Artist Deanna Rooney's depiction of local teenage stand-up Alex Lemoine.

When most people were 14 years old, they probably didn't have the foggiest idea about which particular career path they'd eventually follow in life. Not so with Alex Lemoine, as the Valley teen believed he was destined to be a stand-up comedian.

The 16-year-old junior at Skyline High School in Mesa is arguably the Valley's youngest comedian and has spent the last couple years honing his craft at a variety of open mic nights and DIY comedy shows. He's too young to perform at such local clubs as Stand-Up Live or the Comedy Spot, but that hasn't stopped Lemoine from dreaming of someday headlining shows at such venues.

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Comedians like to make fun of stuff. Sometimes they make fun of ideas that won't offend anyone, and other times they're not Jerry Seinfeld. The Evolution of Comedy Tour is not Jerry Seinfeld. Comedians Ian Harris, Jason Resler, and Maurice Northrup will make rationalist jokes at on Thursday September 27.

The Evolution of Comedy is a celebration of rationalist thought and looks to be a clever critique of superstition, politics, and faith. We caught up with Harris for a quick interview after some intense lifting, and it's safe to say we're "pumped" for the show.

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http://www.aidybryant.com/

Three stars of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" will bow out of the show before the upcoming 38th season, including Andy Samberg, Kirsten Wiig, and Abby Elliot, which means there are a few funny slots to fill before the show kicks back off in mid September.

And if all goes as planned, comics Aidy Bryant and Tim Robinson will fit the bill.

Bryant grew up in Phoenix (her mom Georganne Bryant, owns Frances and Smeeks on Central Avenue and Camelback Road), has a theater degree from Columbia College, is a Second City alum, and performs with her comedy troupe at Annoyance Theatre comedy club and iO Chicago Theater.

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fineartamerica.com

Phyllis Diller was an actress and comedian (though she wouldn't admit to the latter) who was known for her quick wit, self deprecation, and signature laugh.

Diller passed away this morning, according to TMZ. She was 95.

The entertainer made a name for herself in the 60s and cracked jokes alongside comedy greats including Bob Hope.

She had her own show, was in films including Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!, Eight on the Lam, and The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell, and lent her voice to animated movies including Scooby-Doo, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and Family Guy.

She also left countless bits of advice and priceless one-liners. Here are a few of our favorites:

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@alexkoll

Alex Koll is a comedian who bridges the gap between alternative and mainstream comedy. A market for the comic's jokes was there, but the venue wasn't, so he and a couple of buddies started a weekly comedy show called The Business in San Francisco, and as he would put it: Business is good.

Koll and his guests will be dropping by Space 55, 636 E. Pierce Street, on Monday August 6 at 8 p.m. for what is sure to be an entertaining hour. We sat down with the comedian to talk about his upcoming trip to Phoenix and the medical evidence for why he's funny ...

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Podcasts are a cool alternative to hearing the latest classic from Nickleback or another rant from Limbaugh on the radio. They're free, available on smartphones and MP3 players, and there are enough good ones to last anyone an entire week.

Comedians picked up on the fad a couple of years ago and view it as a vastly superior alternative to the dreaded appearance with Fart Dude and the Cheese on morning talk radio.

The free-form nature of podcasting allows different comedic styles to emerge. Here are five different podcasts to spice up the commute.

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Social media and podcasts have given rise to a burgeoning post-80s comedy scene. And after the longstanding Tempe Improv announced it was closing its doors in June, it's good to see comedy is still finding a comfortable home in Phoenix.More »

courtesy of Th [sic] Sense

At first, I wasn't sure that Th [sic] Sense: No Class! has any sort of seasonal theme (not that I need my sketch comedy compilation shows to have a theme of any kind). But I couldn't discern anything about the weather being crappy or school being out (or bad blockbuster films or lamesauce grill-based holidays, or whatever summer means to you).

Now, though, as I look at the list of sketches on the show's program, I realize there was a lot of wetness. A lot of pee and poop and semen and lady-cum, a bit of saliva and, as a bonus, a sketch by Portia Beacham that features pudding, condiments, ice cream cake, and Tabasco. And keeping wet is a great way to keep cool -- not just disgusting!

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mecredi

Twenty five years of experience pays off when an hour of comedy leaves audience members incapable of maintaining a consistent level of raucous laughter because they're simply out of breath.

Todd Barry's stout, self-satisfied grin makes it seem effortless. The crowd was laid back, almost morose during an impressive opening act by Dax Jordan, but quickly turned shrill when Barry took the stage.

Barry is a comic's comic, and has been featured in Tim and Eric's Awesome Show Great Job!, Louie, Flight of the Concords, The Wrestler, and the recent indy flick Wanderlust. The definition of a character actor, Barry's sarcastic stage persona easily translates to the skeezy or outlandish roles in which he is cast.

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courtesy of PIF

It's a piece of cake for the organizers of the 11th Annual Phoenix Improv Festival to pack a lot into a little -- that's kind of a holy principle of comedy. So yes, the entire event fests your ass off between now and Sunday afternoon, April 29, and it doesn't matter whether you want to see improv, learn improv (including slam poetry and improv with puppets, which either sounds promisingly nasty or it's just the influence of the impending weekend), or learn to help other people learn improv, 'cause it's all here. (That was just a little yes and, for you insiders.)

Any performer who's ever felt extra-humbled by the realization that he or she is improv-impaired should feel better knowing that PIF has more than one workshop just to teach people how to coach you. Hallelujah fuck yeah.

Even more popular, though, are the evening performances by troupes from nearly across the U.S. who've been drawn here by the conference's sweet nectar of professional education and networking, fresh audiences, and the prospect of watching each other's sets with that heady mixture of admiration and envy. So on to that.

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