Crown Comedy Jam

Almost every city has a “happy hour”, but the moniker rings a little different in Las Vegas on a Friday and Saturday night. They're the two nights of the week where you can be guaranteed Sin City comedy steps up a gear, featuring some of the best names in the business along the Strip. The likes of Carrot Top and Geechy Guy may pack in audiences to excess, but some of us can't handle listening to one guy for ninety minutes. So how about three?

It barely seems like yesterday we awaited with baited breath, as the final licks of paint were applied to Rio Hotel's swanky new Crown Theater. Packing in a superior surround system, computerized laser lighting and a markedly improved 900-plus capacity seating plan; the 11,000 square foot venue has become a focus for acts vying to get themselves noticed on the Strip. While the select few may have to adopt aggressive marketing drives to drum up publicity, “Crown Comedy Jam” does so standing on it's head! In contrast to the rotational standard of improv revues, “Crown Comedy Jam” promises three stalwart comedians – of whom at least one will be of television star caliber.

If variety is the spice of comedy, “Crown Comedy Jam” sure has it going on. Raucous and riveting “Superman of Comedy” Loud Todd Maugh has been one of the familiar names consistently cropping up at the Rio. After several years of propping up the California comedy scene, Loud Todd Maugh made (what many consider his debut) at the Summer Jam Festival 2010, alongside Tommy Mora. His super-dragon slash film-inspired improv parody of Green Day's “Time of Your Life” drew endless laughs, however Maugh is best known for nitpicking at current affairs, customer service and religion. Weirdly, it's down to earth matter we can all relate to!

He's opened for the likes of Ray Romano and Brad Garrett, but that hasn't stopped opinionated Rob Sherwood rising to the league of “Crown Comedy Jam” headliner. The outspoken former lighting technician has been regaling audiences in Las Vegas for over ten years; a regular feature alongside the enigmatic Brad Garrett and a charismatic musician with an arsenal of parody material. If improv had a degree for excellence, Sherwood's punctual delivery and fascination with erectile dysfunction infomercials would see him graduating with honors!

Starz TV proved more than an ample match for hip 'n' hot urban comedian Joey Medina, and it's from here he made his leap into the hearts of Vegas regulars. Best known for his role in “Latin Kings of Comedy” alongside Cheech Marin and George Lopez, Medina turned his attentions to the bright lights of Vegas, where unscripted stand up reigns supreme. Bronx born and raised, Medina weaves his fascinating former careers as a boxer (he got to World Champion level) and police officer, into hilarious bits about the down-and-out existence of Latino's in New York, yet extends to interpretations of presidential speeches and celebrity affairs. Dubbed the next “Freddie Prinze Jr.”, Medina has become one to watch on the U.S comedy circuit, for the man has an opinion on just about everything!

Drawing in a variegated collective of musicians, comedians and impressionists, Darin Feinstein's swanky new Crown Theater Nightclub is bringing the caliber of acts synonymous with his L.A “Viper Room” , to Las Vegas. The man has a penchant for eyebrow-raising comedy and Indie underground, but we bet even he didn't predict the queue of comedians gagging to play his stage. The jostling queue of wannabe audiences out front suddenly makes a whole lot more sense!