Comedy competition brings big laughs at the El Rey
September 22, 2018
Filed under A&E Featured Articles List, Arts & Entertainment, Community, Mobile Headlines, Showcase
It was a night of hysterical laughter and drum solos played on toasters. Chico's El Rey theater hosted the 2018 San Francisco Comedy Competition Thursday. This is a yearly competition where hundreds of comedians audition to for a chance to secure one of 32 spots. The late and great Robin Williams once...
Podcast: ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ continues to deliver in its 13th season
September 8, 2018
Filed under A&E Sliding Showcase, Arts & Entertainment, Community, Reviews
The Orion is finally making your dreams come true. For the first time (as far as I know) the Arts and Entertainment section is hosting a podcast. It's only fitting that such a momentous occasion is used to cover the 13th season premiere of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Grant Schmieding and...
‘Disenchantment’ can’t enchant its viewers
August 27, 2018
Filed under A&E Sliding Showcase, Arts & Entertainment, Reviews
Matt Groening is back with a new show called "Disenchantment," an animated comedy set in a fantasy world. Although it has the distinct style that Groening's shows are known for, it lacks the charm and humor that "The Simpsons" and "Futurama" had. The show's main trio is made up of Bean, a princess that...
The Joke’s on US: Lewis Black comes to Chico
January 30, 2018
Filed under Uncategorized
Known for his angry attitude on stage and his satirical rants, Lewis Black performs in Chico’s Laxson Auditorium in support of his tour, “The Joke’s on US.” Lewis Black is best known for his political satire, social commentary and his angry rants about history, religion and curre...
Patton Oswalt’s ‘Annihilation’ will make you more human
November 7, 2017
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Mobile Headlines, Reviews, Showcase
A good comedian can weave the tragedies of the world into something hilarious. A strong person can withstand personal tragedy and become better for it. Few have what it takes to turn personal tragedy into hilarity, but Patton Oswalt has done that with his Netflix stand-up special, "Annihilation." &n...
Comedy competition at the El Rey Theatre
September 14, 2016
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Community
On Saturday night, a line outside the El Rey Theatre formed well before doors opened for the 8 p.m. show. Inside the theatre, 16 comedians from all over the U.S., Canada and even as far as China, prepared for the 41st annual San Francisco Comedy Competition, a multi-week event that took place in venues al...
Ending Racism In About An Hour With W. Kamau Bell Preview
August 24, 2015
Filed under Previews
Racism is coming to an end in Chico. On September 9, San Francisco-based comedian W. Kamau Bell arrives at Laxson Auditorium with his current tour, "Ending Racism In About an Hour." The comedian, aided by lecture slides, will discuss racism in America."Now racism, as you know, is probably the number-o...
Blasted Bieber
April 12, 2015
It’s the moment everyone has been waiting for: Justin Bieber has finally been taken down a peg via the Justin Bieber Roast on Comedy Central. The roasting took place March 30th, an event I had been anticipating for several weeks. It was hosted by Kevin Hart, the short, fiery comedian that know...
Humor has been an exploration
March 20, 2015
When I was growing up, my exposure to humor was mostly from my mother rewatching Austin Powers. I didn’t have much of a censorship bar there, so I quickly became the most inappropriate elementary student at Deer Creek. It landed me in trouble a few times. The worst walking around with a group...
Study Break: ‘Mortdecai’ review
January 28, 2015
Filed under Uncategorized
Johnny Depp's latest performance disappoints in director David Koepp's brainless comedy “Mortdecai."The film, which stars Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Paul Bettany and Olivia Munn, opened in theaters Thursday.The story, based on Kyril Bonfiglioli’s series of comic thriller novels, invo...
‘Hanger’ hits columnist
March 8, 2014
It’s an epidemic sweeping the nation. It hits the disadvantaged and wealthy alike. That’s right — "hanger." "Hanger" is no longer just a plastic or metal object on which one hangs clothes. It is now a state of being that can control the very facets of your existence. When people are ...
Ranting comedian stops in Chico for stand-up
February 27, 2014
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Previews
Chico Performances presents comedian Lewis Black's spring 2014 tour, "The Rant is Due," at 7:30 p.m. March 8 at Laxson Auditorium.Black's distinctive comedy style of outrage and vitriol has established him as one of the most well-known comedians working today. As a comedian, he is able to provoke audiences to...
