Comedy

Comedian Drew Carey His ABC Wednesday night sitcom resides in the top twenty, a product of Carey's "every guy" humor. Carey has written a new book, "Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined" (Hyperion). It's his autobiography as well as a joke book.

Magician and trickster Teller of Penn and Teller. They've been performing for over twenty years, both on Broadway and around the world. The duo has just written "How to Play in Traffic" (Boulevard), an offbeat travel guide, and has also authored "Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends" and "How to Play with Your Food."

Actor, comic, writer, director Albert Brooks. Other comics revere him, although he's never been a huge commercial success. The films he's written, directed and acted in are "Real Life," "Modern Romance," "Lost in America," and "Defending Your Life." And he's acted in the films "Taxi Driver," "Broadcast News," and "I'll Do Anything." His latest film which he co-wrote, directed and stars in is "Mother." It's now out on video.

Comedian and current Tonight Show host Jay Leno relates the first time he performed on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. (REBROADCAST from 10/21/1996)

Actor/Comedian/Screenwriter/Playwright Steve Martin. He's the author a book of plays, and a collection of short stories. His screenwriting credits include "L.A.

Actor/Comedian Richard Pryor. In 1995 he published an autobiographical novel, "Pryor Convictions and Other Life Sentences" (Pantheon Books). A strong man who has overcome such ordeals as a drug addiction, self immolation, and six marriages, Pryor is determined to overcome his most recent battle with multiple sclerosis. (REBROADCAST from 5/22/95.)

Record producer and songwriter Neil Innes. He is a founding member of the comedy-rock group "The Bonzo Dog Band." He's also a member of "Rutles" the band which he and Eric Idle of Monty Python, created as a spoof of the Beatles. The band recently reunited and recorded a new collection "The Rutles Archaeology" (Virgin Records). Innes is also considered the "seventh Python" player (as in the Monty Python) because he provided and performed comedy music for the troupe.

Comic Lea DeLaria. Don't call her a lesbian. She's a dyke. . . who does standup, and jazz singing. (REBROADCAST from 4/29/93)

Actor John Leguizamo. Leguizamo created and starred in the hit one-man show "Mambo Mouth," based on his experiences as a Latino growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens. "Mambo Mouth" premiered on HBO's Comedy Hour. He has appeared in movies such as "Executive Decision" and this summer's "Spawn." (REBROADCAST from 10/24/91.)

Comedian Richard Belzer. For a number of years now, he's played a detective on the show "Homicide." This interview was conducted before he took on that role. Belzer also appeared frequently on "Saturday Night Live" "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman." He's also written a book titled "How To Be a Stand-up Comic." (Originally broadcast 12/31/87.)