Funny Business :: SF Sketchfest's Annual Comedy Invasion

January is here, and on more than one occasion I've winced at the sight of my credit card bill. I've also voluntarily hit the treadmill more times in the last two weeks than I have since last Summer. Spend less and work out, have been two New Years resolutions of mine that I can't wait to be tired of upholding.

Fortunately, The 13th Annual SF Sketchfest takes over our city by the bay starting January 23, with an eclectic variety of performances celebrating smash TV shows, cult classic movies, comedic bands and brilliant stand-ups. Yours truly will also be participating in a few SketchFest shows this year as well. Along with Tenacious D getting a tribute night, the Futurama cast will do a live reading, many more talents perform, so many that it's a bit exhausting. Here is a list of some of my favorite picks in this year's lineup.

Napoleon Dynamite 10th Anniversary

SketchFest kicks off right in the heart of the Castro, where you can go practice your sweet dance moves set to Jamiroquai after taking in a screening of the cult classic, Napoleon Dynamite followed by a conversation/Q & A with cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico). Please leave your pet llama at home. Thursday, January 23, 7pm. After that screening, comic musical duo Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) get a well-deserved tribute, with onstage chats, clips, a little rockn' music 9:30pm. Each $25. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St.

The Realest Real Housewives

The Real Housewives franchise has become a train wreck of a phenomenon. While many won't admit they have programmed their DVR to record any of these. I do know a group of gay guys who threw a Real Housewives of the Castro party complete with drag characters, tag lines and confessionals. Comedy powerhouses which include Natasha Leggero, June Diane Raphael and NIck Thune star in this staged reading of scenes from The Real Housewives series. Friday, January 24, 8pm. $20. Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St.

The Great Debate: Girls vs. Golden Girls

I could not leave out any mention of my beloved The Golden Girls from the listings- I can deliver most of the punchlines and summarize each episode in my sleep if needed to. If you don't want to travel all the way to FiDi for the Housewives show, how about taking In Matt Price and Ilyse Mimoun's popular debate series, aptly titled The Great Debate! This time they will discuss: Girls versus Golden Girls. Who empower us and who are a bunch of stunted, oppressed degenerates? Friday, January 24, 8pm. $15. StageWerx, 446 Valencia St.

Nellie McKay

Maybe you don't know her name, but you recognize her music from TV shows such as "Mad Men," "Weeds," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Nurse Jackie." Maybe you see a picture of Nellie and realize that you did catch her appearance on multiple chat shows. She's a singer, songwriter, actress, pianist, ukulele player, satirist, comedian and a good pick to check out at SketchFest. Saturday, January 25, 8pm. $30. Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa St.

Farewell, "Futurama!"

Good news, everyone! The wacky animated scifi series may be finished, but the cast isn't, and many of them will be performing a few favorite scripts from the show. Saturday, January 25. $25. 1pm. All ages. Marines' Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter St.

Stand Up Spotlight: James Adomian

I've had the pleasure of working with James Adomian, who is a stellar comic who just happens to be gay. His impressions and memorable characters are not to miss, and it's widely agreed that it's just a mere matter of time before Adomian is a household name. The Advocate named him a part of their Top 40 Under 40, and he can be heard on many a podcast. Also appearing: Baron Vaughn. Sunday, January 26, 8pm. $20. Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave.

Mortified

There's an episode of "The Golden Girls" where Blanche and Sophia read Rose's diary and are mortified by the things she wrote, presumably about them. Well, it turns out it was her 4H pig-raising diary she kept as a child... and I bet we all have those journal entries or some other not-so-fond memory from our childhood that we documented and would be mortified if a live audience of strangers heard it. Some willing adults will read their actual entries from childhood in this hit show. Tuesday, January 28, 8pm. $20. Punchline Comedy Club, 444 Battery St.

Scott Capurro's Position

While he spends most of his time in England, Capurro originally from The Bay Area is usually found performing here in San Francisco at least twice a year. On this trip, he brings his show Scott Capurro's Position to The Punchline Comedy Club where he and sidekick David Mills will partake in a fun, informal and gossipy banter about anything and everything. Thursday, January 30, 8pm. $20. Punchline Comedy Club, 444 Battery St.

Megan Mullally in Concert

You may remember her best as the wacky and often tossed Karen Walker from "Will & Grace." Now, Megan Mullally has teamed up with actress Stephanie Hunt to form their new band, Nancy & Beth. Friday, January 31, 8pm. $30. Kanbar Hall at JCCSF, 3200 California St.

Talk Show: The Game Show

Bay Area comedy alum Guy Branum spotlights two of television's least respected formats, the talk show and the game show, by combining them into one entertaining evening of guests name-dropping and anecdote-ing their way to victory. Friday, January 31, 8pm. $20. StageWerx, 446 Valencia St.

The Business/slug>