The paul f. Tompkins show @ largo 7/12/08

[Paul F Tompkins]

Jesus Christ. Here it is AGAIN.

So, we had our first show at the new Largo at The Coronet, and it was a rousing success. We got our feet wet and learned a lot of things about the new space. And now we feel that this Saturday's show will be even BETTER. How is that even possible? The secret is learning!

One of the things we learned is that Largo's new reservation policy scares the piss out of people. It asks you to provide many personal documents in order to reserve a seat over the phone with a credit card. Many of you may be thinking, Well, if that's the way they want to do things, they are welcome to go soak their heads! By means of jumping all the way into a lake! I don't want my identity thefted!!!!!

Well, Paul F. Tompkins heard your plaintive cries, as Paul F. Tompkins hears all things, and Paul F. Tompkins watches the world through the eyes of little birds. And we are happy to tell you there is a better way to make sure you get a seat for The Paul F. Tompkins Show.

This is a special arrangement for the members of my mailing list. If you'd like to go to the show, send your name and the names of all people in your party to fueledbywhiskey@gmail.com and you will be put on the MUST-GET-IN list. You will receive a confirmation email, double-checking your names, and then you just show up and buy your tickets! You need only make sure to be there by 8 o'clock AT THE LATEST!

The Largo box office opens at 6:30PM. So get there between 6:30 and 8 (but no later), buy your ticket, and enjoy the show.

We've got a great one lined up for you this month, featuring the comedic talents of Rachael Harris and Tim Meadows, as well as the return of our old pal, musical guest Jill Sobule!

Hope to see you there.

The PAUL F. TOMPKINS Show

Saturday, July 12th
8:30PM

Largo @ The Coronet
366 N La Cienega Boulevard
(310) 855-0350

Tickets: $20.00

[the_psychologist]

This was an extremely entertaining show. The Coronet is quite a nice space for PFT to do his thing and captivate the crowd.

There was a full band, as well as a musical guest. PFT joined in on at least 2 songs, which was very cool and new to me. He also closed with "Danny Boy", doing some hilarious posing as the song progressed.

He did a chunk of stand-up at the top and bottom of the show, with the first chunk being the highlight of the night for me. His tale of trying out the parental role using a child loaner is great.

Tim Meadows and another guest performed a sketch with PFT that seemed to be a cautionary tale about a stage actor getting trapped in their role.

Oh, and David "Gruber" Allen was on hand for a Q&A bit and random appearances throughout the night.

Now, being a curmudgeon, I must mention the not-so-good. A sense of chaos pervaded the show, which actually created some hilarious moments (PFT twice delicately bounding through mistimed, closing curtains). But mostly, it was just frustrating. I think both main mics had problems, with one dying outright and the other cutting out and having lots of buzzing. The lavalier mics also had mad plosives (sorry for being a nerd) which maybe could be solved by rolling off the low end on them? I want to be nice, but, when a show revolves around being able to hear the performers, the venue really needs to be on the ball. Plus, it's one of the more expensive comedy options around town, so I really think the A/V should be more solid. PFT was a star up there, so let's give him the support he deserves, yeah? Thanks.

I will gladly return for future shows.

[dpardue]

Just to give credit where credit is due, the other actress was Rachael Harris, and the musical guest was Jill Sobule.

[helloitslate]

Did Jill Sobule say anything at all how Katy Perry stole her thunder with that I kissed a girl song? Cause screw that Katy girl Sobule had that covered many moons ago.

[amoment]

Jill didn't talk about the Katy Perry song at the PFT show, but she has talked about it in the past (and blogged about it on myspace -- http://www.myspace.com/jillsobule).

Jill is doing a full set at Largo (in the Little Room) this Friday, July 18, so she might talk about it more then, because this will be her first headlining show at Largo since the other "I Kissed a Girl" really took off.

When Matt Besser was joking about how upset Jill must be about the new song (when he hosted See You Next Tuesday last week), I had wanted to tell him that Jill had said she really wasn't all that upset -- just a little annoyed. But my comments would have turned out to be a little out of date, because I think Jill blogged about it again that night or the next day and had a little different take on it.

Anyway, this is way off of the original topic, but Jill pointed out that her song was banned from a number of radio stations when it came out, whereas this song doesn't seem to be causing any controversy at all. And she also speculated that maybe she won't be known as the "I Kissed a Girl" girl anymore, and she wonders if Katy Perry will be able to shake it and be known for something else someday. There have been a few different posts about it on her myspace page.

Oh, and the PFT show was great as always! I'm looking forward to the next one on August 9.