You know all those stand-up specials you watch on TV? They’re the shows that comedians roll out their best material at after weeks/months/years of honing their funny. Whenever there’s a cut from the comedian to the audience they always seem to be in tears, getting the best of the best

Every year, I worry my Midwestern parents by telling them I am spending the entire weekend in the dank basement of a Gristedes in Chelsea, drinking cheap beer until I either run out of money or I fall asleep. I try to explain that it’s all to see stars and