgiggles.blogspot.com

it's too hot to think but not too hot to laugh

It's really too hot to do just about anything besides bask in the air conditioning, but comedian Jeff Mac has some suggestions, my favorite being:

How to Beat the Heat!
by Jeff Mac, the guy who writes everything on this blog.

Stab someone with a fork, and then shout, "Just kidding!" as you run away.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Jon Friedman might be the funniest person in New York City

Or at least, who's ever taken our Cupcakes Take the Cake cupcake interview - in a word: HILARIOUS!

Becky Yamamoto solo show

SOMETHING SOMETHING HOPE
A solo show
Written and Performed by Becky Yamamoto
Directed by Alan Fessenden
Produced by Group 120
$10
Juvie Hall
24 Bond Street (Bowery & Lafayette)
Under the Gene Frankel Theater

Opening Weekend
Thursday, July 28, 8pm
Friday, July 29, 10
Sunday, July 31, 2pm

And then later
August 4-7
August 11-14
Thursday-Saturday Shows, 8pm

Becky and Claudia's SUPREME offering

Come to laugh, stay to worship once again at Becky & Claudia's Supreme
Offering, our stand-up comedy show in Williamsburg. Co-hosted by
roommates extraordinaire, Claudia Cogan and Becky Poole, with this
weeks most exalted line-up - Margaret Dodge, Carolyn Castiglia, Eric
Deskin, Shannon Ennis, Eric Kirchberger, Jack Kukoda, and Florence
Yoo! We've got free graham crackers (the body) and liquor give-aways
at the end of the show (the blood).

TOTALLY UTTERLY FREE!!!!
Wednesday, July 27th at 8:00 PM
(we do our thing every 2nd and 4th Weds. of the month - next show is
Aug 10!)

@ The Graham Lounge
312 Graham Ave (b/w Devoe and Ainslie)
www.grahamlounge.com
718.388.1900

L train to Graham Ave (3rd stop in Brooklyn)
Walk a block and a half south on Graham to Ainslie, and you are
saved...at least for the night.

How to Kick People on Wednesday

Dear Members of the "We Want More Max Von Sydow" Advocacy Group,

Good morning. Check it out. On Wednesday at 7:30 PM How To Kick
People
begins its new run at the beautiful downtown location at Mo
Pitkin's House Of Satisfaction, a just opened and very pretty
bar/restaurant/and performance venue on Avenue A. We love this space
and you will too if you come on in and see it. It would be very
appreciated if you came out Wednesday night as this is our first date
with Mo Pitkin's, and as with any first date we're trying to be all
impressive with, "Check out how many friends we have. Do us!"

Here are the details:

HOW TO KICK PEOPLE: TO THE MAX!!
(www.howtokickpeople.com)
with Bob Powers & Todd Levin
and special guests
Allison Castillo (author of the forthcoming book "The Score," seen on
VH1 and Comedy Central)
Maura Madden (member of the sketch group "Killing My Lobster")
Rusty Ward (seen on Comedy Central's Premium Blend)

Wednesday, July 27th, at 7:30pm
Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction (www.mopitkins.com)
34 Avenue A between 2nd and 3rd Sts. (upstairs)
tickets $8

No advance tickets being sold for this one. Mo's doesn't have a full
on alcohol license yet, but we hope to provide booze in some fashion
(perhaps you can drink from my blood).

See you there I hope. As always, thanks for reading me.

-Bob Powers (PG)

"Growing Up Amy" and "a comedy about suicide"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/LISTING
Contact: Brian Finkelstein
ibfink@aol.com

Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre presents:

“Growing Up Amy” & “First Day Off In A Long Time. A Comedy. About Suicide.”

An evening of two solo shows written and performed by Amy Rhodes and Brian Finkelstein.

Performers Amy Rhodes and Brian Finkelstein are teaming up to present their solo shows at The Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre in August. In “Growing Up Amy” writer/performer Rhodes takes a comical look at what happens when the youngest child grows up. Writer/performer Finkelstein’s “First Day Off In A Long Time” is the absurdly funny, yet sad story of an existentialist stoner working the overnight shift at a suicide hotline.

Amy Rhodes won the 2004 ECNY Award for Best Solo Show for “I Enjoy Being A Girl.” The show ran at UCBT and was performed in Boston and Chicago. With director Eric Pliner, she co-created "Spooky Dog & the Teenage Gang Mysteries," winner of the NYC Fringe Festival Award for Overall Excellence and named Best of 2000 in Backstage and Paper Magazines.

Brian Finkelstein is a frequent storyteller / host at the acclaimed, “Moth: Urban Storytelling Event.” His solo show, “Same as It Ever Was,” was performed in California, Chicago, and ran at the UCBT. He has appeared on NPR’s “Leonard Lopate Show,” “Late Night with Conan O'Brien,” TBS’s “Cut To The Chase” and Comedy Central's “The Upright Citizens Brigade.”

Members of the press are invited to any performance and should contact Brian for more information or photos. To make a reservation, please call 212-366-9176.

“Growing Up Amy”
Written and performed by Amy Rhodes
Directed by Eric Pliner
&
“First Day Off In A Long Time”
Written and performed by Brian Finkelstein
Directed by Adam Swartz

Thursdays
August 4, 11 and 18th
at 8 pm
The Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre: 307 West 26th Street (at 8th Avenue)
Tickets: $5.00
Reservations: 212-366-9176
www.ucbtheater.com

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Amanda Melson and SSIOWY dates

Firstly, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Amanda Melson, who had a lovely, cake- and comedian-filled birthday party last night, and whose actual birthday is tomorrow (July 25). She has also restarted her blog.

Amanda is, among other things, a cast member of Sara Schaefer (Is Obsessed With You). Here's info about Friday's show and future dates so you can mark your calendars:

FRIDAY, JULY
29, 8 p.m. 



 


Celebrity
Guest: Neal Pollack


 


Musical
Guest: The Last Town Chorus



 


And
lots more!  


 


Juvie
Hall Sketch Comedy Theatre


24
Bond Street, btw Bowery & Lafayette


Tickets
$8, through Smarttix 212-868-4444, www.smarttix.com,
or at the door


 



UPCOMING
SHOWS



 


Friday,
August 19, 8 p.m.


Saturday,
September 17, 8 p.m.


Saturday,
October 1, 8 p.m.


 


Juvie
Hall Sketch Comedy Theatre
 


24
Bond Street, btw Bowery & Lafayette


Tickets
$8, through Smarttix 212-868-4444, www.smarttix.com,
or at the door


 


 


 


 

Friday, July 22, 2005

Brutal Honesty's gotta have the cutest hosts in New York City


lgb2
Originally uploaded by Giulia1.
Also, these chicks are super funny, and if you missed hearing Giulia Rozzi talk about giving a handjob in a movie theater, Becky Yamamoto throwing her head back and laughing uproariously as she recounted her prom date, or Lianne Stokes reading a yearbook ad to her and her highschool crush's UNBORN CHILD, well, you missed a fun night. Redeem yourself August 17th at Otto's Shrunken Head.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Live blogging The $1 Room

This guy just said something about a diet coke cap, and that totally wasn't the point of the joke, but I want one. He's funny - just talked about being a pothead and running an ice cream truck. He's a little person and is talking about being a lifeguard. Uh oh, my battery's gonna die.

To be continued, but Peter just said he wants to do the Coney Island diet - eat funnel cakes and hot dogs, then ride the Cyclone and puke.

Aziz just came on and is about to do his Cold Stone Creamery joke. Also, he now has a moutsache. "the basic concept is they take ice cream and just go apshit...dude, it's ice cream, why are you molesting it? leave it alone!"

Aziz! Lianne! $1 Room!

Not sure if I'm going to The Donnas or this or home, but fyi:

The $1 Room

Catch Stand Up, Sketch and Video with Cassidy Henehan, Peter Kassnove and
Brad Steuernagel

"The Best Comedy on 2nd Ave. Between 9th and 10th St."

This weeks guests...

Adam Cole-Kelly, Meliane Klien, Lianne Stokes, Aziz Ansari and Nic
Novicki!!!

Thursdays 9pm, 1 Dollar
The Telephone Bar
149 Second Ave. (between 9th and 10th) NYC
212-529-5000

Rob and Mark at The Gin Mill

In celebration of Rob turning old in early August The Rob and Mark Show (Rob Gorden and Mark Douglas, www.robandmarkshow.com) will be returning to The Gin Mill for The Rob and Mark Show’s Rob’s Birthday Show!!!

So, this is an invitation to:

The Gin Mill with The Rob and Mark Show
Thursday, July 28th
8:00PM
at
The Gin Mill (Downstairs)
81st and Amsterdam
$5
NO DRINK MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM!!

You can also catch them every Tuesday at Giant Tuesday Night of Amazing Inventions and Also There Is A Game!

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

I'm SO freaking tempted to do this, but I won't

Let Paul Scheer and Aziz Ansari Set You Up on a Date! (also Todd Barry!)

CRASH TEST presents... DATE TEST!
Monday, July 25 - 11 pm
UCB Theatre (26th btw. 8th and 9th Ave)

Are young, single, and ready to meet someone special?

If so - this Monday at "Crash Test" let acclaimed dating gurus Paul Scheer and Aziz Ansari set you up on a dream date! We'll treat you and your date to fine wine, delicious food, and much, much more. In addition, we have some great comedians joining us for this special installment of "Crash Test" including...

Todd Barry (Conan, "Falling of the Bone" on Comedy Central Records)

Patrick Borelli (Conan, Comedy Central)

and

Dan Cronin (Conan, Comedy Central)

If you are interested in Paul and Aziz setting you up on a date, please send us an email with the subject line "Date Test" and also include whether you are a boy or girl in the subject. In the body of the email, provide us a link to your myspace profile or friendster profile to crashtestUCB @ gmail.com. Also answer three questions for us:

1) Whats your favorite band?

2) Whats your favorite movie?

3) What celebrity do you most associate yourself with?

We'll only be setting up 3 dates, so act fast! You'll just need to show up at 10 pm at the UCB Theatre on Monday before "Crash Test" and Paul and Aziz will take care of the rest.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to let professional matchmakers Paul Scheer and Aziz Ansari set you up on the date of a lifetime!

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

July 20th Celebrity Dog Run

Wednesday, July 20th at 7:30pm
CELEBRITY DOG RUN

Featuring Celebrity Impressions by Alan Lidogoster, Evan Laurence Lauren Zinn, Annie Dumas, Rosemary Stevens and
Christina Casa

Directed By: Stacy Mayer

Created By: Erik Marcisak

Hosted By: Stacy Mayer

opens with a short film by Cooter Shorts

Juvie Hall, 24 Bond St. at Lafayette
ONLY $7.00 (includes drink ticket)
6 to Bleeker or F/V/B/D to Broadway/Lafayette
http://www.manhattancomedycollective.com/

New Comedy Express TV column

New Comedy Express TV column - PSNBC, Brutal Honesty, WYSIWYG and more.

Monday, July 18, 2005

I will not be at this show

But here's the info, ahem...Pat O'Shea promises that he's written new jokes (with punchlines) AND there's air conditioning. But we can take bets as to whether he'll do his band t-shirt joke - I vote yes. Hee...Pat's awesome, only teasing. I'll be a Rififi for The Hazzards' Shut Up and Make Out party, more on that in a new entry.

Monday,July 18th.Ed Sullivan on acid.Freddy's backroom.485 Dean street,Prospect Heights,Brooklyn,718-622-7035.Subway:M,N,R,W,to Pacific,Q,4,5,to Atlantic,2,3,to Bergen.9pm.Free.

Pat O'Shea hosts Moody MCcarthy(Jimmy Kimmel,Star Search)Todd Levin(Premium Blend,The Onion)Clara Bijl(Laugh riots)Mark MCComb(Comic strip)Irene Bremis(Stand up New York)Mike Dobbins(R bar,Pianos)Will MCkinley(New york underground comedy festival)

Sunday, July 17, 2005

I heart Jess Wood

And she has a great lineup this week, but alas, I will be at The Hazzards' Shut Up And Make Out video release party at Rififi, but next time for Three of Cups, the sweetest comedy show in town (in more ways than one).

From Jess Wood:

Cool is the air that blows so nice
Funny are the comics who tickle you twice
Free is the show that really don't blow
So come on down and be in the know

Yes, I am a triple threat and just look who will be
joining me to entertain you this week;
Amanda Melson, Josh Spear, Susan Preckle, Craig Baldo,
Lee Camp, Charlie Gaeta and Dan Allen
I Jess Wood will of course be hosting while you
cutie-pies sit back and enjoy the crisp air, tasty
candy and hilarious folk.

Don't miss out-Monday July 18th 8pm @ Three of Cups

83 1st Ave (5th St)
FREE CANDY and a FREE SUGAR HIGH
see ya there,
xoxo Jess

Saturday, July 16, 2005

R Bar Insanity

Okay, I can finally talk about Thursday night at R Bar. I’m going to give my impression, and then some other people’s. I try so hard to be fair, but I don’t think giving my impression is trying to be insulting, and I am the kind of person who doesn’t go out of my way to say anything mean, and yet this experience was so unlike most of my comedy-going experiences that it kindof rattled me. I really try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and yes, I’m free to leave, but the atmosphere just became very uncomfortable and icky for me and I’m sure for other people too, to the point that I wasn’t really sure where the comedy ended and the drunkenness began or when it was okay to leave, and while this guy may very well be funny other times and places, he flat out wasn’t to me on Thursday.

Everything is subjective and others may have found him a laugh riot, but that was one of the very few instances in my going to shows that I truly felt a little afraid, would have been afraid to talk to him after the show, and just felt extremely uncomfortable and like the set had veered into a really misogynistic area where someone was working out their issues with the world and women onstage. And yes, other people “work out their issues” - see one show, and that’s obvious, but this was different, and maybe I can’t do a great job of explaining it, but it just was - he was drunk, screaming and had lost all connection to the crowd. Also, oddly, someone (his friend?) was filming the set. I’ve also deliberately left his name out of this, ask someone else who was there if you want to know that.

Anyway, I navigated my way through what Claudia later called the Park and Rape in Williamsburg to R Bar, which is at the corner of Graham and Meeker, and found a very friendly, familiar crowd inside - Susie Felber, Claudia Cogan, host Brian Finklestein, Victor Vornado, Ritch Duncan and later Jane Borden, Time Out New York Comedy Editor. A few people I’d never seen before performed, and I got to see Claudia do her “I want to be a stripper” bit (“not burlesque, that’s I’m taking off my shirt and writing a thesis”). Much more hilarity ensued, and then at the end this guy got up and was clearly WASTED. I mean, just drunk off his ass. He picked up this mannequin that had been lying around and was pretending to talk dirty to it, and I’ll give him that it was funny...at first. But his set kindof just descended into him yelling at the mannequin, the audience, the microphone, talking about weighing his cock, etc., and not only wasn’t it funny, he hogged the mic for like 20 minutes (approximately) and I honestly was a little frightened, just staring at Claudia and Susie like “WTF?” until I really did just have to get out of there.

I don’t know this guy, but it’s to the point that he frightened me enough that I almost hesitate to post my impressions here, and while, as you’ll see below, Ritch and Brian urge me not to judge him on that one performance, the thing with comedy is that, as a performer, you kindof only get that first chance. Maybe people will go see you again, you’re on a bill with others, but I can tell you that I will go out of my way NOT to see him again. Maybe it’s because I’m not a comedian, because everyone else seems to not think it was as big of a deal, but as it was my first visit to R Bar, I don’t really know what to expect. I will likely go back, and am glad Claudia urged me to go, I laughed a lot, it was free and funny and full of camaraderie - one of the comics who went on after Victor told a story about him scaring little kids at a movie theater where he’d played a villain in the film, and kept up that image when they saw him. People riffed off each other’s sets, and it was a lot of fun, but

Susie Felber: he didn't scare me. at first i thought he was brilliant and funny and, of course, drunk. but he was a self-concious drunk, the kind i can relate to. later, he didn't scare me, but he seemed to lose the desire to woo the audience. anywho, sorry if you were scared. i'm not playing too cool for school, i just thought i could relate to his brand of nutty.

Ritch Duncan: while he can be WAY out there- I think he's one of the funniest, most creative, and truly alternative comedians working today.

He was certainly out of his head drunk, and while what we saw was scary (I wasn't up front, so it may have been scarier for you guys) I'd call it an aberration, not the rule. This guy is a performer who exists, improvises and works very close to a dangerous line on a regular basis.

While I can't argue that he didn't go too far last night, I will say that when he manages to straddle that line, which he does more often than not, it's an amazing thing.

But I hope you don't judge him too harshly, or think he's more of a freakshow than anybody who does this is.

OK, maybe a little bit more.

Brian Finklestein: Yeah I don't really what know what to say about Thursday. It was a weird night that started with very few people in the bar and became a real fun show with good comedians.

And then there was ____ ______, who was definitely drunk and even scary. In retrospect I should have ended his set as soon as it started and I saw what was happening, but honestly as a performer who has had those dark nights before I thought I'd let him work it out. Then as people started leaving telling me they where scared I realized it was too much.

That being said, I agree with everything Duncan said. I think ______ is one of the most original and funny comics I have seen in a long time. I seriously hope that nobody that was there on Thursday judges him to harshly for what happened because although it was definitely inappropriate, it is not the norm for him. He is actually a very nice guy who loves comedy and is very good at making people laugh.

Comedian blog roundup

I have three shows I went to this week - GTN, R Bar and SSIOWY - that I want to blog about, but that may have to wait till tomorrow. For now, a local comedian blog roundup:

Christian Finnegan on the f**king heat

Kambri Crews, Christian's girlfriend and publicist, gives her responses to my Voice sex lives of comedians column that didn't make it in

Claudia Cogan is sick and tired of all the fucking hipsters

Jon Friedman looks like lots of famous people

Rob Paravonian is safe and sound in Kabul, Afghanistan

Friday, July 15, 2005

Sex Lives of Comedians column!

Yes, my worlds are colliding...

I worked on this column for longer than I've worked on any of my other ones, and want to thank everyone who's quoted in it AND everyone else who gave me feedback/input/stories (sorry I couldn't include everything, there were some funny/juicy bits, but that's life). I had almost thought it was never going to happen, but I pulled it off and am pretty happy with the result. Also major thanks to my editor who is such a careful reader and helps me sound much more polished, plus makes me think about every single word very carefully, in a good way. The photo credit should read Ophira Eisenberg, also.

The column is on Sex Lives of Comedians and has interviews with comics Christian Finnegan, Jessi Klein, Todd Levin, Allison Castillo, Chelsea Peretti, Giulia Rozzi, Jess Wood, Baron Vaughn, Gilad Foss and Eric de Piccioto.

Gilad on blogger!

My friend Gilad Foss FINALLY started a blog. I've been prodding him to do so for a while, because I think for anyone performing on a regular or semi-regular basis, it's a must. So go read it and encourage him, and check out his idea for a a new cologne. More later on R Bar last night, a/k/a the CRAZIEST comedy show I've ever been to. Really - I was frightened at the end and almost peed my pants twice.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Character, August 9th

From Lianne Stokes and her awesome, neat little blog calendar, I need to get me one of those. August is filling up with comedy SO fast.

Date: Aug 9, 2005 (Tue)
Location: Galapagos Art Space
Address: 70 North 6th
City/State: New York, NY
Start: 8:00 PM
End: 9:30 PM

(Note: Lianne's local date/time)

Meet people you wouldn't invite to dinner. Carolyn Castiglia and Lianne Stokes do Lesbiana and Toni From Sheepshead Bay. Also on the bill characters from Becky Yamamoto, Mark Sam Rosenthal, Shawn Hollenbach, Jenny Rubin and Matt McCarthy. Schedule permitting ***JEN NAILS*** will also be gracing the stage, well, not as the Jen you know.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Baron Vaughn's one man show

Not sure why I had to find out about this through Jen Is Famous when I took the subway with Baron after Comedy Pro Shop on Sunday (where I also met Jen while I handing out dessert forcing cupcakes upon innocent bystanders) , but whatever. I definitely want to see this, not sure which night though:

The Midtown International Theatre Festival presents
Actor. Comedian. Negro.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005 through Sunday, August 07, 2005

Humor + race + absurdism + (Baron Vaughn) = this show

Length: 1 hr 00 mins
Intermission: None
Seating: General Admission
You choose your seats when you get to the theater.

Baron Vaughn delivers an autobiographical examination of the everyday life of a black man as seen through the lens of blackness. Baron teams with none other but himself to preach on racial politics, absurdism, and how black is back.

Smarttix

Baron's blog

Monday, July 11, 2005

Sara Schaefer is Obessed With YOU this Friday

And, not to brag, but I washed Sara Schaefer's dishes yesterday. For reals. Don't pretend you're not jealous. I also learned what the drink New Jersey Turnpike is and watched Jon Friedman put a chair on his head, listened to Silver Jews, ate a cupcake with vanilla ice cream and laughed my ass of, of course. And it doesn't say it here, but you can buy adorable SSIOWY shirts, including this one that looks like a piece of candy, the kind with little twisties on the end. I heart those shirts and can't wait to rock mine all over town.

SARA SCHAEFER IS OBSESSED WITH YOU

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 8 p.m.

Celebrity Guest: Brian Stack (writer, Late Night with Conan O'Brien)

Musical Guest: Oceanographer (www.oceanographermusic.com)

And as always, someone who's been on Law & Order!

Juvie Hall Sketch Comedy Theatre

24 Bond Street, btw Bowery & Lafayette

Tickets $8, through Smarttix 212-868-4444, www.smarttix.com, or at the door

www.saraschaefer.com

www.juviehall.com

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Comedian gossip roundup

I just got two emails telling me that Rob Paravonian is off to Afghanistan to do comedy for the troops, so won't be at his show Comedy Pro Shop tonight. Not sure how long he'll be there, but let's all wish Rob well - that he makes them laugh just as hard as he does the East Village folks (or harder) and had a safe and speedy return. Comedy Pro Shop is tonight, 8:30 at Sin Sin Lounge (2nd Ave, corner of 5th), with Ophira Eisenberg, Rachel Feinstein, Karith Foster, and Dan Newbower.

I see that if I was more up on my Bloglines, I'd have known this already. Rob posted about his trip and sounds in good spirits. Here's what he's bringing:

Things to remember to take:

Camera
passport
Pashto phrasebook
concealer in case I wind up on some reporter's satellite phone
calling card
underwear
telephone numbers to all x-girlfriends for drunk/opium dialing
sunscreen
extra socks
balloons


Upon his return, I'm going to quiz him on the opium and balloons (notice they don't get any explanation - I wonder if they're the kind you can make balloon animals with?).

Also, more in comedy world real life:

Happy Birthday, yesterday and today respectively, to young uns (you're younger than me!) Michelle Collins and Sara Schaefer, both of whom were shaking their asses and looking awesome last night, along with (this is like comedian Gawker Stalker) hottie Lang from the Wiener Philharmonic, Jon Friedman and non-comedian Derek Hartley. But the real prize goes to Becky Yamamoto, who shook her ass like a pro. That girl can MOVE! Seriously, I want to take hip-shimmying lessons from her.

Friday, July 08, 2005

Monday night decision making

I was all set to go to Twin Killing but I may have to go to this instead:

Come to SMUT at Galapagos. Chelsea Peretti is guest hosting and has invited a gaggle of my dearest friends to "be provocative":

Andrea Rosen
Heather Lawless
Bobby Tisdale
John Mulaney

With band Pink Steel.

70 N. 6th St, L train to Bedford.

~free~

Also, Jess Wood has her awesome show. Why are they all at once? I want to see them ALL!

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Brutal, Brutal Honesty - Obsessive Crushes

I'm so there. Not that I have any experience with the topic or anything. You'll be happy to know though that now I just have crushes, not obsessive crushes. Progress, no? I've moved my obsession from cute people to Luna bars. Also, you MUST check out Giulia Rozzi's new blog Frozen Credit Card, especially if you're like me and have no clue how to save money or spend it wisely. I have a semblance of a clue, but need all the help I can get.

JULY 20th
BRUTAL HONESTY-A monthly themed storytelling show created and hosted by Giulia Rozzi, Lianne Stokes, and Becky Yamamoto. This months theme is "I will make you love me? Tales of obsessive crushes"

where: Otto's Shrunken Head (14th St btw A & B)
when:9 PM
cost: FREE!
featuring:
Pete Olson
Tony Carnevale
Brandy Barber
Molly Anderson

TV Land Trivia July 20th!

This is so cool and up my alley I'm cross-posting it! I'm so going to the 5:30 taping. Via Kambri.

Be Part of a Studio Audience (Free Alcohol)!

TV Land Presents: Game Time

TV Land offers what no other network can - TV Satisfaction. Why waste your valuable time flipping around the dial? There's always something on -- time-tested and audience-approved, 24 hours a day.

Be part of a live taping of Game Time, hosted by hysterical comic Christian Finnegan.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

The Supper Club
240 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036

2:30pm & 5:30pm

Audience members will be invited on stage, to participate in a series of Jeopardy styled questions focusing on classic TV trivia, shows like I LOVE LUCY, BONANZA, BEWITCHED, MR. ED, THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, THE MUNSTERS, I DREAM OF JEANNIE, LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, THE BRADY BUNCH and ALL IN THE FAMILY. Participation is optional.

The day is broken down into two shoots. The first episode shoots from 2:30-5:30- Snacks and soft drinks provided

The second episode shoots from 5:30-9:00pm Snacks, soft drinks and alcohol provided.

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

This Isn't Working benefit party August 1st

Get all the details at Drink at Work

As you may or may not know, your Drink at Work.com bartenders have a play that was recently selected for this year's New York International Fringe Festival (which will take place in New York despite the lack of a West Side Stadium). To celebrate — and finance — our participation in the festival, we're throwing a party on Monday, August 1st. We've already booked some great comedic talent (see below) and we're developing a quiz show extravanganza so exciting, so singular, it could only be named The Quiz Game Contest Show. So for a $10 donation you'll see some great comedy, get a chance to compete in the quiz AND enjoy free beer.

This Isn't Working Benefit Party

Siberia
356 W. 40th St.
(at 9th Ave, red light over a black door)

Monday, August 1st
Door opens at 6:00
The Quiz Game Contest Show starts at 7:30
Comedy/Music begins around 8:15
FREE BEER
$10 Donation at the door

Performing:
Christian Finnegan, Shayna Ferm, Aziz Ansari and more!

July 12th = Chicks and Giggles

Chicks and Giggles is going weekly soon, so look out. This is from my favorite book lover Lianne Stokes:

July 12 is Chick N' Giggles!

Raga 433 E 6th (1/A)

Come on down to kick it with hilarious women who won't talk about Aunt Flo.
 
Holla-in back:
 
Lianne Stokes

Michelle Buteau

Jane Condon

Molly Anderson

Giulia Rozzi

Claudia Cogan

Jenny Scanlin

Carolyn Castiglia

'Can I get a what? what?

Get Mortified in NY and LA

Just when you thought it was safe to open your Trapper Keeper...
"Mortified" returns for more tortured tales of teenage agony. Witness grown men & women reading aloud their ACTUAL teenage journal entries, poems, letters & lyrics... in front of total strangers. Relive the horror as it really happened.

~ "A comic cringe fest" (Backstage West)
~ "Never laughed so hard" (Los Angeles Confidential)
~ As heard on NPR's "This American Life"

Info on our July 2005 shows for both LA & NYC editions are below.
Separate cities. Same angst.

======================
WHAT: Mortified LA
WHEN: Thur. July 21st @ 8pm
WHERE: The M Bar @ 1253 Vine (corner of Vine/Fountain)
COST: $5
RSVP: 323-856-0036
FEATURING PATHETIC CRAP BY: Will Seymour (soap opera diary), Lori
Gottlieb (eating disorder diary), Gabriel Lopez (lyric), Sascha Rothchild
(life lists), Jillian Griffiths (teen novel), Hilary Winston (diary),
Kyra Kowasic (letter), Deven Green (school essay) & more.

=========================
WHAT: Mortified NYC
WHEN : Sun. July 17th @ 8pm
WHERE: Magnet Theater (254 W. 29th St., 10001; magnettheater.com)
COST: $10
RSVP: 212-244-8824
FEATURING PATHETIC CRAP BY: Sara Schaefer (diary), Boni Joi (poems &
lyrics), Rachel Max (diary), Abby Sher (camp letters), Carolyn Castiglia
(diary), Anne Woodward (diary), Giulia Rozzi (school essay) & more.

========================
Please note, Mortified always sells out wherever it plays so show the
love and rsvp soon. See you there!

Share the shame,

Dave Nadelberg
Creator-Producer-Angstologist, MORTIFIED
http://www.getmortified.com

PS: Stay tuned, "Mortified San Fran" is coming. Details soon.

Comedians at WYSIWYG July 19th

Mark your calendars for the next WYSIWYG Talent Show on July 19th, where two of my favorite comedians, Claudia Cogan and Susie Felber will be dishing on their funny summer camp stories along with other great bloggers!

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Tuesday Night Comedy

Also tonight:

Art Stars for Norman Seigel at Cake Shop

Variety Shac at 8 and I Can't Believe It's Not Manhattan at 10 at Galapagos.

Tonight, Andres du Bouchet gives the rest of the Giant Tuesday cast the
night off, and performs five of his off-the-wall monologues
(or, "offthewallalogues") instead! So, come on by Rififi tonight and
cap-off your holiday weekend in hilarious style:

GIANT TUESDAY NIGHT OF AMAZING INVENTIONS AND ALSO THERE IS A GAME

special solo episode

Andres du Bouchet babbles on at length.

Tuesday, July 5th @ 8pm

Rififi
332 East 11th Street between first and second aves.

FREE!

http://www.gianttuesday.com
http://www.andresdubouchet.com

Monday, July 04, 2005

Comedy Pro Shop!

Comedy Pro Shop was particularly hilarious last night, and I’m not exactly sure why that was. I’d seen at least half the people (Liam McEneaney, Susan Prekel, etc.) do very similar sets this very week, but still, the new bits were great - Josh Comers wrote some 4th of July-themed material, and Baron Vaughn was joking about the Greek classics, which is not something you see every day. Rob Paravonian ripped on the Friends theme song, and there was this heckler named Russell who kindof stole the whole show with his drunken tirades and screams for sangria. I usually go to comedy shows by myself, and a couple friends came and I realized it’s even more fun to go with other people, to watch what makes them laugh, to share your favorite jokes/performers with them. Rob also played “Particle Board” (which you can hear here) and a really funny song about angry rockers.

Friday, July 01, 2005

My New Comedyexpresstv.com column

The first of my weekly columns for Comedyexpresstv.com, kindof an extension/overview of the kinds of things I write here.

Weekly Review: A Media Musical


Weekly Review: A Media Musical
Originally uploaded by rkb1.
The wonderful and fabulous Fishbowler Rachel Sklar sent me info on this show she's part of (natch):

"Weekly Review" opens in Chelsea theater on July 9th.

Primed to explode onto the theater scene in Chelsea this summer, "Weekly Review" is the first ever musical comedy based entirely on the ever-changing events in politics and the media. Every week audiences will be treated to an entirely new musical, re-capping the previous week's latest events and presenting them in an irreverent, musical fashion. "Weekly Review" tackles the under-reported, the overlooked and the underrated side of the Bush Administration as well as the mainstream media's battle with reporting actual, factual news. Each show is unique and not to be missed!

Please join us July 9th at Gotham City Improv, 158 West 23rd Street at 10pm to celebrate the opening of the only musical comedy news show in existence!

July Comedy Pro Shop

Rob Paravonian sings, tells jokes, and is very cute. He also laughs heartily, sometimes to the point of falling down, at his own show, Comedy Pro Shop (at Sin Sin Lounge on the corner of 2nd Ave and 5th, right across the street from the yummy Maryann's Mexican restaurant). Here's the July lineup as posted on Rob's site:

Sun. July 3
8:30 pm
The Comedy Pro Shop
Liam McEneaney, Susan Prekel & More!

Sun. July 10
8:00 pm
The Comedy Pro Shop
Ophira Eisenberg, Karith Foster, Dan Newbower, Rachel Feinstein and more!

Sun. July 17
8:30 pm
The Comedy Pro Shop
Dan Allen, Joe Devito, Ritch Duncan, Craig Baldo and more!

Sun. July 24
10:00 pm
The Comedy Pro Shop
Jeff Mac, Josh Comers, John Mooney, Todd Levin and more!