Michael Showalter

Since Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter debuted more than 17 years ago as members of the sketch troupe The State, laughing out loud is only part of their comedic style. On the eponymous MTV show, in the spoof film Wet Hot American Summer, and as the comedy trio Stella, the humor is based not so much on punch lines, but on irony, meta-references, and, uh, dildos. Black and Showalter then shifted their comedic focus in 2009 to Comedy Central’s Michael And Michael Have Issues, a short-lived series that was canceled after its first season. Showalter is now touring behind Mr. Funny Pants, his new memoir, which is largely about his inability to write a memoir.

Updated 02/16/2011