2017 Austin Sketch Festival: What to See

Maybe all of it, yes – but OMG let’s not be ridiculous

"...out of town, I’m very excited to see the UCB: Characters Welcome showcase. However, I'm most excited about local..."

May 22, 2017 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Upright Citizens Brigade: Group Alchemy

The Bad Dog Comedy Theater promised to bring the best in sketch comedy to Austin, and with its combination of clever intellectual comedy and slapstick nonsense, the Upright Citizens Brigade delivered on that promise in spades.

"...Having seen the UCB's work on television, I had high expectations for the..."

Aug. 4, 2000 Arts Review by J. C. Shakespeare

ColdTowne: Getting Upright with the originals

Core members from cult comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade raid Austin for the first time since 2000

"...at the Ritz last November, but that was the UCB touring company. The UCB due in Austin this week..."

March 7, 2008 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Undercover Brother

"...rescued from obscurity by Austin near-homeboy Quentin Tarantino), has UCB driving in high style through the 'hood in his..."

June 7, 2002 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Fantastic Fest Review: The People's Joker

Transgressive trans satire of superheroes is a victory for good

"...to Gotham so she can be an alt-comedian on UCB Live - a deliciously scathing parody of SNL/UCB. Eventually,..."

Sept. 27, 2023 Screens Post by Alejandra Martinez

Sex, Lies, and Katie Folger

The Austin artist on her new show, Getting in Bed With the Pizza Man

"...Perfect Storm troupe at the Magnet, and training at UCB. How was that experience, and how much did it..."

May 11, 2023 Arts Post by Richard Whittaker

Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer Preview Broad City's Finale at SXSW

The creators of the Comedy Central series also get back to their comedy roots with Upright Citizens Brigade

"...With Matt Besser, doing a little weed-whacking with the UCB founding member, Horatio Sanz, and Jon Gabrus. (Sat., March..."

March 8, 2019 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Broad City Limits

Glazer and Jacobson take their Comedy Central series on tour

"...Jacobson: We were both taking classes at the UCB, and we were on a practice group together for..."

Nov. 19, 2014 Arts Post by Elijah Watson

What a 'To Do'

Maggie Carey talks about improv, Clinton, and her daughters' convent

"...speak to the world of comedy. I come from UCB [Upright Citizens Brigade] Theatre, and Amy Poehler is one..."

July 25, 2013 Screens Post by Amy Gentry

The People’s Joker

Trans coming-of-age story filtered through superhero homage

"...Saturday Night Live, as expressed through a show called UCB Live, run by a CG Lorne Michaels voiced by..."

April 12, 2024 Movie Review by Richard Whittaker

Top 5 SXSW Comedy Shows

From a family of Pythons to upstanding citizens, this year's biggest laughs

"...Presented by UCB co-founder Matt Besser, and co- created with Amy Poehler, Matt..."

March 11, 2022 Features Feature by Dina Barrish

"Yes, and ..."

Mike Birbiglia tackles improv group dynamics with Don't Think Twice

"...we had this group, Littleman, that performed semi-regularly at UCB. And then the group broke up. Some people moved..."

March 11, 2016 Screens Feature by Beejoli Shah

South by Southwest Sends in the Clowns

Pamela Adlon, Frank Oz, John Leguizamo, and more for Comedy Festival

"...breath) presenting his podcast improv4humans, a special performance of UCB's ASSSSCAT, and appearing as a digital version of the..."

Feb. 28, 2024 SXSW Post by Richard Whittaker

Five Perfect Scenes at Austin Sketch Fest

Because the best comedy always has a story to it

"...Sartori, Nick Ramirez, and a host of other stellar UCB New York alums.Sat., Oct. 1, 8:30pm Joan and Raft..."

Sept. 30, 2022 Arts Column by James Scott

Local Married Couple Flaunts Public Comedy Habit

Chloe and Lane Ingram are ... Chlane

"...Lane: It’s a lot different from the UCB, which is more what they call “premise-based.” We do..."

June 20, 2019 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

SXSW Comedy: Amber Ruffin and Jenny Hagel Present Late Night Trashcan

Late Night with Seth Meyers writers share jokes from the reject pile

"...and hosted versions of Late Night Trashcan at the UCB Theatre in years past – nor is it their..."

March 10, 2019 SXSW Post by Rosalind Faires

The New Negroes Showcases the Full Range of African-American Comedy at SXSW

At the stand-up show hosted by Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle, black laughs matter

"...annually. Then Vaughn established a monthly edition at the UCB Franklin in Los Angeles, and from there started touring..."

March 8, 2019 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Moontower Comedian Lauren Lapkus, Tube Raider

The comedian and actress digs up the good, the bad, and the cheesy of pre-Y2K television in the podcast Raised by TV

"...onstage work with the Upright Citizens Brigade (currently in UCB's beloved flagship show ASSSSCAT and her own troupe Wild..."

April 20, 2018 Arts Feature by Ashley Moreno

SXSW Film Review: Thank You Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon

The late improv master finally gets his close-up

"...annual Del Close marathon hosted at New York City’s UCB Theatre, and interviews with some of Close’s most famous..."

March 13, 2016 Screens Post by Sean L. Malin

SXSW Comedy Lineup Announced

Judd Apatow, Paul F. Tompkins, Upright Citizens Brigade all return

"...for a performance of its flagship show, Asssscat, and UCB will present Anthony Atamanuik's new American daydream called Trump..."

Feb. 24, 2016 SXSW Post by Chase Hoffberger

How to Do Convergence Day

Convergence Day, Tuesday, March 17

"...Comedy Bang! Bang!, Doug Loves Movies), and shows, including UCB Theatre's ASSSSCAT and The George Lucas Talk Show and..."

March 13, 2015 Screens Feature by Kimberley Jones

SXSW Comedy: Your 2015 Lineup

Schumer, Harmon, Bell, and SNL lead this year's laugh-makers

"...That's just the tip of the iceberg for UCB's presentations this year. You can also look forward to..."

Feb. 23, 2015 SXSW Post by Robert Faires

Comedy Speed Dating

Fred Armisen, W. Kamau Bell, Chris Cubas, Rob Gagnon's One Hour Comedy Festival, Neil Hamburger, Thomas Middleditch, Kumail Nanjiani, Jonah Ray

"...Silicon Valley cast member Thomas Middleditch is a UCB veteran who's amassed acting credits in projects ranging from..."

Nov. 7, 2014 Arts Feature by Scott Schinder

Rich Talarico

Key & Peele writer reveals how the comedy sausage is made

"...Brigade), along with Phil Jackson and Charlie Sanders of UCB. The Sketch Comedy Show Process..."

Aug. 29, 2014 Arts Feature by Amy Martin

'This Is Where I Belong'

How smarts and gumption took Noël Wells from Esther's to 'SNL'

April 25, 2014 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

SXSW Interview: Throwing Shade

Your humble AggreGAYtor meets the Throwing Shade team after the show

"...and Erin trained at Second City and also the UCB...."

March 13, 2014 Qmmunity Post by David Estlund

Treat yourself Austin to a few nights of Improv

Affordable Comedy at Your Doorstep

"...the Paramount, I had to find out why. The UCB is about staging affordable, high-quality comedy and providing improv..."

Nov. 18, 2013 Events Post by Sarah Sharif

The Cable Guy: Paul Scheer

We get in 'League' with Paul Scheer

"...current shows on cable, he performs regularly at the UCB Theatre in Los Angeles, hosts a biweekly film appreciation..."

June 1, 2012 Screens Feature by Leah Churner

AFF: 'New Low'

Can a total zero have star quality?

"...(He’s an Onion contributor, as well as an L.A.-based UCB troupe member.) He’s unafraid to go low, lower, lowest..."

Oct. 21, 2010 Screens Post by Kimberley Jones