Wake and Cake

This week I get down and dirty with my fave Alpha Female, Mistress K. 

Boston born and with 2 degrees to boast, Mistress K began a career as a nurse working long shifts entertaining her patients for 12 years with a lot of time spent in the ICU in Neuro-Rehab. Everyday on the job she met dark times with humor. (This episode is worth tuning alone for the story about "Ten second Tom" if you remember the flick 50 First Dates). 

Simultaneously she was in a bad relationship, in and out of the bedroom, which motivated her to become a purveyor of pleasurable toys. 

"Why did I even go to college? I could've been selling fake dick on the mean streets and getting paid a lot better than going to school"...

Needless to say the sex toys stayed and the man did not. Through her DOM work she really came into her own. "Mistress K" was created out of necessity to reinvent the woman she always wanted to be. "It's incredible when you finally rise above being told that day after day you aren't worth anything." One day she'd had enough of the abuse realizing she was the only one that could make necessary BIG changes and boy did she.

Three years ago shifts turned to sets when Mistress K made her way West to the LA area to pursue a new dream in Comedy and she's never looked back. Now producing and performing in 6 shows monthly in the LA and Orange County area, this fierce femme never ceased fire during the pandemic. Stand to get whipped cuz no virus and no mans is gonna stand in her way! 

Her production comedy, Future is Female (and Friends) with business partner and fellow comedienne, Ashleigh Rose is taking SoCal by storm. 

I highly suggest you get your consent forms signed and get to a show near you soon stat! 

Follow Mistress K's Laugh Path here: 

IG: @mistressk / @fifcomedyshow

With Love + Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

"Ashkenazi or bust!" Brace yourselves folks, two Jewish Comediennes just entered a Zoom Room... 

Meet Lindsay Adams, Jersey born Comedian, Writer and Serial Baker. We both grew up in cities where being Jewish appeared to be rare. Lindsay says, "We didn't have a temple for a long time, so our congregation met at a church and the Rabbi would read the Torah under a large cross."  Similarly in Texas, I attended Hebrew School at a Presbyterian Church because the nearest synagogue was 45 minutes away.

Lindsay and I rock out to some Jewish hymns and discuss what the hell they put in Gefilte fish. This lady loves to dish about food, so much so after unfortunately having to put a pandemic pin in her interactive Live Baking Comedy Show called 'Bake Stuff' she launched a new podcast 'Snack Time' to continue the fun around food. 

She started baking to cope with the stress of the unstable world of comedy after being in the biz for 15 years. Like me, she no longer leans on the sauce unless its pesto or butterscotch...hold the scotch.   

Lindsay has spent years exploring the connection between emotions and mental health with baking. "Baking makes me feel more vulnerable in a way," which could be said of comedy, too.  "Why can't we talk about suicide and bake cookies?" 

In this ep we also discuss cursive, corporate headhunting, childhood snacks and how stoked we are that live comedy has come back...outside! There's always a way to look at things differently. She says, "Quarantine has given me a chance to rediscover what makes me excited about comedy and performing."  

Lindsay admits she'd totally eat a cake out of the garbage, and so would I, so if she's not checked in to the Betty Crocker Clinic for a confection overdose, catch her at a show soon al fresco! 

Follow Lindsay's Laugh Path here:

IG: lindsayadamsispopular

YT: https://www.youtube.com/user/AdamsLindsay1

http://www.lindsaysface.com/home

With Love and Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

YEEHAW!!! Steers n Queers, Nuts n Fruits. This Texas made Writer, Actor and Comedian has left LA to come back to his roots and get in on the ground level of the Austin comedy scene that's about to explode. 

Dylan Ray Sullivan was born in San Antonio and now he's returned to life off the Southbound 35 enjoying cheaper rent, in home washer/dryers and never-ending restaurants named with puns. 

"I love moving, I've always been a person who likes fresh starts, I go to one city and get my bad reputation, then move on to the next". 

The only reputation I've ever known of Dylan is to be off the charts hilarious. 

Funny is funny, no matter what color, size, shape, or gender you are. Humor is a love language and Dylan exemplifies this exceptionally. You feel it the second he steps on stage. His talents and dedication have landed him appearances on Lights Out with David Spade and most recently in Showtime's Original Series, The Comedy Store, that beautifully chronicles the evolution of comedy within the walls of the mecca called Mitzi Shore's Sunset. Dylan was a staple in the culture at The Store as one of the Door Guys or as he and I coin in this episode, a "Door Y'all", where one minute he's in the Main Room doing five in front of 300 people, but then post set is unclogging a toilet or exercising bargaining power with chicken fingers. 

It's an absolute must watch for anyone. Former stand-up comedian, Mike Binder, highlights one of pop culture's greatest practices of comedy with never-before-seen, archived footage and incisive, emotional interviews with some of the greatest and biggest names in comedy. I have no doubt Dylan is on his way to being one of them.

Follow Dilly Ray's Laugh Path here! 

IG: dylanraysull

With Love and Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

"Don't give out your blood type publicly or they will steal your financial records!" 

Watch out y'all! The Canadian Colossus of Crowd Work, (as I call him) Ian Bagg, is vaccinated and apparently magnetic with a bigger package as a result! Comedy fans everywhere can't wait to see him back on stage...and ya, he's quite looking forward to being back there, too. 

Post pandemic Ian typically flies over 100,000 air miles per year and life has been amazing for this energetic and wildly funny boundary pushing entertainer. A regular at the Jimmy Kimmel Club, you've also seen him on “Last Comic Standing” where he performed a national tour. Aside from touring, he’s been on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”, “The Tonight Show”, Adam Corolla Show, WTF with Marc Maron, and The Wrap Up Show on Howard Stern.

I ask Ian if his comedy has shifted in any way during this incubation period in a world that seemingly continues to become more and more sensitive. He poses the question, "Why are comedians being held more accountable than politicians?" Haha, I'd argue that they aren't even held to that standard. "My job is to be a dummy and to say dumb things and to push as far as I can and to make you laugh at things that you'd never thought you'd laugh at...my jokes don't come from a place of hate, I'm teasing you"... 

Off stage in quarantine Ian keeps busy hosting a game show called "Around the Bagg" where comedians compete to be Ian's BFF for the week. In this ep, I decided to get back at him at his own antics and he did pretty damn good! 

He also has a podcast released weekly called Enjoying Orange Slices based on dreams of playing in the NHL. At one point he tried hockey camps and knew that he had no chance to make it. One of the most valuable things that he learned from chirping players on the bench, bus or the locker room was that he was funny. That is where his extraordinary talent for humor began his comedy adventure.

His quick wit, off-the-cuff antics, playful conversation and fast paced crowd work has earned him spots on some of the best stages in the world.

While bringing his love of comedy and hockey together, Ian has performed multiple collaborative NHL Alumni shows for teams such as the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ian has also been featured on the History Channel, the Food Network and the Biography Channel. His most recent one-hour specials are “Ian Bagg: Getting to F**king Know You”, on Showtime and “Conversations”, on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play. 

Stand-up comedy is Ian’s personal journey – fans of his don’t want to miss a single show, because no two shows are alike. 

Follow Ian's Laugh Path and catch him at a show near you soon! His precious Frenchie and Merch Model, Pearl, might even likely be in tow! 

https://ianbagg.com/

IG: @ianbagg

With Love and Grat, XO LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

"If you live through 2020 you should legally be able to take a year off your age" says this weeks Wake and Cake guest!

Meet Irina Voronina, Teen Model and Playboy Playmate turned Stand Up Comedian and Actor (plus TikTok sensation), who moved to the states from Dzarzhinsk, Russia at the age of 23. 

"All blonde girls in comedy eventually meet" which is true for us and in pandemic fashion, we met online!  

It took a minute to adjust to the online platform. It was first stated by governing officials that we'd only be in lockdown for three weeks...translation a year and counting. While I give 2020 the shitty credit it deserves, a lot of incredible things happened as well like working with fierce females in comedy like Irina.

Online comedy has been viewed by many artists as a necessary medium to lean into to keep the muscle working and there's no doubt it's efficient. While it's not the real deal, it's a money and time saver to get reps in plus it's also how comedians network these days. 

Irina says it takes her a month to craft a five minute set and that's working at it EVERYDAY. Initially taking ideas from paper to formulating jokes, building bits and workshopping them with other comics until they're stage ready...or as of late, screen. 

A month ago I got to meet my comedy sis in person to see her perform live at a Drive-in production at the Hollywood Hotel Roosevelt on a dreadfully cold (for us Southern Californians) winter night with Santa Anas in full effect at 40 mph. Other members of our all female comedy studio, 'The Misfit Toys' were in attendance cheering like soccer moms on the sidelines from our cars. Irina crushed it managing not to blow away delivering her punchlines in between the desynchronized cacophony of honking horns...the modern day way to heckle.

A recent TikTok Irina posted of what comedians commonly get on the regular to "tell us a joke!" which has us in unity saying, "we don't work for free!" So while at home support the arts and buy a ticket to a show friends (a little secret, a lot of them are still FREE) and when we're back in the land of the living join us at at a live one, too. You're not gonna get Irina's "Fancy Feast" at a show streaming on YouTube that's for sure...well maybe a little "Chunky Tuna", she says. 

Follow Irina's Laugh Path here: 

IG: @irinavoronina 

TikTok @iamirinavoronina  (One of my faves! "Russian Mom" vodka is the solution for everything! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeBsaDjx/ )

Comedy Therapy New Jersey Tournament 3/22  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/142442895535

Knuckleheads San Clemente 4/23 

Fun read on Irina's show in LA at Bar Lubitsch, "Comedy Stew" http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-of-comedy-stew-all-female-comedy-show/ 

With Love and Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie 

Who else is a fan of launching a psychological survey upon the new Gen without them being made aware of the recent narrative surrounding Dr. Seuss?! Well it's in the works whether ya like it or not! These last couple weeks I have been inquiring upon elementary aged kiddos who celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday at school this month by dressing up and enjoying his stories. I can share that from my research thus far, not one cub has shared any feedback involving ideas of racism or discrimination. Imagine that...

This week Wake and Cake sits down with Comedian and Chef, Keith Graber where we weigh in on this topic. When Keith isn't performing or producing weekly online mics and shows, he's also a private culinary artist so in this ep we naturally find the funny about food, too. 

When the frenzy sparked to make Mr. Potato Head anatomically correct, it was a good time to remind everyone that potatoes don't have dicks... however Mrs. Potato Head may beg to differ there! Can we not take gender out of it for one second even from a vegetable?! When you say a 'sack of potatoes' no one is referring to nuts! In fact in Spanish, potato is feminine! (La patata/papa!) Are we going to dismantle and cancel all romance languages too?!? Time will tell, because in time, at the rate we're going, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OFFENSIVE. 

Keith and I speculate on what's next to be deemed "insulting", "insensitive" and "racist". Whatever it might be, it's a fuckin goldmine for us comedians! Our job has never been more important. 

Keith believes, "Sunshine is the best disinfectant" and I'm with him there. While Keith and I can gratefully grab some in San Diego and LA, little daily rays can be found in the words of Dr. Seuss. 

This has always been a fave, "You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting so...get on your way!" - Dr. Seuss

Don't ever let anyone tell you what to believe or make you feel like you aren't "WOKE" enough. Life is a climb, keep going and DO THE YOU!

Enjoy this episode on food and funnies and follow Keith's Laugh Path here for Shows and Merch Goodies!

LIAR Comedy IG: https://www.instagram.com/liarcomedy/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/keithdgraber

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/YesterdaysSushi/shop

With Love + Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

How do Comedians compete with butt shots on Instagram and today's human attention span when comedy requires you to watch and listen?! Andrew Norelli's described "fierce wit and biting intelligence" makes for a stealth opponent.

With numerous late night appearances including “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live," where he was booked by Jimmy himself who said "because of how few slots we have available you have to be an A++ comedian to get booked on my show, and Andrew is."

Other TV appearances include Comedy Central's “Live at Gotham,” and the nationally syndicated comedy round-table “Comics Unleashed,” where he also worked as a monologue joke writer.

But guess what folks, he's not done there! A Ted Talk was also most recently added to his resume where he hilariously lampooned the absurdity of computer error messages. Check this "corrupted" file bit! https://open.spotify.com/track/1RiUer9U6nlCtYINQjHRhi?si=aM30Ly7NSxqBAGMO7-nRGw

While it's bleak at the moment to tour internationally, Andrew has performed all over Europe and Australia but he gratefully calls North County San Diego home...who can blame him there. 

Andrew is passionate about contributing his comedy for causes that are important to him. Some shows to be on the lookout for will be at Seaside Spiritual Living Center in Cardiff benefitting The First Step Recovery Houses and Survivors of Suicide Loss, both local San Diego organizations.

Join the conversation and learn more here:

First Step House: https://fshnc.org/

Survivors of Suicide Loss: https://www.soslsd.org/ with a Crisis Line: (619) 482-0297

Follow Andrew's Laugh Path here: 

https://www.andrewnorelli.com/

IG: @tonightscomedian

With Love and Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

COMEDY STORE IS COMING BAAACK so watch out y'all, the A-TRAIN is comin through! 

This week's Cake sits down with San Diego born, LA livin Comedian, Austin Train. I met Austin one night while he was running the door at The Store in LA. He's actually been a loyal employee at both locations in Hollywood and La Jolla which have been inoperative for the most part, with the exception of a few outdoor shows, since last March. Needless to say, he's seen A LOT and his hustle and talents are admirable, recognized with coveted stage time. 

Austin has opened for Jeff Garlin, Chris D'Elia,  and Pauly Shore and appeared in Todd Barry: The Crowd Work Tour performing all over the West Coast and Nevada.

“Comedy is one of the few things in my life that I’ve really found rewarding,” says Austin. I CONCUR!!!

Ask him to do his Grandpa bit the next time you have the privilege of seeing him live! 

Follow along with Austin's LAUGH PATH here:

IG: austin_train

BTS Read about Austin and The Store: https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2015/dec/23/cover-how-dare-you-not-me/

Comedians Anonymous Web Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph72lY5NYJ4

With Love + Grat XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

There's more to this chap than early childhood acid trips and dick jokes. Meet Deece Casillas, a native Californian who called it quits in SoCal a decade ago and ventured north to Oregon only to make a pitstop in Spokane, WA his permanent residence where he'll be running for mayor in 2023!!!

Hey if a Reality TV personality can be the POTUS, The Terminator can be the Governor of CA and Kanye can get himself on a ballot, I say praise the lord a Comedian is running for a political office! About fucking time!!! 

Deece Casillas grew up in Los Angeles, CA. After a stint of open mics and improv comedy, he decided to combine his love of writing and all things funny into scripting and filming sketch comedy. Although not having the itch most comedians have to perform on stage, he still had the angst of a comedian and really liked to complain, so in July of 2014 he launched The Social Hour. So with a face for radio and a voice for silent movies, Deece became a podcaster.

“I like to be on the vanguard of the most popular platforms-- That’s why I write books and do talk radio. I can also do the Charleston and enjoy hanging at the local malt shop. ” –Deece

Now living in Washington, Deece uses the show as a platform to promote local and worldwide events, all from his unique comedic perspective.  The show features interviews with comedians, politicians, business owners and more. You can also find him back in the standup comedy game, performing regularly around the Northwest, producing shows as one of the heads of SpoKomedy which will pick back up when venues can safely reopen. 

Catch this comical human below and vote for him if you're in Spokane! 

http://socialhourpod.com/

IG: @deece.comedy

With Love and Grat, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie

Fresh Cake Friday with fellow Founding Misfit Toys Comedy Studio Comedian, Maria DeLaGhetto! 

Maria is an LA based comedian, born in the Philippines, but raised in the North East Los Angeles area of Highland Park, an area of LA that has gentrified aggressively over the last 10 years. Miss DeLaGhetto is misconstrued by many as Hawaiian, (Her Moana bit is a must see!) but nationality aside, she's honestly just HUNGRY y'all! Her anecdotal comedy hilariously takes you through her experiences growing up as an outsider in minority groups to being the fat kid in class.

I've learned so much from this funny lady, for example if you're eating Flamin Hot Cheetos or any kind of Cheetos really, do it with chopsticks! Save washin your hands for the real germs not chip residue! 

For the last year Maria has been my online comedy sister, as we only just met in person a week ago. It's so wild how close you can get with someone without ever being in person! Thank you pandemic for new friends and artists to work with and lean on for support. 

In this ep we dish about Movies, Music, and of course Comedy. We discuss how Maria finds her inspo for material and how she's been surviving the quarantine. She performs A TON online and has been co-hosting the Misfit Toys Comedy Podcast which live streams weekly featuring other strong female voices in comedy and is very interactive with it's audience. 

Tune in to learn more about whats to come on the SoCal Comedy scene and follow Maria's laugh path below to catch one of her shows!

https://linktr.ee/MariaDeLaGhetto

IG @MariaDeLaGhetto

With Love + Grat, XO, LJ AKA Kosher Barbie