Springfield's Doug Karpf Returns to Scotty's

Comedian has a one night only engagement tonight on his hometown turf

Doug Karpf knows Springfield. Not only is Karpf, who takes the microphone this weekend at Scotty’s, a Springfield resident, but he has spent most of his life in the area and said he feels he can relate to the people for whom he is performing. Since much of the audience hails from within a 10-mile radius of the club, he said there are a lot of little nuances and specifics he can get into that people might find entertaining. “Even if it’s speaking about local stores, nightlife or lack thereof,” Karpf, who grew up in Millburn, said, “I think a lot of them are impressed sometimes when I mention real local specifics that comics touring the country from other areas would have no idea about.” Karpf said he prides himself on being able to perform …

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Johnny Watson Offers Clean Comedy at Scotty's Tonight

Comedian's honest approach keeps him SFW.

When Johnny Watson is on stage, he tells jokes that you wouldn’t mind repeating to your parents. Watson, who takes the mic tonight at Scotty's, said he likes to keep his act as relatable as possible, which has helped to keep his material relatively clean. "My language is probably dirtier off-stage," he joked. "For some reason, though, that doesn't really appeal to me on-stage." Watson said he likes to target his act toward people who like "comedy for the sake of comedy," rather than an audience looking for shock value. Although he said some of the autobiographical issues he discusses on stage can be seen as shocking, he tries to present himself in a way that is both vulnerable and relatable to the audience. "For instance, I talk about my …

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Michael Worthington Headlines Scotty's Comedy Cove this Weekend

Comedian keeps his material loose and fresh.

Michael Worthington can handle just about any stand-up gig thrown at him, from a college crowd to an 80th birthday party. “One time, I performed in somebody’s kitchen while all the people were standing in the dining room and living room,” Worthington told Patch in an interview. “Talk about really needing to have confidence in your ability.” As Worthington explained, when comics play to audiences like that, they are usually playing to a group of family members or friends who tend to know each other decently well. “If one of them doesn’t think you’re funny, you’re going to have a tough night,” he said. Fortunately, though, Worthington, who headlines this weekend at Scotty’s, has made a career out of delivering material that is constantly …

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Cracking the Comedy Code

Comedian Mike Morse combines observations, Jersey humor

Depending on how one may look at it, being stuck around crazy, kookie people could be a little annoying. But for comedian Mike Morse, it’s all gold. “I’m a kook magnet,” Morse said. “If I’m on a plane, and I’m listening to some lunatic next to me rant for two hours, you can bet I will be talking about it on stage that night.” Morse, who performs this weekend at Scotty’s, bases much of his set on these observations, as well as those based around his 14 years of marriage, two kids and many travels. Immersed in stand-up for more than two decades, Morse spends much of his time writing, for both himself and other comedians. He has written jokes for a few Comedy Central roasts and has spent the last few years serving as the opening act for Lisa …

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Get Out

Comedy in Springfield, Music and Performances Elsewhere

Three comedians take the mic in the Township this weekend. A record, maybe?

Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt. With three comedy shows this weekend, Springfield is really, really funny. In addition to the usual chuckle buffet served every weekend at Scotty’s, comedians take the mic at two benefits  on Friday and Saturday. Doug Karpf at Knights of Columbus Joe Matarese  Johnny Watson  Willie Nile at the JCC of Central New Jersey New Brunswick Kennel Club Dog Show Elvis Tribute Show Jazz Brunch: Champian Fulton

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McLynn's Brings Laughs Tonight

Stop by the Irish pub downtown Springfield for Comedy Showcase.

Need a laugh to hold you over until Friday? Head down to McLynn's tonight at 9:30 p.m. for a Comedy Showcase that's laugh out loud outrageous. Veteran comic Doug Karpf spearheads the twice month show in Springfield.  Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, Doug puts together a slate of new and seasoned comics for free admission. Each performer gets an average of 5-10 minutes, and the evening hosts anywhere from 8-13 comics. The show is one of the longest running mics in the Tri-State Area, deep in its seventh year. While Doug has been comfortable in the circuit for several years, he stays true to his earlier days as a struggling comedian. "I want to provide for a place for young comics to perform, not owe me anything. It's a fun place," …

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Jeff Norris Rings in New Year With Laughs

The Garwood native plays at Scotty's on New Year's Eve.

From global economic meltdowns to attempted plane bombings, 2009 was short on laughs. Thankfully, you can start 2010 with the comedy lineup at Scotty's Steakhouse on New Year's Eve. Union County native Jeff Norris—he grew up in Garwood—is well known to listeners of the radio show Opie and Anthony, where his jokes and impressions of Joe Pesci and Archie Bunker made him a fan favorite. Onstage, Norris pulls out the impressions and also mixes observational humor with a bad boy attitude. His humor's not for the politically correct or uptight; he caps off a routine about East Asian gas station owners by saying "I'm not racist. It's just that they're different from me and I don't accept them." But while he's a funnyman with a penchant for voices…

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