Does going to a comedy show in New York City mean spending the evening in Manhattan? Not necessarily.

Each of NYC's Outer Boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) features regular comedy shows which attract some of the biggest names in the business. Although Brooklyn's Pips, which is the oldest comedy club in the United States, is the only major venue, comedy rooms are scattered all over the outer reaches of the Big Apple.

Comedy stars such as Jim Carrey, Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, Jay Leno, Paul Reiser, Sam Kinison, Andrew "Dice" Clay, Jerry Seinfeld, Jackie Mason, Kelly Ripa, Woody Allen, George Carlin, Robert Klein, David Brenner, Billy Crystal, Steve Landesberg, Robert Guillaume, Chris Rock, Colin Quinn, Ray Romano, and many others have performed in the Outer Boroughs.

While Manhattan has many advantages, there are many better things about running a comedy show in the Outer Boroughs.

Corrine Ellingson, who co-hosts the Royal Wood Comedy Night at the Royal Oak in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, said, "We definitely get a different crowd. You get more of a community, people who want to see great comedy. There's also cheap beer. Things are less expensive out here."

"We offer a more affordable price," said Rich Ramirez, who runs comedy shows at SideStreet and Sports Plus Café, both of which are in the Bronx. "We offer the same quality entertainment. We also offer food."

Michelle Buteau, who produces comedy at the Albatross Bar in Astoria, Queens, mentioned some advantages for comedians. "We could try new stuff and actually feel good about it, even if it doesn't go over well," she said. "You wouldn't be judged as harshly as you would be in a Manhattan audience. You also get more stage time. At a lot of comedy clubs in the city, it's like a comedy factory."

Unlike in Manhattan, the shows in the Outer Boroughs are geared more for local audiences than for visitors to the Big Apple.

"Running a club in Manhattan is generally outreach to tourists," Andy Richter, who ran now-defunct shows at Snooky's in Brooklyn and the Cartoon Lounge in Queens, said. "You don't have that in the Outer Boroughs. You have to provide them with a different, but high quality entertainment to keep them coming back."

Clubs in the suburbs, such as those in Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey, are also different from those in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Suburban clubs have the advantage of being further from the City, which means that their audiences are less likely to want to make the trek out of the area.

J.P. Justice, who runs shows at the Muddy Cup in Staten Island, said, "They're not captive in the Outer Boroughs. It's a 20-minute boat ride or a 20-minute car ride to the City. If they didn't have comedy in the suburbs," he added, "They would watch the blades of grass grow."

For a comedian, there are several differences between performing in Manhattan and in the Outer Boroughs. Manhattan's shows offer less time on stage and less money, but more of an opportunity to get noticed and the ability to perform at several venues in one night.

Ray Garvey, who ran Pips Comedy Club in Brooklyn for over 20 years until recently, said "The big difference is the comedians that they get there. In the city, it's not about the money. The industry is in the city. There are going to be 12 guys performing each show."

Although some of the Outer Boroughs producers said that the comedy there is more raw and has less pressure, most felt that it is not different from Manhattan.

"My customers… say it's the same act and they the comedians do the same material," said Rob Lentz, who co-owns Circles West in Staten Island. "The one difference would be we're a two man show; thus, I ask more out of the comedians timewise."

"It's much more mellow (here)," Rachael Mason, who co-hosts the Royal Wood Comedy Night. "It's more laid back. They were willing to let us develop. You don't have that luxury in Manhattan."

They also felt that, since they are targeting different audiences in other boroughs, Manhattan doesn't compete against them directly.

John Homer, who runs Comedy Showcase at the Viper Lounge in Fresh Meadows, Queens, said, "It's a whole different scene. We have to make it more of a destination. They're going to have to make plans to show up."

"The only (competition) I might (get) is if somebody tells me they can't do my gig because of something in Manhattan," said Dave LaBarca, who produces comedy at the Sly Fox Inn in Flushing, Queens. "If there's an important audition at a club in the City, that might trump my gig."

While patience is generally cited as being the most important trait for running a show outside of Manhattan, there are many other factors.

Garvey listed what it takes to produce comedy in the Outer Boroughs. He said that you need "an audience. It takes time, it takes effort, and it takes good acts… to kind of mold the shows. Those people are just looking to laugh, a belly laugh. You've got to reflect your demographics."

As in Manhattan, comedy elsewhere in New York City is booming. Although some comedy clubs and rooms have closed, many have recently opened. Comedians and fans can find a show in any part of New York City, but they may need to search more thoroughly.

"Comedy seems to be having a resurgence right now, people are paying more attention," said Tony Camacho of Top Draw Entertainment, which books shows at several clubs, including the Muddy Cup. "At one point, it was saturated. It's the one situation where you can be on the same stage as a David Brenner or a Robert Klein. It's a funky business and the focus is to make people feel good."

You can also e-mail Jerry L. Kahn at jerry@thecomical.com or visit him at www.BorderingOnTheRidiculous.com.