Reasons to smile

By Joe Brown

Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 | 2 a.m.

The worst of winter is behind us — British scientists declared Jan. 25 the most depressing day of the year, and January the most depressing month. We still have to get through February, though, when the blues and blahs known as SAD (seasonal affective disorder) reach their peak for millions of people.

The good news is that Las Vegans and visitors have at least five reasons to smile — even if the shortest month is one day longer this year: February has shaped up as a standout for stand-up. In addition to the long-running laugh-makers already in town, a gang of TV-famous comics hits town starting today. Get ready to channel-surf through the showrooms.

Jerry Seinfeld

You know him from “Seinfeld,” of course, and as Barry B. Benson in the animated “Bee Movie,” which he co-created. The car collector is said to own 46 Porsches.

Stand-up signature: “And what’s the deal with ...?”

Details: Friday and Saturday; Colosseum at Caesars Palace; $75 and up

Howie Mandel

Most famous for hosting the game show “Deal or No Deal,” the longtime comic also did a six-year run on “St. Elsewhere.”

Stand-up signature: Pulling a latex glove over his head and inflating it with his nostrils. Mandel dropped the routine under doctor’s orders, but reprised it in a cameo role as himself on “My Name Is Earl.”

Details: Feb. 14-28 at the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand; $79 and up

David Spade

Recently made tabloid news when Playboy playmate Jillian Grace named him the father of her child. The sarcastic Spade has made an art of snark, backbiting and impersonating celebrities on “Saturday Night Live” and his recently canceled “Showbiz Show.”

Stand-up signature: Witheringly delivered lines such as “And you are? ...” and “Buh-bye.”

Details: Feb. 15 and 16; Planet Hollywood Showroom; $89. He’ll be back March 14-25, April 11 and 12, July 25 and 26, Aug. 30 and 31, Oct. 10 and 11 and 24 and 25, and Nov. 28 and 29.

Kevin James

and Ray Romano

The “King of Queens” star will open for the star of “Everybody Loves Raymond” — Romano was the highest-paid actor in TV history. The low-key longtime friends, both of whom started in stand-up, will do a Q&A with the audience after the shows.

Stand-up signature: Both comics offer offbeat domestic observations from an affectionate Everyguy persona.

Details: Feb. 15 and 16 and Feb. 29 and March 1; Danny Gans Theatre at The Mirage; $110

Sarah Silverman

An acquired taste, the deceptively sweet-looking provocateur lasted one season as a writer/cast member on “Saturday Night Live” and now plays a version of herself on the “Sarah Silverman Program” on Comedy Central.

Stand-up signature: Mocks bigotry and racial and religious stereotypes by uttering them in ironic innocence.

Details: Feb. 23; The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel; $37.50 and up