In stand-up comedy there is something known as a Wendy Liebman-style joke. An example from Ms. Liebman's act: "I was on an airplane and this guy wanted me — to stop talking." She laughs at the notion of having a style of joke named after her. "It's a misdirect," she points out as if to downplay her solid joke writing ability. Of course there's more to her act then bait-and-switch punchlines.  

How much Cincinnati spirit is left in a local native who moved away when they were 9? For many years, comedian Tom Segura followed the hapless Bengals obsessively. "But they were so bad for so long I lost interest in them and almost lost interest in the whole National Football League," he says. . Segura is anxious to return to town, not so much for the chili, but to try out some new bits at one of his favorite clubs, Go Bananas.  

Tommy Johnagin is following in Mike Birbiglia's footsteps when he comes to town this week. "I'm coming to Cincinnati to record a CD for Comedy Central Records," he says. "Go Bananas is one of the best clubs in the country and it's a great place to record. It's not too big, but you can fit a lot of people in there and the energy really comes through." (Birbiglia also just recently recorded an album at the club and had similar praise for it.)  

Though he's lived in Kentucky for less than a year, Texas native Alex Reymundo feels at home in the Bluegrass State. "My wife is from Louisville and we just moved back here in May," he says. "I even pronounce 'Louisville' correctly. It took five ass-whoopins, but I got it right." After eight years in Los Angeles, Reymundo and his wife decided they wanted to raise their family outside of Southern California.  

"I wanted to be a stand-up comic since I was 10 years old," says Shane Mauss. "I think even younger than that, 8 or 9, I forget what I usually tell people. I should get my story straight one of these days." It's a long way from La Crosse, Wis. to the comedy clubs of New York though, but Mauss kept feeling that urge, even if he wasn't quite sure how to get started. While saving money, and working up the nerve, a friend announced he was moving to Boston.  

"It's kind of eclectic," comedian Rory Scovel says of his act. "I have a lot on drugs like pot and mushrooms. I do some political jokes, but never anything serious. I would describe my act as very silly and very non-serious." The Greenville, S.C., native got into comedy at an open mic poetry night. "I asked the guy running it if I could tell jokes, and he said, 'Go for it.'"  

Of Asian decent, comedian Jo Koy hates when people try to guess his heritage. " 'Hey, dude, do you eat rice? Hey, are you a bad driver? I’ll bet you're good at math.' I hate that," he says. "I just tell them right off the bat, 'Hey, dude, I'm Asian.' " However that seems to make it worse. "I get the worst compliments. 'Oh, really, you’re Asian? I love orange chicken.' That's not a compliment, that’s an insult. Like I'm supposed to say, 'Sank you! Sank you! Orange chicken is very good!' "  

Vic Henley is not only a top headlining comic, he also has a knack for spotting gold in the sets of other comedians. A few years back, for example, he told funnyman Jim Gaffigan to expand on a bit about Hot Pockets. Gaffigan was about to toss it. "He was having a hard time with the bit, and I told him since I was from one of the top-five fattest states (Alabama), he should stick with it," explains Henley.  

Comedian Mike Cody is widely known in the local comedy scene as the man behind the Underbelly comedy show at the Southgate House. He also does stand-up throughout the Midwest, but concurrently continues to be a comedy impresario of sorts. His latest effort is a stand-up comedy show to be held at Arcade Legacy in the Tri-County area. The facility features classic arcade games in a 4,000 square foot space. So why a comedy show in an arcade?  

Comedian Lisa Landry became a mom a few years back, but you won't hear her talk about her son much on stage. "My kid is part of it," she says, "but I don't want to talk too much about him, because it's not his fault he was born to a comedian. The kid's already going to be screwed up. I'm saving for his therapy. "Her husband doesn’t escape so easily, however. "He was dating me when I was comedian, so he opted in."