It's time for turkey, football and braving crowds to hunt for bargains.
But it's also a time for comedy as well. Maybe not on Thursday, although dinner with the family can quickly become a comedy of errors.
Still, there are plenty of shows the rest of the week. So on Black Friday, while you shove your way toward that cheap tablet for grandma that she'll never use, think about taking in a little laughter as well.
Here are your best bets:
Theaters and Special Events
Eddie Izzard at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Izzard has certainly forged his own path with his own sense of style. His comedy seems like random thoughts strung together, but he always has something unusual to say. At times political, thoughtful and irreverent, his blend of social commentary and biting comedy has earned him fans all over the world.
Showtime is Monday at 8 p.m. $46.50-$77.50. 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Info: rutheckerdhall.com or 727-791-7400.
Joke's on You Comedy Tour featuring Gallagher at the State Theatre. Gallagher, the godfather of the cable comedy special, brings his stand-up and sledgehammer to the State Theater on Friday night. Longtime comedy vet Artie Fletcher and the "Princess of Parodies," Traci Kanaan, provide support for the comedy legend.
Showtime is Friday at 7 p.m. $20-$40. 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. etix.com or (727) 895-3045.
Comedy Clubs
TC Tahoe at Tampa Improv. Tahoe is a magician, blending sleight of hand and comedy to entertain crowds. Expect audience interaction, illusions and plenty of punchlines.
Showtime is Wednesday at 8 p.m. $10. 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa (Ybor City). Info: improvtampa.com or 813-864-4000.
Lil Duval. Duval has his pulse on pop culture, and isn't afraid to share his observations and opinions on the subject. He did popularize the phrase "basic bitch," after all. The "Guy Code" personality is in town for a run of special engagement shows, so expect plenty of fans on hand this weekend.
Showtimes are Friday at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. $20-$25. 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa (Ybor City). Info: improvtampa.com or 813-864-4000.
Patrick Garrity at Side Splitters. Garrity has an animated style that showcases his material. His energy keeps the audience engaged, and his immersion into the premises ratchets up the laughter as he skewers a variety of people from his own observations and experiences, including himself.
(Note: Extra show on Wednesday in lieu of Thursday)
Showtimes are Wednesday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. $10-$16.50. 12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Info: sidesplitterscomedy.com or 813-960-1197.
Rahn Hortman at Snappers Grill & Comedy Club. Local comedian (and author) Hortman is a pretty clean performer on stage. But whether he's talking about his children or other family members, his comedy still has a distinct edge, and provokes a little thought along with laughter.
Showtimes are Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 36657 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor. Info: snappersgrill.com or 727-938-2027.
Chris Gorges at Coconuts Comedy Club (at MJ's). Gorges is constantly busy on stage, using his improvisational background to accentuate a premise, interact with the crowd or glide through his set jokes.
Showtimes are Wednesday through Saturday (please call regarding Thursday) at 9:30 p.m. 5501 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Info: coconutscomedyclubs.com or 727-360-5653.
Maurice Jovan at 2 Palms. "A Cat Named Mo" is a regular voice on 102.5 FM The Bone, hosting shows most nights a week. He's also an author and comedian, and he'll bring his various entertainment talents to his headlining stand-up set, without co-hosts or FCC limitations.
Showtime is Saturday at 8:30 p.m. $10. 2950 Gulf To Bay Blvd., Clearwater. Info: 2palmstampabay.com or 727-400-6920.
One-nighters and Independent Shows
G. David Howard at Sporty's On The Beach. Howard's weekly residence at Sporty's features the longtime comedian drawing from his decades of stage experience. He mixes his regular material with plenty of crowd work to provide the kind of set only a true stand-up veteran can provide.
By the way, there's a $5 coupon for this show on Howard's website under "special offers."
Showtime is Friday and Saturday at 9:05 p.m. $20. 17093 Gulf Blvd., North Redington Beach. Info: 727-596-6725 or gdavidhoward.com.
This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2015.