To kick off this year's Spring Fling, the sixth annual ComFest will be hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert.
The night of fun and laughs will take place on April 14 in Irvine Auditorium.
Colbert is best known as a correspondent for the past two years on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. On the show, he has added his own comedic flare while reporting on topics ranging from political issues to celebrity news.
Colbert got his start in the comedy troupe Second City and has also been a writer for Saturday Night Live.
The event, sponsored by the Social Planning and Events Committee and Mask and Wig Club, will include an array of student performers.
Yale University's The Fifth Humour, Princeton University's Triangle Club, University of Maryland's SketchUp and Penn's own all-male comedy troupe Mask and Wig will take part in the comedy festival.
Members of Mask and Wig were excited with the selection of Colbert as the event's host.
"He was one of the performers mentioned on the group's 'wish list,' and we're very excited about him hosting the event," Mask and Wig Chairman Corey Pierson said.
The night will proceed with Colbert introducing the school groups, each of which will perform for roughly 15 minutes.
Unique to this year's show is that Colbert will not only play host but will also participate in skits alongside members of Mask and Wig.
"He's a great fit for sketch comedy," Pierson said. "Everyone's really excited. We look at it as 1 1/2 hours of good times that kicks Fling off in the right direction."
Students were enthused to learn that Colbert is hosting this year's show.
"I think it's really cool that they got him to come to campus," College sophomore Kathryn Davidson said. "He's awesome, I love The Daily Show, and I think he's one of the best people on The Daily Show.
"The show has gained so much popularity recently, that's really cool they could get him to come," she added.
Engineering freshman Katie Bittner said she was also excited about Colbert's appearance on campus.
"It sounds pretty cool," Bittner said. "I've heard of him through The Daily Show. I think he does a good job on the show, and I anticipate that kids will react well to him."
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