COMEDY : Fall’s Comics: Some New, Some Deja Vu

The biggest news--or at least the biggest names--on the Orange County comedy scene this fall evoke a sense of deja vu : Both Jay Leno (who headlines Anaheim’s Celebrity Theatre on Nov. 20) and Gallagher (who plays the same venue Dec. 2-3) are returning to the area less than a year after their last local appearances.

But some of the other comedy shows scheduled for the next few months evoke a sense of what George Carlin calls vuja de : the feeling that something like this has never happened before.

At the Irvine Improvisation, “Saturday Night Live” cast member Kevin Nealon--who had never played the club--winds up a stint there tonight. And Margaret Smith, who has made a handful of appearances on “Letterman” and who epitomizes deadpan, will make her first official performance there Monday. The only time she previously set foot in the club was to tape last year’s “HBO Young Comedians Special.”

Richard Jeni has worked the Improv before--co-headlining one week, headlining a Monday night--but on Sept. 13 he begins his first full week as a headliner there. Jeni, who killed on his recent “Tonight Show” debut is featured on this year’s “HBO Young Comedians Special.” .

Other sharp comics who will be weeklong headliners at the Improv for the first time include Bill Engvall (Oct. 18-23) and former local-boy-made-good/current “Star Search” champion Al Lubel (Nov. 15-20).

Among the notable regulars coming to the Improv in the coming months: Mark Schiff (Oct. 4-9), who can do extraordinary things with completely ordinary topics, and Ritch Shydner (Dec. 27 through Jan. 1), who boasts “Tonight Show” and “Letterman” credits..

A few miles away, the Laff Stop in Newport Beach pretty much maintains its status quo this fall, emphasizing such familiar acts as Diana Jordan (Sept. 21-25), Fred Greenlee (Oct. 12-16), Jerry Dye (Nov. 2-6) and John Fox (Nov. 23-27). Greenlee is an exceptional comic who has done one “Tonight Show” spot. Two shows at the Laff Stop tonight, by club regular Don Ware, will be recorded for an album.

Coconuts in Anaheim has what Ed Sullivan would have called a really big shew planned for Oct. 16, when the club will present a dozen comics in a performance to be taped by a cable firm. The acts include Brian Bradley and Dawn Green.

Particularly noteworthy comics scheduled for Coconuts’ regular Friday-Saturday stands include Jordan Brady (Nov. 4-5), a remarkably poised 24-year-old who has the talent and potential to hit the very big time (he was profiled on last Sunday’s edition of “The Today Show”), and Drake Sather, a low-key comic who has done “Letterman,” and who returns to the club Dec. 16-17.

Occasional comedy outlets such as UC Irvine and the Coach House have yet to confirm any fall comedy bookings.