Hey You Millionaires
| Hey You Millionaires | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin |
 United States |
Hey You Millionaires was a Los Angeles based sketch comedy trio composed of James Asmus, John Bohan, and Jim Fath. Though all three members are originally from Cleveland, Ohio, the group formed in Chicago in 2004. They've appeared on the cover of Fortune Magazine, CNN.com, were twice voted "Best Sketch Group" in the "Best of Chicago" Chicago Reader Poll (2008 and 2009). As of 2011 the group is on indefinite hiatus.
History
James Asmus, John Bohan, and Jim Fath met as castmates of Cabaret Dada in Cleveland in 2003. In 2004, all having moved to Chicago, they formed the group "The Leading Brand". The group's first effort, "The Unbearable Lightness of Death", was a sketch show molded into a narrative following the story of a terminally ill man named Charlie Peeler and those seemingly oblivious characters around him. It was eventually performed at the Apollo Theater in Chicago in the spring of 2005 and then again in the same space that fall.
After a brief hiatus the group resurfaced under the new name "Hey You Millionaires" (HYM). The name was taken from the first sketch of the pilot episode of late 80s-early 90s Canadian sketch comedy show "The Kids in the Hall".
HYM's first performance was at the Playground Theater in the winter of 2007 as part of their Graffiti sketch comedy showcase.
In 2007, the group gained notoriety when two self-produced videos were featured on Myspace, Funny or Die, and YouTube, along with a host of other online media outlets. Notable was "Crazy Hank".[1] and "Catching the Gay" [2]
In 2008 they performed at the Chicago Sketchfest to rave reviews and then secured a run at the Annoyance Theatre.
In 2009 they were featured in a Fortune Magazine and on CNN.com article about how to find a job.[3] The group was invited to appear at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Chicago. Appearing at Bob Odenkirk's Best of Sketchfest.
In 2010 the group was again, invited to appear at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Chicago. They also toured various festivals and colleges. Two of the groups members (James Asmus and Jim Fath) relocated to Los Angeles by the end of 2010 where they plan on continuing working and performing under the name. Their comedy short "Catching the Gay" [4] was selected to appear in the Copenhagen Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
In 2011 the group reformed briefly in Los Angeles continued to perform as a duo composed of James Asmus and Jim Fath. The group has been on hiatus as of 2011.
Appearances and Venues
2005
- Cleveland Black Box Theatre at Cabaret Dada, Cleveland Ohio
- Apollo Studio Theatre at the Apollo Theater Chicago IL
2007
- Lake Shore Theatre Chicago IL (As part of the Variety show Impress these Apes)
- The Cleveland House of Blues, Cleveland Ohio (Appeared with Last Call Cleveland)
- The Playground Theatre Chicago, IL (As part of Graffiti Sketch Comedy Showcase)
- The Playground Theatre Chicago, IL (In place of Don't Spit the water)
2008
- Chicago Sketch Fest 2008
- Annoyance Theatre Chicago, IL
- SketchFest NYC
- DC Comedy Fest
- SketchFest Seattle
2009
- Chicago Sketch Fest 2009
- Just For Laughs Comedy Festival Chicago
- Power House Pub, Cleveland, OH
- Curious Comedy Theater, Portland, OR
- Everett College, Everette, WA
- SketchFest Seattle, Seattle, WA
2010
- Chicago Sketch Fest, Chicago, IL
- The Improv, Hollywood, CA
- I.O. West, Hollywood, CA
- Just For Laughs Comedy Festival Chicago, IL
- Breen Center for the Performing Arts, Cleveland, OH
- Power House Pub, Cleveland, OH
- I.O. Chicago, IL
- Annoyance Theatre Chicago, IL
- Sketchfest Seattle, Seattle WA
- Curious Comedy Theater, Portland, OR
- Everett College, Everette, WA
- Copenhagen Gay and Lesbian Film Festival "Catching the Gay"
Directors
- Sarah Haskins 2007-10
- Evan Makela 2006