Sheryl Underwood at the Improv

They say beer makes everybody funnier, but Sheryl Underwood has a stronger claim than most of us. The veteran comic got her start by becoming the first-ever female finalist in the 1989 Miller Lite Comedy Search. She continued down the alcohol-fueled comedy circuit by taking home top honors in a Johnny Walker Red competition. These days, you'll see the political specialist plastered across the spectrum of fabulous basic cable: She's a veteran of BET's ComicView and Holla, HBO's All-Star Def Comedy Jam, Showtime's Full Frontal Comedy, and she's probably due for a cameo on Billy the Exterminator. But tonight and tomorrow, she's all yours: Underwood is locked in for twin gigs at the Cleveland Improv. Show times are 8 and 10 p.m. tonight and Saturday; tickets for all shows are $22. The Improv is at 2000 Sycamore St. in the Flats; call 216-696-IMPROV or go to clevelandimprov.com to learn more. — Burnett