Aziz Ansari, Jim Gaffigan and More Join NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL Lineup

The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF), in association with COMEDY CENTRAL, today announced its 2012 line-up, that will feature some of the industry's biggest stars performing in the city's most prestigeous venues, including The Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, The Beacon Theatre, Madison Square Garden, and Town Hall, among others, from Wednesday, November 7 – Sunday, November 11.

Kevin Hart returns to The Festival to become only one of a handful of comedians ever to headline the Madison Square Garden arena when he brings his Let Me Explain Tour to MSG on November 10. Hart shares the rare accomplishment of headlining the famed arena along with Bob Hope, George Burns, Eddie Izzard, Chris Rock, Andrew "Dice" Clay and Dane Cook, who in 2006 for the New York Comedy Festival performed two shows in one night. HBO's "Real Time" host Bill Maher returns to the Beacon Theatre on November 10, to share his unique and hilarious views on the presidential election. Award-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams returns to the festival with a lively conversation with Emmy® Award winning director David Steinberg (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Weeds) at the 92nd Street Y on November 11. AZIZ ANSARI, star of NBC's hit series Parks and Recreation, will perform on two of the city's biggest stages – the famed Apollo Theater on November 9 and at Carnegie Hall on November 10. Emmy® Award nominated Ricky Gervais will kick off The Festival when he returns with his razor-sharp wit for an in-depth conversation at Town Hall on November 7.

They will be joined by comedy superstars including Adam Carolla, Rob Delaney, Jim Gaffigan, Artie Lange, Patton Oswalt, Brian Regan, Marlon and Shawn Wayans and more than 175 other comedians performing in more than 50 shows as part of The Festival.

Additional shows will be announced in the coming weeks.

"I can't even find the words to describe what I'm feeling right now!," says Kevin Hart. "I'm honored to join a group of comedians that will go down in history because of their performances at The Garden!!! God is good!"

"The New York Comedy Festival continues to solidify New York City's position as the comedy capital of the world, " says Caroline Hirsch, founder of The Festival and owner of Carolines on Broadway. "Once again, we're thrilled to partner with Comedy Central and to continue to grow The Festival brand with an incredible line-up of talent and programming. We have some of our favorite comedians returning as well as introducing some who have not been part of The Festival in the past. There won't be any shortage of laughs this November," Hirsch adds.

"Each year, the Festival keeps expanding its caliber of talent, shows and venues with killer success. This year is no exception and Comedy Central is excited to be a part of it again," Mitch Fried, Executive Vice President, Enterprises, Comedy Central.

Citi cardmembers will have special access to purchase presale tickets to select NYCF shows. For more information visit www.citiprivatepass.com. The presale will run from August 8 at 10:00 AM EDT to August 12 at 10:00 EDT. Tickets for all shows are available to the general public starting Monday, August 13 at 10:00 AM EDT through the New York Comedy Festival website: www.nycomedyfestival.com.

The 2012 NYCF is presented in association with COMEDY CENTRAL. Now in its ninth year, the festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway. Sponsors are Citibank, Klondike ®, JetBlue and Svedka Vodka. The media sponsors are: New York Post, Timeout New York, Variety, and the Village Voice.