Laugh your a** off at ‘The Naked Comedy Show’ in LA
The Naked Comedy Show — a stand-up series that leaves little to the imagination — is making its Los Angeles debut at the Elysian Theatre on Jan. 17, bringing its unconventional, clothing-free format west after developing a cult following in New York City and Philadelphia.
The show features comedians performing fully nude, a choice host Billy Procida says may grab attention but isn’t what carries the laughs. Procida, who has hosted the show without clothes since 2022, emphasizes that the lineup is booked for comedic skill, not shock value.
“If we all put our clothes back on, you’d still say it’s a great lineup,” Procida said. “I book based on funny — not looks, not bodies. I’m looking for strong comics.”
Tickets for the 18-and-over audience start at $40. Each show typically features five or six vetted comedians, many with credits from Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, and major comedy festivals.
While stand-up comedy is already a vulnerable art form, performing nude adds another layer of exposure — particularly for male comedians, Procida noted. Body image anxieties are common, but those insecurities often become material, transforming discomfort into self-aware humor.
“That vulnerability is actually where a lot of the comedy comes from,” Procida said. “Instead of worrying about it, you write a joke about it.”
Some first-time performers, he added, mistakenly believe they need to “prepare” for being on stage without clothes, but the reality of performing under bright lights and pressure makes that concern largely irrelevant.
“You’re in performance mode,” Procida said. “It’s closer to fight-or-flight than anything else.”
While nudity may initially catch the audience’s attention, Procida said it typically fades into the background within the first minute of a set. In most cases, it becomes secondary to the jokes themselves.
Over the years, the show has seen moments that range from awkward to unforgettable — including unusual prop choices and bold comedic risks — but Procida says that’s part of the appeal of live comedy without a safety net.
The show’s popularity, he argues, is tied to America’s complicated relationship with public nudity.
“There’s a deep cultural discomfort around bodies and sex in this country,” Procida said. “That makes something like this feel rebellious, even though it’s really just stand-up comedy.”
Unlike the New York version of the show, audience members in Los Angeles will not have the option to attend without clothes. Procida says the goal isn’t to create a provocative atmosphere, but to present comedy in an unusual context.
“This isn’t a strip show, and it’s not meant to be erotic,” he said. “It’s just jokes — without costumes.”
The inaugural Los Angeles lineup includes Martin Morrow (Netflix), Kylie Vincent (Comedy Central), Allison Rose (PBS), O’mar Finley (Skankfest), and James Tison (Out Magazine). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. in the Elysian’s Skunk Room, with future dates to be announced.
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