Are comedians rock stars? There are many similarities: cutting records, living life on the road, legions of fans, and temptations of excess. Witness Dave Chappelle's recent flight to the southern hemisphere for a spiritual retreat, the same escape plan undertaken by TLC's Left Eye (but thankfully without her same tragic ending). Who partied harder: Jim Morrison or John Belushi? And which came first: Eddie Murphy wearing that famous red-and-black leather jacket in Delirious or Michael Jackson getting all zombie in it for Thriller?
Still, comedy is category unto its own. So we've created a special sub-classification in the Cranium vs. Crotchium battle of Bumbershoot '05: Smartypants vs. Sexbomb.
Paul Gilmartin, Patton OswaltFri 2β3 pm, Sat 8β9 pm, Sun 6:30β7:30 pm, Mon 3:30β4:30 pm.
When not cooking and co-hosting movies on TBS's "Dinner and a Movie," Paul Gilmartin roasts Republicans through his standup character, Representative Richard Martin, a politician devoted to helping suburban couples afford a second home. God bless this SMARTYPANTS. Known to fans of The King of Queens as opinionated tollbooth operator Spence Olchin, Patton Oswalt recently reported on his blog that while performing his standup routine, a woman in the audience gave her boyfriend a handjob. Clearly, he's a SEXBOMB.
Andrew Donnelly, Eugene Mirman, Craig RobinsonFri 3:30β4:30 pm, Sat 6:30β7:30 pm, Sun 2β3 pm, Mon 5β6 pm.
Andrew Donnelly has appeared on NBC's Late Friday, Comedy Central's Premium Blend and countless television commercials. As we all know, sex sells. SEXBOMB. While attending Hampshire College in Western Massachusetts, Eugene Mirman designed his own comedy major, thereby putting his SMARTYPANTS status on fine parchment paper, suitable for framing. (It must've been a no-brainer for Seattle's Suicide Squeeze Records to release Mirman's critically acclaimed CD/DVD, The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman.) Co-star of the hit FX series Lucky, Craig Robinson has collected top comedy festival prizes and won over audiences with his inclusive approach to performing. "I go on stage and invite people into my world. I can only hope they stay and bring friends," says the love-hungry SEXBOMB.
Aziz Ansari, Mike Birbiglia, Nick SwardsonFri 5β6 pm, Sat 3:30β4:30 pm, Sun 8β9 pm, Mon 2β3 pm.
Time Out New York recently called Aziz Ansari their "favorite new standup." As host of the weekly Crash Test comedy show and creator of the one-man show Aziz Ansari Punched a Wall, both in New York City, Ansari's SEXBOMB machismo must be driving Manhattanites wild. Called "unstintingly clever" by the Onion, SMARTYPANTS Mike Birbiglia created his very own comedic language, "Birbiglian," including the terms "Olive Garden Italian" and "Baldological Clock"; the New York Post just named Mike one of the New Stars of 2005. As a writer-producer for Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions and co-writer of the film Malibu's Most Wanted, Nick Swardson is a SEXBOMB by default.
Todd Barry, Flight of the ConchordsFri 6:30β7:30 pm, Sat 2β3 pm, Sun 5β6 pm, Mon 8β9 pm.
Todd Barry has opened for the Shins, Aimee Mann, They Might Be Giants, and Luna. He's even played bongos with Yo La Tengo. Rock 'n' roll doesn't get much brainier. SMARTYPANTS. As the "fourth most popular folk parody duo" Flight of the Conchords, acoustic guitar-wielding New Zealanders Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are more hipsters than hippies. Having recently taped a radio show for the BBC and a half-hour comedy special for HBO, their subtly absurd humor is sure to please even the most jaded of the jet set. SMARTYPANTS times two.
Jackie Kashian, Howard Kremer, Demetri MartinFri 8β9 pm, Sat 5β6 pm, Sun 3:30β4:30 pm, Mon 6:30β7:30 pm.
As seen on panel shows such as VH1's The List and Comedy Central's Tough Crowd, Jackie Kashian gets paid to make witty observations on television. Landing that dream job while the rest of us toil at soul-crushing menial labor makes her a certifiable SMARTYPANTS. Fans of MTV's cult-fave sitcom Austin Stories will recognize Howard Kremer as himself, having shared his real name with the character he played on the hilarious short-lived series. Are there further similarities between Howard's character, the slacker ladies' man with a new "McBubbly" in every episode, and the real Kremer? He's a SEXBOMB, so probably. On his myspace.com profile, Demetri Martin describes the people he'd like to meet as "people who come to my shows." Better get there early: this SEXBOMB also lists 1,173 "friends."