Get the latest gossip

New York Comedy Festival Co-Founders Raise the Curtain on 11 Days of Laughs


Caroline Hirsch, of Caroline's Comedy Club, and Andrew Fox Discuss the New York Comedy Festival's expansion from 15 shows to more than 300.

Beginning in 1981, when she opened a small club bearing her first name in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, comedy’s greatest performed on — and in some cases, made their bones on — her stages: Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, David Letterman, Jon Stewart, Gilbert Gottfried, Jay Leno, Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Paul Reubens and Michael Che, among many others. On Nov. 7 the festival kicks off its 20th season which will feature more than 300 shows over 11 days, including its annual Stand Up for Heroes benefit — now in its 17th year — where Bruce Springsteen, Jim Gaffigan, Seinfeld, Stewart and other comics and musicians have raised a total of $84 million for wounded and ill military veterans. Fox: People are getting their comedy in all different forms today, including social media and streaming and podcasts, but there’s nothing like the live experience of sitting in an audience, on a date or with friends.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Billboard

Read more on:

Photo of New York

New York

Related news:

News photo

Jon Stewart spotted in viral video of fans waiting for Kamala Harris as fans call it 'the most New York thing'

News photo

Emma Stone is chic on casual outing in New York - but one part of her signature look is not what it seems

News photo

Channel Seven presenter Abbey Holmes breaks down in tears during New York visit: 'It hit me real hard'