Have those rim shots ready when this American one-liner machine hits the stage
Get a lung full of laughter at the Punchline Comedy Club this weekend. In fact, take two - they're small.
The club - which has not-really-secret meetings every other month - is bringing in top comedians from Europe, Australia and America. Yes, they've mostly been Englishmen, Scots and Irishmen lately, but here comes a Yank.
Okay, so Arj Barker's ancestry is Indian and European, but he really does come from California. Americans have seen him on "Premium Blend" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien".
Barker is even better known for a online Flash-animation series called "Arj and Poopy", in which he co-stars with Poopy the cat, who talks, farts and even has his own MySpace page.
The episode "Unlucky in Love" was declared the best thing on the Internet at the 2006 Annecy animated-film festival.
We found Arj in a teasing mood when he answered our e-mail.
What are you doing right now?
Sitting in a hotel in Hong Kong, wondering what time my body thinks it is.
Are we going to see a full-length "Arj and Poopy" feature one day?
We only produce one or two new episodes a year, since it's not our main project, but yes, it could become a feature - with a few million dollars behind it, no problem!
What do you normally joke about?
Nothing is normal about jokes. That's what makes them fun!
When did you first realise you were funny?
Just now, actually! Thanks for helping me have this breakthrough!
When did you first realise you could make a living doing this?
When I finally started getting paid more than I was spending just getting to my gigs!
What's the best part of being a comedian - and the worst?
Travelling is the best, sleeping in, making people laugh, meeting girls and ... uh, that's it.
The worst is airplane food and airport food.
Are people constantly asking you to tell them a joke?
No, they usually only ask me once.
How do you know a gag's going to work?
You don't know, but sometimes you can be pretty sure. This comes with experience, though - don't try it at home! Unless you have a crowd in your home, then okay.
Who's your favourite comedian?
I don't have a favourite, but Chris Rock, Eddie Izzard and Louis CK are a few great comics.
YUKS ON TAP- Arj Barker will be joined by Caihm McDonnell from Ireland and Rob Deering from Britain at the Bull's Head on Sukhumvit Soi 33/1 tonight and tomorrow at 9.
- Pay Bt1,500 to get inside, then the jokes are free.
- Find out more at (02) 233 4141-2 or (02) 234 3590 or www.GreatBritishPub.com/comedy.