Carnival Personnel

This episode is mostly Jacques babbling his (atheist) crisis of comedy faith of how to go back to doing “ambush show” open mics after getting to do booked showcases in some of Los Angeles best clubs (thanks you Sally Mullins) Note: shout out for proper term to Greg Boggis to describe mics at venue where folks DO NOT know a comedy show is about to happen. Example: few girlfriends who haven’t seen each other in 4 months get together at a restaurant they’ve been to 10x and never had a show going on … now half way through dinner BAMB group of (mostly 20something white guys) get up telling graphic dick jokes and get pissed at these women who just wanted to chat with their friends while having a meal.   The Bull Durham bus scene about going to “The Show” … I wish I never went scene … hits home.   Jacques also acknowledges that he is well aware how lucky he is that so many great friends put on pants and braved LA traffic on school nights to come see him.  Also, Jacques talks getting to put faces to names in person w

Joe and Jacques (Biff is on IR) chat the passing of a childhood hero, actor Paul Reubens… Pee Wee Herman (a special CP Sideshow is forthcoming.)  Rough couple weeks since the last recording as we also morn the loss of our friend (former guest) Woody’s dad who was a true 1000% WW2 hero!  And also, Sinead O’Connor, who was shunned and essentially ruined her career for calling out the Catholic Church on SNL in 1992. All 3 of these people, true heroes who made the world a better place.   Jacques is home in LA and chats seeing friend Ronak and Bill Fay, All Star Tommy, Taylor, Al and rest of FNH crew and chats about his first gig back (at Tao Comedy), Saturday night (aa booked show … thank you Sally Mullins!) Jacques has a few more booked shows courtesy of Sally and other LA pals.  Joe’s pretty sure (with his connected friends, job ops, stand up ops and weather better for his old broken body) Jacques isn’t coming back but Jacques assures him, his wife and other son … and comic books are back there … so most likely

Comedian (Producer, Comedy Teacher, Actor, Cool Dad) Mike Koutrobis talks with Jacques about a ton of stuff, including how becoming a dad a little late in the dance for the first time JUST before Covid threw the world a curveball has shaped his comedy.   Mike is the ONLY comic we've had on who is willing to honestly answer the biggest question facing Boston (New England based) comedians: Knights of Columbus or VFW shows!   Also, turns out Mike's closest friends, call him Steve. Wait. What's that?  They don't.  Huh ...    Over the last year, we've had so many well-known New England based headlining comics, all of who point to Mike as one of their favorite comics AND ALSO one of (if not, THE) show producer they most like to work with!  Jacques also has becoming pals with a dozen plus comics, climbing the ladder, who started off as pupils at Mike's comedy classes and workshops.  Jacques will soon be an (official) pupil of Mike's as Mike will soon be running AT THE REQUEST of club owners, a "here's how not to suc

If you’re a regular listener to this podcast (or follow Jacques on socials) and don’t follow Dante The Comic … well … you go right that wrong, NOW!   A personal hero of ours, Dante the Comic (Rusciolelli) zooms in (from the very cool Hollywood Forever Cemetery) to chat with Joe and Jacques about… SO MUCH.    Danta is a headlining (national and internationally) touring comic for 36 years.  We chat with him about balancing his career as a comedian, as a manager-promoter and co-owner of Golden Artist Entertainment (which he owns and runs with his comedian/writer wife Rebekah Kochan) … as a producers/writer of profitable horror movies and arguably the most important hat he wears (aside from “dad” and “husband”) he relentless social justice work.  Dante is constantly patrolling the Hollywood (LA) streets documenting the never-ending brutality of the LAPD.   We also chat the amazing 250+ and on-going, “Dante’s Comedy Tips”  he post that is basically a FREE masters class Dante puts out for ALL LEVELS of comics from

Jacques and Joe chat the prep work they’ve put in for the Roast Battle Jacques has reluctantly agreed to be part of in Lowell … yesterday (but we recorded this episode before hand … ssssooo…)   Jacques also hosted his first open mic this week.  Went great … went awful.   Jacques son is loving his first job (he’s a Life Guard) in rough neighborhood of their city and is learning first hand … WOW … people can suck.    We stand with the WGA … and seems so will SAG soon (let’s hope.)   Little TV talk, a parenting tip and lots of love.   CPP on IG: @CarnivalPersonnelPodcast and on Twitter: @Carnival Podcast                                                                                            Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber Jacques on Twitter is @TheJacques4 (but really … @CarnivalPodcast)   Opening Song: Welcome Back Kotter Parody (By Joe and Chipboy) Closing Song: Fowl by Dan Cray and Beyond Id  - Live Drunken Recording at WMFO (Tuffs U) in 1993

Nothing says 4th of July like talking with two of the funniest comics (host/producers) in the Boston scene today – XTina and Nick Fucking Powell. I’ll apologize for some of the audio issues … I WILL NOT apologize for all of the funny they bring!!! We chat XTina’s path to the open mic circuit and 5 months later getting booked shows and producing shows … chat her bravery to do her NSFW hilarious bit about crashing with her dad … in front of her dad (and ALL her co-workers). Chat with Nick (when he wasn’t taking his roast out of the over and to be clear that was NOT a metaphor) about going from being a deployed Marine in Afghanistan to the REAL battle field of the Boston (New England) comedy circuit. Comics this funny AND … AND this nice (and supportive to the entire scene) … you can’t help but route for!  And does Jacques constantly tell Nick how handsome he is JUST to make him feel uncomfortable … YES!! GO SEE THEM LIVE … at one of THEIR produced shows, Roast or a mic … you will thank us. And follow them on IG

In this somewhat Big Gulp Super-Sized episode …Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) we chat Jacques sons starting his 1st job this week as a lifeguard, Jacques’ house plumbing nightmare and a few billionaires getting in a homemade submarine and who but EVERYONE could have told them it was a bad idea (no refunds.)  Turns out there is NO real Mario Bros Plumbing company (for now) to help with Jacques raining ceiling! Messi coming to US/MLS is such a big deal … WE talk about it. Also: Jacques’ house of cards marriage hanging in balance because he saw an unauthorized movie, a REQUESTED Joe self-indulgent theater from the CPP vault, parenting tips and Biff flexing Japan still having Tower Records! CPP on IG: @CarnivalPersonnelPodcast and on Twitter: @Carnival Podcast                                                                                            Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber Jacques on Twitter is @TheJacques4 (but really … @Carniv

If you can’t get to see Jim McCue work live … then move to a place you can!  And if you can’t do that … check out Jim’s DryBar Comedy Special on YouTube … which they shot in Utah … lot less drunks at shows in Utah! Joe and Jacques WILL be seeing Jim in person this Thursday (June 22) in Lowell at The Luna Theater (inside Mill #5) for Mondo Comedy (hosted by past CPP guest Greg Boggis!) Jim start in comedy, in part thanks to Richard Belzer … talks playing cat and mouse with hecklers, prepping for crowd work by having held and by fired by every type of job you can imagine before his career took off … and career advice from Dad … sort of. Thank you to Jim and DryBar Comedy for the clips we played on this episode. Follow Jim on-line (not in person you creep) at: JimMcCue.com  IG: bigjimmccue    Twitter: jimmccue  CPP on IG: @CarnivalPersonnelPodcast and on Twitter: @Carnival Podcast                                                                                            Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on

Loyal listener and 20-year (plus) pal of Biff and Jacques’ … the beloved AST (All-Star Tommy) was in Boston with his All-Star wife and daughter last week … and long last Joe and All-Star got to meet.  It was all we could hope for and more… Including a trip to Boston’s famed, “Nick’s Comedy Stop.”  It’s a 21 plus club … but getting Jacques’ 13 year old in … no problem! This episode was recorded on Jacques’ Birthday … again, we breakdown the greatest birthday gift Jacques got … in 2012 on his Birthday Biff took Jacques to game 6 of Stanley Cup Finals in which their beloved Kings won their franchise first Cup! Former world leader arrested on financial crimes … and it wasn’t Donny 8Scoops this time .. Ok he too is being arrested again … but here is was Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon. Some Nintendo Switch chat … including from Biff! Little TV talk, Little Soccer (Futbal) talk, parenting tips and lots of love. CPP on IG: @CarnivalPersonnelPodcast and on Twitter: @Carnival Podcast                                        

Lloyd “Legacy” Sharp is one of the best New England based comics on the circuit today.  You will not find anyone who disagrees with that fact or who won’t go out of their way to tell you, there is not a sweeter or nicer human walking amongst us. If you’ve shared a mic or stage with Lloyd … even once … I’m pretty sure on this episode of endless shout-outs, he found a way to work you into our chat. If you’re a long time New England comedy staple like (former guests) @comedianstevebjork @boggisnews or (hopefully future guests) @emilyruskowski @joshdaycomedy or one of the next wave of great comic talents killing it like @paulborick @nick_is_hahn or @Connor_Ryan_Ferguson Lloyd found a way to sing your praise. In what we’re referring to as Lloyd’s first visit to CPP-land (as we hope he becomes a regular) we chat his comic and karaoke performer path and how he found ways to grow his comedy brand over the pandemic and really made that a year of endless nation wide networking he wouldn’t have been able to have done wi

First time in a bit that Biff, Joe and Jacques are all on the pod together.  Admit it … 3 host are better than one! Joe and Jacques talked going to see recent Sideshow guest Steve Bjork show last weekend and what’s in store for Jacques’ Phase II of his stand-up comedy mid-life crisis. Biff gives the history of The Beaver Cup a yearly hockey game between M.I.T. (yes, THAT, M.I.T.) and Cal Tech … yes, THAT, Cal Tech and how it’s come to bitter sweet conclusion … and how the fck did Jacques become part of this for a decade?!?! Some video game talk.  Some parenting tips and a scheduled wellness check pending the ending of the show Barry next week. CPP on Twitter and Instagram: @CarnivalPodcast    Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber Jacques on Twitter is @TheJacques4 (but really … @CarnivalPodcast)   Opening Song: Gomer by Dan Cray and Beyond ID   Closing Song: Standard Practice (live from The Ratt 1996) by Dan Cray and Beyond ID  

20- year-old Martin Adkin’s joined Johnny Rotten’s (Lydon) Public Image Limited (PiL) in 1980 and co-writing the bands best/most well-known album, This Is What You Want … This Is What You Get .. and his career only went up from there!   Going from being a part of the Post Punk scene to being a staple of … if not a founder of, the industrial music movement- NIN, Ministry, Killing Joke, Pigface … Martin, whose published several books on the music industry and is currently the coordinator of music industry studies at Millikin University … but we had him on to chat his … HIS … Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music in Chicago! Management (aka Jacques’ wife) went to, met and hung out with Martin on her last work trip to Chicago a couple months ago.  She was given the heads up on the museum from fellow Duran Duran friend of hers who was also in Chicago at the time and they met up at museum on way to Depeche Mode that night. We’d like to think this episode as a part one of many episodes to come with Martin. Martin

So you guys aren’t in WGA … this strike doesn’t effect YOU and your crappy podcast … oh no?!?  Joe and Jacques has tickets to THIS coming SNL!  So yeah … this hits home. Sadly, no Biff … math and time zones are tough … especially for Jacques.  Biff will be back soon.  We PROMISE. Jacques talks the legit comedy explosion in Lowell MA and surrounding area and how he was able to put together a panel for local (awesome hysterical comic friends) to talk with Lowell Sun reporter about how this boom is economically helping local economy and how the voices driving this boom are so diverse (other then Jacques … who is the antithesis of diverse!) CNN competing with 60 Mins to see who can help burn the pillars of journalistic intergrade to the ground.  Sports don’t exist anymore so it’s all Resident Evil 4 and Ted Lasso and Joe’s Plex Server magic all the time! CPP on Twitter and Instagram: @CarnivalPodcast    Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber Jacques on Twitter is @TheJacques4 (but rea

First off – Steve knew right away that the title of our podcast is a nod to The Jerk. Come on now! How awesome is that! Steve has been Jacques’ favorite New England based comic since his sister (Kim) gave him the heads up on Steve AND gave him Steve’s hysterical book, “Almost Domesticated” nearly a decade ago. Steve’s evergreen “Family/Everyman” comedy always delivers and we can’t stress enough how he truly is one of those, “YOU really have to see in person” special talents. Steve chats with Joe and Jacques about his 1st mic going so-so and it being 3 years before his 2nd time getting up and doing 5 minutes!  Steve talks how supportive and collaborative the crafting joke process can be with other comics on his headlining level and the friendship and mentorship over the years from Boston legendary comic (and author of comic AND Russian history books … not kidding), Mr. Mike Donovan.  MOST importantly we answer the age-old question … KoC or Elks gig! (That might just be a New England thing.) Follow Steve on Fac

Last minute scheduling hic-cup means no new Carnival Personnel Sideshow this week ... yes, we know the sadness you feel ... so this is a special REPOSTING of one of our favorite episodes ever! Enjoy! Jacques and Biff’s long-time friend Ronak zooms in to chat She-Hulk v. Wonder Woman, give advice on the best way to figure out what you want to do in “the biz” if you know you want in and aren’t sure where you should be AND she answers honestly, “does Jacques hold the record for most shows pitched to her in her years as a development executive?” Ronak has gotten at least 25 shows on the air!  Shows she’s either created, curated or help develop.  It might be hard to see the lawyer degree and MBA hanging on her wall behind the vintage Boba Fett action figure she owns! This is one of those episodes where at the end, you’ll ask yourself:  She really takes Jacques calls?  Really?!   Ronak On Instagram: @TheRonakShow   CP: Twitter/Instagram: https://twitter.com/carnivalpodcast Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Jacque

Joe recently unearth a lost personal gem – a cassette recording of a stand up he did at a club at age 18!  We can’t get the broadcast rights to air it but we break it down and … it’s pure gold! Also, go into some detail of the Joe's gift to himself ... and Jacques - his new well curated Plex server! Biff gives his NHL playoff thoughts and few predictions as well as (this is really a story) Japan Crime Story. Jacques talks (another) missed op at an open mic to actually be funny.  His house (for now) puppy free and his world grinding to a halt as it’s all Resident Evil 4 all day, every day. CPP on Twitter and Instagram: @CarnivalPodcast    Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber Jacques on Twitter is @TheJacques4 (but really … @CarnivalPodcast)   Opening Song: Gomer by Dan Cray and Beyond ID Closing Song: Building A Wall by Dan Cray and Beyond Id (Check out video Dan made for song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZnlObttN-I)

Behind that exquisite 70’s Porn/80’s TV cop mustache resides the brain of Paul Borick, a comic working to get his 10,000 hours in, inside maybe 18 months.  I’m being serious! Paul has a very fun podcast of his own (Karma and Comedy), host/MC’s his own open mic (with partner in crime, Nick Hahn) and between booked shows and open mics, is getting staged times every day that ends in a “Y”. Paul’s stoic, calm delivery and unwavering commitment to his bits belies how long he’s been in the game of comedy. The (deserved) admiration and respect from those in the New England comedy scene potential have Paul playing the role of the Pied Piper with a half dozen, maybe even six, other comics heading out to Denver with him sometime in the near future. (Note to self, call Ronak from Sideshow #73 8/9/21 and see if we can lock up the shows rights to this road trip and comics Big Brother house Paul’s trying to curate!) Jacques cross paths with Paul a few months ago and will forever be thankful to how supportive Paul and Nick

How the mighty have fallen.  Biff, Joe and Jacques chat 60-Minutes flushing 54 years of credibility down the toilet and join ranks of Fox Boobs with their airing of MTG interview … so YES, CP now is more credible than 60 Minutes (sad) fact. So, Donny Eight-Scoops WAS indicted … what happens next? Joe sets up his Plex server bring Joe of mid 70s commercial free episodes to the world … but mostly himself and Jacques!  And the world IS a better place for it. 2x in last couple months … folks in the great Lowell area have added to Jacques Skelton Party yard display … cool and creepy!?  A little. NOTED: AGAINST Biff and Joe’s wishes and much better judgement … JACQUES decided to air this week’s Self-Indulgent Theater … a rant from a drunk, bitter crazy woman, who crashed an open mic he was at last week and heckled everyone and then demanded to take mic … enjoy … I know Dane Cook will. Res Evil 4 re-make launched which has NOTHING to do with the episode not being edited in time … just totally co-wink-key-dink!  On a

Comedian Jennifer Howell (aka JenniMillions on IG) joins Joe and Jacques to chat being a Yogi and Stand Up and how they’re exactly the same and totally different.  Jenni talks how her roadie/production guru background helped develop the thick skin needed to deal with the shark infested open mic world of comedy!  See Jenni when you can live doing comedy and maybe check out a yoga class … and it’s super ok to fart at both! Jennifer on Instagram is: @JenniMillions CPP on Twitter and Instagram: @CarnivalPodcast    Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber Jacques on Twitter is @TheJacques4 (but really … @CarnivalPodcast)   Opening Song: Gomer by Dan Cray and Beyond ID   Closing Song: Tucker by Dan Cray and Beyond Id (yes, a new Dan/Id song for your ear holes!)

The BEST comes last … if you do ONE thing … fast forward to the song we go out on my RonD (NC based band helmed by Jacques buddy Rod Murphy) You’re Welcome. St. Patty’s Day IS dumb … it is.  People in Ireland think it’s dumb that it’s a thing here … and what is that thing?  Let’s say we’re Irish today and drink till we puke green. So … Joe and Jacques chat that. Sadly Biff is BURIED in a work thing … sad for us cause it’s 10x a better show with Biff and sad for YOU cause Biff aka The Guard Rails isn’t here to keep ADHD boy Jacques’ rants somewhat on track and under 40 minutes each. Jacques gives house-o-puppies updates, talks IG over Twitter and latest in his quest to be best stand up in America who started THIS late in life. Joe chats his foray into the wonderful world of setting up a Plex servers and shares the first wave of uploads … pure gold.  Joe also talks the fun of moving a 150 lbs tv up 3 flights of twisty 100 year old steps and having some anxiety about killing Jacques in the process .. to play Duc