LOCAL politicians should take cover - the Not The Um Um Show is back with a new offering, Caricomedy.

Not The Um Um Show, a revue-type comedic institution which uses skits and songs to poke fun at life and politics in Bermuda, is arguably the single most popular act on the island's entertainment scene. It features the talents of Fred and Bruce Barritt, Peter Smith, Chris Broadhurst and Tim Taylor. Sean Dill, another member of the troupe, is currently living in New York and will not appear in the show.

Caricomedy will be presented on July 4, 5 & 6 at the Spanish Point Boat Club.

"All the local bigwigs suddenly go quiet around this time of year," said Tim Taylor of Not The Um Um Show Productions Limited. "They're afraid we might put them in our script."

He said Caricomedy would be the last show the group would do before their 20th anniversary show in 2004.

"The 2004 show will be fairly huge," said Mr. Taylor. "We are taking next year off to write it."

The Not The Um Um Show crew have been performing all over the island in private clubs. Now they are taking their show public.

"The show is usually at the Clayhouse Inn, but this year the venue has changed to the Spanish Point Boat Club," said Mr. Taylor. "We are going to tent the outdoor area. Hopefully, we will have good weather. It should be really nice. So far we had had good reviews from our audiences (in private clubs)."

One of the most popular items in the show is a skit called Radio Mohawk. This involves a funny radio news report and comments on current events.

"That changes all the time," said Mr. Taylor. "Sometimes the stuff in Radio Mohawk is from that day. Not The Um Um Show is always a show of political satire and great songs. This year we will be trying a little improv humour like you see on the Drew Carey Show. That should work out well."

He said Caricomedy was an all-new show "scrambled together" with elements from their Washington, DC performance at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival last year.

"The Washington, DC show was for Americans," Mr. Taylor said. "This one is directed at Bermudians. This show is definitely for adults, not children. It would be appropriate for people over the age of 17."

He said the name Caricomedy was obviously influenced by Caricom, but the whole thing would not be about Bermuda's controversial move to join the Caribbean Community.

"We were looking for something with `Com' in the title," said Mr. Taylor. "Last year the show was called Dot.Com. There will be stuff about Caricom, but lots of other stuff as well."

Tickets will be available on Saturday, June 8 and Saturday, June 15 at the Daylesford Theatre in Hamilton for $25. The show is on July 4, 5, & 6. The doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m.