The Comedy Castle Podcast

Michael Longfellow is the newest cast member, erm, featured performer on Saturday Night Live. Joel asks about the pressure of being on the show, comparisons to past big stars like Bill Hader and Norm McDonald, and hear how his audition was different than what you might expect. Also, Michael talks about using his family as fodder for his material, how kids have it different now than we did, and how the ongoing Hollywood strikes effect his future on SNL. Tix for Michael’s shows this weekend, and Eric Neumann’s show on Sunday can be found at the link below.

Eric Neumann returns after less than one year away for a special Sunday night show on July 30th. And took some time to chat with Joel! Eric talks how social media is better than late-night television for exposure now, his fun times last year at The Comedy Castle, and why he’ll be making his won special shirt for this one. Plus, how to go to and Ed Sheeran show and still lose the girl! Tickets for Eric’s show and this weekend’s shows with the hilarious Nick Mullen can be found at the link below.

Will Burkhart has fun on stage – and the audience does, too! Will talks to Joel about making social media comedy clips, why it’s usually clips of crowd work, and why his headshot looks like that. plus, hear about Will’s first trip to Canada, the worst town he’s ever played in, and hear Joel’s scheme to siphon off Ed Sheeran fans for Will’s shows. Will has four shows this weekend – tix can be found at the links below.

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 big 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.