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What are my New Year’s Resolutions for 2022!

Here’s a short clip where I answer what’s the secret to a long lasting marriage!

Fasil Malik 005

It’s important to have resolutions to help you reflect on what’s important to you, clear your mind of any distractions and focus on who you want to become. Resolutions should be challenging (Yet realistic), energizing and motivating. So a horrible resolution for me would be to try to not get any laughs. ?

My New Year’s Resolutions are:

3. To keep a high quality show and leave ticket prices the same for every show for 2022: Times have been tough with the pandemic and I am grateful your support (Either attending a show, letting your friends/family know about my shows and even reading these emails). Without your attendance there would be no show. Therefore to express appreciation my resolution to you all is that ticket prices will stay the same for every show ($15 online/ $20 at the door) for 2022.

2. Book a Comedian that has never performed at Undergrounds Coffeehaus before. It’s easy to stay in a routine and rotate bringing back the same Comedians, the same month but a different year. To me you deserve better than that and my resolution would be to mix it up on you by booking Comedians you have never seen perform before at Undergrounds Coffeehaus and I am planning on booking a Headliner level Comedian that has never performed at a Spill The Beans Comedy show in 2022.

1. To really take my comedy routine to the next level and do 30 minutes: I normally do 10 minutes there where I am working out material, but I want to show you that your support is paying off and do 30 minutes of my polished material (Which has resulted in me getting gigs in Winter Haven, St. Augustine and even Daytona).

This Saturday night January 1st I am planning on doing 30 minutes of polished material at the Spill The Beans Comedy Show at Undergrounds Coffeehaus (3020 N Federal Hwy in Ft. Lauderdale) and I will be performing with 2 time Carnival Cruiselines Entertainer of the Year in 30+ year comedy veteran Al Ernst. Al to me is one of the funniest storytelling comics I have ever seen and I especially love how he works out new material in every act effortlessly.

Click here to secure tickets for the January 1st Spill The Beans Comedy Show at Undergrounds Coffeehaus.

 

-Fasil

Interview with Mike Geeter

Mike Geeter2

  1. Why did you start doing stand up comedy?

Since I was a kid I was told that I was funny. I was testing jokes with my family. For my 43rd birthday my wife got me classes at Mark Ridley Comedy Castle at Royal Oak, Michigan. I jumped into it and haven’t looked back. I have experiences to share that people can relate to.

  1. What should audience members look for when determining what type of comedy shows to go to?

I suggest for people to research the comic. A lot of the times people go to shows to escape the social media, politics and ills of the world.  Second you are there to laugh. If it’s funny then laugh at it whether you agree with it or not.

  1. Describe a failure that you went through?

My biggest failure is not finishing at Cornell. I really wanted to graduate as I had a friend that graduated there. I really wanted to finish it as it was my goal to finish an ivy league school, but I couldn’t because I had a daughter at such a young age and wanted to raise her. My next goal after I get situated in my career is to finish Cornell so that I can prove to myself that I can do it. One thing about me is that I don’t quit and I keep fighting.

  1. What advice would you give to a person wanting to pursue stand-up comedy to become a headliner?

Write and perform, because just writing isn’t going to get you stage time and just performing is going to keep you stagnant. You have to both write and perform. If you do the same 5 minutes in November that you did in January is still the same 5 minutes then you aren’t advancing. With this method I was featuring in less than 2 years as I got more confidence, performed better and delivered the joke rather then just tell it. My jokes were more complete. People that pursue in this fashion will succeed. I write everyday (Even if it’s a phrase or a word). I use that to build a joke or a set around.

  1. Why should people watch you perform at this Saturday night’s Spill The Beans Comedy Show?

My comedy is universal. Everyone is my crowd, because what I talk about is relatable to people who are 18 or 88. I talk about my kids, being in a large family and I talk about me. The stuff that I talk about is all positive. I poke stuff about people in a playful way. What they realize that what I am telling them is the god’s honest truth. People that see me will enjoy it and there’s no malice. It’s all about love. It’s something that I love to do, love to share. That’s all love. It comes out of my performance.

Click here to secure tickets to the Oct 20th Spill The Beans Comedy Show starring Mike Geeter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interview with Dougie Almeida

Dougie

Dougie Almeida (Jimmy Kimmel & Finalist in World Series of Comedy) is originally from Queens, New York and spent most of his adult life as a corporate presenter for one of the largest financial planning firms in the country. His specialty was taking lifeless insurance presentations and transforming them into works of comic art. In his spare time, he fought as an ISKA Heavyweight Muay Thai Kick boxer, retiring at 10-0 and earning the title “Always Dangerous”. So, what do you get when you cross an inventive corporate executive with a retired kick boxer? A stand-up comedian, of course! Prior to taking the stage, Dougie gauges his audience, reaches into his vault and prepares his onslaught of humor. Once on stage, he delivers blow after blow of hilarity, hitting the audience with punch line after punch line. His wit and stage presence is second to none. One thing is always certain – Dougie Almeida will KNOCK YOU OUT! Dougie Almeida is Always Funny, Always Professional, and yes, Always Dangerous.

1. What got you into stand up comedy?

I always loved it; I was always that witty guy that would say something funny. I remember back in middle school. I walked in with my friend and we had a substitute teacher. You always gotta bust balls with a substitute teacher. We walked in a little late, the teacher said that you guys are a little tardy. I said no I am Dougie and he is Eddie. Everyone in the class cracked up; I was like wow this is good. I was a spokesman for a big insurance company doing presentations in front of hundreds of people. I wouldn’t stick to the script and make people laugh about annuities and life insurance. I figured that was my life calling.

2. You are actually one of the rare comedians in the scene that’s successfully married; what’s your secret to pulling this off?

If you’re gonna do this. If you don’t have a great woman than you need to wait for them to fall of or you need to concentrate on your career. My wife is patient. We’ve been together for 12 years before getting married. The most important thing is that she wants to see me be happy. She’s a great support on that.

3. What advice would you give comics?

Quit, do karaoke. There are enough of us on the scene. Don’t fool yourself anymore. Always be honest with yourself. To know oneself is to know god. If you know what you can do, what you can’t do than own up to it. Don’t be afraid to listen to advice. First thing to do is to be honest with yourself. Second thing is you are doing this because you love to get the happiness from getting the laugh and don’t do it just for the fame or money. You gotta be professional, funny, consistent, dedicated and have thick skin. You gotta be all that and if you aren’t than get a job at Walmart.

4. How did you work your way up to being a headliner?

Continuity; it’s the regular practice of disciplined events. You gotta get on stage 4 to 5 times a week. Keep writing jokes and find a way to be consistent. This concept sounds so simple but people give up. You just need to stick with it. I got this from martial arts. Be professional, funny and cool.

5. What types of food do you enjoy cooking?

I got a wife; you gotta  find a woman Fasil. I can cook and am a great cook but I don’t need to cook as my wife is a great cook. There are things she does better than I do. That’s what she gets to do.

6. Who are you favorite comics to watch locally/nationally?

I don’t have a favorite comic to watch. However, I do appreciate local comics who work real hard and continue working on their craft. As for national comics, I try not to watch too many comics. Don’t want to pick up subliminal idea. However, in the past I loved Rodney Dangerfield, Richard and George Carlin.

7. Why should people check you out at the Spill The Beans Comedy Show?

It’s a fun venue with low ceilings, packed house and I am gonna come up and know you all out. I am going to do new jokes. It’s going to be intimate and I am going to talk about real stuff. I am going to unload it all this Saturday night.

*Follow him on Instagram @dougiedangerous and his website is www.dougiealmeida.com

Interview with Murray Valeriano

Murray

Murray Valeriano is an American comedian, producer, writer and radio host. Valeriano has written for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonThe Tonight Show with Jay LenoBill Engvall‘s Here’s Your Sign Awards and Ridiculousness. He co-hosted the “Off the Cuff with Bill Engvall” radio show on Sirius/XM and currently hosts and produces the “Roadstories” podcast. If you’re curious about the financial side of late-night television, you might be wondering: How much does Jimmy Fallon make per episode? As one of the most prominent talk show hosts in the industry, Jimmy Fallon’s earnings per episode are undoubtedly substantial, reflecting his immense talent and the success of his show.

1. What motivated you to want to become a comedian?

It’s what I always wanted to be. Since I was a kid. I grew up in the 80’s during the comedy boom. It just took me forever to get the balls to do it. I started in my late 20’s.

2. What’s your secret to writing clever material?

Thank you that you think it’s clever. It has to happen to me. It has to be something that happens organically to me so it’s real and is gonna be clever because it’s based on reality.

3. What types of food do you enjoy cooking (Whenever you have the time to)?

I married a Greek woman so she handles all of the cooking. So I make a pretty mean guacamole and hummus.

4. Who are some comedians that you enjoy watching?

Brian Regan is god; he’s been around forever. Everyone loves him from children to top notch comedians to alternative comedians. He’s not pigeon holed into anything but funny. He has a goofy/silly sense of humor that I love and wish that I could do more of. Bill Burr; he’s great. I don’t think he’s really afraid to talk about anything. I had seen him do stuff in uptight left wing Hollywood that I just watched everyone’s butt holes clench. Then he would swing it around, tag it and then watch everyone laugh. Jerry Seinfeld is the guy that I watched the most growing up. He was the king of comedy in the late 80’s/early 90’s and was the first one that I had ever seen do a call back it was amazing. I love Johnny Carson; he’s the king of late night and there will never be another one like him. His opening monologue was either hilarious or it tanked and then when it bombed he would make it even funnier and he was a huge proponent of stand up. Back in the day if you did a tonight show you had a career the next day.

5. What do you love most about doing stand up comedy?

Killing is the best part. I like travelling around, doing stand up in different places and making different walks of life laugh.

6. How did you end up getting picked up to write for TV?

My buddies and I got a pilot deal of a show that we were doing at a comedy club. We shot it and it went nowhere. That got me hired to write someone else’s pile and then it snowballed from there. Then I decided that I wasn’t going to go back to a day job and then it was a year and a half before I got another writing gig. Those were lean times and I just stuck with it.

7. What advice would you give to other comedians?

Be careful when you get to feature, because it’s a very cush gig and easy to get stuck into this position. You don’t have to deal with an ice cold crowd, you have no pressure to sell tickets as that’s the headliner’s job and it’s easy to be complacent and get stuck in the middle spot.

8. Why should people check you out at the Spill The Beans Comedy Show this weekend?

Because we are gonna have a good time.

Interview with Cam Betrand

Cam

Cam Bertrand is originally from Tampa and he now lives in LA. Cam Bertrand gained recognition by winning the 2015 Side Splitters Comedy Tournament over 64 other comedians, he performed at the prestigious Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta in both 2016 & 2017, he also won Creative Loafings 2016 ‘Best of The Bay’ Award for ‘Best Male Comedian’. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in comedy today including Pete Davidson, Michael Che, Josh Blue, Joe Machi, Alonzo Bodden, Nate Bargatze, and Mark Normand. Cam shares his outlook on relationships and life through the eyes of a 23 year old in a way that everyone can relate to. Bringing a high energy and witty style that appeals to a wide demographic.

1.  What motivated you to start doing stand up comedy at such a young age?

I started writing jokes at 14 and wanted to do stand up but they wouldn’t let me do stand up at the comedy clubs because I was too young so I watched Dave’s Chapelle’s killing them softly and it looked to me as the most fun that you could possibly have. I would even do bits at the lunch table to test it out on the kids at the lunch table. I started doing stand up when I was 19 (October 20, 2013).

2. What’s your secret to writing clever material?

I write in the bathroom, in the bathtub on the toilet. I need to be isolated. I wanted there to be nothing to stop my mind from running wild. I like to write away from distractions, I put my jokes on airplane mode when writing (So that I don’t get text messages). I will write it out but I never end up doing it the way that I wrote. I write it freestyle. If I write a joke I know how to get to the punch line. If I write an idea I say why it’s funny and do it on stage until I find what is humor in it.

3. What types of comedians do you enjoy watching locally and nationally?

Elijah Hernandez; he’s the smartest kid that I’ve ever met in my life. He’s a genius. He writes jokes that makes me think that I should throw my notebook away. I want his brain. To me he’s the Dave Attell. Jak Knight and Jerrod Carmichael are two of the best comedians touring right now. They are brilliant. The way that their brain works is phenomenal

4. What do you love most about doing stand up comedy?

The instant satisfaction; you know on stage whether people like you or not immediately. I love the instant turn around.

5. What advice would you give to other comedians?

Have FUN. It sounds so corny. Do the jokes that you want to do. Write the jokes that will make you laugh. People will see your side of story, see your point of view and make it more interesting. People go to comedy shows because they want to know what you will say. I hate when people go on stage and don’t have fun. I had so much fun when bombing and had times where I was miserable doing material that is killing. I hate when people go on stage and talk about things they don’t even care about. Just have fun.

6. Why should people check you out at the Spill The Beans Comedy Show this weekend?

Cuz I am very handsome. I am a young dude that found a way to not have a day job and I am nice with it. I am goofy and have the ability to say weird things in a mic to make people laugh.

Interview with Joe Nay

Joe started performance comedy late in life and is making up for lost time by simultaneously pursuing improvisation, stand-up and sketch writing. Joe opts for primarily a clean show, both in content and delivery. The variety of places he has called home, jobs he has held and hobbies he has pursued provide a rich source of material. Joe’s ambitions are modest, simply to write and perform that which makes others laugh. The closest he will come to fame is when he is mistaken for John Goodman.

Joe Nay

1) What motivated you to start doing stand-up comedy at such an advanced age?

I got started in Improv through my son and there was a connection from the Improv to the Comedy Shack hosted by Fasil Malik. The guest comics at Comedy Shack got me interested in the Stand-Up comedy (Jon Levine was the first guest that he saw).

 
2) What’s your secret to writing witty material?

I get some from Improv and I keep trying stuff out. I tried a lot that bomb and tried some that I thought wouldn’t work, but it ended up getting laughs. Write what you think is funny and figure out what really is.

3) What type of comedians do you enjoy watching (locally and nationally)?

Locally: There are so many talented comics, but if I had to choose my favorites it would be Darius Culpepper, because I think he does smart jokes and he has this awesome delivery combined with perfect timing.  Jon Levine, because he’s honed his act, has a great voice to him and comes across the audience as being very personable. Nico Prada; he can do something that I can’t. Talk rapid fire for his entire set without missing anything. Nationally: Gary Gulman, he had clever material and even though he was telling one long story it was filled with twenty or thirty small jokes along the way. It was really good.

4) What type of foods do you enjoy eating when you have time to cook?

For those of you that have seen a picture of me. It’s easier for me to tell you what food I don’t eat. I don’t eat sushi.

5) What do you love most about doing stand-up comedy?

The laughs. I do it purely for the laughs. This isn’t a career choice. I am doing it fully for the enjoyment and to prove to myself that I can write something that is funny to people.

6) Who is the person that you would want to hang out with (Alive or dead) and where would you take him or her?

George Washington, I would like to get his idea of the context of the constitution given the current world. To Washington DC to show him what it turned out to be.

7) What do you hate about stand-up comedy?

Having my set time cut right before going on stage. Especially if you had been waiting all night to go on.

8) What is it about you that makes you awesome?

That I try to find the best part about every comic’s act.

9) How does doing improv help you with comedy?

Improv helps me prepare to be on stage in front of people and it also has generated a lot of my bits about 10-20% of my jokes. When you do a scene it gives you an idea for a premise on a joke and I work on it from there.

10) Why should comics want to perform at your Spotlight Key Party room at Just the Funny Theater?

It’s an intimate and friendly atmosphere where you can perform in front of a friendly crowd and because it is a short 45 minute show with only 4 comics per show so you don’t have to wait around all night.

Interview with Michael Cintron

Born in NYC, Michael Cintron started performing stand up comedy after graduating college. With a twisted combination of real life stories and his opinion on society’s ills, Mike brings raw honesty in the form of hysterical humor. He has won both The Boca Raton Comedy Festival Contest and National Lampoons Underground Comedy Contest, and appeared on several radio stations / podcasts. Mike has also featured for such names as Tom Segura, Christina Pazsitzky, Sugar Sammy, Flip Shultz, and Dave Siegel. Always keeping the audience on their toes, Mike Cintron is sure to leave them surprisingly snorting with laughter.

For the last few years, Michael Cintron has been booking comedy shows at the Funky Buddha Lounge and Brewery, DADA in Delray Beach, he runs New Faces events at the Improv and other venues in the Palm Beach area. The Funky Buddha Lounge and Brewery located in Boca Raton, is rated as one of the top 100 craft beer brewery’s in the world! DaDa, located in Delray Beach, a very popular restaurant and lounge with a comfortable, home-like atmosphere, and one of the longest running open mics in South Florida (+5 Years)!

You can follow him on Twitter @MikeCintron and Instagram @latenightmikeshow

Michael Cintron

1) What motivated you to start doing stand-up comedy?

I got arrested at the Palm Beach International Airport. I would hang out with my friends at their garage, smoke pot and watch the 30 minute special. We are looking at each other and my friends were saying that “Mike you are way funnier than that guy”. I loved getting people to laugh. When I was getting bullied I would make them laugh instead of getting bullied. I went to Orlando for college and there was this girl that worked at Universal and she wasn’t funny. Once she was passing around open mic flyers; in my head I was thinking that she’s not funny as she’s already. If she can do it then I can do it. I didn’t start doing stand-up until I was arrested and while I was free I wanted to seize the moment and do stand-up. So did New Faces; Will Watkins was the host. I was the first one to go up. Ramon was running it and I asked Ramon what he thought. He’s like you did three minutes on stage; come back with five. It made me want to work harder, come back with different material and prove myself.

 
2) What’s your secret to running successful booked comedy shows?

You have to love what you do, have a passion for it and care about the people that you are working with. If you are going to do it; you can’t do it for the money. You have to do it for the love of the art. Make sure the people, comics and audience members are having a good time. It’s not all about dollars and cents. It’s about the experience.

3) What type of comedians do you enjoy watching (locally and nationally)?

Locally: Blake Woodrow; He’s fresh and he seems to want to take it serious. He hangs out and is a student of the game. At 20 years old I find that kind of amazing. Hennessy Williams is another person that is really bringing the fire every time, he has a strong work ethic and he has some funny stuff. Fasil Malik (how does anyone not him at this point); I like his one liners, how he brings something different to the game, he’s clean and has a really strong work ethic. Nationally I enjoy watching Hannibal Burress because of the courage that he had to call out Bill Cosby and was able to bring it out in a funny way, Bill Burr and Dave Chapelle; his timing, storytelling and facial expressions are amazing. I could watch the Dave Chapelle show once a week and it would be as good as it was the first time that I saw it ten years ago. Plus there’s only one Dave Chapelle.

4) What type of foods do you enjoy eating when you have time to cook?

Chicken wings, potato skins and fried food. I also want to eat more salad. I love junk food. Roosters has the best chicken fingers on the planet.

5) What are things that upset you?

People that are conniving, backstabbing and how more than one comic has attempted to go behind my back to book a comedy show at the Funky Buddha. What they don’t realize is that when you do that you don’t only disrespect me, you are also disrespecting the Buddha.

6) Who is the person that you would want to hang out with (Alive or dead) and where would you take him or her?

My dad and I would take him to watch me perform at the Improv.

7) Which actor or actress would you want to play you in a movie about yourself?

Adam Levine, because a lot of people tell me that I look like Adam Levine.

8) What is your advice to being an amazing host?

Have fun and remember that you are the audience’s friend. It’s not so much about the material. It’s about making the connection. My advice to new comics is to remember why you got into being a comedian; you wanted to make people laugh. Always hold onto that as long as you do stand up and don’t let negative things get you down.

9) What are things that you would tell people not to do if they want to get booked by you or the Improv?

When you are late, if you show up drunk, if you show up as if you don’t care are things that makes me not want to book you. Being booked is a job. Just like a job you act as if you care about it. You want to succeed. Matt Bellak is a great host. He shows up early; he goes above and beyond to help out. His attitude and passion are there. When he shows up he’s ready to help.

10) Why should people check you out the Funky Buddha Summer Festival on August 13th at Funky Buddha in Boca?

It’s great for comics to compete in, because it gives them exposure in front of a different crowd. You get to work on your 5 minutes for an upcoming contests. If you look back on past winners; it elevated them and got them noticed on the scene more. Even if you don’t I still watch these acts and I will contact them for an upcoming booked show. Audiences should check it out to support our local arts. You don’t get a Dave Chappelle or Rich Prior unless you support your local arts to see them develop. It’s a great time. You have 30 comics performing where I guarantee that one of them is going to make you laugh. The feature Willonius Hatcher is fun to watch as there is never a dull moment and he has a best-selling book.

Interview with Jordan Garnett

Jordan Garnett is one of the youngest and most talented comedians to come out of Florida in years. Jordan first took the stage at just seventeen years old, where he won first place in a county wide competition. Now, only at the age of twenty two, he has appeared on CNN, ABC’s “Good Morning America” and opened up for some of the biggest headliners in the game. He continues to win competitions, festivals and regularly performs at clubs and colleges nationwide. Just recently, Jordan was selected Top 10 out of 200 comedians in The Ultimate Miami Comedian Festival and was flown out to Los Angeles to meet with MTV executives. Not only is Jordan an admirable comedian, but also has quite a demanding following on YouTube with over 3,000 subscribers and two million views. Jordan Garnett has the ability to win over any audience. His high energy, clever writing and perfect delivery will have you begging for more every time!

You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram @jordangarnett
Jordan Garnett

1)  Why did you start doing comedy at 17?

My main dream growing up was to be a football player. I went to a Christian private school. They held us to a higher standard. I kept getting into trouble, I was able to entertain and make people laugh. I wanted to play in the NFL (I played middle linebacker). I saw that  saw the Chris Rock special “Never scared” in middle school and I knew then it would either be football or comedy ultimately football didn’t work.

 
2) What is your advice to new comics?

Don’t be jealous. Jealously will kill your soul and eat you alive. Be proud of what you do. Worry about you. Successful people never worry about what other people are doing.

3) What type of comedians do you enjoy watching (locally and nationally)?

Locally: Trey Maddox, he’s a real person on and off the stage and knows what it takes to get to the next level. Dylan Starr; he’ll always have your back, he has great premises and is not afraid to tell them on stage. One day he’s going to break out and he reminds me of myself when I first started and Ramon Garcia is a big mentor to me. Chris Rock; Early 2000 Dane Cook, Bill Burr, Orny Adams, Tony Rock (He’s unbelievable different style than Chris) and Daniel Tosh.

4) What types of foods do you enjoy eating when you have time to cook?

Homemade nachos.

5) What do you love most about stand-up comedy?

How it makes you feel, it makes you forget all of your troubles in the world and it gives you a special connection with the audience. Almost like hooking up with the chick of your dreams.

6) Who is the person that you would want to hang out with (Alive or dead) and where would you take him or her?

My grandmother on my dad’s side since she’s never seen me do standup comedy. I would take her to my first stand-up comedy performance ever (Mar 24, 2009 New Faces at the Palm Beach Improv).

7) What is your secret to doing amazing crowd work?

I was running my own rooms and starting out I didn’t have enough material to entertain the same audience every week. So as the host I was forced to talk to the audience and get to know them. I used to be afraid of the audience and now I enjoy doing it, because anything can happen. Crowd work can back fire sometimes (People that try to make jokes and gives fake answers) and the way that I handle that is to move away from them, but it’s a great skill to have and it takes a while to develop that skill.

8) I heard that you had a chance to be on an MTV reality show, but you turned it down Is that true?

Yes, the name of the show was “Are you the one”. Sometimes I regret the decision, but ultimately I don’t. Reality shows don’t usually last long and I don’t want that. I want to get my fame off an actual craft.

9) What is your advice to comics trying to get a hosting gig at the Improv?

Be yourself; don’t get caught up in all the drama. There is so much negativity in this business. Don’t feed into the negativity. Be funny and play your cards right. There are certain comics that are bitter and trash others. Bookers know who those people and they tend to not get booked. Stay away from those people. Also don’t care what other comics think.

10) Why should people check you out at the Palm Beach Improv?

You are going to see a star in the making. Ha ha ha. It’s one of the best venues ever and it’s my favorite place to perform.

Interview with Ethan Moore

After studying philosophy and world religions in college and graduate school, Ethan toured the world for several years as a philosophy & religion professor and marketing consultant for overseas universities, eventually becoming dean of academic affairs for a private college in Vietnam. After returning to the United States a few years ago, Ethan decided to bring his writing and public speaking talents to bear as a stand-up comedian and broadcaster. Since beginning his career in comedy, Ethan has shared the stage with hilarious people like Aaron Berg, Wendi Starling, and Hannibal Buress. Today he produces and hosts one of South Florida’s most popular podcasts, Sex on Kava, and is a regular performer at the Villain Theater, home of Miami’s finest improv comedy.

You can follow Ethan on Twitter or Instagram at @ethanisnotfunny or check butchandfemmecomedy.com for tour dates.  Listen to his podcast, Sex on Kava, on iTunes or at sexonkava.com, or listen to his other podcast, Jesus Christ, That’s Funny!, on iTunes or at jesuschristthatsfunny.podbean.com.

ethan mic promo 1

1)  Why did you end up quitting your big time corporate/academic job in Asia?

I didn’t feel fulfilled by it. I made a lot of money and theoretically, it was a perfectly satisfying career, but I could never quite shake the feeling that I was supposed to be doing something else with my life. Sometimes I would think about doing comedy but there were no opportunities to learn to do stand-up in Southeast Asia.  I quit my job, left Vietnam, and moved to Florida since I have family here. Within a couple of months I was addicted to stand-up comedy!
2) Where was the most interesting place that you ever traveled to? And why?

Adam’s Peak (also known as Sri Pada). It’s a mountain in a remote jungle in Sri Lanka with a Buddhist temple on the top. People make pilgrimages there and it’s revered by several religions.  There are steps cut to the side of the mountain but it still takes about eight hours to get to the top. I climbed it with my girlfriend and when we got to the top, we rested and looked at the temple while these giant butterflies came and landed on everybody.  It was beautiful.

3) What type of comedians do you enjoy watching (locally and nationally)?

Locally, David Stebbins.  One reason he inspires me is that, like me, he’s an addict in long-term recovery.  I can really relate to his material about addiction, but more than that, I love that his style is filthy, energetic, and unabashedly confessional. He will say anything as long as it’s true and funny.

Another local comic I enjoy is Kat Toledo; she has this style of comedy that’s different than anyone else around South Florida. Her jokes are very abstract/esoteric; sometimes she’s saying things that you can tell are only funny to her, but the way she uses her voice to sell it makes her material work.  She’s just a great performer, magnetic stage presence. I am a very difficult audience, I have a hard time liking standups. I am not an easy laugh, but Kat can crack me up onstage
Finally, a local up-and-comer I really respect is Artesse Lector (AKA Hennessy Williams III)  He’s got a strong stage presence, really commanding, and he’s got a very analytical mind, just quick-witted and very deep. His writing is amazingly strong for someone so new on the scene…. Just great premises and an ability to find the best punchline quickly seems to come naturally, which also makes him great at dealing with hecklers.  Also, he’s got a serious vocabulary that encompasses everything from academia to business to urban vernacular.  You get the feeling he’d be equally comfortable giving a serious presentation to the board of Apple Computer, or shooting the breeze with a wino on a street corner, and he’d probably have something interesting to say to each of them.

As for nationally known comics, my biggest influence is definitely Norm MacDonald.  I used to watch him on Saturday Night Live doing Weekend Update when I was just a kid, so his style really got into my brain early and influenced what I think comedy should be.  My favorite thing about Norm is that doesn’t believe in cleverness.  He never goes for the clever, witty punchline; he goes for the obvious one.  The one anyone can understand.  So it never seems like he’s talking down to the audience.  He plays a dumb guy on stage and that’s my goal in comedy as well.  I spent my life and career before comedy trying to prove to everyone that I was smart; as a comic I’m looking to connect with people instead, and I think the dumber I am, the easier this is.
Another comic that inspires me is Russell Brand.  Not so much his material, just his attitude towards life and his career.  Watching him taught me that you don’t have to be some kind of depressed nerd to be a standup comic– you can have a positive outlook on things, and enjoy life! And of course, that you can be a great performer and stay clean and sober.

4) What types of foods do you enjoy eating when you have time to cook?

I am a really healthy eater; I hate processed food, and I cook all the time. Umm, I make a lot of brown rice and lentil curries; I also enjoy making grilled cheese sandwiches with Ezekiel bread.  I eat a lot of plain yogurt with fresh fruit, which is my go-to snack when I’m writing, or late at night after I’m done performing.  And one of my all-time favorite things to make is Caesar salad (for which I always use my own recipe for the dressing:  vinegar, olive oil, and lots of anchovies!)

5) What do you love most about stand-up comedy?

Connecting with people on stage!  I’ve also made some great friends in the scene and I love hanging out with those guys and writing with them.

6) Who is the person that you would want to hang out with (Alive or dead) and where would you take him or her?

Socrates, because I want to know if Aristotle or Plato got it right or maybe neither. We would go to the local bar and I would order him some wine to get him talking! I’d probably have a Diet Coke, my all-time favorite drink.

7) What don’t you love about stand-up comedy?

When comics aren’t true to themselves on stage and I have to watch them. When new comics come on stage and talk about politics, hacky racist stuff, and how dumb they think women are (this last one is usually male comics).  I’m not saying you can’t do jokes about these topics.  I’m saying that most of the time, when comics, especially new comics, get on stage to tackle these topics, they end up doing terrible, boring jokes that have the ring of falseness. Everybody seems to want to show their brilliant insight on big social issues on the first day.  Here’s a hint: Focus on your own flaws, and you’ll be funnier.

8) If you could have any actor or actress play you in the movie of your life then who would it be? And why?

Scarlett Johansson, because she would really be able to bring out my feminine side and I think she’s just as pretty as I am.  Everyone would finally understand why I’m the femme in the Butch and Femme Comedy Tour.

9) What is your advice to New Comics?

Don’t do social issues right away. Talk about yourself, your own life and your own experience. Cheer up when you’re on stage and remember that you’re performing for people, you’re supposed to be entertaining. So don’t hate the audience, don’t give up on your material.  Care that you are up there on stage!

Most of all though:  Do comedy.  There are stages everywhere; go on stage as much as you can.  I hate it when people say “I can’t put gas in my car so I can’t make it to an open mic”.  That’s not an excuse.  When I first started, I didn’t have a car, so I rode a bicycle to open mics all over South Florida.  You CAN get there.   I suggest anyone starting out hit 10-15 stages every week and write in between every time you’re onstage.  You won’t be able to avoid getting better.

10) I know you do a lot of podcasting and you’re doing some touring now.  What’s the Sex On Kava podcast and what’s the the Butch and Femme Comedy Tour?

The Butch and Femme Comedy Tour is a regional standup tour I founded with the hilarious and beautiful Anna Lepeley.  We met this past winter and had this natural chemistry (probably because she’s a butch lesbian and I’m an effeminate heterosexual dude).   We knew we both had limited credits but figured they’d be good enough to get us booked in smaller cities, which turned out to be right.  So we’ve been hitting up cities throughout the Southeast; we co-headline these shows, and we finish with a comedic song.  It’s a deliciously raunchy show and we have a lot of fun with it.  Check out butchandfemmecomedy.com for dates.

As for Sex on Kava, it’s a weekly podcast that I started over a year ago with my buddy Rich Kennedy, proprietor of Awa Na Kava Lounge, the weirdest bar in the world!  A couple of years ago, I used to sit there at the bar, drinking water, and talking to Rich about all of his strange customers.  It’s a kava bar, so they don’t serve alcohol, but somehow all the strangest people you’ve ever met find their way there.  I’d go there after doing comedy all night to decompress, and would usually end up laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe at something happening in the bar, or Rich telling a story about something happening in the bar, and finally we just said: “We have to start recording this stuff!”  So we started the podcast and called it Sex on Kava (because half of the funny stories are about sex). We interview the hot chicks and the weirdos in the bar, and we also bring on local comedians which gives them a chance to be funny in a non-standup setting.  There’s drama, fighting, sound effects, very real moments, confessions, relationships, beautiful people, and several lunatics who regularly get on the air!  It’s a lot of fun; listen on iTunes or at sexonkava.com. And write us a review and a 5-star rating on iTunes! (Trying to get better at reminding people to do that.)

I have another podcast, which I co-host with a Presbyterian minister.  It’s called Jesus Christ, That’s Funny! (JCTF for short) and it’s sort of a comedic take on religion, relationships, and the meaning of life.  My co-host, Pastor Dwayne Black, is sort of famous; he was in the news a lot last year, getting arrested for feeding the homeless in Ft Lauderdale. JCTF is probably the most personal media project I’ve ever done; I talk about my moral, spiritual, and relationship problems; sometimes I forget there’s a microphone in front of me and start really revealing my deepest, darkest secrets! Then Pastor Dwayne usually ends up telling me what I need to change to be a better person! Then I make a series of jokes.  I really like working with Pastor Dwayne; He’s (obviously) religious and I’m not, but we end up finding a surprisingly large amount of common ground.  And of course, there’s a lot of irreverent humor but I think that helps us connect with people.  We’ve gotten great feedback from listeners so far.  Listen on iTunes or at jesuschristthatsfunny.podbean.com.

Interview with Ridiculous

Ridiculous was born on April 23, 1988 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where he found the microphone back in 2010. Since then he has performed with comedians/celebrities like Brandon T Jackson, Michael Blackson, Comedian Shawty, Esther Ku, Damon Williams and many more. His style of comedy can be summed up in one word, Ridiculous.

 

Ridiculous

1) What motivated you to start doing stand-up comedy?

I was depressed & I wanted someone to make me laugh. I happened to be the funniest person around.

2) What type of comedians do you enjoy watching (locally and nationally)?

Marvin Dixon; He would make me laugh as a kid. My sister used to work at the Mayfair (Which was close to the Miami Improv); I was 16 I sneaked into the show, met Eddie Griffin & Marvin Dixon. Marvin made me laugh. Jett Wilson is also a comedian that I enjoy watching because he has a lot of confidence in himself and he’s one of the rare comedians that I know that would bet a $1,000 on himself. I also enjoy watching D.L Hughley & Dave Chapelle.

3) What types of food do you enjoy cooking when you have time to eat?

Hennessey Pancakes and breakfast foods.

4) If you could either be any superhero or super villain who would you choose?

Someone who’s hard core bad as the Punisher. He does bad stuff for the right reasons.

5) What do you love most about stand-up comedy?

Ability to connect with strangers & make them laugh by taking my pain and making it funny.

6) What don’t you love about stand-up comedy?

Other comedians. My dreams & expectations are different & just because you can’t make it to the stars doesn’t mean that I can’t make it.

7) If you can be with any person alive or dead; who would it be?

The 8 year old version of me; I would tell myself that everything is going to be ok.

8) What is it about you that makes you awesome?

I don’t back down.

9) What is your advice to New Comics?

Be honest with yourself. If you write a joke for the first time, say it and it doesn’t make you laugh then don’t say it in front of an audience.

10) Why should people check out the Donnell Rawlings & Ridiculous with the Hard Hitters of Comedy show on 08/31?

I am from Ft. Lauderdale. It is in Ft. Lauderdale; No one is going to go harder than me. If they go to this show they’ll be a part of history when they see me make it and it will be the greatest show ever!