Pair of Clubs Beats Odds for Comic High

The Improv, with clubs in Irvine and Brea, is just about the only game in town for stand-up comedy. The highlights, in chronological order:

Irvine Improv * Kathleen Madigan (Jan. 8-11): Madigan’s dry humor has roots in Midwestern cow-tipping.

* Bobby Slayton and Diane Ford in “ ‘Til Death Do Us Part” (Jan. 15-19): Two comics with different, very different, points of view hook up in a battle of the sexes.

* Tom Rhodes (Jan. 29-Feb. 2): The star of NBC’s “Mr. Rhodes” returns to his stand-up roots.

* Jake Johannsen (Feb. 5-9): Johannsen is known as one of the best monologuists in the business.

* Jack Coen (Feb.19-23): Coen is a pro at mixing politics with observational humor. He often mixes in religion to keep the patter light.

* Brian Regan (March 11-16 and 18-23): Regan is like the harmless and endearing boy next door with a swagger.

* Anthony Clark (March 27-30): TV’s “Boston Common” performer is back on stage.

* Craig Shoemaker (April 16-20): The LoveMaster is crossing into movies, but he’ll always be Barney Fife to his fans.

* Margaret Cho (May 8-11): The former ABC sitcom star has a large following.

Brea Improv * Jamie Foxx (Jan. 10-12): The former Wanda on Fox’s “In Living Color” now stars in “Jamie Foxx” on the WB Network.

* Richard Jeni (Jan. 31-Feb. 2): Jeni is considered the consummate stand-up. He also appears at the Irvine Improv, April 3-7.

The Coach House * Roy Firestone (Jan. 4): The versatile host of ESPN’s “Up Close” talk show can also sing, do impressions and tell a fair joke or two.