Funny In Failure

Nick Hoff is a nationally touring stand-up comedian as well as an actor and writer who has been on MTV, co-hosts a weekly show on SiriusXM, and was a featured act in Netflix’s Comedy Festival. His debut album “Baby Daddy” hit #1 on the iTunes comedy charts, and his BRAND NEW comedy special “America The Final Season” is now out! (links in episode notes below).  When he’s not on stage, Nick can often be seen in commercials for Miller Lite, Pepsi and Amazon.

Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy hand-picked Nick to open for them on their critically acclaimed “We’ve Been Thinking” Tour. He has headlined the “Pink Ribbon Comedy Tour” which made stops in 40 cities doing 65 shows all raising money for breast cancer research.  He was also part of the “Walk of Shame” national comedy tour, which was not quite so noble a cause.

He also hosts the podcast “Hoffcast” where he trades stories with comedians, friends, and one astronaut (so far).

We chat about his brand new comedy special, self-belief, thriving in your own way, bombing, fear, his magical joke book, 10 years in the making to start stand up, taking risks, sharing ideas with the right people, plus plenty more

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Nick out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickhoffcomedy/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/nickhoff Website: https://www.nickhoff.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nickhoff Comedy Special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATG3T6pLErA

Terrence Martin is a writer and independent filmmaker. An acting, writing, and directing collaboration with his wife and Academy Award-nominated screen icon, Ed Harris, his latest, GET AWAY IF YOU CAN, premiered in US theaters and is now available on Amazon & Apple as it rolls out internationally. The film was also honored by ReelTalker, who said it features the most memorable cinema scene of the year, a testament to its impact on audiences. Along with directing the depiction of the 1846 American wagon train tragedy, THE DONNER PARTY, Terrence loves writing novels and surfing. He lives in Patagonia with his wife, Maui, the dog, and Puma, the cat.

We chat about losing creative control and creative regrets, life in Patagonia, surfing, making a living playing poker, pitching and working with Ed Harris, writing the revenant before the revenant, being a studio tester and his love for film, seeking the right advice, egos, no bullying policy, creative jealousy and comparison + plenty more! The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Terrence out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharpreef/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/sharpreef Watch Get Away If You Can: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0B7629DD1/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Jordan L Jones is an actor who stars as ‘Jazz’, aka (DJ Jazzy Jeff), on the drama series “Bel-Air,” currently streaming on Peacock. The series holds the title of highest rating on Peacock and was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Biggest Entertainment film/TV project of 2022. Jordan has had the unique opportunity to portray more than one role based on a real person. 

Jordan was a series regular on the Fox TV comedy “REL,” based on the life of comedian Lil Rel Howery.  His other credits include FX’s award-winning series “Snowfall,” CBS’s “All Rise,” and the Netflix/Chuck Lorre comedy “Disjointed.”

We chat about being the snapchat king, being a PA, wisdom from his mum, cancelled shows and regrets, rejection, Bel Air, moving forward plus plenty more.

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Jordan out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanljones Twitter / X: https://x.com/JordanLJones_ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jordanljones Twitch: JordanLJones

Joe Mantegna is an award-winning actor as well as writer, producer and director who’s been in the business for 50 + years! He has won a Tony award, been nominated for 3 Primetime Emmy Awards and has over 400 IMDB credits.

He is probably best known for his role as Joey Zasa in the Francis Ford Coppola epic The Godfather Part III, in which he stars alongside Al Pacino and Andy Garcia or his long serving role as David Rossi in Criminal Minds which he has appeared in almost 300 episodes! He also plays Fat Tony in the Simpsons and has been in a number of films and shows such as Shooting Gallery, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Joan of Arcadia, National Memorial Day Concert, Elvis and Anabelle, Homicide, Baby’s Day Out, The Rat Pack, The Last Don and The Starter Wife.

After making his Broadway debut in Stephen Schwartz's musical of Studs Terkel's Working, Joe was awarded the Tony and Joseph Jefferson Award for his acclaimed performance as cynical real-estate agent Richard Roma in David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross. 

Closely associated with Mamet’s work, Joe starred in the theatrical premiere of A Life in the Theater, The Disappearance of the Jews at the Goodman Theater, and in the Broadway production of Speed the Plow with Ron Silver and Madonna. In addition, Joe directed a critically acclaimed stage production of Mamet's Lakeboat, starring Ed O’Neil and George Wendt, in a successful Los Angeles theatrical run. 

Other stand-out roles include Up Close and Personal, Baby's Day Out, Airheads, Queens Logic, Wait Until Spring Bandini, Eye for an Eye, The Runner, and Stephen King's Thinner. In addition to being the featured reader for numerous books-on-tape, Joe has narrated the Oscar-nominated documentary films Crack U.S.A.: Country Under Siege and Death on the Job. 

He has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.

If you’re a Criminal Minds fan we’ve also had AJ Cook (JJ) and Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) on the show as well, if you want to check them out as well.

We chat about playing Fat Tony on the Simpsons, Criminal Minds, competitive shooting, confidence, David Mamet, being a photographer, raising awareness about autism, being let go from his agent, winning awards, balance plus plenty more!

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Joe out on: Website: https://www.joemantegna.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemantegna/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joemantegna/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/JoeMantegna

Modi Rosenfeld is a stand-up comedian and actor. He was voted one of the top 10 comedians in New York City by The Hollywood Reporter. He is one of the comedy circuit’s most sought after performers. Featured on HBO, CBS, NBC, ABC, Comedy Central, Howard Stern, and E! Entertainment, Modi has received rave reviews in The New York Times, Time Out NY and The New York Post. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Modi emigrated with his family to the United States at the age of seven and was raised on Long Island. After graduating from Boston University, he worked as an investment banker until his first open-mic night made him realize that stand-up was his true calling. Equipped with a sharp wit and a knack for reading his audience, Modi has gone on to become a successful fixture in New York's comedy scene, often doing bits that incorporate his heritage. He is a hit with audiences of all backgrounds and beliefs.

He is now a regular performer at the New York and Los Angeles comedy clubs but has also become well known across the US and also across the globe. He is currently touring so check out the links below if you’d like to see him. 

Modi has played himself on HBO's Crashing and Netflix's When Jews Were Funny. He's also appeared in several feature films and played leading roles in two: Waiting for Woody Allen, which won the LA Film Festival, and Stand Up, a feature-length film. In 2018, Mayor Bill De Blasio declared June 26th 'Mordechi Modi Rosenfeld Day' in the city of New York for his accomplishments and contributions to the artistic community.

Modi has a brand new comedy special - Know Your Audience which is hilarious (links in episode notes below) and he also hosts the popular Podcast, and Here’s Modi.

We chat about Moshiach energy, great relationships, his brand-new comedy special, why June 26th is a special day, the right fit, leaving room for a miracle, shifting away from negativity, Wayne Dyer plus plenty more!

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Modi out on: Website: https://www.modilive.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modi_live/?hl=en Tickets to shows: https://www.modilive.com/shows Comedy album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPF3GkKuPVc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Modicomedian/

Caitlin Cook wears many hats, she is a comedian, singer-songwriter, artist, writer, director, producer and designer. She began writing songs at age four, she’s not your conventional stand-up, Caitlin combines witty one-liners and scintillating storytelling with hilariously irreverent musical comedy and projected visuals. She has taken the stage all across the US, Canada, Europe, and Oceania at top-tier venues (like the Meltdown in Los Angeles, Union Hall in Brooklyn, and the Bill Murray in London), comedy clubs (like Comedy on State in Madison, the Comedy MIX in Vancouver, and Dead Crow Comedy in Wilmington), festivals (like the New York Comedy Festival, Skankfest, and High Mud), theatres (like Theatre 99 in Charleston, the Bug Theatre in Denver, and the Throckmorton in Mill Valley), dimly lit bar basements, strangers’ living rooms, and even a houseboat once. 

She has two other successful musical comedy albums: Zinger-Songwriter, which she recorded at 12 different venues while on tour across the US and UK, and Betty Pitch, which she recorded after writing 250 songs a day during the pandemic. A fierce champion of mixed media and genre-bending works of art, Caitlin has carved out a space for herself smack-dab in the centre of the Venn diagram between comedy, music, and theatre.

She has a number of shows out now called The Writing on the Stall and it sounds brilliant! Links below.

Caitlin Cook became obsessed with bathroom graffiti a decade ago while she was studying art history (of course) and getting frustrated at the pretentious exclusivity of the art world.

Fascinated by this perspective, Caitlin set about creating her own art from the bon mots, wise cracks, witticisms, bizarre ponderings, and silly doodles that make up bathroom stalls across the world. 

This led to the creation of The Writing on the Stall, which sold out its 2023 Off-Broadway debut and was a New York Times Critic’s Pick; the accompanying studio album has over 25M+ streams. 

We chat about leaving ones comfort zone, doing what scares you mentality, stage fright, sound healing, songwriting, not fitting in the ‘traditional comedy box’, her brand new shows in Edinburgh, graffiti and unique take on musical comedy plus plenty more!

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Caitlin out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaitlincook/?hl=en Tickets to shows: https://www.thecaitlincook.com/the-writing-on-the-stall Website: https://www.thecaitlincook.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUkWwnJMi6DNF8FPGdxvhTA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecaitlincook

Riki Lindhome is an Emmy nominated actress as well as a comedian, musician/ songwriter, writer, producer and director. Her wonderful career includes roles in acclaimed films such as ‘Knives Out’ and ‘Under the Silverlake’ and major hit shows ‘Wednesday’, ‘The Big Bang Theory’, ‘Brooklyn 99’, and most recently ‘The Muppets Mayhem’. She is one half of Garfunkel and Oates, her musical comedy duo with Kate Micucci, and she is also the co-creator and showrunner of the TV series ‘Another Period’ which aired on Comedy Central and was produced by Red Hour–Ben Stiller’s production company.

Additionally, Riki is an Emmy-nominated songwriter, and has contributed to animated movies and TV shows such as The Lego Movie 2 and the Spongebob Movie. She will appear as Maud in the upcoming horror film ‘They Listen’ by Blumhouse films later in 2024.

She will also be performing at Edinburgh her new show “Dead Inside”. Dead Inside is a poignant mix of true stories and silly songs about Riki’s personal and tumultuous journey into motherhood. Offering a fresh perspective on the still-very-much taboo subjects of infertility and surrogacy, this is Riki’s first foray into solo comedy performance, usually performing alongside Kate Micucci as Garfunkel and Oates. Tickets are on sale now! https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/riki-lindhome-dead-inside

We chat about the ups and downs of the industry, sending postcards to casting directors, the wild journey around having her child and how this will be in her new Edinburgh shows, rejection, her favourite song of hers, full circle moments, Another Period, meeting Kate Micucci & forming Garfunkel and Oates, how her YouTube page blew up, changing strategies, show running plus plenty more…

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Riki out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rikilindhome/?hl=en Tickets to shows: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/riki-lindhome-dead-inside Website: https://www.rikilindhome.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpg4SSEofXiCdlqyDfmLzXQ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rikilindhome Such as Loser song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_JI5cqakIU

Josh Glanc is an award-winning comedian and actor. He’s had sold out runs at the Soho Theatre, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe. He’s performed comedy at Glastonbury, the O2 Arena, Just For Laughs, and was nominated for 3 Green Room Awards for his show Vrooom Vrooom which is now released on 800lb Gorilla (links below). He’s also appeared on Australian television shows such as Comedy Up Late (ABC), Utopia (ABC) and Skit Happens (Network Ten) and on ITV and BBC Three in the UK.

Josh has recently been selected to make a Channel 4 Comedy Blap (sketch show) and was also chosen as a showcase act for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival All Stars TV show.

His new show “Josh Glanc: Family Man” is now out in Edinburgh (tickets available below).

Here’s a snapshot of his new show: Fringe favourite Josh Glanc returns with his most intimate, personal, and musical hour yet. Years ago, he sacrificed a lucrative career as a lawyer to become the wacky comedian you know today. Now he must finally grapple with the consequences of a life-changing choice

We chat about his upcoming shows in Edinburgh, why he moved to the UK, community pressures and validation, giving up being a lawyer to pursue comedy, conflict and confidence, identity, comedic voice plus plenty more! The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Josh out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshglanc/ Tickets to shows: https://joshglanc.com/see-me-live/ Comedy album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai_ygtk94_M&t=3s Website: www.joshglanc.com Comedy Album: https://joshglanc.bandcamp.com/album/vrooom-vrooom-the-re-imagined-audio-from-the-live-show

Scott Edgar can do it all! He is a comedian, musician, composer, illustrator, writer and is perhaps best known as one-third of beloved iconic Australian comedy band Tripod, with whom he’s won an ARIA and lost a GRAMMY.

He’s also a veteran writer, composer and illustrator for video games, animation and kids’ publishing, working for clients such as Ubisoft, Wizards of the Coast, Penguin Random House, the Cartoon Network and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. 

Tripod have been regulars on the international live comedy and cabaret circuit, regulars on radio and television and also have done songwriting for musicals for the screen and stage.  In the twenty-plus years since they first appeared on the Melbourne live pub scene, the “boys” have delighted audiences from comedy clubs to symphonic concert halls and everything in between. They have also created numerous narrative musicals for the stage, as well as for children’s cartoons and global videogame properties, picking up multiple awards and, through their constant work on television and radio becoming a much-loved household name along the way.

We chat about his Grammy nomination, the highs and lows of a creative career, Tripod and taking a break, creativity and collaboration, his other wonderful creative careers, Skithouse, conflict, the Australian art industry and change of view of success.

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Scott out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scodmanisfine Website: https://scottedgarcreative.com/

Nichole Sakura is an actor & writer. She was just announced as the voice in the role of ‘Suzume’ in Makoto Shinkai’s Sony animated feature of the same name. She also recently was given a leading role in the Universal Feature, PLEASE DON'T DESTROY. She can currently be seen as one of the leads in the Hulu series, MAGGIE with Rebecca Rittenhouse from creators Maggie Mull and Justin Adler. 

Previously, Nichole starred on NBC's SUPERSTORE, where she starred for six seasons as ‘Cheyenne.’ Nichole's character also had a spin-off in development at NBC.  

Nichole will voice one of the lead roles in The Disney Channel's upcoming animated series, KIFF! Nichole also wrote and starred in the Funny or Die Sketch series #NICEGIRLS about girls who are a little too considerate. Nichole has also appeared as a recurring character on the Showtime series, SHAMELESS as ‘Amanda.’ Previous feature credits include, PROJECT X, MAN UP, and TEENAGE COCKTAIL which premiered at SXSW. 

We chat about surfing, wanting to grow, grief, Superstore, fear, improv, leaving social media, Superstore spin off, creating your own content, self-acceptance and comparison, creativity & joy, being recast in Project X plus plenty more! The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Nichole out on: X / Twitter:  https://x.com/nicholesakura IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3783235/