THE NEW WORLD OF FUNNY

Mike Binder on August 14, 2022

THE NEW WORLD OF FUNNY

A bold new underground of stand-up stars are changing how the game is played.

By Mike Binder

…Note; This is part of the preface to my new book which is a companion piece to the five part doc series we are working on at Standupworld.com ‘THE NEW WORLD OF FUNNY’…

When I first came back and wandered through the back roads of the stand-up world after an almost twenty year absence to begin working on ‘The Comedy Store’ documentary series, I was completely impressed with the new landscape of talent I witnessed. In fact I was fascinated. At the time back then, in 2016 or so, the podcast world and the lot of the newest stars from it were still sort of unknowns at street level. Joe Rogan himself often could bring up a blank stare when I mentioned names to my friends not in the business or not stand-up centric. Even more important, when I mentioned the new breed to the older group that I would interview, comics from my era of The Comedy Store and the class ahead of me, legends like Jay Leno, David Letterman, Jim Carrey, Michael Keaton, Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Walker, Tom Dreessen, Tim Thomerson, etc, I would get some serious dubious glances.

Back then the Joe Rogan’s and the Chris Delia’s, Joey Diaz’s, Bert Kreischer’s, Tom Segura’s, Christina P’s., Brian Callen’s, Iliza’s, the Neal Brennan’s, Marc Maron’s, Whitney Cummings, the Theo Von’s and even Sebastian Maniscalco were all just lurking below the surface of awareness to mainstream America and the world. At the same moment that they could pack theatres and clubs and download hundreds of thousands of episodes of their work all over the world, most of them could walk down any street or eat in any diner and no one would have any ideal who they were. It became so interesting to watch this underworld of bustling, billowing, bloviating band of podcasters, YouTubers, Instagrammers, self programmers, and of course Netflix stars, build, nurture and entertain their large and energetic audiences.

Theo Von

A NEW ENERGY AND A NEW FREEDOM FUELED PASSION

These comics were finally their own bosses. In fact to me, they weren’t ‘comics’, they were ‘entrepreneurs’, ‘multifaceted performers’ ‘artists’, ‘business people.’ Joe Rogan and his buddy Brian Redban, Whitney Cummings, Tom Segura, Christina P. Mark Maron and his crowd, along with several of the New York comic/podcasters, and Paul F. Tompkins, truly changed the world of stand-up. They were flexing muscles that were never used before by stand-up comedians. Rappers maybe. Rock bands. Modern artists. Some independent filmmakers, but not at this level. Not with this complete creative control combined with an unparalleled technology borne tactile relationship with the fans.

‘ANYONE HERE TONIGHT?’

The best way I can put it is to equate how we used to come to the comedy clubs in my time in the late seventies and early eighties and routinely ask who was in the audience. ‘Anyone here tonight?’ was a regular question at ‘the store’ at that time because talent scouts from all of the networks would regularly drop in or there would be scheduled showcase nights and you wanted to know if someone important was there. Someone that could potentially change your life, or at the very least, move you ahead a few places in the line. Cast you in a sitcom or give you a sitcom deal to develop your own sitcom or at least to do a guest part on a sitcom.

One of the first things that became clear to me when I came back was the comics from this new era never asked that question. They didn’t care. They were their own network bosses. The most successful of them didn’t want a damn sitcom. It was too much time taken away from what they were doing.

Creating. Producing. Broadcasting. Marketing. Touring. Rinse and repeat. It’s grueling, didactic, sometimes monotonous work to make everything look spontaneous, but if you did it, and if you loved it and connected with an audience, it was not only incredibly rewarding, but damn profitable.

‘No thanks. Give your guest shot to someone else. I’ve got a world to create.’

THE NEWER NEW WORLD

Today, a good six years later, the stand-up scene is drastically different in the sense that it’s even more of a wild west of humor. Even further down the road of self-control and self marketing. Self expression taken to a new level. With the networks and streamers pumping out eleven hundred shows a year between them, the competition for eyeballs and ears should be an insurmountable challenge, but it isn’t. There are more comics headlining large concert halls than ever before. Comedy Clubs are packed, tours are sold out, and the views on the Youtube channels and the Instagram and Tik-Tok sites constantly seem to break new records.

Stand-ups like Andrew Schultz, Yamaneika Saunders, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Beth Stelling, Rachel Feinstein, Ari Shaffir, Ian Edwards, Jessica Kirson, Tony Hinchcliffe, Sam Tripoli, Steve Byrne, Nate Bargatze, Rich Vos and his wife Bonnie McFarland, Shane Gillis, Taylor Tomlinson, and so many more are bushwhacking through the backwoods of comedy, and the trails they’re carving out and leading each other along, similar but different trails than those that the Maron’s, Rogan’s, and Cumming’s of the class just ahead of them traversed, are even more exciting to watch and enjoy. Even more independent and fearless. Somehow differently daring, even more expressive, revelatory, and refreshing.

SHANE GILLIS

Shane Gillis is a new guy on my radar who’s typical of the stories we’ll chronicle in the new series and I’ll write about here in the book. I’m a big fan of his work but I also love his recent story for what it tells us about the new world. He’s not only a great comic, but also a stellar sketch comic. A master. Just google Gilly and Keeves. I don’t need to sell. You’re going to love their stuff. It makes SNL’s stuff look like something your dog left in the yard you won’t even pick up with gloves.

He was hired for his brilliance then a bunch of turd-ass liberal white shit-boxes found a bunch of old jokes he did and got a handful of Asians into a lather. Lorne Michaels who has the edge these days of a pocket eraser my Aunt Edna hides in her ass for comfort and for ‘just in case’, buckled under the pressure like a paper plate display at the country fair.

Poor old Lorne. Comedy-wise he can’t hear the dinner bell these days. The only one he hears is a dinner party with rich old celebs and politicians taking turns talking about how much they can change the world. P.S. watching SNL these days is like watching a pony die.

Anyway, Shane got shit-canned. Lorne needed to let him go. (‘Very sadly…)  Even people as varied as Andrew Yang stepped up and said he shouldn’t. Guess who picked him up? The stewards of the new world. Rogan, The Skanks, Bert Kreisher, Whitney, Tim Dillon. Oh, and more important; The fans. It was the best thing that could happened. SNL is like an order of toast that’s been sitting on a counter since a week from Wednesday. Even if you put it in your mouth you’re going to end up spitting it into the sink.

Watch closely. Shane Gillis will be the next huge stand-up. ‘Louis C.K. if there were a lock on his zipper big.’ (Sorry Louis, but low hanging fruit is still fruit. Love you. Shrug.)

More on Shane later in the book…

SHANE GILLIS, MIKE BINDER, ANDREW YANG at COBB’S COMEDY CLUB

PHOTO; @JIMMACCAMBRIDGE

OLD GUY’S P.O.V.

I know this sounds like yesterdays news to a certain generation, but to spend a couple hours on Youtube and wade through the thick with this gang, to watch and listen to their work can be so much more entertaining than any night on any streaming service or network out there. Pick any one of these new comedy craftsman’s podcast and listen religiously for a month and I dare you to not want to do whatever is necessary to see them work live. These new self distributed specials are charged with something you don’t see on HBO MAX or NETFLIX. They smell like canvas. As if the words and the ideas have been worked out in a funky loft studio of each of these comics minds with no input from anyone but the audiences across the country they’ve diligently forged the work off of their laughing faces on. This is one hundred percent artistic expression. Comic abandon. Sold from stand-up, direct to audience, and it feels somehow completely different.

NOT JUST KIDS EITHER

These are not all Millennials or Gen X’s, and Pro-Noun babies either. Listen to Eddie Pepitone’s podcast. Go see his act. Same with Bobby Kelly! Wow. Paul Virzi. Joe Bartnick, and Felicia Michaels. Tom Segura and his wife, or Bonnie McFarland and her husband. These are all adults with real life sturm and drang they’re turning into day to day humor and light in a relatable and addictive fashion that’s funny and them some.

This is world class entertainment. This isn’t garage level low bandwidth production value either. We’re light years away from the days of public access. This group, and the class that invented the world mentioned above have all built out amazing studios and platform for themselves. They produce an amazing amount of content at a level of quality that’s mind-boggling. Go into Andrew Shultz’s world sometime. He’s built himself a several million dollar studio. Lit perfectly with extraordinary sound and graphics. It’s truly impressive. The fucking guy has a clothing line. (Who is he, Jessica Alba?)

Dive into Sam Morrill’s pond. Swim around for two hours. He’s as good of a comic and entertainer as I’ve ever seen. Lanky, sexy, goofy, rude, and bombastic. He’s a killer.

Sam Morril

Watch Joe Lists recent special he put out himself on YouTube, filmed at The Comedy Cellar, with the big, jokey JOE LIST sign behind him. It’s a near perfect set of stand-up.

Jessica Kirson? Listen to her podcast Disgusting Hawk for two weeks and then tell me you don’t need to go see her live. (By the way, if you haven’t you’re missing out.)

There’s so many of them. I’m not even scratching the surface here in this opening statement. Trust me, I’ve left out some head-slapping omissions. How could I not? The field is so damn rich.

Felicia Michaels – The Comedy Store

Yamaneika Saunders

RYAN LONG

THE MAINSTREAM CROWD

Howie Mandel, David Spade, Dana Carvey, Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Bill Maher, Ricky Gervais, Jeremy Piven, Conan O’Brian, not mention the amazing raw and open comic wound that is the hilarious Bobby Lee. (Someone that beautifully straddles both the terrain of the mainstream world and the underground swamplands.) All of these household names have all journeyed into the underworld with the new denizens, all set up shop, rolled up their sleeves and dug in for the hard work of staking their claim in this rare and fresh world. There are no shortcuts either for these big shots. There’s only so much work that can be delegated to assistants, editors, producers and partners. Most of the heavy lifting comes from the heart and the grind, and the only ones that succeed learn that fast, shrug, and head up the hill.

New comics or TV hot-shots all find out in time how hard it is. Yes, it’s rewarding as hell, yes, it makes them better in every way. Better comics, better business folks, better interviewers and maybe even better people somehow. Still, there’s a reason so many acts start down this road and then give it up. It’s seriously not for those allergic to labor. You can’t podcast from a Lazy Boy.

IN THE BOAT TOGETHER

And finally for this section of the preface, let me say the most interesting and watchable aspect for me, is the camaraderie this group has with each other. We had it in the early days when I was at The Comedy Store to an extent and it was great. Before a bad labor dispute and comics blowing up, making it big and others not and the walls all that erected. These stand-ups have a bond that seems stronger. There’s less competition. They almost seem to need each other more. As guests on each other’s podcasts, and as confidants, and fellow travelers. Watching the shows it’s sometimes like one guest star from another show after another. All telling insider comedy and various takes on a crazy world. Is it frat boy funny to a fault sometimes? Yeah. As a guy thirty-eight years sober it’s hard to take sometimes with Rogan and Shutlz and all these guys smoking pot and drinking and being high as hell, so I can see how an ‘other’ looking in would find it oft putting sometimes.

I try to look past what I don’t relate to and look to what I do. I also just want to laugh. I love to laugh. I like seeing people support each other. Comics together, talking shit. I can’t stand these types of podcast where it’s one self involved comic rambling on his couch for an hour, or two people never, hardly ever any guests. Not so subtly telling you why he or they are better than everyone else. Or one loud mouth with a sole simpering sidekick tearing everyone who doesn’t have a mic apart. I don’t get those types. It’s old fashioned radio, that sort of dog shit. It may be popular but it won’t have legs.

I don’t get those types. I like the jocularity. I like the positivity found in Rogan’s support of his friends and theirs in him. I love to hear Dan Soder and The Legion of Skanks guys, Big Jay ,and Louis J. Gomez tear it up. I love Jessica Kirson and all of her pals shitting on the world in a funny ass way. I can always feel the affection she has for her friends, and even for the world in her own loony way.

This whole world is something I have a lot of affection for. It’s so never ending. So varied. So diverse, and not in a P.C. political, let’s pander way. It’s a brand new continent of entertainment, and the one and only rule is, just be funny.

The New World of Funny.

Okay, and here’s a quick laugh to send you off with; CLICK BELOW

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LET’S NEVER FORGET; SAMMY SHORE

Abdul Basit Hashmi on August 9, 2022

Sammy Shore: One of the Most Underrated Comedian to Have Ever Graced the Stage

With over 70 years in the comedy industry, Sammy Shore was a legend. Having opened for everyone from Barbra Streisand, Ann-Margret, Tony Bennett, and even the late great Elvis. Sammy Shore was a seriously funny man. His jokes ranged from his religion to his saggy ass in old age, and even ripping into his famous son, Pauly Shore.  Sammy Shore was a master of comedic timing. Watching Sammy on stage was a true experience as his stand-up comedy matched his physical comedy. Having said every word in the book and having said it with a straight face, nothing stopped Sammy.

Sammy Shore was born in 1932 at the start of the depression, which couldn’t have made life easy. Growing up in New York in a traditional Jewish household led to some of Sammy’s greatest inspirations. Starting in the Catskills mountains in New York, Sammy met his partner in crime, Shecky Greene. The area was well known as the “Borscht Belt” and served as a starting ground for new and rising stand-up comedy stars. There, Sammy started to get a foothold into his well-known comedic timing. He met his first wife, Mitzi, and they had their four children, Pauly Shore, Scott Shore, Peter Shore and Sandy Shore. While visiting Los Angeles with his wife, Mitzi, he had a stroke of luck. He happened to be with a musical group that was going to be on the Bob Crosby Show. There, he happened to be asked to do a few minutes to warm up the live audience and killed it. Network executives asked him to perform on the Jack Benny Show right after the show.  

Moving onwards and upwards into success, Sammy started the well-known “The Comedy Store” in Los Angeles. It wasn’t long before a messy divorce ended with Sammy’s ex-wife taking ownership of the club. Rumor had it that it had been a plot meant to lower the amount of alimony he needed to pay. 

With Mitzi’s passing in 2018 her son Peter took over and has been credited with the revival of The Comedy Store.

Moving from stand-up comedy and away from The Comedy Store led Sammy to the next big step. Movies! Having earned appearances in films like “The Bellboy”, “Fake-Out”, “Thunder Alley”, and “Life Stinks”. Sammy then began to land roles with Mel Brooks in “History of the World: Part I”. Sammy’s IMBd profile is impressive. Mentioning 32 roles and 28 credits for playing himself, watching his career play out over the 70 years is staggering. His IMBd also lists some singing credits – which I’m not even going to mention as they never made the cut anyways.

 

As any good Jewish son, Sammy had to continue to strive to do more; nothing was ever good enough. So, he tried his hand at writing. His debut novel “The man who made Elvis laugh” was well received and started a writing career by giving him another outlet for all of his creativity.  He had been working on his latest novel about the later years of his career.  

Kind of like a treasure hunt; if you want to see Sammy Shore performing his stand-up comedy videos on the internet while there, it is hard to find. But when you see Sammy in action, it is well worth any time you may have spent searching. Watch his face, watch his eyes, follow his jerky motions as he brings you into the routine, even though it’s probably been decades since it was recorded. Sammy has been known to recollect the first time he went on stage before Elvis. Elvis had set up this winding staircase, and as Sammy came down it for the first time for a show, he tripped and fell on stage. The crowd loved it. They thought it was a part of the act. Producers of the show also thought it was a part of the act and praised Sammy for how real it had looked. Sammy recounts that he only did it that first time, never again. 

The career of Sammy Shore will stand the test of time. Not only was he a successful stand-up comedian, but his son Pauly Shore also continues the family legacy. For over 20 years, the two toured together in “A Family Affair” worldwide. Touting a “true father-son duo” was their shtick, and they loved doing it. Sammy also loved putting in a few pot shots at Pauly whenever possible. Pauly doesn’t hold back and, after Sammy’s passing, goes on to tell a story about how his dad wore a headpiece that looked so good that no one ever knew it was fake. He laughs as he says he, his sister, and his dad would go to the park, and Sammy would take off the toupee and toss it around like a frisbee.

 

Not only was Sammy not one to take himself too seriously, but he also had a love of dogs that rivaled Betty White’s. Starting and starring in “Funny Bones,” a charity event in New Orleans yearly to raise funds for dogs in need of surgery. He had often been quoted saying that “he likes dogs better than he likes people”.

From working in TV to movies, writing, and continuing with stand-up, there was no end to the creativity and hilarity of Sammy Shore. As he once said, he “started as a ventriloquist; he’s been in the biz for so long that even his puppet died before him.

  At 92 years old, Sammy Shore passed of natural causes in Las Vegas. A true showman until the end.

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DAVE ATTELL – EVERY COMICS FAVORITE COMIC

Abdul Basit Hashmi on August 6, 2022

DAVE ATTELL

by Standworld staff writer Abdul Basit Hasmi

Dave Attell grew up in the small community of Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York. After he graduated in 1987 with a degree in Communication from New York University, Dave headed for venues that offered stand-up comedian open-mike nights, flunking his very first appearance at Governors Comedy Cabaret in Long Island. Not one to take ‘no’ for an answer, Dave supported himself with mundane day jobs while working as many late night open-mic gigs as possible. He said that the crowd at these late night gigs responded quite well to some of his ‘more–twisted’ material, which suited him just fine.

In 1987 Dave found his way on to the Rosie O’Donnell television show, ‘Stand Up Spotlight’ on VH1, following in the footsteps of other comedians with early appearances on the show. He kept himself busy until he scored his first appearance on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ on November 23, 1993. This appearance provided the 25-year old Dave with the big break that he’d been hoping for.

He was spotted by Lorne Michaels, creator of ‘Saturday Night Live’, who liked what he was seeing, and Dave ended up working as a writer and sometimes performer for the show’s 1993 – 1994 season. What followed was a prolific career as an entertainer on television and in the movies, both as a writer and as a performer. Some of his more notable television appearances as a stand-up comedian and as an actor in the decade before the turn of the century include the ‘HBO Comedy Showcase’ and the ‘Young Comedians Special’ in 1995, the ‘HBO Comedy Half-Hour’ in 1996, ‘Live at Jongleurs’ in 1997, ‘Mr. Vegas All-Night Party starring Drew Carey’ in 1997. He also participated in the ‘NY Friars Club Roast of Drew Carey’ in 1998. 

Finally, after twenty-three years of working his fingers to the funny bone, Dave Attell had the opportunity to air his own television series. He grabbed it with both hands, and ‘Late Night Insomniac with Dave Attell’ crashed onto the scene, premiering in August 2001 on the Comedy Central Network. The half-hour episode featured Dave traveling late at night to a bunch of different cities, doing a gig at a local comedy club and stopping at nearby restaurants to meet other night shift employees. His laid-back habit of cracking jokes and taking pics with bystanders helped turn the show into a major hit with viewers, and the show ran until November 2004. It included the filming of a set of special hour-long shows in Brazil, England, Germany and Japan. Dave continued appearing in movies and on television shows, including a very brief stint hosting ‘The Gong Show with Dave Attell’. Unfortunately, the show washed out, lasting only eight episodes.

Dave Attell has been on a number of very successful national stand-up comedy tours. The first was in 2003 together with Lewis Black on the, ‘Comedy Central Live Starring Dave Attell and Lewis Black’. In 2005, in collaboration with Clear Channel Music and Comedy Central, Dave Attell took his signature show on the road. The ‘Comedy Central Live Presents Dave Attell: The Insomniac Tour’ launched on April 20, 2005 at the Nashville War Memorial Auditorium. The tour visited venues in more than thirty-five cities across the country, ending is Las Vegas on July 3, 2005. He also took part in a USO tour in 2009, taking stand-up comedy to American troops stationed in Afghanistan, and has continued to regularly participate in USO tours. 2011 saw Dave get together with Bill Burr, Jim Breuer and Jim Norton on the ‘Anti-Social Network Tour’. The tour was so successful that they did a rinse repeat in 2012. In 2014, he did another tour special, ‘Road Work’, filming his appearances in comedy clubs in Massachusetts, Minneapolis, New Jersey, New Orleans and Philadelphia.

He has been part of the tagalong group of stand-up comedians on other tours, too. Judd Apatow decided to throw a seven-city ‘Trainwreck Comedy Tour’ in 2015, and invited Dave Attell, Amy Schumer, Mike Birbiglia, Vanessa Bayer, and Colin Quinn. More recently, he’s been sharing the stage with Jeff Ross on the ‘Bumping Mic’s’ tour in 2021, taking their popular Netflix show on the road.

Dave has a bunch of tour shows lined up for 2022, details of which are available on the ConcertPass. Indeed, it’s almost impossible to pinpoint an instance when this busy, busy, busy comedian isn’t working on a comedy gig somewhere, or on a television show or acting in a movie.

With his impressive experience and stand-up comedy skill set, it is surprising to discover that Dave Attell does not have his own podcast show. He’s frequently appeared as a guest on a number of podcasts, though, all of which are available on Spotify as well as several other download options. Loads of his other shows are available for streaming on Netflix, so there is no reason at all to miss out on your laughs. His album ‘Dave Attell’s The Insomniac Tour: Uncensored’ is available on DVD from Amazon, it’s a must have for true stand-up fans!

Also, here’s Jeff Ross talking about Dave on Your Mom’s House about Mike Binder’s favorite comedy act, ‘Bumping Mics’.

Also, make sure you get out and see Dave live. It’s a true treat. There’s a reason he’s pretty much every comedian you love favorite comic.

Dave Attell tour dates.

http://daveattell.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/daveattell/

Twitter

@attell

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Damon Wayans at Tommy T’s in Pleasanton, Ca.

Mike Binder on August 4, 2022

I got to go on before my buddy Damon Wayans up in Pleasanton, Ca this weekend. He sold out every single show and then some. He’s so strong as a stand-up. He’s in rare air. I’ve seen very few people kill at that level. Every show. Dealing with life and race and current events in such a unique way. It was a master class in stand-up. I know the audience felt it too. We’ve been friends for so many years, we made Blankman together, (which put me in movie jail for almost four years.) and started at The Comedy Store years before that, but I’ve never seen him as strong and unique as he is now on stage.

It’s so great to see someone you’ve known so long just keep on growing as an artist. Taking the craft so seriously.

I had a good time on stage once again. I really do love being back doing stand-up. Especially working with good friends, and a legend to boot.

This is a piece from Damon’s 1990 HBO special. The Last Stand, just to remind you of the old days.

This is from another great earlier special. What he’s doing now is light years away, but there’s nothing of the new stuff. What he needs to do is a Netflix Special (Hint, hint)

All of the old stuff pales in comparison to what he’s doing now.

 

Also, here’s a clip from MY Saturday night set. I still got a lot of work to do, but it’s fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RroQ9dtiJY

Go see Damon live. He’s playing all over the place. You’ll laugh your ass off.

 

Damon Wayans – Instagram (For tour info)

https://www.instagram.com/damonkwayans/

YAMANEIKA SAUNDERS – A LEGEND WARMS UP IN THE WINGS

Pamela Medley on July 25, 2022

Yamaneika Saunders is the quintessential comedienne for our time. She’s sharp, quick-witted, versatile… and of course, hilarious! Her brutally honest anecdotes and surprisingly candid delivery will have you rolling in the aisles asking the dreaded question, “Did she really go there?” In a review by Avalon UK, she is described as ‘one of the most talented, unique, and multifarious multi-hyphenate artists.’  No wonder too as the list of talents on her repertoire is as long as the trek from Cape to Cairo!  

You may recognize her as the panelist on the Meredith Viera Show or as the correspondent from the Jimmy Fallon Show, but she is a truly a classic Renaissance Comic. Her talents extend far and wide over the entertainment sector and include acting, writing, hosting and even voice-acting. As a stand-up comedienne, her humor is relatable and fitting; touching on topics as sensitive and relevant as race, family responsibility and gender roles.

She often takes the audience on a journey with her captivating storytelling and comedic timing. Her material is blunt, open and direct interwoven with a self-deprecation that is both charming and refreshing! Although her gift for the funny is unquestionable, her journey to the stars has been long, arduous and winding and is a true testament to her boldness and courage. 

Born Yamaneika Torae Saunders in Aberdeen, Maryland USA, she attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and moved to New York in pursuit of her dreams at the tender age of 21. She has cited her mother as her inspirational campaigner; a role model who raised and encouraged her to follow her dreams. Her first official win was working with Gladys Simone in the Comedy Room and the rest, as they say is history!

You may have seen her perform at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, or caught up with her on the NBC’s hit show Last Comic Standing in 2014, where she finished strong as a semi-finalist. Included in her portfolio are bouts of collaboration alongside other multi-talented stars such as Caroline Rhea and Amy Schumar.  However, if you’re prone to derive your comedy fix from audio platforms, then you may know her voice as the therapist in Flatbush Misdemeanors. Also critically acclaimed in that category is her provocative, relatable and funny weekly podcast Rantin’ and Ravin.’

She’s incredibly prolific. She has done a half hour special on Comedy Central and has also been featured in TruTV’s Comedy Knockout. Oh.. And she also does a web series with Kandi Buruss called Kandi Koated Nights, where she hilariously spills all the tea about love, sex, relationships and other “taboo” topics. If you’re a reality TV fan, a personal favorite will be her feature in 2015 on Oxygen’s Funny Girls, where she plays a lead role in this work of art that analyses the behind-the-scenes lives of female comedians.

In her appearances on TV Shows it is evident that she has a beautiful way with audiences across the divide from every walk of life. She’s made an appearance on The Jim Gaffigan Show as well as The Nightly with Larry Wilmore. Her versatility also has even seen her featured on the animated online series In Security. As if that’s all she does! Already mentioned she’s a writer? A darn good one. If you love the Eric Andre Show and That damn Michael Che, then chances are that you’ve already had a sumptuous taste of her humor in writing as she is one of the staff writers on both shows!

 Despite all the “meanderings” her true home is the stand-up comedy stage. If you sit in the audience at one of her shows, you’ll be confronted with an active outspoken and alluring comedienne. To your excitement (or dismay!) you‘ll notice that nothing is off limits- absolutely nothing! Expect a candid conversation about taking her wheelchair-ridden grandfather to the bathroom or about hating the fact that she has to attend her best friend’s wedding! Think that’s bad? Wait till you hear the public service announcement that she is on her periods! Her spunk and confidently appealing attitude has remarkable parallels to Tiffany Haddish, yet her uncensored honesty and refusal to be politically correct echo the sweet sentiments of Dave Chapelle- is this greatness in the making?

Some interesting fun facts to tickle your fancy. Many people are not aware that at some point, a career in the clergy was on the table for discussion and debate with her grandparents both being chapel priests. Her birthday in early November (3rd) makes her a Scorpio. Traits associated with this Sun sign include fearlessness, fierce loyalty, passion, creativity and even unending energy. This we certainly know to be true!

Many people are not aware that at some point in her career, she was booed off the stage at the Apollo. According to her own testimony, people booed her even as she climbed into her car to travel home! This is evidence of her true courage and fighting spirit, as she is now bookmarked as one of the top-rising comediennes of our time. If you visit any of her shows and performances, you’ll notice the crowd doing a lot of things: Rolling on the floor laughing or cocking heads back in delirious merriment. You may see them nudging one another with glee or leaning expectantly forward in anticipation of her next outrageous words. Booing is certainly one thing you will not hear!  If anything, Yem’s resilient spirit and effortless ability to laugh at herself inspires us to contemplate the words of the great Christopher Fry: “Comedy is an escape, not from truth but from despair; a narrow escape into faith.” And who doesn’t need a little bit of that?

Yameneika IMDB

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3347186/

https://www.instagram.com/yamaneika/

Most important, go see her live!

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COBB’S COMEDY CLUB – SAN FRANCISCO

Mike Binder on July 24, 2022

 

Man did I have fun jumping up this weekend at Cobb’s. I hadn’t played the legendary club in years. Shane Gillis was good enough to let me go up and do some guest sets during his sold out run while I get my stage legs back. I had such a great time. I love San Francisco audiences and there’s something magical about that room.

Shane is so great to watch. Truly one of my favorites comics right now. He just seriously sold the place out, six shows, not a seat to be had. A budding master monologist in the realm of Louis C.K. or even Bill Burr. He’s really special.

I’m sure I’ll write more about him up the road. A lot more. But really this post is about me. Myself and Cobb’s. (Fuck Shane.)

Oh, I will say, Andrew Yang came in. He and Shane are pals. That was fun to hang with him. And he brought Shane up second show and was pretty damn good on stage. Has something close to Obama level comic timing, which is high praise. Apparently they met when Shane was in SNL hot water over some old Asian jokes he had made and Andrew publicly came out in Shane’s support. I love that!

Jim MacCambridge the house photog for Cobb’s and the Punchline took all these pics and a portrait sitting in the basement. I really had a fantastic time. Love that club. Thanks to Shane and Jim, and Cobb’s. If you’re up there, or live there, support that room. It’s epic.

https://www.instagram.com/jimmccambridge/

 

COBB’S BOX OFFICE FOR TICKETS

JIM MACCAMBRIDGE

https://www.instagram.com/jimmccambridge/

https://jimmccambridge.com/

SHANE GILLIS TOUR DATES

https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=OCWG01&PC=ATCO&PTAG=ATCOS2J3CNA3&q=shane%20gillis%20tour%20dates

SHANE GILLIS INSTAGRAM

ANDREW YANG INSTAGRAM

And much more important by a country mile;

MIKE BINDER’S INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/themikebinder/

Thanks a lot, SHANE AND COBB’s really appreciate the help.

 

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Thanks! Love, Mike

 

ORNY ADAMS

Mike Binder on July 22, 2022

To me Orny Adams is a great modern show business story. Most people know him from the legendary documentary ‘Comedian’, that Jerry Seinfeld did. He was set up by Jerry to be the up and coming version of Jerry himself, but for some reason, through the force of Orny’s personality at the time, or choice editing, whatever happened, he didn’t come off all that great and the years washed over him. As historic as it was, the documentary made him ‘that guy’, and he ended up stranded on some version of stand-up hell for a long time. (By the way, I could be wrong, I don’t know, this is just my sense of it.) Whatever happened, either he wasn’t protected in the edit in anyway, or he didn’t know enough to not push as hard as he came off pushing.

‘COMEDIAN’ ON NETFLIX

https://www.netflix.com/title/60024976

The point is, he’s been forced to pay his dues. And he’s paid in full. As Orny has said in the press, his struggle made him so much stronger. He’s a balls to the wall funny as hell stand-up. A truly polished veteran. Someone that I love the depths he goes to take his art seriously. He’s a stand-up warrior in the finest sense. Orny, from what I have seen, hasn’t the least bit of fear to do whatever is necessary to make a room laugh it’s collective ass off.

Very soon I’m going to be doing interviews on my substack with comics and I know that Orny is going to be one of the first comics I’m going to try and talk into having on because I just think his whole vibe, from his work ethic to his sense of pride about his craft and the finished product he represents appeals to me. I’m done with mealy mouth humble bumble fucks that don’t want to admit that they  want and hope to destroy every single time they get up on stage. That a comic tries too hard. The goal is to make people laugh, really fiercely. To shock, surprise, convince, and cajole them into fits of convulsive laughter. Laughter is as healthy or more, than other activity we all do every day. Including fucking. That may be because I’m at the age I don’t do that much fucking these days, but it is true.

Comedians that give it up with no holds barred are being of service. Orny Adams gives it up. Loves to give it up. Is he super dirty? Not really. Does he push a lot of buttons? Yes. He does. He’s a rascal. A stand-up rascal. He roams the stage with weird, wild, energy asking crazy questions about the way we all live from a position and with a patter that can sometimes seem hackneyed at first glance. Almost like you’ve seen it before. Because you have. He’s doing you if you were a stand-up. He’s complaining, and labeling and libeling everyone he doesn’t like. With wild hair and big eyes he’s the town crier for everything that’s gone out of whack. The only thing he’s missing is a big bell to clang. I find the guy entertaining as hell. Check out his three specials, and his instagram stuff, and also look over his tour schedule and if he’s coming close check him out. If you hate his act, email me at Mike@standupworld.com with a copy of your tix and I’ll refund your money. That’s how sure I am you’re going to have fun. And laugh. Hard. Which will keep you healthy. Get out there and laugh.

https://www.tiktok.com/@ornyadams

DAVE COULIER; A PROFILE

Mike Binder on July 20, 2022

Dave Coulier stars in a great new show called Live+Local. The former Full House star has another hit on his hands. His new show Live+Local is a perfect vehicle for Dave. A warm, weathered, guy, who can’t help but say the wrong thing at the right time which is only exasperated by the fact that he usually has a microphone in front of his face. It’s a great show and a fun little vehicle for Dave a sharp group of comic actors. You only have to watch one episode to not only see all the work and the episodes acting on Full and Fuller House have brought to his tool kit, but also the confidence and ‘set-sense’ he’s gotten from directing episodes of Fuller House.

Full Dis-‘bro-sure’ Dave is one of my best friends in the whole world. I love him so so much. He was the best man at my wedding, he is my daughter’s Godfather, was my roommate for seven years and the person I have laughed the hardest and the most with in the whole world.

Dave and I as kids in a 1985 HBO Special I did called, THE DETROIT COMEDY JAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvyUGODhNnQ

Everyone on the planet knows Dave as ‘Uncle Joey’, a lot of folks know him as a seasoned stand-up comic, but some may not. I met Dave at the very, very start of his career when he opened for me at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle and blew the door off of the room to the point I could hardly follow him. He was fantastic. He’s truly one of the most naturally likable performers on stage I’ve ever seen.

 

If you want to have some fun, watch some pieces of Dave’s very first show OUT OF CONTROL. A spoof on talk shows on Nickelodeon that was really ahead of it’s time. And super fun. I remember people loved it. He shot it in this tiny little studio in a strip mall out in the valley. A place that could just as easily been shooting porn rather than a kids talk comedy show. (Out of Birth Control.) Sorry.

I can’t believe how many people over the years have told me how much they loved Out of Control. It had a Second City vibe to it and Dave was a natural.

Not a lot of people know this, but he was also in a Cheech and Chong flick

Here’s ‘Cooler’ doing some stand-up.

Check out Dave’s new show LOCAL-LIVE on PUREFLIX

https://www.pureflix.com/movie/live-and-local?_ga=2.141802807.445338660.1658361260-862945471.1658361260. 

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Thanks,

Mike

JEREMY PIVEN- A PROFILE

Mike Binder on July 16, 2022

I got to see Jeremy Piven at the Irvine Improv last night. Although I’ve always been a fan, and no doubt Ari Gold is a serious piece of American television history for kingdom come, I didn’t really expect much out of him as a stand-up. Over the years at The Comedy Store, I have seen at least three dozen people who were actors on a hit sitcom or well known for this and for that come in and get up and try to make magic happen in the form of an act that could maybe make them a bucket full of dough on the side.

It never ever happens.

For one thing, just because you’re a good actor doesn’t mean you have the chops, guts, brains, balls, or foolishness to make it in stand-up. It’s like Michael Jordan playing baseball. Yeah, ….but, no. The other thing, and maybe more important, is they realize very quickly, not only how hard it is, but how long it will take to get good. Invariably, over the years, they all came and went. Either they didn’t intrinsically have it, or they turned and ran after they realize the dedication it takes to be even a ‘good’ stand-up.

Jeremy Piven is a great stand-up.

That really blows my mind to write that. I would have bet against it. I thought he’d be, okay, tell some funny celeb stories, and get over. Fine. I was dead wrong. (As usual.) First off, he’s put the time in. He’s worked it. Banged it out in nightclub dates for a good four years. Done the time. Note; Comics reading this will think, no way. Four years isn’t enough time to be great. Agree. It probably takes more like ten to twelve years. It wouldn’t happen in four for most of you, or myself. Even if the core talent was off the charts. This guy is different though. He’s been on stage since like nine years old. He’s been doing comedy and telling stories forever. He’s trained, seasoned, and has been blessed with so many long marianating performing skills, that he’s been able to easily cut the line to the head of the class.

Authenticity-

There’s more to it though. If you’ve read enough of my essays you know that I’ve come to believe that the number one thing that makes the great great and the not so great, not so great but good, is authenticity. That sense that’s sure and solid in the mind of an audience that the person onstage doing an act, may well be doing an act, but offstage he’s exactly the person we’re watching onstage. There’s no artifice to their comedic personality. That’s them up there, one hundred percent. That’s who they are, what they think, what they believe. There’s a sincere bond that gives audiences a reason to really love a stand-up, and I have to say, Jeremy is, or feels, (since I don’t really know him.) hyper authentic. You’re seeing him up there, exactly as he is. Hook, Line, and sinker. 

He’s exactly what you’d expect, and more because, again, he brings all of his tools from all of the years up there with him. At the same time he’s readily bearing himself, showing his craziness, sharing his bitterness, and his ego-driven insanity. You know damn well that that’s who he is, the guy up there. There’s no air being put on. He’s telling stories and doing routines, breaking into perfectly pitched characters, and not so much impressions, but renditions on people he’s met. Mike Tyson done in a way only a razor-sharp comic actor can do him. Not what you see from a Rich Little or even younger performers doing celebrity Mike Tyson. There’s something about his innate acting talent that seems to be perfect for stand-up comedy. It sure seemed perfect to the two sold-out crowds last night. I’ve seen very few people make a room laugh that hard as I saw him do twice last night.

Having fun being onstage.

There’s the other secret. You have to succumb to the hard work, you have to be absolutely, undeniably yourself up there, but just as important, you have to love being on stage. It has to be a warm bath for you. That seems to be the easiest bell for Jeremy to ring. It so apparent that he adores being up there making folks laugh. Getting laughs. He’s taking it in, lapping up the laughs and the love like a beagle in a warm soapy bathtub. He’s happy up there, and that makes the act a lot of fun to watch. It’s not a one-way deal either, as much as he loves to be on stage, as much as the crowds that come in and line up afterward to have their photo taken with him love him, Jeremy loves his audience too. His roots are thick. The midwestern penchant to see people as for the most part, pretty damn great is right there in his aura. Baked into his DNA.

This isn’t always what I see and feel by the way from a lot of other stand-ups. I often sense, even some of the stand-ups I work with who have become mega-stars, arena acts, truly do not like the cut of the jib of the people that pay to see them. May even detest them. It isn’t this way here. This Chicago fuck likes his crowd. They feel it. That’s the final ingredient that I think makes him so good.

Go see this guy in a club, soon. You’ll be as surprised as I was, maybe even more.

Thanks,

Mike

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