Five months and one open heart surgery later, Robin Williams is jumping back into the comedy game with a concert tour and HBO special. Why the rush?
While sitting on a panel at the Television Critics' Association, the comedian/actor joked he was "running out of merchandising money from 'Bicentennial'" and needed to replenish his bank account.
His 20-date 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' tour kicks off in September and will cover "a relapse, three years of heavy drinking, going to rehab in wine country to keep my options open, coming out of that, divorce, and open heart surgery."
Williams acknowledges his comedy chops may be a bit rusty have such a long layover.
"After having open heart surgery, it's going to be interesting," he said. "I haven't done the long program [yet]. I started a little bit; I went on stage two months ago and I was on a couple minutes and then I said, 'I'm not ready yet, thank you.'"

Even with the setbacks, Williams says his heart surgery has had a positive impact on his life.
"You literally are opened up, and you really do appreciate the simplest things like breath, and friends," he says. "I've been calling up all of my friends and saying, 'Thanks for being there.' You say, take it a little slower. That's been amazing."
Williams was in Florida performing his one-man stage show in March when he began experiencing shortness of breath and sought care at the University of Miami Hospital. He was then transferred to Cleveland for surgery.
At the time he joked, "I'm thinking the next leg of the tour will be Weapons of Self-Destruction and Reconstruction!"
Williams has done four solo specials on HBO. The most recent, which aired in 2002, received five Emmy nominations. His relationship with HBO dates back to his appearance on a 'Young Comedians' show in 1977.