Let's Talk About Sets!

Caitlin Peluffo is a machine gun of audience-loving funny, a “lovable loose cannon." She’s a Wonder Woman at working with audience energy, so this episode is dedicated to “ENERGY." Comics talk endlessly about energy, whether or not they are New Age crystal masters. What do they mean by it? How do you manage it? How do you read it? And since Caitlin is so funny and endearing, the three comedians laughed and joked their way through this entire recording. As a result, you’re going to love it.

ABOUT THE GUEST COMIC

Caitlin is quick-witted, disarming comedian based in Brooklyn whose sense of humor about herself is downright infectious. So it's not surprising that she's done so well at many comedy festivals and competitions around the country. Peluffo has also been seen on NBC's Seeso in "New York's Funniest" and performed with Gilbert Gottfried, Gary Gulman, and the late Kevin Meany. Although she focuses on her love of “dating” and her lack of self control, no subject is off limits. And she just had her callback for the Just for Laughs Festival here in New York!

FEATURED BITS IN THIS EPISODE

- Dave Attell - Love (Skanks For The Memories, 2003)

- Dave Attell - Condoms (Skanks For The Memories, 2003)

- Caitlin Peluffo - Riffing and Sexy Beast

- Rory Scovel - Holy Fuck. Live Comedy. (2014)

- Dave Attell - Tattoos (Skanks For The Memories, 2003)

Oh, and special thanks to Dave Attell, Rory Scoville, (as always) Salt ‘N Peppa for all of our remarkably fair use.

And lastly,

CHECK OUT CAITLIN PELUFFO AND HER RAPID-FIRE COMEDY AT:

- www.caitlinpeluffo.com

- twitter.com/caitlinpeluffo

- instagram.com/caitlinpeluffo

- facebook.com/caitlin.peluffo

Ashley Gavin is a robot--a high-energy, high impact, hysterically funny, lesbian robot. Many of her fantastic jokes hit hard because she's so good at communicating who she is and what she's about within seconds of getting on stage, so we dedicated this episode to "Persona Bits", i.e. jokes that only work once the audience knows the comic (or the comedic persona). Jeff and Harrison hope you love this as much as they loved recording it. You’d better!

ABOUT THE GUEST COMIC

Ashley Gavin is a New York-based, nationally touring comedian. Her comedy has been featured on FOX, AXS TV, SeeSo, and SiriusXM Comedy. Ashley has headlined at colleges and clubs around the country, including her recent breakout (sold-out) performance at Carolines. She's also taken part in some of the most prestigious festivals and showcases including NBC's Stand Up For Diversity, Comedy Central Comics To Watch, and New York's Funniest.

FEATURED BITS IN THIS EPISODE:

- Wanda Sykes - Gay vs. Black (I'ma Be Me, HBO 2009)

- Ashley Gavin - Electric Fence

- Ashley Gavin - Mike Pence

- Patrice O'Neal - Egg On Your Head (Elephant In The Room, Comedy Central, 2011)

- Harrison Tweed - Animal Rights

Special thanks to Wanda Sykes, Patrice O’Neal’s ghost, and (forever) Salt ‘N Peppa for all of our unreservedly fair use.

And lastly…

CHECK OUT ASHLEY GAVIN AT:

- ashgavs.com (bookings and other info)

- facebook.com/ashgavs

- twitter.com/ashgavs

- instagram.com/ashgavs

- instagram.com/gaygirlstraightgirl/ (her web series)

Brandon Scott Wolf is wonderfully absurd, both personally and professionally; so this episode is dedicated to absurdist stand-up comedy. What is absurdism? How does it work? What is the point of absurdism, if there even is one? Why is absurdism rare in stand-up, and why is that a good thing? The comedians couldn't stop laughing at their collective inanity, so this one is BONUSLY long. And it's totally worth it.

ABOUT THE GUEST COMIC:

Brandon Scott Wolf is a Brooklyn-based comedian and TV writer who was described by The New York Times as "a droll one-liner comic with a passion for absurd comedic ideas."

His stand-up credits are numerous. Not only is he a UCB featured performer, he's been on Funny Or Die, a variety of festivals, and TBS's Lopez Tonight. He's also been a staff writer for NBC's Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris and a freelance contributor for Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update! He even got his start at "The Onion."

Brandon's online comedy has also "gone viral" few times and been featured in news outlets, radio stations, and TV shows around the globe. Links to his online comedic work are listed at the bottom, and they're worth those clicks.

FEATURED BITS IN THIS EPISODE:

- Nick Swardson - Cat/Ghost (Party, 2007)

- Brandon Scott Wolf - a 5 minute set from Caroline's On Broadway Presents, 2015

- Noel Fielding - Live Melbourne (Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala, 2003)

- Brandon Scott Wolf - Okay

- Nick Vatterott - Older Material (For Amusement Only, 2014)

- Rory Scovel - Mini Golf/Lotion bit from Smile (Dilation, 2011)

Special thanks to Nick Swardson, Noel Fielding, Nick Vatterott, and Rory Scoville, (as always) Salt ‘N Peppa for all of our decidedly fair use.

And lastly...

CHECK OUT BRANDON AND HIS (OH-SO-BORING) COMEDIC GENIUS AT:

- His new online religion: followbrandonscottwolf.com

- His attempt to fight Floyd 'Money' Mayweather: fightbrandonscottwolf.com

- His solo online dating site: datebrandonscottwolf.com

FIND HIM ON:

twitter.com/BrandonEsWolf

instagram.com/emptyplatesofny (an alt food blog)

his podcast: alwaysbeensilly.tumblr.com

his website: http://www.brandonscottwolf.com/

Usama Siddiquee is a standup comic and light-speed comedy host. His high-energy comedy style and turbo-riffing can be seen all over the U.S., and he's a "made man" at New York Comedy Club in Manhattan.

He wrote about himself, "Usama Siddiquee is a Bengali-American stand-up comedian and actor based in New York. He’s the kind of comic you want to follow right now, so you can totally gloat to your friends about how you were totally into him before he got huge. And then they’ll get really jealous of your impeccable foresight and superior taste." This would be so, so irritating if it weren't dead-on accurate and abundantly apparent to everyone who sees him perform.

He was most recently the 1st place winner of the 2016 Laughing Devil Cup Comedy Festival in New York; the 1st place winner of the 2015 Yonkers Comedy Festival as well as the 1st place winner of the 2015 Make Me Laugh Albany Comedy Festival. He was also featured this year on both FusionTV and Huffington Post.

This episode is frenetic and hilarious, frothing with the fervor all three comics share for stand up, peppered with philosophies of success. You'll laugh while they tear each other to stereotype shreds; and you'll come away wondering, "Just how skinny IS Usama? How bald is Jeff? What is the point of Harrison?"

Featured bits in this episode:

- Louis CK - The Post Office (HBO Special: Shameless, 2007)

- Usama Siddiquee - Usama in the airport

- John Mulaney - Drag Queens (The Top Part, 2009)

- Arj Barker - <3 (LYAO Live, 2010)

Special thanks to Louis CK, John Mulaney, Arj Barker, and (as always) Salt ‘N Peppa for all of our definitely fair use.

And lastly...

Follow Usama on:

instagram: @UsamaBinLaughin

twitter: @UsamaBinLaughin

Facebook: facebook.com/usamastandsup

Website: www.usamastandsup.com

Episode link: https://www.letstalkaboutsets.com/episode-002-usama-siddiquee-every-joke-has-to-have-a-corpse/

Drew Morgan is a standup comic, author, and comedy writer. He’s currently on tour with Trae Crowder (“The Liberal Redneck”) and Corey Ryan Forrester as part of “WellRED Comedy Tour.” Drew, Corey, and Ryan also co-wrote a best-selling book titled “The Liberal Redneck Manifesto: Draggin’ Dixie Outta the Dark”, which can be purchased at Target, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and wherever else books are sold. And you can catch Drew on the “WellRED Podcast,” which you can find on iTunes.

Featured bits in this episode:

- An opener from Drew Morgan

- An opener from Maria Bamford (Conan, 05/13/99)

- Jeff Foxworthy - Ice Fishing (Blue Collar Comedy Tour, 2003)

- David Cross - Miles For Kids (The Pride Is Back, 1999)

Special thanks to Maria Bamford, Jeff Foxworthy, David Cross, and (as always) Salt ‘N Peppafor all of our wildly fair use.

You can learn more about Drew on his website at www.averagedrew.com or get in on his wildly popular comedy trio at wellredcomedy.com. Even better, grab a copy of his co-authored book, The Liberal Redneck Manifesto: Draggin' Dixie Outta the Dark.

Episode Link: https://www.letstalkaboutsets.com/episode-001-drew-morgan-2/

This is the inaugural episode. Harrison said, "Dude, we should talk and stuff about stuff." Jeff interpreted that to mean that the hosts should record an episode that explains who we are because, without the backdrop of our characters, Jeff seems like a real ass, despite actually being quite harmless. Shifting grammatical person here, we had a blast shooting the shit about why we enjoy each other, how different we are, and why we just love stand up so damn much. After playing a few of our favorite bits, we played sports commentator as we admired skills and techniques employed to make these bits hit hard.

Featured bits in this episode:

Louis CK - Miracle of Flight (2011)

Doug Stanhope - Two-Headed Baby (Deadbeat Hero, 2004)

Dane Cook - BK Lounge (Harmful If Swallowed, 2003)

Special thanks to Louis, Doug, and Dane in addition to Salt 'N Peppa for all of our wildly fair use.

This is a bonus episode, which means it was recorded before Harrison Tweed become the permanent co-host and while Jeff was still figuring out this podcasting jazz.

Patrick Holbert is the most charming man alive; and as such, he can get away with some risqué material! He's a stand up comedian who can be seen all around NYC. He has performed on Sirius XM and hosts the internationally syndicated TV show “The Movie Loft.” In 2016, he appeared on TruTV’s “Hack My Life”.

Jeff McBride and Sandip Sen host this episode, and they have a blast diving into Patrick's bit about how he is keenly aware of his desire for attention and how he can relate it to a very taboo subject...but no spoilers. You just have to hear it for yourself.

Featured bits in this episode:

- Bill Burr - The Most Difficult Job On The Planet (Let It Go, 2010)

- Mark Normand – PC Culture (Conan, 05/13/2016)

- Sandip Sen - ADD

- Patrick Holbert - Motorcycle Vanity

Special thanks to Bill Burr, Mark Normand, and (as always) Salt 'N Peppa for all of our wildly fair use. And the dates of the plugs are for 2016 since this episode was gathering dust before the official podcast launch.

Lastly, you can check out Patrick Holbert's numerous projects at his website, www.patrickholbert.com. And have a listen to his podcast, "The Comic's Table".

This is a bonus episode, which means it was recorded before Harrison Tweed become the permanent co-host and while Jeff was still figuring out this podcasting jazz.*

Jeff McBride and Sandip Sen hosted this episode, and they couldn't get over how clever Kevin's abstract associations were in his featured bit, called, "The Boys From Brazil." They talk about how long it can take to make those connections and the importance of long-term bit development.

Kevin Froleiks is rapid fire. A hysterical writer and performer, he's wildly prolific. The words just don't stop, neither on the page or in conversation. He thinks in jokes. He's also quite the musician, as evidenced by the Lewis & Clark musical he wrote and produced. Oh, and he's part of Clip Show: A Sketch Show (with Jeff).

Featured bits in this episode:

- John Mulaney – Blacking Out and Making Money (The Top Part, 2009)

- Brian Regan – Hearing (All by Myself, 2010)

- Kevin Froleiks - The Boys From Brazil

Special thanks to John Mulaney, Brian Regan, and (as always) Salt 'N Peppa for all of our wildly fair use.

Lastly, you can check out Kevin Froleiks' numerous projects on his website, kfcomedy.com. Have a listen to his podcast with the undeniably funny Patrick Reilly, We Wrote A Musical. Or if you're the learned type, mosey on over to Let's Read Together with Kevin Froleiks, where Kevin and a guest expertly review great literary works they've never read (Jeff reviewed "Great Expectations").

This is a bonus episode, which means it was recorded before Harrison Tweed become the permanent co-host and while Jeff was still figuring out this podcasting jazz.

Ben Rosenfeld creates smarter comedy for smarter people. Ben’s comedy blends his family’s experience as Russian Jewish immigrants in America with his philosophical beliefs, political observations and unique characters. Ben has appeared on FOX’s Laughs, CBS This Morning, National Geographic’s Brain Games, NPR Weekend Edition, SiriusXM Radio, Rooftop Comedy and been featured as TimeOut New York’s Joke of the Week. He has twice headlined at Caroline’s on Broadway, hosted at the Lincoln Center and performs nightly in New York City. Ben has two comedy albums, Neuro Comedy and The Russian Optimist, which has been an Amazon Top 5 Best Selling Comedy Album. Ben also created the illustrated coffee table book, Russian Optimism: Dark Nursery Rhymes To Cheer You Right Up, an Amazon Top 5 Best Seller in Humor Books.

In this episode, Sandip Sen is the co-host with Jeff McBride, and they dig into Ben's bit about fear in America and how much he and Jeff grew from early exposure to George Carlin's work. They also touch on writing material from a place of anger or outrage and working toward funny, rather than the other way around. His dark humor "shines" with incisive analysis about smart comedy, learning your style, and gently misanthropic viewpoints influence by his early years in Russia.

Featured bits in this episode:

- George Carlin - Dumb Americans (Life Is Worth Losing, 2006)

- David Cross - Track 8 Fancy Restaurant Story (It's Not Funny, 2004)

- Ben Rosenfeld - America Runs On Fear

- Sandip Sen - Jenny McCarthy and Vaccines

Special thanks to David Cross, George Carlin’s Big Electron, and Salt ‘N Peppa for all of our unbelievably fair use.

Lastly, check out Ben Rosenfeld at http://www.bigbencomedy.com/blog/, and grab his darkly hilarious book from Amazon.com: Russian Optimism: Dark Nursery Rhymes To Cheer You Right Up.