Top 100 LA Comics to Watch (100-81)
If you don’t know me, my name is Ian Ira Rousso and not only am I a New York-born Jewish comedian based out of Los Angeles, I also am an avid fan of stand-up comedy. Every night I hit the open mics and spend time watching comedians at places like The Comedy Store and The Hollywood Improv. I breath comedy and laughter is the most important thing in the world to me.
The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly hard on the LA comedy scene. A lot of people moved. A lot more quit. Shows were canceled, people lost their livelihoods. We went through some dark days and this city is starting are starting to look familiar again. However, doing comedy in Los Angeles is more competitive than ever.
My most admirable trait (of many) is my desire to build my peers up which is why I made an industry guide, the Top 100 Comics in LA to Watch. These are comedians who haven’t quite made it on TV or in the public eye’s field of vision, but I promise you are well on their way. Trust me. I know funny.
This is my ode to the few, the proud, the hilarious who never lost their stride and stuck it out.
Congrats on everyone who made it. It’s a little something for your EPK!
100. Josh Edelman
Josh is one of the funniest people I know. Having spent years cutting his teeth at places like Bert’s Backroom, The Fourth Wall and late night in The Lab, Josh has won over hearts and minds with his quick whit and high energy sets. Josh has recently seen success with his documentary on legend Al Lubel titled “Mentally Al” which you can stream most places where you stream content. However, not Netflix or Hulu as far as I know.
EDIT: Just checked. Not on Netflix or Hulu :(
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99. Kristen Lundberg
Kristen Lunberg is silly, lively, energetic, and possibly the best fiddle player in the LA comedy scene which she’s used to her advantage. If you haven’t seen her late nights in The Lab or on the patio when the scene started reopening, you are missing out. She is a kind soul to knows how to work a room.
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98. Channing Apodaca
I like Channing a lot. Not only is he funny, quick on his feet and delivers punchlines with a bite to him, I consider him a close acquaintance. He turned me on to this ramen place on Ventura Boulevard called Jinya which is really really good. Great guy to know.
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97. Maria Bruggere
Contrary to popular belief, Maria is one of my best friends in comedy. Not only is she great, not only was she doing Zoom shows when no other comic would, she also has a video on TikTok that reached 10-million views literally for sexualizing a ruler. It was funny. For that alone, she is one of the Top 100 LA Comics to Watch.
EDIT: It was a tape measurer, not a ruler. Keep grinding Maria!
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92. Will Sennett
Ohio’s pride and joy, Will has forged a unique path through the LA comedy scene, paving the way for people to do well on TikTok and Twitter. He is likable, grounded, present, and above all, really funny. 10/10 recommendation for you industry folks reading this.
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91. Kayla Esmond
Kayla is one of my best friends in comedy. Having gotten her start in Little Rock, Arkansas, throughout the pandemic, she has been cutting her teeth during the Hollywood Improv Zoom mics as well as Write Club (which was like whatever). Through that, she has won over the approval of all the bookers at Levity and above all, my heart and I’m excited for what’s next,.
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90. Cat Alvarado
Cat Alvarado is a favorite amongst everyone in the LA comedy scene. Funny, thoughtful, vulnerable on stage, Cat does seemingly every room in town including the ones I produced. She was on my old podcast during the pandemic and it was a good listen. You should listen to her podcast Vilians of History.
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88. Rishi Arya
Admittedly, I’m pushing diversity on this list which is why I’m including a Canadian. The other day, he had a good set at the Happy Hour Open Mic in The Lab and Reeta picked him to do 5 minutes at Lab Work. Rishi is not only a friend of mine, he is a comedian with a bright future ahead of him.
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87. Handren Seavey
I might have seen this guy more than anyone I know in the past two years, whether be backyards, parking lots, public parks or his own show, Chirp N’ Turf co-produced with Jay Light, Handren is one of the funniest people I know and arguably my best friend. He had a really good set in The Lab the other night;
