48+ Comedians, 18.5 Hours
What did you do with your weekend? I went to the Bridgetown Comedy Festival and watched standing up comedians until my fucking eyes bled. 48 Comedians in almost 20 hours.
It was weird. It was in 5 venues along a major street, so the comedians were everywhere getting their neurosis all over everyone. I like a curtain between me and my performers. Here the curtain was broken right the fuck off the rod and hanging askew. I watched a bunch of comics sitting in front of Marc Maron who talked and complained right through them. (He laughed too...he can muster SOME enjoyment in life.) I ran into SNL writer Hannibal Burress in the bathroom who said "What's up, dude?" as I was walking to a urinal. Steve Agee apologized and jumped out of my way while I was walking to my seat with beers. Christian Finnegan ate pizza and held a door for me. SO WEIRD. YOU GUYS ARE FROM TELEVISION. GET OUT OF MY REAL LIFE!
Want a list? SURE YOU DO!
Al Madrigal - Some pretty good racial humor. Had some funny bits about how he was picked sight unseen to headline a latino comedy jam, and the near riot when they discovered he doesn't speak Spanish.
Rex Navarette - He was alright. Seemed more like spoken word about his homosexual encounter in a Manilla bathroom.
Brent Weinbach - I was unfamiliar with him going in. Deadpan delivery. Does some really good voicework. Daks fell in love with him. Certainly check him out if you get the chance.
Brendon Walsh - Looks like a member of the communist party from the 1900s. Good bits. Intense.
Andy Wood - One of the festival organizers. Some straight up local Portland comedy. Enjoyed him.
Timmy Williams - One of the "Whitest Kids Y'know". Recently moved to Portland, stretching his standup legs.
WTF Podcast - Hosted by Marc Maron, with guests Hari Kondabolu, Ian Edwards, Brian McCann, Al Madrigal, and Brody Stevens - I never laughed so hard. A highlight of the festival. I just kept making these honking noises.
Assscat - Matt Walsh, Matt Besser ,Tim Meadows, John Gemberling, Brett Gelman, Sean Conroy - Disappointing. I think this team of improvers didn't gel. Sad, because Matt Walsh and Matt Besser are big improv names.
Theme Park - Oscar Nunez, Scott Adsit, Janet Varney, Danny Pudi, Jessica Makinson, Cole Stratton - Yes please! I almost bailed on this act because I was pretty much done with Long Form Improv after Assscat. I am SO glad I didn't. These guys were polished.
Lizz Winstead - Political observational humor. I saw her twice. Her bits were better the second time. She kinda felt outside the alt-comedy vibe of the festival.
Steve Agee - Saw him twice as well... his act was better the second time. I think this was largely influenced by the white lady with blond dreadlocks who stood in front of me and proceeded to talk over Agee the entire time. Why buy tickets? WHY SHOW UP?! I actually saw him THREE times. He did some free association to set Assscat up for their improv bits, and honestly, his best material was off the cuff with Assscat, and unfortunately better than the improv Assscat was doing. Maaaan Assscat. Why so bad? C'mon!
Chris Fairbanks - I've been a fan of him for a while. His patter is a totally slippery breakneck blather where you feel at any moment he could spin out of control. He has a completely unique voice in comedy. Check him out.
Jesse Case - Seemed like a nice guy. Was standing next to me during Assscat. Was really concerned he was encroaching on me. Kept asking if he was too close. Then I saw him on stage later that night. It was late and I was having trouble focusing, but he seemed pretty good. REQUIRES MORE INVESTIGATION.
Adam Cayton-Holland - I walked in the middle of his set. Seemed fun. I'd like to check him out later.
Never Not Funny - Jimmy Pardo, Pat Francis, Matt Belknap - I love, love, love these guys. I teared up at the end when Pardo said "AK-47, gone but not forgotten." If you haven't checked out Never Not Funny, do it. Do it now. I'll wait. Weekly I get to sit down to a conversation with these guys where I can't get a word in.
Maria Bamford - The Bammer. Which voice is her real voice... no one knows! I've seen her many times on TV, and a couple times live. Always wonderful.
Jon Dore - I've seen commericals for his show on IFC... I didn't know what to expect. Absurd ideas, and manically akward stage presence, leading to a pantomime with another comedian wandinger on stage to pretend to fish along side him... excellent!
Aparna Nancherla - What a happy surprise. She was on the bill for the show Maria was headlining. I'd never seen her before. I highly enjoyed her. Always nice to see a woman comic that manages to escape some of the traps that keep it a boys club.
David Huntsberger - I kinda fell asleep during his act. It probably wasn't him. It was probably me.
Marc Maron - Man, I love this guy. He's had some hard knocks in his life. He's probably created some of them. I used to listen to him on Air America, and now I listen to his podcast and catch his standup when I can. He had a weird set, which seems normal for him. He starts great, and then something goes amiss and he starts a fight with the audience. He describes it as losing everyone, and eventually winning 4 of them back, but those 4 are forever loyal. Seems pretty true. Heard of a tough room? He's a tough stage.
Joselyn Hughes - She didn't quite hit it off with the crowd. She went up right after Marc Maron and tried saying that his comments about his cats were weird. The crowd didn't seem with her. Daks liked her. I could take a pass.
Lauren Bishop - I ... know I saw her. I don't really remember her.
Richard Bain - Local act, I've seen him before... enjoyed him even more this time around. A lovable loser bit. Would watch again.
Greg Behrendt - An interesting story about the ambiguous sexuality of Diamond David Lee Roth. He moves around the stage like he's fronting a 4 piece rock band. I've always liked his stuff.
Baron Vaughn - Just heard of him recently...loved it. He totally ripped off my schtick about traveling to Las Vegas. Honestly, his is better.
Tig Notaro - I've found her to be difficult to listen to in the past. Her demeanor is disinterested, which can be challenging or offputting. Last night it was FANTASTIC. Some of the self-referential stuff was great, such as referring to herself as an "oddly polite he-she robot". YES.
Christian Finnegan - I caught Christian both on Never Not Funny, and his set on the last night. So good. The guy is a class act.
Matt Braunger - Local boy made good. Excellent energy, managed to make me laugh at body function jokes... had a 10 minute piece about Taco Bell that was entirely true. ENTIRELY TRUE. IT IS ALL TRUE.
Alex Koll - Surprise act. Ended up being one of the most surprising bits. Who the hell packs an extra set of hair?
Hannibal Burress - Unbilled surprise act. Incredibly smart comedy from an SNL writer. I wish I knew which skits were his.
TJ Miller - Akward...intoxicated... brilliant.
Victor Varnado - I've heard interviews with him a couple times. Never heard his standup before. I KNEW going in that he was a blind, black albino. I did NOT know how freaky he was when he really got going. I'd like to see more of him. He put together the Akward Comedy Show... which is He, Hannibal Burress, Baron Vaughn, and three other comedians. The half I've seen were all outstanding. Must investigate further!
Brody Stevens - Man, this guy's schtick was great but it really wore on me after a while. Daks liked it though.
Out of all of that, there were style performers I managed to miss. Hal Sparks was there, and I went to TWO shows he was scheduled to be in. Not sure where he performed, but it sure as hell wasn't where he was expected. I missed Myq Kaplan, Kyle Kinane, Chip Pope, James Adomian (whom I hope did his Huell Howser stuff...though it may be lost on Oregonians) and Myka Fox, plus TONS of local people I had never heard of but would have liked to see. Overall I only saw about a third of the shows that went on, and half the comedians. How the hell is that even possible?!
It was weird. It was in 5 venues along a major street, so the comedians were everywhere getting their neurosis all over everyone. I like a curtain between me and my performers. Here the curtain was broken right the fuck off the rod and hanging askew. I watched a bunch of comics sitting in front of Marc Maron who talked and complained right through them. (He laughed too...he can muster SOME enjoyment in life.) I ran into SNL writer Hannibal Burress in the bathroom who said "What's up, dude?" as I was walking to a urinal. Steve Agee apologized and jumped out of my way while I was walking to my seat with beers. Christian Finnegan ate pizza and held a door for me. SO WEIRD. YOU GUYS ARE FROM TELEVISION. GET OUT OF MY REAL LIFE!
Want a list? SURE YOU DO!
Al Madrigal - Some pretty good racial humor. Had some funny bits about how he was picked sight unseen to headline a latino comedy jam, and the near riot when they discovered he doesn't speak Spanish.
Rex Navarette - He was alright. Seemed more like spoken word about his homosexual encounter in a Manilla bathroom.
Brent Weinbach - I was unfamiliar with him going in. Deadpan delivery. Does some really good voicework. Daks fell in love with him. Certainly check him out if you get the chance.
Brendon Walsh - Looks like a member of the communist party from the 1900s. Good bits. Intense.
Andy Wood - One of the festival organizers. Some straight up local Portland comedy. Enjoyed him.
Timmy Williams - One of the "Whitest Kids Y'know". Recently moved to Portland, stretching his standup legs.
WTF Podcast - Hosted by Marc Maron, with guests Hari Kondabolu, Ian Edwards, Brian McCann, Al Madrigal, and Brody Stevens - I never laughed so hard. A highlight of the festival. I just kept making these honking noises.
Assscat - Matt Walsh, Matt Besser ,Tim Meadows, John Gemberling, Brett Gelman, Sean Conroy - Disappointing. I think this team of improvers didn't gel. Sad, because Matt Walsh and Matt Besser are big improv names.
Theme Park - Oscar Nunez, Scott Adsit, Janet Varney, Danny Pudi, Jessica Makinson, Cole Stratton - Yes please! I almost bailed on this act because I was pretty much done with Long Form Improv after Assscat. I am SO glad I didn't. These guys were polished.
Lizz Winstead - Political observational humor. I saw her twice. Her bits were better the second time. She kinda felt outside the alt-comedy vibe of the festival.
Steve Agee - Saw him twice as well... his act was better the second time. I think this was largely influenced by the white lady with blond dreadlocks who stood in front of me and proceeded to talk over Agee the entire time. Why buy tickets? WHY SHOW UP?! I actually saw him THREE times. He did some free association to set Assscat up for their improv bits, and honestly, his best material was off the cuff with Assscat, and unfortunately better than the improv Assscat was doing. Maaaan Assscat. Why so bad? C'mon!
Chris Fairbanks - I've been a fan of him for a while. His patter is a totally slippery breakneck blather where you feel at any moment he could spin out of control. He has a completely unique voice in comedy. Check him out.
Jesse Case - Seemed like a nice guy. Was standing next to me during Assscat. Was really concerned he was encroaching on me. Kept asking if he was too close. Then I saw him on stage later that night. It was late and I was having trouble focusing, but he seemed pretty good. REQUIRES MORE INVESTIGATION.
Adam Cayton-Holland - I walked in the middle of his set. Seemed fun. I'd like to check him out later.
Never Not Funny - Jimmy Pardo, Pat Francis, Matt Belknap - I love, love, love these guys. I teared up at the end when Pardo said "AK-47, gone but not forgotten." If you haven't checked out Never Not Funny, do it. Do it now. I'll wait. Weekly I get to sit down to a conversation with these guys where I can't get a word in.
Maria Bamford - The Bammer. Which voice is her real voice... no one knows! I've seen her many times on TV, and a couple times live. Always wonderful.
Jon Dore - I've seen commericals for his show on IFC... I didn't know what to expect. Absurd ideas, and manically akward stage presence, leading to a pantomime with another comedian wandinger on stage to pretend to fish along side him... excellent!
Aparna Nancherla - What a happy surprise. She was on the bill for the show Maria was headlining. I'd never seen her before. I highly enjoyed her. Always nice to see a woman comic that manages to escape some of the traps that keep it a boys club.
David Huntsberger - I kinda fell asleep during his act. It probably wasn't him. It was probably me.
Marc Maron - Man, I love this guy. He's had some hard knocks in his life. He's probably created some of them. I used to listen to him on Air America, and now I listen to his podcast and catch his standup when I can. He had a weird set, which seems normal for him. He starts great, and then something goes amiss and he starts a fight with the audience. He describes it as losing everyone, and eventually winning 4 of them back, but those 4 are forever loyal. Seems pretty true. Heard of a tough room? He's a tough stage.
Joselyn Hughes - She didn't quite hit it off with the crowd. She went up right after Marc Maron and tried saying that his comments about his cats were weird. The crowd didn't seem with her. Daks liked her. I could take a pass.
Lauren Bishop - I ... know I saw her. I don't really remember her.
Richard Bain - Local act, I've seen him before... enjoyed him even more this time around. A lovable loser bit. Would watch again.
Greg Behrendt - An interesting story about the ambiguous sexuality of Diamond David Lee Roth. He moves around the stage like he's fronting a 4 piece rock band. I've always liked his stuff.
Baron Vaughn - Just heard of him recently...loved it. He totally ripped off my schtick about traveling to Las Vegas. Honestly, his is better.
Tig Notaro - I've found her to be difficult to listen to in the past. Her demeanor is disinterested, which can be challenging or offputting. Last night it was FANTASTIC. Some of the self-referential stuff was great, such as referring to herself as an "oddly polite he-she robot". YES.
Christian Finnegan - I caught Christian both on Never Not Funny, and his set on the last night. So good. The guy is a class act.
Matt Braunger - Local boy made good. Excellent energy, managed to make me laugh at body function jokes... had a 10 minute piece about Taco Bell that was entirely true. ENTIRELY TRUE. IT IS ALL TRUE.
Alex Koll - Surprise act. Ended up being one of the most surprising bits. Who the hell packs an extra set of hair?
Hannibal Burress - Unbilled surprise act. Incredibly smart comedy from an SNL writer. I wish I knew which skits were his.
TJ Miller - Akward...intoxicated... brilliant.
Victor Varnado - I've heard interviews with him a couple times. Never heard his standup before. I KNEW going in that he was a blind, black albino. I did NOT know how freaky he was when he really got going. I'd like to see more of him. He put together the Akward Comedy Show... which is He, Hannibal Burress, Baron Vaughn, and three other comedians. The half I've seen were all outstanding. Must investigate further!
Brody Stevens - Man, this guy's schtick was great but it really wore on me after a while. Daks liked it though.
Out of all of that, there were style performers I managed to miss. Hal Sparks was there, and I went to TWO shows he was scheduled to be in. Not sure where he performed, but it sure as hell wasn't where he was expected. I missed Myq Kaplan, Kyle Kinane, Chip Pope, James Adomian (whom I hope did his Huell Howser stuff...though it may be lost on Oregonians) and Myka Fox, plus TONS of local people I had never heard of but would have liked to see. Overall I only saw about a third of the shows that went on, and half the comedians. How the hell is that even possible?!