popular thinking

FUNNIEST REPORTER REMATCH

I'll be performing tonight in New York City as part of this event (press release follows):

“THE RETURN OF THE FUNNIEST REPORTERS”
Witty Writers Take the Stage at The Laugh Factory Comedy Club

WHAT: Reporters from The Funniest Reporter on the Planet Contest at The Laugh Factory last January are returning to the comedy club stage.

WHO: Comedian, writer and actress Jenn Palumbo is hosting the event with the following reporters performing:
Catie Lazarus – The Forward – winner of Funniest Reporter on the Planet Contest
Jamie McIntyre – CNN – 3rd place of Funniest Reporter on the Planet Contest
Brian Balthazar – MSNBC
Mike Maiello – Forbes Magazine
Sean McCarthy – Boston Herald

WHEN: Tuesday, March 21st at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Laugh Factory 8th Avenue – between 42nd and 43rd Streets New York, NY

WHY: According to Jamie Masada, owner of The Laugh Factory, “I often think, here are professionals in front of the public everyday, on TV, radio, even with a by-line, they see the craziest things, have the best stories. I said to myself, gee I bet these people can make us laugh, if they only had the chance. I know they can’t tell jokes when they are doing the 6 o’clock news, but I bet they want to.” Tickets to the event are $15.

For background, read the transcript from "On the Media's" Bob Garfield and his account of the adventure back in January. Or listen to his report, still online.

Yes, I didn't win the contest. But how many of these other so-called reporters have two stories in today's paper? Read my look forward at how Matt Stone and Trey Parker are taking the satire straight to the Scientologists with their 10th season premiere of South Park, airing at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Comedy Central. Or, if you're planning on watching the fifth-season "finale" tonight of FX's The Shield, read my review.

See you in New York!