Author: Joel

Carmen Morales makes her Comedy Castle debut (kinda) this weekend! Hear about her HBO Max special, her early life on the road, and why dating a comic isn’t that great – even if you’re a comic! Joel and Carmen swap stories of professional wrestlers in comedy and hear how Only Fans is getting into comedy -really! Also, Joel says goodbye to past guest, comedian Paul Piziks who sadly passed away this week. Remember Paul by listening to his appearance on this show by clicking here.

Another two interview week with the not-secretly-Canadian Ian Bagg who mixes crowd work and a take-no-prisoners attitude, to become one of The Comedy Castle’s favorite headliners. Ian and Joel talk the Canadian people’s identity, Joel’s memories of causing trouble in Canada, hockey fights, and Ian’s NHL-focused podcast, Enjoying Orange Slices with Jeff and Ian. Then Jen Fulwiler calls in (starts at 36:18) to promote her very nearly sold-out show next week at the club. Jen tells of funding her own theater comedy tour, performing with nuns in the crown, why Catholics have huge families and why TikTok is so great for comedians. Ian has five shows this week (including a fundraiser on Thursday), and Jen Fulwiler appears Wednesday April 19th. Tix can be found at the link below.

Jay Jurden is a fast-rising name on the comedy scene as both a comedian and TV writer. Jay tells Joel why TV writing is something all comics should pursue, the difficulties of starting a stand-up career in Mississippi, and why gay marriage legalization worked for him, but not everybody. This show was delayed for the strangest, weirdest, “small world” reason, and it involves Jon Stewart! Jay is hugely entertaining, so come out to his shows this weekend. Tix can be found at the link below.

Another double interview week with weekend headliner and America’s Got Talent star Vicki Barbolek and Sunday headliner Jeff Leeson. Vicki tells about her unique start in comedy, how Mitzi Shore helped her, growing up with an NFL dad, and Joel has words for Vicki’s friend Simon Cowell. Jeff is “The King of Crowd Work” and “Canada’s #1 Comedian” (according to Joel). Jeff Leeson tells of starting as a teenager, learning the ropes in the Midwest comedy circuit, headlining in a North Dakota snowstorm, and how getting fired led to his full-time career in comedy. Tickets for Vicki and Jeff’s shows can be found at the link below.

One of the favorites at The Comedy Castle returns to the club and this podcast – it’s Chris Porter! Chris is one of the nicest, funniest comics around but if you’re in a drunk birthday party, look out! Chris and Joel talk the effect of weed and other substances on audiences, Chris’ rules for dealing with hecklers and hear about how a mall security job led to the opportunity for Chris to pursue his dream. Chris has five shows this weekend – get tix at the link below.

Jon Rudnitsky brings his experience as a Saturday Night Live cast member and Resse Witherspoon’s co-star to his first headlining weekend at The Comedy Castle. Jon isn’t sure how to address the Detroit-ish crowd, but Joel tries to set him straight. Hear about Jon’s SNL audition, and which bit got him the job – he’s doing it this weekend, too! Plus, the New Jersey native forgives Joel for missing Thursday’s show and tells his own tale of hanging with rock and roll royalty. Jon has five shows this weekend – get tickets at the link below.

It’s rare to have the weekend’s emcee as the guest, but Brett Mercer and his journey to The Comedy Castle stage makes for a very entertaining podcast. Brett tells of the legendary Detroit alt-comedy venues he’s been a part of, duels with Joel in voice effects, tells why it’s taken him ten years to find his way to The Comedy Castle, and how he may be the unlikely source for a Detroit comedy/celebrity sighting that blows Joel’s mind. Brett is hosting for headliner Jeff Dye for five shows this weekend. Tix at the link below.

Two big interviews on this week’s show, as TJ Miller returns to the club. He’s been busy releasing new comedy specials, including some stuff from his last visit, expanding his hot sauce and peanut butter empire to Amazon, and trying to eat a hot chicken tender. Hear about the origin story of Jonah from his special, how he started out with native Detroiter-turned-Hollywood writer Ryan Ridley, and why he can’t visit the chiropractor’s office on Woodward. But first up, Annie Rauwerda, tells us why she loves Wikipedia and how she turned her hilarious, viral social media page, The Depths of Wikipedia, into a hit live show that is happening this Thursday at the club. Hear about toast with eyeballs, Dick Cheney’s odd draft-dodging days and how a giant frog terrorizes Ohio. Tix are going fast for Annie’s show on Thursday and TJ’s five shows Friday through Sunday. Tix at the link below!

Josh Blue returns for the third time to this podcast! Josh has become one of The Comedy Castle’s biggest and most popular acts over the years and his laid back, nothing serious demeanor shows here in this interview. Joel asks Josh about the pressure of doing TV competition shows, his love of creating art, how he remembers all of his material and more. Josh even says getting warmed up is easy – you just get high! We love Josh and you will too! Tix can be found at the links below.

It’s a double interview show, with headliner Ralph Harris and feature act Sal Demilio. Sal’s up first, telling us about living with his father at an older age, sharing Louie Anderson stories and giving you his 100% sure-fire Super Bowl predictions. Then Ralph tells you all about why he’s working cruise ships and loving it, how he turned his hilarious impression of his grandfather into its own show, and how he may – or may not – have a beef with Cheech & Chong. Tix for this week’s shows can be found at the link below.