Interesting interview on how Lisa gets away with being so 'mean.'

Life is all about timing. Especially when you're telling jokes that many might view as not funny, and that even more might find downright offensive. Thus, Lisa Lampanelli picks her moments carefully –– very carefully.

An excerpt from on interesting interview on how Lisa gets away with being so "mean."

QUESTION: I have to admit as a white anglo-saxon, your comedy makes be feel incredibly uncomfortable. However, I can see that your audience, which is made up of minorities of every race and creed, are clearly laughing along with the insults that you hurl at them. Do you think that your show almost serves as group therapy?

Lisa Lampanell: That certainly wasn't my intention. Believe me, I'd love to sit there and say that, "Oh yes, I strive to bring people together." I just like cursing at people and calling them names, and suddenly it started paying off and taking on a different tone. So, what I think is they don't get therapized, I think what happens is they all feel like they're all on the same page and everybody's equal when they come out of the show. And I get a lot of emails saying, "Oh, wow, you really helped me and my boyfriend stay together." Or "Oh, you turned me on to the black men," and this is from chubby white girls who meet black men. So even if I'm not trying to, I'm still helping people.

QUESTION: Because in your performances you use the very same insults your audience are assaulted with in their everyday lives, and it's almost like your shows serve as a safe, controlled and cathartic environment where the sting of such insults is therapeutically replaced with laughter. Do you see that?

Lisa Lampanell: Yes, absolutely. But on a serious note, I can get away with it because I'm a nice person, I have a warm personality, my intention is good behind it. The thing is, people sense when you have the least bit of anger or hate towards a group –– that's why you never make fun of people you don't like –– so I usually leave the British out of it.

QUESTION: In your comedy special you're very honest about the fact there are a couple of jokes you have to work up the courage to air. Have you had many instances where the moment a joke left your lips you wish you'd been able to suck it right back?

Lisa Lampanell: No. Because I wait until I'm ready. It's like losing your virginity –– you really should wait until you're ready...There is one joke that's pretty hardcore...So that joke is a very racist joke, but yet, I don't know why, black people email me about that joke all the time and say, "Thanks for going there." So they know I mean it in an ironic sense.

What happens is, I kind of sense when the audience is open enough, when I'm scared enough to do it, and bomb! When the two coincide then I can get away with anything.