Courier New, A Magical Font

I watched Hannibal Buress on John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, a series which collects what I think is John Oliver and a bunch of his friends in a downtown New York theater for some awkward, ironic humor. (I’m trying to figure out how to become one of these people.) Hannibal, who wrote for Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, creates veering, unexpected jokes that force — rather than suggest — laughter. With even, mellow voice and small presence, the calm demeanor with which Hannibal blunders along exposes thoughtful, accessible, and surprising humor.

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Conan: “That’s not your real phone. You’re just going to use that phone to make one call to get somebody murdered.”

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John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show: “You need to learn some customer service skills and get yourself a blue shirt.”

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The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: ”I really want to be a firefighter, so I can drive the fire SUV.”