Best of New York 2010 • Fun

• Big Terrific

  Cameo Gallery, 93 N. 6th St., nr. Wythe Ave., Williamsburg; 718-302-1180

  The promise of free stand-up typically comes with catches: exorbitant drink minimums or, worse yet, unfunny comedy. Not at the year-and-a-half-old Big Terrific, a weekly alt-comedy showcase founded and hosted by Max Silvestri, Gabe Liedman, and recent SNL recruit Jenny Slate. Since moving into Cameo Gallery (a former storage room in the back of the Lovin’ Cup Café) a year ago, the Wednesday-night event has become a star on the underground comedy circuit. There’s no compulsory drinks and few hecklers—just top talent testing out new material. True to the venue’s name, you never know who might show up; the past year has seen drop-ins by such local luminaries as Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation), Todd Barry (The Wrestler), Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), and Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk With Me).

From the 2010 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine