10 SF Sketchfest Shows We’re Excited About

SF Sketchfest, San Francisco’s annual comedy festival, or “fest,” began last night. It will then continue through Jan. 28, with shows, panels, workshops and other events every Tuesday through Sunday. In other words: It’s a whole lot of comedy! Below I have selected a few events that range from pretty enticing to extremely enticing, and that might be worth the attention of a comedy fan looking for something to do. But of course these are just a small fraction of the festival’s events and talent. For the full schedule, head on over to Sketchfest’s website. Happy Fest-ing!

Spontaneanation with Paul F Tompkins
Friday, January 12 • 10:00pm – 11:30pm

Tony Hale, Eugene Coredero, Tawny Newsome, Janet Varney and accompanist Eban Schletter join Paul F. Tompkins for an evening of improv. This show is currently sold out, but there may yet be tickets available at the door.

Rachel Bloom and Friends
Saturday, January 13 • 8:00pm – 9:30pm

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend stars Rachel Bloom, Vincent Rodriguez and Gabrielle Ruiz team up for an evening of comedy, music and presumably comedy-music. This show also appears to be sold out already, but I for one would not pass up an opportunity to see these artists on standby.

Futurama: Live from Omicron Persei 8
Saturday, January 13 • 10:00pm – 11:30pm

Do you miss Futurama? I miss Futurama. Here is a good and rare antidote to our pain. Another one is re-watching the entire series, but you already knew that.

Olde English / The Templeton Philharmonic
Saturday, January 13 • 10:30pm – 11:55pm

Olde English is the sketch group whose members went on to give us BoJack Horseman and Adam Ruins Everything, among other works. They reunite at Sketchfest with an opening set by comedy duo Templeton Philharmonic, a.k.a. Gwynne Phillips and Briana Templeton.

Audible presents Fresh Voices
Saturday, January 13 • 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, January 13 • 10:00pm – 11:30pm
Saturday, January 20 • 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, January 20 • 10:00pm – 11:30pm

Two nights, four shows, four batches of fresh comics, each as fresh as the last. I’ll see you at 7:30 on the 20th.

Doughboys
Saturday, January 20 • 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell are two good boys who host a good podcast about food, eating food, and other food-adjacent subject matter. There is a cute picture of them on the event page for this show and that is all I have to say.

ClickHole Live
Thursday, January 25 • 8:00pm – 9:30pm

You had me at “ClickHole!”

Sasheer Zamata Party Time!
Friday, January 26 • 10:30pm – 11:55pm

This was one of my favorite joints when I lived in New York City and had my pick of one million live comedy shows each week. Sasheer Zamata is an excellent stand-up who keeps excellent company: At Sketchfest she’ll be joined by DJ Donwill, Solomon Georgio, Thao Nguyen and Brooke Van Poppelen. Seems like a good time if you ask me!

Comedy Central’s “Corporate” Retreat
Saturday, January 27 • 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Joel Kim Booster moderates a panel discussion with the cast and creators of Comedy Central’s new half-hour. Those cast and creators include: Jake Weisman, Matt Ingebretson, Anne Dudek, Pat Bishop, Adam Lustick, Aparna Nancherna and Lance Reddick. The Lance Reddick? Yes, that one. From Fringe.

Morzouksnick with Nick Kroll, Jason Mantzoukas and Seth Morris
Sunday, January 28 • 7:30pm – 9:00pm

A good rule of thumb is to see any and every show featuring Jason Mantzoukas. A second, equally trustworthy rule is to also see that show if Nick Kroll and Seth Morris are on it. That’s just logic.

Seth Simons is Paste’s assistant comedy editor. Follow him on Twitter.