With the madness of the presidential election still dominating the headlines, it seems like it must be a golden time for comedy. And that’s good ,because to hear comic Benjamin Roberts tell it, there has never been more talent in Maine at one time.

The Leeds man ought to know. Roberts  was an average working Joe with a wife and family one day and now he’s hosting comedy shows twice a week and taking the stage himself in search of laughs. He tells us how he stumbled into the world of comedy and how it took a unique deal to get him there.

How did you get into comedy? I’ll start by telling you what took me so long. My children’s awesome mother and my ex-wife said if I became a comic, she would become a stripper. So after the divorce I was single working at a tavern and had no one but myself holding me back. With friends’ and customers’ encouragement I was able to put together a show right at the tavern. I got to open for some talented comics — Rob Steen, Thomas Hayes and Tammy Pooler. That was three years ago.

What’s the funnest part of doing stand-up? The laugh’s 100 percent. It doesn’t matter how big the crowd is or if only one person gets it. The fact is someone got it. And they laughed.

What’s the scariest? A crowd that isn’t there to laugh. Taming a crowd like that is one of the hardest things in comedy.

Did you find yuks in the election or did you steer clear of that action? Infinite hilarity. “Feel the Bern.” “Killary.” “Grab ‘Em by the . . .”

I definitely tread lightly even with so many “shake-your-head moments.”

What do you have going on at Cafe LA? Cafe LA is a growing comic hot spot at 49 Spring St. in Auburn. The venue is unique. It has a front barroom and back dining room. Both of which have had shows running simultaneously. I think it’s great as a comic giving you two opportunities with live attentive audiences in one night.

The key to the awesomeness is the folks are there to laugh and enjoy great service too. Full bellies laugh the best.

Starting Dec. 1 and running through winter it’s home to “The Last Comic Laughing” Competition. A first for the area. It is a three-round competition that gives comics a minimum three booked shows with great audiences and strong marketing. That and the winner gets $500. I’m lucky to host this and any comic event. There is still room to sign up.

What else should we know about? There is comedy all over Maine and it has a great well of talent. I’m proud of the comics and where comedy is going, especially in and around L-A.

Comedy is awesome. Fundraising, competition, festivals, openings, hosting, featuring, booking, promoting, open mics and producing — I love it all. Headlining: That’s next, in time.

One last thing. If you’re at Old Orchard and there’s a boy on the beach hopping on one foot, with the other foot flipping the middle toe, chasing what appears to be his sister, those are my children. She must have made him mad. He asked if he could flip people the middle toe when he’s mad at them, and I said he could. Figure he’s earned it if he put the work in for that kind of feat.