Tank Top Talks w/ Matt Braunger

I did a movie with Sherry Cola—Yeah, I said it!! We aren’t in any scenes together, but it counts! Sherry Cola is truly America’s Sweetheart. You might know her from her recent run on Apple TV’s “Shrinking” or from the hit movie “Joy Ride,” but if you don’t yet, you will. Her joy and hilarious outlook are infectious and, even though she kept a jacket over her tank, she killed it with me at the Netflix Fest recording in LA. We did it, tank top folks! Listen in now. 

It’s not a tank top, but DVK could show up in a tux and I’d let him on the show. I last saw Daniel when he came up behind me in Las Vegas and yanked me out of my chair yelling, “You gotta go! Nope! You gotta go!” The fact that he was dressed like a bouncer helped the comedy. Known for his hilarious hosting on the Dumb People Town podcast with The Sklar Brothers, Daniel is also a top-notch stand-up. We got into some serious stuff, some silly stuff, and even what’s next for us entertainers. Strap on a survivalist tank top and listen in! 

Jay Jurden is a hilarious, handsome, opinionated man with a penchant for calling out the elephant in any room. I’ve wanted Jay on the podcast for a while for his quick wit, his shoot-from-the-hip style, and the fact that he looks great in a tank. We had a packed house at the legendary Higbie’s in Austin, Texas at the Moontower Festival, and I can say I don’t remember a recording that was more fun than this one. Throw on a tank, and maybe a cowboy hat, and enjoy.

I first discovered Sam Sanders in his interview with Chris Fleming and was knocked out by how much fun he was having. I thought to myself, “I want to have that much fun on MY podcast, let’s have him on,” I reached out, he responded, “Why not?”, and here we are. Sam hosts the Sam Sanders Show on KCRW and it is a delight. He’s funny, engaged, smart, and fun to listen to. It was great to have a real pro on to dig in, debate, and just have a blast with. Throw on a tank top and take a listen. 

Sydney Kane wrote a hit show based on something a guy said breaking up with her. Basically, he told her she wasn’t “Wife material” lol. While that would have wrecked most of us, Sydney took that football and ran with it, crafting a show that’s selling out wherever it plays (Next up: The Roxy on the Sunset Strip April 21). I didn’t know Sydney before this show, which is a first for Tank Top Talks, and now I’m a huge fan. This episode is for anybody who’s been rejected and got better for it. Throw on a Marlon-Brandon-Doing-Stanley-Kowalski-on-Broadway-worthy tank top and check it out now.

Tom Thakkar and I did the Toledano Street Festival in New Orleans a couple weeks ago and we juuuuust got over our hangovers. Jeez, it’s almost like they get worse when you’re older when you also have to care for a small child. A native of Indiana and a graduate of the Chicago comedy scene, Tom lived in NYC for years before coming to LA. Like me, he has a small child (well, mine isn’t so small anymore) and he still goes on the road. He also hasn’t worn a tank top since he gained the “baby weight.” We laughed a lot during this one, but also hit some points I didn’t expect. Enjoy these two dads recovering from being not-so-young anymore lol.

Beth Stelling is one of my favorite comedians, male, female, or otherwise. She seems stoned on indecision, feeling around, then hits you with a punchline you never saw coming. A fellow graduate of the Chicago school of comedy, Beth and I became fast friends a long time back. She’s also a big time TV writer now. I always told her she should start a men’s clothing line called “Sweet Beth,” so maybe that’s the next thing. If you are a comic starting out, or have any interest in stand-up, this is the episode for you. 

Folks, here it is, your very first Tank Top Talks Live. We were lucky enough to record it at the incredible Toledano Street Comedy Festival in New Orleans. You know the hilarious Ian Karmel from All Fantasy Everything and stand-up, but you might not know Andrew Stephens, young founder of the amazing Sports Drink Comedy Club in Nola. In any event, this is the live podcast taping for people who don’t like live podcast tapings. Fair warning: Drinking was involved (but hey, it’s the Big Easy). Grab a daquiri and check it out! 

Jackie Kashian is a nice lady and friend/comedy hurricane. On the one hand, she’s a fun person to be around who is endlessly thoughtful and kind. On the other, she is a decades-working comedy legend with more jokes per second than anybody. She and I both share the tendency to talk, well, sometimes too fast onstage. Hey! We’re excited! Jackie joined me on TTT to talk comedy, our dream outfits, and why being a dork is f*&king cool.