Meet Our Little Brother; Morgan Murphy Tonight at the Hideout
Our baby brother The Coming is live and online in Los Angeles as of...now. We're coast to coast, y'all. (Next stop? Outpost on Mars. Those little green dudes are doing some hilarious stuff with sketch and short film these days.)
Who's the first interview? Former Chicagoan Jimmy Pardo, who talks about Superbowl madness, being the hostie with the mostie, and that dick in junior high who was just dying to pound his kidneys: "I was a junior in High School and this bully named 'Barry' wanted to kick my ass for no other reason than he didn’t 'get me'. Didn’t know why people found me funny or girls found me interesting. He was the size of a truck and he came up to me and said it was 'Go Time!' and I convinced him that since we both knew he could take me, why go through the motions. He knows he can, I know he can… so let’s just agree it could be done. He fell for this and I continued my streak of never being in a physical altercation."
We're looking forward to catching the brilliant Morgan Murphy at the People Under the Stares show tonight at the Hideout. Morgan did a hilarious article for Viceland about getting punched in the face...on purpose. She also recently blogged about her wrapped music-and-comedy tour with Aimee Mann: "So, the tour with Aimee is over. Maybe the most impressive show I've ever been a part of. Certainly different than working with all comics. There are reviews online, so I won't bore you with play-by-plays, but it basically added up to a variety show with music and bits of comedy. Paul F Tompkins hosted most of the shows, and was his usual, charming, hilarious self. John C. Reilly was amazing on the west coast, Fred Armisen was equally amazing on the east, and Grant Lee Phillips played the whole tour gravitating between musician and host." Locals Mike Bridenstine (Blerds.com), Fay Canale (SpitFire), and Hannibal (Montreal Just For Laughs) feature tonight.
Inside With: Renee Gauthier, Comedienne and Actress
Renee Gauthier is a well-rounded comedienne who packs a lot of energy into a small package. She recently moved to L.A. to explore the comedy possibilities there, but so far has kept good on her promise to make regular visits back to Chicago, where she pops into old haunts the Lincoln Lodge,Chicago Underground Comedy, Spitfire shows, and elsewhere. You can check out her Rooftop Comedy clips here, her Fearless Radio appearances here, her visits to Red Bar Radio here, and a giant pile of performance photos here.
Tell us about your background in Chicago comedy - improv, sketch, stand-up - how did you get started, and where have you studied and performed?
I have always loved comedy, my family is very comedic. When I was 18 I auditioned for a Second City Serious Improv class that was free and being taught by Second City Alumni. This was before the Training Center was as big as it is now. I made it, went to one class and never went back. A few years later I really wanted to take classes there and lured my sister-in-law and sister into taking classes with me. We went through all basic levels then I went on to the Conservatory. From there I became a graduate and have been lucky enough to be a part of several sketch groups - Grandma June's Sewing Circle and Taco Flavored Eggrolls - I was the token white girl in that one. I was in Happy Heads with several comics including Nick Vatterot and Jeb Cadwell - we did Sketchfest two years in a row. I was also picked to be in Second City's first House Ensemble. We would open for Tour Co. and shows on the ETC stage. I have been lucky to work with Amy Armstrong, a well-known Cabaret singer. I took part in an improvised show that was up at the Theater Building. I did three levels at IO and then because of funds, I stopped. That is the sad history.
Are there things you can do with improv that you can't do with stand-up, and vice versa? What's your favorite aspect of each kind of comedy?
I used to think there were things I could not do with one or the other but I have found my own way to integrate the two. I love jokes that can be sketchy and with that I make it a one person sketch. I love improv because it is a group effort. You learn how to give and take and you all create something funny and awesome. I love stand up for the fact that it is all from your point of view and you are the only one responsible for selling that point of view - when that hits with the crowd, it is really great!
Who is the funniest person you know, and what's the last thing they said that made you laugh out loud?
Oh geez, the funniest person I know is my grandmother and she doesn't even know it. For the sake of this question I will pick someone else. Mike Bridenstine told me a story about his cousin and a horse show...I almost puked from laughing. I feel wrong telling his story, but man is it hilarious. Although you want me to pick one, I know a lot of funny people, my family could have its own reality show.
What made you decide to pack up the Saturn and spin out to L.A.? What's it been like since you got there?
I have wanted to move to LA for awhile. I kept changing my mind and then last May I went to LA for a week alone and booked myself on shows. I really felt good about it and I came home and the plans were made. I love all forms of comedy including good TV shows. I would love to be able to do sitcoms along with stand up, so here I am.
Since I have been here it has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I share a bedroom with my sister and that is fine, but tough. I have a Korean roommate who speaks little English and cooks smelly stuff a lot. I wait tables at Houston's Steakhouse and I have met some good friends and waited on some big names. I have done a good amount of shows. The truth is, I feel like I am in my first year of high school. Making female friends in the comedy scene is not easy, it never was. I feel like I left this awesome group of stand up girlfriends and now I have none. Some open mics are rough because nobody wants anyone to be funnier than them so the laughs are hard to earn. I like the challenge and I will keep doing it, I just find it to be discouraging at times.
The great part is the Chicago comics here. Eric Acosta and his fiancee Kathleen are awesome and have introduced me to so many people. Matt Braunger is so supportive and was an instant friend, Kyle Kinane is so nice about me asking him too many questions - he supports me too. It is very nice of them. Mick Betancort from Chicago was so nice and helpful when I met him. I feel lucky to know these people because I barely knew them when I got here. Chicago people really stick together, it is cool.
We enjoyed that twisted little "hot priest" comedy short film you did in LA with Matt Braunger and Kyle Kinane. How did that come about, and what else is going on with Chicagoans in Los Angeles (SALOON Comedy Shows, etc.)?
Yeah, that short was fun to make. Matt Braunger was the creator of that, it was a pilot entry shot for Channel 101. Channel 101 is one of the coolest things I have seen, it is a website that shows sketch pilots. I am not going to do it justice so I am going to ask you to go to channel101.com. As for the short, Matt called me and asked me if I could do a small part, of course I said yes. That was the first time the guys had seen me do anything and it was fun.
Chicagoans? Let's see, well, Braunger has a show every first Monday of each month he produces called SALOON...He put me up sight unseen and for that I am grateful, because it could have been bad, as it sometimes is, but it went well. Braunger is also quickly becoming one of my friends favorite comics to see. Kinane is the newest members of Blerds.com, I believe. He is so amazingly funny and a good guy, great combo. Eric Acosta does stand up, but is really embedded in the Channel 101 scene, he is an amazing writer and comedic actor, he does great pilot shows for them, so, so funny and smart. That is what I know about them, I am sure I am leaving out bigger and better things that they are doing.
What do you miss most about Chicago at the moment?
I miss the comedy rooms, the comedians, the food, the supportive comedy scene, I miss SpitFire, my family, my friends, and my boyfriend.
Tell us about your powerful nostalgia for '80's movies - and which is better for a quick mood pick-me-up, the "Ralph Macchio finally beats William Zabka" scene in The Karate Kid , or the "kids unexpectedly bond and tell off the principal" scene in Breakfast Club?
Definitely Karate Kid final scene. Man I love that movie. My apartment complex looks like the first scene of the Karate Kid, so I relate to it. I also have a YMCA training of karate and I get my ass kicked a lot. William Zabka's hair is amazing in that movie. I have to tell you I met Noah Blake, who is the guy in the 80's movie Teen Witch who raps "top that". Not familiar? Check it out on my MySpace. He is a comic and he is pretty funny. We did the Comedy Store together - coolest guy ever and totally cool with talking about "Teen Witch". It is funny, I have met Jodie Foster and Hilary Swank, neither of which was as cool as meeting the "Teen Witch" guy.
Do you plan on returning to Chicago to perform with the Spitfire girls and elsewhere every once in awhile?
Hell yeah! I love that group and I talk about them all of the time. I am excited to one day be able to get those girls here to blow the scene out of the water. Soon, very soon!
What would you like to accomplish, in comedy and in life, over the next ten years?
I would like to be a polished comedienne, with a fan base. I would love to have a sitcom under my belt. I would also like to be happy with someone who I make happy, and have kids. I would love to be a significant part of the comedy scene, making it better and playing an innovative part.
The Annoyance Theater has a few new shows up, including Arm Soup ("the story of how five people went West and ate each other"), Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30.
Tonight at 9 at the Lincoln Lodge, catch Jason Fever, Becky Garcia, Pete Grosz, and Pearly Sweets in a show hosted by Bill Cruz.
More Sarah Silverman: first, her interview with the Village Voice, about her new Comedy Central series "The Sarah Silverman Program," explains what she means by "I think I'm the crapper and the dreamer." Then, a bit about her in LA Weekly reveals much about her sharp and challenging comedic viewpoint, including the observation that "she’s no longer the most transgressive, racism-spotlighting, shit-stirring Jewish comedian in the entertainment world." (That title is now held by Sasha Baron Cohen, AKA Borat.)
There's a new video up at Blerds, this one featuring Robert Buscemi explaining how to pack maximum humiliation into your next breakup. Take notes, girls! Sometimes a spoonful of sugar can just as easily be skipped.
Hugely talented Second City alum Alan Arkin has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Little Miss Sunshine. He'll have to best Jackie Earl Haley, Djimon Hounsou, Eddie Murphy, and Mark Wahlberg to waltz off with the little golden man, but given that he was nominated for Best Actor for his feature acting debut (1966's The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming), we have high hopes. Also, let's face it, it would rock for the Academy to start tipping its hat to comedy a bit more.
The super-high-energy-and-crazed duo known as Lani & Emi are finishing their Annoyance run tonight, and implore you to "bring empty beer and soda cans". Be prepared and show up at 8 p.m. for this anything goes showdown.
Those of intestinal fortitude can try and hit the Book Cellar before Lani & Emi for a 7 p.m. reading from The Phat Phree, of "Look at My Striped Shirt" fame.
The time has come to close out on the wildly popular midnight show, "Let Them Ho's Fight" over at i.O. This group boasts, "To watch them perform, is to party harder than you ever have before." Catch them one last time tomorrow at midnight in the Del Close theater.
Before you go over to that show, you can make a full night of it and check out the new stand-up show at Town Hall Pub, hosted by Seth Thomas (of the former Defiant Thomas Brothers). Tomorrow night's inaugural line-up is jam-packed and includes Karen Williams (co-star of the lesbian documentary film, "Laughing Matters"), with Reynald Adolphe, Lauren Bishop, Robert Buscemi, Bradley Fojas, Jena Friedman, Stacey Hallal, Darius Kennedy and Dan Polydoris.
Any thoughts on today's cover story in the RedEye? The publication uses Sarah Silverman's mug to humanize the concept "shock comedy", the Village Voice in NYC uses her "Ts" to sell an interview. The woman has found her niche, no?
Improv Babies, Bad Date Movies, "Real" Laughs, Reality TV Girlfriends, and More
Today in the Chicago comedy blogosphere...
Angela continues with her "improv beginner at IO" blog: "So far what I enjoy and appreciate the most is the nurturing, 'there are no mistakes' attitude that seems to be prevalent at iO. This week we were told to think of class as a safe haven where we should feel free to be reckless and try and fail rather than only making safe choices, taking baby steps and not exploring the full worth of our potential. I find that idea to be of great comfort. There are few times in life when you are told you can do no wrong and know that you will be fully supported no matter which choices you make."
Kumail holds forth on the ten worst date movies of all time: "So you finally got up the nerve to ask her out. Good for you. And she said yes. Better for you. You had a nice dinner, great conversation, and an entire bottle of wine. And then you swung for the fences. 'Wanna go back to my place and watch a movie?' And she said yes. On the first date. She is either a super easy ho-bag, or totally totally into you. Either way, you are in. As they say, sex is on. Unless of course, you pick completely the wrong movie. Here are ten movies you should never ever watch in such a situation."
Steve Gadlin waxes philosophical about different types of laughter, and why Bob Uecker's pasted-on-upside-down-yay mouth is so transcendantly hilarious: "99% of the time I'm laughing, I'm polite laughing. When I'm really laughing, I laugh so hard that I cry. And that's not always a result of how funny something is, rather how badly I needed to laugh at the time. Heavy, heavy laughing is something I need to do a few times a year, or my head falls off."
Chris Burns is okay with you watching his girlfriend on television, but only in this particular case: "If someone comes up to you and says, 'I've been watching your girlfriend' you should want to fight them or tell them to please stop doing that or tell your girlfriend to close her curtains when she's getting dressed, because there's a creepo hanging around. But when your girlfriend is on a reality show called Nashville Star airing every Thursday at 10ET/9CT (mine is, please start watching) you are more likely to simply say, 'thank you.'"
Dan Winter shares his thoughts on the POTUS' State of the Union address: "W’s ordinary dude was the guy who flopped on top of a guy having a seizure in the subway and fell to the tracks just as the train was coming in to the station. POTUS talked of this guy personifying Uhmurrica. Bravery and humility were cited."
kevINda's Inda Craig-Galván is more than a bit annoyed at businesses using MLK quotes as taglines for sales and special promotions: "Someone just e-mailed me Soul Salon Spa's ad for the Dr. King Day Special and I realized the true meaning of the word offensive. It is not a clever marketing tactic. It's insensitive and manipulative and to twist his words and commercialize his legacy. It's even worse when we do it."
As a follow up to last week's "Hey So You Wanna Get Something to Eat?" we've got the "Behind the Scenes to 'Hey So You Wanna Get Something to Eat?'"
Impress These Apes prisoner/contestant Erin Carr is going for a Tim Burton feel with some special Christmas touches. Watch out for broken glass!
Impress These Apes monkey slave/contestant Jim Fath would like to chat with you about OPP. To be honest, we were surprised that he never asked us to put our hands in the air like we just don't care, but were impressed when he did a double somersault/monkey beer sipping combo.
F.O.B. Fuzzy Gerdes pointed us to the short "Don't Move to Los Angeles" by former Chicago sketch group Superpunk. We'd like to send this one out to our new brothers on the Left Coast, the soon-to-be-launched L.A. site for all things comedy...
Dean Carlson, with the help of the rest of Tortilla Moustache, wants to show YOU he is the man to lead in the new millennium:
Passed along by David Angelo, we find this strangely giggle-inducing:
Joselyn Hughes has struck gold on a great new product for all the menustrating women in your life: Period Pals!
Hannibal with Dutch subtitles! See his set in Holland here:
We got word recently that the rumor going around about Rooftop Comedy partnering with Chicago Underground Comedy is true. ChUC producer Tony Sam says, "They are going to make it all fancy and it will look like it is part of our website. The channel features sets from the tapings we did back in May last year, and clips from all the shows. The page can be accessed through the main page on their site or the comedians' page on ours. It will be a nice arrangement we have worked out for everyone. But people should go and rate our clips favorably! It is up right now."
On the heels of Sketchfest, the Bastion spoke to Chicagoist about "what not to do" in sketch. Our incriminating words can be found here.
Sick of reading about Sketchfest? Don't be yet! Time Out's Steve Heisler has got a giganto write-up in his blog, and even manages to get a barb in at a fellow arts editor (who is it though? We're sure it's not us, RIGHT STEVE!?).
Last Monday the Bastion quite accidentally ran into Kyle Cease, in town for a Zanies stint and, apparently, running around to a few open mics. It was quite the treat that topped the evening for us. We were a little too shy to say hi, but we hope he had a good time in town! You can vote for Kyle in the Comedy Central Stand-Up Showdown here.
Speaking of celeb sightings, we're treating Canada's David Dineen-Porter like a little celebrity as he hangs with us this week. This Sunday he was seen at the Bad Dog show Your Sunday Best no less than four times on stage and can be spotted tonight at the newly-instituted Tuesday Riot at i.O. We also got wind of some killer Guitar Hero action that happened his first night in town, with comedy blogger (and Bastion contributor) Krystle Gemnich and Dineen-Porter's old comedy partner, Thomas Middleditch. To be a fly on the wall for THAT one.
Eugene Mirman is putting together some delightfully weird new videos these days, over at Super Deluxe.
The Bastion caught some more sweet monkey lovin' last night at the Playground, as the cruel Impress These Apes gorilla overlords took the stage again to humiliate their enslaved human performers. This week's talent was dance, and the audience was treated to more robots, moonwalking, jazz hands, and unexpected special effects involving beer and Christmas lights than anyone could have foreseen. A great set of pictures by Brandi Ediss, who was lured away from Apiary comedy photo duties to come snap pics for the Bastion, can be found here.
Ticketmaster's got a freebie deal for next month's run of Shear Madness at the Chicago Theatre; visit the site and enter the promotional code BLOWDRY.
Photo of Kyle Cease (above, with mic) by Krystle Gemnich. Photo of Jamie Buell (above, with beer) by Brandi Ediss.
Apiary/Bastion Spawn, Keeping an Eye on Pete Grosz, Last Comic Standing Auditions
The Apiary and Bastion's new satellite site, this one based in Los Angeles, is due to go live next week. Maybe we're a little biased, but we're pretty sure it's going to be a historical event of religious proportions. Once that's up and going, we'll be a coast-to-coast network covering everything happening in the alt-comedy world and beyond. Our brothers in Los Angeles plan to nab as many fantastic interviews with Simpsons and Family Guy writers as possible, schmooze and network in that way that only alt-comedy bloggers can, and maybe snag that nice corner table at The Ivy. Stay tuned.
Second City alum and noted Chicago funnyperson Pete Grosz is writing for Comedy Central's "The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show," which stars fellow Second City alums Dave Koechner and Renee Albert. Grosz was also recently named by Time Out Chicago as one of the Top 20 Chicagoans to watch in 2007, citing his new writing gig and his recent inclusion, with the group Misled, to the Aspen Comedy Festival.
Last Comic Standing audition locations and dates have been announced. Chicagoans' best bet is to hike it on over to Minneapolis if you want a shot at making a jerk of yourself on tape for NBC.
The whirlwind known as David Angelo has been seen all over the underground stages in Chicago, including Chicago Underground Comedy, the Lincoln Lodge, Pressure Cafe, the monthly People Under the Stares installment, at Zanies and the Improv, and in films shown at various multimedia showcases. He's also a formidable presence online, having developed a defined persona on both the local stand-up and improv message boards. He and the Bastion discussed a few things during our respective workdays over GMail.
I'm going to be real unoriginal to kick off this interview. You can comment on that if you'd like. You do seem to keep abreast of current events and the way mainstream media covers news in our culture and world politics at large. At any rate, if one was to have just met you and was curious about your beginnings in comedy and recent history in the field, how would you describe your work and history?
Well, media and comedy have been with me since the get-go. I began by editing the humor section of the Lexington High School newspaper. I can't remember much about what I wrote, but after I graduated they stopped having that section. In college, I was part of a sketch/improv group that was just top notch. Some of the funniest people I know were in that group: Ptolemy Slocum, Sam Sklaver, TJ Miller, Ken Barnard, Chris Himes and many others no longer active in comedy. Since moving to Chicago, it's been all standup and no group work. My goal for a standup set right now is to just do funny stuff, with little or no concern for how 'slick' I come off as a performer.
As a result, there are rarely segues or callbacks or themes to anything. The material is all over the place. I think it's funny how hypocritical the power centers of society are, but I also think puns about Mexican food are funny; so I'll mention both in the set. It's normal to start by talking about airplanes and end with a social commentary on unconscious racism or something stupid like that. I suppose a good description of my style would be 'sloppy.' In the "David Angelo" style, this interview is going to be all over the place. Something currently on my mind is the recent conversation you've been having with peers regarding a "book" you are in the beginning stages of shopping. You haven't given us too many details about that project yet. Do you care to divulge some Bastion-exclusive information on that, or do you prefer to wait until a publisher and contract has been locked into place?
Yeah, I will give some exclusive information; though I’m not pleased you used quotations marks around “book” (as they denote irony). The idea came about a year or so ago when I started to really get into Emily Post. She is wonderful, but I thought the idea of an etiquette book would be a great format for comedy. My version is really much darker and details things like the proper fashion to be passive aggressive to co-workers, how to maliciously cut in lines at the drugstore, etc. – things like that. I don't know the first thing about publishing, so I don't know if talking about it is good or bad. I'm hoping someone will help me out with the business end. My inclination is that no one will print it anyway, which is fine - I'll then add a chapter on the polite way to torch a literary agent's office. The cover will be a picture of me with my arm around one of those cardboard cut-outs of Patrick Ewing. Tentative title is "The Fuckface's Guide to Hangin' in There." I have another, top secret, book I am starting now.
I've been spending quite a few workdays lately catching up on old episodes of Red Bar Radio, and I have to say, I quite enjoy the episodes where you co-host with producer Mike D. Several things have happened on the show with you, including the fact that you have become one of four regular comedian co-hosts for this three-day-a-week Internet radio show, and recently you debuted a song from your "band". Band!? Do explain what this is all about.
Red Bar Radio is pretty fun. For reasons I can't explain, I have built a respectable fan base over there. There is something nice about having actual 'fans' - people who don't know you at all except for your work. They are nice to me, as is Mike D. I did release a rough cut of Kommissar's latest rock and roll single last time I was there. My friends, Alex and Andrew Malozemoff, are the other Kommissars and the real musicians. I essentially hum tunes and they lay it down, with some heavy beats. It's hard to work together because we live in 3 different cities; but we get shit done, nonetheless. There are about seven respectable songs right now, so an album may appear soon. We should also change our name to "band" with quotation marks around it. Honestly!
So far we've discussed performing, music, and writing credits attributed to David Angelo. In addition, we've started seeing you out at a handful of shows with a very nice piece of camera equipment around your neck; we also heard about a recent photoshoot you set up for fellow comedians interested in new headshots. Why the interest in photography all of a sudden? And what model is that exactly? It's gorgeous.
Well, it's nothing sudden. I worked in photolabs all through high school and college and developed my own film and prints darkroom style since I was 17. Around the same time, I worked on the other side of the lens as a print model for a ridiculous hunting gear magazine. The camera you speak of is the Canon 20D, and we are registered at Macy's and Pottery Barn. I did do a headshot day for comics in the city, and offered an obscenely low price to entice them to come out. Only three people took advantage of it, so I ended up losing money because I rented a flash kit. I've offered other things in the past, such as a basic HTML seminar for comics, but no one saw the value in that, either. It's annoying - but I can avoid future disappointment by not offering these services again.
How have your lessons in Taekwondo affected other areas of your life? (ed. Yes, David is also an accomplished student of Taekwondo). How long have you been practicing the art? Have you found yourself utilizing the lessons, either subconsciously or consciously, in your comedic art and the culture it exists within?
I think everyone should have to learn martial arts. The general public are wimpy cry-babies completely devoid of self-discipline. I started taekwondo when I was 7 years old, and really got into it in high school. It's a way of life. I'm a totally different person in the dojang - it's all respect, no joking around. Taekwondo gives me an opportunity to be serious; which I think I need sometimes. When comics live in a constant state of irony and silliness, I think they can lose sight of goals pretty easily. I have a rank, so there is a leadership element in that which makes me immune to peer pressure. Also, practicing taekwondo gives me a lot of confidence, which definitely translates to my act.
You've also mentioned in vague terms an upcoming "world tour". What does the "world" consist of in this case? Can you go into any further detail on this particular piece of hearsay? Did your recent travels to Europe influence the genesis for this idea?
Well, 'world tour' is a bit of hyperbole. We will do the US and maybe some Canada, so I guess it's more of a NAFTA Tour. That stuff is still sort of secret, but we have dates and I think it's going to be a big thing.
Anyone who was at your recent Lincoln Lodge stint a few weeks back saw a slew of new videos, some produced by yourself and some produced in conjunction with local filmmaker Jordan Vogt-Roberts. What has drawn you to working in this kind of multimedia environment? Will the Internet world at large ever get to see these films? Do you think you'll continue to develop multimedia projects for the stage in the near future? Any word on new projects in the works?
Well, hilariously enough, most of those videos are several years old. I dusted them off to see if they are still relevant; which of course they are. I majored in Electronic Media at college, so I consider multimedia my hometown. Video, photography, computers, websites; those are my pals. I think PowerPoint can be funny on stage, but videos are more for websites/DVDs. I would like to do more with that, but it's such a pain in the ass to get the equipment together and set up. Who knows?
So, perhaps someone not already formally introduced to your work has read this interview and is mucho curioso about this David Angelo character and would like to see for his own eyes what the commotion is all about. How can people learn more about you? Where can he witness the spectacle for himself?
Well, I am certainly not a very popular booking in Chicago. I have no stage dates ahead of me right now. I do maintain several websites, www.davidangelo.info and www.ridiculousparadigm.com, the latter being a more content-driven one. I have a couple web projects in the works that will be hilarious, no doubt. I also poorly maintain a USPS-based fan club called Jokeaholics Hilarious which is sporting about 100 members. There is also a local terrestrial radio program I will be working on with a really smart guy, so I am excited about that. I am always on the Haha Board annoying people, so there’s a good chance to find me there. I guess if you really want to get to know me, we can hang out sometime and grab some slices.
Brooke Van Poppelen reminisces about the difficulties of teenage employment: "On the first day, she made her authority known by throwing rags at all of us and yelling, 'If you've got time to lean, then you've got time to clean!!!' I was startled by this and awkwardly wandered out into the dining room and wiped the already sparkling clean tables over and over again for fear of inducing her wrath. This became a routine. I would see Irene out of the corner of my eye, immediately pick up a rag and bolt out to the dining area frantically searching for something to wipe. I have since become a compulsive wiper in any other jobs or stressful situations I've had thanks in part to my Pavlovian rituals with Irene."
Don Hall waxes philosophical about the nature of art, and things made of poo: "I used to make a joke that the reason I started an Off Loop theater in the first place was Picasso. He became so revered at one point (so the rumor goes) that he would pay for meals by drawing some shit on a napkin. I decided that my goal was to one day be able to get up onstage, wearing nothing but blue body paint and a grass skirt, sit on a wooden mat and eat tropical fruit out of a series of wooden bowls underscored by Elvis Presley singing 'Blue Hawaii'" I would know I had 'made it' when the audience saw clothing where there was none and declared it a great piece of moving performance art."
Angela Manginelli is documenting her entire iO student experience from the very beginning: "At my first class I felt I fell into the role of the armchair improviser rather easily....It’s one thing to watch and critique, but it’s a whole different thing to get up and do it myself. I felt I did ok, but definitely felt rusty around the edges. I made choices that I didn’t feel were as strong as I could have or should have made. I know that if I had been watching myself from the audience I would have wished I’d taken more time to listen to what my partner was asking for and focus more on making the other person look good and feel comfortable. Not having improvised in a few years put me back in my head and second-guessing myself a lot more than necessary. Being in your head seems to be a common ailment amongst improvisers and one I hope to avoid in the future as much as possible."
Crago has thoughts about beer, among other things: "Old Milwaukee Is Better Than Schlitz! It truly is. I dare anyone to disagree with me. The cans of Schlitz smelled like old bandaids. It was disgusting. I’m so happy that we have Old Milwaukee now…and it’s only $2!"
Allison Bills vows never to do rage-fueled Red Bull induced comedy again: "When I arrived at the theater, the other shows had already started and Deep Schwa was waiting for their closing slot. I stood with team-mate, Tim Mason talking and suddenly realized I was really angry. I couldn't put my finger on what about, perse, but I felt literally filled with rage, completely irrational. I talked to Tima bout it a little and he was the one to originally point the finger at the Red Bull. He said there was an ingredient in Red Bull that was extracted from real bulls and was responsible for their bouts of energetic rage. This did NOT comfort me, but did make me aware or and conscientious about what was happening to me. I found myself running the gamut of awful circumstances I thought my state of mind would be terrible in... if I were a white supremacist, or a fraternity boy with a very drunk girl, or a surgeon. I was terrified of myself."
We want to highlight a veritable TON of new videos we've happened upon recently. First, Robert Buscemi graced us with another Report from the Road, in which he serves out accolades to our ex-pat friends in L.A.:
"The Chicago ex-pat comedy posse in L.A. is large, talented, and connected. I've performed with Matt Braunger and Kyle Kinane twice each now, two of my old-time heroes from Lyon's Den days. Matt Braunger has two lines on Mad-TV this weekend. Eric Acosta and Ryan Ridley are bona fide Internet stars, and apparently VH1 is about to air Channel 101 as a show. And Kinane and Acosta both acted in some horror film (at good pay, yo) on the strength of their Channel 101 acting. Former Second City actor Matt Dwyer is getting serious heat from the Kimmel producers for his standup. I'm having a blast—performed at the LA Upright Citizens Brigade (where folks are NOT worked up about nonexistent lines between standup and improv and sketch, by the by), in Pasadena at the hallowed Ice House, then last night a USC film student approached me after my set and wanted to put me in his film. No kidding. I felt like Sissy goddamn Spacek. I've done five sets in five days and have two more early next week—believe I'll bum-rush Lago tonight to watch Zack Gali-Fallakas-Ding-Dong-Dakkas and friends. My fave new (to me) talent remains the young, out-of-his-tree Josh Fadem. Oh, and Todd Glass (spelling?) headlined the UCB's Comedy Death Ray. He's a headliner, but I'd never seen him. LOVED him."
We found some footage of Buscemi waxing philosophic about penguins...
Here's a short from Louisianian Tony Blanco called "Cafe Cottage" -- 'an homage of love to the place of place. Lafayette Louisiana's premier weirdo freakbag hangout.'
We have no words to describe this indelible little gem, "Say My Name", by Eric Acosta. (You can also vote for Eric and friends here, with their Fergalicious send-off.)
Some classic John Springsteen in "How to Catch a Lady, with Jason Cristo".
A cute little diddy, "Hey So You Wanna Get Something to Eat?" by Dash Studios:
You can see the hilarious video "How to Bed a Comedian", produced by Seven8Nine and featured at Chicago Sketchfest, here.
And finally, a new Blerds video, this one featuring Kyle Kinane, writer on the Left Coast. Speaking of Blerds, we've been getting whispers that not one, but two Blerds members have been accepted into the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen! We're not reeeally supposed to say much more about that...
As expected, the Bastion spent the better part of yesterday recovering from a whirlwind weekend of the snubbed and the sketchy. Friday had us front-and-center at Snubfest, where during the stand-up portion we reveled in the hosting duties of Time Out Chicago's comedy editor Steve Heisler. Steve has become a regular comedy champion and supporter since taking over the position for the late Mark Sinclair (a deeply missed part of the comedy fabric); you can expect to see him at many show openings, a few parties, and, apparently, on stage for the 2007 Snubfest. He had taken a break this evening from the across-town Sketchfest, where we heard he was bopping around ALL EIGHT NIGHTS of the festival. Snubfest was a tight ship, with improv groups from all over the country playing, and we aren't exaggerating when we say pellet guns WERE shot directly at performers, fake blood was sprayed all over the walls, audience members were accosted by buxom blondes, and performers were literally flogged with leather whips by a couple very willing (and attractive!) audience members. Especially hilarious to the Bastion was the witnessing of Name Change Pending, a group we had met last year off-site and who had bought us drinks and tried to butter us up with the ol' "I'm in Snubfest" line. Nice, guys. It was great to finally see them perform and laugh, we did.
The Bastion split forces and checked out shows on opening night of Sketchfest, then again this past Saturday and Sunday. Saturday had us supporting hometown boys Heavyweight, who put on a decidedly less raucous show than their Friday night show of new legend, in which they broke $1000 worth of breakaway bottles and we also heard something about 150 peeled bananas. Everyone we talked to says you had to be there. We were also told that a Montreal scout got a recommendation on good authority to check them out; we're waiting to hear what that might mean for this powerhouse foursome.
Directly after their set we went in to see the Cody Rivers Show with one solid recommendation given to us about the duo. Frankly, we can't stop talking about them. Still can't three days later, in fact. It is absurd to try and explain them, so we won't. Two words: See them. A video clip which does not do them justice can be found below.
After an hour break for margaritas with 3/4ths of Heavyweight, we got back to the Theatre Building for the 11 p.m. performance of Kasper Hauser out of San Francisco. They are the clever purveyors of "SkyMaul", the parody book of everyone's favorite flight literature, SkyMall. We enjoyed Kasper Hauser, but the temperature in the theater and our position in the very back row in the corner caused us to be a little detached from the performance. We did get a free SkyMaul book, so score for that. It's hilarious and can be purchased on their Web site.
At midnight, drinks became free and everyone got properly soused for Sketchubator, a rollicking blast of five minute sketches from twelve groups. Some groups tried horribly offensive (awesome) stuff, some groups cranked prop chainsaws and filled the place with the smell of gasoline, some groups brought in the Chipotle-sponsored craft services table to use in their sketch... more free beer was given out and the place stayed jumpin' until 4 a.m. Special thanks to the show's executive producer Brian Posen for not only throwing a world-class festival right in our little town, but for taking the time to stop during his insane schedule and chat with us about a myriad of topics. Talented, AND charming. Thank you for the wonderful memories.
"Chateau Chalet" by the Cody Rivers Show.
"Car Starter" by TJ Miller and Nick Vatterott in Heavyweight.
"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Paul Luikart won't hesitate to cram BBQ sardines and marshmallow hamburgers into his mouth on live television to make you laugh. He started exploring comedy in college, where he met cohort Steve Gadlin. The two of them perform as clueless characters Sasha and the Noob in the weekly tv show Talkin' Funny (video archives here), the comedy game show Don't Spit the Water, and elsewhere. They and various friends are also now putting on the Impress These Apes shows (Monday nights at 8 at the Playground Theater), in which eight contestants perform for a judging panel of vengeful, superintelligent apes, who may or may not destroy all of humanity with their earthquake machine. He also has a plan for defeating the biblical Samson, should any conflict between them lead to a fight to the death.
How did you meet Steve Gadlin, and how did the idea for Don't Spit the Water come about?
I met Steve at Miami University. I was a freshman looking for a way to get involved in stuff and I met him at a creative writing group. He told me and a couple of other folks there about this other group he was in, which turned out to be an improv comedy troupe. That was pretty much what I wanted to do in life, so I joined up and Steve and I started doing comedy together. That was in 1996. As far as Don't Spit the Water...Steve came up with this one. It started with the characters (Sasha and the Noob), which we did for the first time in this midnight slot at the Playground at this kind of...variety show type of thing called Ray Mees's Robot Parade. We just did ten minutes of ridiculous standup. Later on, our improv team at the Playground had gotten ourselves in over our head, said we were going to do a sketch show and didn't put together anything in time, so we had to fill those show slots at the last minute and Steve came up with the idea to use Sasha and the Noob to host a game show. So, we put DSTW up in the slot that sketch show was going to go in.
Whose idea was it that The Noob's childhood trauma would keep him mute? In the long run, has this been a good thing or a bad thing for you?
The muteness of the Noob was also Steve's idea...it came along with the original proposal of these characters for Ray Mees's Robot Parade. Basically, he was like, 'Okay, what if we had these two vaguely Eurpean comedians who aren't funny, but think they are, and their names are, like, Sasha and the Noob or something, and let's say the Noob is actually mute because he saw his mom get killed right in front of him when he was a kid.' and I was like, 'Ha. Yeah, I'm in.' The Noob's muteness has been both good and bad. Good in the sense that I like to use my face and body to convey funny things on stage. We've gotten lots of dark humor mileage out of the jokes that come out the Noob's Mom's death. It's bad, though, because...I mean, it's tough to not talk! It would be a different show, though, if the Noob talked.
What's the worst thing you ever had to eat live on the air?
I think the worst thing was a BBQ sardine. To be truthful, I didn't even actually eat it. I just touched my tongue to it. That was plenty. We ate these marshmallow hamburgers, too. Those were awful, mainly because they were big and we ate them. All. In less than a half hour.
What's all this Impress These Apes silliness we keep hearing about? How is that going?
Apes! Yes! I think this is going to be a great show. We had a show run through this weekend, and it was great to see the full thing coming together. It feels really coagulated. It's great to work with the likes of Steve and Jared Logan and Gena Bailey and Tyler Lansdowne and Dan Telfer to concoct this thing. These people crack me up. So, yeah, the gist of it is...in the future, a scientist experiments on three apes, but it goes awry, because they get smarter then him and enslave him. They go back in time (to 2007) and demand to be impressed by 8 handpicked people or they'll destroy the world with their Earthquake Conductor. Which they have also invented.
You guys have done the show in New York and at various festivals. Any good stories there?
New York! It's been really great to go to New York with DSTW, two times so far. One just to perform at UCB theater and then last summer at the New York International Fringe Fest. For the Fringe, we did some flyering in costume at a park. Washington Square Park, I think. New York people, just your average New York citizen, kind of intimidate me, because I can never tell if they're going to be friendly or eat you up. So, here we are walking through this park dressed as Sasha and the Noob trying to hand flyers to...everybody. Tourists, students, lesbians, chess players, homeless guys, crooks, business folk eating lunch...we came up to this group of guys who we were pretty certain wouldn't be interested in taking a flyer, but, being dedicated performers, we went ahead and asked anyway. They declined the flyer but asked us if we wanted to buy some drugs. Actually, that's handy to not be able to talk at times like that, because I don't have to be responsible for talking my way out of a situation.
What's your comedy background, in terms of training and other experience?
Well, at Miami, I started with training. We used to come to Chicago once a year, over President's Day weekend, to take workshops at IO and Second City. Once I moved here, I did the Conservatory at Second City (along with one class in their Acting program) and did the IO training program. I've had the chance to be in several awesome shows and perform with some great, great groups so far.
What's some of your favorite comedy, outside of Chicago?
Oh man. I love comedy. Outside of Chicago...I mean, it's really diverse. I love Bill Cosby...listened to all of his stuff on vinyl in high school. Woody Allen is an hilarious writer. I just mean of stories, not just screenplays. He has a couple great books. I'm reading this great story now called Journalism in Tennessee by Mark Twain, which is hilarious. Garrison Keillor and Praire Home Companion. McSweeney's. The funniest stuff happens around me, just in the world, whether it's joking and doing bits with friends or just watching people in their ridiculousness. Since I live in Chicago now, those things happen to take place in Chicago, but they're universal sources of funniness. Also, my sister. She cracks me up. She's outside of Chicago.
If you had to fight with fellow CAN-TV stars "The Bible Is Right" to stay on the air, who do you think would win?
Like if we had to fight them in a rumble to the death? We would win. It might be tough, like, if they brought in Samson. But, I think I could distract him and cut off his hair and then punch him in the guts. If they bring in David with that sling-shot...he could hit from a distance, but I would disguise myself as a rock. Then, as soon as he picked me up to use me in it, I would surprise him with a half-nelson.
Impress These Apes photo courtesy of Fuzzy Gerdes.
Impress These Apes contestant Lauren Lapkus charms the audience with a musical autobiography:
The folks from the i.O. show Whirled News Tonight are featured on DotComedy, in a clip called Kyle's In a Coma, which is apparently the first in a series of online shows they'll be producing.
Pimprov's Marz Timms, Jena Friedman, Tony Sam, Jared Logan, and many others will be competing on Friday the 12th at 10:30, in Snubfest's Last Snob Standing Standup Contest at the Cornservatory (4210 Lincoln), hosted by Time Out Chicago comedy editor Steve Heisler, who's been busy keeping up with the Sketchfest schedule.
This past Friday's "Crowd Work" show at Pressure Cafe can be watched on a CLTV online segment.
The folks running Cork Lounge open mic issued a caveat via MySpace yesterday: "The City is doing construction on Addison, and the cops may tell you that the street is closed to pedestrians. JUST TELL THEM YOU ARE GOING TO CORK LOUNGE. They will let you through. Last week they turned away about 15 people, but about 15 simply said they were going to Cork Lounge, and it worked out for them. So don't be fooled by the Coppers! Looks like this show will be going on for at least another month."
Bobby Boosh sent in a report from the road, as he's playing out in L.A. for the next couple weeks. "Young indie hipster comic Josh Fadem is freakin' hilarious. VERY funny and adventurous and raucous, I believe with a foot in improv and sketch. Put on a weird, fun Sunday show--Josh Fadem's Acid Reflux Hour (I think it's called) in the creepy bottom floor of a Ramada Inn (haunted from murders there like 60 years ago). Fadem often talks to comics while they're onstage. Brody Stephens went up last. He's large and intimidating and loud and utterly unusual, in the vein of Sean Cole. Dug him a lot. But strong comics all around at Show Number 1 (of 5 in 5 nights). Also on the bill: Tami Sagher, a Second City alum/writer for MADtv, who distributed cookies and was sweet as pie her own self."
Chicago ex-pat Pete Holmes stars in the most recent Comedy Central webshow Honesty.
Oh, and hey man...The THC Comedy Tour is coming to Chicago at the Metro on Jan. 12th with comedians Doug Benson, Al Madrigal and Jay Phillips. Below is a clip from comedian Rob Cantrell, doing a bit on, yes, that sweet, sweet leaf.
Elephant Larry, an acclaimed New York City based sketch group, is performing at Sketchfest this Friday and Saturday night at 10pm.
Notorious for intelligent comedy and their online shorts (featured frequently at both Collegehumor.com and BestWeekEver.tv), Elephant Larry promises to deliver one of the best shows at Sketchfest.
Here's a clip from their sold out performance at Chicago Sketchfest 06:
The Bastion conducted a super sophisticated interview with Elephant Larry member Geoff Haggerty, via Myspace survey. If we had a myspace, he would be our top friend.
1) Where do you wish you were?
Chicago, Illinois!!! Woo! Am I right people? Am I right?
2) Vegetarian?
Nope. My Dad is. And Alex from EL used to be. But that all came crashing down in Charleston, SC 2006. It was glorious.
3) Elephant Larry is performing at the same time as two other shows. How does one pick???
We're actually going up against Dance Party of Newfoundland who is supposed to be amazing. The bane of my existence is that I missed seeing them in Toronto. And now I will miss them again… Look, I just relinquished a chance to plug ourselves in favor of a group we're scheduled against! THAT is the kind of humility you like to see in a comedy group…this Friday and Saturday at 10pm!
4) Come close to dying?
Yup. My 14th birthday I ate a chocolate that had some kind of nut in it that I'm apparently allergic to. But my Mom gave me steroids and now I'm OK.
5) Are you eating?
No, but I will be eating some milk and cookies soon.
6) Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Yes. That's where the healthy is. I think.
7) Makeup?
Once or twice.
8) Would you ever have plastic surgery?
Sure, but probably only in situations where my face was bitten off by a dog or something.
9) What do you wear to bed?
Funny you should ask, I just made the switch from an old camp shirt to a regular old undershirt.
10) Can you roll your tongue?
Yes. My party trick is that I have no party tricks, but I can do all the kinda boring things that some people can't do (roll tongue, whistle, snap).
It's a big week for comedy in Chicago, friends. Between Sketchfest, Snubfest, newly created talent shows, multimedia showcases, and the usual myriad of things to witness in Chicago comedy, the Bastion doesn't plan to sleep a whole lot from now until next week. Included in the week's festivities is much catching up with Chicago ex-pat Mike Burns, who can be seen tonight at the Blerds showcase at the Empty Bottle, or performing at Sketchfest on Thursday with Real.Good.Turbo, or over at the Lincoln Lodge Friday, or as part of "Sketchubator" Saturday at midnight ("a drunk fest where troupes do like 5 minute sketches that are usually fucking nuts or dirty or super alt. It's a great time. Lights are all up, no tech. It's a raw thunderdome of people flexing nuts and showing off"), with countless opportunities to tip back a few with Mike and catch up on all the latest and greatest in NYC, we're sure.
Mike is also planning some "off-duty" activities. He told us that, in addition to performing all over the place, he plans on "drinking heavily, passing out on BridenHolmes' couch, smoking a lot of cigarettes indoors, screaming like a maniac, seeing 80's Clown's little boy, passing out on 80's Clown's couch, and getting some decent Mexican food. And maybe a Philly's Best Cheesesteak or Potbelly sandwich if there's time. And there's always the possibility of getting escorted out of a few establishments."
Sketch comedy, like revenge, is best served cold. The Bastion braved a chilly and blustery North Side evening to take in the first night of Chicago Sketchfest 2007. Per a recommendation, The Bastion kicked off The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival by hitting the South stage for a devastating first salvo of blackouts, scenarios, and some very aggressively enthusiastic red-shirted volunteers. Like the Lollapalooza of sketch comedy, deciding between three stages is difficult. How do you choose between comic gold, comic gold, and comic gold?! Per a recommendation, we saw groups Getting Serious, Sandy Takes a Break, Cusick and Hallal, and KevINda.
First up was a hilariously cruel offering from the girls of Getting Serious, who offered up a set of solid scripts, emotional intensity and a willingness to stare down an uncomfortable situation and twist the knife just a little bit more. Plus, we learned a Very Special Lesson about what to do if you suspect your 8-year-old little sister may be a terrorist.
Sandy Takes a Break closed out the first show, and this two-man team brought some compelling character work to the table. Writing, schmiting - sometimes a great sketch comes out of nothing more than the tiny deranged personalities that live inside our heads. Each member of this duo had a chance to shine, showing us a locker room talk in the Green Zone and proof that no matter how much you may not like your girlfriend's father, it could be worse. Like sea-foam green driving scarf worse.
After a brief intermission and another pep-talk by the staff (Big Ups for the introductory videos!) we hit the ground running again wi
Our baby brother 
