HBO: Where are you from in England?

YASHERE: London, born and bred.

HBO: Do you live there, or do you live here?

YASHERE: You know, I got to LA, saw the sunshine, and have just not gone home. I'm staying. I'm not going home. I like it here. I bought a car and everything. I've committed.

HBO: What does it mean to you to be on Def Comedy Jam?

YASHERE: To be on Def Jam is a really big deal for me. One, I'm the first British comic ever to do the show. I mean, I've been watching it for years, the DVD's are massive in England, every comedian in England knows all the Def Jam comics, and who's performed, and who's careers have skyrocketed as a result of it. So, it's a big honor, and it's a big weight on my shoulders, being the first British one.

HBO: What it is about Def Comedy Jam that makes it so successful?

YASHERE: Def Jam is sort of hip hop-y, kind of street, you know, it's a cool version of all the other stand up shows you see on TV. The comics are free to do and say whatever they want, as opposed to a talk show, where you have to keep it quite clean and quite straight. And, that attitude makes the show just exciting, and explosive to watch.

HBO: What kind of energy do you get from the audience?

YASHERE: The Def Jam audiences are just alive, they're excitable, they're loud, and when they like you they're standing up, they're stamping their feet, they're screaming. So, if you kill in front of a Def Jam audience, you kill.

HBO: Talk about getting the call for Def Comedy Jam.

YASHERE: I did the showcase for Def Comedy Jam at the Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard, and I had a great set. I thought, come on, how could you not pick me? I'm British, I'm different, I'm exotic, and I'm funny. So, when they called me I was like, yeah, I know. I know I sound cocky, but that's how it was. And now I've got to bring it.

HBO: Is D.L. Hughley someone who you looked up to?

YASHERE: Oh, yeah. I remember watching him years ago when he was hosting Comic View. And then when he came to London, I happened to be sitting in the front row. He picked on me. This was before I got into comedy.

But his comedy has grown -- he's got a political voice now. He's talking about stuff that is relevant to all of us. And he's a great host of the show. He does tags off the back of your sets -- whatever your last joke is, he'll come on, and do something that's relevant to what you've just done. Not many people can do that well.