Larry Wilmore

Larry Wilmore may be known as the “old guy” on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, but he’s not that old. “I’m actually the exact same age as Barack Obama — not to compare myself to him,” says Wilmore, a.k.a. the show’s Senior Black -Correspondent.

Once an award-winning writer for shows such as In Living Color, The Bernie Mac Showand The PJs (which he co-created), he most recently rose to fame onscreen thanks to The Daily Show and a guest appearance on the “Diversity Day” episode of The Office. “I gave up my life as a very successful producer to be a struggling actor,” he says. “I’m doing a Benjamin Button-type thing with my career.

Wilmore’s newest venture is a book, I’d Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts, which he’ll release today with a talk hosted by Progressive Forum Houston. In the collection of essays, Wilmore tackles politics, history and comedy with a Daily Show sensibility. In one musing, he suggests African Americans should start asking to be referred to as chocolate. “Who doesn’t like chocolate?” he asks.

Behind a camera, in writing or on screen, Wilmore tackles the media’s obsession with black issues in a style that’s as hilarious as it is insightful. This includes everyone’s obsession with the man of the hour and his heritage. “It’s such a big deal that Barack Obama is president, but after a while it’s just gonna be no big deal, which I think is even more significant and progressive,” he says, then adds, “but it’s very cool that he is black.” 7:30 p.m. Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas. For tickets and information, call 713-664-0020 or visit www.progressiveforumhouston.org. $14 to $74.

Wed., Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m., 2009