Top 5 Fall Comedy Picks

Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher's She Said/She Said Tour

Once called the future of comedy by Jay Leno, Cameron Esposito was named Comedian of the Year by Consequence of Sound, crowned No. 1 Funny Woman to Watch by Cosmopolitan and hosted a Rolling Stone "Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now" podcast all in the same year. She's bringing personal, irreverent and mullet-inspired comedy—along with her fiancee and hilarious podcast co-host Rhea Butcher—back to the Portland stage where she recorded her hit comedy album Same Sex Symbol. Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3895. 7:30 and 10 pm Friday, Oct. 16. $20. 21kknd.

PDX Comedy Mixtape Album Release

Several notable local comedians are putting out a mixtape album. Recorded at Jackpot Recording Studio, the album will be released at Helium Comedy Club. Hosted by Andie Main, the evening's lineup features the unique comedy of Willamette Week top comics Curtis Cook, Christian Ricketts and Nariko Ott, and the rapid-fire and idiosyncratic delivery of Barbara Holm. Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave., 888-643-8669. 8 pm Wednesday, Sept. 23. $5-$13. 21kknd.

Impractical Jokers

From their humble beginnings as the sketch and improv group the Tenderloins to their current incarnation as the stars of a hit show on truTV, the Impractical Jokers have made a name for themselves by hosting gags and stunts. The four friends from Staten Island, N.Y., are putting on an evening of never-before-seen hidden-camera challenges, unbelievable on-set stories, a live Q&A, and outrageous messages from their fans. Parental discretion is advised. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 248-4335. 7:30 pm Friday, Sept. 25. $52-$212. 16kknd.

Michael Ian Black

If there is something off-putting, weird, slightly dark, and definitely hilarious that you loved in the last 20 years, chances are good that Michael Ian Black (The State, Burning Love, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp) had a hand in it. Cynical, opinionated and tending toward the absurd, Black's comedy has covered everything from children's Halloween costumes to touring the nation with Meghan McCain. His two nights at Helium Comedy Club will feature the strange observations that have made him an in-demand comic. Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave., 888-643-8669. 7:30 and 10 pm Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17. $25-$33. 21kknd.

Craig Ferguson

During his run behind its desk, Craig Ferguson made The Late Late Show a destination for the best up-and-coming standup comics. Introduced to Americans as Mr. Wick, the boss on Drew Carey's eponymous sitcom, Ferguson has a diverse comedy résumé thanks to his smart and heavily accented humor. He hosts Celebrity Name Game, made the Grammy-nominated comedy album I'm Here to Help and wrote the best-selling memoir America on Purpose, which tells stories about earning U.S. citizenship. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukee Ave., 234-9694. 8 pm Friday, Dec. 18. $60 day of show. Under 21 permitted with legal guardian.

WWeek 2015