the comic's comic

See Daily Show correspondents live this week in NYC, Vegas

You knew that the correspondents from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart have lives and comedy careers outside of TV, right? Whether you knew it or not, you can see what some of these guys and gals are like when they're crafting their own jokes. Here are a few examples just today and this weekend...

John Oliver joins behind-the-scenes laugher staffers Rory Albanese, Adam Lowitt and others tonight at Comix in NYC. Aasif Mandvi, meanwhile, showcases and talks up a movie he wrote and stars in, 7 to the Palace, tonight at the 92YTribeca in NYC. And on Saturday, Albanese and Rob Riggle will join Oliver for a showcase at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas as part of The Comedy Festival.

Purim Party opens 92YTribeca

Sorry for not spotting this video sooner (via Gothamist, Dead-Frog), but let's take a look at this, shall we? This movie trailer spoof promotes the Purim Party this coming Saturday, March 22, that'll help open the Tribeca branch of the 92nd Street Y, 92YTribeca at 200 Hudson St. Anya Garrett, normally seen behind the scenes as a comedy fan and photographer, takes the lead role in Jewno, but there's a small part from Matt McCarthy and the casting coup of them all, with JK Simmons playing the more Jewish version of his paternal role in Juno!

Info straight from the Purim Party page, where you can buy tickets, too: "The Shushan Channel is back for its sixth year. Created by Daily Show writer Rob Kutner and now in collaboration with writers from The Simpsons, Dennis Miller Live and more, The Shushan Channel is a comedic retelling of the story of Esther, as seen through the lens of current TV hits like Lost, American Idol and Ugly Betty. This year don't miss House-man, MD, DeadVood, Grogger of Love, To Catch a Jewhater and Imperial Gladiators, scripted by professional comedy writers and performed by hilarious comedians and actors, including The Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi. All this, plus a video monologue rant "The 5 Things I Hate About Purim" by everyone's favorite "pissed-off optimist"—Lewis Black!"

Daily Show correspondents

While NBC openly battles with the WGA over late-night writing duties, Comedy Central has taken a slightly more subtle tack with A Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Although, of course, even while Stewart says he's simply reacting to the photos and videos that pop up onscreen, someone is writing for the show. And in the past couple of days, the correspondents have crept back into the picture. I can understand John Oliver's excuse. On Tuesday, he said he had to show up to keep his work visa valid else he'd get deported back to Britain. Last night, we saw correspondents Aasif Mandvi, Rob Riggle and Jason Jones, too. If they're truly improvising and showing up as actors, not writers, that's allowable, I suppose, though still tricky. There's also a full-fledged segment report from Oliver.

Examine for yourself...