Podcast appearances and mentions of jake kroeger

The undertaking of putting on a live comedy show can be a lot, but putting on a full scale, multi-week, improvised parody of a celebrated TV franchise is a whole other sport. Yet, that seems to be Sam Walt Jones' favorite thing to do as he is just about to cap off his third season of Survivor: Island of Idiots, one of the most ambitious comedy productions we've ever come across. We get into the how and why of Sam's process on this week's TCB Field Report. Follow Sam @samwaltjones across socials and get tix for the remaining Survivor: Island of Idiots here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Cory Peter Lane, Jeremy Elder, and Hunter Sailing, better known collectively as the wondrously rambunctious Business Casual, are leveling up to having their very own ranch of controlled chaos with their new show on All Things Comedy, the aptly named The Business Casual Show. We catch up with the boys on this week's TCB Field Report on getting in on their process for pitching and running bits for what might seemed like really fun mayhem, but definitely has a plan (mostly). Follow @businesscasualcomedy on IG Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

These days, the notion of representation mattering is more crucial than it has been in a long time, especially when it comes to trans/gender non-conforming/non-binary folks. Thank goodness for the likes of people such as Laser Webber, a do-it-all performer/producer in all worlds in and around comedy, music, and theater to co-found The Joy Who Lived, a festival celebrating trans and gnc comedy/performance/art (that's specifically counter-programming a Harry Potter play at the Pantages). We talk about the importance of communing and having joy whilst in survival mode in 2025. Follow Laser @lasertheboy & The Joy Who Lived: trans/gnc comedy & performance festival (that still has a handful of shows left, FYI) @joywholived Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The brilliant Alexis Dubus has made an entire career out of not only playing a character, but playing a misanthropic Frenchman, Marcel Lucont and that presents quite a winding path here in 2025, especially as Dubus is set to play a handful of American dates as Lucont coming up very soon. We have a badinage as well as an in-depth chat about Alexis' journey in and out of himself and Marcel and how he is forging ahead with a character drenched in tasty irony. Follow Alexis @alexisdubuscomedy and Marcel Lucont @marcel.lucont and get tickets for his 4/21 show at The Elysian here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Still, to this day, Rebecca Drysdale is one of the funniest improvisers we've ever seen. Coupled with her vast writing experience, we'll take any chance to have her on TCB Field Report and what a chance it was for this episode. We legitimately intertwine The Force from Star Wars into improv theory and practice (along with some other IP based metaphors) for a marvelously comedy philosophy heavy episode. Follow Rebecca @beckdrys on IG and sign-up for her classes (the latest round start next week) at drysdaleclasses@gmail.com. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

At a time where AI is threatening writing jobs and Trump is mercilessly dismantling all the DEI initiatives that he can, a hybrid improv/writers show, Pilot Season, rises, phoenix-like, from the rubble of the WGA Strike. Hosts/creators Chris De La Cruz and Saleh Karaman lead a packed improv show that creates a freshly baked before the audience eyes and ears where some of the most accomplished TV writers around collaborate with UCB's best and brightest. Also, very often, as it would happen, the panel of writers and cast of improvisers are from almost every background imaginable. This week's TCB Field Report talks to De La Cruz and Karaman in how they built this juggernaut of a show and exceeded any expectation they had. Follow Pilot Season @pilot_szn on IG and get tix for 4/6 show UCB LA here. Follow Chris @chris_dlc_ and Saleh @cirquedusalad. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

A comedy festival premised on the idea of punching up and calling it the absurdity of those in power and also providing space for representation for those that are in the margins is now, more so than in a long time, pretty crucial. Thank goodness to the Yes And... Laughter Lab Comedy Festival AKA the YALL Comedy Fest. This week's TCB Field Report chats with the leadership team at YALL Comedy, Mik Moore, Erika Soto Lamb, and Chike Robinson on putting on this festival that fervently believes that comedy can make a difference and aims to make that notion a truth. Follow Yes And... Laughter Lab @yallcomedy and get tickets to YALL Comedy Fest here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Skyler Higley and MANDAL are on the precipice of making what very well may be LA's next stand up to always be at with GUARANTEED! presented by Vulture (and produced by our very own Jake Kroeger). The trio breaks down launching this very special show (as well as the use of RICO charges in crime thrillers). Follow Skyler @skylerhigley and MANDAL @themandalman and get tix for GUARANTEED every 2nd & 4th Tuesday starting 3/25 @ 7:30PM right here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The wonderful Kristal Adams packed up from LA a few years ago and journeyed to the America's other comedy mecca, NYC. Adams had definitely established herself in the scene in LA, but opted for the wealth of stage time that New York. Over the last few years, Kristal has not only risen in that scene, but built up a wondrous independent show at multi-purpose bookstore, P&T Knitwear, Bookstore, Coffee, & Podcast Studio, with Alexis Bradby, another LA to NYC transplant. This week's TCB Field Report has a beautiful in-depth chat about how and where Adams has put so much thought into building an indie comedy show in NYC in the 2020s. Follow Kristal @thedarkkristal and Astigmatism Comedy @astigmatismcomedy on IG. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Legendary weekly comedy show, Hot Tub with Kurt Kristen, just marked its 20th year anniversary this past weekend and, for now, has come to its end. It marks the end of an era and the wonderment of what lies ahead with the new era ahead. As such, we talk with long time Hot Tub co-producer Joel Mandlekorn (shout out to his co-producer/partner Mandee Johnson as well for making Hot Tub one of LA comedy's best shows) and pulling off one hell of a finale and where we all might go from here. Follow Joel @cleftclips Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

As strange as it is to say since so much insanity has happened from Jan. 1st onwards, Happy New Year to you all. We're thankful to talk all things NYC comedy, specifically at the wondrous venue that is Littlefield in Brooklyn with Junior Booker Meg Penney. Meg walks us through all the little things that folks might take for granted to put on an unforgettable show at a super cool indie venue. Follow Meg @megpenneywashere and Littlefield on @littlefieldnyc on IG Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

This week's TCB Field Report has a frank conversation with beloved LA scene staple Lindsay Adams on her constant quest to better herself as both a comedian and a person. This desire fueled her latest endeavor, an experimental solo show where she actively asks the audiences if they still like her after divulging the most cringeworthy moments of her life, offering up a great exploration of Lindsay's persona, drive, and creative process. Follow Lindsay @lindsayadamsispopular and get tickets for Do You Still Like Me? on 1/3 @ Lyric Hyperion here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Sam Morrison, a wonderful, touring-round-the-world comedian, is hot on the trail of being the next big solo show turning into, possibly, a Broadway sensation (and probably a big time special) with his Sugar Daddy. This week's TCB Field Report gets into the countless hours (and miles?) of work that has gone into and will go into having this show and himself ascend into stardom. Follow Sam @samuelhmorrison and Sugar Daddy @_sugardaddyshow Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

To do a live comedy show for 8 years is a feat, but try upping the ante to doing it in a romance novel only store and franchise it to the the romance novel store's second location all the way across the country, THEN record an entire album. That has been the trajectory of Romantic Comedy, the long running comedy show at the wondrous gem that is The Ripped Bodice and we talk to co-host/co-creator Jenny Chalikian about what's been integral to Romantic Comedy's success. Follow Romantic Comedy @romcomshow, Jenny @jchalikian, and Erin Judge @iamerinjudge. Get Live at The Ripped Bodice here starting this Friday. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

The path of every artist is something truly singular and, far enough long, something amazing and often unprecedented. Emily Browning is marvelous example of this as she has found her way in and throughout stand-up, clown, writing, acting, and, yep, balloon art and is bringing all of that together in a very, very special balloon art crowd work special, shooting next month. TCB's Jake Kroeger has an enlightening conversation of how Emily has come to this splendid current moment. Follow Emily @emilybrowntown across socials and get tix for her Improvised Balloon Comedy Hour taping at Lyric Hyperion on 12/3 here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

After really, truly, deeply not having the time to do an episode last week because of one of the stupidest elections in our lifetime, we are grateful to reconvene with the Field Report and the realignment of comedy in LA and elsewhere with the ever gallivanting John Hastings (on the path to releasing 8 specials this year that you should very much enjoy and watch). Follow John @thejohnhastings and watch his specials on YouTube here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

There are so many reasons to talk to the wondrous writer/director/creator/connector of peoples Tiffany Kimmel. Definitely focusing on the splendor that can come from bringing seemingly disparate worlds together, dark comedy and puppets and clown, is what we hone in on with Tiffany for this week's ep. of the TCB Field Report and what goes into to pulling off something so magical, even if it's so specifically niche. Follow Tiffany @nihildeclarandum on IG Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

One of comedy's most brilliant chameleons and searingly funny voices, James Adomian, has just released his very first hour special, The Path of Most Resistance. It's an astounding hour of comedy and James leaves it all out on the stage for the benefit of us all. We talk it up with our good friend and one in a lifetime talent, Adomian, about the journey to this special as well as every other facet of the comedy industry along the way (as well as a brilliant dream about performing for aliens). Follow James @jadomian across platforms and watch/listen/enjoy Path of Most Resistance wherever you get your comedy specials. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Caroline Hirsch is a name you might be better acquainted with in relation to Caroline's on Broadway, the famous NYC comedy clubs that stood for decades in Manhattan as a true, blue headliner comedy club. Indeed, Hirsch is the titular Caroline for the club as she co-founded it along with the New York Comedy Festival that will be celebrating its 20th year in 2024. We talk to Caroline through her journey and rise over two score to being a pillar in NYC comedy and what goes into running a successful comedy festival in a city that has a veritable comedy festival every night. Follow all things NYCF at nycomedyfestival.com Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Michael Blieden may have had a circuitous path through comedy but goodness gracious it's an amazing one. Being the director of Comedians of Comedy, Zach Galifianakis: Live at the Purple Onion, but also working diligently at Fallon and South Side, and also have a play adapted into a movie by Bob Odenkirk, Blieden has seen and been part of the inner workings of comedy for many of your favorite things (especially since he was on the ground floor comedy what is now the streaming comedy juggernaut "Netflix Is a Joke"). This week's TCB Field Report goes in deep with Blieden's journey to now, where he's deep into producing and shooting an painstakingly detailed Mitch Hedberg doc, as well as his adoration for the art of the joke. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Longtime LA comedy stalwart/producer extraordinaire Joel Mandelkorn returns to the TCB Field Report as one of the marquee show he produces, Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen, is coming to a close. We talk with Joel at length at what makes the center of a comedy scene, what that has been in the past, and what to look for going forward in trying to find that hub of comedy connective tissue going forward. Follow Joel @cleftclips and @hottub_show on IG. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

20 years in comedy, done on both coasts with two well received late night sets and Chris Laker has come to an intriguing crossroads in his career where he is calling his latest hour "Toiling in Obscurity". It's not necessarily the self-deprecating angle that you might think the name would entirely suggest, but something much more, if you can believe it, affirming. We talk to Chris about his journey to letting go of expectations and focusing on evolving as a comedian and human being. Follow Chris Laker @chrislaker on IG and get tickets to Toiling in Obscurity with Special Guest John Early on 8/28 @ Lyric Hyperion here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

When run properly, an open mic can be truly a safe space, free of expectation and hierarchy, and a crucial hub of community with in art form/scene. Open Screen LA fills a very specific, but much needed niche for budding filmmakers or folks that want to make films in and around LA with providing the most egalitarian film open mic possible. We talk to one of the organizers behind Open Screen LA about what goes into the ethos and actual practice of their beautifully engineered open mic. Get all things Open Screen LA at openscreenla.com Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

800 Pound Gorilla went from indie comedy record label to a force to be reckoned with as 800 Pound Gorilla Media wheeling and dealing in hour specials all around the world, especially voices that you might have not in North America and U.S. comics that might not have had the chance to reach beyond the lower 48. We talk to 800 Pound Gorilla's Ryan Bitzer and Ian Adkins about 800 Pound Gorilla's journey over the last 8 years, how they've done what they've done despite people thinking it was impossible, and going about comedy distribution in a way that attempts to directly connect their favorite comedians to their biggest fans. Follow all things 800 Pound Gorilla at 800poundgorillamedia.com Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Director Caroline Suh once was a Louis C.K. fan and then everything came out about his abuse of fellow female comedians, changing her perspective forever. Suh joined forces with co-director Cara Mones to examine the several forces and dynamics at play in comedy/entertainment, often against women, in the fall from grace and very quick rise back to an altered prominence of one Louis C.K. in their newly released documentary from Greenwich Entertainment, Sorry/Not Sorry. They especially hone in on the backlash against the women that came forward, even after #MeToo had been well established as a movement. This week's episode of TCB Field Report talks in-depth with Mones and Suh about their journey and outlook and hope from making this crucial documentary. See Sorry/Not Sorry at Lyric Hyperion on 8/3 and stick around for Abby/Megan/Andy Not C.K. after or go see it on VOD. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

When you think of the sort of life that one might have lead that might be worthy of a memoir, one that is so full of stories that it probably could fill more than one book, former comedy agent turned producer turned author Priyanka Mattoo has lead such a life. Said life includes living in several dozens places across the world starting out in Kashmir and eventually ending up in LA, then working her way up the agency ladder, then wanting to manifest her own big time ideas/projects. Thusly, Mattoo has just published her wild journey in her memoir Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones, available now wherever you get books. We have a nice in-depth chat that takes a tour of this far reaching journey that is inextricably tied to comedy for this week's TCB Field Report. Follow Priyanka @primattoo on IG and get her book Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

It's the rare and celebrated "birds" in comedy that wheel and deal in silly one-liners and that's why we're greatful for Tyler Jackson. Jackson walks the path of the completely absurd and farcical and is so goddamn funny in doing so. We catch Tyler in the days leading up to his upcoming debut taping (that you absolutely should go to) to see how a one-liner silly-billy comedian prepares to go for a whole hour and put it on wax. Follow Tyler @tjaxkson and get tix to his debut taping on 7/12 at the Yard Theater here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Aisha Alfa, Greg Edwards, Jake Kroeger, and Matt McCarthy are here.  This is the grand finale of song tournament. Find out the greatest song of all time. Videos and extras are on www.patreon.com/brido. 

Fresh off the heels of releasing a brand new very shiny, funny hour, Gay Fantasy, the marvelous Rachel Scanlon seems have everything lined-up with a new special dropping, in the midst of 2024's Pride. We chat with her on this week's TCB Field Report all about it and what work really goes into the making of a "gay fantasy" (and what that means for her, both now and in the future). Follow Rachel @rachelscanloncomedy and watch her brand new special Gay Fantasy here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

If you've ever wondered what it might be like to run a theater and a bureau at the same time (alongside running this very podcast), you're in luck as this week's episode is TCB's very own Jake Kroeger interviewing none other than himself with his involvement as the Artistic Director of the Lyric Hyperion Theater on top of running TCB for almost 14 years. (and being on the ball to a degree where he can just talk extemporaneously for 40 minutes about curating, writing about, and doing comedy). Follow Jake @notthesupermaket and thecomedybureau.com Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Over two years, Mike Bridenstine has transformed a very atypical space for comedy, the lovely neighborhood bar that is The Fable in Eagle Rock, CA, into one hell of a destination for a weeknight stand-up show, Microdose, at a bar in Northeast LA. We have Mike return to the TCB Field Report to break down the basics of what it takes to make a field-of-dreams-comedy-show out of a locals' favorite tavern. Follow Mike @mikebridenstine and microdose @microdosecomedy on IG. Microdose is every Wednesday at The Fable at 8PM, free admission. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Kel Cripe is one of the very lucky few (along with their bright and shining talent/sweet demeanor that's deserving of the spotlight) to have been highlighted by the massive Netflix Is a Joke Festival that's currently underway. Cripe got picked as one of their "Introducing" comedians (essentially Netflix's answer to JFL New Faces) and we talk all about their journey to that very stage (both literally and figuratively) and what it's like. Also, Kel is part of one of LA's currently cherished sketch groups, Babe Motel, and they fill us in on how to balance all of this while ascending into the comedy spotlight. Follow Kel @kelcripe_ and @thebabemotel on IG Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Kate Willett is not only coming out with a special that really stands out of the rest of the pack this year (and oh what a pack of dozens there is of YouTube specials uploaded every week), but is already working on her very next hour and a solo show as well as being as involved as possible in socialist communities and activism, which sometimes has its intersection in comedy. This week's TCB Field Report talks to Kate about coming up with her keeping the tides of her comedy going as well as navigating her way between pursuits in comedy and trying to effect direct change. Follow @kate.willett on IG and please watch and enjoy Loopholes on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime on 4/23. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 16, 2024 is: inalienable • in-AY-lee-uh-nuh-bul • adjective Something considered inalienable is impossible to take away or give up. // The American ethos is built on the belief that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights. See the entry > Examples: "Despite the hurdles, comedians continue to negotiate their inalienable need to do stand-up to the point that money comes as a secondary concern." — Jake Kroeger, The Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2023 Did you know? Alien, alienable, inalienable—it's easy enough to see the Latin word alius, meaning "other," at the root of these three words. Alien joined our language in the 14th century, and one of its earliest meanings was "belonging to another." By the early 1600s that sense of alien had led to alienable, an adjective describing something you can give away or transfer to another owner. The word unalienable came about as its opposite, but so did inalienable, a word most likely borrowed into English on its own from French. Inalienable is the more common form today, and although we often see both forms used to modify "rights," it was unalienable that was used in the Declaration of Independence to describe life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Of all the disciplines in comedy, improv might have had the longest road back from lockdown. Connected to that, improv festivals that used to be an annual celebration to be relied on are now having to be revived from the ashes. Thus, one of the oldest indie improv nights in LA, Mach Improv, is taking up the mantle from what used to be known and beloved as The LA Indie Improv Festival and throwing their very own 12 hour improv festival, the wonderfully abbreviated MILF (Mach Improv LA Festival), later this month at what essentially is LA indie improv HQ, The Clubhouse. Mach's very own Jessica Svendsgaard tells us all about the festival, the state of improv in spring 2024, and why all of this is important/worth doing in times like these. Follow Jessica @thebyebyemancuckedme on IG and get all info for MILF on Sat. Apr. 27th at The Clubhouse from Noon to Midnight at milfcomedy.com. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Shanna Christmas, Jake Kroeger, Jared Logan, and Matt McCarthy join Brido on the panel. We talk clown. The funniest movie of all time. Dan Schneider and Diddy. WrestleMania XL explained. And a soung tournament from 1952 everyone hates.  Videos and extras are at www.patreon.com/brido

Together, Dakota Ray Hebert, Danny Knight, Dylan Jay Williamson, Ryan Moccasin, and Shawn Cuthand are the touring (mostly) indigenous sketch/stand-up comedy troupe, Red, White, & You,  hailing from up above in Canada. They all found each other/bonded/made each other laugh (i.e. the best way to form a comedy group) in Saskatoon (and hopefully will put on the map outside of being a joke reference of a city for Canadian comedians) and have really gelled into a special group touring all over North America. This week's TCB Field Report talks to Red, White, & You about not only continue the push for indigenous representation in the arts, but showcasing, like great comedy often does, how we are all more alike than we aren't. Get all the info and tour dates for Red, White & You at redwhiteyou.ca and buy tickets for their Asylum NYC shows on Sat. Apr. 13th here (7:30PM) and here (9:30PM). Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Chloe Radcliffe has been taking radical honesty and capturing of the full breadth of the human experience to a new level with, rest assured, plenty of jokes, in her astounding solo show, CHEAT. Radcliffe shares, in the hour, an in-depth journey of her pattern of cheating and really getting into the nitty gritty of perhaps why it might be happening (and that's she still human and is not solely defined by her faults). It's a hysterical, beautiful, and heart-wrenching show that really needs to be seen and heard and we're so lucky that we got to talk to Chloe on this week's TCB Field Report all about what openly talking about cheating as the sole basis for a show (and doing it so well) is really like. Follow Chloe @chloebadcliffe across socials and get tickets to her latest performance of CHEAT if you're in LA on Tues. Mar. 26th @ 7:30PM. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Intrepid indie comedy producers, Sam Varela, returns to TCB Field Report to talk the state of comedy with TCB's Jake Kroeger at this juncture of (still) early 2024. Varela produces shows in both LA and NYC (including the amazing Picture This) as well as live-streams that are genuinely worth watching and definitely is one of the perfect people to weigh in on where the art form/community/scenes of comedy are right now and where they're headed going forward. Follow all of Sam's great comedy things/happenings at nakedcomedy.org. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger Photo by @heyjasperlewis

After spending so much time in LA that it seemed like they already lived in Los Angeles, Hay Beacon has made the move on down from SF to the City of Angels and we here at TCB are personally grateful to have such a delightful addition to our ever evolving comedy scene. For this week's TCB Field Report, we talk to the freshly transplanted Hay and how they're acclimatizing and an insightful perspective on how to move up from one comedy scene to another, especially if one is considered to be the "big show". Follow Hay @haybeacon across socials Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Jake Kroeger from The Comedy Bureau, Bailey Norton, and Jay Washington join Brido on the panel.  They discuss the Super Bowl, Taylor Swift, and Taylor being a psy-op. They discuss industry plants. Nipplegate is 20. Usher showed both nips. Janet's billionaire husband.  They discuss crowd work and clown.  Is prestige TV over? Tom Cruise has a middle tooth. Shane Gillis is hosting SNL. Jon Stewart is back on the Daily Show.  Joe Biden is old. Vince McMahon is in trouble. Jay talks WrestleMania. And Jerry Krause's widow. They all talk the graffiti skyscraper. It's a great time. video and extras are at www.patreon.com/brido

Part of the magic of live comedy, especially when it comes to just putting on stand-up, is that it seems like a lone person is captivating and inspiring spontaneous laughter to a group of strangers shrouded in darkness. Of course, the ingredients as to what make that magic actually happen are elusive and ever changing (not to mention, wholly impermanent). LA comedy torchbearer and beloved comedian Paul Danke and TCB's very own Jake Kroeger dig into what makes live comedy special (when it is indeed special, of course) as well tease what they got up their sleeve to possibly make that happen. Follow Paul @pauldanke across socials and get into his brand new album, Mad River, here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

There are many folks that make the magic of comedy really snap and pop and one of those groups of people are the technical directors/operators/stage managers that take the logistics of comedy of all ilks and make it seamless. Jimmy Jatho has made himself one of the foremost names in that regard with his 40 plus years experience, tech'ing at least a guess-timated 30K shows all around the country in theaters big and small, Second City, UCB, Lyric Hyperion, and so much more. Also, Jimmy has some of the best showbiz stories to boot. We talk to Jatho all about the world of tech in comedy and so much more on this week's TCB Field Report. Follow Jimmy @jimmyjatho on IG Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Not that this podcast is a stranger to taking big swings or chatting with characters that might as well be from another galaxy, but, for a podcast that ostensibly pulls back the curtain, we go above and beyond with this episode by devising a show with a comedian live on tape. If you haven't gathered in recent episodes, TCB's Jake Kroeger is now also the Artistic Director at Lyric Hyperion and tapped the hysterical Ian Farley to do a show next month and captured the creative process of working out what the hell his show is going to be on a podcast. Ideally, coming up with this show is this crackling and fun (part of the reason we have Ian both on the pod and doing a whole show by himself). Follow Ian at enefarley.com Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

There's way more that goes into being a clown than just doing something wild on stage with only a few things planned and messing with the audience, especially if you want to make a legitimately living as a clown. Rising star in LA comedy's clown scene, Natasha Mercado, is not only working on her latest solo show to tour, but is also juggling teaching clown classes and guiding incarcerated youth into the world of clown and doing several other clown shows including a completely G-rated, family friendly one, and directing multiple other solo shows. It's all in a days work for a clown and we talk to her all about it on this week's TCB Field Report. Follow Natasha @champagnetashi and get tix to #1 Son from 1/30-2/1 here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Atheer Yacoub has survived starting in and coming up through the NYC comedy scene over the last 15 years, which is a daunting feat unto itself. Yacoub also happens to be Palestinian and has survived living in Palestine under the shadow of an ever-encroaching Israel as well as, of all places, Alabama, bringing her comedy to the forefront at this current moment. As one of the headliners of the upcoming 20th Arab American Comedy Festival, Yacoub talks, on this week's TCB Field Report how the Arab visibility brought about by that very festival (where she now is on the bill) was a big turning point for her comedy and how the last year has galvanized her Palestinian identity in her stand-up. Follow Atheer @atheeryacoub on IG and TikTok and get details and tickets for The 20th Arab American Comedy Festival at arabcomedy.com. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Sachi Ezura has overseen, along with longtime host John F. O'Donnell, the comedy institution that is 50 First Jokes for well over a decade and is, for the first time ever, doubling up the show to feature 100 comics telling their first new jokes of the new year. Ezura joins us for the TCB Field Report to give us the rundown of the history of this show, now in its 17th year, and spread across more than a dozen cities, and how exactly they pull it all off. Get tix for 50 First Jokes on Sat. Jan. 6th here and here. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

While "daddy issues" are certainly well trodden territory in comedy, few, if any, comedians have gone to the level that Mo Welch has gone to with her new special Dad Jokes. Not only does she dig up and recontextualize super dark "dad jokes" that she has written throughout her comedy career, but she goes above and beyond by seeking out her actual estranged father to, ostensibly uncover where this affinity for dark dad humor comes from. TCB's Jake Kroeger talks all about it with Mo on this week's TCB Field Report. Follow Mo @momowelch on IG and stream Dad Jokes on Veeps now Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Aisha Alfa, Matt Kirshen, Jake Kroeger, and Joe Kwaczala join Brido on the panel.  Video and extras are at www.patreon.com/brido. 

Mike Carrozza, Tyler Jackson, Jake Kroeger, and Bailey Norton join Brido on the panel.  Video and extras are at www.patreon.com/brido.