SFist recently went to one of Robin William’s practice sessions at Bimbo’s and it rekindled our interest in comedy as a way to cope with national politics. The Daily Show has long been a bright spot on that front, thanks in part to the writing of Paul Mecurio. Mecurio has won both an Emmy and a Peabody for his writing for the Daily Show. He will be headlining at Punchline tonight through Saturday, tickets are available here. Still trying to decide? Watch this, and read on for his SFist interview below.

What's your take on the comedy scene in the Bay Area?
I had a great time when I performed there with Brian Regan. Crowds were cool, a nice vibe to the place. People seem to respect the art form and what we’re trying to do up there. Of course, I think San Francisco and NYC have the best pedigree and heritage of putting out some of the best comics. To be able to work in the town is very exciting for me. It feels a bit like you’re playing on hallowed ground Plus, it gives me an opportunity to go back and visit the Polygamist cult I once ruled with an iron fist and a soft heart.

Any advice to aspiring comedians?
Have your mother hug you two more times and the need to have people laugh at you will disappear. If you still insist on going in to Comedy sleep with everyone you can-- club owners, bookers, managers, agents, servers, dishwashers, bus boys, etc. It won’t advance your career but it will make the long days on the road go by quicker.

Also, never wear loafers on stage— podiatrists say it is not healthy for the feet to be standing for hours without tie shoes and it sends the message that you are not serious about stand-up.

What makes a joke funny?
A masturbating monkey, whipped cream, lots of it, oh and humping the shit out of a bar stool! Try to work these 3 things in to every joke and you got a home run!

Is there anything that is not funny?
Jerry Lewis when he is trying to be serious and a person in a wheelchair rolling out of control backwards down a hill … no, wait, that’s actually funny.

Who do you think is funny?
Ben Bernake, head of The Federal Reserve. Why, just the other night ol’ Ben and I were at the Harvard club and he told this HILARIOUS off color joke about third world debt and a new calculation to sell derivatives short! I laughed so hard 200-year old Cognac came shooting out of my nose.

Name
Paul Mecurio

Introduce yourself in one sentence
Hi, my name is Paul Mecurio and I am an Alcoholic, Sex-Aholic and Rage-Aholic.

Age and Occupation
Comedian

Home Town
Born in Providence, RI. Live in NYC

Favorite place to spend time online
Paulmecurio.com

What I'm currently Reading
“His Excellency”

Best Deal in San Francisco
Paul Mecurio’s shows

Favorite mode of transportation
Magic turnip.

Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it
Peaceniks, stoners and lesbians, and I love all three, in fact I am two of the three.

Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
Bullitt

NY has the BEST
Pavement. Hard in the winter, squishy in the summer.

You've never lived in NY until
You’ve shared a sweltering subway with angry people

Favorite NY area politician of past or present
Elliot Spitzer … need I say more?

You can tell someone is a local in NYC IF
They have the look of being crushed by life!

NY would be soooo much better if only
Car horns were removed from cars and replaced with the sound of orgasms!

Place you always tell visitors to check out in NY
The hookers on 12th avenue, oh and the bus station

Favorite Bridge in the area
Guess!

You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in NY, what are you going to do?
During a rain storm buy cheap umbrellas for $3 each, mark them up 300%, sell them on the street and rake it in!

I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist
A truckload of Chinese human rights violators. Remarkably cheap.

I want all the SFists out there to know
That if you come to my show and start choking I can Heimlich you!

Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview
Why don’t you call anymore?