SF Sketchfest 2015

Celebrate 20 years of the hilarious, irreverent sitcom set in the world of AM radio as the cast of "NewsRadio" come together at SF Sketchfest! Dave Foley (coffee-addicted news director Dave Nelson), Stephen Root (eccentric billionaire station owner Jimmy James), Khandi Alexander (Three-Card Monte loving news anchor Catherine Duke), Andy Dick (bumbling news reporter Matthew Brock) and writer/producer Joe Furey will take the Marines' Memorial stage for an afternoon of stories, reminiscing and questions. $30 All Ages

Due to a change in their schedules, Vicki Lewis and Maura Tierney will not be appearing as previously announced. 

SF Sketchfest and Noise Pop team up for their very first joint tribute to celebrate renowned comedy duo Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster, who will sit down for a conversation and be serenaded by musical friends (and Scharpling & Wurster fans) John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats and rock icon Bob Mould from the Bob Mould Band, Husker Du and Sugar. Tom Scharpling, the once and future host of The Best Show, was ranked #31 on Rolling Stone's list of the 50 funniest people and is also known as a television writer and music-video director. Jon Wurster is the drummer for indie rock pioneers Superchunk and has also lent his percussive talents to Bob Mould, The Mountain Goats, Ben Gibbard, R.E.M. and more. He has written for Adult Swim's "Squidbillies" and is the voice of all of the characters on the popular Scharpling & Wurster CDs. $35 All Ages

Due to a personal matter, Andy Kindler will no longer be appearing. Jon Daly will moderate.

SOLD OUT --  Tickets may be available at the door night-of. See http://sfsketchfest.com/x/how-to-purchase/ for info.

Preston Sturges (1898-1959) was an American playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker who was considered by many to be the father of the screwball comedy. He won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "The Great McGinty" and went on to write and direct comedy classics including "Sullivan's Travels," "The Lady Eve," "The Palm Beach Story," "Hail the Conquering Hero," "Unfaithfully Yours," and the film that will be screened at this salute, the uproarious 1944 film "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek." One of the highlights of Sturges's work is his use of an unofficial ensemble 'stock company' of the greatest comedic character actors and actresses of the era. There is a parallel in the work of special guests Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, who are key members of a modern 'company' of performers who have created amazing ensemble comedies starting with "This Is Spinal Tap" and leading up through "Best In Show," "Teddy Bears' Picnic," "Family Tree" and "A Mighty Wind." They'll present the film live in-person, moderated by Noah Cowan (executive director of the San Francisco Film Society). Co-presented by San Francisco Film Society  $25 All Ages

SF Sketchfest pays tribute to three comedy icons with (live in-person) Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, who could also collectively be called either Spinal Tap or the Folksmen. Their work together includes the classic rock comedy film “This Is Spinal Tap” (along with numerous live Spinal Tap concerts), folk music expose “A Mighty Wind,” “For Your Consideration,” and “Waiting For Guffman,” for which Guest starred and directed and McKean and Shearer contributed songs. McKean appeared alongside Guest in his projects “Best In Show” and HBO’s “Family Tree” and appeared alongside Shearer in his film “Teddy Bears’ Picnic.”

Individually, their accomplishments are equally staggering. In addition to directing some of the best comedy films of the last few decades, Christopher Guest received a Grammy Award for the soundtrack of “Best In Show” and an Emmy for “The Lily Tomlin Special” and has appeared as an actor in film including “The Princess Bride” and “Mrs. Henderson Presents.” Michael McKean is an acclaimed actor on the stage and both the large and small screen. Recent New York theatre credits include “The Band Wagon,” “All The Way,” Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man,” and “Superior Donuts.” Films include “Clue,” “Whatever Works,” and “The Words” and television credits include the upcoming “Better Call Saul,” “Homeland,” and “Laverne & Shirley.” Harry Shearer has for the past two decades enjoyed enormous success with his voice work on “The Simpsons,” where he plays a stable of characters including Mr. Burns, Smithers and Ned Flanders. He is an actor (“Real Life,” “The Right Stuff,” “The Fisher King”), director (“The Big Uneasy”), broadcaster (“Le Show”) and Grammy-nominated musician (“Songs of the Pointed and Pointless”). His most recent project is a TV comedy-drama called “Nixon’s The One.”

Moderating the event will be SF Sketchfest favorite Adam Savage ("Mythbusters") $35 All Ages

SF Sketchfest is thrilled to pay tribute to magic and comedy icons Penn & Teller, whose prolific partnership has yielded live shows, films, television series, books and countless awards. Their 14-year run at The Rio in Las Vegas makes them one of the longest running and most beloved shows in Las Vegas history, while their acclaimed Showtime series “Penn & Teller: BS!” was nominated for 13 Emmys and was the longest series in the history of the network. Throughout almost 40 years performing together, Penn & Teller have had sold out runs on Broadway, multiple world tours, written three New York Times bestsellers, and have created or appeared on countless television networks, including Emmy-winning specials for ABC, NBC and Comedy Central. They also produced two critically lauded documentaries, the comedian-studded “The Aristocrats” and most recently the spectacular “Tim’s Vermeer.” SF Sketchfest welcomes the brilliant magicians back to San Francisco where, in the 70’s and 80’s, they had a successful run at the erstwhile Phoenix theatre. Don’t miss this rare event with Penn & Teller in an evening of candid discussion, audience Q&A, video clips and a couple of Penn & Teller’s classic magic tricks performed live! Moderated by Adam Savage ("Mythbusters") $30 All Ages

SOLD OUT --  Tickets may be available at the door night-of. See http://sfsketchfest.com/x/how-to-purchase/ for info.

SF Sketchfest is delighted to present a night of music, comedy and conversation with our SF Sketchfest Tribute to the inimitable "Weird Al" Yankovic (live in person!) Moderated by Chris Hardwick, this evening will include clips, musical tributes by Hard 'n Phirm, Garfunkel and Oates and more, and a conversation and audience Q&A. Co-presented by Amoeba Music $30 All Ages

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE: 
We are very sad to share that due to inclement weather, Christopher Lloyd is unable to appear at the 30th anniversary screening of “Back to the Future” at the Castro Theatre tonight. Mr. Lloyd tried valiantly to get here but multiple flights that he was booked on were canceled. If you purchased a ticket in advance, you will be refunded in full—and we still invite you to attend tonight’s screening at 9:30pm.

Walkup patrons: We will still show the film on the big screen at The Castro. And there's still a DeLorean out front. Tickets only $10.

We thank you for understanding.

Great Scott! It's a tribute to Christopher Lloyd! SF Sketchfest welcomes the phenomenal actor who began in theatre, moved into television with the legendary series "Taxi," and has appeared in some of cinema's most celebrated films, including "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," "The Addams Family," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Clue," and of course, "Back to the Future" (and its sequels), which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Join us for a conversation and Q&A with Mr. Lloyd, moderated by Scott Adsit ("30 Rock" and "Big Hero 6"), followed by a screening of one of the most beloved movies of all time. Make sure to come early and get your picture with Doc Brown’s DeLorean Time Machine. $25 All Ages

Moderated by Tim Goodman, chief television critic for The Hollywood Reporter. $40 All Ages

Due to a change in their schedules, Sufe Bradshaw and Reid Scott are no longer appearing. 

SOLD OUT --  Tickets may be available at the door night-of. See http://sfsketchfest.com/x/how-to-purchase/ for info.

SF Sketchfest salutes the hilarious comedy troupe Broken Lizard -- stars and creators of "Super Troopers," "Club Dread," "Beerfest" and "The Slammin' Salmon" -- by welcoming the entire crew to the Cobb's Comedy Club stage! Join Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske for an unpredictable night of conversation, clips and Q&A. $25 18+ (unless accompanied by parent or guardian)