CREATING A TV SHOW with JIM HOPE Today we are talking about creating a tv show with my friend Jim Hope. He’s a whiz who writes, performs, and produces comedy. I first met Jim when I performed on the Henry Cho Show on Great American Country (GAC Cable TV). He was a co-writer and producer and…
In this episode Doc Kennedy and I talk about Dave Chappelle receiving the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center. We break down Dave’s speech and what we comedians can take from it. Watch the 8 minute speech here! DAVE CHAPPELLE MARK TWAIN AWARD SHOW NOTES What the venue was like. How stand-up comedy is…
Dan Whitehurst talks about going from cop to comedy. Dan is a friend of mine from nearly the first few weeks I moved to Nashville in 1999. I knew al little about his backstory, but have always wanted to learn more about the man behind that impressive beard. DAN WHITEHURST Show Notes We talk about…
Greg Warren (most recently seen on Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Late Show and Comedy Central Presents) has built a strong fan base with an act inspired by his Midwestern upbringing. His CDs, Running Out of Time (Sept 2013) and One Star Wonder (June 2009) hit #3 and #6 respectively in iTunes Top Comedy Albums. An honest mix of self-deprecation, frustration and…
Today I am joined by one of my students “Straussie”. Straussie took the Stand-Up Comedy Level One: Writing class back in February. Then he followed through with the Level Two: Performance Class and the Business of Comedy Class. I could tell right away this guy doesn’t mess around. He is serious about things and is…
It’s time to analyze stand-up comedy! Today we dig knee deep into how to turn a funny thought into a full blown comedy bit. I am interviewed by Rick Altizer on his radio show which airs here in Nashville Saturday mornings at 9:30 on 106.3 FM. Rick is a songwriter, recording artist, music producer, film…
We follow up last week’s premise session with Jonnie W. and Brian Bates. They both pop back by the headquarters with audio clips. Last week’s premises are now jokes. But, how solid are they? We listen to Jonnie’s clip about Church Nurseries and wonder … Would this joke work as a cold opener? Is it…
Today I am joined by several recent writing students to answer their comedy questions. Specifically, we talk about: What is a good way to know that you should continue pursuing stand-up comedy? How many shows is a good barometer for getting your feet wet? When should you quit! The value in bombing (and recording it)…
NEW AT COMEDY? YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING … Do you have beginning comedy questions about stand-up? Are you just dipping your toes in the waters of writing and performing? Today I am joined by three current writing students in this “after school special”. They each bring forth a slew of excellent questions. I am willing…
Have you ever had a few joke ideas collecting dust in your notebook? Former student and YouTube star Kate Spellman and Gavin Miller join me at the writing table to pitch a couple of joke ideas that need to see daylight. We all offer up two potential premises and decide on one each. Then we brainstorm on…