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11 Online Comedy Shows Happening At A Computer Near You
Since in-person comedy shows are no longer happening, comedians and troupes are moving the shows online. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Comedy Central)
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The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc on schools, stores, businesses -- and events. As concerts, talks and big gatherings get cancelled and people spend more time at home, LAist is temporarily switching our events column to a "nonevents" column to help us through this time of social distancing.
Until it's safe to go out again, please consider contributing to your local arts organizations, or to individual artists during this difficult time.
While we're all stuck at home, comedians and comedy troupes are turning to the internet and social media to cheer up audiences and, in some cases, raise funds. Here's a sampler of online comedy events. If you need even more laughs, then head to local comedian Jake Kroeger's Comedy Bureau for additional shows and listings.
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Maria Bamford speaks at The New Yorker Festival on October 8, 2016 in New York City. (Thos Robinson/Getty Images for The New Yorker)
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The New Material Show - MONDAY, MARCH 30
Maria Bamford performs new material via Zoom at 3 p.m. PST. There are only 100 slots per show. Admission: $5 donation to your local food bank or $1 Venmo to @maroo-bamfoo. After registering, guests will get a confirmation email about how to join the show. If you can't make Monday's show, Bamford is doing other dates.
COST: $1 - $5; MORE INFO
Tip Your Waitstaff
Comedian Mike Birbiglia is hopping on Instagram Live with some of his famous friends to raise money for the employees of closed comedy clubs. He has already tested new material and chatted with John Mulaney, Roy Wood Jr., Sarah Silverman and Maria Bamford. Follow @birbigs on Instagram and Twitter for updates and schedule.
COST: Varies; MORE INFO
Paul Feig's Quarantine Cocktail Time
The creator of Freaks & Geeks and director of Bridesmaids, Spy, Ghostbusters: ATC, A Simple Favor and Last Christmas, has been holding a daily cocktail hour (5 - 6 p.m. PST) on his Instagram Live feed, joined by his wife Laurie (and maybe their dog).
COST: Free; MORE INFO
Comedy Quarantine
The showcase, which helps support comedian whose performances were upended by the virus, takes place Monday through Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. PST on Instagram Liveat @comedyquarantine. Lineups are announced on the social media site. This week's performers have included Dave Mizzoni, Megan Gailey, Lizzy Cooperman and Kyle Kinane. The show is free but viewers are encouraged to tip the comedians nightly on Venmo at @ComedyQuarantine. Tips will be split equally among the night's performers.
COST: FREE, but tips appreciated; MORE INFO
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Dinner with the Gaffigans - Ongoing
Since March 15, comedian Jim Gaffigan has been inviting people to dinner with him, his wife and their five kids, via a a YouTube livefeed. Tune in at 3 p.m. PST for dinner (sorry, they're in NYC). The chat function is open for questions and food critiques.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Comedian Hari Kondabolu speaks onstage during an event on November 14, 2017 in New York City. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for truTV)
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The Interview Show - Ongoing
Hari Kondabolu takes to Instagram Live to interview guests such as W. Kamau Bell, Cristela Alonzo and his DJ brother, Ashok.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Dynasty Typewriter founders Jamie Flam and Vanessa Ragland are performing personalized comedy for guests. (Courtesy of Dynasty Typewriter)
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Dynasty Sunshine Session
Dynasty Typewriter's founders Jamie Flam and Vanessa Ragland are offering personalized, 25-minute Sunshine Sessions. They'll do pep talks, comedy shows, improvised musicals, tarot readings and anything else within reason to cheer us up and take our minds off the pandemic. And it helps them pay rent on their space. Cost: $75 per session; MORE INFO
Lisa Kudrow speaks onstage during the Critics' Choice Real TV Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 2, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
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The Groundlings Podcast Network - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
The sketch comedy school and theater launches its first podcast episode featuring an interview with Groundlings alumna Lisa Kudrow (Friends, The Comeback). New episodes will follow every Wednesday, available on all podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. The network features two shows at launch: Breaking Ground (interviews with Groundlings alumni) and The Groundlings' Panel (live panel discussions on honing the comedy craft).
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Saturday Night Quarantined with Ian Abramson
Abramson has done an episode of Saturday Night Live for the past two weeks, performing and hosting the show alone. Fingers crossed that he'll do another one via Twitch this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. PST. A few sketches and pretaped segments do exist in all their DIY glory if he doesn't.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Lyric Public Access
The Lyric Hyperion Theatre and Cafe hosts a public access show on Instagram Live. Last week's schedule included "Library Time with Lamps (Erin Lampart)," "Your Magic: Tarot Reading with Michelle Tea" and "Every Part of the Buffalo: A Tribute to Clown Church."
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Comedy Gives Back: Laugh Aid
On Saturday, April 4 at 4 p.m. (4/4/4), some of the biggest comedians are doing a livestreamed fundraiser to help up-and-coming comics who've lost gigs and income because of the coronavirus pandemic. The event features live performances, special podcasts and sneaks of upcoming projects. Participating comics include Marc Maron, Nikki Glaser, Howie Mandel, Patton Oswalt, Ken Jeong, Bill Burr, Ray Romano, Bob Saget, Amanda Seales, Adam Pally, Craig Robinson, The Sklar Brothers, Cameron Esposito and Tom Papa. Viewing is donation-based, with all profits going to Comedy Gives Back's COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Watch on Twitch, Twitter, Comedy Central's YouTube channel, Facebook and the Laugh Lounge app.
COST: DONATION; MORE INFO
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