I'm mid-interview with Sam Brown and Zach Cregger from the sketch comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U'Know, searching for the words that might explain what makes them hilarious, as if they needed one more testimonial. They don't, of course — their IFC show and millions of YouTube video fans are proof that something they're doing is working. But what is it, exactly, that runs through all of their sketches?

For one, they know when to not say "When." They'll often take ideas and extend them and milk them until no surplus jokes remain, and then they'll milk it a bit more.

Killing My Lobster straps on rocket boots to stamp their crustacean brand of funny on the final frontier. These intrepid comedic souls brave worm holes and time portals to defeat wizards, Italians, and other impingers on space justice, with phasers that may or may not be made of cardboard.

SF's own sketch comedy group Killing My Lobster debuted a new video a few days ago asking the same question we've asked ourselves for ages: "Doesn't anyone in this city work?" Whenever we're stuck in the office on a gorgeous day, our phones blow up with texts from friends drinking beer at Dolores Park. At least now we know we're not alone.

Ever since the Purple Onion tried to re-establish itself as a comedy destination some seven years ago, weekly series have come and gone, and the place has mostly been a spot for fledgling local comics to find stage time. A good thing, to be sure.

The historic laugh lounge's latest stab at renaissance is its new weekly Comedy & Cocktails series, a free show featuring a long list of comics of varying experience levels. We'll assume that means short sets for all involved, save the headliner. Like speed dating, but with comedians.