Doug Benson at 'Comedy Central'

If laughter really is the best medicine, professional comedian and actor Doug Benson is also one of the greatest doctors practicing in the U.S.

Widely known for his starring role in the documentary film "Super High Me", Doug has been a regular on VH1's "Best Week Ever", NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

He has also made a number of stand-up appearances and specials for Comedy Central, co-created and performed in the comedy stage-show "The Marijuana-Logues", which was a hit in clubs and theatres from Los Angeles to New York, also drawing rave reviews, appears on the comedy compilation CD "Comedy Death-Ray" and released his first full-length solo comedy album, "Professional Humoredian", on July 15, 2008.

A character on the popular "The Sarah Silverman Program", he can also say that he got Larry David ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") in a headlock and was brave enough to hit on Jennifer Aniston on the classic sitcom "Friends".

Sharp as comics come, don't make the mistake to be fooled by his laid-back delivery. His humor is brave and incisive, as well as thought-provoking, and appeals to a very wide audience.

It's been a great pleasure to interview Doug for this brand new ‘TV Worth Watching’ section of the MDM Wonderlance.

MDM: First of all, thanks for granting us this interview Doug, we really appreciate it. We know how you started your career on stand-up comedy but we are sure that our readers will be delighted to find out how it happened exactly. Tell us a bit about your personal background and how you started on this path, please.

DOUG BENSON:  I grew up in San Diego and always knew I wanted to be in show business. I loved movies and TV, particularly comedies, but I didn't know I wanted to be a stand-up comedian. I thought I wanted to act or write or direct. So after a couple of years of community college, I gave up and moved to L.A. to pursue a career. Some friends talked me into trying stand-up, and on my first open mic night, I got some laughs and was encouraged enough to keep doing it ever since.

MDM: How do you normally prepare your material, for example for a live act and what are your main sources for inspiration?

DOUG BENSON: I just think of jokes, and write them down, or tweet them, and try to remember the best stuff when I'm on stage. Plus I improvise, or "riff," quite a bit onstage, and try to remember the good jokes. I'm inspired mostly by media - I love making fun of movies and TV shows. Biting the hand that might feed, but they say write about what you know, and I've watched a lot of movies and TV.

MDM: You are widely known for your public stand on favor of the decriminalized use of recreational drugs, particularly marijuana, and in 2008 you starred in "Super High Me", a documentary on its usage. How did this project come to you and what did it want to prove? What were the best and worst moments of its realization for you?

DOUG BENSON: First of all, I don't really care about recreational drugs other than marijuana, it hasn't been the "gateway drug" for me that others insist it is. I did a joke about "Super Size Me" in my act, where I said, "If they can make a movie about eating McDonald's for 30 days, why not a movie where I smoke pot for thirty days. I mentioned the joke to a filmmaker friend, and he said, let's do it. Next thing I know, I really am doing it. And quitting for 30 days and smoking constantly for 30 days were both easier to do than I'd thought they'd be.

MDM: Who, in your opinion, were the best stand-up comedians of the 20th Century and why?

DOUG BENSON: As a kid I listened to albums by Bill Cosby, Steve Martin and George Carlin, and I was a big fan of the TV and film work of Richard Pryor. I also watched David Letterman every night. All great comedians. And there have been many more that I've admired. Too hard to pick the best. Can I say me? Ha.

MDM: You currently host a very popular comedy podcast titled "Doug Loves Movies", which is recorded in front of a live audience at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles. Please tell us about this show, Doug, which, by the way, can be accessed for free in iTunes.

DOUG BENSON: It's just me and my comedian and actor friends sitting around chatting about and playing games about movies in front of a live audience. I hope as it's as much fun to listen to as it is to record. The freedom of podcasting is quite liberating. I can say anything I want on a podcast, not having to answer to anyone. Accept the audience.

MDM: In your opinion, the worst and the best movie released in this last decade would be…

DOUG BENSON: Wow, that's tough. My favorite movies this decade are THE DARK KNIGHT and KICK-ASS. As for the worst, I can't really think of one right now. I hate so many!

MDM:  Is there any subject that should be taboo in comedy?

DOUG BENSON: It's as much when you say something as what you say. Like cancer isn't completely taboo, but if you're performing in a cancer ward...well, even then it might be funny. I don't want to offend anyone, but if I think something might be funny, I say it and see what happens. Haven't upset or pissed off too many people over the years, but you definitely can't please everyone.

MDM: What best piece of advice would you give to those of our readers who may be thinking in pursuing a career in comedy?

DOUG BENSON: Just get up there and do it. And watch a lot of it. I can't really advise someone on how to be funny. You've either got that or you don't.

MDM: The best moment, so far, in your career was that time when…

DOUG BENSON: I got a standing ovation from the audience when I walked on stage at the taping of my second Comedy Central half hour. My father had passed away a few days before, and the last thing he would've wanted was for me to cancel the show. So I did it and when the audience stood up, I almost started crying. It was a very emotional moment.

MDM: Which, in your opinion, are the main reasons why marijuana continues to be illegal in most countries, when it has been scientifically proven that is by far less damaging than for example alcohol and tobacco?

DOUG BENSON: Tradition and fear of change. Younger people aren't as uptight about it as older folks. Things will change in time. We'll be voting on legalizing it in California on Nov. 2 of this year. I have a pretty good feeling it will pass. But I smoke a lot, so I always have a pretty good feeling.

MDM: A world issue that should definitely be taken more seriously would be…

DOUG BENSON: Nuclear proliferation. There's a new documentary out about it called COUNTDOWN TO ZERO that has scared the crap out of me and I haven't even seen it.

MDM: Where and when can people attend one of your live gigs? And do you have any new film/TV projects in sight?

DOUG BENSON: I'm constantly travelling and doing shows. Follow me on Twitter for updates. And I'll be doing a TV show on cable this fall called THE BENSON INTERRUPTION. It's a stand-up show that I host, but when the other acts perform, I sit next to them with a microphone and interject anything that comes into my head. 

MDM:  The main difference between a comedian and a humoredian is…

DOUG BENSON: One is a real thing and the other is a word I made up, Humoredian just sounds funnier than comedian, don't you think? 

MDM: It actually does. Thank you Doug, we hope to continue enjoying of your art and your humor for many years to come and wish you the very best in your current and future projects.

DOUG BENSON: Thanks!!