We’re at war, the economy is in the toilet, many are out of work and/or sick with no health care, and speaking of which, arguments over health care reached an all time low with the way people have conducted themselves, oh and did I mention you still haven‘t won the lottery?

With all the crap on the “news” the relentlessly chatty pundits shoving opinions in our faces, it’s a wonder we don’t all just take an elevator and jump out a high rise window. And do you want to know why we don’t? Because the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival will be starting in less than a few hours, that’s why!

Its been said countless times how ‘laughter is the best medicine,’ report after scientific report has documented the immeasurable benefits laughter has on the immune system, the mind, the soul and the body, making laughter the “Magic Pill” of healing if you will. And since we’re all looking for a quick fix to make us feel better, I hereby insist you buy a ticket to the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival, attend all four days and forget about calling me Monday morning, you’ll be healed!

Starting tonight, Thursday, April 15th and running through Sunday, April 18th, downtown Los Angeles will once again play host to the most hilarious film festival giving professionals and just regular unfunny folk alike insight into the world of comedy. How? you man wonder who would have the huevos to attempt to do such a thing? Well, worry not little knucklehead because the three founding amigos Gary Anthony Williams, Jeannie Roshar and Ryan Higman have thought of everything, all you have to do is follow directions. You can do that can’t ya? Just put your lips together and blow a kiss, wait, that’s another festival entirely. Sorry for the digression…I’m back! Okay, here’s how to get healthy!!!

First you getcha multiple changes of “shorts,” cause you’ll probably pee through a bunch once there. Then get yourself a pass and you do that by going to www.lacomedyshorts.com. Then you go downtown LA to the Downtown Independent Theater at 251 South Main Street on April 15th and just stay there until we tell you to go home.

Whataya get for such devotion? The time of your freakin’ life, that’s what! For starters the best damn parties you’d not be invited to under any other circumstances. That’s right, LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival does NOT discriminate, whether your hilarious or boring people to death left and right, we let you in the door to see how the funny people live.

For example guests will be able to attend classy joints like the Kyoto Grand Hotel Rooftop on Friday night, Lucky Strike Lounge at L.A. Live for “Celebrity Beer Pong” hosted by Pong Mistress, Aisha Tyler and sponsored by Digital College Network on Saturday Night. Daily cocktail receptions will be held at the Downtown Independent Theater just to name a few.

Also on hand will be those loner, ashy/pasty people who haven’t seen the sun since its debut, some call them writers and about 74 short films competing against each other for all kinds of cool stuff like money, beer wenches and power tools! Check out the website for the schedule.

Each day begins with an Industry Panel where peeps in da know talk about the behind-the-scenes stuff of the comedy side of Hollywood.

Famous People Talkin’ About Sh*t

Featuring: Bryan Cranston, Julie Bowen, Missi Pyle, Mark Hamill & others

· What…In This Economy? – Giving Management/Production Companies What They Really Want.

Featuring: JC Spink (Benderspink), Chris Prynoski (Titmouse), and others from Generate and Mosaic Media

· But I’m a CeWEBrity! – How to Translate Success on the ‘Net into Success in TV/Film.

Featuring Mike Farah (Funny or Die), Tom Hoffman (Fremantle Media) & others from Atom.com.

· I Write, I Produce, Therefore I Am – Tips on Creating Your Own Product by Comedy Writer-Producers.

Featuring Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, Night At The Museum), Robert Ben Garant (Reno 911, Balls of Fury), Laura Kightlinger (SNL, Lucky Louie), Linwood Boomer (Malcolm in the Middle), Rodney Barnes (Boondocks, Everybody Hates Chris)

The Closing Night Red Carpet Awards Gala will be held at Elevate Lounge on Sunday, April 18. Film Awards will be announced at that time, as well as the presentation of the COMMIE AWARD.

Just a few of the key celebrity players involved include Mark Hamill, Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle), Aisha Tyler (CSI, Ghost Whisperer), Dave Koechner (The Office, Funny Or Die Presents), Patrick Warburton (Family Guy, Seinfeld), Mark Curry (Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper), Missi Pyle (Dodgeball), SNL’s Kenan Thompson and Abby Elliot, SNL alums Michaela Watkins and Laura Kightlinger; MAD TV’s Debra Skelton, Nicole Parker, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, Aqua Teen Hunger Force’s Dana Snyder, Futurama’s John Di Maggio, Austin Powers’ Mindy Sterling, Boondocks’ creator Aaron McGruder as well as Cedric Yarbrough, Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant and Carlos Alazraqui from “Reno911!”

Key sponsors include Funny or Die, The ONION, Atom.com, Write Brothers, Inc., Generate, Benderspink, Ink Tip, Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, Downtown Independent Theatre, Kubilay Üner, Elevate Lounge, Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant, Uprinting.com, Marker Entertainment, J Lounge, M Street Coffee, Zevia Natural Soda, Kovacs Brothers, Big Man Bakes, Popchips, and A Donkey and Goat Winery.

TICKET/PASS INFORMATION

Advance tickets are available online at www.lacomedyshorts.com up to 12 hours before the start of the event. Prices are $12 for individual screenings and panels; $50 for a Day Pass, which provides access to all screenings, panels and parties for that day; and $149 for a VIP All-Access Festival Pass, which includes priority entrance to all screenings, panels, parties as well as the Atom.com Filmmaker Lounge and cocktail receptions at the theater. A limited number of tickets are also available for the Opening Night so log on now and buy tickets!!!!! But wait there’s more … you’ll just have to show up and find out what!