Call us un-hip, but we’re not super up on the comedy scene. Unless someone has a sitcom or is one of those MTV or VH1 shows we end up watching marathons for over the holidays, the chances of us having name recognition are slim. C’est la vie-- play the same game with local bands and artists, and we’ll destroy you. Brian Regan is an exception to our usual lack of comedic knowledge. We’ve been hearing great things about him from friends for the past year. Apparently he’s witty—as in makes jokes that are funny, smart and aren’t based solely on being offensive (sure those other forms of humor are funny—but his stick seems pretty novel these days). So, what does this up and coming comic (he’s just signed for a few Comedy Central specials) have to do with you? He’s performing at the Masonic Center on Thursday December 6th (Nob Hill Nob Hill!!). More importantly he shares the secret to making funny jokes below. Too bad you couldn’t have said you were thankful for this interview last week.

What's your take on the comedy scene in the Bay Area?
I don't live in the Bay Area, but I when i see Bay Area people slip on banana peels, I laugh my head off.

Any advice to aspiring comedians?
Don't say, "Sorry," after your punch lines.

What makes a joke funny?
Incongruency. (I read that when I was in college and first interested in comedy. It's still the biggest word I know.)

Is there anything that is not funny?
Congruency.

Please tell us a San Francisco joke
A grasshopper, walks into a bar in San Francisco, wearing a San Francisco t-shirt. The bartender, a native of San Francisco, says to the grasshopper, "Hey, we have a drink named after you." The grasshopper, a huge fan of both the San Fransisco 49ers and the San Fransisco Giants, asks, "You have a drink named Steve?"

Introduce yourself in one sentence
I am Brian Regan, and I am from earth

Age and occupation
Age: I was born before the turn of the century. Occupation: NFL football player. I hold for punts.

Home Town
I am originally from Miami, Florida, but have lived in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Tiffin, Ohio.

Favorite place to spend time online
There is a great website for professional wrestlers who are interested in world war one, world war two, the movie Waterworld, and the We are the World song: www.wwwwwIwwIIwwwatw.com

Favorite local business
The Golden Gate Bridge Worker's Bar and Tavern

What I'm currently reading.
How to Make Friends and Influence People. Why in the hell do you ask?

Favorite Mode of Transportation

Barrels... great for rolling down hills and going over waterfalls.

Best band or musician to come out of Bay Area

Bay City Rollers.

Favorite Bay Area stereotype and whether or not you buy into it

People like to take steroids and call themselves GIANTS. Yes, I believe in GIANTS.

Favorite artist to come out of bay area

The guy who designed the Alcatraz t-shirts. They look just like prisoner clothes, with the stripes and everything!

Favorite author to come out of the Bay Area.
Voltaire. (Actually, I'm not sure if he's from the Bay Area. He might be from Kansas.)