First of all… WHOA! It’s weird to write “2020” on something. Even crazier is to think that this is the 19th SF Sketchfest! That means babies born in the year of the first Sketchfest are now able to go on their mission for The Latter-Day Saints. (Or vote. Definitely, please — everyone born in 2001 MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER TO VOTE AND DO IT!) I’ve been writing the Nerd’s Guide for eleven years now. Which means for the twentieth year of Sketchfest, you can read the eleven th anniversary of my Nerd’s Guide. I plan to go all out for that one. This year’s guide — I’m not gonna lie — I’m totally phoning it in. Which is fine, it’s like ten minutes of reading. Don’t worry, the good people of SF Sketchfest did NOT phone in the bookings this year.
Tickets and a full schedule for everything can be found here.
Thursday, January 9th
World Premiere of the Netflix Original Series “Medical Police” at Marines’ Memorial Theatre, 7:30 pm
So, yeah, it’s hard to preview a TV show that you’ve never seen. That being said, a huge chunk of this cast and the creative team came from the brilliant Adult Swim show, Childrens Hospital. I’d expect the same sharp weird wit that we got in that show in the house tonight. Also, Erinn Hayes, Rob Huebel, and David Wain will all be onstage. And these folks are comedy geniuses.
For: TV Nerds, Sketch Comedy Nerds
Maria Bamford with special guest Josie Long at The Castro Theater, 8pm
An epic stand-up twofer if there ever was one… Maria Bamford is pretty much a living legend. Not only is she one of the greatest stand-up comics out there, she was one of the first to put her own mental health struggles up front and center, working to reduce the stigma of mental illness and help people become more accepting. Josie Long is coming over from England, here to share her Edinburgh Fringe Fest show the next evening, and will be giving a sampling of her wit to open the show.
For: Mental Health Nerds, I think?
Friday, January 10th
Jon Glaser is Coming To Town at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 7:30pm
We got to interview Jon Glaser last year, and he was such a kind person to us, that I feel obligated to recommend his show. Also, this time around he’s not here to promote anything, so it’s just going to be him on stage telling jokes, and not being the kind of jerk that he seems to always portray.
For: Nerds that appreciate a good actor
Saturday, January 11th
“It Started As A Joke” Premier & SF Sketchfest Tribute to Eugene Mirman at The Castro Theater, 5pm
I absolutely adore Eugene Mirman. His dry demeanor just hits the gut in such a pleasant way. Tonight is not a night of stand up, however. It’s a night of people trying desperately to stroke his ego, as the man does not need to be humble. We will also be enjoying a documentary on the man himself.
For: Documentaries about Comics Nerds
Dark Jeans with JoAnn Schinderle at Brava Cabaret, 8pm
JoAnn Schinderle came up through the Portland comedy scene, the same one that brought us Amy Miller and Ron Funches. (Yes, I know Amy Miller is from Oakland. No need to leave an angry comment) It’s a rich and fertile scene, and also Schinderle has been working hard. This particular show focuses heavily on menstrual products and rewriting the old “period joke.” On top of that, a portion of the ticket sales will be going to making sure homeless youth in the Bay Area have access to feminine hygiene products. So yeah, this is what you should be spending money on here.
For: Menstrual Hygiene Nerds
Sunday, January 12th
Why Won’t You Date Me? Live Podcast with Nicole Byer at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 4pm
I love Nicole Byer. The woman is brilliant! And her podcast about dating is one of the best out there. It’s so good that this afternoon’s show is, um, sold out. However, they always leave a few tickets to sell at the door, so get there early to fill out the last bit of room in the place!
For: Dating Nerds
Resistance is Fertile, Hosted by Geneva Rust-Orta and Brooke Heinichen at Pianofight Mainstage, 10pm
This is one of the few all-female comedy showcases happening around the Bay Area. Normally this plays the intimate Rite Spot, but SF Sketchfest has brought this to the larger Pianofight Mainstage. And, if an evening of amazing local comedy wasn’t enough, they will be raffling off prizes donated by local heroes Good Vibrations throughout the evening!
For: Sex Nerds
Tuesday, January 14th
Bruce McCulloch: Tales of Bravery & Stupidity at iHeart Radio Stage at The Gateway Theater, 7:30pm
Bruce McCulloch is arguably the best lead guy of the legendary Canadien comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall. Of all of the folks to come out of that show, his solo work has proven to be the most consistent. Instead of doing straight stand-up, he tours doing one man shows that are full of heart and fragility, in addition to full-on belly laughs.
For: Canada Nerds, 90’s Comedy Nerds
Wednesday, January 15th
SF Sketchfest Tribute to Robert Klein, in conversation with Ben Fong-Torres at Marines’ Memorial Theater, 8pm
Robert Klein is one of the most famous and enduring stand up comics of all time. Yeah, folks like Billy Crystal and Jay Leno considered him to be the template of success. Yeah, all of that is kinda cool. But tonight he’s being interviewed by BEN FONG-TORRES. The man who basically invented music journalism. So, tonight, we have two living legends from two different worlds talking to each other. It’s almost impossible NOT to get something out of this one.
For: Stand Up Comedy Nerds, Journalism Nerds, Radio Nerds
Thursday, January 16th
I Never Thought I’d Say This with Jodie Sweetin and Celia Behar at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 8pm
Jodie Sweetin’s second act has been pretty fantastic. Sure, Fuller House is virtually impossible to watch. However, Sweetin has endeared herself as someone genuinely funny and personable. This is a live taping of her podcast with her friend Celia Behar, and it’s great. (I mean, I had a baby this year, and it’s primarily about parenting, so I may be biased)
For: Parenting Nerds
Friday, January 17th
SF Sketchfest Tribute to Crispin Hellion Glover: In Person Performing his Big Slide Show part 1 + “What is it?” 15th Anniversary Screening + In Conversation at The Castro Theater, 7pm
Quite a few years ago, I was talking to someone that worked at a venue where Crispin Hellion Glover was doing his one man show. His tour rider had only one request —a very specific pair of socks. He spent most of the day looking all around town for these socks, in all of the finest of retail shops. After coming very close to giving up, he stopped into a Ross Dress For Less. He had about 15 minutes to get back to the venue, found the socks, and then saw the longest line in the world for purchasing. So, he ended up stealing the socks for Mr Glover.
For: Surrealism Nerds
Red Room Orchestra play “Boogie Nights” at The Chapel, 8pm
This ensemble, led by American Music Club’s Marc Capelle, is one of the best bands you’ll ever see. The musicianship is exceptional, and this band has done both the pop songs as well as the score from The Royal Tenenbaums, Twin Peaks, Rushmore, and more, jumping between English Folk, lush orchestral score, 60’s garage rock, and so much more with precision. For Boogie Nights, they will be forced to tackle outlaw country, funk, soul, disco, and a Devo song called “Jerkin’ Back ‘N’ Forth.”
This isn’t a song from Boogie Nights, but this performance melted my face clean off at Outside Lands a few years ago:
For: People that just like music. You don’t need to be a Nerd.
Saturday, January 18th
The Record Store Day Podcast with Paul Myers at Punchline Comedy Club, 4pm
The SF Sketchfest schedule is how I found out that the folks that put together Record Store Day have a Podcast hosted by… The Kids In The Hall’s biographer? It’s still pretty nerdy, where they bring guests in to talk about their experiences in record stores. Previous guests have included Fred Armisen, Tony Visconti, Lisa Loeb, Inara George and more. Tonight we get the great Caitlin Gill, Kids In The Hall & Newsradio legend Dave Foley, and Jonah Ray, a man that seems to love nerd music. (And had a Record Store Day exclusive this year where he covers Weird Al songs)
For: Record Store Nerds
Jonah Ray: You Can’t Call Me Al at Cafe du Nord, 10:30pm
When I was in high school, I secretly dreamt of having a Weird Al cover band. I never did that. But Jonah Ray did! And they are all pop-punk covers of Weird Al classics! Basically removing the parody from the parodies and making the songs their own, whole new thing!
For: Weird Al Nerds, Pop-Punk Nerds
Sunday, January 19th
SF Sketchfest Tribute to George Wallace, in conversation with Patton Oswalt at Marines’ Memorial Theater, 4pm
Sketchfest is chock full of giants this year. George Wallace is a mighty one. He wrote for Redd Foxx. He was the best man at Jerry Seinfeld’s wedding. He is a comedian’s comedian. Tonight, we are going to get an absurd amount of stories.
For: Comedy Nerds
Wheels Off with Rhett Miller at Swedish American Hall, 9:30 pm
I adore Rhett Miller. The Old 97’s are underrated gems of the alt.country movement. The man is a gifted lyricist and performer, and his strum style is hypnotic. He is bringing back Dave Hill, a very gifted guitarist and comic, and Jean Grae, one of the best rappers on earth for this show!
For: Music Nerds
Tuesday, January 21st
Edinburgh Spotlight: Jamie Loftus: Boss Whom Is Girl at Pianofight, 8pm
This year SF Sketchfest has decided to bring a bunch of shows from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to San Francisco. Jamie Loftus is actually an American who brought her fabulous satire on toxic workplaces all the way to Scotland, just to bring it back to SF.
For: Nerds with Jobs
Thursday, January 23rd
SF Sketchfest Tribute to Phoebe Robinson, in conversation at Marines’ Memorial Theater, 8pm
Phoebe Robinson is the host of 2 Dope Queens, one of the few shows worthy of stealing an HBO GO password. So also is a best-selling author, runs her own production company, has a show on WNYC, and is about to kick off another TV show on Comedy Central. She is a busy as anything. So, be grateful she’s taking the time out to talk with us.
For: Busy Nerds
Friday, January 24th
Freestyle Love Supreme at Sydney Goldestein Theater, 7pm and 10pm
Coming from the mind of Lin-Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton fame), Freestyle Love Supreme is an improvised hip-hop musical that’s making its first trip to the West Coast from its debut run on Broadway. This is a straight-up Sketchfest exclusive, so really don’t sleep on this one.
For: Theater Nerds, Hip-Hip Nerds
Moshe Kasher: “Crowd Surfing, VOL 1” Record Release Show at Swedish American Hall, 7:30pm
Moshe Kasher’s Live In Oakland is a classic stand up comedy record. It’s also 8 years old… which was quite a long time ago. Glad he’s at least keeping to his Bay Area roots by debuting the follow up at Swedish American Hall.
For: Local Nerds that appreciate when our local comics get popular
Saturday, January 25th
Womp It Up! With Lennon Parnham and Jessica St Clair at Swedish American Hall, 4pm
A podcast that is actually an offshoot of Comedy Bang! Bang! that features Jessica St Clair as a teenaged podcaster who has an incredibly awkward relationship with her teacher, played by Lennon Parnham. It’s meta. It’s a podcast about podcasting. It’s uncomfortable because adults are playing vulgar teenagers. And it’s so good it makes me cry.
For: Podcasting Nerds
Sunday, January 26th
Fred Armisen Residency: Comedy for Guitar Players but Everyone Is Welcome at The Chapel
So, officially this is the third night of a three night residency for Fred Armisen, where he’s doing his latest music centered act, Comedy for Guitar Players but Everyone Is Welcome. Previous versions of this included a show for drummers and a show for “general musicians.’ This is where Armisen appears to be most at home, playing music and throwing out jokes when he can. For this series of shows, he’s bringing out a very different guitarist every night. The first two nights, however, are sold out. There are rush tickets available for almost everything, so you still have a fighting chance at checking him out with Country Hitmaker Brad Paisley (say what you will, but his song Ticks is funny as anything an actual comedian has written) or avant-jazz hero, Bill Frisell. There is one show left with tickets on Sunday… The guest is still TBA, but, considering the other guests lined up, this one is likely to sell out as soon as they are announced. So, I’d just buy tickets now.
For: Music Nerds. I mean, really nerdy music nerds.
