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Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac - a daily briefing on comedians, and the comedy industry
Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac - a daily briefing on comedians, and the comedy industry
Daily Comedy News is a short, fast daily briefing covering the business, culture, and chaos of stand-up comedy and the comedy industry. Hosted by Johnny Mac, the show delivers daily updates on comedians, late-night television, comedy specials, streaming platforms, and the stories shaping the world of comedy. Episodes cover working comics, touring news, cancellations, controversies, and the shifting comedy landscape — all in a tight, no-filler format. New episodes every day.
Episodes
Rosie O’Donnell Tops Kimmel Guest Hosts, Weird Al Returns to Tiny Desk & Ricky Gervais Marriage Plan
Johnny Mac covers comedy and entertainment news, led by Rosie O’Donnell’s strong first-night ratings as a Jimmy Kimmel Live guest host (1.87M viewers), beating The Tonight Show and winning adults 18–49, plus a popular YouTube monologue. He notes Weird Al’s new NPR Tiny Desk Concert featuring parodies and other songs, and shares The New Yorker’s look back at It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, inclu
Robert Schimmel: Confessional Stand-Up, Cancer, Howard Stern and a Comic’s Comic Legacy
Johnny Mac spotlights comedian Robert Schimmel as part of Saturday deep dives on comics who peaked before YouTube and podcasts. He describes Schimmel’s brutally confessional style—turning tragedies like his 11-year-old son’s leukemia death and his own stage-three non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma into jokes—and recounts Schimmel’s improbable life, including marrying and divorcing the same woman three times,
DCN Live x Pool Robot: Conan O’Brien Must Go Returns as New York Comedy Festival Adds 100 Shows
Poolside, Johnny Mac skims the comedy updates while watching a solar-powered pool vacuum crush leaves. The New York Comedy Festival announces another 100 shows, but the host isn’t impressed with the lineup and questions who the true headliner is, noting additions and previously announced names including Marc Maron, Ilana Glazer, Jordan Jensen, Jordan Klepper, Sarah Sherman, Patti Harrison, Daniel
Conan O’Brien Must Go Season 3, Chris Fleming Late-Night Pitch, and Eric Andre Airport Settlement
Johnny Mac reports on Conan O’Brien Must Go season three debuting on HBO Max with four episodes set in India, the Netherlands, Morocco, and the Philippines, highlighting Conan’s approach to choosing locations, improvisation, and embracing travel chaos. He discusses a Harper’s Bazaar profile of Chris Fleming’s Largo variety show and argues for making the 12:30 slot “weird” again by giving Fleming L
DCN Live vs. Landscapers: Dane Cook's $12M Betrayal
Poolside, Johnny Mac shares an afternoon comedy news update, reacting to the trailer for "Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story," a video-on-demand release arriving September 29th about Cook’s brother Darryl stealing $12 million while serving as his business manager, later pleading guilty and being sentenced to prison. He says the documentary could reignite interest in how big Dane Cook once was, then
Shane Gillis ‘Beer Brand Betrayal’ Kerfuffle, Nate Bargatze ‘Controversy,’ and Jo Koy’s New Netflix
Johnny Mac delivers Daily Comedy News, explaining his short afternoon YouTube updates while the main audio show stays the same. He covers a Shane Gillis “kerfuffle” after cameras at an Austin FC match showed a Dos Equis near Gillis, a Bud Light spokesperson, with TMZ citing a source saying the beer belonged to a blonde seated next to him; he also notes a favorable Wall Street Journal piece on Gill
DCN Live: Nate Bargatze “MAGA Comedian” Controversy Expands; Shane Gillis Beer Mystery Solved
At the lake, Johnny Mac jokes about the “non-controversy controversy” around clean comedian Nate Bargatze after The Daily Beast repeatedly called him “MAGA comedian Nate Bargatze,” a label now echoed by mainstream Parade Magazine, which cites his reported $77.5M 2025 earnings and backlash over photos of him attending President Donald Trump’s White House UFC Freedom 250 fight, including criticism f
Chelsea Handler’s Roe v. Wade Blunder; Theo Von talks Iran This Past Weekend, Nate Bargatze Breaks Guinness Record
Johnny Mac covers multiple comedy-news stories, starting with a Comedy Mothership “Comedy Dating Show” where comedians will “shoot their shot” with Christina P shortly after her May divorce filing from Tom. He highlights Stavros Halikis on the Popcast discussing why performing at Saudi events like the Riyadh Comedy Festival amounts to culture-washing and criticizing U.S. foreign policy. Theo Von q
DCN Live from High Point: Robby Hoffman Vinyl, Nate Bargatze “Controversy,” Shane Gillis, Kelsey Cook & Stavros
Filmed from High Point State Park in New Jersey after a 2.18-mile uphill hike,Johhny Mac runs through comedy news and recommendations: Robby Hoffman is releasing her album “Wake Up” on vinyl tomorrow via Secretly Canadian (also available digitally, with a limited run of signed vinyl), joking it’s the only way her record-collecting mother will hear it. He riffs on a Daily Beast “controversial come
Joe Rogan and Shane Gillis and Nate Bargatze PLUS Stavros Halkias shades bro podcasters over politics
Johnny Mac recaps Daily Comedy News, starting with The Daily Beast’s reaction to a Joe Rogan episode featuring Shane Gillis, Ari Shaffir, and Mark Normand discussing attending a Trump White House/UFC-related event, VIP-room photos involving Nate Bargatze, and a past Trump photo. The episode also includes the group’s talk about communism versus policies like free healthcare and education, and Rogan
DCN Live: Christina P Joins a Dating Show?! Nate Bargatze Breaks the Record
John reacts negatively to James Austin Johnson’s trailer for his special “Hell Yeah,” out August 31, noting the trailer’s premise and that it shows him performing at venues including the Den Theatre in Chicago, Cobb’s in San Francisco, and Zanies in Nashville. Comedy Dynamics also announces Dan Ahdoot’s special “Yes I Am Falafel Phil,” available on Prime and Apple TV, covering topics like post-bre
Tom Segura Speaks on Christina P Divorce + Letterman to interview Kimmel
Johnny Mac covers Tom Segura discussing his divorce from Christina P on his podcast, saying they’ve recorded separately for months, are non-combative, talk daily, and are focused on their children, while calling the public nature of it awful. He previews season seven of David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with guests including Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Jimmy Kimmel, and rock cli
Rory Scovel Talks Politics in New Special; Netflix’s 2026-2027 Comedy Slate, Mike Epps Fest, and More
Johnny Mac reviews What’s on Netflix’s guide to Netflix comedy series returning in 2026–2027 and beyond, highlighting projects including A Hundred Percent (single-camera ensemble about the “thought leader industrial complex”), adult animated series Dad’s House, Ding, Dealies, Living the Dream, Scooby-Doo Origins (live-action), and an untitled Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo relationship comedy. He
Ralphie May: The Comedian Who Should Have Been Bigger
Two days before he died, Ralphie May won Casino Comedian of the Year. He was forty-five, he had pneumonia, and he went to the ceremony anyway and posted about it with the hashtag NoApologies. Johnny Mac makes the case for a comedian who built a platinum album, six specials, and two decades of sold-out rooms through crowd work and audience relationship rather than industry validation, and asks why
DCN Live: Good listens Shane Gillis on Joe Rogan Experience, Stavros Halkias on Podcast
Johnny Mac gives a poolside update on cleaning a vandalized, still-green pool now filled with added leaves, then recommends listening to Joe Rogan’s episode with Mark Normand, Shane Gillis, and Ari Shaffir, plus Stavros Halkias on the Popcast. He notes the Daily Beast criticizing Nate Bargatze by labeling him “MAGA comedian” and mentions Gillis telling Rogan he refused to go into a VIP room or be
Nikki Glaser Leaves UTA for WME as Shane Gillis, Theo Von and Adam Sandler Make Headlines
Johnny Mac covers comedy news including reports that Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser abruptly fired UTA after being signed since 2018 and moved to WME across multiple areas. He highlights new Bud Light commercials featuring Shane Gillis and Peyton Manning, and Theo Von returning to Vanderbilt to deliver a more serious football speech and spend time at fall camp. He discusses a Radar Online item cl
DCN Live: Why Nikki Glaser chased Kim Kardashian, Letterman's Next Guest Jimmy Kimmel
From lakeside update, Johnny Mac highlights Page Six reporting that Nikki Glaser fired UTA and signed with WME, allegedly influenced by her connection to Kim Kardashian, who is producing and co-starring with Glaser in the upcoming Netflix film The Fifth Wheel; Glaser praises Kardashian’s advice and says the cast stays in touch. The host notes David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction r
Amy Schumer Announces First Kids Book ‘A Joke of Her Own’
Johnny Mac reports comedy news including Amy Schumer’s first children’s book, A Joke of Her Own, about a girl writing her own book and learning that laughter can be positive; Schumer links it to her childhood and her son Gene, and the book is out March 9 with preorders available. Shane Gillis tells Jimmy Fallon his mom skipped his stadium show because she was vacationing in Croatia. ESPN hires Sta
DCN LIve: Tom Segura Addresses His Divorce, Rory Scovel is #2 comedy special of the year
Johnny Mac praises Rory Scovel’s new Netflix special as fantastic and slots it at #2 for the year, behind Chris Fleming’s HBO “Live at the Palace” at #1, also recommending viewers avoid Vulture’s spoiler review. He runs through his top nine specials so far: Ryan Hamilton’s Netflix “Then It Hit Me,” Trevor Noah’s Netflix “Joy,” Katt Williams’ Netflix special, Pete Holmes’ 800 Pound Gorilla special,
Shane Gillis discusses 76000 person Phily stadium show
Johnny Mac delivers poolside comedy news, critiquing Jimmy Fallon’s interviewing while replaying Fallon’s chat with Shane Gillis about Gillis selling over 76,000 tickets for a Philadelphia show featuring guests including Meek Mill, Bam Margera, Dave Chappelle and Three 6 Mafia. He highlights a trailer and release date for Conan O’Brien Must Go season three (August 21). John Oliver draws backlash f
DCN Live: Nikki Glaser Drops UTA, Sandler vs. Reynolds Rumors & Rogan Claps Back
In a casual poolside check-in, John discusses reports that Nikki Glaser abruptly fired UTA, surprising even members of her team, and notes she’s now signed with WME across multiple areas after her rise following the Tom Brady roast and Golden Globes attention. The episode also touches on Radar Online’s claim of a rivalry between Adam Sandler and Ryan Reynolds, alongside pushback suggesting they ba
Matt Rife Feuds With Paranormal Investigator as Bill Maher Sparks Backlash
Johnny Mac covers comedy news including Matt Rife facing backlash after replying to a paranormal investigator over an Instagram post promoting the Haunted Warren Museum (home of the Annabelle doll), with TMZ reporting missing context due to deleted comments and noting the pair charge up to $166 for admission, angering parts of the paranormal community. Bill Maher drew criticism for jokes about Ari
DCN Live: Ted Lasso Season Premiere Rant, Ricky Gervais’ “Alley Cats” Letdown, and Why Friends Isn’t #1
A quickie video for the Youtube Channel. An experiment.Johnshares quick thoughts on a few topics: they disliked the Ted Lasso season premiere, arguing the show needs more reality and that it’s unbelievable Ted—after finishing second in the Premier League—would be working part-time at a supermarket instead of coaching, doing TV, or taking another high-level job, and they also can’t buy the idea he
Christina P. addresses Tom Segura Divorce; Dave Chappelle’s London Show Panned
Johnny Mac reports on Christina P. (Christina Pazsitzky) and Tom Segura divorcing after nearly 20 years, with Christina confirming on Your Mom’s House that it’s sad but amicable, asking fans not to take sides, and saying they will continue co-hosting. The Times of London gives Dave Chappelle’s London appearance two stars, criticizing a late start, high ticket prices, and an unfocused set that stil
Nate Bargatze on Selling Out Madison Square Garden, Plus Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp Quiz
Johnny Mac recaps an LA Times piece featuring comedians reflecting on selling out Madison Square Garden, including Nate Bargatze (three shows Sept. 26–27, 2025), Dane Cook (three shows in 2006 and 2009), Jim Gaffigan (Dec. 12, 2015), Matt Rife (two shows July 18–19, noted as the youngest to do so), and Andrew Schulz (two shows May 3–4, 2024). He then discusses Josh Johnson’s “Comedy Band Camp,” de
Jay Leno: Everything Except the Tonight Show
Jay Leno says he never spent a dollar of his NBC salary, he lived off standup income the whole time, even while hosting the most watched late night show in America. Johnny Mac looks at everything about Jay Leno that isn't the Tonight Show: the Comedy Store years, the David Letterman friendship and the edgier version of Jay a generation of comedy fans first met on that show, the Big Dog Garage in B
Patton Oswalt is Not Dead, Christina P on Tom Segura Divorce, Ricky Gervais’ Alley Cats Drops
Johnny Mac hosts Daily Comedy News, noting a false online rumor that Patton Oswalt died, which Oswalt mocked and which Twitter corrected. Christina P discussed her divorce from Tom Segura on Your Mom’s House, saying they tried for years for the kids, there’s no animosity, and “we’re cool.” Williams Grove Speedway partnered with Netflix’s Tires starring Shane Gillis for fan appreciation night. Netf
Fake Jimmy Kimmel AI Monologues, Chelsea Handler Slams Joe Rogan Pay, and Bowen Yang Heads to Broadway
Late Nighter found dozens of AI-generated YouTube videos mimicking Jimmy Kimmel’s monologues using synthetic voice/face, matching thumbnails, odd gestures, and little humor; one drew 800,000 views before disappearing. Chelsea Handler criticized Forbes’ claim Joe Rogan earned $82 million in 2026, and Mac explains podcast ad revenue and CPMs. Sebastian Maniscalco discusses possibly shaving his head
Ted Lasso Season 4 Premiere Details as Ricky Gervais’ ‘Alley Cats’ Gets Roasted
Johnny Mac recaps comedy news, led by a brutal Guardian review of Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix animated series Alley Cats, calling it lazy, shock-driven, and unfunny. John Oliver discusses Emmy nominations, HBO’s value of awards, and late-night camaraderie, plus mentions Conan O’Brien Must Go season three arriving Aug. 21. He shares SNL Season 52 ticket lottery details and notes Jay Leno will receiv
Jim Gaffigan’s Father Time Bourbon Wins Big
Johnny Mac covers comedy news including Jim Gaffigan’s Father Time Bourbon winning Best New Bourbon at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for The Caboose Empty Nester Strength (double gold, 97 points), with details on mash bill, proofs, and the $200 retail price. CBS will air a two-hour 20th anniversary primetime special of Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed on Tuesday, September 29, and
Gianmarco Soresi Posts State of Comedy Industry, PLUS Questions about MSG 9/11 Lineup
Johnny Mac covers Gianmarco Soresi posting his Montreal Comedy Festival “State of the Industry” speech with Jay Jurden, highlighting a section packed with jokes about Tony Hinchcliffe and Kill Tony. Mac then fixates on the Sept. 10 Madison Square Garden “New York City Still Rising” 9/11 benefit guest list—Aziz Ansari, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng, and Pete Davidson—noting all five also
Trevor Noah Is Fronting a South Africa Tourism Campaign
Johnny Mac delivers poolside comedy news, led by Trevor Noah starring in South Africa’s second international tourism marketing push, “Tourism in South Africa with Trevor Noah,” titled “Didn’t Say We Didn’t Tell You,” aimed at attracting foreign visitors amid xenophobic tensions and anti-illegal immigration protests. Chelsea Handler shares strict family vacation etiquette from her 2025 book “I’ll H
Kevin Hart Confronted Over Private Jet Use in resurfaced clip
Johnny Mac shares a clip he believes is from Ziwe’s 2025 interview show in which Kevin Hart is confronted for flying private and says he hasn’t flown commercial in 17 years, arguing his schedule and need to sleep on planes. He then recaps a Baltimore Sun report from the taping of Stavros Halkias’ special, including Baltimore-themed jokes about the Ravens name and Edgar Allan Poe, plus Halkias’ wei
Jon Stewart and Pete Davidson 9/11 Charity Benefit Lineup Sparks Questions
Johnny Mac discusses the Sept. 10 “New York City, Still Rising” 9/11 charity comedy benefit at Madison Square Garden, noting Jon Stewart and Pete Davidson’s involvement and that several announced performers (Aziz Ansari, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng, and Davidson) also played the Riyadh Comedy Festival, while wondering if NYC Mayor Mamdani would attend and how he’d be received. He cover
Jon Stewart & Pete Davidson Set NYC 9/11 Charity Comedy Show
Johnny Mac reports on the Daily Comedy News, leading with Jon Stewart and Pete Davidson’s “NYC Still Rising After 25 Years: A 9/11 Charity’s Comedy Benefit” at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 10 with headliners including Stewart, Davidson, Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, Bill Burr, Ronny Chieng, Nikki Glaser, and Josh Johnson, noting Davidson’s father FDNY firefighter Scott Davidson died on 9/11 and r
Larry the Cable Guy Was Hospitalized
Johnny Mac opens with a clip of comedian Tommy Kang doing a Rodney Dangerfield-style set about being Chinese, family insults, and a Taiwan joke, then reports Larry the Cable Guy was hospitalized in Lincoln, Nebraska with appendicitis, had it removed after two days, and is recovering at home after posting a humorous update. He critiques comedy at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, citing Varie
Weird Al Turned Down $7 Million from the Riyadh Comedy Festival
Johnny Mac delivers poolside comedy news, starting with a Variety conversation between Tracy Morgan and Marcello Hernandez about bonding on SNL, Hernandez’s plain-slice pizza order, Eddie Murphy advice, a “Domingo” character note, and Morgan’s controversial remark about teachers. Mac also recaps a NorthJersey.com poll of favorite New Jersey comedians led by Jon Stewart, and discusses Jessica Kirso
Matt Rife's Comedy Cruise on the Suite Life Ship
Johnny Mac reports that Matt Rife announced a four-night comedy cruise, “Suite Life on Deck,” sailing from Miami with a Grand Turk stop Feb. 10–14, featuring comics including Craig Robinson, Nate Jackson, Eric Griffin, Finesse Mitchell, Ian Edwards, April Macy, and David Lucas, plus music/DJs, onboard activities, and meet-and-greets for the first 500 cabins. He also notes the theatrical release of
Conan O'Brien Got a Scalp Sunburn
Conan O’Brien explains on his podcast that slicked-back “greasy” hair came from rubbing oil into a sunburned scalp after attending the outdoor Obama Museum opening, where others like Stephen Colbert and David Letterman got badly burned. The show also covers Seth Meyers mocking President Trump’s World Cup-related comments and joking about a “hex” at MetLife Stadium, and Jimmy Kimmel telling Variety
How Joe Rogan Built the Biggest Podcast in the World
The Joe Rogan Experience is the most listened-to podcast in the world. This episode traces how Joe Rogan — a standup comedian and UFC commentator — built JRE from a loose 2009 experiment with his comedy friends into a media property worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Spotify. Topics covered include the early years and first guests, the comedy world's role in building the show's audience, how
What Is Kevin Hart's '72 Hours'?
Poolside host Johnny Mac covers fan reactions to Conan O’Brien’s slicked-back “Greaser Conan” hair on his podcast with Molly Shannon, including jokes likening him to a drug lord. He reports on David Letterman’s Montreal Comedy Festival appearance featuring Paul Shaffer, a big Canadian flag, “O Canada,” jokes apologizing for American leaders, remarks that Canada is not for sale, guest Will Arnett (
Marcello Hernandez Breaks Down His Kevin Hart Impression
Johnny Mac covers comedy news including Marcello Hernandez promoting Netflix’s “72 Hours” with Kevin Hart, sharing Today Show banter where Marcelo jokes about Hart’s nonstop hustling, wardrobe, and sockless style, plus a less-funny Late Night with Seth Meyers segment mocking Hart’s “#da kid” persona. A “kerfuffle/kerfluffle” arises after Whitney Cummings says a Trump joke from the Mark Twain Prize
Ricky Gervais on Why He Doesn't Care If He Offends You
Johnny Mac recaps Ricky Gervais’ BBC2 interview in which he reiterates his free-speech stance, says he doesn’t try to offend, and is now ignoring cancel-culture talk, noting complaints spike once specials hit Netflix. Mac says The Office UK is better than the U.S. version and calls David Brent far cringier than Michael Scott. He reviews Netflix’s most-watched comedy specials for the first half of
Shane Gillis Broke a Comedy Attendance Record with Dave Chappelle
Johnny Mac reports poolside on comedy news, led by Shane Gillis selling 76,212 tickets at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, breaking the Guinness record previously held by Germany’s Mario Barth (67,733 in 2008); Naomi Watanabe holds the female solo record with 44,356 at the Tokyo Dome in 2026. Jason Kelce led an Eagles chant, Meek Mill appeared, and Big Jay Oakerson and Dave Chappelle perfor
Will Ferrell's New Movie Got Destroyed by Critics
Johnny Mac delivers a “hater edition” of Daily Comedy News, highlighting harsh reviews of Will Ferrell’s Netflix golfing comedy series “The Hawk,” with multiple outlets calling it unfunny and overextended. He plays and mocks an ESPYs segment featuring Ferrell translating for Marcello Hernandez, criticizing Hernandez’s jokes while noting one punchline he liked about Caleb Williams and Tiger Woods.
Gianmarco Soresi is WRONG about reclining PLUS Marcello Hernandez’s Soccer-to-SNL Path,
Johnny Mac delivers a summer Sunday comedy-news roundup while planning to watch the World Cup final outdoors. USA Today profiles SNL’s Marcelo Hernandez, a former Division III soccer player at John Carroll University who quit during college to pursue comedy, recalling the emotional decision and comparing soccer’s physical demands to SNL’s mental grind; he also recounts meeting Matt Damon (and intr
Why Nate Bargatze Became America's Favorite Comedian
The real Nate Bargatze story doesn't start in Nashville, it starts in a rat-infested Chicago basement and nine grinding years in New York clubs alongside Chappelle, Burr, and Louis C.K. Johnny Mac goes special by special through two decades of craft, the Marc Maron discovery nobody talks about, both SNL hosting gigs and the Vulture question of whether Nate cracked the code, the rough Emmys night,
Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky Split Up
Johnny Mac covers reports that Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitsky have split after 18 years while planning to continue hosting Your Mom’s House, citing TMZ and noting speculation about Segura not wearing a ring and fewer joint episodes. He says he finds the breakup sad and cautions against overreading the ring detail. He reacts to widespread social media annoyance with Will Ferrell’s Home Run Derb
Mick Jagger Responds to John Mulaney saying Jagger isn't nice
Mick Jagger’s New York Times response to John Mulaney’s story that Jagger wasn’t “nice,” with Jagger saying fame can disassociate you from “real life” and that he’s not his stage persona. The episode recounts Dave Chappelle’s appearance at Usher’s Washington, DC show, where Chappelle grabbed “Usher bucks” and made it rain, plus a brief anecdote about being around Adam Sandler during Jamie Foxx’s r
Andrew Schulz in shorts? ESPYs with Marcello Hernandez. Blue Collar Comics on ‘Woke’ Culture. Tim Heidecker’s Fake Infowars
The ESPYs air tonight on ABC hosted by comedian Marcello Hernandez with performances by Slick Rick, Ghostface Killah, and De La Soul, and contrasts audience reactions to last year’s Shane Gillis. Larry the Cable Guy tells Us Weekly he ignores “woke” backlash, argues audiences can simply skip acts they dislike, and cites Gillis getting more popular after being fired from SNL; the host adds “Atire”
John Mulaney's amazing night at Wrigley Field with David Letterman
Johnny Mac recaps John Mulaney’s Wrigley Field show, hosted by Richard Kind with sets/appearances from Buddy Guy, Fred Armisen, and David Letterman, and quotes reactions praising Mulaney’s two-hour performance. He riffs on a Daily Beast item about Nate Bargatze’s Dan Patrick Show interview, then runs through New York Comedy Festival headliners and notes it will include Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch
Adam Sandler Officiated the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Wedding
Johnny Mac records Daily Comedy News from a dark basement during a multi-day power outage as out-of-state crews reconnect lines. He reports a People Magazine item claiming Adam Sandler quickly agreed to officiate Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding and kept it low-key, and notes he couldn’t pull a planned Michael Loftus comment due to no internet. USA Today quotes comedians criticizing Louis C
Why Jeff Arcuri Went Viral Overnight
Johnny Mac shares daily comedy news, starting with Pete Holmes telling Wired he leaves 55,000 emails unread, uses an iPhone Air from 2025, and keeps screen time low (about 1 hour 15 minutes average), aided by a screen-time widget, no social media, grayscale display, and limiting color/sound. The LA Times profiles comedian Jeff Arcuri, who describes being widely recognized through Instagram Reels w
How The Office Became a Global Franchise: 25 Years, 15 Adaptations, and What Worked
Johnny Mac marks the 25th anniversary of the original UK The Office, which premiered July 9, 2001 on BBC2, ran 14 episodes across two seasons plus a Christmas special, and initially drew modest ratings before becoming a global phenomenon with 15 adaptations and an ongoing franchise producing new content through 2026. He argues the show’s specific British cringe and tonal blend of comedy and sadnes
John Mulaney Makes History at Wrigley Field
Johnny Mac previews John Mulaney hosting the first-ever comedy show at Wrigley Field, sharing Mulaney’s comments about the full-circle Chicago moment, a humorous exchange about the Chicago Fire and St. Ignatius, and his picks of comics to watch including Robbie Hoffman, Andrea Jin, Mandal, and Langston Kerman. The 312 Comedy Festival returns Nov. 5–15 with Nikki Glaser, Michelle Wolf, Ali Siddiq,
Nate Bargatze Is Being Called a MAGA Comic
Johnny Mac covers a packed comedy news day: Tony Hinchcliffe discusses roast backlash on Joe Rogan, defending his “everybody gets them” approach and referencing reactions to his George Floyd and Charlie Kirk jokes. A separate controversy involves SNL posting Nate Bargatze’s “Washington’s Dream” sketch on July 4, with The Daily Beast quoting W. Kamau Bell on the political/business risks of being la
What Trevor Noah Said About World Cup Corruption
Johnny Mac delivers Daily Comedy News covering Trevor Noah’s World Cup commentary about FIFA corruption and U.S. government interference, noting Noah’s live streams draw about 250,000 views. He recaps Dave Chappelle’s July 4 CNN appearance with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, where Chappelle answers a question about being proud to be American by praising his “countrymen.” The main story is the 25t
Kathy Griffin Says She's Banned from The Tonight Show
Johnny Mac delivers Daily Comedy News, leading with Kathy Griffin claiming she is banned from Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show and criticizing Fallon for booking Conor McGregor, citing a civil jury finding of rape and a rejected appeal. The episode covers Digital Spy’s critique that Ricky Gervais’ new material feels repetitive, notes a BBC Office UK 25th-anniversary documentary filmed without Gervais,
Taylor Swift’s Madison Square Garden Wedding Officiated by Adam Sandler
Johnny Mac delivers a bonus rant about reports that Taylor Swift married Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden with Adam Sandler officiating, citing coverage from The New York Times and other outlets. He mocks the celebrity spectacle, noting details like Austin Swift as man of honor, Jason Kelce as best man, and Sandler’s purported marriage advice via Andy Reid to “keep kissing,” plus comments att
What Dave Chappelle Said About AI
Johnny Mac delivers Daily Comedy News featuring Dave Chappelle joking to PBS about automation, AI, and people not reading books anymore, then noting he was kidding. Michelle Wolf recounts leaving Bear Stearns-era finance for improv, open mics, and eventually writing for Seth Meyers, Hannibal Buress, and Chris Rock, discussing how “off the table” topics require extraordinary joke craft. Patton Oswa
Best Comedy Specials of 2026 (So Far)
Johnny Mac reviews his midyear picks for the best comedy specials of 2026, ranking Chris Fleming’s HBO debut “Live at the Palace” as his clear #1, followed by Ryan Hamilton’s bus-accident-themed special, Trevor Noah’s Netflix “Joy in the Trenches,” Katt Williams’ Netflix “The Last Report,” and Pete Holmes’ YouTube “Silly, Silly Fun Boy,” while also highlighting Derek Streep’s “Nostalgic,” Ramy You
George Carlin - America's Prophet
On July 4, Johnny Mac discusses why George Carlin’s late-career material feels freshly relevant and calls him “America’s great prophet,” revising his own past view that Carlin had grown merely angry. He warns that many quotes attributed to Carlin online are fake, citing the misattributed “paradox of our time” (by pastor Bob Moorehead) and noting Carlin wanted only verified sources used. Mac center
Dave Chappelle Is Running a Comedy Summer Camp
Johnny Mac delivers holiday-weekend comedy news, opening with “Late Bot” heat jokes and noting late-night shows are off. He previews Dave Chappelle’s phone-free Summer Camp show in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and a local screening of the documentary “Dave Chappelle: Live in Real Life.” He discusses Robby Hoffman’s New York Times Magazine profile and her comments on “rich weird” versus “poor weird.” Patt
Ricky Gervais Is Skipping the BBC Office Reunion
Johnny Mac delivers daily comedy news with heat-themed jokes, then reports that Ricky Gervais will skip the BBC’s 25th anniversary Office documentary (with Mackenzie Crook and Martin Freeman) to release his own affectionate YouTube documentary July 9, while the BBC special airs July 8 on BBC Two/iPlayer. Weird Al Yankovic says he turned down a lucrative commercial after learning it promoted AI. Da
Nate Bargatze Is Being Called a MAGA Comic
Johnny Mac recaps Bill Maher receiving the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize, featuring Maher’s remarks about mocking both political sides, “lunatic left/right,” censorship debates around Huckleberry Finn, and praising his audience for valuing truth over pandering; the event included clips from Politically Incorrect, stand-up, and podcasts, appearances by Louis C.K. (crediting Maher for supporting
Mark Normand Made Up the Netflix Censorship Story
Johnny Mac covers Mark Normand admitting on Maury Povich’s podcast that he fabricated a story about Netflix censoring a Muslim bit, prompting criticism from humorism.xyz and Mac’s uncertainty about whether Netflix had partly influenced the situation. He notes Nate Bargatze returning to social media to promote Texas dates after backlash over UFC photos with figures including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,
Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee Did a Naked Stunt
Johnny Mac recaps Daily Comedy News, including Jimmy Fallon’s jokes about President Trump headlining an America’s 250th rally after musical acts dropped out, tied to a 16-day Great American State Fair on the National Mall. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, on her podcast, warns of disputed facts, propaganda, and an “attack” on trust that makes comedy and artists essential and potentially endangered, while Mac
Bill Maher Gets the Mark Twain Prize; Patton Oswalt’s Double Breakfast Sunday
Johnny Mac reports that the John F. Kennedy Center will present the 27th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Bill Maher at a gala featuring comedians including Louis C.K., Whitney Cummings, and Jay Leno, plus John Mellencamp and Stephen A. Smith, with the program later airing on Netflix. He reads the official praise of Maher’s political-comedy influence and Mediaite’s ranking, then reviews past
Louis C.K.: The Fall, the Independent Years, and Why Netflix Just Took Him Back
Nine years after a New York Times report and his own direct admission ended his career almost overnight, Louis C.K. is back on Netflix on June 30 with a new special called Ridiculous. Johnny Mac lays out the full, sourced timeline — the allegations, the statement, the uncomfortable Comedy Cellar return — but also the parts of the story that get skipped: the 2011 five-dollar Beacon Theater experime
Is Fallon going after Trump to chase down Jimmy Kimmel?
Johnny Mac covers Jimmy Fallon posting more political jokes about Trump, suggesting Fallon is taking advantage of Colbert being off the air and Jimmy Kimmel’s summer break (guest hosts start July 6 with Tiffany Haddish). He reacts to Megyn Kelly criticizing Kimmel’s two-month vacation and discusses her reported real estate and private flying. Leslie Jones says she confronted SNL writers about bein
W. Kamau Bell Called Out Nate Bargatze
Johnny Mac covers comedy news including W. Kamau Bell’s Substack criticism of Nate Bargatze for being photographed “partying with fascists,” plus Bell’s comments about avoiding places where “fascists coagulate” and his sharing a 2014 photo with Joe Rogan. Rogan recounts telling Donald Trump backstage at a UFC event he hoped they wouldn’t die in a terrorist attack, to which Trump replied, “We gotta
Moshe Kasher Revealed He Has Cancer
Johnny Mac reports that Moshe Kasher revealed on Instagram he was diagnosed with HPV-positive tonsil cancer, underwent a procedure in Los Angeles, expects a high cure rate around 95%, is awaiting news on whether he needs radiation, and urged followers to get checked and vaccinate kids; he and Natasha Leggero recorded an Endless Honeymoon podcast episode right before surgery. Sebastian Maniscalco t
Elmo Has a Gambling Problem
Johnny Mac delivers comedy news, starting with Dave Chappelle speaking at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, calling it “medicine” amid dark political times and joking that people miss scandals as small as Obama’s tan suit, noting multiple ex-presidents smiling together. He covers a US State Department–funded public-diplomacy series of untitled “Pratt shorts” pairing Chris Pratt with hi
Jay Leno talks about the Death of Late Night, everyone gets mad
Johnny Mac recaps comedy and late-night news, spotlighting Jay Leno’s Deadline interview. Leno says podcasts are the new talk shows and calls Joe Rogan the new Johnny Carson, arguing late night lost swagger due to excessive commercials, fragmented segments, and the end of appointment viewing as audiences move to YouTube and streaming; he also recounts being dropped by an agent, negotiating for him
Chris Tucker Has Been Celibate for Years
Johnny Mac covers Netflix’s announcement of season two of Kevin Hart’s comedy competition series Funny AF with Kevin Hart, noting Hart returns as host, the show and Hart have Emmy nominations, and the new season won’t arrive until 2027. Chris Tucker revealed during a Las Vegas set that he has been celibate for more than three years while focusing on finding lasting love and marriage. Marc Maron di
Kill Tony Explained: How Tony Hinchcliffe Became the Biggest Comedy Show in America
Kill Tony fills arenas. Tony Hinchcliffe hosts. Open micers do one minute. How did this become the most important comedy show in America? Johnny Mac explains.Kill Tony fills arenas. A show where strangers do one minute of standup in front of thousands of people somehow became one of the most watched comedy properties in the country. Johnny Mac looks at how Tony Hinchcliffe built it, what Joe Rogan
What Is Bargatze Gate?
Johnny Mac covers backlash over Nate Bargatze attending a UFC event after photos surfaced with RFK Jr., Cheryl Hines, Bettina Trump, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Mike Johnson, and Joe Rogan, while noting Bargatze’s Esquire comments about avoiding voting opinions and sharing Rogan’s take that the fight isn’t partisan. He pivots to Will Ferrell joking about his burdens as an LA World Cup ambassador, late
There's a Fake Shane Gillis Scamming People
Johnny Mac reports that Watertown, NY police arrested a man after he allegedly pointed a BB gun at a scooter rider who told dispatch the suspect looked like Shane Gillis, though Gillis was not involved. John Mulaney became the first comedian to sell out Wrigley Field (July 11) and joked to Deadline about watching Mark Grace. Nikki Glaser joins Netflix Animation’s Cinderella reimagining Steps as vi
Louis C.K. Is Back on Netflix
Johnny Mac covers Netflix’s trailer for Louis C.K.’s new stand-up special “Ridiculous,” out June 30, his first Netflix special in nine years, noting his post-2017 self-released work and 2022 Grammy win; Mac reacts to the trailer clip about placing C.K.’s father in a home and cites The A.V. Club saying the special appears to avoid controversy. He then discusses Nate Bargatze drawing backlash after
Was Nate Bargatze Hiding His Trump White House Visit?
Johnny Mac recaps comedy news including Jimmy Kimmel’s Instagram birthday post for the U.S. president’s 80th, using a card resembling an alleged Trump note to Jeffrey Epstein, and a UFC event held on the White House lawn streamed on Paramount Plus, with Joe Rogan mocked for a short tie and celebrities like Nate Bargatze and Shane Gillis attending; Gillis is heard criticizing a UFC fighter’s commen
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