Sat. Jan. 20

We've known Steve Sweeney since the heyday of Boston comedy, the early '80s. Check out the DVD "When Stand Up Stood Out" - they're all there, Bobcat, Clarke, Leary, Poundstone, Sweeney. Odd thing is, Sweeney is just in there for a flash, and he was a much more integral part of the scene than the movie suggests. And he still is. Yes, the others have moved on to other areas, and Sweeney spent a stint at WZLX as the morning host, but Sweeney's never really left the Boston circuit and Boston is better for it. No one does a better take on Bawston attitude or accent; no one treats the drunken heckler with as much scathing aplomb. (Sweeney's been in recovery for more than a decade.) Our relationship: I've written about him and golfed with him. He's funnier than I am, and a better golfer. He's also a pretty serious man off-stage. But on-stage he's a hoot, and there's something comforting in knowing one of the kings of comedy back then and knowing he is still up there now. His latest home is the Comedy Connection and he's there at 8 p.m. Saturday Jan. 20. The second (10:45) show that night - and the 7 p.m. show Sunday - will be done by former "Saturday Night Live" comic Tracy Morgan. The Connection's slapped an "X" rating warning on this one, which costs $32. Sweeney is three bucks less.

Faneuil Hall, second floor, 617-248-9700 comedyconnectionboston.com