Judah Friedlander and Frank Caliendo Help Kick Off NYCF 2008

The 2008 New York Comedy Festival began Wednesday and is currently running through Sunday. We'll have coverage over the next several days, beginning with this report from Sachi Ezura.

Obama wasn’t the only winner in town this week, as The New York Comedy Festival kicked off with a bang at venues from Midtown to slightly-lower Midtown. At Carnegie Hall, Frank Caliendo answered the question: What would today’s political and Hollywood celebrities look like if they were all a little fatter? UCB Theatre hosted the Web Video Cram-Off, where BriTANick walked off with the prize for their viral hit about the difficulties of baiting girls at clubs.

Celebs walked a slightly soggy red carpet at Stand Up for Heroes, a benefit for the Bob and Lee Woodruff Foundation honoring wounded soldiers. Among the attendants were Jane “Me want food” Krakowski, a fresh from the election Dan Rather, and Christopher Meloni, whose role as a veteran in Wet Hot American Summer may have inspired him to attend. The show featured stellar performances by Ricky Gervais, Darrell Hammond and John Pinnette, as well as THE BOSS ON A MOTORCYCLE.

At Caroline’s, 11 comics competed for the title of New York’s Funniest Stand-Up. The show was hosted by 30 Rock’s Judah Friedlander, whose current status as World Champion prevented him from winning the contest himself. Last Comic Standing’s Esther Ku joked about Asian girls having the “tightest holes in town,” while crowd favorite Mike Vecchione made light of his “Staten Island cop look.” Winner Julian McCullough said of his studio apartment, “I can see my stove and my toilet from my bed.” He walked away with $2,500, a week at Caroline’s, and a giant novelty check, which the other contestants took turns holding after the show. Guess he’s moving out of that studio.