Author Archives » Steve Heisler
On Tour Guide: August 24-30
Do you feel that? Is that a slight chill in the air? No, no, no no no no no no, it can’t be. SUMMER WILL LAST FOREVER! (Though I guess if winter never came, then comedy shows wouldn’t be so supremely satisfying as indoor activities.) NOOOOOOO!
T.J. Miller, Tennessee Tech University (Cookeville, TN) Aug 30
Chicago-bred T.J. Miller is a hell of a joke writer, but he’s in his element when he goes entirely off-book. He’s a master of improv, can riff for hours on end and make it sound like he scripted the whole thing. He’s incredibly compelling on stage.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN – August 30
Matt Walsh, UCB Theatre (Hollywood, CA) Aug 27-28
One of the founding members of the Upright Citizens Brigade, Walsh has been busy lately (he had to miss the latest Del Close Marathon in New York), but he still makes regular appearances on Earwolf shows. Catch him live while you can. He’s a genius improviser who can find the funny in the weirdest situations.
Tickets for UCB Theatre, Hollywood, CA – August 27-28
Kevin Nealon, The Punchline (Atlanta, GA) Aug 26-27
Remember our awesome interview with the venerable comic vet? Now you do.
Tickets for The Punchline, Atlanta, GA – August 26-27
See your favorite Earwolf hosts & guests live with the use of the Earwolf Live iPhone app or at our “On Tour” page.
0 CommentsOn Tour Guide: August 17-23
See your favorite Earwolf hosts & guests live with the use of the Earwolf Live iPhone app or at our “On Tour” page.
Now we’re talking. Tours galore this week, lighting up the middle of the country like it’s the edge of the country. August is also the time when people suddenly realize, “Crap, it’s almost time for school again.” So if you’re 7, this is probably your last chance to get crank. Also, what’s the deal with August 18? Comedy holiday, I say.
Bill Burr, Zanies (Nashville, TN) Aug 18
One of the most brutally honest comics working today, Bill Burr is able to tap into the male psyche, and explain himself, in a way that’ll have you rooting for him by the end. He was recently seen in the live show CHEAT!, but these road gigs are back to basics.
Tickets for Zanies, Nashville, TN – August 18
Michael Ian Black, Improv (Louisville, KY) Aug 18
Michael Ian Black is smug and pompous, but it’s all part of the act. He tells stories effortlessly and can tear down the behaviors of random strangers with as much flair as he used to tear down celebrities on VH1.
Tickets for Improv, Louisville, KY – August 18
Eddie Pepitone, The Hideout (Chicago, IL) Aug 18
The excellent People Under The Stares live series puts up another iteration tonight, featuring the wonderfully rant-y Pepitone, who has as strong of a Twitter presence as he does live.
Tickets for The Hideout, Chicago, IL – August 18
0 CommentsOn Tour Guide: August 10-16
See your favorite Earwolf hosts & guests live with the use of the Earwolf Live iPhone app or at our “On Tour” page.
There’s an odd amount of touring happening this week: none amount, to be precise. Those of you in the California vicinity have a couple of options to choose from. Those of you who aren’t are probably a bit comedy-ed out from the previous weeks, so it’s worth staying inside and perusing our podcast selection. That’s a given every week though, right?
Jen Kirkman, “Comedians of Chelsea Lately” Montbleu Casino Resort (Lake Tahoe, NV) Aug 13
Kirkman shows off her pop culture-savvy on Chelsea Lately and Who Charted?, and is a nice respite from the usual casino sadness you’ll find at, oh, every casino. She’s also a veteran of “Drunk History” – remember those?
Tickets for Montbleu Casino Resort, Lake Tahoe, CA – August 13
Kumail Nanjiani, Nerdist Theater at Meltdown Comics (Los Angeles, CA) Aug 10
Nanjiani co-hosts a weekly show at Meltdown Comics, where he can be unabashedly nerdy and muse on the XBox in front of a supportive crowd. It’s one of the best independent shows in the Los Angeles area. So, be sure check it out some week. Or, this week!
Tickets for Nerdist Theater at Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA – August 10
0 CommentsOn Tour Guide: August 3-9
See your favorite Earwolf hosts & guests live with the use of the Earwolf Live iPhone app or at our “On Tour” page.
The Just For Laughs festival is over, meaning the bulge of Earwolf artists have hit the road again with material honed and polished in front of dozens—dozens!—of well-dressed industry pass holders compulsively checking their Blackberrys instead of paying attention. After that kind of crowd, these guys need some laughter lovin.
John Mulaney, The Improv (Washington, DC) August 4-7
When he’s not appearing on one episode of Comedy Bang! Bang! (and really, who among us hasn’t? Me), John Mulaney is touring his new hour of material that’s equal parts brilliant and heartbreaking. Seriously, he’s one of the best, and you folks in Washington DC are a lucky bunch. Now do something about that DEBT CEILING!!! What? Too late?
Tickets for The Improv, Washington DC – August 4-7
Myq Kaplan, Bethel Inn Resort (Bethel, ME) August 6
Myq Kaplan is a killer wordsmith, and his comedy is like running a marathon of vowels—and his first name is like running a marathon of consonants. Check out his adeptness with “words” on Sklarbro Country, then see him in the ol’ ME.
Tickets for Bethel Inn Resort, Bethel, ME – August 6
Greg Proops, The Punchline (San Francisco, CA) August 4-6
Proops is quick on his feet and sharp as a tack. He’s one of the most fun comics to watch live – especially if he goes off-book and starts talking about whatever’s on his mind. Hear that, Punchline? Someone heckle the crud out of him! (That’s the clean version.)
Tickets for The Punchline, San Francisco, CA – August 4-6
Moshe Kasher, Crackers Comedy Club (Indianapolis, IN) August 5-6
There’s a tragic nature to a lot of Kasher’s jokes. Specifically, they’re about things going on in his life, and his rants are deeply personal and hysterical. He’s got a stage energy that’s unmatched, and a depth of potentially useless knowledge to back it up.
Tickets for The Improv, Washington DC – August 4-7
Brian Posehn, Neptune Theatre (Seattle, WA) August 6
If you’re reading this, then you probably already know the virtues of the self-deprecating nerd-rants of the beloved Brian Posehn. Whether it’s talking about metal music or simply just goofing around, Posehn has a way about him that’s infinitely endearing.
Tickets for Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA – August 6
0 CommentsOn Tour Guide: July 28-August 3
See your favorite Earwolf hosts & guests live with the use of the Earwolf Live iPhone app or at our “On Tour” page.
Apologies for the posting delay, Earwolfensteins. The Just For Laughs Festival is all-encompassing, taking over Montreal and sending dozens – dozens, I say! – Earwolf-affiliated artists to the sandy shores of Montreal. (No shores.) Catch Maria Bamford, Paul F. Tompkins, Moshe Kasher, Matt Braunger, and many others…if you’re already here. Check out the full list, but don’t fret: There’s plenty happening for you non-travelies this week.
The Sklar Brothers, The Punchline (San Francisco, CA) July 28-30
The hosts of Sklarbro Country tackle pop culture and get into some serious riff-sessions. Is “riff-sessions” a thing? It sounds like the shittiest Miles Davis album of all time.
Tickets for The Punchline, San Francisco, CA – July 28-30
James Adomian, “The Party Machine” Union Hall (Brooklyn, NY) July 30
This genius character actor was at JFL last year, and this time around was probably like, “Enough of this horseshit!” Or maybe he wasn’t booked. It’s a travesty, though, because Adomian can light up any Comedy Bang! Bang! episode with Paul Giamatti or food critic Merrill Shindler.
Tickets for Union Hall, Brooklyn NY – July 30
Todd Glass, The Laughing Skull (Atlanta, GA) July 28-31
Todd Glass turns his straightforward life into epic tales of anger, betrayal, and heartbreak. Hear his storytelling skills on Comedy Bang! Bang! and/or Sklarbro Country anytime; see him in Atlanta, now.
Tickets for The Laughing Skull, Atlanta, GA – July 28-31
0 CommentsSeedy Apple Shares Sister Secrets
In honor of The Apple Sisters’ first stage show since starting their Earwolf podcast—show’s tonight at Largo in Los Angeles—I asked the girls about the differences between performing for a live audience vs. an audience of microphones and one-to-two sound guys. One was eager to share her wisdom…
I’m Seedy Apple, the eldest and most responsible sister. We just love doing the radio and stage show because they give us unlimited possibilities, though truthfully, only my boyfriend God can truly grant you that.
Most recently my sister, Candy, and I had an unfortunate accident on our radio show. Since food is being rationed, we’d been limited to a diet of celery, beans and cherries. With this 1943 summer heat in the studio, we had to turn off all fans during the recording. Well, things got a little…gassy. I’m afraid we might’ve made one of our special guests a little woozy with the fumes! Perhaps some day they’ll invent a machine that quietly cools a room quickly and efficiently. Had we been on stage, no one would have heard our dainty little toots.
Sometimes on stage, despite my requests, my sisters love to not rehearse segments and let them just unfold naturally. Like the time we had a can of oats that needed to be poured over someone’s head. Now, one could say “Say Seedy, aren’t you the responsible one? Shouldn’t you have checked that the tin can had been opened with a can opener?” To which I would reply.. FINE. You’re right!! The truth is, I was having a deep conversation with my boyfriend, God. He distracted me with his opened toed sandals, and I didn’t get to properly checking the properties. Thankfully, our trusty stage manager never travels without a hammer and screwdriver. She jimmied it open in less than a minute, while Candy and Cora did a lovely improvised jazz number to stall for the show. What could have been a disaster became a miracle! Like the virgin birth of my lover.
I guess I would say the biggest difference between stage and radio is: nothing. We are actually singing and dancing in our small studio! We get it all set up, unpack Jerome, and get to singin’ and kickball changin’! ~Seedy Apple
0 CommentsOn Tour Guide: July 20-26
See your favorite Earwolf hosts & guests live with the use of the Earwolf Live iPhone app or at our “On Tour” page.
What are podcasters like live? Do they sit there in hoodies and gab into microphones, sipping cold coffee and compulsively checking their iPhones just like in the studio?! No way. For one thing, some of them have Droids.
The Apple Sisters, Largo at The Coronet (Los Angeles, CA) July 25
For the first time since joining the legions of the undead (aka Earwolf podcasters), The Apple Sisters are bringing their old-timey radio shenanigans to the people sitting in the seats of live theater—grabbing the bull by the horns! The girls’ live shows are pretty exciting: Witness the Funny Or Die video of their popular corn sketch, rife with spitting and…well, lots of spitting.
Tickets for The Apple Sisters, Los Angeles, CA – July 25
Amy Poehler, ASSSSCAT 3000, UCB (New York, NY) July 24
Photo by Chad Griffith
Amy Poehler’s contribution to the Earwolf network was brief: just one episode of Sklarbro Country. But she’s responsible for founding one of the best comedy theaters in New York, spawning generations of talent who have appeared on future Earwolf podcasts. So, in a way, she’s been on our shows a ton. Catch her returning to her native long-form improv this Sunday, and give her a handshake as thanks. Don’t explain, though. Just do it.
Tickets for UCB Theatre, New York, NY – July 24
Brent Weinbach, The Hideout (Chicago, IL) July 21
Oddball Weinbach, a recent appearer on Who Charted?, is an ex-substitute teacher with some stories to tell—and he always invests himself fully to the retelling, darkness and all. He’s joined in Chicago by Kyle Kinane and local Michael Sanchez, which is as solid a lineup as you could hope for.
Reservations for The Hideout, Chicago, IL – July 21
Natasha Leggero, Hyena’s (Dallas, TX) July 22-23
Leggero usually takes the stage wearing an evening gown with long gloves. Then she mocks rich people, utilizing both satire and direct take-’em-down tactics. Or, she’ll mock them second-hand, on How Did This Get Made? She’s also pretty effortless and great when it comes to crowd work, so here’s hoping someone at Hyena’s (GET IT?!?!?) ventures a flippant comment or two.
Tickets for Hyena’s, Dallas, tX – July 22-23
Dave Foley, Comedy Works (Denver, CO) July 22-23
Even when Dave Foley doesn’t show up, much merriment can be had. So consider his appearance at these stand-up gigs merely icing on the Kids In The Hall cake. And look! A thinly veiled excuse to link to an amazing Kids In The Hall Sketch! This day just keeps getting better.
Tickets for Comedy Works, Denver, CO – July 22-23
0 CommentsOn Tour Guide: July 13-19
(See your favorite Earwolf hosts & guests live with the use of the Earwolf Live iPhone app or at our “On Tour” page.)
Lest you suffer from what’s likely heat stroke (aka, hangover), Earwolf artists are requesting you sit down in intimate theaters. This is comedy’s week to be artsy.
Jeff Garlin, Steppenwolf Upstairs (Chicago, IL) July 13-24
His star-studded Comedy Bang! Bang! appearance and excellent contributions to the recently returned Curb Your Enthusiasm have cemented Jeff Garlin’s place in our collective Earwolf earhearts. Head to the fancy-schmancy (relatively) Steppenwolf theater for No Sugar Tonight, Garlin’s struggles with the addictive nature of sweet, sweet sugar. They say the stuff’s toxic, but I dunno: What’s so toxic about killing your own mother for a cookie? Because that doesn’t sound toxic to me. Totally normal. Even if the cookie turned out to be one of those weird sugar free “diet” cookies.
Tickets for Steppenwolf Upstairs, Chicago, IL – July 13-24
Tig Notaro, Helium Comedy Club (Philadelphia, PA) July 13-16
One week from yesterday, Tig Notaro’s album, Good One, will be unleashed on the world. A few weeks ago, her podcast Professor Blastoff was unleashed on the world. Expect few leashes at these live gigs—your only chance to catch the “good ones” before they’re immortalized in compact disc format (or at the very least, mini disc). A nice bonus: Garfunkle & Oates’ Kate Micucci returns to her home state of Pennsylvania, opening for Tig all weekend.
Tickets for Helium Comedy Club, Philadelphia, PA – July 13-16
Matt Besser, UCB Theatre (Hollywood, CA) July 17
Host of the brand-spanking-new Earwolf Challenge reality podcast tries out some new material at his home turf in Matt Besser: Enter The Hot Chicks Room. More about the Earwolf Challenge – a show pitting podcasts against each other in the hopes of winning a year-long contract with us guys on this here Interwebs site.
Reservations for Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Hollywood, CA – July 17
Reggie Watts, Public Assembly (Brooklyn, NY) July 14
One of the first-ever guests on the new Conan show, Reggie Watts will bring beatboxing stylings to his native Brooklyn before heading out on the road. I’m sure you already knew this, but Reggie does the Comedy Bang! Bang! theme song, too. Seriously, you can hear him on every single episode. It’s not even worth linking to them, because they’re freakin’ everywhere. If you can’t find one, we have a problem.
Tickets for Public Assembly, Brooklyn, NY – July 14
Kyle Kinane, Highland BrewCo (Asheville, NC) July 13
Storyteller Kyle Kinane makes the mundane seem infinitely interesting. Here he is talking about Red Lobster on Comedy Central, which should give you a sense of his overactive imagination.
Tickets for Highland BrewCo, Asheville, NC – July 13
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