Comedy entertainment in North America
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A
Carrot Top
Even if his TV commercials annoyed you to death, this wild and curly orange-haired comedian’s shtick could leave your side split and your gut busted. The fast-paced show runs the audience ragged with physical props, some dark and twisted stand-up humor and merciless skewering of pop stars, Hollywood celebs and politicians.
reviewed
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B
Second City
It's the cream of the crop, where Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and many more honed their sharp, biting wit. Bargain: turn up after the evening's last show (Friday excluded), and watch the comics improv a performance for free.
reviewed
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Malamute Saloon
Rowdy saloons that are throwbacks from the mining days are this area's specialty. The Malamute Saloon, 7mi west of Fairbanks in Ester, offers honky-tonk music, skits, vaudeville and a ritual reading of Robert Service poetry. The bar is a classic, and the show is perhaps one of the best locally produced acts in Alaska. They'll have you laughing in the sawdust by the end of the evening.
There's free bus transportation from Fairbanks that stops at major hotels, including the Bridgewater. Or you can make it an evening by booking a room or a tent site at Ester Gold Camp.
reviewed
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C
Wilbur Theatre
The colonial Wilbur Theatre dates to 1914, and over the years has hosted many prominent theatrical productions. These days it is Boston’s premier comedy club. Once known as the Comedy Connection (and located in Quincy Market), this long-running operation has hosted the likes of Chris Rock, Rosie O’Donnell and other nationally known cut-ups.
reviewed
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D
Improv Asylum
This North End theater is a little dingy but somehow it enhances the dark and sometimes dirty humor spewing from the mouths of this offbeat crew. No topic is too touchy, no politics too correct. The show redefines itself with every fast-paced performance.
reviewed
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E
iO (ImprovOlympic)
The Olympic Committee forced this comic veteran to change the name to its initials in 2005, a suitably laughable development in a long career of chuckles. iO launched the careers of Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert, along with a host of other well-known comics. Shows hinge entirely on audience suggestions, and each turn can run 40 minutes or longer. If you’re thoroughly motivated by what you see, iO offers a range of courses to suit every budget. Shows on Wednesday and Sunday are usually just $5.
reviewed
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F
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
Pros of comedy sketches and outrageous improvisations reign at this popular 74-seat venue, which gets drop-ins from casting directors. Getting in is cheap ($5 to $8), and so is the beer (from $2 a can). You may recognize pranksters on stage from late-night comedy shows. It’s free Wednesdays after 11pm, when newbies take the reins. Check the website for popular classes on sketch and improv, now spilling over to an annex location on W 30th St.
reviewed
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G
Dangerfield's
New York's oldest and (some claim) funniest comedy club, Dangerfield's is something of an institution. Crowds still pack in for the no-food-or-drink-minimum shows (a rarity in New York, where most clubs make you consume as you laugh), and it features only top-tier talent – no amateur nights allowed. Gone are the days when comedic stars would regularly show up for a cameo, but on the odd occasion an old friend like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock or Jay Leno might pop in.
reviewed
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H
Kitty Nights
Taking over the hipster-fave Biltmore on Sunday evenings, this ever-popular big night out – hosted by The Purrrfessor and Burgundy Brixx – is like an old-school variety show…with a rather saucy spin. The acts include a full roster of New York–style burlesque dancers and you can expect some teasing audience participation from your wise-cracking hosts. Arrive early: those geeky males working in IT who haven't seen a girl all week tend to hog the best seats.
reviewed
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I
Vancouver Theatresports League
The city's most popular improv group stages its energetic romps – sometimes connected to themes such as Shakespeare or Star Trek – at a swanky new venue a couple of blocks from its old site. The format remains the same, though: if you're sitting near the front, expect to be picked on, unless you're naked – they tend to leave you alone if you're naked. The recommended 11:45pm Friday and Saturday shows are commendably ribald.
reviewed
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J
Comedy Works
Denver's best comedy club occupies a basement space in Larimer Sq (enter down a set of stairs at the corner of Larimer and 15th) and routinely brings in up-and-coming yucksters from around the country. It can be a bit cramped if you're claustrophobic, but the seats are comfortable and the quality of acts is top-shelf.
Performances also take place at the slightly bigger Comedy Works South location across town.
reviewed
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K
Comedy Mondays
The kicking upstairs J Lounge in the West End stages regular events throughout the week for its predominantly gay (and gay-friendly) clientele, but Monday is comedy night. Cackle like a queen at 8pm's Tops & Bottoms, when 'Canada's only queer improv troupe' hits the little stage. Then stick around until 9pm or 10pm for the week's stand-up headliners, usually drawn from the local talent pool.
reviewed
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L
Shear Madness
America’s longest-running comedy theater operates out of the Charles Playhouse, in a former church situated on a sleazy street (don’t worry, it adds to the ambience). An odd mix of murder mystery and improvisation, the show features an outrageous gay hairstylist and various freak-show characters. In the whodunnit-style performance, actors ad-lib the plot based on cues from the audience.
reviewed
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M
Urban Improv
The best place to tickle your funny bone in Kits, Chivana is a restaurant and lounge most of the week but a live improv comedy venue on Mondays. Expect to see many of the usual improv suspects who appear at Vancouver TheatreSports, plus a host of other well-oiled performers who know just how to spin an audience suggestion into a jaw-achingly funny good time.
reviewed
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N
Zanies
The city’s main stand-up comedy venue regularly books big-name acts familiar to anyone with a TV, and also frequently invites comics you’re going to hear about on TV. The shows last less than two hours and usually include the efforts of a couple of up-and-comers before the main act. The ceiling is low and the seating is cramped, which only adds to the good cheer.
reviewed
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O
Rita Rudner
Finally, here’s a show you can take your mother to. The classy comedienne, whose trademark is telling anecdotes and delivering one-liners with soft-spoken naiveté, provides a PG-rated kick in the pants. Her shrewd, but borderline cliché observations about life can be a hoot. The intimate theater lends itself well to humorous Q&A sessions afterward.
reviewed
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P
Second City
Sharing its name with a comedy club in Chicago, the club's moniker dates from the days when each city was perceived to be playing second fiddle, Chicago to New York City, and Toronto to Montréal. But the 300-seat Second City is legendary, and many Saturday Night Live comics started here. Improv performances held after the last show ends are free.
reviewed
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Q
Brunswick House
Between student karaoke nights and horse racing, the comedy schedule at the boozy, big-screen Brunswick House includes a version of Saturday Night Live by local troupe The Sketchersons (www.thesketchersons.com). On Wednesday it's Late Night Giggin' (www.latenitegiggin.com) – stand-up, live music and debauchery.
reviewed
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R
Jupiter Café
Another lounge that likes to add a laughter track to tackle the Monday-night blues, the upstairs Jupiter Café offers a regular comedian-hosted improv night. Reflecting its neighborhood, expect plenty of naughty gay-themed jokes to keep the locals giggling. If you just don’t get it, drop by on Thursday instead when it’s live jazz night.
reviewed
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S
Capitol Steps Political Satire
This troupe claims to be the only group in America that tries to be funnier than Congress. It’s actually composed of current and former congressional staffers, so they know their stuff, although sometimes it can be a little overtly corny. The best of political comedy, this DC tradition pokes satirical bipartisan fun at both sides of the spectrum.
reviewed
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T
Upright Citizens Brigade
Where do up-and-coming LA comedians go for chuckles? This popular club, founded in NYC by SNL alum Amy Poehler and others, is a top choice. The club sits on a short but bustling block noted for sociable restaurants frequented by screenwriters, Hollywood assistants and young TV stars. It’s technically in Hollywood but the vibe is more Los Feliz.
reviewed
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U
Comedy Mix
The former Yuk-Yuk's venue in the basement of the Century Plaza Hotel mixes Tuesday's pro-am night with Wednesday's local talent showcase before the visiting headliners take the small stage for the rest of the week. If you're happy for food to erupt from your sniggering mouth at any moment, tapas-style nosh is also available from the bar.
reviewed
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V
Comedy Studio
The 3rd floor of the Hong Kong noodle house contains a low-budget comedy house with a reputation for hosting cutting-edge acts. This is where talented future stars (eg Brian Kiley, who became a writer for Conan O'Brien) refine their racy material. Each night has a different theme, eg on Tuesday you can usually see a weird magician show.
reviewed
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W
Comedy & Magic Club
Carlin, Foxworthy, Seinfeld – his puffy shirt is on display – have all paced the boards at Hermosa’s Comedy & Magic Club. For big names, get here before 6pm to nab a good table and be ready to share your job or hometown with the ever-inquisitive opening acts. Always hot is Jay Leno, who tests out jokes most Sunday nights.
reviewed
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X
Comedy Stop
This is Atlantic City's most popular comedy club and the perfect place to laugh off those gambling losses. After the show's over, you can check out the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, close to where the club is housed - it's one of the biggest places in town, with 1020 hotel rooms and its own indoor theme park, Tivoli Pier.
reviewed