By Terry Glover

WHO IS SHE?:

As paleontologist Charlie Wheeler, David Schwimmer's hot new girlfriend on Friends, Aisha Tyler's made headlines for being the first African-American given a substantial run on the series. Hailed by Daily Variety as "a breakthrough talent headed for an impact on comedy," Aisha formerly ruled the roost as host of the E! network's yukfest, Talk Soup.

WHAT HAS SHE DONE?:

The leggy San Francisco treat has been working the comedy circuit since her angst-riddled teens. A self-professed "improv junkie," she regularly cut high school to attend improv classes and continued performing sketch and theater at Dartmouth while she earned a degree in political science. When her post-college job in environmental policy didn't deliver any laughs, she focused on comedy full time, working colleges and clubs in at least 30 states before staking her claim in Los Angeles in 1996. Since Talk Soup wrapped, she's been seen as Mother Nature in The Santa Clause 2 and as Shaquille O'Neal's girlfriend on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.

WHY DO WE CARE?:

The six-foot mocha bonbon with a wicked sense of humor can crack up a bunch of Teamsters or wise-guy writers (not to mention all of us tuned in from home) by deconstructing the insanity of daytime talk television.

Playboy.com: It's been said that female comedians are afraid to be sexy. Any truth to that?

Aisha Tyler: That's a really good question. I'll answer it like this: Women are afraid of being judged. If they're onstage and they're trying to be too sexy, the men aren't going to take them seriously as comedians and the women will judge them because they'll think they're trying to hit on the guys. Plus, if they're looking too sexy, who's paying attention to the routine? When I first started I had a rule that I would never wear skirts on stage. It had a lot to do with that. Now that my bit is a lot stronger, I wear whatever I want.

PB: Your bio states that you perform daily in front of your television in your underwear. What kind of underwear are you wearing?

AT: What am I wearing? Hmmm, I'd love to tell you something slinky and sexy, but usually it's an old T-shirt. OK, wait, let's say sometimes Victoria's Secret, but usually a T-shirt and briefs.

PB: Are you recognized in public now? For better or worse?

AT: Yes, I do get recognized in public. It's pretty nice. Though I still don't know what that whole celebrity thing feels like. I'm starting to get the emails now from old friends: "I sat next to you in eighth grade...your work is great! I knew you'd make it! By the way, I'll be in LA in a couple of weeks...." It's great.

PB: Were you the class clown?

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photo: © 2001 E! Entertainment Television, Inc. photographer: Lance Staedler