the comic's comic

Where they are now: Baratunde, Erin Judge

Two years ago, I got a spread in the Boston Herald to devote to a few of the local comedians that I thought deserved more press.

Two of them are back in the spotlight this weekend. Baratunde Thurston has become the Web editor at The Onion, recently appeared on a CNN panel with the Rev. Jesse Jackson talking Obama and the campaign, and tonight he leads a special version of Laughing Liberally for the Black Comedy Experiment at The Tank in Tribeca.

Erin Judge will get a TV credit next weekend when she tapes Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. This Sunday (March 2), she's throwing a comedy benefit at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Mass., "Warming Up the Crowd: A Comedy Benefit for Heating Assistance." Ticket info here. The show features Shane Mauss, Kelly MacFarland, Tim McIntire, Corey Manning, Myq Kaplan, Bethany Van Delft, Josh Gondelman and more. Proceeds go to Joe Kennedy's heating assistance program.

Thinking Man's Fool: Baratunde Thurston

(part of a series of April Fools profiles of comedians worth your attention)

Who are you? Baratunde Thurston

How old are you? 29

Where do you live? Somerville, Mass.

What's your story? Originally from Washington, D.C., Baratunde Thurston is a Harvard grad who bills himself as a vigilante pundit. His book of jokes and political musings, "Keep Jerry Falwell Away From My Oreo Cookies," is available online as a free download, as are his regular audio blogs, "The Front Porch Podcast." He's also recently become part of the Laughing Liberally show in New York City. On April 25, he'll perform for a fund-raiser for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick. He also has appeared on panels for SXSW's interactive portion of the festival. Baratunde started doing stand-up four years ago.

What's your foolosophy? "Make 'em laugh. Make 'em think. It's somewhat covert. I feel like some of my jokes are spies, a Trojan horse. Some of my jokes are silly, too."

What's your niche? "I'm a young, hip, brown Jon Stewart."

What are your goals? "Take over the world! Jokes are a really good cover for that."