🎃 It’s the middle of October, the nights are getting darker, and spooky season is officially here! Welcome to Episode 80 of the COMEDY SIMP PODCAST. 👻

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🍂 Host Stephen Michael James welcomes three of the Pacific Northwest’s comedy stars—Kylee Ann, Casey McLain, and JR Berard—for a lively roundtable in Stephen’s garage. 🏚️

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The four comics are hanging out before their show later that night at the Granite Falls Eagles Club, swapping stories about the comedy scene, memorable gigs, and the strange adventures that come with making people laugh. From early shows with no audience 😬 to first impressions and how Seattle comedy has changed over the years, this episode gets into the funny, awkward, and unpredictable side of life onstage. 🎤

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Casey talks about his podcast Poor Sports Seattle, what happened with UNSEASONED, and what former co-host Jess Everett is up to. JR shares the story behind producing Laugh Track Live and what’s coming next. Kylee talks about producing shows around the PNW, including her work as one of the producers of @onthemiccomedy, which puts on shows like HOT MIC and COMEDY CAMPOUT. 🎭

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Then Stephen brings out Rotten Tomatoes’ Top 10 Scariest Movies of All Time list. 🍿 Do the comics agree? Stephen and JR nerd out on horror, and everyone shares Halloween memories, costumes, and their favorite—and worst—candy. 🍬🧟

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It’s a fun, spooky-season conversation with four comics at different stages of their comedy journeys.

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Press play and join the garage hang! 🔊

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FOLLOW:

Stephen Michael James | @stephenmjcomedy

https://youtube.com/@stephenmjcomedy

https://youtube.com/@comedysimppodcast

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Casey McLain | @caseymcclaincomedy 🌐 https://caseymclaincomedy.com

🎥 Do Not Shake — Full Special (2024): https://youtu.be/NdZ3268lep4?si=TXdnORX2EKqbkdue

📍 See Casey at SKANKFEST 2026 | November 13–15 | New Orleans, LA

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JR Berard | @berardjr 🌐 https://onlyjr.com

🎧 These Things Usually Move — Full Comedy Album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n-0q5N5rSJlMc1SsE8KYfxm-czN0prfv4&si=bwMhvdgFKC_arj2Y

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Kylee Ann | @kylee_as_is

🎟️ Producer with @onthemiccomedy — including HOT MIC and COMEDY CAMPOUT🍂

🧠 Explore the incredible ways comedy impacts the brain and mental health. This video delves into how performing comedy can serve as a therapeutic tool—helping individuals reframe personal trauma, enhance emotional resilience, and transform pain into humor. Scientific research compares this process to cognitive behavioral therapy, highlighting its benefits for mental well-being.

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✨ Discover how neurodivergent performers use comedy to foster social connection and self-expression, leveraging humor as a form of psychological healing. We also examine how techniques like self-hypnosis, backed by science, can boost confidence, reduce stage fright, and manage performance anxiety.

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🔍 Join us as we uncover the mental health benefits of comedy, revealing how the brain responds to humor and why it’s more than just entertainment—it's a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional strength.

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#MentalHealth #Neurodivergent #CognitiveTherapy #SelfHypnosis

Welcome to Comedy Simp Podcast, Episode 78! 🎙️ In this solo episode, host Stephen Michael James shares a heartfelt and hilarious recap of his recent adventures. He starts off by reflecting on the aftermath of the last episode LIVE AT PORCHFEST 🎉 and gives his thoughts on Tacoma Porchfest. Then, he dives into his busy August gig schedule, including performances at Hill City Tap House in Seattle 🍻 and Beach Cat Brewing in Bellingham, WA 🍺.

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Stephen opens up about a less-than-ideal experience at Nate Jackson's Super Funny Festival, which didn’t go as planned and resulted in no stage time 😅. The episode takes a personal turn as he recounts the stressful experience of his wife going into the ER just 48 hours before their week-long family trip to California 🚑✨. Hear about the panic, emotions, and how they decided to still go ahead with the trip despite everything.

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Follow along as Stephen details their journey from Seattle to Sacramento 🚗🌞, sharing highlights from the trip — including his first gig at Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club in Old Sacramento 🎤, quality time with friends and family ❤️, road trip mishaps 🚧, sunny California days ☀️, delicious food 🍔🌮, and lots of driving 🚙. It’s a heartfelt, funny, and honest summer recap you won’t want to miss!

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Make sure to Like 👍 and Subscribe🔔:

YouTube.com/@StephenMJComedy

YouTube.com/@ComedySimpPodcast

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FOLLOW:

@stephenmjcomedy

🎤 Join us as we explore the vibrant history of stand-up comedy and its transformative journey onto the big and small screens. From early comedic performances captured in classic films to innovative modern series, this podcast delves into how stand-up has shaped and been shaped by the world of cinema and television.

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🎬 We'll examine groundbreaking works like the FX series Louie, a bold blend of stand-up, cinematic storytelling, and surrealism that pushed the boundaries of traditional comedy. Through insightful discussions and guest experts, discover how comedians have used film and TV as platforms to craft their voices, challenge norms, and redefine the art of comedy itself.

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😂 Whether you're a stand-up aficionado or a film lover, this series uncovers the enduring influence of stand-up comedy in shaping comedic storytelling on screen.

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#StandUpInFilm #ComedyOnScreen #LaughterThroughCinema #ComedyHistory

Join host Stephen Michael James 🎙️ live at The Porch Light in Tacoma, WA, during Porchfest 2026 for a hilarious episode 77 of the Comedy Simp Podcast!

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Stephen welcomes fantastic guests: comedian and “Peppers & Punchlines” producer Robert Pinner 🤠, recording before his show, rising Tacoma Comedy Club star Logan Cantrell 🎤, and local comic Aaron Reiten.

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The crew dives into all kinds of hilarious topics—from fantasy basketball 🏀 and Martin Skereli to Logan’s experience opening for comics like Roger Lizaola. Stephen shares how he developed his unique fashion sense 👔, and the conversation is packed with laughs! Phil K joins in, sharing his thoughts about Emerald City Comedy Club, other Seattle comedy spots, Robert’s Texas roots 🤠, cowboy boots, and more.

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Later, they discuss local gigs 🎤, roasts 🔥, shoutouts to BLIND comic Shawn Berg 👀, working with Anthony Jeselnik, Norm Macdonald, Shane Gillis, impressions (Katt Williams 🐯), Randy Travis using AI 🤖, women selling breast milk on Facebook Marketplace 🍼, and much more. Stephen also shares his recent stool sample test 💩 and the latest comedy news 📰.

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This episode is packed with shop talk, jokes, and good vibes all around!

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🔗 Like/Subscribe:

YouTube.com/@stephenmjcomedy

YouTube.com/@comedysimppodcast

📸 Follow:

Stephen MJ Comedy: @stephenmjcomedy

Robert Pinner: @robertpinner

Logan Cantrell: @logandid911

Phil K: @philkcomedy

Is the polished, hour-long comedy special losing its crown to the raw, unscripted chaos of the podcast studio? In this video, we explore the shift from traditional stand-up to the high-stakes "reality TV" world of comedy podcasting. We dive deep into the viral lore that has captivated the community, specifically the long-standing and often volatile history between Ari Shaffir and Bobby Lee.

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In this video, we break down:The Ari Shaffir vs. Bobby Lee Physical Feud: We examine the specific, notorious incident where Ari Shaffir allegedly attacked Bobby Lee, an event that has become a defining piece of LA comedy history.

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The "Natasha Leggero Incident": A look back at the complicated history and the recurring tensions that fueled the fire between these two comedy giants.

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The Tijuana Trip: We revisit the infamous trip Ari and Bobby took to Tijuana, analyzing how these personal adventures fuel the narratives that fans now find more compelling than scripted jokes.

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TigerBelly and the Power of Lore: How podcasts like TigerBelly and Bad Friends have turned personal beefs into serialized drama, such as the massive Brendan Schaub saga involving the "Truck Walk" and "300 pages" of evidence.

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The Chaotic LA Comedy Scene vs. The Rogansphere: We discuss the internal politics of the industry, from the "NYC vs. LA" beef to the rising tensions surrounding Joe Rogan's Comedy Mothership in Austin.

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Why Drama Wins: Why do audiences prefer the unvetted, messy reality of a podcast over a traditional special? We analyze how these "spectacles" have redefined what it means to be a fan of comedy today.

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Are podcasts the new frontier of entertainment, or is the drama overshadowing the art of stand-up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Subscribe to stay in the comedy loop!

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#BobbyLee #AriShaffir #TigerBelly #BadFriends #ComedyDrama #PodcastLore #BrendanSchaub #JoeRogan #ComedyMothership #StandUpComedy

Welcome to EPISODE 76 of the COMEDY SIMP PODCAST. Host Stephen Michael James is back after a 6-week break, and he's ready to catch you up on all the comedy and movies he's been into! 🎙️ In this one, Stephen talks about his recent stand-up comedy adventures, sharing hilarious stories from local shows and comedy clubs like Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club 😂 and Tacoma Comedy Club 🎭. He also reminisces about some wild stories from the past that you won’t want to miss!

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But that’s not all — he’s also been watching some great films lately! 🍿 He reviews The Conversation, Vesper, The Menu, and AKA Charlie Sheen, giving his thoughts and insights. Then, he dives into a deep discussion about Charlie Sheen’s chaotic 2011 tour, ending with his top 5 movies of all time! 🎬Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and FOLLOW for more laughs and insights!

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Subscribe & Follow:

.👉 YOUTUBE.COM/@ComedySimpPodcast

👉 YOUTUBE.COM/@stephenMJcomedy

👉 Social Media: @stephenmjcomedy

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#ComedySimp #StandUpComedy #MovieReviews #CharlieSheen

From the 1980s boom to the rise of the alternative movement and the modern-day club landscape, this video explores the rich and often turbulent History of the Seattle Comedy Scene. We dive into the venues, the legendary television shows, and the comedians who shaped the Pacific Northwest's unique comedic voice.

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In this video, we cover:The 1980s Boom & Almost Live!: Discover the "Big Four" clubs of the 80s—Giggles, the Comedy Underground, Laughs, and the Improv. We also look at the massive impact of the local sketch comedy show Almost Live!, which launched the careers of Bill Nye the Science Guy and Joel McHale while satirizing local neighborhoods like Ballard and Kent.

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The Rise of Alternative Comedy: In the mid-2000s, a new movement emerged as an alternative to traditional "frat-boy" club culture. Led by the People's Republic of Komedy at venues like Laff Hole (Capitol Hill Arts Center), this era prioritized experimentation, storytelling, and "telling the truth" over traditional punchlines.

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Legendary Venues: We trace the history of the Comedy Underground, a Pioneer Square staple since 1981 that hosted stars like Mitch Hedberg, and its struggles with seismic retrofitting and relocation.

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The Modern Era & New Voices: Explore the current landscape, including the opening of Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club in Tacoma—the region’s first Black-owned comedy club. We also discuss the evolution of Capitol Hill’s Comedy/Bar into the Emerald City Comedy Club and the controversies surrounding "canceled" shows in the 2020s.

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Local Icons: From the laid-back, clean comedy of Jeff Dye to the "weird and awesome" storytelling of Emmett Montgomery and the sharp, opinionated rants of Derek Sheen, we highlight the performers who kept the scene vibrant.

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Featured Comedians & Figures:

John Keister (Almost Live! host)

Emmett Montgomery (The Magic Hat, Weird and Awesome)

Nate Jackson (Owner, Super Funny Comedy Club)

Hari Kondabolu (Alt-scene pioneer)

Derek Sheen (Seattle comedy stalwart)

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Enjoying the lore of the Seattle scene? Subscribe for more deep dives into comedy history and the artists who make us laugh.

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#SeattleComedy #StandUpComedy #AlmostLive #NateJackson #ComedyHistory #PNWComedy #Documentary