These all-stars are in town to make you laugh

Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 | 7:15 a.m.

Who: D.L. Hughley

When: 8 p.m., today and Saturday

Where: The Orleans Showroom

Tickets: $55 and up; 365-7075

The Orleans will look like Comedy Central for the next couple of days - wall-to-wall comedians at the arena and in the showroom to add humor to the NBA All-Star weekend.

The All Stars of Comedy take over the Orleans Arena tonight , and feature a cast that includes some of the best up-and-coming comics, among them Earthquake, Arnez J, Anthony Anderson, Lavell Crawford and Kevin Heart.

Next door, actor-comedian D.L. Hughley will perform tonight and Saturday in the showroom.

D.L. Hughley

Hughley has been making people laugh (professionally) for 19 years, but his acting is starting to show his serious side. He co-stars in the new NBC series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" with Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford and Steven Weber. Hughley spent four years starring in his own sitcom "The Hughleys," and recently hosted his own late night talk show for Comedy Central, "Weekends at the DL."

1. On drama

I didn't always like drama, but I've really taken to it. It's really fun to do something I feel I could be good at.

2. On his first love

My first, second and third love is comedy. It's a great kind of creative outlet.

3. On Las Vegas

You can go to Vegas and feel like a real entertainer. It's pretty much the entertainment mecca. It's a place that's easy to work in and accessible, a self-contained unit.

4. On his comedic style

My comedy is kind of like the news - things you see in newspapers and on the Internet. The national psyche has always appealed to me, comedically.

5. On the future

Pretty much the basis of what I do will be the same. I just love doing stand-up. Like I always say, I want to do late-night television. That's what I really want to do because it's the closest to stand-up you can actually get on television. It's the Holy Grail for me.

Earthquake

What: "All Stars of Comedy" featuring Earthquake, Arnez J, Anthony Anderson, Lavell Crawford, Kevin Heart (artists subject to change)

When: 11:59 tonight

Where: The Orleans Arena

Tickets: $45 to $65; 365-7075

A late bloomer, Earthquake (Martin Stroman) didn't begin his stand-up comedy career until after an 11-year Air Force career.

Since then the 44-year-old has been making great strides, not only onstage, but in films and on television. He had a small role in Kevin Smith's film "Clerks II." He has a recurring role as Uncle Mike on "Everybody Hates Chris."

1. On keeping busy

I'm everywhere right now. I'm like a fugitive. From Vegas we go to Atlanta next. We're on the road quite a bit, which is good. Lord knows I need the money. I'm going through a divorce. Other than my personal life, I'm doing great.

2. On setting goals

I don't really set goals. I just do my best. I don't put limitations or expectations on my life. What Jamie Foxx has done is great. If I equal or go beyond it, that would be great, but my only goal is to be the best comedian I can be and to get out of this hostage situation that is my divorce. Once I get out, I'm scared straight. From now on whomever I'm with we can live together, we can hang together but there ain't never going to be no more paperwork.

3. On Las Vegas

I love Vegas. It "crossed the gamut" as my Caucasian friend would say. You can do whatever you want to do in Vegas. It's just a perfect town. Whatever you need is in Vegas. Like Wal-Mart, it's one-stop shopping.

4. On his top comedian

There's only one top comedian: Eddie Murphy. He's the top of all top. He's the blueprint of what success is. Other than that everybody just gets an honorable mention.

5. On "Dreamgirls," co-starring Eddie Murphy

I just went to see it. It was great. It makes me jealous. I'm firing everybody that's around me and starting over. After you go see "Dreamgirls," you go, "Man, you got to stay true to your principles."