My Opening Line

We delve into how innocuous childhood situations shape an artist in the biggest ways as Mike Cannon covers the George Carlin line that changed his life (spoiler: it involves an anchovy’s cunt), how club owners abuse their performers, barking for stage time, and instigating hecklers.

Comic and actress Jessie Jolles joins us to talk about her start and rise in entertainment from her childhood performances to being the spokesperson for major TV commercials and the wide-spread success of her web series It's a Date! She gets vulnerable as she shares her family dynamic including being directed by her actor/comic brother, getting over panic attacks and becoming comfortable with herself, and dealing with success and self-worth – all while being amazingly hilarious and delightful.

From his big break in The Music Man to being a multiple Emmy and Peabody award winner, Josh Gondelman regales us with stories on his school musical triumph, teaching pre-school, his first time on stage, his late night stand-up debut on Conan, and his writing/producing career that includes HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and now Showtime’s Desus and Mero.

Actor, writer, and producer Dan Hartley shares his career stories including his first stage performance at age 10, humiliating himself in front of Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, and being his own stunt man on Law & Order: SVU. The gang discusses how to be yourself, how to sit on the toilet without a phone, and the implications of personal sex tapes. Be nice to waiters.

Whether it's being born in The Big Easy (New Orleans), talking about his bathroom habits (wiping with dryer sheets), performing his first set (after drinking half a pitcher of Jack and Coke), working as a professional dog walker (only to have a client's dog murder a stranger's dog on a walk), or finally giving stand-up its due (a month after 9/11), Sean Patton’s journey is informative, hilarious, and some third thing. He shares with you his life lessons and the twists and turns that led to him being a successful comedian that included appearances on Fallon, Conan, Showtime, IFC, and his own Comedy Central special.

Dante Nero talks about how he leveraged his (male) stripper work into a stand-up comedy career. From his introduction and close friendship with Patrice O’Neal to starting the podcast that took his career to the next level, Dante gets naked with us.

Jesse Joyce, writer for the Oscars and Comedy Central Roasts, discusses his very first jokes as a child, alcoholism, and discovering stand-up. Jesse remembers when he learned The Big Stand-Up Trick, and he talks about the difference between old and new-school comics. He shares his experiences watching comedians have breakdowns on stage, the death of his best friend Greg Giraldo, and his heart-to-heart with Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper’s Mark Curry.

Jon Laster, comedian and actor, talks Def Jam, roast battles, and where it all began. The gang discusses legacy, the reason Eddie Murphy quit stand-up, the death of an absentee dad, and the joy of making your mom smile. Enjoy, and check your daily habits.

Frank Liotti joins Keith and Chemda to talk about his acting and stand-up career. They talk about the rarity of getting to see comedy performances as a kid, misunderstandings coming from people always assuming comics are joking, and taking advantage of raw talent. Frank then explains that when the show is not working, it's your fault. You, specifically.