Hubris trumped humor the first time Mike E. Winfield went on stage.

and#8220;I thought I was so funny, I could just make up my entire set when I got there,and#8221; Winfield said. and#8220;I didnand#8217;t prepare. I didnand#8217;t write anything. I thought, Hey Iand#8217;m funny enough, this is easy.and#8221;

Calling the experience and#8220;horrendous,and#8221; Winfield said he didnand#8217;t return to the stage for two or three years. It was a fortuitous revisitation.

and#8220;I think itand#8217;s in my blood because I found my way back and now I canand#8217;t leave it,and#8221; he said. and#8220;Itand#8217;s pretty much the gateway into whatever else is going to happen and#8212; TV, movies, radio, who knows?and#8221;

This much is certain: Winfield will headline Crystal Bay Casinoand#8217;s first Tahoe Comedy North show of the winter season. Mike Betancourt is the host, and the special guest is North Shoreand#8217;s Rowie.

Promoter Wayne Wright, who presents shows most weekends at the Pioneer Theater in Reno, said he plans to put on a Crown Room comedy bill each month until springtime. He said he was happy to bring Winfield back to Tahoe because he is a consummate professional. Winfield was the middle act last time, and he returns as the headliner.

and#8220;I remember playing Frisbee in the snow,and#8221; Winfield said. and#8220;I remember the crowd being great. They wanted to buy all my T-shirts up.and#8221;

Winfield has a recurring role on the network comedy and#8220;The Office,and#8221; and also has appeared on Comedy Central, BET and Showtime. A career highlight was being on the and#8220;Late Show with David Lettermanand#8221; in November 2010.

and#8220;He made it so comfortable,and#8221; Winfield said. and#8220;They take the cameras away and the staff is just amazingly nice. I never got nervous. I just went and performed as if it was in any theater. It was just like another night of comedy for me.and#8221;

Winfield, who goes by and#8220;Mike E.,and#8221; not and#8220;Mikey,and#8221; comes from Sacramento, as does Betancourt.

and#8220;Mikeand#8217;s hilarious and he brings a lot of energy,and#8221; Winfield said. and#8220;Mike looks like he just took down four Red Bulls. Brace yourself for the most energy youand#8217;ve ever seen in a performer.and#8221;