Tag: comedy

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call, Movies and TV

Jon Lovitz talks career, his ‘that’s the ticket’ catchphrase ahead of Bethlehem stand-up show

For more than 40 years, Jon Lovitz has been one of the best-known comedians of his generation.

His brand of funny can be traced back to his stint on “Saturday Night Live” in the mid-80s, where the catch phrase “Yeah, that’s the ticket,” from his character, Tommy Flanagan the Pathological Liar, became a weekend staple of must see TV.

He’s appeared in several Adam Sandler films over the years and done voiceovers for “The Simpsons” as well as his own show, “The Critic.” Lovitz even had the opportunity to work with his comedic hero, Woody Allen, on Allen’s film, “Small Time Crooks” in 2000.

On Friday, Lovitz will bring his unique brand of stand-up humor to the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem. I recently spoke with him to preview his upcoming performance and get his thoughts on the current state of comedy and more in this new interview.

How would you describe your style of comedy?

Lovitz: It’s about my personal opinions about stuff and trying to understand what’s going on in the world. It’s funny, everyone thinks of themselves as being young and hip and then all of a sudden it’s not — it becomes the opposite of what you grew up to believe in. Some people just go along with it, and I just can’t. The show is just me talking about all different subjects and what’s going on in the world and how I see it.

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Jon Lovitz by Clicking Here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call

Comedian Sam Morril previews ‘Errors Tour’ performance
Photo by Matt Salacuse

Comedian Sam Morril is one of the fastest rising and most popular stand-ups on the scene today. In addition to constantly touring his eclectic show at venues across the globe, he’s appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” as well as done stints on “Last Comic Standing” and “The Joe Rogan Experience.”

Morril can regularly be heard on the popular “We Might Be Drunk” podcast alongside fellow comedian and co-host Mark Normand, and his latest special, “Sam Morril: You’ve Changed,” is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.

Morril is currently out on his brand new The Errors Tour — a “swift” play on words about a hugely successful recording artist. The show makes a stop at The Wind Creek Event Center on Saturday.

I recently spoke with Morril about The Errors Tour, his comedy and more in this new interview.

Q: What can fans expect from your upcoming Errors Tour performance in Bethlehem?

Sam Morril: Expect a lot of new material. It’s already in a good place right now but I’m going to be a hitting a lot of cities so it will keep getting better.

Why call it “The Errors Tour?”

I thought it would be kind of fun and figured if at least one boyfriend says to his girlfriend, “Hey I got you tickets to the Errors Tour” she’ll be like, “Oh my god!” And then when she shows up he can say, “Well, at least I didn’t lie. You’re just a bad listener” [laughs].

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview by clicking here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call, Music

Comedian Jessica Delfino brings ‘dirty folk rock’ to Poconos
Photo: Alex M. Smith

Hailing from a small New England town, comedian Jessica Delfino grew up listening to folk music legends like Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young and the acoustic-fueled rock of Bob Seger and Led Zeppelin. Add in a touch of rap like The Beastie Boys and Snoop Dogg as well as the jokes she inherited from her sailor grandfather, and you’ve got the recipe for “Dirty Folk Rock,” the signature style that Delfino has made her own.


Delfino’s raunchy, sex-fueled comedic stylings are somewhat reminiscent of Nikki Glaser, whom Delfino often shared the stage with while honing her chops in New York’s comedy scene. She’s a critically acclaimed observational comedian with credits that include appearances around the world, and on Saturday, Delfino will bring her unique brand of comedy and music to Poconos Underground Comedy at The Hideaway Speakeasy, part of Newberry’s Yard of Ale in Stroudsburg.

I recently spoke with Delfino about her upcoming performance and more in this new interview.

Q. What can you tell me about Poconos Underground Comedy?

Jessica Delfino: Poconos Underground Comedy is mostly a showcase of comedians who’ve decided to schlep out to the Poconos to entertain people who used to be New Yorkers who now “hate New Yorkers” [laughs]. People can expect to laugh, drink fancy cocktails and have some pizazz with their comedy. The show is different, but don’t get me wrong. There’s classic stand up but there’s also a lot of sparkles. It’s not for the faint of heart, it’s a show for the bold and the beautiful. My show production partner, Boris Khakin (also a comedian) and I take turns hosting. He brings the dude energy and I bring the girl magic.

Q. How would you describe your style? Can you put into words what your comedy/music is all about?

My style is “dirty folk rock” comedy and jokes that reflect that style. I like to swear, talk about sex, gross people out a little and ultimately, I love to make people laugh. I make jokes about things that lots of other comedians do: life, love, and the challenges that come with those things, but obviously my take is from a female middle-aged mom perspective who likes to do things my own way. I love weird words and I love that I’m a little different. It took me some time to understand that about myself but now that I do it’s like my superpower. As Frank Sinatra famously sang, “I gotta be me.”

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Jessica Delfino by clicking here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call

‘Last Comic Standing’ comedian Josh Blue bringing tour to Lehigh Valley. What you need to know
Photo: Nick Larson

In the years since winning the fourth season of “Last Comic Standing,” comedian Josh Blue has worked tirelessly at honing his craft, and the results speaks for themselves.

In addition to performing more than 200 shows a year, Blue’s got six comedy specials under his belt and even achieved a third-place finish on the 16th season of “America’s Got Talent” in 2021.

Blue’s acclaimed stand-up is a constantly evolving paradigm built upon casual observation, off-the-cuff improv and using his own disability to poke fun at himself. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child, Blue uses it as a constant source of material in his routine. His self-deprecating wit and ability to find humor in the most mundane of circumstances makes him one of the most fun and in-demand stand-ups on the comedy circuit.

On Friday, Blue will be bringing his Freak Accident Tour to Musikfest Café in Bethlehem for an intimate performance. I recently spoke with him about the show, his comedy, career and more in this new interview.

Q: Is there way you can put into words what your comedy is all about?

Josh Blue: Yes, it’s very funny [laughs]. Actually, I’m very self-deprecating and I’m happy to throw myself under the bus for your entertainment. I’m also very observational and talk about my life and the random things that happen to me.

Having said that, what can fans expect from your Musikfest Café performance?

Blue: They’re going to laugh start to finish because once I step on the stage I don’t take my foot off the gas pedal until you pee yourself. So, bring a change of clothes [laughs].

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Josh Blue by clicking here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call

Off script: Improv comedy troupe bringing show to Nazareth for good cause

Scriptless in Seattle is a young improv comedy group that regularly tours the Midwest and mid-Atlantic. Reminiscent of the classic show “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” the group prides itself on creating a uniquely entertaining experience combining elements of classic improv games with fresh takes and new spins, all of them based on audience suggestions.

The group also strives to support the arts in local communities whenever possible, and such will be the case when Scriptless in Seattle brings their one-of-a-kind show to the Nazareth Area High School auditorium at 2 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds from the family-friendly event will benefit both the Nazareth Area High School theater program as well as the Nazareth Center for the Arts, which is also presenting the show. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at ScriptlessInSeattle.com.

I recently spoke with Scriptless in Seattle’s Justin Folger about the performance, the group’s origins and more in this new interview.

Q: How did Scriptless in Seattle come together?

Justin Folger: When I was in high school I was part of an improv group called the Royal Fools. A number of us were about to graduate and decided that we wanted to do some more improv. So three of us signed up for a talent show and while we were waiting in the wings of a theater the emcees of the show pulled us aside and asked what we should be called. We didn’t have a name so one off us suggested a pun on the Meg Ryan / Tom Hanks movie “Sleepless in Seattle.” So they introduced us as Scriptless in Seattle and we did our sketches. A few months later I got a call from a coffee shop in town who wanted to book us. We did that coffee shop and things just took off from there.

Read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Justin Folger by Clicking Here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call

Tape Face bringing his unique brand of comedy to State Theatre
Photo: Chris Haston / NBC / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Following in the footsteps of his successful Las Vegas residency, silent comedian and America’s Got Talent finalist, Tape Face (Sam Wills) is bringing his unique brand of comedy and weirdness to the State Theatre Center for The Arts in Easton on Friday.

Using simple, yet clever, humor and an abundance of props, Wills has created a character that takes the best elements of silent film comedy and combines it with the magic and puppetry into one whimsical, interactive experience. His curious approach to everyday objects like balloons and oven mitts invokes the inner child, while his appearance and style conjures up images of Tim Burton and the nostalgia of ’80s music, arcade video game cabinets and classic cartoons.

As his name suggests, Tape Face performs with a strip of black tape covering his mouth, but that doesn’t diminish the popularity he has with audiences. On the contrary, his America’s Got Talent audition and subsequent performances have, to date, garnered a staggering 47 million views.

I recently spoke with Sam Wills (Tape Face) about what to expect from his performance at the State Theatre, the origin of Tape Face and more in this new interview.

How would you interpret your style of comedy?

Sam Wills: The best way to describe it is standup comedy without talking. I was a standup comedian back in the day so I use the same traits and the same tricks. I just apply it to silent comedy by using music and props. When people ask me what to expect I always like to tell them the weirdest stuff, like you can expect me to fight Darth Vader, bring John Lennon back to life and we’ll have a big balloon fight at the end of the night [laughs]. The show is exactly the same as the [Las] Vegas show, with all of the same bells and whistles. If you like standup comedy, you’ll like my show.

How did the character of Tape Face originate?

Sam Wills: Back in 2005 was when I first picked it up. Before that I used to do a show where I actually talked too much. Back then I’d do circus, sideshow, and carny stunts like hammering nails up my nose, eating light bulbs, breathing fire and other weird routines. During that time, I was lucky enough to have written a show called “Dance Monkey Dance” that won the biggest comedy award in New Zealand. After I had won that award, I decided to challenge myself and do the exact opposite of what I’d been doing, so the challenge became to come up with a silent character who does nothing.

Read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Sam Wills (Tape Face) By Clicking Here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call

Q and A with Sam Morril: Comedian brings a class act to Wind Creek

Comedian Sam Morril’s distinct style can be seen on his new special, “Same Time Tomorrow,” currently streaming on Netflix as well as his appearance on “That’s My Time, with David Letterman,” where the iconic late-night host invites some of the hottest up-and-coming stand-up comedians to perform a set and then sit down for a one-one-one chat.

During the COVID pandemic, Morril entertained fans by performing stand-up outside on the tops of buildings, a feat that earned his creative “Up On The Roof” series a coveted spot on The New York Times “Best Comedy of 2020” list. He also showcased his comedy during an appearance in the Academy Award-winning film, “Joker” (alongside Joaquin Phoenix), and currently provides voiceover for several characters on the MAX animated series, “Ten-Year-Old Tom.”

In addition to performing his stand-up, Morril co-hosts the popular “We Might Be Drunk” podcast with fellow comedian Mark Normand. The pair also has collaborated on their own brand of rye whiskey, Bodega Cat, that’s available for purchase in select states.

Morril is out in support of his Class Act Tour, which includes a stop at The Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem on Friday, I spoke with Morril about his comedy and more in this exclusive new interview.

Q: To someone who may not be familiar, how would you describe your comedy?

Sam Morril: It’s fun and punchy, in the New York style. Light jokes on topics that aren’t always so light.

Q: What can fans in the Lehigh Valley expect from your “Class Act Tour” performance?

SM: A little bit of everything. It’s a new hour of jokes with a lot of similar topics I’ve discussed in the past. This is coming toward the end of my latest run of dates so it’s going to be a good show. I’ve played this venue before and I really like it.

Read the rest of my Morning Call Interview with Sam Morril by Clicking Here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call

Q and A with Paula Poundstone: What you can expect at Saturday’s performance at Sellersville Theater

Known for her spontaneous wit and observational humor, Paula Poundstone is one of standups most coveted comedians. In addition to a robust touring schedule, she’s a regular panelist on NPR’s comedy news quiz, “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” and can be heard weekly on her comedy podcast, “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone,” now entering its fifth year.

On Saturday, Poundstone will bring her unique comedic style to an intimate performance at the Sellersville Theater.

I recently spoke with Poundstone about her show, the state of comedy and her relationship with Robin Williams in this new interview.

Q: What can you tell me about your new round of shows?

Paula Poundstone: It’s really one unending tour. I go out most weekends for a few nights. I have somewhere in my head 44 years of material rattling and sometimes I pluck from that. So I’ll talk about things like a house full of animals and trying to keep up with current events and the news, which is not so easy to do these days.

My favorite part of the night is always talking to the audience and doing the time honored “Where are you from and what do you do for a living?” This is where little biographies of audience members emerge. It’s how I set my sails and therefore no two shows are the same. I do about two hours and occasionally tell stories about my children but not as much as I used to when they were little. Now that they’re adults, they might sue [laughs]. I figure the inside of my head looks like one of those arcade games where you step into a glass booth and they blow paper money around and whatever you can grab you can keep.

Read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Paula Poundstone by Clicking Here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call

Exclusive interview: Comedian Bill Burr on cancel culture, off-limit topics and new material for July 6 show at PPL Center

Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage

With the success of his 2022 Netflix special, “Live at Red Rocks,” and a standup resume that includes sold out performances from coast to coast, not to mention hosting Monday Morning Podcast, a leading download in comedy podcasts, Bill Burr is one of the top comedic voices of his generation.

In addition to stand-up, Burr’s also a celebrated actor, with credits that include everything from Disney’s “The Mandalorian,” and “Breaking Bad,” to feature film and his acclaimed animated Netflix series, “F is For Family.” His forthcoming passion project, “Old Dads,” in which he takes on the leading role, also will mark Burr’s directorial debut.

In the meantime, fans will be able to find Burr returning to his stand-up roots when he brings an all-new comedy set to PPL Center in Allentown on Thursday, July 6.

Burr, who is never at a loss for words, had a lot to say when it comes to comedy, cancel culture and Pennsylvania roads. I asked him about them all and more in this exclusive new interview.

Q. How would you describe your style? Is there a way you can put into words what your comedy is all about?

Bill Burr: I like to describe it as me being like the loud guy you see in the bar. The one who sort of makes sense for like a minute and then you realize I’m just a jerk and am totally harmless (laughs).

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Bill Burr by Clicking Here.

A Conversation With, comedy, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call

Jay Leno’s State Theatre show Friday: What you can expect and his John Glenn story in this exclusive Q and A

It’s been a rough last few months for comedian Jay Leno. Last fall, the acclaimed TV late night show host and pioneering car enthusiast spent nine days in the hospital with severe burns following an incident while working on one of the hundreds of exotic cars in his vast collection.

This was prior to being involved in a motorcycle accident in January that left him with several broken bones. But as most comedians do, Leno is quick to make light of the unfortunate situations and even uses them as material in his stand-up routine.

At 72, Leno shows no signs of slowing down.

He’s currently fielding offers to continue his long-running series, “Jay Leno’s Garage,” and his acclaimed game show, “You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno,” has just been picked up for a third season. He’s also out on the road performing his classic standup comedy, which will see him pay a visit to The State Theatre in Easton at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

I recently spoke with Jay Leno about his performance in Easton, his recovery, the current state of comedy and more in this exclusive new interview.

You can read my complete Morning Call Interview with Jay Leno By Clicking Here.