O'Brien took over NBC's Late Night show from Letterman when the latter bolted to CBS for an 11:35 p.m. slot, all because NBC chose Jay Leno over Letterman. Now O'Brien knows that feeling, too, having left the Peacock Network for TBS all because NBC chose Leno over him. Wonder what they'll talk about tonight? Of course, you don't wonder. You know. They know. We all know. Roll the teaser clip!

Letterman presses on:

And then this:

If this situation is even more of a case of history repeating itself, enjoy this clip from August 1991, shortly after NBC picked Leno over Letterman, and Dave swung by The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Roll it.

But you're certainly familiar with his comedy. Brennan co-wrote Half Baked with Dave Chappelle, then followed that up by co-creating and co-writing Chappelle's Show with him. Brennan also wrote and directed sketches for the first season of HBO's Funny or Die Presents, directed the 2009 film The Goods, and wrote material for SNL's Seth Meyers to present at both the White House Correspondents Dinner and at the ESPYs.

Now he gets a chance to shine solo. After taking questions from fans on Comedy Central's Tumblr yesterday, Brennan hopped on the phone with me to talk about his comedy career.

Since you were just on Tumblr, and I know you're active on Twitter -- how much do you use social media and technology to advance your jokes as well as your career? "Just for individual jokes. In some ways, I'm just competitive. Not even competitive. It's just an addiction. If Daddy doesn't get 100 ReTweets a day, Daddy gets sick...Daddy needs a hot one. You have to prove every day that you're funny. It's the only profession where you have to do that every day." Brennan said the feeling comes whether you're live onstage, doing a full weekend of great sets, but if you bomb, then you need to get right back up and perform again to regain your mojo. Same thing applies online. "That's what Twitter is for. You show the fucking kids that you still got it."

"If I link to an article, and it gets a lot of reads, I feel like I'm on the pulse," Brennan jokes. "That New York Times article. I get it! I know what the people want."

Speaking of news, here's a clip from Brennan's half-hour on Comedy Central, in which he describes how British reporters and anchors can make any story sound sadder. Roll it.

You say in your routine that you watch CNN. Where exactly do you get your news from these days? "newyorktimes.com and guardian.co.uk and a website called Truthdig which is lefty and independent. And you know, I had this stuff going at Huffington Post which, if given the choice between the front page and the entertainment bar, I found myself quickly hitting the entertainment bar, so I took it off my bookmarks, because I'd go, 'What is J'Lo's butt doing?' When I should be clicking on 'What Are Michelle Obama's Arms Doing?'" Brennan also acknowledges he's just as likely to be lulled into clicking on "news" items such as "How Many Calories are in a Candy Bar?" "I cannot trust myself on Huffington Post," he says. "It's not them. It's me."

Your routine also mentions the "It Gets Better" videos for gay teens. How would you envision a campaign like that, but for would-be comedians? Could you envision one? "I actually pitched one. (For) the Oscars a couple of years ago, I pitched an 'It Gets Better video for people who lost, which would have been funny, which is exactly why they didn't use it." This was the year James Franco and Anne Hathaway co-hosted. Brennan was hired for the writing staff to help them. "Jordan Rubin tricked me into it. Me and (Brian) Posehn pitched two days of jokes, and they didn't use any of it. When (The Academy Awards) aired, I was shitting on it (via Twitter), and landing a lot of hot jokes, and then people were saying you have to follow @nealbrennan, and the credits roll and my name was first alphabetically."

So if the Oscars wasn't your highlight, what was your best side gig for comedy writing: The White House Correspondents Dinner, the ESPYs, or a third thing I failed to mention? "The Correspondents Dinner, just because Seth (Meyers) and I are really good friends, and it was such fun in terms of it couldn't have gone better, and it was a fun night in terms of getting respect for it from politicians and journalists. And with Chappelle's Show -- they were like, 'You're that guy?!' It's like the cleanest win ever." He also got to work with other Saturday Night Live writers he liked on that. Although he did enjoy working with professional athletes on ESPYs videos, too. "But for the most part, the correspondents dinner. Because I got to yell at the president, basically. 'Yo, Seth, tell Obama this!' And we got to go out to the French embassy afterward, where it was glamorous and people are pretty. And there weren't a lot of celebrities, show biz people. Like out here in Los Angeles. You can find yourself stuck at a party with people going, 'What are you up to? What are you up to?' There wasn't that overall appraisal that goes on in L.A., there were maybe only 15 celebrities there."

Is that what you imagined your life would be like back when you were younger, writing for kids shows such as All That or Kenan and Kel? "This is exactly the thing I was thinking! Ha. No. I never really planned on anything...

"When I was in high school, I was at the Improv in New York watching my brother (Kevin). And Robin Williams came in in 1988 with Dennis Miller. And that was the fucking coolest thing ever. It was like they were The Super Friends or something. And then older, you end up hanging out with people like Chappelle and (Dave) Attell, I guess it's analogous...the fun part is hanging out with people who are talented and good dudes, and funny in a way -- that's not to say, they're funny as I am, but they're fucking funny. Whenever I talk to a girl after a show who says she's funny, I say 'Really? Because I hung out with Dave Chappelle for 12 years. He's funny...Lemme guess. You can quote movies?'"

You mention your brother, Kevin Brennan, who started in stand-up several years before you did. Was he that direct of an influence of you choosing a career in comedy? Or did you try other lines of work first? "Honestly? It completely affected my being in comedy. Literally when I was in high school, my brother's best friend was Attell. in 1987, my first year of high school, I was elected senator in my class. And Attell did a joke that the senator was shot. A really funny joke. I'd see Ray Romano -- Kevin used to give him a ride home all the time. It made it seem more real, more attainable.

"I started out as a writer...and now he's doing more writing and I'm doing more stand-up. He wrote for Norm's (Macdonald's) show and Tom Papa's pilot. I can go to the (Comedy) Cellar (in NYC) and do spots and not worry about taking spots from him."

You don't find too many brothers who are in the stand-up arena separately. There are twin brothers who are duos, but not stand-ups. There's Tony Rock with Chris, and now the younger brother, Jordan Rock. And there's the Regans, Brian and Dennis. Or you have one brother getting in, like Charlie Murphy, only after his brother, Eddie Murphy, has stopped performing stand-up. "It is a rare thing. Because it's your brother's thing. When I was young, I said there was no way I was going to seek the attention of drunken strangers like that. And then the older I got, I needed the attention of drunken strangers."

Brennan said he also shied away from stand-up for a while after the abrupt ending of Chappelle's Show. He wanted to avoid dealing with hecklers or people pestering him about Chappelle, asking, "Where is he? Why did you fuck him over?"

"And then in '07, I was like, 'Fuck it. I want to do it every night.' I took three months off to do the (Jeremy) Piven movie (The Goods), but otherwise, I've been doing stand-up every night."

You don't shy away from racial language or topics -- did you always talk about race in your stand-up, or was that something that came out of your working relationship with Chappelle and writing sketches for that show? "I've always been interested in race. Before I even met too many black people. I was interested in race as a topic of human depravity. Just a real massive human error. You're better than they are because of melanin? We're dividing people by color? That's stupid. And the thing about comedy, it's just about the most integrated thing on the planet. I was at a show the other night, in Santa Monica -- I do a show every Sunday at The Westside Theater to work out new material -- and it was three balck comics and three white comics and they were all hugging to say goodbye. Where else do you that kind of friendship? The biggest stumbling block to integration is just access. People just don't know. White people don't have access to knowing a lot of black people. And vice versa. They're just like us for the most part.
You know, I say the n word a bunch onstage. It kills the hardest when I do it in black rooms. It's only in white rooms where they get upset. And I think in some ways, people come up to me after the show and say, 'I dug your stuff'...and I'm not saying it as part of crowd work. You've seen my act. So i have an advantage in terms of pedigree."

Brennan mentions that a few other white stand-up comedians have felt freer about racial language because they're putting it into proper contexts.

Right. Like in a past Louis CK special, he jokes about how TV anchors and reporters, by saying "the n word," all they're really doing is passing the buck and putting the actual word in your head to make you think it. "Louis says it because he's got a way to make it work. And before I say it, I say shit about white people and I don't even do it by design. I just do it because that's how the joke goes. There's nothing nefarious."

Greg Giraldo, Neal Brennan and Dave Chappelle, circa 1997(ish)

There just might be something nefarious about this photo from 1997 or so that you shared online yesterday featuring you standing between the late Greg Giraldo and Chappelle. Why were you all dressed up like that, anyhow? Please say it was a wedding or something legitimate. "It was some...like Manny from the Cellar, some charity thing. I think Attell called the picture a self-destruction sandwich. Which I think is very funny."

Before or after you tune into Neal Brennan's half-hour stand-up on The Half Hour, check out this backstage interview he gave to Comedy Central, in which he addresses his first times onstage.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, you can see Neal Brennan and Friends live most Sundays at M.I.'s Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica. You can be anywhere with access to a computer or iTunes to listen to The Champs Podcast, which Brennan hosts with Moshe Kasher and DJ Douggpound. A new episode of The Champs Podcast is out today, with guest Pras from The Fugees.

Ron Shock began his comedy career relatively late at the age of 40 but did so in Houston where he was a fellow "Outlaw" with the late Bill Hicks.

In December 2011, he announced that he had been diagnosed with the rare and aggressive urethral cancer. Shock then moved to Las Vegas where he underwent chemo and other treatments. His wife, Rhonda, and others encouraged friends and supporters then to donate directly to Ron Shock's Cancer Fund via PayPal to help with the mounting bills.

Up until the end, Shock continued to share his ups and downs via Facebook. He also uploaded a series of videos called Cancer Chronicles in which he spoke about his health and recounted various stories from his life on the road. Here, Shock described his final conversation with Bill Hicks on the day before Hicks died, and what happened the following day.

Just two weeks ago, Shock shared these words about how nice everyone was treating him at hospice.

The instant outpouring of love and tributes for Shock and his family can be seen on Shock's Facebook page. Among the early wall postings...

"RIP Ron Shock. And fuck this last year and a half." -- Laurie Kilmartin

"RIP Ron. One of the best comedians and a gentleman in this crazy biz." -- Mark Ridley, owner of Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle

"ONLY good thing is that you are out of that horrific pain. Other than that, it sucks. RIP and remember, you have left so much brilliance behind that will be enjoyed for generations, you haven't gone anywhere." -- Elayne Boosler

"‎Ron Shock was a great comic and even a better person. I have fond memories watching him at the Punchline SF many, many times when I was up and coming. A master storyteller. RIP, Ron, you always made me laugh." -- Byron Yee

"Ron and his wife lent me money to fix my car to get to a gig a couple years ago… that's the kind of guy he was." -- Pat Godwin

"‎Ron Shock was one of the nicest and coolest comedians I have ever had the chance to work with. I only opened for him once, and to this day, I have never seen anybody tell a story like him. He made a two-hour set feel like ten minutes. After the show, we went to a diner and talked comedy until the sun almost came up. He told me story after story about Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison, being one of the original Outlaws of Comedy and the joy comedy brings to people. We've lost way too many great comics in recent years, and sadly, we lost Ron. Take care, buddy. Like you always said "You're gonna die anyways." -- Pat House

"Rest in peace, Ron Shock. The best goddamn storyteller I ever saw, and a kind, kind person." -- Tim McIntire

Funeral services are pending.

Steven Brody Stevens has pitched for Arizona State, appeared in both films in The Hangover franchise as well as Due Date, provided audience warm-up duties for Chelsea Lately and several other TV shows, and much much more. As he'll gladly will remind you. During his stand-up set. I've known Brody since I first threw myself into the comedy scene in Seattle many years ago -- before the Y2K virus changed everything. Seeing him on Conan last night was a treat. Particularly since I probably heard more actual straightforward jokes out of him in these five minutes than I've heard whenever I've seen him drop-in at a comedy club or venue for a stand-up performance.

And yet.

Still.

I hope you laugh as much as I do when Steven Brody Stevens pauses between jokes to make proclamations such as this one: "I've done table reads on this lot!"

Roll the clip!

Related reading/viewing: Previously, I'd told you about a pilot presentation Brody had worked on for HBO, as well as videotaped an interview of Brody conducted by Zach Galifianakis.

When Fallon's Late Night started (pre-Singer), more than a few of Montreal's "New Faces" wound up making their TV debuts on the show.

This spring, with Singer booking the comedic talent, we're seeing new faces before they're even "New Faces." In the past three weeks, Late Night has offered network TV debut credits for The Lucas Brothers, Dave Waite, and last night, Joe Machi (see his Rooftop Comedy page).

Joe Machi is a nice guy who writes strong jokes, but if you've never seen nor met him before, his presence may catch you off guard. And by may, I mean it will. You'd say, oh, that's just part of the act. But no. It's not an act. Even Machi will tell you that, as he does in this first four minutes of his Fallon set. Roll the clip!

NBC and Hulu split off Machi's closing bit into a separate clip. See how he shows up modern-day politicians for trying to compare people and political parties to Hitler and the Nazis.

That's no knock against DeGeneres. At 54, Ellen dances smoothly past all of her daytime talk-show competitors.

Her body of work -- which began in the early 1980s with stand-up comedy in New Orleans, and saw her become the first female comedian summoned by Johnny Carson to the couch after her Tonight Show performance -- has included 35 Daytime Emmy Awards, 12 People's Choice Awards, three straight Teen Choice Awards for "Choice Comedian," hosting duties at the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards, two HBO stand-up specials, best-selling books and a Grammy nomination. Oh, and she came out as a lesbian while starring in a prime-time ABC sitcom to 46 million viewers.

As the Kennedy Center Chairman, David M. Rubenstein, said in announcing the prize this week: "The Kennedy Center is happy to recognize Ellen DeGeneres' unique contributions to the world of comedy. Through her television programs, stand-up appearances, movies, and even commercials, her special brand of humor has allowed us to find hilarity in the mundane and has kept us laughing for years."

For her money quote, DeGeneres quipped: "It's such an honor to receive the Mark Twain Prize. To get the same award that has been given to people like Bill Cosby, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell, it really makes me wonder… why didn't I get this sooner?"

Sooner?!?

If anything, the perception for the first dozen years of the Mark Twain Prize had been that it was The Kennedy Center's -- and by extension, America's -- way of celebrating a lifetime of achievement by a legendary comedian. The first three winners: Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999) and Carl Reiner (2000). Other past winners have included Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Steve Martin, Neil Simon, Billy Crystal, George Carlin and Bill Cosby.

We've still got plenty of living legends of comedy yet to recognize in this way, too. Mel Brooks. Woody Allen. Joan Rivers. Just to name a few.

But in the past few years, The Kennedy Center has fast-forwarded past that generation of comedians to honor performers who are still in their prime form. Tina Fey in 2010 at the tender age of 40; Will Ferrell, 44, last year.

And now DeGeneres this coming fall, when she'll be feted on Oct. 22, 2012 -- taped for broadcast later on PBS.

All of the Mark Twain Prize winners certainly have earned their plaudits and kudos.

Could we receive a little more clarity from The Kennedy Center, though, about what we're saying when we honor someone with the Mark Twain Prize? Because this recent trend suggests it's not a lifetime achievement award (unlike the annual Kennedy Center Honors, which specifically cites a receipient's "lifetime contributions to American culture"). And there's no evidence that it's a best or extraordinary comedic effort of the year award. So. What is the comedy prize meant to symbolize?

Before you watch it, though, treat yourself to some outtakes.

Drew Carey and Ray Romano remember their debuts on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

In this clip, Jerry Seinfeld and Garry Shandling talk about when they went to dinner with Johnny Carson in 2000 and learned about the future of show biz from a legend who could even predict where TV would go.

Steve Martin discusses his relationship with Johnny, and his perceived reputation vs. his real persona.

Here, Joan Rivers recalls pranking Johnny when she became a mother.

And here is Johnny's bandleader, Doc Severinsen, revealing why he made his name with his fashion choices.

The last time I saw Pat Dixon onstage, he was videotaping a nearly naked lady who was writhing across a stage while a live audience watched, drank and ate bacon from the back of the theater. Oh. Don't worry. Nothing criminal took place. He was wearing a suit, for crying out loud! In fact, when Dixon isn't hosting his monthly (Nearly) Naked Hour: Now With Bacon Bar show at The Creek and the Cave in Long Island City, or touring the country as a stand-up comedian, he's keeping his eye on the law with his weekly podcast, The New York City Crime Report with Pat Dixon.

He has his own Comedy Central Presents, appearances on late-night TV here and in the U.K., and popped up on your VH1 screens as a talking head or your radios talking with Bob & Tom. But how did Dixon wind up in the big city?

Name: Pat Dixon
Arrival date: April 2006
Arrived from: My car. I mean, I was living in my car.
When and where did you start performing comedy? Chattanooga, Tenn., March 7, 1996
What was your best credit before moving here? Comedy Central Presents
Why did you pick NYC over LA or anywhere else? I wanted to perform a LOT of stand up comedy.

How long did it take to get your first paid gig in NYC after moving here? 3 weeks.

How is this scene better/same/worse than the scene you moved from? I'm really not sure. I'm sorry to give such an anemic answer, but I really just don't know.

Do you already have an "only in New York City" moment yet? For New York City Crime Report I scheduled an interview with a performance artist named Holly Van Voast. She showed up to our little studio at Cave Comedy Radio and immediately took off her shirt and did the whole interview topless. She has this platinum blond hair, nice tits and she's drawn a mustache on her lip, like a little twirly one. It could've happened somewhere else, but it didn't.

What tip would you give to any comedian who moves here? Take your time, make friends, watch a lot of comedy. But it depends on if you're new or whatever.

Where do you see yourself five years from now? NYC!

Dixon's next (Nearly) Naked Hour: Now with Bacon Bar show at The Creek happens on May 26, 2012. And here is a NSFW video to whet your appetite for that show. Roll it if you've got it!

Which NYC comedian would you like to see me style and profile next for Meet Me In New York? Send your nominations to: thecomicscomic AT gmail DOT com

Kimmel announced the decision -- which will involve tapings the week of Oct. 29 through Nov. 2, 2012 -- this morning when he guest-hosted LIVE! with Kelly.

The weeklong jaunt will tape from BAM, the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

It'll be Kimmel's first trip with his show to the East Coast. He previously broadcast a week of episodes from Detroit in 2006.

The November 2012 trip to Brooklyn coincides with the inaugural season of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets -- who'll play in the new Barclays Arena a few blocks away from BAM -- and also comes just a few weeks shy of Kimmel's 45th birthday. Kimmel's family lived in Brooklyn's Mill Basin neighborhood before moving to Las Vegas when he was nine.

"I moved to Las Vegas when I was nine, but New York is my spot," Kimmel said.

Here is a link to the video of Kimmel making the announcement on Monday's show.