By COREY KILGANNON

Published: May 16, 2008

A few weeks back, I wrote an article about the comedian Irwin Corey, who is 93. His agent and manager, Irvin Arthur, called last week and told me that another one of his clients, also with a long career as a comedian, would be performing on Saturday night at B. B. King's Blues Club and Grill in Times Square.

I went and found Mort Sahl performing for a packed house that included Woody Allen and Dick Cavett, two of his biggest fans. Mr. Cavett introduced Mr. Sahl, who then took the stage without a copy of The New York Times, which was one of his onstage habits, allowing him to riff on the day's news.

But he riffed anyway, seemingly on whatever came to his mind -- political observations and recollections of his friendships, or at least encounters, with famous people: from both George Bushes to Frank Sinatra. He told a story about Mr. Allen once declaring that seeing Mort Sahl's comedy had changed his life.

Mr. Sahl told the audience that he had later tried to approach Mr. Allen at a party and been blocked by a bodyguard. (Mr. Sahl finally told the bodyguard, ''Tell him it's the guy who changed his life.'')

After the show on Saturday, Mr. Allen dropped by Mr. Sahl's tiny dressing room. He and other showbiz types -- including Mr. Cavett, the comedian and writer Elaine May and the producer Jack Rollins -- stood in a circle with Mr. Sahl and traded stories.

I got in with my video camera, and some people who negotiate such things said Mr. Allen was O.K. with having his picture taken with Mr. Sahl and others.

As I was circling, squeezing by furniture and trying to keep the camera on them, Mr. Allen -- was he simply being considerate or was he being a director, even in his spare time? -- asked if I had gotten my picture. I said I was getting it all the while. (See the video at nytimes.com/cityroom.)

Mr. Sahl's comedic style is said to have helped pave the way for Lenny Bruce and others who provocatively challenged the status quo. Mr. Sahl wrote many successful screenplays as well as speeches for John F. Kennedy.

He is also a professor these days, teaching screenwriting at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif. He is ranked 40th on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians.

It was Mr. Sahl's 81st birthday the next day, so after Saturday night's show he was given a birthday cake in the dressing room, and everyone sang to him. He blew out the candle and quoted Adlai Stevenson. Mr. Cavett laughed and said it had to be one of the greatest things ever said over a birthday cake.

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