Monday
Mike Epps
Mike Epps steadily climbed his way up the stand-up comedy ranks when he was recognized by a national audience in 1995 when he appeared on the Def Comedy Jam tour and HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. During a performance at LA’s Comedy Store, Epps caught the attention of Ice Cube. This led to the first of three feature films they would do together; the cult hits “Next Friday,” “Friday after Next,” and the New Line comedy “All About the Benjamins.” He has had two Showtime Comedy specials “Mike Epps: Underrated and Never Faded” and “Mike Epps Presents…” He has starred in over 30 feature films and won a NAACP Image Award for his role in the Sony Pictures film, “Jumping the Broom.” On February 28th he can be seen in the upcoming film “Repentance” starring opposite Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie. For more information on Mike go to at www.mikeepps.com, www.facebook.com/mikeeppsofficial or on twitter @TheRealMikeEpps.
Tuesday
Tim Bedore
For longer than we can remember comedian Tim Bedore has been calling in or stopping by to deliver an editorial in which he talks about whatever happens to be on his mind. These musings can range from his relationship with his daughter, to hot topics in the news, and even updates on how the animal kingdom is waging war on mankind. From the Animal Conspiracy to his daughter Claire, Tim takes us inside his mind, and with the help of a few sound effects, puts together one of our favorite features. Follow Tim on Facebook. Visit his website here.
John Feinstein
Promoting his new book, WHERE NOBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME, which explores the colorful and mysterious world of minor-league baseball. See it here… He’s a columnist for the Washington Post, Golf World and Golf Digest. He also hosts a daily radio show on the CBS Sports Radio Network, is a contributor to the Golf Channel, and is an essayist for CBS Sports Television. http://feinstein.radio.cbssports.com/
Wednesday
W. Kamu Bell
Socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell has emerged as the post-modern voice of comedy. Named an Ambassador of Racial Justice by the ACLU, his weekly half-hour FX comedy series, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, premiered in August 2012 and became a critically acclaimed but criminally short nightly show in September of 2013 on FX’s new comedy network FXX. The NY Times called Kamau “the most promising new talent in political comedy in many years.” The show was nominated for a 2013 GLAAD Award for “Outstanding Talk Show Episode” for Kamau’s interview with Orange Is the New Black’s Laverne Cox, as well as “Best Talk Series” at the 2012 NAACP Image Awards. Salon.com named Kamau on their “Sexiest Men of 2012” list, calling the series “surreptitiously revolutionary in its effortless diversity and humanism.” The San Francisco Chronicle raved, “it makes The Daily Show seem like something your dad watches.” Totally Biased was executive produced by Chris Rock, who became a fan after seeing a performance of Kamau’s one man show.
In 2010, Kamau released his second stand up album, Face Full of Flour, which was named one of the Top 10 Best Comedy Albums of the year by iTunes and Punchline Magazine. His first album One Night Only was released in 2007. Also in 2007 he developed his one-man show The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About An Hour, which received rave reviews from audiences, critics, and industry insiders. The show was a comedy pick in The Guardian during its 2011 run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a Time Out NY critic’s pick in the 2010 NY Comedy Festival, and played to sold-out audiences in the 2009 NY International Fringe Festival.
For more information go to www.WKamauBell.com. Follow Kamau on Twitter – @WKamauBell. Photo credit: Matthias Clamer
Gene Simmons
The name Gene Simmons will forever conjure up images of the face painted, tongue-wagging, rock and roll demon from KISS. But considering the band is ranked among the greatest, most accomplished and well-known American rock bands in the world, we’re sure he doesn’t mind. But don’t let the makeup fool you, there’s a lot more to Mr. Simmons than you might think. He’s also an accomplished actor, author, movie producer and entrepreneur. Simmons is the brains behind the Kiss Coffee House, KISS Comics, the hit film, Detroit Rock City, and star of the reality series “Gene Simmons Family Jewels.” Follow Gene on twitter.
Thursday
James Johann
Comedian James Johann is now among one of the most popular acts touring the nation today. With a hometown charm and a deliciously quick wit, James has been a long-time staple of the Midwest comedy circuit. From Chicago to Houston, Erie to El Paso James’ small town upbringing makes him a familiar favorite in the heartland of the country. However, James is just as comfortable playing the biggest stages and events up and down either coast and has made several appearances on national television and radio shows. James’ “Rural Genius” persona is gaining popularity daily as more and more fans find that they can relate to his self-deprecating style of homespun horse sense.
James has delivered powerful performances alongside some of the top-grossing names in the comedy industry: Jeff Foxworthy, Larry The Cable Guy, Ron White, Lewis Black, Tracy Morgan and Kevin Nealon to name just a few. He is comfortable on any size stage and never leaves a crowd disappointed. James has been a national touring headliner in his own right for nearly ten years, during which time his writing and performance skills have only grown stronger. Don’t be fooled by his boyish grin or midwestern charm; James is no backwoods rube. James relies more on his brain than the profane and he just may be one of the nation’s best kept secrets.
In July 2004 James performed in the New Faces of Comedy category at the Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. James was featured on Comedy Central’sPremium Blend in 2005. Additional appearances include The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in 2006 and CMT’s Comedy State in 2008. James just completed taping Byron Allen’s Comedy TV which will air later this year.
Follow James on facebook. Visit his website here.
Dr. Gonzo
Back in the early 80′s, Dr. Gonzo was one of the biggest names in comedy. Not only was he one of the most successful acts of the day, he was one of the guys that helped usher in the comedy boom. More than just an observational comic, Dr. Gonzo (also known as John Means) also played guitar and performed parody songs. His songs were so good in fact, he often toured with some of the biggest rock bands of the day. After a decade of performing, however, Dr. Gonzo decided to hang it up, and go back to living the life of John Means. There he became a teacher and opened a few restaurants. This wouldn’t be the end of Dr. Gonzo though, over the past few years he’s gotten the itch to take the stage and is now touring across the country.
Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee is Number 1 on the field as the punter for the Colts, and he is number one in the hearts of sports fans in Indianapolis. Well, at least he’s in the top 10. Drafted in 2009 out of West Virginia University, McAfee has not only been an important part of the Colts specials teams (and emergency QB if needed), he’s also become one of the faces of the franchise off the field. Follow Pat on twitter. Check out the Pat McAfee Foundation.
Friday
Andrew Norelli
Numerous late night appearances including “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” where he was booked by Jimmy himself who said “because of how few slots we have available you have to be an A++ comedian to get booked on my show, and Andrew is.” Other TV appearances include Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham,” and the nationally syndicated comedy round-table “Comics Unleashed,” where he also worked as a monologue joke writer. Andrew’s natural charisma and sharp material have charmed audiences at comedy festivals around the world. He won the first annual Las Vegas World Series of Comedy, which only takes place in the US, so the use of the phrase “World Series” is a bit murky. But if it’s good enough for baseball, it’s good enough for him. He also took second place at the Boston Comedy Festival, and his performance at the prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal was praised in Time Out New York. He’s delighted audiences at Sydney’s Comedy Store and Laugh Garage where The (Australian) Daily Telegraph remarked “his show features hair trigger laughs with a deadly aim, all the more so because while some comedians overestimate their own intelligence, Norelli never underestimates ours.” Versatility has allowed him to perform in corporate settings too, for companies such as Google and Yahoo. Follow him on facebook and twitter. Visit his website here.
Adam Cayton-Holland
Adam Cayton-Holland is a national touring headliner who plays clubs and colleges all over the country. He was recently named one of 25 “Comics to Watch” by Esquire Magazine and made his late-night television debut onConan. He has appeared on ABC’s “Happy Endings” and was featured on the Nerdist and Sklarbro Countypodcasts. Cayton-Holland has also performed at the Montreal Just For Laughs, SXSW, Bridgetown Comedy and Rooftop Comedy festivals, and recently launched his own comedy festival in Denver, The High Plains Comedy Festival. His monthly show and web series “The Grawlix” is a critically-lauded darling child that you should know and love (www.grawlixcomedy.com). The Grawlix crew recently filmed a pilot for Amazon Studios called “Those Who Can’t.” Adam also has a podcast called, “My Dining Room Table,” available on iTunes. Boy howdy you should give it a listen! Adam lives with a purebred Chesapeake Retriever named Annabel Lee and people have described him as “genial” and “with pretty decent teeth.” Follow him on twitter and visit his website.
Heywood Banks
Anyone who has ever spent any time listening to the BOB & TOM Show has no doubt heard a song by legendary comedian Heywood Banks. That’s because Heywood’s catalogue of classic tunes includes fan favorites like “Big Butter Jesus,” “I Like Summer,” “Toast,” “18 Wheels on a Big Rig,” “Punjab” and “Wiper Blades” just to name a few. In fact, Heywood has appeared on 36 of BOB & TOM’s comedy albums, more than any other artist by far. We’ve just been informed that Heywood may be adding to his already extensive list of songs when he visits us next. Now we’re just hoping he knows the lyrics. Visit his website here.
