Posts tagged stand-up comedy
Joel Radio #267: The Return of Comedy
Oct 16th
It looks like stand-up comedy is returning, even in a smaller, socially-distanced way, and Joel talks to the formerly retired comedian Ted Moss about what’s about to happen. Joel tells you about The Comedy Castle’s new procedures for the November re-opening and is proud to announce the return of the Advanced Comedy Class! Ted has already done some shows and has more coming up, when he’s not making episodes of his ever-growing podcast. Also, find out the beef between David Crosby and the recently deceased Eddie Van Halen, if a millennial can enjoy Airplane!, and the simple, according to Joel, mathematics of the stand-up comedy business. Plus tons of TV reviews including Ted Lasso, The Goes Wrong Show, A Wilderness of Error, and the most important movie of the year the coronavirus documentary Totally Under Control.
Mark Ridley and Louie Anderson at The Comedy Castle – the good times return November 5th!
Joel Radio #216: The Smelt Are Running
Apr 11th
Joel Radio welcomes back comedian Derek Richards who was recently mentioned by Joel as one of the funniest comedians offstage. He lives up to that billing on this show, sharing hilarious road stories, tales of really bad gigs, descriptions of life in Florida and Las Vegas and much more. Corey Hall had some bad gigs too, including some small-town excuses for low turnout that you won’t believe. It’s been almost thirteen years since Derek joined us on the show, and it was long overdue! Also, the guys review The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling on HBO, a overly-long, but wonderful portrait of a comedic genius. Plus, HBO’s Barry is worth a look, Joel and Corey drop some quarters into Ready Player One, Corey goes to the Isle of Dogs and much more stupidity.
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This a composite photo, as Derek may not be that happy to see the smelt
Joel Radio #201: Sunday Funday Sunday
Sep 8th
What did you do for fun this Labor Day weekend? Corey Hall braved the huddled masses and saw and aging B-52s at a free festival, while Joel took a high-dollar option to watch an aging U2. Corey describes the horror of middle America searching for some free fun, while Joel thinks U2 was good a enough show with a solid opening act – Beck! – that made the $100+ price tag worth it. The guys also get an expert opinion on U2 from comedian Tom McCarthy who had seen the tour before and yet still couldn’t figure out what Patti Smith was doing on stage, either. Also, a Charlotesville racist does horrible stand-up, Joel talks The Strokes on a podcast, Aaron Rodgers gets a big, gay mustache and goodbye to Jay Thomas and Shelly Berman. Plus, the state of big franchise movie universes, the future of Star Wars, and the one big monster movie you really should see.
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U2’s impressive stage was Patti Smith-free at this moment
Joel Radio #196: Knives Out For Comedy
Jun 21st
The joyful art of stand-up comedy had yet another controversy this week as Iliza Shlesinger outraged both comedians and comedy fans with some pointed opinions in a recent interview. Were Iliza’s comments about female comedians off-base or was there some merit to her statements about originality and audience’s expectations? Should you really be proud of a World War II joke? Joel investigates with the help of Corey Hall and the returning Ted Moss. Ted is a fan of Iliza’s and thinks she’s getting a bad rap. Joel thinks she’s talented but also shares his experience working with Iliza a few years back and is not surprised that this happened at all. The guys discuss advantages and pitfalls of being a hot chick in comedy, and why the most important thing is show business is to be easy to work with. Also, I’m Dying Up Here on Showtime continues to get it wrong, a second look at La La Land, doing a podcast with the power out, and a review of Saving Banksy on Netflix. Plus, Corey has seen the latest Steve Harvey abomination. Piece of advice: when you’re in the Funderdome, don’t look him in the eye.
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Ted Moss and Iliza Shlesinger in happier times (photograph by Joel!)
Joel Radio #192: Double Zed
Apr 13th
It’s been a long time since Joel met this week’s guest, Hailey Zureich. So long, in fact, that Hailey can’t even remember. Joel, however remembers how his invitation to improv people to do his comedy show let to a long time friendship. Hailey is surprised to find out that they went to the same high school, and though many years apart, both were bullied as kids and you’ll hear their stories of childhood trauma and ultimate redemption. You’ll also hear Hailey’s plan for her own podcast, her passion for yoga (and why Joel can’t bring himself to do it), and what it was like for both of them to grow up with weird names. Hailey’s a unique, delightful, and extremely positive person – basically the complete opposite of Joel! Plus, hear Joel’s farewell to the late Charlie Murphy, as he shares a wild, funny story about his one night hanging out with the star – not dissimilar to Charlie’s own celebrity stories that made him so famous. RIP funnyman.
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Joel Radio #188: Stars Sleep In The Garage
Feb 1st
Joel Radio presents a contrast in comedy careers as Kevin Kramis, a veteran comedian, sports announcer and the former voice of the Michigan State Fair shares road stories and dispenses advice to Joel and Sophia Spagnuolo, a young comic with only a handful of shows and some improv experience under her belt. Kevin shares how he got started in the business, how he became the voice of the fair, and how comics are often stuck staying in the “comedy condo” or in the club owner’s garage! Sophia tells of her burning desire to do comedy and how she met Joel in the most Millennial way ever – on a podcast. It’s a fun conversation that should inspire up-and-coming comedians and inspire others to never, ever even attempt a career in comedy. Also, Joel explains why Trump hysteria flies in the face of our system of government, why it seems like there’s so much bad news today, and how American politics has turned into College Gameday. Plus, Joel gears up for the Oscars by watching the awful Martin Scorcese-directed Silence, the overrated Moonlight, the dull-as-dust Loving, and has half-dozen other depressing, no-fun movies to watch in the next month. This is a good, fun, long listen which should kill some time as you wait for your immigration papers to clear.
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Sophia, Joel and Kevin sitting exactly as they did while recording the show
Joel Radio #170: Because We Care
Apr 20th
It’s an unusual show, but it’s unusual to have so many great comedians under one roof. Joel and Corey Hall performed at a benefit show for The Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, Michigan and captured the behind the scenes stories and goofing off that goes on at these types of shows. You’ll hear how Mike Green got tasered on stage, find out the true identity of the infamous Home Depot show headliner, place a bet on what tome the show will end, and Joel recaps his local TV appearance promoting the show (was it better than Corey’s recent appearance on the same show?) Also, you’ll hear some jokes on stage from the always funny Bill Bushart, some from Sal Demilio and Joel’s complete set, too. Plus, meet Joel’s comedy students, Bryan McCree tells you why not all black comics are black comics, and tons more revelry and silliness from the backstage to the showroom to the bar. This is a fun listen. Special thanks to Bob Phillips for organizing the show and the stars of the Detroit comedy community – too numerous to list here – for being on this show and making it a great night.
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The flyer for the benefit show. Pretty sure everyone on this makes an appearance on the podcast
Joel Radio #150: The New Comedy Boom or Bust
Apr 21st
Is comedy having a new boom? According to a recent article, comedy’s future will be performed in the back of a comic book store, to other comedians, and without punch lines – hooray! Actually, Joel is pretty troubled by the recent alt-comedy scene, feeling that so much of it’s charming qualities will fail to transfer to a bigger stage and that audiences will ultimately expect a standard of professionalism once the “boom” translates into people paying top-dollar for their entertainment. Corey seems more optimistic about this new future as podcasts (!) are seen as the new, best way of comedians promoting themselves. Either way, this show has some rock-solid advice for aspiring comedy superstars and a look into the future of comedy and why it may end up looking more like comedy’s past than most people realize. Also, the internet goes crazy for movie trailers as the guys look at the upcoming offerings from Star Wars, The Terminator, Jurassic World, and Batman vs Superman. Plus, Joel goes to Florida and has the scars to prove it, Corey is bored by Sinatra, a new voice says Jimmy Fallon sucks, and does Yahoo! have TV’s best new comedy show?
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The face of comedy’s future could be this nerd (actually not THIS nerd, but one like him)
Joel Radio presents Comedy Night Live April 2014
May 5th
It’s another live night of satand-up comedy from O’Mara’s Irish Pub in Berkley, MI. Joel gets the proceedings going with a new set including his reasoning for why every girl should date him. It takes a long time to get to it, but after jokes about CNN and Oscar Pistorious, Joel’s ridiculous premise pays off with big laughs – it’s funny ’cause it’s true! The laughs keep coming with comedy superstar-to-be Brad Wenzel who’s dry and deadpan delivery always works . Also, seasoned veteran Gary George makes a rare flub that is undoubtebly Joel’s favorite moment of the night, Heather Kozlakowski gets heckled – but not for her previous relationship with Joel – and Hailey Zureich shares an outlandish way for women not to be kidnapped. Plus, sets from Julie Lyons, Ron Lutze, Jibtron Zero, Ben Langworthy, Loyd Digg, Avery Sommerfeld, and the return of Nino Brown, who is unconvinced that Joel does not host The Price Is Right.
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Joel Radio #126: Meet The Old Guys
Apr 28th
Joel Radio proudly hosts some of Detroit’s best veteran comedians for a memorable “Old Guys” roundtable, featuring Tim Rowlands, Jef Brannan, and Billy Ray Bauer. The guys are promoting an upcoming benefit show for Tim’s son’s Eagle Scout project – and if you could earn a badge for sitting around telling comedy road stories Joel and the guys would earn one on this show. Among the topics, the good old days of making $1000 a week, the difference between young comedians and veterans, and why the business is going to more private and charity shows – and why that may be a good thing. Also, hilarious stories of Billy Ray vs a moose, Tim sleeping in the club owner’s garage, Jef losing his paycheck at the blackjack table (and getting it back, so he says), and young comedian Joel seduced and nearly bedded by a famous female comedian. Plus, don’t make fun of the drunken, inbred Indians (erm, Native Americans), don’t make fun of the comedy club’s PA system, and don’t bring your “B”-level jokes to the “A” room. This show is both an education and good time, as will be the show this weekend, so do your part and come see some of the funniest guys ever on one stage for one night.
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Here’s a flyer for the benefit. All these guys wouldn’t fit in the studio!
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