Comedy

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Who’s Laughing Now
America’s comics may hone their chops in gritty comedy hubs like New York and Chicago, but if they’re serious about making it, they’ll eventually end up in L.A. That means on any given night, you can catch some of the country’s best talent at the mike.
-S.A.

LARGO
(323-852-1073)
Claim to Fame
Favored venue of A-list alternative comics like Louis C.K. and Sarah Silverman.
Name to Watch
San Francisco stand-up Brent Weinbach.
Best Show
Paul F. Tompkins’s (of VH1’s Best Week Ever) variety show on the last Monday of each month.

THE GROUNDLINGS
(323-934-4747)
Claim to Fame
Launched Will Ferrell’s career.
Name to Watch
Surrealist sketch comics Kent Sublette and Hugh Davidson.
Best Show
SNL-style sketch-and-improv show on weekend nights.

THE IMPROV
(323-651-2583)
Claim to Fame
Bred top acts like Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, and Drew Carey.
Name to Watch
Nineteen-year-old cerebral wit Taylor Williamson.
Best Show
“Saturday Night Special,” featuring crowd-pleasers like Marc Maron and Patton Oswalt.

IO WEST
(323-962-7560)
Claim to Fame
Hint: Its experimental stage is called the Andy Dick Black Box.
Name to Watch
Improv team Trophy Wife.
Best Show
The bad-lounge-act shtick of The Lampshades, every Saturday at 8 p.m.

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