‘20 Years of Alaska Comedy’ Now Available on YouTube
“20 Years of Alaska Comedy” is now available for free on YouTube.
Jerry Evans
When Jerry Evans hosted his first comedy show, opening for the then-unknown Kevin James, he had no idea he was starting what would become Alaska’s premier comedy circuit. Now after more than twenty years, Evans has been organizing, promoting, and hosting comedy throughout Alaska.
Documenting Observations About Alaska Through Comedy
Evans has opened for George Carlin, Jim Gaffigan, Howie Mandel, Paula Poundstone and has brought up many more household comedy names like Pauly Shore, Jamie Kennedy, Bobcat Goldthwait, Brian Posehn, Louis C.K., and Tom Arnold.
He’s dragged some of today’s top comics to some strange comedy adventures all around the state. He’s gotten Todd Glass and Jimmy Pardo stranded on the Aleutian Islands, seen Craig Robinson fly off the back of a dog sled, and taken Chris Titus to the World Extreme Skiing Championships in Valdez. Then there was the time the power went out during Jamie Kennedy’s show, and he did fifty minutes in the dark with nothing but the sound of his voice and the light of more than a hundred iPhone flashlights. He’s shown the Northern Lights, moose, and midnight sun to Maria Bamford, Natasha Leggero, Lachlan Patterson, Godfrey, Jeff Dye, Alonzo Bodden, and more than a hundred more.
Current Issue
April 2024
Putting pen to paper, he can list well over seventy different bars, clubs, theaters, gyms, tents, retirement homes, tribal halls, and strip clubs in which he’s promoted and performed alongside major headlining comedians.
Comics gather at a live taping for “20 Years of Alaska Comedy” at The Blue Loon in Fairbanks. From left are: Chris Porter, Jerry Evans, Jamie Lissow, “Glenner” Anderson, Bill Dwyer, Jeff Dye, and Arden Myrin.
Jerry Evans
“The shows are always great, but one of the best things about them is hearing these comics give their take on Alaska. Talk about fish out of water. Alaska is normal to us but strange and foreign to them,” Evans says.
To try and capture that feeling and share it with the rest of the world, Evans started planning what would become the “20 Years of Alaska Comedy” special/documentary.
Gathering more comedy gold for the “20 Years of Alaska Comedy” Comedy/Documentary with Jimmy Pardo, “Glenner” Anderson, Jerry Evans, and Todd Glass, who is obviously happy to be there.
Jerry Evans
Industry Sponsor
Become an Industry Sponsor
He started by inviting five of the most accomplished comedians who’ve performed in Alaska in the past, loved it, and couldn’t wait to come back to talk about it. After professionally taping two shows at The Blue Loon in Fairbanks, Evans flew to Los Angeles to film some popular, well-known comedians who couldn’t make it up for the taping, to include them in the movie.
“A lot of pretty impressive comedians have expressed interest in appearing in the project but logistically it’s not feasible to bring them all up for the taping, so we’ll tape them wherever it’s convenient for them,” Evans says.
In Los Angeles at The Laugh Factory, gathering footage for the “20 Years of Alaska Comedy” Comedy/Documentary. Top image from left: Jon Reep, “Glenner” Anderson, Bob Zany, Jerry Evans, Brad Williams, and Mo Mandel. Bottom image from left are: Bob Zany, “Glenner” Anderson, Maronzio Vance, Jerry Evans, and Jimmy Shubert.
Jerry Evans
Much of the Los Angeles footage was shot inside the historic Laugh Factory on Sunset Blvd.
“20 Years of Alaska Comedy,” features more than two dozen comedians: Chris Porter, Jeff Dye, Arden Myrin, Jamie Lissow, Bill Dwyer, Todd Glass, Jimmy Pardo, Jamie Kennedy, Bob Zany, Brad Williams, Jimmy Shubert, Lachlan Patterson, Doug Benson, Brian Posehn, John DiCrosta, Jon Reep, Andi Smith, Mo Mandel, Maronzio Vance, Darren Carter, Steve Hytner, Pablo Francisco, T.J. Markwalter, “Glenner” Anderson, and host Jerry Evans. Original music is provided by Alaska’s Marc Brown and the Blues Crew.
Find the video here.
In their company kitchens, the Corporate 100 blend wholesome ingredients with exquisite utensils to create the scrumptious ambrosia that keeps employees gratified and contented. Meet the top Alaska employers ranked by number of Alaskans on their payroll, and learn the recipe for success. This issue also includes a focus on economic development initiatives in Anchorage and Kodiak.