STELLA is what I like to call "left field comedy". I don't really know why I like to call it that. I think it has something to do with baseball. I don't really know anything about baseball. Is left field to the batter's left or to the fielder's left? See? What do I know from baseball? Whenever I've played baseball, I always chose to be the pitcher, mostly to avoid running to the wrong field as an outfielder, but also because I like to see just how far all the other players can hit the ball. I'm usually the MVP... for the opposing team!!! I also don't really know anything about comedy.

Before you read any more, I'd like you to know that nothing I have to write is "official" or "authorized" or "at all relevant". If you want that kind of stuff, visit the official, authorized, and relevant STELLA website. It's run by David Wain, and he's actually part of STELLA (as you can see from the portroids above). He also has his own official, authorized, and relevant David Wain website (that coincidently he also runs).

Like I was saying, I don't really know anything about comedy. This may stem back to my childhood (as most adult inadequacies do). My mother withheld comedy from me. I wasn't allowed to listen to Billy Crystal's comedy album because it contained a few too many uses of the word "penis". I was forbidden to purchase Cracked Magazine because I was becoming too sarcastic (like that's even possible). I even had to take down the posters of Pee Wee Herman and Weird Al Yankovich from my bedroom walls because my parents thought maybe I was becoming a little too gay. Suffice it to say, comedy was withheld from me at an early age and therefore I have grown up to be altogether too serious. So, anything I may have to say or write about comedy should be discounted with these aforementioned discounting statements.

STELLA is a three-man act starring three men, David Wain, Michael Showalter, and Michael Ian Black. These are three guys you might remember from MTV's You Wrote It, You Watch It. I like to call STELLA a "three-ring circus of comedy". One thing I know a lot about is circuses, so sit back and learn something.

David Wain, in my opinion, is the ringleader, or the Lord Of The Rings, if you will. He seems to be the one that holds the trio together; the archivist, the director, the den mother, the father figure, the lady of the lake, the pied piper, the last hope, the guiding light, the puppetmaster, the Paul, and the man behind the men (giving his share of reach-arounds, I'm sure).

Michael Ian Black, again in my opinion, is the dancemaster, or the Lord Of The Dance, if you will. He has achieved a bit more fame than the other two, so he gets to be a showboat, a braggart, the cock of the walk, coyly stand-offish, a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll, the class clown, the lovable aggressor, the John, and a wise-cracking Wisenheimer always cracking wise.

Michael Showalter, to force my opinion, is the one guy you want to be stranded on a desert island with, or the Lord Of The Flies, if you will. (This last one was a bit of a push, since you probably really wouldn't want to be stranded in a Lord Of The Flies-type situation with anyone (especially since the actual "Lord of the Flies" was a disembodied pig head on a spike), but where honestly was I supposed to go with this whole "Lord Of The (blank)" theme? I dug a hole.) Showalter seems to be the go-to guy for comedy, with unmatched expressions of face, unrivaled use and misuse of language, perfectly performed reactions; he's the clever quiet one, the tortured recluse, the boy genius, the reluctant hero, the man in the mirror, the surprise twist, the George, and the one to keep your eye on if you want to catch all the action.

STELLA started as a weekly (then seasonally, like at the holidays) variety-style showcase for comedians, hosted by Michael, Michael, and David, at Fez in New York City. It was underground. Literally. (Fez was below Time Cafe on Lafayette and Great Jones. This is one of those times you can say "underground" and not be a total liar or sound like a pretentious pseudo-cool prick (though it still sounds as cliche as when some "brainstormer" tells you to "think outside the box". I like to think inside the box, just to fuck with those assholes.)) Rumor has it that STELLA was named after Fez's owner's daughter. Rumor also has it that STELLA was so named because it rhymes with comedy. That last rumor was started by Michael Ian Black, so you can probably take it as fact.

The STELLA shows feature stand-up, sketches, music, and the three guys in suits (did I forget to mention that they always wear suits when performing STELLA? They do (except for the time I took their portroids (see above)) doing their thing. "Their thing" is the punk rock of comedy. "Their thing" is absurdist reality. "Their thing" is short videos of their hilarious daily exploits. "Their thing" is unlike anything else out there. "Their thing" is unpredictable conversational back-and-forth. "Their thing" quote-unquote is an annoying writing device even I am getting sick of. "Their things" are their penises. "Their thing" is making mock of the typical comedy conventions (e.g. improv, prop gags, obvious, blatant, telegraphed jokes, and other conventions, etc).

STELLA's comedy is a pillow upside your head that you know will turn into a pillow-fight/gang-rape.

STELLA has broken from the lounge act mold with a three-man show, hitting the road with tours on the East Coast, West Coast, and all points in-between. They have released a few videos and a DVD of their shorts. They also appeared in a deleted scene for the film Wet Hot American Summer (directed by Wain, written by Wain and Showalter, and starring Showalter and Black). They have also been picked up by Comedy Central for their own take on the sitcom. Look for it starting in June (2005). I only hope this new-found fame won't be a yoke (or the Yoko) to their style and originality. I'm sure it won't. I'm not 100% sure, but you know, 30-40% sure.

There's a new STELLA Merchandise store. It's official. You should go there and buy some, you know, T-shirts and stuff. Go NOW!

Janeane Garofalo

Janeane has performed in 44 STELLA shows from January 15, 1997 to December 20, 2003, has appeared in one STELLA short film (Backstage), and was in one STELLA TV show episode (Novel - aired August 16, 2005).

Eugene Mirman

Eugene Mirman has performed in at least 37 STELLA shows from December 19, 2001 to January 18, 2005.

Joe Lo Truglio

Joe Lo Truglio has performed in 30 STELLA shows, has appeared in five STELLA short films, and was in one STELLA TV show episode.

Todd Barry

Todd Barry has performed in 25 STELLA shows from January 22, 1997 to January 25, 2005.

Thomas Lennon

Tom Lennon has performed in 19 STELLA shows from February 5, 1997 to June 27, 1999.

Matt Besser

Matt Besser has performed with Upright Citizens Brigade (and alone) in 18 STELLA shows from January 15, 1997 to November 28, 2001.

Matt Walsh

Matt Besser has performed with Upright Citizens Brigade (and alone) in 16 STELLA shows from January 22, 1997.

Louis C.K.

Louis CK has performed in 16 STELLA shows from January 29, 1997 to November 1, 2003.

Sam Seder

Sam Seder has performed in 16 STELLA shows from February 5, 1997 to October 9 , 2003.

Leo Allen

Leo Allen has performed in 15 STELLA shows from March 19, 1997 to January 25, 2005, and has appeared in one STELLA short film (College Reunion).

Seth Herzog

Seth Herzog has performed in 11 STELLA shows from April 16, 1997, has appeared in one STELLA short film, and appeared in one episode of the STELLA TV show.

A.D. Miles

A.D. Miles has performed in 8 STELLA shows from September 24, 1997 to October 20, 2004, has appeared in five STELLA short films, and appeared in one episode of the STELLA TV show.

Peter Salett

Peter Salett has performed in 5 STELLA shows and has appeared in five STELLA short films.

Zach Galifianakis

Zach Galifianakis has performed in 9 STELLA shows and has appeared in one STELLA short film (Searching For Santa).

Kerri Kenney-Silver

Kerri Kenney-Silver has performed in 8 STELLA shows.

Ken Marino

Ken Marino has performed in 7 STELLA shows and was in one STELLA TV show episode.

Jon Benjamin

Jon Benjamin has performed in 9 STELLA shows from April 16, 1997 to November 22, 2003.

Demetri Martin

Demetri Martin has performed in 7 STELLA shows from September 25, 2002 to January 25, 2005.

Zak Orth

Zac Orth has performed in 6 STELLA shows from November 24, 1999 to October 9, 2002, has appeared in four STELLA short films (Turkey Hunting, Awkward, Christmas Caroling, Whodunit), and was in one STELLA TV show episode (Pilot - aired June 28, 2005).

Kevin Allison

Kevin Allison has performed in 5 STELLA shows and was in one STELLA TV show episode.

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert has performed in 5 STELLA shows from January 15, 1997 (first ever Stella show) to January 25, 2005.

Bobby Tisdale

Bobby Tisdale has performed in 4 STELLA shows from September 24, 1997 and has appeared in one STELLA TV episode (Meeting Girls).

Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd has performed in 1 STELLA show on May 3, 2003, has appeared in one STELLA short film (The Woods), and was in one STELLA TV show episode (Office Party - aired July 12, 2005).

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller has performed in 3 STELLA shows from February 19, 1997 to December 22, 1999.

Liev Schreiber

Liev Schreiber has performed in 3 STELLA shows from October 1, 1997 to January 25, 2005.

Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage has performed in 2 STELLA shows - July 2, 1997 and November 29, 2000. He also appeared in the State special on CBS, but that is not Stella-related (per se), so it will go unmentioned.

Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk has performed in 2 STELLA shows - September 17, 1997 and March 25, 1998.

Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt has performed in 2 STELLA shows - September 17, 1997 and March 25, 1998.

Nick Kroll

Nick Kroll has performed in 2 STELLA shows - January 25, 2005 and January 25, 2009.

Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton has performed in 1 STELLA show - July 2, 1997. He also appeared in one STELLA short film (the titular character in "David's Cousin").

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper has appeared in two STELLA short films (Yoga and Raking Leaves).

Todd Holoubek

Todd Holoubek has appeared in one STELLA short film.

Jeff Garlin

Jeff Garlin has performed in 1 STELLA show - June 11, 1997.

Mary Lynn Rajskub

Mary Lynn Rajskub has performed in 1 STELLA show - April 8, 1998.

Nick Swardson

Nick Swardson has performed in 2 STELLA shows - June 27, 1999.

Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan has performed in 1 STELLA show - October 16, 2002.

Kristen Schaal

Kristen Schaal has performed in 1 STELLA show - January 25, 2005.

Tig Notaro

Tig Notaro has performed in 1 STELLA show - January 25, 2009.