Tim Wilson has an unconventional way of coming up with his best comedy material: he yells at his television while watching the news.

"I'm kind of opinionated, so basically I watch TV and talk back to the TV. Then, if I say something that makes me laugh, then I go, ‘Welp, that's goin' in the act,'" said the 30-year comedy veteran.

Like many in the comedy world, Wilson keeps up with current events in order to keep his material fresh.

"As a comedian, you really have to stay up on current events, because you're job is being a social commentator. I used to listen to a lot of talk shows, but after a while, that makes your brain hurt."

Television isn't Wilson's only inspiration for his songs. A lot of his writing comes from spending time on the road touring or visiting his 12-year-old son in Georgia, which is where he was headed when REVUE caught up with him.

"I'm hoping some songs will come out of the clouds on this drive, because I write a lot of my songs while driving," he said.

Tim Wilson Connxtions Comedy Club, Lansing May 13-14, show times at 8 and 10:30 p.m. $15 connxtionscomedyclub.com (517) 374-HAHA

Currently, Wilson is on tour to promote not only his 17-some comedy albums, but his book, Happy New Year — ted, which is about Ted Bundy, the infamous serial killer from the ‘70s.

"I always try to explain to people that just because you're a comedian doesn't mean you sit around being funny all the time," Wilson said. "Most comedians I know are very serious people ... I kind of like the fact that I'm the only comedian in the world that sells serial killer books after a comedy show."

The book was released in 2009, but currently, Wilson is researching more, adding an additional chapter and working on a documentary about Bundy. The project is almost done, and Wilson admits his wife is getting tired of the book. His audiences, however, are always surprised to see the book out on the merchandise table after his comedy shows.

"They just heard you for an hour and a half, and they're tired of listening to you, so this is sort of a different gear. It's like, OK, I've made you laugh for an hour and a half, now let me scare you for an hour and a half."

When reporters talk to Kevin Farley for the first time, there's always an elephant in the room: his late brother, Chris. Fortunately for interviewers and Chris Farley fans alike, the multi-talented entertainer is quick to talk about his famous brother, who passed away in 1997 from a drug overdose.

"People always want to know about Chris," Farley said. "It comes with the territory. He was a painless person and very unique. I'm proud of what he did and I like people remembering him."

He also says that in the Farley family — which also includes fellow entertainer, John Farley — comedy always came naturally.

"My father's a very funny man, and Chris was always on fire," Farley said. "We were always having competitions with who could be funnier."

Although comedy was always a part of Farley's upbringing, it wasn't until after he received a business degree from Marquette University when he started to pursue a career in entertainment. Farley says he didn't know what he wanted to do after graduation, so he worked with his father at Scotch Oil, an asphalt company. It was Chris who encouraged him to sharpen his comedic chops and try out at Chicago's Second City.

Farley started his career with small roles in his brother's films (Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Beverly Hills Ninja). From there, he racked up guest appearances on television shows such as "3rd Rock from the Sun," "That ‘70s Show" and "The Tom Show." Possibly his most memorable role, however, is as the middle-aged member of 2ge+her, a fictional boy band that was the center of MTV's mockumentary of the same name.

Kevin Farley Connxtions Comedy Club, Lansing April 30, 7:30 and 10 p.m. $17.50 plus convenience fee connxtionscomedyclub.com, (517) 364-HAHA

"Once in a while, I get noticed as Doug Linus," Farley said, referring to his character. "[People] come up to me and I sing, ‘I know my calculus, it says you plus me equals us...'"

As of late, Farley has been busy. He's wrapped up White Knight with Tom Sizemore and Stacy Keach, which is set to be released this summer. He also wrote directed and starred in Hollywood & Wine -- also being released this summer -- which stars Pamela Anderson, Vivica A. Fox, Norm MacDonald, as well as his brother, John, who co-wrote the script.

Between his jobs acting, stand-up, directing, writing and producing, Farley says it's acting that comes most natural to him.

"Writing is rewarding, especially when you come up with something great, but it's a lot of work," he said. "Directing is more like running a marathon. When you're finished, it's great, but it's awful during it."

Michael Kosta is confident that he will make you laugh.

"There's a lot of super rich, super un-funny comedians out there today, and I'm not rich, but I am funny," Kosta said.

And he has some good credits to back up his confidence. Within the past couple of years, Kosta has headlined tours, and, this year, had his own Comedy Central television special. This month, he will be making his second appearance on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

On how he got to this hilarious point, well, just take a look at how he describes his act.

"I'm going to take a lot of fruit, and I have a sledgehammer, and I will smash it," he said.

You can put away your ponchos though, because Kosta says he will not be smashing any fruit onstage in Lansing. He does promise fun and expects his audiences to laugh.

"I love to include the audience in the show," he said. "I'm gonna talk about my parents getting old, I'm gonna talk about having sex with hot women, I'm gonna talk about having sex with ugly women, I'm gonna talk about going out and trying to get drunk."

Kosta, who was a professional tennis player after college, decided to give comedy a shot after quitting his job as a tennis coach at the University of Michigan.

Michael Kosta Connxtions Comedy Club, Lansing March 24-26, show times at 7:30 and 10 p.m. $8-$15 connxtionscomedyclub.com, (517) 374-424

"I just did a couple open mics. I always wanted to do comedy, and the next thing you know, I was in a bowling alley making $22 a night."

In terms of tennis and comedy, he doesn't find them to be all that different.

"You're by yourself, if you're successful, it's great; if you fail, it's terrible. There's no hiding your emotions. The only real difference is that I can be drunk and still be pretty decent at comedy," Kosta said.

The Ann Arbor native, relocated to Los Angeles a couple years ago to pursue comedy, but says he's excited to be back in Michigan for his upcoming performances.

"The thing I miss most about Michigan are the people. I feel very at home in Michigan. I feel like these are my peeps. I just really love the laid-back Midwest vibe of everybody," Kosta said.

Although it's not just the people he's looking forward to when he comes to Michigan — Kosta says he is looking forward to drinking beer at $2 a pop.

Update, March 19: Kosta was the winner of Gilda's LaughFest $10,000 Stand-Up Comedy Competition. The contest, held in Grand Rapids, included 10 comedians from around the country.

Watch Kosta's appearance on The Tonight Show from March 16:

Kevin Bozeman is one tall, imposing and hilarious baby.

"Yep, I'm the baby — youngest of 10 children," Bozeman said. "When you're the tenth kid you know you weren't planned, but I'm not complaining. It gives you some perspective right out the canal. I'm just thankful my parents slipped up one more time."

But Bozeman's no lost and stuttering young'un onstage. Perhaps his carnivalesque, sibling-packed childhood, which he describes as "full of fun and fighting," imparted him the comedic bravado required to sustain a ruthless crowd's attention. Behind a microphone, Bozeman is energetic, fearless and direct, with an impartial wit that leaves no one unscathed. He often riffs on conventional stereotypes, using them as springboards for his own punchlines.

"I like to push the envelope, see how far I can go," Bozeman said. "With stereotypes, it's like gift wrap. It's all about presentation and delivery. Besides, there's nothing wrong with stereotypes as long as they're true."

And — in characteristic good humor — he's not afraid to denounce a racist audience, who tense up, even boo, upon hearing one Mexican jab immediately after exploding in laughter during his string of black jokes.

Kevin Bozeman wsg Denny Green Connxtions Comedy Club, Lansing Jan. 13-15, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. $8-$15 connxtionscomedyclub.com, (517) 374-HAHA

"We're in this together," Bozeman said. "We laugh as a team."

Ironic as it may be for a performer who's so seemingly at home onstage, Bozeman calls comedy a last-resort career move.

"I realized I don't have any other job skills. I was pigeonholed that way," Bozeman said. "But you go to do something and whenever I walked into a room I always had the curiosity to see if I could make everyone laugh, and I find that challenge exhilarating. Basically, this career chose me."

Nonetheless, Bozeman's last-resort career move has panned out. Since he went full-time comic in 1999, Bozeman's appeared on Comedy Central's "Comics Come Home" and "Premium Blend." He's opened for Aretha Franklin and starred on the Bob and Tom Show. He's competed in Last Comic Standing, finished runner-up in Boston's Comedy Competition, and won HBO's Comedy Competition. Yet, he claims he's not content.

"It's not necessarily about the fame or money," Bozeman said. "It's about the right level of self-satisfaction, to feel perfectly alright with where I am. And I'm not there yet. Though, I am pleasantly shocked to see my credit score has risen a bit."