I met Matt Lottman briefly while attending Comedy Living Room. I saw the show #27, benefiting Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. It was held, truly, in the living room of their Hollywood home. I arrived at the show close to its beginning, and at that time, all the living room seats were full. In the dark, I could see people on comfy couches up in the front, and folding chairs behind them, followed by more couches toward the back.
Cider was being served, along with cookies from a table outside on the patio. There was a second group in the kitchen, where a monitor showed the live show, and this was standing room only as well. I saw most of the show there, but there really wasn’t a bad seat in the house. The gifts lined the inside of the living room, for the charitable donations. The dog of the house circled the rooms, chumming up all the many guests.
I laughed a lot, ‘til my eyes hurt, and I got the ‘funnies’ stomach ache. It was well worth the donation money I chipped in when I got my cider. I felt warmly welcomed, as if visiting old friends, even though I was cracking up in a room full of strangers.
These guys had a really cool formula, unlike anything I’d experienced thus far in live comedy shows.
Recently, I met up with Matt at a restaurant in North Hollywood. I wanted to find out more about this magical exhibition of humor. He is a busy man, very driven, and he knows his stuff when it comes to what’s funny. His roommate, and the other founder of CLR is Frank Chad Muniz.
Matthew broke the bad news to me that their landlords had sold the Hollywood house for a pretty penny indeed. Determined not to be derailed by the situation, they are already looking for other possible venues. But before that happens, they will go out with a bang. A seriously full-of-hilarity night that must not be missed. Details to follow, but mark your calendars for March 26th!
Two and a half years, and (almost) 30 shows later, this wild and unique venue has highlighted some of the freshest talent out there in the comedic world, as well as sought-after names you know already.
“The Green Room is literally Frank’s bedroom,” Matt tells me of how they set up the house. “Frank has had more comedians in his bedroom than probably anyone on the planet.” I believe this to be true, after he rattles off the names of Aziz Ansari, Andy Dick and others.
As for the magic formula, he tells me they wanted to put on a show that they themselves would really want to see. When it’s not driven by how many seats are filled, tickets are sold, and why, you are at your own home after all, then that is the magic formula. You just get a roster of 8-10 comics, keep the show FREE, and have people relax and be comfortable. The fans come first for CLR. You get a special feeling sitting in their audience, and they have always had that as the desired outcome. They want people to laugh.
At the first show, an intern of Conan O’Brien’s attended, and later, some writers, and after that, well-you know-word spreads quickly. Hence the weighted names in the lineup as it progressed.
As for the comics, they love this format. Because of the casual setting, it is an endless experimental environment. They are free to do and say whatever they please.
Each show has a team of dedicated folk who put it on as a labor of love, including Lisa, their executive producer/manager, DJ Mark Chill, Loren and many other volunteers who provide the greatest compliment to the show by supporting them.
Sold out shows are a common theme for Comedy Living Room, so if you are anywhere near Los Angeles-RSVP and ASAP. You WILL NOT have another chance like this to experience this humor in such a unique setting.
COMEDY LIVING ROOM –The Final Show
MARCH 26TH, 2015 8:00 P.M.
Please visit the website for more details and to catch the lineups of the past CLR’s.
