Show 52: Anti-Valentine's Day Show!

Photography by Aemiessence Fine Arts



A holiday that makes people feel guilty stinks! So we decided to joke about it. Forget sweet nothings--the walls were adorned with mean somethings; candy hearts with all the messages you've been itching to give your admirer.

Host of Honor Dan Fontaine introduced the following bitter lineup:
Abbi Crutchfield
Jena Friedman
Barry Rothbart
Helen Hong
a sketch by Camp Wayne

With special guest appearances by Joaquin Phoenix and Bradley Winford, Crisis-Survivor!


Abbi and Luke welcomed viewers to the fifty-second show by temporarily calling off their engagement.


Dan Fontaine kicked off the show exploring unconventional names and the noisy kids that live above him.


Abbi Crutchfield took an uncomfortable walk down memory lane, telling a story of heartache in France, which gave new meaning to the term Les Miserables.


Jena Friedman confessed to being unlucky in love as early as the second grade. Kids can be so cruel. Especially when they grow up to be comedians.


As if he hadn't cause enough of a stir on The Late Show with David Letterman, Joaquin Phoenix stopped by to add more awkward pauses to live comedy shows.


Barry Rothbart popped in for a guest spot to teach us lessons in love from strangers and the crappy gifts they yield.


Bradley Winford, survivor of the miraculous flight 1549, came to relive his ordeal and sweep your leg.


Helen Hong returned to the show to speak on the trials and tribulations of online dating. And the bland doctors that lurk behind attractive profiles.

Josh Sankey and Jacob Mustian of Camp Wayne closed the show with a sketch about one man's love (and another man's fear) for Mrs. Butterworth.



The Hat of Chance is not picky about who it dates but definitely gives careful consideration to The Funniest Comedian of All Time. Jena Friedman was the winner! She can take stalking to a new level with this photo calendar of a random family's memories.

Forget your own problems, and get ready to relish celebrity anxiety from the Oscars at our next show February 27th!

Show 47: 3rd Annual Halloween Scare-avaganza

Photography by Aemiessence Fine Arts



Trick or treat! Smell our feet. Give us something good to read! Here you go, kiddies. We asked NYC's finest comics to dress in costume and help us celebrate our third annual Halloween Scare-avaganza! Look who dropped in!

Host of Honor Barry Rothbart introduced the following lineup:
Charlie Kasov
Ben Kissell
Hasan McLendon
Luke Thayer
and a sketch by Delusions of Spandex

With special guest appearances by Michelle Obama and High School Musical's Corbin Bleu!


Abbi and Luke welcomed viewers to the forty-seventh show with lots of candy and then revealed their costumes to each other. Abbi pulled out two Emmy's to show she was Kathy Griffin, and Luke celebrated as a Puerto-Rican hair stylist.


Barry Rothbart starred as not only our host but as a Wall Street stock broker who took the news of the economy harder and harder as the night went on (and as his nose got powdery-er).


Charlie Kasov returned to the show to warn spectators of the scams run in exotic clubs.


A candid and celebratory Michelle Obama lost her composure several times while dissecting McCain's latest gaffes. Patience, Michelle!


Making his debut on the show, Ben Kissell wove a tale of made of funny jokes and references to underpants.


Marking his second appearance on the show, Hasan came back to tell it like it is.


Holy Disney sequels! High School Musical 3 had its premier the night of our show, and to celebrate and announce other stars making headlines, the Living Room welcomed Corbin "don't call me Cordon" Bleu!


Luke Thayer dazzled the audience with his dark curls and large set list on tiny stool.



Hello? Who is this? It's not a scene from Scary Movie, but it is a tale of revenge. It's another hilarious sketch by Delusions of Spandex to close the show.


The Hat of Chance selected Hasan as the Funniest Comedian of All Time! This ghastly collage with no eyebrows is sure to give him nightmares.


Party till it ain't October no more, then be thankful for all the hairs on your head at our Thanksgiving Special on November 14th! Only show for the entire month of November!

Show 35: Snow Big Deal

Photography by Aemiessence Fine Arts.

We had a supreme turnout for our second show in February, and not even six inches of snow could keep people from wanting to come and laugh.

Keith Alberstadt hosted this cozy lineup:

Barry Rothbart
Luke Thayer
Cody Hess
Gilad Foss
Giulia Rozzi

with special guests Kerry True and Amy Winehouse!

A frantic and snow-covered Abbi interrupted Luke's welcome to the audience. She thought the show was going to be cancelled for the weather. When Luke informed her of the contrary she scurried off to think of something to perform. Did she make it back in time to deliver?


Keith kicked off the show reminiscing about his buddy that causes trouble in airports, and the response was as delicous as a packet of peanuts.


Barry Rothbart shared some bed advice, not to be confused with bedroom advice, but we're sure he has some of that too.


Earth-fanatic Kerry True came to share her three words of advice in loving your planet: recycle, conserve water, and brush your teeth with clay.


Luke took the reigns, or podium we should say, to discuss growing up in The Church.


Cody Hess melded physics with anthropology to make the crowd laugh. And think. And laugh some more.


They told her she'd get out of rehab by doing our show SHOW SHOW. British singing sensation Amy Winehouse rolled through with a bottle of mouthwash ("the free minty drink from my hotel room") to tell us how she's making over her image. We think it's working.


Gilad Foss discussed politicians, family, co-workers and a fascination with jeans. On those people.


Giulia Rozzi gave everybody great self-defense tips. If you're ever trying to impress your attacker.


The Hat of Chance selected Gilad Foss as the Funniest Comedian of All Time! His Christmas tree lamp should look lovely next to the Menorah.


Bring your friends to the next show March 14th before Keith turns all ape on your face. WHAT.

Show 3: Eight is Enough

We upped the ante with SIX new performers in the show this week (in addition to the two regulars) and the pay-off was big! The audience was ready and waiting for the hilarious talent of
Lance Weiss
Barry Rothbart
Sara Schaefer
John F. O’Donnell
Becky Donohue and
Jacqueline Novak
Lance warmed up the room right away with a striped shirt and a smile and shared his thoughts on Southern Hospitality. Barry charmed the room and connected directly with the crowd to teach us the fine line between being friendly and getting arrested.

Celebrity sighting: The talented Chicago actor Warren Jackson paid a visit to enjoy the show he'd heard so much about.

We interrupted the program for an important news bulletin from the wacky and famed journalist, Rooney MacDowell.

Sara Schaefer brought a mellow mood and treated us to the hilarious half-truth that may or may not have involved her husband who may or may not have been directly in front of her.

John F. O’Donnell had the audience on the edge of their seats listening for how they could participate in his outrageous and inspired plan to save the world!
We could all relate to Becky Donohue’s travails with her mother that had the room rolling with laughter.

Jacqueline Novak kept the humor standard high with her insights into childhood and dating.

She even walked away with the coveted F-CAT award. Two gifts in one: a thermal pack with an extra surprise of a book inside! How can we afford to give away these luxurious prizes? Are we funded by a huge network like Wheel of Fortune? Or do we have a cousin in COSTCO who gets us a discount?
You’ll have to come to the show to find out. See you July 28th!