You look like you could use a good laugh. Well, help is on the way. While South Florida still may be geographically undesirable for some touring musicians, it remains a must-stop for top standup comedians.
The next few months will see visits from a parade of popular comics, including veteran favorites such as Paul Reiser, Howie Mandel and Jay Leno; this year’s comedy “it” girls Tiffany Haddish and Michelle Wolf; former sitcom stars Aziz Ansari and Craig Robinson; and top sellers including Trevor Noah, Sebastian Maniscalco and Ron White.
Here are some people to laugh at in South Florida:
Craig Robinson: The actor on screens big and small may always be best known as Darryl Philbin on NBC’s long-running hit “The Office.” Dec. 13-15, Palm Beach Improv. $30+ PalmBeachImprov.com
Helen Hong: The comic and actor’s diverse resume includes Nickelodeon’s “The Thundermans” and the Coen Brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis.” Dec. 20-22, Boca Black Box Center for the Arts, Boca Raton. $25+ BocaBlackBox.com
Sebastian Maniscalco: Recently named Billboard’s Comedian of the Year, Maniscalco’s Stay Hungry Tour has sold out five nights at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and four nights at Madison Square Garden. Dec. 27, BB&T Center, Sunrise. $39.75+ Ticketmaster.com
Tiffany Haddish: Her breakout year ends with her #She Ready Tour stopping in Miami for a New Year’s Eve performance. Dec. 31, James L. Knight Center, Miami. $47.50+ Ticketmaster.com
Jay Leno: Fans may find that slipping back into the comfortable observations of the former “Tonight Show” host is like easing into the forgiving seats of 1966 Olds Toronado, which he owns. Jan. 2, Kravis Center, West Palm Beach. $29+ Kravis.org
Marlon Wayans: The actor, screenwriter and film producer is working on a return to Netflix (home of “Naked”) with the comedy “Sextuplets” — playing all six roles. Jan. 3-5, Palm Beach Improv, West Palm Beach. $35+ PalmBeachImprov.com
Gary Valentine: The comic and actor is probably best known for his years next to Kevin James on “The King of Queens.” Jan. 11, Boca Black Box Center for the Arts, Boca Raton. $35+ BocaBlackBox.com
Miami Festival of Laughs: Two nights of comedy will include Kountry Wayne, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, Tony Rock, Ryan Davis and Jasmine Brown the first night, and Mike Epps, Sommore, Earthquake, Mark Curry, George Wallace on the second night. Jan. 18-19, James L. Knight Center, Miami. $45+ Ticketmaster.com
Russell Peters: On his Deported World Tour, the Canadian comic may point out that he has been to see troops in Afghanistan and Iraq more times than a certain president. Jan. 24, Hard Rock Event Center, Hollywood. $40+ MyHRL.com
Kathleen Madigan: A woman of the people, Madigan told the Orlando Sentinel’s Hal Boedeker that she named her tour after things she enjoys talking about. Currently called “Boxed Wine and Bigfoot,” in 2019 it will be called “Hot Dogs and Angels.” Jan. 26, Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale. $25.50+ ParkerPlayhouse.com
Howie Mandel: Best known lately as a judge on the NBC hit “America’s Got Talent,” Mandel returns to host new episodes of the game show “Deal or No Deal” Dec. 5 on CNBC. Jan. 26, Hard Rock Event Center, Hollywood. $35+. MyHRL.com
Franco Escamilla: The young Mexican musician and comic, with specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, finally brings his RPM USA Tour to Spanish-speaking fans in South Florida. Feb. 1, Fillmore Miami Beach. $39+ FillmoreMB.com
Paul Reiser: The actor and author is beloved for everything he touches, from “Diner” to “Stranger Things,” so it’s no surprise that a revival of his hit sitcom “Mad About You” is on the drawing board. Feb.2, Coral Springs Center for the Arts. $25.44+ TheCenterCS.com
Michelle Wolf: Her famous takedown of the Trump gang at the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner was only one piece of what GQ magazine’s profile of the comedian called “the world’s best worst year.” Feb. 7-9, Palm Beach Improv, West Palm Beach. $35+ PalmBeachImprov.com
Bert Kreischer: The Travel Channel personality, Florida State ex and pal of famed Gator fan Paul Castronovo (ah, the power of comedy) is calling his new dates the Body Shots Tour. Of course he is. Feb. 16, Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale. $35.50+ ParkerPlayhouse.com
Ron White: The small-town Texas-raised, Blue Collar Comedy Tour original — who knows his way around some pretty good scotch and cigars — has a big following in South Florida. Feb. 28, Hard Rock Event Center, Hollywood. $35+ MyHRL.com
Trevor Noah: He drew packed houses when he broadcast “The Daily Show” live from the Fillmore Miami Beach for a week just before the mid-term election. March 15, Hard Rock Event Center, Hollywood. $35+ MyHRL.com
Shawn Wayans: Marlon’s brother will ensure his place as the biggest celebrity Wayans with an Art Basel DJ set at Wynwood’s Syndicate Kava Bar on Dec. 9. March 22-23, Palm Beach Improv, West Palm Beach. $30 PalmBeachImprov.com
Preacher Lawson: The pride of Orlando, named the Funniest Comedian in Florida in 2015, made a splash while making the finals of “America’s Got Talent” last year. March 28, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. $15+ LPACFL.org
Aziz Ansari: Those who missed his three-night October workout at the Palm Beach Improv get another chance to catch the “Master of None” star’s Road to Nowhere Tour. April 20, Hard Rock Event Center, Hollywood. $52.50+ MyHRL.com
