"100 people camp out in front of the dollar store on Black Friday." Video below...

Continue reading "WATCH: people camped outside dollar store on Black Friday"

Todd Barry, after a delay due to Sandy, will be celebrating 25 years in comedy in December at the Bell House in Brooklyn. Guests at the 12/19 show, which is still on sale, are now listed as Janeane Garofalo, Ted Alexandro, Jim Gaffigan and Eugene Mirman (who hosted his own show at the Bell House on Sunday) (Nick Kroll was a secret guest). Get a ticket before it's too late!

If you don't get a ticket though, there are plenty more chances ot see Todd inside and outside NYC, at places big and small, and even additional times with Janeane Garofalo. One day after the Bell House show, and one day after that, and one day after that, Todd and Janeane will play an assortment of co-headlining shows at NYC's Eastville Comedy Club (where tickets are $20 each AND there's a two drink minimum).

But wait... wait until January because that's Todd will bring the "CROWD WORK TOUR" to the intimate, basement of Union Hall in Brooklyn for two shows on 1/21. Tickets, $12 each, are on sale now for EARLY and LATE.

More dates TBA? All we know now is that you'll also find Todd at Schubas in Chicago on 1/23 and 1/24, and at the Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee on 1/25. Keep an eye on ToddBarry.com for more where that came from.

by Klaus Kinski

Aziz Ansari & Chris Rock @ Whiplash @ UCB last week

UCB Theater Chelsea's Monday night staple comedy jam session Whiplash still happens every Monday night at 11:00pm. Sadly, for old man Kinski, 11pm is just a tooouuucccchhhhh too late to be out and about galavanting with some of comedy's greatest talents these days. Which is sad, because you never know who will show up to perform, and those who do show up will usually blow your mind. For example, the Monday November 19th installment featured Chris Rock, Aziz Ansari, Simon Amstell and Anthony Jeselnik. Holy.

Chris Rock (pictured above with Aziz at Whiplash), good pals with Louis CK, also recently made a surprise appearance for Louis at his Staten Island Sandy Benefit Shows on November 17th.

But before the next Whiplash, the UCB Theater in Chelsea will be playing host to an awesome Sandy Benefit show on Sunday November 25th at 9:30pm. The line-up is festooned with so many Klaus favorites. $15 not only gets you piece of mind knowing you are helping out people whose lives were turned upside-down by hurricane Sandy, but you get performances by Arden Myrin, W. Kamau Bell (Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell on FX), Seth Herzog, Dave Hill, Jamie Kilstein, Janine Brito, Kevin Avery, Sara Benincasa, C.F. Lederer, and Chris Gethard (who by the way has a small part in the very last episode of Bored to Death) (I just watched it the other day and was reminded of that important fact). The show will be hosted by Nato Green.

Dave Hill & Tig Notaro

And speaking of Dave Hill and the UCB Theater in Chelsea, prepare yourselves for another fantastic installment of The Dave Hill Explosion which will take place on Thursday November 29th at 9:30pm. Dave's special guest will be Tig Notaro (who recently released a CD via Louis CK) and more. We all know Dave Hill is one of NYC's best comedians, guitar players, and show reviewers, but the Explosion is always a truly epic experience where Dave REALLY shines. The Dave Hill Explosion is a long-running live talk show hosted by Dave Hill. He doesn't do it that often but when he does it's awesome. One of the greatest shows I've ever seen was the Explosion that featured Rufus Wainwright and Dick Cavett. Holy.

Meanwhile you can find Dave Hill TONIGHT (11/24) at UCB East as part of "If You Build It", and check out Dave Hill's latest podcast featuring Chris Elliott. And don't forget that you can catch Chris Elliott at the Bell House on December 7th as part of Ted Leo and Tom Scharpling's epic and now totally sold out Sandy Benefit. You can also see him at the Pit with his daughters Abby and Bridey Elliott on Thursday December 6th at Running Late with Scott Rogowsky.

Hoity-Toity gastro-comedy joint The Stand will be hosting a rather impressive Sandy benefit called MTV Presents Stand up for Sandy on Tuesday November 27th. The line-up features Jim Gaffigan, Wyatt Cenac, Nikki Glaser, Sara Schaefer and Sean Patton. The tickets are a super reasonably priced $20 and are currently on sale. And for those keeping score, Sean Patton and Sarah Schaefer are two of my favorite and definitely underrated comedians in the biz. This might be THE show that gets your man Klaus out of his comfort zone and into The Stand.

Jim Gaffigan also has other bigger area shows coming up.

Wyatt Cenac (who also performs in the sold out Sandy Benefit show at the Bell House this Sunday November 25th) continues his new Monday night residency at Littlefield on Monday November 26th and every Monday. As a matter of fact, Har Mar Superstar is musical guest this Monday November 26th.

And speaking of Littlefield, celebrate Christmas Eve there with Wyatt Cenac because it looks like it will be a special night with guests Janeane Garofalo, Michael Che (who also plays the sold out show at Bell House this Sunday), and more already announced. But before that, on Sunday December 9th Littlefield will be hosting Concert & Comedy For Sandy Animals: Benefit for the Sean Casey Animal Rescue with comedy by Michael Showalter and Jena Friedman, and music by Supercute, Casey Shea and more.

For more upcoming shows check out Eugene Mirman's schedule, Pete Holmes & Doug Benson's tour dates, Nick Kroll's tour dates, Greg Proops, and a big list of upcoming shows at the Bell House (and HERE).

by Klaus Kinski

In addition to being part of the line-up for the now sold out Sunday November 25th The Bell House & Pretty Good Friends' Hurricane Relief Benefit the great Eugene Mirman has some other rad shows of note coming up (all in NYC).

You can see him at Public Assembly on Thursday November 29th where he will perform as part of an event called A Kickstarter Party for Happy Baby: The First Feature Film from The Rumpus!.

Then on Sunday December 2nd, check out Inside Jokes' a benefit for NYWC's Justice Writing Program at the Highline Ballroom. Thrill to the comedic stylings of Janeane Garafolo , Dave Hill , Eugene Mirman and special guests. Tickets are still on sale!

Then on Friday December 7th, those of you who didn't snag a ticket to the sold out Ted Leo and Tom Scharpling presented Sandy Relief Benefit at the Bell House can make your way to uptown Manhattan where Eugene Mirman will appear at Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space for an event called Rants and Other Suggestions. The show, which is a benefit for 826 NYC and not Sandy victims, will also feature Jonathan Franzen, Gail Collins, Jonathan Ames, Wyatt Cenac, John Oliver, Sarah Vowell and music by Stephin Merritt. If you're an adult bully and like to pick on wimpy adults with glasses, this is the place to be amiright? Tickets are on sale now!

Then a week later, Friday December 14th, , as previously talked about in a post about The National, get those sweet little buns of yours over to the Bell House for a free premiere viewing party for Eugene Mirman: An Evening of Comedy In a Fake Underground Laboratory. Eugene's new one-hour special, Eugene Mirman: An Evening of Comedy In a Fake Underground Laboratory premieres on Comedy Central on December 14th at Midnight! This viewing party will take place in the front room of the Bell House starting at 11pm. Be there!

Also, on Sunday December 16th Eugene will participate in the great John Wesley Harding's Cabinet of Wonders at City Winery. Besides Euge, the show features Fountains of Wayne, Joshua Ferris, Colum McCann, John Oliver, Ron Sexsmith, The Silver Ages, and David Wax Museum. Holy mother of Cod that's a sick line up. Get your tickets before there are no more tickets left!

Oh, and one more reminder; on Wednesday December 19th, the great Todd Barry celebrates 25 years in the comedy biz (read some of his career highlights in Time Out). Besides Janeane Garofalo, Ted Alexandro, and Jim Gaffigan, you know who else is on the bill? EUGENE MIRMAN! A handful of tickets are available, so get on it!

Watch Eugene give a real Commencement Keynote Speech in Amherst (also home of a CVS) , below...

Continue reading "Eugene Mirman will perform in a bunch of upcoming interesting and hopefully funny shows"

by Klaus Kinski

Besides Nick Kroll, the Gramercy Theater has even more Klaus Approved comedy shows of note on their schedule. On Monday November 26th check out the always insanely hilarious and mind blowing Doug Loves Movies Live Podcast with Doug Benson & Special Guests. The line up is always TBD but, trust me, Doug NEVER disappoints. Last time Doug was in town he had on stage with him Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro, Amy Schumer, and Nikki Glasser. The time prior to that he had on stage with him Paul Rudd, Jon Hamm, Mike Birbiglia, Morgan Spurlock, and John Mulaney. Do the math, bonehead.Tickets are on sale now. Lots more dates are listed below.

Less than a month after Doug Loves Moves splits sides at the Gramercy, the venue will play host to ex-NYC-based comedic genius Pete Holmes. Pete will take to the stage on Friday December 21st and tickets are on sale now. Pete has been a favorite of mine forever. Remember when he did the BV KK ROFL at Pianos back in 2008? Reminisce. More Pete Holmes dates below!

Continue reading "Doug Benson & Pete Holmes playing Gramercy & other places"

by Klaus Kinski

Comedian Nick Kroll is about to head out on tour, and we've all been sort of kicking ourselves over here at BV HQ for tardily announcing Nick Kroll's show at the Bell House on Friday November 30 because by the time we mentioned it it had been sold out for ages. However, GOOD NEWS FOLKS! Nick will be performing at the Gramercy Theater one night before the Bell House show on Thursday November 29! Miraculously, tickets are on sale now so get them while you can! More Kroll dates below.

Nick's upcoming gigs are in support of his new Comedy Central show Kroll Show which premiers on January 16, 2013. His upcoming live tour will feature an hour of stand-up (!) as well as some clips from the upcoming show.

Kroll Show highlights Nick Kroll's incredible ability to transform himself into hilarious characters, including many of his popular short-form favorites. Sketches include "The PubLIZity Girls," with Kroll and Jenny Slate as publicists on the verge of a breakdown while arranging a swanky event for a client; an inappropriate basketball ref tries to hang out with the players after the game; Kroll and Jon Daly are a couple of "Rich Dicks" on the prowl and ready to party at a moment's notice; also, Kroll's popular character Fabrice Fabrice gives the word as the craft-service-provider-on-the-street.

Tour dates are below.

Continue reading "'Kroll Show' coming to Comedy Central, Nick going on tour (dates include Gramercy Theater)"

Happy Thanksgiving! Video below...

Continue reading "WATCH Harvard Sailing Team have a 'Hipster Thanksgiving' (video)"

It's that time of year again, judging by the posts on this site today, with lots of Holiday-themed shows coming up. Unsurprisingly, The Bell House lives for this kind of yuletide cheer and has about a dozen or so holiday shows lined up in the next month. Here's a rundown.

First is the Everything's Terrible! Holiday Special 2012 which happens December 12 (tickets). If you think the Star Wars Holiday Special is the worst Christmas-related thing television has ever birthed, the Everything's Terrible folks will likely prove you wrong. For an early taste, there's a trailer for the crap extravanga below, along with a list of all dates for this ironic roadshow which is touring both coasts at the same time.

On the next night (12/13) it's The Party Machine's 2nd Annual Holiday Benefit Blowout with hosts Arden Myrin and Lisa Delarios with guests Jon Glaser, Chris Gethard, Sheng Wang, Janeane Garofalo and Adira Amram & the Experience with proceeds going to Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue and Red Cross Disaster Relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Tickets are $12 and still available but probably not for long -- don't delay.

More funny stuff (with music): On December 16, Fred Armisen hosts The Snow Ball Ball: A Winter Formal To Benefit 826NYC, with guest DJs Tunde Adebimpe and Peter Hale of Here We Go Magic. Tickets are still available.

And for ska fans there's The Slackers Christmas Celebration on 12/22 which also celebrates the band's 20th anniversary. The show also features The Frightnrs, Sammy K, and Caz & the Day Laborers. Tickets are still available.

Wait there's still more holiday fun at The Bell House: for burlesque fans there's Doc Wasabassco's Birthday Celebration And All-Holiday Party on 12/14 (tickets); for the wizards and muggles out there, you can celebrate at The Harry Potter Yule Ball 2012 on 12/15 with Harry And The Potters, Potter Puppet Pals, The Whomping Willows, and The Home Alones (tickets); later that night (12/15) it's The Rub's Holiday party with Eleven & Ayres and special guests Kon & 7L' and for those who need some twang in their stocking, on December 16 it's The Suzi Shelton Band's Fourth Annual Rockin' Holiday Party with Amelia Robinson From Mil's Trills (tickets).

Everything Is Terrible trailer and flyer for the Snowball Ball are below.

Continue reading "Everything is Terrible, Fred Armisen, The Slackers, Harry & the Potters and more holiday shows at The Bell House"

Ted Leo at MHOW earlier this month (more by Dana [distortion] Yavin)

There are a lot of benefits happening to aid Hurricane Sandy relief, and all are very much needed. Many of them are happening at The Bell House as you may have read, such as " The Musical Extravaganza to Restore Red Hook!" which happens on Wednesday (11/21). WFMU's Tom Scharpling, friend to comedians and indie rock royalty both, has gone through his rolodex to put together a pretty killer benefit that will go down at The Bell House on December 7 and features Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Chris Elliott, John Hodgman, Jon Benjamin, Julie Klausner, Andrew W.K. and "Surprise Guests!" Sometimes when people say "surprise guests" it means "we're still trying to book more acts" but in Scharpling's case it is likely to be the kind to get excited about. Tickets are on sale now and 100% of proceeds go to Occupy Sandy and Staten Island's Stephen Siller Foundation.

In related news, the night before the Bell House benefit (12/6) Chris Elliot will be performing with his comedian daughters Abby and Bridey at The Pit as part of Running Late with Marty Rogowsky. Tickets are on sale for that too. Additionally, fans of Mr. Elliot may already know that a DVD box set of his '90s cult TV show Get A Life came out back in September.

Ted Leo and Andrew W.K have a few other 2012 dates coming up (not together) and those are listed below.

Continue reading "Ted Leo, Tom Scharpling, Andrew W.K., Chris Elliott, John Hodgman and more performing at Sandy Benefit next month"

Due to popular demand following his successful 5 week run in New York this summer, award-winning British comedian, Simon Amstell, returns to Theatre 80 for 5 nights only with his critically acclaimed show, Numb!