Bobby Smith | Upstage Comedy Lounge

What do stand-up comedy, defensive driving school, Taco Bell, tax anxiety, and cheap hiking dates have in common?

Bobby Smith, apparently.

In this episode, Gail sits down with Bobby Smith, stand-up comic, comedy instructor, driving-school owner, and owner of San Antonio's Upstage Comedy Lounge, to talk about the strange collection of turns that built his career and the community that ultimately helped keep his comedy club alive.

Bobby reveals that one of his earliest comedy training grounds was defensive driving school, where people with traffic tickets provided every comedian's dream: a captive audience that was legally required to stay.

He also gets candid about the much less funny side of owning an independent comedy club: inventory, taxes, operating a bar, learning things the hard way, and the moment he was ready to close Upstage for good. Then something happened: the comedy community showed up.

From there, Bobby and Gail tackle whether funny can actually be taught, why authenticity matters more than forcing a punchline, and what stand-ups and improvisers might learn from each other.

Naturally, this eventually leads to hiking, dating economics, sparkling water, Taco Bell, Hawaiian escape plans, restaurant discoveries, wrinkled clothing... and Gail briefly comparing dating to buying real estate.

As one does.

👀 What You'll Definitely Not See Coming:

A comedy career launched with speeding tickets. Bobby's father employing an unconventional job-placement strategy. The financial realities of making people laugh while simultaneously selling them drinks. A surprisingly thoughtful stand-up vs. improv summit. The phrase "cheap date" taking Gail somewhere completely different. And rapid-fire questions that, once again, prove Gail does not fully understand the meaning of rapid-fire.

About Bobby Smith

Bobby Smith is a stand-up comedian, instructor, entrepreneur, and owner of Upstage Comedy Lounge in San Antonio, Texas.

Through performing, teaching, producing, and running Upstage, Bobby has helped create a home for comedians while building connections across San Antonio's stand-up and improv communities. His approach to teaching focuses less on teaching people to be funny and more on helping performers become comfortable, authentic, and able to recognize the comedy already hiding inside their own stories.

His philosophy?

👉 You can't teach somebody to be funny.

But apparently, you can teach comedy to a room full of people who got speeding tickets.

And sometimes, when running a comedy club becomes overwhelming and you're ready to lock the doors for good, your community reminds you why you opened them in the first place.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT (Improv) Comedy Network. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Bobby Smith: Himself

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane, musical composition generated by Suno AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT (Improv) Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Expanded Reality TV is a podcast where improv comedians create absurd audio performances based on behind-the-scenes stories of real reality television stars, building new weird worlds from the things that people don't see when watching their favorite reality tv shows.

Episode #1 features an interview with Ed Popil aka Mrs. Kasha Davis, a professional drag queen and two-time contestant on the reality television show RuPaul's Drag Race! Inspired by Mrs. Kasha Davis' interview, our ensemble took us into a deep dive into telecom romance, a movement of 55 year old men performing in children's musicals, hotel staff tackling quarantined reality tv stars, emotionally moving weather women, extreme office gossip gangs, producer overreach and so much more.

Host: Angela Washko Special Guest: Mrs. Kasha Davis Improv Comedy Ensemble: Luke Bovard, Jim Tripp, Katya Vasilaky, Angela Washko Theme Song Composer: Jesse Stiles

Bit Comedy Network Director & Founder: Billy MerrittBit Comedy Network Producer: Hill Kane (c) 2026 Billy Merritt | All Rights Reserved

Guest: Reverend Justice Smythe (Samples of Sin)

What happens when a reverend starts a podcast dedicated to listening to "sinful music" so you don't have to?

Complications.

In this episode, Gail sits down with the very reverend Justice Smythe, chairman of the River Creek Family Values Coalition, minister, moral watchdog, and host of the short-lived podcast Samples of Sin, where he reviewed music he believed decent people should avoid.

Justice's philosophy?

👉 Sometimes you must confront temptation… for research purposes.

Also:

👉 Apparently six episodes were enough.

Together, Gail and Justice unpack the mysterious end of Samples of Sin, the emotional hazards of "investigating" sinful artists, and why some music started raising questions Justice may not have been prepared to answer.

There are conversations about marriage. There are discussions about performance, honesty, suspiciously fashionable clothing, and the dangers of spending too much time reflecting at "the manhole."

There is a rapid-fire round that becomes increasingly concerning.

👀 What You'll Definitely Not See Coming: A personal trainer named Pete. A conversation that gets unexpectedly personal. And a moment where Gail may or may not push things… too far.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT (Improv) Comedy Network. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Justice Smythe: Konrad Andrew Billy Merritt: Himself

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane, musical composition generated by Suno AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT (Improv) Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Guest: Bo Knox (Off the Eaten Path)

What if food criticism was less Michelin stars… and more emotional-support gas station?

In this episode, Gail sits down with Bo Knox — pilot, podcaster, accidental romantic, and co-host of Off the Eaten Path, a food show dedicated to overlooked restaurants, bowling alley pizza, suspicious strip mall gems, gas station delicacies, and the kind of meals Yelp usually forgets to mention.

Bo's philosophy? 👉 Sometimes the best food comes from the places nobody expects.

Also: 👉 Never trust a robot with a hamburger.

Together, Gail and Bo unpack risky plane purchases, food with emotional backstories, hotel review disputes, gas station meat sticks, six marriages (and six divorces) with the same woman, and the complicated emotional logistics of co-hosting a podcast with your ex-wife.

There are food opinions. There are relationship revelations. There is a rapid-fire round that becomes unexpectedly sincere.

👀 What You'll Definitely Not See Coming: A Baptist church deviled egg debate. A suspiciously emotional conversation about catfish. The gas station delicacy known only as The Red Dragon. A mall-related yelling session. And the moment Bo accidentally reveals he may have preferred Beth's sister.

About Bo Knox

Bo Knox is the host of Off the Eaten Path, a proudly unpretentious food podcast celebrating overlooked restaurants, gas stations, roadside diners, bowling alley pizza, and hidden gems that deserve more attention.

Alongside his ex-wife and co-host Beth, Bo travels in search of memorable meals, surprising stories, and proof that sometimes the best food comes from the least expected places.

His focus: 👉 Great food deserves a story — and sometimes the story tastes even better than the sandwich.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT Improv Comedy Network - Mainstage. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Bo Knox: Jim Tripp

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane, musical composition generated by Suno AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT ImpoComedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Guest: Michael & Jeremy (Steal Your Podcast) What if your podcast wasn't stolen… it was just aggressively borrowed by two cousin-friends from the MJSY-verse?

In this episode, Gail sits down with Michael and Jeremy — lifelong comedy partners, cousin-friends, and the hosts of Michael and Jeremy Steal Your Podcast, which is less a title and more a warning label.

Michael and Jeremy's big idea? 👉 Sometimes the funniest comedy rule isn't "yes, and"… it's "No, you're weird. Shut up."

Which is… rude. And also, unfortunately, effective.

Together, Gail, Michael, and Jeremy unpack childhood cassette tape comedy, lawnmower race commentary, PodFest tea, podcast theft, confusing family trees, aggressive compliments, and the strange emotional intimacy of yelling "Shut up, Gail" directly into a microphone.

There are impressions. There are questionable revelations. There is a rapid-fire round that gets weird almost immediately.

👀 What You'll Definitely Not See Coming:A guest appearance by "Jordan Peterson." A Dr. Ruth detour. A Christian podcast pitch gone spiritually sideways. And a yelling session that somehow turns into a compliment sandwich with brass knuckles.

About Michael & Jeremy Michael and Jeremy are the hosts of Michael and Jeremy Steal Your Podcast, a comedy podcast built on lifelong friendship, family chaos, improv, impressions, and the noble art of taking someone else's podcast premise and making it significantly stupider.

With nearly 200 episodes, they continue to expand the MJSY-verse one stolen podcast at a time.

Their focus: 👉 If your podcast exists, they may already be casing the joint.

Find them everywhere at: 🌐 MJSYpod.com 📱 @MJSYpod ✉️ [email protected]

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT Improv Comedy Network - Mainstage. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Themselves: Michael & Jeremy

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane and generated by AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT ImpoComedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Mayor + Mindset | Running Your House Like a High-Performing Team Guest: Joe LaRussa

What if the chaos in your home isn't random… it's just bad leadership?

In this episode, Gail sits down with Joe LaRussa — small-city mayor, leadership coach, and the only person who might look at your household and think, "This needs a mission statement."

Joe's big idea? 👉 You already have the skills to run your life better… you're just not using them at home.

Which is… inconvenient.

Together, Gail and Joe unpack what happens when you stop treating your home like a recovery zone from work and start treating it like something worth actually leading.

There are insights. There are laughs. There are a few moments where Gail realizes things about herself in real time.

And yes… someone yells.

🎯 In This Episode:

• Why we tolerate things at home we'd never accept at work • The mindset shift that changes everything (and slightly ruins your excuses) • How leadership actually shows up in everyday decisions • What happens when you bring structure into emotional spaces • The surprising connection between strong households and stronger communities

👀 What You'll Definitely Not See Coming:

A mayor. A mindset shift. And a moment that perfectly captures what this show is all about.

(No spoilers. You'll know it when you hear it.)

About Joe LaRussa

Joe LaRussa is the mayor of Farmington, Michigan and the founder of Homegrown Leadership, where he helps parents and partners turn their households into high-performing teams.

His focus: 👉 Leadership matters most in the four walls you live in.

Learn more at: 🌐 HomegrownLeadership.net

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT Improv Comedy Network - Mainstage. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Himself: Mayor Joe LaRussa

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane and generated by AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Senior Vitality — Unscripted from The Villages, FL

Guest: Mike Roth

What happens when a seasoned podcaster builds a show specifically for the active senior community of The Villages, Florida?

You get Villages Vitality: Senior Life Unscripted (formerly known as Open Forum in The Villages), a weekly podcast hosted by Mike Roth, where thoughtful conversations meet real community issues.

In this episode, Mike joins Gail to talk about:

• Why good audio quality matters (and why there's no excuse for bad podcast sound) • How Open Forum grew to nearly 200 episodes and over 22,000 listens • The surprising power of letting guests bring their own questions to an interview • How podcasting fits perfectly into the active lifestyle of seniors • Episodes that unexpectedly became fan favorites

Mike also shares stories from behind the mic, including lawnmowers interrupting recordings, surprise bathroom flushes during interviews, and the challenge of capturing great conversations in the wild.

Then Gail puts Mike through the Rapid Fire Round before finally giving Mike his moment to do what every guest eventually does…

Yell at Gail to "shut up!"

About Mike Roth

Mike Roth is the host and producer of Village Vitality: Senior Life Unscripted, a listener-supported weekly podcast highlighting voices, ideas, and conversations from one of the most unique retirement communities in America (and beyond).

His guests include authors, doctors, politicians, comics, innovators, and community leaders, all sharing stories that matter to the residents of The Villages and beyond.

New episodes are released every Friday morning.

###

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight" is part of The BIT Improv Comedy Network - Mainstage. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Himself: Mike Roth

MUSIC: "Shut Up Gail Theme" lyrics by Hill Kane and generated by AI. "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © | RIP buddy CREWHost, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

Ohio Raised. Truth Bomb Fed. Enlightened as Hell.

Guest: Freddie Simone (Ohio's own Inlightened Ediot™)

What happens when Gail sits down with a comedian who proudly calls herself an Enlightened Idiot—with the E and I intentionally swapped? You get a conversation that's equal parts stand-up set, philosophy lecture, and spiritual mic drop.

Fresh off their PodFest 2026 meet-cute, Gail welcomes Freddie Simone, creator of Foxy Freddy Entertainment, a performer who delivers wisdom with bite, humor with heart, and truth bombs with impeccable timing. Freddie believes enlightenment doesn't require silence, softness, or spellcheck, and she makes a compelling case that laughter might be the fastest route to clarity.

This episode dives into:

• Why being smart and dumb at the same time might be the most honest way to live
• How comedy can sit in discomfort without losing the laugh
• The art of delivery (because you can say almost anything… if you say it right)
• Why play, joy, and feeding your inner child aren't optional—they're survival tools
• And why sometimes the most enlightened advice is simply: "Shut the f* up."**

It's bold. It's funny. It's surprisingly tender. Like Freddie herself—crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside.

Best Line Pull-Quotes

"We're all smart, but we're dumb, okay?"

"Shocking but sweet. Sweet and shocking—that's the brand."

"The world would be better if people just shut the f*** up."

(Honorable mention to the turkey pesto sandwich discourse, which somehow became a spiritual metaphor.)

Rapid-Fire Highlights

• Preferred delivery system: Truth bombs (no glitter, please)

• Carnival ride name: The Motaco Mixer

• Enlightenment vs. sandwich: Jury's out—but toast the bread, and we'll talk

Final Word

This episode is a reminder that wisdom doesn't have to whisper; sometimes it laughs loudly, swears a little, and tells you exactly what you didn't know you needed to hear.

And yes. Freddie absolutely tells Gail to shut up.

Repeatedly. 💖

Follow Freddie:

Facebook

Instagram

🎧 SHUT UP GAIL – Episode 11 Play Is Not Optional (with Margo Escott)

Play is not a reward. It's not a break. It's not something you "get back to" when life calms down.

According to Margo Escott, play is essential — and she's been proving it since the 1970s.

In this Season 2 premiere of Shut Up Gail, Gail sits down with Margo Escott: psychotherapist, New Games referee, improv teacher, and lifelong champion of joy. What unfolds is a grounded, hilarious, deeply human conversation about laughter, resilience, Parkinson's, anxiety, failure, and why yelling "TA‑DA!" at your mistakes might actually change your life.

🧠 What We Talk About

• Why play isn't optional, for kids or adults

• How improv became a powerful therapeutic tool

• Using play with people living with Parkinson's (and their care partners)

• Why CBT + mindfulness + improv is a secret weapon for anxiety

• The radical idea that there are no mistakes

• Pain vs. suffering — and how presence loosens suffering's grip

• Gibberish dinnertime (yes, really)

💬 Best Lines

"There are no mistakes. Everything you do is meant to happen." "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." "Play helps us get out of our heads — and back into being human."

🎭 The Yelling (Mandatory)

Margo delivers not one, not two, but multiple heartfelt, joyful, and slightly mischievous renditions of:

"Shut up, Gail."Because professionals commit to the bit.

💥 Why This Episode Matters

This isn't just an interview — it's permission. Permission to play. Permission to fail loudly. Permission to laugh in the middle of hard things.

And permission to tell Gail to shut up.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Herself: Margot Escott

MUSIC: "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © (RIP buddy :()

"The BIT Spotlight" and "Shut Up Gail" are part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Host, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]

🎙️ Shut Up, Gail – Season Finale: "Yes, And Your Way to World Domination" Guest: Jay Sukow Host: Gail Shepherd (Not Like Cher, but kinda like Cher)

Improv legend Jay Sukow drops into Gail's virtual lair to talk shop, shout affirmations, mispronounce "spatula," and accidentally invent the word "fyrk." If you've ever wondered whether failure is your superpower, or if you should microwave fish at work (spoiler: don't), this episode is your new religion.

Get ready for:

🎭 The Renaissance of Improv: Jay reflects on the early days of doing scenes with 12 nerds in a rec center and how improv went from "misfit hobby" to "mandatory corporate training."

📉 Failing Spectacularly: Why bombing is beautiful, and how to embrace every weird moment like you meant to do it all along.

🧠 Tools Not Rules: The improv mantra that might save your life—or at least your next Zoom meeting.

🔥 Rapid-Fire Madness: Gail grills Jay on late-night shows, Beastie Boys, Brave Spaces, and… boardroom jams vs. Chicago dive bars.

💥 Plus:

-Improv for four-year-olds and vintage performers -Side-mouth Cher impression -A surprise Shakespeare reference (because Gail has a degree) -"Shut Up, Gail" yelled with emotionally intelligent rage-Winslow the British assistant (who definitely ghosted Jay)

🎧 Best Lines:

• "You're in control of your character. Stop acting like your character owns you."

• "We don't need rules. We need a fyrk."

• "Failure is the gift. The comedy is in the mess."

🛑 WARNING: This episode contains high-level improv geekery, joy, and at least two sincere metaphors involving bunting.

Be sure to come back on Janaury 8th for the Season Two kick off.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at [email protected]

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network. Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST Gail: Hill Kane Himself: Jay Sukow

MUSIC: "Zombie Clambake" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © (RIP buddy :()

"The BIT Spotlight" and "Shut Up Gail" are part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Host, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. ©2025 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Send inquiries + notices + requests: [email protected]