In fact, for three comedians, it's quite the contrary.

Josh Wolf, Flip Schultz and Theo Von will bring their "Fairly Normal Comedy Tour" to the Civic Center's Rosa Theater on Saturday, and they have ensured non-stop laughter.

Wolf, a Massachusetts native who now lives in Los Angeles, said that when you have older brothers who constantly bully you, laughter is the best medicine.

"I grew up with a family with three older brothers and you have to be able to laugh around them", he said. "When somebody's punching you non-stop, you have to laugh. They'll stop when they hear you laugh: they don't want to hear you laugh."

Wolf has received national acclaim and television deals from major networks including NBC, ABC and FOX. And he has been busy this week filming as a guest star for the season premiere of "My Name Is Earl."

Schultz said that he's always had a love for comedy - he began when he was just 8 years old.

In 2001, at the age of 26, he won Ed McMahon's "Next Big Star." And since he's shared the stage with top-notch comedians like Jay Mohr, Jamie Kennedy and Damon Wayans and has been compared to the comic titan Jim Carrey.

"It's very flattering - Jim is a really, really great comic. (He's a) brilliant actor," he said. "It's really thrilling. It puts my career in perspective when I've reached those levels."

The name Theo Von is probably recognized by any teenager or young adult who has watched MTV within the last few years. He fist appeared on "Road Rules: Maximum Velocity Tour" in 2000, and has reappeared on many of the Real World-Road Fules Challenges.

A former Louisiana resident, Von has given shows at various college campuses across the country. He also hosts his own college night show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood.

When asked if the "Road Rules" has given him a step-up in the entertainment industry, he said barely.

"I was originally a class clown, but slowly it began turning into a full-time job. The (Road Rules) helped a little bit, but in comedy, it's just you and the audience," he said. "It's a really tough business."

All three were contestants on "Last Comic Standing," a popular NBC reality show. They were extremely successful on the show, Von said.

Although they didn't make it into the final group voted on by viewers of the weekly TV show, Von and Wolf won their respective weeks in online voting at www.nbc.com. Six performers were selected in all and the voting continued. This week, Von and Wolf were named the top two vote-getters in the online competition. They will go head-to-head on the Aug. 8 TV show, which airs at 8 p.m. CDT.

The local show will poke fun at an array of subjects including marriage, kids, dysfunctional families and reality shows.

Amy Clair Lloyd, a graduate of Barbe High School, will be the mistress of ceremonies. She is also and up-and-coming comedian.

The show will not only bring laughter to its audience, but will also help raise funds for victims of Hurricane Rita who are still trying to recover.

Wolf, Schultz and Von all agree that it is important that Southwest Louisiana isn't forgotten.

Wolf has local ties to the area. His wife, Lake Charles native Bethany Ashton, directed, co-wrote adn co-produced the Louisiana-themed motion picture, "Little Bayou," shot last year in Southwest Louisiana.

"We understand that a lot of attention has been placed on Katrina, but places like Cameron have been forgotten," Wolf said. "And for me, it's personal. I met a lot of those people when my wife filmed her movie."

A portion of the their proceeds will be given to the charity "Rita Remembered."

Following the show, the three will sign autographs in the theater lobby.

Schultz said that he's never been to the area, but is excited to be here. "I've heard from everyone that it's a great town," he said. And the fact that the show is also a fundraiser makes it "that much more special," he said.

Von hopes that this show will be the first of many in the area. "I'm hoping we can put together more shows in the future," he said.