The Comedy Castle Podcast

This week on The Comedy Castle Podcast, we’re gearing up for a big, spooky week of live comedy! Joel chats with Bret Hayden to break down all things Comedy Rumble. Bret dives into how the special Halloween editions shake up the format, what lies ahead for the future of the Rumble, and the method behind selecting this year’s panel of judges. Plus, we look ahead to Wednesday’s high-stakes Detroit to Austin Comedy Challenge as Joel speaks with competitors Rich Kinkaide and James Haddock to gauge their game plans and see how they feel about their chances of taking home the win. Tix for all of this week’s shows can be found at the link below.

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A born-and-raised Detroiter, Kevin Lepine brings his Hypnosis Unleashed show from its Las Vegas residency back to the Comedy Castle on November 10th! To celebrate, Kevin and Joel had a great chat about the dream of a Vegas show and its reality, if you need to “believe” in Hypnosis to enjoy his high energy show, and how his skills have developed in two decades of performing. Plus, hear about Kevin’s night out with Jon Hamm(!) and a special shout-out to Kevin’s friend Carrot Top who’s show Joel enjoyed many years ago. Tix for Kevin’s hometown return show can be found at the link below. It’s a great night out!

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The always funny Mike Cronin returns this weekend to the Comedy Castle, and he’s here to talk about his life on the road now, working in Las Vegas, his Michgan football podcast and much more. Joel and Mike share tales of weird road gigs, what happens when the comic is late, the pros and cons of cruise ship comedy. Hear about Mike’s recent experiences of working the door at The Comedy Castle, and Joel has his (hopefully!) last update on his health. Tix for Mikes shows can be found at the link below.

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Matt Conn makes his Comedy Castle headlining debut this week and he’s joined Joel for a interview. Matt’s excited to go from the club’s classes, to corporate shows, church shows, rough one-nighters and now this. Matt tells how his perseverance paid off and how an out-of-state booker saw great things in him. Matt also makes films, and you’ll hear the state of his latest project with some big-name local comics. Joel also gives some movie recommendations like the recent horror films, Obsession, Backrooms and the scariest of all – The Invite. Plus, Matt has the best merch! Hear how his funny greeting cards became a big hit on and off the stage. Make sure to grab one at the show! Matt’s got four shows this weekend – tix at the link below.

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Brad Wenzel has become a living legend in Michigan comedy with his hilarious, jokes-only style, and it’s a pleasure to have him back at the Comedy Castle this week. Brad talks the influences on his style, his approach to writing and when the jokes are “just for him”, and he tells us which state doesn’t get him at all – suck it Wyoming! Also, hear about Brad’s viral clip from the last time at the club and the surprising way Joel is part of it, too. Brad is a gem of a comic who has four shows this weekend. Get tix at the link below.

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Aaron Weber is a star on the rise. He makes his Comedy Castle debut this week and talked to Joel about everything comedy on this week’s show. He’s played the Grand Ole Opry following The Oak Ridge Boys and Lee Greenwood, he’s opened up in huge arenas for Nate Bargatze, and he promotes himself with grass cutting influencer parodies and a fake MySpace page – he’s brilliant! He is also excited to visit the home of Carhartt, his favorite clothing brand where’s a permanent XL. Aaron is a down-to-earth lovable comic and he’s got five shows this weekend, so do yourself a favor and come out.

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Mitch Fatel has been known as one of comedy’s funniest and most unique performers for almost three decades. He makes his return to the Comedy Castle stage this weekend and he tells Joel all about his career, his style and if he’s really been running a comedy club in Arkansas. Mitch talks about his early days with Louis CK and Greg Giraldo in NYC, his time as a Howard Stern intern, and the pros and cons of his hilariously slow, deliberate style. Plus, hear about Mitch’s fascination with True Crime and what documentaries you should be watching now. Mitch is one of the best comics working today – catch him this weekend! Tix at the link below.

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The Comedy Castle Podcast returns with Ben Bailey. The Cash Cab star talked to Joel back in 2024, but he’s appearing this week at the club and you should go – really!  Ben tells Joel of his unlikely start at The Comedy Castle, the Hollywood eccentric who gave him his break, and how he ended up driving the Cash Cab. Plus, Joel gives an update on his health and the lack of podcasts recently. He’s on the mend! Ben Bailey is a riot onstage and nice guy off the stage, so come out for one of the four shows this weekend. Tix at the link below.

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The annual competition for young comedians starts next week at The Comedy Castle. Its curator, Bill Bushart, joins Joel to talk about why the prize is a trip to Austin and not L.A., the benefits of performing in the contest, how the judging works, and how comics can register. Hear why your friends may not actually vote for you if you’re in the contest, hear some of the names of Detroit’s most succesful exports, and hear Joel’s horrible history with comedy contests. Plus, lots of great acts are coming to the club soon, and hear about the next round of comedy classes. Tix for Detroit to Austin and all the shows mentioned can be found at the link below.

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Mike Bonner is a Detroit legend on the comedy stage, and this Memorial Day weekend he’s back for more shows. Mike tells Joel about his start at the club, the big star who inspired him (who he later watched bomb), and how he transitioned from acting to stand-up. Hear why the legendary Def Comedy Jam wasn’t the break you might think is, how he’s incorporating music into the live shows and his recent accolades from a return to film acting. Also, hear how Mike and Joel shared the radio airwaves on Trump’s election night in 2016 – they’ll never forget it. Plus, a Dave Attell weekend round-up and how Joel’s dog ended up on stage with Dave. Tix for Mike Bonner’s shows and Chad Daniels this weekend are on sale at the link below.

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