The Birthday Boys Bang Bang Comedy

One of the best sketch groups working today, The Birthday Boys, are bringing their frenetic and wry comedy to Super Serious tonight.

The Birthday Boys previously screened some of their great videos at our inaugural show. Now they're doing it live. We couldn't be more excited.

For several years running, The Birthday Boys have been running a monthly sketch show at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Los Angeles. Every month with a new show of crazy comedy for their devoted fans. They've performed at several comedy festivals, including the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in Montreal.

Group memebers included Jeff Dutton, Tim Kalpakis, Mike Hanford, Mike Mitchell, Matt Kowalick, Dave Ferguson and Chris VanArtsdalen.

Stacked Comedy: Baron Vaughn

Multi-talented performer, Baron Vaughn is sneaking the funny into Smashbox Studios this week for The Super Serious Show.

Vaughn's a classically trained actor with writing and music chops to boot, while also excelling at comedy, making a name for himself in recent years touring nationwide as a stand-up comedian. Vaughn's performances are always self-reflective and inspired, while always tackling a great variety of subject matter. Vaughn has a spark on stage, never shying away from going off script for the laughs.

Hailing from Las Vegas, Vaughn started his comedy career in the Boston area. He now splits time between New York City and Los Angeles.

Vaughn appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Live at Gotham, Russell Simmons Presents: Stand-up at the El Rey. Baron Vaughn was also a featured performer in the stand-out Comedy Central documentary/comedy special, The Awkward Comedy Show.

Vaughn often performs at festivals nationwide, including the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival, DC Comedy Festival, Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Vancouver Comedy Festival, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

Vaughn will be showing off his acting skills in the upcoming USA Network drama, Fairly Legal.

Jon Dore: Outside of The Box

Off-beat but always on-point, Comedian Jon Dore brings his one-of-a-kind comedy to Super Serious this month.

Dore's comedy is always thoughtful and silly, putting the focus on having fun with the audience and whatever format he finds himself in. Using his charming stage prescene, Dore deftly toys with crowds, never missing an opportunity to surprise.

Hailing from Canada, Dore established himself as a leading comedian and on-air personality in his home country. Dore made a mark on-air with his stint as a correspondent for Canadian Idol, the spin-off of the popular American Idol television series. In 2006, he won a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Stand-up Newcomer.

Dore gained critical success with his off-beat IFC show, The Jon Dore Television Show. The show combined interviews and randomly comedic tangents.

Dore is a regular performer at comedy clubs across the United States and Canada.

Dore had the honor of being the 1st stand-up guest on Conan and didn't disappoint. His unique set displayed the great combo of charm and irreverance Dore brings to the comedy scene. Check it out below.

The Super Serious Show with Iliza Shlesinger

Watch out! Iliza is heading our way this month. High-energy  big-time comedian, Iliza Shlesinger is charging through Smashbox Studios Thursday 12/16 for the holiday episode of Super Serious.

One of our favorite comedians of the past few years, Shlesinger is pretty much a sure thing, always bringing it to audiences. Plus, she's "good people." Bonus.

The fun of Shlesinger's comedy is its great variety. She freely jumps from topic to topic, often off-the-cuff and always packing a punch with super stage energy.

Shlesinger currently resides in Los Angeles. She was the winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing Season 6. She is the first female and youngest comedian to hold the title of Last Comic Standing.

Her television credits include having her own half hour special on Comedy Central Presents, Comedy Central’s Live At Gotham, Showtime's Pauly Shore & Friends and Bridging The Gap Comedy Special, E! Network’s Chelsea Lately, E!'s The Soup and NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly.

She performed at the coveted Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and for the troops all over the world. Most weekends, you can find Shlesinger headlining at variety of colleges and clubs across the country.

When not wreaking havoc on stage, Shlesinger hosts her own hit web series The Weakly News with Iliza on thestream.tv.

Brave the funny and find out for yourself what makes Iliza Shlesinger tick, Thursday 12/16 at Super Serious.

Super Serious November Photos

November Super Serious was another fun night with an intense crowd and some truly great performances from an all-star variety pack of comedians.  Great performances by Sean Conroy, Marc Maron, Christina Pazsitzky, Kirk Zipfel and Birds of Prey. We have another batch of great photographs from Rebecca Adler Rotenberg. See these and more at our Flickr page!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Marc Maron: Force of Personality

A philosopher for our WTF times? Comedian and force-of-personality, Marc Maron, fits the bill. We're extremely honored and excited to have him stop by Super Serious tomorrow to share the funny and maybe a little bit of wisdom, too.

Marc Maron brings the funny from all over - stand-up, author, actor, radio personality and podcast impresario. Often manic, always funny, Maron is one of the most honest and insightful comedians working today.

Maron appeared on numerous shows over the years, including HBO, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show with David Letterman, two Comedy Central Presents specials.

He performed a solo show based on his two divorces and anger problem called, "Scorching the Earth." Maron hosts the wildly popular podcast WTF with Marc Maron. His three comedy albums, Not Sold Out, Tickets Still Available and Final Engagement are comedy cult classics.

Birds of Prey: Sketch With Bite

Photography by Robyn Von Swank

There's a new comedy threesome in town and they're coming to pick your funny bone in the process. Susan Burke, Lizzy Cooperman and Emily Maya Mills are the comedy group, Birds of Prey.

They're bringing their clever, female-fueled sketch comedy to The Super Serious Show this week.  You can usually find the Birds of Prey performing in Los Angeles at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and Steve Allen Theater.

The origin of these funny bird ladies remains a mystery.  Accoring to their website:

They first met above the Hollywood reservoir stalking the same rodent... or was it backstage at a stand up show? Though they all have different voices, they have one common goal-- to ruffle the feathers of convention and create a new kind of sketch comedy... sketch comedy for the disenchanted. Kaw! Kaw! Kaw!

Kick Out The Jams: Kirk Zipfel

We're finally lucky to have the funny guitar-totin' charming and funny SOB, Kirk Zipfel at Super Serious.

Kirk Zipfel is a skilled comedian, musician and actor. Zipfel is full of energy and has music skills coming out of his bum.  Zipfel's comedy is on point, abiding by a strong no-douche policy. Zipfel's music is well crafted and can stand alone with the boring ol' non-funny musical artists. We can get behind that.

Recently, Zipfel has put together a string of great Metacafe satire interviews with movie stars. Check out his uncomfortably hilarious Dinner for Schmucks video interview.

He's one of LA's best musical comedians and is bringing the fury to our show at Smashbox Studios this week.


Bring The Spunk: Christina Pazsitzky

Our favorite Los Angeles born and raised comedians, Christina Pazsitzky, is bringing the funny to Super Serious this week. No need to put her in the always-pointless chick corner - Pazsitzky's comedy ignores easy labels and covers all sorts of topics.

Pazsitzky is a stand-up comedian and writer who is a Los Angeles native and proud of it. Her comedy effortlessly coasts from topic to topic, always with a heavy dose of wit and charm. Always with a sharp take or two on her crazy but loveable hometown city.

A regular on the popular E! show Chelsea Lately, Pazsitzky is often touring comedy clubs nationwide. In the past few years, she earned her stripes by entertaining the troops in the Middle East, Africa and South Korea.

A long-time veteran of television, you can also see Pazsitzky on the E! Television’s Wildest TV Moments.  She hosted the FX series Hitchiker Chronicles and was a cast member on MTV’s Road Rules Australia. She was a regional finalist on Season 6 and 7 of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and is a featured comedian on Animal Planet’s The A List.  She also appeared in feature films with the ‘Jackass’ boys in TV: The Movie.

In 2007, she placed 2nd in California’s Funniest Female contest and was given the “Up and Coming Writer’ Award in Animation Magazine for her comedy writing work. You can often hear her on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show.

Bonus points for knowing before becoming a Comedian, Pazsitzky studied Philosophy at Oxford University and attended Law School for two entire weeks. Smart, irreverent and funny - all in one spunky Pazsitzky package.

The Super Serious Show with Sean Conroy

Sly and smart comedian, Sean Conroy, is taking the reigns of The Super Serious Show this month at Smashbox Studios.

Sean Conroy is a gifted comedian with many an impressive comedy skill set - stand-up, improv, writing and all around performing. Conroy is a regular performer as Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Los Angeles, including his regular appearances at the famous ASSSSCAT improv show, along side the other founding members. Conroy's stand-up appearances include Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Late Friday on NBC.

His one-man show, Taught, was selected for the 2001 HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado. Conroy wrote for the Comedy Central show Shorties Watching Shorties as well as Comedy Central's Crossballs. He improvised with Chicago City Limits in national tours and as a mainstage player in their Off-Broadway show. Sean is also a founding member of the longform improv group, The Swarm.

Currently, Conroy hosts one of our favorite comedy podcasts, The Longshot.

Conroy always commands the stage with playful authority and brings the comedy fun. Catch Sean Conroy headline another great lineup at Smashbox Studios - November 18th. Grab your tickets early!

Shawn Carlow Offers a Different Take

We're getting our video on this week at Smashbox Studios. We'll be screening a video from all-around comedy talent, Shawn Carlow. Shawn's offbeat comedic videos never fail to entertain. We're excited to screen one for our audience.

Shawn Carlow does stand-up and makes videos that often feature what the normal world would be like for people living in a world gone askew.

Carlow's videos have been featured in the TV show, Online Nation, and at various festivals. Funny or Die featured his video "How Godzilla Affects My Daily Routine." The video also won an iO West Viral Video Award and the Armand Hammer Museum's festival award.

Shawn has written for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and currently writes jokes for radio syndication and Top Story Weekly here in Los Angeles.

Check out more of his stuff at shawncarlow.com.


Chris D'Elia Doesn't Give a Damn

There's a super charged force coming to Super Serious this week at Smashbox Studios. Get ready - Stand-up Chis D'Elia is going to bring the laughs and probably not give a damn what you think about it.

D'Elia is a stand-up specializing in doing the unexpected on stage, no matter what anyone thinks. D'Elia's natural charm lets him get away with creating some truly genuine and outlandish moments on stage and with the auidence. A joint venture of charisma and obnoxiousness, D'Elia is a favorite at comedy clubs nationwide. He always brings energy and a clever take on a never-ending range of topics. D'Elia has appeared on Showtimes' Live Nude Comedy, Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and has a Comedy Central Presents special coming out in 2011. D'Elia also appears in the upcoming TBS comedy, Glory Daze.

UPDATE: The Super Serious Show with Brent Weinbach

In the comedy game sometimes things get serious. This week things got super serious. Our great host, Maria Bamford, had to pull out of the Super Serious-ness due to another obligation. We believe she may be testifying before Congress but can neither deny or confirm this information at this time. We hope to have her back after she is done making the world a better place.

Our time as an orphan was brief. Thankfully, one of our all-time favorite comedians appeared in our time of need to take us in from the cold. We have a new headliner/host for this week's show...Brent Weinbach! You can still save some money and buy tickets ahead of time.

Brent Weinbach is a one-of-a-kind stand-up comedian. His comedy has an emphasis on the weird and absurd. Weinbach's website describes him as such:

Here are some other words to describe Weinbach: deadpan, silly, obscure, unconventional, smart, stupid, post-modern, grass roots, Berlin, 1980's, tennis, bike riding, Virgo, Rygar, etc. The list goes on and on.

Weinbach started his comedy career in the underground San Francisco scene. He now tours nationwide, including clubs, colleges, festivals, theaters and music venues.

Brent was a winner and recipient of the Andy Kaufman Award at the HBO Comedy Festival, which is given out once a year to recognize innovation in stand-up comedy.  He has appeared on Comedy Central, toured with the Comedians of Comedy, performed at the Coachella and Bumbershoot festivals as well as Just For Laughs in Montreal.

Weinbach created and starred in his own Super Deluxe web series, "Weinbach in Wonderland." His 2009 comedy album, The Night Shift, is a fun mix of stand-up, characters and overall comedic randomness.

Weinbach is a surprising comedian with an unique style. We can't wait to get to Smashbox Studios Thursday to see Brent Weinbach make this Super Serious Show like no other.

Eric Nigg Will Mess With Your Head

Shhhh...listen closely...and comedian Eric Nigg will most likely mess with your head. Don't worry, it's a good thing. You'll like it. Just trust us. One of our favorite young comedians, Eric Nigg is slyly smart and playful stand-up and comedic actor.

A Minnesota native and recent Los Angeles transplant, Nigg story goes he was born on a farm and then got bored. At age 16 he wrote and produced his own comedy show, successfully selling out the local town theater.

In addition to his stand-up and acting skills, Nigg achieved success with a slew of well-received short films. In 2008, Eric garnered international attention from his short film, Birthmarked For Death, as a co-writer and lead actor.  Shortly after a standing ovation at the Miami International Film Festival, it was selected to screen at the 2009 Festival De Cannes.  Nigg was invited back to Cannes in 2010 with his second short, The Grave Review.

Nationally, Nigg is a recognized writer on the Emmy Nominated Flak Radio podcast. Careerbuilder.com also awarded Nigg the Grand Prize for his 2010 Super Bowl commercial submission. Unfortunately CBS had no sense of humor and banned the commercial. He is also a recent graduate of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

You can let Eric Nigg mess with your head this Thursday at Smashbox Studios. Should be fun.

Look Both Ways: Slow Children Crossing

The crazy fun sketch group, Slow Children Crossing is bringing the funny at this month's Super Serious Show.

Slow Children Crossing is one of Los Angeles’ hottest sketch comedy groups, appearing all over town, including Comedy Central Stage, Upright Citizens Brigade and The Comedy Store.

Their comedy is always changing and always funny.  They bring the funny with both high and low brow humor working.  Their sketches seamlessly bounce back and forth among political, satirical and musical backdrops. Most importantly and enjoyably, audiences with a taste for inappropriate humor are always rewarded.

Slow Children Crossing group members include a multi-talented five-some: Alem Sapp, Brett J Butler, Tiffany Thomas, Saudia Rashed and Destini Meshack.

Character Builder: Seth Morris

Seth Morris is one of our favorite comedians working both in-front and behind the camera. Check him out at The Super Serious Show this month.

Morris is the former Artistic Director of Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Los Angeles and is now part of the popular Funny Or Die team.  Morris is a jack-of-all-comedy-trades, stand-up, sketch and improv.

There's always a chance he'll bring one of his great characters to the show with him. His most recent creation is the hilariously sad divorced man, Bob Ducca. A brief explanation of Ducca:

Bob Ducca isn't just the saddest divorced man in the world, he's also an addict of 12 Step recovery programs, a sufferer of ailments unrecognized by the medical community, a remote controlled motor boat enthusiast, and the holder of the world record for longest sigh.

Originally from San Francisco, Morris began his comedy career in New York City in 1997, studying at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.  He appeared in, directed and wrote for many shows at the UCB and performed in numerous comedy festivals nationwide.

Seth Morris also appeared in the long-running Off-Broadway production of The Marijuanalogues. His television credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, as well as numerous appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Comedy Central’s Upright Citizens Brigade and Chappelle’s Show. His film credits include Step Brothers and Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story.

Andy Peters Will Get You

Andy Peters will get you. Where you sit, stand or hide. Wherever. Peters is a stand-up comedian who enjoys getting to the audience like no other. Along with his typically irreverant topics, he has the skills to go off script and still get the laughs. Fearless and often off-the-cuff, Peters has toured the country performing in both big cities and small towns.  He won the Rocky Mountain Laugh-Off, was a Finalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition and participated in the San Francisco Comedy Competition, D.C. Comedy Fest, and Boston Comedy Festival.

After years as a stand-out in the Seattle comedy scene, Peters now calls Los Angeles his home. Get to know Andy Peters at this week's Super Serious Show. There's a good chance he'll get to know you, too.

Comedy Kinship: The Walsh Brothers

Straight out of Boston, Chris and David Walsh are the always unique comedic duo The Walsh Brothers. They've been here for years and bring the funny like few others. The Walsh Brothers don't fit into a pre-labled comedy box. They mix stand-up, sketch and all around randomness to entertain audiences.

Started in 2003, The Walsh Brothers Great & Secret Comedy Show became an underground sensation in the Boston comedy scene.  The brothers brought the show to the 2006 Aspen Comedy Festival, which garnered them high praise. After years of leading the Boston comedy scene, The Walsh Brothers made their way to Los Angeles. They quickly achieved must-see status. A Walsh Brothers show is like no other - their vaudevillian style and frequent audience interactions keep you guessing. Get ready for your dose of Walsh Brothers tomfoolery at The Super Serious Show this week.

Mad Comedy: Arden Mryin

File Arden Myrin under the automatically funny category. Myrin's been popping up in movies and television shows for awhile now and always makes a mark. She'll be making a special live appearance at this month's Super Serious Show.  Mryin is one of the best sketch and improv comedic actors working today.  Catching a liver performance from Myrin is sure to be a treat.

Arden Myrin gained notoriety as a regular cast member on MADtv. She also appeared on such hit shows as Friends, Reno 911, Just Shoot Me, Gilmore Girls, Kitchen Confidential, and more.  Her film credit’s include “Kinsey”, “The Lucky Ones”, “What Women Want’, ““Deconstructing Harry”, “The Imposters”, “ Autofocus”, “and The Informant”.  Myrin is a frequent talk show guest with appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien”, Howard Stern, Chelsea Lately, Loveline, among others.

Myrin is a founding member of the long-form improv team "God Squad" IOWest at IOWest in Los Angeles. The heradled group started in 2001. Myrin also has roots at Upright Citizen Brigade Theatre and The Groundlings.

Enjoy the special treat of Arden Myrin at The Super Serious Show this week.

Mischievous Music: Garfunkel & Oates

The mischievous musical comedy duo, Garfunkel & Oates are joining The Super Serious Show this month!  The band is made up of actresses and all-around talents, Kate Miccuci and Riki Lindhome. Since 2009, Garfunkel & Oates has been making their mark in the comedy world and pop culture at large. Their songs and performances combine deft humor, intelligence, smiling personas, as well as not-always-safe-for-work lyrics.  Don't let the sometimes off-color talk trick you.  Muccuci and Linkhome are truly some of the nicest people working in comedy today.

Their homespun couch videos and clever songs helped garner early national attention, including their popular song "Pregnant Women Are Smug."  Garfunkel & Oates has many comedy festival appearances and several Television appearances, highlighted by several spots on The Jay Leno Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

In 2009 they released their first album, Music Songs. The album is a fun collection of their musical comedy.

We've had the pleasure of having Garfunkel & Oates play at some of our non-Super-Serious shows - in their early days. They always bring it. Crowd pleasers all the way. It's a real treat to have them join in the fun at the new Super Serious Show. Grab your tickets here.

Check out the latest Garfunkel & Oates video. *NSFW