What’s the best comedy lineup you’ve ever seen?

Aside from the Comic Relief specials of years past, it's not often that you would have the chance to see an all-star Murderer's Row lineup of comedians live in one night's showcase. There are nights, though, when maybe if you could see into the future, you would have known that you were seeing such a stand-up spectacular.

Rick Jenkins, owner of The Comedy Studio in Cambridge, Mass., found this old notation and included it in his weekly email blast: "Sept. 24, 1999: Louis CK, Jonathan Katz, Eugene Mirman, Myq Kaplan, Val Kappa, Andy Blitz, Brendon Small and Patrick Borelli…paid audience: 21"

I know I've seen some lineups, not only at the Studio, but also at the Comedy Cellar that would just blow your mirthy minds (the Invite Them Up finales at Rififi, as well as the UCB's Del Close Marathon, have brought some incredible talent together onstage). But what about you? Now it's your turn. What's the best comedy lineup you've ever seen in a single night of live stand-up?

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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12 thoughts on “What’s the best comedy lineup you’ve ever seen?

  1. Comedy Cellar, January 2005. Mike Birbiglia, Todd Barry, Dave Attell, Kevin Brennan, Hood. One or two others — it was a great night.

  2. Last night I saw Christian Finnegan Brian Kiley and Glenn Wool. For free! I don’t think I’ve ever seen that good show at a real comedy club.

  3. I think the Cellar is a jackpot across the board, but my personal favorite lineup was a simple double-bill at Just For Laughs in ’04: Jim Gaffigan and Mitch Hedberg.

  4. The Insomniac tour from a few years ago in NYC, Birbiglia, Mitch Hedberg, Louis Black and Dave Attell

  5. one night last september at the comedy cellar. Greg Giraldo, Colin Quinn, Dave Attell, Sherrod Small, Louis CK, and John Mayer

  6. one night at the cellar it was a couple of regulars then Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and Dave Attell in that order. And John Mayer was in the audience watching.

  7. Yes, the Cellar has had some insane nights, especially when (pick ’em!) Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, or even John Mayer have been surprise additions to an already killer lineup.
    Would love to hear from the L.A. crowd about some great lineups from the Improv, Comedy Store and Laugh Factory!

  8. I suppose you wouldn’t let me just say “Bumbershoot”, would you?
    Well, then…two shows come to mind as far as the Emerald City are concerned.
    The first ever “5:20 Funny Festival”, held at the Moore Theatre a few years ago. It was David Crowe, Demetri Martin, Mike Birbiglia and Jim Gaffigan in one show.
    And last year, Laughs Comedy Spot in Kirkland, Washington held a Super Secret Midnight Show during Bumbershoot… A packed house who didn’t know what to expect got this show: Billy Wayne Davis, Greg Behrendt, Nick Thune, Hannibal Burress, Pete Holmes, Seth Morris, Tig Notaro, TJ Miller, Doug Benson… (Oh, and me…somehow I ended up performing that night, too.)
    🙂
    pg–seattle
    What’ll be interesting is to see how the past few years of shows filled with exciting young Seattle talent who are all starting to filter out to Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco…you never get to appreciate how awesome what you’ve got right in front of you until you no longer have it anymore.

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