If you are funny, stay away from Central New Jersey, the region where laughter dies
I don't know what it is about central New Jersey. It's killing great comics left and right. First Mitch Hedberg died in a nearby Livingston in 2005, then Greg Giraldo OD'ed recently in New Brunswick. I consider it a miracle that Jim Gaffigan survived, having come through by way of the State Theatre. Perhaps naming the only comedy club in town "The Stress Factory" wasn't such a good idea.
On the other hand, guys like Dane Cook and Russell Brand could do residences here and nothing will ever happen to them.
John Oliver could probably live here his whole life here and he won't even get a paper cut.