Nicole CamposComedy in a cemetery. A novel concept, inspired, even; what's going to stand any chance of waking the dead more than a really good joke? Kind of gives “rolling in his grave” a whole new meaning. One problem – where do you put the spot? Not a problem at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, with its lovely refurbished Masonic temple right on the grounds, spruced up with vintage film posters, DVD projectors and a whole lot of cocaine for the “Comedy is Dead” revue, headlined by Sarah Silverman. Okay, the coke was totally fake and smelled faintly of cinnamon (WTF?)… a key sight gag, though, provided by emcees DJ Douggpound & Johnny Pemberton. Further warm-up came courtesy of Derek Waters' excellent “Drunk History” shorts, featuring the likes of Jack Black, Danny McBride and Michael Cera.
WATCH: Jack Black IS Ben Franklin in “Drunk History Vol. 2” (Warning: gratuitous vomiting!)
The lineup for the night, besides Silverman (bang-on with her usual
flawless delivery, despite a shortfall of new material; the
Obama-Kanye joke was a killer, though) included A.D. Myles, bemoaning
having recently turned 40 whilst wearing a cardigan without a trace
of irony; Eric Charles Nielson's brand of tightly-wound, spitting
nerdism that is hard to take from the front row; and the always
spectacular Natasha Leggero, who impressively pulled off her zonked
Paula Abdul impression in heels and a white satin mini without any
ass-over-elbows incident. It's true, no one knows how to be a drug
addict anymore, not like Judy Garland. (“She'd have 29 scotches and
then take the pills… to sparkle!”)
The previously announced Howard Kremer was a no-show; no Dragon Boy
Suede tonight, kids. But filling in was the superb Duncan Trussell,
possibly the most underrated standup on the scene at the moment, whose
twisted routine on suicide slayed the room. (Why would you put a net
under the Golden Gate Bridge, when you can give them diving boards?!)
Bostonian brother act Chris and Dave Walsh rocked an uproarious routine
about stumbling onto an obscene public act on the way home from drunken
revelry, and penultimate on the roster was the triumphant return of
Mary Lynn Rajskub; motherhood suits the comedian-turned-telly star like
a glove, as she not only looks fab but has a shit-ton of great new
material thanks to her nine-week-old son. Best breastfeeding
impression you have ever seen. The Dark Matters closed out the show
with an acoustic set.
Mary Lynn Rajskub's triumphant return.
Sarah Silverman “makes love” to her hand.
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