MR: Laughs on Fairmount starts this coming Monday March 14th!
CB: WHAT! Mary, that’s The Bachelor finale. I thought we had plans. ‘Member? you were going to dress up as Emily? Her fiancee died in a plane crash? And you haaate planes.
MR: I thought you were joking about that. Did you really buy a Chantal wig? And yes. I do hate planes.
CB: Yeah.
MR: Kay. Well, Can you DVR it? We have a bunch of people coming. It’s kind of a big deal.
CB: I guess so. The Bachelor can wait. Who needs guys anyway? Am I right?
MR: Heck yeah!
[Mary and Carolyn high five.]
CB: Sigh. I hate men.
MR: Me too. But that’s why Laughs on Fairmount rules because you and I are in charge. No guys to bring us down!
CB: Yeah!
MR: Yeah!
[Mary and Carolyn high five.]
CB: …it’s just I really want them to like us.
MR: Who? Easter’s really late this year.
CB: What? Stop it.
MR: Sorry.
CB: Guys, Mary. We want guys to like us.
MR: What are you talking about? They’re gonna love us! I mean with your red hair and my spray tan, we don’t even have to be funny. We just have to show up.
CB: I guess you’re right. Gosh Mary, how are you so pretty AND smart?
MR: Oh Carolyn!
CB: Oh Mary!
[Mary and Carolyn hug.]
MR: So I’ll see you Monday, then, at Urban Saloon?
CB: Yes! Monday at the Urban Saloon on 2120 Fairmount Ave. Right across from Eastern State Penitentiary! Sign-ups start 7:15, and the show starts at 8PM.
MR: Yeah, Carolyn, calm down, I know all that.
CB: Sorry, WitOut told me to make this staged interview seem informative.
MR. Well done Buse, well done. See you on stage … at 8PM … sign-ups at 7:15 … across from the–
After the success of last year’s roast of the departing Kent Haines, on Monday, March 21st, Chip Chantry’s One Man Show (with Special Guests) will be the Roast of Meg Favreau to give her a send-off before she moves to Los Angeles next month. Roasting her will be the following Philadelphia comedians:
And of course Meg Favreau will be there to defend herself. This roast will probably pack and sell out the small Shubin Theatre, so you’ll want to go to Philly Improv Theater and buy tickets online now. It’s going to get ugly. For a sample of what to expect, this is Mike Rainey’s set from last year’s roast:
Here’s an update from contest organizer Paul Goodman:
Another great audience turnout at Noche. The show for the competition was packed–standing room only. The comedians who advanced are listed below. Thanks again.
Sean Quinn, Brendan Kennedy, Ryan Shaner, Alex Pearlman, Neil Carroll. Bob DeSantis, Mike Casey, Nick Baker, Nicole Churchill, Lisa Yost.
The competition’s first round continues Thursday night at 9 at the Raven Lounge.
First we have “Juggalo Sunday” from Secret Pants, which is pretty amazing in conception, execution, and just visually. You’re gonna want to check this out.
And also “Expectation” from Local Holiday Miracle, which is actually pretty amazing, too. Watch.
The organizers of several of the city’s stand-up open mics (The Famous International Variety Show, Comedy X-Change, Rittenhouse Comedy, and Center City Comedy) have put together a seventy comedian tournament-style stand-up comedy competition to coincide with college basketball’s March Madness this month. Across four nights each week, the first seventy will be narrowed down to 40 the first week, to 16 the second, then to eventually to the Elite 8 on the third week, who will compete in the finals — taking place at the end of the month at Mad River in Manayunk.
The first round began this week, with eighteen competitors being narrowed down to ten on each night at The Famous International Variety Show Sunday and Comedy X-Change on Monday. Here are the results from Sunday night:
Ian Fidance
Jamil B
Tommy Pancrazio
Shea McGiveny
Jason Falco
Steve Slaughter
Matt Reiss
Dan Knabb
Tim Ryan
Brandon Ketchup Wilson
In the age of new media, the podcast is everywhere — providing a sort of replacement for the radio show and can be on any specific or esoteric subject matter available to be talked about. There are a lot of podcasts by comedians and about comedy, but also a few around by Philadelphia comedians. Here’s the rundown of the ones we know of:
Bird Text
Who does it? Bird Text! (John McKeever, Tommy Pope, and Luke Cunningham) How many episodes so far? Just one. But to be fair, they just started last week. Could you describe it to me? Couple of dudes hanging out. Lots of fast-paced banter. They talk about anything — from inside comedy to just shooting the shit. How would you rate it? Superb! What’s the link?Libsyn Site
Cheapodcast
Who does it? Bosom buddies James Hesky and Darryl Charles. Sometimes Mykal Carter Jackson. How many episodes so far? Nine and going strong! Could you describe it to me? It’s sort of like Bird Text, in that it is a couple of friends being funny and talking about random stuff, but James and Darryl are nicer and they don’t talk as fast as Tommy Pope. But there are few who do. How would you rate it? Fantastic! What’s the link?Podbean Site
The Feeko Factor
Who does it?The Feeko Brothers! How many episodes so far? Eighteen, but there hasn’t been a new one in almost a year. It is either done or just on hiatus. Could you describe it to me? Bizarre. Lots of weird and funny bits. The Feekos eventually lose their show to irritating radio heel Josh Justice. This podcast was most likely conceived with the premise of “how much can we subject our audience to before they can’t take it anymore?” But that just makes the insanity of it all even funnier. How would you rate it? Stupendous! What’s the link?Libsyn Site
Good Talkin’ with Mike & Jay
Who does it?Mike Marbach and Jay Piazza How many episodes so far? Seven — hasn’t been updated in a little while. Could you describe it to me? Mike and Jay record their phone conversations, talking about whatever comes up naturally — just like two friends would do on the phone! How would you rate it? Truly wonderful! What’s the link?Podbean Site Continue reading Guide to Philly Comedy Podcasts
Ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go right? We all have. And I’m sure anyone who’s been improvising for a while has had the experience on stage.
Oh, silly improviser, remember: Everything that happens on stage is supposed to happen. If you had a “better” idea you can go home and write a sketch about it later. Now is now, and whatever happens in the set is absolutely right. It is only when you begin seeing your own actions and the actions of your scene partner as perfection that you become truly open to all the possibilities contained therein.
So, I have to tell you a story. This story involves me doing a play and a moment of improv that occurred in the play that I am very proud of. I am bragging a bit, but hey — I think it’s a good story, and it illustrates the point.
I was doing a play called A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare — maybe you have heard of him. I was playing Flute, a character who performs a play called Pyramus and Thisbe with other laborers for the Duke and his guests. You with me? We are talking a play within a play, kinda like Inception. Good? Good. Let’s get down to business.
On the night in question, the night a little bit of theater magic happened; something did not go as planned. The actor playing Pyramus had a Styrofoam sword that he kills himself with. After he kills himself I am supposed to do the same. The Styrofoam sword that I am supposed to kill myself with was broken accidentally by the other actor. Ahhhhhhh.
There were 600 people in attendance at the show that night. When I took the stage to kill myself with the sword everyone was wondering what was going to happen. How is she going to kill herself with a broken sword? Everyone was worried about it, everyone except me. Continue reading EVERYTHING IS A GIFT with Kristen Schier
Alejandro Morales wrote an article on the use of anti-gay slurs in comedy called “Comedy and the Fag Word.” It got picked up by Philly Gay Calendar. [Philly Gay Calendar]
Rumblings of a new Philadelphia comedy roast this month are getting louder. We’ll be the first (maybe second) to bring you all the information about that when it’s released. You can check out video last year’s roast of Kent Haines on Pat Barker‘s YouTube channel. [Pat Barker's YouTube Channel]
Philly Improv Theater‘s The Gross Show has a new night and time — Tuesday, March 29th at 8:30. Perhaps this is due to the last two shows getting noise complaints for being so raucous (this is what it is). [The Gross Show on Facebook]
Speaking of PHIT, the powerpoint from last Tuesday’s State of PHIT address from Greg Maughan is up if you weren’t there to attend. [Philly Improv Theater]
The second round of the March Madness Comedy Competition is tonight at the newly-christened Comedy X-Change open mic. Details of last night’s packed show will come tomorrow. [Facebook Event]
On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, there were candles on the tables at Helium Comedy Club which has created a new excuse for everyone to see great stand-up in Philly. The inexplicably named Bird Text, a group founded by comedians Luke Cunningham, Tommy Pope, and John McKeever, launched its new showcase — appearing monthly. It features national touring comedians with an a line up of Philly’s own — promising a great show. I was excited for the first installment, below are the minutes of the meeting:
7:58 – I walk into the show, $10 at the door. 8:12 – I receive my first drink. A Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA. 8:26 – The House announcer requests me to turn off my cell phone and silence my beeper. I comply. 8:27 – Luke Cunningham takes the stage, walking on to a song that I have not heard over the PA at Helium before. Typically, its some rousing song from a broadway musical — I think it’s from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” I make note of it as it’s the first time I’ve heard anything else. 8:28 – Beer 2 arrives, this time Lager. 8:29 – Luke Cunningham breaks the mic stand. This is not unexpected, two minutes into his set, as he is both gigantic and hilarious. 8:36 – Enjoying Luke’s set, until a foul oder strikes my nose. Someone around me farted. 8:38 – Luke introduces Andrew Rupert and Eric Oliver — two members of Brotherly Love, Philly Gay Men’s Chorus. For each act this evening, Eric and Andrew will come out and harmoniously deliver one of that act’s punch lines. I think it’s a put-on and they are comedians. 8:40 – A dapper Steve Gerben is introduced. 8:40:30 – Beer 3, Lager is delivered. 8:44 – Steve probably makes the guy in the Phillies hat next to me a little uncomfortable, as well as the guy in the Phillies hat next to him uncomfortable. No idea how the other 3/4ths of the room with the Phillies hats on felt, but we were all laughing. Continue reading JUST THE MINUTES with Joe Moore (Bird Text Comedy Show)
Mike Rainey has developed himself a reputation as one of Philly’s most brutal comics, as well as one of the quickest on his feet. He can be seen monthly with his segment Story Time with Mike Rainey at Chip Chantry’s One Man Show (with Special Guests).
How and why did you get into comedy?
I thought I was funny but didn’t have the balls to perform. Then, I saw Jim Norton and was blown away by the fact that someone could make me laugh for an hour straight. I soon after started writing jokes but still couldn’t work up the nerve to perform. I then went to see the band Tool perform and there was a moment where the lead singer, Maynard James Keenan, just spoke to the crowd while the band played softly in the background. I just remember him saying the words “take risks” and I felt like I had been punched in the chest. At that point, my mind was made up and I was finally going to do it. One of the reasons why I love performing comedy is that I always get so nervous before a show that I either throw up or have diarrhea.
How would you describe your style as a comedian? What influences and factors do you think contribute to that?
I’ve been predominantly set up / punchline from day one, mostly about current events or nonsense that I made up. Lately though, I’ve been working on bits that are more personal and just trying to grow out of what I’ve relied upon up until this point.
Do you have a favorite show or venue you like to perform at? What about it makes it fun or special for you?
My favorite venue is The Shubin Theatre (Philly Improv Theater). Almost always a packed house and it is intimate enough as to where I can perform without a mic, which I prefer. As a performer, the most you can hope for out of an audience is for them to be willing to listen. The rest is up to you. The Shubin always allows that. Continue reading TEN QUESTIONS WITH… Mike Rainey
Mary Radzinski: Hey girlfriend!
Who does it? Bird Text! (John McKeever, Tommy Pope, and Luke Cunningham)
Who does it? Bosom buddies James Hesky and Darryl Charles. Sometimes Mykal Carter Jackson.
Who does it? 
Who does it? Mike Marbach and Jay Piazza
Mike Rainey has developed himself a reputation as one of Philly’s most brutal comics, as well as one of the quickest on his feet. He can be seen monthly with his segment Story Time with Mike Rainey at Chip Chantry’s One Man Show (with Special Guests).
