Impressive. Most Impressive

Among comedy geeks, Frank Caliendo is a divider like no other. First off, he’s an impressionist, and not since the halcyon days of Rich Little-as-George Burns has the skill been comparatively viable to, say, humorous hypnotism or ventriloquism. Second, his interpretations of Dubya, John Madden, and Jack Nicholson haven’t really evolved since another old standby, Bill Clinton, was in office. But while some might decry Caliendo as a one-trick pony, the fact is that Caliendo’s not only darn good at what he does, he’s pretty much the best there currently is. His ascent from MADtv player to talk-show regular to star of his own Frank TV TBS hit is unprecedented. He even treads where not even Rich Little dares: lampooning comedic brethren such as Jerry Seinfeld, Brian Regan, Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, and Janeane Garofalo. Somehow, he’s able to tie the whole idiosyncratic bundle together into a seamless set.
Sun., Nov. 30, 8 p.m., 2008