It’s no joke. Former “Saturday Night Live” star and New Jersey native Joe Piscopo says he’s being encouraged to run for governor in the wake of Gov. James McGreevey’s resignation. The comedian, who says he is a lifelong Democrat, told CNN that some young businessmen broached the idea with him. Piscopo, 53, did not say why these businessmen thought he should run.

McGreevey has said he will step down November 15th in the wake of a gay sex scandal. Opponents have said that he should step down early so a special election could be held to replace him. Piscopo, who considers himself a friend of McGreevey said, 'I don't mind him on a personal level hanging in until November, because he's got to do what he's got to do.' Piscopo also stated that he knew the governor was gay before the announcement last week.

Piscopo who has languished in obscurity since the late 1980s when his impressions of Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen made him an important part of the SNL team, has said he will consider taking the job. “I love the state enough to do it,” Piscopo stated in an interview with CNN posted on his website. No word yet on whether he will announce his candidacy on late night TV like Arnold Schwarzenegger did.

Piscopo conceded that local Democrat Senator Jon Corzine is more qualified for the job. But like Schwarzenegger, he already has ‘his taxes are too high, I’m for the little guy,’ rhetoric in place.

Most recently, Piscopo has been touring with a Sinatra tribute band.