Unfunny times demand the most from those among us with a sense of humor. High unemployment, falling wages, rampant homelessness, political divisions, religious intolerance, wars, natural disasters… horrible, unfunny stuff.But every year I look around and am reminded this is the same stuff we endured last year. The names change, the issues vary, but the only really difference is that I’m a year older and I need a good laugh more than ever.And now I’ve put a ton of pressure on my guest, John Caparulo. But he can handle it. Every night, in venues large and small, he mounts a stage somewhere in America and assumes an offensive stance in the face of sometimes hostile enemy fire—you know, hecklers. JOHN CAPARULO podcast excerpt: "Chelsea Handler is funny whether she is doing her act or not. And she knows who she is. A lot of people try to invent a persona or a character on stage and those are the ones you usually see through. She is who she is on her show or when we go to her Fourth of July BBQ. She's the real deal." Caparulo is a comedian with a rising profile, thanks to regular appearances on E!’s “Chelsea Lately,” “The Tonight Show” and a spot on the Blue Collar Comedy: The Next Generation tour. He’s a funny guy, probably closer to Larry the Cable Guy than Jeff Foxworthy in style — which is not a bad position in this country. John Caparulo • • • •