Don't Sit in the Front!

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Don't Sit in the Front! is a podcast about the love of standup comedy, alternative comedy, and keeping it all alive through a difficult time. Host James Hillmer (@jdhillmer) interviews comedians, writers, and general fans of standup about their favorite comedians and personal connection to this unique art form we love so much! Host: James Hillmer is a Los Angeles based researcher and standup lover. Music: @chrishellking on IG Art: @memorybloomstudio on IG 1. Always punch up. 2. Keep swinging.

James Hillmer


    • Dec 31, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 6m AVG DURATION
    • 70 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Don't Sit in the Front!

    Ep 70 - 2021 Yearend Wrap Up w/ Kari Assad

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2021 78:03


    Kari Assad (Twt: @kariassad; IG: @assadkarirocks) came back to help me wrap up the year and talk about some of our favorite moments from the year standup returned from quarantine. We talk a LOT about Pen15's final season just cause I like it a lot. We talk about new live booked shows we liked, specials/albums that stood out, and finish it all up with new year's resolutions for our experience of standup in 2022. Happy New Year! 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 69 - A Very Thicc WI Christmas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 34:32


    I racked my brain thinking of a Christmas-related standup special or album to talk about and the closest thing I could come up with is David Sedaris's reading of "Santaland Diaries," a humorous essay about his time working as a mall Santa's elf (link below). I talked to my friend Michael back in WI about it and a little about fun standup things just on the horizon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5XLjG_S6eE 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 68 - British Comedy, Fringe Festival, and Ahir Shah's "Dots" w/ Victoria Caudle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2021 48:48


    I talked to my friend Victoria (@nureonjongi) who is an encyclopedia of current British standup. We talked about Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Korean standup comedy and its potential, and a bit about Ahir Shah's "Dots" (HBO Max). Here is a list Victoria provided of comedians she saw at the 2018 Fringe Festival, many of whom are now putting out specials and the like: Kiri Pritchard-McLean — twitter: @kiripritchardmc | Instagram: @kiri_pritchard_mclean | podcast + twitter: All Killa No Filla @killnofillpod Suzi Ruffell — twitter: @suziruffell | Instagram: @suziruffellcomedy Sindhu Vee — twitter: @sindhuvfunny | Instagram: @sindhuvee Mawaan Rizwan — twitter: @MawaanR | Instagram: @mawaanr Nish Kumar — twitter: @MrNishKumar | Instagram: @mrnishkumar Graham Dickson — twitter: @GDogged | Instagram: @grahamdickson Abigoliah Shamaun — twitter: @abigoliah | Instagram: @abigoliah Steen Raskopoulos — twitter: @steenrasko | Instagram: @steenrasko Athena Kugblenu — twitter: @athenakugblenu | Instagram: @athenakugblenu Nina Conti — twitter: @athenakugblenu | Instagram: @theninaconti Special Mention: Sofie Hagen — twitter: @SofieHagen | Instagram: @sofiehagendk Ahir Shah — twitter: @AhirShah

    Ep 67 - Katie Novotny

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2021 64:34


    A couple weeks ago I ran into Katie Novotny (IG: @kathnovotny) at a comedy show and we chatted about being from the midwest and why we like LA. We talked about comedy and then I invited her on the show and here we are! She's great! We talked about standup vs. sketch and improv, Chicago and NY vs. LA, all kinds of comedy nerd stuff. It was fun! Check out her set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mydFbq4LeGw&t=2s

    Ep 66 - Jen Saunderson Returns!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2021 45:53


    Jen Saunderson (@jensaunderson) returned to give updates on her past crazy career and also what getting back out there and doing shows has been like. It was great to catch up! You can hear Jen on the wonderfully funny and informative horror movie podcast, Everything is Scary! Love you all, stay safe. 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 65 - Monique Moreau

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 56:15


    I talked to Monique Moreau (Twt: @bigbadbutt, IG: @moniqueandjiminy) about standup, taking a break and coming back to it, neuro diversity, getting out of rural hometowns and how standup is and isn't like being a concert pianist. Monique has a show coming up at the small room at Largo that we should watch out for and also a show coming up at the Glendale Room on Dec 9th at 8pm. 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    largo monique moreau
    Ep 64 - "The Last Temptation of Krust" (Simpsons S09E15)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 75:29


    I had my good friend Ed back on the pod to talk about more representations of standup with a 1998 episode of the Simpsons, "The Last Temptation of Krust." Krusty the Clown performs discovers that his offensive material is out of date and becomes a Carlin-esque rant comic but ultimately sells out. It's a nice time capsule of 1998 with some connections to be made about the current kerfuffle with cancel culture.

    Ep 63 - Halloween Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 69:25


    Happy Halloween! Pow and I watched an episode of Ghost Adventures about the Comedy Store and talked about our own ghost near-sightings.

    Ep 62 - Joe Raines

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2021 87:48


    I talked to Joe Raines (@joemfraines) about his old outdoor show, Yellahammered, I asked him the questions I ask every comic, and we both watched Eddie Izzard's "Dress to Kill" (1999). Joe had some new insights to updating the club vs. alt distinction and good stories from doing the road some years back. Thanks to everyone who listens and look out for a very special Don't Sit in the Front Halloween episode next week!

    Ep 61 - This Is My Life (1992) w/ Kari Assad

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2021 77:26


    I convinced Kari Assad (IG: @assadkarirocks, Twt: @kariassad) to watch this little-known movie about standup, This Is My Life (1992). The movie is directed by Nora Ephron and stars Julie Kavner as standup comic Dottie Ingels. It's a weird little time capsule of 90s notions of what a standup career is like for working moms. We didn't hate it! Kari also talks about her standup show, This is Different. I love this show because it has amazing lineups, outdoor setup and cheap tickets. The last one of the year is Nov. 7 with Dana Gould, Sheng Wang, Teresa Lee, and Monique Moreau! Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-is-different-a-comedy-show-tickets-189903806397

    Ep 60 - Listener Q and A

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2021 73:07


    Pow moved back to LA so they came over and helped me work through listeners' questions. We take two steps forward and three steps back in figuring out the alt vs. club distinction, make some predictions for comics that will be big in the coming year, and dig a bit more into my origins of liking standup. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions! Follow @dontsitinthefront on Instagram to submit questions and reach out to me. 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 59 - Sleepwalk With Me (2012)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 68:17


    I talked about Mike Birbiglia's semi-autobiographical movie Sleepwalk With Me (2012) with return guests, Dan Frey and Casey Gates Frey!  Dan Frey is a novelist and screenwriter. You can check out his book, The Future is Yours anywhere books are sold. You can find dan @wordsbyDanFrey https://bookshop.org/books/the-future-is-yours/9780593158210  Casey Gates Frey is a screenwriter and director of the short film, "Crystal." You can find her @caseygates on Twitter and @theladybrain on Instagram. https://vimeo.com/389112184   

    Ep 58 - Mike Mulloy of Faded Comedy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2021 50:27


    I talked to Mike Mulloy (IG: @fakemikemulloy; Tw: @niceonlineboy) who runs my favorite comedy show in LA, Faded (@fadedcomedyla). We talked about his storied career on social media platforms, smart-assery, and a whole lot about the recent history of Faded. fadedcomedyla.com for tickets. fadedcomedydenver.com for CO friends.

    Ep 57 - Anna Valenzuela

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2021 87:26


    I had a delightful conversation with Anna Valenzuela (@annavisfun) about being honest with bummer topics, straight edge vs. sobriety, standup and antiquated terminology, and a whole lot else even before getting into the questions I ask every comic. You can check out Anna's podcast 12 Questions (@12Qpod) for more discussion about recovery and applying the recovery perspective to just about anything. Hope everyone's doing well! 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 56 - Christine Medrano

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2021 57:17


    I had a really fun chat with Christine Medrano (IG: @chrissymeds) looking back at the horrors of zoom, the bright spots of comedy outside, growing up in America and Canada's respective Midwests, and the questions I ask every comic with some new ones sprinkled in. Hope everyone's doing well. Check out Christine on social media, stay safe, take care of each other. Please rate and subscribe, share the podcast with friends who like comedy. Send me a message if you like the show: @dontsitinthefront on IG. 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 55 - Reactions to Tig Notaro's "Drawn"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2021 43:58


    I hopped on Zoom with my good friend Michael Egly for another Labor Day Weekend installment of Thicc WI Accent (that's what I'm calling the episodes when I talk about a new special, show, what-have-you in the standup world with a non-comic friend). We talked about Tig Notaro's "Drawn" (HBO), a collection of her bits set to animation. Hope everyone's doing well! 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 54 - Nathan Lund

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 85:22


    I nerded out about comedy at Nathan Lund (@nathanlundcomedy on IG, @nathanlund on Twitter). Nathan is a Colorado-based comic and cohost of the Chubby Behemoth podcast with Sam Tallent. I told him ahead of time I want an oral history of the Denver comedy scene and he delivered! Check out his recent set from the Jokechella festival in Fort Collins, CO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUNDehzUvq0 ............... 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 53 - Thicc WI Accent vol. 4 w/ Pow

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2021 54:17


    Pow and I talked about the end of Hacks Season 1, the state of the pod, and broke down the whole first season of PAUSE with Sam Jay (HBO Max). The live standup shows I shouted out in the intro are This Is Different! (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-is-different-a-comedy-show-tickets-167501486455?aff=erelexpmlt) and Salty AF (@saltyafshow on IG for tix and info on upcoming shows) 1. Alway punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 52 - Candy Lawrence

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2021 58:40


    I had a blast talking with Candy Lawrence (@comedylawrence) about coming back to standup after a hiatus and why comedy should be at 9am. Her pug, Buster also showed up on the Zoom call and I love him. Go look at Buster on her IG and meet Beverly while you're at it. Candy's opening for Maria Bamford at Comedy on State in Madison, WI in September. Wisconsin listeners get these tickets: https://www.madisoncomedy.com/events/47023 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 51 - Andrew Orolfo

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 60:58


    Ep 51 - I talked with Andrew Orolfo (@andrew_orolfo) (The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jo Koy's In His Elements) coming fresh from recording a set for Comedy Central, his past working with kids, touring colleges and NACA (Crashing fans will know), and the questions I ask every comic. Andrew's James Corden set: https://www.cbs.com/shows/late-late-show/video/NvYlwp1PiW27YfAPJtUwpge7IZQNImaF/andrew-orolfo-stand-up/ Andrew's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/andreworolfo Always punch up Keep swinging

    EPISODE 50! w/ Casey Gates Frey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 56:05


    I had Casey Gates Frey (Twt: @caseygates, IG: @theladybrain) on to talk about Vir Das's "Ten on Ten." I also had Casey turn the questions I ask every comic back on me. Thanks so much for everyone who's listened so far and new listeners I've gained along the way! Link for the first of four available episodes by Vir Das: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5hS8vzmQXI Vulture article on best 2021 specials so far mentioning Vir Das's Ten on Ten: https://www.vulture.com/article/best-comedy-specials-of-2021.html Casey's short film, Crystal: https://vimeo.com/389112184 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 49 - Kaitlyn Jeffers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2021 51:03


    I talked to Kaitlyn Jeffers (@jeffernaut, IG: @_kaitlynjeffers) about comedy and punk, her work with the Hard Times punk news satire site, and the questions I ask every comic. Kaitlyn hosts and produces a booked show,This Is Different! with friend of the show, Kari Assad. Their next show is coming up if you're in the LA area: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-is-different-a-comedy-show-tickets-162708831495 Also, check out Kaitlyn's hilarious articles over at Hard Times: https://thehardtimes.net/author/kaitlyn-jeffers/ 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 48 - Carter Glascock Returns!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 63:42


    Carter Glascock (@carter_glascock) returns to give updates about doing sets in person, taping a set in Vegas for Laughs After Dark (Amazon), and to indulge me in talking about King of the Hill S02E16 - "Traffic Jam" aka the origin of Booda Sack.

    Ep 47 - American: The Bill Hicks Story (2011) w/ Joe Felix

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 73:31


    Joe Felix (@joefelix92) returned to talk about going back on stage, the open mic atmosphere and more. I asked him about the possibility of his definition of alt vs. club, if socialism and standup comedy are commensurable, and we both watched the 2011 documentary, American: The Bill Hicks Story (on Tubi now for free). 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 46 - Thicc WI Accent vol. 3 w/ Michael

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2021 42:54


    I recorded an episode in Milwaukee, WI with my good friend Michael. We talked about his work with a food pantry, not so ideal conditions to see standup, and Beth Stelling's "Girl Daddy" (HBO Max). 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 45 - Dina Nina Martinez!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 75:17


    I talked to Dina Nina Martinez (@dinaninamartinez) in Madison, WI! She was recently on the cover of Madison magazine and runs Lady Laughs Comedy (@ladylaughscomedy). Lady Laughs has a monthly show #ExtraAFComedy (@extraafcomedy) with both online and in-person events. I talked to Dina about starting comedy in LA and eventually moving to the wonderful comedy scene in Madison, WI where she has monthly shows, festivals and teaches standup comedy classes. I was so pleased to see Dina perform and then interview her while on my trip. Thanks everyone for listening! http://ladylaughscomedy.com/ https://www.channel3000.com/madisons-faces-of-pride/ 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 44 - Kane Holloway

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2021 65:38


    I talked to standup comic Kane Holloway (IG: @kaneholloway) of Well Actually (@wellactuallypod) and Don't Take Bullshit From Fuckers about comedy in Washington vs. LA, knowing when to leave a city, and a pretty gnarly "worst comedy memory" road story. Check out Kane's Album, "Can't See Straight" https://open.spotify.com/album/5f2CaM8qyR2lwQD799vJKL?si=bfPw7-0iTQyd5uoKKd1AXA&dl_branch=1

    Ep 43 - Reactions to Bo Burnham's "Inside" w/ Pow

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2021 72:03


    Pow returned for another installment of Thicc WI Accent. We watched Bo Burnham's "Inside" (Netflix). We talked about this musical and darkly comic chronicle of quarantine life while contrasting it with our own lives spent inside. 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging 3. Go outside

    Ep 42 - Terence Hartnett of Down by the River Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2021 52:33


    Episode 42 - I talked to comic Terence Hartnett (IG: @hahartnett; Twt: @terencehartnett) about his experience doing Down by the River (@downbytheriverpod) where he lived in a van and drove around interviewing comics displaced by the pandemic. Down by the River is a great podcast to hear what comics are doing in and out of the big standup hubs and the same kind of granular analysis of standup we crave here at DSitF. Check out Terence's podcast, it's great. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-by-the-river-with-terence-hartnett/id1543278214 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 41 - Hacks Ep 1 and 2 w/ Kari Assad

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 80:33


    I watched the first two episodes of Hacks (HBO Max) and talked about it with Kari Assad (IG: @assadkarirocks; Twt: @kariassad). Kari updates us on her experiences doing open mics and going back onstage.

    Ep 40 - "Now I'm like a Bobby" w/ Diana Hong

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 43:24


    Diana Hong (@wellhongd) returned to give some updates about going back on stage. We talked about being ready to go outside or not, the in-between we're in of regular standup shows, what's going to come back and how, and a general in-between weirdness. I also made her talk about King of the Hill. 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 39 - "He can't sit in the front 'cause he can't take it" w/ Pow

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2021 67:23


    Ep 39. This was a silly one. I talked to my friend Pow for an experimental (hopefully recurring?) segment called "Thicc Wisconsin Accent," where we analyze how comedy hits different coming from different corners of the US. We watched John Mulaney's 2018 Netflix special, John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City. DSitF is hosted by James Hillmer (IG: @jdhillmer). Music by: @chrishellking and cover art by @memorybloomstudio 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 38 - "So was Red"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2021 43:07


    This week I checked back in with Katrina Davis (@katrinasivad) about getting back on stage in outdoor spaces. I talk up front about some of the stresses of the in-between phase we're in and a little bit about Nick Skardarasy's pandemic-borne special, Thin Walls.  https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/news/comedian-nick-skardarasy-filmed-a-stand-up-special-at-his-l-a-apartment-with-his-neighbors-as-the-only-audience-100820 You should check out Katrina's ongoing Zoom comedy show Valley Girl (@valleygirlcomedy) and also her work on Baron Vaughn's podcast, Self-Quar.   1. Always punch up  2. Keep swinging  3. Be like Red (but it's ok to get help when feeling like Brooks) 

    Ep 37 - State of the Pod

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 42:27


    It's just me! :O  I wanted to slow things down and mix up content a bit. I updated a bit on plans for the podcast as I wait a little longer for more people to be vaccinated and try to do more in-person interviews. In this episode I talked about not quite feeling up to going to see outdoor standup yet, some specials I watched recorded in the pandemic, and talked about an academic article defining standup comedy's social function at the height of the '80s comedy boom. I'm hoping to catch up with some past guests to talk about their first stage time back at it as outdoor shows have picked up quite a bit here in Los Angeles.  The book I ordered and hope to talk more about by Kliph Nesteroff is We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Had-a-Little-Real-Estate-Problem/Kliph-Nesteroff/9781982103033) Thanks for listening!  1. Always punch up  2. Keep swinging 3. Get vaccinated and shame stupid comedians for using their gigantic platform to spread ignorance of science and lack of empathy for the society that built them. 

    Ep 36 - Rivers Langley

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 136:44


    I talked to standup comic and host of The Goods From the Woods podcast, Rivers Langley! (@riverslangley). We nerded out hard. This was a long one. Rivers talked about comedy in Alabama, running shows in Los Angeles, and doing the "Corona Diaries" episodes documenting dissent into quarantine madness. We also talked about Kyle Kinane's "The Death of the Party." Rivers is also a commentator for Wrestling Pro Wrestling, a spectacular display of wrestling madness live from the Burbank Moose Lodge and on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGazEwauaUSWmai8b9SMZlw 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 35 - Julian Fernandez

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 85:23


    This was a lot of fun! I talked with standup comic, impressionist, and voice actor Julian Fernandez (@julianfcomedy). I talked with them about standup, their gift of manipulating their voice, and how they approach writing material incorporating all that into their set. They have a new podcast starting next week (Genderless Wanderer), so stay tuned for that!

    Ep 34 - Hysterical (2021) with Casey Gates Frey

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2021 54:16


    This week I watched the new documentary, Hysterical (Dir: Andrea Nevins, 2021; FX/Hulu) and talked about it with return guest, Casey Gates Frey (@caseygates). The documentary is an awesome look at some history of women standup comics and issues facing women in comedy still today. I highly recommend it for standup fans. You can find Casey's comedic short film, Crystal on her Vimeo page at http://www.vimeo.com/ladybrainfilms. Reach out to the show at @dontsitinthefront (IG) and @dont_sit (Twitter) and let me know more documentaries and books about standup I should check out. 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 33 - Notes From the Bathroom Line w/ Amy Solomon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2021 47:06


    This week I talked to Amy Solomon (@amybethsol) about her collection of essays, humor, cartoons and all kinds of funny goodness from women comedians. It's called Notes From the Bathroom Line: Humor, Art, and Low-Grade Panic from 150 of the Funniest Women in Comedy. You can find it at https://www.notesfromthebathroomline.com/book  Amy has had a lifelong love of Gilda Radner so we also talked about the documentary Love, Gilda.  Please like, subscribe and review. You can reach out to the show at @dontsitinthefront on Instagram, @dont_sit on Twitter, or dontsitinthefrontpod@gmail.com.  1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging 

    Ep 32 - Keith Carey

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 49:27


    I nerded out about standup at Keith Carey (@keithtellsjokes). Keith has a podcast called This is Not a Show (IG: @thisisnotashowpod; Twt: @notashowpod). He's also got an album "Forever Nap" you can get on vinyl and streaming: https://keithcarey.bandcamp.com/album/forever-nap The Korean punk band we mentioned is called Drinking Boys and Girls Choir: https://band-dbgc.bandcamp.com/ @drinking_boys_and_girls_choir Hope everyone is doing well and getting vaccinated when possible! 

    Ep 31 - Rhea "RB" Butcher

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021 69:26


    I got to talk with Rhea "RB" Butcher (@rheabutcher) about their new album, Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootleg. They're hands down one of my favorite comics and I'm glad I got to talk to them about comedy and what it looks like as we are hopefully coming out of this rough time for it. Check out their album everywhere music is available or grab an enamel pin with a download card at A Special Thing Records (@aspecialthingrecords) https://astrecords.com/pages/rhea-butcher Album on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6DFenun5S2Ck90CVmhSRH9?si=Dtm4cU8sQ5-6qA3JRNIRTw I address it at the top of the episode, but we recorded this before the awful news coming out of Atlanta this week. We cannot equivocate about white supremacist terror and the rising wave of anti-Asian violence. We must protect our Asian community members. I'll shout out the Georgia Chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice and their donation page: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/support-georgias-asian-american-community/ Please keep each other safe.

    Ep 30 - Kyle Ayers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 60:32


    This week I talked with Kyle Ayers about his album, Happiness which you can find anywhere you find music OR pick it up as a vinyl LP at kyleayers.com. It was my favorite standup album of 2020 and reminds us why we miss live standup. Kyle also has his podcast, Never Seen It. Check both out. Kyle Ayers, Happiness on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2ZIMMqTUZv9v8H6agXSNpG?si=Qvttwz93QLK60w_ZTyUAew&nd=1 Kyle's Conan set: https://youtu.be/9K5z_kYd6Sg 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 29 - Angie Stocker

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 60:11


    This week I talked with Angie Stocker! (@highlyangie) She's a comic who has an Etsy shop centered around weed culture, Highly Crafty (@gethighlycrafty) She also has a series of Youtube videos doing crafts while high with other comics. She's done comedy in New York and LA and is also an awesome mom! We had a great conversation! Highly Crafty Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuffyNndWuZm4VlvGyrhwKw Always punch up Keep swinging

    Ep 28 - Punchline (1988) w/ Holly Anabel Brown and Brad Lewandowski

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2021 76:22


    This week I watched the 1988 Sally Field and Tom Hanks vehicle, Punchline, an interesting time capsule of the 80s comedy boom. I'm joined by returning guest, Holly Anabel Brown (@hollybrowncomedy) and one of her Well Actually (@wellactually pod) cohosts, Brad Lewandowski (@braddoesntgram). Check out their wonderful podcast as well as Holly's business making custom shoes and clothing: @hellohollygoods. Holly also has her standup shows and dates updated at https://www.hollyanabelbrown.com/ This was really fun! 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 27 - Katrina Davis

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021 75:30


    Ep 27 - Katrina Davis @katrinasivad - I talked with Katrina Davis about the silver linings of online comedy and no commute, coming to LA early in her standup career, and representations of standup in shows about comics. This was fun! You can find Katrina's filmed sets at her website https://katrinasivad.com/standup Katrina has a @valleygirlcomedy standup Zoom show tomorrow (2/20) and every third Saturday. Check out relevant posts for info (4:30pm PST). She's also on the podcast Self Quar with Baron Vaughn @selfquar for info. 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 26 - Jackie Kashian

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2021 71:59


    Ep 26 - I had the pleasure of talking with standup legend and one of my favorite comics, Jackie Kashian (@jackiekashian). We talked about how she's utilized Zoom and other platforms to keep working on material for an album and special that was in the works before the pandemic hit. She basically gives a clinic for comics on how to use our current workarounds to keep honing their craft through the pandemic. This was a dream come true. You can find all the info for watching one of Jackie's “Sunday Service” Zoom shows by signing up to her mailing list at her website: https://www.jackiekashian.com/ Her last special (This Will Make an Excellent Horcrux) is available in many forms at this pinned tweet: https://twitter.com/jackiekashian/status/1350965635128455173 You can also listen to Jackie's updates every week on The Jackie and Laurie Show: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/jackie-and-laurie-show/ And of course, she has her long-running podcast, The Dork Forest: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dork-forest/id210939624 Remember to Always punch up Keep Swinging Take chances and ask famous comics to be on your podcast

    Ep 25 - Dan Frey

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2021 82:51


    Ep 25: I talked to science fiction novelist and screen writer, Dan Frey (@wordsbydanfrey). His novel, The Future is Yours is out 2/9 on Del Rey, but you can pick it up for preorder at links below. It is also available as a full cast audiobook on Audible. The book is a very innovative look at what would happen if “two best friends create a computer that can predict the future. But what they can't predict is how it will tear their friendship—and society—apart.” We also watched Mike Birbiglia's The New One on Netflix because Dan also just became a father! We talked about standup comedy, tech and social media's impact on society, and just how damn creative and brilliant Mike Birbiglia is. *We talk about it in the episode and I did confirm that Eddie Izzard does now go by she/her pronouns. Cool, good for her. The Future is Yours hardcover pre-order: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/633970/the-future-is-yours-by-dan-frey/ Audible Version: https://www.amazon.com/Future-Yours-Novel/dp/B08BGBHRS9/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 1. Always punch up. 2. Keep swinging.

    Ep 24 - Carter Glascock

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2021 78:28


    This week I talked to Carter Glascock (Twt/IG: @carter_glascock) about coming up in the Nashville comedy scene and recording his album, "The Crystal Pistol" (Out now on Radland Records (link below). We also watched Richard Pryor's "Live in Concert" (1979). Check out Carter's album, one of my favorite releases of 2020. He also has a podcast with Rivers Langley called The Goods From The Woods. The Crystal Pistol on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5sbCd8UtmaJ04saWBZ3vHL?si=UcEbMfXZQ0OZuc8Cc1mdCA A video that went viral with Carter's impeccable Ray Liotta impression: https://twitter.com/carter_glascock/status/1348727651586871298?s=20 Reach out to the show at @dontsitinthefront on Instagram and @dont_sit on Twitter

    Ep 23 - Jen Saunderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2021 75:50


    I talked with Jen Saunderson (@jensaunderson) about coming up in the Seattle/PNW comedy scene, her horror movie podcast, Everything is Scary (@PodScary), and we both listened to Elvira Kurt's 1999 album, “Kitten With a Wit.” This was a lot of fun! https://jensaunderson.com/ 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging

    Ep 22 - Smart Funny & Black

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2021 66:40


    In this episode I talked with my good friend, Joseph Harris-Johnson (@helloneverhurts), a PhD student who studies queerness, social media and gamification. We reminisced about one of our favorite live shows, Smart Funny & Black hosted by Amanda Seales. We also watched her special "I Be Knowin." ----- 1. Always Punch Up 2. Keep Swinging

    Ep 21 - Mandee Johnson and Super Serious

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2021 63:41


    In this first episode of 2021 I talked with photographer, show producer and comedy lover Mandee Johnson (@mandeephoto) about her book Super Serious: An Oral History of Los Angeles Independent Stand-up Comedy. The book is an amazing coffee table-style book of photographs and oral history interviews with people who performed at her coproduced show, Super Serious from 2010-20. The book was one of my favorite of 2020 and a must for independent and alt comedy fans. You can pick it up wherever books are sold online. Here is one place you can buy it and avoid some of the nastier big billionaire shopping sites. https://bookshop.org/books/super-serious/9781524855055 Mandee and her partner also produce another renowned standup booked show, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen. That's gone online on Twitch and you can watch it and support at Hold the Phone Comedy on Twitch. You can follow their Instagram to keep updated: @hottub_show https://www.twitch.tv/holdthephonecomedy 1. Always punch up. 2. Punch fascists and white supremacists in the face. 3. Keep swinging.

    Ep 20 - 2020 Standup Favorites

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2020 94:24


    Kari Assad (@assadkarirocks) returns to talk with me about our favorite specials, new podcasts, content creators and more from 2020. This was a weird year for standup comedy but it's still kicking! Thank you everyone who listens for supporting this show and I hope to provide more alt comedy interviews, reviews and more in 2021! 1. Always punch up. 2. Keep swinging.

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