I kind of do it in my head, then I'll try pieces of it on stage and if it looks promising, I'll put it together.

I gave up accounting. I went in for about six months writing ad copy. I was fired from that, and then another guy and I did a kind of poor man's Bob and Ray kind of syndicated radio show. Then I decided to stick it out and see what happened. I'd give it a year, a year became two years, and then two years became three years, and then along came the record album.

But I really believe that if you have the ability, there is an obligation to make people laugh

I think that what comes through in Chicago humor is the affection. Even though youre poking fun at someone or something, theres still an affection for it.

Don't be silly and don't waste your time.

I couldn't play off people that I don't personally like.

I really don't know what makes a comedian. I think it's a family background and environment. Yet if you put the same ingredients in another person, he may never utter a funny line.