Veteran broadcaster Steve Cochran just became the latest Chicago radio all-star to align himself with AccuRadio.com and its growing lineup of streaming audio formats. But unlike his music-oriented cohorts, he’ll be handling the comedy side of the business.

Cochran, who recently parted company with WGN-AM (720) after 10 years at the Tribune Co.-owned news/talk station, has been hired to expand AccuRadio’s comedy channels and develop new ones to “showcase the history of recorded stand-up comedy as well as give exposure to the hottest up-and-coming comedy talent in America.

” It’s a great fit for Cochran, who’s been active as a stand-up comic throughout his 30-year radio career, working onstage with such stars as Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling, Richard Lewis and even Cher. (“She was great, but sadly, she wouldn’t let me keep any of her wigs,” he quipped.) Cochran next will perform Oct. 1 at Zanies in St. Charles, and Oct. 2 at Zanies in Vernon Hills.

“I’ve always liked Steve’s humor and realized that his knowledge of comedy would be great for our channels,” said John Gehron, AccuRadio’s chief operating officer.

Radio appears to be taking a serious look at humor these days, with numerous comedy channels offered on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and plans unveiled this week for “24/7 Comedy Radio,” a full-time syndicated format created for terrestrial stations.

In teaming with AccuRadio under Gehron and CEO Kurt Hanson, Cochran joins a Chicago talent lineup that includes such familiar names as Tommy Edwards, Danae Alexander, Fred Winston, Mitch Michaels, Connie Szerszen, Doug Dahlgren, Clark Weber, Scotty Brink and Linda Marshall. Said Cochran:

“Kurt and John are geniuses and have no idea that I’m not very bright at all. The cool thing is that they get comedy and want it to be a part of the big picture at AccuRadio. The world is way too negative now, and I look forward to fighting that with the power of”¨ funny … and possibly exploding rubber chickens.”