Comedy

Syndicated cartoonist Matt Groening. His strip, titled "Life in Hell," appears in alternative papers around the country. His animated characters (rabbits) also appear on TV's "The Tracey Ullman Show." (Rebroadcast of September 9, 1987.)

Comedian Richard Belzer. After struggling through a poor and difficult childhood and a rough decade trying to make it as a comic, he is now performing in comedy clubs from coast to coast. He is also appearing in movies, and starring in comedy specials on cable TV.

Terry Jones, a member of the comedy troupe Monty Python. Jones did much of the writing for the troupe. He directed most of their movies, often appearing as one of the Python women. Jones now writes children's books in England. He also directed the recent film "Personal Services."

Comedian Yakov Smirnoff. He arrived in the U.S. from the Soviet Union 10 years ago with $100 in his pocket. Today he is a leading comic who has appeared in movies and had his own syndicated TV show called "What A Country."

Comic Jackie Mason. He's the star of the one-man Broadway show, "The World According to Me," a hit for eight months now. The show continues to draw more sold-out houses than any other non-musical attraction on Broadway.

Syndicated cartoonist Matt Groening. His strip, titled "Life in Hell," appears in alternative papers around the country. His animated characters (rabbits) also appear on TV's "The Tracey Ullman Show."

Comic Emo Philips. He'll share the neurotic, insecure, post-adolescent persona that has made him one of the hottest neurotic, insecure, post-adolescent comics today.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld. His reflections on his suburban New York upbringing have earned him over 20 appearances on "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman."

Comedian Bob Goldthwait, who has appeared in the "Police Academy" movies and the Whoppi Goldberg film "Burglar." Goldthwait recently completed an HBO special and frequently appears on MTV.

Matt Neuman writes for the HBO show Not Necessarily the News, which lampoons political figures and current events. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his brand of edgy of humor.