I’d probably be late posting this even if I weren’t in Las Vegas but our sixth annual comedy festival was an enjoyable time again. This year the Paramount Theater organization renamed the el cheapo badge “Podcast” which didn’t really mean anything. Other than not getting into Patton Oswalt’s only show, due to scheduling, I did get my money’s worth. Thursday night was a showcase featuring the Sklar Brothers, Dana Gould, some lady from SNL that just did funny voices, a great lady who made a funny outlet mall joke (I did like her!), Brian Posehn, the legendary Barry Crimmins and surprise guest Ralphie May, he’s really a fave from Houston. Friday, I saw Brian Posehn do a full set at the Parrish. The dude has lost sixty pounds and it shows. Thankfully weight-loss doesn’t affect funniness, changing one’s mindset after 9-11 does *cough* the unfunny, cranky Dennis Miller. Saturday was the second appearance of the Tinkle Twins show hosted by Dana Gould and Arden Myrin. Their guests were Eddie Peptone, The Sklar Brothers, Jake Weisman, Andy Kindler and Lisa deLarios.
Sadly, this year’s after party on Saturday night was a total bust. I saw Dana Gould finishing his dinner but I didn’t want to bug him, he was entitled to his peace. Brian Posehn walked up and then left. Had I known he was bringing back Nerd Poker, I would’ve kissed his big bald head. No other comedians I knew bothered. I’m still fine with that. They’re people and they have lives to attend to. Next year, I’m going to tough it out for the Friday night party though to rub elbows. And contrary to the advice George Carlin gives to comics, it’s a chance to let the fans talk about themselves, I want to give the comedians a chance to speak, be themselves and turn off their personas, relax, live it up a tad in Austin.