DELRAY BEACH – Are the days of impressionist comedians making a comeback?
The articles that lead today’s Stand-Up Spotlight make the case for a revival.
The Spotlight begins with a feature on Matt Friend, a comedian who gained fame for his celebrity voice impressions on TikTok and Snapchat. Friend’s grown so good at his craft that he’s now lending his voice to the “Simpsons.”
Comedian Rachel Feinstein also has impressions in her act. That’s what interested the author in the second story.
Locally, South Florida Comedian Josh Rosen is gaining national attention for his impressions – particularly of sports host Skip Bayless.
Skip Bayless replies. pic.twitter.com/kAhRFt28Vy
— Josh Rosen (@Joshimpressions) June 25, 2022
Then there’s news about a couple of stand-up comedy shows. First, it appears as though Lakers owner Jeannie Buss is going to join boyfriend Jay Mohr on stage for a comedy show. (Yes, the Laker Girls will be there, too). And Jimmy O. Yang has a date for the premier of his second Amazon comedy special.
Make it a funny Tuesday, folks.
STAND-UP SPOTLIGHT – March 28, 2023
First impressions: stand-up comedian and voice-over artist Matt Friend sounds off
If you are beyond the age of 35-years-old, you more than likely recall a time when impressionists – not the 19th Century art movement characterized by open composition, but rather those copy-catting famous peoples’ voices – was a big deal. Saturday Night Live always had a cast member who was great at impersonations. There isn’t a stand-up comedian alive who hasn’t tried their hand at imitating Bill Clinton, the George Bushes, Obama and Trump. But a stand-up comedian whose main gig has been impersonating other people’s voices on stage as the preeminent element of their live shows and daily bread making – that’s been a minute.
Then there is Matt Friend, whose stand-up comedy tour brings him to The Stand in New York City (March 27), Punch Line Philadelphia (March 28), Magooby’s Joke House Maryland (March 29), Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage Series (March 30) and the Off Cabot Comedy and Events Center in Beverly, MA (March 31-April 1). Friend is a Tik Tok/Snapchat famous impressionist and stand-up comedian whose icy precision when it comes to celebrity voices has brought him to the attention of The Simpsons and other network programs.
Insider Beat: Comedian Rachel Feinstein discusses stand-up comedy experiences in exclusive interview
Over spring break, I had the opportunity to speak with Rachel Feinstein, a stand-up comic and actress who has both years of experience in the field and quite a few notches on her IMDb page, including projects like “Life & Beth” starring Amy Schumer and “Top Five” directed by Chris Rock.
After watching clips of Feinstein’s standup, “Only Whores Wear Purple,” to prepare for the interview, I noticed she made quite a lot of impressions, often mimicking her parents, friends or random people she’s met that have made for funny encounters.
Lakers News: Jeanie Buss And Jay Mohr Are Taking Their Love To The Next Level… Stand-up Comedy
Lakers fans, get ready to see Jeanie Buss hop on the big stage… but for a different reason.
Valentine’s Day passed over a month ago but it seems as though the current owner of our Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, is still very much in the loving spirit. She has been engaged to famous comedian and actor Jay Mohr since the end of last year and the two are set to show off their chemistry in front of their fans very soon.
Jimmy O. Yang Sets Second Amazon Standup Comedy Special, ‘Guess How Much?’
Jimmy O. Yang and Amazon are back in the funny business: The “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Love Hard” and “Silicon Valley” star has lined up his second standup comedy special with streamer Prime Video, titled “Guess How Much?”
Set to launch May 2, the event is a followup to Yang’s first Amazon comedy special, “Good Deal,” which launched in August 2020. In his new standup engagement, Yang will poke fun at “love languages, loser friends, and negotiating with his Asian parents,” per Prime Video.
