WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Actor T.J. Miller attends the 23rd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar Viewing Party on February 22, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
The Odd Ball Comedy Tour hits Starlight tonight…
It’s a sold out affair with big names like Amy Schumer, my pal TJ Miller.and several others on the long list of up and coming comics.
It’s a Woodstock type event.thgat runs from 5 pm today until 11 pm. Other names include Jeff Ross and Jim Norton. Naturally, most of the comics tonight have played Stanford’s over the past few years.
As most of you know, TJ Miller is a close friend of mine.
And as you may recall, I wrote a story a while back about how TJ took me to Tom Jones 75th birthday party in LA. It was a great night!
Miller did his first standup headline gig for a week in 2008 at Stanfords at our Legends location. At the time he’d only done a couple small films including Cloverfield and was doing She’s Out of Your League in a role would get him rolling as a young comedy star.
TJ let me know that his mother was from Kansas City and he had family here.
He was raised in Denver and he became a Johnny Dare favorite on 98.9.
The man is loaded with charisma and talent.
A few years later TJ got a call at our club from Tom Cruise to be in Rock of Ages.
My brother Jack and TJ were also close and Jack told TJ, “Don’t be nervous, Cruise is lucky to be working with you You’re on the way to becoming the top man.”
Jack was killed in an auto wreck weeks later and TJ came here on his own dime to do a comedy benefit for Jack.
Since then we’ve been very close.
TJ lives in LA of course where his career is as big as it get these days.
He’s just over 30 and has nobody else his age can really star in comedy films today with his credits and new found fame. He’s basically replaced older comedy stars like Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and so forth as the go to guy in Hollywood. They’re all late 40’s-50’s now, so its a TJ Miller world.
TJ’s such a pal he even is featured in Stanford & Sons pilot in June for a tv series.
The show goes out to networks next week. It’s very funny about our family and the club. Miller was shot in LA talking to me through the entire show about why he couldn’t come that week. Fingers crossed. We’ll see if we get picked up.
I’ll see TJ tonight at the show, hang with him and catch up.
He plans on doing Stanfords later this fall as a favor.
I’m a huge fan of T.J. Miller on Silicon Valley — and congrats to him and the entire cast for the show being renewed for a third season on HBO this past April. My favorite on the show, however, remains Martin Starr (Gilfoyle!), whom I’m still convinced HAS to be related (likely as a younger sibling) to KC’s very own Soren Petro. They’re the spittin’ image! (Except that Petro’s fairly fat). Gravitating against such opinion, though, and as others have highlighted for me previously — how can that possibly be since Starr is, you know, actually funny and entertaining and stuff. Point taken, I gotta say.
I’ve caught Marc Maron’s podcast a few times– funny stuff– with comics you’ve actually heard of — like Will Farrell, Louis C.K. etc..
a recurring theme is the comics describing describing the agony of working their way up thru strip-mall comedy club circuit hell. They recall most owners being d-bags, usually running a club they inherited from their family, bossing them and screwing them around .. — stiffing them on paychecks– etc..etc—- when they were nobodies.
BUT — once they made it big …THEN they want them to come back — take pics together –go out on the town to be “seen” together – do local yokel radio shows– claim they’re BFFs and that they “discovered” the star etc etc
sound familiar?
Maybe to a person like you pal. Trolls like you just hate for no reason. Sound familiar. What a pig you are.
The difference ‘pig’ is we developed ‘nobody’ comics and helped make them stars, we didn’t need photos and we never stiffed anyone hence they come back and Stanfords is a legendary club as everyone knows. My brother and I inherited no club ever, I owned it with my dad from day one, it was my money not his..just so you’ll know ‘pig.’
P.S. I didn’t know Westport or Legends were strip malls, my bad ‘pig’…I am friends with Louie who did a bit on our club on his tv show.
P.S. We do radio and TV with all our guys, not when they make it but before as well..’pig’…everyone knows that too…I don’t need to hang with them as they become stars, I’m busy too…TJ is different we have a project and we are closer than I am with most others…that’s all…ok ‘pig’ thanks
I love it when the ‘roid rage takes over.
Oink oink pig oink oink
That’ll do
I bow to your awesomeness, artemmis. Hilarious comment.
WTF GLAZE…
you downplay rudd who just starred in big show antman.
where do you get your info and opinions because you sure continue o make
a fool of yourself.
“go to guy”…..miller hasn’t done half the things of rudd.
are you acomedian yourself or do you really believe what you write.
why aren’t they at standfords if they’re such good friends.
I know…money/greed/forgetting where they came from/who helped them
get their start. Typical money hungry mongers who worship the buck as
they partake in their short lived careers in comeday.
hahahahahahahahah
I would hope this aint you my friend. Wow. That much hate really.
no hate intended.
paul rudd just starred in a huge blockbuster movie and to say
this tj replaced him was absolutely wrong.
Rudds got more big time credits than tj including working wih
the biggest stars in th world.
why would you make that comment. Rudd is still one of the
hottest names in movies. I would not compare the two…
and to say rudd is being replaced when he’s the hottest
guy right now is ridiculous.
Then the second part has nothing to dowith tj…just the idea that when you or anyone helps someone on the way up…sometimes they forget you when they get bigger.
Happens everday…people do it…you help someone when theyre
nothings and when they do something bigger they forget
yyou. I’m sure many comedians who you featured before they
were big now have forgotten you. They tke the money of
bigger venues. Its not just in the comedy world …its in all
the business world.
no hate glaze…but you really need to be careful what you
write. Obviously you are wrong about rudd. And I do hope
tj does well….but he’s got a long way to go to replace rudd.
And im sure he make nothing near the money the other
juys you mentioned.
stop having thin skin when someone questions what you
write.
don’t take it personal…you choose to write for hearne so I suggest you do fact checking before you write something.
Harley can’t hate glaze…he’s my fav writer on kcc…without glaze all we’d have were stories about shoemakers and
broadway.
take care ….your friend always
Harley
Harley, TJ is 32 those guys are 45 and up, yes he replaces them in the ‘younger’ roles of movies….there is no other nice looking comedy film stars outside Miller right now…so he is the man…I know what is coming up for him. Tons. Paul is a star of course just older…as is Sandler…of course they will continue to be stars just not in younger roles that’s all…like Amy replaces Chelsea same reason…we all get older…but many still stay stars…that’s all.
I would suggest you check out imbd (I think
that’s the site) and compare rudd and tj.
as you know ….many young comics can
flame out…I can name a dozen…..
rudd will get blockbuster roles…look at the
older guys in Hollywood….they’re still giving
douglas and eastwood and other “older” guys
the big money.
I would hardly compare a guy who plays
starlight in kc with a guy who was featured
on every talk show…every news show…every
late night show this summer.
Sorry glaze…but you got it wrong.
Go read rudds credit…yes he’s 46 but he’s
really just getting started…and working with
the big names he worked with puts him
head and shoulders above the guy who just
played starlight….was it sold out?
checks tj’s schedule this summer and fall…not filled with big shows or venues.
Checked out his film career and almost 60% were just his voice not his appearing in the film.
I take nothing away from this guy…probably doing well…and seems like a great guy who remembers his friends he met when he was on the way up….and remembers those who helped him.
But in no way does he replace rudd who at
that age was doing big time shows like
FRIENDS and on broadway with the greats
stars like Helen hunt.
Sorry glaze…but Harley wins this one.
Next time don’t go after the rudd who every year comes back for his huge charity event that brings in big money.
Know him ad his family. yes tj is doing good but I doubt he’ll ever reach the name recognition of paul rudd in this town or in this nation.
Just admit you made a mistake. Its okay…
go see rudd’s imbd.
still love ya glaze but Harley wins this
conversation.
Not trying to be an ass, but I heard from several people in attendance that Miller’s set was AWFUL. Bombed hard and it was super embarrassing. I wonder what happened?
You know good point kinda. Everyone there was a bit off, rushed, just flew in many like TJ got in a few hours before they got on stage, flying from LA or New York, its tough.. the outdoor thing is hard for comics…TJ was off a bit not that bad…had his moments…I thought from what I saw they were all off a bit…didn’t stay for Amy but saw her and she was nice backstage as was everyone.
Six hours of nothing but comedy, what could possibly go wrong?
That sounds like the type of torture techniques they use in Gitmo.
“Hey Fred, fire up that idiot ventriloquist tape on loop that the Midwestern folk just love, that’ll break ’em.”
you talking about “last comic standing”?
I have a friend in Topeka who wants to know if he is interested in a new 1-series BMW.
Wow write a story about a good guy who is a close pal clearly and comments like these. Really. Unreal.
Who would have thought I’d always be on here defending CG, but damn people, give the guy a break every once in awhile.
Love / Hate whatever you think of the guy, he does have an interesting life in relationship to the rest of us. Our lives aren’t boring, but they aren’t like his.
As far as his comments about Rudd etc, I thought it was pretty insightful, a I didn’t know TJ was that young. If he would have included the Amy Schumer replacing Chelsea in the original article, maybe you would have gotten it. All things change. Cuetto replaced Shields… does that mean we hate Shields and he sucks? No it just means the next group in entertainment/ sports is coming through.
And finally, I was at the show (saw Kevin Hart the SAturday before). Very uneven, but it was the first show of the tour. CG I would ask you, how much of their acts are they testing on the first show(s) (being it’s an outside venue which is so different from a club)? I would guess, like all of us, it gets better with practice. Interested to know though, what %% is stuff they’ve used before vs new stuff they are trying out in a venue like this?
boys…I’ve seen some great comics….pryor/Seinfeld/leno/johnny carson/rickles in his
prime…./Dangerfield (always on…funniest one liners of
all time)….and each time they WERE ON.
No excuses from them. They were expeerts in their
craft.
These new guys just don’t have it.
Thanks man, right on target.
An “interesting life” is not necessarily a good thing, especially when the guy’s such a creep. I’m just fine with my life, thank you.
While Miller plays a role in the GREAT Mike Judge series “Silicon Valley” — not sure that qualifies him as a “great” stand-up comic.
Look at Judge’s other hilarious flick “Office Space” -any stand-up comics from that?
are huge comedy actors like Paul Rudd, Jennifer Anniston etc good stand-ups?
I think a good stand-up act mostly depends on a comics material — and — lesser — on delivery.
BTW — props to Artemmis ! truth hurts!
to be honest….there really are no great comedy guys left.
comedy is frozen…..I loved the greatest ones…like pryor…Dangerfield….
Seinfeld….but today there’s no real great ones.
Lewis black is funny…but now that stewarts show is gone where does
lewis go? Hilarious comedian but he’s never done a decent movie.
Seinfeld….great standup…never really had a big hit movie….had a huge
big money tv show that still brings him millions of dollars evey year.
But where are the really good comics. Hart bombed in kc…
this troupe that was at starlight I never even heard of their show….
we recycle the old ones like jj walker or the guy from full house.
kattan is terrible…might be good on snl but heard he was horrid at
standup.
It’s the material…and with all the comedies on tv maybe the real
good writers are leaving comedy and heading to tv.
Just not much out there right now. I guess Chelsea is over….
but it appears that comedy is in a down situation.
Or maybe tv is taking them off the road and paying them big bucks.
But the days of the big names in comedy are really not doing well
these days. Just the “old” ones that glaze refers to keep coming
back.
As far as adam sandler…did he ever make a great movie? I never saw one that was gangbusters.
Hopefully comedy comes back strong. Was in vegas…and the only
comedians still rolling are Seinfeld/jay leno packs them in/but after
that in vegas (which was the ultimate comedians destination) theres not
much to go see.
Cirque/ventriloquists/singers (like celine etc.) have overtaken the comedians.
Maybe I don’t know them…but its slim pickings right now.
Harley we just like the older stuff its smarter…but Katt Williams is a talent, messed up but very talented and funny, as is Earthquake, Jim Jefferies, Lewis Black, Louie CK,Amy Schumer is strong, Colin Kane could get there, so can TJ if he does more stand up but movies and TV are his thing now, still very funny, there are several others, April Macie, Nikki Glaser, It ain’t over Harley… but no the guys we grew with, that’s over…they were genius, pure genius, Shecky Green, Meyran Cohen, Bob Newhart, Johnathan Winters, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Johnny Carson….Don Rickles, Buddy Hacket, Joan Rivers and even Shelly Burman…those were the days boys.
there are some talented ones there…but it seems theres fewer outlets for them. And just like the music biz fewer outlets via media means fewer comics get the
exposure they deserve.
I ‘ve seen many young comics at your clubs. Some were incredible but were never heard from again.
Now comics do movies which the older comics neverdid…imagine rickles in a movie (except casino)
or buddy Hackett.
Most of the old comics were huge in vegas…now
few comics in vegas headlining….sad.
But thebest one ever had to Dangerfield….theone
liners just came out so smooth…….
best one ever..
YA KNOW MY WIFE CAN SCREAM…
BOY…DOES SHE SCREAM DURING SEX…
ESPECIALLY WHEN I WALK IN THE ROOM.
Guess you join him as ‘pig’ number 2…hey are both number 2’s…in my bathroom. Nothing that pig wrote was correct except his fake name…I always amazed at jealous people like you pig 2, I’ve never met you and don’t hide behind a fake name like you pig 2. Read what THE TRUTH wrote, he is accurate. I do have an unique life, doesn’t make it better than yours but different, I am different in my adventures…that’s all. It gives me deeper insight into whats up with many things we enjoy or wonder about…from sex, women, Hollywood, entertainment and so on….nothing to be upset about….its just FYI for you all…from me….you don’t have to agree…but I try and help as well as entertain…
Fenway guy not Harley
instead of trying to make yourself look bad…address
my comments. Nothing was directed at you just my
opinion about the state of comedy today.
As I said….there are not the huge comedians there once
were. That’s a fact…or an opinion of not only myself but
many in the entertainment world. Stand up comedians
have a tough time today. See the comments by the comedians
on Americas got talent.
Even Howie mandel admitted that the comedy world has
taken a downturn in the last decade.
So instead of calling Harley names…address my comments
and show names and stats that prove me wrong.
I don’t think you can and that’s what’s disturbing.
Johnny Carson used to be the key to introducing new comics.
But he’s gone and for the most part the late night shows
feature few if any new comedy talent.
And even comedy central…they really don’t bring in new
talent. If not for stewarts show there would be no new
funny talent highlighted.
Take your shot at giing us the hot new comedy names besides
tj miller. Kevin Hart would be one but we saw how his
act went in kc.
Be a man…and address my comments in a factual
and valid way why you disagree with my statements.
Again…not intended to hurt or defame anyone…but if you’re
so in tune with the entertainment world…why are you still
here in a little town pushing comics most people have
never heard of.
Name your lineup of future comics…and i’ll bet few if
anyone in this town has heard of them.
You do a magnificent job of p.r. but when I see your lineup
I go WHO?
So stop being a fool. take the comments and provide
examples of why and where I am wrong in my statements.
I ave always provided stats and opinions without
calling people pigs.
And most importantly…your writings at tkc get the most
disgusting and horrid comments about you personally.
Why does your angry words not show up at tkc. Over there
they are brutal with their comments about your writings.
Plus Harley knows a lot.
speak yur peace and prove yourself right.
Harley knows all!
your friend
Harley
Oh please, help from you is the very LAST thing we need.
You’re such an egotist your ego doesn’t even know what an egotist you are.
CG, not harley
glaze is a self promoter…and you have to
give him credit…he’s an incredible p.r. guy
and he knows how to use the media to
get coverage for his biz…and himself.
and its all free!!!!!!!!
maybe bush or walker should hire glaze.
Went to the show Friday, have to agree Miller’s set was a disappointment. I was really looking forward to it too. I still think he’s funny as hell. I really enjoyed Anthony Jeselnik’s set. He stole the show for me. He was so wrong, the audience had no idea what to make of him.
After TJ had to leave for an early flight at 9 PM, I spent the next half hour with Jeselnik, good guy..and yes was at Stanfords Legends in 2011. Funny stand up and Amy Schumer’s ex…one of you asked is the material mostly new or stuff the comics have done before…experience says mostly ‘done before’ you really don’t want to try new material much in front of such a large ‘judgemental’ audience…maybe some but 90% done it before and it worked somewhere…
TJ does improv a ton…not as planned as a Jeselnik type stand up…so that creates issues at times…I’ve seen him alot at our club and yes he was off a bit but far from bad, just not himself, tired and rushed…today Miller is making his big money acting and doing national tv commercial’s by the truck load..still a fun stand up and great guy…who can deliver a standing ovation show most of the time…he has for me several times…we all have our off nights….but as I said he had some very funny spots like the girl rushing the stage to try and jump his bones, huge laughs on that one.
You keep blaming it on him being “rushed and tired.” If he’s trying to make it, wouldn’t it behoove him to be a little more prepared? (I know “behoove” is a big word for you; look it up.)
Germane. Thank you for the nice words. Just saw this, nice. TJ has already ‘made it’ he can retire, if he wants to, on this coming years income…for the rest of his life if he wanted too. When you have a hit HBO series,year 3, a couple new tv series being made, movies to do, landed some huge new tv commercials, and oh yeah is getting married this weekend. Uh, one show isn’t your career.
As mentioned I saw his show and TJ did fine. TJ is just starting his run at being a top comedy star in all areas. Stand up he enjoys but its not his ‘main’ thing to begin with, he is just too busy to go out and do it like he did a few years back. I’m sure he will have wonderful shows on this tour and more down the road. There isn’t a venue that would not enjoy having him today. We have had to move his date with Stanfords several times due to his doing tv and movies.
Well la-de-poop-da