Comedy

Mock star

Fancy a typical comedy festival? Go someplace else.

By Jane Borden

Eugene Mirman is a slave to peer pressure. “Somebody was talking about some comedy festival after a show one night,” he recalls, “and I said, ‘I’m going to do my own.’ ” He was kidding, of course. But his friend responded, “No—seriously—you should do that.” Warming to the idea, Mirman considered creating a collective to join him. The friend pushed, “No, no: It’s funnier if it’s just you.” The result is the tongue-in-cheek, eye-winking Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, produced by Mirman and Julie Smith, slated for September 25–28 at Union Hall and other venues in Park Slope. The program mocks stereotypical fest staples while, at the same time, featuring first-rate talent. It’s an ironic joke that takes itself seriously—and you thought that wasn’t possible.

The staple
The top-billed, live-TV-show anchor

Mirman’s version
Jason and Randy Sklar, with Zach Galifianakis, talk about and screen clips from their short-lived but critically acclaimed 1997 MTV series on Apartment 2F reunion.

The staple
The roundtable panel

Mirman’s version
Instead of the usual collection of scribes from a late-night talk show revealing what goes on in the writing room, Mirman’s “Interns of Comedy” discussion features comics recalling their early experiences as interns for Conan, Letterman, The Daily Show, etc. And revealing how the stars like their coffee.

The staple
Ethnic-group-specific stand-up showcases

Mirman’s version
“One of Each” features the opposite: one comedian—and only one—from each race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.

The staple
Bloated, navel-gazing ceremonies

Mirman’s version
Mirman and crew concoct meaningless accolades and dole them out before the festival begins in the Opening Night Awards.

The staple
Status-endowing all-access industry pass

Mirman’s version
The usual VIP treatment gives talent agents and development execs access to roped-off seats and the cachet of displaying an expensive badge around their necks. Mirman’s Super Double-Diamond Package also hands out a laptop computer, a $500 gift certificate to Blue Ribbon, other sundry luxuries—and the chance to meet Eugene Mirman. All for only $10,000.

The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival runs Sept 25–28. Watch eugenemirman.com for info.

NEXT: Anything goes Ars Nova’s first festival defies definition.»

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