From his appearance in the Dave Matthews video ‘Everyday” as the “hugging guy”, to his classic character Frank Rossitano on 30 Rock to his current campaign for presidency in 2020, Judah Friedlander stands away from the pack. Iconoclastic and instantly recognizable, Friedlander is also a comics comic, whose freewheeling live performances are tutorials on crowdwork. Join us as we take a little peak beneath the World Champion hat. First time we called Judah, he was taking the bus through his neighborhood in Manhattan.

SUSC: Still take the bus?

Judah: I live in an area that is not near the subway.

SUSC: …

Diving Deeper with Comedian Emma Arnold

Emma Arnold is a comedian from a small town in Idaho, but she is so much more than that. Emma is an undeniably strong, resilient and genuine human being. She co-founded and directs two major comedy festivals while also raising three children, another full-time job in itself. She isn’t afraid to talk about topics that others might shy away from and approaches them with an honesty that is somehow simultaneously graceful and fierce. On top of all that her humor is perceptive and engaging. Ten years after catapulting herself into the comedy world, …

Eliza Skinner goes beyond being a stand-up comedian, she does it all! She’s a comedian, writer, actress and musician. Eliza has appeared on The Pete Holmes Show, @Midnight, Chelsea Lately, Upload with Shaquille O’Neal, MTV, Showtime, AMC and the BBC. She’s performed in festivals all over the world and Patton Oswalt called her one of his favorite up-and-coming comedians. She’s currently a staff writer for The Late Late Show with James Corden as well and has been a correspondent on many other productions.

Now Santa Cruz has a chance to see her perform at DNA’s Comedy Lab this Saturday 5/18 …

The Puterbaugh Sisters Interview

Danielle and Tiffany Puterbaugh are sisters, and comedy duo unlike any you’ve ever seen! Their alternative approach to comedy is refreshing and the kind that keeps you on your toes. You may recognize them from their performances at comedy festivals all over the country, including the Andy Kaufman Awards and NY/Chicago/San Francisco Sketchfest. They produce a critically acclaimed variety show in Los Angeles and will be bringing their funny act straight to the stage of DNA’s Comedy Lab in Santa Cruz, Saturday May 11th. Don’t miss these sisters!

Tickets for the Early Show at 7:30 …

Kira Soltanovich Live From the Lunch Room Interview

Kira Soltanovich has been making people laugh for years now. She was a correspondent on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for almost ten years and has made appearances on: Hello Ross! with Ross Mathews, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Call with Carson Daly, Hell’s Kitchen, Last Comic Standing, Set List TV, and The World Stands Up on Comedy Central! She has written for Joan Rivers, Scott Baio, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. She even self produced her very own 60 minute special while she was pregnant! Kira is one mighty …

From his conspiracy driven podcast Tin Foil Hat

to his new release Live from the Viper Room: Zero Fucks comedian Sam Tripoli is the personification of hustle. And, below his Zero Fucks attitude is a compassionate, call it almost a zealot yearning, to help fellow comedians. Basically he just wants us all to wake up and not die with our eyes closed. So buy his latest release, see him and live and check out some pearls of wisdom from the Armenian comedian: Sam Tripoli.

(editors note: this transcript is from That’s That Podcast #19, so if you want …

Laurie Kilmartin has been in the writers room of Conan for eight years. But back when she started in 1987, Late Night TV was controlled by men. From years of grinding mics on the road to writing a New York Times bestseller, Kilmartin has played by her own rules. Hilarious, irreverent and one of the finest stand-ups in the country, Kilmartin will be appearing at the Sierra Nevada Big Room in Chico, CA on December 1st. Join us for a deep dive into the current fires in California and comedy talk with Laurie Kilmartin. Tix available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sierra-nevada-presents-the-comedy-revolution-featuring-laurie-kilmartin-tickets-51594452396

Laurie: Hey …

Brian “Fucking” Regan! OK, that’s not a word you would normally associate with Brian who leans into performing a brand of comedy that is for everyone. But goddamn, Regan is the king, or one of the kings, if not a superhuman comic. Over three decades grinding out shitty clubs, bigger shitty clubs and graduating to theatres where he has honed his craft to a brilliant hue. Catch Regan at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz on 11/30 Tix here: http://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2018/11/30/brian-regan

SUSC: After you were in Florida grinding every night. When you went on the road did you notice a difference …

The 5th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival is coming October 4th-7th!! Here are the highlights!
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Oct. 4th Kick-Off Party at Blue Lagoon 8:30 FREE
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Oct. 5th The World Premiere of Stand Up Santa Cruz: The Movie at the Santa Cruz Film Festival The Tannery 9:15/ After Party at Poet and Patriot
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Saturday October 6th 60 comedians/11 venues Comics from HBO, Comedy Central, America’s Got Talent, Conan and more invade downtown!!
11am Comedy Brunch at Food Lounge $5 Comedy Show and Brunch
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5pm Bookshop Santa Cruz hosts 4 comics/4 authors https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/event/four-authors-four-comics-one-night
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FREE 6pm Free Show at Abbott Square 6pm Free Show at Streetlight Records …

SUSC was lucky enough to talk with Taylor Tomlinson! Taylor has been featured on the Tonight Show, Conan, MTV’s Safe Word, Comedy Central’s Adam Devine’s House Party, was a top ten finalist on season 9 of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and was recently honored as one of Variety’s top ten comics to watch at the prestigious JFL Montreal Comedy Festival.

Unbelievably, Taylor started doing stand-up at just 16 years old and has been letting comedy slowly ruin her life ever since. She is currently one of the country’s youngest touring headliners, delighting audiences coast-to-coast with her sharp crowdwork, biting wit, …