The Boston Comedy Festival turns twenty and while it is not quite old enough to buy you a drink it is old enough to make you laugh until beer comes out of your nose.

This year the Boston Comedy Festival kicks off on Tuesday, November 12 that the prestigious Rockwell Theater in Davis Square, Somerville and it will keep roaring there all week with two shows a night featuring the newest faces in comedy. The festival wraps up at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square on Saturday, November 16 at 8:30 p.m. when one very funny soon to be famous human will be crowned the 2018 Boston Comedy Festival Champion taking home a $10,000 check along with bragging rights as the best new comic in Boston.

NATIONAL FACES
If contests are not your thing, then starting on Tuesday, November 12 the Boston Comedy Festival will be partnering with The Comedy Studio in Somerville for an exclusive three day run of some of the top national comedians in the country. Artie Lang, Emo Philips, Dana Gould are just a few of the comedians who will be taking the stage with more names being added weekly

BOSTON AWARDS
Accepting Awards for their contributions to comedy will be:

Comedian of the Year – Eugene Mirman
Eugene Mirman is a comedian, actor, and hero who lives in Massachusetts.
He currently voices “Gene” on Fox’s Emmy Award winning animated series Bob’s Burgers, starred in Adult Swim’s Delocated and hosts the Audible podcast, Hold On. He appeared regularly on Flight of the Conchords, Adult Swim’s Delocated, and FX’s Archer, and has two standup comedy specials on Comedy Central. His latest comedy special is available on Netflix. Eugene is also a frequent co-host of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s science/ comedy show, StarTalk. His fifth comedy album, I’m Sorry (You’re Welcome), is available from Sub Pop Records in multiple formats — a 9 Volume Digital Set, 7 LPs, a chair, and a robe.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Emo Philips
Described by Jay Leno as “the best joke writer in America,” and considered by many, including “Weird Al” Yankovic, as one of the funniest people on the planet, Emo Philips has performed over 6000 times throughout the English-speaking world (including a multi-week run at the Playhouse Theater in London’s West End). Since starting at the age of twenty, in Chicago in 1976, Emo has had award-winning comedy albums, several cable specials (including an hour-long one on HBO), and many appearances on network television, in both America and the UK. stand-up remains his true one.

BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE (subject to change)

NEW FACES
Get to see Boston’s funniest up-and-coming comedians trying to get their first big break and the chance to take home $10,000!
Stand-up
November 12, 13, 14 and 15
7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Rockwell Theatre
255 Elm St, Somerville, MA

ARTIE LANG from Howard Stern
For over 30 years Artie Lange has been making people laugh as a stand-up comic, television and film actor, best selling author and radio host. Artie began his career in the comedy clubs of New York City, where he helped to create the popular sketch comedy group Live on Tape. Perhaps best known as a beloved regular on The Howard Stern Show, Artie also was featured in the films Old School, Elf and starred in Artie Lange’s Beer League. His first memoir, Too Fat To Fish was also written during this time and became a New York Times bestseller.
Stand-up
November 13
8:30 p.m.
Larcom Theatre
13 Wallis St, Beverly, MA

BEHIND THE FUNNY
Live StandUP comedy and Podcast show. These comedians will put on a killer stand up show then record a podcast about life
Podcast/Live Comedy Show
November 13
7:00 p.m.
Comicazi
407 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

NATIONAL HEADLINERS
A special gathering of some of the biggest players in comedy.

Boston Comedy Festival ALL-STAR GALA
Emo Philips, Dana Gould, Jim McCue, Steve Sweeny (more added weekly)
Stand-up
November 14
8:30 p.m.
Larcom Theatre
13 Wallis St, Beverly, MA

Deep Learning With Merrill Grambell
The First Show Hosted By Artificial Intelligence
We live in a world where everything is connected, smart fridges, salt dispensers, egg timers, and even hairbrushes. What about smart theatre…
That sounds like a Ummm, ok-ish idea. Well, that’s what this show is.
Deep Learning with Merrill Grambell is the first show completely hosted by artificial intelligence as it interacts with real-life comedians, musicians, technologists and other interesting guests from all over the world. It’s sort of as if Clippy from Microsoft Word and Bonzi Buddy got together and made a talk show. Because the show is hosted by AI nobody has any idea what will happen, but hopefully, it will get better every performance.
Panel/Stand-up Show
November 14
8:00 p.m.
Comedy Studio
Somerville MA

WOMEN OF THE BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL
Hosted by Emily Ruskowski. Emily Ruskowski is a Boston-based stand-up comedian who was a finalist in the world-renowned Boston Comedy Festival! Kathe Farris Ms. Farris, She was a finalist in the world-renowned Boston ComedyFestival in! Erin Spencer is a Boston-based comic whose dispatches from life as a single transgender woman have quickly established her as a distinctive voice in New England’s comedy scene, a BCF finalist. Niki Luparelli Stand out performer at the Boston Comedy Festival, and was once told by Piers Morgan that she was “the most annoying woman [he’d] ever met.” Sarah Tollemache was the guest comedian on Late Late Show w/James Corden.
Stand-up
November 15
7:00 p.m.
Hilton Doubletree
400 Soldiers Field Rd, Boston, MA 02134

PATTY ROSS
Comedian Patty Ross is an actress, known for her roles in the 2012 Farley Brothers classic remake of the three stooges, 2015 Patty was prominently featured in the film Spotlight and Patty was also in Adam Sandlers hit That’s but not least. In 2017 Patty was awarded Boston Comedy Festivals comedian of the year!
Stand-up
November 15
7:00 p.m.
City Winery Boston
80 Beverly St, Boston, MA 02114

SHANE MAUSS – Good Trip
‘A Good Trip’ is an informational comedy show about psychedelics that became a massive 111 city tour hit. Shane did Conan 5 times, had several Comedy Central appearances, as well as doing Showtime and Jimmy Kimmel.
Stand-up
November 15
7:30 p.m.
The White Bull Tavern
1 Union Street Boston, MA 02108

THE MAGNIFICENT 7
Seven of the most magnificent comedians you will ever see on one stage!
Emo Philips, Jim McCue, Bethany Van Delft, Dana Gould, Joey Carrol, Corey Rodriquez, and Kenny Rogerson
Stand-up
November 15
9:00 p.m.
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144

JOE DeVITO
Joe is a stand-up comedian and writer living on Long Island, New York. In 2006, he was featured on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham and appeared at the Montreal “Just for Laughs” Comedy Festival in the New Faces program. In 2007, he was a semifinalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing Season 5.
Stand-up
November 15
10:00 p.m.
City Winery Boston
80 Beverly St, Boston, MA 02114

CHAMPIONS OF THE BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL 

When 48 up-and-coming comedians step into the ring of the Boston Comedy Festival, it’s only the most innovative and ground-breaking of stand-ups that emerge as champions. Returning to the stage, Champions of the Boston Comedy Festival brings back four of their past winners to showcase the best talent throughout the years. Danny Boulger, Peter Martin, Alingon Mitra, and Drew Dunn.
Stand-up
November 15
10:00 p.m.
Double Tree Hilton
400 Soldiers Field Rd
Boston, MA

SHANE MAUSS Stand UP Science
Award-winning stand-up comedian and science podcast host Shane Mauss presents Stand Up Science! Learn and laugh as local scientists, comedians and other special guests join Shane to bring you a one-of-a-kind show that is equal parts a-ha’s and ha-ha’s!
Stand-up
November 16
4:00 p.m.
Rockwell Theatre
255 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

EMO PHILIPS
Described by Jay Leno as “the best joke writer in America,” and by “Weird Al” Yankovic as one of the funniest people on the planet. Emo is this year’s Boston Comedy Festivals Lifetime Achievement recipient.
Stand-up
November 16
8:00 p.m.
Rockwell Theatre
255 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

THE BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL PRESENTS: An Evening with Robert Klein
For more than forty years, Robert Klein has entertained audiences and has an acclaimed career in comedy, on Broadway, on television, and in film.
Stand-up
November 16
7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Doubletree Hilton
400 Soldiers Field Rd
Boston, Ma 02134

CAROLINE RHEA
Caroline Rhea is best known for her role as Hilda Spellman on the ABC show Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She has performed numerous comedy specials, including three one-hour stand-up specials for HBO, Showtime, and Bravo.
Stand-up
November 16
7:00 p.m.
Larcom Theater
13 Wallis St, Beverly, MA

COREY RODRIGUES
Corey Rodrigues has been featured on the hilarious Gotham Live, Laughs on Fox and True Tv’s Laff Mobbs Laff Tracks. In 2018 he released his Dry Bar Comedy special, Rodrigues made his late-night TV debut on the Conan O’Brien show.
Stand-up
November 16
7:00 p.m.
The White Bull Tavern
1 Union Street
Boston, MA 02108

BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL FINAL GALA
Best of competition compete for $10,000 check
Hosted by Boston Comedy Legend Jim McCue
Jim went viral with over 500,000 views for hid Drybar comedy Special Nothing Personal this year, he has been featured on Comedy Central, NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” RedEye on Fox and did Live at Gotham AXS TV and “Roughing It” on NESN in his native New England. Jim also founded and currently runs The Boston Comedy Festival.
Accepting Awards for their contributions to comedy this year will be.

Comedian Of the Year – Eugene Mirman
Eugene Mirman is a comedian and actor who voices “Gene” on Fox’s Emmy Award-winning animated series Bob’s Burgers and hosts the Audible podcast, Hold On.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Emo Philips
Described by Jay Leno as “the best joke writer in America,” and by “Weird Al” Yankovic as one of the funniest people on the planet. Emo is this year’s Boston Comedy Festivals Lifetime Achievement recipient.
November 16
8:30 p.m.
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144

BOSTON COMEDY FESTIVAL PRESENTS DANA GOULD
Dana Gould is a legendary comedian considered to be one of the absolute best among his peers. Gould is probably best known for his many years on TV’s longest-running animated show The Simpsons, where he served as Co-Executive Producer and performed several voices. Between Comedy Central, HBO and Showtime, Dana Gould has six solo stand-up comedy specials to his credit. He has appeared on Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, CONAN, and Maron.
Stand-up
November 16
9:00 p.m.
Larcom Theatre
13 Wallis Street
Beverly, MA 01915

THE TONY V EXPERIENCE
Hosted by the amazing Boston Comedy Legend Tony V. You may have seen him in films like Heat, The Town, and America’s Greatest dad but we know him as one of Boston’s most beloved Comedians.
All-Star line-up including Johnathon Katz AKA DR Katz
Stand-up
November 16
10:00 p.m.
Rockwell Theatre
255 Elm St, Somerville, MA