New York Post entertainment reporter and comedian Mandy Stadtmiller made it to the semi-finals of the New York Comedy Festival's first "New York's Funniest Stand-up" competition. She writes about her experience (with video from the show) in the NY Post:

* Joking Around Gets Serious

* Video of Mandy's Set

In this first episode of CC Insider contributor, comedian, and New York's Funniest Reporter Mandy Stadtmiller's new show, Mandy asks Brooklynites about nicknames and Paris Hilton's vagina. NSFW:

The Mandy Stadtmiller Show, Episode 1
Uploaded by mstadtmiller

(Last week's comedian guest blogger, Mandy Stadtmiller, competed Thursday night in the "New York's Funniest Reporter" contest, and won! So we asked her to guest blog for us for one more day in celebration. You can read more Mandy at her blog.)

I'm a winner! Brian McKim, a hilarious standup and editor of SHECKYmagazine, emceed Thursday's Funniest Reporter in New York contest at Gotham Comedy Club, famous for being the backdrop for Larry David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" HBO special and Seinfeld's "Comedian."

Although no one has yet given me a straight answer on whether winning the funniest reporter in New York contest is like being picked as the smartest kid in special ed class, it was awesome to win. Here's the video:

(NYC Comedian Mandy Stadtmiller will be guest-blogging here all week long.

You can read more of Mandy's special thoughts and find out where to see her perform, at her website.)

Video: My tale of being rejected at The Rejection Show.
   
We all know we’re supposed to read Cosmo to feel like ladies, but sometimes you want to feel the rough and tumble of — (jazz hands) — living! But how do you get that down and dirty feeling? Easy: Write an online dating personal profile, and “Just say yes.” Good callback.

Boy did I enjoy our time together this week. Let's hope this is just the start of a beautiful friendship, and you will stay in touch by visiting my site and MySpace. I hope you don't mind that I called it my space. Tonight: Come out to the Pindeldyboz fundraiser with Seth Herzog, Michael Showalter and Sam Lipsyte.

Take care now. You take care.

(NYC Comedian Mandy Stadtmiller will be guest-blogging here all week long.

You can read more of Mandy's special thoughts and find out where to see her perform, at her website.)

Mandy’s summer of Craigslist lovin’

Last summer I went on a rampage of Craigslist dating when my marriage was all like, "Um, see ya!" and I was all like making that little whispery hand-motion, "Call me?" and it was all like, "Um, maybe!" and I was all like, "It'd be a nice gesture if you took the time to call is all I'm saying," and it was all like, "Seriously, now I'm late," and I was all like, "I didn't want to make you late, and now I feel bad about that."

I believe the man who goes by the name of “Global Power,” AKA one of the suitors I talk about in this performance at The Bowery Poetry Club is still available. Lucky you.

Here's the video.

(NYC Comedian Mandy Stadtmiller will be guest-blogging here all week long.

You can read more of Mandy's special thoughts and find out where to see her perform, at her website.)

The Only Picture I Have Taped To My Wall Because I'm Classy And Use Tape

First, one of my favorite Colbert Report videos.

Taped to the right side of my bed is a newspaper article about Stephen Colbert that says, "Just say 'yes.'" You know what that means, right? The main principle of improv is the importance of "saying yes," where you keep agreeing with everyone to see where the scene will lead you. If all this is new to you, here's my advice: Do yourself a favor and take an improv class. Watch the clip first, and then sign up for an improv class.

The class will probably suck, it'll probably be filled with the Unfunniest Funny Guys From the Office and the teacher will be jaded and never really made it and will be texting that cute blonde from that morning's graduation show while you're riffing on the suggestion of "barnacle," but that's okay. It'll still be worth it.

Here’s Colbert explaining the concept himself:

“Will saying 'yes' get you in trouble at times? Will saying 'yes' lead you to doing some foolish things? Yes, it will. But don't be afraid to be a fool."

And that’s why he’s Stephen Colbert.

Tomorrow night: It’s New York's Funniest Reporter Contest at Gotham Comedy Club — see you there!