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Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #400  For this celebrity video episode, Travis Zinzer and Lara Smith (with special guest introduction by Katana the Tripod) talk with Valerie about: How Lara's famous "no" sent Valerie to Comedy Wham and sparked 400 episodes of conversations Valerie's favorite pinch-me moments with Scott Thompson, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Dana Gould, with a dose of back alley dumpster-dodging to bring us down to earth. Heartfelt notes from comics who found stages, festivals, and friends through Comedy Wham - Brendan K O'Grady & Duncan Carson, Holly Hart, Rita Patterson, Nikki Coleman, Robert May, Danna Kiel & Gretchen Dietz. A retrospective on hundreds of episodes and memorable experiences How Travis grew up a junior comedy fan, from Sure Thing showcases to Letterkenny interviews. Watch the full retrospective video on YouTube.   Recorded October 2026 Follow Comedy Wham Website - comedywham.com (oh wait, you're already here!) TikTok - @comedywham (not super active) YouTube - @ComedyWham (all the audio and occasional video podcast episodes, the CCPP Comedy Class, and more) Instagram - @comedywham (tag us in your show promos & we'll share. Follow us! We live here) Facebook - comedywham (not active except when Instagram cross-posts) Twitch - comedywham (see archives of our online shows when some big names weren't so big) Comedy Wham can be seen and heard: Weekly podcasts drop every Sunday (twice a month in summer) Monthly ImproVintage comedy show - 1st Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m. at Fallout Theater Sporadic stand-up showcases Valerie's articles for the Austin Chronicle, The Barbed Wire, the San Antonio Current can be found in our Columns tab and by visiting their web sites and searching "Valerie Lopez" Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #399 Valerie Nies talks with Valerie Lopez about Trading chilly Bismarck for Austin, bombing at early open mics, and finally taking a comedy class Teaching hundreds of comics to write jokes and launching Smile More, her all-women showcase Building her own pandemic MFA and publishing the poetry collection Snacks for the Love Hungry Half Empty, Half Full, her monthly literary comedy show pairing comedians, writers, optimists, and pessimists Recorded September 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Valerie Website - valerienies.com Linktree - linktr.ee/valerieknees TikTok - @valerieknees YouTube - youtube.com/freeneurotica Instagram - @valerieknees and @_halfemptyhalffull X - @valerieknees Threads - @valerieknees Valerie can be seen and heard: Snacks for the Love Hungry - Collection of poems (Amazon, Bookshop) Half-Empty Half Full - a literary comedy show (monthly on 1st Saturdays at ColdTowne Theater) Standup comedy and writing classes (see valerienies.com) Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #398 Kandyce August talks with Valerie about: Starting stand-up at 36 after a comedy class Hitting nearly 40 comedy festivals while racing to check off all 50 states Her Kill Tony weight loss challenge and the Moody Center New Year's Eve prize on the line Hosting for Nicole Byer, Usama Siddiquee, all while inspiring future moms with her pregnancy bits Follow Kandyce TikTok - @just_kandyce YouTube - Youtube.com/@Kandyce1978 Instagram - @just_kandyce Facebook - Facebook.com/Just.Kandyce Threads - @just_kandyce Dot - dot.cards/just_kandyce Kandyce can be seen and heard: LMAOF special #93 - https://of.tv/v/B3zyR Kill Tony episodes 701, 726, and 766 Kill Tony Weigh-in Challenge - Results Coming Soon!! Kandyce & Friends - 8:00pm November 5, Upstage Comedy Lounge, San Antonio - Tickets Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #397 Carlo Lorenzo Garcia talks with Valerie about: Turning TV paychecks into Under Covers, a silly web series pitched as Brooklyn Nine-Nine meets Cheaters Flipping Perfect Strangers into Strange, But Perfect, his award-winning Hill Country film starring Ed Begley Jr. and Beth Grant (and Austinites Garrett Rojas and Irielle Wesley) Weaving his late father's voicemails into a screenplay, and why you should write down loved ones' stories Directing the political satire A Million More to Go His surprising nemesis: tinfoil touching metal fillings Recorded September 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Carlo Website - carlogarcia.com YouTube - youtube.com/@CarloLorenzoGarcia Instagram - @carlolgarcia Facebook - facebook.com/carlolorenzogarcia X - @carlogarcia Follow A Million More to Go Website - amillionmoretogo.com Instagram - @amillionfilm Follow Strange, But Perfect Website - strangebutperfect.com Instagram - @strangebutperfectfilm Carlo can be seen and heard: Screenplay author and actor - Strange, But Perfect (upcoming release) Director - A Million More to Go (upcoming release) - Trailer Actor - Empire, Walker, Chicago P.D. Web series writer and actor - Under Covers Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #396 Vanessa Gonzalez returns to talk with Valerie about Self-funding her Hulu special, M****a, after a manager lied for a year about shopping it. Landing her first writers' room job and feeling like an imposter at Warner Brothers. The anxiety medication that changed how she handles online hate and self-doubt. Why Austin will always be her comedy home, no matter where LA takes her. Recorded September 2026 Follow Vanessa Website - VanessaComedy.com Instagram - vanessagcomedy Tiktok - @vanessagcomedy Youtube - youtube.com/@vanessagcomedy Vanessa can be seen and heard: Hulu special M****a (2026) Comedy Central Special HBO Latino special Entre Nos TruTV's Laff Mobb Laff Tracks Debut Album - My Birthday's Tomorrow (Available on all platforms) I'm Not Busy Podcast - Co-hosted with Michael Foulk Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #395 Katie Felton returns to talk with Valerie about: Getting engaged, co-hosting Quackin Jokes, and juggling comedy with her 2027 wedding planning Retiring her "single girl" jokes and learning to write fresh material as a newly engaged comic Teaching special ed adults and finding classroom humor without punching down at anyone The annual FPIA contest and having the introspection that fun beats chasing a trophy every time Recorded August 2026 Follow Katie Instagram - @kabbagepatchkatie TikTok - @itsmekatiefelton YouTube - youtube.com/@katiefelton Katie can be seen and heard: Quackin' Jokes - Monthly 8:00pm, Captain Quack's Soundspace The 3 Minute with Katie Podcast Comedy Wham Presents Katie Felton: Talk Softly and Carry a Big Shtick Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #394 Slade Ham AND Jimmy Pineapple talks with Valerie Lopez about Getting their start in Houston alongside a young, pre-fame Sam Kinison and Bill Hicks Why LA sketch comedy and short sets never beat an hour alone with strangers Reviving the legendary Texas Outlaw Comics brand for a new Houston film taping Surviving brutal one-nighters, empty casinos, and what actually makes a comic great Recorded August 2026 Watch the video on our Youtube channel Follow Outlaw Comics Website - outlawcomics.com YouTube - youtube.com/@TheOutlawComics Instagram - @outlawcomics Facebook - facebook.com/theoutlawcomics See the Outlaw Comics Outlaw Comics special taping (October 16 at MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center, Houston) Follow Slade Website - sladeham.com Linktree - linktr.ee/sladeham TikTok - @slade-ham-comedy YouTube - youtube.com/sladeham Instagram - @sladeham Facebook - facebook.com/sladehamcomedy Slade can be seen and heard: Signal/Noise - comedy special Until All the Dragons are Dead - collection of stories Whiskey Brothers Podcast (retired, 1086 episodes) Outlaw Comics special taping (October 16 at MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center, Houston) The One that Got Away special (available November through Comedy Dynamics) Follow Jimmy Instagram - @jimmypineapplecomedy Facebook - facebook.com/jimmy.pineapple Jimmy can be seen and heard: Outlaw Comics special taping (October 16 at MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center, Houston) Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #393 Xander Noland talks with Valerie Lopez about Juggling five-plus Austin comedy shows at once and somehow still adding more to his plate Landing a spot on the brand-new UCB Harold team after a wild 96-person audition His "directionless" 20s, and why finding performance turned everything around for him Launching Clown Carbonara, an immersive clown-run restaurant show premiering this September at the ColdTowne Cabaret Recorded August 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Xander  Instagram - @xandy_newman Xander can be seen and heard: Austin Sketch Fest: Larry McMurtry's Cowboy Cavalcade - 9:30pm, Friday, August 21, 2026, ColdTowne Theater: Tickets Clown Carbonara Presents Pantalones - Sundays in September 2026, 8:00pm, ColdTowne Theater Secret Stash - Weekly on Saturdays, 8:30pm, Fallout Theater UCB Harold Night - Weekly on Thursdays, 7:00pm, ColdTowne Theater Teenage Dirtbag - Monthly on Last Wednesdays, 8:30pm, Fallout Theater Guts! - Monthly on Third Fridays, 10:00pm, Fallout Theater Silly Billies - Monthly on Third Wednesdays, 8:30pm, Fallout Theater Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #392 Matt Evans talks with Valerie Lopez about Growing up a rare native Austinite and stumbling into comedy through Comedy Central reruns Becoming a horse vet against everyone's advice, then bombing his way through open mics The 300-person equine convention set that turned painting hobbyist into stand-up addict Writing his memoir during the pandemic and landing a book deal after three years of rejection Recorded July 2026 Follow Matt Website - mattevanscomic.com TikTok - @mattevanscomic YouTube - youtube.com/@mattevanscomic Instagram - @mattevanscomic Threads - @mattevanscomic Substack - mattevanscomic.substack.com Matt can be seen, heard, and read: Donna Lee Private Event - August 5, 2026, 7:00pm, Dripping Springs Public Library Clean AF - August 15, 2026, 3:00pm Mic Drop, Plano, TX Chomping at the Bit - Book release September 8, 2026 - Buy it here: Amazon Chomping at the Bit Book Release Event - September 9, 2026, at First Light Books Chomping at the Bit Book Release Event at Can't Even - September 12, 2026, in Dripping Springs Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #391 Wallis Brown talks with Valerie Lopez about Her one-woman My Three Stooges Fanfiction show ahead of its Austin Sketch Fest run. Performing that fanfiction at 6:30am for Del Close Marathon crowds in New York City. Juggling standup, improv, and songwriting as a Story Wrangler adapting 3rd graders' stories at the Paramount Theater. Turning 25, finding focus, and building a packed rotation across Switchblade, Unhinged, Candy Necklace, and Doghouse. Recorded June 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Wallis can be seen and heard: Where it Hides hosted by Working Poets Entertainment - August 1, 2026, 7:30pm and August 2, 2026, 2:30pm at Trinity Street Playhouse: Tickets Follow-Thru Comedy (standup) - August 8, 2026, 10:00pm at The Velveeta Room My Three Stooges Fanfiction - Austin Sketch Fest (Weekend 2 - August 22, 2026, 9:30pm) at ColdTowne Theater: Tickets Unhinged: Real blind dates, Real funny improv - Monthly on last Saturdays, 7:00 pm at Fallout Theater Doghouse: A doggone comedy troupe - Monthly on 2nd Sundays, 7:30 pm at Fallout Theater Candy Necklace improv - every other Sunday, 7:30pm at ColdTowne Theater (Final performance July 26, 2026) Switchblade improv - Monthly on 2nd Saturdays, 9:30pm at ColdTowne Theater Paramount Story Wranglers - Paramount Theater Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #390 Executive Producers of 2026 Austin Sketch Fest, Rebecca East and Ashley Ellis talk with Valerie Lopez about: Austin Sketch Fest's 2026 expansion to two full weekends and what it took to pull it off Headliners S****y Mozart, Assssketch, Aly Dixon, and SNL's Austin-grown Andrew Dismukes A stacked lineup of 35 acts including local favorites, out-of-towners, and a few surprises Badges, tickets, volunteer spots, and why you should lock in your plans now before shows sell out Recorded June 2026 at Fallout Theater Follow Austin Sketch Fest   Website - atxsketchfest.com Instagram - @atxsketchfest Facebook - facebook.com/ATXSketchFest Attend the 17th Annual ATX Sketch Fest, August 14-16 & 21-23, 2026, at ColdTowne Theater:   $169 for a weekend All Fest Pass!! Headliners Weekend 1 - S****y Mozart and ASSSSKETCH Weekend 2 - Andrew Dismuke and Aly Dixon Feature Performers Weekend 1 - Sara Jo Geiger, Sick Day/Never Sad, Rochelle McConico, Colette Gregory's Black Best Friend, Paypigs, Sir Thomas Madden Jr., Kat Ellison Williams' Daddy's Boy, Garrett Buss' Daddy Strong Legs, Coming Out, Hannah & Spencer End Homophobia, The Public Breakup Show, Ponyboy, Sheila & Carla, Mimi Meier Weekend 2 - Wet Blanket,  Sponcon, Becca Seferian, Butterface, Cabal, Larry McMurty's Cowboy Cavalcade, Egg Party, Father Figures, Time to Kill, Rochelle McConico, Avery & Sabrina, Wallis Brown's My Three Stooges Fanfic, The Big Toe Gang, Seth K Thomas' Antithematic, Space Cadets, Mimi Meier  Follow Rebecca Instagram - @rebecca_east Follow Ashley Instagram - @trashleysmellis Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #389 Joey Smith talks with Valerie Lopez about Growing up on pawn shop comedy DVDs and the life-changing loss that pushed him to the mic Balancing a full-time corporate job with touring the country for Jeremiah Watkins His legendary mattress return bit and why audiences keep confessing their own retail scams after the show Why getting that first laugh within three seconds is the hardest note he's ever been given — and why it's exactly right Recorded May 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Joey YouTube - youtube.com/@Thisisjoeysmith Instagram - @thisisjoeysmith Joey can be seen and heard: 2026 FPIA Preliminaries - July 5, 7:30pm, Cap City Comedy Club Regularly performs at Black Rabbit Comedy Club Regularly performs at Sunset Strip Comedy Club Touring with Jeremiah Watkins (watch IG for dates) Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #388 Gretchen Dietz talks with Valerie Lopez about: Trading her PhD for a notebook and a bar open mic with zero last-name confidence Divorcing her inner perfectionist and learning to love the beautiful mess of live comedy How moving to Austin blew up her small map and recalibrated everything she thought she knew Building a real comedy career on thank-you notes, strong material, and staying unapologetically herself Recorded May 2026 at Fallout Theater Podcast Studio Follow Gretchen Linktree - linktr.ee/gretchendietz TikTok - @gretchendietz_ YouTube - youtube.com/GretchenDietz_ Instagram - @gretchendietz_ Facebook - facebook.com/gretchendietzcomedy Gretchen can be seen and heard: Headlining: Live at Fallout Theater - August 22, 7pm, Fallout Theater 2026 FPIA Preliminaries - July 9, 7:30pm, Cap City Comedy Club Opening for Sophie Buddle on tour (follow socials for dates/cities) Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #387 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Series   Our favorite time of year as we bring you voices from Moontower Comedy Festival before, during, and after the festival!   Legendary comedian Yakov Smirnoff talks with Valerie Lopez about Leaving the USSR in 1977 and building a legendary comedy career through sheer luck and timing. How his iconic "What a country!" persona helped humanize Russians for Americans during Cold War tensions. Earning a PhD in Psychology and studying laughter's powerful role in relationships and marriage. Performing at Moontower at 75, eyeing a "Yakov 2.0" era, and a possible Netflix documentary. Recorded April 2026 during Moontower Comedy Festival from Stephen F. Austin Lounge Follow Yakov Website - yakov.com TikTok - @yakov_smirnoff YouTube - youtube.com/@YakovSmirnoff Instagram - @yakov_smirnoff Facebook - facebook.com/Yakov.Smirnoff.Comedian X - @Yakov_Smirnoff Yakov can be seen and heard: Clean Comedy Wave Tour May 29-30, 2026 - Kenosha Comedy Club, Kenosha, Wisconsin - Tickets Yakov's Theater: Branson, Missouri The Comedy Couch Podcast Happily Ever Laughter - Comedy Special Night Court Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.

Read the article at comedywham.com Episode #386 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival Series   Our favorite time of year as we bring you voices from Moontower Comedy Festival before, during, and after the festival!   Cathy Ladman talks with Valerie Lopez about Walking through fear for 45 years and why courageous best describes her past The golden and gritty days of the 80s New York comedy scene and her legendary peers Navigating Hollywood as a woman, from sexist bookers to a TV Guide critic she outlasted Coaching comics, booking Bill Hader's new film, and why she is absolutely not done yet Recorded April 2026 during Moontower Comedy Festival from Stephen F. Austin Lounge Follow Cathy Website - cathyladman.com TikTok - @cathyladman YouTube - youtube.com/CathyLadman Instagram - @cathyladman1 Facebook - facebook.com/cladman X - @CathyLadman Cathy can be seen and heard: I Have No One to Blame But Myself Tour  July 11 at Mahaiwe Theatre, Great Barrington, MA  Tickets July 30 at Emelin Theatre, Mamaroneck, NY Tickets Appearing in Bill Hader's "They Know" movie The Tonight Show - 10 times with Jimmy Fallon, Jay Leno, and Johnny Carson The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson - 6 times "One Night Stand" - HBO Special (1991) Curb Your Enthusiasm, How to Get Away with Murder, I'm Dying Up Here, Dr. Katz Professional Therapist Writer on "Roseanne" and "Caroline in the City" The Three Stoogettes Follow @ComedyWham on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, and Tiktok   If you'd like to support our independent podcast, check out our Patreon page at: Patreon.com/comedywham  .    You can also support us on Venmo - just search for ComedyWham.