Memphis Stand Up Comedy: 2009

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Shows: Doug Stanhope

Drinking, drugs, fighting and fucking.

Sounds like any good Friday night, but when you throw in comedy, you render a five part recipe for one of America's most notorious and revered comics - Doug Stanhope.

Stanhope's in your face style and social commentary is unmistakable. His cult following is almost as zealous as the most brainwashed Southern Baptist. But really, what else can you say about Doug Stanhope, he just is. He's a state of mind.

His material ranges from true-life graphic perversion to volatile social criticism. Doug is vulgar, opinionated, brutally honest and shockingly uninhibited and is certainly not for everybody. You might want to stay home if you are pregnant, nursing, or prone to heart conditions. Ask your doctor first, before trying Doug Stanhope.

Doug has built a wide-ranging television resume of dubious achievement. He hosted The Man Show on Comedy Central as well as the ubiquitous pseudo-porn for the sexually crippled, "Girls Gone Wild", both solely and shamelessly for financial gain. He has appeared on "The Howard Stern Show", "Comedy Central Presents", "Premium Blend", NBC's "Late Friday", "Spy TV" BBC's "Floor Show Live" while on ecstasy and wrote, produced and starred in Fox's "Invasion of the Hidden Cameras" and has even popped up on "Fox News with Greta Van Sustern" and "The Jerry Springer Show". But none of it compares to seeing him live.

Luckily for Memphis, with a reputation and history as he has, Stanhope is yet again gracing the stage of Hi-Tone for the night of August 7th. Come out to see one of the finest living mythical stand up comics of our generation before he drinks himself to oblivion.

Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets.com or at the Hi Tone Cafe Website.

Doug Stanhope
The Hi Tone
9:00 pm
1913 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
$19 (or $19 + $2 service fee)

Monday, July 13, 2009

Shows: Joby Saad, TR Degraw

For those of you who follow the Memphis Comedy Blog and find that the comics are too divisive or offensive or not kid friendly, we finally have an act for you. Coming Wednesday, July 15 to Christ United Methodist Church, Seabrook Hall is Joby Saad.

Joby Saad is one of the stars of Thou Shalt Laugh, the #1 selling Christian comedy DVD of all time.

With his 100% clean comedy routine, Joby has appeared on Comedy Central, CMT, ABC and A&E. In addition, he has starred in his own episode of the hit TV show Bananas.

His unique comedy includes wacky facial expressions, physicality and plenty of jokes.

Free event – Bring your family and friends! This starts at 7:00pm, so you can get home at a decent hour. Joby Saab's Website villageidiot.tv for more info on this great, clean act.

7:00pm
Christ United Methodist Church, Seabrook Hall
4488 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN
FREE!

For those a little more into the world of the deranged and dark, there will be comedy at Skitz Comedy Club @ Neils on Madison this Saturday. The savant stylings of TR Degraw will on display. He's there for the funny and the dark, the whimsical and the inebriated, with a delightful splash of physical humor thrown in. TR has had many lives, only one has been comedy, but in that life, he's been under the wings of Mitzi Shore at the The Comedy Store in LA. Hanging with Jimmy Shubert and the rest of the crew. Eddie Griffin was quoted as saying "[TR Degraw] is like the John Lennon of comedy." ... we think that's a compliment.

Tickets and information for this show can be found here at BigFunnyProductions.com.

July 18
Skitz Comedy Club
@ Neil's on Madison
8:30pm
$10

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Funniest Person in Memphis Finalist List

The finalist have been announced for 2009's Funniest Person in Memphis Contest, brought to you by John Marks and Sammy Marten (bigfunnyproductions.com).

(In no particular order)
Will Stephenson
Andy Fleming*
Stephen Kline*
Jane Haze*
Mike Degnan
Terry Cliburn
Danny Khan
Jamie Grant
Katrina Murrell*
Michael Kline*
Ambrose*
Joel Hamilton
Brandon Sams*
Spank E
Laura Dlouhy*
Randall Holcomb*
Sean Ryan
Jovan Lawson
Melissa Tichenor
Kate Lucas
TN Buford
Monty Mitchell

* Previous FPIM Finalists

We wish all finalist much success! Come out and help decide the Bluff City's finest comic.

For More information:

http://www.bigfunnyproductions.com/2009/05/funniest-person-in-memphis-finalists-announced/

Friday, May 22, 2009

Event: The Funniest Person in Memphis Contest

It is that time a year, when the local club scene brings forth to our merry city the Funniest Person in Memphis competition. This year, is the forth year that Big Funny Productions (the cats that run the former Comedy TN) will be hosting the event. This year, the prelims are already under way. Tuesday, May 26 will be the last of the rounds and June 2 will be the night of the finals.

This is a very exciting time for Memphis Comedy, as its a time to win bragging rights among the fellow comics. In the past, we've seen some very talented people bring the funny to the stage and smash the competition. In 2006, the competition's winner was Michael Danziger. He still does comedy around town, according to his website, mostly to religious organizations and other benefits.

In 2007, Mary Jordan took the top spot. Mary spent the time performing around clubs, from Memphis to Galax, VA and back again, and spending her remaining time improvising with the Wiseguys. She has since outgrown the town and is trying to break into the Chicago Improv and Stand Up scenes.

In 2008, Jeff White took the crown with his goofy style with a guitar closer. He can sometimes be heard as the announcer for the Memphis Grizzlies when he's not teaching the adolescent youth of America.

So we've come to 2009. Who will win it all this year? Support your favorites, boo and hiss at your least favorites. Let Memphis Style Democracy prevail and show us all that at least in comedy it's fair.

Come out to Skitz Comedy Club @ Neil's on Madison May 26 for the last round of the prelims or to the finals on June 2. Shows start at 8:30 pm and the tickets are $10 a piece. For ticket information, click on over to BigFunnyProductions.com.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Memphis Comics: Kerry White

Blue collar comedians has taken a very horrid connotation in the last few years, with the inceptions of Jeff Foxworthy's hacky comedy tour comics. Safe, ignorant and family friendly. But what do you call a comic that's blue collar with actual wit, insight and viciousness. If words could kill, Kerry White would slaughter that popular idea of cutesy comedy, slicing it at the jugular and after the blood dried, those types of comedians would be wearing a shade of sanguine-splattered purple.

Unflinching, unapologetic, and uninterested in the status quo, Kerry White has made a name for himself as a no-holds-barred, NO-topic-is-taboo comedian. If you like your comedy fast paced, blindingly truthful, and right between the eyes, Kerry's show is dead on target. Think it's just show business hype? The cops have been called to seven of Kerry White's shows after some members of the audience (Klansmen, religious zealots, and prudish republicans to name a few) have taken offense to his material's subject matter and become...unruly. How many comedians have you seen perform who have actually had to have a police escort out of two cities after shows? Banned from several comedy clubs, Kerry is currently headlining his "Thought Criminals Comedy Tour" to packed houses in alternative venues around the country. Why? "My crowd is open of mind, and free of spirit. They're not going to comedy clubs."

Memphis has been blessed by the recent return of Kerry White to our mediocre city and our fair comedy scene. That doesn't mean you'll be seeing him any more, so if you get the chance go have your world be question and all the things you hold true scrutinized come out to one of his shows in town. Appropriately enough, Kerry will be performing with Matt Davis' Sinner's Ball - a comedy show for the never offended on April 27 at the P&H Cafe and will be headlining Skitz Comedy Club this August 29.

For more information about Kerry White and his fiendish escapades around the country, click on anyone of the links below. That of course, is if you can handle him... but there's only one way to find out!

Kerry White on MySpace.com
Kerry White on YouTube
Follow Kerry White on Twitter
Kerry White's Blog

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Venue: Weekly Show List

As I see a number of people are finding open mics in Memphis through this page, I'll compile a comprehensive list of the local open mics and shows that are going on in town on a weekly basis. I'll try to update this as shows pop up or die off.

Monday:

P&H Open Mic - Show starts at a tentative 11pm. Run by Brandon Sams. Show up and sign up. --- DEAD!

NEW open Mic -

Poplar Lounge - Show starts at 9:00pm. Sign up at 8:45pm. Run by Andy Fleming and Michael Degnan.

Tuesday:

Open Mic at Skitz Comedy Club located at Neil's - Located at Neil's Bar and Grill on Madison. Run by John Marks and Sammy Marten. 8:30pm. Show up or sign up previous week.

Wednesday:

Schizo-funny Showcase at Nocturnal. Not enough info to say a definite reoccurring show. Contact Jane Haze for info.

Thursday:

Nothing at this Time

Friday:

Monthly shows at Skitz or Minglewood; see Big Funny Productions Online for comic schedule.

Saturday:

Nothing at this Time

Sunday:

Nothing at this Time

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Venue: Schizo-funny Showcase at Nocturnal

The Jane Hazed Experience presents a comedy showcase fraught with your favorite local comedians doing what they do best - displaying their twisted minds to make you laugh.

This is the first of the series. Comics appearing include, but not limited to:

Will Stephenson - newcomer, but literature/science jokes will tickle your cerebral cortex.

Willow Grant - dark, twisted. And she'll beat you with her riding crop.

The Jazzmaster - tells you about his days playing with Miles Davis, because y'all don't know shit about Miles...

Josh McLane - Memphis' Sam Kinison re-incarnate. Come out for his comedy or if your lucky, you can sleep with the drummer from one of Memphis' bests bands.

Andy Fleming - Funniest person in Memphis finalist and all around adorable comic.

Stephen Kline - The saddest clown ever. He's disgusting, but he already loves you. Hilarious and unpredictable.

Hosted all by Jane Haze, the foster child of Seattle, SF, and Memphis comedy, presenting you with aggro views of the world around.

Bring your friends, bring your hard liquor, and bring your laugh game, then stay for the 80s music.

21+
Doors open at 7:00
Show starts at 8pm.
$3

See ya there, bitches!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Venue: Murphy's Pub on Madison

Murphy's Irish Pub lives in Midtown on Madison Ave and traditionally, it's been the grimy punk and rock joint that locals flock to on any given day of the week, being the neighborhood spot. It also happens to be the only bar for a few blocks that serves hard alcohol!

So, why not do a comedy show there? Great idea. The room is now run by Randall Holcomb and Kate Lucas. Kate typically MCs the night, with her style of neurotic charm. "Victory!" she cries in her Dexter's Laboratory-type voice, after the night goes well.

Irish pub and comedy? How does that work? To tell you the truth, very carefully. On any given Tuesday night, you might find a few of the regulars showing up and a lot of comics in the audience. The regular rockers don't always turn up, but the regulars that do show, tend to be 40s-ish bar flies that do enjoy the comedy. They've been great and very supportive thus far.

Punk rockers and hard alcohol, why didn't we think of trying to do comedy here before?

Well, we did have comedy at Murphys in days past. The legend goes, Katrina Murrell was doing comedy during a band show, not even the comedy night, when she was very new and very drunk and very much on a chair. She was being heckled and began shouting (hilarious) obscenities at a particular female patron, who happened to be a girlfriend of a manager or an owner. Managers don't really like when people talk smack to their girlfriends, so that night was canned.

Now it's back, every Tuesday at 10:30pm, with a new crew of comics and some comics returning with more experience under their belts. On any given week, you can typically see Memphis comedians like Will Stephenson, Randall Holcomb, Josh McLane, Jane Haze, Brandon Sams, Michael Kline, Stephen Kline, Caryn Loveless and if you cross your fingers and wish hard enough, you might be graced with a performance by the nefarious Mo Alexander.

If you come out, come prepared to see a slightly different show, with games and different ideas, because it's a total workout room for comics. And remember, there is a full bar.

Murphy's Irish Pub
1589 MADISON AVE.
MEMPHIS, TN 38104
901-726-4193

Show starts at 10:30pm
Hosted by Kate Lucas
FREE!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Memphis Comics: Mary Jordan

In the South Eastern United States, the idea of smart comedy is not quite as popular on the road as one might think. (No! Go on!) Yes, it's true. So finding a gifted comedian who has worked the road and still maintains a genuinely intelligent act without going too far into the world of working blue is few and far between - but Memphis has such an act with Mary Jordan. For the time being, at least.

All that and a woman! Go on! Alright, I intended to.

Mary Jordan is a very gifted comedian, not just as a stand up comic, but also as an improviser. Mary started out her stand up career at the Looney Bin in Memphis when she was 16 and the Looney Bin was still had a pulse. In high school, she was able to start flexing her improvising muscles. Upon turning 18, Jordan joined the Memphis improv troupe, FreakEngine, which has a cult following in town. A few years passed and she defected from FreakEngine to the much cooler and hipper troupe, the Wiseguys where she is currently until she defects again like a commie Pinko to Chicago.

But enough about improvising, that's a whole other blog; it's Mary Jordan's stand up we are highlighting here, people. Mary Jordan's comedy on stage hits hard with the hip, erudite comedy fan. Her political jokes are always topical, and always on point. She evolves with the change in times (see: Mary Jordan not making jokes about Ann Coulter). Her jokes are sarcastic, passive aggressive, yet biting. It's like a dram of aural scotch, goes down so smooth and sophisticated, but in the end your still getting drunk, only with laughter.

Though, despite the fact that Mary Jordan's humor can be geared toward political or social issues, she is not a divisive humorist. For example, when asked,"Israel or Palestine: who would win the World Cup?" She answered,"Trick question: Latvia (isn't it time they got some attention? They have been dressing like a whore.)" If any Latvians were offended, we at the Memphis Stand Up Comedy Blog apologize.

The biggest change coming up for Mary is the fact she'll be moving to Chicago on April 4th to pursue bigger opportunities for all of her comedy endeavors. There will be a final farewell and roast of Mary Jordan on Saturday March 21st at the Full Moon Club at Zinnies East. Show up for your last to see Jordan in action and watch some other mean people lovingly rip all of her accomplishments into shreds!

For more information about this show go to The Wiseguys Events page.

For more information about Mary Jordan, please check out these links:
Mary Jordan's Blog/Official Site
Mary Jordan's MySpace Page

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Memphis Comics: Mo Alexander

The Memphis Stand Up Comedy blog is here to shed a light on those you see at our local shows and give you light into the comedy of those who warrant your time, in person or at your personal internet, streaming device in the comfort of your own laughter chamber, wherever that may be.

Our comedy Yoda, the Memphis hilarity rock and role model of our scene is Mo Alexander. Mo Alexander has played the comedy game for more than a decade and has headlined clubs all over the country, in top clubs, theaters and has tv and film credits under his belt. He has also opened for some of the most known comics in the country, including Brian Regan, Chris Rock, Dom Irrera, Tommy Davidson, Keenan Ivory Wayans and in 1999, he even featured for (of all people!), Dan "Larry the Cable Guy" Whitney. Alexander's style is to offend those people and ideals that have offended him; ideals such as ignorance, narrow-mindedness and for that matter, the easily offended.

Alexander's comedy in a fun contradictory social study. He's lovably evil; techno-geek with social skills; scooby doo after he ran away from the mystery machine gang and started hanging out with the old men scaring the children away. The only predictability from his shows is that laughter and thought will ensue.

How can such a lovable muppet be banned from 13 radio stations? Blame it on being a Scorpio if you want, but I think it has to do with the fact that logic prevails through all of his material, when it comes to divisive topics.

Mo Alexander will be playing with Matt Davis' Sinner's Ball later in April and will be headlining the Hi-Tone in late May. Check him out. Buy him a shot or ten of higher end Tequila (no Cuervo!) and watch the antics of a true entertainer push the limits of what you thought was possible in comedy... without ending up at 201 Poplar.

Various Mo Alexander Links:
Mo Alexander Fan Page on Facebook
Follow Mo Alexander on Twitter
Mo Alexander on MySpace
Read Mo Alexander's Blog

Sunday, February 15, 2009

P and H Cafe

It's hard to have a Memphis Comedy Blog without talking about some of the more important figures, whether it be comedians or comedy establishments. With the sad demise of Comedy TN later this month, the rock of our scene would have to be centered at the P&H Cafe.

The P&H will be celebrating it's 2 year anniversary as of April 20th (yes, stoners, that day.) and in that time, there have been a slew of very talented young comedians to spring up from this well of funny.

The open mic was started by Brandon Sams, who keeps the atmosphere loose, free and allows you more freedom as a comic then pretty much anywhere in the country.

The crowds are generally a 20s to early 30s, literate, liberal and forgiving audience, which is almost oasis among West Tennessee rooms, in many cases, until you consider it's Midtown Memphis location, then one can understand this occurrence. The audience is usually packed with their BYOBs and pitchers of PBR in hand, awaiting the comedy.

There is a very loose sign up list. You talk to Brandon Sams before the show and eventually, you go up. There is no definite time limit, but for the sake of the audience and other comedians, keep it till you're out of funny, hopefully less than 10 minutes and then get off stage.

The material that can be seen goes anywhere from the road and comedy veteran stylings of Mo Alexander to more alt-comedy vibes giving to you by someone like Michael Kline doing his inanimate character, Sting Mattress (which is a mattress with pictures of Sting, simply enough) that has brought the house down several times. Several other notable comics show up every week with their delightfully twisted spin on the world and the idea of comedy in general.

The P&H Open Mic happens every Monday night around 11pm. Come to enjoy, perform or drink. Be forewarned, the P&H comedy night is not for the faint of heart or easily offended. It's a down and dirty show that can make even the most twisted blush.

For more information about the location, go to www.pandhcafe.com.

All photos by Caryn Loveless Photography.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Robert Hawkins

For those of you who are unaware, Robert Hawkins is in town for one more night of hilarity at the soon to be gone, Comedy TN.

He is a genius of the stage. As of Thursday, a 19 year veteran of stand up comedy. Despite the less than packed house that he filled, he still killed. He didn't hate the audience and he didn't make people feel bad about the numbers coming out to support him. His jokes are silly, topical, slightly evil, but always incredible hilarious.

Jaded comics that have sat through many-a-open mic and half-assed comedy show were in tears, because Hawkins makes everyone laugh. Sure, the topics could get to low brow humor, but the references go to the obscure, making even the most pretentious and PC intellectual break down into gut laughs.

If I can tell you nothing else about who is funny, go see Robert Hawkins next time he is in your general vicinity, because he will not disappoint.

Check him out at Crackle.com (Live from the Purple Onion) and you'll see why he is a master of his craft. Watch him over again and wonder why everything is still funny. Watch him again and stop questioning his ability, for you do not know the ways of the Hawk.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Welcome to Memphis Comedy

Hello World, as the computer-phytes say. This blog is to have an online representation of what is going on in Memphis Area Stand Up Comedy. There's more out there than you think and realize. This is my attempt at having the most accessible and most comprehensive list of all things Memphis so that you don't have to miss out in the local funny, which needs you as much as you need it.

As we go on, I'll try to keep up on acts coming through town and periodic spotlights on local comedians. If you find any information in error, we apologize ahead of time and we'll do our best to correct it.

Leave a comment if you'd like and tell us what you think about different happenings. Love a Memphis comic, hate a Memphis comic, wonder WTF a Memphis comic said or how to sleep with them? All that and more can and will be answered.

Follow us if you have a blog, or follow us at twitter.com and tell your friends, because we're here to serve you and each other. Just not in that gay male bathroom way.