The Stand Comedy Club presents: 10 For 10 Podcast · Witz Comedy Network

TJ MILLER | 10 FOR 10 | EP. 6

·47 min·4 clips

TJ Miller describes how seeing Artie Foucault bounce between shows made him realize being a Manhattan comic is the coolest job.

This episode features host Kieran McCann interviewing comedian and actor TJ Miller about his stand-up career and relationship with New York City's comedy clubs. Miller is known for his roles in "Cloverfield" and "Silicon Valley," and he discusses his evolution from Chicago improv to Hollywood and finally to the New York scene. The conversation centers on his deep appreciation for The Stand Comedy Club and its unique role in the city's landscape. Miller explains he began stand-up in Chicago, knowing comedians like Lil Rel, before moving to Los Angeles for a role on the show "Carpoolers." He describes Los Angeles as a place that "will let him drift off into the ether over decades," contrasting it with New York's intense, seasonal energy. He credits a formative moment watching Artie Lange effortlessly move between Manhattan clubs as inspiration for becoming a New York comic. Miller details his club journey in New York, getting passed at Comic Strip Live and eventually finding a home at The Stand after it moved to its Union Square location. He shares that his wife, Kate, an installation artist, initially identified The Stand as a particularly cool venue. Miller recounts bringing influential friends like the Winklevoss twins to The Stand's pop-up shows at Rockwood Music Hall, which he describes as having a rock-and-roll vibe. He praises The Stand's owners, Chris and Paul Italia, for treating comics well, citing the provided pizza and their accommodating booking style as examples. Miller claims the club's upstairs room initially had problematic sightlines until his wife's drunk audio message convinced them to install a curtain. A memorable story involves Miller bombing at The Stand while wearing a full milk carton costume for a bit, following strong sets by Shane Gillis and Joe List. He notes that while the audience rejected the avant-garde performance that night, The Stand remains the only Manhattan club where he feels he can attempt such experimental material. Miller also discusses incorporating his circus skills, like juggling, into his act for his special "Philosophy Circus," which he shot shortly after another hour. He contrasts The Stand's supportive, cool atmosphere with the more traditional feel of clubs like the Comedy Cellar, where he wouldn't feel comfortable doing his milk carton bit. Miller lists comedians he associates with The Stand, including Ari Shaffir, Shane Gillis, and Emma Willmann. The episode has a loose, conversational, and often absurdist tone, filled with inside jokes and playful insults between Miller and the host. The style is informal and meandering, punctuated by moments of sincere reflection on the comedy scene. Fans of TJ Miller's chaotic, conceptual humor and listeners interested in the behind-the-scenes dynamics of New York comedy clubs would enjoy this episode. Those preferring a tightly structured interview or topics beyond the niche world of stand-up comedy might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A loose comedian-to-comedian hang that makes club talk easy to follow.

TJ Miller and Kieran McCann spend the episode on The Stand, laying out what makes a club work, how comics are treated, and why the room's mix matters.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want TJ Miller riffing on club culture, audience behavior, and how comedy business actually works.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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