Ivan and Jason Reitman opened the final weekend of Montreal's comedy festival last night with reminiscences of working with Bill Murray (Reitman the elder) and turning down "Dude, Where's My Car?" (Reitman the younger).

Our picks for this weekend may not be as funny as "Ghostbusters," but they will make you laugh more than Ashton Kutcher:

Russell Brand: US audiences know him as Kristen Bell's new boyfriend in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" but the British comic, currently filming a movie with Adam Sandler, is poised to hit it big over here any minute now. Fri. and Sat., 9:30 pm, Centaur Theatre

Patrice O'Neal: Some call the former "Best Week Ever" comic confrontational; maybe in his solo show he'll do it in a sweet way. Fri. and Sat. at 11 pm, Theatre Ste-Catherine

Apatow for Destruction: Speaking of "...Sarah Marshall," producer Judd Apatow drags Canuck buddy Seth Rogen for--well, we're not sure exactly, but it's bound to be hilarious. Sat., midnight, Metropolis

Related Stories:
· Just for Laughs Festival [Official Site]
· Remembering George Carlin Travel [Jaunted]
· Comedy Clubs coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of Greg Proops and Ryan Stiles at Just For Laughs: anirudhkoul]]]> egw 2008-07-18T15:05:19-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/3/23848/21277

We here at Jaunted love to laugh, so we were saddened to read of the passing of Paul Sills, a founder of Chicago's venerable sketch-comedy institution The Second City. Sills may not have been a household name, but he worked with some of the most famous names in American comedy, from Nichols and May to John Belushi, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey in classes and nightly topical performances.

In the Chicago sanctum, anything goes--and often does at the adults-only shows. The drinks are great, too!

Catch a Second City show at permanent theaters in Chi-town, Detroit, Las Vegas (inside the Flamingo), Toronto and LA, or on tour.

Related Stories:
· The Second City [Official Site]
· Paul Sills, Founder of Second City Improv, Dies at 80 [Playbill]
· Comedy Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: johnlutes]]]> egw 2008-06-04T12:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/6/19/82145/4598

Woe betide he who doth not bow to the rules of the entourage! Damon Wayans (he's the Wayans who was on "Saturday Night Live" for a while) walked out just before a sold-out show at Bart Reed's Comic Strip in El Paso because his guests weren't allowed into the audience. The club was forced to cancel three sold-out shows, according to TMZ, for the want of Wayans' lady friends.

Maybe stars should just steer clear of El Paso -- look what happened to Jared Leto. Then again, having worked in a box office, we recognize that Wayans could have avoided all this if he had asked for some comp tickets ahead of time. (Just sayin'.)

Related Stories:
· Comedy Club Travel [Jaunted]
· Hotels in El Paso [HotelChatter]

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Are you from "the Lou" and proud, or are you just passing through? We used to have relatives in St. Louis, and it is an exceedingly nice place to get dragged to, especially the part where it was still warm enough in October to get lost in the maze at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. But let's face it, you're not going to bond with your future significant other over lily pads and roses (unless he or she is a botanist!) Try these less kid-ridden places instead, and you'll have someone to go to the Ritz with:

Lloyd and Harry's -- This comedy pub hosts the creme of local talent, but if you're looking for love, don't drink the Bud Light. 208 N. Main St., St. Charles

MoKaBe's Coffeehouse -- Starbucks, schmarbucks. Locals value this South City cafe for its booths, its board games and for its vegetarian-friendly brunch. 3606 Arsenal St

JJ's Clubhouse -- Won't see any whippersnappers at this m-4-leather-jacketed-m bar with a weekend dance party (that's the Clubhouse!) A current special promises $2 long-necks and well drinks for whenever gas goes above $2.50 a gallon -- that's one way to wish for instability in the Middle East. 3858 Market Street

Related Stories:
· St. Louis Travel [Jaunted]
· Hotels in St. Louis [HotelChatter]

[Photo: sarannekanevsky]]]> egw 2007-06-15T09:27:52-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/