Comedian Lester Bibbs believes that “Martin Lawrence Presents: First Amendment” on Starz is changing comedy, and he is proud to be a part of it. To Bibbs’ way of thinking, what Starz has done is present the very best of today’s working comics the way they should be presented and has therefore raised the bar.

“I think it’s where you separate the meat from the fat,” he said of the level of performances on the show as compared to some of the other comedy shows on television.

“It takes all of the best and puts them in the spotlight where they need to be. I embrace the touch of class that they’ve added to it also.”

Bibbs will make his “First Amendment” debut on Aug. 20. You can see him live this weekend at the Comedy Catch in Brainerd. A veteran of BET’s “Comic View,” HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” and “Bad Boys of Comedy,” Bibbs said he is returning to the Comedy Catch because he said he would.

“I was there (at Memorial Auditorium) last year with Earthquake and Lavell Crawford. I said I would be back. I’m keeping my word, and we made sure the show would be affordable.”

In addition to keeping his word, Bibbs said he likes to work the clubs because it allows him to try new material and to tighten up his existing stuff.

“That’s where you polish up and try your new stuff and make it right before you take it to the bigger venues,” he said.

Bibbs is coming up on 25 years in the business and is enjoying the fruits of his time and hard work. His early influences include Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Steve Harvey and Steve Martin.

“Richard and Robin would take you on a journey,” he said. “Both of them could take you someplace and put you right there. Richard was the best.

“I would watch and study, not to have his material but his timing.”

E-mail Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com.

If You Go

What: Lester Bibbs.

When: 7:30 and 10 tonight and Saturday night, 8 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Road.

Admission: $12 tonight and Saturday, $9 Sunday.

Phone: 622-2233.

Web site: www.thecomedycatch.com.