Always one to work fast,  the comedian gave us some classic Francisco material within minutes of being on the phone. Talking about his recent visit to Cape Town he quipped, “I went there, I got a hooker. She put me in a basket, rolled me around in there for about twenty minutes. It cost me two bananas and I lost my wallet.”

All kidding aside, he very much enjoyed his trip, and mentioned that the city has become more hip as of late, thanks in large part to the internet.

“YouTube has done it’s job,” the comedian said excitedly.

Francisco, who began his improv career in Tempe Arizona, has achieved much in his still young career. His critically acclaimed Comedy Central special entitled “Ouch” is somehow still at the top of the network’s most requested performances despite being released five years ago. He’s been shoulder to shoulder with Tonight Show Host Jay Leno, and a member of the MAD TV sketch comedy show, a program known for churning out talent. The legendary Howard Stern was savvy enough to recognize Pablo’s pizzazz, and in 2009 the comedian had a once in a lifetime appearance on his massively popular radio show.

The speed at which Pablo performs is reminiscent of the one and only Robin Williams.  He’s renowned for his impressions of celebrities like rocker Ozzy Osbourne and actor Jackie Chan. When asked about the art of coming up with such impressions, Pablo didn’t just explain, he showed us first hand.

“It can happen instantly,” he said, just before his voice broke into a dead-on Transformers impression. “Get ready…it’s TRANSFORMERS! We always have something positive to say…remember Billy, always pay the hooker $200 before she gets in there!” Francisco then immediately turned himself into Charlie Sheen, Michael J. Fox and the guy from the All State car insurance commercials.

“It’s goofin off, and you know making fun of all the TV shows out there,” the comedian said.

Talent like that takes not just a lot of practice, but the ability to think on your feet. His stand-up can twist and turn at any second, and has appropriately been described as “an hour-long comedic jazz rift.” His impressionist capabilities and material are a sight to see.

Francisco’s success isn’t just noted by his followers either. Comedian Dat Phan, winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2003, said of Pablo, “He’s a comedy rock star.” When hearing this Pablo first gushed about his peer, and then gave advice for up and coming comics who aspire to mimic his accomplishments – and maybe even be a rock star themselves.

“This is something everyone needs to understand. You’ve got three or four years before everyone catches on to you. If you’re a DJ or a writer you can do your own badass podcast, put it out there, and you’ll be a star…it’s amazing. I’m a sensation? Well…I’m just a regular guy doing regular things,” he said quite humbly.

Francisco, who’s comedic career started at age 17, mentioned Benny Hill and Rich Little as some of his first inspirations. He also spoke about the late Richard Pryor, whom he watched as a kid with his dad.

“Rich Little, doing that TV show ‘You Go For It’ was fantastic,” Pablo said. “Richard Pryor, you got a 45 year old guy talking about immature things – he did it so good, he did it like a gentlemen! My dad would walk in and say, ‘this guy is so filthy,’ but he’d sit down and watch the whole hour anyway.”

To this day, Pablo remains a comic’s comic. He lives for the stage, and routinely proves it by performing at any and all venues. You would think that a comedian of his stature would be picky – a diva even – but when asked where he likes to perform he admitted to enjoying just about everywhere.

“I like the improvisation. These clubs are getting a lot cooler. These guys are opening up clubs every three months,” Francisco said. “It’s crazy how these guys go, ‘hey these comics are perverts, they’re losers’…we’re millionaires! The crazy thing is you don’t care about the money anymore. The money is already saved, so I would say anything that caters to the microphone – Las Vegas – it doesn’t matter how much it pays as long as it’s available.”

Aside from comedy clubs, Francisco has also stayed busy making his own DVD’s. He just completed filming yet another Comedy Central Special entitled “They Put It Out There” at the Orange County theatre. The funny man gushed when talking about his most recent project.

“It was a beautiful thing. It’s retro, its grunge, it’s a beautiful thing. I’m going to just tell everyone out there, ‘hey man, if you came out to see me, we’re going to make fun of people.’”

For fans who can’t get enough of Pablo or his specials, you can find him on Facebook and on Twitter @Pablo_Francisco. He will also continue touring well after his visit to Sacramento; destinations include the Orlando Improv & Fat Fish Blue from Sept. 15-18, Forum Theatre in Binghamton New York on Sept. 26, and His Majesty’s Theatre in Australia on October 2. Ticket information and more can be found at www.pablofrancisco.com.

“If you take away the mortality of it, it’s ridiculous! Like nasal tampons,” she says, referring to a sinus-numbing treatment she’d had at her doctor’s office just before this interview. “That’s ridiculously funny!”

The 25-year-old Sacramento comedian was first diagnosed with cystic fibrosis—a life-threatening respiratory illness—at three months old. At age 16, Mandella had a double lung transplant. Every year on the anniversary of her surgery, she celebrates what she calls her “bonus years of being alive.” Staying healthy requires constant vigilance and medical treatment.

Still, Mandella, a petite blonde with the words “Breathe Easy” tattooed on her wrist, finds plenty of humor in her situation. She laughs when she describes the airway-clearance vest that allows her to do a perfect R2-D2 impression, and revels in her ability to win any gross-out storytelling session.  “It’s fun to gross people out with it, because cystic fibrosis is a gross disease. It’s based in mucous, lots of mucous,” Mandella explains. “I can gross out the guys pretty intensely with some of the stuff I do, just by describing it. I won’t do that to your readers.”

Mandella’s humorous approach to a life-threatening illness makes her the perfect coordinator for CF Smackdown, a benefit comedy show planned for Sunday, October 16 at the Sacramento Comedy Spot. The comedy revue, hosted by Good Day Sacramento entertainment anchor Mark S. Allen, features stand-up by John Ross, sketch comedy by The Syndicate, and improv by Twofer—plus music by Roni Yadao, an original sketch by Nick Pettigrew and Micaela Smith, and a special video appearance by Keith Lowell Jensen. 100% of the ticket sales go to Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc., an organization that hosts free retreats and educational conferences for CF patients.

This is the third CF comedy benefit Mandella has produced in two years, and Allen’s second time hosting the event. She secured Allen’s participation by stalking him after he made a guest appearance at the Sacramento Comedy Spot in 2010.

“I tried to intern for him right out of high school,” Mandella says, “but I didn’t have any experience and they passed on me. So I saw him at the Comedy Spot and I thought, ‘This is a good time to tell him that and see if he’ll host for me.’ He was being crowded by fans and we had the most awkward conversation. I said, ‘I wanted to be your intern and I didn’t get it.’ And he was like, ‘I hope things worked out for you anyway?’”

Mandella’s love of comedy began as a child, when she had to stay home for weeks at a time for intravenous antibiotic “tune-ups” to treat her CF. During these long days, she watched comedy movies and TV shows, paying special attention to the behind-the-scenes footage. In lieu of a Good Day internship, Mandella went to college at Humboldt State University, where her love of comedy writing was ignited by a George Carlin book. From there, she moved to Los Angeles to study comedy writing with Improv Olympic and Upright Citizens Brigade.

These days, she splits her time between comedy, facilitating a chat room for chronically ill teens at the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and providing photography and video production through her company D.Mandella Creative Services. And she’ll keep producing CF benefit shows because she has seen firsthand what donations to the cause can do.

The advances made in CF treatment in Mandella’s lifetime have been extraordinary. Today, she carries a silent inhaler the size of a cell phone, but things were different when she was a child. “It used to be a 25-pound brick of a machine,” she recalls. “When I would travel, I would have to take that with me on planes. My dad would carry it. You could hear it through hotel-room walls.”

When Mandella was born, the expected lifespan of a child with CF was 12 years old. Now it is 37.

These advances are reason enough to support the CF Smackdown, but Mandella has an ulterior motive. “My ultimate goal is just to create the coolest green room ever,” she admits. “Just my favorite people. No competition, just everybody there.”

This article was written by Becca Costello. The CF Smackdown happens at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 16 at the Sacramento Comedy Spot, located at 1050 20^th Street in Sacramento, CA. Suggested donation is $10. All proceeds benefit CFRI. A portion of the sales at a pre-show happy hour, held from 5pm to 7pm, next door at Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop will also benefit CFRI. For tickets or more information, visit http://saccomedyspot.com/shows/cf-smackdown/

Shane Murphy is a working comic who can work any kind of room. With over 4 years of experience with corporate, casino, comedy club, colleges and private work in more then 5 states, add Shane Murphy to your next event.

Shane has opened for acts such as Tommy Davidson, John Witherspoon, Dave Coulier, and many many more. Shane has worked everything from Corporate black tie affairs to a Hells Angels clubhouse.

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Born in Iowa, Tom has established a writing scholarship and runs an acting workshop for students at the Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. Tom is heavily involved in many charities such as The Race to Erase MS, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Best Buddies, Camp del Corazon, The Kayne Eras Center, Promises Foundation, Carousel of Hope, Arnold’s Inner City Games, The Hollenbeck Christmas Giveaway, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Tom Arnold returned to his roots as a stand-up comic this year. Never scripted, Tom pokes fun at his Midwest past, marital follies and absurd Hollywood stories. Just like his past film and television comedy work, Tom is a ball of chaos and charisma on stage. He hosts the popular “Laughing With The Stars” weekly comedy show at The Laugh Factory in West Hollywood featuring supporting acts ranging from rising young comics to all-time favorites. His shows are famous for their loose atmosphere with Tom breaking down the walls between his fellow comics and the audience. No one is quite sure what to expect any given night.

Arnold currently resides in Los Angeles.

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Headlines Setptember 22 – 26

Jamie Foxx invitational comedy festival Laffapoloza 2005, Open for Katt Williams for a crowd of 3500, Quoted as ‘coup de grace’ of the comedy show in the East Bay Express, Bay Area Black Comedy Festival 2007, Laugh Factory Chocolate Sunday graduate, Featured in the Sacramento Bee, Finalist in Rooster T’s competition, 3rd place finalist Sacramento Black Expo 2006 / 2nd place 2007, Attending Academy of Art S.F./motion picture, TV major, Special Guest Houston Comedy Festival, Scouted for annual acting and modeling invitational in Dallas, Acting training from Theater Under The Stars, Finalist in Houston funniest person, Starred in Houston Media Source Special on Houston comedians, Hosted own show in Downtown Houston, Attacking the mic with original material and quick-witted style, Cereus is one of the funniest young comedians.

A favorite at all the local comedy clubs, he tackles all audiences head-on with no fear on stage. Unlike anything else on the market his stage presence is unforgettable. With subject matter ranging from this to that and everything in between you can guarantee you’ll get a Cereus view on all subject matter. His clean cut style makes him a comedian you will take home to mom. “I’m Cereus about these jokes.”

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Comedy Zone – BT – Click here for more amazing videos

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Jay Oakerson began honing his storytelling style of stand-up comedy after a series of dead-end jobs, like driving around strippers and escorts in his hometown of Philadelphia. This won him the comedy portion of the Salem Orb-E Future Faces Competition and gave him the chance to perform at New York City’s noted comedy club Carolines on Broadway.

Now an eleven year stand-up veteran, the 32-year-old New York City resident has made comedy his full-time job, flooring audiences with anecdotal bits about ultra-macho frat boys or being too fat for karate. Jay has performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and is currently starring and writing consultant on the hit IFC show Z-Rock, where he received critical acclaim for his performance as “Neil”, the sexually questionable owner of a NYC rock club. Jay has also appeared on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and Dave Attell’s Insomniac Tour, and was a contributing writer for Chappelle’s Show.

Keep an eye out for Big Jay Oakerson’s half-hour special airing on Comedy Central and the release of Big Jay Oakerson: An American Storyteller available now on Comedy Central Records & iTunes. Big Jay is coming off a 7 week tour opening for KoRn and is currently on tour with Rockstar Mayhem Fest!

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After making people laugh off stage for years, Kabir “Kabeezy” Singh decided it was time to share his gift of comedy with the world. This class clown finally gave in to years of pressure from friends and strangers alike to hit the stage- and it was on!

Born in Portland Oregon, and now the tender age of 24, Kabeezy has performed at some of the most prestigious and sought after clubs in California, including The Laugh Factory (Sunset, LA), Cobb’s Comedy Club, San Jose Improv and is a regular at Tommy T’s Comedy Club.

He has opened for some of the biggest comics in the world like Mark Curry and comedy legend Bobby Slayton. Kabeezy has also performed in colleges all around Cali like UC Irvine, San Jose State, Stanford and at Berkeley for over 2,000 people. After only one year in the comedy game from May 08 to May 09 Kabeezy has done all of this including being a finalist in the 2008 San Jose Improv Competition and winning the 2009 Rooster T. Feathers Competition, beating out over 160 Bay Area comics. He is also part of the Pundits With Punchline Tour.

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With Dean Obeidallah, Aron Kader and Maysoon Zayid!

The tour features three of the countries top Arab-American comedians: Dean Obeidallah and Aron Kader – both known from being part of the successful “Axis of Evil” Comedy Tour and Maysoon Zayid – the country’s top female Arab-American comedian.

“With Bush gone and President Obama reaching out to the Arab and Muslim world, the Arab community feels we can finally have some fun!” declares Obeidallah who has been seen on Comedy Central, ABC’s “The View” and is the executive producer of the Amman Stand Up comedy Festival – the first and only stand up comedy festival in the Middle East history. “Not that everything is great for us, but we feel with Bush out we can finally feel free to make fun of ourselves in a way we never did before,” Obeidallah added.

“We do miss Bush for the material, but we are all much happier to have a President who knows how to read,” jokes Aron Kader who has also been seen on Comedy Central, “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” and FX’s “The Shield.”

The comics tackle everything from politics to pop culture to crazy Arab mother-in-laws, all from their unique point of view. “The comedy is written for everyone to get- but if you are of Middle Eastern heritage, you not only will laugh, you will also relate to it,” adds Obeidallah

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Headlines September 17 – 19

From “Stella” & ”Michael and Michael Have Issues”

Michael Ian Black is a multi-talented actor, writer, comedian and director. He’s also a filmmaker, having written and directed the MGM DVD release, “Wedding Daze,” starring Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher. He also wrote the original screenplay for “Run, Fatboy, Run” (2008), starring Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton under the direction of David Schwimmer.

Black’s most recent comedy series, “Michael and Michael Have Issues,” appeared on Comedy Central this past year. He and former State colleague Michael Showalter created, starred in, wrote, directed and produced this comedic look at the intertwining lives of two contentious best friends. Along with Showalter and David Wain, Black created, starred in and co-wrote the Comedy Central series, “Stella.” He’s one of the lead commentators on VH1′s “I Love the…” series. His writings on contemporary culture have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Wired, Filter, CMJ Magazine and McSweeney’s online.

Black starred opposite Paul Rudd and Janeane Garofalo in the USA Films cult hit, “Wet Hot American Summer.” He appeared in “Reno 911!: Miami,” “The Ten,” “Partners” and “The Baxter.” He’ll next be seen opposite Topher Grace and Anna Faris in “Kids in America.” For four years, he starred on NBC’s hit drama, “Ed”. Most recently, he shot a lead role in the upcoming Crackle series, “Backwash”.

His career began when Black graduated from NYU and co-created, co-wrote and starred in the acclaimed MTV sketch comedy show, “The State.” From there, he co-created, co-wrote and starred in the Comedy Central series “Viva Variety.” He was also the voice and forearm of the popular Pets.com sock puppet. Black gives comedy lectures around the country under the title, “The Awesome Life with Michael Ian Black.” He also performs stand-up comedy in clubs all over the U.S.

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