Just call him Mr. Funny Pants

By Meredith Deliso

Michael Showalter is a tad obsessed with process.

In “Mr. Funny Pants,” the comedian’s new quasi-memoir, he spends five chapters discussing writing the book, including a preface, post-preface, and post-post preface, and even fake reviews for the finished product.

It’s a tactic that may fail in less skilled hands, but makes for a brainy, offbeat and, yes, funny, literary debut filled with irreverent, clever pieces — an imaginary interview with Charlie Rose, a parody of an ad for an online university — as well as tidbits from his own life. (See him discuss the book on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" below.)

Showalter may be new to the publishing world, but he’s made a name for himself in sketch comedy, thanks to The State, Stella, and his Comedy Central show with Michael Ian Black, “Michael and Michael Have Issues.” He’s also a dependable regular at almost every major Brooklyn comedy event.

To celebrate his new book, he’ll first perform at Eugene Mirman’s “Pretty Good Friends” show, and then read at BookCourt in Cobble Hill on March 1. So you’ll have two chances to find out why he’s earned the title, Mr. Funny Pants.

Michael Showalter at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643-6510], Feb. 27, 8 pm, $10; BookCourt [163 Court St. between Pacific and Dean streets in Cobble Hill, (718) 875-3677], March 1, 7 pm, free. For info, visit www.michaelshowalter.net.