The Irvine Improv hosted three standout local comics––Friendly Frank, Patrick Fowler, and headliner Grant Cotter––on Wednesday night. Here’s a recap of their sets, and links to their upcoming shows.
Huntington Beach comic Patrick Fowler has a lot of jobs. He’s a student, a server at an upscale Newport Beach restaurant, a full–time father, and he works at a drug and alcohol detox center. Having worked 3 of those 4 jobs, I assure you they blow. Luckily for us, Folwer has found a way to turn the cringiest parts of those jobs into comedy gold. Whether he’s talking about rehab prima donnas who only eat organic, or his smart–mouthed son, Fowler’s comedy is relatable and hilarious.
Fowler’s been seen on CBS, MTV, and KCAL 9. He doesn’t have upcoming shows, but keep up to speed on at his website HERE
Hailing from the mean streets of South Central Irvine, as he likes to say, Friendly Frank is a pillar in the OC comedy scene. Many local comics have told me Frank is their comedy dad, teaching them the do’s and don’ts of stand–up. Frank can be seen with his afro and black leather jacket every Wednesday at Umami Burger in Irvine where he hosts an open–mic night. His jokes about being black in Irvine, driving Über, and his roasts of President Trump hit right on the nose.
Frank has performed alongside Aziz Ansari, Craig Ferguson, and Brad Garett, just to name a few. You can catch him every Monday at the Anchor Bar in Costa Mesa, every Wednesday at Umami in Irvine, and at the Ontario Improv alongside Bruce Bruce on 4/20. For more info, head to his website HERE
Grant Cotter is one of the Weekly’s favorites. Don’t believe me? Check out Ali Lerman’s coverage of Cotter HERE!
Few can roast a crowd as tactfully and viciously as Cotter, so if you sit in the front at his show come prepared. A highlight from Wednesday’s set came when Cotter noticed a woman in the front row popping pills and slugging margaritas. Cotter pounced on the bottle and held it up onstage to a roar of laughter. “Jesus, you got like 7 different kinds in here,” Cotter said.
You may recognize Cotter from his performance on MTV’s “Jerks With Cameras” of from Funny or Die’s “Oddball Fest” where he performed alongside Louis C.K., Sarah Silverman, Aziz Ansari, and Dave Attell. Check his website HERE
