KROQ revealed details first thing this morning: Eddie Izzard, Bob Saget and (no joke) Larry King — yes, that Larry King — are among the comedians slated to make their debut appearances at Kevin & Bean’s April Foolishness. Now in its fourth year, the modern rock radio station’s Weenie Roast of funny returns to Gibson Amphitheatre on April 7.
Izzard, the 50-year-old English star who last summer became the first stand-up comic to headline the Hollywood Bowl, isn’t the only import on the bill: Australian jokers Jim Jefferies and Tim Minchin also will perform. Also, after three years of somewhat repeated lineups, this one is almost entirely new; Jay Mohr is the event’s only veteran act.
King, the renowned talk-show host who retired from his CNN post at the end of 2010, staged a one-man, autobiographical show last year (Larry King: Standing Up) under the guidance of Kids in the Hall creative director Jim Millan. He’ll bring some of that to April Foolishness, though how it will go over with the typically tough crowds this fest attracts is anyone’s guess.
Even some of the sharpest wits in the game have bombed at this big-scale gig, as Sarah Silverman and Aziz Ansari did two years ago. Time slots, choice or challenging, can be determining factors, but more crucial is a comic’s mental flexibility and how he feeds off the room’s energy. Given how the turnout typically skews young, that could prove tricky not just for King but even seasoned comedians like Izzard and Saget.
Also expected to make attempts at knocking ‘em dead are Last Comic Standing champ Felipe Esparza, frequent Kevin & Bean morning-show visitor Eddie Ifft, and O.C. native Brad Williams, best known for his turns on Comedy Central’s Mind of Mencia.
As always, Jimmy Kimmel’s house band Cleto & the Cletones will serve that same purpose at Gibson — though Kimmel himself, who made appearances all three previous years, isn’t listed among the talent this time.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 1, at 10 a.m. exclusively to KROQ Street Team members. Prices weren’t readily available, but we’ll post them here soon; typically they run $30-$100. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and the Cedars-Sinai NICU.
Read more entertainment news and reviews on the Orange County Register’s Soundcheck Blog.
Photo by Craig T. Mathew, The Associated Press.
Previous April Foolishness reviews:
More O.C. Nightlife:
Follow the Encore Blog on Facebook at Facebook.com/encoreOC and on Twitter @encore_oc.
Congrats to Lonni of Riverside for her prize-winning body art.
