Byko says farewell to Candidates' Comedy Night

GEORGE Bernard Shaw once wrote, in "Pygmalion": "What you are to do without me I cannot imagine."

I think I speak for Jenice Armstrong and myself when I say that that's about how we feel right now. Next month's annual Daily News' Candidates' Comedy Night will be Stu Bykofsky's last.

That's right, folks. The dog man living in a cat's world is hanging up his hat as host of the much-beloved night of comedy featuring jokes told by those seeking public office in November - and (we hope) a few zingers from co-hosts Armstrong and myself. So, he leaves the reins in our capable hands.

Aug. 11 marks the 25th Stu Bykofsky Candidates' Comedy Night, a fundraiser for Variety, the Children's Charity. We're proud to announce that this year's sponsor is Comcast.

"Running the show has been a long-term experience, often fun and sometimes miserable, but raising more than $500,000 for the kids served by Variety has been one of the biggest achievements of my professional life," said Byko.

"I'd like to go out with a [financial] bang, so I'll ask all my friends and supporters, if they can't get to the show, to make a donation."

Participating candidates this year include Republican mayoral candidate Melissa Murray Bailey (Democrat Jim Kenney is the first mayoral candidate ever to decline to participate); Republican candidate for sheriff, Christopher Sawyer; incumbent Democratic candidate for sheriff, Jewell Williams; Democratic incumbent at-large City Council candidates Bill Greenlee and Blondell Reynolds Brown, and Republican incumbents David Oh and Dennis O'Brien; and upcoming newcomers to Council, Democrats Derek Green and Allan Domb and Republicans Terry Tracy, Dan Tinney and Al Taubenberger.

Just as Lucious Lyon - played by Terrence Howard on Fox's hip-hop drama series "Empire"- pits his three sons against each other to compete to be his successor, so is the network now looking for local talent.

Beginning July 16, Philadelphians can enter to win an appearance on "Empire."

Fox is hosting a traveling singing competition, giving fans the chance to record their own versions of the biggest hits from "Empire," such as "No Apologies" and "Drip Drop." In addition, fans also will get to record an a cappella version of those songs, which also can be submitted for the contest.

A special cameo on Season Two of "Empire" is the grand prize.

Fox's "Next 'Empire' Artist" competition and bus tour will visit 15 cities nationwide, and Philly is toward the end of the tour.

Starting in Los Angeles, the gold "Empire" bus, outfitted with its own mini recording studio, will make its way across the country in search of recruits.

The Philly stop will take place Sept. 5 and 6, with a location yet to be determined. No purchase necessary to enter to win. For additional rules and information, visit fox.com/empire/next-empire-artist-rules.

Mother nature didn't stop Patti LaBelle from putting on a fabulous show Thursday night at the Dell Music Center (2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive).

She helped kick off the summer music series Essence of Entertainment. Despite some rain, the 71-year-old songstress took the stage in a flowing, white ostrich-feather robe and performed for nearly two hours, changing into a slinky, silver cocktail dress and offered many of her old songs.

- Daily News wire services

contributed to this report.