Louis CK, at Town Hall

Back in August, I said that Louis CK had developed an even funnier hour of stand-up than he’d displayed in his most recent HBO special, Shameless. Anyone who saw CK perform Thursday night at Town Hall witnessed it firsthand. CK told me in August that developing the new hour has …

Charlie Murphy writes jokes while driving

Charlie Murphy started doing stand-up comedy about 20 years after his younger brother, Eddie. Perhaps you’ve heard of him. Eddie tasted superstardom success at an early age. For older brother Charlie, now 48, he’s just getting his taste of it, post-Chappelle’s Show (Murphy performs Friday-Saturday at Carolines as part of …

Damon Wayans, on stand-up, online comedy

Damon Wayans always seems to be getting back into the game, and this week is no different. The native New Yorker popped in to the Comedy Cellar on Wednesday night for a surprise half-hour set, telling me afterward: "I’ve got to get ready for the big show." That big show …

Doug Benson gets ready for Carnegie Hall

Doug Benson will perform with Sarah Silverman and Todd Barry tonight at Carnegie Hall as part of the New York Comedy Festival. Big deal, right? No worries for Benson. "Even if half of the people laugh at the joke, that’s still a lot of laughter," he said. And he figures …

Artie Lange’s “crazy weekend” (of comedy)

Artie Lange isn’t dead yet. I know you’re thinking it. Better yet, Artie Lange knows you’re thinking it. The comedian and sidekick for Howard Stern calls this the happiest time in his life. He’s the only performer in this week’s New York Comedy Festival to have two headlining gigs, Friday …

Bob Saget comes clean, sort of

To answer your first question: Yes, Bob Saget does keep in touch with his former castmates from TV’s Full House. The night before we spoke, in fact, Saget had gone out to dinner in New York City with Ashley Olsen. The paparazzi made much ado about them being spotted together …

Eliza Skinner is Shameless!

New Yorkers already have come to know and love Eliza Skinner for her musical talents as part of the popular musical improv duo I Eat Pandas. Even as a solo act, though, Skinner shines in her production of Eliza Skinner is: SHAMELESS! which returns for two shows this month, tonight …

Jim Norton on HBO: “Monster Rain”

Toward the end of Jim Norton’s new hour-long HBO special "Monster Rain" (debuts tonight at 10, available on DVD Tuesday), the 39-year-old comedian takes a moment to recognize and thank Opie and Anthony in the audience. Norton certainly has seen his fan base grow since joining the morning radio duo …