Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #390 Executive Producers of 2026 Austin Sketch Fest, Rebecca East and Ashley Ellis talk with Valerie Lopez about: Austin Sketch Fest's 2026 expansion to two full weekends and what it took to pull it off Headliners Shitty Mozart, Assssketch, Aly Dixon, and SNL's Austin-grown Andrew Dismukes A stacked lineup of 35 acts including local favorites, out-of-towners, and a few surprises Badges, tickets, volunteer spots, and why you should lock in your plans now before shows sell out Recorded June 2026 at Fallout Theater Follow Austin Sketch Fest   Website - atxsketchfest.com Instagram - @atxsketchfest Facebook - facebook.com/ATXSketchFest Attend the 17th Annual ATX Sketch Fest, August 14-16 & 21-23, 2026, at ColdTowne Theater:   $169 for a weekend All Fest Pass!! Headliners Weekend 1 - Shitty Mozart and ASSSSKETCH Weekend 2 - Andrew Dismuke and Aly Dixon Feature Performers Weekend 1 - Sara Jo Geiger, Sick Day/Never Sad, Rochelle McConico, Colette Gregory's Black Best Friend, Paypigs, Sir Thomas Madden Jr., Kat Ellison Williams' Daddy's Boy, Garrett Buss' Daddy Strong Legs, Coming Out, Hannah & Spencer End Homophobia, The Public Breakup Show, Ponyboy, Sheila & Carla, Mimi Meier Weekend 2 - Wet Blanket,  Sponcon, Becca Seferian, Butterface, Cabal, Larry McMurty's Cowboy Cavalcade, Egg Party, Father Figures, Time to Kill, Rochelle McConico, Avery & Sabrina, Wallis Brown's My Three Stooges Fanfic, The Big Toe Gang, Seth K Thomas' Antithematic, Space Cadets, Mimi Meier  Follow Rebecca Instagram - @rebecca_east Follow Ashley Instagram - @trashleysmellis Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #389 Joey Smith talks with Valerie Lopez about Growing up on pawn shop comedy DVDs and the life-changing loss that pushed him to the mic Balancing a full-time corporate job with touring the country for Jeremiah Watkins His legendary mattress return bit and why audiences keep confessing their own retail scams after the show Why getting that first laugh within three seconds is the hardest note he's ever been given — and why it's exactly right Recorded May 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Joey YouTube - youtube.com/@Thisisjoeysmith Instagram - @thisisjoeysmith Joey can be seen and heard: 2026 FPIA Preliminaries - July 5, 7:30pm, Cap City Comedy Club Regularly performs at Black Rabbit Comedy Club Regularly performs at Sunset Strip Comedy Club Touring with Jeremiah Watkins (watch IG for dates) Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #388 Gretchen Dietz talks with Valerie Lopez about: Trading her PhD for a notebook and a bar open mic with zero last-name confidence Divorcing her inner perfectionist and learning to love the beautiful mess of live comedy How moving to Austin blew up her small map and recalibrated everything she thought she knew Building a real comedy career on thank-you notes, strong material, and staying unapologetically herself Recorded May 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Gretchen Linktree - linktr.ee/gretchendietz TikTok - @gretchendietz_ YouTube - youtube.com/GretchenDietz_ Instagram - @gretchendietz_ Facebook - facebook.com/gretchendietzcomedy Gretchen can be seen and heard: Headlining: Live at Fallout Theater - August 22, 7pm, Fallout Theater 2026 FPIA Preliminaries - July 9, 7:30pm, Cap City Comedy Club Opening for Sophie Buddle on tour (follow socials for dates/cities) Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #387 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Series   Our favorite time of year as we bring you voices from Moontower Comedy Festival before, during, and after the festival!   Legendary comedian Yakov Smirnoff talks with Valerie Lopez about Leaving the USSR in 1977 and building a legendary comedy career through sheer luck and timing. How his iconic "What a country!" persona helped humanize Russians for Americans during Cold War tensions. Earning a PhD in Psychology and studying laughter's powerful role in relationships and marriage. Performing at Moontower at 75, eyeing a "Yakov 2.0" era, and a possible Netflix documentary. Recorded April 2026 during Moontower Comedy Festival from Stephen F. Austin Lounge Follow Yakov Website - yakov.com TikTok - @yakov_smirnoff YouTube - youtube.com/@YakovSmirnoff Instagram - @yakov_smirnoff Facebook - facebook.com/Yakov.Smirnoff.Comedian X - @Yakov_Smirnoff Yakov can be seen and heard: Clean Comedy Wave Tour May 29-30, 2026 - Kenosha Comedy Club, Kenosha, Wisconsin - Tickets Yakov's Theater: Branson, Missouri The Comedy Couch Podcast Happily Ever Laughter - Comedy Special Night Court Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #386 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Series   Our favorite time of year as we bring you voices from Moontower Comedy Festival before, during, and after the festival!   Cathy Ladman talks with Valerie Lopez about Walking through fear for 45 years and why courageous best describes her past The golden and gritty days of the 80s New York comedy scene and her legendary peers Navigating Hollywood as a woman, from sexist bookers to a TV Guide critic she outlasted Coaching comics, booking Bill Hader's new film, and why she is absolutely not done yet Recorded April 2026 during Moontower Comedy Festival from Stephen F. Austin Lounge Follow Cathy Website - cathyladman.com TikTok - @cathyladman YouTube - youtube.com/CathyLadman Instagram - @cathyladman1 Facebook - facebook.com/cladman X - @CathyLadman Cathy can be seen and heard: I Have No One to Blame But Myself Tour  July 11 at Mahaiwe Theatre, Great Barrington, MA  Tickets July 30 at Emelin Theatre, Mamaroneck, NY Tickets Appearing in Bill Hader's "They Know" movie The Tonight Show - 10 times with Jimmy Fallon, Jay Leno, and Johnny Carson The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson - 6 times "One Night Stand" - HBO Special (1991) Curb Your Enthusiasm, How to Get Away with Murder, I'm Dying Up Here, Dr. Katz Professional Therapist Writer on "Roseanne" and "Caroline in the City" The Three Stoogettes Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #385 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Series   Our favorite time of year as we bring you voices from Moontower Comedy Festival before, during, and after the festival!   Mia Jackson talks with Valerie Lopez about How a room full of strangers at an open mic launched her comedy career Getting fired from her day job and landing on TV the very next week The Popeyes biscuit incident that accidentally became her most beloved bit Writing for award shows, optioning a pilot, and headlining after her Comedy Central special Recorded April 2026 during Moontower Comedy Festival from Stephen F. Austin Lounge Follow Mia Website - miajackson.com Linktree - linktr.ee/miacomedy YouTube - youtube.com/miacomedy Instagram - @miacomedy Facebook - facebook.com/ComedianMiaJackson X - @miacomedy Mia can be seen and heard: May 15, 2026, Laurel Athletic Club: Tickets Half Hour Special Comedy Central Don't Tell Comedy Special Nateland Presents: The Showcase Special This Week at the Comedy Cellar Special Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #384 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Series Our favorite time of year as we bring you voices from Moontower Comedy Festival before, during, and after the festival!   Jeremiah Watkins (Volume 9) talks with Valerie Lopez about Writing and directing his first feature film based on the Trailer Tales podcast universe. His upcoming special Crazy Pizza and navigating a very oversaturated distribution market. Losing beloved Comedy Store comedian Alex Duong and what his legacy meant to the community. A life-changing deal that collapsed overnight and why he still considers himself flush with dessert. Recorded April 2026 during Moontower Comedy Festival from Stephen F. Austin Lounge Follow Jeremiah Website Jeremiah Watkins - www.JeremiahWatkins.com Thousand Percent - thousand-percent.com X - @jeremiahstandup Instagram Jeremiah Watkins - @jeremiahstandup Trailer Tales - @trailertalespod Red Fuzzy Rug - @redfuzzyrug Facebook - Facebook.com/Jeremiah.Watkins Youtube Jeremiah Watkins - Youtube.com/@jeremiahwatkins Stand-up on the Spot - Youtube.com/@standupots Trailer Tales / Scissor Bros - Youtube.com/@TrailerTalesPod or Youtube.com/@ScissorBros Red Fuzzy Rug - Youtube.com/@RedFuzzyRug Jeremiah Wonders - Youtube.com/@JeremiahWonders Jeremiah can be seen and heard: Specials Latest Special: Jeremiah Watkins: Daddy Debut Special: Jeremiah Watkins: Family Reunion (Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV) Podcasts (available on Youtube and your favorite podcast player) Trailer Tales The Scissor Bros Jeremiah Wonders The Building Years Album - Regan and Watkins (2019) Hosted Shows - Stand-up on the Spot at The Comedy Store and around the country Previous appearances on our podcast Jeremiah Watkins: "You're the Best" (2017) Jeremiah Watkins Returns, 2018 Moontower Series (2018) The State of Jeremiah Watkins (2019) Checking in With Jeremiah Watkins: From Father to Bros (2021) Jeremiah Watkins: Still the Best (2022) Jeremiah Watkins: It's Daddy Time Again (2023) Jeremiah Watkins Checks In, Volume 7 (2024) Jeremiah Watkins (Volume 8) (2025) Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #383 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Series Our favorite time of year as we bring you voices from Moontower Comedy Festival before, during, and after the festival! We bring you another Austin resident making his Moontower debut!   Fast Ronald talks with Valerie Lopez about His layered background — culinary school and LA open mics — all feeds directly into his deeply personal comedy style Nearly quitting stand-up before a pandemic-era deep dive into storytelling helped him unlock his natural deadpan voice His debut special Flex Your Head, filmed at The Parish in Austin, now streaming on YouTube His last-minute entry in the Cap City Comedy Club Funniest Person in Austin contest, almost skipping his performance night, and how that FPIA appearance helped him land his 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival debut.   Recorded March 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Fast Ronald Website - whatisfastronald.com YouTube - youtube.com/@FastRonaldComedy Instagram - @itsfastronald Facebook - www.facebook.com/ItsFastRonald Fast Ronald can be seen and heard: Flex Your Head Comedy Special - Watch 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival - April 7 – 18, 2026 Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #382 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Series   Our favorite time of year as we bring you voices from Moontower Comedy Festival before, during, and after the festival!   Tracey Schultz and Sam Peirce talk with Valerie Lopez about Tracey's unbridled excitement at seeing Yakov Smirnoff on this year's lineup Sam's viewing schedule finally making way to join the Stamptown fan club Valerie's excitement that Fallout Theater is getting to host a whole slate of shows Legendary headliner shows: Albert Brooks, Yakov Smirnoff, and Marc Maron The Stamptown Universe: Zach Zucker helms Stamptown and is premiering his comedy special by his alias Jack Tucker. Club shows: Favorites like Surrounded, Standup on the Spot, Tag It, GDCJ return Locals events: Several first timers to the fest get their glow up, Andy Huggins returns, Dylan Carlino takes over Higbies, and Angelina Martin's Slide in the DMs is ready to shine! Grab Bag of shows to catch: Caroline Rhea, Uly Morazan, and Cathy Ladman Everyone and everything you MUST see this year!   Recorded March 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Next Dates Headliner Shows: April 7th to 18th Club Weekend: April 15th to 18th Web: moontowercomedy.com Individual Show Tickets and Badges available Instagram: @MoontowerComedy Follow Sam Peirce Website - samqpeirce.com Linktr.ee - linktr.ee/samqpeirce Instagram - @samqpeirce Doghouse - @doghousecomedyatx Youtube - youtube.com/@samqpeirce Sam can be seen and heard: Doghouse - 2nd Sundays at Fallout Theater Comedy Wham writer Follow Tracey Schulz Website - traceyschulz.com Instagram - @tracey.schulz Facebook - facebook.com/Tracey.Schulz.FaceBk Tracey can be seen and heard: KOOP Radio - What's New every Wednesday Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.  

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #381 Austen Silver talks with Valerie Lopez about Starting comedy at 30 after 15 years of wanting to, but not knowing how Turning Atlanta, a pandemic, and a flooded apartment into unlikely career fuel A debut special that blends off-the-wall metaphors with surprisingly sharp philosophical observations His biggest opponent at 13 years in — not the audience, but his own negativity   Recorded March 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Austen Website - www.austensilver.com YouTube - youtube.com/AustenSilver Instagram - @austen.silver Facebook - facebook.com/AustenSilverComedy Austen can be seen and heard: It Shouldn't Be This Easy Standup Special: Watch Southside Comedy - last Thursday of the month, Sound Space at Captain Quack's, 7pm Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.