• John Heffron –- Who would have thought that a reality TV show could truly help launch a successful comedy career? Heffron won the second season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and has gone on to headline comedy clubs across the country. He stops by the Irvine Improv this week.
He’s a regular on the late-night circuit, having appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, E!’s Chelsea Lately as well as turning up as a commentator on numerous VH1 shows, like Best Week Ever.
Heffron was part of the Real Men of Comedy tour in 2006, which also featured Charlie Murphy and Joe Rogan, and he was made fun of by Lisa Lampanelli (“Let me pause just long enough so all you people can look him up on Wikipedia”) during the roast of rocker Gene Simmons, aired within an episode of his reality show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels.
Show times are: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4 … 8 & 10 p.m. Dec. 5 … 7, 9 & 11 p.m. Dec. 6 … and 7 p.m. Dec. 7. Tickets to all shows are $20 and available at irvineimprov.com.
•Also coming to town: At the Irvine Improv: Orny Adams, 8 p.m. Dec. 2, $20; Comedy Juice featuring Neal Brennan (Chappelle’s Show) and Shang, 10 p.m. Dec. 2, $15; and Playboy Comedy, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3, $15. … At the Brea Improv: Michael Kosta, 8 p.m. Dec. 2, $12; Ignorance is Bliss with Daryl Wright, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3, $12; and Jo Koy, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 8 & 10 p.m. Dec. 5, 7 & 9 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 p.m. Dec. 7, $17. … At The Coach House: Totally Laughable featuring Eric Schwartz (aka Smooth-E), 8 p.m. Dec. 2, $10.
•Next week: Jon Lovitz, Dec. 11-14 at the Brea Improv … Kyle Cease, Dec. 10-14 at the Irvine Improv … Larry the Cable Guy, Dec. 11 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
•One liner: “Fruit? Good. Cake? Great! Fruitcake? Nasty crap.”
–- Jim Gaffigan on America’s favorite holiday treat.
