Moontower Comedy News

Janelle James didn’t dream of doing stand-up as a kid. She didn’t hone her craft in college. “I had no inclination to become a comedian,” she explains. The Caribbean-born comic was 30 and working in fashion when a friend goaded her onto stage at an open mic. A few short years later, she has one of the best reviewed comedy albums of 2017, an upcoming Netflix special, and just finished a huge tour opening for Chris Rock. Ms. James talked to Moontower about her early days in comedy, why she doesn’t worry about offending people, and why she’s juicing before heading to Austin. Continue reading →

Tim Dillon is tired of people trying to win arguments on stage. It’s boring. He’s much more interested in discovering comedy. While many profiles of Mr. Dillon tend to focus on the fact that he has conservative leanings, Dillon himself sounds less convinced. “You believe in free speech, you’re conservative. I don’t know. I try to be funny.” He’s definitely succeeding there.

Mr. Dillon was recently named one of Rolling Stone‘s 10 Comedians You Need to Know and has Netflix and Comedy Central specials slated to premiere later this year. He has a celebrated podcast, Tim Dillon is Going to Hell, where he defends “CEOs, dictators, con artists, thieves, tax cheats, & crime families” and leads a double decker bus tour of New York where he examines on the murky dealings of the mega rich. They’re both very funny. He talked to Moontower about acting on Sesame Street, serving on a murder trial, and how focusing on winning arguments can sink comedy. Continue reading →

Ali Siddiq‘s first performances were in prison. While serving six years of a 15-year sentence for drug trafficking in a Texas state penitentiary, he started what he calls ‘joking’. Two decades and hundreds of sets later, he returned to prison to tape his comedy special. Ali Siddiq: It’s Bigger Than These Bars premieres tonight on Comedy Central.

Ali talked to Moontower about his decision to stay in Houston, his love of Richard Pryor, and why it’s harder to get inside a maximum security prison voluntarily. Continue reading →

Jeff Dye is a nationally touring comedian, actor and host who has performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, finished 3rd on Last Comic Standing and has had his own Comedy Central Presents special. He stars in NBC’s new comedy adventure series Better Late Than Never featuring Henry Winkler, William Shatner, Terry Bradshaw and George Foreman.

Jeff talked to Moontower about bombing at open mics during “The Dane Wave”, having tea at Henry Winkler’s house, and how a chance encounter at a bookstore changed everything. Continue reading →