Comedian Dave Attell, in Houston on Friday and Saturday, is brash, loud, funny and oh so politically incorrect. While we laugh at his jokes, we almost never follow his advice. "Women like lots and lots of attention," he says in one standup bit. "You might call it stalking, but they love it. They try to fool you with restraining orders, getting their friends to beat you up, but don't fall for it -- you're on the right track."
Even though Attell isn't especially handsome (he admits he looks like Andre Agassi with a drinking problem), he offers himself up as prime dating material. "Young women are looking for the Leonardo DiCaprios, the Brad Pitts and Will Smiths. They're looking for these fantasy men to come off the screen and take them out for a light meal, have sex with a condom and then call you. You know what, ladies? They don't got the time...I do."
Attell does have one bit of advice we wholeheartedly agree with: "Jack Daniel's bottles should come packaged with bail money."
Get more dating tips from Dave Attell at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Improv Comedy Showcase, 7620 Katy Freeway. For information, visit the Improv's website or call 713‑333-8800. $25 to $35.
Anime Matsuri, which runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, is one of Houston's most popular anime and Japanese pop-culture conventions. For the last five years, it's grown bigger and better, bringing fans of anime, gaming and Japanese culture from all around the country to Houston. Convention-goers this year will have a chance to meet Kelly Hu, best known for her roles in The Scorpion King and as Lady Deathstrike in X2. She's also made a name for herself in video-game voice acting, turning in a wonderful performance in Knights of the Old Republic II as Visas Marr, and an unforgettably powerful performance in last year's crime-drama hit Sleeping Dogs as Inspector Jane Teng . More video-game voice royalty will be on hand in the form of Erin Fitzgerald, who's been in everything from the recent SkullGirls to Persona 4 to Tekken 6. And yes, there will be plenty of cosplayers on hand for pictures, both professional and amateur.
Cosplay to your heart's content from noon to 4:30 a.m. Friday, noon to 2:30 Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1200 Louisiana. For information, visit the convention's website. $30 to $65.
Steve Jansen and Jef with One F contributed to this post.
