Author: Joel

The ubiquitous Sklar Brothers make their headlining debut at The Comedy Castle this weekend. They join Joel to tell of their days at the University of Michigan and their continued connection to the school, why there’s few two-person comedy acts anymore, and their unique way of writing jokes and keeping the good ones. Also, behind-the-scenes of their Super Bowl commercial with The Bernsteins and Joel’s odd connection to that spot. Tickets are going quickly for these shows, get them now!

It’s been decades since Nathan Macintosh has performed at The Comedy Castle, and with the success of last year’s comedy special and his streaming series, there’s a lot to cover. Nathan tells of his Canadian origins, his humiliation in NYC before becoming a Comedy Cellar regular, and why he’ll never bee the spokesperson for Subway. Joel mentions how Nextel phones ruined a comedy gig twenty years ago, and offers Nathan the hack “Big Beaver Joke”, which we are proud to say that he’s not telling. Nathan is a riot! Catch him for one of the five big shows this weekend.

He appeared last year on show #137, but this time Jay Jurden is talking trash on Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show, Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, and The Illuminati on this hilarious episode. Jay also talks Robert Kennedy Jr’s Presidential chances, if he’s still writing for Jon Stewart, the permanent nature of his own marriage (insurance!) and much more. Jay is fun to listen to, on this show and on stage, go out of your way to catch him this weekend!

Laurie Kilmartin has been a known commodity in comedy for many years, but this week makes her Comedy Castle headlining debut. Joel and her speaks about their mutual attempts to duck Covid (one recently failed!), the joys of working with Conan O’Brien, experiencing inappropriate things with your kid – like The Diary of Anne Frank and Saltburn, and much more. Laurie’s a blast! Come check her out this weekend! Tix are here.

Our headliner Matt McClowry is back for his sixth headlining appearance at The Comedy Castle this weekend! As they’ve known each other for twenty years, Joel and Matt have a lot to talk about like crazy open mike stories, Matt’s work on Dave Landau’s Normal World show, and why nobody sends either guy drinks while they are on stage. Also, find out what music makes a baby excited and you have to wonder if Matt is raising a music snob! Tickets are BOGO for Matt’s shows this weekend, so don’t miss it!

Richard Mathis comes to us as a former winner of the Detroit to LA Comedy Challenge and as an all-around good guy and a hilarious comic. Richard talks starting comedy in Indianapolis, the reality of open mike at The Comedy Store, getting great advice from his grandfather, and he has Ms. Pat stories, but won’t dare share them! Also, find out why you don’t wear shorts on stage – look like a professional! Richard will be dressed nice and on-time as he features this weekend at The Comedy Castle with Deanne Smith (who you can listen to here on show #88). Tix can be found here or at the link below.

Josh Adams has been one of Detroit’s best comics for years, but after his appearance on Hard Knocks with The Detroit Lions his stature has grown and he kicks of 2024 headlining The Comedy Castle. Josh tells Joel how the Hard Knocks appearance came about, how the reaction blew him away, and his approach do nailing that difficult gig. Plus, hear how Josh’s work ethic has helped him succeed in comedy, and why he didn’t like Joel the first time he met him! Josh has five shows this weekend, so you know what to do!

Phil Palisoul is “on” from the get-go, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. On this show, you’ll hear why this year’s New Year’s Eve headliner is a favorite on land and sea! Phil mocks Joel’s punctuality, tells of his surprising pre-showbiz career, what weird thing happened after he appeared on the Tonight Show, and the pros and cons of working with your wife. This is probably the longest interview of 2023 on this show, but it’s one of the best, too. There are seven chances to see Phil this weekend including two big NYE shows, so get your tickets now!

Melanie Hearn got her start in a Comedy Castle comedy class and now she’s headlining the club! Melanie talks her road to headlining, how one of her earliest bits got her booked on television, and where she intends to do comedy in 2024 – it might surprise you! Also, Joel eats good at his holiday party, comedians as holograms, and 8 Mile vs 7 Mile. Five big shows with Melanie to head into the holiday. Get your tickets now!

Nick Griffin speaks about the human condition in an angry, nihilistic way. And yet, he is the most relatable comic that you’d ever hope to see, and you’ll leave his show feeling that he’s just like you. Joel certainly felt that as the two bonded over old guy bars, rock and roll concert stories and the devastation of the pandemic. You’ll also hear their mutual love of the great comedian Bobby Slayton, and how Joel’s near-miss with NYC’s The Comedy Cellar could’ve changed his life forever. Nick has five shows this weekend – don’t miss them!