A chat with SF Sketchfest's LA-based co-founders Janet Varney and Cole Stratton. SF Sketchfest started last night and runs for 2 weeks. Check out the schedule, there is guaranteed to be a show or performer you will want to see - make the trip to comedy Babylon! more ›

It's a pretty simple formula: comics who aren't exactly starving these days + gourmet burgers = great food and better conversation. Recently, LAist sat down with Paul Scheer, Dave Holmes, Steve Agee and TJ Miller to discuss everything from the current state of comedy on television, life in L.A., and those shows that almost made them quit. The burgers - an LAist favorite from Susan Feniger's Street - weren't bad, either. more ›

It's Memorial Day, which officially ushers in a summer full of BBQs, beach parties... and comedy! So why not honor the summer tradition with some amazing shows this week. Adam Carolla, Aries Spears, BILLY CONNOLLY?! Not to mention a few long-time great shows, like Sit N' Spin, to keep you satiated as the summer swings into full gear. more ›

Hannibal Buress continues to crush stages across the Southland, with more shows this week than we can list here. One of them, though, is Sunday night at the Improv in Irvine, which is putting on an absolute clinic on how to book shows. Gas being what it is, better grab some friends to make the ride to Irvine. more ›

This week is absolutely buried under a mountain of great indie shows. From the first ever Brunch through Dave Foley stepping in at the Also-Ran Comedy Hour, there is an absolute plethora of great (and cheap) shows to see around town. more ›

Check out our video interview with comedian Jen Kirkman who will be hosting a live webcast of "The Comedy Awards" tonight. Kirkman has also returned as a writer to "Chelsea Lately" (E!, M-F @ 11pm) and we look forward to seeing much more of her there. more ›

Sometimes the stars align, and all of the great indie stand up shows fall on the same week. Thankfully, this is that week. Frolic! is back, Red Velvet Comedy is at the Improv Lab, Holy F*ck! is delightful and downtown, and Comedy is Dead takes over the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Jeez. more ›

Largo is sure to be pulling in the comedy crowds this week, with Paul F. Tompkins and Sarah Silverman each doing their shows, plus a West Memphis Three benefit show that should be amazing - assuming you can get in. Elsewhere, the Hollywood Improv is stacked from the front to back, while the weekend is dedicated to stand up in the LA environs. more ›

Dear dreamers, Don't worry. Another week of comedy is here. From Charlie Murphy to Dana Gould, Scott Thompson to Laura Kightlinger, this week is sure to bring you more joy than those dreams of yours can handle. So stop looking off into the middle distance, and start enjoying the week in comedy that's right in front of your eyes. You deserve it, dreamers. You really do. more ›

Yet another great week of comedy is upon us, with stand up shows, improv extravaganzas, and more to fill your precious free time. more ›

What a stellar week of comedy we've got in store for ourselves, folks. Lily Tomlin is doing a show at the Comedy & Magic Club, The Meltdown Show is amazing as always, and there are even a few killer possibilities to compete with your Sunday timeline, if the Super Bowl isn't exactly your thing. Check it! more ›

It's another wild comedy week here in LA, and there are quite a few charity shows to throw into the mix. Alison Becker's monthly INDIGLO show is happening this week at MBar, the Chris Gethard Show is rolling into UCB, and Tiger Lily looks to kill with an amazing line-up. more ›

It's this LAist'ers birthday week! Want to help me celebrate? Then come on out to one of 14 shows that should be some combination of fantastic, weird, amazing, stunning, off-the-wall, or just plain fantastic. There's stand up by Dana Carvey, Dan Levy, Greg Proops and more. There's improv from some of LA's best at Room 101, and written stuff for a good cause at Largo Monday night. Do me a favor and enjoy my birthday on your own time, at a show of your choosing. It's the least you could do. more ›

One week removed from the hangover that is New Years, and the calendar is once again brimming with talent all across the LA area. From Ontario to Irvine, NoHo to downtown, there is great comedy all over this wonderful land of ours, and you've got the opportunity to check it all out. Don't f*ck it up. more ›

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome baaaack. What a crazy lazy week it was between Christmas and New Years. Now that you're all swelled up on good food and great times, get back to the wonderful reality that is the LA comedy scene. There's a ton of great shows this week, but none as epic as Fifty First Jokes, where some of LA's best get on stage to deliver the first joke they wrote in 2011. more ›

Welp, it's that weird week between Christmas and New Years. Thankfully we live in LA, so there's always something going on, but to be honest the scene is pretty quiet this week. As a result, we're only recommending one show a night, instead of the usual two. Hope you fine folks survive, and if you've got a show coming up you're looking to get some love for, hit me up. more ›

The season for giving continues, and Comedy Death Ray continues to step up big. After last weekend's charity event at the LA Regional Foodbank, CDR will be donating the proceeds of their Tuesday UCB show to the cause. Meanwhile, Kevin Nealon will be at the Long Beach Laugh Factory raising some holiday charity funds, while the Super Serious Show pitches in for the OPCC. more ›

The kid is back! After a few harrowing weeks in India, LAst Laugh is back and once again under the tutelage of its master. Expect the usual listings, middling commentary, and push for shows that highlight charity - tis the season, tis it not? more ›

Hey kid-o's! What a great week in comedy LA has lined up for us, including Holy F*ck, Meltdown, Nick Thune, and Eddie Izzard! Be sure to check out the full calendar so you don't miss anything great. more ›

Welcome to November! The nights are a little cooler, and the jackets are getting a little heavier, so why not snuggle up some great laughs this week? There's plenty to be had, from Largo to the Lost Studio. In fact, this week there's a bunch of shows you're not likely to see ever again, so make sure to prioritize your life accordingly. more ›

This weather is downright dangerous folks, but don't let the spookiness of the season dissuade you from entering many a comedy dungeon this week. more ›

This week is all about the one man stand up sets, and not much else. That is, unless you count the internet's preeminent sketch kingpins Harvard Sailing Team at UCB, or the new This Is Awkward storytelling show, or any one of a million other great and hilarious things to do this week. Don't be fooled by your Netflix queue - there's a whole world out there, waiting to be interacted with. more ›

For anyone questioning those 'Are you still a virgin' billboards around town, seek your answers no further than Zack Pearlman, charismatic co-star of the new Gary Sanchez-produced flick The Virginity Hit. If you haven't already seen the trailer, suffice it to say The Virginity Hit takes a very viral look at one teen's attempt to make his first time...ahem... memorable. more ›

Spend some time with Charlie Sanders, and you start to get this sneaking suspicion that maybe you’re the boring guy that everyone hates at work, and no one bothered to tell you. Now, unless you’re constantly comparing the merits of various CW shows, there’s a good chance it’s not you - Sanders is just that interesting... more ›

What a week for comedy we can all expect this week. iO West is finishing up their Bobby Hot Stuff Slacker tournament, Patton Oswalt is down in the OC, Pasadena's Ice House prepares itself for a celebration 50 years in the making, and the Air Conditioned Supper Club makes a push for comedy west of the 405. Don't be a horrible person - support comedy. You grump. more ›

You know it's going to be a good week for comedy when Bob Dassie is running all over town, doing shows left and right. And you know it's going to be a GREAT week for comedy when comedy heartthrob Alison Becker hits up the MBar to put up a free show with donations going to the SPCA of LA. Plus Patton's at Largo, Rant & Rave is back, and Boardwalk Empire already premiered so your week is free as a bird.* more ›

You don't have to be that guy to scrounge together a few bucks for comedy this week. In fact, a lot of these great shows are completely free! And as for shows like Dead Authors at UCB or the Stand Up for Pakistan show at the Laugh Factory, any money you are giving is for a supremely worthy cause. So don't be afraid to get out, get giggly, and get involved with the LA comedy scene. more ›

Of all weeks, this one can be a tough one to get out and see shows. There are *ahem* important issues at hand over the weekend, and lots of kids are getting back into the swing of school and all that jazz. Luckily, there's so many good shows happening all around down you don't need much more motivation to get out and experience some laughter. Jeff Garlin, Kevin Smith, Marc Maron, David Alan Grier, Joe Rogan and a grip of other folks are out getting out to bring you the laughs, so why not complete the circle of life and actually show up. more ›

There's a lot to get out and do as the summah winds down this week, but don't sleep on a few of these fantastic shows. On the sketch front, Cream is doing a show at the Comedy Central Stage and The Birthday Boys are back up at UCB in their monthly slot. Louis CK is at the Improv in Hollywood Friday night, and there's a big benefit for Todd Glass going down Tuesday night at Largo. Great stuff all around. more ›