The Bully Pulpit

Wed., July 8, 10 p.m., $5, Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 267-233-1556, phillyimprovtheater.com.

by Chelsea Calhoun

[ comedy ]

Ever wondered what it'd be like to sit around a big, red leather booth in the back of the local diner at 2 a.m. with a few comedians, just listening to them shoot the breeze?

That's exactly what jokester Luke Giordano had in mind when he created Philly Improv Theater's newest show, The Bully Pulpit, which will feature a panel of four standup comics who get an hour to talk about pop culture, debate current events and say, well, whatever the heck they please.

"In traditional improv, situations and characters and scenes are created," says Giordano. "This show is different because this features off-the-cuff comedy, where the panelists can be themselves and talk about basically whatever they want."

As for the show's name, Giordano says he has a major man-crush on Teddy Roosevelt, who's credited for coining the term "bully pulpit." The 26th president used it to describe his own office — a position of power so grand, it allows the holder to discuss nearly any subject (or simply exhibit an exceptional fly-swatting technique) and still seize his audience's attention.

"That is sort of a ridiculous, blown-out way of describing the show," says Giordano. "Panelists can talk about whatever they want. And if a line bombs or a comedian says something embarrassing, there are three other guys right there to make fun of him and kick him when he's down. Which is half the fun."

Wed., July 8, 10 p.m., $5, Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 267-233-1556, phillyimprovtheater.com.