\jeff{krimmel}

Rockstars of Comedy

On Friday night, Mike and I went down to Hollywood to see the DVD taping of the Rockstars of Comedy. The Rockstars are a collection of six standup comics. One of them, Stevie D., hosts a series of Thursday shows at The Laugh Factory in Hollywood every now and again. He is also the MC for each show of this tour. The other five comics perform full-length sets (about twenty minutes or so).

We showed up at the theater, and I checked to make sure my name was “on the list”. Sure enough, me plus one guest. Next, Mike and I were directed to the red carpet to enter the theater. It was a nice touch, but maybe a little overboard.

As soon as we got inside, Mike looked for the restroom, so I made my way to the open bar. I found it a little odd, though, that there was a cash bar in the larger public area and an open bar in a smaller side room, but I didn’t ask any questions. I went into the side room, got a glass of the Covey Run Merlot 2002, and started checking out the room. There was a nice, big plasma screen television and some seats set up for people to watch the taping (presumably people that arrived late and weren’t allowed in the theater itself).

A couple of minutes later, I see Mike standing outside in the larger public area. I walked out there and asked him why he wasn’t at the open bar. Mike points to the well-dressed man now standing next to the side room’s entrance and said, “Because he won’t let me in.” It turns out that shortly after I entered the room, they sent a bouncer over there to make sure only people wearing a V.I.P. bracelet were allowed entrance. I blew it by leaving. No more free beer and wine for me.

As we entered via the red carpet, we were informed by one of the hostesses that seating was first come, first served, but that only V.I.P.s were allowed to sit in the first five rows of the theater. In fact, Mike overheard a group of hostesses talking, and one of the lead hostesses told the others to only sit “cute” people in the first five rows.

As we entered the theater itself, we saw plenty of seats available in row four. They didn’t seem to be policing their seating policy at all. So, we grabbed ourselves a couple of seats in the middle of row four and proceeded to enjoy the show. If you happen to watch the DVD and see two dudes who look like they don’t belong in the typical Hollywood crowd…that’s Mike and I.

The show was awesome. None of the comedians stunk, and a couple of them were downright awesome. My favorite was probably Bret Ernst. The comedy was lewd, as would be expected. The audience really got into it, and I would imagine that energy will translate well to the DVD. Only time will tell.