Marc Maron

COMEDY Having built an reputation early in his career as one of comedy's finest Angry Young Men, the sharp, self-analyzing stand-up work of Marc Maron has finally reached the level of appreciation it long deserved as a result of his DIY podcast "WTF," where the raw-nerved comic hosts probing conversations with fellow comics, artists and musicians about their craft. Though his skills as an interviewer are surprisingly sharp, his comedy remains even sharper on his most recent live CD, "This Has to Be Funny.

Marc Maron may be best known for his brutally candid "WTF" interview series, but he's just as respected with a lone microphone as well. His acerbic stand-up has earned him two Comedy Central specials and a forthcoming scripted series, but perhaps the best place to see him is in the flesh onstage. Icehouse, 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. 6 p.m. Sun. $22.50. icehousecomedy.com.

Marc Maron may be best known for his brutally candid "WTF" interview series, but he's just as respected with a lone microphone as well. His acerbic stand-up has earned him two Comedy Central specials and a forthcoming scripted series, but perhaps the best place to see him is in the flesh onstage. Icehouse, 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. 6 p.m. Sun. $22.50. icehousecomedy.com.

COMEDY Comedians are making the world of podcasting more entertaining one joke at a time. By eliminating the middle man they can take their laughs directly to the listener, unedited. To celebrate the hugely entertaining - and quickly growing - universe of comedic podcasting, L.A. is throwing its inaugural Podcast Festival. Performers include Dave Anthony, Graham Elwood, Chris Mancini and Andy Wood. Venues, times and ticket prices vary. Fri. to Sun. http://www.lapodfest.com.

COMEDY Comedians are making the world of podcasting more entertaining one joke at a time. By eliminating the middle man they can take their laughs directly to the listener, unedited. To celebrate the hugely entertaining - and quickly growing - universe of comedic podcasting, L.A. is throwing its inaugural Podcast Festival. Performers include Dave Anthony, Graham Elwood, Chris Mancini and Andy Wood. Venues, times and ticket prices vary. Fri. to Sun. http://www.lapodfest.com.

Marc Maron and guests will tackle the most complex and apt philosophical question of our day -- "WTF?" -- in this stand-up comedy show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Featured guests will include Jeff Garlin and Jimmy Pardo, and the show will be recorded for Maron's podcast of the same name. UCB Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave. Fri. 8 p.m. $8. (323) 908-8702. www.ucbtheatre .com .

MARC MARON was one of the regular guest stars on the sorely missed "Dr. Katz" series from Comedy Central, and his recent stand-up performances seem to represent one of those career trajectory pivots that makes perfect sense.

The Early Show (N) 7 a.m. KCBS Today The cast of "Entourage. " (N) 7 a.m. KNBC KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA Good Morning America Paris Hilton. (N) 7 a.m. KABC Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV Rachael Ray Heather Locklear. 9 a.m. KCBS Live With Regis and Kelly Marisa Tomei. (N) 9 a.m. KABC The View Wendy Williams. (N) 10 a.m. KABC The Talk Mayim Bialik; Patrick Duffy. (N) 1 p.m. KCBS Dr. Phil Abused teens. 4 p.m. KCBS The Ellen DeGeneres Show Jennifer Love Hewitt; Joel McHale; Drew Brees; Keri Hilson.

Scott Aukerman's popular podcast, "Comedy Bang! Bang!," has turned the traditional celebrity interview on its head, with zany musical numbers and improv-style games. Aukerman, who also wrote for the cult comedy show "Mr. Show With Bob and David" and co-created the Web series "Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis," talks about the future of comedy and the TV version of "Comedy Bang! Bang!," premiering on IFC at 10 p.m. Friday. "Comedy Bang! Bang!" is part of a new wave of podcasts-turned-TV shows, including Chris Hardwick's "Nerdist" on BBC America and Marc Maron's new show inspired by his "WTF" podcast, that's been green-lit by IFC. Is this the future of comedy development?

WRITER, stand-up comedian and social satirist Marc Maron mines humor from such serious subjects as politics, death and religion with a unique storytelling style. He performs frequently at area comedy clubs and has been seen on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" and Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd." He is also launching a morning show on Al Franken's talk radio network at the end of the month. While this transplanted New Yorker has lived in L.A. barely a year, he relishes the charms of his new home.

You may have seen the two-minute PSA parody on YouTube. In the somber, black-and-white mash-up, dozens of well known Los Angeles comedians - Patton Oswalt, Marc Maron and Jimmy Pardo among them - stare the camera down, addressing the urgent question of why Los Angeles needs (needs!) an alternative comedy festival. "No one is laughing at all," says Rory Scovel. "The problem is ginormous," warns Kyle Kinane. "Every day Americans are fake laughing," grimaces Maron. The suggested directive?

COMEDY Having built an reputation early in his career as one of comedy's finest Angry Young Men, the sharp, self-analyzing stand-up work of Marc Maron has finally reached the level of appreciation it long deserved as a result of his DIY podcast "WTF," where the raw-nerved comic hosts probing conversations with fellow comics, artists and musicians about their craft. Though his skills as an interviewer are surprisingly sharp, his comedy remains even sharper on his most recent live CD, "This Has to Be Funny.

Scott Aukerman's popular podcast, "Comedy Bang! Bang!," has turned the traditional celebrity interview on its head, with zany musical numbers and improv-style games. Aukerman, who also wrote for the cult comedy show "Mr. Show With Bob and David" and co-created the Web series "Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis," talks about the future of comedy and the TV version of "Comedy Bang! Bang!," premiering on IFC at 10 p.m. Friday. "Comedy Bang! Bang!" is part of a new wave of podcasts-turned-TV shows, including Chris Hardwick's "Nerdist" on BBC America and Marc Maron's new show inspired by his "WTF" podcast, that's been green-lit by IFC. Is this the future of comedy development?

BOOKS Norman Rush As part of the Hammer series Some Favorite Writers, author Norman Rush, who has been a Pulitzer Prize nominee and a National Book Award recipient, will read from his work, which includes the story collection "Whites" and the novel "Mating. " A discussion with novelist Mona Simpson will follow. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000. hammer.ucla.edu Nicholas D. Kristof The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times columnist will discuss the themes and expand on the stories in the bestselling book "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.

EVENTS Marc Maron The sardonic comedian and host of the popular podcast "WTF" visits UCB for a live show and a screening of "The Voice of Something. " The documentary short follows a day in his life as a comedian — one that takes place in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. $5. (323) 908-8702. http://www.ucbtheatre.com. Evaluating Stories of Witchcraft in 17th-Century England Just in time for Halloween, UC Davis English professor Frances E. Dolan sets the record straight about witches.

COMEDY Jade Catta Preta hosts a Comedy Juice spectacular featuring "WTF With Marc Maron" host Marc Maron, former "Saturday Night Live" head writer Hugh Fink, "A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila" host Ryan Stout, Adam Richmond, Adam Ray, Mark Serritella and Lucas Dick. The Ice House Comedy Club, 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. 10 p.m. Thu. $10. (626) 577-1894. http://www.icehousecomedy.com.

Marc Maron, like many Americans, has found all sorts of new worries to add to his list of old worries. "I was way ahead of everybody in being paralyzed with fear on a day-to-day basis," said Maron, during his stand-up at the Improv on Melrose over the weekend. "I was like that before there were any terrorist activities whatsoever. It's just that now there all these fears that I don't know what to do with. I don't know what to do with the fear of spores. Why do they tell us?

COMEDY WTF Live Acerbic, idiosyncratic comedian Marc Maron brings his popular "WTF" podcast to the stage to celebrate the release of his new album, "This Has to Be Funny. " As on the twice-weekly Internet show, Maron will riff and converse with his guests, who include Molly Shannon, Neil Hamburger and Jim Earl. Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $10. (323) 666-4268. http://www.steveallentheater.com MUSIC Allah-Las The nostalgic local act, which weaves the sounds and feeling of mid-century California into its repertoire, continues its Tuesday night residency.