Free (and even funny!) comedy every Sunday

If I had a few hours every Sunday night to wait in line, I would forgo the typically uninspired TV lineup every time and head over to the Upright Citizens Brigade's ASSSSCAT 3000. And I have -- even in wind, rain and freezing weather ... maybe someday it'll hail.

They call it "longform improv;" I call it a legitimate substitute for crunches (I swear my abs were sore the next day from laughing so hard) and a chance to glimpse SNL and VH1 faves in their element. Amy Poehler is a genius, and you never know who else will be there -- we've seen Kenneth from 30 Rock three times and "oh, that guy" from I Love the 90s, The Colbert Report, etc.

The 9:30 show is free, except for your time waiting. They start handing out tickets at 8:15, but I'd get there by 7:30 to line up if you don't want to be one of the sad faces walking away sans tickets, after an hour wasted in the cold. Plus, even if you get tickets, if you're one of the last you could end up on the floor, and man, your ass will hurt. Or maybe I'm just old. Oh, and dress in your hipster best ;). If you want a sure thing, the 7:30 show is just $8 with reservations.

UCB delivers other free and cheap shows throughout the week. See the schedule here.

Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater
307 W 26th St. between 8th & 9th (by the big Gristedes)
212-366-9176
Subway: C, E, 1

After you get your tickets, kill time before the show at the kitschy Trailer Park Lounge. The menu will bring you back - yay tater tots! Other than that, it smells strongly of margaritas (split a pitcher) and the service is slooow. But it's a great place to wait before UCB, especially if it's cold out. And *yay* tater tots ...

The Trailer Park Lounge
271 W 23rd St
212-463-8000
Subway (same as above): C, E, 1