The Super Serious Show at Smashbox Studios

There are two things I enjoy in this life: comedy and cheap booze. Usually, to get both at the same time, I have to go to open mic nights, sit in the back row and take pulls of bottom-shelf whiskey from the flask I smuggled in until the comedy gets funny, or until I pass out. Whichever comes first.

If you told me that I could get both high-quality comedy and free booze, after I made sure you weren’t some divine messenger sent from heaven to take me to the great comedy club in the sky, I simply wouldn’t believe you. Unless I saw it for myself.

It turns out that such a place exists! And for those of you who don’t have an extra 30 bucks lying around the house because you spent it on a plastic gallon jug of Black Velvet but still want to see hilarious performances by big name comedians, promising up-and-coming stand ups and even short films, there is a monthly show in an unlikely part of this vast and sprawling town.

Following promises of free beer and great comedy, I traveled to a part of Culver City I had never been to, which is always potentially dangerous. But I found myself standing in front of Smashbox Studios, which I guess is a place where people take pictures of other people. But one night of every month, it’s home to The Super Serious Show.

In it’s year (last night was the anniversary of the show) of existence, The Super Serious Show has hosted an smorgasbord of delicious talent including established names like Marc Maron, Sarah Silverman, Dana Gould, Demetri Martin and Reggie Watts. But it’s also a place where you can catch new talent on the rise like Hampton Yount, comedy music duo Garfunkel & Oates and a bunch more you haven’t heard of but will!

Last night’s show was no exception. I waited in line in a eerily white hallway, lined with tasteful pictures of naked bosoms, the mark of photography students the world over, going over the line-up in my head. That is, when I wasn’t admiring the artful bosoms in the hallway. The anniversary show boasted comedian Greg Proops (remember Whose Line Is It Anyway?, if not, are you even interested in comedy? Jesus) as the evening’s host. On the list of performers were also Randy and Jason Sklar, collectively known as The Sklar Brothers (in case you didn’t get it, they’re twins). You may have seen them on Curb Your Enthusiasm or heard their hilarious podcast Sklarbro Country. No? Seriously, why are you even reading this?

Also on the list were It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia‘s Johnny Pemberton, the adorably awkward and talented Melissa Villasenor, Josh Fadem from 30 Rock and Eagleheart, comedian Kirk Zipfel and short films by Royal Mutt. But more importantly, the show promised FREE BEER AND WINE. And did it deliver! On all fronts. How did I not know about this sooner?

Well, the secret’s out. The only thing more packed than the line up was the studio, where people filled the seats and lined the walls to watch the show. And what a show! I didn’t even have to be drunk to enjoy it, unlike every other moment of my life! So, next month, leave your flask at home and hop a bus or your Vespa or whatever and head down to Smashbox Studios in Culver City for one of the hottest comedy shows in L.A. I know I will… if I can scrape together $10. Seriously, though. FREE BEER AND WINE plus amazing comedy for $10! Can you ask from more from life?! Man, my life is pathetic.

Also, if you don’t know any of the names I mentioned above, start Googling them because you’re missing out, Philistine! It’s time to get educated in the ways of super serious comedy!

http://www.superseriousshow.com/