relaxing in Katz's Deli one week before the third annual New York Comedy Festival. "It's completely kinetic, it's like rock 'n' roll, you can't describe it."

One of more than 100 comedians performing at the A-list festival, Leary is joined by stars such as Dane Cook, who performs two shows in one night at Madison Square Garden, and Artie Lange, who sold out his Carnegie Hall gig in just three hours. Kicking off on Tuesday with a roast of chef Mario Batali to benefit the Food Bank, the festival takes place across the city at locations including Carolines on Broadway and Town Hall. For the complete schedule, go to nycomedyfestival.com.

To prepare comedy lovers for what's in store, Leary and fellow headliners Lange and Howie Mandel gave The Post a sneak preview of what to expect during the six-day event—including a new Mel Gibson song audiences are going nuts over and the inevitable Artie Lange Deathwatch questions.