Tammy Pescatelli Comedy Interview

TAMMY PESCATELLI FINDING THE FUNNY [EP. 147]

Tammy Pescatelli joins me today to talk all things comedy. I met Tammy Pescatelli way, way back in 1994 when I was working at the Davenport Funny Bone and she was co host of a morning show there.  Since then, Tammy has gone on to many great things including multiple appearances on the Tonight Show,…

LESLIE NORRIS TOWNSEND

STAR SEARCH, DISNEY AND LESLIE NORRIS TOWNSEND [EP. 131]

Leslie Norris Townsend lost her parents when she was in her teens. In order to support her three siblings, she started entering beauty pageants in hopes of bringing home a check. The awards also helped pay for college. The contests required her to do a “talent” which helped her develop her singing and innate ability to improvise.…

BEING VULNERABLE ONSTAGE [EP. 122]

Today I meet up with clean comedian and radio show host Daren Streblow. I’ve known Daren for awhile and he has always been super funny and extremely gracious. Today we talk a lot about the inner mind workings of a stand-up comedian. And we talk in depth about being vulnerable onstage. DARREN STREBLOW SHOW NOTES…

comedy questions

AFTER SCHOOL SPECIAL – COMEDY QUESTIONS [EP. 115]

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)…

Comedian Rex Havens

STARTING COMEDY LATE IN LIFE [EP. 108]

Leaving a job as lawyer for State Farm Insurance would be unthinkable. For most people anyway. Fortunately for us, Rex Havens side-hustled as a comedian on weekends and nights for seven years until he was ready to make the jump. He started comedy late in life (mid-thirties). That jump was over two decades ago and…

how to write jokes

NEW BIT COMEDY CHALLENGE [EP. 105]

Last week you met John Branyan. He is the comic with an affinity for Shakespeare and the Three Little Pigs. After I hung up, I thought about a comedy challenge. John and I were both headed to the same conference that weekend (Christian Comedy Association). We were both slated to perform at the same showcase.…

mike james comedian

MIKE JAMES #3rdPickComedy [EP. 094]

Former student Mike James drops by today to catch up. I met Mike James back in 2005 or so and he was starting to get his set together. Writing, tweaking and performing his material constantly has improved his consistency. Now, he is a full time funnyman traveling across the country doing the job he loves. We…

JEFF ALLEN COMEDY

JEFF ALLEN OVERCOMING ALCOHOL AND ANGER [EP 089]

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…