Craig Shoemaker has been performing at The Comedy Castle since 1991! And here he talks to Joel before this weekend’s shows. Craig tells of his early days in the Philadelphia comedy scene, does some long-since retired (hilarious) impressions, says why he supports the Detroit Lions once in a while, and how his comedy show can… Continue reading Podcast #232: Craig Shoemaker Is Making Babies →
Bret Hayden has had so much success with the Comedy Rumble over the years, he has challenged himself by running TWO Rumbles on the same night this holiday weekend, and we got him for an interview to promote the big shows. Bret talks the challenges of two Rumbles, how he’s streamlined the process of judging,… Continue reading Podcast #231: Bret Hayden’s Double Rumble →
This week’s weekend shows three great comics all who have been featured on this show before. So, here’s all of those past appearances cut together with a new intro from Joel – ninety minutes, baby! Michael Longfellow headlines as he’s on SNL and pretty great on there, too. Still not sure he’s cast or featured!… Continue reading Podcast #230: Three Comic Supershow Redux →
Chris Porter is a blast! His mix of energy and social commentary makes him the friendliest, angry comic around. He’s also among the most frequent headliners at The Comedy Castle, and here he talks his move out of L.A., playing guitar with Jelly Roll, why he doesn’t use sound cues or props, and his new… Continue reading Podcast #229: Chris Porter Has No Boombox →
Wes Ward has been a staple of the Michigan comedy scene for fifteen years, and on July 3rd he gets a chance to headline The Comedy Castle. Wes tells Joel about his start in comedy, why road comics are really just truck drivers, and why comics need a special on video these days. Plus, the… Continue reading Podcast #228: Wes Ward Returns →
Jeff Garlin is a TV legend and accomplished stand-up comic, who stops by The Comedy Castle for one show this Sunday. Jeff tells Joel how he developed his improvisational style of stand-up, the best way an emcee should introduce an act, and hear some inside stories from Curb Your Enthusiasm including Jeff feeding lines to… Continue reading Podcast #227: Jeff Garlin →
Canadian comedy superhero and Letterkenny star, K Trevor Wilson returns to the Comedy Castle this week! On this show he talks seasonal comedy bits, a Cap’n Crunch victory, living with rabbits and the future of possible spin-offs of his hit show. Plus, wrestling talk and why you don’t deny Jake “The Snake” Roberts his scrambled… Continue reading Podcast #226: K Trevor Wilson Returns →
Josh Adams returns to the Comedy Castle and this show to talk honey packs, his new fans, leaving after your set and much more. Hear who Josh thinks is right int the recent Detroit comedy controversy with a downtown club and how he came up in the comedy scene was different (and better) than the… Continue reading Podcast #225: Josh Adams Returns →
JR De Guzman is the comedy/music hybrid entertainer you didn’t know you need to know -until now. JR makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend and tells Joel how he got started telling jokes, his biggest musical inspiration, and why he buried his guitar in the desert. Plus, should Joel get Jollibee? Hear why JR… Continue reading Podcast #224: JR De Guzman →
Raanan Hershberg has made a steady climb up the comedy ladder and he credits The Comedy Castle as an important step in that journey. Hear about his move to NYC, how a joke (maybe?) led to his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience and much more. Plus, movie talk, as Raanan has a great movie… Continue reading Podcast #223: Raanan Hershberg →
Ian Bagg is an all-time favorite, and this week he brings his comedic genius to the Comedy Castle for four shows only. Ian is driving cross-country as he talks to Joel, so hear the about the greatness of Buc-ees, the trouble with driving your dogs, and the size of the crucifixes in Oklahoma. Also, Ian’s… Continue reading Podcast #222: Ian Bagg’s Road Trip →
Robyn Gilleran has become a real favorite on the Michigan comedy scene in the last few years. On this show, Robyn tells Joel about her journey from being a model and actress to a working comic who produces shows with her husband, Jason. Robyn tells of her various lawyer and casino commercials, the tricks to… Continue reading Podcast #221: Robyn Gilleran →
Mike Young is a funny, industry-known comic from Michigan who makes a rare headlining appearance at the Comedy Castle on April 16th. His weekend guest spots at the club have made audiences want more – so here’s your chance! Mike has opened for a who’s who in comedy including Joe Rogan, Sebastian Maniscalco, Russell Peters,… Continue reading Podcast #220: Mike Young →
Matt Lauria, the fast-talking West Michigan comic and pickleball enthusiast, joins Joel on this show. Matt describes his start on the Kalamazoo comedy scene, how comedy has helped his day job in sales, and why a “douchebag” persona is so relatable. Plus, hear rap talk as Matt has helped the less hip understand Kendrick vs… Continue reading Podcast #219: Matt Lauria →
2025 has a tons of great shows at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle – including this week with The Sklar Brothers – and Joel has your complete guide to what’s coming this week and beyond. Drew Lynch! Ian Bagg! Pete Holmes and more! It should be a great year from here on out and it starts… Continue reading Podcast #218: 2025 Preview and Sklar Bros Redux →
J. Chris Newberg is a producer, writer and stand-up comic with the chops to work with some of the best in Hollywood. He’s also an old friend of Joel’s and a multi-time headliner at The Comedy Castle – this makes for a great show! Chris talks writing for The Hollywood Squares, how the celebrities “know”… Continue reading Podcast #217: J. Chris Newberg Has The Jokes →
Jackie Kashian returns! Jackie is a first rate comedian and podcaster who returns to this show to talk about making a new comedy special in a social media world, media recs for dorks, and the insanity of keeping up friendships on the road. She also tells Joel about why The Comedy Castle is the best… Continue reading Podcast #216: Jackie Kashian Returns →
Nick Grffin adds his dry, mischievous wit to this Valentine’s week at The Comedy Castle and on this podcast. Nick tells Joel about performing on The Tonight Show, the routine he gets in to develop new material, why he never fit in as a college comic, and why NYC’s The Comedy Cellar is such a… Continue reading Podcast #215: Nick Griffin Returns →
Drew Thomas is a favorite everywhere he goes and he headlines The Comedy Castle for the first time this week. Drew tells Joel about coming up on the Atlanta comedy scene, the pros and cons of being a regular comedian on cruise ships, why you should stay over with white people and so much more.… Continue reading Podcast #214: Drew Thomas →
Tim Finkel finally headlines The Comedy Castle for just one night this week, but what a night it will be. Tim has gone from high school teacher to top-tier comic over the last decade or so, but it’s bittersweet as Tim’s son Ryder faces the fight of his life. Hear Tim’s origin story, how Tim… Continue reading Podcast #213: Tim Finkel Is More Than a Headliner →
Comedian and podcaster Geoff Tate is a Star Wars-loving, sometime drug-taking, hilarious guy and a great guest on this show. Geoff tells Joel of being mistaken for that Queensryche singer, his prolific stand-up comedy album releases, his start in the Cincinnati comedy scene, and why you don’t want to flip through a comedian’s notebook. Geoff… Continue reading Podcast #212: Geoff Tate →
The hilarious Zach Martina is a favorite around these parts, so having him ring in 2025 at The Comedy Castle will be a real treat. Zach tells Joel about New Year’s Eves of yesteryear, recommends a place for the best wings in Detroit, revels in the glory of a Michigan euchre game, and much more.… Continue reading Podcast #211: Zach Martina Rings It In →
Brad Wenzel is back! At the Comedy Castle this weekend, and on this show. On this episode, Joel and Brad discuss the philosophy of making it in comedy today, fun comedian merchandising ideas, and Brad’s thought process on changing his “look.” They also talk about Kill Tony, Bob Seger vs Bruce Springsteen, and Seger’s history… Continue reading Podcast #210: Brad Wenzel Returns →
Cam Rowe is back on the show to talk about his first year as a full-time headliner and his return to The Comedy Castle. Cam shares what he learned from departed comedy legend Norm Stulz, discusses the Lions chances of winning it all and shares his memories of The Malice at the Palace – where… Continue reading Podcast #209: Cam Rowe Returns →
Mike Stanley has made a name for himself all over the the country, but he started in Detroit and returns to The Comedy Castle this weekend. Mike chats about his early days in comedy, adapting his show for an older audience, the challenge in following comedy legends on-stage in NYC, and much more. Joel and… Continue reading Podcast #208: Mike Stanley →
Bryan McCree is a Michigan legend, and one of the good guys in comedy. Bryan and Joel reminisce about doing shows together, including the place Joel hated the most – of course, he bombed here while Bryan killed. Plus, Bryan’s Flint upbringing in a famous family, his beginnings in the improv scene, and the unknown… Continue reading Podcast #207: Bryan McCree Returns →
Ben Bailey returns to The Comedy Castle this weekend and this show right now! Ben tells Joel of his unlikely start at The Comedy Castle, the Hollywood eccentric who gave him his break, and how he ended up driving the Cash Cab. Plus, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Fifth Third bank insanity, behind the scenes on… Continue reading Podcast #206: Ben Bailey Returns →
John Heffron has appeared at The Comedy Castle for over thirty-five years now, and this weekend he’s back at it again. But does he run out of stuff to talk about? Never, as Joel finds out, John is spending a lot of time in his car doing gigs, perfecting his method of of “totem pole-ing”… Continue reading Podcast #205: John Heffron for the Holidays →
T.Barb is a Detroit original who has run her comedy career on her own terms – and to great success. Joel chats with her about her beginnings in comedy, promoting her own tours, her hilarious “Only in Detroit” series and much more. She headlines next Thursday November 7th for one night only – don’t miss… Continue reading Podcast #204: T.Barb →
Greg Warren is a seasoned comedian who has built up a huge following in recent years. He’s here with Joel before his headline shows this weekend at the Comedy Castle. Greg talks about finding success later in his career, the fun of writing and performing new stuff, his history as a very successful amateur wrestler,… Continue reading Podcast #203: Greg Warren →
