presTingle is not a comedian whose bits build toward punch lines, and in fact, comedy and edification are partners in his pursuit. “I’m trying to get both,’” he says. “First of all, I’m having fun, taking ideas and thoughts and putting them out there. I find it very cathartic. It’s liberating. I haven’t done a national tour, but the impression I get is people are very open to ideas and looking at the world not so much in black and white, simply because of what’s transpired since Sept. 11, It’s been a life-changing thing, With the advent all the different mediums, there’s a lot of information going around, It’s a great time to think outside the box and really that’s what this is about, a way to present ideas and solutions with humor. And it allows me to do material I’ve done in other shows I bring back in.”Tingle did a shorter version of his “JT for President” act in 2000 after leaving network TV. He finds issues that were pertinent then, but faded away, have come back. Hence, he keeps he rejiggering the show – and says veteran fans may find a mix of 50-50 old and new material in this one.” When times are tough – as they are now with the war and the shaky economy – there’s a theory that that sharpens the quality of art, including comedy. “ I don’t know,” Tingles says. “Probably when there’s a lot of activity it generates people thinking. And there’s definitely a lot of activity going on. The campaign has been entertaining for the last six months. That will change when it’s down to two. Where I’m coming from – I want to combine the great political values of America – freedom of religion, press, enterprise, with the spiritual l values of world’s great religions which encompass love, justice, compassion, peace and empathy. And combine these and have the policies reflect these principles. It is a little tricky, (defining) the left and the right. The Pope was the most vocal critic of the war, from the beginning, but on some issues, like birth control, he’d be an considered arch-conservative.”
Controversial? “I don’t consider it to be controversial,” says Tingle, “ but I’ll be talking about things no one else is – for example, in Iraq I wanted to get the people who have experience solving conflicts, in Africa in Northern Ireland, involved, include more spiritual leaders. It’s common sense, consistent for what we’re supposed to stand for. And if I use humor to do it beautiful. Tickets are  $30. 

321 Arsenal St., Watertown, 617-923-8487 www.arsenalarts.org