Reeping the Benefits

Sure, Last Comic Standing has brought mainstream recognition to the underappreciated art form, but between the melodrama and the shady editing, precious little creative insight is gained about those who lay it all out onstage. Fortunately, NBC’s reality contest has done at least one thing right in its five-plus seasons: crowning Jon Reep as last year’s winner. He’s redneck as all get-out, but unlike others among his blue-collar brethren, his is no money-making act. He dances, does impressions and discusses his love of beer. Most of all, he has a damn good time doing so. As long as LCS keeps things deadly serious, it’ll be up to those like Reep to remind us that laughter can be fun. The man otherwise known as Mr. “That Thing Got a Hemi?” headlines Stanford’s Comedy Club (The Legends at Village West, 1867 Village West Parkway) at 7:45 and 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost $17-$38. Call 913-400-7500 for additional information.

Fri., Aug. 15; Sat., Aug. 16, 2008