Stand-up comedy by kids or for kids

Perhaps you saw this segment on last night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, in which Fallon and his guests Judd Apatow and Keanu Reeves acted out stand-up bits submitted by elementary school children? If not, roll the clip and let’s talk afterward!

OK.

So you may have questions about this. Why? That’s a good place to start. But instead of answering that, let me point out that in this comedy boom, there are more and more kid-friendly comedy shows or outright specifically designed for kid audiences.

Just in NYC this weekend and coming up, I know of at least three different shows like this, two of them happening this Saturday morning:

Two Juice Mininum: 10 a.m. Feb. 4, 2017 (Q.E.D., Astoria)

Description: 2-Juice Minimum Starring Mark Malkoff features hilarious kids comedy sketches, jokes, and videos. Think David Letterman or Jimmy Kimmel for kids. Kids will howl with laughter at comedian and YouTube sensation Mark Malkoff. Kids get to give grown ups time outs! If Mark Malkoff doesn’t guess kids’ names correctly they win a prize! In “The Bell of Doom” kids are invited to ring the scary bell. Instead of something scary…kids are given cookies or play video games, or even money! Cost: $15 per family.

Billy Kelly’s Family Comedy Show, 3 p.m. Feb. 4, 2017 (The PIT)

Description: Grammy-nominated family entertainer Billy Kelly is bringing his squeaky-clean comedy to NYC for an all-ages matinee show. Come on out for some good clean laughs and absurd fun that people of all ages can enjoy together. Because the world needs more of that sort of thing! Recommended for families with kids ages 8 and up. Cost: $15

Kids N’ Comedy, 1 p.m. Feb. 12, 2017 (Gotham Comedy Club)

Description: Every month, Kids ‘n Comedy presents a showcase of our best and brightest teenage stand-up grads at Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan. We won’t ask you to wear a tie. In fact, we hate ties. Nobody wearing a tie is allowed in. There, we’ve put our foot down. Come see the funniest young comedians in New York, and even get the chance to tell a joke yourself, live on stage. I mean, what else are you doing on a Sunday. Also, if it’s your birthday, we’ll give you a shout out on stage, and do our best to make all of your friends really jealous. KIDS ‘N COMEDY is a great place to bring a birthday party (just make sure you give us 3 weeks notice.) Appropriate for ages: 9yrs – really, really old. Cost: $18 Cover + 1 item minimum per person

Are kid comedy shows becoming more common where you live, too?

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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