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Eugene Mirman’s Guide To Modern Life: Wards Of Merkin

eugenelogoAlong with David Cross, Zach Galifianakis and Patton Oswalt, Eugene Mirman has liberated stand-up comedy from the zany fratboys and sweater-clad neurotics. Mirman’s latest album, God Is A Twelve-Year-Old Boy With Asperger’s (Sub Pop), isn’t representative of a “new breed” of comedy or a supposedly edgy advancement in humor; it’s a collection of smart, imaginative bits that embody the anger, absurdity and awkwardness of everyday life. You might also say it’s full of guffaws. Mirman, who also published a book this year (the mock-advice tome The Will To Whatevs) and regularly appears on HBO’s Flight Of The Conchords, is guest editing magnetmagazine.com this week. Read our Q&A with him.

BobbyTisdaleMirman: New York City is full of small, charming comedy shows (though most have moved to Brooklyn), and one great, secret-ish show is put on every other Friday by Bobby Tisdale in the basement of Word, an independent bookstore in Greenpoint. What makes Wards Of Merkin such a special evening? Mostly, it’s Bobby (he plays host and curator); his spirit and limitless silliness make it a weird and wonderful evening of comedy, fake-ish secrecy and general goofiness. It starts around 8:30, but doors upstairs are locked at 8:20, with no people allowed to come or go (except to start a new-wave band). The night begins with the lighting of candles and a silly chant, and throughout are oddball rituals, stories and an undeniable spirit of fun. On a side note: There are shirts hanging on the wall with patches of hair (or something like hair) sewn onto them that Bobby tries to sell for $150. Also, lots of famous people drop by to perform, like Al Gore (not true), Jim Gaffigan (true), Paul Revere (maybe, but not the one you’re thinking of) and Zach Galifianakis (true, and Bobby’s best friend since they were 10.) For those who prefer to simply have drinks and play bingo, Bobby also hosts a bingo night (Bobby Bingo) at Black Rabbit every Sunday at 7:30. It’s the most fun that bingo can be. Video after the jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf968GuVaqY

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