Ultimate Fighting Comedian

Generally, there's nowhere to go but down after making cash-greedy people eat bugs and rat innards and take dips in pools of plasma. But it was a boon for the standup career of edgy Los Angeles comedian Joe Rogan, who happily performed such tasks as host of the now-defunct reality television series shocker Fear Factor. These days, Rogan may be found presiding over a different breed of blood bath: Commentating for the mixed martial arts league known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Adept at Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he even famously challenged actor Wesley Snipes to a UFC showdown (which, sadly, never happened). He's similarly ballsy when it comes to comedy, as regular listeners of the Sarah and No Name morning show might attest (on which he is an occasional guest), whether discussing pharmacological concerns or calling out infamous joke thieves like Carlos Mencia for their plagiarism.

Rogan celebrates 17 years in comedy with a set of no-holds barred standup shows this week.
Thu., Jan. 10, 8 p.m.; Fri., Jan. 11, 8 & 10:15 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 12, 8 & 10:15 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 13, 8 p.m., 2008