Behind The Funny

Ace and I traveled to the Winners Circle in Salisbury MA to talk to Juston McKinney and man was it worth it.  Fresh off his recording Marc Maron’s WTF podcast he still had a lot to say that he didn’t say on WTF.  He’s a very accomplished comedian with an unbelievable story.  From a tragic childhood, to being a sheriff, to TV holding deals.  He’s lived quite a life.  Ace knew Juston but I really en...

Drug Abuse and Fur Babies, hard to describe this episode but Ace and I invited Alan Moreau and Derek K Moore in for a discussion on all things comedy.  We start off congratulating Derek for being signed by an agent, the conversation then takes on a life of its own but it turned out to be a fun conversation.

This episode was a long time coming. Ace has been working a while to put this one together.  We know Ray would be a great guest.  He’s a very funny comic and we are both big fans of his documentary “Be A Man”.  We loved hearing his insights on making the documentary and highlights from his comedy career.  This is one of my favorite episodes.

What an awesome conversation we had with the legendary Red Peters.  He has had an amazing career and his songs are known by comedy fans everywhere.  He is a musician and a songwriter who has made 5 CDs.  After appearing on the Howard Stern show, Red had his own show on SiriusXM called the Red Peters Comedy Music Hour.  Ace and I love hearing peoples wow moments and funny bad gig stories and Red ha...

Ace and I traveled up to Salisbury MA to meet with Dave Decker at the Winners Circle.  Dave Decker is regular in the comedy scene from Boston to NY.  Dave and I have been Facebook friends for awhile by this is the first time we had a chance to talk.  The conversation started with a funny moment when the loud speaker blasted the next order number that was ready and we were off and running after tha...

Ace and I travel to Hartford CT to meet this weeks guest Billy Winn.  We met at City Steam Brewery Cafe in the Brew Ha Ha comedy club green room.  Billy is not only a veteran comic, he has had a great career as a radio dj.  Billy's 30 plus years provided a lot of great stories for this episode.

Ace and I enjoy getting to know comedians but it is always a blast when we invite a couple friends in for a discussion.  John Morris and Jay Burns join us this week.  We started talking about health and John's recent health scare and from there we discussed SNL, working through jokes, and on.  When comedians get together we tend to throw shots at each other and this one was no different.

Ace and I are proud to put out our 100th show Pt 2.  We discuss and play clips from our first three seasons.  Order of clips and discussions are:   1) COMEDY SCENES w/ Tony V, Bill Campbell, Charlie Hall & Frank O'Donnell, Mike McDonald 2) META w/ Derek Furtado, Sue Costello 3) FAMILY Cathy Murray, John Morris 4) PARANORMAL w/ Mike  Murray, Tom Stewart 5) FUNNY STORIES w/ Tony V, Mike McDonald 6)...

Ace and I are proud to put out our 100th show.  We discuss and play clips from our first three seasons.  Order of discussions and clips are:   1) 100th show w/ Scott Higgins 2) Diverse backgrounds w/ Joe Hebert, Steve Donovan, Matty Blake, Chris Zito 3) Heartfelt stories w/ Amy Tee, Phillip Anthony, Sue Costello, Poppy Champlin, Jess Miller 4) Controlling comics w/ Mike McCarthy, Charlie Hall, Fra...

Ken Rogerson is literally the Funniest Man You Never Heard Of.  Ace and I have always enjoyed working with Ken.  A CT native like myself, he started comedy in Chicago before migrating to Boston during the comedy boom.  He was featured in the documentary "When Stand Up Stood Out" which was about the Boston comedy explosion.  He has appeared in the show Rescue Me as well as movies like Something Abo...

Chance Langton is a Boston comedy original.  He was part of the original comedy boom and is still entertaining crowds today.  He worked with Rodney Dangerfield and Eddie Murphy, you know, just to mention a few.  One of Adam Sandler's favorite comics.  In fact, Adam had Chance sing in his movie Eight Crazy Nights.  He has had an amazing career and Ace and I were thrilled to go along with him as he...

Alan is a very interesting case study to say the least.  He lives life like he does comedy, on his own terms.  He does not possess a filter on stage and yet finds the funny in situations others would not talk about out loud.  Armed with a quick wit and biting sense of humor, he is a lot of fun.  

Mike “Flynzo” Flynn was integral part of the start of my comedy career.  His open mics were where I first built my act.  He’s had quite a comedy career himself.  I met Ace at one of Flynzo’s open mics.  This one was close to home for me.

What is a comic genius?  Many people have been called a comic genius but what makes somebody one.  Ace and I are joined by Roman Pierce (Chatty Charlie), Derrick Fonseca (The Fonz), and Tom Stewart ( My Paranormal Podcast ).  We discuss what qualities a comic genius has and who we consider one.  The conversation then turns towards local comics who have these qualities and who we admire.  It was a...

I remember the first time I worked with Chris D, I did not want to follow him.  Off stage he is quiet and reserved, onstage he takes on several personas.  He has a quick with and he is a great story teller.  Ace and I enjoyed getting to know more about Chris.

Ace and I both have worked with Kristine Blinn before, and always enjoy watching her perform.  She's very funny and delivers a great performance.  But who is Kristine off stage, that's what we wanted to know.  What drew her to comedy?  Is it hard being a high school teacher and comedian.  These questions were asked during this conversation.  PLUS, the original Mango dropped in, and he brought snac...

This week Ace and Scott talk to Greg Howell aka Comedian G Funny.  He is a long time friend and accomplished comedian.  Hailing from North Carolina, he made his way to Boston and started his comedy career.  He is such a naturally funny story teller.  He is one of the funniest comedians you haven't heard of yet.

Wow, that's all I can say about this episode.  Sue Costello was an amazingly open and honest guest.  Ace and I were hanging on every word.  She really shed some light on the entertainment industry from a woman's point of view.  

This week is Pt 2 of our conversations with comedians performing at the Rogue Island Comedy Festival.  This episode includes conversations with Sam Evans, Miguel Perez, Alan Fitzgerald, KC Arora, Nore Davis, and finally Rogue Island Comedy Festival founder Doug Key.  Ace and I cannot thank Doug Key and Katie Latimer enough for allowing us to be part of this amazing festival and for treating us so...

Ace reached out to Rogue Island Comedy Festival co-founders Katie Latimer and Doug Key and asked if we can come down one night of the festival and talk to some of the comics.  What a blast!  We made some new friends, talked with some old friends and watch a lot of great comedy.  We talked to enough interesting people we had to divide this episode into 2 parts.  Enjoy Part 1 with John O'Conner, Dav...

This week we have a RI orignal, the original mango, Brian Beaudoin joining us.  We discuss pranks, Saved By The Bell, working the road, celebrity friends and hell gigs.  Ace and I could not stop laughing.  Brian's a great story teller and a lot of fun.

Probably best known for his morning radio show, but Steve Donovan is an accomplished stand-up comedian and television show host.  He has a quick rapid fire wit, so Ace and I needed to be on our A game to keep up.  Steve told a few of the funniest stories I've heard since starting Behind The Funny.  Enjoy!

Matty Blake has done stand up comedy, improv, voiceover, acting, hosting Drilling Down: The Curse Of Oak Island, and radio DJ, just to name a few.  Matty started comedy shortly after Ace and they come through the ranks together.  Friends ever since, they told a lot of stories.  I did not know Matty like Ace did so I really enjoyed getting to know him.  Considering this was our second attempt at re...

Maya Manion comes from a funny family, not really.  Mom liked her brother best and let her know it.  Her brother used to tease her like crazy about it.  Combine that family situation with growing up in a boring town and you get one very funny witty comedian.  

Derek is comedian that likes to live in the uncomfortable moments of life when performing.  He brings up subjects normal people would never talk about out loud, except he's not normal, he's a comedian.  Well liked by audience and well respected by other comedians.  He has managed friendships with some of the biggest names in comedy.  He is also an award winning film maker.  The discussion Derek, A...