When comedians get up on stage in front of live audiences, on camera, or behind a microphone on the radio, their main job is to make us laugh. But what makes them funny? Where does the endless stream of jokes come from?

For some answers, we put our spotlight this month on one of the most iconic, unique, and influential humorists of our time, the one and only Mel Brooks who, at 97, is still keeping his loyal fans in stitches.

When talking about Cate Blanchett, “fail” is the last word that could be used to describe one of the most accomplished actresses of our generation. However, it did come up in an interview she gave to the film press several years ago when asked about her early career struggles. Those struggles were short-lived.

At age 55, her journey to stardom spans three decades, beginning in her native Australia where, during her teenage years, she discovered her passion for the performing arts while attending the University of Melbourne.

During our lifetime, the music we listen to and the musicians we admire have changed colors like the tropical chameleon.
Sometimes it happens slowly over years and decades or, like in the case of Elton John, it rocks our world overnight.

I thought I had seen it all when, after listening to my parents’ favorite Big Band tunes, witnessing the startling rise of Elvis Presley, and experiencing the British Invasion led by The Beatles, we would see the rapidly rising star in the form of this flamboyant and uniquely talented English singer, pianist and composer.

One of my favorite things about writing these celebrity cover stories is discovering the personal backgrounds that are mostly hidden from public view or buried under the headlines of stardom.

The story of Queen Latifah is no exception.

Pat Sajak is calling it quits at age 77 and after 41 seasons.
But you probably already know that especially if you are one of the millions who devotedly watch “Wheel of Fortune”daily.

As of press time, his replacement has not been announced.
What is known is that his longtime sidekick and letter turner on the show, Vanna White, will remain with him until the end of the new fall season. After that, it’s anybody’s guess.

Did you grow up in a neighborhood where there was a “girl next door”? I did. She lived across the street and since I didn’t have a sister, she was one of the first female friends in my pre-teen youth. She was pretty, definitely not shy but very friendly, and liked to play baseball in the street with the rest of the boys.

The word “wholesome” comes to mind as the best way to describe my neighbor, and it also applies to one of the most distinguished actresses of our generation, Renee Zellweger

As the news sinks in about therecent death of Tina Turner, it is only natural that our thoughts turn to her most iconic performance.

The song originally performed by the Creedence Clearwater Revival with lead singer and songwriter John Fogarty would propel Turner’s career into
blockbuster stardom and crown her the undisputed “Queen of Rock ’n Roll” by her fans worldwide, the media and the music industry.

When I think of William H. Macy, my first thought turns to “Wild Hogs,” the 2007 blockbuster movie about middle-aged men reliving their youthful days by taking to the open road on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles from Cincinnati to California.

Not generally known for his comedic acting, Macy showed his funny side like never before, including his scenes in which he crashes on his bike while gawking at bikini-clad women at the beach. To this day, I can watch the movie over and over again whenever I need to laugh out loud and often.

You’ve probably heard the old TV commercial line, “You’ve come a long way, baby.” All products aside, it certainly fits the profile of Brooke Shields, one of the most recognizable celebrities on the planet.

From child star to magazine cover girl to grown-up film and stage actress, Shields is closing in on her 56th birthday (May 31) and the release of her new
documentary, appropriately titled: “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shield.”