Solution: Stand-up comedian Mike - NYT Crossword

Funny thing about names in this grid (which are challenging, both the personal and geographical). I had a very early hunch that 2D had to include a rebus (before I knew the actual answer). When I saw this clue, “Stand-up comedian Mike,” I immediately thought that Mr. Eaton-Salners had put some part of “Birbiglia” in one box and had to pick myself up off the floor. Mike EPPS is a new one on me, and I think he’s new to the puzzle, although Omar’s appeared many times (apparently they’re cousins). Another toughie for me, ANNA LEE, has been in the grid over the years — in 1985, you’d have learned that her real name is Joan Winnifrith.