🎤 Join us as we explore the vibrant history of stand-up comedy and its transformative journey onto the big and small screens. From early comedic performances captured in classic films to innovative modern series, this podcast delves into how stand-up has shaped and been shaped by the world of cinema and television.

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🎬 We'll examine groundbreaking works like the FX series Louie, a bold blend of stand-up, cinematic storytelling, and surrealism that pushed the boundaries of traditional comedy. Through insightful discussions and guest experts, discover how comedians have used film and TV as platforms to craft their voices, challenge norms, and redefine the art of comedy itself.

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😂 Whether you're a stand-up aficionado or a film lover, this series uncovers the enduring influence of stand-up comedy in shaping comedic storytelling on screen.

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#StandUpInFilm #ComedyOnScreen #LaughterThroughCinema #ComedyHistory

Join host Stephen Michael James 🎙️ live at The Porch Light in Tacoma, WA, during Porchfest 2026 for a hilarious episode 77 of the Comedy Simp Podcast!

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Stephen welcomes fantastic guests: comedian and “Peppers & Punchlines” producer Robert Pinner 🤠, recording before his show, rising Tacoma Comedy Club star Logan Cantrell 🎤, and local comic Aaron Reiten.

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The crew dives into all kinds of hilarious topics—from fantasy basketball 🏀 and Martin Skereli to Logan’s experience opening for comics like Roger Lizaola. Stephen shares how he developed his unique fashion sense 👔, and the conversation is packed with laughs! Phil K joins in, sharing his thoughts about Emerald City Comedy Club, other Seattle comedy spots, Robert’s Texas roots 🤠, cowboy boots, and more.

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Later, they discuss local gigs 🎤, roasts 🔥, shoutouts to BLIND comic Shawn Berg 👀, working with Anthony Jeselnik, Norm Macdonald, Shane Gillis, impressions (Katt Williams 🐯), Randy Travis using AI 🤖, women selling breast milk on Facebook Marketplace 🍼, and much more. Stephen also shares his recent stool sample test 💩 and the latest comedy news 📰.

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This episode is packed with shop talk, jokes, and good vibes all around!

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🔗 Like/Subscribe:

YouTube.com/@stephenmjcomedy

YouTube.com/@comedysimppodcast

📸 Follow:

Stephen MJ Comedy: @stephenmjcomedy

Robert Pinner: @robertpinner

Logan Cantrell: @logandid911

Phil K: @philkcomedy

Is the polished, hour-long comedy special losing its crown to the raw, unscripted chaos of the podcast studio? In this video, we explore the shift from traditional stand-up to the high-stakes "reality TV" world of comedy podcasting. We dive deep into the viral lore that has captivated the community, specifically the long-standing and often volatile history between Ari Shaffir and Bobby Lee.

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In this video, we break down:The Ari Shaffir vs. Bobby Lee Physical Feud: We examine the specific, notorious incident where Ari Shaffir allegedly attacked Bobby Lee, an event that has become a defining piece of LA comedy history.

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The "Natasha Leggero Incident": A look back at the complicated history and the recurring tensions that fueled the fire between these two comedy giants.

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The Tijuana Trip: We revisit the infamous trip Ari and Bobby took to Tijuana, analyzing how these personal adventures fuel the narratives that fans now find more compelling than scripted jokes.

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TigerBelly and the Power of Lore: How podcasts like TigerBelly and Bad Friends have turned personal beefs into serialized drama, such as the massive Brendan Schaub saga involving the "Truck Walk" and "300 pages" of evidence.

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The Chaotic LA Comedy Scene vs. The Rogansphere: We discuss the internal politics of the industry, from the "NYC vs. LA" beef to the rising tensions surrounding Joe Rogan's Comedy Mothership in Austin.

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Why Drama Wins: Why do audiences prefer the unvetted, messy reality of a podcast over a traditional special? We analyze how these "spectacles" have redefined what it means to be a fan of comedy today.

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Are podcasts the new frontier of entertainment, or is the drama overshadowing the art of stand-up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Subscribe to stay in the comedy loop!

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#BobbyLee #AriShaffir #TigerBelly #BadFriends #ComedyDrama #PodcastLore #BrendanSchaub #JoeRogan #ComedyMothership #StandUpComedy

Welcome to EPISODE 76 of the COMEDY SIMP PODCAST. Host Stephen Michael James is back after a 6-week break, and he's ready to catch you up on all the comedy and movies he's been into! 🎙️ In this one, Stephen talks about his recent stand-up comedy adventures, sharing hilarious stories from local shows and comedy clubs like Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club 😂 and Tacoma Comedy Club 🎭. He also reminisces about some wild stories from the past that you won’t want to miss!

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But that’s not all — he’s also been watching some great films lately! 🍿 He reviews The Conversation, Vesper, The Menu, and AKA Charlie Sheen, giving his thoughts and insights. Then, he dives into a deep discussion about Charlie Sheen’s chaotic 2011 tour, ending with his top 5 movies of all time! 🎬Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and FOLLOW for more laughs and insights!

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Subscribe & Follow:

.👉 YOUTUBE.COM/@ComedySimpPodcast

👉 YOUTUBE.COM/@stephenMJcomedy

👉 Social Media: @stephenmjcomedy

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#ComedySimp #StandUpComedy #MovieReviews #CharlieSheen

From the 1980s boom to the rise of the alternative movement and the modern-day club landscape, this video explores the rich and often turbulent History of the Seattle Comedy Scene. We dive into the venues, the legendary television shows, and the comedians who shaped the Pacific Northwest's unique comedic voice.

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In this video, we cover:The 1980s Boom & Almost Live!: Discover the "Big Four" clubs of the 80s—Giggles, the Comedy Underground, Laughs, and the Improv. We also look at the massive impact of the local sketch comedy show Almost Live!, which launched the careers of Bill Nye the Science Guy and Joel McHale while satirizing local neighborhoods like Ballard and Kent.

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The Rise of Alternative Comedy: In the mid-2000s, a new movement emerged as an alternative to traditional "frat-boy" club culture. Led by the People's Republic of Komedy at venues like Laff Hole (Capitol Hill Arts Center), this era prioritized experimentation, storytelling, and "telling the truth" over traditional punchlines.

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Legendary Venues: We trace the history of the Comedy Underground, a Pioneer Square staple since 1981 that hosted stars like Mitch Hedberg, and its struggles with seismic retrofitting and relocation.

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The Modern Era & New Voices: Explore the current landscape, including the opening of Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club in Tacoma—the region’s first Black-owned comedy club. We also discuss the evolution of Capitol Hill’s Comedy/Bar into the Emerald City Comedy Club and the controversies surrounding "canceled" shows in the 2020s.

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Local Icons: From the laid-back, clean comedy of Jeff Dye to the "weird and awesome" storytelling of Emmett Montgomery and the sharp, opinionated rants of Derek Sheen, we highlight the performers who kept the scene vibrant.

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Featured Comedians & Figures:

John Keister (Almost Live! host)

Emmett Montgomery (The Magic Hat, Weird and Awesome)

Nate Jackson (Owner, Super Funny Comedy Club)

Hari Kondabolu (Alt-scene pioneer)

Derek Sheen (Seattle comedy stalwart)

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Enjoying the lore of the Seattle scene? Subscribe for more deep dives into comedy history and the artists who make us laugh.

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#SeattleComedy #StandUpComedy #AlmostLive #NateJackson #ComedyHistory #PNWComedy #Documentary

Stand-Up Comedy Blueprint for 2026: Navigating the New Era of Professional Funny

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Are you tired of the outdated "career ladder" advice? In this episode, we break down the "Layered Career" model, the definitive framework for navigating the decentralized, non-linear world of stand-up comedy in 2026. We move past the idea of discrete statuses and instead show you how to build a durable infrastructure for long-term success.

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In this episode, we cover:

The Three Layers of a Career: Why you never truly "leave" your early circles. We explore the Proximate Layer (forming essential cliques and "riffing" with your cohort), the Community Layer (earning peer esteem and finding your "voice"), and the Industrial Layer (securing renown, credits, and monetary compensation).

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The DIY Revolution: Learn why waiting for a gatekeeper is a thing of the past. We discuss self-booking, direct-to-fan marketing, and how to use platforms like Amazon Prime and YouTube to bypass traditional network deals.

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Submission Mastery: If you're submitting for festivals like Skankfest, you need to know the "one-minute rule". We explain why your audio needs to be "fire," why you must have a big punch in the first 20 seconds, and why cell phone audio just won’t cut it anymore.

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Crowd Work as Content: Discover why names are the "cheat code" for audience interaction. We dive into technical tips like the "yes-and" method for heightening weird interactions and using silence as a weapon to control the room's tension.

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TikTok Strategy for 2026: Stop chasing trends and start building community. We break down the importance of immediate hooks, TikTok SEO, and maintaining a consistent posting schedule (3-5 times per week) to build algorithmic trust.

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Professionalism & Polish: We also touch on the "basics" that many comics miss: why you should never read notes on stage, how to craft material that is uniquely you, and why your email address shouldn't be "69champ@yahoo.com" when you're reaching out to bookers.

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Whether you are a "baby-babe" at your first open mic or a veteran "road dog," this blueprint will help you turn your B-material into A-material and keep "pushing the boulder" toward your goals.

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Don't forget to: ✅ Subscribe for more deep dives into the business of comedy. 💬 Comment below: Which "layer" are you currently working in? 🔔 Hit the bell to never miss an episode!

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#StandUpComedy #ComedyCareer #MarkNormand #Skankfest #ComedyTips2026 #DIYComedy #TikTokForComedians #CrowdWork

In this rare solo outing, celebrating EPISODE 75, host and comedian Stephen Michael James sits down from a random rooftop in Los Angeles 🏙️ to share an honest and heartfelt update on his life in 2026. He opens up about the challenges of the first few months—navigating a family member's terminal illness 💔, the passing of loved ones, and the deep reflections that come with loss.

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Stephen takes us on a nostalgic journey 🎶🧳, recounting stories from his youth—getting free Surge sodas in junior high 🥤, his love for Clearly Canadian 🥤, and his favorite band, letlive. 🎸🤘, including attending their reunion show in Seattle 🎤. He shares his adventures in In-N-Out 🍔, Long Beach 🌊, and Astoria, Oregon 🏞️, and recounts meeting Timmy No Brakes at Emerald City Comedy Club 🎭.

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This episode also dives deep into themes of mortality 💀—remembering friends from high school who died young 😢, anniversaries of lost dogs 🐶 and family members 🧓👶, and honoring his childhood friend, Marc Dickson, who tragically passed away suddenly.

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Stephen reminisces about discovering music with Marc 🎧—they bonded over Slipknot 🤘, Tool 🎸, and their band Dark Rezin 🎤🎸. He shares stories of their teenage jam sessions 🎶 in the backyard shed, attending Ozzfest 2001 🎟️, and dreaming about rock stardom. Despite a falling out later in life, they kept in touch over the years 🤝, with plans to meet up in Portland in 2022 that ultimately didn’t happen.

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Stephen describes the bittersweet feeling of missing his friend, reflecting on their shared love for heavy music, the times they spent together, and the deep sense of loss that still lingers 💭. It's a poignant reminder of friendship, growth, and how certain memories stay with us forever.

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Join Stephen for a raw, emotional, and hilarious reflection on life, loss, friendship, and the memories that keep us going.

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🎧 Don’t forget to like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share 💌:

👉 YouTube.com/@stephenmjcomedy

👉 YouTube.com/@comedysimppodcast

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Follow for updates and more stories:

📲 @stephenmjcomedy

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#ComedySimp #LifeAndLoss #Memories

🔥 Welcome to Comedy Simp #074! 🎤😂 Get ready for an all-out comedy chaos episode as host Stephen Michael James teams up with the unstoppable comics Garrett Iverson, Brendan Meeks, and Joseph Humphrey! These four hilarious minds gather in Stephen’s garage after a wild night at Tony V’s Garage in Everett, WA, and the result is one of the most unhinged, insane, joke-filled, off-the-RAILS podcasts you’ll ever experience! 🚀🔥

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From the moment the microphones turn on (or do they?), every subject or question is destroyed with a punchline, a joke, or a hilarious bit. 💣🤣 The guys talk about how they all got started in comedy, the explosive future of STONED GOOSE PRODUCTIONS (their own comedy group out of southern Washington, covering Lacey, Olympia, and Tacoma), and share some behind-the-scenes stories that will make you laugh out loud. 🎙️😆 Brendan even drops an exclusive interview with the legendary Luis J Gomez — don’t miss that! Plus, they chat about traveling to Skankfest, comedy gossip, and what’s on the horizon for their comedy journey. 🌟🎭

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This episode is packed with rapid-fire jokes, wild stories, TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, and genuine laughs. Whether you’re a comedy fanatic or just looking for some hilarious entertainment, you don’t want to miss this chaotic episode! Be sure to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and hit the bell so you never miss a moment of the madness! 🎉

🎬 Like and Subscribe:

YOUTUBE.com/@UCUl2UporYFCJ8F2vp0g0UgA

YOUTUBE.com/@UCOnPFG4wAcqUBG3PBYhO7xw

🎭 Follow the Comics:

Stephen Michael James: @stephenmjcomedy

Garrett Iverson: @garrettiversoncomedy

Brendan Meeks: @probablynothealthy

Joseph Humphrey: @the.joseph.humphrey

🌟 STONED GOOSE PRODUCTIONS: stonedgooseeproductions.comCheck out the latest content and exclusive interviewsfrom STONED GOOSE PRODUCTIONS for all things comedy, chaos, and fun!

🎥 Luis J Gomez Interview & More!

👉 Watch the full episode here:

https://youtu.be/3YVO3udLxko?si=G55XLPZT8PrYBzyP