Skip to main content

At the Comedy Store

Had side splitting laughs for a few late hours on a recent visit to Hollywood. Specifically to a run down looking brick building with cigarette smoke hanging on like grim death on the outside.  Even Jesus - or some homeless dude that looked like his eminence made an appearance and was I think looking to score free weed.

The place is The Comedy Store on Sunset and was started a few decades ago by a dude from Detroit.  Many a famous comic like Chris Rock, Jim Carey and director(s) I admire like Judd Apatow have made their way through here to Hollywood success.

In fact the night I went with some friends I made at a local conference (on some boring topic), Judd presented his act - that of his daughter reaching 18 and essentially freeing Judd from parental obligations of her well being.

Most comics were new faces (at least to me but I am told by veteran TV watching and joke club visiting members that they are in fact on their way to being famous) and did a splendid job of being satirical about current events.

Trump was of course the main roast, and an older gent let us ponder the fact that "If Bernie Sanders was elected President, it would be the first time in American history that a Jew would occupy federally subsidized housing vacated by a black couple".

Some comics use their body as a tool to being funny and that is okay as long as they don't spit on you - this place is tight and probably held 40 odd people - dim lighting with an old electronic keyboard and boardist to intro the new act.  David Spade of some fame on local TV made an appearance but was not that funny.  The particular venue is a no holds barred - designed strictly for mature audiences type with the language vacillating from smart and sharp to filled with expletives and describing events relating to private body parts.

A two drink minimum I was happy to suck down cold water while my friends were getting dirty with martinis.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Of chocolates

I like chocolates. Godiva Dark with Almonds - not sure of the naked woman on the horse to be the icon of some choice cocoa based products but tastes good. Started in Belgium but now owned by some Turks. Cadburys - Fruit and Nut Milk Bars - awesome combination of dried fruit pieces along with a medley of nuts makes your toungue dance - started by a Brit now owen by Kraft USA. Lindt Hazelnut spheres - made by a Swiss confectioner are divine balls that melt in your mouth with a lingering nutty taste Ghirardelli Milk Crisp Squares - crunchy and light these milk squares are easy on the palate but pack some serious calories - all good I say! Originally founded by an Italian who moved around till he landed in SF Bay today also owned by the Swiss Lindt empire.

Columbia SC

 The Palmetto state.  One of the confederate kinds. History dating couple centuries back.  We visited the capital yet again this time to take in the SC State Museum. Occupying the former digs (literally remodeled) of an erstwhile cotton mill this structure is an amazing piece of reimagination.  Four floors of excitement for kids and young at heart alike. Located on the shores of the Congaree River formed when the Broad meets up with the Saluda River, this edifice is approx. 60 years old.  The front of the building has a more modern planetarium that was added about a decade ago.  The museum itself has different areas of interest segregated on each of its four floors. The first floor has gift shop and a diorama of some of the local geography including the swamps and the state beaches with audio guides to help understand what fauna thrives locally. The second floor is all about natural history and showcases animal kingdom that may have survived on this latitud...

Cost of entrepreneurship

Last night I attended a guest lecture on the subject of disruptive technology and entrepreneurship.  Lecture was free but it was used as a pitch by the University that hosted it to attract new customers. The speaker was somewhat respectable fellow who happened to hail from India and spoke eloquently.   One of the key message was around how the professors in this university were ranked among the very best money can buy. Cost of the MBA program mere $110,000 and oh we also buy some dinner if you have late class.  So now the math is simple-  is learning to be entrepreneurial worth the cost of entry? That is assuming you end up being one.   What of those that do not?  or the ones that are not successful at being the entrepreneur?  Is that being a pessimist before even being handed the glass. What I found strange is that people will bet big money on the glimmer of hope that they might just make a entrepreneurial debut and hit it big.  The unive...