TBS Just for Laughs announces headliner

Photo: Courtesy of Just for Laughs

TBS Just for Laughs, the fourth annual comedy festival happening June 12-17 at venues around town, has announced its first headliner this morning and it's Parks and Recreation star Aziz Ansari. Ansari will bring his "Buried Alive" tour to the Chicago Theatre on Friday, June 15.

Ansari performed at Just for Laughs in 2010 and I personally wish the festival would space out its headliners a little better. I was not a fan of the fest's decision to have Ellen Degeneres headline both its first and second years and would rather another year or two go by before Ansari headlines again. Although I love Parks and Recreation and think Ansari nails it as Amy Poehler's self-serving yet loveable colleague Tom Haverford, I'm not as big a fan of his stand-up (although I'm clearly in the minority on this). And having said that, I think Ansari is an overall solid choice for the fest and am optimistic this is a harbinger of more good talent to come.

Tickets are $35.50 and $45.50 and go on sale this Friday, March 2 at 10am at ticketmaster.com.