The comedy boom continues unabated. Recession, schmecession. People gots to laugh. Thankfully, there’s lots to laugh about in the upcoming season.

Global Comedy Fest (September 17 to 27, various locations)
The festival has a bit of a reputation as an alt-comedy repository. Yes, you’ll still see the likes of David Cross, Maria Bamford, Andy Kindler, Todd Barry, and Comedy Death Ray (thank God), but this time around there’s a wider variety of styles to choose from. The Draw: Two Best of the Fest galas at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts provide one-stop shopping for all your comedy needs. Target Audience: When you have performers as diverse as Red Green, Carol Burnett, and Tom Arnold all the way to Andy Dick, Arj Barker, and Reggie Watts, you could find yourself sitting beside your retired neighbours or their unemployed grandkids.

Steve Martin (September 27 at the Orpheum)
No, he’s not performing comedy. No, he hasn’t made a decent movie in 10 years. Yes, he’s just being interviewed by the affectedly hip George Stroumboulopoulos. But still, it’s Steve freakin’ Martin! The Draw: An evening free of banjo music. Target Audience: Aging comedy nerds who still remember when Steve Martin was funny.

Vancouver International Improv Fest (September 29 to October 3 at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre and the New Revue Stage)
If you’ve never been blown away by improv before, you haven’t been to the VIIF. Whatever you thought improv was”¦you’re right. But it’s also so much more. The Draw: Forty bucks for five nights of entertainment? Just park your butt at the Roundhouse for the week and absorb. Target Audience: Spontaneous types.

John Pinette (October 3 at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts)
He’s not just Louie Anderson version 2.0. Nay, nay, he’s so much more. Pinette is actually funny. Sure he talks almost exclusively about his girth and all things related, but it’s his conviction that sells it. The Draw: Um, that’d be gravity. Target Audience: Those who can’t stick to their New Year’s resolutions.

Louis C.K. (October 17 at the Vogue)
The tour de force is back on tour. C.K. is the hottest name (or set of initials) in comedy today. He strikes a perfect balance between self-questioning neuroses and unhinged rants. The Draw: Watching someone at the top of his game. His shows are like a master class in standup. Target Audience: Any serious fan of the art form.

Lisa Lampanelli (October 30 at the River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond)
The lovable Queen of Mean makes a return appearance, attacking just about any race, religion, or sexual preference you can think of. The Draw: Despite the venom she oozes, Lampanelli really is a softie. Don’t go there expressing agreement with her jokes or she’ll shoot you down, too. Target Audience: People who like to laugh at themselves”¦and others.

Joan Rivers (October 31 at the River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond)
Sure, she’s a Shopping Channel shill and a red-carpet reporter, but the 76-year-old comedian is still a relevant voice in standup. The Draw: Rivers can filth it up with the rawest of the new breed of male comics. Target Audience: She might skew toward the older generation who have followed her career on TV for decades, but those fans will be in for a rude awakening if they’ve never seen her live before.

Bill Cosby (November 13 at the River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond)
Tired of watching every other comic butcher a Bill Cosby impression? Why not see the real deal? You can prepare for the show by eating some Jell-O Pudding Pops. The Draw: He’s one of the top comedians of all time and by far the best sit-down comic ever. Target Audience: Anyone not in a hurry for a punchline. The Cos takes his time.

Bill Maher (November 14 at the River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond)
Maher takes on the weighty topics of the day so much you might think he sometimes forgets he’s a comedian. But don’t be religulous. The man can still deliver the goods. The Draw: Hearing an American talk about America the way Canadians do. Target Audience: Unfortunately, just the already-converted progressive thinkers. It’s doubtful there’ll be any changing of minds on this night.

Jon Lajoie (December 16 at the Vogue Theatre)
Gotta love the Internet. Where else can you see free porn and guys who sing about it? This everyday normal Canadian guy is a genuine Internet sensation. In fact, his first-ever theatre tour of Canada was postponed from September because he scored a starring role in an upcoming FX TV series. The Draw: If a love ballad about the infamous video clip “2 Girls 1 Cup” isn’t a draw, I don’t know what is. Target Audience: Crazy kids and their crazy subversive rock ’n’ roll music.