Taylor Mason is a juggernaut of comedic activity. His shows are accessible to EVERYONE. He connects in a sly and subtle way with his audiences that have them coming back time and time again. I first worked with Taylor at Zanies in Vernon Hills, IL and most recently shared the stage with him on the…
Aspiring comedians huddle up after a stand-up comedy writing class to ask a variety of questions about pursuing stand-up. From writing and performing to horrible road gigs – we cover a lot of ground! Questions include: Is there a line that you cannot cross in comedy? What was my worst heckling situation? When writing jokes with…
Jeffrey Jena started comedy in … 1978! Were you even born? Ha. I was just 10 years old eating fruit loops in my jammies when Jeffrey Jena first hit the stage. Thirteen years later I worked with him for the first time. And now, some 18 years later, we catch up. Jeffrey is still performing…
Have you ever struggled with alcohol, depression or meaningfulness in your pursuit of a comedy career? You’re alone. Numerous comedians and entertainers get sidetracked by self-destructive behavior. Fortunately for us audiences everywhere, Jeff Allen was able to get his act together on and off the stage. This veteran comedian started in 1978 and weathered many…
Have you performed for birthday parties, marines, comedy club audiences and judges for America’s Got Talent? Have you ever swallowed a balloon (well, not during a border crossing)? Our guest today has, too! I talk with Anthony Maze about his magic/comedy combo performances and the opportunities he has taken advantage of lately. Based in San…
Want to hear how a first full year as a professional stand-up comedian unfolds? This is the podcast for you! Brian Bates visits to share what he learned. Brian, a former School Of Laughs student, left his full time job at a TV station where he worked for 20 years to pursue his dream. Among…
Stand-Up Comedian Nate Bargatze is a busy man. His Comedy Central one hour special “Full Time Magic” was a huge success. And the CD went to number one on the Billboard Comedy charts – topping his first CD “Yelled At By A clown” which made it to number two. He makes time to join us…
The new Jim Gaffigan show on TV Land is off to a great start. The scenes are fast paced, jokes land with solid laughs, and the casting is great. And he is holding a snack in just about every scene. Based on his life as a stand-up comedian with a lot of kids ……
It’s been said the number one fear is public speaking. If that’s true, then speaking and being expected to be funny must take that notion and multiply it by 1000x. For some it’s simply a fear of looking stupid or saying something dumb. Hey, guess what – that’s comedy! For others, though, it’s an…
Nothing is more serious in standup comedy than a showcase night. Whether your showcase set is at a festival, for TV or simply to get booked by a club – you’ve got to be prepared. Putting together your set can drive you crazy. This podcast is all about picking the right material for the showcase…