Standup Comedy "Your Host and MC"

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Not being famous doesn’t mean you failed. Sometimes it means you built something sturdier: a career that actually lasts. We sit down with our longtime friend Steve Bruner, a veteran stand-up comedian whose work spans comedy clubs, corporate comedy, cruise ships, and TV, to talk honestly about what keeps a comic working decade after decade.

Steve takes us back to the early signals that pulled him toward the stage, the notebook habits that shaped his joke writing, and the grind of paying dues from Bay Area open mics to his first paid spot at the Holy City Zoo. We also get into the real-world business side of stand-up comedy: why having a backup plan can be smart, how mentorship shows up in the comedy community, and why toughness matters even if you are a “nice guy.”

A big thread is clean comedy. Steve explains why staying clean is not about being cautious, it is about writing stronger material that plays in more rooms, from TV auditions to corporate events and cruise audiences. We also drop in a classic archival set from Laughs Unlimited, then talk about how audiences have changed, how phones compete for attention, and why short-form clips can now reach millions through platforms like Dry Bar.

If you care about the craft of stand-up, the road life, and the strategy behind a sustainable comedy career, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a comedy fan, and leave a review. What part of comedy do you think is harder now than it was in the 90s?

Hosted by: R. Scott Edwards

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"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

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A “cornucopia” sounds fancy until you hear what we mean: a rapid, no-filler variety pack of live comedy that jumps styles on purpose and keeps you laughing before you can settle in. We built Cornucopia of Comedy as a time-capsule ride through the 1980s and 1990s comedy scene connected to Laughs Unlimited, our outdoor Laughs in the Park concerts, and the TV world around Live at Laughs.

We start with the late, great vibe of a true master of ceremonies, Ronnie Kenny, delivering sharp one-liners about exercise, drinking, and the kind of laws that make you wonder who wrote them. Then we flip into comedy music with a parody drive-thru song put together by Carlos Alazraqui and Chris Hobbs, featuring voice work from my longtime partner Bob Stobener.

From there, we bring in Kevin Pollack, a world-class impressionist and actor, with vintage material that blends movie commentary with a Star Trek riff that turns into a full scene. Finally, we hit the big outdoor energy of Laughs in the Park with ventriloquist Jay Johnson, then close on a high note with theme music written and performed by Robert Aguilar for our TV series, with Bob singing on the track.

If you love classic stand-up comedy, impressions, ventriloquism, and behind-the-scenes comedy history, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a rating or review so more comedy fans can find us.

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  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

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Former stand-up comic Mike Bromberg joins R. Scott Edwards to talk about his journey from comedy clubs and open mics to Chicago improv, acting, public speaking and teaching.

Mike shares how performing stand-up helped him develop confidence, stage presence and the ability to connect with an audience—skills he now uses as a professional speaker and educator. He also discusses why some talented comedians become famous while others don't, the importance of marketing and business skills, and why performing live comedy in an intimate club remains such a unique experience. 

Mike also talks about studying and performing improv in Chicago, where he learned how great improvisers can create the same kind of magic as great stand-up comedians. 

Today, Mike combines his background in comedy, communication and education as a professional speaker, including presentations on happiness and positive psychology. 

Keywords: Mike Bromberg, stand-up comedy, public speaking, comedy interview, improv comedy, Chicago comedy, comedy clubs, professional speaker, comedy career, live comedy, R. Scott Edwards, Standup Comedy Your Host and MC

Support the show

  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

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Three names you already know, captured at moments you probably haven’t heard: Jay Leno in a sold-out 1985 Sacramento concert, Dana Carvey in 1983 when he’s still a hungry featured act, and Jerry Seinfeld in 1980 making his first appearance on R. Scott Edwards’ stage at Laughs Unlimited. This one plays like a comedy time capsule, with the original room energy intact and the kind of live timing you can’t fake in a studio.

We kick off with Leno firing on all cylinders, turning magazines, advertising, TV culture, and game shows into sharp observational stand-up. Then Carvey takes the mic and does what he’s always done best: react fast, riff hard, and build characters and weird little moments out of pure crowd work. You’ll even catch a detail that instantly dates the era: the smoke-filled comedy club reality that shaped how rooms felt and how comics had to fight for attention.

Before Seinfeld’s set, Scott shares a personal behind-the-scenes story about meeting Jerry early, watching the move from club comic to sitcom lead, and the rare professionalism Jerry showed by calling back after a cancellation to make good on a commitment. Then you get the payoff: Seinfeld’s early jokes, early rhythm, and early point of view taking shape in real time.

If you love stand-up comedy podcasts, classic comedy recordings, and comedy history from the club trenches, hit play, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more fans can find these archival sets.

Support the show

  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

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Jeanette Rizzi didn’t take the “safe” path into stand-up comedy. She talked her way into moving for law school, then immediately started chasing stage time and never looked back. That tension between stability and the pull of the mic runs through everything we talk about, especially what it’s like to come up in the Los Angeles comedy scene where crowds can feel tougher, more jaded, and harder to impress.

We also get into the kind of material you can’t fake. Jeanette shares the story behind her one-woman show Blindsided, including growing up with a mother who was a nun and a father who was a Franciscan monk, and how real grief shaped her voice. We talk about why bombing is part of the job, how repetition sharpens timing, and how comedians learn to turn pain into something an audience can hold. Her work doesn’t stop at laughs either: she’s helped raise over $150,000 for mental health, proving comedy can be both cathartic and practical.

Then we go full craft mode: comedy competitions, festivals, what “taboo” words do to a room, and what she learned from icons like Bob Saget and Sinbad. We also talk about rewriting life onstage after marriage, motherhood, and raising biracial twins, plus her annual fundraiser for the Children’s Tumor Foundation connected to neurofibromatosis NF1. Stick around to hear a sample of Jeanette’s stand-up at the end.

Subscribe for more interviews and sets, share this with a friend who loves stand-up, and leave a review. What’s the hardest room you’ve ever tried to win?

Hosted by: R. Scott Edwards

Support the show

  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

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This episode of Standup Comedy “Your Host & MC” features an incredible lineup of three top headlining comedians: Bobby Slayton, John Fox, and James Stephens III. Each brings their own unique style, energy, and years of experience to the stage, delivering a powerhouse showcase of stand-up comedy at its finest.

From sharp wit and edgy humor to clever storytelling and classic punchlines, this episode highlights why these performers have earned their place as top-tier headliners. Whether you're a longtime comedy fan or just discovering stand-up, this show is packed with laughs, personality, and unforgettable moments.

Tune in for a triple dose of comedy excellence you won’t want to miss!

Hosted by: R. Scott Edwards

Support the show

  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

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Bobby Slayton doesn’t ease into a conversation, he comes out swinging. We sit down with the “Pit Bull of Comedy” (coined by Radio's Alex Bennett) and immediately get a master class in the kind of blunt, fast, hard-hitting stand-up that helped define the comedy club boom. From the first minute, Bobby is roasting me, questioning my podcast “listeners,” and somehow making the whole thing feel like the green room after a late Saturday show.

We rewind to the Laughs Unlimited era in Sacramento and talk about what made those rooms matter: the layout, the crowd, the emcee’s job, and the fragile relationships between comics and club owners. Bobby digs into loyalty versus opportunity, why contracts changed the Northern California circuit, and what it takes to build a name when you’re living out of hotels. We also get into the big topic hanging over stand-up comedy today: audience sensitivity, political correctness, and whether the Don Rickles style of equal-opportunity insults could break through the same way now.

Then the conversation turns to show business beyond the stage, including Bobby’s acting work and a great behind-the-scenes story about landing Family Guy through a phone read when he was sick, exhausted, and ready to pass. To top it off, we share a live Bobby Slayton set recorded at Laughs Unlimited in the mid-80s so you can hear exactly what made him a standout headliner.

If you love comedy history, comedy club stories, and honest talk about how the business really works, hit play, subscribe, and leave a review. What do you think changed stand-up the most: the crowds, the culture, or the industry?

Support the show

  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

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Stand-up comedy gets a second engine when you add a melody, because now the punchline can hit… then echo. We’re putting that idea to the test with a high-energy “Stand Up Comedy The Musical” showcase, stitched together from live club performances and packed with comedy songs from the 1980s and 1990s. If you love stand-up history, musical comedy, and the unpredictable feel of a real crowd, this one plays like a time capsule you can laugh along with.

We kick things off with Bob Saget turning end-of-month desperation into a song about an empty fridge, expired food, and counting change like it’s treasure. From there, Tim O’Rourke jumps in with a “Footloose” style parody that leans into big nostalgia and bigger cravings, while Yakov Smirnoff brings a piano-backed character piece with “Natasha,” blending romance, exaggeration, and classic club energy.

The middle of the show highlights the craft of live performance: Denny Johnston drops quick musical bits and impressions, including a memorable Jimmy Stewart take on the Beatles’ “Blackbird.” Paul Robbins spoofs the long-distance dedication format and flips a famous ballad into something far more disgusting, and we close with a special treat from Dana Carvey and his early band as they ride “Burger Rush” into a rowdy sing-along finale. 

If you had fun, subscribe so you don’t miss next week, share this with a friend who loves comedy, and leave a review telling us which musical bit you’d actually sing out loud.

Hosted by: R. Scott Edwards

Support the show

  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

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A comedy club can change a city, and it can change a career. We sit down with Emmy Award winners Paul Robbins and Phil Cowan and rewind to the early Laughs Unlimited days in Old Sacramento, when a young room, hungry local comics, and a couple of wildly original radio promos helped build real momentum for stand-up comedy in Northern California. If you love comedy history, comedy club stories, or the behind-the-scenes craft of writing jokes that land, this one is packed with detail.

We talk about how two speech team “geeks” turn performance reps into stand-up, then into their one-of-a-kind act, live radio theater, complete with sound effects and scene work in a comedy showroom. That creative swing opens an unexpected door into morning radio at KPOP, and the path keeps unfolding through Y92, big live events, and the kind of listener stunts that only work when the writing is solid and the audience trusts you.

From there, the story expands into television, including the Answer Guys on the Discovery Channel and the Emmy wins that came from saying yes to assignments and doing the work even when the schedule got brutal. Along the way we swap classic Laughs Unlimited memories, name the comics who left a mark, and make the case for clean comedy that families can hear in the car without cringing.

Subscribe for more stand-up comedy conversations, share this with a friend who misses old-school radio, and leave a review with your favorite comedy club memory.

Hosted by: R. Scott Edwards

Support the show

  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"

Send us Fan Mail

A good comedy night doesn’t have one “main course” it has a bunch of great bites, back to back, with a host who knows exactly when to move the spotlight. That’s what we’re serving here: a Cornucopia of Comedy sequel built from live stand-up clips, a left-field comedy song, classic impressions, and a high-energy musical closer pulled from the Laughs Unlimited universe.

We kick things off with Ronnie Kenny, a true MC’s MC, doing quick jokes about exercise, aging, and the strange logic people use to justify bad habits. From there we jump into a surreal fast-food parody song featuring Carlos Alazrqui (Reno 911), musician Chris Hobbs, and my longtime creative partner Bob Stobener on voiceover, proving that musical comedy can be just as punchy as a stand-up set.

Then it’s time for Kevin Pollak, a powerhouse impressionist and actor, with a set that taps into movie fandom and a Star Trek-inspired run of character voices that keeps escalating. We also drop into Laughs in the Park, recorded in front of a massive outdoor crowd, with ventriloquist Jay Johnson bringing that unique puppet-and-performer rhythm that made him a standout. Finally, we close with the theme music written by Robert Aguyo for our Live at Laughs TV days, with Bob Stobener on vocals, ending the show on a bright, classic-variety note.

If you love a stand up comedy podcast packed with 80s and 90s comedy, live crowd energy, impressions, ventriloquism, and comedy music, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a laugh, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

Hosted by. R. Scott Edwards

Support the show

  www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com

Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!

"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube

Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon and the "BookBaby" Book Store for Discounted copies!

"20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic"
"Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"