Comedy is rooted in pain, they say, so little wonder Howard Hughes does it for a living. The Stand Up Scottsdale! owner and performer got divorced, suffered a stroke, and buried his beloved dog.. Series of life setbacks. -Spike TV and Bar Rescue paid a visit, resulting in a nationally televised sparring match with host Jon Taffer.

Hughes has used each of the setbacks described above as fodder for his comedy routine, which he first unveiled at Hollywood's Haha Cafe in 2005. Six years later, Valley native Hughes – a Marine who served in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm – took over the old Anderson's Fifth Estate building, showcasing up-and-coming comedy talent as a foil to the A-list-oriented Stand Up Live in Downtown Phoenix. Through it all, Hughes continues to make light of misfortune. He’s funny like that.

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