As of late, comedian, actor and writer D.L. Hughley has found a wealth of inspiration for his standup material in the world around him.

But at the same time, he doesn't have to look too far to find it.

"If you're me, all you've got to do is watch TV and have a pen handy," he said.

"As a country, it's amazing to me of how in flux we are and how we don't quite know what we want. You look at the democratic race for the president is so tight that one week somebody wins and the next week somebody else is winning.

And every week there's a new scandal. No matter what happens, there's always kind of a comedic vantage point."

Scheduled to perform today at Merrillville's Star Plaza Theatre, the Los Angeles-based entertainer has been wowing audiences on stage and on the big and small screens for nearly two decades.

In 1992, after honing his craft in comedy clubs throughout the country, Hughley made the first of what would be several appearances on HBO's "Def Comedy Jam." He also appeared on stand-up showcases and comedy shows ranging from BET's "ComicView" to "Hollywood Squares" to "The Chris Rock Show" before landing his own sitcom, "The Hughleys," which ran on ABC and UPN between 1998 and 2002.

In 2000, Hughley starred on the big screen with fellow urban comics Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and Bernie Mac in the concert "The Original Kings of Comedy."

After his sitcom ran its course, Hughley appeared in a variety of movie and television shows and specials, including the family big screen adventure "Inspector Gadget 2" and the acclaimed indi drama "Chasing Papi," both in 2003.

He later returned to the small screen with his own show, "Weekends on the D.L.," on Comedy Central and had a starring role in the drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip."

Created by Aaron "The West Wing" Sorkin, Hughley won raves for his performance as ensemble member Simon Stiles on the "Saturday Night Live"-inspired behind-the-scenes drama. But lukewarm reviews and diminishing ratings grounded "Studio 60" after only a year.

"When I read the pilot, it was the most bracing piece of telelevision I'd ever seen, the best television script I'd ever read, but three episodes in, I wondered if it was the same show," Hughley said of "60." "I think you have to always let somebody else in on the joke. I don't think you should play above your audience."

Last fall, Hughley returned to his standup roots with "Unapologetic," which aired on HBO. He is also planning to throw his hat back into the sitcom strata with a show he said was inspired by the '70s comedy groundbreaker "All in the Family."

In the show, which is still-in-the-works, Hughley will play a father whose daughter comes home from college pregnant and who has a boyfriend whose political beliefs run counter to Hughley's character.

"When you look at what that show ("All in the Family") did, it was groundbreaking television that can't even be replicated now," he said.

"The things that they were discussing then we couldn't hope to do now. But we're going to try to come as close as possible."