Comic’s Weekly Roundup: John F. O’Donnell lands at The Hangar

Comedian Olivia Cathcart picks this week’s best best for getting some laughs including WonderComedy and the three-day fundraiser-extravaganza Relapse Resurrection.

Spotlight on: John F. O’Donnell
====== When you think about political satire, your mind likely races to one of two places: “The Daily Show” or “Saturday Night Live.” Politics and entertainment are important aspects of our culture, the latter usually serving as a way to make sense of the former or — at the very least — ease the frustration. Comedian John F. O’Donnell wades into the political waters as a correspondent for the satirical program “Redacted Tonight,” a comedy show that specializes in covering the less mainstream areas of politics; from dissecting the use conflict minerals in iPhones to exposing how media censors protest music

While his act wasn’t previously political, O’Donnell’s intense performance style perfectly compliments the madness of Washington. Comedy Central Insider describes O’Donnell as “a tightly capped liter of soda filled with lit fireworks.” Before beaming into the nation’s TV sets, O’Donnell traveled the country performing stand-up. He’s performed at festivals such as Bridgetown and The Bentzen Ball along with being a favorite guest on popular podcasts like “You Made It Weird” and “Risk with Kevin Allison.” The comedian is also the creator of the national comedy show 50 First Jokes that tasks 50 comics with performing their first new joke of the year in front of an audience. Iterations of the show take place in New York, Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Denver, and, since 2014, Atlanta. This firework display hits DIY venue The Hangar Saturday accompanied by local comedians Kevin Saucier, Andrew Wright, and Olive Lynch.

John F. O’Donnell Live at The Hangar. Sat., Mar. 19 at 9 p.m. $7 in advance; $10 at the door.
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Wed., Mar. 16
======Stand-up is back at 368 Ponce (formerly known as The Big House on Ponce) courtesy of Will Newton and Dedrick Flynn. Big Deal Comedy rounds up some of the best Atlanta comics, including Cherith Fuller and Brian Emond, for a fun and cheap weekday night. Show’s at 8 p.m. $5.

Thur., Mar. 17

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Hallelujah our beloved comedy hub, Relapse Theater, is back in business! After closing doors three years ago, Bob Wood and crew are opening them back up — and they need your help. Starting this Thursday, the venue hosts a three-day comedy extravaganza, Relapse Resurrection, featuring the holy trinity of comedy: Thursday night features some of the best local stand-up, Friday is all about sketch comedy, while improv reigns king on Saturday. Acts such as Automatic Improv, PostModern Collapse, Jarrod Harris, Ismael Loutfi, Paul Gallois, and more hit the stage to help raise funds to spruce Relapse before it’s back to business in the spring. Each night features raffle prizes and other giveaway goodies. Tickets for individual nights are $15 each or buy a three-day bundle for $30. 

Fri., Mar. 18
======The third Friday of the month means there’s no better place to be than the glorious WonderRoot basement for WonderComedy. This month’s headliner is Atlanta staple Dan Weeks. The rest of the line-up features more local crushers, such as Ian Aber and Vas Sanchez, as well as out-of-town guests like Gilbert Lawand. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.; show’s at 9 p.m. $5 cash at the door. B.Y.O.B.

The Weekend
======A comedy icon comes to the Laughing Skull this weekend when comedian, writer, director Bobcat Goldthwait headlines the Midtown club. Goldthwait has been performing stand-up for decades. He made his first appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” at age 20 continued to rack up TV credits including two of his own televised specials in the ‘80s. Goldthwait, an accomplished actor, appeared in the Police Academy franchise in addition to rising as a popular voice actor. More recently, the comedian turned heads as a director for his films God Bless America and the documentary about political satirist Barry Crimmins, Call Me Lucky. He headlines six shows Thursday through Sunday that are sure to sell out.

>> While Atlanta is home to the latest “Last Comic Standing,” winner, another champ comes to town this weekend as Josh Blue headlines The Punchline. Blue was crowned the winner of NBC’s primetime stand-up competition in 2006 where is coined the term “palsy punch,” in one of his many jokes about having and dealing with cerebral palsy. Blue says the palsy punch is effective in a fight because “first of all, they don’t know where the punch is coming from, and second of all, neither do I.” The comedian has also had a Comedy Central half-hour special and produced two albums including 2013’s Sticky Change. He headlines six shows Friday through Sunday.

ALSO THIS WEEK
======Bert Kreischer at Laughing Skull (March 14, at 8 p.m.) 
Beer and Comedy Night at Sweetwater Brewery (March 14, at 8 p.m.)
Monday Night Comedy at Star Bar (March 14, at 9:30 p.m.)
8-Bit Comedy at Joystick Gamebar (March 16, at 8 p.m.)
St.Baldrick’s Fundraiser at The Punchline (March 17, at 8 p.m.)
Rashaun Reese at Uptown Comedy Corner (March 18-20) 
1AM Secret Show at Smith’s Olde Bar (March 19, at 1 a.m.)