Joe Matarese's Road Back to Philly

Joe Matarese

Joe Matarese’s Road Back To Philly: Road Back to Philly is comedian Joe Matarese’s hilarious and heartfelt journey back to his roots. After moving to New York in 1995 to chase his comedy dream—building a career full of ups and downs, getting married, and raising two kids—Joe is now setting his sights on returning home to South Jersey or Philly, right off Exit 4 on the NJ Turnpike, once his youngest graduates high school in four years. Each episode blends sharp comedy with real nostalgia, as Joe dives into stories from growing up in Philly and South Jersey, revisits the legendary spots that

  1. 5d ago

    #20 Cipha Sounds on the Philly Comedy Scene | Road Back to Philly | Road Back to Philly

    Cipha Sounds joins Joe Matarese on Road Back to Philly to talk Dave Chappelle, his journey from hip-hop DJ to stand-up comedian, and why Philadelphia crowds are a whole different animal. Cipha shares how Dave Chappelle encouraged him to try stand-up while he was DJing on Chappelle’s Show, what DJing taught him about reading a comedy crowd, and stories from Hot 97, touring with Lil’ Kim, and the Comedy Cellar. Then we get into the important stuff: Philly cheesesteaks, dating in Philadelphia, and why wearing the wrong team’s jersey can destroy your set before your first joke. Plus, we talk Shane Gillis, Michael Che, and Cipha’s hilarious encounter with Bootsy Collins. 🎟️ SEE CIPHA SOUNDS AT PUNCH LINE PHILLY — OCTOBER 9–10 Use promo code LIKEABLE for 50% off tickets! October 9 tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/cipha-sounds-philadelphia-pennsylvania-10-09-2026/event/020064BCD8587753 October 10 tickets: https://www.livenation.com/event/vvG1FZ_5SbbEqn/cipha-sounds 🎤 COME SEE JOE MATARESE LIVE! Get off the couch. Come laugh with me in person. OCTOBER 24, 2026 — MEDFORD, NJ Studio 67 — 7 PM Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joe-matarese-live-at-studio-67-in-medford-nj-tickets-1996050074505 OCTOBER 24, 2026 — MEDFORD, NJ Studio 67 — 9 PM Show details and ticket availability: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joe-matarese-live-at-studio-67-in-medford-nj-tickets-1996063047307 NOVEMBER 7, 2026 — PHILADELPHIA, PA Stagecrafters Theater, Chestnut Hill — 7:30 PM Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chestnut-hill-comedy-night-with-joe-matarese-from-americas-got-talent-tickets-1991930482695 DECEMBER 26, 2026 — HAMMONTON, NJ Eagle Theatre — 4:30 PM Tickets — select the afternoon show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hammonton-holiday-comedy-night-with-joe-matarese-tickets-1996171416442 DECEMBER 26, 2026 — HAMMONTON, NJ Eagle Theatre — Evening show Tickets — select the evening show and check the start time: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hammonton-holiday-comedy-night-with-joe-matarese-tickets-1996171416442 MORE FROM JOE & CIPHA Joe Matarese — shows, podcast and comedy specials: https://joematarese.com/ Cipha Sounds — official social links, shows and specials: https://linktr.ee/ciphasounds Subscribe for more episodes of Road Back to Philly, give this video a like, and tell us in the comments: where should Cipha get his next Philly cheesesteak? #CiphaSounds #JoeMatarese #RoadBackToPhilly

  2. Sep 29

    #19 — Bad Calls Make Good Entertainment

    Joe loves the Phillies—until their playoff run starts costing him comedy ticket sales. This week on Road Back to Philly, Joe and Danny debate whether robot umpires, instant replay, and the quest for perfect calls are taking the fun out of sports. Plus, Joe questions his own AI-written comedy scripts, listeners weigh in, and one question ties it all together: are we making things better, or just losing what makes them human?I've been seen or heard on The Howard Stern Show, WTF with Marc Maron, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents Joe Matarese (His Own 1/2 Hour Special), The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson, Americas Got Talent, and his three Specials on Youtube The Poster's Wrong, Medicated, and Mullets and Mixtapes. Click here to watch my newest special Mullets and Mixtapes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiWVYa9ps48 Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/TheJoematareseFollow Me On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejoematareseFollow Me On Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TheJoematareseTo Book Me For An Event Go To: https://Joematarese.com/contact To See Where I'm Performing: https://Joematarese.com

  3. Sep 22

    # 18 Negadelphia: Why Philly Is Wired to Complain

    Joe breaks down "Negadelphia," the theory that growing up in Philly and South Jersey wires you for negativity no matter how good things are going. He and Dan dig into where it comes from (family, geography, the "yeah, but" reflex), Joe's bit about dating a woman with a PhD and getting called out by his brother for "quitting dumb cold turkey," and the documentary "Three Identical Strangers" as a real-world case study on nature vs. environment. Plus: Joe's cheap $45 AI-adjacent tour poster win, why he fired his artwork guy, and upcoming shows in Pottstown, Chestnut Hill, and his "Home for the Holidays" special taping in Collingswood.I've been seen or heard on The Howard Stern Show, WTF with Marc Maron, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents Joe Matarese (His Own 1/2 Hour Special), The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson, Americas Got Talent, and his three Specials on Youtube The Poster's Wrong, Medicated, and Mullets and Mixtapes. Click here to watch my newest special Mullets and Mixtapes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiWVYa9ps48 Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/TheJoematareseFollow Me On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejoematareseFollow Me On Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TheJoematareseTo Book Me For An Event Go To: https://Joematarese.com/contact To See Where I'm Performing: https://Joematarese.com

  4. Sep 18

    # 17 Cheesesteaks, Comedy and Chaos

    Joe shares exciting updates about his upcoming shows, including a new residency at the Cherry Hill Performing Arts Center and a unique live podcast format at Soundplex that promises to blend stand-up with engaging discussions. He dives into the intricacies of maintaining a schedule amidst the chaos of life, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and tight in his creative endeavors. You’ll discover how Joe plans to integrate celebrity guests and topical monologues into his live shows to create a fresh experience for his audience. Why does this matter? In an age where authenticity and connection are paramount, understanding the dynamics of live performance and storytelling can set you apart in any creative field. Joe’s candid insights and Danny’s engaging questions create a rich tapestry of conversation that inspires and entertains. Get ready for a blend of laughter, insights, and the real talk that every aspiring entertainer needs to hear. Perfect for fans of comedy, storytelling, and those looking to break into the performing arts. Tune in now to catch all the action!I've been seen or heard on The Howard Stern Show, WTF with Marc Maron, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents Joe Matarese (His Own 1/2 Hour Special), The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson, Americas Got Talent, and his three Specials on Youtube The Poster's Wrong, Medicated, and Mullets and Mixtapes. Click here to watch my newest special Mullets and Mixtapes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiWVYa9ps48 Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/TheJoematareseFollow Me On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejoematareseFollow Me On Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TheJoematareseTo Book Me For An Event Go To: https://Joematarese.com/contact To See Where I'm Performing: https://Joematarese.com

  5. Sep 8

    # 16 I might need a Philly apartment

    Joe and Danny are back talking about what happens when comedy starts turning into an actual business.Joe breaks down the gamble of adding a second Medford show, the headaches of selling your own tickets, and why Phillies playoff games might suddenly become a financial problem. He also starts seriously thinking about whether it makes sense to buy or rent a small place in Philly as the Road Back to Philly becomes a little more real.They also get into Eagles tickets, Philly sports, SiriusXM adding WIP, cheesesteaks at Home Depot, living inside a mall, therapy getting ridiculously expensive, and the challenge of balancing writing comedy with actually running a comedy career.Plus, Joe puts the word out: if you've got a Philly sports hookup, he wants to hear from you.Follow Joe, join the email list, and grab upcoming show tickets at JoeMatarese.com.

  6. Sep 5

    #15 The Surprising Secret to Selling Out Shows Without Ads

    Join Joe as he shares his recent experiences on tour, discussing sold-out shows and the thrill of performing in front of enthusiastic crowds. You'll discover the unconventional strategies he's using to drive ticket sales without relying heavily on ads. It’s a candid look at the life of a comedian, where timing, location, and audience engagement can make or break a performance. Joe and Danny break down key insights on how to leverage social media effectively, including: - The art of understanding your audience and their preferences - Why experimenting with new material is essential, even for seasoned performers - The impact of local connections and community on ticket sales - How Joe navigated a unique gig for teachers, turning a standard event into a comedic success I've been seen or heard on The Howard Stern Show, WTF with Marc Maron, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents Joe Matarese (His Own 1/2 Hour Special), The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson, Americas Got Talent, and his three Specials on Youtube The Poster's Wrong, Medicated, and Mullets and Mixtapes. Click here to watch my newest special Mullets and Mixtapes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiWVYa9ps48 Follow me on Instagram: https://Instagram.com/TheJoematareseFollow Me On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejoematareseFollow Me On Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TheJoematareseTo Book Me For An Event Go To: https://Joematarese.com/contact To See Where I'm Performing: https://Joematarese.com

  7. Aug 25

    Ep 14 - Cape Cod Is the Jersey Shore If Everybody Went to Therapy

    Joe is back from a week on Cape Cod—and he’s ready to decide whether it can compete with the Jersey Shore. In Episode 14 of Road Back to Philly, Joe and Dan compare two very different versions of an East Coast summer vacation. Cape Cod brings lobster rolls, clam chowder, quiet beaches, cool sleeping weather, rustic scenery, and nights that end suspiciously early. The Jersey Shore counters with cheesesteaks, pizza, boardwalks, live music, rides, and the unmistakable energy of Philly people on vacation. Joe recounts his family’s stay in a massive $15,000 rental house complete with six bedrooms, two kitchens, a pool, a volleyball court, an outdoor shower, and a ping-pong table hidden where nobody wanted to use it. He also shares the aftermath of some questionable oysters, his surprisingly enthusiastic endorsement of colonoscopies, and why the first meal after the procedure might be the greatest breakfast of your life. The conversation moves from Anthony Bourdain and the Wellfleet Drive-In to fiercely competitive family volleyball, unfamiliar yard games, homemade tzatziki, and Joe’s refusal to learn yet another complicated card game. Finally, Joe delivers his verdict: Where would he vacation with his wife? Where would he take the whole family? And if he could buy a beach house anywhere, would the host of Road Back to Philly stay loyal to the Jersey Shore—or defect to Cape Cod? It’s a hilarious debate about family vacations, getting older, raising teenagers, and figuring out where “home” might eventually be.

  8. Aug 18

    Ep 13 Ray Didinger and How a Childhood Dream Led to a Hall of Fame Tribute

    Philly sports fans, get ready for a thrilling ride! In this episode, Joe Matarese sits down with the legendary Ray Didinger, a Hall of Fame sportswriter, to unpack the soul of Philadelphia sports. If you’ve ever yelled at the TV during a game or felt the electric energy of a Philly crowd, this conversation is for you. Joe dives deep into the heart of what makes Philly fans unique, sharing anecdotes and insights from his own experiences. You’ll discover the pivotal moments in Ray’s career that shaped his legendary status, along with hilarious stories about sports icons like Harry Callis and Merrill Reese. Joe and Ray don’t just talk about sports; they explore the passion and effort that define the Philadelphia spirit. You’ll hear Ray’s thoughts on the importance of authenticity in sports journalism and how true fans connect with the game on a visceral level. They break down the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being a Philly fan and why effort matters more than anything else. Plus, Ray shares what it’s like to be honored in the Hall of Fame, giving listeners a rare glimpse into the life of a sports writing legend. This episode is not just for die-hard sports fans; it’s for anyone who understands the power of passion and community. Joe and Ray highlight the unique bond between fans and the narrative of a city that thrives on resilience and pride. Don't miss this essential listening experience that celebrates the heart of Philadelphia. Perfect for sports enthusiasts, aspiring writers, and anyone looking to feel inspired by the stories behind the games we love. Tune in and join the conversation that captures the essence of what it means to be a Philadelphia fan!

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Joe Matarese’s Road Back To Philly: Road Back to Philly is comedian Joe Matarese’s hilarious and heartfelt journey back to his roots. After moving to New York in 1995 to chase his comedy dream—building a career full of ups and downs, getting married, and raising two kids—Joe is now setting his sights on returning home to South Jersey or Philly, right off Exit 4 on the NJ Turnpike, once his youngest graduates high school in four years. Each episode blends sharp comedy with real nostalgia, as Joe dives into stories from growing up in Philly and South Jersey, revisits the legendary spots that

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