What are you doing on Christmas Eve? When you’re Jewish, the answer is usually Chinese food, a movie, gathering with friends, or all three. But this year, being 2020, those options aren’t even available.
Luckily comedian Elon Gold and some very special guests are performing their annual Merry Erev Xmas show virtually for all of us to enjoy. On Dec. 24 from 6-8 pm, you can watch two hours of comedy from the comfort of your couch.
The idea for Merry Erev Xmas started 12 years ago when Elon approached his friend Jamie Masada, owner of the Laugh Factory on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
“There’s nothing for our people to do on this silent and holy night for everyone else,” remembers Elon of the conversation. “It’s Christmas Eve, and everything is shut down. Would you open the club, and maybe we do this thing? I have an idea – we’ll call it Merry Erev Christmas.”
Jamie is known for his philanthropy. He opens the Laugh Factory for everything from High Holidays services to those in need. This was the first Thanksgiving in decades where he didn’t serve the homeless meals from the club.
“There’s a line around the block of homeless people in need,” says Elon. ‘The comedians stand there and serve turkey and we get on stage.”
Originally, Merry Erev Xmas was just meant to attract the Jewish community with Jewish comedians performing. But over the years, it has become an LA tradition, drawing crowds so large that they had to eventually add two more shows, so now they perform three shows on Dec. 24.
“It’s like the hottest ticket in town, and people start buying tickets in November. They look forward to it,” says Elon. “This year, the bad news is we can’t open the doors to the public and do this; the good news is we can open the doors to the world and invite the world to see what we do here every year.’”
Joining Elon will be Tiffany Haddish, Alonzo Bodden and Jeff Ross. The event will also raise funds for Tiffany Haddish’s She Ready Foundation that provides resources for children in foster care.
“This is a special, magical night. Besides, what the heck else do you have going on on Christmas Eve that you’re too busy for my comedian friends and me?” asks Elon. “It’s chai – 18 bucks. You pop it on your living room TV and you sit back and have two hours of laughs that we all desperately need.”
And, you can get Chinese take-out to enjoy while you’re watching.
MERRY EREV XMAS! with Elon Gold & Very Special Guests!
When: Thursday, Dec. 24 at 5 pm PST (6 pm Arizona time)
Where: Broadcasting live from the Hollywood Laugh Factory to the world!
Tickets: $18 General Admission; $180 VIP Experience – Be one of 100 on-air audience members featured on big screens at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood for an interactive exclusive experience.
Buy tickets here.
