LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy

It's like a WTWTA thizz face up in here. Photo via ilovefred @LAist Flickr page.

This seems to be the week of the essay show, with Mortified and Sit N' Spin both tackling the genre, albeit in different ways. There's a ton of smaller shows around town too, like Benderdangle at the iO West Andy Dick theater on Saturday at 8p. In short, there's no reason to not get out and see some great stand up at Largo, or catch award-winning shows for free at Comedy Central Stage, or even drive down to Irvine for known headliners. Also, in recently developed (and huge) news, Martin Lawrence is back for some stand up at the Comedy Store on Friday and Saturday nights.

This week's got it all, folks, and if you want to see your show (or the show of a loved one) committed to this digital ink, email Farley and let him know. The guy's practically beggin' for it, which sounds about as sexual as it's intended to be.

MONDAY 11/16

Comedy at The Castle, 8p Magic Castle. Longtime comedy legends (and Emmy and Grammy award winners) Hunter and Stan Freberg are headlining this new comedy show at the famous Magic Castle. For tickets / reservations call: 323-851-3313 (x434). Note: there's a strictly enforced dress code, and you HAVE TO HAVE a reservation to get in. It's still a private club, after all.

Armando Show, 10p iO West. This week, the stories that inspire the improv will come from Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family. Score.

TUESDAY 11/17

Rabbit Faced Story Soup, 8p Comedy Central Stage. Laura Solon takes on different characters in this great award-winning show from across the pond.

Comedy Death Ray, 8:30p UCB. The best stand up in town, hands down. This week has Nick Kroll, Sean Cullen, Matt Besser and some other great comics. Get there at 8p with your CDR reservation to catch an Andy Dick pilot as produced by BJ Porter and Scott Aukerman.

WEDNESDAY 11/18

Comedy for The Cove, 8p Comedy Store. If you saw The Cove or hate the idea that hundreds of dolphins are getting slaughtered over in Japan, go give some chuckles and some bucks to a good cause.

Mortified LA, 8p King King. The monster of all essay shows returns to LA for the last time this month. If you like normal folks sharing embarrassing stories from their childhood, look no further.

THURSDAY 11/19

Sarah Silverman & Friends, 8:30p Largo. The queen herself returns with some funny folks to the Largo main room.

Sit N’ Spin, 8p Comedy Central Stage. I know it’s Mortified LA this week, but Sit N’ Spin is still a really great essay show on it’s own, and to be honest it takes a more adult tone than Mortified, but usually without the harsh realities of The Moth. Oh, and music!

FRIDAY 11/20

Jo Koy, 8p Comedy & Magic Club. Jo is back at the Club doing some of his great stand up comedy.

Martin Lawrence, 9p Comedy Store. This is seriously huge. Martin is back after like half a decade for two nights at the Comedy Store. As much as I like to beat the Comedy Store into submission, they're getting better with their shows (Bootyoke, anyone?!) and this Martin engagement is outstanding. Bravo.

SATURDAY 11/21

Horrible Movie Night, 8p The Complex. This twist on the old MST3K model lets (nay, encourages) audience members to shout out their feelings about the less than fantastic film. Then, halfway through, a group of trained comedians come out to help heckle even further.

Paul F. Tompkins Show, 9p Largo. PFT is sure to be as dapper and as funny as ever over at Largo. Man, they’re really stepping up their stand up game these days, considering the Tuesday Aziz show had to be rescheduled for December 5th.

Dana Gould, 9:30p Improv. Long time stand up, Simpsons writer, and all around funny guy Dana does two shows at the Improv. But, seriously, who goes to the early show?

SUNDAY 11/22

ASSSSCAT, 7:30p UCB. Line up early (like, at least an hour) in order to get something even close to resembling a seat for the free version of LAs best improv comedy.

Daniel Tosh, 9p Irvine Improv. OMG OMG OMG DANIEL TOSH!!!111!!1! Ok, so he has his own show and he’s at the Irvine Improv all weekend. Still, the man is f*cking funny. What a great excuse to beat traffic with a fantastic comedy show down south.