1/9 - ANGRY BOB ON CNN - MORE BLAGOJEVICH & AB SAVES AMERICA!

Luke Francis

Never underestimated and always over exaggerated, Luke Francis has a style of his own! From the minute he arrives on stage until the minute he is thrown off and banned from the club.. it is a NON-STOP laugh riot! But what else would you expect from a guy with such a manly last name? From one-liners to nearly accurate interpretations of life stories, he leaves no stone unturned! Good Times Magazine NY calls Luke Francis- "Funny as hell" and that is a quote Luke lives up to time and time again, at some of the biggest comedy venues in America ! With his one-step-ahead-of-you wit and natural improv abilities no one show is alike guaranteed!

Who/what inspired you to do what you do?

I’ve always been the guy cracking jokes, it just took a while for me to be able to put down the bong and get on stage. Some of my favorite comics are Adam Hunter, Marty Laquidara, Jim Gaffigan, Tim Allen, Rodney Dangerfield, and anyone who has the courage to get on stage in front of a crowd of people you don’t know and attempt to make them cry from laughter.

How long has your career lasted?

I have been touring professionally for 1 year, I’ve been doing comedy for 3 which I hear is unheard of in the industry. Kind of like me.

Where have you traveled with your talents, what's your next destination? If you could choose your next destination?

I’ve traveled all over the world. I even think I’ve been to the moon once- but the booker tells me it was a small town in Kansas. My next destination is a mid-west tour in the U.S. (I’m not bragging). But if I could choose a destination it would be Japan- I always picture the crowd naked to give me more confidence and I love Asian girls, the only problem would be performing with a boner.

Where is your favorite spot to perform and why?

My favorite spot to perform is on stage because in the welfare line NO-ONE laughs.

Who is your favorite obscure artist/comic/performer to work with? Famous?

Favorite obscure artist would have to be Marty Laquidara though he has been on Spike TV he is relatively unknown (outside of L.A.) he makes me laugh like an evil villain after revealing his plot to take over the world. My Favorite famous comedian is Jim Gaffigan, the guy is hilarious and so subtle I own all of his DVD’s I just hope one day he owns all of mine.

Tell me some perks of being a comic. What are some peeves?

The perks of being a comic is the free alcohol some venues offer us when we perform not to mention the ladies throw themselves at us (after we share the free alcohol with them).. I hate it when people ask me to tell jokes- “Oh you’re a comedian? Then Make me laugh”- I reply –“Ok then Give me my fucking cheeseburger you Burger King whore”

What's it like being 'on the road'?

The road is not for everyone, it gets crazy sometimes- My new DVD “Road Kill” is to be released in Jan. of 2011 I suggest everyone go and get it. In this documentary we try and show the “realistic road”, from being on stage that night and walking off a rock star to arguing with a gas station attendant the next morning over how much you pre paid. Driving from Boston, Mass to Halifax, Nova Scotia and having to hide in the trunk to make it across the border because my passport didn’t arrive on time. Again the road is not for everyone but some of us cannot get enough punishment.

Does being a comic heighten or hinder your chances of having a meaningful relationship?

I know some comics that couldn’t hook a relationship together if they were in a relationship with their Siamese twin…and others who are in a new relationship every night. The road doesn’t help the relationship thing either (even if she goes with you) but all relationships go through hard times it’s just for comics those hard times are 3 weeks out of a month. You have to learn to balance EVERYTHING in your life and if you don’t and things fall apart- its just new material!

Ever had a heckler? If so, how did you handle it?

Let me reference my video on YouTube “Scottish The Comic vs. the Heckler” that should tell the story.

Ever been on TV? Radio? Describe one or both.

Yes. I do radio spots to promote shows almost once a week. And Yes I do TV spots as well. The TV spots are usually something I’ve recorded before whether it is a sound bite or a video clip but there are no appearances that you have to make so they are super lax. Radio is different sometimes you have to be in the studio early to record with the morning show and most comics aren’t alive before 1:00pm- so you are not always on top of you game.

Are you consistent with your material or do you like to change it constantly, what are the ingredients?

Life will deliver new material every day- it's your job to write it down, I always walk around with a notepad so that not only do I look cool for the ladies but I can record those jokes.

Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

I see myself doing YOUR job. Just kidding, that is the typical response. I hope to still be touring...a lucrative career in film and comedy. Writing for a television show or having my own. It doesn’t matter I am waiting to see what the universe throws in my lap next. (Hopefully it’s not a porcupine)

Stu McCallister

The outspoken and entertaining Stu McCallister hates writing bios; although he has no problems talking about himself, the act of writing bios bores him to tears and after a few sentences he just starts making things up. He is the MC of Grand Rapid's long-running open mic at Dr. Grins, and has been a fixture in the Michigan comedy scene for years. He works tirelessly to dispel the popular myth of the surly comic by volunteering at Crash's Landing cat shelter, and by generally being a nice guy to comics who don't act like jackasses in the clubs. He's a runner, and a social worker, and...oh, the hell with this. You can visit his MySpace page. There you'll find some awesome pictures of Stu doing what he loves: standing in front of a microphone, posing with other comics, and drinking. You can also put his name into the search box on YouTube and find videos of him introducing other comics.

Who/what inspired you to do what you do?
By this I believe you mean to tell jokes? I am not sure if I was ever INSPIRED to tell jokes. If anything I just enjoy sharing jokes and being creative. I was unhappy with my job at the time and I saw an ad to take a comedy class so I hopped on it not really knowing what I was getting into.

How long has your career lasted?
In all honesty my career has been just about 5 years. A neophyte in the comedy world. I’ve been told by numerous people that it takes a good 7 years before you really find your voice on stage. So essentially the last 5 years I am not sure who was telling jokes but he sure looked a lot like me.

Where have you traveled with your talents, what's your next destination? If you could choose your next destination?
Sadly my comedic talents haven’t taken me too far. I have been a regional comic as this was a part time job of sorts. I have been to Iowa, Minnesota, and Kentucky… (Are you getting jealous?!) I’m attempting to make this a regular full time gig and will hopefully go to more and varied places as a result. New York would be the ultimate goal.

Where is your favorite spot to perform and why?
Well, I have been the house MC of the club (Dr. Grins) in Grand Rapids, MI for most of the 5 years so I would have to say that. It has been regular stage time every week and I have been able to perform with some really great names.

Who is your favorite obscure artist/comic/performer to work with? Famous?
That is an interesting question as I would say most of the comics I have performed with have been great. Some should be better known than they are. Some of my favorites are Tom Cotter, Pat Godwin, Pat Dixon, Tom Rhodes, Mike Kosta, Alonzo Bodden… I have been able to be onstage with some pretty famous people as well- Chelsey Handler, Greg Proops, Rob Schneider.

Tell me some perks of being a comic. What are some peeves?
Well, my situation is a little different than most comics being the house MC of the club. I get recognized as the “face” of the club and people will stop me at the grocery store or other public places. It can be kind of strange as I am just a guy who tells jokes. I liken the fame to that of the weekend weatherman. I have that kind of fame. Have there been any perks? I get asked to do some local news interviews on a fairly regular basis and I get to do a twice weekly radio segment too. My pet peeves are the comment cards that clubs have out. I understand the need for the cards as the club wants to get info on who is walking in. The club wants mailing lists to send people info about who is coming to the club. Great! But there also are sections to rate and comment on the comics. You can hear the most inane things on these cards. During the same show I was rated as one of the best comics they have seen and someone else said I should never get onstage again. Sigh…

What's it like being 'on the road'?
Road work is coming on more and more. I have been fortunate enough that I have been able to travel and work with people I know. This can make the travel easier. Being able to share driving duties, someone to talk with, and someone to keep you awake….the road can be hard as you may not often know who you are working with or anyone else at the destination or club. Guys can quickly become hermits or try and be more social. I am choosing to be more social and see things that the new town has to offer. On a side not I would like to tell new guys that hitting the road is the only way to get better. There is a certain amount of sacrifice needed to be made. I have traveled over 6 hours one way for a 6 minute slot to then just drive home. In the end it got me some paid gigs but it was a tough decision to make.

Does being a comic heighten or hinder your chances of having a meaningful relationship?
That is a hard question to answer. However on the whole I would say it makes having a relationship more difficult. You work weekends (when most people have off), you are up late at night (when a lot of people are sleeping), and you are in different towns most weekends (not many other jobs have you moving around so much). Currently I am not in a relationship and I don’t have kids so it makes things easier for me to be gone. Thankfully I have a roommate to watch the house and my pets when I am gone.

Ever had a heckler? If so, how did you handle it?
Oh, sure I have had a heckler. I would say that anyone who has been on stage before more than 10 times has had a heckler. Hecklers come in various forms. There are the most thought of guys who are just yelling that you suck or other various insults. There are the ones where people laugh at strange points or just have a very unusual laugh. This just makes for distractions. There are also the ones where people are talking loudly at their table to no one in particular. Often these are bachelorette parties or people out for a birthday. It’s as if the show is just background music like a jazz trio. Comedy in a club is not comedy on TV. You need to pay attention. There are other people around you. I tell people that they should think they are at a play or at least a movie. Sure, laugh out loud and have a good time but please remember it is not about you! Ok, so how have I handled things with a heckler? Depends on what is going on. The main goal is to just get the person to be quiet. You can hammer them but then you risk having the crowd turning on you and you become the bad guy. You always want the heckler to be the bad guy. I often use the crowd to get the person to shut up. I can remind them that the show is not about them. Sometimes if you just give them some attention they will shut up. Sadly this can encourage them to talk more. Thankfully good clubs police the room themselves and tell people to be quiet.

Ever been on TV? Radio? Describe one or both.
I have been on TV numerous times. It has been mostly interview stuff for the local FOX affiliate. My own comedy act has been on local cable as well (Jealous?) It is all a work in progress. I am on the radio twice a week on 105.3 HOT-FM with Todd Chance (doing a plug there). I do my “Talk Stu” where I rant about this or that. It has been a good challenge for me in writing as it is different than writing standup. I obviously have to watch what I say for the radio audience (however I have to say I wouldn’t call myself a dirty comic in the first place). But I have been able to put my stage bits into some radio talk and I have taken radio acts and used them on the stage. I like radio a lot and would like to do it more…

Are you consistent with your material or do you like to change it constantly, what are the ingredients?
I have found that my material has changed in what it is and how I deal with it. As a house MC I am in the same room almost every week. I HAVE to change material a lot as there are many people who come on a weekly or monthly basis. These people drive my desire to write more. And as I mentioned previously you find your voice after 7 years. I’m still trying to find it.

Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
5 years from now I would like to be a touring comic on a full time basis. Really I just want to be enjoying life. Some people would say that the two are not compatible… :D

Comic Angry Bob Rants and Raves

Performing nationwide, Angry Bob has a high-energy unique act that is downright hilarious and crowds all over love him! He regularly performs all over NYC in such illustrious clubs as the Comic Strip Live, the New York Comedy Club and the Broadway Comedy Club - he has recently appeared on CNN with anchor Rick Sanchez performing political satire and making humorous observations about some of the biggest news events of the day; Sanchez has been quoted saying ""THERE'S NO BIGGER NAME WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICAL SATIRE THAN ANGRY BOB!!"

What/who inspired you to do what you do?

Bad parenting? Being too smart in a dumb world? Anti-social personality disorder juxtaposed against a smattering of misanthropy and a solid streak of apathy? Or maybe just tight shoes….

How long has your career lasted?

Up until now?

Where have you traveled with your talents, what's your next destination? If you could choose your next destination?

Ferengenar….during the rainy season for oomax, of course!

Where is your favorite spot to perform and why?

That’s rather personal!! Oh, comedy….wherever there are people and money…

Who is your favorite obscure artist/comic/performer to work with? Famous?

Brother Theodore…unfortunately he’s no longer with us, but I’m working up to that as we all are….

What's it like being 'on the road'?

A cornucopia of mixed emotions and gas from too many Sheetz BLT clubs…

Does being a comic heighten or hinder your chances of having a meaningful relationship?

I really don’t think it’s that!

Ever had a heckler and if so, how did you handle it?

Took him out for beer afterwards and suggested a few encounter groups he could join to get in touch with his true feelings…

Ever been on TV? Radio? Describe one or both.

Yes..yes…great, especially the free water and bagels!!

Are you consistent with your material or do you like to change it constantly, what are the ingredients?

Disdain for the human race? Yes, I vacillate between knock knock jokes and wishing aids and leprosy on the audience…

Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

An al kaida training camp outside of Detroit (selling death insurance, just in case some of the virgins are uggos!)

Graham Kay: NYC Comic

Graham began his comedic odyssey back when he was growing up in Ottawa Canada at Yuk Yuk's Comedy Cabaret and Absolute Comedy Club. Since then he has appeared in many venues in Europe and New York, including, Times Square Arts Centre (former Laugh Factory), and the Comedy Village NYC. Graham has also appeared in various small films as well as television appearances for VBS.TV. and the CBC. And when he is not busy proving his elementary teachers wrong, that you can in fact work as a class clown, you can find him at the local bar practicing how to drink a beer.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=34317028



What/who inspired you to do what you do? Um...I don't know...I guess when I was a kid, I'd watch comedy on TV with my dad. We didn't have cable at the cottage so we'd rent a lot of Bill Cosby VHS tapes.

How long has your career lasted?
Right now, two years. In college, I majored in history with a minor in film. I did history because it was the only thing I was interested in. In class, it was like a soap opera of things that really happened.

Where have you traveled with your talents, what's your next destination? If you could choose your next destination?
I have performed in um Ottawa, Capital of Canada (where I'm from) and Vancouver, Canada and Budapest, Hungry...and obviously New York,,,and New Jersey! Isn't that exciting? New Jersey? One time I even got to perform in Connecticut!

Where is your favorite spot to perform and why?
My favorite spot to perform is at Yuk Yuc's actually no, Absolute Comedy Club in Ottawa because it's where I started and it's just very nostalgic. Every time I go back there I get to see how far I've come. I never know week to week how far I progress but where you go back home you really get to see the difference. It's like if you were a kid and you get sent to boarding school and then you come home for the holidays and your parents notice how tall you've grown. You get to see how small you once were and now you are bigger.

Who is your favorite obscure artist/comic/performer to work with? Famous?
Obscure would be um...well, my favorite famous is Dave Chappel but there's lots in NY, it's hard to choose...I like working with Matty Goldberg, I like working with Danny Lobell and I really like working with Halie Boyle, she's going to be famous,,,she's different than anyone else.

Wow, Dave Chappel?
About a year ago, I was working at a comedy club and that's the same comedy club Dave worked at before he moved to New York. He found out that club was closing and came back to visit his old stomping ground and he walked in with a back pack and headphones, no one was with him, he was very humble...he laughed at my jokes and called one of my jokes an instant classic and he said he hadn't laughed that hard since he hung out with Chris Rock in Eddie Murphy's house. Then he talked to me for like ten minutes after and said I was talented.

Ever see him after that?
Yeah, one more time and he remembered my name...it was really weird.

Tell me some perks of being a comic. What are some peeves?
I like the hours. I like staying up late. I like hanging out with friends. It's like being in seventh grade again. I get to BS with my friends,,,it's not about the drinking. I mean there is some drinking but not really and I really like sleeping in..I really like sleeping in. Overall, the biggest perk is performing, your job is to have fun...you're only really ever funny when you're having fun, you have to have fun. Peeves would be it's hard to keep a girlfriend because you have opposite hours of a normal person...I hear gun shots outside my door, the gun shots peeve me off. And...I don't know the money can be bad sometimes...

What's it like being 'on the road'?
Being on the road is fun because you're with friends, it reminds me of going to away games like when I played hockey in high school, farting on friends the whole way and then when you get there you try to sleep with someone but when I was a kid I didn't try to do that.

Does being a comic heighten or hinder your chances of having a meaningful relationship?
Hinder! Hinder!

Ever had a heckler? If so, how did you handle it?
Everyone has had a heckler...I just watched Richard Pryer, "Here and Now" and he was being heckled the entire time and he handled it the way I wish I could handle it, they just laugh it off and continue on, they don't get into a fight, they know they're funny and they just continue to be funny. A heckler is just somebody who's sad that the spot light is not on them.

Ever been on TV? Radio? Describe one or both.
Both. I have my own radio show at the university and I was on Comical Radio which is a radio show here in New York. I was on Danny Lobell's Radio show and then I've been on Canadian television..I commented on the world hockey championships.

Are you consistent with your material or do you like to change it constantly, what are the ingredients?
Most comics stick with the main ingredients and stick with it for a long time,,,cuz it takes a long time to come up with a joke. I'm always writing but I'm always using old stuff..I never throw old stuff out.

Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
Five years? Writing this blog.

What do you mean?
I'm gonna take over. I'd like to be on TV regularly. I think I will be.


This guy is REALLY funny. See him live at the following NYC venues: NYC Comedy Club, The Comedy Village, Comedy Corner, Joe Franklin's.

Coleman Green keeps it green!

Laugh Out Loud

My sister, friends and I recently went to see Coleman Green at the Laugh Factory, a comedy show in Hartford, Connecticut. There were several amateur and professional comedians there presenting their material. As the final comic, Coleman Green left the audience bursting. As he finalized the show, I anxiously waited to speak with him and ask him some questions. The last time I laughed that hard I saw Chris Rock at Comic Strip Live in NYC (he was practicing his material for the upcoming MTV awards).
Coleman Green has appeared on TV's "Evening at the Apollo" and has played some of the country's top clubs. He frequently appears in N Y C. This man will make you LAUGH HARD! Go see his show, it is always guaranteed laughs with Coleman Green.

Hey Coleman

Hi there.

What are your current goals?

More NY but cuz I live in Philly, sometimes that isn't feasible. Many others have made it without (NY). Taking more acting lessons, doing Cablevision commercials, the last commercial I did for them I played a color pixel but I can't really get into that right now because it hasn't played yet...

When did you decide you wanted to be a stand up comedian?

Twenty years ago, but it took me another ten years to actually do it, I took a comedy class, and my five minute stand up went really well.

Where was this?

At a Casting Agency in Philadelphia. The first real show was at a club called Bonkers, there were eight other comics there (from the class), and their family and friends were all there, about 150 audience members in total.

Highest pay per gig?

$1,500, the pay varies however from state to state, venue to venue and things like that. The more famous you are, the more money.

Ever been televised?

Auditioned for the Apollo, haven't seen it yet, did well though.

Would you consider comedy to be a stable job?

I can gauge my income, I budget, my wife works also, one month I could gross 4-5 (thousand) while others 2-3. It depends how known you are, the more well known, the more money...

Would you say, 'on the job training, you learn as you go'?

It takes a while to establish yourself, takes years. Some takes 10-15, while others can break in 3-4, exposure, movies, who you know, 'right place at the right time', these are all beneficial ways (to break in).

Would you highly recommend this job and if so, to whom?
For anyone who's funny: try it! It's an audience thing, if no one is feeling you...you realize quickly if it's for you, comedy is very black and white.

What are initial costs if any?

Advertising, Promotion, self promotion, agent and such. Right now I am my own agent although I have worked with agents before. The more people see you and want you the more agents approach you, until then you wait to be discovered. At the Montreal Comedy show I got close, this year I'm gonna break into it... (The Montreal Show is considered by many comics the "be all..." if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere). I got cards (business cards) and a web page, it was expensive (cards) but worth it. I made my money back, got a lot of gigs that way. I created those cards myself, I have experience in graphic design, and it’s my background.

These cards are cool! When is your next show? I can't wait! You are too funny; the audience couldn't stop crying (they laughed so hard there were tears in drinks, all over appetizers...).

Urban Salon, a local place in Philly, next week I'll in the Poconos for a show.

Were you influenced to do this (comedy) from any family members?

I have a funny family, but I'm the only one who took it to this level.

You write your own material?

It's based on my own life experiences, not fabricated, embellished, they're (jokes) not lies but fabrications of the truth.

You use the same stuff over and over, or...

Yeah, but right now I'm creating a new 30-40 minutes (new lines, new material)it has to come to me, I have notebooks all over the place.

The joke about the old lady you resuscitated when she had a heart attack after she realized you were her new neighbor, any truth in that?

My neighbors were initially nosy but we're cool now. You gotta play up on that, play with peoples' fears, you make exaggerations of the facts. You make a story of it, those people (prejudiced, narrow minded) have fear because of their ignorance, you build on these types of incidents you encounter and use it in your material. (The old lady is white, Coleman is black). I add in new jokes with the old ones and take out some of the old. But what it comes down to is doing all the jokes you remember in your joke arsenal.

Anything you'd like our readers to know?

Right now I'm writing a "mockumentary" with award winning documentary director Joe Fernandez; he's won several awards for his documentaries. If someone needs me, they need to sign up quick, soon I will be playing in major shows in NYC and I'll be all over the place (shows on television). When I get where I want to be (big like let's say, Chris Rock or bigger) you can get a cut (laughing). Why you in Hartford anyway?

Visiting my sister, I'll be going back to NY tomorrow, I want to see you at all the shows there, either way I'm checking you out August 2 at 8:30 pm at the Urban Saloon in Philly or August 8th at 10:00pm at Caesars Cove Haven (Lakeville, PA) or both!

Ok, gotta go, nice meeting you.

You too, bye. Check out more on Coleman Green by visiting his web page: COLEMAN@COLEMANGREEN.COM
His MySpace address is: www.myspace.com/colemanagreen.

This amazing and very funny stand up Comedian and Comedy Writer can also be reached at 215.677.8116 or 215.840.1778!

Questions and Answers with Myq Kaplan

http://comedians.jokes.com/myq-kaplan/videos/myq-kaplan---final-destination

Myq Kaplan a comedian named Myq Kaplan (pronounced “Mike Kaplan”). The Comedians magazine calls him “a comedy machine, in the best possible way. The way that some machines vend soda or prevent other machines from killing future revolutionaries – that’s how Myq Kaplan does comedy: relentlessly, methodically, unblinkingly.” Myq just made his debut on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” and his half-hour “Comedy Central Presents” special debuts on April 30, 2010 (part of a year in which Punchline Magazine says to watch out for Myq). He has also appeared on Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham,” at the New Faces show of the 2009 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, was voted 2008’s Best Local Comedian in the Boston Phoenix, and won the 2009 NY’s Funniest Standup Competition. A Jewy-ish vegan atheist who spells the name “Mike” weird, Myq enjoys words, social justice, Netflix, and comic books. Also non-comic books, ping-pong, and being great with women. And grammar and run-on sentence fragments. And of course, being hilarious to his demographic, which is anyone who might know the word “demographic.”

What/who inspired you to do what you do?

My parents inspired/forced me to play the violin at age 4. My disdain for the violin inspired me to take up the guitar in high school. My love of writing songs inspired me to find places to perform them, which brought me to the Comedy Studio in Cambridge, MA. Performing songs in that comedy club inspired me to write jokes, so I wouldn't always need to carry the guitar around. So, I came to comedy because of a combination of disdain for music, love of music, and laziness.

How long has your career lasted?

I've been pursuing standup seriously for between six and seven years now, and intend to keep making it last longer and longer.(Though asking "how long has it LASTED" makes it seem so final, like it's going to end at any moment. Do you know something I don't know? Sorry to turn the questions around on the interviewer. The hunter has become the hunted!)


Where have you traveled with your talents?

Everywhere I have traveled, I have traveled with my talents. Except before I had them. Unless you think talent is entirely genetic and not environmentally nurtured at all. (I'll skip my travels from the womb to college and start with where my comedy career as taken me.) I've performed at festivals, clubs, competitions, colleges in cities like Seattle, DC, Boston, Houston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, LA, and states (where the name of the particular cities wouldn't have as much punch to them) like Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland, and few, few more.

What's your next destination? If you could choose your next destination.

I can choose my next destination.I'm going to Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens, GA next week, performing a few different places with and without Todd Barry.

Where is your favorite spot to perform and why?

The Comedy Studio in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA is my favorite. I started out there, I hosted shows there for over a year with my comedic partner Micah Sherman, and whenever I return to the Boston area, I love performing there. The audiences are always enthusiastic, smart, and love comedy. Rick Jenkins, the owner, has done a fantastic job of cultivating a venue where the talent and the audiences always have a wonderful time. Also, I just moved down to NYC recently, and I'm still maneuvering through the gigantic quantities of places there are to perform down here, so I'm sure I'll have more and more favorites here as time goes on. So far, some places I really enjoy performing include Comix, Caroline's, UCB, the PIT, and loads of other places where I've performed in the past, and more where I'll perform in the future.

Who is your favorite obscure artist/comic/performer to work with?

Obscurity can be relative, I imagine, so I hope I'm answering this question appropriately...For example, Patton Oswalt might be an obscure name to the mainstream public, but in the comedy world, he's deservedly a giant (metaphorically). So, as far as obscurity more objectively defined by a context of comedy savvy, I'd say my favorite obscure artist/comic/performer to work with or just watch is Zach Sherwin, who goes by the comedy rap name MC Mr. Napkins. He is hilarious, brilliant, and prolific, always coming up with new unique hip-hop comedy fare, and in addition to being a super talented performing artist, he is a super human being as well. (Not super-human like he has powers, unless coming up with awesome rhymes is a superpower, but just a human being who is super.)

Famous?

It's hard to pick a favorite. I've worked with so many people who I respect, whose comedy I love.Louis CK, Patton Oswalt, Mike Birbiglia, Emo Philips, Andy Kindler, Marc Maron, these are all people I hugely enjoy and have been thrilled to have the pleasure of working with.

What's it like being 'on the road'?

I take it by the quotations around "on the road" that you don't specifically mean what is it like to be driving a car towards other cities where I am scheduled to do comedy (though that's a large portion of what being on the road consists of--listening to lots of music and podcasts, using lots of daytime cellphone minutes, being happy that cruise control was invented)... It's great, having my job consist of just driving places and talking. I like visiting new places, I like going back to places I've been, I like meeting comedians and fans from all over, I like getting to stay in some nice hotels, I like getting to check out of some other hotels, I like Netflix. I've been fortunate that I don't have to be traveling all the time, so it's easier to be positive given that I'm only traveling maybe a week or two a month, if that, and often it's not too far. Starting comedy in the Boston area was great, because there are road gigs within a couple hours in every direction, in all the surrounding states, and New York is similar. So, if I had to be away from home more than half the time, maybe I'd feel differently, but so far, so good, it's been fun going somewhere, doing what I love doing, and then being back at home.

Does being a comic heighten or hinder your chances of having a meaningful relationship?

I'd say it's different for everyone.For some people (comics or not), being THEMSELVES hinders their chances of having a meaningful relationship. Certainly the amount of time spent out at night working at comedy can be a hindrance to a relationship, but if everyone in the relationship understands and prioritizes appropriately, there's no reason why comedy and romance can't coexist. (Unless you're ugly.)


Ever had a heckler and if so, how did you handle it?

Are you asking me to heckle you? That's stupid. You're stupid, stupid.(How was that? Was that a good heckle? I apologize if you weren't asking me to heckle you.) Of course I've had hecklers. At the best clubs, heckling isn't tolerated at all, and often management will deal with it, by asking people to be quiet or leave if they're out of hand. That makes sense. You can't go the symphony and judge the first violinist based on how well he does or doesn't dispatch a jerk in the crowd.
That said, I'll usually just try to understand what the heckler is saying (physically if they're drunk which is often, and also what message they're trying to get across). Usually it's dumb and people don't want them to be talking if they're enjoying the show, so you can just tell them to stop because people hate them and they're ugly. In a hilarious way. That's how I handle it.

Ever been on TV? Radio? Describe one or both.

I'll describe both. A television is a small box with a picture window on it, and you can hit buttons to make different pictures dance across the window. A radio is smaller, usually more rectangular, but basically the same as a television, minus the picture, so it's just dancing sounds. And yes, I have myself been the dancing pictures and sounds once or twice. I was on "Live at Gotham" on Comedy Central, and I've been on a number of radio shows and internet pod casts, including Comical Radio, Keith and the Girl, In the Tank with Jon Fisch, and some, some more! (Sorry I didn't describe what the internet was. But you didn't ask.)

Are you consistent with your material or do you like to change it constantly, what are the ingredients?

I'm a vegan so I don't use any ingredients with meat in them. But you're probably asking metaphorically, so I'll address the beginning part of the question now. I'm always writing new jokes and trying them out at open mics and getting the best ones in shape to use in my act for more significant performances.I certainly wouldn't want to just tell the same jokes over and over forever, because part of what's rewarding about doing comedy is coming up with new ideas and sharing them, the process of creating and perfecting and then getting sick of and then starting over.

Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

Being a psychic. (And it all started here!)