the comic's comic

Live at Gotham: Nate Bargatze

Nate Bargatze (from Hickory, but not the same Hickory as Jon Reep: fun fact! did you just say there is more than one Hickory? funner facter!) made his Live at Gotham debut last weekend, and here are the clips to prove it! We can even start with a clip that didn't make it onto the TV. See:

Actual TV clips are after the jump...

Live at Gotham: Mo Mandel

Mo Mandel won last summer's Open Mic Fight contest with Comedy Central, which gave him cash money and air time on Comedy Central. He also appeared on last weekend's episode of the network's Live At Gotham, where he told audiences that he goes by Mo but has a Hindu name, which might confuse people:

Live at Gotham: Rob O'Reilly

If you missed last weekend's Live at Gotham, then you also missed the young Rob O'Reilly joke about race and sex. Oh, wait. We have the Internet here. And the Internet plays videos now, for your pleasure. Here is a clip...

Jim Norton hosts Live at Gotham

Jim Norton hosted this weekend's Live at Gotham on Comedy Central. I enjoyed his backstage bits of wisdom as much as his onstage material. Here, for example is Norton giving ample advice and warnings to would-be stand-up comedians...

And even when you're performing, then you've got your fellow comedians to worry about...

Live at Gotham: Erin Jackson

Erin Jackson may have drawn a short straw this week on Last Comic Standing, but she got plenty of airtime last night on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. Here is Jackson's bit explaining why being a comedian makes her good marriage material:

More from Jackson after the jump.

Live at Gotham: Josh Homer

Josh Homer explains how children really are much more than gifts from God in this outtake from tonight's episode of Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. Enjoy.

Live at Gotham: Paul Ogata

Paul Ogata, winner of last year's San Francisco Comedy Competition, appears tonight on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. Here's a clip that explains how Ogata feels about bathroom attendants. Enjoy.

Live at Gotham: Theo Von

Here's a sneak peek of Theo Von, who appears on tonight's edition of Live at Gotham on Comedy Central. Von got his TV break on MTV via Road Rules, then decided to pursue comedy, and got on last season's Last Comic Standing via an online contest.

Related: The current season of MTV's Real World involves live comedy and improv in Hollywood at iO West. Oh, joy.

Another clip from Theo Von after the jump...

Live at Gotham: Liz Miele

Rumor has it that Liz Miele began telling jokes right out of the womb. Fact is she waited until she was all of 16 before her first live stand-up gig, which was at the Comedy Cellar. Ahem. Miele just turned 22. And this Friday, you can see her on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. Here's a clip.

Updated with a clip of Miele talking about a creepy co-worker...

Live at Gotham: Myq Kaplan

For those of you who saw Myq Kaplan all-too-briefly on Last Comic Standing this season, you'll be delighted to know that he did get to tell the dramatic (rather, funny) conclusion to his joke that begins with him punching a baby. It's included on the end of this clip from Kaplan's performance on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. The full episode will air this Friday, June 20. Kaplan also can be seen this week in Norfolk, Neb., competing at the Great American Comedy Festival that honors Johnny Carson's legacy. Enjoy!

Updated! Here are the first few minutes of Kaplan's set, too...

Live at Gotham: Shane Mauss

Earlier this year, I told you that during the tapings for Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, comedian Shane Mauss had himself one of them thar American Idol moments, knowing enough of his surroundings to gaze into the camera as it panned across the stage, in close-up, to deliver a punchline. Well. That moment is captured here for your enjoyment. The full episode with Mauss airs this coming Friday, June 20. Enjoy! Mauss also is among 24 comedians taking part in a showcase competition this week at the inaugural Great American Comedy Festival in Norfolk, Neb. (Johnny Carson's hometown).

After the jump, another clip with Mauss talking about airbags in cars, knowing the date, and blind people. Enjoy!

Live at Gotham: Brent Weinbach

Tonight on Live at Gotham, Brent Weinbach explains his ideal woman.

After the jump, Weinbach sings about bubble gum and more (nsfw)...

Live at Gotham: James Smith

My Australian friend James Smith thinks Oprah may have tipped the scales in favor of Barack Obama, and more, tonight on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham.

More thoughts on the election from Smith after the jump!

Live at Gotham: Ralphie May

Ralphie May hosts tonight's episode of Live at Gotham, but something tells me this clip in which May describes his masturbation techniques will not be making it to broadcast.

Ralphie talks politics after the jump...

Live at Gotham: Brad Williams

Sticks and stones may break Brad Williams' bones, but names? Well, let him explain here, and more, tonight on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. You may have seen him previously as a pawn, so to speak, of Carlos Mencia on Mind of Mencia...

After the jump, an interview with Williams from earlier this year at the South Beach Comedy Festival.

Live at Gotham: Kevin Camia

Kevin Camia explains why the Toyota Prius is a magical vehicle, and more, tonight on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. You can also catch him live this weekend at Rooster T. Feathers in Sunnyvale, Calif., opening for Jimmy Pardo (see my listings for other shows across the country).

Updated, with a clip explaining why they don't tell you how much your co-workers earn...

Live at Gotham: Roger Hailes

Can you say "whoop-dee-doo" sincerely? Roger Hailes explores that, and more. Tonight on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham.

Updated, with a clip in which Hailes realizes how white he looks.

Live at Gotham: Baron Vaughn

Baron Vaughn discusses the peculiarities of the "10-second rule," or however many seconds it may be in the town where you grew up. More tonight on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham (10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific).

Updated, with another clip in which Vaughn talks about the Web site for the Klan. Yes, that Klan.

Gerry Dee: No Reading Ahead

Most comedians agree that once you've told a joke on TV, you've "burned" it and need to be wary of using it again and again in your live act. Which brings me to Gerry Dee. I like him. I like his jokes. But my big complaint about Dee is that he continues to recycle the same routines about being in school as a teacher and as a student. On TV, no less. He's said much of this not only on NBC's Last Comic Standing last year, but also on Comedy Central's Live At Gotham, so when I heard it again at the start of his latest hourlong special, "No Reading Ahead," I thought, really? Again? Really? It's a cohesive hour that alternates from Dee's childhood to his adult teaching experiences. There's some new material (yay!) about his Scottish parents and learning karate. But still...enough with repeating routines on TV already. Here's a clip of Gerry Dee talking about recess:

After the jump, Dee's various TV appearances from last year...

Live at Gotham debut, with Jeff Dunham, JR Brow, Erik Griffin, Jared Logan, Anjelah Johnson, Michael Palascak and Lenny Marcus

The third season of Comedy Central's Live at Gotham -- the show that replaced Premium Blend as the showcase for up-and-coming stand-up comedians and put them in a more intimate comedy club setting at NYC's Gotham Comedy Club -- debuts tonight at 10 p.m. after a not-so coincidental rebroadcast of Jeff Dunham's special, "Arguing With Myself." That's because Dunham hosts the premiere, with routines from JR Brow, Erik Griffin, Jared Logan, Anjelah Johnson, Michael Palascak and Lenny Marcus. I showed you a clip from Johnson earlier. Here is a teaser clip:

More teaser clips from each of the other performers, as well as your host, after the jump!