Hi! My name is Carl Johnson. I'm a working comedian from Michigan and have been doing stand up comedy since 2010. I'd like to think of this as the unofficial Michigan comedy podcast. The comedy scene here has grown since I started and there’s a lot of talented people and more clubs. I love talking to funny, complicated humans. They're my people. I sit down with a Michigan comedian or a comedian that started here each week and it's an honest and fun conversation. Join me in getting to know one of the most underrated comedy scenes in the country and the hilarious people behind it.
This week, Mary Spencer is back on the podcast! Mary is a great writer and one of the better up and coming comedians in the scene. Carl and Mary talk about how you know if someone's crazy, Mary makes a commitment to the comedy scene and much more! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Mary Spencer Instagram : @marycspencer Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
This week, one of the best comedians returns to the podcast! Adam Degi is a Grand Rapids staple. He has two albums available. In 2017, he released "His Name Is My Name Too" and his latest is titled "Limp Nodes". He's a fantastic joke writer and his crowd work is just as good. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Adam Degi Instagram : @adamdegi Albums : https://music.apple.com/us/song/his-name-is-my-name-too/1459285589 https://music.apple.com/us/album/limp-nodes/1590037840 Music Jesse Passage Instagra...
This week, Carl sits down virtually with a new and promising face to the scene, Leila Maleki! Leila started in Lansing and recently moved to the east side of the state in Canton. Leila is the first comic that's been on the podcast that Carl hasn't met yet. Leila comes highly recommended from some established comedians in the scene. Carl and Leila discuss her start, Carl runs some ideas for bits, and much more! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Leila Maleki Instagram : @leila_maleki Music Jesse Pas...
This week on the pod, Carl talks to Grand Rapids comedian, Alex Plotkowski! Alex is a solid comic that runs a mainstay comedy show at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids on Tuesday nights. Carl and Alex discuss day jobs, comedy crews, and much more! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Alex Plotkowski Instagram : @alextherockplotkowski Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
This week, Carl chats with hilarious newcomer to the scene, Finn St. John! Finn is an Ann Arbor comedian that has a natural wit to them. Finn scoped out the scene before diving into stand up and has fit in quite nicely. They know who they are and it shows in their comedy. Finn's writing is strong with exceptional timing. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Finn St. John Instagram : @finn.stjohn Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
On this episode of MSOT, one of the best, Blain Hill returns! Blain is a top notch joke writer and one of the most respected comedians in the scene. Blain has been at it for over a decade and is a regular at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle and the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Blain Hill Instagram : @blainhill Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
This week on MSOT, Carl sits down with one of the funniest newcomers to the scene, Madison Thomas! Madison is a bit of a throwback comedian. She was a finalist recently at the Comedy Rumble and has opened up for Sam Jay. The two talk about the reason Madison doesn't like doing certain rooms, opening up for Sam Jay, and why Carl feels bad about that dumb submarine. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Madison Thomas Instagram : @madtomcom Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper In...
Would you look at that? It's episode one hundred! This week, Carl sits down with a Windsor favorite and one of the best from that scene, Tim Reaburn! Tim is an honorary Michigander since he ventures over into the scene often. Tim is an engineer by day and hilarious comic by night and can be seen regularly at Craft Heads Brewing Company which will be turned into a comedy club soon. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Tim Reaburn Instagram : @reaburntim Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art R...
This week, Johnny Mocny returns to the podcast! Johnny is from Lansing. He's a teacher by day and a hilarious comedian by night. Johnny helps run a popular show in East Lansing on Mondays at Crunchy's. He also hosts a podcast called “We Are Movies”. The two talk podcasting, comedy, and early 2000's raunchy comedies. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Johnny Mocny Instagram : @johnnymocny @johnnymocnycomedy Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-movies/id1461183851 Music Jesse Passage ...
This week on MSOT, the mayor of Traverse City comedy, Matthew Zerilli, returns! Matt is a funny comic and a showrunner. He is one of the two guys responsible for there even being a comedy scene in TC. Check out Kamikaze Comedy and support live comedy in Northern Michigan! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Matthew Zerilli Instagram : @reallyzerilli https://kamikazecomedytc.com/ Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
This week on MSOT, Louis D Michael makes his return to the podcast! Louis is from Lansing and has his own podcast called The Warm Up Podcast. He is easily one of the most likeable comics and has an absurd but dark approach to joke writing. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Louis D. Michael Instagram : @louisdmichael Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar
This week, Carl sits down virtually with one of Grand Rapids finest, Nardos Osterhart! Nardos is a veteran comic with over ten years of experience. She is a smart and solid joke writer. Nardos is a regular at Dr. Grins Comedy Club and has an album available to stream everywhere titled, "Nice Try". Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Nardos Osterhart Instagram : @nardichoke Album : https://music.apple.com/us/album/nice-try/1487863166 Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instag...
This week, Carl chats with the Mayor of Windsor comedy and honorary Michigander, Rob Kemeny! Rob has been doing stand up and producing shows for over a decade now. Rob use to run the now closed Comedy Quarry Comedy Club in Windsor. He currently runs a mic and pro show at Craft Heads Brewing Company. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Rob Kemeny Instagram : @robkemeny Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
This week, Carl talks with Grand Rapids comedian, Abbie Lemke! Abbie is a solid joke writer that writes about the most random things. No one is stealing jokes from her. She has a quirk to her that makes her interesting to watch. She recently performed for Don't Tell Grand Rapids and is a regular everywhere on the west side of the state. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Abbie Lemke Instagram : @abbielemke Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
This week, Carl welcomes a new face to the comedy scene, Scott Sviland! Scott is a funny comic that has a good energy and some old fashioned likeability to boot. His face has been showing up everywhere in the scene as of late. Scott was also recently named a producer for 313 Comedy. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Scott Sviland Instagram : @allergy_probs Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
Brett Mercer makes his return to the podcast! Brett is a super smart and hilarious joke writer with a unique style that sets him apart from most other comedians. Brett is also a producer at the Independent Comedy Club, 313 Comedy, and co-host of the "Big Time Garbage" podcast. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Brett Mercer Instagram : @brett_mercer_ Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
This week on MSOT, Carl sits down with the super funny, Emma Stevenson! Emma is fairly new to comedy but she's a crafty and smart writer with a bright future. Emma is a joke writer, the best kind of comedian. She is a regular at the Independent comedy club in Hamtramck and One Night Stan's in Waterford. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Emma Stevenson Instagram : @emstev14 Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
On this episode, Carl catches up with an old friend, the hilarious, Nate Armbruster! Nate started comedy here in Michigan about 14 years ago and has since resided in Chicago the last 6 or 7 years. Nate is a fantastic joke writer with a conversational delivery. He has his own podcast tilted "Weekend UpNate with Nate Armbruster". He also has an album/special out called "Sorry To Bother You". Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Nate Armbruster Instagram : @natecomedy Special : https://www.youtube.com/w...
Finally, Carl sits down with, in his opinion, the best comedian in the state, Josh Adams! To be quite frank, Josh is better than almost anyone at comedy anywhere. Josh has had some recent success appearing on Hard Knocks on HBO for the Detroit Lions. He opened up for Mo'Nique and D.L. Hughley at the Fox Theatre and has his own podcast, called "Josh Adams Podcast". Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Josh Adams Instagram : @joshadamszzz Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Ins...
This week, Carl sits down with the very talented, Heather Sejnow! Heather is an impressionist and comedian. She is considered as the "wild card" of a lineup. She is the only impressionist in the state and quite frankly, one of the best Carl has ever heard period! Heather has been performing for a long time doing improv, theater and more recently, stand up. The two dive into the stupidity of why impressions are considered "hack" in the stand up comedy world, fitting in, family and much more! Inst...
This week on MSOT, Andrew Yang and Bret Hayden sit down to talk about the first ever Tree Town Comedy Festival taking place in Ann Arbor on March 1-4! Soon after that, the episode immediately goes off the rails as the trio talks best looking male Michigan comedians and a bunch of other nonsense. There's a ton of laughs, mostly Carl and Andrew and then Bret smiling a lot. Fun times! Get tickets now for the first ever Tree Town Comedy Festival! Links below. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Tree Tow...
This week, Carl sits down with the hilarious, Dan Brittain. Dan's delivery is one of the funniest in the mitten. He started stand up late after giving it up several times. He did improv at The Second City in Novi in the mid 2000's. Dan is just naturally funny and a good joke writer. The two discuss Dan's father, mic fails, and Carl and Chris Rock have beef. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Dan Brittain Instagram : @danbrittaincomedy Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Ins...
In this special episode, Carl sends off one of his closest friends, Alaina Bamfield. Alaina has done so much in so little time in the Michigan comedy scene. She recently opened up for legendary comedian, Dave Attell. Alaina is a prolific writer and one of the most authentic people on stage. She recently left for New York to chase the dream. The Michigan comedy scene wishes her all the best! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Alaina Bamfield Instagram : @alainabamfieldcomedy Music Jesse Passage Inst...
On this episode, Carl sits down with a new face to the Michigan comedy scene, Patty Rooney! Patty is one of the most likable people Carl has ever met. Patty is a good writer with a calming presence on stage. Patty also does sketch and improv at Go Comedy in Ferndale. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Patty Rooney Instagram : @pattyrooney Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
On this episode, Carl welcomes hilarious Ann Arbor comedian, Esteban Touma! Esteban started comedy in Madison, WI and made his way to Ann Arbor recently! He's been on Comedy Central as a part of the Clusterfest "Up Next" showcase. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Esteban Touma Instagram : @estebantouma Comedy Central : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icyrLdzT0R0 Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
This week on the podcast, Carl welcomes one of the best comedians to come out of Michigan, Jeff Horste! Jeff was one of the comedians selected to perform on Kevin Hart's Hart Of The City for the Detroit episode when they came here. Out of that, Jeff got a half hour from Kevin Hart called The Next Level which also aired on Comedy Central. Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Jeff Horste Instagram : @jeffhorste Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
Happy New Year! MSOT returns with one of Carl's favorites, the hilarious, Jacob Barr! Jacob makes his return to the podcast! Jacob is an Ann Arbor comic and has an album out titled "Disabilibuddies" that can be streamed wherever. He recently did a Ted Talk as well. The two get into it! Thanks for listening! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Jacob Barr Instagram : @kidwiththehands Album : https://music.apple.com/us/album/disabilibuddies/1590768921 Ted Talk : https://youtu.be/Pbg_Fqq0l4M Music Jesse...
On this episode, Carl sits down with veteran comedian, Kate Brindle! Kate has been doing stand up for twenty years and has traveled to almost every state for comedy. She is working constantly and is somewhat of a throwback. Kate was "the female comic" in Michigan for quite some time. Carl and Kate talk about Kate's start, veganism, and much more! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Kate Brindle Instagram : @katebrindle Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelr...
Carl makes his way back out to the Grand Rapids comedy scene to talk to the very funny, Michael Bussler. Michael is one of the best comics out west and is a staple of the GR scene. He recently recorded his first special in his house. The two talk shooting a special in your own house, VR and more! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Michael Bussler Instagram : @michael.bussler www.michaelbussler.com Music Jesse Passage Instagram : @thebignap Art Rachel Harper Instagram : @rachelrockstar...
On this episode of the podcast, Diego Attanasio makes his return! Diego is a veteran comedian and has one of the best comedy minds in the mitten. He is a fantastic writer and has opened up for the likes of Rosebud Baker and a ton more well known comedians. Carl and Diego talk comedy specials, bookers, and Carl gets on his soapbox again about bad crowd work. Please rate and review on Spotify and Apple podcasts! Instagram : @carljohnsonisfunny Diego Instagram : @diegocomedy Music Jesse Passage Ins...
