Arj Barker has had half hour specials on Comedy Central, appeared on Leno, Conan and Jimmy Kimmel, and even been a part of the popular (but short-lived) BattleBots TV show on Comedy Central. What is he doing now you ask? He's answering our questions, that's what. Of course, he's a much busier man than that, and will be part of an upcoming HBO show amid his hectic intercontinental touring schedule. Make sure to wander over to his website at ArjBarker.com and befriend him on MySpace at MySpace.com/arjbarker.

Q: You sell out shows around the world and you've earned various awards including the Perrier Best Newcomer Award. What acclaim has meant the most to you?

AB: Probably when someone came up after a show and said, ‘I've had the worst week in the world, and didn't think I'd ever smile again, but you made me laugh and realize that life is worth living. Thank you Arj. You are a stalwart and saintly human being, and an inspiration to humanity.'

Q: Sir Winston Churchill once said "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." What is a lie you told that you wish you could take back?

AB: My answer to question 1. It was definitely getting booked on Letterman.

Q: What elements are essential to a great comedic performance?

AB: There are two sides to it. The writing itself, which is to say what you are saying, and the performance side, or how you're saying it. A great comedian excels at both, or so I hear. It's entirely subjective as to what is a good joke and what is the correct way to tell it, which is why great comedians stand out. Take Mitch Hedberg, for instance. He broke a lot of ‘rules' with his style, for instance by often not looking at the audience. But not only did he make it work, but I think it was one of the things that made him so great and unique. When a new comedian asks me for advice about how to do comedy, I often say, there are NO rules. Just decide what you think is funny and communicate it to an audience.

Q: Based on your jaunts around the world, what has been your least favorite spot to visit?

AB: Well, I don't want to alienate anyone, because there are good people everywhere, but I guess I'll have to say INSERT DUMB TOWN/STATE here, because I'm pretty sure they don't have the internet yet.

Q: You were a feature reporter on the television show "Battle Bots". What was the craziest thing that ever happened when the cameras weren't rolling?

AB: One of the robots turned against humanity and started attacking the audience. It was only a foot high, but it was one of those little spinning saw blade bots, often called ‘spinning saw blade bots.' Thankfully, no one died, but a lot of people lost their shins that day.

Q: Who are the performers that have influenced you the most?

AB: Not so sure who influenced me directly, but I was certainly inspired by some British comedy when I was a kid. Monty Python, and the Two Ronnies to name a couple. These days I don't watch a ton of stand-up, because I prefer not to be heavily influenced by what somebody else is doing. It's certainly not that I'm insecure, I'll tell you that! I mean come on, that's preposterous! Of course I have a few favorites, but I'm hesitant to name them, because this is my article not theirs, and if they're so good why don't they get to answer 10 questions for a website, huh?

Q: Why do they call the small candy bars the "fun sizes"? Isn't it more fun to eat a big one?

AB: Actually, basic human psychology dictates that the average person gets the greatest amount of enjoyment from the first 1 to 3 bites or sips of a food or beverage item. Another way to say that would be that those first few tastes are ‘more fun.' Therefore, I'm going to have to side with the major candy bar manufacturers on this one. Sorry bro.

Q: At what age did you realize that you had the gift of making people laugh?

AB: Just now, as I read the question. So, late 20's I guess?

Q: Where can we see more of you in 2007?

AB: I'll be doing sets at various rooms around NYC from March to June, as I'm here to play a small reoccurring role on the Flight of the Conchords series being filmed for HBO. It should start airing in June I think, and you might see me on that if you don't blink too much. This summer I'll likely split my time between California and Europe (London and Amsterdam in all likelihood). And from Sept. onwards I hope to tour in the land down under. Not sure where I'll be on Christmas, but I'm open to all offers at this point. Most gigs will be posted on my website arjbarker.com and on myspace.com/arjbarker

Q: Our tradition here is to end all interviews with word association. We say wombat and you say...

AB: Giant Hamster in the Southern Hemisphere, often referred to as ‘WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT THING!?!'