Once I got to the venue, however, things changed: the excitement of a night out with friends, along with a few drinks (two minimum), and the physical presence of the entertainment was completely worth it. Ernst wasn’t half bad as it ended up, keeping myself and the audience laughing all night. After the show we were even able to go talk to him. He thanked us for coming and actually gave me a hug. After that I was hooked on comedy shows, having had a genuinely better night than I would have if I simply went to a bar or a friend’s house.

The experience of seeing Ernst live at a comedy club changed my opinion of him as a comedian. The atmosphere of the club was how his comedy and performance was able to reach its potential. This doesn’t just go for Ernst but all comedians; the atmospheres and the way we receive a comedians performance have a different effect on our experience of it. When we listen to a CD, we only get the audio, the minimum requirement of a routine lacking in visual or audience participation. We listen to them from home or in the car where there are distractions. All these effect the connection with the comedian and their entertainment value. Try only listening to a movie or a TV show, and not actually seeing it.

DVDs, on the other hand, have the visual and audio. We are able to match the face and persona of a comedian to a routine. Jokes are sometimes made by just a facial expression, a hand gesture, or a reaction shot of an audience member. But DVDs also lack the experience of a live show and the experience of being a part of the original audience. For instance, Ernst made a joke my friend laughed harder at than the rest of the crowd, causing Ernst to single him out during the show. That was a personal memory to take away from our night out that my friends and I still laugh about. Comedy shows provide all these elements for the audience, making the experience and atmosphere the most enjoyable.

CDs and DVDs are still important in the circulation of a comedian’s work. Unlike the comedy shows, we can listen or watch a CD or DVD anytime we want to. The better experience of a comedy show is not to say these products are unenjoyable either. I’ve laughed so hard I cried at many comedians CDs or DVDs. Sometimes they show the comedians true talents; that they’re able to be extremely funny through just the audio or visual.

With that said, think of how much funnier they are live. With the advances of technology and how we are able to attain our media and entertainment, the concept of going to a comedy show can seem passé. One cannot help but envision a 90′s setting with a brick wall and single microphone with Jerry Seinfeld or Chris Rock relaying their musings. But just as technology and the internet seem to be winning out, they will always be kept at bay from their lack of novelty and organic experience. When you want to enjoy stand-up, the comedy show always has and will be the best option in doing so.

For more comedy news and exclusive interviews visit our AmericasComedy.com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy!

Fans of Winfield will be happy to know that the comedian is getting a lot more work lately, including being auditioned for a Zach Galifianakis/Will Ferrell project. Winfield has been enjoying all of the new opportunities coming his way, and he’s now working on a potential comedy CD and DVD. We talked about all that and more, including his decision to shun social media!

How’s everything going, how was your Thanksgiving?

It was cool. It was the way I wanted it to go. Low key.

I was looking at your upcoming tour dates, how excited are you to be traveling and visiting all these colleges?

Oh man, you know I love having a schedule. Like, having a schedule just means I have work ahead of me, and I love shows. It’s a collaboration of joyous feelings.

 Do you prefer colleges to clubs?

No, I prefer clubs. Especially because I’ve heard good stories about, like Denver – I’m going to Denver – and I heard there comedy scene is good. And I’m just really looking forward to it…Colleges are cool man, but you don’t know what your getting into a lot of the times. You don’t know how it’s going to be when you get there, it’s just a big surprise.

On your website you said you’re a completely different performer at home as opposed to on the road. I was wondering if you could talk about that.

Yeah man. I think that when I’m away I’m free. You know, all day I’m looking at my notes – I’m like a student. I’m really getting homework done. I’m probably more relaxed. I just think at home, life is right in my face. Me and my lady, man, we could be going (at it). When I’m out of town I have transportation. There’s just so much more to think about in the course of a day. And that’s all I’ve been thinking about today. It (my performance) is going to come (up) so fast tonight.

 You also mentioned that your introductions have become much more emotional and sentimental since you landed your Office role. Is that still going on?

(Laughs) No, which is great. It has actually kind of died down a little bit. I guess around the time when it first happened everyone was brining me to the stage like. ‘This guy is such a hero,’ (laughs). You know it would be all sad when I went on stage, and it was really awkward for me to start a show. And I understsand. It’s a great thing that’s happening. A lot of people see me, and like whatever is going on with them, they see hope…It’s a positive thing, it’s just weird for me sometimes.

 As a comedian how do you find ways to keep your material fresh?

For me I strive on originality. I think it takes years to fully become yourself. To end up going down your own road. You get good at some point – I don’t know if it’s happened for me (yet) – but you get good at whatever you do. So in order to stay fresh you just stay true to yourself. Because, you know, there are so many different renditions of the same (type of) comedian.

I’ve got to think that the next logical step for you is a comedy CD. Is there anything like that in the works?

Absolutely. Absolutely. But the debate right now is, am I going to do a CD, DVD or both? I had one scheduled to do a CD shoot, and I might do it again in Minneapolis. But I’m just kind of debating. I want to put a DVD out as well so…I just want it shot the way I want it shot, and I was looking at a bunch of Netflix comedy specials to see how I would like my own special shot. The one I came up with was Zach Galifinakis when he performed at the Purple Onion…Mine would probably be more stand-up. But I just like how it was shot inside the club.

 Now that you’ve had some TV experience, if you could only do stand-up or television for the rest of your career which would you choose?

Stand-up is still in my heart. It’s still there. I think, like, if I would have started as an actor and got into comedy, maybe it’d be different.

Have you received any offers to be on other television shows?

Yeah, yeah man definitely. The caliber of auditions I’m getting is picking up. So I just went in for a Zach Galifinakis, Will Ferrell project. They wanted to see me. Which is like, ‘O man!’ It wasn’t like an open call. It’s like ‘Bring Mike Winfield in.’ And that’s what’s happening now, every time I go somewhere, they’re like ‘So, you’re on The Office?’ It doesn’t hurt.”

Since you’ve been on The Office are there any cast members you hang out with, or keep in touch with?

I just sort of bump into them when I’m mostly going out. So you know I bump into Craig Robinson when I’m at the club. We have similar backgrounds in stand-up. But it’s just such a great connection on the set…They’re nice people, nice co-workers.

 I’ve tried to read as much about you as I could before doing this interview, but one of the things I couldn’t figure out is what you’re personality is like, what your hobbies are. What does Mike Winfield do on a day off?

That’s interesting. You know, I’m so committed to jokes that I write a lot. I graduated from college. My degree is in English. So I was always into writing anyways. I just try to write a lot of material. I’ve got my own second episode of my sitcom that I’m pitching next pilot season. So that’s what I do man, you know it’s work, but it’s not. And, you know, if I can I’ll play some basketball.

Is it true you’ve abandoned all social media? I read that too.

Yeah I dropped it. It’s like, to get my focus all on my website, and then I can steer everyone one way. But you know I don’t – if other people post my stuff up that’s fine you know, I’m not like a Hitler toward it or something (laughs).

I wanted to pitch a potential Office episode to you. I think there should be an episode where you’re character finds out Craig Robinson (Darryl) is your dad.

(Laughs). That’s hilarious. That’s so funny. I’ll see if I can get that one in there. That’s funny man, if I can bring it up I will.

(Laughs). Alright, thanks for doing the interview Mike. I’ll come catch one of your shows in the next couple days.

For fans interested in learning more about Winfield, visit his personal website here. Winfield blogs every couple weeks, and you’ll also find his tour dates as well as a way to buy some awesome Mike E. Winfield t-shirts. Don’t forget to check out his character “Wes” on the hit show The Office airing on NBC Thursday nights at 9/8c.

For more exclusive interviews and comedy news visit our AmericasComedy.com Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter @AmericasComedy! 

Headlines September 29 For One Night Only!

Big Al’s Big Ass Comedy Show originated in The Bay Area and is produced by the likeably funny Big Al Gonzales, and features the best in Latino/Alternative comedy. Big Al’s Big Ass Comedy Show has become an event that hundreds of people rush to see every month!

Big Al Gonzales has been doing comedy for 7 years. He has become a well know fixture in the Northern California comedy scene. He has appeared in commercials and local television. Big Al started out his comedy career doing improvisational comedy where his troupe (Big City Improv) was noted as Best Of The Bay 2002, after which he broke away and went solo, doing stand-up comedy. Now he performs monthly in shows from S.J. to Sacramento, Big Al’s Big Ass Comedy Show. Don’t miss this special performance featuring regulars Big Al Gonzales, plus special guests…

Click here for Reservations and to buy tickets!

Tell them you saw it on Americascomedy.Com!

Both are apt titles, considering that Sugar Sammy is touring the globe like a rock star, setting attendance records around the world for sold-out shows in four languages – English, French, Punjabi and Hindi. International critics, from Canada to Dubai, are unanimous in their praise of his uproariously funny material, his laconic delivery and his universal insight on multicultural society.

A Canadian born to Indian parents, Sugar Sammy draws on everything from arranged marriages in his own Indian ancestry to his views on deviant sex, drugs and modern day relationships. Brilliantly entertaining and relatable, Sugar Sammy will have you laughing, thinking, and seeing life in a whole new way.

Before he was opening for Dave Chappelle and working with the likes of George Lopez and Damon Wayans, the secret to his multi-national success was discovered at the Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival, where he was the first ever comedian to perform in both English, French and Hindi shows. He’s appeared at the festival for the past six years in a row, and has added other international festivals to his annual lineup, including the Sydney Comedy Festival, the Cape Town Comedy Festival, and the Johannesburg Comedy Festival.

Sugar Sammy was featured in his own comedy special “Sugar Sammy Live in Concert” for HBO Canada in June 2009. His special on Showtime Arabia, “Sugar Sammy Live in Dubai” will air in Dubai and 14 countries throughout the Middle East in September 2009. His other television specials include the Showtime Arabia specials, “Minorities Rule” and “Friday Night Live”, CBC’s “Just For Laughs”, CTV’s “Comedy Now”, and appearances on The Comedy Network (Canada), The Comedy Channel (Australia), and on Dutch TV.

He’s won the Just For Laughs Comedy Award for “Discovery of the Festival”, and garnered many other honors, including nominations for this year’s M!M!M! Awards, as well as the Canadian Comedy Award for “Funniest Male Comic”.

Sammy continues to tour the globe and prove that laughter is indeed universal. He’s performed in the USA, UK, Australia, South Africa, India, Ireland, Holland, Dubai, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, The Philippines, and the Caribbean. He also toured across Canada promoting his CD, “Down with the Brown”.

Click here for Reservations and to buy tickets!

Tell them you saw it on AmericasComedy.Com!

Click Here To Watch Sugar Sammy’s Video On YouTube! NSFW

I went last night and saw the Fresh Kids of Comedy Showcase. Can I just say that one of the great things about this club is the ease of parking. While the parking lot looks like it was designed by a hyperactive 8 year old, there were plenty of places available.

Up the stairs and down the hall past the Sleep Train (toot toot!), the Punchline is tucked away in the Howe ‘Bout Arden shopping center.  Yes, a shopping center.  Kids, don’t be scared off by the un-hip location.  There are some fun things to do outside of midtown.

We were greeted by a friendly guy at the door, who kindly reminded me which of my two hands was not the left one, and a cool chick taking tickets.  Maybe it was the dim lighting, but the place had a cozy feeling to it. It’s easier to laugh when you feel comfortable.

The crowd was in a good mood and the vibe felt good. And I don’t think it was just the two drink minimum.

Hosted by Marcella Arguello, the show featured up and coming young talent.  7 comedians and a DJ to be exact.  Talk about variety being the spice of life.  Where else are you going to find so much comedy packed into two hours?  Heck, even DJ Joedobo got put into the mix and did really well, even if I could see him looking at the crib notes on his hand.  Sorry, I’m too observant sometimes.

My favorite bit was by Nick Aragon.  I will never look at the board game Clue the same way again. I’m just annoyed that I didn’t think of it first.  My companion for the evening enjoyed Joedobo’s joke about Granite Bay even though he wasn’t sure why it was so funny to us locals.

All in all it was a great time.   Here’s a piece of advice for you so called adults.  Don’t be afraid to go out on a Wednesday night once in a while.  The show started at a sane hour and was over so that I could be back home in time to watch Letterman before bed.

For what I was told was her first try at putting a show together, Marcella did a fine job.  And if she graces Sacramento with another comedy showcase, I will definitely be there.

Headlines

Sam Bam of Stockton works all day on a PG&E line crew before heading out to the clubs where he has perfected a hilarious routine worthy enough to get him into the semi-finals of the 34th Annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition.

Join Sam and his friends for a night of hilarious laughs!

Click here for Reservations and to buy tickets!

Tell them you saw it on SacramentoComedy.Com!

Headlines Punchline August 27 – 29

Winner of Last Comic Standing!

Does this face look familiar? Maybe you’ve seen Jon on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”, Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” or the half-hour special “Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep”. Maybe you’ve seen him on TBS’s “Pit Stop Comedy”, NBC’s “Late Friday”, or the ABC Sitcom “Rodney” as Officer Gerald Bob the dim-witted cop. If not then you probably know Jon from Dodge’s popular ad campaign as the “Hemi guy”.

Jon is known to millions as the redheaded hillbilly in the Dodge Ram commercials who leans out of a beat-up car and utters the now famous line: “That thing gotta Hemi?”

Born in Hickory, NC, Jon moved to Raleigh to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater at North Carolina State University. In 2000 Jon was invited to perform at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada and has since been invited back to perform in the “Best of the Fest” and a “Gala” show. Soon after he moved to Los Angeles to further his career as an actor and a stand-up.

Jon is one of the hardest working comics in America, selling out venues and getting standing ovations in clubs and theaters across the country. His show is supersonic energy filled with non-stop characters, super clever writing, and, of course, the one talent that separates Jon from all other comedians in the world: He’s the best redneck dancer since Elvis. Look for Jon in the film, “Harold & Kumar escape from Guantanamo Bay”.

Click here for Reservations and to buy tickets!

Tell them you saw it on SacramentoComedy.Com!

Click Here To Watch Jon’s Video on YouTube!

In the movie, Benson eagerly offers himself up as a test subject to document the effects of smoking massive amounts of marijuana for 30 days. In his stand-up act, it appears that his experiment is still unofficially continuing.

Playing mid-week to a full house at the Sacramento Punchline, Benson began his set with his eyes half closed and a stoner grin. He immediately showed the audience his notes that he claimed to need so he didn’t meander through his material.

However, as the evening wore on, you began to wonder if the “stoner” persona was just a well-played brand. Whether just branding, real or both, the audience loved the mellow comic and his drug-related jokes.

When not making silly pot jokes, his material included McDonald’s McGriddle breakfast, farting in an airplane and vocalizing “Internet speak” such as J/K (just kidding) and WTF (what the f___?). Somehow, these references all became silly pot jokes as well.

Eventually, he spoke about one of the things he enjoys that doesn’t directly relate to marijuana. Movies. Benson hosts a very popular podcast on iTunes called simply, “Doug Loves Movies.”

Benson, 46, has been a comedian and actor since the early ‘80s and admits to taking normal things in life and adding pot references.

“I took the documentary ‘Super Size Me’ and made it ‘Super High Me.’ I took ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and made it ‘The Marijuana-Logues’ on Broadway.”

The show was hosted by Los Angeles comedian Rob F. Martinez, who did an amazing job in warming up the audience. A responsibility of a host is to try to quell any loud or obnoxious hecklers in the audience before the other acts begin. This night included a drunk group of birthday celebrants with a harmonica, and Martinez handled the group with diplomacy and professionalism. The group was later removed at Benson’s request to a loud ovation by the audience but the harmonica served as a funny “call back” many times for Benson.

The feature act, Graham Elwood, who appeard in “Super High Me,” tours consistently with Benson. Elwood claims he doesn’t get high other than the “contact” high from being so close to Benson on tour.

His portion of the show was high-energy and very funny. At the end of his set however, all of his best punchlines were being sold on the back of T-shirts after the show in the lobby. This leads to the question: “What came first, the joke or the merchandise?

Headlines July 22 – 25

Comedian Willie Barcena shot his first one hour special, Deal With It, at the El Portal Theatre which aired in May 2009 on Comedy Central. Barcena grew up in East L.A. and it is his people skills, his street-smart wit, along with his mother’s “just use common sense, Dummy!” which enable Barcena to connect with a wide array of cultures, yet his performances are able to maintain pride and cultural awareness without perpetuating any Latino stereotypes.

He has also appeared eleven times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as well as Moesha, The Wayans Brothers, Galavision’s Loco Slam, Que Locos and Funny is Funny. In addition to performing, Willie writes on a regular basis. He performed in and wrote a one-man show called Cry Like a Man and has done script writing for the Nickelodeon television show, The Brothers Garcia. Barcena was also a host of the Willie, D-Lo and Trejo Morning Show on Infinity Broadcasting’s Sacramento affiliate station, KSFM 102.5 Hip-Hop and R&B radio.

Click here for Reservations and to buy tickets!

Tell them you saw it on SacramentoComedy.Com!

Click Here To See Willie Barcena’s You Tube Video!

Headlines July 15 – 18

Changing the face of American stand-up comedy, Rex is one of the hardest working comedians today. A household name in Filipino American homes, he released his 1st comedy CD entitled “Badly Browned” in 1998 which was followed by “Husky Boy” and “Bastos.”

His DVDs are “Hella Pinoy” and “Badass Madapaka,” which was recorded in San Francisco at the historic Warfield Theater. A Bay Area native, Rex’s routines have evolved through the use of characters, many of whom are struggling underdogs.

Navarrete gathers all of his material from what he calls “real Rex moments,” reality and shared life experiences. “I think everything has humor; you will always find humor. I don’t always make stuff up. Even though most of my material is geared for a Filipino audience, if you’re smart enough you’ll understand the universality of it. Look at the comedy traditions of Jewish and African American comics, which are now the mainstream through Seinfeld, Bruce, Allen, Rock, Pryor and Murphy. Our struggles become our comedy.

Also performing will be Reggie Steele and Edwin Li.

Click here for Reservations and to buy tickets!

Tell them you saw it on SacramentoComedy.Com!

Click Here To Watch Rex’s Video on YouTube!