Comedian Kathleen Madigan began her career as a journalist, but soon discovered she was much better at making fun of the news than she was reporting it.

"I don't know exactly when the news got absurd," Madigan explained in a recent interview. "When I was growing up there was one guy in a suit reading the news — with no opinions. Now it's nothing but five-minute shock segments 24 hours a day."

Madigan, 46, will share her opinions on news, family and other subjects as she takes the stage of the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14.

Madigan, who grew up in a suburb of St. Louis, has been performing stand-up for more than 20 years. She was recently named one of the "Nine Funniest Women on the Planet" by the Detroit Free Press — an honor that she found confusing.

"I never think of those women as being in the same class," said Madigan, referring to comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who also made the list. "Most stand-ups are more comfortable working alone. I don't want to do what they do."

Madigan did join a group of fellow comics late last year when she spent two weeks in Afghanistan as part of the holiday USO tour.

"I would do anything for the troops as long as I don't have to be a troop," Madigan said. "I would just lie on the ground and cry."

She said the conditions in Afghanistan were extremely rough.

"Afghanistan makes Iraq look like Vegas," she said. "It was so cold. It doesn't make sense to have sand in your face and be freezing. If there is sand it should be warm and you should have a drink with an umbrella in it."

Madigan's performance in York will be based on her Showtime special "Gone Madigan," which premiered last July. The creative drive for her material is centered on Madigan's daily observations of life and people.

"Visiting my family always gives me inspiration," Madigan said. "I usually get five to 10 minutes of stand-up with each visit."

Madigan also stumbled into some amusing material during a recent trip to Michigan where residents were experiencing tornado warnings.

"A woman was giving me a list of instructions of what to do and how to save people," Madigan explained. "I wanted to tell the woman that what she needs is to find someone else to give these instructions to because if a tornado hits I am out of here. I'm a comedian, not a police officer."

Speaking of natural disasters, Madigan said her last visit to central Pennsylvania was two years ago during "Snowmageddon," which dumped more than 3 feet of snow on the area.

"The last time I saw that much snow I was in Alaska," Madigan recalled. "I didn't get to see the town because it was buried in snow … maybe this time."

For tickets to Kathleen Madigan's show, call 846-1111 or visit strandcapitol.org.