Unless you're already so blazed you've forgotten what day it is, you know that this year 4/20 falls on a Friday, which makes it very convenient for those who observe the holiday to toke right over the line into the weekend. It's also a prime opportunity for marketers to drum up some pot-related profit. The Wall Street Journal reports that this 4/20 in particular features more commercialized connections to the high-liday, with film studios and television stations (among others) clamoring to capitalize on it. We've certainly done our part to let you know where you can take advantage of 4/20 here in NYC. But there's so much more! Let us count the ways people are cashing in on the holiday: more ›

Satirist Stephen Colbert returned to his post last night after mysteriously canceling the taping of two episodes last week. He kicked off the broadcast by rattling off the various rumors that swirled in the media about his disappearance, including Joan Rivers's speculation that he was getting a nose job or new eyes. "I did not have my eyes done, that's ridiculous," Colbert said. "I had my ass done. The doctors cranked this thing so high and tight it can barely blink now." more ›

After the show was suspended last week due to "an emergency in Mr. Colbert's family," the Times' Brian Stelter reports that The Colbert Report will resume production tomorrow. Though sources close to Colbert said that he was caring for his 91-year-old mother Lorna, that information was never confirmed. On Friday, Colbert tweeted: "My family and I would like to thank everyone who has offered their thoughts and prayers. We are grateful and touched by your concern." more ›

[UPDATE BELOW] Fans of The Colbert Report got an unwelcome surprise last night when the new episode of The Daily Show was followed by a rerun of the Report. And fans who expected to watch the show's taping in person were also surprised when they received this email that went out to ticketholders: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have cancelled our taping for the date of your ticket reservation, February 15, 2012." No explanation has been given. more ›

East Village resident and comedic deli thespian Todd Barry is filming his new Comedy Central special at the Gramercy Theater on December 1. Tickets are free for both the 7:15 or the 9:15 shows, and you can enter for them here. more ›

Stand-up comedian Greg Giraldo, host of Last Comic Standing, and a regular Comedy Central roaster, died this week of an accidental overdose at the age of 44. On September 24, the night before his death, Giraldo performed at the Stress Factory in New Brunswick, NJ, cracking jokes about Tiger Woods and drugs. TMZ has exclusive footage from his final performance you can watch. And below, you can see Jon Stewart and The Daily Show's tribute to Giraldo, in which Stewart calls him, "one of those guys you loved to run into." more ›

Comedian Greg Giraldo, one of the regular Comedy Central celebrity roasters and judge of Last Comic Standing, has died today at the age of 44. Giraldo had been hospitalized in New Brunswick, NJ after he accidentally overdosed on prescription pills last weekend. His overdose came hours after he performed at a rally to mark National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. more ›

In case you haven't heard, both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report will no longer be available to view on Hulu. Comedy Central pulled the plug and those shows will go black on the site as of March 9th. more ›

Sure, Harold Ford's having a hard time making friends in the Democratic Party, but who needs liberals when you've got buddies like Stephen Colbert. The Comedy Central host honored the former Tennessee lawmaker and Senate hopeful by dubbing him the "Alpha Dog of the Week" and praised him for his changing perspectives on same-sex marriage and abortion. "He believes that every American has the right to choose—when it is politically expedient to be pro life," said Colbert. more ›

Say goodbye to the Colbert Report, Spongebob Squarepants and yes, even The City (we hardly knew ye), Gawker is reporting that "From New York to Los Angeles, Viacom channels like Comedy Central are set to flicker off cable systems in the first minute of 2009." The two companies have been not-so-publicly negotiating for some time, and now the network is holding their channels hostage. more ›

Jim Gaffigan might be the last of a certain era of comedians as a stand-up who simply does wry, observational jokes and yet still commands a great deal of respect from both the mainstream and also as a "comedian's comedian." He makes frequent appearances on Late Night, both performing stand-up as well as premiering webisodes of Pale Force, the series that animates Gaffigan and Conan O'Brien as underfed superheroes. Gaffigan is recognizable from around the dial where it's from My Boys, the TBS sitcom he co-stars in or a series of commercials he did for Sierra Mist. He's a transplant from Indiana who is married and raising two kids near the Bowery. He'll be performing at Town Hall from November 26th through the 30th. more ›

Canterbury's Law (Monday, 8:00 p.m., WNYW 5) From the creators of Rescue Me, Julianna Margulies stars as a defense attorney (she's also a producer). Her character is one of those win-at-all cost lawyers - in the premiere episode she is defending someone accused of killing a prominent Rhode Island family's child. more ›

The presidential race has been a goldmine for talk shows (well, when the Writers' Guild strike isn't happening) and nowhere is that more apparent than on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. On last night's Colbert Report, on a riff about John McCain's Super Tuesday chances and taking credit for Mike Huckabee'e campaign, Stephen Colbert was joined by Jon Stewart, his Comedy Central crony, and then Conan O'Brien! more ›

ART: The Bronx Museum of Art is getting on board the First Friday bandwagon. They'll be opening their doors every first Friday of the month for free, and add a little something extra each time. Tonight their theme is “Say it Loud! I’m Black & I’m Proud” in celebration of Black History Month. There will be a tribute to the late James Brown, and a showcase of independent artists paying tribute to black music. more ›

Have a lot of buddies come to visit? Yeah, a lot of friends and a lot of people who just heard about me and come bringing food items and living supplies. They’re concerned with my well-being. People brought me Starbucks because I did that other video and I guess they thought that was funny. more ›

Last night Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert returned to their fake news desks, with picket lines outside of their studios and no strike beards in sight (however, a strike unibrow did appear). They were supportive as ever of the WGA though, in fact Stewart spent all 30 minutes discussing the strike, with only a lone joke or two about the primaries ("Cold white people have had their say"). He made it clear that "From now on, until the end of the strike, we'll be doing 'A Daily Show with Jon Stewart.' But not 'THE Daily Show.'" more ›

Earlier this week, while in Grand Central Terminal we heard a familiar voice reminding us to “Mind the gap.” It turns out it was CNBC “Money Honey” Maria Bartiromo. Apparently Metro-North riders aren’t the only ones who are being reminded, as the Post reports that Long Island Rail Road commuters are getting similar reminders. The recorded messages were the brainchild of MTA board member Mitchell Palli. So apparently MTA board members do other things than raising fares, albeit of questionable benefit. more ›

Sick of watching reruns? Nervous you'll only get 8 episodes of Lost next season? Well, The NY Times reports on the first break in the writers' strike.

David Letterman is pursuing a deal with the Writers Guild of America that would allow his late-night show on CBS to return to the air in early January with the usual complement of material from his writers, even if the strike is still continuing. more ›

The Sklar Brothers spent years living in New York, working their way through the alternative comedy scene, becoming in demand performers, and eventually getting their own MTV show, Apt 2F, and later a Comedy Central Special. Then, once they had moved to LA and gotten comfortable, they were sent back into New York to film their show Cheap Seats for ESPN Classics. It seems like the Sklars just can't stay away from the city because... more ›

Couples planning their weddings and receptions often face a dilemma with their guest lists. With relatives to consider and budgets to stay within, some send invitations to single friends without a plus one. more ›

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a suspicious package at Broadway and Wall St. in Manhattan, a shooting at 158th St. and Linden Blvd. in Queens, and a homicide on Popham Ave. in the Bronx. Local One, New York's stagehands union, doesn't want Mayor Bloomberg to mediate in their negotiations with Broadway producers and theater owners. A 40-year-old Staten Island bus driver is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old frequent passenger on his route. The... more ›

Marc Maron's record 38 Conan appearances are a testament to his ability to be consistently funny, intelligent, and engaging. It's this ability that's landed him two Comedy Central Specials, multiple programs on Air America, and appearances in clubs nationwide, including Comix on October 12th and 13th. And while credits and portions of Maron's own quips may hint at his talent, the best way to get a taste of Maron is to visit MarcMaron.com, where you can watch any of his 38 Conan appearances and several uncut and uncensored full-length stand up performances. more ›

A look at some noteworthy television this week: more ›

When 9/11 hit, Jonah Ray was attending community college, but the catastrophe of that one September day made him drop out, move to LA, and pursue a career in comedy. Since then, he's become a fixture of the Los Angeles's alt comedy scene, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, written for the Andy Milonakis Show, played the role of Clancy Mole Man on Adult Swim's Saul of the Molemen, and had a successful series on Turner Broadcasting's Superdeluxe.com . His off beat sensibility and personality is leading him down the path to comedy success and to Pianos on October 30th , opening for Man Man at Webster Hall on October 2nd , and the UCB Theater's Crash Test on October 1st. more ›

A look at some noteworthy television this week: more ›

A look at some noteworthy television this week: more ›

Julian McCullough's a highly sought after comic in the New York scene. He just recorded a killer set for Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and this month he's opening for the likes of Colin Quinn and Richard Lewis. But it's not just headliners that love him. His peers sing his praises too. Just ask VH1 Commentator and comedian John Mulaney. "What makes Julian so damn good is that he is a comic with smart, really well written jokes. You can put him in front of any crowd and he can gauge the room, work with it, and then crush with his material." more ›

THEATER: Tonight is the first annual Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards, where the highly coveted award for Clown of the Year will be announced, among other wacky honors. The semi-formal event – "noses optional" – will kick off with a glamorous red carpet entrance (expect tiny limos filled past capacity) and feature performances by nominees, spectacular dance numbers and fabulous door prizes. - John Del Signore more ›