Louis Katz - May 5th

Louis Katz on "Last Call w/ Carson Daly"

Louis Katz | Myspace Video

Jon Dore - April 20 - 23

Last evening stand-up comedian Jon Dore performed the first of his four-night-stint here at Helium Comedy Club. He was kind enough to do a Q&A with us - chatting about the NHL playoffs, starring in a new TV pilot, and James Bond on Netflix.

Helium Comedy Club: Apart from performing four nights at Helium, how are you going to be spending your time in Philadelphia? Have you been to Philly before?

Jon Dore: I have never been to Philly before. However, the NHL Playoffs are in full swing my friend. Montreal Boston! Philly Buffalo! Vancouver Chicago! I'll be in front of the television.

HCC: I recently read you landed a lead in an NBC pilot. Anything you can tell us about your involvement in the show? Are you planning on doing more acting?

JD: Indeed. The pilot is called "My Life as an Experiment" somewhat based on the life of journalist and author AJ Jacobs. It stars Paget Brewster, Adam Campbell, and Donald Sutherland. All funny veterans and I'm pretty sure they learned a lot from me.

HCC: You seem to be particularly skilled at being funny just by talking to people – whether it’s your interviews on “The Jon Dore Television Show” or even something as simple as talking on “Stop Podcasting Yourself.” Does your act include any crowd work?

JD: If I'm distracted I will involve the audience. Talking to the crowd is much easier than writing jokes. I am that lazy. Glad you mentioned "Stop Podcasting Yourself" Graham and Dave are great hosts and lovers.

HCC: Regarding your act, you work with a very specific voice, and, at times, you seem to be playing a character on stage. You’ve also played a version of yourself on “The Jon Dore Television Show.” How does this character or voice – or whatever you like to call it – shape your act? Do you think this naturally developed from your sense of humor growing up or was it formed from the trial-and-error nature of performing comedy?

JD: This question is too thoughtful. I commend you on your ability to cut to the core of me, however, the evolution of my comedic sensibility is not something I can talk about casually. How bout I type the word "fart" instead of answering the question? Thoughts?

HCC: At times, your act could be described as being alternative comedy – you’ll play a tape player of yourself trying to remember a joke or take your shirt off to reveal tattooed-on suspenders. Has alternative comedy always interested in you? What comedians do you think have influenced your act most?

JD: Alternative to what? I just perform what I think is funny. Most of the time it's terrible. I present 45 minutes of "comedy" to an audience in a club. I guess I'm the alternative to anyone who is not me. Steve Martin, Bill Cosby, Jim Carrey, David Letterman, Mr. Show, Kids in the Hall, and all cast members of the show General Hospital have influenced my act and life choices.

HCC: Late last year you performed on Conan. What was that experience like?

JD: It was wonderful.

HCC: Anything else you’d like to tell us?

JD: Sure, "Hey Philly, all James Bond films are streaming live on Netflix… You're welcome. Love Jon."

John Heffron - March 23 - 26

It seems like every few weeks a comedian with ‘Last Comic Standing finalist’ on their résumé is performing at Helium Comedy Club – and rightfully so. The NBC series gave dozens of talented, underexposed comedians a platform to gain some much deserved national recognition. Now these stand-ups have the ability to book tours and work venues across the nation – like Philly’s Helium. Starting this Wednesday, March 23rd and continuing through Saturday, March 26th, comedian John Heffron – winner of Last Comic Standing Season 2 – will be performing at Helium Comedy Club.

Apart from his Last Comic Standing victory, Heffron was also a finalist during Season 3, has been featured several times on Comedy Central, and has appeared twice on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Outside of stand-up, Heffron has worked as a radio morning show cohost in Detroit alongside Danny Bonaduce and created a card game called 'The "That Guy!" Game.'

Myq Kaplan - March 18 & 19

This Friday and Saturday, New York/ Boston-based comedian Myq Kaplan (pronounced 'Mike') will be at Helium Comedy Club. Over the past two years, Kaplan has racked up some serious accomplishments – starring in his own Comedy Central Presents, appearing on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and finishing in the top five during this past summer’s Last Comic Standing. Now, he’s headlining in clubs across the nation and proving that he's one of the smartest young stand-ups working in comedy.

Myq Kaplan Stand-Up Comedy from Myq Kaplan on Vimeo.

Face Time with Chip Chantry

Tonight - Tuesday, March 15 - is the inaugural Face Time with Chip Chantry show at Helium Comedy Club. The show - which looks very promising, by the way - starts at 8 and tickets are only $5. We were able to catch up with Chip prior to tonight's show to chat about being from Montgomery County, how he got his start in stand-up, and what Face Time is all about.

Helium Comedy Club: If I read correctly, you're from the same area I'm from - Montgomery County. A lot of comedians say that it was being bored in the suburbs that forced them to become funny. What about growing up in suburban Philadelphia do you think helped to shape you as comedian?

Chip Chantry: MontCo! I was right in the center of the county- furthest away from anything. When I was a kid, we lived on top of a hill, and I night, I could see the Philly skyline way off in the distance. I knew things had to be cooler in town then out in the burbs, that's for sure. But I, like most people in the Philadelphia area, grew up with a little chip on my shoulder, surrounded a lot of quick-witted, sarcastic people. Humor was my primary mode of communication and social survival.

HCC: Your particular "how I got into stand-up" story is pretty interesting - your brother booked you to open for his band without telling you. Are you eternally grateful for that?

CC: Absolutely. I always wanted to be a comedian, but didn't know how. He and the guys in his band opened that door for me. And they are still supportive, which means everything. If it was not for those four guys, I wouldn't be doing this.

HCC: I've also read that you're a fairly musical guy - which is not uncommon amongst comics. How do you think music and comedy relate to one another?

CC: Well, I'm a stellar music fan, but at best, a mediocre musician. But it's true, 99% of comics I know, myself included, are obsessed with music. Most comics want to be rock stars. And from what I've seen ,a lot of rock stars think they are comedians. There are some live musicians I have seen, who are hilarious (Jeff Tweedy and Mike Doughty make me laugh a lot). Then there are others who try to to be funny, and you just want them to stop talking between songs, because it's uncomfortable for everyone involved.

A musician's saving grace is that he always has a song to fall back on if his joke flops. Comics don't. Paul McCartney can say ANYTHING he wants, because he's always got "Hey Jude" in his back pocket. He could tell a horrible joke, a boring anecdote, or publicly admit to murder, then wipe it all away with his closing number, and people will love him. I wish I had a "Hey Jude".

HCC: Can you talk about Chip Chantry's One-Man Spectacular and Die Actor Die?

CC: Don Montrey's DIE ACTOR DIE was a comedy variety show at the Khyber a few years ago that brought together sketch artists, standup comedians, and some other really talented people. It was an amazing show. Then, he let me take the helm, and I renamed it CHIP CHANTRY'S ONE-MAN SHOW (w/ special guests!). Same comedy variety format. I run that show at The Shubin with my comrade Johnny Goodtimes.

HCC: What is Face Time with Chip Chantry and how does it differ from the two above?

CC: Face Time is a bit different than a regular comedy variety show. It's based on a late-night talk show format. I have a "house band", a sidekick, etc. Comedians and sketch groups will perform, and then I'll sit them down to interview them. There will also be some sketches, videos, and some other surprises.

HCC: Anything else people should know about Tuesday night's inaugural Face Time show?

CC: I will, by far, be the low-point of the show. No contest. I am really excited to have Philly native Mike Vecchione come down from New York for the show. Mike is hilarious, and has had an amazing year, including his own Comedy Central Presents, and a spot on the Tonight Show. Plus, the incredible Meg & Rob, one of my favorite sketch groups, will be making one of their last appearances before Meg moves to LA. Aaron Hertzog is hilarious and skinny, which is a great combination. Plus, my co-host, Amir Gollan, is one of the funniest people I know.

If that's not reason enough to come, just know that since it's the first show, 37 are bound to go wrong, and you may see a grown man (me) cry. That's worth the $5 right there.

HCC: You've been pretty open about liking Helium. What do you think separates Helium from other comedy venues you've played?

CC: Helium's given me the opportunity to watch and work with the best comics in the world. There's no other club like it in Philadelphia. Or Montgomery County.

Bird Text - March 1st

Starting tomorrow - Tuesday, March 1st - and continuing every first Tuesday of the month, Helium will be hosting "Bird Text Comedy Show." The show (which starts at 8pm and is only 10 bucks) features the Philly-based comedy group Bird Text. They perform and produce live shows, digital content and a weekly podcast and consist of Helium regulars Tommy Pope, John McKeever and Luke Cunningham. In addition to the Bird Text performance, this week will also feature performances by Nikki Glaser of "Last Comic Standing" and Jesse Popp of "Premium Blend."

Helium had a chance to catch up with rising Philly comedian and Bird Text-er Tommy Pope to chat about performing stand-up, where he gets his material from, and why he likes performing in Philly.

Helium Comedy Club: How long have you been doing stand-up?

Tommy Pope: Close to three years. My brother talked me into going to Helium’s Tuesday open mic and I haven’t stopped since. I love him for that. My mom still encourages me to get a “real job with insurance”.

HCC: What has been your favorite moment as a stand-up? Least favorite?

TP: The first time I hosted at Helium stands out. It was for JB Smoove. I was in the green room, staring at the door to the stage and blacked out from fear. I still don’t remember my first 2 minutes. That creepy Helium jingle was playing loudly and I suddenly forgot my set list. It reminded me of that scene in Gladiator where Russell Crowe is waiting for the Coliseum gate to open, and a chunky beast in a helmet is swinging a spiked ball on a chain. I expected to be slaughtered but it went great. What a feeling. I felt like calling all my ex-girlfriends and apologizing.

One of my least favorites was this past December. Urban Outfitters had just finished a holiday party and decided to stick around to infect everyone with there hipster chest tattoos and imaginary sense of importance. I got heckled 30 seconds into hosting and lost control. I told her she looked so ridiculous the Kensington strangler would pass her up. Relax, you're not in fashion, you're just a clerk with an ironic record collection. They angrily left, and I will forever remember Doogie Horner yelling “Oh C’mon!” as I walked off stage without telling one joke.

The great experiences by far out weigh the bad ones, but you never forget the bombs. A lot of comedians embrace the bad shows and learn from them. I go home and blindly stare at my microwave while contemplating a career in carpentry.

HCC: Have you played other cities besides Philly? If so, how do they differ?

TP: Yeah, I’ve played in a few other cities. But none of them has perfected the goatee like Philadelphia. There's just something about the hairstyles on our face that perfectly expresses our love for violence.

Every city differs in some way. But what stays consistent is how great Philly truly is. This city loves comedy and has an amazing comedy scene. There are so many great mics every week with packed audiences willing to listen and want to laugh. My NY comic friends are blown away by the attendance and support of Helium’s open mic, but it happens everywhere here. In other major cities, comedians are used to telling jokes in front of only other comedians and just a couple patrons. They come here and are blown away by the opportunities.

Philly is an amazing place to be right now as a comedian. All the comics are very supportive of each other and it continues to grow with talent. We probably take it for granted, but all you need to do is take a trip outside the city to understand the growing potential of Philadelphia, and carpenter jeans. A shit load of carpenter jeans.

HCC: Where do you find you get most of your material from?

TP: From my dad. I just wait for him to say things and I report it. So shit my dad says. That’s a great idea for a show. I get material from personal experiences. I try to talk about things that make me laugh. As long as I find it funny, I give it a try.

HCC: What's your writing process like?

TP: Everyone has their own method and there is no right or wrong way. I write down ideas in a notebook then type it out. Eventually I try it out and continue to improve it. If the joke doesn’t work, I’ll email it to someone on Facebook, and ask them for their opinion over and over until they unfriend me.

HCC: You are very high energy on stage - how similar are Tommy Pope the stand-up and Tommy Pope the person?

TP: I’d like to say I'm exactly the same I'm not yet. “Finding your voice” is so cliché, but the idea is to perform until you feel like yourself. The easiest way to be original is to just be you. I think that comes with experience. I remember a friend interrupting me after a show while I was telling a story. And he said, “Why don’t you do THIS, on stage?” Yeah, that’s the idea Dad. But when you first start, you might get 3 minutes and get a light 60 seconds to wrap it up. You're trying to be funny and NOT shit yourself at the same time. It’s a great experience to learn structure, but it was difficult to be myself. Because I like to dance when I talk.

HCC: What are your goals as a stand-up?

TP: It would be nice just make a living doing it. I keep my dreams to myself about Comedy Central specials and festivals. But honestly, I just want to do it and be able to live. There aren’t many shows when you are dead.

HCC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

TP: In 10 years, I see myself in a senior position, maybe a team leader, having more responsibilities, coaching other employees and managing more people.

I am interested in pursuing my career based on this company’s goals. Ugh. I am so glad I'm done with that shit. I guess writing and performing at some level and trying to get better. I love watching great comedians because it reminds me that there is always room for improvement.

Dov Davidoff - February 25 & 26

Many comics will tell you that unusual childhoods and successful careers in comedy are somehow related. Of course, every unusual childhood does not result in a comedy career and every great comedian is not required to have an unusual childhood. But for Dov Davidoff, it's fairly likely that his atypical upbringing helped him to develop his sense of humor at an early age.

According to Davidoff, he grew up in a New Jersey junkyard - raised by divorced parents who still lived together.

Certainly psychologists could hypothesize how and why this resulted in Davidoff's ability to be especially funny, but Dov likely isn't too concerned with all that; he just likes performing in front of audiences. And as far as touring comedians go, few work crowds better and interact with audiences more directly than Davidoff. Whether or not that is related to suppressed childhood insecurities doesn't exactly matter at the end of the night - he's a funny stand-up.

Now years out of his junkyard in Jersey, this LA-based comic is becoming a household name in comedy clubs all across the nation. He has performed in his own Comedy Central Presents special, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and has been featured twice at HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.

Come out and see Dov Davidoff performing at Helium Comedy Club February 25 & 26