It was the last Big News ever! But if you enjoy sketch comedy that’s drawn from the headlines, don’t despair – every Sunday at 9 at iO West, you can catch a brand new episode of Top Story! Weekly, with an all-new collection of sketches based upon the news of the previous seven days! And if you can’t get to the theater, you can watch every episode of Top Story! Weekly online!

BIG NEWS EPISODE 318: Large Information: “Old Wine, New Bottles”

Starring Christopher Biewer, Kipleigh Brown, George Caleodis, Jason Kelley, Matt Moore, Melissa Okey, Ray Stakenas, Tammie Smalls, Ray Stakenas, Brian Vestal and Phillip Wilburn

Special Guest: Alan Lebetkin

Directed by Ron West

1. HAWKING AND THE PIRATES by Matt Blitz
Gates (Matt), Mrs. Clinton (Melissa), Biden (Brian), Jones (Ray), Hawking (Christopher and Jason), Bush (Phillip), the Hawkettes (Kipleigh and Tammie), Announcer (Jason)

2. SERVICE by Tom Repetto
Danny (Christopher), Harold (George), Jennifer (Kipleigh)

3. GET REAL by Tom Repetto
Mahmoud Ahmadenijad (Matt), Barack Obama (Jason), Dr. Phil (Phillip), Announcer (Ray)

4. AN ALMOST PERFECT WEDDING by Michael Hughes
Megan McAllister (Melissa), Sarah (Kipleigh), Debbie (Tammie), Jailer (Jason), Philip Markoff (Brian)

5. 183? by Erich Eilenberger
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (Matt), Jones (Ray), Walsh (George)

6. ONCE YOU GO BLACKBERRY by Kristina Adelmeyer
Obama (Jason), Nicole (Tammie)

7. LARRY AND LEVI by Michael Hughes
Larry (Phillip), Levi (Christopher)

8. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP LIAR by Kristina Adelmeyer
Angela (Tammie), Lindsay (Kipleigh), Brian (Jason), Dick (George), Jenny (Melissa), Dan (Matt), Philip (Brian)

9. A WHOLE NEW NAME by Tom Repetto
Phillip, Melissa, Kipleigh, Ray, Matt, Christopher, George, Jason, Tammie, Brian

10. SPECIAL GUEST: Alan Lebetkin
Intro (Melissa)

11. LARGE INFORMATION REPORT by Alexander, Allen, Boggs, Boodman, Carlow, Curry, Eilenberger, Engel, Faga, Hughes, King, Kublin, Lopez, Manser, McClain, Mondlock, Morelli, Nordvall, Paulas, Perlmutter, Reber, Saliman Reingold, Starr, Tippler and West
Melissa/George/Tammie/Kipleigh et al.

BIG NEWS EPISODE 317: “Topic Thunder”

Starring Sean Cowhig, Adam Fisher, Gregg Lopez, Matt Moore, Jim Nieb, Melissa Okey, Artemis Pebdani, Danny Ricker and Phillip Wilburn

Special Guest: Jim Coughlin

Directed by Michael Hughes

1. LEAVING VALLEY CITY by Tom Repetto
John (Danny), Sally (Melissa), Curly (Phillip), Will (Matt), Billy Greer (Jim), Steve Walsh (Gregg), JeLana (Artemis), C.C. (Sean)

2. TEABAGS FOR TWO by Michael Hughes
Dylan (Danny), Kevin (Matt), Paul (Adam)

3. YESTERDAY’S NEWS by Joanna Quraishi and Jay Starr
Host (Adam), Sully (Phillip), Captain Phillips (Sean), Doug White (Jim)

4. VIDEO by Phillip Wilburn
Phillip (Phillip)

5. I’M A GOVERNOR, GET ME THE EFF OUT OF HERE by Tom Repetto
Announcer (Jim), Rod (Gregg), Alan (Phillip), Elmo (Melissa), Kevin (Sean), Andrew (Matt), Vince (Danny)

6. PUBLIC RADIO RESCUE RANGERS by Erich Eilenberger
Roxana (Artemis), Tom (Danny), Ray (Adam), Ira (Gregg), Garrison (Jim), Announcer (Melissa)

7. JOHN AND VIRGINIA by Tom Repetto
John Madden (Phillip), Virginia Madden (Artemis)

8. TOO FAT TO FLY by Gregg Lopez
Robert (Gregg), Eddie (Jim), Leslie (Melissa), Gordon (Adam), Tim (Sean)

9. I LOVE CUBA by Michael Hughes
Lucy (Melissa), Ricky (Matt), Ethel (Artemis), Fred (Phillip)

10. SPECIAL GUEST: Jim Coughlin
Intro (Phillip and Melissa)

11. TOPIC THUNDER REPORT by Allen, Boggs, Boodman, Carlow, Eilenberger, Engel, Faga, Gaudette, Hughes, Isao, King, Lopez, Manser, McClain, Mondlock, Morelli, Nordvall, Paulas, Perlmutter, Reber, Saliman Reingold, Starr and Tippler
Melissa/Matt/Artemis/Phillip and Artemis et al.

BIG NEWS EPISODE 316: “The iO’Reilly Factor”

Starring Kipleigh Brown, George Caleodis, Sean Cowhig, Bailee DesRocher, Neil Garguilo, Jimmy Guidish, Matthew Harris, Jason Kelley, Gregg Lopez and Artemis Pebdani

Special Guest: Shashi Bhatia

Directed by Michael Hughes

1. THE GRINCHES WHO STOLE EASTER by John Hallmann
Obama (Matt), Rahm Emanuel (Neil), Biden (Jimmy), Pirates (Sean, Jason)

2. LEVI’S NEW LOVE by Michael Hughes
Tyra (Artemis), Levi (Jimmy), Lindsay (Bailee)

3. VOLUNTEERS by Scott Garner
K-Fed (Sean), Pookie (Neil), Aide (Kipleigh), Obama (Matt), Secret Service Agents (Jason, Gregg)

4. MANGIA, MANGIA by Tom Repetto
Francesca (Artemis), Silvio (George), Maria (Kipleigh), Vincenzo (Neil), Angelo (Jimmy), Giovanni (Sean)

5. DON’T CALL IT A GENOCIDE by Gregg Lopez
Obama (Matt), Miles (Jason), Abdullah (Gregg), Larisa (Artemis)

6. ANGELS OF MERCY by Julia Gaudette
Doctor (Jason), Farrah (Kipleigh), Kate (Artemis), Jaclyn (Bailee), Bosley (George)

7. JESUS AND HIS PEEPS by Gregg Lopez
Jesus (Sean), Judas (George), Announcer (Matt), Dana (Kipleigh)

8. MUSICIANS ROUNDTABLE by Tom Repetto
Amy (Bailee), Billy Bob (Gregg), Joaquin (Neil), Flavor Flav (Jason)

9. DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME by Tom Repetto
David (George), Molly (Kipleigh), Judd (Gregg), Emilio (Jimmy), Ally (Bailee), Anthony (Sean)

10. SPECIAL GUEST: Shashi Bhatia
Intro (Neil, Sean and Bailee)

11. BIG NEWS REPORT by Boggs, Boodman, Carlow, Faga, Garguilo, Gaudette, Hughes, Isao, King, Lopez, Manser, McClain, Mondlock, Morelli, Nordvall, Paulas, Perlmutter, Reber, Saliman Reingold, Stakenas, Starr, Tippler, West and Wilburn
George/Kipleigh/Artemis/Neil et al.

BIG NEWS EPISODE 315: THE SKITUATION ROOM: “G20, BLAGOJEVICH 16″

Starring Kipleigh Brown, George Caleodis, Bailee DesRocher, Matthew Harris, Michael Hughes, Jim Nieb, Melissa Okey, Artemis Pebdani, Brian Vestal and Phillip Wilburn

Special Guest: Mike Funt

Directed by Ron West

1. SCHOOL’S OUT by Bennie Arthur
Cole (Jim), Eric (Brian), Kylie (Artemis), Fathers (Phillip, George, Mike), Mothers (Melissa, Kipleigh, Bailee)

2. DIRTY JOB by John Hallmann and Ron West
Obama (Matt), Rahm (Mike), Rick (Brian), Donald (Phillip), Rush (George), HRH Philip (Jim), Elizabeth (Melissa), Dora (Bailee), Tim (George)

3. THE QUEEN’S ENGLISH by Michael Hughes
Clive (Brian), Beatrice (Kipleigh), Skid (Jim), Nigel (George), Patsy (Artemis), Lord Fauntleroy (Phillip), Dick (Mike)

4. FIRST PITCH by Peter Soby, Jr., Phillip Wilburn, and Ron West
Obama (Matt), Hillary (Melissa), PR Person (Bailee), Ozzie (Mike), Steve (Jim), Umpire (George), Catcher (Brian) PA Announcer (Phillip)

5. FARGO FLOODS by Erich Eilenberger
Peter (Brian), Carl (Mike), Jerry (Phillip), Marge (Melissa)

6. NOT SO HAPPY ENDING by Kristina Adelmeyer
Noah (Jim), Lisa (Bailee), Jason (George), Kelsey (Mike), Jane (Kipleigh), Joe the Security Guard (Matt)

7. NETANYAHU by Matt Manser
Announcer (Phillip), Netanyahu (Brian)

8. ROCKET MAN by Gregg Lopez
Brown (Phillip), Sarkozy (Mike), Obama (Matt), Aide (George), Kim Jong-Il (Artemis)

9. SPECIAL GUEST: Mike Funt
Intro (Bailee and Phillip)

10. BIG NEWS REPORT by Alexander, Allen, Boodman, Carlow, Curry, Eilenberger, Faga, Hughes, Kalkin, King, Kiyooka, Kublin, Lopez, Manser, McClain, Nordvall, Paulas, Perlmutter, Reber, Repetto, Rosen, Scheer, Starr, Tippler, Weitz, West and West
Melissa/George/Artemis/Mike et al.

Back in March, Nicholas D’Agosto, star of the hit film “Fired Up,” and Aaron Krebs, one of the great teachers at iO West (and one of the folks behind the new M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theater just off the Santa Monica Promenade), guested with our cast in a show that turned out to be one of our favorites – and one that you can now watch in the comfort of your own home!

In this episode:

- President Obama’s Internet press conference reaches new highs!
- Wolf Blitzer finds the Situation Room’s musical segues are “dead and gone!”
- A Florida school board deals with an explosive situation involving a student suspension!
- Current TV’s Laura Ling gets some big help to get out of a North Korean prison!
- Rod Blagojevich goes on Chicago radio and interviews Lady GaGa!
- The Octo-Mom meets her sperm donor!
- Bobby Jindal fights volcano monitoring in Alaska!
- George Foreman brings a struggling family a way to fight their financial woes!
- Kim Jong-Il tells George Bush why he loves North Korea!
- Plus the comedy of Ed Salazar!
- And Nick and Christopher debate deficit spending!

“Hope Floats?”

Starring Christopher Biewer, George Caleodis, Nicholas D’Agosto, Neil Garguilo, Jimmy Guidish, Jason Kelley, Aaron Krebs, Melissa Okey, Artemis Pebdani, and Phillip Wilburn

Directed by Michael Hughes

1. TOWN HALL by Ray Stakenas and Gregg Lopez
Obama (Jason), Stoner 1 (Artemis), Stoner 2 (Neil), Shawn (Nick), Nick (Christopher), Job Question Guy (Aaron), Health Care Question Guy (Melissa), Communications Question Guy (George), Chuck (Jimmy)

2. THE SITUATION ROOM IS DEAD AND GONE by Tom Repetto
Wolf (Phillip), Andy (Christopher), Chet (Neil), Justin (Nick)

3. AN EXPLOSIVE MEETING by Ray Stakenas
Super (Melissa), 2nd Chair (George), 3rd Chair (Neil), 4th Chair (Jimmy), 5th Chair (Christopher), John (Nick)

4. LET FREEDOM TWEET by Andy Nordvall
Laura (Melissa), Kim Jong Il (Artemis), Al (Phillip), Guard (George)

5. BLAGO GOES GA GA by Tom Repetto
Rod Blagojevich (Aaron), Lady GaGa (Melissa), Bob (Jimmy)

6. OCTO-DAD by Julia Gaudette
Nurse Albright (Christopher), Elijah (Jimmy), Nadia (Artemis), David (George)

7. BOBBY VERSUS THE VOLCANO by Michael Hughes
Ackerman (Aaron), Crick (Neil), Bobby (Phillip), Sarah (Artemis)

8. THE MONEY GRILL by Matt Blitz
Mother (Melissa), Father (Aaron), Billy (Nick), Teddy (Christopher), George (Jason), George Jr. (Jimmy)

9. TAKE ME OUT by Julia Gaudette
Bush (Phillip), Kim Jong Il (Artemis), Chorus (Christopher, George, Nick, Neil, Jimmy, Jason, Aaron, Melissa)

10. SPECIAL GUEST: Ed Salazar
Intro (Neil)

11. BIG NEWS REPORT by Allen, Biewer, Carlow, Faga, Hughes, Isao, King, Kublin, Manser, McClain, Nordvall, Paulas, Perlmutter, Reber, Saliman Reingold, Repetto, Simm, Starr, Tippler, and Weitz
Melissa/George/Artemis/Nick, Christopher and Neil et al.

BIG NEWS EPISODE 313: “Town Hall of Presidents”

Starring George Caleodis, Bailee DesRocher, Neil Garguilo, Jimmy Guidish, Gregg Lopez, KJ Middlebrooks, Matt Moore, Jim Nieb, Melissa Okey and Phillip Wilburn

Special Guest: Hannah Gansen

Directed by Ron West

1. OUR TOWN by Gregg Lopez
Obama (KJ), Matt (Matt), Bailee (Bailee), Gregg (Gregg), George (George), Jimmy (Jimmy), Melissa (Melissa), Ethan (Jim), Antonio (Neil), Arnold (Phillip)

2. THE NEW FACEBOOK by Erich Eilenberger
Guy (Matt), Girl (Bailee), Tom (Jim)

3. THE BARNEY FRANK SHOW by Erich Eilenberger
Jay (Jimmy), Obama (KJ), Barney (George), Charles (Phillip), AIG Executive 1 (Gregg), AIG Executive 2 (Melissa), AIG Executive 3 (Neil)

4. STAPLES by Dan Reber and Ron West
Ben (Jimmy), Marty (Jim), Carlos (Neil), Customer (George)

5. DORA THE SEXXXPLORER by Julia Gaudette
Mike (Matt), Chet (George), John (KJ), Dora (Bailee), Boots the Monkey (Neil), Swiper the Fox (Jim)

6. OBAMA MADNESS by Tom Repetto
Barack Obama (KJ), Rahm Emanuel (Gregg), Joe Biden (Jimmy)

7. HAPPY DAYS by Erich Eilenberger
Arthur (Phillip), Richard (Jim), Ralph (Jimmy), Warren Weber (George), Mrs. Cunningham (Melissa), Joanie (Bailee), Chachi (Neil)

8. ACADEMIC IDOL by John Hallmann
Jay (Jimmy), Obama (KJ), Ryan (Phillip), Simon (Neil), Paula (Bailee), Randy (KJ), Kara (Melissa), Tim (Matt), Laura (Melissa), Larry (George)

9. ABSTINENCE EXPRESS! by Peter Soby, Jr. and Rick Paulas
Adam (Jimmy), Alex (Matt), Barbara (Melissa), Bristol (Bailee), The Pope (Gregg), Taylor (Bailee)

10. SPECIAL GUEST: Hannah Gansen
Intro (Melissa)

11. BIG NEWS REPORT by Allen, Carlow, Eilenberger, Faga, Houston, Hughes, Isao, Kalkin, King, Manser, McClain, Nordvall, Okey, Paulas, Perlmutter, Reber, Saliman Reingold, Repetto, Rosen, Scheer, Starr, Tippler, and Weitz
Melissa/George/Phillip/Jim et al.