This year’s San Francisco Sketchfest could quite possibly be the best in the festival’s history. With the Reno 911 cast reuniting for the last time, popular sketch shows like Celebrity Autobiography, The Red Wine Boys, Ask A Ninja, and Upright Citizens Brigade ASSSSCAT Improv, amazing comedians like Maria Bamford, Michael Ian Black, Paul F. Tompkins, Eugene Mirman, and Greg Behrendt, as well as San Francisco’s own batch of talented comedians like Brendan Lynch, Kevin O’Shea, Mary Van Note, Moshe Kasher, and Brent Weinbach. Let’s not forget Conan O’Brian’s apperance in the wake of his unfortunate yet understandable announcement. There is way too much comedy gold to mention and it’s extremely difficult to decide which show to attend each night. Also, sandwiched between these amazing shows are a handful of musical performers that will be peppered throughout the festival…
Tim and Eric’s Pusswhip Banggang Music Show
JAN 14, 8PM AT MEZZANINE 21+
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Thoughts: Tickets are still available last time we checked and from what I’ve heard from last year’s wacked out awesomeasaurus of a show, this should be no exception. Good job!
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[mp3] Tim and Eric – Wipe My Butt from Awesome Record, Great Songs! Volume One (2008)
Gordon Gano (of the Violent Femmes)
Appearing with: The Dave Hill Explosion
JAN 26, 8PM AT COBB’S COMEDY CLUB
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Thoughts: The Dave Hill Explosion is exactly what it sounds like, an explosion of all things awesome. Dancing, singing, joking, and that’s probably all at the same time, Dave Hill shows off his limitless talent with the help of none other than Violent Femmes genius, Gordan Gano. Assuming Gordan will be providing the music for an epic night of entertainment, this should be an event not to be missed.
Reggie Watts
JAN 14, 8PM & JAN 15-16, 8PM & 10PM AT THE PUNCH LINE
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Thoughts: If you are not familiar with Reggie and his unrelenting talent, you are seriously missing out. This one man talent factory is an unpredictable and hilarious renaissance man paired with a looping machine and a shifting voice that entertains and wows everywhere he goes. Catch him with San Francisco’s own quirky Mary Van Note, a comedy pearl of the Bay Area.
Aimee Mann
Appearing with: Comedy Death-Ray
JAN 15, 8PM & 10:30PM AT COBB’S COMEDY CLUB
8pm: buy tickets
10:30pm: buy tickets
Game Show Explosion
JAN 16,10:30PM AT COBB’S COMEDY CLUB
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Thoughts: Aimee has been known to be paired with comedians at the world famous Largo club in LA and will be doing exactly that with some of the best comedians in the business. I don’t know what to expect, but I’ll be there.
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[mp3] Aimee Mann – Wise Up from Magnolia [OST] (1999)
Grant-Lee Phillips
The Paul F. Tompkins Show
JAN 15, 8PM & 10:30PM AT THE EUREKA THEATRE
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Thoughts: Another Largo favorite, Grant will probably bring more of his sharp and witty humor than his better known 90s material. With help from Paul F. Tompkins, this ought to be a hilarious and bizarre night of good music and good laughs.
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[mp3] Grant Lee Phillips – It Ain’t the Same Old Cold War Harry from Little Moon (2009)
Bring the Rock
JAN 30, 10:30PM AT COBB’S COMEDY CLUB
With Matt Nathanson
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Thoughts: Greg Behrendt and his band join the likes of Oscar Nunez (The Office), Eugene Mirman (Invite Them Up), Maria Bamford (Comedians of Comedy), and David Burtka (How I Met Your Mother) for Bring the Rock, a night of storytelling regarding certain songs from the performer’s past. Paired with singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson, the evening should be quite interesting as I’m sure hilarity will ensure knowing Matt’s frequent onstage antics. I have seen Matt a handful of times (as well as his ever growing female fanbase) and he is already a joy to see; so I wonder what will happen when he gets to rocking with Oscar.
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[mp3] Matt Nathanson – Little Victories from Still Waiting for Spring (2001)
Jill Sobule
JAN 27, 8PM AT YOSHI’S SAN FRANCISCO
The Jill and Julia Show
8pm @ Yoshi’s San Francisco $20
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Thoughts: Well respected singer-songwriter Jill Sobule teams up with actress, writer and comedienne Julia Sweeney, for the “Jill and Julia Show”, a compilation of songs and stories. With regular showings at the Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, the act has built up a reputation for brutal honesty and straight up hilarious performances night after night.
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[mp3] Jill Sobule – San Francisco from California Years (2009)
Mates of State
Appearing with: The Red Wine Boys
JAN 31, 9PM AT MEZZANINE 21+
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Thoughts: I’m not sure what Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel have in mind for their pairing with The Red Wine Boys (Todd Barry and Jon Benjamin), but I’m sure it’ll be a night filled with laughs and lots of funny juice. Perhaps we should give Todd Berry a bongo drum and see what happens.
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[mp3] Mates of State – My Only Offer from Re-Arrange Us (2008)
Michael Penn
Appearing with: The Greg Proops Chat Show
JAN 20, 8PM AT YOSHI’S SAN FRANCISCO
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Thoughts: Can you tell the people in Sketchfest have some sort of affixation with 90s singer-songwriters? Who’s next? Edwin McCain? Anyway, this folk-pop prince will be rocking out with comedy wizard Greg Proops. Maybe we’ll get to hear No Myth! Or maybe his wife, Aimee will show up and they can do some kind of 90s alt-duet. Meh.
Be-Bop Heroin Hour
JAN 29, 8PM
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JAN 30, 10:30PM AT THE PURPLE ONION
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Thoughts: If you have ever seen Dave Chappelle’s Block Party film, you’ll probably remember one of the more memorable scenes where Dave makes the comparison of Thelonious Monk’s jazz mastery and the spot-on timing of stand-up comics. So what better combination than jazz music paired with comics? Joining hosts Jamie Flam, Hugh Moore and song siren Chi Chi Lavie on Friday are guest comics Eddie Pepitone, Sean Conroy, Ron Lynch, Jordan Carlos and Matt Champagne; Saturday’s lineup is Bobby Tisdale, Matt Champagne, Jeff Kreisler, Jordan Carlos, Vanessa Ragland and Michelle Miracle. Catch this unique and genius comedic showcase.
“Weird Al” Yankovic
Appearing with: Sitting and Talking with “Weird Al” Yankovic
JAN 23, 2PM AT COBB’S COMEDY CLUB
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Thoughts: What more can be said? It’s fucking “Weird Al” Yankovic!
For more on SF Sketchfest like schedule and performers as well where to get tickets. Go here.
So…what are you guys looking forward to seeing?