Add Event My Events Log In

Upcoming Events

    We see you appreciate a good vintage. But there comes a time to try something new. Click here to head over to the redesigned Louisville.com. It's where you'll find all of our latest work. And plenty of the good ol' stuff, too, looking better than ever.

    Bit to Do

    Print this page

    Some cities are comedy cities—New York City, Denver, and San Francisco to name a few. With comedy clubs and festivals, these cities have become staples on the tours for some of the most famous comedians in the country.

    Louisville has not historically been one of those cities. But the movement is starting.

    There is one man who is playing a big part in that role: Steve Hofstetter. Hofstetter became the owner of The Laughing Derby when it replaced The Comedy Caravan in January at its location in The Mid-City Mall.

    The Laughing Derby is doing its part to introduce Louisville as a stand-up comedy loving city. Nationally touring comedians Steve-O, Jimmy Pardo, and Gilbert Gottfried are soon to appear at the Louisville comedy club.

    Hofstetter may have booked his biggest show to date since the opening of the The Laughing Derby and it literally might be “The Greatest Stand Up Show You’ll Ever Freaking See.” Or at least that’s what the show is called.

    The comedy show will take place at Iroquois Amphitheater on September 27 and is presented by Hofstetter and Production Simple. The show is at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $25-$45.

    The lineup of comedians includes Pete Holmes, Maria Bamford, Chris Thayer, and Tommy Johnagin.

    Pete Holmes is a comedian, actor, voice actor, writer, producer, podcaster, television host, and cartoonist from Los Angeles. Most famously, Holmes’s career has been highlighted by his podcast You Made It Weird, which is currently #10 on the iTunes comedy podcast charts. You Made It Weird is two comedians talking about comedy, sex, and a bit of religion, three things have Holmes could talk for days about. He had a late night show on TBS that ran for two seasons. His comedy has also appeared on College Humor, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Conan, Best Week Ever, and The New Yorker.

    Maria Bamford recently recurred as Debris Bardeaux on Netflix's Arrested Development reboot. She also recurred on fX's critically-praised Louie and Comedy Central's Kroll Show. Maria is the first female comic to have two half-hour Comedy Central Presents specials and starred alongside Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifianakis and Brian Posehn in the Comedy Central series The Comedians of Comedy and Netflix's Comedians of Comedy: The Movie. She has made numerous late-night appearances, most recently on Conan and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguso

    Chris Thayer is a stand-up comic living in Los Angeles. He is also also a Digital Writer for—and has been featured on—"The Pete Holmes Show," wrote on the pilot for "The Midnight Show with Pete Holmes" and has been a guest on the podcast "You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes" multiple times. He started doing stand-up in San Francisco, was a regular member of The Business SF (named "Best Cheap Night of Comedy - 2012" by SF Weekly), co-founded The Business LA, performed frequently at Hemlock Tavern's "Club Chuckles," created and hosted "NERVES" and "Warm Regards" stand-up series, and a co-created the comedy variety show "Funny Party".

    Tommy Johnagin started performing stand-up comedy at age 18. Now 31, he has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman six times, Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, and placed second on Last Comic Standing. Johnagin currently has three stand-up comedy albums for sale.

    If you are looking for comedy elsewhere in Louisville check out The Laughing Derby’s website here. The Louisville Palace is also hosting Nick Swardson on September 25 and Bill Cosby on October 12.

    Photo courtesy of Iroquois Amphitheater website.

    Will Ford's picture

    About Will Ford

    Covering Louisville music like it's the 6 o' clock news. I've covered Forecastle, Louder Than Life, Moontower, Starry Nights, and Louisville music news for 3 years. Follow me @parasiticnoise

    More from author:    

    Share On:

    Most Read Stories