Messed-Up To Set-Ups - A MichaelHalcomb.Live Podcast

Discussing The Messed-Up Things That Make Life Funny

Reflections on Comedy, Stand-Up or Otherwise, from Michael Halcomb. Discussing The Messed-Up Things That Make Life Funny. www.michaelhalcomb.live

  1. 1 HR AGO

    Southern Comedy Unleashed

    Hello, Friend! In this episode of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast, I, Michael Halcomb, dive back into the world of Southern humor with the hilarious comedy duo Austin & Leb (although, mostly just Leb, due to Austin’s nuisance of an internet connection - please ignore a couple parts where his lagging audio causing a little audio friction). We explore the quirks of Southern mamas and papas, and try to turn the typical stereotypes into some comedy gold. From “Bless your heart!” to truck brand loyalty, we riff on it all. You’ll also get hear about and see our creative processes live and in real time. So, whether you’re a comedy fan or just love a good laugh, this episode is packed with fun and insights. Tune in! Oh…and before you go, let me ask: Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? If so, I would highly recommend checking out these resources: * FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE. * FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE. * The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE. * The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

    21 min
  2. 1 DAY AGO

    Replay: The Joke Writer's Lab Live Stream #4

    Hello, Friend. If you missed The Joke Writer’s Lab live stream #4 today, you can watch it again at your leisure. In this session, I take a random, half-formed idea and turn it into a fully structured story bit using what I call “The W Method,” showing in real time how a simple premise about buying and trying to sell/trade in a car can evolve into something funny. I also offer insight into a powerful rhetorical device (epistrophe), which can help sharpen punchlines and control audience misdirection. So, once again, I pull back the curtain on my process and let everyone see the messy, practical, behind-the-scenes process of joke writing. Tune in - the replay video is below. Oh…and before you go, let me ask: Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? If so, I would highly reccommend checking out these resources: * FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE. * FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE. * The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE. * The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

    37 min
  3. 5 DAYS AGO

    Improv Comedy Duo

    Hello, Friend! In this episode of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast, I, Michael Halcomb, sit down with the hilarious, Tennessee-based comedy duo Austin & Leb. We get into their journey from church skits to tours, to sharing insights on improv, to crowd work, to the art of keeping audiences engaged. We also discuss their viral Facebook Live moment and how they turn pure chaos into comedy gold. (I featured for them last weekend and, honestly, they’re really really good at it!) Whether you’re a comedy enthusiast or just love a good laugh, this episode is packed with humor and insight. Tune in! Oh…and before you go, let me ask: Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? If so, I would highly recommend checking out these resources: * FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE. * FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE. * The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course taken by nearly 100 students, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE. * The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

    29 min
  4. 2 MAY

    Using Comedy for Revenge?

    NOTE: As of this episode, I’m no longer posting my podcasts on YouTube as I’ll be using that platform only for comedy clips and YT Shorts. Going forward, podcast episodes will be found at MichaelHalcomb.Live/Podcast, but also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most other dedicated podcast platforms. Hello, Friend! In this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups",” I sit down again with Herb Kay. We workshop some jokes by digging into the insanity surrounding holidays and some of the traditions connected to them. We also get into the comedic potential of Easter, you know, things like six-foot bunnies and what the future of Valentine’s Day would look like if it were a day of revenge. Here in Part 2 of our chat we also do some on-the-spot comedy and riff on things in the headlines. Tune in! And…before you go, let me ask: Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? If so, check out these resources: * FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE. * FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE. * The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE. * The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

    26 min
  5. 29 APR

    A.I. and Joke Writing

    Hello, Friend! It’s Episode #113 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast. In this one, I with NC-based comedian, Herb Kay, who states that AI is revolutionizing his joke writing. Herb also shares his journey from a fifth-grade joke writer to stepping on stage. In addition, we get into the importance of timing and crowd work, and Here shares some of the unexpected ways he thinks AI can mimic or even out-funny human comedians. For fresh insights, good laughs, and some perspective on the future of stand-up, tune in! Before you go, let me ask: Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? If so, check out these resources: * FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE. * FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE. * The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE. * The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

    24 min
  6. 26 APR

    The Art of Escalation

    Hello, Friends! In this episode of “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast, I team up once again with comedian Phil “Grampy” Ketron. We explore “The Art of Escalation” and dive headfirst into the comedic chaos of everyday life, from automated 911 calls to FaceTime fiascos. We also reveal how to turn life’s absurdities, such as these, into comedy gold. Discover some of our techniques for crafting jokes, the value of comedy coaching, and how to elevate your routine. Whether you’re a seasoned comedian or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights and laughs you won’t wanna miss. Tune in! Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? Check out these resources: * FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE. * FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE. * The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE. * The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

    25 min
  7. 21 APR

    Comedy Branding 101

    Hello, Friends. Welcome to episode 110 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast. In this episode, I chat with Phil “Grampy” Ketron about the art of character comedy and the power of branding. We also get into how Phil's “Grampy” persona evolved from a simple idea into a strategic market positioning tool that he uses to help keep his act fresh and memorable. We share insights into niche audiences, discuss the importance of consistency, and reflect on the art of saying “No.” Also, Phil shares practical advice for comedians looking to stand out. Whether you’re at the open mic level or doing paid gigs, this conversation is packed with wisdom and humor that you won’t want to miss. Tune in! Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? Check out these resources: * FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE. * FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE. * The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE. * The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

    39 min
  8. 18 APR

    What To Do When Jokes Don't Work

    Hello, Friends! Welcome to episode 110 of the “Messed-Up to Set-Ups” podcast! Today I’m thrilled to have Paul Snyder back for Part 2 of our conversation. In this episode, we dig deeper into the art of joke writing and workshopping, focusing on a particular joke Paul has been crafting for over a year, part of which just hasn’t been working. Can we get over the hump? Join us as we brainstorm punchlines, discuss the Pavlovian response to “Hey, Babe!” and share laughs over joke writing exercises. Whether you’re new to all this, a long-time comedy enthusiast, a working comedian, or just love a good laugh, this episode is packed with insights and humor. Tune in! Are you ready to level up in your comedy journey? Check out these resources: * FREE - “The Round-Up”: My weekly comedy newsletter, choc-full of insights from videos, articles, and so on. This’ll also give you FREE access to “The Joke Blueprint Playbook.” Get the newsletter HERE. * FREE - The Joke Blueprint Playbook: Act now and get an exclusive, 17-page toolkit that I designed specifically to solve some of the biggest joke-writing struggles comedians have. This comprehensive guide is packed with actionable advice, and it’s entirely exclusive to this community. Get it HERE. * The Joke Writer’s Lab: Stop guessing at what makes people laugh. In this self-paced, online course, you’ll get the tools to find your unique comedic persona and learn the exact mechanics of writing a bulletproof joke. Get it HERE. * The Comedian’s Memory Lab: Never blank on stage again!!! Learn my insider method to build and flawlessly memorize your entire set, whether you are doing 3 minutes at an open mic or headlining for an hour. Get it HERE. MichaelHalcomb.Live is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to MichaelHalcomb.Live at www.michaelhalcomb.live/subscribe

    32 min

About

Reflections on Comedy, Stand-Up or Otherwise, from Michael Halcomb. Discussing The Messed-Up Things That Make Life Funny. www.michaelhalcomb.live