Thursday, May 30, 1996

Group to perform at Sunset tonightBy Lori Swingle

Daily Bruin Contributor

The UCLA comedy club is more than a group of funny people putting together a few routines. It's more than weekly workshops. And it's more than performances.

"It's more like a comedy 12-step," says member Greg Niles.

Instead of coffee breaks, member Chris Plain says, the group prefers to "cry and hug."

The support system otherwise known as the UCLA comedy club, performing tonight in Sunset Village, puts on shows throughout the year not only at UCLA but also on other campuses and at local comedy clubs. The club serves as a training ground for aspiring comics and people who simply love comedy.

While tonight's show, the club's final UCLA performance, is but one act in a larger production, the group generally likes to put on a more substantial sketch- comedy/stand-up variety show.

"I like doing shows at UCLA because the crowds are always really friendly and receptive, and it's a good place to try out new material," says Steve Callaghan, a club member and UCLA alumnus. "Dykstra shows have always been some of our best."

"Performing at comedy clubs is also fun, but we usually go on at 2 a.m. after some guy with a sock puppet," adds Mike Phirman, the club's president.

The comedy club not only gives its members an opportunity to grow as performers, but also as writers. At weekly workshops members throw out suggestions and work together to create the funniest possible material. "We're very supportive of one another. Comics can be a tough crowd but this environment is only helpful," says Phirman.

In the UCLA Comedy Club's 17 year history, several members have gone on to successful careers in comedy. Ed Soloman, who was the first president, wrote both of the "Bill and Ted" movies. Shane Black, another former member, wrote both "Lethal Weapon" and "The Last Boy Scout." Chris Hardwick, the host of MTV's "Singled Out" is also a recent member of the club.

As for the current members' professional aspirations, Phirman says, "All of us have fun with the idea of it, but it's a tough thing to rely on." Callaghan currently writes for "Singled Out" and performs with a renowned L.A. comedy group weekly.

The club has successfully drawn in the admiration and respect of professional comedians. "In the past we have put on shows in the Coop where we perform for about an hour and a half, and then a headliner, a famous comedian, will go up and do a set," Phirman says.

"We are going to try to organize more of these types of shows," Callaghan adds. "These types of shows are good for a number of reasons. Not only do they help draw a crowd, but it also gives us a model. You get some ideas from them and see what they're doing right, and how you can make these things work, too."

Next year the comedy club plans to put on shows in the Coop every other week in addition to their weekly meetings. Experience on the stage is the main goal of the club members; however the weekly workshops are an invaluable tool in the development of their personal comedy skills.

"Everyone tries to come each week with material, and someone will say, 'do you ever notice how ... ' or 'what's the deal with ... ' and then everyone adds their own ideas," Phirman says. "Meetings are the embodiment of creating skits out of the ideas we all have. This is where we hone our comedy skills," he adds.

Everything is a target for jokes when it comes to the group's members. Members can go on and on about the daily events most overlook. Girlfriends, strangers, even Westwood's own Falafel King are all raw material for future shows.

Much of the humor arises out of a group effort toward achieving a single goal: a funny show.

Most members of the group are hopeful that their senses of humor will be profitable later in life, but for now they are content to have fun and make the most out of the comedy club.

"(Professional Comedy) is not a very sturdy basket in which to put one's eggs," says Phirman. "I don't know if it would be something that would bring home the bacon, and I don't know where I'm going with the whole breakfast theme, but there's definitely one here."

EVENT: The UCLA comedy club performs tonight at Griffin Commons at 8:30 p.m.

"I like doing shows at UCLA because the crowds are always really friendly and receptive, and it's a good place to try out new material,"

Steve Callaghan UCLA alumnus