Photo courtesy of Emery Emery Emery Emery performs his sometimes-raunchy comedic routine. The touring funny man feels humor suffers from a lack of honesty.

Behind the facade of comedy is the performer, who endures the pressure of continually delivering laughs.

Emery Emery is a touring stand-up comedian who has traveled the United States for the past 17 years. He has worked with such comedians as George Carlin and Bill Hicks and likens his humor to that genre. Emery now resides in Los Angeles and works for Universal Studios.

As a self-described "shocking and honest" comedian, Emery offered brutal insight into what comedy delivers to the people.

"Imagine someone is holding your head underwater. Imagine getting that breath of fresh air that without which, you would have died," Emery said. "That is what an artist feels like when he works. My art is why I live. I chose to make a living out of comedy because I needed to breathe; I had a lack of oxygen."

Emery said his comedy rubs some women the wrong way, but, he said as far as he is concerned, at least he is rubbing them.

"After a show I did in Oklahoma City, I got a call from a man whose wife had complained about my stuff on divorce, and how badly men get taken on the divorce process and describing women as money-hungry bitches," Emery said. "The couple began to argue after the show, and the wife blamed the club and me for breaking up her marriage and being responsible for her divorce. I think it goes to prove my theory about women."

While raw in his humor, Emery is also serious about his purpose of wheeling and dealing his art. He feels comedy has an innate purpose that is no laughing matter.

"Without question, the world needs to laugh," he said. "I think comedy is most importantly to society a relief from the news, a break from the tragic events going on around us. People need a break from some jack-off boss paying them less than they deserve. Comedy is also a reflection of society, a reflection of life slightly amplified."

Theater sophomore Justin Thomas, a student performer with Comedy Corner, said he agrees with Emery about comics' time under the heat lamp.

"I am happy when the audience is happy," Thomas said. "Laughter is contagious, and I feel like I am sharing that happiness with them. It is important even if we make someone see the world from a brighter point of view for a brief moment in time."