‘SNL’ alumni reunite for new off-Strip comedy series
Guess what? We’ve got a fever! And the only prescription is more comedy!
“Saturday Night Live” alums and co-stars of the show’s legendary “More Cowbell” sketch, Chris Kattan and Horatio Sanz, are leading a new comedy lineup at Aliante Casino’s Access Showroom, premiering at 8 p.m. Saturday. The seasonally titled “Aliante Summer Comedy Series” reunites Kattan and Sanz, who are on the bill with veteran stand-ups and podcast fixtures Craig Gass and Rudy Pavich.
The premiere’s host is Ahmet Zappa, the musician-writer-AI architect son of the late rock trailblazer Frank Zappa (tickets start at $35.95 at ticketmaster.com, aliante.boydgamingcom, or any Boyd Gaming retail gift shop). Alice Goldstein Entertainment is the project’s promoter/producer, in partnership with Boyd Gaming.
The (way) off-Strip series spotlights Kattan, an “SNL” cast member from 1996 to 2003. He and Will Ferrell memorably portrayed the club-hopping Butabi Brothers, which led to the feature film “A Night at the Roxbury.” Kattan’s popular characters, and some of the “SNL’s” weirdest, were the temperamental exotic dancer Mango and feral monkey-boy Mr. Peepers.
Sanz was “SNL’s” first Latino cast member, from 1998 to 2006. He played Jasper Hahn, a cartoonist whose drawings always started from sketches of genitalia. He also portrayed Aaron Neville as a courtroom judge on “City Court,” presiding, singing and slathering the cocoa butter.
Gass has performed celeb voices on “Family Guy” and “American Dad” and appeared on “King of Queens” and “Sex and the City.” He currently co-hosts the “Beardo and Weirdo” podcast with Chris Kael.
Pavich is a podcaster and producer who tours the country, performing with Michael Yo and Adam Carolla, and is a frequent guest on Carolla’s podcast.
The series continues June 13 with a lineup of Jay Pharoah, K-von and Blame the Comic; Mike Charette hosts. The “Summer Comedy Series” stretches through Labor Day weekend, with Kattan returning as headliner. Check the listings below. As Blue Öyster Cult once said, all our times have come.
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What: "Summer Comedy Festival."
Where: Access Showroom at Aliante.
Tickets: $35.95 (not including tax and fees).
Information: Ticketmaster.com and aliante.boydgaming.com
The "Summer Comedy Festival" lineup (information supplied by Boyd Gaming)
Chris Kattan, Craig Gass, Horatio Sanz and Rudy Pavich –hosted by Ahmet Zappa
Saturday, May 23 at 8 p.m.
Kattan is an American comedian known for his high-energy characters and fearless physical comedy, making him one of the most unforgettable performers on "Saturday Night Live," which carried into films like "A Night at the Roxbury and "Corky Romano."
Gass is known for his celebrity voices on "Family Guy" and "American Dad," roles on "King of Queens" and "Sex and the City," and his current co-hosting gig on podcast "Beardo and Weirdo" with Chris Kael and more.
Sanz is a dynamic Chilean American actor and comedian who made history as "Saturday Night Live's" first Latino cast member from 1998 to 2006 and is known for his energetic characters and spot-on impressions.
Pavich is a Minnesota-born comedian, podcaster and producer who tours nationally, opens for major comics and currently performs alongside Michael Yo and Adam Carolla.
Jay Pharoah, K-von, Blame the Comic – hosted by Mike Charette
Saturday, June 13 at 8 p.m.
Pharoah is an actor and comedian known for standout roles in films like "The Blackening," "Spinning Gold," and Netflix's "Resort to Love," as well as his six-season run on "Saturday Night Live," host of FOX game show "The Quiz With Balls," and his 2024 YouTube special "JARED."
K-von, known worldwide as the most famous half-Persian comedian, earns millions of views each month with his wildly popular online clips, in addition to standout appearances on "Dry Bar Comedy," Netflix, NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and film "Funny Thing About Love."
Blame the Comic, known for his sharp wit and unforgettable stage presence, was first seen on BET's "Coming to the Stage" and has since toured alongside comedy heavyweights like Eddie Griffin, Rickey Smiley and Nephew Tommy from "The Steve Harvey Morning Show."
Tickets start at $35.95 plus tax and fees.
Bret Ernst, Joe Sib and Amy Ashton – hosted by Mike Dawson
Saturday, June 27 at 8 p.m.
Ernst is known for his more than 25 years in stand-up comedy – performing on CBS, Showtime and Comedy Central – in addition to playing "Cousin Louie LaRusso" on Netflix's "Cobra Kai" and roles on "Tacoma FD," "WEEDS" and "CSI: NY." His "Principal's Office" comedy special on YouTube has over four million views.
Sib's witty and engaging stand-up performances incorporate his life experiences growing up in California and being a former punk rock frontman in the bands WAX and 22 Jacks to his now current life as a father. Dry Bar Comedy and 800 Pound Gorilla released comedy specials from him in 2023, and he – along with comedy legend Jim Bruer – opened for Metallica during its 2018-2019 tour.
Comedian, writer and producer, Ashton was previously a writer for the late Joan Rivers and has been on HBO, Netflix and some may recognize her from her Superbowl and current Poppi Soda and Amazon commercials. From major clubs and theaters to corporate functions, Ashton sells out audiences with her clean stand-up act.
Tickets start at $35.95 plus tax and fees.
Michael Winslow, Aaron Berg, Moody McCarthy and Caleb Synan – hosted by Jason Love
Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m.
Winslow is an American actor, comedian and beatboxer – billed as The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects for his ability to make realistic sounds using only his voice – known for his roles in all seven "Police Academy" films as Larvell Jones and appearances in "Spaceballs," "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie," "Nice Dreams" and "The Love Boat."
Berg is known to be undeniably hilarious and has been cast in more than 50 projects, including Uwe Boll's new feature film, "The First Shift," and cult classics "The Boondock Saints 2," "Detroit Rock City" and "The Kitchen." Berg's documentary about stand-up comedy in NYC, "25 Sets," is now available on Amazon and his Comedy Central debut on "THIS IS NOT HAPPENING" has two million views.
McCarthy began his comedy career more than 30 years ago and is now a regular at some of the best comedy clubs in the world. He has had standout sets on "The Letterman Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and "Conan," and performed on "America's Got Talent," "Last Comic Standing" and "Star Search."
Synan is described as one of the hottest young comics in the country with a relaxed yet sharp style who has performed on "Conan," "Last Comic Standing" and his first Comedy Central special "30" in 2022.
Tickets start at $35.95 plus tax and fees.
Rich Vos, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson – hosted by Mike Dawson
Saturday, July 25 at 8 p.m.
Vos is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer known for his quick wit and roast skills and decades-long comedy career. He is widely recognized for his appearances on "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn," "Last Comic Standing" and as a frequent guest on "The Joe Rogan Experience" and SiriusXM radio.
A stand-up comedian, actor, television personality and author, Florentine's raw, observational humor and crank calls solidified his place in comedy. He has co- VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" and voiced countless characters on Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers."
Jamieson is a stand-up comedian and television host best known for co-hosting "That Metal Show" alongside Eddie Trunk and Florentine. His comedy albums "Live & Hilarious" and "Denim and Laughter" have reached the Billboard Top 10 for comedy.
Tickets start at $35.95 plus tax and fees.
Dean Delray and Kevin Christy –hosted by Joshua Snyder
Saturday, Aug. 8 at 8 p.m.
Delray, known for his "no-holds-barred" perspective and a career that pivoted from decades in the rock music industry – touring and opening for stars like Tom Petty and Lenny Kravitz – to stand-up comedy, acting and podcasting. He can be seen in films like Quentin Tarantino's "Hell Ride," Ice Cube's "The Longshots," and released his first full-length comedy special in 2025 titled "5836."
Christy – an actor, writer, producer and comedian – is known for his countless roles and guest spots on screen like "Dude, Where's My Car?," "Love Don't Cost a Thing" and "Masters of Sex." He regularly performs at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles.
Snyder is a stand-up comedian also known as Nerdy Virgin. His comedy features a mixture of hilarious observations about growing up Jewish and nerdish. He was voted "Best of the Fest" at the Burbank Comedy Festival, has appeared on Hulu's comedy series "Best Laid Plans," among others.
Tickets start at $35.95 plus tax and fees.
Jay Pharoah, Dewayne Hill and Vinnie Masteghin – hosted by Alex Just
Saturday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.
Renowned corporate comedian, magician, keynote speaker and emcee, Dewayne is known for his mix of mind-blowing magic, razor-sharp comedy and high-energy audience engagement.
Masteghin is a Las Vegas-based stand-up comedian and performer, recognized for his high-energy stage presence and dual career as a member of the Blue Man Group. Awarded the Distinguished Comedian Award in 2026 by The Comedy Reviewers, Masteghin blends traditional stand-up with crowd interaction and improvisational chaos.
Tickets start at $35.95 plus tax and fees.
Chris Kattan, Phil Hanley and Tammy Pescatelli – hosted by Mike Dawson
Friday, Sept. 4 at 8 p.m.
Hailing from Canada, Hanley is a stand-up comedian and actor with a sharp and reflective blend of traditional joke-telling and audience interaction. His special "Ooh La La" on YouTube has more than two million views and he's appeared on countless late-night shows such as "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers," in addition to starring in films like "Sundowners" and alongside Amy Schumer in "I Feel Pretty" and her series "Inside Amy Schumer."
Pescatelli is an Emmy-nominated, Italian American stand-up comedian celebrated for her sharp wit, observational humor and relatable storytelling. Seen on "Last Comic Standing" and winning Comedy Central's "Stand-Up Showdown," Pescatelli appeared in Netflix's "Nonnas" alongside Vince Vaughn. Her most recent special "The Way After School Special" ranked among Amazon's top 10 streamed specials in 2021 and she continues to tour nationally.
Tickets start at $35.95 plus tax and fees.
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