[EVENT REVIEW] Horror Nerd Comedy, Long Beach, California
Horror Nerd Comedy is exactly what it sounds like… a stand-up comedy show run by and for horror movie nerds. As a self-proclaimed horror nerd, I knew I had to check it out. They usually perform at the Hollywood Improv, but this time around, they were in Long Beach at The 4th Horseman, which made for the perfect opportunity for me to go.
The venue was perfect for this type of event. The 4th Horseman is a horror-themed punk, pizza, and beer bar on 4th Street in Long Beach, which I have been to a few times before and enjoyed every experience.
Set up right near the entrance was Horror Nerd Comedy with the cutest Chucky and Annabelle dolls on stage with them. Horror Nerd Comedy has a different line-up of comedians for each performance. I had the pleasure of seeing the following: Host and creator of Horror Nerd Comedy, Samantha Hale, Subhah Agarwal, Brian Jacobovitz, Ray Gootz, and Barry Under Your Bed.
All the comedians had a different style which made it easy to want to stick around and see what’s next!
Samantha, the host, had a bright, infectious energy and started the night by asking us all our favorite scary movies. (My favorite question to be asked) She had a fun fact or a joke for every answer she received! Including reflecting on watching some scary movies waaaay too early, which I know a lot of now horror-lovers, including me, had similar experiences.
Next up was Barry Under Your Bed, who I knew before this event. I was so excited to finally see them perform live! Barry is a puppet with bloodshot eyes and a wonderful taste in poetry. He invited audience members up to “guess the movie” based on his wonderful haikus. Not to pat myself on the back or anything… but I got a lot of them right in my head.
Brian Jacobovitz was up next and had hilarious bits about classic horror movies like Bride of Frankenstein and some advice on how to get away with murder as a gay man.
Subhah Agarwal talked about just wishing they would die first in a horror film, which I agree with and feel pretty strongly about. All that work just to die halfway through? Couldn’t be me. Subhah brought a touch of political comedy as well, which I loved, because, honestly, what is horror without politics?
Ray Gootz headlined with jokes about the reality of how The Purge really should go. Ray is a New York native with some hilarious jokes about New York- including an incredible impression of an Italian watching a horror movie, and as a New York Italian, I was cracking up.
It’s not every day you get to see a comedy show based on your specific interests, which was a refreshing change from traditional comedy shows. Everyone was laughing and participating in the bits and even games, leaving the show with very high spirits… get it? I spent the night laughing, pretending I liked drinking beer, talking about horror movies, and eating delicious pizza- what’s better than that!
Words and Photos by: Hailey
