Funny Place

My favorite place to see stand-up comics in the Los Angeles area is not in the Los Angeles area. It's the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach. That is not as far as it sounds. The room is friendly, the prices are reasonable and the food is decent. Only the parking is sometimes a drawback, especially on the kind of days when folks flock to the beach.

Jay Leno, who can obviously play any comedy club he wants, chooses to bypass at least a half-dozen that are closer to his home and play the Comedy and Magic Club most Sunday evenings. When he does essentially the same act in Vegas, it's sixty bucks a seat with no opening act. In Hermosa Beach, it's around $25 and he has two comics on before him, one of whom is usually the wonderful Jim Brogan. If you're looking for a good place to take outta-town visitors (even older folks), you can't do much better. Here's a link to the club's website.

And here's a real tip which isn't up on the site yet. February 4th, 5th and 7th, Lewis Black is performing at the Comedy and Magic Club. I think he's the sharpest of the "newer" comedians and even though I saw him just last August, I have reservations to see him again. If you want to go, don't wait until they post the information. They'll probably be sold out before they announce his appearance, but they are selling tickets if you phone the club. Black is doing one show on Wednesday, one on Thursday, none on Friday, then two on Saturday. (I'm guessing he's doing Bill Maher's show on Friday night. Or something like that.)

If you're not familiar with Mr. Black, here's a link to a recent commentary he did on gadgets for The Daily Show With Jon Stewart. And while you're over there: Here's a link to a very funny Jon Stewart spot about Strom Thurmond's illegitimate daughter, or click this one to see him discuss the news coverage of Saddam Hussein's "spiderhole." I don't know about your TV set but it's the cleverest show on mine.