Big show tonight in Berkeley, albeit a show that has been decimated by illness. Original headliner Joe Klocek has been sidelined by pneumonia, but we've been fortunate enough to get the legendary W. Kamau Bell to fill in. Kamau is one half of the movie reviewing duo Siskel and Negro (who also do an excellent podcast). Kamau also has a one-man show at the Shelton Theater, where he is an artist in residence, called The W. Kamau Bell Curve, and an entertaining blog of the same name. He's extremely funny, and more importantly, not teetering on the brink of death. As an added bonus, he once referred to Shia LeBeouf as "the Spin Doctors of modern movies."

Incidentally, original headliner Joe Klocek has a joke in his set about how he's too poor for health insurance, so if he gets really sick, financially, his only option is to die. I hope that that is just a joke.

I'm pretty sick myself, but that's not going to stop me from hosting this sumbitch, especially not when we've got great performers like Matt Morales, actor-comedian Greg Edwards, Brendan Lynch, Maggie Newcomb, and Zembla interview subject Amir Malekpour. Plus, a special surprise guest! My God, what a show!

It all happens at 8:30 PM at Blake's on Telegraph in Berkeley. Tickets are $8 at the door. Blake's has just been remodeled, and as part of their re-launch, they're offering some sweet deals: $1 fries, and $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon. PBR: the beer that makes you feel like a winner. And, aspiring SF and East Bay comics take note: an open mic will follow the show at 10:30. The official promo is after the jump (or right here, if you follow Zembla via RSS feed):

The Heuristic Squelch Comedy Experience features San Francisco's finest professional comics in a subterranean East Bay setting. The first show of 2008 features headliner W. Kamau Bell ("Comedy Central's "Premium Blend", Siskel and Negro) in the newly-remodeled Blake's on Telegraph, in Berkeley, along with performances by Matt Morales, Maggie Newcomb, Amir Malekpour, Brendan Lynch, Greg Edwards, and more. Proceeds benefit UC Berkeley's acclaimed humor magazine, The Heuristic Squelch. After the pro show, stick around for an open mic, starting around 10:30.

Tickets are $8, with no drink minimum, and the show is 18-and-up. Showtime is 8:30, and doors open at 7:30. In addition, Blake's is offering a re-launch promotion of $1 fries AND $1 PBR. It's white-collar comedy with blue-collar refreshments

W. Kamau Bell has appeared on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend", and is one half of the movie reviewing duo "Siskel and Negro". Kamau is the leader of The Solo Performance Workshop at The Shelton Theater, where he is also an Artist in Residence. In his new one-man show, "The W. Kamau Bell Curve", he ends racism in about an hour.

Matt Morales has worked at San Francisco’s "A" rooms The Punchline and Cobb’s Comedy Club, and has appeared at numerous venues and colleges around the country. A native of Louisiana, Matt's likable, conversational style has made him a crowd favorite. He's also a member of rock band The Hacks.

Maggie Newcomb won the 2004 Battle of the Bay Competition at the San Jose Improv, and was a semi-finalist in the California's Funniest Female Competition in 2005. Maggie is also a member of the comedy troupe Women Who Kick Comedy Butt.

Amir Malekpour was a finalist in the Urban Comedy Competition 2006 (3rd) and Twisted Biscuit Competition 2007 (2nd). He is a regular performer at clubs around Northern California, and his comedy ranges from intellectual to the absurd. Amir recently performed at Cal's "Laugh Your Axe Off", and produces his own showcase ("Subterranean Comedy") in SF.

Brendan Lynch is a Santa Cruz native, who wows audiences with his dry, understated comedy. He performs all over the Bay Area, and recently headlined the Laugh Orgy in North Beach.

Actor-comedian Greg Edwards is a former member of sketch group Tossing Alice, and one of the Bay's hottest comics. He's a native of Virginia, and his laid-back observations on topics ranging from relationships to "Transformers: The Movie" have put Greg Edwards in demand all over California.

Sean Keane is an alum of both Berkeley and the Squelch. He recently performed in "Iron Comic" at the Punchline, as part of SF Sketchfest.