March 5, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Alicia Levy
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] fearless and hilarious sketch comedy performer Alicia Levy debuting her new one-woman show Red Carpet Ride (8:00 pm),
[$] a provocative comedy star who’s written for Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Saturday Night Live, and performed on Chappelle’s Show and David Letterman, headlining at Carolines through Sunday: Paul Mooney (8:00 pm),
Dominic Dierkes (member of star comedy troupe Derrick) performing an inventive & fun one-man sketch show, and young comedy duo Ashley Ann Hale & Jessica Stickles doing a difficult-to-describe sketch show, in the double-bill Adventure River and Even Ladies Shit the Bed (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] Kevin Allison (legendary MTV sketch show The State), Randi Newton (The Sopranos, Nip/Tuck), and star comedic singer/songwriters Stuckey & Murray (Discovery Channel, E!, VH1, Fuse) as guests on the best sexy storytelling comedy show in NYC: Margot Leitman’s & Giulia Rozzi’s Stripped Stories (9:30),
[TOP PICK] and two superb improv troupes, The Stepfathers and The Scam, competing for audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | 
Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Paul Mooney, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | 
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Posted by hybender
March 4, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Scott Adsit
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
five free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday (7:00 pm-midnight),
[TOP PICK] one of the most razor-sharp and uproariously funny storytellers in the country performing a one-man show that should not be missed: Chris Gethard’s Magic Box of Stories (8:00 pm),
[$] unintentionally hilarious amateur videos via the Found Footage Festival (8:00 pm),
NYC stand-ups John Morrison, Sean Crespo, Raquel D’Apice, Mara Herron, Adrianne Iapalucci, and Jason Saenz at the free Shrink (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] an hour-long play made up on the spot by razor-sharp, passionate improvisors Scott Adsit (30 Rock, Moral Oral) and Christina Gausas (Conan O’Brien, The Colbert Report) at Adsit & Gausas (9:30 pm),
[$] a former regular on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd and on Howard Stern, Nick DiPaolo at Carolines (10:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a free, laid-back, and occasionally magical variety show where virtually anything can happen on a School Night (11:00).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Carolines, Carolines on Broadway, Chris Gethard, Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Found Footage Festival, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, Nick DiPaolo, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
March 3, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Janeane Garofalo
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
the perfect show for short attention spans—open-mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours—at John Morrison’s Broadway Motel (6:00 pm),
comedians getting rid of their stuff by telling tales about the items and then selling to the highest bidder—with tonight’s comics including Myka Fox, Shane Webb, George Gordon, and Michael Lawrence—at the way fun Auction! (7:30 pm),
comics editor Jeff Newelt, and comics artists Simon Fraser and Joan Reilly, joining in on a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture at Comic Book Club (8:00 pm),
three full hours of improv for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes DeCoster, The Law Firm, Ragnaröck, Bastian, and The F*cking Kennedys—at Harold Night (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] a stellar—and free!—new Tuesday night comedy show, hosted by brilliant stand-ups Jessi Klein (Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim) and Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1’s Best Week Ever, The New Yorker), with tonight’s guests including Christian Finnegan (Comedy Central, VH1, MSNBC), Chelsea Peretti (Comedy Central, Variety Shac), and Hannibal Buress (Comedy Central, Craig Ferguson) at Punch Up Your Life (8:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a blow-out celebration of the 200th show of one of the very best comedy extravaganzas in NYC—with TV & movie star Janeane Garofalo (currently an FBI agent on FOX’s 24), genius improv beatboxer Reggie Watts (winner of 2007 Andy Kaufman award), Adult Swim star Jon Glaser (long-time writer/performer for Conan O’Brien), acclaimed comedic movie actor & director Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction, Swimming with Sharks), and more—at the wonderful Seth Herzog’s Sweet (9:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
1 Comment | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Frank Whaley, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Janeane Garofalo, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Reggie Watts, Seth Herzog, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
March 2, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
For info on tonight’s Jimmy Fallon debut, please click here.
Jimmy Fallon
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
the perfect show for short attention spans—open-mic stand-up with 4½ minutes per set and 25 comics crammed into 2½ hours, at John Morrison’s Ochi’s Motel (6:30 pm & 9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] some of UCBT’s funniest improv & sketch comedy performers at an all-you-can-watch revue: UCBT’s I’m Cool Showcase (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] Reggie Watts (genius comedic improv beatboxer, winner of 2007 Andy Kaufman award), Leo Allen (Comedy Central; long-time writer for Saturday Night Live), Bryan Tucker (writer for Saturday Night Live, Mad TV, Comedy Central), sharp comedy duo Team Submarine, and more at Liam McEneaney’s free Tell Your Friends (8:00ish pm),
sharp sketch comedy duos Matt McCarthy & Katina Corrao and Laura Buchholz & Christina Casa in the double-bill The Matt & Katina Show and The Real Housewives of Altoona (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and a free weekly show featuring some of the finest comics in the country—who tonight include TV & movie star Janeane Garofalo (and if there’s anyone worth braving the snow for…), Andrea Rosen (fresh, razor-sharp stand-up; VH1, Comedy Central, Variety SHAC), Sailor Man (unforgettable troupe performing hilarious live-action cartoon live on stage; a smash hit at last year’s FringeNYC), and possibly some happy surprises—hosted by the wonderful Leo Allen (Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central) at Whiplash (11:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
For info on tonight’s Jimmy Fallon debut, please click here.
2 Comments | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Conan O'Brien, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Janeane Garofalo, Jimmy Fallon, Late Night, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, NBC, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Popeye, Sailor Man, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
February 23, 2009
Please Note: This blog is on hiatus for one week, from February 23rd through March 1st.
I need the extra time to meet the deadline for a book I’ve been ghostwriting for the past four months, and to make headway with a musical for which I’ve been hired to ghostwrite the story & dialogue. (For info on my writing services, please click here.) The blog’s daily-updated comedy recommendations will resume on March 2nd, 2009.
Also, if you haven’t already registered your votes for the ECNY Awards, please do by clicking here before Wednesday, March 4th. To learn more, please visit HyReviews.com.
2 Comments | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
February 22, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
See tonight's Oscars and laugh at a free Comix Comedy Club extravaganza
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] an evening of Oscar-watching at the gorgeous Comix Comedy Club hosted by the luminous Kambri Crews, with free admission & chances for prizes, at Oscar Night 2009 (6:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] UCBT’s playground for celebrities and ace improvisors, ASSSSCAT 3000 (paid show at 7:30 pm, free show at 9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a brilliant comedy superstar concluding his headlining run at Carolines: Patton Oswalt (8:00 pm),
sharp comics Jon Benjamin, Hannibal Buress, and Adam Lowitt joining comedy giants Eugene Mirman & Michael Showalter—winners of the 2008 ECNY Award for Best Hosts—for their weekly shindig at Brooklyn’s Union Hall: Tearing the Veil of Maya (8:00 pm),
typically superb stand-ups at what’s often among the funniest free productions in NYC from hosts Greg Johnson and Jacqueline Novak: President Johnson (8:00 pm),
and brilliant, lightning-quick stand-up Pete Holmes (Comedy Central, VH1, The New Yorker, Videos of the Month), plus sharp NYC comics Jess Wood, Matt Ruby, Charlie Gaeta, and Andy Haynes at RG Daniels’ free Sunday Night Stand-Up (8:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: 2009 Academy Awards, Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Comix Comedy Club, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Kambri Crews, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Patton Oswalt, Pete Holmes, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Oscars, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
February 21, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Marc Maron
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] one of the best and most respected stand-up comics in the biz performing a passionate one-man show about his recent second divorce: Marc Maron: Scorching the Earth (7:00 pm),
stand-ups and sketch comics at Sean Donnelly’s Lil Seany Boy (7:00 pm),
an exciting new NYC show developed at Chicago’s legendary iO theatre in which veteran improvisors create a play on the spot based on audience suggestions: New Play (7:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a star stand-up comic who’s performed on David Letterman, Jay Leno, and his own HBO special, has been called one of the best joke writers in America, and is headlining tonight at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Emo Philips (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a brilliant comedy superstar headlining at Carolines tonight and Sunday: Patton Oswalt (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
sharp NYC comics—tonight including Carolyn Castiglia—at a free stand-up comedy show hosted by star sketch/improv troupe Derrick in Queens’ Long Island City: This Is New York (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] stellar comics Kristen Schaal, Andres DuBouchet, Baron Vaughn, Rob Gorden, and more—plus free beer!—at Tom Shillue’s acclaimed Moonwork (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] star improvisation from writers & performers at 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show who joyously declare Let’s Have a Ball (9:00 pm),
organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track! (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] inventive & hilarious sketch comedy from The Harvard Sailing Team (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] improvised furious action from world-class troupe Reuben Williams (10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer (10:30 pm),
and a dozen NYC comedic performers, including Mindy Raf, Carolyn Castiglia, Rob Lathan, Shawn Hollenbach, and show creators Ilana & Eliot Glazer performing highly unusual acts at High School Talent Show (midnight).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Emo Philips, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Kristen Schaal, Marc Maron, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Patton Oswalt, Scorching the Earth, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
February 20, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Patton Oswalt
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] one of the finest improv duos to grace an NYC stage, reunited after a long hiatus: The Mantzoukas Brothers (7:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] rising star Charlie Sanders performing one of the most vibrant and hilarious autobiographical shows you’ll ever see, plus sketch comedy duo Nick Kocher & Brian McElhaney performing a science fiction farce, in the double-bill Minnesota Muslim and The Infinity Prison (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a star stand-up comic who’s performed on David Letterman, Jay Leno, and his own HBO special, has been called one of the best joke writers in America, and is headlining tonight and Saturday at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Emo Philips (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a brilliant comedy superstar headlining at Carolines: Patton Oswalt (8:00 pm & 10:30 pm), terrific stand-ups Ophira Eisenberg, Kara Buller, Poppy Kramer, Anne Necyzpor, and Mike Singer at a gay-themed comedy show hosted by Jenny Rubin: The Back Room (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] some of the finest improv in NYC from the comedy genius members of The Stepfathers (9:30 pm),
singing improvisors who use an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical (10:00 pm),
ace sketch troupe Olde English—and unannounced guests—performing all-new material for a show that’s Very Fresh (11:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] and awesome improv troupe Five Dudes (Eugene Cordero, Chris Gethard, Bobby Moynihan, Charlie Sanders, and Zach Woods) teaming up with troupe Thank You Robot for The Thank You Robot Second Anniversary Spectacular (12:20ish am).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Bobby Moynihan, Charlie Sanders, Chris Gethard, Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Emo Philips, Eugene Cordero, Five Dudes, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Minnesota Muslim, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Patton Oswalt, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, Thank You Robot, The Magnet, The Mantzoukas Brothers, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade, Zach Woods | Permalink
Posted by hybender
February 19, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Magical sketch comedy duo Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
hilarious sketch comedy performer Kate McKinnon (cast member of Logo TV’s The Big Gay Sketch Show) and Ryan Karels (improv troupes Krompf and Decoster) each try out new solo shows on this double-bill of The Workout (6:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] lightning-fast & hilarious stand-up Pete Holmes, sexy & brilliant singer/songwriter Adira Amram, razor-sharp stand-ups Joselyn Hughes, Brooke Van Poppelen, and Giulia Rozzi, darkly odd sketch troupe Murderfist, and videos from Rob Lathan and BOF, all competing to be voted the best at this ECNY Nominee Showcase (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] a brilliant comedy superstar headlining at Carolines: Patton Oswalt (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] rising star stand-ups competing to be accepted in a prestigious Montreal festival: Just for Laughs Showcase (8:00 pm),
Dominic Dierkes (member of star comedy troupe Derrick) performing an inventive & fun one-man sketch show, and sharp sketch comedy duo Greg & Lou in a show about an art heist, in the double-bill Adventure River and Grand Theft Auto…Oh (8:00 pm),
top NYC comics at a free weekly Brooklyn extravaganza hosted by Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri: Big Terrific (8:00ish pm),
[TOP PICK] [$] stand-up giants Zach Galifianakis, Pete Holmes, Bobby Tisdale, Andrea Rosen, and Shane Mauss in Comedy Below Canal (9:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] three of the best sketch troupes in the country—magical duo Kristen Schaal (The Daily Show, HBO’s Flight of the Conchords) & Kurt Braunohler (Penelope, Princess of Pets; 2008 ECNY Award for Best Director); deliciously dark sketch duo Livia Scott & Biz Ellis as Dirty Jeans & Thunder Chief; and wonderfully inventive & hilarious sketch troupe Fearsome—each performing one of their most popular bits and one of their personal favorites in the wonderful sketch revue A-Side/B-Side (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and two vibrant improv troupes, Bangs and Oscarbait, competing for audience laughs & votes at the raucous Cage Match (11:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Pete Holmes, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade, Zach Galifianakis | Permalink
Posted by hybender
February 18, 2009
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
Carolyn Castiglia, Leslie Goshko, and Chris Gethard
Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:
[TOP PICK] a prime opportunity to experience a wide range of UCBT solo performers and sketch comedy groups, with performances appearing back-to-back and running for hours—and it’s all free!—at UCBT’s Second Winter Showcase (5:00 pm),
five free hours of improvisation in The PIT’s Super Free Wednesday (7:00 pm-midnight),
[TOP PICK] a blow-out line-up—Tom Shillue (star storyteller; Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show), Shayna Ferm (brilliantly funny singer/songwriter), Carolyn Castiglia (stellar stand-up and VH1 White Rapper with amazing new show Brown Ambition), Margot Leitman (ace storyteller; Conan O’Brien, Stripped Stories), Mike Drucker (writer for Saturday Night Live and The Onion), and Paul Oddo (Funny.com)—at a show hosted by the vivacious and razor-sharp Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Champion) in which top comics and storytellers reveal odd aspects of themselves in a carnival atmosphere (complete with accordion player and alcoholic audience prizes): Sideshow Goshko (7:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] one of the most razor-sharp and uproariously funny storytellers in the country performing a one-man show that should not be missed: Chris Gethard’s Magic Box of Stories (8:00 pm),
NYC stand-ups Claudia Cogan, Chelsea White, Mike Lawrence, Vikki Stone, Pat Breslin, Brian Longwell, and Troy Bynam at the free Shrink (8:00 pm),
[TOP PICK] some of the finest stand-ups and sketch comics in NYC—national comedy stars Ted Alexandro and Paul F. Tompkins, plus adorably shocking comedy duo Gabe & Jenny, Michelle Collins, and Paul Oddo—performing in Brooklyn at a blow-out free show hosted by the hilarious Joe Mande & Noah Garfinkel: Totally J/K (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] a wonderful networking event mixing folks from the NYC theatre and comedy scenes—plus homemade cookies!—followed by a full-blown comedy show with Carolyn Castiglia (Last Comic Standing, VH1’s White Rapper, tonight performing 20 minutes from her red-hot new one-woman show Brown Ambition), Sean Crespo (Comedy Central, co-host of Drink at Work), and Erin Judge (Comedy Central)—hosted by the lovely & hilarious Margie Kment at Hold for the Laughs (9:30 pm party/networking/cookies, 10:00 pm show),
[TOP PICK] an entirely improvised musical from genius improv duo Eliza Skinner and Glennis McMurray, and an improvised soap opera, in the double-bill I Eat Pandas and Hot Lather: As the Diamond Burns (9:30 pm),
[TOP PICK] and typically stellar stand-up comics who perform their sets but are periodically interrupted by the host—one of the funniest men on the planet, Doug Benson—at a very special show called The Benson Interruption (11:00 pm).
For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.
1 Comment | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: Comedian, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comix, Free Comedy, Improv, Improvisation, New York City Comedy, New York Comedy, NY Comedy, NYC Comedy, Ochi’s Lounge, Sketch Comedy, Stand-Up Comedy, Standup Comedy, Storytelling, The Magnet, The Peoples Improv Theatre, The PIT, UCB, UCBT, Upright Citizens Brigade | Permalink
Posted by hybender
Best New York Comedy 