They Make Me Laugh: RKB's Comedy Recommendations

Jordan Carlos's TV show and Op-Ed piece

2007-02-19T21:20:00.000-08:00

I did Sexytime with Jordan Carlos, Margot Leitman, and Dave Hill, on Friday night. I have to say, I'm so not a comedian and never will be, but I liked sitting on the side with all the cool kids while Heather and Brandy goofed around onstage. The crowd was kinda not that into us, though a few Happy Corp.ers came up and said hello afterward.

Anyway, wanted to direct the three readers of this forsaken blog to Jordan's recent Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post:

Casting directors can be anxious creatures. In their zeal to find the right actor for a part they often use shorthand to explain what they want. "More Chris Rock! Less Cosby!" or "Can you play it with lots of energy and attitude?" (That's code for "black it up.") Sometimes I wish they'd come right out and ask if any actors in the waiting room can break dance while spinning a chicken wing on their finger like a basketball.

Read on

Also, Jordan's new show for kids premiered tonight on Nickelodeon

And yes, I miss comedy, and I hope it misses me, but for now, too busy to go to every show in the city, but will try to get to a few shows here and there so I don't lose my mind.

hottie Jessica Delfino

2007-02-19T12:23:00.001-08:00

Jessica Delfino
Originally uploaded by dougjaeger.

Happy Corp.-er Doug Jaeger is doing a series of photos of female comedians and his latest includes this one of Jessica Delfino, who is a big In The Flesh fan (and performed at my birthday show last November).

Jessica's one of the most consistent hilarious and uniquely shocking comedians I know. I heart her.

I'm so excited for Valentine's Day!

2007-01-19T12:44:00.000-08:00

What a freaking awesome lineup...and Jon is so nice to book my non-comedian self on there too. I shall endeavor to be funny. And will be bringing the cleavage as a consolation prize if I'm not. If you didn't already know, I heart this show and am even more psyched about it than about SXSW. Or maybe it's a tie. Still, this is gonna be fabulous.

Hearts and exclamation points,
RKB

The Rejection Show’s Valentines Day Heartbreak Haven
Featuring performances from The Rejection Show & Mortified
A Valentine’s Day Event and Party
“Find someone to french!”

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater
Wednesday February 14th @ 8PM – 1AM
Produced by Jon Friedman, Brandy Barber & Giulia Rozzi
$10

The cult-favorite live comedy series The Rejection Show and Mortified join forces for an evening of their best breakup, heartbreak and love related performances from shows past --blending into and evening of love song karaoke, live music, DJ, drinks and partying. If you’re single, feeling alone, rejected, don’t have a date or don’t like traditional Valentine’s Day routines then The Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater is the place to be on Valentine’s Day ‘07! Don't feel left out happy couples. All are welcome to party and see some hilariously heartbreaking performances. Find someone to french!

Featuring HEARTBREAKING performances from:
Jon Friedman
Gabe & Jenny
Adam Wade
Sara Schaefer
Katina Corrao
Matt Goldich
Todd Levin
Adrianne Frost
Rachel Kramer Bussel
Mike Albo
Mandy Stadtmiller
Giulia Rozzi
Brandy Barber
Sara Jo Allocco
Victoria Scroggins
A Cartoon from Odd Todd
And more surprise guests!!!

Live MUSIC from:
The Defibulators, Stuckey & Murray and more!

And LOVE SONG KARAOKE, DJ, KEGS OF BEER & BOOZE!

The Rejection Show’s Valentines Day Heartbreak Haven
Featuring performances from The Rejection Show & Mortified
Upright Citizens Brigade Theater
Wednesday February 14th @ 8PM - 1AM
307 W. 26th Street
C, E, F, 1, 9 to 23rd Street
(212) 366-9176
$10

Que paso aqui?

2007-01-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

DSC_0918
Originally uploaded by brianvan.

I have NO idea what's happening in this photo of Lianne Stokes and Claudia Cogan at Lianne's solo show but I wish I did. Stokes - do it again and I promise to be there! Also, Lianne is reading at In The Flesh True Confessions Night on April 18th!

A belated happy birthday...

2006-12-27T18:37:00.000-08:00

Sara Jo Allocco and Brandy Barber
Originally uploaded by anya-garrett.

to Sara Jo Allocco, super star and Miss Adorable. Meeting her and Brandy this year (was it only this year???) was so one of the highlights of my 2006 and being in their Take This Job and Shove It and dancing and all the silliness and Sara rocking In The Flesh...all wowed me. So much love all around. Also, so much HOTNESS!!

Photo by the amazingly talented Anya Garrett, comedic photographer extraordinaire

New Year's

2006-12-27T18:30:00.000-08:00

Seth Herzog's Annual New Year's Bash sounds like something I might like. Otherwise I am probably staying home for New Year's (yes, me, just kinda not in the mood). And I've never seen Sweet (for real), so maybe I will check it out. Lately I cannot make plans in advance so have no idea but I heard the LVHRDers so anything they endorse has gotta be fun.

What other comedyness is going on? (That's really a sign of an awful comedy blogger, instead of telling you what's going on, I'm asking, but, well, I figure the four of you reading this might know of something cool.) I could use some laughing right about now.

Your post-holiday gift to yourself

2006-12-27T15:44:00.000-08:00

And yes, I know I've been a terrible comedy fan and have barely gone to any shows of late. Have not so much been in the mood to laugh but new year, new attempt to be a good comedy blogger and laugh until I pee in my pants. I mean, almost pee in my pants.

Now that you've survived (or thrived or gorged yourselves) the holidays, you deserve a treat, and what better one than comedian Bob Powers's new book Happy Cruelty Day! Daily Celebrations of Quiet Desperation? I suggest carrying it around with you and looking up whoever you encounter's birthday and seeing what terrible fate befalls them. Will it be "Your High School Girlfriend Is Now An Ass Model Day?" or "Just Because You Can't Remember Anything About Last Night, It Doesn't Necessarily Mean That You're An Alcoholic Day" or "Date a Wizard Day" Or "Hot Date With a Conspiracy Theorist Day" or simply "Your Commemorative 9/11 Bong Is In Poor Taste And You Should Be Ashamed Of Yourself Day?" Find your own at happycrueltyday.com but really do yourself a favor and check out the book. I had to finally put it away cause it was hurting me from laughing too much. See also: Susie Felber's interview with Bob at CC Insider.

I also plan to interview Bob because I simply must get the scoop on his Publishers Weekly review. Also: Book party Thursday, January 25th at 7:30 pm at Mo Pitkins, 34 Avenue A.

Christmas Breastacular tonight!

2006-12-15T07:28:00.000-08:00

rockettes email bigger
Originally uploaded by rkb1.

Or, part 1 of "Breasts! Breasts! Breasts!"

There will be free holiday punch and Ho Hos!
There might even be elves. Maybe.

Starring
Adira Amram
Katherine Bryant
Shayna Ferm
Kimmy Gatewood
Becky Yamamoto

The Pit is located at
154 W 29th St (btwn 6th and 7th)
2nd Floor

Catie Lazarus's Fresh Meat

2006-11-10T16:11:00.000-08:00

ABOUT FRESH MEAT with Catie Lazarus at COMIX:
Comedy Central Insider, Time Out NY, The Houson Chronicle, the Forward, Jester Journal, New York Post's Page 6 as well as Gloria Steinem, Lewis Black, Dom Irerra and Susie Essman have praised Catie Lazarus and her sublime show Fresh Meat. In the first half you'll catch stories, book readings, short films, sketches, songs, and stand up from brilliant comedians, writers and actors. In the second half of the show, they share their worst experiences in the biz and first jokes. Plus, there is a "press conference" a Q and A with you, the audience!

FRESH MEAT every Tuesday
Comix, 353 West 14th Street, NYC (east of 9th Ave), A,C, E, L to 14th Street and 8th- one block down. No drink min but food and drink available.

RESERVE NOW: 212.524.2500 OR www.comixny.com $5 OFF if you use the code: MEATSPACE through November 28th- GET YOUR TIX IN ADVANCE!

November 14th at 8:00 PM- Catie Lazarus hosts:
Marisa Acocella Marchetto (New Yorker cartoonist and author Cancer Vixen)
Matt Diffee (New Yorker cartoonist and author of )
Sam Gross (New Yorker cartoonist and contributor to )
Mike Albo (writer for the NY Times to MTV & author of The Underminer)
Jane Borden (Comedy Editor of Time Out NY)

November 21st at 8:00 PM- Catie Lazarus hosts:
Red Bastard by Eric Davis (NY Times darling of the clowns)
Hamill on Trial (Musician who is on tour with Ani DiFranco)
Victor Varnado (Stand up on Conan and writer for HBO)
Julie Goldman (Appeared on The Sopranos, Writer for Logo's show w/Rosie O'Donnell)

November 28th at 8:00 PM- Catie Lazarus hosts:
Jessica Kirson (Stand up on Last Comic Standing, Late Night with Conan O'Brien)
Todd Levin (Host of How to Kick People, writer for Salon)
Tony Camin (Appeared in Marijuanalogues and Comedy Central)
Jon Daly & Brett Gelman (UCB Sketch group- Cracked Out)

Rejection Show at 9:30 tonight

2006-11-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

I was totally going to show up at UCB at 8 - good thing I got this email from Jon Friedman. I have to say, shows that change their timing do not work so well for me - WAY too much to keep track of, but since this is the last show of the year, I shall make do.

Tonight is the final Rejection Show of 2006. That means I'll be doing a horrible giveaway! A few unlucky winners will win something boring and stupid, from me. But you have to be there to win!

Tonight is also the debut of "The Rejection Show House Band" (not boring and stupid). Think of The Max Weinberg 7 but different.

THE REJECTION SHOW
HOSTED BY JON FRIEDMAN

Featuring the REJECTED material of:

COLLEGE HUMOR
(They're back to present more rejections from the popular website, COLLEGEHUMOR.COM)

ANDY BOROWITZ
(Andy is the creator of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the author of The Republican Playbook)

MOLLY REISNER
(Standup comedian sharing jokes that bombed and more)

ADAM WADE
(Adam was just crowned the 2006 MOTH GrandSLAM Champion!)

And more fun rejection surprises!! 'Rejectee The Rejected Rejection Show Mascot' will be there too!

The Rejection Show
The Best Comedy in the Universe Festival
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater
307 West 26th Street
Between 8th and 9th Avenue
9:30PM
Only $5

Ticket reservations here

my interview with Amy Sedaris at Villagevoice.com

2006-10-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

I interviewed Amy Sedaris about her new book I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence for Villagevoice.com

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jokes events

2006-10-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

From Larry Getlen

1. “THE COMPLETE IDIOTS GUIDE TO JOKES” PRESENTS:

“IS THE JOKE DEAD?”

Thursday, November 2 @ 7:00 p.m.
Makor/92nd Street Y
Steinhardt Building, 35 West 67th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Ave.
2, 3 to 72nd. 1, 9 to 66th
$12 in advance - $15 at the door

“Is The Joke Dead?”

Featuring Larry Getlen, Mark Katz, Brian Kiley, and Ted Alexandro.

Enjoy a not-so-serious discussion on whether the joke is dead; whether “snark” is the new “joke;” whether anyone cares why the chicken crossed the road; and what are we laughing at when not laughing at our ridiculous families, friends and co-workers. The evening includes a “joke-off,” where audience members can compete for prizes and face the critiques and scrutiny of our judges.

Larry Getlen (moderator) is the editor of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Jokes. Mark Katz, the former White House joke writer for President Bill Clinton, runs the Soundbite Institute, a creative think tank for humor-writing projects. Brian Kiley has been a longtime staff writer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Ted Alexandro has appeared on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, The View and two half-hour specials on Comedy Central, and his latest DVD is called "As Much As You Want."

2. THE COMPLETE IDIOTS GUIDE TO JOKES AND THE NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL PRESENT:

“HOW TO TELL A JOKE – AND, HOW NOT TO”
AN OFFICIAL EVENT OF THE NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL

Saturday, November 11, 2:00 p.m.
Borders Books in the Time Warner Center @ Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle (The Shops at Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Center)
A, B, C, D, 1 to 59th St./Columbus Circle
FREE

An interactive, tongue-in-cheek seminar/book and CD signing where some of today’s best comedy minds will show you the secrets to telling a joke – and, let YOU test your joke-telling skills against the pros, in front of a live audience, American Idol-style. Think you can tell a good joke? Bring it on, and test your mettle against the pros!

Panelists:

Larry Getlen (moderator – editor, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Jokes)

Tony Hendra (veteran writer, editor, performer - National Lampoon, Spy Magazine, Ian Faith in “This is Spinal Tap” and NY Times best-selling author of "Father Joe" and "The Messiah of Morris Avenue")

Nick Di Paolo (Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, Howard Stern, The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman – two time Emmy-nominated writer for The Chris Rock Show)

Christian Finnegan (Best Week Ever, The Today Show, new CD “Two for Flinching” available through Comedy Central Records)

Brian Kiley (longtime staff writer for Late Night with Conan O’Brien)

Variety Shac HOTNESS!!

2006-10-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

So I don't know if you noticed, but Varietyshac.com got a makeover and it's HOT. There are a ton of new super glam photos of our four superstars, but also other random photos, like this one, whose caption reads "Chelsea felt tan, smothered." I'm also a big fan of this one, (also this one) but I urge you to check them all out.

The Abraham Lincoln Logs

2006-10-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

You guys should totally go check out this podcast, The Abraham Lincoln Logs, made by Brett Jackson. I met him on Saturday night and got him to write his URL on a $5 bill, and then people were madly passing money across the table to get him to autograph. I think that would be the perfect underground marketing tool especially for this particular podcast. And while I have not yet listened to it (but I will be doing so very soon), I'm pretty sure it's gonna be awesome. Especially episodes 50 (which involves spanking, George Bush, Abe Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln!) and 75.

My Village Voice Best of New York comedy picks

2006-10-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Click through to see who I'm talking about!

Best Place to Publicly Relive Your Failures

Best Ukelele-Playing Fag Hags

Best Laugh-Out-Loud Video Shorts

Hello, Hilarious

2006-10-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

The funny and fabulous Margot Leitman interviewed me over at Hello Hilarious!

Tonight!

2006-10-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

Adira Amram is an American Idol at The PIT at 7

Comedy is for Humans at The PIT at 8 with Roger Hailes, Amanda Melson and Rob Cantrell, hosted by Baron Vaughn and Josh Grosvent

4 comedy shows in 3 nights - what's happening to me? It all ends after November 15th when I go into hibernation "attempt to be a novelist" mode so I better make the most of it.

my Adira Amram interview on Gothamist

2006-10-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

I interviewed the fabulous Adira Amram about her new show Adira Amram is an American Idol (and meeting Bill Clinton) at Gothamist today.

Adira is also my musical guest on November 15th at In The Flesh Comic Sex Night.

The Kissing Booth on Saturday!

2006-10-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Kissing Booth presents: We'll Have A Gay Old Time!

October 14th, 2006
9:30 pm
Doors open at 9 pm
$5

The D-Lounge
101 East 15th Street at Union Square East- BASEMENT LEVEL of the DR2 Theater

$3 Miller Lights! $4 Well Shots! Full Bar For You Fancy Types!

Dance Party Begins Right When The Show Ends!

In this month's show, Brandy & Sara have big dreams that won't stop until they make it all the way to Broadway. And this month, their line up is the creme de la creme of the Gay White Way:

with:
Shawn Hollenbach (MINTYFRESH)
Allen Warnock & Andrea Alton (FREEDUMB)
Mindy Raf (CHICKS & GIGGLES)
Mike Barry (RIFIFI)
Katina & Matt (MO PITKIN'S)
Jerry Miller (THE ROYAL WE)
Kevin Allison (MTV's THE STATE)

PLUS some other nonsense from your hosts, Brandy & Sara and Hi-Jinx Galore! Just know that there will be singing, leg warmers and quite possibly the cutest fucking pomeranian this side of the Hudson.

Rejection Show tonight!

2006-10-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

THE REJECTION SHOW
FEATURING REJECTIONS FROM THE MAURY SHOW, THE LATE LATE SHOW, AMERICAN IDOL AND MORE!
PLUS SLOW DANCING!!

TONIGHT!

OCTOBER 11, 2006
8PM

HOSTED BY JON FRIEDMAN

FEATURING THE REJECTED MATERIAL OF:

JOE MANDE
(REJECTED FROM 'THE MAURY SHOW')

LIAM MCENEANEY
(REJECTED FROM 'THE LATE LATE SHOW')

PATRICK SMITH
(REJECTED FROM OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL)

MICHELLE COLLINS &
LANG FISHER
(REJECTED FROM 'AMERICAN IDOL')

AND MORE FUN REJECTION SURPRISES!

THE UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE THEATER
307 W. 26th Street

$5

What is The Rejection Show?
The Rejection Show is a comedic based event that embraces the rejected and "turned down" material of professional and amateur writers, comedians, cartoonists, artists, and human beings whom display their creative “failures” live on stage.

VISIT THE REJECTION SHOW BLOG AT
REJECTION SHOW.COM
TO SUBMIT YOUR REJECTED MATERIAL

Jessica "My Pussy Is Magic" Delfino at Rififi Tuesdays in November

2006-10-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Jessica Delfino is well worth checking out:

'Jessica Delfino Is Sorry To Disturb You'
Tuesday Nights In November, at RIFIFI / Cinema Classics
10 PM
332 E. 11th St. (1st / 2nd Aves), NYC
$5

This show is an open "apology" for all of Jessica's dark, sometimes disturbing sense of humor. Described as "A cross between Redd Foxx and Jewel" by The Onion and called, "The Lower East Side's folkie queen of obscene" by The Village Voice, Jessica Delfino's style of comedy has offended, irritated, annoyed, bugged, boggled and even pissed off at least one person of every race, color and creed. So, Jessica decided it's high time she set things right with the world. Showing examples of her offenses, this show will feature her dirtiest ditties, her most vulgar stand-up and her most outrageous short films, as well as some surprises, all of which she will attempt to atone for. (Or not.) Come prepared to get all up in a tizzy.

You REALLY don't want to miss Comic Sex Night on November 15th

2006-09-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

It's kinda gonna be like my 30th birthday party, part 2, except it's open to the public and I'll be 31 and . . . well, I promise it'll be funny. If you don't laugh, I'll make out with you.*

This could be the best In The Flesh yet. Don't miss it. After the reading, at 10 pm, we're heading downstairs for my birthday party, and yes, there will be birthday spankings. And cupcakes. Perhaps some kinky combination of the two.

IN THE FLESH EROTIC READING SERIES
COMIC SEX NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 at 8 PM
AT HAPPY ENDING LOUNGE, 302 BROOME STREET, NYC
(B/D to Grand, J/M/Z to Bowery, F to Delancey, http://www.happyendinglounge.com)
Admission: Free
Happy Ending Lounge: 212-334-9676
http://inthefleshreadingseries.blogspot.com

New York’s funniest comedians riff about their wildest sex stories⎯from a horny gym trainer to a 30-year-old virgin to hot hotel sex and much more, they’ll make you laugh so hard you just might pee in your pants. With sidesplitting sex tales from Sara Jo Allocco (The Kissing Booth), Claudia Cogan (Check Your Cool), Jessica Delfino (“Rock N’ Roll Pussy,” I Wanna Be Famous), Julie Klausner (Free to Be Friends, Cat News), Todd Levin (How to Kick People), Mindy Raf (Collegehumor.com), Lianne Stokes (And God Created Women), Baron Vaughn (Tell Your Friends, Brooklyn Comedy Company), and music by the very foxy Adira Amram (Me and Bill, “Adira Amram Is An American Idol”). Hosted by Rachel Kramer Bussel.

In the Flesh is a monthly reading series hosted at the appropriately named Happy Ending Lounge, and features the city's best erotic writers sharing stories to get you hot and bothered, hosted and curated by Village Voice sex columnist and acclaimed erotic writer and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel. From erotic poetry to down and dirty smut, these authors get naked on the page and will make you lust after them and their words. Future themed nights include Revenge of the Sex Columnists (September), comic sex (November) and erotic memoirs. Since its debut in October 2005, In the Flesh has featured such authors as Lily Burana, Jessica Cutler, Polly Frost, Andy Horwtiz, Maxim Jakubowski, Emily Scarlet Kramer of CAKE, Edith Layton, M.J. Rose, Lauren Sanders, Danyel Smith, Cecilia Tan, Carol Taylor, and many others. The series has gotten press attention from Escape (Hong Kong), The L Magazine, New York, Gothamist, Nerve.com and Wonkette. This series is not Amanda Stern’s Happy Ending Reading Series.

Rachel Kramer Bussel is a New York City-based author and editor. She is Senior Editor at Penthouse Variations, writes the Lusty Lady column for The Village Voice, and conducts interviews for Gothamist.com and Mediabistro.com. Her erotic stories have appeared in over 60 anthologies, including Best American Erotica 2004 and 2006, and she’s edited her own collections, including Naughty Spanking Stories from A to Z 1 and 2, Up All Night, First-Timers, Glamour Girls, Ultimate Undies, Sexiest Soles, Secret Slaves: Erotic Stories of Bondage, and Caught Looking: Erotic Tales of Voyeurs and Exhibitionists. Rachel has also written for AVN, Bust, Metro, New York Post, Punk Planet, Time Out New York and Velvetpark.
www.rachelkramerbussel.com

Originally from Long Island, Sara Jo Allocco has been performing comedy all over NYC since 2004. Prior to that she took a job in an office playing with handbags, and before that did acting as a child. You might have seen her alongside Julia Stiles and Kirsten Dunst . . . auditioning alongside them that is. One part of the comedy duo Brandy & Sara, she hosts the monthly “The Kissing Booth” at the D Lounge, and “Flickr” at Otto's Shrunken Head. She likes San Loco, procrastinating, Justin Timberlake, and Toto. In that order.
sarajoallocco.blogspot.com

Adira Amram is a Brooklyn based musical comedienne. She has been described as a mix of Biz Markie and Madonna. Her CD Me and Bill, out on North Street Records, won a rave review from Jane magazine. For performance dates and other Adira news check out www.adiraamram.com.

Stand up comic and writer Claudia Cogan was recently called a "hilarious up-and-comer" by Time Out New York and an "acerbic wit" by the New York Post. After completing her training at the UCB Theatre, she was on improv teams for over a year and is still a regular performer at the celebrated venue. She has done her stand up at Caroline's, The Improv, and Stand Up New York, to name a few. She's been featured on Sirius Raw Dog Comedy network and her writing has been spotlighted by Gawker.com and MSNBC.com.
getthefoutofhere.blogspot.com

Jessica Delfino is a dirty folk song singer who also tells raunchy jokes. She was described as "a cross between Redd Foxx and Jewel" by The Onion and "Best Guitar Slinging Potty Mouth" by The Village Voice in the "Best Of" Issue. She spent her summer at The Montreal Comedy Festival and then followed with a 6 week US tour with The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players and Corn Mo. She loves touring. Take her with you somewhere. Or at least visit her online at www.jessydelfino.blogspot.com.

Julie Klausner is a comedy writer and a performer, and she is also a lovely young woman. Her show, Free To Be Friends, was an official selection of the NY International Fringe Festival, and she has done many more lovely and cool things, such as her Channel 102 series, Cat News, and lots more stuff as well, including writing for Robert Smigel's TV Funhouse cartoon on SNL and doing cartoon voices on E! and for the new Comedy Central series Freak Show. She recently got to play the part of "Abortion Girl" in the Les Freres Corbusier production of Hell House.
www.julieklausner.com

Todd Levin performs his little comedy skits and zingers for all of you nice people. He has appeared on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and at the 2006 US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. His writing has been published in Salon, Time Out, Glamour, McSweeney's, Heeb, Cracked, The Onion and on his own web site, tremble.com. He also co-produces the popular NYC-based comedy reading series, HOW TO KICK PEOPLE, at Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction on the last Wednesday of every month.
www.tremble.com

Mindy Raf is a stand-up comic, actress, and writer living in New York City. She is regularly performs at the Laugh Lounge, with Chicks and Giggles, and at the Teabag Variety Hour where she recently received the "Comedian of the Year" award. Mindy authors a widely-read relationship column on CollegeHumor.com that has been featured in The New Yorker and the New York Post. She is a contributor to The Phat Phree comedy site as well as the stand-up publication, The Comical. Mindy is also a regular actor for the popular Internet sketch comedy program, The Post Show. Mindy additionally writes and does voiceover work for a radio service that provides comedy content to broadcasting stations worldwide. For more info, please visit www.mindyraf.com or read her popular humor blog at http://thisisnotreallyablogforreal.blogspot.com

Lianne Stokes has a really hard time with numbers. She was always awful at math. Which means that she's constantly overdrawn in her "WAMU" checking account. A budding quirky creative type, she’s been doing stand-up on the New York indie scene for five years. Known for her high-energy style, she appreciates that "Dudes think she's funny." Most recently Lianne's had the pleasure to write and workshop her solo show, "And, God Created The Woman" around town. Oh! She's also got a blog. Yes! And, she's super proud that said blog is often linked to Gawker.com. In another life she dreams of being a fashion designer and boutique owner. Ahh! Dreams.
liannestokes.blogspot.com

photo by Semyon

Baron Vaughn is a daredevil. He defy the heavens and fate itself to get out of bed everyday and make his way in front of an audience that he tries to convince of his hilarity. He's been to the HBO Comedy Arts Festival and was recently named one of the 25 Sexiest New Yorkers by the New York Post. He still has no clue if he'll ever pay off his student loans.
www.baronvaughn.com

* Please note that this is my little attempt at humor, but I swear, you're gonna laugh. Not at me, but with me.

I rarely wish I lived in LA, but I wish I could go to this

2006-09-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

This sounds totally amazing. I haven't read I Hate Myself and Want to Die but can recommend the other three. Especially Tania Katan's book, My One-Night Stand With Cancer, which not only has a cupcake on the cover but makes cancer (and lesbianism) FUNNY. Yes, really. Funny and touching all at once; I dare you to read it without crying.

"Jill Soloway says comedy and tragedy go together," The Jewish Journal

In Jill Soloway's collection of essays, "Tiny Ladies in Shiny Pants," the Emmy-nominated writer and co-executive producer of HBO's "Six Feet Under" recalls the time she lost her virginity at 17 to a 36-year-old with a golden chai dangling from his neck.

"I was running from the bathroom back to his bed," she writes, "leaving slivers of myself everywhere: The girl who wanted to be here; the girl who didn't want to be here; the girl who thought the whole thing was exciting; that he was an idiot; that his apartment was tacky, yet sexy; that I was turned on; that I wasn't; that this was fun; that it wasn't."

However traumatizing the experience was then, she jokes about it now. "If you can laugh with your friends over something, you own it," said Soloway, lounging in jeans and a T-shirt in her Silver Lake home. "I don't think it's a contradiction to find painfulness funny."

On Sunday, Sept. 17, Soloway will explore the ways comedy and tragedy fit together by moderating a discussion, "Laughter in the Rain: Mining Humor from Pain," at the West Hollywood Book Fair. She will lead a conversation with Tania Katan, author of "My One-Night Stand With Cancer: A Memoir"; Brett Paesel, author of "Mommies Who Drink: Sex, Drugs, and Other Distant Memories of an Ordinary Mom," and Tom Reynolds, who wrote "I Hate Myself and Want to Die: The 52 Most Depressing Songs You've Ever Heard."

I Love Jack, Sunday, September 17

2006-09-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

I Love Jack-- comedy variety show
Sunday September 17th and every subsquent Sunday
8pm
M. Shanghai's Den (129 Havermeyer Street Brooklyn)
$2.

This week's guests: Adira, Amram, Carla Rhodes, Dan Allen, Will McKinley, PJ Zeller, Regie Cabico

With your host Rachael Parenta and DJ Your Friend Jesse Spinning tunes

Rachael Parenta (the woman who loves Jack)

PRESS RELEASE:
"I Love Jack" is a live variety show performed in the style of a 1940s
radio program, but with a distinctly modern comedic sensibility.

New York City Comedian Rachael Parenta serves as the affable host of the
program, and Jack – Rachael's handsome, intelligent and absent boyfriend
functions as a centerpiece for her comedy.

As with "The Jack Benny Program," "The Burns and Allen Show" or other
classic radio shows of a bygone era, "I Love Jack" will feature regular
supporting characters, such as special guest announcer Will McKinley. Like
Jack Benny's beloved announcer Don Wilson, Will references imaginary
sponsors such as the "We Hate the Periphery Foundation"- an organization
committed to ridding the world of the awful people found in your extended
social circle.

In addition there will be recurring comedic segments, such as some "Shiv of
Shovel" wherein the live audience gets to vote on whether an evil person
described to them by Rachael should be:

a) shivved in the belly or
b) have a shovel taken to their head.

In addition to this wackiness, "I Love Jack" will also feature some of the
finest established and up-and-coming alternative comedians and variety
artists that New York City has to offer.

Highlights of the show will be podcast, thus insuring that love for "Jack"
is a truly international phenomenon.

3 Lower East Side comedy shows tonight

2006-09-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

NYUCFChicks
Originally uploaded by Undiscovered Superstar.

Anything but Stand-Up at Chicks and Giggles - see flyer

and

It's the premiere of

LES is MORE (click through for next week's lineup AND a funny birthday cake pic in the comments)

Hosted by Eric Andre

Susan Prekel (Live at Gotham)
Jess Wood (Def Comedy Jam)
Eric Kirchberger (Premium Blend)
Amanda Melson (Writer of Stand-Up Nation with Greg Giraldo)
Elon James White (BcCo)
and Musical Guest
Joshua Grosvent (Co-Host of Comedy is for Humans)

September 12
Essex Ale House
179 Essex (corner of houston)
Lower East Side, NYC
SHOWTIME 9pm
1 Drink Minimum

And Check Your Cool at 9:30 at Parkside Lounge, which I posted about below.