‘Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast’ to Tape Live at Ace Hotel

John Turner

Since it first aired in April 2009, “Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast” has delighted millions of fans around the world, many of whom have been true disciples of the show since it broadcast in Southern California under its former title, “Comedy Death-Ray Radio.” On Saturday, April 30 some fortunate comedy lovers will be able to participate in the podcast themselves when host Scott Aukerman holds a live taping at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Aukerman will be joined by special guests Paul F. Tompkins and Lauren Lapkus and the taping will be opened with a set from comedian Neil Campbell.

Podcast host Aukerman is a longtime veteran of the comedy trenches. He got his start in the ‘90s as a writer and occasional performer for the HBO cult hit “Mr. Show with Bob and David” and in 2002, he and longtime writing partner B.J. Porter created a weekly standup series at an L.A. bar called Comedy Death-Ray; the series grew in such popularity that it moved to Upright Citizen’s Brigade in 2005. The show continued to gain notoriety and in 2009, the pair began a weekly “Comedy Death-Ray” broadcast on L.A. radio station Indie 103.1. During this period, Aukerman and Porter also wrote a sketch show for TV. While the show never made it to air, one sketch for the show was “Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis,” which was eventually broadcast by internet site Funny Or Die and has become one of the most popular online shows of all time. In 2010, “Comedy Death-Ray” moved to the Earwolf podcasting network and was soon renamed “Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast.” In 2012, the “Comedy Bang! Bang!” TV show began airing on the IFC Network.

For the April 30 taping, attendees can expect to see plenty of fun, games and character impersonations from Aukerman, Tompkins and Lapkus. The last third of the show will feature one of many popular improv-style games from the podcast, which include “Would You Rather?” and “Riddle Me This” along with “What Am I Thinking?”

“Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast” live taping is at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. A limited number of tickets are available from StubHub and can be purchased here.