San Francisco Comedy Blog

by Sean Keane

Best known for his “Sledge-o-Matic” sketch, Gallagher has been performing comedy for over 25 years. This weekend at Pepper Belly’s, Gallagher plans to shower the audience with social and political commentary, along with chunks of pulverized watermelon.

@ Pepper Belly’s
8/28-8/31

(Read Part One)

A few years ago you ran for governor of California [Gallagher placed 16th out of 135 candidates]. What would you have done if you’d won that election and become governor?

(more…)

Join us tonight at the legendary Purple Onion in North Beach with headliner Bengt Washburn.

Bengt Washburn has appeared on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham and is a past winner of the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition.

Tonight’s show also features:
- Sammy Wegent (SPF7 Comedy Group)
- Julian Vance (opener for Dave Chappelle)
- Dave Wiswell (DIY Comedy Night)
- Patrick Bulger (Boston Comedy Festival)
- Justin Scales (psychotic take-no-prisoners comedy)
- Host: Justin Lamb

The Purple Onion
140 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco

8pm, doors at 7:30
Tickets are just $8:
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/33137

Watch a clip of headliner Bengt Washburn:

by Sean Keane

Best known for his “Sledge-o-Matic” sketch, Gallagher has been performing comedy for over 25 years. This weekend at Pepper Belly’s, Gallagher plans to shower the audience with social and political commentary, along with chunks of pulverized watermelon.

@ Pepper Belly’s
8/28-8/31

You’re playing at Pepper Belly’s in Fairfield from August 28-31. Is that the normal place you come when you’re in the Bay Area?

Gallagher: No, I’ve never been there before, and I don’t consider it the Bay Area. It’s halfway to Sacramento.

SF comics still get booked to open there, so it’s about the furthest extent of the Bay Area.

I think people are lazy and they go to a show that’s nearby. I think people will come to the show and they’ll say, “I’ve been waiting ten years to see you!” And then I’ll say, “Because you’re too damn lazy to drive!” And then they’ll laugh, and that’ll be that.

(more…)

by Chad Lehrman

Joe Rogan is best known for hosting Fear Factor and co-starring on NewsRadio, but he was a martial arts champion and soul-searching, x-rated comedian long before he got his high profile TV gigs. Joe will be appearing at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Friday, August 22nd, and the San Jose Improv August 29th-31st.

@ The Fillmore
8/22, 7:30pm

@ San Jose Improv
8/29-8/31

In the following interview Joe shares what it was like to see Bill Hicks live, almost fight Wesley Snipes, and become a father. He gives plenty of advice to aspiring comedians as well.

Why did you decide to tape your last CD in San Francisco?

(more…)

If you’re not already going to meet Dana Carvey at the Virgin Store (see previous post), Tommy Chong will be at Books Inc on Van Ness tomorrow to discuss and sign copies of his new book CHEECH & CHONG: The Unauthorized Biography.

Tuesday, August 19th
7pm
601 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102

Watch an interview with Tommy about his new book:

Dana Carvey will be at the Virgin Megastore in downtown SF tomorrow at 7 pm, signing copies of his new DVD, “Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies.”

Tuesday, August 19th
7pm
2 Stockton Street (at Market St)
San Francisco, CA 94108

“Brace yourselves… I’m not kidding.” -David Letterman

Sam Kinison makes his first appearance on Letterman in 1985:

(via comedy.com)

Joe Klocek has recently appeared on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham and NBC’s Last Comic Standing.

Tomorrow night, Joe will be headlining Something People Like @ The Purple Onion- go here for tickets and more details.

Note: it is probably not a good idea to heckle him- you may get destroyed as badly as this guy:

The great Bernie Mac has passed away at age 50 from complications related to pneumonia.

Chris Rock: “Bernie Mac was one of the best and funniest comedians to ever live but that was the second best thing he did. Bernie was one of the greatest friends a person could have. Losing him is like losing 12 people because he absolutely filled up any room he was in. I’m gonna miss the Mac Man.”

Coverage elsewhere:
The Chicago Tribune
NY Times
The Sound of Young America
Dead-Frog

Comedy Speakeasy is a very intimate stand-up comedy show held every Tuesday in the back room at Annie’s Social Club.

This week, the show is featured at the SF Weekly, which describes the performers as “local-famous hotshots” and “nervous, exhilarated newbies.”

The SF Weekly has also named the show one of the “Three best things to do in San Francisco” today- listed right above seeing Dolly Parton. (see image below from sfweekly.com)

Comedy Speakeasy
@ Annie’s Social Club
917 Folsom Street (at 5th Street), San Francisco
Tuesdays at 7pm
Cost: FREE admission

Note: Seating is very limited and is available on a first come, first serve basis.