By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | February 7, 2023 | People Parties City Life Reviews News and Features Culture Music Celebrity Art Women of Influence Latest Entertainment Local Community List - Entertainment Apple News
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And that's a wrap! For over two weeks, San Francisco was illuminated by the biggest names in comedy, podcasts, and entertainment- all for the beloved annual return of SF Sketchfest. With 2023 also marking this longstanding city tradition's 20th anniversary, this awe-inspiring festival certainly proved to be more spectacular and star-studded than ever, inviting over 100 different shows to fill our equally legendary theaters with side-splitting laughter, creative music, engaging audience participation, and treasured career tributes.
From Fred Armisen's symphonic three-night residency, to a viciously playful roast of horror icon Bruce Campbell, here are some of the biggest and inimitable Sketchfest moments to know that long be cherished and were exclusively made just in our San Francisco.
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SF Sketchfest came in prosperous conjuction to the city's Lunar New Year celebrations, which the two major events' concurrence conveniently helped to stimulate greater tourism, particularly in Chinatown. This neighborhood's Great Star Theater is where Joel Kim Booster And Friends held a fantastic show on Saturday, January 21st amid a roaring outdoor extravaganza of loud firecracker celebrations. Rather than let it be a distraction, as pros of improv, Joel Kim, Atsuko Okatsuka, Nori Reed, Irene Tu and more all cleverly integrated the noise into their hilarious sets, all of which centered around being part of both the AAPI and queer communities.
Memorable Moment: Nori Reed appearing comically flustered on stage during the outdoor noises and sardonically saying, " I don't even want to do any of my material," before appropriately belting out Katy Perry's song "Firework."
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A highly-anticipated sold out show was the "no holds barred" roast of Evil Dead hero Bruce Campbell at a jam-packed Sidney Goldstein Theater on Saturday, January 28. With Dana Gould as the evening's Roastmaster, the two were joined on stage with a coterie of other legendary horror actors and comedians including David Alan Grier, drag superstar Peaches Christ, "Elvira" portrayer Cassandra Peterson, and more. Not only did every roaster have no mercy in eviscerating all aspects of Campbell- from his storied yet limited career, to his physical appearance, and current status in Hollywood, but they all took playful jabs at each other, poking fun at Peaches Christ's drag persona, David Alan Grier adding diversity to the panel, and Cassandra Peterson's recent lesbian coming out. It was a night full of burns, but overall a charmingly heartwarming spectacle, as each star reminded how much they admired one another and that all roasts came from a place of adoration and respect.
Memorable Moment: Campbell closing the show with a pure reminder that, "We love each other, we love you, so you should love each other."
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The 6 Year Anniversary of the 10 Year Anniversary of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival at the Great Star Theater on Saturday, January 28 was a relaxed, yet rollicking afternoon special that brought together some of the Bob's Burgers star's closest colleagues. Eugene kicked off his self-named comedy special by presenting a personally-made yoga mat with purposely-absurd affirmations printed on that became available for sale after the show. Following him came comedy trailblazer Janeane Garofalo frenetically bouncing between jokes of her back problems and technology in a fast-paced set, to Baron Vaughn animatedly recalling meeting his biological father, and an advice segment with Sarah Vowell that all culminated with a live performance by musician and Mirman's former roommate, Reggie Watts.
Memorable Moment: Reggie Watts improvising two original beats live with a small equipment setup all while committedly talking in a perplexing foreign accent.
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Another grand afternoon show at the Great Star Theater was John Hodgman & Adam Savage: Spin-a-Wheel Conversation on Sunday, February 5th on the festival's final day. Host of podcast Judge John Hodgman, and Adam Savage of local Mythbuster's fame came together to comedically, yet thoughtfully discuss topics written on a spinning wheel put on by an actively participating audience. The intelligent pair pontificated on everything from Hegelian dialectic, to ghosts (with a fascinating introduction to the two-slit experiment from Savage), topical balloons, praising HBO's The Last of Us, pizza, roundabouts, and even how to hit high notes, which Hodgman amusingly elucidated comes with snorting beforehand.
Memorable Moment: When they had an enthusiastic child come up on stage and write a "Space Marines" topic on the wheel and then, much to the child's adorable delight, landing on it not once, but twice! Hodgman even concluded the show with a powerful acapella performance of the Star Blazers theme song.
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Tuesday, January 31st marked the SF Sketchfest Tribute To Cheech & Chong: 50th Anniversary Celebration at a filled Sydney Goldstein Theater, with Rolling Stone founder Ben Fong-Torres precisely leading the conversation between the two comedy legends. Outfitted in casual attire, their swagger and relaxed vibes set the tone for the lighthearted night, which included captivating reflections on their incredible careers, which began with opening for Marvin Gaye and The Isley Brothers in Los Angeles. From there, the duo became known for their cannabis-forward humor that was replete with natural banter and improv.
Memorable Moment: The two separately elaborating on their different journeys and style of comedy, discussing their brief partnership breakup with endearing jabs and comical bitterness.
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For three nights, the diversely-talented Fred Armisen resided in the Great American Music Hall from January 27-29 for his "Comedy for Bass Players (But Everyone is Welcome)" -themed musical variety special. Each night showcased a different musician, each one all with glorious prestige from Les Claypool of Primus, to Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's, and lastly Green Day's Mike Dirnt. Aside from the showstopping music, Armisen perfectly delivered the content he is best known for- specific character impressions, regional American accents, and a reflection on how he progressed as a musician that led to performing his best parody songs from Portlandia and Saturday Night Live.
Memorable Moment: Armisen stunningly riffing with Les Claypool, and his specific rendition on Bay Area dialects, with an example of how people from Oakland contrast to the laid-back enunciations of SoCal-.
We can't wait to see what Sketchfest unequivocally brings to San Francisco next year!
See also: SZA, Steve Lacy, Sam Smith, And More- The Bay Area's Must-See Concerts This Year
Photography by: Courtesy of izusek/Getty Images
