He isn't the sort of comedian who tells a traditional joke, but that doesn't mean Pablo Francisco isn't funny. In fact, his off-the-wall sound effects, wacky voices and surprisingly accurate (if somewhat exaggerated) impersonations paint such a funny living picture of situations and personalities that his stand-up is, in many instances, more interesting and engaging than the standard fare you get from other comics on the circuit. He spoofs anything from grimly narrated action-movie previews to the intense melodrama of Spanish language soap operas on the Telemundo, though he's probably best known for the two seasons he appeared on MadTV and the voices he's provided for Family Guy. See the Los Angeles-by-way-of-Tucson comedian at Tampa Improv any time this weekend. Jan. 4-7, 8 p.m. Thurs., 8 and 10 p.m. Fri., 7:30 and 10 p.m. Sat., 7 p.m. Sun., Tampa Improv, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor, Ybor City, $20, 813-864-4000., tampaimprov.com.
This article appears in Jan 3-9, 2007.