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"I'm not a doctor, although I do play one in the broken dreams of my parents."  So says Brian Malow, a Bay Area-based comic and "day shift astronomer".  Combining a sharp but down-to-earth sense of humor with a subject matter that ranges from the bottom of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the universe, Malow is "Earth's premier science comedian," and this Thursday he can be seen at Sacramento's very own Punch Line comedy club. 

Although he has performed many times before in Sacramento as part of a standard three or four person bill, January 22nd marks the first time Malow will bring his full show, "Rational Comedy For An Irrational World."  While local comedian Kieth Lowell Jensen will provide an opening act, the show is mostly Malow, and will be followed by a Q&A session, where Malow takes questions from the audience on "anything they want to ask... and I do my best to answer them and be funny."

 While his material covers topics like quantum physics and time travel, a doctorate is not necessary to enjoy Malow's shows.  He describes himself as an "enthusiast" and an "educated amateur," and says that most of his audiences are people just like him: Average people who happen to have a passion for science.  Malow does perform for all-scientist groups however, and says that on those occasions "I can speak exactly the way I want to speak.  Make the geeky references I naturally make and the crowd is in perfect sync with me.  We're on the same wavelength." 

Malow has been a stand up comedian for years, and says "the science was always there in my regular club act.  But I always had a few bits that I knew were too obscure for typical comedy club audiences."  As his act progressed, he realized that the bits he regularly omitted were his favorite jokes, and decided to begin billing himself as a science comedian and started seeking out performances for science organizations. 

Malow has performed for a diverse cross-section of groups, ranging from colleges like Stanford University and Modesto Junior College, to corporate events with Apple, Microsoft, and Texaco.  He has also appeared on TechTV, the Discovery Channel, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Several Science-Advocacy groups count Brian Malow among their members.  He is on the advisory board of the San Diego Science Festival, and he is also currently working with the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) which is making a massive nationwide effort this year to promote science  this year, involving over 500 organizations. 

Clips of Malow's comedy can be found here, and his website and blog can be found here. 

Malow will be appearing at the Punch Line comedy club on January 22nd, at 8:30.