"The fact that people actually get offended at a joke is unbelievable to me," says Carlos Mencia, host of Comedy Central's sketch-comedy series Mind of Mencia. "Especially one coming from a comedian. Our intent is to make people laugh, and even if we miss, what a noble thing to do - to try to put a smile on somebody's face. And to take that and turn it into something bad? That's just ridiculous.

Like most family reunions, this one starts with a scrapbook.

I'm sitting with three of the early, still-active members of Rock Island's improvisational comedy troupe, ComedySportz: Jeff Adamson, Don Abbott, and Brad Hauskins. Original team member - and current Californian - Tom Hart is joining us, and for this gathering of improv veterans, Jeff has brought along an album, filled with ComedySportz photographs and news clippings from the early 1990s.

Some of those in the photos are still with the organization. Most aren't. And when Brad lands on a picture that features the smiling visages of Jeff, Don, Tom, and himself, he's quick to point out that something else is no longer with the organization, either.

"Look at that," Brad says, pointing at a 15-years-younger version of himself. "Hair."

Founded by Wisconsin native Dick Chudnow, ComedySportz originated in Milwaukee in 1984, and has grown to include troupes in 21 cities nationwide, with another based in Manchester, England. As its name implies, this stage entertainment turns the art of improv into something of a team sport. (In America, at least, the show even begins with the singing of the National Anthem.)

As part of his stand-up routine, Florida-based comedian Ron Feingold - appearing at Bettendorf's Penguin's Comedy Club October 5 through 7 - performs what he calls "mockappella," in which he apes the stylings of such singers as Joe Cocker, Axl Rose, and Nat "King" and Natalie Cole. And during a recent phone interview, Feingold did appear to possess an uncanny gift for mimicry.

Of course, the only character voice I heard him do was Elmo's.