Detroit (WWJ)  -- It's hoping to be downtown Detroit best-known punchline--as the Motor City gets a new comedy club.  The LOL Comedy Cafe on East Jefferson near McDougall opens Thursday night.  The site used to be home to Coco's Comedy Club.

Co-Owner Hilton Yopp was asked by WWJ if the club's name--LOL--is a thinly-veiled jab at the mayoral text message scandal.  His answer?  Y-E-S.

"The city of Detroit needs some laughter.  This is what we need, I mean, people are going through hard times right now and that was just the joke that came up.  We need something that feels like you're shouting out to people," Yopp said.

A "Comedy Idol"-type competition is also in the works, said Yopp, who said his only real ties to the business have been as a fan.  Now, he's got the best seat in the house.  "Let's see if you're really a comedian.  Let's see how funny you are.  A lot of people think, you know, they might be funny in person, but it's totally different when you get on that stage."