John Heffron is Michigan born and bred. You listen to ten minutes of his new special ‘Sunday Night in DC’ or any of his CD’s including, ‘Kid with a Cape’ ‘Good Kid, Bad Adult, ‘The Better Half’ or his DVD ‘Middle Class funny and the guy from the mitten state shines through along with his unique personality. Funny, friendly, gentle, and warm, if not maybe a bit confused, befuddled, and bewildered by life.
It’s strong stuff in the vein of Nate Bargatze, and Greg Warren. A younger version of Tim Allen. His newest special is ‘Sunday Night in DC’ which I thought was really funny, and very spontaneous. Truly a comedy club set. It’s on 800 pound Gorilla, a You Tube channel that puts out some of the best new stuff lately. He’s in good company there.
Heffron’s early career in comedy began during his time at the Eastern university of Michigan, and then in Ann Arbor at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, also in Detroit at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle. His ability to connect with young audiences and make them laugh earned him a reputation as one of the funniest comedians on the club and the college circuit.
After gaining popularity on the college circuit, John took his stand up career to the next level by performing on NBC’s Last Comic Standing eventually winning the second season of the show. His victory on Last Comic Standing launched him into the national spotlight and opened up a lot of new opportunities.
Touring and Performances
John has performed at comedy clubs and theaters across the United States. His relatable comedy style and ability to connect with people from all walks of life have made him a favorite for corporate events and fundraisers. He’s headlined shows and engagements with Fortune 50 companies and is always booked somewhere. It’s pretty great. He’s carved out quite a niche for himself, and he’s just getting better and better.
What I love though is that as a Midwest stand-up comedian, John has a unique ability to really capture the spirit of the region through his comedy. As I said, like a young Tim Allen, John’s ability to find humor in everyday situations and his knack for storytelling have helped solidify his reputation as one of the funniest and most relatable comedians in the industry.
STANDUPWORLD PODCAST
He’s on Episode #45 of the podcast this week. Up now. On Standupworld.com, X, here on the Substack and Apple and all over the place. Enjoy!
New Episode of STANDUPWORLD W/ @JohnHeffron Enjoy! He's the real deal. And, if you're in Detroit this weekend he's at @thecomedycastle pic.twitter.com/q9aqtMgpaF
Maybe, maybe not. Yet Stanhope is a renowned stand-up comedian who has been performing for over 20 years and has built a reputation for being one of the best in the industry. Known for his sharp, unfiltered style, Doug’s career began in the Boston and New York stand-up comedy scene, where he quickly made a name for himself with his unique approach and comedic timing.
Growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, Stanhope discovered his passion for comedy at a young age.Inspired by the likes of George Carlin and Richard Pryor, he began performing at local open mic nights while still in his teens. Stanhope’s early performances were raw and unpolished, but he quickly developed a loyal following with dark and edgy humor.
Comedy Style and Influences
Stanhope’s comedic style is conversational and improvisational, often coming up with ideas on stage and riffing off of them. He incorporates social commentary into his performances, using his platform to passionately rant and scream about things that bother him. Stanhope’s comedic style is heavily influenced by alcohol, often performing with a drink in hand.
One of the defining aspects of Stanhope’s comedy is his ability to take controversial topics and make them hilarious. He fearlessly delves into subjects such as politics, religion, and social issues, challenging societal norms and pushing boundaries. Stanhope’s influences extend beyond stand-up comedy, drawing inspiration from the works of writers like Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Bukowski. Like those literary heroes, he embraces a no-holds-barred approach unafraid to express his opinions, no matter how provocative they may be.
Controversial Topics and Unfiltered Comedy
Stanhope is known for his fearlessness in tackling controversial topics, not holding back in his comedy. His comedy covers a wide range of subjects, including mental illness, corruption in journalism, and social issues [2]. Stanhope’s willingness to address taboo subjects and push boundaries contributes to his reputation as a brutally honest and self-deprecating comedian.
In one of his most famous routines, Stanhope takes on the issue of mental illness, using his own struggles with depression and anxiety as material. By sharing his personal experiences in a humorous and relatable way, he helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health and encourages open conversations about the topic.
Collaborations and Notable Projects
Doug Stanhope collaborated with Johnny Depp as an executive producer for his hour-long special titled “No Place Like Home” on Seeso. Seeso, a streaming platform, has featured popular comedians such as Matt Besser, Rory Scovel, and Cameron Esposito in their stand-up specials. Stanhope’s special “No Place Like Home” explores poverty in America, mental illness, and the corruption of journalism, demonstrating his commitment to thought-provoking comedy.
Stanhope’s collaboration with Johnny Depp not only showcased his comedic talent but also introduced him to a wider audience. The special received critical acclaim for its unfiltered and thought-provoking content, solidifying Stanhope’s reputation as a fearless and boundary-pushing comedian. His ability to address social issues with humor and wit sets him apart from other comedians and makes his collaborations and projects stand out.
“This is Not Fame” Audiobook and Memoir
Stanhope released an audiobook version of his memoir, titled “This is Not Fame,” which offers unfiltered and hilarious tales from his experiences in the comedy circuit. The audiobook, over 11 hours long, includes bonus content and conversations with guests, providing a comprehensive and entertaining experience. “This is Not Fame” showcases Stanhope’s brash, self-righteous, and always funny voice, capturing his unique perspective on life and comedy.
In “This is Not Fame,” Stanhope shares intimate stories from his life, including the highs and lows of his career, his struggles with addiction, and his unconventional lifestyle. The audiobook format adds an extra layer of immersion, as listeners can hear Stanhope’s delivery and comedic timing firsthand. With his trademark blend of humor and honesty, Stanhope offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of stand-up comedy and the unconventional life of a comedian.
Legacy
Doug Stanhope has cultivated a cult following and is considered a cult hero in the comedy world. His ability to turn tragedy into comedy and his celebration of a life of excess and reckless buffoonery have made a lasting impact. Stanhope’s uncompromising approach to comedy challenges societal norms and encourages authenticity, making him a significant influence on emerging comedians.
Stanhope’s legacy lies not only in his unique comedic style but also in his fearlessness in addressing taboo topics and pushing boundaries. He has paved the way for other comedians to tackle controversial subjects and has inspired a new generation of performers to embrace their authentic voices. His influence can be seen in the work of comedians who strive to challenge the status quo and use comedy as a tool for social commentary.
Impact
Doug Stanhope’s caustic and hilarious style has solidified his place as one of the top stand-up comedians of his generation. From his early career to his collaborations and thought-provoking specials, Stanhope continues to push boundaries and captivate audiences. With his audiobook memoir “This is Not Fame,” he offers an intimate and unfiltered glimpse into his comedic journey. Doug Stanhope’s legacy and impact extend beyond his stand-up performances, leaving an indelible mark on the comedy world. His fearlessness in addressing controversial topics and his unwavering commitment to authenticity have made him a true icon in the comedy industry.
Visit Doug’s website for interest, mailing list, to make a mind boggling donation, or to sign up for his Patreon, which we at Standupworld happen to love.
Thanks
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This is an excerpt from SUW Episode #44 with Katherine Blanford discussing a story that Rich Chassler told a bunch of us in front of the Improv a few weeks ago.
I happen to really love Brad Upton’s story. I’ve done stuff on him on here before. In a nutshell, he’d been working for many years, opening for Joan Rivers and Johnny Mathis and a slew of other stars. He was a High School teacher and a track coach in Seattle and in 1984 he went up at a local club and auditioned and just jumped in the lake and started swimming. Cut to years and years later, he puts up a special on a You Tube channel called Dry Bar Comedy and over night it lights up You Tube like a Xmas tree. Millions of views overnight.
He’s now had a couple hundred million downloads and he plays and sells out theatres and clubs all over the world.
The truth is he’s just a damn funny comedian and he was going to find his audience somehow, someday, someway anyhow. In another era he’d be doing ten Tonight Shows a year with Carson. He’s the Number one guy on Dry Bar which is all clean comedy and yeah, he’s clean, but that’s just part of it. He’s got a great ear for making fun of everyday life which is something when done well, always works. You also get the feeling he’s a happy guy. Content and grounded up on stage. Grateful to be up there. There’s something really fresh about Brad that I really like. Check out the interview, then maybe check him out on Dry Bar, and then go see him live.
STANDUPWORLD w/ MIKEBINDER Ep. #44 BRAD UPTON A truly funny stand up comic. A pro and a great example of the craft. I really love this guy's work. Listen to the episode. If you're a fan it's a great one for you, if you're not, you'll like it even more. @braduptoncomedy pic.twitter.com/MYgaBwvpyc
Joe Bartnick and Greg Warren have both come out with specials recently. Two journeymen comics, long haulers, who’ve paid their dues, each wildly unique American stand ups from different angles, both on separate major comedians labels as it were, Nate Bargatze’s Nateland, and Burr’s All Things Comedy. It’s as if, going back a beat, Mitch Ryder and Steve Forbert had breakout albums out back to back produced by Bob Seger and Morgan Waller. Either way, no matter who’s behind these hours, they’re both excellent. Each of them underlining and spotlighting two distinct voices and styles. Two perfect examples of what everyone means when we constantly throw out that tired but true line about it taking twenty years to become great as a stand up.
BARTNICK
Bartnick is wrapped around an opening and closing credit sequence positing Joe as the star of a 70’s or 80’s style network television series ala Mannix or Magnum PI. It’s pretty great and Ben Tishler, the director of the special, wisely just teases the send up with a small taste at the open. The majority of what you see of it is in the closing credits which is smart, because one, it gets the train out of the station, and two, Burr flat out steals the thing with his bartender bit the way Tom Cruise stole Tropic Thunder with very little screen time, which would not be a good way to open the special. That being said, it’s all gold, Joe is fantastic, and after the hour of stand up he’s just laid out he’s not in any danger of letting someone else shine. (By the way, someone needs to give Bartnick the show, ‘Bartnick’.)
A KILLING IN CHICAGO
Not sure why Joe shot this in Chicago? I think he just likes the Dean theatre. It looks great on film though. Everything about this one came together. Bartnick’s stand up is so tight here. It’s very hard not to watch it all in one sitting. This is just Joe in his zone. A Pittsburgh bred Cicalone, as we used to call them in Detroit. Non-stop comedy, telling you his side of the story of the world as he sees it. He doesn’t really care if it’s polite or not, it was when he grew up, and it is when he’s with his compagno’s which he assumes we all are.
‘First time my wife me made me lasagna it had orange chunks in it. I was oh this fucking broad put American cheese in my Lasagna. I got to call my Nonna and get an annulment.
She was like ‘no, you moron that’s squash’
I’m like, ‘gay Raquetball?’
My wife uses chopsticks at home. Who are you impressing? When you’re home alone do you do the taxes with an abacus?
He’s truly himself onstage too. I have to say this. I know Joe. I’ve hung with him and smoked cigars and had a lot of laughs and there’s no difference between Joe onstage and Joe just hanging out. He’s just I-talian and a guy, and a jock, and funny as hell. The stuff he does about his daughter playing basketball is great, but the stuff about her taking ballet is pure Joe.
She does ballet. It’s awful. All the mothers hate me because I call the bar a pole.
To me, he’s Sebastian’s brother in law that’s not allowed over to the house anymore and Sebastian isn’t allowed to tell the reason why he’s been banned, but Sebastian texts you later that he’ll call you on the drive home and tell you and you’ll bust a gut.
Watch the special. It’s up on You Tube on Burr’s All Things Comedy channel. It’s already killing it and it’s only out a few days. I promise you you’ll laugh. Hard. If you don’t, you just had a shitty childhood or something.
Also, check out his podcast with the legendary Frazier Smith
‘The Salesman’ is a one of a kind, and so special. It’s been put out by Nateland and 800 Pound Gorilla Media and directed by Nate Bargatze. There’s so much about this hour that begs you to watch it. Greg, like Joe Bartnick, is honed and seasoned and so wizened to the ways of the stand up stage that you feel it in the very first seconds of the show. He and Nate smartly give this no opening, maybe for that reason, maybe not, but it does help underline his sense of belonging onstage, as if he was the veteran salesman who’s just rang your bell. You’ve opened the door to find a simple smirk and a surety in his stance that says he’s got the goods in his briefcase and there’s no chance he won’t close the sale he’s come to make.
Greg, a St. Louis raised guy, has been doing stand up for a couple decades for sure. He’s definitely paid his dues. This may be his third special, something like that, but it’s his best, like Joe’s, his bell ringer. Yet unlike Joe’s, which is Joe being Joe, and non-stop funny, an hour or so of classic stand up comedy, this is a concept piece. It’s a masterpiece. It’s a thesis. A lecture. A Ted Talk. It’s a drilled down, dynamite discourse, on the nature of Peanut Butter in America. How it’s sold, marketed, and consumed, by a man that was, before he was a comedian, a peanut butter salesman. For Procter and Gamble.
It’s hysterical. You can not believe how funny it is as you’re learning one scoop after the next about peanut butter. It’s a magic trick is what it is. It just keeps going too. It’s not completely the entire hour, there are some other aspects to his routine here, but the lion share of this is about peanut butter. It’s hard to believe a man can be this funny for this long on the subject of peanut butter, but Greg Warren pulls it off. That’s what twenty years gets you up there in the midwest. Up there in St. Louis. That kind of comic precision. This guy has it. He works the crowd, giving them all kinds of grief about their peanut butter choices. He gives us inside baseball business stories about peanut butter that we never even knew we wanted to know. (The special was shot in Lexington Kentucky the home of Proctor and Gamble.)
‘Now, the company I worked for Procter and Gamble sold the peanut butter that I used to sell, Jiff, to a company called Smuckers, which as you probably know, owns Jelly. So now Smuckers owns peanut butter and jelly. If these guys ever get ahold of bread, that’s a real monopoly. I think Washington may have to step in in that case.’
And stories about the launch of new kinds of peanut butter.
‘I was there when the company wanted to launch a new version of Jiff. Low salt peanut butter, targeted towards diabetics. I wanted to call it ‘Type 2 peanut goo”
It really goes on and on, and I don’t do it any justice quoting it. It’s all in his delivery which is wonderful. He’s clean as can be, calm, steady, in control at all times. He reminds me of a modern day Bob Newhart. He really is something to see. I love this special so much. Check it out.
By the way, he’s the guest next week on my podcast. Standupworld. Give it a watch/listen if you can.
Also watch him on Nateland where he’s a regular.
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Anyone who reads this blog, (or whatever this thing is) regularly, knows how special I think Shane Gillis is. He consistently makes me laugh out loud. My buddy, Dan Soder, summed it up best when we were discussing Shane; he referred to him as a ‘once-in-a-generation talent.’ That’s undeniably true, especially considering the competition in his generation. He’s working alongside an incredibly talented group of stand-ups, with Soder among them. The likes of Big Jay Oakerson, Andrew Schultz, Joe List, Tony Hinchcliffe, Jessica Kirson, Mark Normand, Luis J. Gomez, Theo Von, Annie Lederman, Andrew Santino, Yamaneika, Sam Morril, Will Noonan, Erica Rhodes, Dave Smith, and the list goes on and on. The fact that he’s risen to prominence so quickly and distinctly begs the question: why? What is it about this big guy in a loose-fitting T-shirt who’s perpetually beer-dizzy that makes him so extraordinary?
He’s not just funny; he possesses something invaluable for a comedian – an ability to court controversy and rile people up while being a pretty damn good guy.
“THIS GUY IS SO FUNNY, HE GOT CANCELLED AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS CAREER”
Dave Chappelle said it best. ” Shane Gillis is so funny that he got cancelled at the beginning of his career.” That’s a fact. It’s what happened, and it’s a perfect story. One for us all to hold tight to, because getting fired by SNL was the best thing that ever happened to him, even though at the time, it seemed like he was done. Yes, he was radioactive for a beat, but he was a prodigious talent, at that there was no doubt. That’s why they hired him. That’s also what the next few years revealed as he went on to star in, write, and co- conceive the most original sketch show since In Living Color, maybe even The Groove Tube, with his partner John McKeever. The show on GillyandKeeves.tv is ten times funnier, more clever, daring, and entertaining than anything SNL had done in years. Lorne Michaels let go of his best new player since the Sandman due to old podcast episodes with Matt McCusker where Shane used an Asian accent and made a few Asian jokes.
JOE ROGAN AND THE CAVALRY
It was a public drubbing. No doubt. It had to hurt. To be the guy that famously got fired like that? In an era where cancellations were like beheadings in 18th century Britain, with the press being the town square. Shane was marched up the steps without even a hood on, and his head rolled off of the scaffolding for the whole town to see. The good news is the stand ups around him, his old friends and the new ones he made, picked him up, dusted the body off and somehow fastened the head back on. Joe Rogan, Bert Kreisher, and the Cavalry actually saved him. He had his own podcast of course, and his unique voice and stance, yet the acceptance by the stand up community is what made it all happen so quickly. He just seemed to perfectly fit in there with Joe Rogan, Ari Shaffir, Mark Normand, and Bert Kreisher in a jolly stoners pack of off the cuff comedy curling. Like a missing piece of a favorite bong pipe. Eventually the newly un-cancelled, Louis C.K, bellied up to the bar with him alongside of Dave Chappelle and the rest of the top dogs. Shane became a made man, which made sense.
I had the privilege of performing before him at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco a couple of nights a year or so ago when I was just getting back into stand-up. Andrew Yang happened to be in the audience. Shane and Andrew had become friends during Shane’s SNL ordeal. Right as he was being figuratively led up the steps (to continue the metaphor), Andrew, who was running for President at the time (note: he didn’t win), penned a thoughtful New York Times opinion piece essentially saying, “Hey, I’m Asian, you shouldn’t fire him over these old jokes.” Unfortunately, Lorne fired him anyway, and Shane’s career suffered a temporary setback. However, he gained another good friend in the process, and the night I was at Cobb’s, Andrew introduced Shane and delivered some genuinely funny moments.
HE WANTED A NETFLIX SPECIAL
His first special, for those that don’t know, is a legendary off road You Tube special, ‘Live in Austin.’
This is arguably one of the best DIY YouTube specials of all time. Filmed at The Creek and the Cave in Austin, it features Shane alone on stage with perhaps three cameras and minimal production design. It has likely been viewed close to 25 million times across all platforms. ‘Shane Gillis Live in Austin’ did a remarkable job of dispelling the notion that his career had been permanently decapitated. Anyone who watched it understood that the blame lay squarely on Lorne Michaels. The man who was once considered the bravest in comedy had lost his nerve, his sense of what was real in comedy, what was bullshit, and most likely what was left of his testicles. Shane was the rightful heir to Sam Kinison and John Belushi, was about to capture the hearts, souls, and minds, of a whole generation of young men in a very similar way, and Lorne let him go because of a few ill-advised emails and write-ups he couldn’t weather.
However, what Shane truly desired was a Netflix special. Robbie Praw, the boss of Netflix’s stand-up division, admired him and likened him to Louis C.K. and Dave Chappelle. Yet Robbie initially hesitated to deal with the expected controversy both from outside and inside of his giant company. Nonetheless, he did eventually made the call, and extended the offer. This happened long before Joe Rogan, Bert Kreischer, and others elevated Shane to his current status, preceding a big New Yorker article and the waning influence of the MeToo movement. I will say it was an unequivocally bold move, the second one by Netflix that championed stand-up comedy by standing up to the cancel culture mob. The first was of course Ted Sarandos’s bold letter to his company of solid support for Dave Chappelle.
While I’ve been critical of Netflix for other reasons, they’ve consistently backed stand-up comedy and the right of comedians to express themselves freely. Praw’s giving Shane a special shortly after his SNL dismissal was significant and, as time has shown, astute.
BEAUTIFUL DOGS
His wish has finally come true – his Netflix special is here and has already hit the number one spot on Netflix’s shows during its opening weekend. I don’t recall any stand-up achieving this before, not even Chris Rock, Ricky Gervais, or Dave Chappelle, the triumvirate of Netflix stand-up royalty. It’s a well-deserved placement because the special is smart, funny, and daring. Shane wisely didn’t reinvent the wheel (I don’t believe he even changed his T-shirt). His style remains laid-back, giggly, naughty, clever, and audacious. It’s slightly better produced than ‘Live in Austin,’ with a solid direction by McKeever of Gilly and Keeves fame. Some might find the beginning a bit slow, but to me, it exudes confidence. Shane and John understand the wealth of great material he’s packed into the latter two-thirds, so they spend the first third letting the audience get to know Shane, including his controversial encounter with the entire continent of Australia.
If I haven’t hit it hard enough yet, I think a hell of a lot of this guy. He’s a good man. I’m a quite a bit older and I’ve been there, I worry about his drinking and shit, like I do about a lot of these guys who are partying so much. Anyone that knows me knows where that comes from, knows my past bullshit, but I think he’s got a good head on his shoulders. I am praying that these guys don’t blow it with drugs and alcohol like so many of my friends did when they got ahold of the brass ring. I wish them all only the best. They really are an incredible class.
Also, I do however happen to think Shane sometimes looks, and especially in the photo above, like he could play the Nazi guard in that stupid old joke about the guys grand-dad that died in the Holocaust. ‘Yeah, he was drunk and fell out of a guard tower.’
A STRONG PRESENCE
He’s not just a stellar stand-up; he exudes something so much more than that. He’s not mean, cranky, loud, or bitter about the world. He possesses a laid-back demeanor that’s delightful to share a laugh with. He’s like that neighbor you love to hang out with, even though you’d never leave him alone with your kids, your cars, your wife, or even your refrigerator. But for watching a game, a movie, smoking a cigar, or sharing a meal, he’d be your first choice. Personally, I think he’d make a fantastic comic film star, a blend of John Candy, Jack Black, and Sandler, with a dash of Albert Brooks.
Who knows what the future holds for him? If I were in his shoes, I’d consider making my own low-budget film maybe even releasing it on Gilly and Keeves TV. Sow new ground, much like Louis C.K. did in his prime.
If you haven’t seen Shane’s work yet, do yourself a favor and watch “Beautiful Dogs.” Then head over to GillyandKeeves.tv and purchase a season or two. You won’t regret it. Besides, there’s a strike happening, so you don’t have a plethora of entertainment options right now.
Also, if you can still snag a ticket, catch him on tour. He’s truly the cream of the crop at the moment.
