ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many thanks to Patt Morrison, David Shaw, and Ana Cantu of The Los Angeles Times; Doug Stanhope of The Man Show, and Jeff Lieberman, director of "But… Seriously", for the interviews.

Thanks to Kevin Booth and Sacred Cow Productions for the chance to work promoting the brilliant comedians Bill Hicks and Doug Stanhope. Thanks to Geoff Mungham for his bullheadedness and inspiring attitude.

Many personal thanks to Andy Rose, Aaron Smithers, Justin McBroom, Seung-A Park, Meghan Lynn, Mark Anderson, Linnea McClallen, Jens Marius Saether, Shota Totsuka, Shiko Mugo, Rafael Crespo Fonseca, Petter Blomberg, Stefán Hanvey, the folks, and of course Hurych and Seamus for input and making this process difficult, endurable, and enjoyable.

to ABSTRACT