Yesterday I had the opportunity to chat with Doug Benson from this season's Last Comic Standing. Doug is officially the 6th funniest comic in the world. You can see Doug on VH!'s best week ever, catch him on tour or stop by his mysapce page to say hello.

Q. Mark (RealityWanted.com): Thanks for taking the time to talk with us this morning. How have the interviews been so , are you tired of the same questions?

A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): They have been good. I have been asked several of the same questions, but occasionally, I got a curve ball question to wake me up.

Q. Mark: Tell us about how you got your start in comedy?

A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): I have always wanted to be in show business since I was kid. I thought I wanted to be an actor or in show business so I moved from San Diego to Los Angels. After living there for a couple of months my friends said that I should be a standup comic. Two of my buddies said, "Why don't the three of us go down to the comedy club on pot luck night and all do sets". One of my friends was late and the other was a no show. So I went on stage, people laughed, and so here I am. It all started around the fall of '85.

Q. Mark (RealityWanted.com): Which comics have been your biggest inspirations?

A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): When I was younger, not knowing I wanted to be a comic, I would listen to Bill Cosby and Steve Martin. Back then, I j When Saturday Night Live came out, I bought an album and listened to the album and listened to people like Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd.

Q. Mark (RealityWanted.com): This was the second go around, right? Will there be a 3rd if they let you try out or maybe a LCS All Stars 2?

A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): Last year I competed in the Last Comic Standing semi finals, but I didn't make the finals cut. This year I came back and made it to #6. I was thrown out two weeks ago, but NBC asked me to comeback tonight and do a non competition set.

Q. Mark (RealityWanted.com): Did you wach prevous seasons? If so who stands out?

A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): I have been a fan and friends with many of the comics since many who make it to top 10 are professional comedians. I am very good friends with Todd Glass,Rob Cantrell and Chris Porter from last season is a good friend.

Q. Mark (RealityWanted.com): Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't you pick Ralph Harris since you assumed he would not get picked. Then you could have dodged the Head to Head challenge for that week?

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A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): That's a common strategy on the show. When you have to say "I am funnier than so and so" most of us pick people we don't think other comics will pick. That way you don't end up going on the head to head challenge and possibly risk being sent home. Don't get me wrong, we all love doing stand up, but when you do the head to head challenges it's a chance to get set home. When we were down to 7, I assumed anyone could go.

Q. Mark (RealityWanted.com): Ok, I have a curve ball question for you. I read you won the High Times stoner of the year award in 2006. What does one need to do in order to qualify for such an outstanding award?

A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): I am a writer and co-creator of Marijuana Logues which was huge and the main reason I got nominated for the award. I think the magazine editors are smoking a lot of something and felt like nominating me. The award was a working bong and I think it's the only award you can actually smoke out of.

Q. Mark (RealityWanted.com): Does Dante have a last name?

A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): Yes but its not funny and very hard to pronounce so he ditched it. I think he may be the next Madonna or Cher. You know you will make it in entertainment if you only have one name, like Mclovin.

Q. Mark (RealityWanted.com): Where and is your next gig that fans can come see you?

A. Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing): As you know, I will be on Last Comic Standing tonight. I will also be on VH1's best week ever on Fri Sept 14th. I also a have half hour specials on comedy central and I will be touring around the country. Fans can find me on myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/doug_benson



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