by MATTHEW WOODLEY

Funny is funny, sure, but comedy comes in different colours for different crowds. Standup Honest John, long the white sheep in a black room, usually has 'em rolling in the aisles.

Now, the social studies behind race and comedy could fill a book bigger than Big Momma's house, and that's not all that funny. Neither is the climate in L.A., where Honest John lives, and where, he says, more than 10 years after the Rodney King riots, "things could still explode at any minute."

Still, tired of his job as a nurse (that's funny) in 1987, John Dillinger started working stages around town and quickly found his niche inside black clubs. "I've always dealt with current events and been political," he explains in a southern urban twang that defies his Rhode Island roots. "So what happened to me was black comics that I worked with on mainstream shows started inviting me to shows they were doing in black clubs and it worked out very well. Other white comics had done some of those shows, but I had a bigger impact."

Reputably a man of truth, Honest John remains guarded when it comes to his technique. "It's kind of like a magic trick," he says. "You start analyzing it too much, you lose the magic. I just go out and try to tell the truth and share something of myself. I think the funniest stuff is the truest stuff. I can get up on stage and say things that would get me in trouble any place else."

Not shy to push political buttons, topics Honest John makes fun of include the hilarious war in Iraq, George W. Bush, race and, he adds white-sheepishly, "I'm not above a dick joke."

Honest John performs with Damon Williams, Mark Simmons and Sugar Sammy in Get Your Laugh On!!! this Sunday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., at Xodus (7000 Parc, #102,
just in front of the police station), $25

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