Philadelphia Weekly

>>do it Mike Birbiglia

Fri., Oct. 10, 8pm. $32.50. Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. 215.898.3900. www.annenbergcenter.org

Watching a comedian pick up a guitar can be a real gut-turning moment because, let's face it, the two rarely work well together. Mike Birbiglia is the exception that proves the rule. Instead of the usual comedian-with-guitar gambit--lacing wacky "But wait, there's a twist" lyrics atop three chords and calling it a bit--Birbiglia sings about ... comedians who play guitars. He spoofs the spoofers. Thankfully, he doesn't actually sing all that much; it's just sprinkled here and there. The rest of his act shows him being one of the most standout stand-ups currently mining yuks on the circuit. Need proof? How about this joke: "I got an E*Trade account. Turns out I can turn $1,000 into $420 in less than a week. Sure, I had to pay some fees too, but ... " Now yell that out during his show. Comedians love that.

>> buy it Political Paper Dolls

Poor Wilford Brimley. He's got the 'beetus. Once known for pimping Quaker Oats and starring in films such as Cocoon (that's the one where old people are rejuvenated by aliens, remember?), the 74-year-old actor will likely be remembered not for his theatrical skills, but for soliciting diabetes testing supplies. A quick YouTube search of his name shows dozens of Liberty Medical commercials remixed to hilarity. We recommend "Rock Me Diabeetus."

>> See it

In just a few weeks Tina Fey has cornered the market on Sarah Palin jokes. But how many of us can afford the trip to NYC for a Saturday Night Live taping? Instead, go to 1812 Productions' third installment of This Is the Week That Is, starring hometown lass Jennifer Childs. This year's production is focusing solely on the presidential election, so be on the lookout for a lot of winking and beauty- pageant grins, doggone it. Sort of like a local Best Week Ever, the script for this show changes every night to reflect the most up-to-the-minute campaign goofs and gaffes. Hockey moms welcome.

>> HEAR it Jill Sobule

Screw Katy Perry. "I Kissed a Girl" was the biggest radio hit of the summer, but it was anything but empowering--it was an icky, porn-fueled fulfillment of frat-boy fantasies about Sapphic desire. And it made us wish for the return of Jill Sobule, who scored a hit in 1995 with an altogether different song with the same title. (It didn't hurt the song's success that Fabio was in the video, in a weirdly knowing act of self-parody.) Sobule celebrates where Perry leers, offering a sweet and funny paean to self-discovery and the possibilities of turning one's back on traditional expectations. "They can have their diamonds and we'll have our pearls," Sobule sang. Luckily, Sobule's still around--stopping in at World Cafe Live to play songs from a five-album catalogue that includes topics from the death penalty to the French Resistance movement. Thirteen years after her biggest hit, Sobule is still making music and still has a career. Somehow, we doubt we'll be able to say the same thing about Katy Perry.