07/06/2006 01:00 AM EDT

BY ANDY SMITH
Journal Television Writer

"If you're not laughing at the world, I don't think you're paying attention," said Joe Rogan, stand-up comedian and host of NBC's Fear Factor.

"Looking at the world through my eyes, it's completely crazy . . . I see life as a comedy of errors. If you stand on the outside, it's all very funny."

Rogan, who comes to the Newport Yachting Center on Sunday takes a bleak view of humanity -- when he's not laughing at it.

"Looked at objectively, we're like a complicated form of bacteria that's infesting the earth," he said in a recent phone interview. "We're no different than mold on a sandwich."

Rogan's 2000 album, I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday, is a raw, macho collection that includes bits on homosexuality, strip clubs, sex, religion, Anna Nicole Smith, and more sex.

It's definitely for adults only, and not exactly politically correct when it comes to women and homosexuality.

"There's nothing wrong with it, I just think it's hysterical," Rogan said of the latter. "I laughed like a schoolgirl at Brokeback Mountain. You're paying straight guys to make out -- it's like watching a car accident. What I make funny is my own reaction to it. It's not a hateful thing by any means."

Rogan said he doesn't do much of I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday on stage anymore. More recent material includes bits on children (Rogan doesn't have any), pot, and Noah's Ark, a tale that -- according to Rogan -- is so absurd an 8-year-old wouldn't buy it.

But then, Rogan is not exactly a man of faith.

"Religion is a bunch of ridiculous, childish stories that make no sense," he said.

Nothing to fear but ourselves

Perhaps hosting Fear Factor since 2001 would test anyone's religion.

The NBC reality show subjects its contestants to a series of stunts designed to test their fears. So contestants routinely eat vile substances or find themselves covered with spiders, scorpions, ants, centipedes and other creepy-crawly creatures, all to win $50,000.

More than one commentator has pointed to Fear Factor as a certain sign that civilization is sinking to a new low.

"Fear Factor is not the problem. All it is is a game show," Rogan said. "Fear Factor is just a mirror held up to society."

Rogan said he had just finished a stint on NBC's sitcom Newsradio and was scouting around for more TV work when he got a call from the network about hosting Fear Factor.

Rogan said he never imagined the show would last more than a season or two.

"It's a job, a fun job, but it's just a job," he said. "I really want to concentrate on stand-up. But when you do stand-up, people always expect you to transition into something else.

"Fear Factor is OK, but I would jump in front of a moving bus before I did a bad sitcom."

Rogan, whose TV credits also include hosting The Man Show on Comedy Central in 2003-2004, has fond memories of Newsradio, which aired from 1995 to 1999. He said the actors were given plenty of room to improvise, and network interference was kept to a minimum.

But a 1994 Fox sitcom called Hardball, which only lasted a few episodes, was another story.

"It was atrocious," Rogan said.

Something different

Rogan, 38, was born in New Jersey but grew up in the Boston area. When he was 13, he began studying the martial art of tae kwan do, and soon became a black belt, then state champion, and then U.S. lightweight champion.

On his way to tournaments, Rogan said, he would try to ease his teammates' nervousness by being funny. Finally they persuaded him to go to an open-mike night at a comedy club.

"One good thing about horrible comedians -- you figure if they can do it, you can do it," said Rogan.

But the first time he really thought about comedy, Rogan said, was when his parents took him to see the 1982 concert film Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip.

"I remember looking around at the audience, and I couldn't believe how hard people were laughing. That one moment made a big impression on me, that someone could have that effect on people."

Joe Rogan performs at the Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf (off America's Cup Avenue), Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $30 in advance, $35 day of show. For tickets, call 849-3299.

asmith@projo.com / (401) 277-7262