NYC Top Comedy Choices for Tuesday 3/27/12

March 27, 2012

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

Judah Friedlander

Judah Friedlander helps celebrate a move to Pianos for the super-hosts of Comic Book Club...

Jen Kirkman

...and Jen Kirkman (above), Jessi Klein, and Hannibal Buress perform at Sweet

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:

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Open mic for comedy of all types (with sign-up starting at 6:00) at Queens LIC’s The Creek upstairs theatre hosted by Robert Dean: The Dean’s List

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 7:30 pm: Judah Friedlander (30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody) and Joe Kelly joining super-hosts Alex Zalben, Justin Tyler, and Pete LePage in a lively & hilarious discussion about four-color pop culture The debut of this wonderful show about comic books at its brand new location Pianos (158 Ludlow Street), with giveaways of comics and gift certificates: Comic Book Club

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Chris Gethard (brilliant improvisor and comedic storyteller; star of Comedy Central sitcom Big Lake and Mannhattan Cable Access’ The Chris Gethard Show; The Stepfathers, The Nights of Our Lives, author of new bestseller A Bad Idea I’m About to Do and Weird New York), delightful sketch duo Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting, Jamie Lee (Last Comic Standing, VH1), Emmy Blotnick, David Smithyman, and Brendan McLaughlin performing at UCB East for a comedy variety show produced by Sara Schaefer & Scott Moran: Hot Dang

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): Rob Cantrell (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, VHI, documentaryMetaphyiscal Graffiti, High Times),Ben Lerman (nuanced raunchy comedic singer/songwriter; Logo TV’s NewNowNext, Sirius Radio’s Frank DeCaro Show), Tony Camin (HBO, Comedy Central, The Marijuana-Logues), and more performing at Lolita Bar hosted by Liam McEneaney: Tell Your Friends

8:00 pm-Midnight ($5): Four full hours of improv at UCB Chelsea for only five bucks—tonight featuring UCBT house troupes Mr. Crime, Very Good Kiss, Dance Break, Sandino, and Still Mike—and at 11:00 pm advanced improv students make up two complete documentary films—all at Harold Night

8:00 pm ($5): A one-man show by Pat Bellatina “being selected as the keynote speaker at his former high school’s commencement. Will he be brave enough to admit that he knows nothing? This comedic musical memoir explores the illusion of success, the joys of lying, and growing up in the Bronx while pretending you didn’t” at The PIT upstairs theatre following a sold-out run at Ars Nova: No No No Yes

[FREE] 8:00 pm: This weekly show features “a swarthy selection of fine stand-up comics and mildly entertaining recurring segments” at Queens LIC’s The Creek upstairs theatre, hosted by Jim Tews & Brendan Eyre: Chest Hair

8:30 pm ($5): In this double-bill, each of two of The Magnet’s singing improv troupes will make up a musical on the spot based on an audience suggestion: Mint Condition and Rosencrantz

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($5): Jessi Klein (fresh, unique, deliciously organic comic who’s one of the best stand-ups in the country; former staff writer for Saturday Night Live; Comedy Central, VH1, NBC, CNN, Adult Swim), Hannibal Buress (staff writer for 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live; David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Louie, one-hour Comedy Central special), Jen Kirkman (Comedy Central,Chelsea Lately), Ben Kronberg (Jimmy Kimmel), and more performing at Ella (9 Avenue A) hosted by Seth Herzog (Jimmy Fallon, 30 Rock, VH1): Sweet

[FREE] 9:00 pm: Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Dean, and more performing stand-up at this weekly show at Brooklyn’s The Alligator Lounge (600 Metropolitan Avenue) hosted by Steve O’Brien and produced by Sean Donnelly: Comedy at Alligator Lounge

9:00 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): NYC stand-ups (not yet announced) performing at Luca Lounge(222 Avenue B off 14th Street) hosted by twins Adam & Todd Stone, who for this weekly show leave behind their trademark suits: Jackets Off

9:30 pm ($5): Nate Bargatze (David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents), Phoebe Robinson (100 TV Shows To See Before You Die), and Matt Koff (Onion News Network, WitStream) performing stand-up at The PIT downstairs lounge hosted by Chris Grace: Cold Soda Comedy

[FREE] 9:30 pm: Stand-up and sketch at Queens LIC’s The Creek upstairs theatre, typically hosted by sketch troupes Savage Animal and/or Jerk Practice: Savage Animal

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($5): A weekly wild experiment in dark comedy, blending sketch and improv, from two of the most brilliant, fearless, and innovative comics in the biz, John Gemberling (Death by Roo Roo, Adult Swim, Comedy Central) and Anthony Atamanuik (Death by Roo Roo, 30 Rock, Conan O’Brien, Huffington Post, The Nights of Our Lives) at UCB East. Tonight’s guests are stand-ups Seaton Smith, Jacqueline Novak, and Ben Asher: The Tony and Johnny Show

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15 & 2-drink min.): Donnell Rawllings (Chappelle’s Show, Chelsea Lately, MTV’s Hatin’), Al Madrigal (correspondent on The Daily Show), Rory Albanese (Executive Producer of The Daily Show), Helen Hong (E!, TLC), and Mike Cannon (VH1) performing stand-up at the Gotham Comedy Club hosted by Jared Logan (rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central): ComedyJuice

[FREE] 10:15 pm: In this free Magnet show, audience members can join in with musical improv troupe Mint Condition to make up stories in song on the spot: Musical Magnet Mixer

[FREE] 11:00 pm: A breathtaking 40 comics are given 2 minutes each in this rapid-fire open-mic stand-up show at The PIT upstairs theatre hosted with wit and energy by Jay Welch: Bring It

[FREE] 11:30 pm: Open-mic stand-up at UCB East hosted by Boris Khaykin, John Trowbridge, and/or Katie East: Tuesday Night Open Mic

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my latest book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Friday 12/17/12

February 17, 2012

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

Judah Friedlander

Judah Friedlander headlines at the Eastville Comedy Club...

Fran Gillespie

...while Fran Gillespie and other top comics create an interactive adventure at "Crisistown"

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:

[FREE] 6:00 pm: An open-mic show on a lottery system (sign-ups start at 5:30 pm) at The Creekupstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City with hosts Mike Recine (Comedy Central) and Annie Lederman (Comedy Central): The Shinebox

[FREE] 7:00 pm: Adam Newman (MTV, College Humor, comedy CD Not for Horses), Erik Bergstrom (cartoonist/author of Grimmer Tales, The New Yorker), Frank Liotti (Law & Order, FOX), and Phil Hanley (Craig Ferguson) performing at Beauty Bar (231 East 14th Street) for this biweekly stand-up show hosted by Peter Ostrovski and tonight’s guest-host Josh Carter (College Humor): Beautiful Comedy

7:00 pm ($7): Improv that flows from moment to moment, with no sweeps or tag outs—”each exit starts a new scene, while performers use devices ranging from monologues to in-scene questions to break into characters and relationships quicker and deeper:” Scoresby

7:00 pm ($5): PIT improvisors Nate Starkey & Chris Grace makes stuff up as Starkey & Grace

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Stone Cold Fox is the only sketch troupe (vs. improv troupe) to ever be honored with an ongoing spot on the prestigious UCB Chelsea weekend schedule. It more than earned the slot with its first Friday effort, This is Not Art, which was one of the very best comedy shows of 2011. In this second show, Crisistown, the cast has developed into one of the finest in comedy, with every single performer demonstrating star potential. Unfortunately, the writing wasn’t up to the same standards on opening night; but in the hope the script has evolved since then I’ll be catching the production again tonight. The idea is definitely fun: “A scripted interactive comedy show that puts you, the audience, in charge. You get to vote on what happens next.” It’s an approach designed to tempt you to see the show repeatedly (just as people will return to a favorite improv group week after week). So whether you’ve already experienced it or are a Crisistownvirgin, come join me tonight in checking how the show’s progressed—and for the love of god, ignore the Kevin Costner option and vote for investigating the giant mice: Stone Cold Fox:Crisistown

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($5): Sharp improvisors at UCB East making up a musical on the spot:Diamond Lion

[FREE] 7:30 pm: NYC stand-ups Jeffrey Joseph (Jay Leno, HBO, Comedy Central, FOX), Seaton Smith, Allison Castillo, Mike Brown, Pat Rigby, Tom Steffen, Nathan Rand, and James Oakes celebrating the One Year Anniversary of this show at the Luca Lounge (222 Avenue B off 14th Street) with hosts Calvin S. Cato & Justin Murray: The Pregame Comedy Show

[$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm ($20 [vs. $25] online or at the box office using discount code BOOK): Telly Savalas returns to life to entertain you and provide life guidance in this 50-minute show that was a hit at FringeNYC 2011 and is now enjoying an open-ended Friday night run at the Soho Playhouse’s downstairs Huron Club. The script is at times very smart, especially in its choices of hilarious video clips and music tracks from the real Savalas…who, in his more intense moments, apparently rivaled William Shatner at his silliest. But even when Hunter Nelson’s writing isn’t consistent, actor Tom DiMenna—who is a professional comic with great timing and skill at engaging an audience—will keep you entertained: Who Loves You, Baby?

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-ups delivering their A game—since they’re being videotaped as they perform sets—at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City, with a different host each week: Mixed Tape

[FREE] 8:00 pm: An open-mic show that’s first come, first serve (sign-ups start at 7:30 pm), with each comic getting five minutes on stage at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens’ Long Island City: Mic and Cheese

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up who’s toured with Jerry Seinfeld for 10 years—and who Jerry hired to host The Marriage Ref—and has appeared numerous times on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, CBS, and Comedy Central headlining tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Tom Papa

8:30 pm ($5): Sketch troupe Shelby Company performs oddball bits for this Magnet sketch show show that in the past has included two-timing monsters and presidential ninjas: Ephemerama

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Some of the finest improv in NYC from UCB Chelsea’s all-star members of The Stepfathers

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 pm & 11:00 pm (FREE TICKETS if you reserve in advance by calling (212) 260-2445 and mention HyReviews.com, but there’s still a 2-drink min. per person): Judah Friedlander (30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody), Greer Barnes (Comedy Central; for problems he’d have being a black Batman, please click here), Andrew Schultz (MTV2’s Guy Code), and more performing at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Unique and relentlessly silly performer Brandon Gulya does a one-man sketch show that’s at times hilarious (the restaurant bit, which is an instant classic) and other times settles too quickly for the lightweight (the “does she like me” diary). A lot more hard, disciplined work is needed before his show’s title comes true; but this is a promising start from a comic with a memorable style, genuine potential, and the faith that Brandon Gulya Will Be Famous Soon…

…and in the other half of this UCB East double-bill, genius voice artist Chris “Shockwave” Sullivan supplies the improv “beats” while Patrick Noth makes stuff up in rap for MC Harold

9:30 pm ($10): A PIT improv troupe making up a musical on the spot after a friendly greeting: Hello

9:30 pm ($5): “Where there is a stage and a piano, she will be there. Where there are strangers with embarrassing stories, she will be there. Where there is a group of people willing to sit and watch someone make up songs, she will be there. A one-woman musical improv journey through the lives of the audience. You tell the story, Rebecca Vigil sings the soundtrack” at The PIT downstairs lounge: The Vigilante

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: Gary Vider (hilarious writer & deadpan stand-up; for sample jokes, please click here), Joe List (Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central), and the Lucas Brothers participate in this “comedy chat show with boundary issues” that has stand-ups perform sets and then be interviewed about their personal lives at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Matt Ruby & Mark Normand (who says “all these guys were hand-picked because they’re funny and have some serious problems; when you read this lineup you’re gonna be like “oh yeah, that guy is a mess”): We’re All Friends Here

10:00 pm ($7): Singing improvisors at The Magnet using an interview with an audience member to craft The Made-Up Musical

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Fran Gillespie, Jon Gabrus, Nate Lang, Craig Rowin, Matt Fisher, Sue Galloway, and other superb improvisors at UCB Chelsea making up scenes about an audience member’s legal dispute: The Law Firm: Law & Disorder

10:30 pm ($5): NYC comics (not announced) performing at UCB East hosted by Emily Axford, D’Arcy Carden, Alden Ford, Brandon Scott Jones, and/or Justin Tyler: Gentrify

11:00 pm ($8): Comics make up character monologues on the spot—a feat that can be breathtaking when done by geniuses such as Ian Roberts and Daniel Kitson. Come see if tonight’s performers rise to the challenge at The PIT upstairs theatre: Mixed Nuts: An Improvised Character Jamboree

11:30 pm ($10): improvisers Bianca Casusöl as Madam Ant, Nina Klemow as Fanny Price, and Alex Marino as Larry Lazlo use burlesque dancing at The Magnet to tell a story “and titillate the audience with some seductively fun choreographed burlesque numbers:” Whisky Tango Foxtrot: Burlesque Improv Revue

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups—not announced—performing at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City—with the host also not announced…but how far wrong can you go with free midnight stand-up?: Fridays at The Creek

[FREE] Midnight: This show might not be much fun for audience members, but it’s an amazing opportunity if you want to perform sketch for free and with almost zero hurdles on the prestigiousUCB Chelsea stage. Hosted by Maude troupe Onassis: Liquid Courage

For more, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my latest book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 11/19/11

November 19, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Judah Friedlander

Judah Friedlander (above) performs with Todd Barry at the Eastville Comedy Club...

Sara Benincasa

...Sara Benincasa hosts a pre-Thanksgiving storytelling show about gatherings at Family Hour...

The Room

...and notoriously bad film "The Room" is screened and vilified at Midnight Movie at Montoya’s

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:

Noon, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 8:00 pm ($10): College improv teams compete today via four shows atThe Magnet as part of the Chicago Improv Festival’s College Improv Tournament

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm ($35 using discount code FTBBOX online or at the box office): One of my favorite FringeNYC shows (for my 2006 review, please click here) is finally enjoying a commercial run. The mostly-true tale of a man who became the toast of Paris by making music with his ass—executed by a Broadway-caliber cast, and with several memorable show-stoppers—is playing at Sofia’s Downstairs Theater (221 West 46th Street): The Fartiste

[FREE] 4:00 pm: An unusually early weekly open-mic stand-up show at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by RG Daniels & Jared Fried: It Starts at 4

[FREE] 5:30 pm: New improv teams experimenting with new forms at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City, hosted by Andy Rocco and Jon Monje: Anybody Vs. Everybody: An Improv Show for You

6:00 pm ($5): Improv troupes Old Timey Radio Show, LD50, and Scoresby at The Magnet kicking off your Saturday evening: The Rundown

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($8; includes free cookies): Jared Logan (hilarious angry rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, co-host of Righteous Kill),  Emily Heller (staff writer for Rooftop Comedy; for ruminations on pregnancy, please click here), Emily’s sister Marielle Heller, and stand-up Lane Moore telling funny, poignant, and at times unforgettable tales about their relatives—and, for this pre-Thanksgiving show, with a special focus on gatherings—at The PIT upstairs theatre hosted by Sara Benincasa (NBC’s Today Show, The Joy Behar Show, CNN, MTV, The Sarah Palin Vlogs, Sex and Other Human Activities podcast, host of Family Hour, upcoming bookAgorafabulous): Family Hour

7:00 pm ($5): Ryan Karels (Krompf, Radio Rogue) hosts a live podcast interview show at UCB Eastwith guests “who put the ordinary in extraordinary” (I think that’s supposed to be a compliment, somehow), with tonight’s subjects Brooklyn DA Patrick Egan, improvisor Andrew Law, and actor B. Brian Argotsinger: Radio Rogue: The Roguing

7:00 pm ($5): An improv troupe making up scenes at The PIT downstairs lounge under a name that pays homage to an extremely average MLB baseball player: Mendoza

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Joe Bill, Ed Herbstman, Becky Drysdale, Kay Cannon, Christina Gausas, Brandon Gardner, Jed Resnik, and/or other stellar performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and legendary Chicago improv institutions at UCB Chelsea all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($29 & 2-drink min.) A TV star who was a cast member of MTV’s Punk’d and is now a cast member of FX’s The League headlining through Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: Stephen Rannazzisi

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm & 11:45 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up who hosted FX’s The X-Showand starred in Hurt Bert, and also starred in his own hour-long special for Comedy Central, headlining tonight and Saturday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Bert Kreischer

8:00 pm ($10): Two of the most respected PIT improv troupes performing on this weekly double-bill—and occasionally with comedy giants Kristen Schaal and/or Kurt Braunohler participating: Big Black Car and The Baldwins

[FREE] 8:00ish pm: Matt McCarthy (HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and Bored to Death, host of AMC’s Action Pack, Comedy Central, hilarious shorts with Pete Holmes for Front Page Films, national TV ads as Verizon FIOS guy, feature film The Other Guys, host of Marking Out), Jason Saenz (co-host of Too Cool for School), Matt Wayne, James Harris, and Katrin Heir performing stand-up at One and One (76 East 1st Street, corner of First Avenue) with host Sean Donnelly: Lil’ Seany Boy

[FREE] 8:00 pm: NYC stand-up Dan Soder (Comedy Central), Erik Bransteen (Comedy Central), Harry Terjanian (Edinburgh Festival), and Justin Williams (Comedy Death Jam) performing at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Ray DeVito, Ben Kronberg, Nick Cobb, and Tim Dimond: Shoot the Shite

8:00 pm ($5): Improvisors perform as duos at The PIT downstairs lounge: Couples’ Retreat

8:30 pm ($10): Mark Normand (hilarious stand-up; Last Comic Standing; co-host of Hot Soup andWe’re All Friends Here), Mike Racine (Comedy Central), Jordan Carlos (Comedy Central, MTV), Lisa Delarios (Comedy Central, co-host of The Party Machine), and Cameron Esposito performing stand-up at UCB East, hosted by Kara Klenk and Nick Turner: If You Build It

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—with honors including being Cage Match Champion for three years in a row, and winning the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Improv Group—UCB Chelsea’s genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 pm & 11:00 pm (FREE TICKETS if you reserve in advance by calling (212) 260-2445 and mention HyReviews.com, but there’s still a 2-drink min. per person): Judah Friedlander (30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody), Todd Barry (one of the finest stand-ups on the country; David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents, FX’s Louie, HBO’s Flight of the Conchords and Bored to Death, Adult Swim, feature films The Wrestler and Pete Smalls is Dead), Maddog Mattern, and more performing stand-up at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club

9:30 pm ($10): “A cabaret of darkly funny songs and topical sketch comedy about culture and politics,” following sold out shows at Joe’s Pub and now at The PIT: Political Subversities

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($15 both online and at the door using discount codeSBWC, otherwise $20): This top musical improv troupe has wowed audiences around the world with its skill at making up an hour-long musical moment by moment. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment, even the song lyrics and the “choreography” are invented on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. Come to the Soho Playhouse tonight to see why BWC won aFringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event: Baby Wants Candy

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, fast-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience interaction and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Comedy from a duo that walks the line between sketch and stand-up, plus tonight’s stand-up guest Nick Turner (Jimmy Fallon; co-host of Too Cool For School and If You Build It), performing at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City: Team Submarine and Friends

[TOP PICK] 10:00 pm ($5): Comics performing as characters at The PIT downstairs lounge, with tonight’s packed show featuring Mike Lawrence (shrewdly funny curmudgeon; Comedy Central), Sasheer Zamata (improv troupe Doppelganger), Emmy Blotnick (Jimmy Fallon), Matt Koff (The Onion News Network), Matt Hobby (sketch troupe New Excitement), Jermaine Fowler (Rooftop Comedy), John Milhiser (sketch troupes Serious Lunch and Dweeb), Lorraine Cink (improv troupeBorealis) Dan Black (UCBT), and Adam Bozarth (Left Handed Radio), hosted by Roger Stern: Overload the Machine

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Ben Rodgers, Charlie Todd, Jim Santangeli, and/or other stellar improvisors at UCB Chelsea interview an audience member about where he or she grew up and then create an entire show based on the mini-bio: The Curfew: Not From Around Here

10:30 pm ($7): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney as comedy duo Trike

10:30 pm ($10): UCBT Harold Night improv troupe Airwolf makes stuff up at UCB East: Airwolf: Let’s Go Back to Your Place

[TOP PICK] [FREE] Midnight: This free show at The PIT upstairs theatre does a great job of describing itself: “Bad movies. We can’t stop watching them. Is it because the plot is so enjoyably paper-thin? Or maybe the acting is so deliciously cheesy? Whatever the reason may be, Oscar Montoya (Local 154) is inviting you to his house to watch all of his favorite so-bad-they’re-awesome movies. Joining him is Bradford Jordan (improv troupe Stranger and all around nice guy). Tonight’s feature is The Room, an epically bad movie starring madman/genius Tommy Wiseau:” Midnight Movie at Montoya’s Presents: The Room

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): A talk show at UCB East hosted by the razor-sharp writer/performers of Pangea 3000 (who also write for The Onion), with tonight’s non-standard guests Thanksgiving expert Cynthia Teflin, hair salon owner Robert Gioria, and stand-up Nick Vatterott (Jimmy Fallon, MTV, Second City): The Night Night Show with Pangea 3000

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City, with hosts Andy Haynes & Nick Turner promising “a rowdy late night comedy melee with beers being thrown, jokes being told, partial nudity, audience participation…there’s no telling what might happen:” Midnight Run

Midnight ($10): Typically disturbing and semi-obscene sketches at The PIT downstairs lounge from troupe FUCT

Midnight ($5): Two unannounced sketch comedy troupes that are typically obscure (I don’t know why, that’s just how this show is done) competing for audience laughs and votes at UCB Chelseahosted by quite good and reasonably well-known sketch troupe Sidecar: Backyard Brawl

[FREE] Midnight: A weekly chance for you to shine at The Magnet, as students and veteran improvisors share the stage to form “rare and wonderful one-night-only teams,” with sign-up starting at 11:30 pm: Magnet Mixer

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my latest book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 10/22/11

October 22, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Judah Friedlander

Stand-up champion Judah Friedlander headlines at the Eastville Comedy Club...

UCBW AutumnSlamn

...and wrestlers vie for a comedic crown at "UCBW AutumnSlamn"

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:

[FREE] 4:00 pm: An unusually early weekly open-mic stand-up show at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by RG Daniels & Jared Fried: It Starts at 4

6:00 pm ($5): Improv troupes Swartzlander, Double Date, and Christmas on the Western Front atThe Magnet kicking off your Saturday evening: The Rundown

[TOP PICK] 7:00 pm ($8; includes free cookies): Mindy Raf (brilliant singer/songwriter & comedic character actress), Tom Brennan (Marvel Comics editor; improvisor), Charles Star (producer ofAdult Education), Harry Terjanian (stand-up), Cameron Esposito (stand-up), and Justin Born (improvisor) telling funny, poignant, and at times unforgettable tales about their relatives at The PITupstairs theatre hosted by Sara Benincasa (whose birthday is on the 25th, so expect even better free baked treats than usual): Family Hour

[FREE] 7:00 pm: Comedic storytelling at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City with host Eugene Ashton-Gonzalez: 1001 Nights

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Joe Bill, Ed Herbstman, Becky Drysdale, Kay Cannon, Christina Gausas, and/or other stellar performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and legendary Chicago improv institutions, at UCB West all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

[TOP PICK] 7:30ish-8:00 pm ($5 at the door or $5.58 in advance online): Glenn Wool (Comedy Central; terrific UK comedy star), Kurt Braunohler (Comedy Central; creator & host of IFC game show Pointless; co-creator & co-star of UK TV series Penelope: Princess of Pets; co-host of Hot Tub Variety; triple 2011 ECNY Award winner), Todd Hanson (founding editor of The Onion), and guest host Rob Paravonian (Comedy Central, VH1; to watch Rob’s hit video Pachelbel Rant, which has been viewed by over 10 million people on YouTube, please click here) performing at Brooklyn’sUnion Hall for a show produced by Liam McEneaney: Tell Your Friends

7:30 pm ($7): Improv veterans Mark Grenier, Louis Kornfeld, and Charlie Whitcroft at The Magnetmaking up a play on the spot: Theory of Everything

7:30 pm ($10): UCBT Harold Night improv troupe Airwolf makes stuff up at UCB East: Airwolf: Let’s Go Back to Your Place

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($46.50 & 2-drink min.) A comedy superstar (for a sample set, please click here) headlining tonight and Sunday at the Carolines Comedy Club: D. L. Hughley

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm & 11:45 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): A stand-up who’s starred in his ownComedy Central Presents half-hour special, and performed on HBO’s Tourgasm, FX’s Louie, MTV, and VH1 headlining tonight through Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Robert Kelly

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Jared Logan (hilarious angry rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, co-host of Righteous Kill), Cheslee Calloway (co-host of Comedy as a Second Language), RG Daniels (host of Sunday Night Stand-Up), and Danny Solomon performing stand-up at One and One(76 East 1st Street, corner of First Avenue) at Sean Donnelly’s Lil’ Seany Boy

8:00 pm ($10): Two of the most respected PIT improv troupes performing on this weekly double-bill—and occasionally with comedy giants Kristen Schaal and/or Kurt Braunohler participating: Big Black Car and The Baldwins

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—with honors including being Cage Match Champion for three years in a row, and winning the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Improv Group—UCB West’s genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 9:00 pm & 11:00 pm (FREE TICKETS if you reserve in advance by calling (212) 260-2445 and mention HyReviews.com, but there’s still a 2-drink min. per person): Judah Friedlander (30 Rock, Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly, author of How to Beat Up Anybody), Gary Gulman (Last Comic Standing, Tourgasm, Comedy Central hour-long special), and more performing stand-up at the only comedy club in the East Village: Eastville Comedy Club

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash), Andy Haynes (Jimmy Fallon, Last Comic Standing), Christine Nangle (writer for Saturday Night Live), Barry Rothbart (Jay Leno, Comedy Central IFC), Kenny Zimlinghaus (Sirius XM Radio host), Gabe Liedman (VH1, co-host of Big Terrific) performing stand-up at UCB East, hosted by Kara Klenk and Nick Turner: If You Build It

9:00 pm ($10): NYC sketch comedy duo Jamaal Sedayao and Brian Lisi at The Magnet providing “unfamiliar, often absurd stories full of unexpected laughs:” Turboner Bigoté

9:30 pm ($10): “A cabaret of darkly funny songs and topical sketch comedy about culture and politics,” following sold out shows at Joe’s Pub and now at The PIT: Political Subversities

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 10:00 pm ($15 both online and at the door using discount codeSBWC, otherwise $20): This top musical improv troupe has wowed audiences around the world with its skill at making up an hour-long musical moment by moment. The plot and characters, the musical accompaniment, even the song lyrics and the “choreography” are invented on the spot, with no pre-planned structure. Come see why BWC won a FringeNYC Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Event by catching tonight’s edition of Baby Wants Candy

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, fast-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience interaction and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 10:00 pm: Sharp NYC stand-ups are invited to perform anything except stand-up—e.g., sketch, storytelling, improv, songs, dance, puppetry, and things we can’t even imagine—at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City with hosts Kelly Fastuca, Reid Faylor, and Andrew Short: Underbelly

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10 at the door or $10.70 in advance online): Glenn Wool (Comedy Central; terrific UK comedy star), Richard Metzger (Dangerous Mind, The Book of Lies), Greg Johnson (Sirius XM Radio host), and “a special guest” performing at Brooklyn’s Union Hall for a show hosted by Greg Barris (and followed by a midnight show by bands New Beard and A Slow Death & Loneliness that’s free if you pay for Greg’s show): Heart of Darkness

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): Ben Rodgers, Charlie Todd, Jim Santangeli, and/or other stellar improvisors at UCB West interview an audience member about where he or she grew up and then create an entire show based on the mini-bio: The Curfew: Not From Around Here

10:30 pm ($5): Ace stand-up Sean Patton (red-hot rising star; killer set on Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, VH1; co-host of Comedy as a Second Language, frequent guest-host of Whiplash) hosts a night of improv, with troupes Weekend of Regret, Fuck That Shit, and Malibu Radley performing atUnder St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place, off First Avenue): Late-Night Improv with Sean Patton

10:30 pm ($7): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney as comedy duo Trike

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): A sharp improv troupe consisting of writers for The Onion and Jimmy Fallon hosting a late night talk show—sort of—at UCB East, with tonight’s guests Jared Logan (hilarious angry rising star; Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, co-host of Righteous Kill), NYC cab driver Mike Yildirim, and 37-year-old man Keith Bethea: The Night Night Show with Pangea 3000

11:00 pm ($5): Four sketch troupes compete for audience approval at The PIT, hosted by Bleak Comedy: Iron Sketch

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): One of UCB West’s most popular shows is Cage Match, and that’s in part because of its wrestling subplots that go on in between the improv competitions. Tonight the improv is left behind, and a midnight extravaganza devoted to just these sideshow elements explodes onto the stage, featuring at least a half-dozen matches combining sketch comedy and genuine wrestling choreography. For videos of past battles, please click here. As the show description states, “Only 14,000 seats are available, so get your tickets now before the UCBW Arena sells out!” Experience the pre-Halloween bloodbath men call UCBW AutumnSlamn

[FREE] Midnight: A weekly chance for you to shine at The Magnet, as students and veteran improvisors share the stage to form “rare and wonderful one-night-only teams,” with sign-up starting at 11:30 pm:Magnet Mixer

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my latest book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Sunday 7/17/11

July 17, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

Judah Friedlander

Judah Friedlander has been known to seek out audience members neglecting to see his show; this is your final chance to avoid that fate as Judah headlines one last night at Carolines

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:

[FREE] 2:00 pm: Leighann Lord (HBO, Showtime, ABC’s The View, Comedy Central), Jim Mendrinos (HBO, Comedy Central; author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Comedy Writing), Phoebe Robinson (host of Case of the Mondays Comedy), Susan Prekel (Comedy Central), and Jermaine Fowler performing for a free outdoor show at Mineral Springs in Central Park: Laughter in the Park

[FREE] 4:00 pm: An unusually early walk-in open-mic stand-up show (for details, please click here) at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City: Face-Plant Comedy Open

[FREE] 6:00 pm: Improv duo The Bedtime Brothers begin by making up scenes based on an audience member’s horrible dating or break-up experience, and end with scenes springboarding off an audience-supplied movie quote; and in between invited stand-ups and sketch comics perform. It all happens at at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City: Love Sucks! Movies Rock!

8:00 pm ($5): A show auditioning for a run at The Magnet that’s making life hard on itself by providing zero descriptive information behind this title: Life is Hard

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10) and 9:30 pm [FREE]: UCBT’s signature improv comedy extravaganza, which typically includes stars in the improv world, and sometimes even TV & movie stars such as Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz: ASSSCAT 3000

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($27.50 & 2-drink min.) Judah Friedlander is a hilarious stand-up and occasional agent of chaos. Judah is a cast member of 30 Rock, and has also performed on VH1’s Best Week Ever, HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV’s Wonder Showzen, and NBC’s The Tonight Show. In addition, Judah has acted in over 20 films, including such hit comedies as Meet the Parents, Zoolander,  and Full Grown Men. Judah was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his role in American Splendor. When asked in an interview about his influences, Judah responded: “Audiences. They are often the forgotten ingredient in stand-up comedy. Stand-up is live entertainment, and a live audience is needed. Also, whatever is happening at the moment. I play off of that. The moment is a big influence. If you’re not playing the moment you’re not doing stand-up comedy–someone just reciting material but not responding with what’s going on in the room is not stand-up comedy.” This playful, anarchic, in-the-moment comedy veteran—and author of the book How to Beat Up Anybody—is headlining tonight through Sunday at Carolines: Judah Friedlander

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Victor Varnado (Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central, NBC’s My Name is Earl, Adult Swim, Comedy Central’s The Awkward Comedy Show; films Pluto Nash, End of Days,A Guy Thing), Barry Rothbart (TNT’s Men of a Certain Age), Adam Newman (College Humor), Kara Klenk (host of If You Build It), and George Gordon performing at RG Daniels’ free weekly show at the Three of Cups East Village lounge: Sunday Night Stand-Up

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Mark Normand (hilarious stand-up; Last Comic Standing; co-host of Hot Soup andWe’re All Friends Here), Will Hines (stellar improv/sketch comic; The Stepfathers), Justy Dodge, and George Gordon performing at The PIT’s downstairs lounge for a free weekly show tonight guest-hosted by Amber Nelson: Cold Soda Comedy

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Sketch, improv, and more at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City from comedy troupe Froduce

[FREE] 9:00 pm: NYC stand-ups (not announced, but for a possible update please click here) performing at the East Village’s Beauty Bar for Vince Averill’s free weekly show Beauty Bar Comedy

9:30 pm ($5): A monthly screening of new short filmed sketch and comedy produced by members of the Magnet community: Flick Video Showcase

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Allison Castillo, Adam Lehman (Here! TV), and Shawn Hollenbach (Logo TV) performing stand-up at a free weekly gay-themed show at Therapy hosted by Brad Loekle: Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up, with 4 minutes per comic, at The PIT’s downstairs loungehosted by Rob Stern: Vicious Cycle

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 7/16/11

July 16, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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:

Andy Christie and Judah Friedlander

Andy Christie both performs at and hosts tonight's "Liar Show;" Judah Friedlander headlines through Sunday at Carolines

[TOP PICK] [$] 6:00 pm ($15, which includes 1 drink; reservations highly recommended by calling 212.989.9319): Four funny people tell amazing stories. Three of the tales are absolutely true…but one of them is a pack of lies. The audience then asks questions to try and identify the fibber—and everyone who does gets a free t-shirt! This evening’s yarn-spinners are Ophira Eisenberg (brilliant storyteller and sharp stand-up with notable bangs; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime, host of TV pilot of The Liar Show), Kambri Crews (author of upcoming Jan. 2012 memoir Burn Down the Ground; comedy publicist), Ryan Britt (Nerve.com), and Andy Christie (The New York Times, NPR, Moth GrandSlam Champion, exceptionaly nice guy). Come to the West Village’s Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street) and let host Andy Christie attempt to mislead you at The Liar Show

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Anthony King, Joe Bill, Ed Herbstman, Becky Drysdale, Kay Cannon, Christina Gausas, and other stellar performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and legendary Chicago improv institutions—all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($27.50 & 2-drink min.) Judah Friedlander is a hilarious stand-up and occasional agent of chaos. Judah is a cast member of 30 Rock, and has also performed on VH1’s Best Week Ever, HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV’s Wonder Showzen, and NBC’s The Tonight Show. In addition, Judah has acted in over 20 films, including such hit comedies as Meet the Parents, Zoolander,  and Full Grown Men. Judah was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his role in American Splendor. When asked in an interview about his influences, Judah responded: “Audiences. They are often the forgotten ingredient in stand-up comedy. Stand-up is live entertainment, and a live audience is needed. Also, whatever is happening at the moment. I play off of that. The moment is a big influence. If you’re not playing the moment you’re not doing stand-up comedy–someone just reciting material but not responding with what’s going on in the room is not stand-up comedy.” This playful, anarchic, in-the-moment comedy veteran—and author of the book How to Beat Up Anybody—is headlining tonight through Sunday at Carolines: Judah Friedlander

[$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.): An acclaimed stand-up who co-stars on IFC’s Z Rock, and has also performed on truTV, TBS, and her own Comedy Central Presents half-hour special, headlining tonight at the Gotham Comedy Club: Lynne Koplitz

[FREE] 8:00 pm: Raunchy singer Ben Lerman, and stand-ups Matt McCarthy, Pat O’Shea, and George Gordon, performing at The Creek downstairs lounge in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Ray DeVito, Ben Kronberg, Nick Cobb, and Tim Dimond: Shoot the Shite

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—with honors including being Cage Match Champion for three years in a row, and winning the 2011 ECNY Award for Best Improv Group—genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

9:00 pm ($7): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($10): One of the most award-winning sketch troupes in the country, and a highly popular sketch troupe singing about politics, in a one-night-only double-bill: The Harvard Sailing Team and Political Subversities

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, fast-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience interaction and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

[FREE] 10:00 pm: Stand-up, sketch, and who knows what else at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by a stand-up/sketch duo: Team Submarine and Friends

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King interviews an audience member about where he or she grew up and then creates an entire show based on the mini-bio: The Curfew: Not From Around Here

10:30 pm ($7): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney as comedy duo Trike

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): ” It’s revenge. It’s vengeance. It’s hot comedy wrestling action as only the UCBW can bring you. Don’t miss a night of hilarious characters beating the shit out of each other. Get your tickets NOW! Only 14,000 seats available!:” UCBW: Revengeance

[FREE] Midnight: NYC stand-ups James Adomian, Barry Rothbart, Adam Newman, and more at The Creek upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City, with hosts Andy Haynes & Nick Turner promising “a rowdy late night comedy melee with beers being thrown, jokes being told, partial nudity, audience participation…there’s no telling what might happen:” Midnight Run

[FREE] Midnight: A weekly chance for you to shine, as students and veteran improvisors share the stage to form “rare and wonderful one-night-only teams,” with sign-up starting at 11:30 pm: Magnet Mixer

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Thursday 7/14/11

July 14, 2011

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

Susie Essman and Judah Friedlander

Stars are headlining at the Carolines Comedy Club: For tonight only, "Curb Your Enthusiasm's" Susie Essman; and tonight through Sunday, "30 Rock's" Judah Friedlander

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:

 [FREE] 6:00 pm: Open-mic stand-up with comics drawing names from a bucket, with each chosen one receiving three minutes at The Creek’s upstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City: Corby Haas

7:00 pm ($5): Lizzie Redner performs several odd characters in this one-woman show: Room Full of Bulldogs

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($20 & $15 food/drink min.): One of my favorite FringeNYC shows back in 2004—and which was later made into a movie!—about a husband who decides he wants his arms cut off. It’s a mix of drama and very dark comedy…and well worth catching. This is a one-night-only staged reading as part of the gala FringeNYC 15th Anniversary All-Star Series at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, inside the West Bank Cafe (407 West 42nd Street, off Ninth Avenue): Armless

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:30 pm ($38.25 & 2-drink min.) A Curb Your Enthusiasm star and superb stand-up headlining at Carolines: Susie Essman

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($5): This revival of one of my all-time favorite UCBT shows involves a group of stellar comics taking an audience suggestion and, while sipping beers, telling personal tales related to it—with an emphasis on the ribald and ridiculous, just like what you’d want to hear from your friends while hanging out at a bar. The yarn spinning is great fun; but on top of that, when the performers hear a story that especially tickles them, they’ll jump up and instantly create scenes revolving around it. And because these talents are razor-sharp improvisors, the results are hilarious. Just as a sidenote, this show used to include world-class storyteller Chris Gethard—and whenever Chris opened his mouth, everyone else went dead silent as if God was about to speak. (Yes, Chris is that respected by his peers.) Chris is no longer the lineup (he’s too busy with his weekly TV series); but this is a fine show regardless thanks to such brilliant improvisors as Anthony King, Charlie Todd, Will Hines, John Frusciante, and Fran Gillespie, all at Happy Hour

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($8): Wonderful comic Kurt Braunohler “relates how he destroyed a 13-year relationship in the dumbest, most complicated way possible, with bar fights, naked men, walruses, and an audition for Sasha Baron Cohen” in the one-man show The Amish Guide to Fucking

[TOP PICK] 8:00 pm ($7): Some of the Magnet Theatre’s finest improvisors make up theatrical plays on the spot: Playhouse

[FREE] 9:00ish pm: Typically terrific NYC stand-ups performing on this weekly show at the Kabin Bar and Lounge hosted by Chesley Calloway and comedy genius Sean Patton: Comedy as a Second Language

[FREE] 9:00ish pm: Jesse Popp (about to move to LA to write for Conan O’Brien), Reese Waters, Claudia Cogan, Craig Baldo, and Dan Goodman performing stand-up for this free monthly show at Brooklyn’s Lincoln Park Tavern (49 Lincoln Road, between Flatbush & Ocean) hosted by Charles Star: Pant-Hoot Comedy

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Sara Benincasa (MTV, Sex and Other Human Activities podcast, host ofFamily Hour), and Joe DeVito (Last Comic Standing, Craig Ferguson, Chelsea Lately) joining sensual hosts Margot Leitman (VH1, Spike TV) and Giulia Rozzi (MTV, VH1.com) in telling true tales on tonight’s theme “Dumped”—plus comedic songs from the wonderful Shayna Ferm—at the best sexy storytelling comedy show in NYC: Stripped Stories

[TOP PICK] 9:30 pm ($5): Steve Soroka has a talent for working with brilliant, beautiful women—e.g., Mamrie Hart in sketch duo BoF, and Amy Heidt in UCBT Maude team Dweeb. Tonight Steve does it again, teaming up with Jen Curran for an improvised relationship: An Evening with Jen & Steve

9:30 pm ($5): Improvisors (not announced) make up one-act plays on the spot at The PIT’s basement lounger for The Scene

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($27.50 & 2-drink min.) Judah Friedlander is a hilarious stand-up and occasional agent of chaos. Judah is a cast member of 30 Rock, and has also performed on VH1’sBest Week Ever, HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV’s Wonder Showzen, and NBC’s The Tonight Show. In addition, Judah has acted in over 20 films, including such hit comedies as Meet the Parents, Zoolander,  and Full Grown Men. Judah was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his role in American Splendor. When asked in an interview about his influences, Judah responded: “Audiences. They are often the forgotten ingredient in stand-up comedy. Stand-up is live entertainment, and a live audience is needed. Also, whatever is happening at the moment. I play off of that. The moment is a big influence. If you’re not playing the moment you’re not doing stand-up comedy–someone just reciting material but not responding with what’s going on in the room is not stand-up comedy.” This playful, anarchic, in-the-moment comedy veteran—and author of the book How to Beat Up Anybody—is headlining tonight through Sunday at Carolines: Judah Friedlander

[TOP PICK] 11:00 pm ($5): Improv troupe Doppleganger has a history of toppling champions. So when it up against relatively young troupe Dance Break last week, it not only won but crushed, garnering a staggering 117 audience votes to a mere 16 for its opponent. Tonight the three gals of Doppleganger face a single opponent: Fran Gillespie. And it should be awesome. Come see these fierce competitors fight for audience laughs and votes at the raucous Cage Match

11:00 pm ($5): NYC stand-ups (not announced) performing at The PIT for this comedy club-style (i.e., long set) weekly show hosted by Harrison Greenbaum: The Big One

11:00 pm ($5): Magnet improv troupes Listen, Kid! and Great Lakes compete for audience laughs and votes—yes, like UCBT’s Cage Match, but with a game-like challenge component—at Inspirado

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

If you know anyone who might have a thyroid problem, please tell them about my new book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Thyroid Disease.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 12/4/10

December 4, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Judah Friedlander and Jim Gaffigan

Tonight Judah Friedlander headlines at Comix, Jim Gaffigan headlines at the Best Buy Theater...

Tracy Morgan and Melanie Hamlett

...Tracy Morgan headlines at Carolines, and Melanie Hamlett bids adieu to NYC at The Going Away Show

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] [$] 6:00 pm ($15, which includes 1 drink): Four funny people tell amazing stories. Three of the tales are absolutely true…but one of them is a pack of lies. The audience then asks questions to try and identify the fibber—and everyone who does gets a free t-shirt! This evening’s yarn-spinners are Ophira Eisenberg (brilliant storyteller and host of The Liar Show TV pilot; Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime), Jim O’Grady (NPR’s This American Life), Peter Lubell (IFC writer/producer), and Martin Dockery (Best of Fest winner at Winnipeg Fringe Festival). Come let host Andy Christie (The New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion) attempt to mislead you at The Liar Show

[TOP PICK] [$] 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm ($40-$50): A comedy superstar who delights in observational humor about food (his Hot Pockets routine is a classic) and mundane things we take for granted (“I like escalators because they can never break, only become stairs”). As accessible as any mainstream performer alive, while simultaneously a sharp deconstructionist who can work any alternative comedy room with ease, his appeal is deep and universal. He’s appeared over a dozen times on David Letterman, over two dozen times on Conan O’Brien (for which he created the animated series Pale Force), performed his own Comedy Central Presents special, and created aBeyond the Pale comedy album that’s been certified Platinum (the CD and DVD versions have each sold over 150,000 copies). And he’s headlining one more night at the Best Buy Theater (1515 Broadway at 44th Street): Jim Gaffigan

[TOP PICK] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisors Anthony King, Christina Gausas, Becky Drysdale, and more—including writers & performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, andThe Daily Show—plus a rotating cast of stellar visitors, all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($60 & 2-drink min.): A co-star of 30 Rock who’s one of the most hilarious guys in the biz headlining tonight through Sunday at Carolines: Tracy Morgan

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($31.22 online if you use code PLAYBILL, plus 2-item minimum): A cast member of 30 Rock, and a performer on VH1’s Best Week Ever, HBO’sCurb Your Enthusiasm, MTV’s Wonder Showzen, NBC’s The Tonight Show, and over 20 films headlining for one night only at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Judah Friedlander

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: One of the finest storytellers in the country, the unique, brilliant, and hilarious Melanie Hamlett (Moth GrandSlam Champion), is heading off to the New Mexico desert for several months to focus on her first book. But before she goes, she’s having a blowout show, party, and auction for comedy services. Don’t miss Kevin Allison (sketch comic of legendary The State, host of Risk!), John Flynn (The Nights of Our LIves), Daisy Rosario (NPR), Shannon O’Neill (The Stepfathers), and more performing at The Creek in Queens’ Long Island City for Melanie Hamlett’s Going-Away Party and Show

[TOP PICK] [FREE] 8:00 pm: Brilliantly funny writer/singer Jessica Delfino (enjoys singing songs about her vagina, as demonstrated by her CD Dirty Folk Rock; created the hilarious and wildly popular YouTube animated short film I Wanna Be Famous; has a cool MySpace page, and an even cooler blog; to get a feel for Jessica’s amazing range and talent, please click here), and NYC stand-ups Nick Turner, Matt Ruby, Dan HIrshon, Doug Smith, Damien Lemon, and John Szeluga, performing at The Triple Crown Alehouse & Restaurant (330 7th Aveue, between 28th and 29th Streets) at Sean Donnelly’s Lil’ Seany Boy

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—and the Cage Match Champion for two years in a row!—genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

9:00 pm ($7): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!

9:30 pm ($10): “A cabaret of darkly funny songs and topical sketch comedy about culture and politics,” following sold out shows at Joe’s Pub: Political Subversities

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, fast-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience interaction and audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King: Reuben Williams

10:30 pm ($5): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike

[TOP PICK] 11:00 ($8): NYC’s heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, which doesn’t always ht the mark but provides odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy—and won this year’s ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group: Murderfist: Late and Dirty

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 9/4/10

September 4, 2010

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Judah Friedlander and Anthony Atamanuik

Judah Friedlander appears tonight at Comix for "Still Standing Up," while Anthony Atamanuik performs at the UCBT midnight show "Andy Rocco's Underground Americana"

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] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisor Christina Gausas and friends she originally made in Chicago—which include writers & performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show—plus a rotating cast of stellar visitors, all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

[$] 7:30 pm & 10:00 pm ($20 plus 2-item minimum): Superb stand-ups who may include Judah Friedlander, Christian Finnegan, Julian McCullough, Myq Kaplan, Mike Lawrence, Jesse Joyce, Kurt Metzger, and Veronica Mosey performing at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Still Standing Up

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm; Last 2010 NYC Show!! ($19.50 online using discount code8PUPPET): This is a show for which I have enormous affection; although my joy came from watching not only what occurred on stage, but the faces of the women in the audience turning stonier and stonier as they visibly projected the thought, “Dick tricks? This entire show really consists of dick tricks? All my suspicions about men have just been confirmed…” If you cherish bravery in performers, go forth to the 45 Bleecker Theatre (right next to the #6 subway’s Bleecker Street stop) and experience Puppetry of the Penis

8:00 pm ($8): Improvised scenes based on the “Missed Connections” section of Craigslist atMissed Connections Two-Prov

[$] 8:00 pm ($53 & 2-drink min.)  A TV & film star whose credits include Undercover Brother, Deuce Bigalow, and Scary Movie 3 headlining through Saturday at Carolines: Eddie Griffin

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—and the Cage Match Champion for two years in a row!—genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

9:00 pm ($7): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King: Reuben Williams

10:30 pm ($5): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): Brilliant storyteller/writer/improvisor Anthony Atamanuik (30 Rock, Huffington Post, Death by Roo Roo), superb stand-up Dan St. Germain, razor-sharp sketch comics Greg & Lou, Stephanie Streisand (Fangoria TV, Cage Match), and musical guest Danger Pin “celebrate the seedy and urbane life in America; think of us as The Prairie Home Companion, just a little more fucked up” at Andy Rocco’s Underground Americana

[$] 12:30 am ($31.25 & 2-drink min.) 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 through Sunday at Carolines: Paul Mooney

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

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NYC Top Comedy Choices for Saturday 7/10/10

July 10, 2010

For videos of Last Comic Standing star Natasha Leggero, click here.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Judah Friedlander

Judah Friedlander concludes his headlining NYC run tonight at Comix

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] 7:30 pm ($10): Genius improvisor Christina Gausas and friends she originally made in Chicago—which include writers & performers from 30 Rock, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show—plus a rotating cast of stellar visitors, all joyously declaring Let’s Have a Ball

7:30 pm (no cover, 1-item min.): NYC stand-ups Mark Normand, Ross Hyzer, Amy Albert, Steve Bossous, Ken Schultz, Brendan Fitzgibbons, and “a special surprise guest” performing in Ochi’s Lounge at Lil’ Seany Boy

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($34.48 online if you use code VIPJULY, plus 2-item minimum): A hilarious stand-up; cast member of 30 Rock; performer on VH1’s Best Week Ever, HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, MTV’s Wonder Showzen, and NBC’s The Tonight Show; and actor in over 20 films, including such hit comedies as Meet the Parents, Zoolander, Full Grown Men, andAmerican Splendor, headlining at the elegant Comix Comedy Club: Judah Friedlander

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm & 11:45 pm ($25 & 2-drink min.) A comedy icon who’s performed on David Letterman over 40 times and The Tonight Show over 10 times, and did the acclaimed HBO comedy special This’ll Take About An Hour and current Showtime special I Love You, headlining tonight and Sunday at the Gotham Comedy Club: Jake Johannsen

[TOP PICK] [$] 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm ($29 & 2-drink min.): A 10-year veteran cast member of Mad TVwho’s also performed on numerous other top television shows, headlining tonight and Sunday at Carolines: Michael McDonald

[TOP PICK] [$] [DISCOUNTED] 8:00 pm & 11:00 pm ($37.50 online or at the box office using discount code ALIEN): Sharp comics and 80 Henson puppets collaborating on a show that’s partly scripted and partly improvised: Stuffed and Unstrung

[TOP PICK] 9:00 pm ($10): One of the gutsiest and most hilarious troupes in comedy history—and the Cage Match Champion for two years in a row!—genius improvisors Death by Roo Roo

9:00 pm ($5): Organic & energetic improv by the four guys of 4 Track!

9:30 pm ($10): “A cabaret of darkly funny songs and topical sketch comedy about culture and politics,” following sold out shows at Joe’s Pub: Political Subversities

[TOP PICK] [$] 10:00 pm ($15): Ted Greenberg (Emmy-winning David Letterman writer) performing a fun, quick-paced theatrical comedy show—complete with audience rides home!—at The Complete Performer

[TOP PICK] 10:30 pm ($10): An all-star improv troupe led by brilliant UCBT artistic director Anthony King: Reuben Williams

10:30 pm ($5): Vibrant improv from Nick Kanellis & Peter McNerney (Statues of Liberty) and Leslie Korein as comedy trio Trike

[TOP PICK] 11:00 ($8): NYC’s heavy metal version of a sketch troupe, which doesn’t always ht the mark but provides odd, unsettling, and fearless dark comedy—and recently won this year’s ECNY Award for Best Sketch Group: Murderfist: Late and Dirty

[TOP PICK] Midnight ($5): One of the most fascinating performers in comedy, and star of the upcoming Comedy Central sitcom Big Lake, shosting his own extravaganza—which goes beyond a stage show to have the makings of a hit MTV series—with guests including Shannon O’Neill, Will Hines, Bethany Hall, Don Fanelli, and the Kung Fu Monkeys…and this month’s theme Fights: The Chris Gethard Show

For videos of Last Comic Standing star Natasha Leggero, click here.

For full details, please visit HyReviews.com.

Leave a Comment » | Best New York Live Comedy Shows | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by hybender

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