Nate Bargatze to headline Lucille Ball Comedy Festival
Also Nicole Byer, “The Tropicana Room” and much more.
By Jason Pomietlasz
The 2024 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival will take place at The National Comedy Center in Jamestown (named one of Time Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places” in 2019) Thursday through Sunday (August 1st-4th). It celebrates comedy’s past and present, with performances from top-tier comedians such as Nate Bargatze, who has set attendance records around the world with his current “The Be Funny” tour.
Bargatze will perform Saturday (August 3rd). His most recent comedy special, “Nate Bargatze: Hello World,” holds the record as Amazon Prime Video’s most-watched comedy special of all time. Known for his clean, relatable comedy style, Bargatze has appeared 13 times on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (the most by any comedian) as well as “Conan” and Seth Meyers’ and James Corden’s late night shows. On October 23, 2023 Bargatze made his debut as Saturday Night Live’s host, scoring one of the iconic show’s highest ratings of the season and a “Washington’s Dream” sketch that went viral.
Bargatze said, “I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the National Comedy Center and it’s just awesome. The interactivity of all the exhibits is amazing – there is nothing else like it. So, it’s a thrill for me to perform at the National Comedy Center’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival this August. I hope everyone will come out, visit the Comedy Center, and see our show.”
Bargatze was nominated for a “Best Comedy Album” Grammy for his 2021 Netflix special “The Greatest Average American.” He has earned praise from Jim Gaffigan who, in Esquire Magazine, called him one of Esquire‘s “Best New Comedians.” In addition, Marc Maron’s named him a “Comedian to Watch.”
“Nate Bargatze has become a favorite of comedy fans across the country and one of the highest-grossing comedians of the year, selling out arenas nationwide,” said National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson. “We were thrilled to have Nate visit the National Comedy Center last fall and look forward to bringing him back to Jamestown for a headlining performance. He’s become a great friend and supporter of our mission.”
Nicole Byer, the Emmy-nominated host of Netflix’s Emmy nominated “Nailed It!,” will kick off the festival on Thursday, August 1st. Byer’s comedy is a take on everyday life and her infectious energy has made her a headliner. She currently co-hosts “Wipe-Out” with John Cena on TBS and hosts no fewer than four podcasts.
Jeff Ross, known as the “Roastmaster General,” was scheduled for August 2nd, but had to cancel. A Stand-Up Showcase is scheduled in his place.
In addition to the headliners, the Comedy Festival’s welcoming environment features more than 50 live events showcasing a diverse group of comics – both established stars and up-and-comers – from across the country.
The festival’s late-night shows are a favorite, featuring more than 20 comedians currently performing across the country. Set in the replica of Ricky Ricardo’s Tropicana Club above the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, the shows are an intimate and immersive comedy experience and an homage to the golden age of comedy clubs.
Look for Moody McCarthy at the Tropicana, a Syracuse native and comedy veteran coming off an appearance at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival. McCarthy said, “I’m really looking forward to this because I’m from upstate and I remember when they started the Comedy Fest. I’m so impressed at what they’ve created. This will be my first time seeing the Comedy Center, and I’ve heard from other comics it’s fantastic.”
Maddy Smith, a Clarence native and regular at NYC’s Comedy Cellar, will also be taking the stage. She said, “I’m excited to perform in Jamestown where I first hit the stage as a plate in Beauty and the Beast.”
The festival will make the Lucy connection with a musical performance by the “Fab Four,” including Lucy (Diane Vincent), Ethel (Rhonda Medina), Ricky (Bill Medieta) and Fred (Bill Chott). Kate Welshofer, the Center’s Communications and Content Strategist said, “the appeal of Lucille Ball endures. Everyone still loves her.”
The Comedy Center’s Vice President of Marketing Gary Hahn said, “as the festival approaches its 34th year, we offer something for everyone. There are family-friendly events, headliners, Lucy tribute events, free block parties with live music, and adults-only late night stand-up.”
Watch The Hive for more festival coverage!
The full schedule of events and ticket links are HERE.
Jason Pomietlasz is a writer, aspiring comedian and a contributor to The Buffalo Hive.
Late Night Listings:
(As supplied by the National Comedy Center)
When: From Thursday, Aug. 1, through Saturday, Aug. 3, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival will present six exciting Comedy Late Night shows featuring a new lineup of comics each night.
Where: The events will be held in a stunning replica of Ricky Ricardo’s iconic Manhattan nightclub, the Tropicana, located just above the Lucy Desi Museum in Jamestown.
Who: The lineup includes …
Thursday, August 1 (9:30 pm and 11:30 pm):
A native New Yorker, Nina Daniels has appeared on FOX, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, The Super Serious Show, The New Negroes, Night Train with Wyatt Cenac, and Comedy at the Knitting Factory.
Ophira Eisenberg is a Canadian-born standup comedian, writer, and host. She hosted NPR’s comedy trivia show Ask Me Another for 9-years. She has appeared on HBO’s Girls, The Late Late Late Show, The Today Show, and is the host of the new comedy podcast: Parenting Is A Joke.
Dave Hill is a comedian, writer, musician, actor, and radio host. He has appeared on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Adult Swim’s Joe Pera Talks with You, Peacock’s Girls5Eva, Comedy Central’s @midnight, Inside Amy Schumer, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, The Jim Gaffigan Show, and TruTV’s Comedy Knockout.
Working nightly in New York City’s top comedy clubs, Erin Jackson is a writer for The Upshaws on Netflix, and has appeared on Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Conan, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Last Comic Standing.
Matt Koff is a Brooklyn-based stand-up comic and veteran TV writer. He won an Emmy for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has written for The Onion and The White House Correspondents’ Dinner hosted by Trevor Noah. He has appeared on Comedy Central, WNYC, WFMU, and The History Channel.
Matt won “New York’s Funniest Stand-Up” last fall in the annual competition during the New York Comedy Festival, which was founded and is produced by Caroline Hirsch.
Friday, August 2 (9:30 pm and 11:30 pm):
Star and creator of the new CBC comedy, One More Time, DJ Demers has won the award for Best Breakout Artist at the Canadian Comedy Awards, the Homegrown Comics Competition at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, and the Toronto Comedy Brawl. He has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, America’s Got Talent, & Conan.
Opey Olagbaju is a Nigerian American stand-up comedian and writer. He recently shot and starred in the pilot of his series Bammas on Hulu. He’s appeared on and written for Sarah Silverman’s I Love You, America on Hulu, and has also appeared on Close Enough, Bob Hearts Abishola, Scroll Wheel of Time, Unrelated, & The New Negroes.
Ali Macofsky’s stand up has received millions of views online. She was selected as a 2022 New Face of Comedy at the Just For Laughs comedy festival and can be found headlining comedy clubs across the country – showcasing her incredibly personal, witty, and observant material that has captivated audiences.
Moody McCarthy has performed at the best clubs in the land and can be heard on SiriusXM. He’s also been featured on America’s Got Talent and Last Comic Standing, and has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan, & The Letterman Show.
Matt Koff is a Brooklyn-based stand-up comic and veteran TV writer. He won an Emmy for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has written for The Onion and The White House Correspondents’ Dinner hosted by Trevor Noah. He has appeared on Comedy Central, WNYC, WFMU, and The History Channel.
Saturday, August 3 (8 pm and 10:30 pm):
Named a 2018 Comedian You Should Know by Vulture, Marie Faustin was also selected as one of Just For Laughs Montreal’s New Faces in 2017. She has appeared on Broad City, Search Party, Comedy Central Stand-Up, MTV’s Girl Code, The BET Awards, & Oxygen’s Very Real Talk.
Jourdain Fisher has performed on Comedy Central and in 2018 he made his late night TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where he received a standing ovation and was then hired as a staff writer! He has also written for Viceland Netflix and BET. He was a highlight at the “Just For Laughs” festival in Montreal as a New Face and was a finalist at Stand Up NBC, held in Los Angeles. His debut Comedy Album “Good For You” can be found on all streaming platforms.
Opey Olagbaju is a Nigerian American stand-up comedian and writer. He recently shot and starred in the pilot of his series Bammas on Hulu. He’s appeared on and written for Sarah Silverman’s I Love You, America on Hulu, and has also appeared on Close Enough, Bob Hearts Abishola, Scroll Wheel of Time, Unrelated, & The New Negroes.
Moody McCarthy has performed at the best clubs in the land and can be heard on SiriusXM. He’s also been featured on America’s Got Talent and Last Comic Standing, and has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan, & The Letterman Show.
Maddy Smith is a long time cast member on MTV’s Wild ‘N Out and also a nationally touring comedian who is a regular at Comedy Cellar in New York City. She has also appeared on BET, HBO, & Barstool Sports.
Tickets for each Comedy Late Night Show are on sale now at ComedyCenter.org/Festival.
(*Please note: these shows contain adult content.)
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