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!

Who's Performing on November 9th, 2007?

It’s time for Thanksgiving Celebrations!



There won't be any turkey or dressing at this show, but we are thankful that we are going on the road soon! We BOTH are giving you a sneak pre-view to the full, professional sets, and we are inviting three power house comedians to do their thing as well. This show is packed with stand-up talent so there's no room for a sketch or news segment, but feel free to watch one of our clips of Characters and News Parodies Past on myspace.

For our 30th Show, The Living Room welcomes

Jeremy Schachter (Comedy Central's Live At Gotham, Spike TV, The Schachter Factor on Cringe Humor Radio)

Rachel Parenta (Chicks & Giggles, Rififi)

RG Daniels (Radio Chick Show on FreeFM in NYC, Sarcasting video series)

and your British-descended host who's never heard of Mickie Most, Luke Thayer (Carolines, Cringe Humor Radio)

Abbi is now featured on The Apiary blog roll!

You do not want to miss this show!

Oh, BONUS: Postmark Cafe is now featuring artwork by grade schoolers who are raising money to purchase chickens for Heifer International. Come purchase your very own unique, original, framed artwork. Sure beats that redonkulous hand-traced turkey of yours!

Show 29: The 2nd Annual Halloween Scare-avaganza!

Photography by Aemiessence Fine Arts

It was a dark and stormy night! Nine comedians got together and decided to SCARE up some fun…a HARROWING feat which proved to be a HOWLing good time (you can’t stop the hallopuns from coming. Don’t fight it).

We did our best to raid the dollar store, but when it’s last minute, the midnight forest becomes a foot of black, plastic foliage. Your sticky webs of despair become a wall hanging of sparkly yarn, and instead of Vincent Price’s corpse as a host, you get Elon James White. In some parts of Brooklyn he is known as menacing.
Abbi dressed as a Cabbage Patch and Luke as John McEnroe circa 1984.

Scary sounds played before the performance of each of these evil spirits:
Alex Grubard
Dave Lester
Jay Bois
Luke Thayer
Helen Hong and
Keith Alberstadt

With special guest appearances by Neil Charles, Crystal Valentino and Betty the Cat Lady

Summoning the powers of a diabolical wizard, Elon James White referred to his hosting note cards as “the magical pile”. He lamented the travails that must befall a cab driver.


Alex Grubard introduced his costume as “casual Mormon”. Check for it in catalogues this winter!


Dave Lester warned patrons of the growing crime scene in the wealthier parts of NewYork. Whole Foods buyer beware!


The freaks come out at night. In a segment the Living Room hasn’t seen since Valentine’s Day, Crystal Valentino returned with “Y’all Feel Me”, sharing her insights into perfume, candy corn and monster movies. She introduced her brother Trevor, and together they confused the audience with their inane albeit serious ponderings.


Elon James White took the stage to give a full set and commiserate about clueless co-workers.


Jay Bois made his Living Room debut and had the room laughing while he reminisced about Halloween costume shortcomings.


When it was announced that the news would be delivered by Cat Woman, thought bubbles of black leather bloomed over heads. They were instantly popped as Betty the Cat Lady strolled in and told the current events as she reads them to Miss A-Peebers and Senor Don Gato each night.


Luke Thayer’s McEnroe impression was flawed for lack of swearing...

Aw COME ON!! Don't give me that @#$%$#@! He looked JUST like me!!

but his solid jokes about the costume made up for it. Many references to exposed Jimmy Johns.


Helen Hong also played the room for her first time and gave us a good (and memorable) reason to buy her makeup this year.


A recovering Keith Alberstadt hobbled in with broken leg bones because he’s a fighter.


He didn’t take his crutches to the stage but he made plenty of jokes about them. Maybe the Hat of Chance felt sympathetic and for that reason selected Keith as a winner (for a record third time)!


He sent Alex Grubard on his behalf to receive the award, and Luke decided Alex was the REAL champion. Come on, he couldn’t hop ten feet across the room?! Luke is tough but fair.


Then we had a contest for the best costume which resulted in a pirate-off!


Luke couldn't handle the pressure and chose a doctor instead.


Okay so Luke's not fair.



See you and your Native American heritage for Thanksgiving celebrations on November 9th!

Who's Performing on October 26th, 2007?

It’s time for the 2nd Annual Halloween SCARE-avaganza, everyone!



By the way, this is the only HalloWord that has not been taken yet. "Spooktacular" is played out, "Scare-athon" just means reruns of Yes, Dear, and "Boo-berry Muffins" does not really apply.

For our 29th show The Living Room welcomes:

Dave Lester (Five For Funny Tuesdays, Neighborhood Watch)

Helen Hong (Finalist, March Comedy Madness at Carolines; Semi-finalist, California's Funniest Female Contest; Lifetime)

Keith Alberstadt (Bob & Tom Show; Semi-finalist, Boston Comedy and Film Festival)

Alex Grubard (Broadway Comedy Club)

Jay Bois (Drink At Work)

a special guest appearance by Neil Charles (The Awkward Experience)

and your host with an ironic last name to boast, Elon James White (Shades of Black; Founder, The Black Comedy Project)

With an EXTRAORDINARY PRIZE for the best costume!! Last year, Abbi's sister came as Condo-sleaza Rice.


If one of the 50 Most Beautiful People on the Hill can UG it up, it's time for you to bust out the devil horn headband, Mary Steenburgen.