Auteur Robert Buscemi is currently on a one-month stint in L.A., and likes to harass us periodically with stories about all of the amazing things he's seeing and doing, and doesn't cease in reminding us how much we miss all of our friends there and how very long and cold the Chicago winters truly are.

"Hanging with an extended network of Chicagoans, including Kyle Kinane, Matt Braunger, TJ Miller, and Nate Craig. Former Chicago guy Mike O'Connell blew me right out of the water at the Improv the other night. He headlined a particularly hot show. People went nuts. He's a barefoot one-man lunatic army. I was in awe.

"Then just tonight (Sunday), SpitFire's Renee Gauthier did extremely well at the famous Comedy Store, closing out a really, really freaking strong bill really, really, really well. They ate her up. And--get this--just before Renee, Kids in the Halls's Scott Thompson did a guest set. He was really funny, of course, and marched right up to Renee after her set to ask about her and get her contact info. He was the world's nicest guy, and Renee and I chatted with him in the room and outside for like 15 mintues. Renee's a huge Kids fan. Take it from me--Gauthier brought that room home, and a lot of good comics noticed.

Two of the funniest I've seen lately: Chris Fairbanks and Patrick Keane. I'm up this week at the UCB West's "See You Next Tuesday."

Photo by Krystle Gemnich.