Sun, Mar 30, 2014
The first of the KIDNAPPING series - a series of interviews with people I've "kidnapped" under the influence. Hear comedian Juan Garcia's version of some of the adventures with me and how he has been manipulated by veteran comics just because - If you're a new comedian, F*CK the comedy classes - this is stuff no comedy "teacher" will ever prepare you for.
Wed, Apr 2, 2014
Another "kidnapping" victim stops by to reminisce with Felipe (and guest sidekick Chris Storin). Kenny Benitez, not a comic, not a drug addict - why did he stay? Who else buys you a piece of cake bro? I'll hang out with Duck Dynasty and pray - Don't take Jack-in-the-Box to Strippers and other great advice on another episode of What's Up Fool? podcast.
Thu, Apr 17, 2014
The last "victim" in the kidnapping series talked with Felipe at the Houston Improv a couple weeks ago. Theo Taylor, a Houston based comedian, tells his side of the story about a night with Felipe he'll never forget. If you listen closely, you might just learn (kind of) about Liberia, immigrant parents, suburban black dudes and boudain balls on another episode of What's Up Fool? podcast.
Thu, May 1, 2014
Happy (early) Mother's Day. Felipe is joined by comedian Luenell's house to talk to her about being a mother and a comedian, her reformed ways and her uncanny ability to attract every loser out there. You might know her as the "hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold" in the movie Borat and her recurring role in Californication and Think Like a Man. *(Sorry for the mic noise in the beginning - I promise, it goes away later in the show).
Thu, May 15, 2014
Think there aren't any good cops out there? Think again. The human side of the force as told by the man who caught one of the most inhumane serial killers, Richard Ramirez, the "Night Stalker". Legendary Sheriff Gil Carrillo (retired) sits down with me and Rodrigo and talks about his life as a cop and a Sheriff and how he became embroiled in one of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Oh, and he happens to be one of my biggest fans.
Thu, Jun 12, 2014
Joe "Hulk" McQueen tells Felipe What makes a normal person drop everything and move to California to take their chances at fame and (maybe) fortune? What if they don't make it big? Why do they still stay? What makes them get back up every time the industry knocks them down? Joe McQueen tells his story - an incredible story of passion, struggle, homelessness, being a "superhero" and life on the fringe of Hollywood.
Wed, Jun 25, 2014
Dani Luv was a Starchild in a Kiss tribute band (Kiss My Ass), he's in a Spanish rock duo (Matador) and hails from a little town in Kansas that you'd never know had any Latinos in it. Oh yeah, he's Latino, too. This is the 2nd episode in our series on "Hollywood Dreamers" - What makes a normal person drop everything and move to California to take their chances at fame and (maybe) fortune? What if they don't make it big? Why do they still stay? What does "making it" mean to them? What makes them get back up every time the industry knocks them down? We hear Dani's story of Kiss, Garden City, the Latin music scene and even his stint in the "back office" of the porn industry.
Thu, Jul 3, 2014
Joey and I have known each other for almost 20 years. Uncle Joey, aka Joey "Coco" Diaz, legendary comedian, podcaster and all-around badass stops by and drops some SCIENCE. Joey's version of the alphabet that helps toughen up his daughter and why he feels character is THE most important thing to anyone's career and life.
Thu, Jul 10, 2014
A few months ago, Felipe heard that Fred Stoller was looking to return to stand up after a long break of acting and writing in Hollywood. He's been in a ton of TV shows and movies and I didn't think he would want to open for me but it turned out he did. He was so funny and nice and had so many great stories of his experiences during the stand-up comedy boom of the 80s and being in so many shows and movies that Felipe knew he had to get him on the podcast.
Wed, Aug 6, 2014
Juan Carlos Munoz Hernandez (aka "Heaven"), grew up following the bad path in life. Eventually, after years of tagging all over L.A., he turned things around and ended up getting through a rigorous process to become an assistant to sculptor Robert Graham. Today, he still runs the gallery and creates his own sculptures and paintings and continues to do commissioned murals and other work. We had another visitor - writer Rodrigo Rivera D'Ebre, who is filming his directorial debut documentary on dark progressivism - a film that focuses on many different artists, including Heaven (Juan Carlos).
Thu, Aug 21, 2014
Birdman is an interesting character. Pretty laid back kind of guy who will sometimes tell a shocking story as if he's just telling you the weather. After growing up feeling "like a human garbage can" and then getting a 2nd and 3rd chance in life, Jaime is finally living on his own terms and learning how to adjust to life on the outside while avoiding the call of the streets.
Thu, Sep 4, 2014
Franky Carrillo, who Felipe met while walking down the street. At age 17, mistakenly identified as a murderer, railroaded into life in prison and then 20 years later, Franky was released with the help of the Innocence Project. An unbelievable story of hope and perseverance in the face of an impossible situation and a young man who finally found his voice and remains positive to this day.
Thu, Sep 18, 2014
Felipe met Desiree about 8 years ago when she started coming to his comedy shows. Found out she was a BBW porn star. She moved away for a while so he didn't learn much more about her after that. Luckily they stayed in touch and when Felipe stopped by Vegas to do a show, he asked her if she would sit down and talk about her experience in porn and life in general.
Thu, Oct 16, 2014
Felipe has known these guys for a long ass time - He met Mando (Armando Cosio Sr.) when he was an exterminator at the projects where I lived in Boyle Heights. They became friends. He now owns his own exterminating business (La Cucaracha Pest Control) in Los Angeles and still does comedy on the side. He has his son "Pops" (Armando Cosio Jr.) working for him in the office.
Thu, Oct 23, 2014
Felipe met Mariano this year while they were working on a commercial together. He's got quite a story - taken from his abusive home as a young child, Mariano then bounced around in and out of a series of foster homes and schools, never finding any real roots. Throughout this time, however, he was forging a strength of his own and found his calling in the military and eventually professional fighting.
Thu, Oct 30, 2014
Felipe met comedian Josh Nasar about 7 years ago at the Hollywood Laugh Factory. Listen as he describes his upbringing in sales, his experience as a door-to-door salesman, comedian and actor and listen as they discuss for the first time EVER - the origin of the phrase "What's Up Fool?
Thu, Nov 13, 2014
Today, comedian Carlos Oscar stops by to talk about all things Hollywood in the brand new All Things Comedy podcast studio. Carlos has been in comedy for over 20 years - longer than me. He knows the industry and he tells it like it is. Listen as we share all the ins and outs of the stand-up comedy and TV business, the false starts, the "latinoism", and the changes to come.
Thu, Nov 20, 2014
Gracie has been in comedy for a long time - but she's been doing the open mic rooms that whole time. She's kept her day job the whole time. She's a mom. She's 58. She's also one of the few women in comedy who will put up with all the nonsense from the male comics. Most female comics don't like to hang out with a bunch of dudes bagging on each other and dishing it out. Nothing we say to her affects her - or at least she doesn't show it. She's a true soldier. Listen as she breaks down her history of "trying" to get into show biz, and listen as 4 Mexican-Americans try to remember what M.E.C.H.A. stands for. Flaco also makes a return appearance to cheerlead on the side.
Sat, Nov 22, 2014
Last week I walked around the tailgate parties at the Charger-Raider game in San Diego. No Rodrigo, no guests, just me talking to football fans and crazy tailgaters. We started on a mission to find lot D4 but I got stopped too many times along the way so we never made it there. But it's all about the journey, right?
Thu, Nov 27, 2014
Last week when we had Flaco as a guest with Gracie, we felt like we didn't get enough Flaco so we had him on by himself this week. Because we find Flaco interesting. He's only been in comedy for 5 years and I believe that he's funnier than most of the other comics out there with more experience. It's not a character - it's who he is even when he's playing Madden at my house. Listen as he breaks down his Marfans Syndrome (and corrects my pronunciation every time) and his experience in stand up comedy so far.
Thu, Dec 4, 2014
This guy was the original inspiration for our Cholos: Where Are They Now? series we did a while back but he was always so busy working - Finally, this week we got to talk to actor (and comedian) Emilio Rivera. The realest guy you'll ever meet. He may play unflinching, menacing characters on TV shows and in movies but, yes, Emilio started as a stand-up comedian. I met him when I was starting out in comedy 17 years ago. We lived on the same block. I stayed in comedy and he went on to become a highly sought out character actor. He's currently portraying Marcus Alvarez in Sons of Anarchy and talks about what it's like to go from being a regular guy from the hood to portraying one on the big screen.
Thu, Dec 11, 2014
If you want to have a discussion on comedy and specifically black comedy, you have to include D Militant. He is a comedy historian, a writer and a stand-up comedian. One of the most interesting things about D is his history with Katt Williams as his writer and opener on the road at the height of Katt's fame. Listen as he breaks down the history of black comedy, Hollywood and how he narrowly escaped becoming "Whoopsie Wooly".
Thu, Dec 25, 2014
3 Chicano artists walk into a bar - I don't have a punchline for that one - But I have run across these 3 L.A. artists a few times over the years and we finally sat down to talk to them all. Rafa Cardenas, East L.A. native, former member of the band Slowrider and now a photographer; Ernesto Yerena from El Centro California, Shepard Fairey protege and the artist who created our podcast logo (and poster) and Juan Luis Garcia, L.A. photographer for the Face Value project and a graphic designer. Hear them tell the stories behind how they got into art, why they pursued it despite many Latino/immigrant families not understanding art as a career, and how they're keeping part of the L.A. art scene "real" in the face of the L.A. hipster takeover.
Mon, Jan 19, 2015
Originally recorded January 2, 2015 at the American Comedy Company in San Diego (in the green room) We're in the green room of the American Comedy Company in San Diego right after the new year talking with Flaco Martinez again and also our friend Big Frog. He's an up and coming comedian in the San Diego area who's had a past that might have made him a contender for the "Cholos: Where Are They Now?" series we did a while ago except he was never a cholo.
Thu, Jan 22, 2015
Chuck Bartell. Some call him odd, some call him creepy, irreverent, I just call him George Washington. You might have seen this guy open for me a few times in L.A., Arizona, maybe Chicago and he always surprises my audiences by how funny his act is. He's one of my favorites and has some of the best one liners out there today. I miss the one-liner comics. He's bringing that back. Chuck came on the show to talk about his comedy CD - "Der Humor" - a collection of 150 very short jokes and you may be surprised to know they are organized alphabetically for your convenience. He's also doing a live show in January in Chicago and hoping for a strong turnout so if you're in the area and want to see some weird, funny comedy, go see his show. But don't look for him on social media because he won't be there.
Tue, Jan 27, 2015
This is two episodes in one - recorded in Tampa Florida when my friend, comedian Russell Peters invited me to fly with him and Dom Irrera on Russell's private plane. I skipped my commercial flight and took my podcast equipment with me. The interview starts off with us waiting at the private airport with a new comedian with 5 years in the game - Adam Murray from Orlando Florida. He tells us about his years doing open mics and driving a taxi cab. I stepped away for a few minutes to go to the bathroom and Rodrigo takes over. The second part of the interview is me on the plane with Russell Peters (the world's most famous comedian that not many people in the U.S. know) and Dom Irrera (hilarious comedian who's been in the game for 30+ years). Kind of all over the place but a bunch of true comedy road life stories.
Thu, Jan 29, 2015
Melanie Comarcho is hilarious. She's so funny, she never had to do the grind of the open mics and the bullshit most of us had to go through. She got snatched up for the Def Jam Comedy Tour and world tours with Martin Lawrence, Chris Tucker and Katt Williams. Melanie is raw and real and always herself. Listen as she tells some of her experiences in comedy over the years.
Tue, Feb 3, 2015
Originally recorded January 25, 2015 at the Ontario Improv in Ontario California (in the green room) We're in the green room of the Ontario Improv in California right after a weekend of 8 sold out shows. Rodrigo was performing out of town so we had Marcella Arguello, a couple words from Isaac Flaco Martinez and the return of Fred Stoller - these guys were with me on most of the shows this weekend. Mostly this show is just us kicking back after a long weekend of work. Listen as Fred talks about the outcome of the Kramer lawsuit he was facing during our last episode with him, how I got popped for child support the first time and Marcella fills in for all the "yeah mans" in all the right places.
Fri, Feb 6, 2015
I'm a fan of Melissa Villaseñor. She's funny and does a lot of great impressions - women and men - and sometimes even her cat. Listen as I tell the story of how Gabriel Iglesias once paid for my dental work, Melissa tells the story of knowing she wanted to be a comedian at 12 years old and - for the first time - the origin of Yea Man.
Thu, Feb 19, 2015
Comedian and writer Neal Brennan sits down with us to talk about his experiences in Hollywood - the good, bad and especially the ugly. Listen to how he came back from "the stink" of Half Baked to co-create one of the greatest comedy shows ever, "Chappelle's Show", and how he came back again on his own - after his partner walked away from it all - to build himself as a stand-up comedian, director and one of Hollywood's most sought after comedy writers today.
Thu, Feb 26, 2015
You might have seen this guy in Training Day, Bruce Almighty, Fast and Furious and a bunch of other movies where a cholo might jump out and scare you. That's right, actor Noel G is probably THE most frequently cast Latino gangster in movies and TV ever next to Emilio Rivera. He's also an old friend of mine who used to do comedy. But that's not all - this guy has one HELL of a life story (and I do mean hell). He only mentions it briefly at first but then he gets deeper into it. It's enough to make you shed a tear.
Thu, Mar 5, 2015
Andy Kindler is a comic's comic - that's a hackneyed thing to say but it's true. This guy is a comedy scholar. He's even written the book on hack comics "The Hack's Handbook". I have always liked his old school style and quick wit. He also supported me on Last Comic Standing - what's not to love?? Hilarious, hilarious and such a nice guy.
Thu, Mar 12, 2015
Beto Duran and I have known each other for a few years. He's been a sports broadcaster for ESPN for 10 years, Spanish broadcaster for the Lakers, announcer for Golden Boy Boxing, getting to live out his childhood dream with all his favorite athletes. Listen as he tells how he got started, and scammed his way to the top - or wherever he is on the sports broadcasting ladder - Beto's a great guy.
Thu, Mar 19, 2015
I don't claim to be a boxing expert - most of my knowledge is from the movies - but I do like boxing and I had a few people approach me about having a young boxer on my show named Roy Tapia. He's a young guy from East L.A. now fighting with Golden Boy Promotions who's undefeated. He's got a pretty cool story and he breaks down his training regimen and the discipline it takes to climb to the top . He's also a young father and brought his daughter along for the show so you might hear her in the background. We also had a call-in from UFC fighter Sean Loeffler who wanted to promote his fight on Mar 21 and he breaks down some of the bullshit he's had to deal with lately in getting back into the UFC after a frustrating struggle and misunderstanding.
Thu, Mar 26, 2015
Jay London is challenging to figure out - never quite sure if he is serious or joking. Strange appearance, quiet, soft-spoken, mild mannered, self-deprecating but very quick-witted. Super nice and loving man who's seen a lot of life on this earth. Listen as he breaks down his act, his experience in show business and how performers need regular ego "feedings" along the way. He also goes into detail about the old business he tried years ago in NY and explains shylocks and the numbers game in a way I can understand.
Tue, Apr 7, 2015
Our little podcast just turned 1 year old. We celebrated by doing the podcast in front of a live audience on April 1 at the Ice House in Pasadena and we brought back a bunch of our past guests. It's our longest episode ever but it's jam packed with laughs and we were having a good time. So fast forward through the parts you don't like. Here's to another year of fun interviews.
Thu, Apr 9, 2015
I met comedian Suli McCullough a loooong time ago when I was just starting out in comedy. I worked with him a few times and we became friends. He's a really smart, funny, super nice guy. Aside from his infamous character "Crazy Legs" from "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood", he's also an accomplished stand-up comedian and comedy writer, having written for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for several years and also for Jamie Foxx on various TV appearances.
Thu, Apr 16, 2015
Met comedian Kira Soltanovich many years ago at a comedy show. She's a strong, loud, funny person, so we got along well. She also came to this country kind of like I did - as a Russian Jewish illegal immigrant, except I am not Russian or Jewish - Listen as she breaks down being pregnant and lactating and being on stage, working on self-producing her next comedy special (which she'll perform while pregnant), being an immigrant, and how her dad always relied on "the SNAKE" to solve every problem.
Thu, Apr 23, 2015
Okay, okay, so I'm vegan - Some of you guys know that and the rest of you think I'm punking you, but it's true. Been vegan for over 4 years now because of some health issues and since then my health has improved, I lost some weight (at first, 30 pounds, put about 10 back on since then) and got a lot of hate from fans. People said I was a sell out, whitewashed, and that there's no such thing as a vegan Mexican. Well there is, and all over the country when I'm on the road I've met a lot of other Latino vegans.
Thu, May 7, 2015
Hear two different experiences in stand-up comedy and Hollywood - our conversation with comedians Matt Walker and Stephen Kramer Glickman proves that these guys have really been through it all. Listen as Matt describes growing up the only white guy in an all Mexican neighborhood and his comedy experiences on the road and Stephen talks about his years as an actor on the super popular Nickelodeon show, "Big Time Rush".
Thu, May 14, 2015
Man, I guarantee you've seen - or heard - this guy in a bunch of tv shows, commercials, everything. He's also a hilarious stand-up comedian. I've known Brian Scolaro for over 10 years. He always kills on stage and he is probably the guy who's getting those acting roles I never get booked for. He's also got a podcast on the All Things Comedy network - called "This Is My Podcast" and it's more of a show (sketches, bits, discussion) than a traditional podcast. Go check it out and tell Brian I sent you. *By the way, Rodrigo couldn't be on the show today so we have Fred Stoller sitting in the co-host seat.