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Arts & Entertainment

Check It Out: Jon Lovitz Comedy Club

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Following the fanfare of a star-studded Thursday red carpet opening, the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club is officially here.

And while the Lovitz club likes to throw around the idea that Los Angeles hasn’t had a new comedy club in 30 years, that PR spin really discounts the amount of stand up that goes on at the less-than-5-year-old UCB, or the revamped and reopened Downtown Comedy Club. But be that as it may, it certainly is exciting to see new comedy come out of the woodwork, when places all around us are closing up shop. And despite having only really started stand up in the past five years, you can’t deny that he’s had a great run on the small screen and in everything from the Wedding Singer to 3000 Miles to Graceland.

The club takes the place of the old BB King Blues Club at Universal City Walk, which should help it take a big bite out of the millions of tourist wallets that stroll by every year. Unless they really start getting some solid headliners, I’m not sure how many LA comedy fans will make the trip more than once or twice; here’s hoping that Lovitz’s comedy net is wide enough to pull in some top not talent. For now, Lovitz is headlining his own opening weekend, with John Caparulo from the Vince Vaughn Wild West show, and the Blue Collar Comedy Tour which - inexplicably - is still going strong.

And if you do decide to go, be prepared for a well-lit tropical theme and a $20 ticket price, which is actually right in line with every other overpriced comedy club in LA. But hell, if you’re willing to pay the $15 to park anywhere in this city, you’re probably fine with the prices at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club. And with seating for 300 (which equals the potential to host legit taped comedy specials), lots of good food on the menu, and definitely girly tropical drinks, the future is definitely full of potential for Lovitz and his partner Frank Kelley. Good luck Jon, and we’re all sorry that the Lakers making it to the NBA Finals sort of overshadowed your red carpet opening. Here’s wishing you nothing but success, especially when comedy needs it the most.

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