On this episode of Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt Smith sits down one-on-one with comedy veteran Steven Lolli. With decades of experience in stand-up and writing credits for Katt Williams, Steven brings road-tested insight, comedy philosophy, and plenty of wild stories from life in the industry.
Often nicknamed “The Urban Jew” for his reputation of absolutely crushing in Black comedy rooms, Steven talks with Matt about learning to read different audiences, earning respect in rooms that don’t know you yet, and what it takes to make any crowd laugh. The two also get into the realities of touring as a comic—the late-night drives, unpredictable crowds, and the strange situations that only seem to happen on the road.
The conversation explores the balance between conflict aversion and being overly confrontational, both in comedy and in everyday life, and how comedians walk that line when tackling real-world topics on stage.
This episode also carries a heavier backdrop. It was recorded just about five miles away in West Bloomfield while an attempted terror attack targeting a synagogue in the area was unfolding. Matt and Steven take time to address the rise of conspiracy theories online that fuel antisemitism and other forms of hate, and talk about why those narratives are dangerous when left unchallenged.
Comedy is about honesty, perspective, and sometimes saying uncomfortable truths out loud—but hate has no place in that conversation.
Stop Jewish hate.
A mix of comedy war stories, cultural commentary, and real talk from two comics who’ve spent years navigating the stage and the world around it. 🎙️
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