Carnival Personnel

YES – Chris aka CPF Productions aka Wicked Funny is in year 3 over at The China Blossom and we chat that a good deal … but FIRST … we chat some award-winning  Grampa’s Homestyle Chili!   This room at China Blossom has been one of the more well-known rooms in New England comedy for most of the last 40 years. This is Chris’ 2nd stint at running the comedy room and every weekend between Labor Day and Memorial Day, you’ll see the BEST comics killing it in front of a packed room!   Most clubs and bookers talk that “they’re like a family” with New England’s best-known folks in comedy … well, Chris had nearly 50 of them fly over to Italy for his wedding a couple of years ago.   When it comes to the “names” of New England comedy, Chris is arguably the most well-liked (loved by many) comedy show producers but how supportive he is to the comics just starting out … he’s really the most liked guy over all by this insane and funny club.   Jacques has been going to China Blossom to see shows since high school and over the

Matt Misci – aka – Mr. Pinky Ring Comedy – aka The Bald Barber is our guest this week.  We JUST met Matt for first face to face last week where he was one of the hosts (and a judge … I think) at CPF Productions (Wicked Funny / Chris Flahive) comedy contest … In which Jacques, Wayne Russell and somehow Anthony Eugenio from Open Mic Pain Podcast, have all advanced to the finals Oct 18, 2024)   And YES, Matt was wearing (his dad’s) Pinky Ring when we met him and boy did he live up to the hype we had heard about him.   A comic.  A host / MC.  And a booker.  He might have gotten a late start into comedy but you’d sure think he’s one of those 40-year vets we chat about most episodes.   A barber IS a lot like a (hopefully) sober bartender.  You really get to know your clients and about a year into sobriety Matt went to his first mic and knew this was for him.  Yes, he does test out material on friends in his chair … they can’t get up and he’s holding scissors … can’t ask for a more attentive audience!   Matt chats t

According to some folks at this past Friday night at China Blossom Restaurant in N. Andover MA, where the comedy room Wicket Funny is, Jacques doesn’t totally stink at stand up … nor does their pal Wayne Russell, who both moved to finals of 2ndannual Funniest Person In Merrimac Valley contest. Jacques learns what a “mom said no” item in a store is, we chat Vegas odds of Oasis tour actually happening, The Jane’s Addiction dust up on stage in Boston this weekend … and someone running for public office who hates the non-child having cat lady, Taylor Swift (who we … think is a national treasure and a great person.)  Joe gives a big thumbs up to “Legends Of Beavis”, Biff gives interesting breakdown of “Ghost Stories” from Japan and Jacques’ kid has him watching JuJutsu Kaisen. Jacques and son went to pretty amazing Weezer 30th anniversary of Blue Album show (Dinosaur Jr was great, Flaming Lips sucked). Erling Haaland, footballer for Man City is a human cheat code (that’s if he is human) and piss off to Complains a

Come see the great Tony V. THIS Friday Sept 13th at The China Blossom in N. Andover MA, where he’ll be hosting and headlining night one of CFP’s Wicket Funny’s 2nd annual “Funniest Person In Merrimac Valley” contest – Jacques (and former CPP guests Wayne Russell from Open Mic Pain Podcast and Lauren Simms) will all be participants in. A lot of great stuff has happened with Tony since being on our podcast in March.  Now, we’re not saying ALL of it is a result of being on our podcast but we’re not, NOT saying that either.  Hey, the “CPP Bump” as it’s known industry wide, has really helped a lot of careers … according to our own research (which is proprietary and we won’t be sharing with the class.) Sure, it could be part strategic self-serving scheduling on our part back in March.  It COULD be part coincidence.  And sure, an argument could be made that these things have come about due to a life time of hard work by Tony and him being one of the best comics to ever come out of the greatest city for stand-up come

Jacques is (sadly) back in Lowell after a couple super fun (and productive) weeks in Los Angeles – where Biff hosted his yearly (amazing) yearly JFT Hockey team party – as always Biff goes above and way beyond with the food and hospitality and NOT leaving the party to go have his finger sewn backed up after nearly slicing it off in food prep. Joe himself had a pretty great trip since last chat ...  his was to New York City (New York City … inside joke .. if you know you know.)  Where Joe and his much better half saw not one, not two but THREE Broadway plays … including Back To The Future.  Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast @TheJacques4 Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber   Opening Song: Gomer by Beyond Id Closing Song: Mind Time by Beyond Id (find at Spotify on The Stovin’ Years)

This is a very special episode of Carnival Personnel, but don't worry: you won't learn an important life lesson, or fight drug pushers by just saying "no," or even fend off your handsy neighborhood bicycle shop owner. This episode celebrates the 30th anniversary of FORMAL EDITION! What the heck is that, you ask? Why, it was only the premier source of public access television sketch comedy from Lexington, Mass. in the years 1994 and 1995 -- THAT'S ALL! Join Jacques and Joe with their guests and former Formal co-hosts Steve and Jim as they honor... well, themselves! They take a fond and hilarious look back at all of the comedy gold they mined in that little TV studio some 30 years ago. Listen to them laugh at VHS recordings of their own material like four middle-aged cis white male Norma Desmonds. You'll laugh, too--whether it's at them or with them, it all feels the same: FUNNY! Remember the '90s and enjoy!

Jacques is in LA for two weeks mostly doing (what he calls” comedy.  His goal is 30 open mics in 15 days and come home with 7 new(ish) minutes of yuks.  His travels on Wednesday took him to a barber shop in Inglewood CA … could have been Tom Hanks on SNL Black Jeopardy but ended up … getting invited back! Joe chats his goldmine of TV show box sets  (LOTS of 70s, 80s some 90s) he’s acquired and the joyful painstaking process of putting it all onto his Plex.  A true investment in our happiness. Biff between bleeding for the cause … the cause in this case … the annual – FNH / John Taylor Fertilizer Hockey Franchise LLC’s yearly party at his house.  As always, the food and hospitality was beyond expectation … and YES, he bleed for the cause nearly cutting part of his finger off in food prep … should he have gone to ER … who knows but he hockey player-ed it thru and the rest of us, can’t say thanks enough. Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcas

Comedian, Actress and soon to be Author, the delightful Doris Ballard is out guest this week. A life-long love of theater has had Doris on stage for years.  Always active in local politics and local television – Doris’ standing in the Concord NH community really was a road block to pursuing the type of comedy she’s meant to tell … and it’s NOT for the pearl clutching faint of heart! This rapping grandma exemplifies the “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” when you see the host hand her the mic on stage.  Nothing is off limits and no one is safe … ESPECIALLY that absolutely delightful Norm Ballard … Doris husband, uber driver, sounding board and her personal piñata (as Norm really sometimes takes a beating!)  Look up the term “good sport” and there you’ll find a picture of Norm. Jacques has been lucky enough to be on line ups all over New England (Maine at Jim McCue shows at Smitty’s Cinema’s – In New Hampshire at Dave Rattigan’s shows At Murphy’s Tap Room and in Lowell MA at Greg Boggis Mondo Comedy Luna Theate

Where can you go to hear Olympic talk from three guys who haven’t watched ANY of the Olympics but HAVE seen a few memes … BUT did spend the night before recording binge watching 3 Battle Of The Network Stars … right here baby! Where can you go to hear a breakdown of the WRONGFULLY (universally panned) UPN’s 1998 The secret Diary Of Desmond Pfeiffer … (OTHER than the Forgotten TV and Tele-Hell Podcast … Right here baby! Biff had Joe and Jacques do a blind ranking game of talk show host … there will be more of this stuff moving forward … lots of fun. Jacques chats car camping at the Judy Blume NJ rest stop on the way to 6 Flags after letting his 14-year-old and his best pal check out Time Square at 2am on a Wednesday night (Did you know the Taco Bell in Time Square has hard booze?) Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast @TheJacques4 Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber   Opening Song: Gomer By Beyond Id (find

Joe and Jacques meet Tyler Morrison back in April when he was in town for the Boston Comedy Festival,  Tyler was at the BCF in his role as owner/producer of the comedy label Standing 8 Comedy (taping the two nights of semi-finals) and to record HIS podcast (Fight Stories) in front of a live Boston / BCF audience. Tyler himself is a national touring comedian as well as creator of HIS yearly comedy festival (on year 15) – Cottage Comedy Festival. Tyler has a bunch of amazing special up on his @TylerMorrison @Youtube channel Buckle up and wear a helmet cause Tyler’s comedy hits hard! Tyler’s Fight Stories co-host is another great headliner comedian (based in NJ by way of Toronto) John Moses. This really was a fun chat and Jacques is gonna try to drag Joe up to the great white north too hopefully do shows with Tyler this fall! Follow Tyler across his socials like – IG is TylerMorrison123 and check out his websites for tour dates TylerMorrison.ca Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny   

I don’t think we ever had REAL breaking news while recording an episode … but news broke (sadly) Biden is stepping aside … and we talk about … The passing of the GREAT Bob Newhart. Joe chats the new NES Champions DELUX he picks up this week and the history of “The Golden” cartilage! Chat more dead New England comedy summer shows and the few bright spots along the way. Jacques chats his sons sad trip to St. Louis (and taking them 3 days to get home cause Delta Airlines SUCKS) Little Godzilla Minus One talk with Biff and well … that’s mostly it. Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast @TheJacques4 Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber   Opening Song: Beyond Id “Gomer” (off The Stovin’ Years on Spotify) Closing Song: Reunion Café by Dan Cray (of Wetbrian album on Spotify and DanCray.Net)

Career hockey referee turn headline comedian (turn podcaster) – Mark Riley was our guest this week. It was just Jacques and Mark, so it’s not that the chat went off the rails … there were no railed to keep them on tract to start. Mark has one of the most interesting paths to the mic of any comedian quest we’ve had. Mark’s podcast Chirping Zebra is a must subscribe to if you're a hockey person … who also likes to laugh a lot.   MarkRileyComedy and Chripingzebras on IG                                                                     on Facebook - MarkRiley  And FrankieChrips is also a fun follow on IG Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast @TheJacques4 Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber   Opening Song: WKRP Parody by Joe and Youtuber: Chipboy Closing Song: Laid by Beyond Id off The Stovin’ Years (on Spotify)

1986 Jacques went to Nick’s Comedy Stop with a buddy from his hockey team … a short 38 years later – He (with Joe there to make it a great night) did a set on the stage the truly launched hundreds of comedy careers. Thank you Mr. Mike Koutrobis! On the other side of the comedy coin, Jacques chats the epidemic of dead shows in the summer and looking forward to LA trip and working with Danta and Sally. When Joe hears “bike shop” he goes to a happy place (Pee Wee’s Big Adv) … Jacques goes to Bike Shop from Different Strokes.  W – Joe. July 11th – the one and ONLY chance for a judge to sentence POS Trump (but we’re not holding our breath) – and credit where credit is do, once again the DEM Party masterfully demonstrating their skills of the circular firing squad NOW, with 3 months to go, saying Biden shouldn’t run.  GOP – Evil, DEMS – Morons. Some football (soccer) talk, some tv talk, parenting tips … and live song (crappy quality) from Jacques’ band Beyond Id playing The Rat in 1993. Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpe

Working comedian Liam Hales was our super fun guest this week.  Liam can be seen somewhere in New England every weekend hosting or featuring. Most Saturday’s Liam is at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth – Also a regular at Smitty’s Cinema’s (in Maine & NH) as well as City Winery in Boston to name a few places.  He is also an integral part of the Boston Comedy Festival production team. After time in a college improv troop, Liam spend a few years in Los Angeles working the comedy scene (where he cross paths with our great friend of ours Sally Mullin’s - Sleazy Does It On Amazon Prime) Liam’s material is very open, personal and relatable. He’s liked by and he cracks up all the big name comics (like Tony V) he works with and also goes out of his way to help the new comics (like Jacques) get stage time (as a comic and a host0 and is always so encouraging and supportive.  Between his kindness and being 6-6 and build like a lot 70s Buick station wagon, Liam exemplifies the term gentle giant … but I still wouldn’

Biff and Jacques fly solo this week – chatting Jacques recent comedy adventures: Opening and hosting for ex NHL ref Mark Riley and another show with Steve Bjork where after, Jacques Mom let’s Steve know he is very funny and should stick with this comedy thing. The only thing worse then everything in your house breaking at once is a repair person who tries bullying your wife into writing a better review as you catch him in the act of trying to mark up a part 600%. Jacques has a St. Louis trip and a few weeks coming up then a few weeks in LA – doing comedy, yes.  Play hockey … we’ll see. Very little talk about the (hopefully but unlikely) jail time in Spray Tan Comb Overs July 11th sentencing … but then onto Stanly Cup and Celtics championship yapping. Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast @TheJacques4 Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber   Opening Song: Gomer (by Beyond Id off album Stovin’ Years On Spotify)

Comedian and a non-toxic middle-aged guy who is NOT afraid to tell his friends he loves them OR to openly talk mental health issues, MYSTARU is our guest this week. Rapper – Break Dancer – DJ – PROUD former Dunkin Donuts alumni turned comic and clearly the guy Ben Affleck modeled his Dunkings persona after – Mystaru is ALSO  a pod (Vlod) cast co-host of “Real Or No Reelz” A competitor in McCue’s 2024 BCF – Mystaru is booked on shows (and hosting shows) all over New England on a constant basis. We chat how blown away we are of the mentoring some of the biggest and best names in New England comedy are constantly doing (like the great TONY and Steve) and how, yeah there are some tool bags in this club but the friends we’re making and the fun we’re having … It’s a heck of a ride. If you can’t find MYSTARU (Shawn Ruiz) or Real or no Reelz on ALL the socials – then you’re not looking very hard! (and YES we do chat his possible MySpace channel) Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny       

Been a bit since Biff was on the podcast!  Was a delight to have the whole starting line up back. Joe gifted Jacques TWO awesome T-Shirts for his birthday this weed and we talk Jim McCue’s 3rd year anniversary shows at his comedy space in Portsmouth NH … and how Jacques did at that show! We chat the run of great guest and plug next week’s sideshow with comedian Mystaru. A debate raged over Monkeys riding Swans was a possibility and it was Ostriches in the video game Joust. You know – totally current and not insanely 1984 jr high stuff. Some video game chat, so parenting tips and can Biff adopt Joe and marry Jacques and move to Japan if election in November doesn’t go well for democracy? Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast @TheJacques4 Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber   Opening Song: Beyond Id “Struggly” (off The Stovin’ Years on Spotify) Closing Song: Sin Pathetic by Dan Cray (off The Salad Days 1997)

Casey Crawford, Co-Champ of the 24th Annual Boston Comedy Festival 2024, a Jimmy Kimmel Alumni and most likely the ONLY guest we’ll ever have on from South Dakota! Casey made up for a (very) late start in comedy with an insanely meteoric rise the first couple years in comedy … and to do so from Nebraska’s 5-person comedy scene … WHAT? Casey is an absurdist comedian who delivers his out of left field jokes while in a semi crazed, let’s give THIS guy some space when he gets on the subway, character.   We had the most insanely fun and cerebral chat regarding breaking down the mathematics of a good fart joke.   Casey Crawford – IG: CaseyCrawford1978   Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast @TheJacques4 Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber   Opening Song: WKRP Theme Song Parody (By Joe and YouTuber: Chipboy)   Closing Song: Beyond Id – Laid off “The Stovin’ Years” (BeyondId/Spotify)

HOLY SNICKIES – 7 YEARS OF OUR CRAP. Yep … 1st CPP was Memorial Day Weekend 2017 – Insane.  Pats were GREAT.  My kids liked me … but 1600 Penn Ave was … not good. Highlights from THIS episode … talking Jacques ripping a tooth out opening his pool (who had THAT on their bingo card), Joe’s kid graduating highschool and on to college, some celeb deaths (Dabney Coleman, Steve Lawrence, Morgan Spurlock) Actual sports chat (briefly) as Jacques went to HISTORICAL game 2 of PWHL inaugural Walter Cup, Man City (predictable) wins Premier Leauge, and Joe watched B’s break Boston’s hearts again. TV chat – Joes loving Fall Out and Jacques could only stomach ep 1 of 3 of Ashley Madison doc. Little gaming talk.  Parenting Tips and much much more … like too much … we gotta keep this to an hour. Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny                  Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast @TheJacques4 Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber   Opening Song: WKRP Theme Song Parody (By

83-Year-Old-Jewish-Vaudevillian trapped inside a 24-year-old’s body, Joseph Katz is our guest this week. A finalist in the 2024 Boston Comedy Festival – Joseph Katz chats with OUR Joe and Jacques about their mutual love for the Dick Van Dyke Show, Jack Benny and pre-Carson Tonight Show (Note: we all also LOVE Carson’s Tonight Show.)  Katz had a cable access (Daily Show) type program in high school, followed by his college radio comedy talk show at WMUL at UMass Lowell (about 3 miles from Jacques’ shack) – Comedy IS his life!  And his life is pretty good! Katz falls somewhere between the great Emo Phillips and the Boston Legend Steven Wright.  An “absurdist” style of very smart humor with hard to see coming, sharp right turns. The youngest comic on the finals stage at BCF this year and he’s only going to get more seasoned.  He is truly one to watch as he’s just that lucky break from becoming a nationally known comic. Follow Joe Katz:  JooeKatzComedy on IG Jacques on IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: Ja