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Black, Noah, Regan scheduled for 2016 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

Courtesy Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

An entertainer known as "Jerry Seinfeld's favorite comedian" and two stars known for picking on politicians are among the acts booked to appear at this summer's Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown.

The lineup for this year's festival, scheduled for August 4 through August 7, was announced on Wednesday. Trevor Noah, host of the Comedy Central television network's "Daily Show," and Lewis Black will bring their politically-pointed quips to Western New York. Festival planners are especially happy they were able to book the pair this year.

"We're always thinking about what it is that is most pertinent to people, most relevant and what's going to excite audiences the most," said Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown. "Lewis Black seemed a natural fit. Both he and Trevor Noah are pretty in-demand, especially this year in an election year. We feel great about being able to get that done."

Also booked is comedian Brian Regan, whose standup performance in New York City's Radio City Music Hall last September was the first ever to be broadcast live by Comedy Central. Gunderson says doing a comedy act live is risky but Regan was able to pull it off. 

"People should know that if their taste is clean comedy, or if they enjoyed Jerry Seinfeld last year, Brian Regan's show is absolutely clean," Gunderson said. 

Discretion is advised for other acts, including Lewis Black.

"I think Lewis Black might have been the one who said that in New York, the 'f' word isn't a curse, it's a comma," noted Gunderson. 

The full schedule and ticket information is available on the festival'sofficial website.

Michael Mroziak is an experienced, award-winning reporter whose career includes work in broadcast and print media. When he joined the WBFO news staff in April 2015, it was a return to both the radio station and to Horizons Plaza.
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