I’ve loved Jay Malone’s comedy since the first time I saw him at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge. It was really cool to finally get to chat with him on the podcast because he just seemed like a cool, down to earth dude. Turns out…he is. Seems like those Canadians always are. Plus…not only does he love Sidney Crosby…but he agrees that Mario Lemieux is better than Wayne Gretzky. That’s enough for this Pittsburgher to be a Jay Malone fan for life.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE REST OF OUR CONVERSATION ON THE PODCAST

Below is a peek at Jay’s animation talent and you can buy his new stand-up CD on iTunes.

I took a bit of a blogging break, but I thought we’d jump start things again with a good old fashion review of this week’s Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge.

If you have not been by the show in a while, Red Rock continues to make the upstairs lounge classier and classier. And by classy…I mean adding a purple valuer curtain to the stage area. Pimpin’. The place looks great though and it has come a long way in the past 4 years.

Fresh off her new writing gig at Chelsea Lately, Christina Pazsitzky killed it again with a bunch of new stuff. She’s so smooth. But since I’m the president of her fan club…I’m biased. Karl Hess and Ben Gleib were excellent as well. Hess has the most distinguished voice in comedy. Not voice in the ethereal but his actually voice. He’s so precise with his words. And Gleib was doing some GREAT material on religion.

Finally we were treated to the musical comedy stylings of Kirk Zipfel. Now…musical comedy can be really annoying…but Zipfel is different. First, he’s clearly a great guitar player. Second, when you are singing about butterfaces and making fun of the riff Jack Johnson can play, you’re cool with me. Kirk is one of the most underrated comedians in the city. I dropped in a video below. Check it!

Sugar Sammy is the next big international comedy sensation coming out of Canada. He’s like Russell Peter’s revisited in many ways…but obviously has his own style. It’s interesting to hear the strategy of becoming big in Canada and other international markets…THEN the U.S.

You can see Sugar Sammy live on Saturday at the Hollywood Improv.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

I’ve wanted to have Aisha Tyler on the LCLA podcast for quite some time. Basically because she seemed cool, she’s funny, and she’s hot. Turns out I was right. She’s down to earth and easy to talk to. We chatted about her current show “Archer” which airs on FX and her history in acting and stand-up. Have a listen.

Also, you can check out Aisha live all this weekend at the Brea Improv.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN – PLAYER WILL APPEAR BELOW (RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD)

I have been enthralled by wrestling for 25 years. I’m talking WWE-style. That’s a significant portion of my 31 years on the planet. I grew up with Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and King Kong Bundy. I ordered every Pay-Per-View event. I went to see the shows live at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh with my dad. I owned the action figures. I was a Hulkamaniac. To this day, I still respect the success of WWF/WWE – fake, not fake – whatever you think.

One of the great personalities in wrestling history is Rowdy Roddy Piper. This week I found out he is performing at the Hollywood Improv. Comedy and Wrestling? Are you kidding me? Only Comedy and Porn beats that. I had the great pleasure of talking with “Hot Rod” for the podcast today. I can’t remember being this excited to talk to someone. Piper’s Pit, the Bag Pipes, Wrestlemania I!!! Awesome! Hope you enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO PLAY – PLAYER WILL APPEAR BELOW (RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD)

And make sure to check him out live, this Friday at the Hollywood Improv!

It’s the eve of New Years Eve and some of you may still be looking for something to do. Maybe you’re even the type to venture out on such an over priced holiday. Why not right? Economic recovery is just around the corner. Let’s take a quick cruise around the major clubs in L.A. and see what they have going on for NYE 2009 or is it NYE 2010…I never know. Let us know if there are other comedy options in the comments section!

Hollywood Improv
Joe Rogan
10pm
$100/person (OUCH!)

Ice House – Pasadena
John Caparulo
8pm – $29.50 Reg./$44.50 VIP
10pm (Annex) – $34.50 Reg./$49.50 VIP
10:30pm – $39.50 Reg./$59.50 VIP

Laugh Factory – Hollywood
Various Comedians: Dom Irrera, Iliza Shelisinger, Ian Edwards, Dov Davidoff, Greg Wilson
8pm – $35 – $55
10:30pm – $65 – $90

The Comedy Store
Per usual, their website is just unclear. Feel free to head on over and figure it out http://www.thecomedystore.com

SOTY = Show of the Year.

And Lost Moon Radio ran away with it on Friday night at St. Nick’s Pub. I see a lot of comedy and this was by far the most creative show I’ve seen in 2009.

Lost Moon Radio is a one hour radio show hosted by 1960′s DJ, “Jupiter Jack”. In between Jupiter Jack’s ramblings of days gone by, the audience is treated to skits, commercials, and radio promos performed live by a company of actors and a 7-piece band.

The writing was off the charts. A show like SNL should just scoop up the entire cast of Lost Moon Radio. It would be 100x better.

One of my favorite skits was this song about Jesus being born:

I also think the theater at St. Nick’s pub added to the experience. I had no idea there was a theater there and it is the coolest place ever. Small, quaint, and perfect for comedy.

There have been 5 productions of Lost Moon Radio, including this latest run called “The Holidays” – all at St. Nick’s. I’m definitely looking forward to much more from these folks. And don’t be surprised if you see this thing made into a television show or a popular podcast or even a Sirius radio show. It’s that good.