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New York Comedy Festival announces headliners for 2012

The annual New York Comedy Festival, aka headliners headliners headliners all week across Manhattan, has announced the lineup of headliners for its 2012 edition, happening Nov. 7-11, 2012.

Many more shows will be added between now and November, with performances — if past years are any guide — at the UCB Theatre, Caroline’s and other venues around the city.

Highlights so far for 2012 include:

  • Kevin Hart at Madison Square Garden.
  • Aziz Ansari at the Apollo Theater and at Carnegie Hall.
  • Bill Maher at the Beacon Theater.
  • Robin Williams in conversation with David Steinberg at the 92Y.
  • Ricky Gervais in conversation with John Hodgman at Town Hall.

The lineup of headliners also features Jim Gaffigan, Patton Oswalt, Brian Regan, Artie Lange, Rob Delaney and Marlon and Shawn Wayans.

Tickets for these shows go on sale Aug. 8, with other events available for purchase to the general public on Monday.

New for the festival in 2012 is an event called “Next Big Thing,” held in conjunction with the Paley Center for Media to spotlight five comedy start-up businesses.

Funny or Die’s CEO, Dick Glover, and CollegeHumor’s CEO, Paul Greenberg will participate in the event.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with The Paley Center for Media for this comedy-themed edition of its successful series, Next Big Thing,” said Caroline Hirsch, founder of the New York Comedy Festival.  “The development of digital media has created an entirely new and exciting platform for entrepreneurs to share comedy content, so this event will be quite an insightful and entertaining addition to our programming.”
But who will be among those five comedy start-ups? That’s where you can have a say in the matter, especially if you have a business yourself! By Sept. 14, 2012, if you’re interested in participating in delivering a presentation on your company, send the following materials to paleymediacouncil@gmail.com:
  • A full description of the company, including launch date and, if applicable, funding history and lists of investors and advisors.
  • A short bio of whoever will present on behalf of the company.
  • A draft slide deck of the presentation (PowerPoint or PDF preferred).
  • A 5-10 minute video of the designated presenter delivering the presentation (the video may be recorded for this submission or taken from a presentation at a similar event).
  • Complete contact information.
Check back for more updates on “Next Big Thing” as well as the rest of the New York Comedy Festival lineup.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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