Comedians Buddy Hackett, Paul Rodriguez, and other comic performers will join Alan King, the grandmaster of American stand-up comedy, at Sanders Theatre on Thursday, March 27, for the taping of The College of Comedy with Alan King, a 60-minute PBS special set to air on Great Performances next season. Other special guests are expected.

Presented as a university forum before a student audience, the evening will trace the historical evolution of stand-up comedy styles, paying tribute to the great American comedy artists with impromptu discussion, anecdotes, and demonstrations.

Moderated by "Professor King" and written by veteran comedy writer Herb Sargent, the format will allow frequent opportunities for the student audience to ask questions of the panelists and contribute to the discussion.

Also scheduled is a brief comedy performance by a Harvard student.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; the performance begins 7:30 p.m. Tickets (students, $8; general public, $10) are available at the Sanders Theatre Box Office.