There's something funny going on around here

November and December are hot months for comedy in Seattle.

Speaking of hot, did ya hear the one about Saint Lawrence of Rome? In 258 A.D., Lawrence, who became the Patron Saint of Comedians — no joke — was sentenced to death by grilling. Of course, this puts a whole new spin (no rotisserie pun intended) on the concept of a Friar's Club "Roast."

But I digress ...

Seriously, it's good that the fall season leads to an influx of comics to the region. We certainly do need a little light on our soggy side of the universe.

Still, somehow, between bouts of Seasonal Affective Disorder, our happy/snarky land has nurtured and foisted upon the world such comedic stars as Ryan Stiles ("Whose Line is it Anyway?), Bill Nye, comic actress Jean Smart ("Frasier," "Designing Women") and — if we deign to include Portland in our greater geographical pull — "Simpson's" creator Matt Groening.

Oh. And Seattle favorite son Joel McHale, who's one of the many jokesters on fall's funny docket. Here are the possibilities:

• The 29th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition is in the midst of its semifinal rounds, with tonight's event at the Skagit Valley Casino a sellout (a few hotel/show packages remained at press time: call 877-275-2448). But perhaps Rochester's Lucky Eagle Casino will live up to its name, allowing you to snag some tickets for Saturday night's show (call 800-720-1788.)

Hundreds of hopefuls auditioned for this year's competition; only 32 made the cut, and of those, the top 10 comics have been competing in this week's semifinals, gunning for the grand prize of $5,000 and a recording contract with Uproar Entertainment.

Semifinals wrap up Sunday at Marson's Restaurant in Everett, with five nights of finals starting Tuesday in Seattle, Kirkland and Bremerton, as well as the traditional night-before-Thanksgiving event at Vashon Island's Vashon Theater.

Complete schedules and more information: 206-930-9973 or www.seattlecomedycompetition.com.

• Emmy-winner, latter-day Joan Rivers and scourge of the red-carpet crowd Kathy Griffin brings her D-listed self to the Paramount this week, with three more shows: 7 p.m. today, and 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday ($42.50-$72.50 at 206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com). (Read more about Kathy Griffin in our preview from earlier this week, online at seattletimes.com.)

• Cheech & Chong are stopping in Seattle, though there's no word on whether Sister Mary Elephant plans to make an appearance. The "Light Up America" tour comes to the Paramount on Nov. 29 for shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m. ($42.50-$56.50 at 206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com).

• A shimmering, glowing star in E! Television's broadcast firmament — and along with Obama's mama, the pride of Mercer Island High — comedian and "The Soup" host (not to mention "Almost Live" alum) Joel McHale returns to Seattle for shows at the Moore, 8 p.m. next Friday and Nov. 29 ($27.50; 206-628-0888 or www.themoore.com).

• Last Comic Standing Tour: The winner of last year's Seattle International Comedy Competition was a runner-up this summer on NBC's "Last Comic Standing." Marcus appears with the show's other four finalists in "The Last Comic Standing Tour" at the Moore Theatre, at 8 p.m. Dec. 12 ($24.50-$29.50; 206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com).

• The first and only independent act represented by Chicago's Second City, the Pajama Men settle into Capitol Hill's Annex Theatre for the month of December with their international hit "Versus vs. Versus." Combining "wicked intelligence and equally wicked physicality," the duo swap and change characters with lightning speed and have been hailed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and by The London Times. Plays Thursdays-Saturdays, Dec. 4-20 ($12-$14; 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

• Oh, go ahead and see if any tickets remain for Robin Williams, appearing Dec. 5-6 at the Paramount (206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com). It says "sold out," but sometimes tickets get released closer to performance.

• By virtue of his name alone, Bill Engvall should be a Ballard-bred, lutefisk-lovin' cousin to Stan Boreson. But the former disc jockey actually hails from Galveston, Texas, and has branched out from his roots honed on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour to become a best-selling recording artist, author and TV star.

Engvall brings his "Here's Your Sign" show to the Tacoma Dome at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 ($39-$49; 206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com; get the "Red Neck Holiday Party Package," entitling you to early entry, parking, dinner, dancing and other goodies, for $118.50).

Megan Sheppard is a Seattle freelancer. Contact her at: megans@hootspa.com