While many of you have to come, know, and love the fantastic Shannon O'Neill through improv and wherever you watch TV, she has discovered another marvelous facet of herself through her work in ceramics. In fact, she's just about to close out her very first exhibition Beat One at The Empty Circle in Brooklyn and was very keen on infusing a comedic spirit into the whole experience of making, presenting, and interacting with her pieces. We have a truly wondrous conversation about art, improv, and t...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 263
From just the look of Big Break , David Drake 's third and latest hour, you might be surprised that Drake has helped build an entire corner of NYC comedy through the hallowed ground of The Gutter in Brooklyn (that also happens to be a lovely bowling alley). Between CYSKNYC and his multiple hour special in the space, Drake has gotten himself into rarefied air of making 80 minutes of stand-up very, very enjoyable. We get into all of that and more in this week's TCB Field Report. Produced by Jake K...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 262
At the same time, comedy can indeed speak truth to power and also express joy from one's unique perspective, but it can be quite the balancing act to do both at the same time. One wondrous Linzy Beltran manages the feat with a bold stroke of unabashed silliness with her solo show El Mago Loco , currently playing at the Hollywood Fringe. For this week's TCB Field Report, we explore Linzy's own explorations within and outside herself to bring to the stage a show that's crucial, playful, and kind-o...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 261
Almost always, the work that goes into a deeply personal solo show is almost entirely invisible. There are years of work and reworking and giving up and getting re-obsessed that drive a person to create something possibly so unique and inspiring and hilarious and then perform over and over and over and over again only to have audiences marvel an hour at a time. Erica Bitton and her work with her amazing solo show Vacuum Girl has gone through all of its peaks and valleys all the way to the marvel...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 260
Julie Seabaugh has been and still very much is one of our absolute favorite people in comedy because, like us, she has dedicated blood, sweat, and tears to the telling of stories of, about, in, and around comedy. Following her endeavors as an esteemed journalist, author, and documentarian, Julie's latest work focuses on the comedy icon Marc Maron following the passing of his partner, Lynn Shelton in the doc, Are We Good? , brilliantly directed by Steven Feinartz (and screened at SXSW & Tribe...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 259
A lot of what has been dug up from the 90s, mostly by Gen Z, has kind of been a rude look into the mirror for Millennials, but acclaimed, veteran screenwriter Victoria Male has cooked up a comedy feature, Whatever Happened to Baby J? , that is taking a much more favorable look into the 90s, so much so that the one and only Jodie Sweetin (as well as Drew Seeley and stacked cast) is going to be part of a staged reading of Whatever Happened to Baby J? at Dynasty Typewriter on June 9th (tix availabl...
May 22, 2025•54 min•Ep. 258
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 social...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 257
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 @ businesscasua...
May 01, 2025•50 min•Ep. 265
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...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 255
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 M...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 254
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)...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 253
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 ...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 252
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...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 251
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 Granill...
Mar 20, 2025•49 min•Ep. 250
Even though improv had one of the longest roads back from COVID, it's back and more expansive than we remember. Sarah Claspell, a longtime celebrated veteran of improv in LA, walks us, on this week's TCB Field Report, through how that's happening both with her touring the world doing/teaching improv and co-owning the World's Greatest Improv School (affectionately pronounced WEE-gis) and the best way to take notes on improv. Follow Sarah @claspy across socials. Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by B...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 249
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...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 248
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 Jo...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 247
Teresa Lo still very much is a fiercely determined up and coming stand-up comedian in the vast and highly competitive LA comedy scene. The proof rests in the fact that she is returning to telling jokes on stage after being violently assaulted at an open mic by a comedian who took issue with how he was portrayed in the documentary Breaking the Fourth Wall , a film covering the LA comedy open mic scene. Lo shares her story and her delightful plans in the not so distant future on this week's TCB Fi...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 246
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 B...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 245
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...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 244
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 Artwor...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 243
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 @ ro...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 242
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 @emil...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 241
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 And...
Nov 14, 2024•56 min•Ep. 240
Lauren Leroux , the host/star of the illustrious NYC variety show, The Cigarette Club , talks with us about why she's bringing the show to a close as well as the bright shining horizon she's headed towards with her top secret new show. Lauren also details a nightmare of a show that she survived and looking onwards and upwards after such an ordeal all on this week's TCB Field Report. Follow Lauren @ laurendesleroux on IG and get tix for the very last Cigarette Club on 12/7 @ Chelsea Music Hall he...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 239
On the week of The Comedy Bureau's 14th Anniversary, we're so very glad to have our dear friend and fellow comedy behind-the-scenes compatriot Sam Varela ( Naked Comedy ) joining us in on getting to the nitty gritty of the state of comedy (as well as discussing what's going in Texas where Sam is taking some time away from being on the coasts). As always, it was a deep, insightful on where the winds are blowing these days in comedy between generations/classes/schisms/etc. Also, yes, there's a Sil...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 238
Luke Null is one of a handful of marvelous comedians that are leading the way forward with a guitar in a way that is very good (and not something to be looked down upon by every other corner of comedy). Null's innovation, daring, and sheer comedic verve have seen him rise into one of the best musical comedians we have today, which is perfect timing for the hour special he just shot. We chat with Null on this week's TCB Field Report about his chosen path and how he is blazing through it and how t...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 237
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 Gr...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 236
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). F...
Oct 03, 2024•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 235
The wonderful Danny Jolles returns to the TCB Field Report having just taped his latest hour special. Thus, we're in a mood to talk the finer points of doing stand-up, namely anything from the value of your credits in your intro to the value of truly knowing yourself as a person in service of your comedy to the value of doing a special in this day and age. Follow Danny @dannyjolles Produced by Jake Kroeger Music by Brian Granillo Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger Photo by Jill Petracek...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 234
