Chris Rock, Marc Maron and 14 other great comedy shows coming to Philly

Comedy and satire have never been more vital in an era when truth is hard to find. Good thing Philadelphia has an excellent slate of comedians coming to town. Start your season off with a French superstar and end with one of the great American comedic voices.

Gad Elmaleh (Wednesday, Keswick Theatre). Think of Gad Elmaleh as the Jerry Seinfeld of France. But Elmaleh wasn't satisfied with just being a French superstar. He has set his sights on the States, where he's trying to win over a new audience in a foreign language (that would be English). (215-572-7650 or keswicktheatre.com)

Pete Holmes/Judd Apatow/Artie Lange (Friday, Trocadero). These three comedians are promoting the Holmes-starring Crashing that premieres Feb. 19 on HBO. Apatow may have crossover appeal, but Holmes and Lange are both excellent live. (215-922-6888 or thetroc.com)

Kathy Griffin (Feb. 17, Borgata). The acidic and funny comedian is just coming off her new memoir, Kathy Griffin's Celebrity Run-Ins: My A-Z Index. (609-317-1000 or theborgata.com)

Black Thought Presents . . . Delirious (Feb. 23, Punch Line Philly). The Roots singer hosts a new occasional comedy series at the Fishtown club. (215-606-6555 or punchlinephilly.com)

Michelle Wolf (Feb. 23-25, Punch Line Philly). The Daily Show with Trevor Noah correspondent takes her act on the road. (215-606-6555 or punchlinephilly.com)

Keith Robinson (March 16, Helium Comedy Club). Kevin Hart's buddy and fellow longtime stand-up returns home for a one-night-only Philly show. (215-496-9001 or philadelphia.helium.com)

Chris Kattan (March 16-18, Punch Line Philly). The Saturday Night Live star returns to the stand-up stage after a hiatus. (215-606-6555 or punchlinephilly.com)

Billy Crystal (March 20-21, Kimmel Center). For a guy who has hosted the Academy Awards nine times, the Kimmel Center stage is small potatoes. But that doesn't make us any less excited about this show. (215-893-1999 or kimmelcenter.org)

Bob Saget (March 30, Keswick Theatre). The Philadelphia native returns home, hopefully with new material about the Netflix reboot Fuller House. (215-572-7650 or keswicktheatre.com)

Michael Ian Black (April 6-8, Helium Comedy Club). The actor and podcaster takes to the stand-up stage. Watch Wet Hot American Summer on Netflix to prep yourself before his Helium show. (215-496-9001 or philadelphia.helium.com)

Carol Burnett (April 11, Academy of Music). It's not often that a comedy legend takes the stage. Don't miss one of the funniest humans alive in a rare Philly appearance. (215-893-1999 or kimmelcenter.org)

Welcome to Night Vale (April 12, Keswick Theatre). Cecil Baldwin hosts this truly weird but beloved podcast-turned-live-show that always comes with special guest stars. (215-572-7650 or keswicktheatre.com)

Mike Birbiglia (April 14-15, Helium Comedy Club). This American Life regular is coming off a successful movie (improv dramedy Don't Think Twice) and is playing the rare club venue. (215-496-9001 or philadelphia.helium.com)

LaughWell with Dr. Katz Live (May 7, Punch Line Philly). Jonathan Katz invites his buddies to Philly to support its arts-education initiative ArtWell. Expect the comedian to do his long-running (and very funny) therapist shtick for a good cause. (215-606-6555 or punchlinephilly.com)

Marc Maron (May 12, Merriam Theater). He may have gained his large fan base from his entertaining and revealing WTF podcast, but Marc Maron will always be a stand-up at heart. (215-893-1999 or kimmelcenter.org)

Kevin James (May 27, Borgata). The comedian is riding high with Kevin Can Wait on CBS, but despite sitcom success, he always makes sure to return to the stand-up stage. (609-317-1000 or theborgata.com)

Chris Rock (June 3, Borgata). One of the greats, Chris Rock is on a massive tour that will eventually lead to Netflix stand-up specials. (609-317-1000 or theborgata.com)