The Setup: A Comedy Experience in Culver City

The Setup is a comedy show that takes place at Citizen Public Market in Culver City. The show features up-and-coming comedians who are regulars on TV shows and featured in movies. Tickets are only $15, making it a great way to see world-class talent in a casual environment.

Citizen Public Market is a food hall with eight different restaurants, so you can enjoy a variety of cuisines before or after the show. The market also has a bar called Bohemian, which serves craft cocktails, beer, and wine.

The Setup comedy show takes place in the Events Room at Citizen Public Market. The room is large and airy, with plenty of seating. There is also a bar in the room, so you can get drinks and snacks during the show.

The Setup is a great way to enjoy a night of comedy in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The food at Citizen Public Market is delicious, and the drinks at Bohemian are top-notch. And for only $15, you can't beat the price.

Here are the restaurants at Citizen Public Market that you can enjoy before or after the show:

• Bar Bohemien: This bar serves craft cocktails, beer, and wine. It has a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind before or after the show.

• Goodboybob: This restaurant serves coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. It's a great place to grab a quick bite before the show.

• Jolly Oyster: This restaurant serves fresh oysters and other seafood dishes. It's a great place to enjoy a light meal before the show.

• The WEHO Sausage Co.: This restaurant serves sausages, burgers, and other comfort food. It's a great place to indulge before the show.

• Bang Bang Noodles: This restaurant serves hand-pulled noodles in a variety of flavors. It's a great place to try something new before the show.

• Go Go Bird: This restaurant serves fried chicken and other comfort food. It's a great place to share a meal with friends before the show.

• Uoichiba: This restaurant serves dry-aged fish hand rolls and other Japanese cuisine. It's a great place to enjoy a unique dining experience before the show.

• ILE Bistro: This restaurant serves West African cuisine. It's a great place to try something new before the show.

The Setup comedy show is held every Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online at The Setup Comedy website.

If you're looking for a fun and affordable night out, be sure to check out The Setup comedy show at Citizen Public Market in Culver City. You won't be disappointed.

In addition to the great food and drinks, The Setup also offers a variety of other amenities, including:

• A comfortable seating area

• A full bar

• A sound system that ensures you can hear the comedians clearly

• A relaxed and friendly atmosphere

The Setup is the perfect place to enjoy a night of laughter with friends and family. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets today!

Here are some additional details about each of the restaurants:

• Bar Bohemien: This bar is known for its creative cocktails and extensive wine list. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they are always happy to help you choose the perfect drink.

• Goodboybob: This restaurant serves up delicious coffee and pastries, as well as sandwiches made with fresh, local ingredients. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and they always make you feel at home.

• Jolly Oyster: This restaurant gets its oysters fresh daily from the Pacific Ocean. They also serve other seafood dishes, such as clam chowder and fish and chips. The staff is knowledgeable about the seafood, and they can help you choose the perfect dish.

• The WEHO Sausage Co.: This restaurant serves up creative sausages, such as the Korean

The Setup at The Stowaway: A Stand Up Comedy Gem in Downtown Los Angeles

The Stowaway is a cocktail lounge and music venue located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. It's a hidden gem for stand up comedy, with a lineup of up-and-coming comedians that is sure to make you laugh.

The Setup is a weekly stand up comedy show that takes place every Saturday night at 8pm. The show features a lineup of six comedians, each with their own unique take on life. The comics are all hand-picked by the The Stowaway's comedy booker, who has a keen eye for talent.

In addition to the great comedy, The Stowaway also has a great atmosphere. The venue is small and intimate, so you feel like you're right up close to the action. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the drinks are delicious.

If you're looking for a great night of stand up comedy, The Setup at The Stowaway is the place to be. The drinks are cold, the comics are funny, and the atmosphere is electric. You won't be disappointed.

Here are some of the reasons why The Setup at The Stowaway is one of the best places to see stand up comedy in Downtown Los Angeles:

• The lineup: The Setup features a lineup of up-and-coming comedians who are sure to make you laugh. The comics are all hand-picked by the The Stowaway's comedy booker, who has a keen eye for talent. Past performers have included such notable comedians as Michelle Wolf, Sam Morril, and Ron Funches.

• The atmosphere: The Stowaway is a small and intimate venue, so you feel like you're right up close to the action. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the drinks are delicious. The venue has a speakeasy vibe, with dim lighting and exposed brick walls. It's the perfect place to relax and enjoy a night of comedy.

• The value: The Setup is a great value for your money. Tickets are only $20, and you get to see six different comedians. That's less than the price of a movie ticket, and you're sure to have a much better time.

• The community: The Setup has a great sense of community. The comics and the audience all get to know each other, and it feels like a family. This makes for a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

If you're looking for a great night of stand up comedy, I highly recommend checking out The Setup at The Stowaway. You won't be disappointed.

Here are some additional details about The Setup at The Stowaway:

• The show takes place every Saturday night at 8pm.

• Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door.

• The venue is located at 416 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

• The Stowaway is open from 4pm to 2am, seven days a week.

I hope this article has convinced you to check out The Setup at The Stowaway. It's a great place to see stand up comedy, and you're sure to have a great time.

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, here are some other things that make The Setup at The Stowaway a great place to see stand up comedy:

• The venue is located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, so it's easy to get to.

• The shows are all-ages, so you can bring the whole family.

• The Setup is a great place to discover new comedians. You're sure to find some new favorites.

If you're looking for a fun and affordable night out, I highly recommend checking out The Setup at The Stowaway. You won't be disappointed.

San Francisco's Comedy Legacy: A Laughter-Filled Journey of Influential Comedians

Introduction

San Francisco, known for its iconic landmarks and vibrant arts scene, has played a significant role in shaping the world of comedy. From the beatnik culture of the 1950s to the thriving stand-up comedy clubs of today, the city has been a breeding ground for innovative and boundary-pushing comedians who have left an indelible mark on the world of humor. In this article, we explore the rich history of comedians who got their start in San Francisco and examine their lasting influence on the comedy landscape.

The Beatnik Influence

The 1950s marked a significant cultural shift in San Francisco, as the beatnik movement gained prominence. Beatniks were known for their unconventional lifestyle, poetry, and avant-garde ideas. Comedians like Lenny Bruce emerged from this scene, blending satirical social commentary with a raw, unfiltered style. Bruce's fearless approach to tackling taboo topics and criticizing societal norms laid the foundation for a more outspoken and candid form of comedy.

Stand-Up Comedy Boom

The 1970s and 1980s saw a surge in the popularity of stand-up comedy, and San Francisco was at the forefront of this movement. Comedy clubs like The Punch Line and The Holy City Zoo became renowned stages for emerging comedians to showcase their talents. Robin Williams, a comedic force of nature, began his career in these clubs, honing his improvisational skills and infectious energy. Williams' ability to seamlessly transition between characters and his rapid-fire wit inspired a generation of comedians to embrace spontaneity and fearless experimentation.

Social and Political Satire

San Francisco's comedy scene has often been a platform for comedians to address pressing social and political issues. Margaret Cho, a Korean-American comedian, fearlessly confronted topics like race, sexuality, and cultural identity. Her candid and relatable approach to these subjects not only connected with diverse audiences but also paved the way for a more inclusive and honest form of comedy that highlights personal experiences and challenges societal norms.

Alternative Comedy

As the 1990s rolled in, a new wave of comedians emerged, rejecting conventional setups and punchlines. Comedians like Patton Oswalt and Janeane Garofalo challenged traditional comedic structures, opting for a more introspective and cerebral style. The San Francisco comedy scene nurtured this alternative approach, allowing comedians to explore their unique voices and experiment with storytelling, surrealism, and absurdity.

Tech-Infused Humor

San Francisco's reputation as a tech hub has inevitably influenced the comedic content of its local comedians. With Silicon Valley just a stone's throw away, comedians like Kumail Nanjiani found humor in the world of technology, startups, and the quirks of the digital age. This tech-infused humor resonated with audiences worldwide, as it tapped into the universally relatable aspects of our increasingly digital lives.

Conclusion

San Francisco's comedic legacy is a testament to the city's artistic vibrancy and its role as a nurturing ground for innovative comedians. From the beatnik movement to the stand-up comedy boom, from social satire to alternative comedy, the city has consistently provided a platform for comedians to challenge norms, inspire change, and bring joy through laughter. The influential comedians who began their journey in San Francisco have left an indelible mark on the world of comedy, shaping the way we view humor and paving the way for future generations of comedians to continue pushing boundaries and eliciting laughter.

Check out live stand up comedy at The Setup in San Francisco

How to Deal With Hecklers

Guest post from John Gallagher

You’re performing. Suddenly, a voice cuts from out of the darkness and interrupts your act. “You suck!”.  It’s the heckler, the worst fear of any stand up comedian. When a heckle happens, you are forced to respond and if you show any weakness you risk losing the audience's respect and attention. “But John!” You--presumably a comedian, aspiring or otherwise--exclaim, “how will I know what to do? If responding to a heckler is a matter of life or death, how will I know how to defeat these awful creatures!?”

 Well, take heed dear reader, I've listed the different archetypes of classic villainous hecklers, so you'll be prepared to defeat them when the moment arises...and trust me, it will. 

Heckler 1: The Conversationalist

In 2019, it is crazy that we still have to tell people that it's rude to carry on a conversation during a live performance. These people epitomize an epidemic in modern day life: they believe that the agreed upon rules of society do not apply to them. These hecklers are either drooling mouthbreathers incapable of understanding how a loud conversation with their friend ruins a show or are selfish egomaniacs that need every event centered around them.

Conversationalists need a friendly reminder that they are being a jackass and a joke at their expense that usually does the trick. Some variation of “this isn't Netflix, everyone can hear you" is a good enough and playful way to let them know they are being rude or obnoxious. In the event that they still are not being quiet, you can usually appeal to the rest of the crowd to voice their disapproval. Any crowd who is enjoying the show / paid for tickets hates a heckler just as much as the comedian does. They paid for a show not to hear another idiot from the audience.

Heckler 2: The Cheerleader / The Woo’er

This heckler says, "woo" a lot. They hear something that validates them so much they feel the need to exclaim to the room, "That's right!". If you tell a self-deprecating joke about your appearance, they will say "That's Not True!" Just like a stage mom for a young actress or a drunk dad shirtless at a Little League game, these people think they are being supportive while they are really just shirtless with pants full of poop. Their supposed supportive behavior is really a pathetic cry of “look at me!”

Because the interruptions appear to be positive, the cheerleader will act surprised or hurt when they are confronted so it is very important to confront them gently. "I was having fun!" or "I was helping you!" they cry. 

Let them know they are being rude by making the cheerleader aware that you had heard them. Something like “Damn, you really get fired up about taco sauce” or “We found the people with HPV” lets them know you notice them being loud and they usually back off. If they keep making noises, make fun of them more but if you go too far, you run the risk of losing the rest of the crowd.

Heckler 3: The Drunk

People love to drink at comedy shows and with two drink minimums, it can get a bit rowdy from time to time. The drunk archetype is a lethal combo of all of the above hecklers combined with booze. This causes  them to be untethered from feelings like shame and regret until after the comedy show is long over and your set is ruined. Drunks are the biggest disruptors of comedy shows.  

On top of displaying loud rude behavior, they have no shame and will only feel more justified in their actions ruining the show when they get singled out. In the mind of a drunk, any attention is positive attention. The only way to defeat a drunk is to make fun of them from the stage and hope that they feel shame through the thick fog of booze in their brain. If you can’t do that, hopefully an embarrassed friend or spouse will get them to be quiet but even then, they may continue to disrupt the show.  

If you can get them to be quiet, congratulations, you have slayed the dragon. Often times, the best course of action is to get them to leave. Having them around will only create more trouble for yourself or other comedians on the show. 

That’s all, I hope it helps you. Never forget, all hecklers are cowards who must be defeated and deserve whatever bad things happen to them.

The Best Stand Up Comedy Specials of 2019

Another great guest post from John Gallagher:

In this week’s article, I write about my favorite comedy specials of 2019. Check it out dude.

Nate Bargatze - The Tennessee Kid (Netflix)

 Listening to Nate Bargatze tell jokes is like listening to your funniest relative or craziest friend. His Southern drawl is so laid back and relaxed, it  masks his razor-sharp joke writing and punchlines that hit hard as a sledgehammer. His subject matter is completely unique from being astonished at being repeatedly given milk at a Starbucks to mulling over what to do about a dead horse, he keeps the same calm, seemingly disengaged delivery to great effect. Bargatze's material is so hilarious you forget his jokes are almost entirely clean, he's like our generation's Brian Regan.

Dave Chappelle - Sticks and Stones (Netflix)

Every year with a Dave Chappelle special is a good year. After opening the special singing Prince's "1999",  the new special starts with Chappelle referencing celebrity deaths, using suicide as a punchline, followed by mocking the audience to their own faces, calling the audience of today as "the worst motherfuckers I've tried to entertain in my fucking life". Using this call out as a jumping off point, Chappelle uses this to tell jokes about a myriad of topics including LGBTQ categorizations which he has gotten criticized for in the past. If anything, the special showed a master of stand up comedy walking a tight-rope, broaching topics that other comics know would end their careers and finding punchlines where material was thought to be long dried up.  The special also contains an additional epilogue featuring more material from Chappelle as well as a very cool homage to the San Francisco Punch Line and a touching story about now deceased Bay Area comedian Daphne Dorman. 

Bill Burr - Paper Tiger (Netflix)

Just like Dave Chappelle, any year with another Bill Burr special is an amazing time for stand up comedy. Burr leans into material that could be skewed as problematic, specifically one joke around Michelle Obama that  could be seen as potential disasters for a less skilled comedian. Similar to Chappelle, he uses the controversial material to showcase his performative ability and navigate the subject matter back from audible gasps in the audience to  waves of laughter. The older that Burr has gotten as well has seen his writing and jokes to become more focused internally, where the lashing out at society's ills has now turned into a deeper examination of what his own problems in his life are. In Paper Tiger, the jokes around raising his daughter, his deep-seated psychosis from growing up in Boston and having to give his dog away aren't just great jokes, they could be some of the most layered and revealing material in his career catalogue. 

Chad Daniels - Dad Chaniels (Amazon)

Chad Daniels is, in my opinion, the most underrated comedian working today. On paper, the material in the special seems run of the mill, an older stand up comedian discusses all the ins and outs of raising a family and how raising children as they get older is difficult.  The thing that sets apart Daniels' is his storytelling ability ability and likability. Using his seemingly endless Midwest charm, he creates some of the funniest stories of the year which are appropriate for all ages and relatable to everyone. The special is all stories about his family, easing from one story to the next and it ends so fast you will want to watch it again and again. The special isn't political in any form, there are no stances taken but it is a hilarious from top to bottom.

Nikki Glaser - Bangin (Netflix)

I feel like female comedians tend to get a lot of criticism when they talk about sex in their act and the new special by Nikki Glaser is, true to its title, fixated on fucking. Glaser's special is raunchy and no-holds barred, filled with over the top sexual descriptors and act outs and is fucking hilarious. While the special is raunchy, it is not just shock value and the joke writing is spectacular from top to bottom. Her section on blowjobs in particular is inspired and made me do a spit take while watching. 

That wraps up the list. Feel like I missed out on any specials that came out? Feel free to put your own recommendations in the comments below

Why The San Francisco Comedy Scene is Great

Guest post from John Gallagher:

I moved to San Francisco from Reno, Nevada six years ago. As a comedian, the city always had this mythic quality--it is the city that birthed comedy legends like Dana Carvey, Margaret Cho, and Robin Williams. While nowadays the city is overrun by tech and you can find yourself paying 3,700 a month for a studio the size of a walk-in-closet, San Francisco has retained its sense of humor. The comedy scene here is thriving--new comedians can find an open mic nearly every night from The Sunset to North Beach, there’s a scene for all kinds of comedians, and there are clubs that you can catch a few of those legends in the making. These are a few of the best reasons to do stand up comedy in San Francisco.

Plenty of Performing Opportunities 

One of the best things about performing stand up in the Bay Area is that you can perform every night of the week. A great resource to use is the Facebook group BACN (pronounced 'bacon') which has over 10,000 members and provides show information, last minute gigs, and lists of open mics for comedians new and old. 

I first heard of BACN at an open mic as a new comic in the area and within a day of joining, I had my first paid gig. I have always found this community of comedians to be incredibly supportive, despite all of the sarcastic personalities. Forming relationships in stand up is super important and nearly every performing opportunity will come from the connections you make.

The audiences range from weird to weirder (in the best way)

 Through the years, I have performed in cafes, laundromats, living rooms, sex clubs, movie theaters, Segway tour offices etc, because all stand up comedy needs is an a microphone, a person with some thoughts (good or bad), and an audience. San Francisco is a place where any random venue might decide to try out a comedy night. Sometimes not even a microphone is needed. All of these different crowds help you cultivate material and teach you how to make people laugh, no matter what weird situation you find yourself in.  

Even though there are a lot of weird venues that support comedy, the rich tradition of standup in San Francisco has also allowed for some amazing showcases to display the great talent in the city. Two of these showcases are The Setup, in the Tenderloin District, and Cheaper Than Therapy, off Union Square. Both venues have featured performers that have been on Stephen Colbert, Saturday Night Live and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Performing on either of these shows gives you the opportunity to be in front of the best audiences outside of the big clubs and feature a great mix of up-and-coming comics as well as scene veterans. 

Freedom to Experiment 

Just outside of the eyes of the industry, San Francisco is actually a boon to performers looking to find their voice in an environment that allows for failure and the chance to take risks on stage and in their career. In New York and LA, the pressure for industry success forces comics to perform their best material at all times because you never know if an agent or manager is in the audience who could make or break your career. In San Francisco, this lack of industry gives you the opportunity for experimentation. Want to try a new persona? Give it a shot. Bomb a showcase? Keep working at open mics until you get another opportunity. As long as other comics see you working hard, people will give you a shot. This supportive environment is a reason people find the city difficult to leave. 

The San Francisco Punch Line

The San Francisco Punch Line is featured at the end of the new Dave Chappelle special “Sticks and Stones” and Chappelle cites the room as his favorite comedy club in the country. The club has been an important part of the comedy community since 1978. Becoming a regular performer in the club is a rite of passage and its reputation as one of the best comedy clubs in the country allows newer comedians to see some of the best talent in stand up comedy working today. Michelle Wolf, Dave Attell, and Bill Burr along with many more have all performed at the club on their way to superstardom. For a comic performing in the Bay, watching people at this talent level is an invaluable masterclass as you start your own career.

Why Live Comedy Should Never be Free

If you’re involved with the stand up comedy scene, you will have noticed that there are a huge amount of free shows. It’s easy to understand why this happens. Comedians are afraid that if they charge for their show, people won’t come. They’d rather perform for a free audience than no audience.

I’ve been producing The Setup in San Francisco for a few years now and I have learned that as a producer you should always charge for tickets.

1. By putting on a free show you are not attracting more people because of the lower price point. You are getting rid of a potential audience who is wary that the show is free. There are A LOT of people who are not coming to your show BECAUSE IT IS FREE. Many people want to pay money so that the event has legitimacy. Do not miss out on these audience members as they tend to be the best. Can you imagine telling your wife that you are driving from Fremont to San Francisco to see a free show? You want the show to have a ticket price so that it feels real.

2. The audience pays more attention because they want to get their money’s worth. They talk to each other less because they might miss something. Therefore more people get the jokes and more people laugh which makes the show infinitely better.

3. The audience shows up on time and doesn’t leave until the end for the same reasons. Since the audience is there on time, you can start on time. Therefore the audience is less tired from waiting, and they can give you more energy in the form of laughter.

4. When you make a show free you communicate subconsciously that it is not worth paying for.

5. People have higher expectations because they are paying money. The show is naturally better because they believe that they are watching professionals. When you believe something is worth paying for you enjoy it more. It’s a placebo effect. The belief becomes the result.

6. The producers make money which means that they can:
 a. Pay the comedians. The comedians feel that their talents are worth paying for and they will work harder to develop these talents, resulting in better comedy overall. 
 b. Reinvest in the show to make it better. Better sound systems, better atmosphere, marketing, etc.
 c. Continue the show week after week and create more stage time.

7. When you charge a small cover you get higher quality people who are willing to spend money. These people are not richer than those who don’t spend money. Think about the quality of people who tip at a restaurant versus those who do not. Who would you rather hang out with? Who would you rather make laugh?

8. People pay a lot more to see music than they do to see comedy. Does that really make sense? The only argument here is that musicians have more equipment to set up. So yes, maybe a concert should be slightly higher priced. But is the audience only paying for the labor that it takes to set up equipment? No, it’s for the entertainment as well.

9. Imagine that every single producer started charging for comedy. There would be no free options and all audience members would have to pay. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

10. You do not have to pass a tip jar at the show. Passing a tip jar is annoying for the audience, and it slows the momentum of the show. If the jar is going around during someone’s set it is distracting audience members from the jokes.

Questions!

Q. I’m already producing a free comedy show. If I start charging I will anger my current audience who expects a free show.
A. This is partially correct. You will alienate part of your audience. The other part will not care. You will see a slight dip in attendance for a short while. However, you are now on your way to attracting customers who are happy to pay to support the arts. You are also bringing legitimacy to your show.

Q. I’m producing a show at a bar where there is no way to charge.
A. Fine. This should be an open mic. If you’re producing a showcase, then it should be at a venue that lets you charge.

Sammy Obeid performing at Unnecessary Evil at The Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica. One of the best live stand up comedy shows in Los Angeles. Tickets are $14.

Six Great Favorite Stand Up Bits

Yes, this is a list of six. I'm the only one in the business doing lists of this length. I hope you liked my previous post on my favorite sketches. Now let's talk about stand up.

Eddie Griffin - You Can Tell Em I Said It
I think this is the best first line of any comedy special. George Carlin did really well with his abortion joke opening back in 1996, but this opening is just straight up ridiculous. Eddie Griffin doesn't care about making a political point. He just wants people to laugh. If you watch this entire special I think the word ridiculous will come to mind over and over and over. The things he says sometimes are so dumb, but you cannot help but laugh. This special reminds me why I like comedy. Because it's FUN. There's no agenda. Even when he talks about religion he does it in such a way that you can't tell if he's serious or not. He also does this thing where he thinks he's sounding smarter than he is and you end up laughing because you can't take him seriously even though he's so confident. Also, regarding the opening, he forgot to mention Jackie Kennedy who was definitely super hot.

Maria Bamford - Paula Deen
I love how Maria can make a dark topic funny in a stand up routine. This is not easy at all. Dark comedy is usually better suited for sketches because it's such a niche. People who like it can seek it out. But Maria does it for a broad audience at the Laugh Factory. If you've ever been to the Laugh Factory you know that the audience is a very general cross section of the population. If you make people laugh here, it means that your material is universal. Bill Hicks was a dark comic, but people weren't always laughing. He's more notorious. Maria Bamford is funny and silly first.

Don Novello - Economics
Don generally always does stand up as Father Guido Sarducci. I think the humor of this character comes from the fact that as a person of the church he is a high authority, but the things he talks about are so minute. The contrast creates a fun irony. The ridiculous things he says are extra funny because he delivers them so matter-of-factly. I know Don personally and have performed with him a few times. He gave me a signed copy of his legendary book The Lazlo Letters.

Paul F Tompkins - Peanut Brittle
I'm embarrassed to say that I watched this clip for the first time very recently. I was taking Steve Martin's Masterclass and he was talking about beating a dead horse. You can make something funny by harping on the same idea over and over and over. This is much easier said than done. Most people who harp on a point do so in a predictable and boring way which is why "beating a dead horse" has a negative connotation. I honestly don't know why this peanut brittle bit works so well. I mean I know it's ridiculous that this "prank" could ever scare anyone, but I don't really understand why it keeps being funny every single time he talks about how common peanut brittle is. That's why I love this clip so much. When I listen to this joke I don't feel like a stand up comedian, I feel like a fan of stand up comedy. Another popular example of beating a dead horse in comedy is Bill Hick's joke about marketing.

Patton Oswalt - Vomit Bag
I think about this joke ALL THE TIME. At 3:24 is when it builds to the best part. The act out that starts "madam, I know you find me repulsive..." is such a vivid experience. Patton Oswalt is really good at helping you imagine a scene. I can totally picture some medieval courtship in which this man poetically tries to woo his lady with his ability to throw up. I laugh so hard when he talks about leaving the tuna sandwich from 7-11 on the dashboard of his car. How detailed and silly is that? 

Erik Myers - Taco Bell
Erik Myers is a character. We've hung out a few times and he is a sweet and genuine guy. The only wrinkle in his personality is that he loves crack and alcohol. We met while I was working at the Punch Line in Sacramento. Btw, I'll be at the Sacramento Punch Line this Sunday for the Green Room if anyone is interested. I've heard the same thing about Erik from many many comedians. "Erik is fire on stage, but he's a total wildcard off stage". Anyway, I think he's working his best on getting clean and he seems to be productive these days. The Laugh Factory appears to be helping him create a web series. This Taco Bell bit is hilarious because when he gets mad you can tell where that anger is coming from. This is a man who is down and out and has absolutely so outlet or recourse. The pain is real and hilarious because of how low he has had to sink. I am a huge fan and I hope to have him on The Los Angeles Setup at some point.

Five of the Best Sketch Comedy Videos

Sorry for the SEO optimized title. I just want to talk about some sketches I really like, but I have to go hard in order to get those keyword rankings! Sketch comedy is an interesting art form because it can span the gamut (I know most people say "run the") from highly produced pieces like SNL digital shorts to improv film making like Good Neighbor. Here are some sketches I think are awesome:

JAM - Musical Chairs
No dialogue and it's totally unexpected. It's so eerie how it's filmed from some sort of security camera, but it's in color. It's a completely different angle and style of footage from which you've ever watched a sketch. You get sucked in trying to figure out what's going on. They make you work to understand what it is. Eventually you see that it's musical chairs. You notice that the man who is controlling the music sees that his daughter keeps losing, but he won't have it! He removes one of the other kids and puts his own daughter in the chair. She keeps losing over and over. You notice another parent confronting him. Things turn violent. The music is haunting. And the thing that I love most about JAM is that there is no topic which is off limits. Violence towards children is run of the mill. After watching this sketch I was inspired to write my own sketch about a birthday party gone wrong. We had Ben Feldman play the conductor. He actually used to be a jazz musician before his hearing was destroyed after he flew on an airplane while very sick.

WOMEN - The Ultimate Trip
I just watched it again. Oh man. You might guess by now that I like dark comedy. This is a very specific type of sketch where you get to watch it two times because all the phrases take on a different meaning the second time around. I guess The Sixth Sense is the most famous example of that. The guys who make these sketches really take their time with production. I would say that they are probably the best produced videos of an independent sketch group. That creates an interesting dynamic because when you see something very well produced, it's generally on TV where there is such a broad audience that your jokes cannot be too dark. To see something that looks like it could be on TV, but that just ends up making you feel bad is so cool. Also these guys are all popular stand up comedians in Los Angeles. In particular Dave Ross runs an amazing show in LA called Good Heroin.

Tim & Eric - The Universe
I love these guys. A lot of this appears to be either improvised or written in a stream of conscience fashion. I bet that they recorded a ton of footage of them just talking about the universe and then just spliced together the best parts. This footage that I've linked to is the extended version where they added in a bunch of deleted parts that didn't air with the original show. I like how they throw every possible misdirection at you. Sometimes they don't finish their sentences. At one point Tim throws up in his mouth but it happens after the scene is already fading away. At the end they get super creepy with shining the light in the kids bedroom. All in the name of the wonder of the universe. The thing about Tim and Eric is that a lot of times you cannot tell why their sketches are funny. That's a good sign that they are onto something new. Right now I'm still in the phase where I know where the humor in my sketches comes from. My latest sketch was about an emotional bodyguard. It's simple to see how it was written. Usually bodyguards defend from physical harm, but what about emotional harm? With Tim and Eric you can't really distill it down. I'm sure there is a way to quantify it, because humor is a natural function, not a spiritual mystery. But the fact that it's hard to put your finger on it is intriguing.

Laurel & Hardy - Ice Cream Parlour
This sketch will definitely seem dated but I remember laughing at it when I was a kid, so I am including it for sentimental purposes. Also, I am not so old that I was a kid in 1929. My dad used to watch Laurel & Hardy sketches in the 1950s when he was growing up in Bombay, India. Why was he watching sketches from the 1920s during the 1950s? Because in India they love American entertainment, but back then movies didn't travel the globe as quickly as they do today. So Laurel & Hardy was considered state of the art in the 50s in India. Anyway, when my dad came to America his tastes in comedy remained the same and so I was raised on Laurel and Hardy videos. I think some of the jokes are definitely a bit goofy, but the faces, expressions, and mannerisms are still hilarious. The bartender's face in this sketch is so ridiculous. The influence of these guys is incredibly long reaching. Martin Freeman who plays Tim Canterbury on the UK Office said that the expressions that he makes in that series are mostly taken from the faces that Oliver Hardy does!

The Kids in the Hall - The Beard
Let's get back on that dark humor train. To me that's where the best humor lies because death and suffering are so polarizing that when you inject humor into the mix it creates a strange conflict which feels a little wrong. I used to watch a lot of The Kids in the Hall after school when I was in 9th grade. Most of the sketches were weird. If you watch all of their sketches you'll notice that their success rate on big laughs is pretty low. But there was always something that made you keep watching. Their tv show is reminiscent of maybe the last time that network television allowed people to get really weird. But regarding this sketch in particular, it comes back to me every time I shave after having grown out a moderate amount of stubble. That's incredible that they created a sketch that is permanently linked in my head to such a common event.

I hope you enjoyed this list!

How Do You Write a Joke?

Ah, great question. Now, I cannot tell you hard and fast rules of how to write a joke. But I can tell you what I have done in my life. And if you like my comedy, then maybe this post will be useful to you. And if you hate my comedy, then you can learn what not to do.

The first thing is that you need to get some basics under your belt. You need to understand some simple joke structures. I'm not talking about universal rules of comedy. I'm just talking about understanding the mechanics of a few short (not that funny) jokes. Let's take an example:

Misinterpret a Phrase

"You and I are very similar.... they're both vowels"

This joke sucks. But it has a structure that you need to understand. It's called misinterpretation. "You and I" have two different meanings. The second part of the joke reveals that you were intending the meaning to be different than the common interpretation. Get it? Try and write a joke with the exact same structure to prove that you know what's going on. Pick a word or phrase that can have two meanings and then make the second part reveal that you are using the less common version. I'll give it a shot right now:

"I hate it when construction workers do shoulder work on the road... can't you work your shoulders at the gym?"

Another joke that sucks. But I literally wrote it just now in thirty seconds. The idea is that I would sit down and write ten of these and probably one of them would be good. Cool, let's try another structure:

Cliche Reverse

Take a common cliche and give it a different ending! I'm not going to worry about being good. I'm going to worry about the joke structure.

"A journey of a thousand miles... is super long and I'd rather stay home"
"An eye for a eye and a tooth for a tooth... is some sort of weird barter system"

Why does this work? Because you set up an expectation that the cliche will end the way that it normally ends, but then it doesn't! You can literally say anything other than the original ending and it will be somewhat funny.

Tom Swifties

These are a really silly type of joke where the adverb at the end turns out to be a pun. Here we go:

"I hate lobster!", Tom said crabbily.
"I'm tired of holding this banner", Tom said as his energy flagged.
"I don't want to die", Tom said gravely.

This is such a specific type of joke that I love it. You probably would never tell this type of joke in a stand up act, but it's still important to know how it works.

Conclusion

So, I've only detailed three types of joke structures so far. If you're interested in many many more types, please take a look at Mel Helitzer's Comedy Writing Secrets. This is the first book I ever read about comedy. Now let's be clear. After you read this book and write a bunch of jokes based on what you've learned. The result will be BAD COMEDY. It might be ENTERTAINING given the situation that you are in, but Chris Rock is not going to take you on tour. But, with these basics drilled into your subconscious, you can guarantee that five or six years into the comedy grind you will be coming up with some pretty interesting stuff. The issue that many people face is that because they never got the basics, even six years down the line they are still churning out bs because they don't know any of the rules. Here's a set of mine from my first year in comedy. I think I had been on stage maybe 15 times total at this point. All of them at open mics. This video is from The Brainwash in San Francisco. Watch it and you'll see what I mean. It's bad comedy, but it's still entertaining. These kinds of sets sustained me for my first years in comedy.


 

MAP (Material, Audience, Perfomer) We didn't even touch on this, but get Mel's book and you'll learn about it.

Can Stand Up Comedy be Your Vision?

I saw this diagram on Twitter recently and thought it made a lot of sense. I did a breakdown for myself regarding comedy.

1. Do I love comedy? Yes! It's probably my favorite thing to do. So far so good.
2. Are you good at it? Yes! Check the proof: https://youtu.be/4nnJGdIkGfE
3. Can you be paid for it? The plot thickens. Yes. Clubs pay but not that much. Generally you get $50 for hosting a show and $100 for featuring. If you are headlining you get a cut of the door. But still, it's not enough to make an awesome living. Corporate gigs can pay a lot of money. You can get $5000 for a corporate holiday party if you play your cards right. Performing in theaters is the key but you have to have a *gasp* following that will come out and support your live shows. So yes, you can get paid but it's nebulous.
4. Does the world need it? Even thicker. Laughter does provide a release from tension. So does all entertainment. The goal of entertainment is to make people forget for a little while. So how does comedy do this differently than music? I think comedy is more immediate. To get someone to laugh you have to get them to understand what you are saying. There is a feeling of connecting to the audience. So I think what comedy does is help people feel more immediately connected to each other. Now the issue is what type of comedy is needed. Louis CK hit it big when he started talking about how he loves his kids but he also hates them everyday. The world needed someone to come out and say that. So I guess the question now is, what needs to be said in comedy?