Show 30: Thanksgiving Celebrations

When the audience is wearing sweaters, you KNOW it's November (tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la TJ Maxx). And that means it's time for everyone who performs at The Living Room to say why they're thankful.



Hat of Chance, you go first.



I am thankful that I did not have to wait through the usual sketch and news segment before selecting a winner. At this all stand-up show, I was able to carefully deduce who had the best timing, charisma and use of wit without all that costume and makeupery clouding my judgment. Although once I decided, Abbi & Luke let someone else randomly pick a name out of me. Really, I don't understand why they call it a contest, because it's completely arbitrary. It's like they don't even care what I think.



Luke is thankful the rainy weather didn't keep this crowd from coming, because he really wanted to share stories about his life as a black comedian.



Abbi is thankful for this shot because it looks like she's sangin' like Alicia Keys. Coincidentally, during this set, she finally figured out where the band Tears for Fears came up with their name.



Rachael Parenta is thankful for baby showers, baby cakes and that the baby of the family is not taller than her...yet.



Celebrity Sighting! Producer Jaime Martin took time out of his busy schedule of coordinating musical and comedy acts to watch the show. Check out his Head Injury show January 13th at Bowery Poetry Club featuring The Living Room's own Luke Thayer!



RG Daniels is thankful for being able to spot a pizza delivery man in the shadows, the power to jinx athletes and for not being shaken by the subliminal messages in the magazine stand (click for larger pic to see what we mean).



Jeremy Schachter returned for his third appearance at the show and is thankful for Animal Planet, Star Jones and a lovely girlfriend who agrees to watch him work on new material about her. It's okay. She knows where he lives.



Jeremy became a two-time champion of the Funniest Comedian of All Time award! He's going to be grooving all holiday long with these iTunes cards. Collect 'em all! Too late, you can't. The Starbucks promotion is over.

But there's still time for you to come and bid on some grade school watercolor artwork (that funds a livestock donation through Heifer International) and enjoy our jolly good holiday show December 14th!

Show 26: Legends of the Fall

Autumn is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with comedians who are truly legendary? (Okay maybe with a big slice of pumpkin pie, but that was rhetorical, Delta Burke).


To start our Comeback Show right, we invited NYC musician Aubrey Hairston to perform our very first theme song!



He started out street, but breakaway pants revealed the joyful goofball within. We blended Full House, 80s cartoons and The Great Depression into one catchy melody that the crowd enjoyed in an energetic live performance. We just laid down the official vocals and re-vamped the lyrics, so check it out soon on myspace.

Before she goes sunless tanning in the California Comedy Festival, newly engaged host Laura Mannino conducted this mighty fine lineup:

Abbi Crutchfield
Mike Dobbins
Dan Nainan and
Stuckey and Murray

along with our featured guests: Moses and Maurice the Landlord!

Laura warmed up the room with cubicle secrets and office antics, and a healthy dose of passive-aggressiveness. THANKS!!


While Charlton Heston tests his Poli-grip on a corn cob, the original Moses came down from the mountain to share the novella he just wrote. Those who were fans of his more famous works did not want to hear their leader go in a new direction and felt free to heckle, Bible-style. Free Birdeth!


Abbi demonstrated the necessity of the proper terrarium when you can't take your tiny dog shopping with you.


Celebrity Sighting! Several members of the troupe Impending Moustache stopped by to take a break from performing sketch so they could watch a little.


Often appreciated, never duplicated Mike Dobbins strolled through an invisible park and offered his jokes the way cult members offer you flowers, with full conviction and a dab of crazy sauce. It was his first time at the show and the first time a 9 year old decided to linger impatiently at the window. He won her over by listing deadly diseases. Some people are just good with kids.


Taking time off from ignorning tenants, Maurice Fry, the landlord of all of Brooklyn, brought in his pay-puh and spit knowledge on his favorite articles.


Representing Hoosier excellence (by association) Dan Nainan also made his first trip down to The Living Room. He took time off the road to educate our crowd about interracial relationships --those obvious (Abbi-Luke) and less obvious (Vin-Diesel).


The dynamic duo Stuckey and Murray were the perfect end to an already tremendous show. They made Living Room history by rocking out on guitars and got the whole room feeling good, just like a woman should.


Mike Dobbins became our glorious Funniest Comedian of All Time! We should have given oven mitts for the sizzling hot poster he won complete with Luke and Abbi's autographs.


Bring your scrunchie collection to our next show September 28th!

Show 13: A Very Living Room Christmas

You could have been stuck at an airport on your way home for the holiday, but instead, you chose to come out to see the Living Room show! Thanks to those who came in from the cold to watch the tremendous talent of:
Chad Weiss
Jeff Sussman and
John F. O’Donnell.

Luke warmed up the crowd and taught us the real meaning of Christmas by reading from the Good Book. Unfortunately the book was upside down, the story was wrong, and Luke revealed that he can’t read.

But the clouds parted and the heavens shined down on Chad Weiss and his fiancée guaranteeing one of his most blessed performances.

The show was interrupted several times by Rudolph the Entrepreneurial Reindeer. He offered cookies, then newspapers, and finally his musical talents in order to bring the subway to Postmark.

Celebrity Sighting: singing sensation Aubrey Hart came down to sweeten his coffee and laugh the night away!

Jeff Sussman kept it crack-a-lackin’ with old school goodness and new school crowd work.

Connecticut homemaker and future Soccer Mom Mrs. Marsha Peterson was in town visiting her sister for the holiday. With a butternut squash in the oven, she took a moment to stop by and read the news. Maybe next time she’ll read it aloud.

John F. O’Donnell riffed with pregnant audience members and then played joke doctor to heal the room and the world.

It was enough to earn him the title of Funniest Comedian of All Time where he took home the stocking stuffers of expired coupons and a set of red noses (or envelope seals, if his cards aren’t sent out yet)!

This lucky fellow won the audience prize for knowing the answer to our trivia about Rocky Balboa, a.k.a. the best film you’ll see this winter.

Be nice not naughty and come to the first show of the new year on January 12th!

Show 3: Eight is Enough

We upped the ante with SIX new performers in the show this week (in addition to the two regulars) and the pay-off was big! The audience was ready and waiting for the hilarious talent of
Lance Weiss
Barry Rothbart
Sara Schaefer
John F. O’Donnell
Becky Donohue and
Jacqueline Novak
Lance warmed up the room right away with a striped shirt and a smile and shared his thoughts on Southern Hospitality. Barry charmed the room and connected directly with the crowd to teach us the fine line between being friendly and getting arrested.

Celebrity sighting: The talented Chicago actor Warren Jackson paid a visit to enjoy the show he'd heard so much about.

We interrupted the program for an important news bulletin from the wacky and famed journalist, Rooney MacDowell.

Sara Schaefer brought a mellow mood and treated us to the hilarious half-truth that may or may not have involved her husband who may or may not have been directly in front of her.

John F. O’Donnell had the audience on the edge of their seats listening for how they could participate in his outrageous and inspired plan to save the world!
We could all relate to Becky Donohue’s travails with her mother that had the room rolling with laughter.

Jacqueline Novak kept the humor standard high with her insights into childhood and dating.

She even walked away with the coveted F-CAT award. Two gifts in one: a thermal pack with an extra surprise of a book inside! How can we afford to give away these luxurious prizes? Are we funded by a huge network like Wheel of Fortune? Or do we have a cousin in COSTCO who gets us a discount?
You’ll have to come to the show to find out. See you July 28th!