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

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

  1. 3D AGO

    From Brainstorms to Belly Laughs

    Hello, Friends! It’s episode #99 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast which means we’re only 1 episode away from 100!!! Back with me today is Tommy Morin. He joins me in Part 2 of our chat to explore the art of turning chaos into comedy gold. We get into the hilariousness of crafting the perfect excuse, the power of a disheveled appearance, and how these can earn you unexpected admiration. We workshop jokes and do some on-the-spot comedy. So, whether you’re a comedian or even just someone who’s ever been late and had to wing it, this episode’s for you. Tune in! JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can 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

    35 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Clean Comedy, Big Impact

    Hello, Friends! It’s episode #98 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast. And, as we inch closer to Episode #100, today, we have a pretty unique guest: “The Manic Hispanic: Pastor, Tommy Morin” on the show. Tommy’s journey is as fascinating as it is inspiring. From childhood impressions to the mob to ministry to navigating the comedy scene after a long hiatus, Tommy shares how humor became his escape and his path back to the stage. Tommy’s done Drybar, Huckabee, and a host of other shows. So, in this one, we dive into his experiences with clean comedy, the importance of understanding show business, and how a renewed sense of purpose can reignite your passion. Whether you’re a comedian or someone looking for a fresh start, you don’t wanna miss this. Tune in! JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can 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

    36 min

  3. FEB 24

    The Art of Joke Creation

    Hello, Friends! It’s episode #97 of the Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast. Ever wonder how comedians turn mundane news moments into hilarious bits? In today’s episode, Part 2 of my chat with comedian Andy Beningo, we dive right into that process. We talk about how the freshest material often comes from real life, and how a simple idea, like an over-the-hill James Bond or a cat with a vendetta, can generate great jokes. We also do some on-the-spot comedy by riffing on headlines. Along with that, we discuss the importance of stage time, developing your best material, and tips for running jokes multiple times. Join us as we dissect the process, share real examples, and have a blast turning the absurdities of our world on their heads. Tune in! JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can 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

    33 min

  4. FEB 21

    Local Gigs to Global Stages - Comedy in All 50 States

    Hello, Friends! Episode #96 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast is live. In this one, I chat with the absolutely hilarious Andy Beningo. A Michigan-based comedian, this guy has masterfully conquered all 50 states and performed on cruise ships around the world. Here we dig into his unconventional mindset, get some tips on perseverance, and hear about how his obsession with stats has kept him motivated. We also get into the real challenges of adapting jokes for diverse audiences across the globe, and get the secret to sustaining a 20-year comedy career. We break down his unique approach to writing on the go, navigating social media as a seasoned comic, and the surprising truth about making it big when no one’s heard of you. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn local gigs into a worldwide comedy adventure, Andy’s story may well inspire you. Plus, he drops some unmissable advice for any comedian looking to stand out in a crowded industry. Tune in! JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can 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

    27 min

  5. FEB 17

    Practice Punching-Up Jokes

    Hello, Friends! It’s episode 95 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. In this one, I’m thrilled to welcome back the hilarious Lee Hardin. In this one, we get into the creative process of joke writing, Lee shares a new premise about the quirks of aging and memory lapses, and we try to punch it up. We also chat about the art of crowd work, the challenges of remembering things, and the joy of spontaneous comedy. This episode’s loaded with on-the-spot humor that you don’t wanna miss. Tune in! JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can 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

    39 min

  6. FEB 14

    You Gotta Stay Fresh & Obsessed

    Hello, Friends! In this episode of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast, I sit down with the absolutely hilarious Lee Hardin, a fellow comedian from Nashville, Tennessee. We get into Lee’s journey from being a class clown to a touring comedian. We also talk about the comedy scene in Nashville, the golden era of SNL, and the art of joke writing. Lee opens up about his experiences, from performing in nursing homes to headlining theater shows, and the importance of obsession in comedy. We also touch on the challenges of staying fresh and the joy of flipping prank calls on their heads. If there’s one to watch, it’s this one. Tune in! “ESSENTIALS OF COMEDY” COURSE BUNDLE: For a limited time only (through 2/15/26), you can purchase “The Joke Writer’s Lab” course and “The Comedian’s Memory Lab” course as a bundle. Just click on one of the courses below, scroll down, and click the “Add all to cart” button. JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can 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

    34 min

  7. FEB 10

    The First Left-Handed Caveman

    Hey, Friends! Episode 93 of The Messed-Up To Set-Ups Podcast is here! In this one, I get into the creative chaos of joke writing with the absolutely hilarious Johnny Watson. We talk about the absurdity of the first left-handed caveman and brainstorm some wild scenarios where prehistoric life meets modern comedy. Johnny shares the origins of his unique joke concepts and some thoughts on how everyday conversations spark comedic gold. After punching up his joke, we do some on-the-spot comedy and explore the art of improvisation. As always, listeners and viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at the comedic process. Whether you’re a seasoned comic or just love a good laugh, you won’t wanna miss this one. Tune in! “ESSENTIALS OF COMEDY” COURSE BUNDLE: For a limited time only (through 2/15/26), you can purchase “The Joke Writer’s Lab” course and “The Comedian’s Memory Lab” course as a bundle. Just click on one of the courses below, scroll down, and click the “Add all to cart” button. JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can 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

    30 min

  8. FEB 7

    Clean Comedy & Big Opportunities

    Hello, Friends! It’s episode 92 of the Messed-Up To Set-Ups podcast. So, join me, comedian Michael Halcomb, as I sit down with fellow comedian Johnny Watson (as seen on SNL!) to dig into his journey from being a military MC to a comedy veteran. We talk about the hilarious story of how a chaotic night in Kona, Hawai’i, kickstarted Johnny’s stand-up career. We also get into his unique approach to improvisation and storytelling. We talk about his method of reading audiences in real time and discuss why starting with clean comedy can open more doors. Plus, Johnny offers insider tips for aspiring comedians on how to jump into stand-up with confidence. Whether you’re a comedy fan or dreaming of your first open mic, this episode is packed with some great insights and laughs. Tune in! “ESSENTIALS OF COMEDY” COURSE BUNDLE: For a limited time only (through 2/15/26), you can purchase “The Joke Writer’s Lab” course and “The Comedian’s Memory Lab” course as a bundle. Just click on one of the courses below, scroll down, and click the “Add all to cart” button. JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE. JOKE MEMORY COURSE: My companion course to “The Joke Writer’s Lab” is now live: “The Comedian’s Memory Lab.” Learn how to conceptualize, organize, and memorize your entire comedy set. This method works for 10 jokes or 100, a set that’s 3 minutes of 1 hour. You can 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

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

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