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Jay Stevens is from Cleveland, but no interstate rivalry can keep him from being a hit in Michigan, as you’ll hear in his interview with Joel. The guys talk about Ohio vs Michigan, guys who like little dogs, why you should always be nice to a comedy club staff, and the best port a cruise ship comedian could ever visit. Plus, the interview starts with a special shout-out from Jay to one of Joel’s most succesful former students. Jay has four shows this weekend – with Tom McCarthy featuring, no less! – tix can be found at the link below.

Nate Armbruster has a new special “Sorry To Bother You”. Joel watched and enjoyed it. He was on Oxycontin. Still it’s an honest review and a source of big laughs as Nate and Joel talk about bringing your significant other to the comedy show, the power of video and social media in today’s comedy and why Nate is the only one to read the comment section. Plus hear about Joel’s recent surgery which led him to watch YouTube on pills. He didn’t leave a comment. There’s four big shows with Nate this weekend – tix can be found at the link below.

After making a big splash in his Detroit debut in 2021, Maher Matta makes his headlining debut at The Comedy Castle this weekend! Maher tells Joel about starting comedy in rural Tennessee, his time as a Virginia State Trooper, and how doing stand-up comedy in Arabic works – or doesn’t work! Maher is a rising star in stand-up , and he’s hilarious. Tix for this week’s shows can be found at the link below.

Josh Wolf makes his Comedy Castle debut this weekend, and it’s long overdue. As you’ll here Josh has been playing everywhere, bring hilarious song parodies and his son as an opening act, too! Hear why audiences love hearing stories from Josh’s kids, hear how Joel remembered his start as a 90s Nintendo spokesman, how Chelsea Lately changed comedy, and hear which show he’s doing on mushrooms! Tickets are going fast for Josh’s shows! Tix at the link below. 

Jourdain Fisher makes his headlining debut at The Comedy Castle this weekend. He previously opened for Craig Robinson last year and crushed it – leading to this opportunity. Joel (embarrassingly) couldn’t remember, but he’s glad that Jourdain returns for five shows this week. Jourdain tells of his close call with Superhero stardom, why he’s glad he’s not in the family business, and why you know Kanye is crazy – just ask Alex Jones. Tix for Jourdain’s shows can be found at the link below. Get them so he doesn’t have to fight Jake Paul.

Jade Catta-Preta does it all – modeling, hosting, acting, singing and doing stand-up comedy – and she’ll be doing that last one this weekend at The Comedy Castle. Jade tells Joel about her humble start at The Comedy Store, why she always brings her own microphone, and how you can get her merchandise this weekend for trade! Plus, Jade’s collaboration with Joel’s old comedy friend from Michigan is funny and deserved better. Jade has five shows this weekend, get tix at the link below.

A plus-sized podcast has this weekend’s headliner and America’s Got Talent star Ryan Niemiller, and comedy legend Yakov Smirnoff who performs on Sunday. Ryan tells Joel how AGT changed his life, how his love of professional wrestling led to the comedy stage, and why he’s thrilled that an 80’s heartthrob is now his friend. Then, Yakov (starts at 44:26) tells about wild times living at the “Comedy Store House” with other legends, how Ronald Reagan employed his comedy style and why the “Russian Reversal” joke (“TV Watches You!) isn’t really what he did primarily, but he’s proud of being associated with it. He also evaluates Joel’s relationship and interviewing skills – “You Suck!“. Tickets for Ryan And Yakov’s shows can be found at the link below.

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.