TIME TO POKE FUN

Jerry Seinfeld says that for a comedian, U.S. Sen. Larry Craig's bathroom episode is "one of the greatest things that has ever happened, I think. For me, it's such a perfect event."

The Idaho Republican's "legacy will be, 'I like to spread my legs on the toilet so that my underwear doesn't hit the ground.' That's really funny."

Seinfeld and Chris Rock did a teleconference with reporters Tuesday to promote The Comedy Festival Nov. 14-17.

Rock added that "I've been in a million airport bathrooms and I never thought anything was going on. ... I'm gonna sit in this land of smell. I don't know about you, but I can't have sex with the TV on. I'm just distracted. It's not happening right now. Just the smell."

An Ellen DeGeneres special taped for cable TV and stand-up concerts by Wanda Sykes and Eddie Izzard are among the highlights of the festival's third edition. Tickets for most events go on sale Saturday. The festival previously announced shows by Seinfeld and Rock, both of whom received special awards from its promoters in previous years.

This year's version lacks a high-profile televised benefit along the lines of "Earth to America" in 2005 or "Comic Relief" last year. But more shows this year will be aired on TBS a day or two later. The festival based at Caesars Palace was launched in the shadow of Aspen's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, but could pick up steam after HBO, the major sponsor of both, decided not to go ahead with the Aspen festival next March.

"There are really big comedy festivals around the world, but I don't think there's a really big one in America," Rock said. "So this would be the biggest one in America.

"Not for us. We've cashed out," Rock added with a laugh. "There's some kid on the Strip doing a 10:15 spot tonight that's dreaming of getting on this festival."

Seinfeld said the Las Vegas festival again is sponsored by AEG Live, which produces Celine Dion's show at Caesars Palace.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. at the Colosseum box office, by telephone at 877-823-3378 or online at www.thecomedyfestival.com, www.ticketmaster.com and www.vegas.com. Prices were not available Tuesday.

Festival highlights:

• "Ellen's Really Big Show" on Nov. 15 will be broadcast on TBS Nov. 18. It's described as a "throwback to the beloved variety specials of the past," with music and comedy. Tickets are $45-$75.

• Seinfeld and Rock will perform back-to-back in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Nov. 16 and 17, with Seinfeld at 8 p.m. and Rock at 11 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $82.50-$165 for Seinfeld and $95-$175 for Rock.

• Impressionist Frank Caliendo taping an hour-long stand-up special on Nov. 15 to air the next day on TBS. Tickets are $45.

• Stand-up sets by Artie Lange on Nov. 15 (tickets are $55), Jamie Kennedy and Nick Swardson together on Nov. 16 (tickets are $40) and separate shows by Izzard and Sykes on Nov. 17 (tickets are $55 for each).

• "Kims of Comedy" on Nov. 15 features Steve Byrne, Bobby Lee, Dr. Ken Jeong and Kevin Shea. Tickets are $35.

• "The Return of Weirdo and Beardo with Friends Afro & Mike-O" on Nov. 15 features Zach Galifianakis, Brian Posehn, Reggie Watts and Mike O'Connell. Tickets are $40.

• "Blue Collar Comedy: The Next Generation" is hosted by Bill Engvall and features Reno Collier, Jamie Kaler, John Caparulo and Juston McKinney. The live date on Nov. 16 will air on TBS the next day. Tickets are $45.

• "The Return of Nick Cannon's Wild N' Out" brings the MTV comedy show back for a second year on Nov. 16. Tickets are $55.

• "Left, Right and Blue" offers political humor from John Oliver, Bill Burr and Marc Maron on Nov. 17. Tickets are $40.

• "Vegas Va-Voom" kicks off the festival Nov. 14 with an old-school event hosted by Las Vegas' Steve Schirripa of "The Sopranos" fame. Tickets are $45.