The Business of Comedy with Tom Simes

Host Tom Simes talks to Joe Lowers, the CEO of the World Series of Comedy.

Host Tom Simes sits down with Casey Courier and Hillary Hutson. They're the owners of Mic Drop Comedy in San Diego. Casey is the fomer manager of Stand Up Live and the Tempe Improv and Hillary is the producer of the Big Pine Comedy Festival. They discuss how things are going after opening 5 months ago.

Host Tom Simes talks to Denver comedian Mark Masters. Mark took off a week from work, packed up his car and went on the road performing comedy. He explains how he set it all up, breaks down the income and expenses, and takes along on the adventure.

A hosting workshop given at Stir Crazy Comedy Club followed by a chat about hosting with veteran comedian and actor Mark Cohen. Mark's the house emcee at the Comedy Cellar in Las Vegas.

Host Tom Simes talks to legendary agent, club owner, producer Barry Katz. They discuss the current state of the comedy business and many other things.

Host Tom Simes sits down with Matt Komen. Matt is a partner and talent booker for Stand Up Live, CB Live and the Tempe Improv in Arizona, and the Improvs in Dania Beach, Miami and Palm Beach in Florida. The wide-ranging conversation covers booking, the differences between big clubs with big name acts versus smaller clubs, the challenges of running a club and filling seats, and the need for comedians to use social media to break through and create fans.

Host Tom Simes breaks format a bit to discuss booking emails. We hear from Danielle Alfano from the Comedy Catch, Jenny Canfield from Laughs Unlimited, Dustin Kaufman from the Comedy Club of Kansas City, Hillary Hutson from Mic Drop Comedy, and Barry Neal of Entertainment Max.

Host Tom Simes chats with actor/comedian/writer Jann Karam about her appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and on 'Seinfeld' playing Jerry's girlfriend Sandi in the season 6 episode 'The Switch'.

Host Tom Simes talks to Susan Thompson about booking comedians. Susan is the support talent booker for the House of Comedy in Vancouver, BC and is responsible for talent networking/coordinating for William Hirsch Entertainment.

Host Tom Simes talks with comedian Jack Assadourian Jr. whose parents own the HaHa Comedy Club in North Hollywood. Jack talks about his experience growing up in the business and deciding to becoming a comedian.

Host Tom Simes sits down with comedian Thai Rivera about how his outspokenness on social media impacts his career.

Host Tom Simes chats with comedian/impressionist Dave Burleigh about impressions and his experience on America's Got Talent.

Host Tom Simes sits down with comedian Byron Kennedy to learn about the inner workings of his record/development deal.

Host Tom Simes sits down with comedians Willie Barcena and Quinn Dahle to discuss green room etiquette.

Host Tom Simes sits down with comedian Jackie Kashian to discuss the opportunities and the economics of streaming your stand up online.

Host Tom Simes sits down with comedian/impressionist/actor Craig Gass for a free-wheeling conversation about impressions, stories about his time on The Howard Stern Show and The Family Guy, and all sorts of adventures.

Host Tom Simes talks to Kirsten Alvarado Valkingburg about her career as a producer in the comedy business, comedy for television and how comedy has changed over the years.

A quick update on the status of the podcast

Host Tom Simes sits down with writer/comedian Brian Kiley about his long career writing for Conan O'Brien

Host Tom Simes talks to Dan Schlissel, owner of Stand Up! Records about the comedy album business.

Host Tom Simes talks to Brent Weiss from Facet Wealth about financial management and planning for freelancers and gig economy workers.

Host Tom Simes talks to comedian Jill Kimmel about the pros and cons of having a famous sibling in the industry. Then we chat with agent Stu Golfman about what agents do and when you need one.

Host Tom Simes talks with comedian Brian Regan about the transition from comedy clubs to theaters, building a fan base solely on his stand up, and performing after a long break.

Host Tom Simes talks to writer/producer Jeff Schimmel about his time at In Living Color and Mind of Mencia and we also hear his hilarious stories of working with the great Rodney Dangerfield.

Host Tom Simes talks to legendary comedian Ritch Shydner about the history of stand up and what the business was like when he started in the late 1970s.

Host Tom Simes talks to comedian Steve Hofstetter about his YouTube success, dealing with hecklers, taking control of your career, and owning comedy clubs.

Host Tom Simes discusses content creation and social media with comedian Ron Placone.

Host Tom Simes chats with comedian Matt Markman about his self-produced tour.

Host Tom Simes talks to comedian Josh Sneed about doing a Dry Bar special and the role of serendipity in his career.

Host Tom Simes sits down with Naela Durrani, casting producer at America's Got Talent about the process of performing on the show.

Host Tom Simes talks about comedy festivals with Hillary Hutson, the executive producer of the Big Pine Comedy Festival, and Genevieve Rice, producer of the Bird City Comedy Festival.

Host Tom Simes talks to comedian and former owner of Stand Up Scottsdale comedy club, Howard Hughes. Howard talks about the experience when the club was featured on the TV show "Bar Resuce".

Host Tom Simes talks to comedian Jake Johannsen about how the comedy business has changed during his long career.

Host Tom Simes interviews two longtime club owners, Gary Bynum of Laffs Comedy Cafe in Tucson and Wende Curtis of the Comedy Works in Denver.

Host Tom Simes talks to comedian Shane Mauss about his show "Standup Science" and the experience of touring with a non-traditional stand up show.

Host Tom Simes joins Cyndi Nelson Sherwood to chat about booking. Cyndi is the former general manager of Zanies Comedy Club and is currently the general manager of Brad Garret's Comedy Club in Las Vegas.

Host Tom Simes talks to comedian Eric O'Shea about college gigs, having a video go viral, and his experience on America's Got Talent

Host Tom Simes chats with comedian Dennis Regan to discuss his time as a writer on the TV show "King of Queens". Then we hear from comedian Sari Beliak about her experience working at the satirical magazine The Onion.

Host Tom Simes discusses politics in stand up with comedian/writer Jamie Kilstein.

Host Tom Simes sits down with comedy veteran and Las Vegas Laugh Factory booker Harry Basil to chat about booking and performing in Las Vegas followed by a conversation with comedian/producer/booker JC Anderson.

Host Tom Simes talks to comedian Todd Glass about the minute details that make a great environment for a comedy show.

Host Tom Simes sits down with comedian Butch Bradley to talk about his negative experience being involved in the ownership of a comedy club and what it's like having a residency gig in Las Vegas.

Host Tom Simes discusses the economics of featuring on the road with comedian Andy Steinberg.

Host Tom Simes discusses audience warmup on Conan with Gary Cannon.

Host Tom Simes sits down with Michael Longfellow to chat about the experience of landing a spot on Conan so early in his career followed by a conversation with comedy veteran Jimmy Brogan about his time as a writer on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Host Tom Simes chats with comedian Mark Cordes about corporate comedy.

Host Tom Simes sits down with comedian/club owner Rick Bronson to discuss the challenges of owning multiple clubs.

Host Tom Simes discusses booking with comedian/producer/club owner Don Barnhart.

Host Tom Simes talks to Bob Kubota about performing comedy overseas on military tours.

Host Tom Simes sits down with Eddie Brill. Comedian, former club owner, and former talent coordinator for the Late Show with David Letterman. They discuss the experience of getting booked to perform stand up on the show.

Host Tom Simes discusses cruise ship gigs with Ron Reid. Ron is a former comedian, former club owner, and owner of Artists West Entertainment.