I’m a comedian and writer who first came here in 1959.  I was three.  Truth is I had it with being treated like a baby, so I packed my toys, told the parents what they could do with their rules and split my crib for the left coast.   After all, that’s what we show-bizzers do.  The family eventually drifts westward bound, not necessarily reaching for the brass ring; more like being in the vicinity.  My family moved to Beverly Hills and I grew up in showbiz central.  Comedy Division.

TV Commercial Age 5

My first professional job was a TV commercial for “White Front” department stores.  I know, sounds like a nationalist movement, but the “Front” store chain had color coded stores throughout the nation.  I think in the south it was Red Front, or Red NECK Front; don’t remember.  I was enrolled in acting school and was often startled by how much the entertainment industry was infused into the local culture.  Beverly Hills was a village of 1920’s buildings and one would often see the likes of Lucille Ball buying chicken at the local butchers or Groucho Marx going into Nate N Al’s Deli.  It was a way of life and because of it, I became a lifer.  In showbiz forever.  Flash-forward from when I started at The Store in 81 to today and there are hundreds and hundreds of really good (and some great) stand-up comedians, all vying for that Netflix special.

William Martinez is the Real Deal

A newbee to Hollywood is a young Cuban American comedian, actor and entertainer from Chicago.  William Martinez has that one thing you must have to succeed big-time.  He’s got talent and training, but William also has charisma. It’s hard to define what charisma really is, but JFK had it, George Clooney has it and Jesus Christ himself had it.  Not surprisingly because the word “charisma” means “Christ-like.”

William isn’t a god, but he does workout.

I first met William at The Improv and frankly, I first thought he was a bit too anxious to make friends.  Truth is he sensed something about me immediately that made him want to know me and once he found out I’m a so-called “legend”, simply because my name is on the wall of fame of The Comedy Store, well; the young comics are basically in awe that I was there in the day and am still around.  I’ve worked with William many times and he’s always a crowd pleaser, funny and professional.  I’m telling you, this guy can do anything.  And his impressions are spot-on. 

So, let me get this straight.  He’s talented and professional and good-looking and joyful and entertaining and young.  I hate him already.

Catch William Martinez at all the major comedy clubs in LA or at a comedy club near you.

For The Hollywood Dog, 

This is Steven Alan Green

WOOF! 

William Martinez on Facebook

Perry will host each show to get it rolling and keep it rolling and interesting. He’ll also close each show with some form of improvised music that he will make up about whatever the audience is doing AS they do it and get them singing along.

The other main attraction is the venue. It takes place at The C.I.A., or CIA in North Hollywood. That stands for California Institute of Abnormalarts, and is clearly the strangest theater in Los Angeles. It sports a real theater room with a real stage, sound man, and theater lights, a separate room for beer and wine distribution, so there is no vending chatter in the room during the performance, and, mostly, an array of very unusual artifacts, including a mummified person in a glass case as you wander towards the patios. Lighting comes from above and through the walls with a strong Asian feel, giving the place the alter-name of Chinatown East. Colors are bright everywhere and it truly feels as if you are on a different plane of existence, with the ability to return to Earth by leaving the premises. You enter the establishment by passing a giant 15 foot plastic head from an old TV show, where the owner speaks to you from inside the head THROUGH the eyes and takes your money through an ear on the left side of the head.

Showtime is 9pm and admission is only $10, not bad for a really funny 2 hour show without having to travel downtown. The CIA is at 11334 Burbank Boulevard, just east of Lankershim blvd. and The Holiday Inn Express in North Hollywood, 91601, phone (818) 221-8065. This is adult material, but also some of the funniest in L.A.

As for the C.I.A., here ‘s a link to show you what’s in store for behind the giant head.  https://www.facebook.com/CIAbnormalarts