Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
What if they threw a fake comedy festival and everybody came?
Zach Broussard, founder of the fake SoCal Comedy Fest.
(
Mindy Tucker
)
A ticket stub from the fake SoCal Comedy Fest.
(
Courtesy of Zach Broussard
)
A lineup for the fake SoCal Comedy Fest.
()
One comedy show is slated for deep in the Mojave Desert. Another will take place under the "Y" of the Hollywood sign. Still another already happened in Haley Joel Osment's backyard — and it killed. They're all "happening" this weekend as part of the SoCal Comedy Fest.
It may be the most inclusive comedy festival of all time. That's because it doesn't exist.
The entire festival is fake. Comedians and audience members invent shows and venues then Tweet, Instagram and Facebook about how the sets went.
Is it performance art or a social media stunt? Maybe both. Either way, it was dreamed up by Zach Broussard.
Support for LAist comes from
"I've done so many real festivals," the 33-year-old comedian says. "For the most part, they're not that well attended. The only proof it actually ever happened was social media posts. So I figured one easy way we can all get a really fun festival credit is if we just hosted a fake festival and pretended it happened."
Don't hold your breath for festival "headliners" Adam Conover (of "Adam Ruins Everything") and Adam Newman. They won't be appearing. And the rumor about Amy Schumer dropping in? Never happened.
"The fact that I don't have to pay for anything at all has allowed me to expand it quite a bit," Broussard deadpans.
He isn't looking to make money or pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Broussard tries to make it clear that the SoCal Comedy Fest is fake and that none of these shows are happening IRL.
"They only exist so people can brag about them online," Broussard says.
That's why all the events take place at hard-to-find or made-up venues. Sadly, Broussard has never met Haley Joel Osment. And no, the Chuckle Dumpster in Van Nuys isn't real.
It's also part of a long game. "I think the idea is that in a few years, people will forget that this is fake at all and hopefully a lot of the comics that are doing the festival will really use it on their resume," Broussard says.
Support for LAist comes from
Talk about commitment to a bit.
"If we can all pretend like this thing actually happened, if we can just get a handful of people to think we did something fun this weekend," Broussard says, "then our job was a success."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist