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Read More For those who do not frequent comedy shows (this is a music blog after all), crowd work is the often painful part of a comedy show, often prompted by an obnoxious heckler …
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Talkies combines standup comedy and short films. Officially it is a show for stand ups to work outside their regular routines, but as a new guest to the show at Lost Weekend Video's Cinecave, I have no idea what their regular routines are.
I’m also feeling very strange being in an artsy rental video store for the first time this decade. You’re supposed to have a membership to get into the Cinecave events, for anyone who might read this and decide to go later, because offering live comedy in a small private basement covered with movie and festival posters is awesome (and probably needs real fiscal support).
As the proprietor of Zum records/zine I’ve known tonight’s host since the mid-nineties. George Chen started the night off with a good-humored and somewhat sentimental “augmented powerpoint” interview with his mother about comedy in her life and her relationship with George.
The next short film, by David Enos,“Reiterating” wasn’t my favorite of the night. I was too confused watching it to tell you about it now.
Coming back to the live comedians, Clare O’Kane’s reading of her journal from when she was 13 in 2003 was gold. Her love of surf and skate things, teenage relationship dramas only a thirteen year old girl could dream up and writing in the kind of shorthand/”cool” talk that editors of magazines make up for teenagers to absorb makes me wonder, do all teenagers write this stupid? I did.
Next up Anna Seregina came out as Regina Seregina, a Eastern European immigrant new to comedy in America. While she looked the part and played it well, her slideshow of photos of her workplace was the kind of comedy that makes you uncomfortable to laugh. The audience was laughing, uncomfortably.
Land Smith was next with some observational humor on relationships, but it was rather usual standup for this lineup.
For instance, Jesse Elias and Miles K presented a hipster cooking show with recipes for burrito infused vodka, smoked (possibly cigarette) Jell-O and buttered noodle sandwiches served to the audience. It was gross, Miles K has a terrific infomercial voice, and I did not try any of the dishes that were shared with the audience.
Josh Androsky played a video of his appearance on The Price Is Right, giving us a behind the scenes actors commentary on how he became the Skateboard Rabbi. The story was great, I am tempted to retell it all here, but I suggest you watch the video of his appearance first and then find him in LA to recount all the details.
Joey Izzo’s short film showed us a very creepy way one Christian Cult/chicken costume sign waving company adds to their flock. Chris Garcia told a story that began with his feelings watching Magic Mike and ending with a gay friend explaining just what his desires really are.
“Sad Vicious, who came onstage in their Best Buy uniforms”
The finale for the night was Sad Vicious, who came onstage in their Best Buy uniforms and apologized that the show was just a DJ set and not a real concert. Nevertheless, their campy sketches were well timed and closed with a sing along to that Chumbawumba song.
I’m sorry, is that song in your head now?
All together, it was a terrific variety show with some very talented people, done in a small space that embraces risk taking. Well done. I’ve already made plans to go back.
I’m also feeling very strange being in an artsy rental video store for the first time this decade. You’re supposed to have a membership to get into the Cinecave events, for anyone who might read this and decide to go later, because offering live comedy in a small private basement covered with movie and festival posters is awesome (and probably needs real fiscal support).
As the proprietor of Zum records/zine I’ve known tonight’s host since the mid-nineties. George Chen started the night off with a good-humored and somewhat sentimental “augmented powerpoint” interview with his mother about comedy in her life and her relationship with George.
The next short film, by David Enos,“Reiterating” wasn’t my favorite of the night. I was too confused watching it to tell you about it now.
Coming back to the live comedians, Clare O’Kane’s reading of her journal from when she was 13 in 2003 was gold. Her love of surf and skate things, teenage relationship dramas only a thirteen year old girl could dream up and writing in the kind of shorthand/”cool” talk that editors of magazines make up for teenagers to absorb makes me wonder, do all teenagers write this stupid? I did.
Next up Anna Seregina came out as Regina Seregina, a Eastern European immigrant new to comedy in America. While she looked the part and played it well, her slideshow of photos of her workplace was the kind of comedy that makes you uncomfortable to laugh. The audience was laughing, uncomfortably.
Land Smith was next with some observational humor on relationships, but it was rather usual standup for this lineup.
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JESSE ELIAS AND MILES K
photograph by courtney
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Josh Androsky played a video of his appearance on The Price Is Right, giving us a behind the scenes actors commentary on how he became the Skateboard Rabbi. The story was great, I am tempted to retell it all here, but I suggest you watch the video of his appearance first and then find him in LA to recount all the details.
Joey Izzo’s short film showed us a very creepy way one Christian Cult/chicken costume sign waving company adds to their flock. Chris Garcia told a story that began with his feelings watching Magic Mike and ending with a gay friend explaining just what his desires really are.
I’m sorry, is that song in your head now?
All together, it was a terrific variety show with some very talented people, done in a small space that embraces risk taking. Well done. I’ve already made plans to go back.
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Regina Seregina at Cinecave at Lost Weekend, San Francisco (02/01/13) photograph by courtney
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