The blues is a hopeful music. It helps you process something rather than avoid it. It's like mourning, in essence.

Comedians have varying levels of training. It can range from classically trained actors (like Robin Williams) to people who took comedy classes to folks who just started doing it. That's the beauty of comedy: it's close to a pure meritocracy.

I also do a certain amount of talking through material on stage, to see what happens and allow interesting ideas to manifest.

Comedy clubs are arguably one of the last bastions of uncensored, public free speech.

Opening for Louis C.K. during his "Hilarious" tour was a great experience for me. He is the generation just ahead of me, because he started so young. So it's like he's sort of a senior and I'm a junior, in terms of the business. He's done so much - from writing on Conan and Chris Rock to writing and directing movies, having his own HBO show, "Lucky Louie," and now having "Louie" on FX.

Ultimately, an audience wants to laugh. That's who they like, the comedian who makes them laugh.

In terms of my own work ethic, I've always been a determined person. When I'm focused on something, I try to see it through.