Fan Fare

Everybody thinks they’re a comedian — or so goes one of the oldest sayings in showbiz. If you are one of those people in the United States — sitting on the couch after a big Thanksgiving Day dinner wondering what to do with yourself in 2010 — and a career in comedy comes to mind, think about this.

The Improv at Harrah’s Las Vegas, which is affiliated with Los Angeles’ Improv comedy club, has begun a contest to find the “next funniest person” in the US. The contest is being held in conjunction with the release of the movie “Funny People” on DVD and Blu-Ray. To win, you must video yourself for at least one minute performing your best jokes, upload the video to the “Funny People” section of comedy website ijoke, and wait for a panel of pros to pick you — with any luck.  Budd Friedman, who founded The Improv and has helped the careers of Jay Leno, Sarah Silverman, Adam Sandler and others, is one of the people sponsoring the contest, which runs two weeks from Nov. 24 to Dec. 8.

The panel of judges will pick 5 videos that will be posted on ijoke no later than Dec. 14, and people can then vote. From there, three finalists will be chosen and flown to Las Vegas to perform at The Improv at Harrah’s. One winner will be chosen from the group of three and win a grand prize of a six-night gig at the club in 2010 — not too shabby, as Sandler might say.

So, if you are reading this in the States and the turkey has settled in and you’re wondering what’s next. Look in the mirror at that newly rounded stomach of yours and smile. Then, take out your video camera and make the rest of us laugh. For more info, click here.