Don't Sit in the Front!

This week's guest is the very funny, very inspiring Diana Hong! (@wellhongd). 

We talked about her long path from a career as an aspiring professional golfer to struggles with mental health and eventually finding her career in standup comedy. This was a long one and we went on a deep dive. (CW: discussions of suicide, ~26:00-28:00)

The comic of the week is Aida Rodriquez! We watched her episode of "Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready" on Netflix. 

Continue to donate to Black Lives Matter and bail funds in your city. Justice is out the window and it's a weird time to talk about comedy but remember that comedy is always political.

1. Always Punch Up

2. KEEP SWINGING

This week I talked to the very positive and self-described "Optimistic Comic," Lexie Grace! (@smilelexie)

We talked about what we're watching in quarantine, Lexie's use of the time indoors to work on creative projects, her love of doing standup in weird places, and some of the cool shows she got to perform on just before quarantine. 

You can find Lexie's TikTok at @smilelexie 

Our comic of the week is @mariabamfordcomedy, who needs little introduction. BUT if you want the best intro to her latest stuff you should watch her special  "Weakness is the Brand" (or listen to the album on Spotify). 

Stay healthy, happy and safe!

1. Always punch up. 

2. Keep swinging. 

For this week's episode I talked with Sam Tallent (IG: @samtallent) about his novel Running the Light and touring all over the US. Sam's book is amazing and comedians such as Jackie Kashian, Bert Kreischer, Doug Stanhope, and Kyle Kinane have all said he nails the experience of being a touring comedian on the road. Sam was so nice to make time and chat with me but we did have to just use a Zoom call audio so apologies for that. I tried to clean it up the best I could and it came out just fine.

You can order Sam's book at his website to give him the best share of the profit: https://www.samtallent.com/   All copies are signed and the new cover art is sick. 

I loved Sam's book and if you're any kind of alt comedy fan you will too. 

Sam also has a podcast called Chubby Behemoth. 

Comedians we shouted out in this episode: 

Mara Wiles: @marawiles

Janae Burris: @negativenegro

Troy Walker: @troywalkeresq

Chris Charpentier: @charpiecomedy

I talked with standup comedian and Ghost Town (@ghosttownpod) cohost Rebecca Leib! (@rebeccaleib)  We talked about her podcast Ghost Town, standup in LA and NY, the ups and downs of standup online, and the magic of live standup. 

The comic of the week is Sofiya Alexandra (@thesofiya). We talked about her new album "Father's Day"

You can find her album, merch, and other work at: https://taplink.cc/thesofiya 

Rebecca and I realized we're both from WI midway through and talked about that a bit as well! With that said: if I have any small platform I want to use it to say unequivocally that Black Lives Matter. I stand against police brutality, white supremacist terror, and the ongoing injustice in my home state of Wisconsin as well as in my new home of LA. Donate and be active where and how you can: 

Black Lives Matter - Los Angeles: https://linktr.ee/blmla

Milwaukee Freedom Fund: https://supportwomenshealth.salsalabs.org/mkefreedomfund/index.html

Thank you to @chrishellking for the slick new intro music. 

Thank you to everyone who listens.

1. Always punch up.

2. Keep swinging. 

In this episode I talked with the very funny comedian Kari Assad (IG: @assadkarirocks). We talked about weird quarantine snacks, Kari doing comedy in clubs vs. alt shows before the pandemic, and pros and cons of doing standup through live stream. I also asked Kari about her personal relationship to standup and our comic of the week was Taylor Tomlinson. 

Thank you for all your support! 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/assadkarirocks/

Website: https://www.kariassadcomedy.com/bio 

Kari's video on I.C.E. detention centers: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEKSKkWgb7c/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet 

*Also, donate to support protestors demonstrating against the attempted murder of Jacob Blake and all the supporters standing up to white supremacist terror in Kenosha, WI: https://supportwomenshealth.salsalabs.org/mkefreedomfund/index.html

You can reach out to me in the following ways: 

IG: dontsitinthefront

Twitter: dont_sit

Email: [email protected] 

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1. Always punch up.

2. Keep Swinging

In Episode 2 I talk with my friend Ed about recent specials I watched since we've been in quarantine, news in the world of standup, Variety's 10 Comics to Watch for 2020, drive-in standup shows, Ed's experience with VR standup, and more. We also talked about the 2005 tour documentary The Comedians of Comedy featuring Patton Oswalt, Maria Bamford, Brian Posehn and Zach Galifianakis. 

Please follow the show and let me know what you think at the following handles: 

Instagram: dontsitinthefront

Twitter: dont_sit

Gmail: [email protected] 

Some links from episode content: 

InCrowd Comedy: "Bringing fans and artists face to face. A responsible answer to live entertainment." @incrowdcomedy 

Variety article on 10 Comics to Watch: https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/variety-10-comics-to-watch-for-2020-1234731802/

Brooklyn Vegan article on Mulaney/Birbiglia drive-in show: https://www.brooklynvegan.com/mike-birbiglia-john-mulaney-announce-nj-drive-in-show/

Thank you! 

Two Rules: 1. Always punch up 2. Keep swinging. 

In this first episode I talk with Casey Gates Frey (@CaseyGates, IG: @theladybrain) about WhoHaha (@whohahadotcom, IG: @whohaha), a digital platform for women+ comedians and creators. We also talk about the state of comedy in quarantine, what we miss about live shows and Sam Jay's new Netflix special "3 In the Morning"  

Check out WhoHaha at the socials provided above and be sure to check out Casey's short comedic film "Crystal" at her Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ladybrainfilms/crystal

You can follow the show and send me recommendations for episode ideas, comics to check out, and suggestions for guests at our Twitter: dont_sit or Instagram: dontsitinthefront 

You can also email the show at [email protected]