Los Angeles has enough comedy clubs to ensure you’re never far from a mic, whether you're seeking arena-level performers or more experimental acts. This local density means finding top-tier comedy often comes down to knowing who to watch.
This year, a quartet of L.A.-based performers has landed on Time Out’s 2026 class of 'Comedians to Watch in America.' The list, curated with help from Joel Mandelkorn and Mandee Johnson, highlights local talent that spans stand-up, acting, writing, and sketch comedy, offering a glimpse into the future of the scene.
Among the celebrated is Andrew Orolfo, an L.A. comedian who got his start in the Bay Area. A regular at the Comedy & Magic Club and Don’t Tell Comedy shows, Orolfo draws audiences in with a relaxed delivery that often leads to unexpectedly outlandish punchlines. His material ranges from navigating dating while tolerating casual racism to sharing an edible with his mother. Orolfo also created "The Meter," a game show where contestants try to identify which Hollywood actor has the highest IMDb STARmeter rating within extremely niche categories, such as actors who have been particularly sweaty on camera. "The Meter" can be streamed weekly on YouTube or caught live at DSP Studios in L.A.
Curtis Cook, who relocated to L.A. from Portland in 2016, also made the list. Before his move, Cook published a self-interview predicting a rather grim, comedy-less future, noting he has "always been kind of a dreary guy." Despite that forecast, he describes the subsequent decade in L.A. as thrilling. Cook’s resume includes TV writing credits for shows like *American Dad!*, *This Fool*, and *Adults*. On stage, his stand-up style is distinctive, combining carefree delivery with provocative and insightful observations, whether he's discussing his family identifying as goth or considering joining the military to satisfy an "insatiable blood lust." Cook co-hosts the weekly "Zero Hour Comedy" at Zero Lounge in Hollywood on Wednesday nights with Brandie Posey, Rick Wood, and John Michael Bond.
Inglewood native Felicia Folkes brings a mix of charm and raw honesty to her comedy. A former bank teller, Folkes recounts stories from that job, like seeing a negative balance and knowing a suitor couldn't afford to take her out. She first ventured into stand-up as an after-class activity at Santa Monica College and later became the first Black woman to work as a door person at the legendary Comedy Store, eventually rising to paid regular. A breast cancer survivor, Folkes has found a unique way to incorporate her experiences into her sets, noting that her comedy is now "healing them through their own journeys as well." She can often be found performing live most Sundays at The Comedy Store.
Rounding out the L.A. contingent are Kim Seltzer and Aliya Kamalova, known collectively as Kim & Aliya. This improv and sketch duo is behind a range of singular comedy projects, from surreal short films about dystopian marketing apps to satirical talk shows and card-based party games. Their work includes offbeat, often awkward bite-sized videos like unnerving cooking demos, half-baked business pitches, and recent parodies of late-analog-era commercials. Kim & Aliya are also credited with starting the popular TikTok trend of messy-faced friends demanding to know who ate the last powdered doughnut. Currently, they are developing their debut feature film, *Pistols at 3:45*, a mockumentary about two feuding local politicians attempting to back out of a duel. For those looking for their next laugh, keeping an eye on these local names is a good bet.
