The Comedy Castle Podcast
74 episodes listed below
PRESS PLAY
The Official Podcast of Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
A club-level view of stand-up craft, where performers explain the rooms, routines, and relationships that shape their comedy.
Joel Fragomeni turns the Comedy Castle calendar into a running conversation about how stand-up actually works. Interviews with headliners and local performers move easily from upcoming shows to the mechanics behind them: managing an unsettled crowd, ordering a lineup, developing…
Joel Fragomeni works the door; you hear how comics win over a room still getting settled.
Press play if you want
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A loose club-room catch-up that stays anchored in the weekend run and a long road-story detour.
The episode opens with the weekend lineup, then settles into a long catch-up with headliner Matt Holt. Joel notes that Holt has not been back in over six years, and the talk moves through road history, old gigs, and the way time piles up.
Halloween-week club business gives way to a grounded comedy-journey hang.
This episode leans on Halloween week at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle as its frame, then shifts into a more personal stretch about getting started in stand-up and being taken under Shane's wing.
A club-room catch-up that keeps the focus on the comic, the crowd, and the business of headlining.
Joel Fragomeni keeps this one in club mode. He starts with the week at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, brings Will Burkart back as a headliner, and checks in on how much has changed since their 2023 conversation.
A loose Comedy Castle check-in that doubles as a useful guide to the room's year.
A club-host update turns into a year-ahead Comedy Castle rundown, with Joel Fragomeni and Bill Bashar mapping out what is on deck this week and what is already known for the rest of 2026.
A loose, lived-in comic interview that improves once the road stories take over.
Sam Talent lands early, but the episode really opens up once the conversation leaves club housekeeping and settles into road stories. Touring, Europe, Canada, Mexico, food, and the small relief of being out in the world give the interview its shape, and the best stretches feel…
A club-first interview that pays off once the conversation turns from announcements to standup craft.
The episode starts with club housekeeping before settling into a relaxed conversation with JeCorey Hawkins. Joel covers Comedy Castle class dates and club details, then the talk shifts into MC work, winning over a room that is still coming together, and the comics that shaped…
A club-night episode that folds in show updates, Tim Finkel's missed-lineup explanation, and a John Heffron interview.
This episode moves between a club-night update, Tim Finkel's note about missing the lineup last week, and an older John Heffron interview. Joel sets the frame with what is happening at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, then works through the week's shows before circling back to the…
A club update that feels lived in, with a useful look at the work behind the room.
This Comedy Castle episode is a weekly club update with a bit more texture than usual. Joel Fregman covers open mic night on Wednesday, August 6 at 7:30 p.m., Ashley Gavin's Thursday-through-Saturday run, and Sunday's show with Cactus Tate.
Joel Fragomeni frames Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle’s Christmas-week schedule around Matt Holt, who has not played the club in over six years and is booked for four shows on Friday, December 26, and Saturday, December 27.
Joel Fragomeni previews Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle’s December 4-6 run with Joe Mackey, Diego Atanasio, and Ja'Cory Hawkins, while explaining that the episode mixes a current interview with Hawkins and an archived Joe Mackey conversation from April 2024.
The Comedy Castle Podcast’s 250th episode pairs Joel Fragomeni with David Dyer, whose Dry Bar special has passed 1.3 million YouTube views and generated comment-section reactions.
The Comedy Castle Podcast episode centers on Nate Armbruster headlining Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle for New Year’s Eve 2025, with 7:30 p.m.
Joel Fragomeni uses this Comedy Castle episode to promote the only show of the week, the X Laughter TEDxDetroit Comedy Showcase on Wednesday, August 27th at 7:30 p.m., with tickets at $15 online and $20 at the door.
Host Joel Fragomeni previews Halloween week events at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle and interviews comedian Maher Matta, who discusses his comedy journey from Tennessee to Michigan, his Lebanese-American identity, former career as a Virginia state trooper, and experiences like filming a Dry Bar special.
Host Joel Fragomeni interviews comedian Sam Tallent about his new special 'Toad's Morale', living in Detroit, international comedy touring, and his approach to stand-up.
Joel Fragomeni opens with the week at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle and a return visit from Will Burkhart.
Joel Fragomeni opens The Comedy Castle Podcast #256 by previewing Stewart Huff’s first weekend at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, with five showtimes from Thursday, January 29 through Saturday, January 31.
Writing for Fox and Hollywood features while maintaining comedy touring schedule
Host Joel Fragomany interviews comedian Geoffrey Asmus, discussing his viral crowd work, the story of a man claiming to write Green Day songs, his rise through social media, and upcoming plans including a secret special and Edinburgh Fringe.
Joel Fragamenti opens with the week’s Comedy Castle lineup and the Jeff Dye shows.
Joel Fregman opens with a quick rundown of the week at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle.
Joel Fragamenti opens with the weekly club rundown from Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle.
Joel Fragamenti opens with the week at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle.
Joel opens by saying this one is a bigger update than usual.
Host Joel Fregomeni interviews comedian Zach Martina about his new YouTube comedy special, Thanksgiving traditions including mashed potatoes and Lions fandom, and upcoming shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle.
Host Joel Fragamenti interviews comedian Jason Jamerson about his upcoming shows at the Comedy Castle, covering topics like his flat foot surgery, working at Target during a boycott, and insights into clean comedy and audience dynamics.
Host Joel Fragomeni interviews comedian Kevin Bozeman about his career, including his start in stand-up, experiences performing on cruise ships, and thoughts on sports gambling.
This episode features interviews with comedians Tim Finkel and John Heffron, blending humor with heartfelt moments.
Joel performed comedy directly beneath casino loudspeakers making constant shuttle and buffet announcements
A weekend with kids sealed his decision: absolutely no children, ever.
Joel Fragomeni uses this Comedy Castle episode to preview October 2025 shows with Doug Stanhope, Melanie Hearn, Michael Costa, and Rob Anderson, then turns to an interview with Hannah Osborne.
Marina Franklin headlines The Comedy Castle Podcast #257, and Joel Fragomeni uses the opening to list her credits from Crashing, Life and Beth, Trainwreck, Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Joel Freggeman opens with Laurie Kilmartin’s return to Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, where she is coming off a night writing Oscars material with Conan O'Brien and then a same-day rewrite for Jimmy Kimmel.
Joel Fragomeni previews Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle schedule for Labor Day weekend, including open mic night on Wednesday, September 3, and Brian Scolaro's run Thursday through Saturday with buy-one-get-one ticket pricing.
Steven Rogers returns to Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle for three nights, including Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m., with Friday shows at 7:15 p.m.
Joel Fragomeni brings back original Comedy Castle Podcast host Tom McCarthy for episode 237, “Tom McCarthy Cannot Be Replaced,” and the two spend time on how the show started in 2019 and changed hands in 2023.
Host Joel Fragomeni promotes upcoming shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle and previews interviews with comedians Preacher Lawson and Josh Adams.
Host Joel Frangamani previews the week's shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, including comedian Christian Finnegan and open mic night.
Host Joel Fragomeni promotes upcoming shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, highlighting comedians Amber Kay, Sugar Sammy, and a recent Maria Bamford performance.
Host Joel Fragomeni promotes upcoming shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle and previews an interview with comedian Craig Shoemaker.
Host Joel Fragomeni previews the week's comedy events at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, including a beginner class showcase, open mic night, and other shows.
Host Joel Fragomeni promotes upcoming shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, including an advanced comedy class showcase with guest comedians.
Joel Fragomeni promotes upcoming shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, including Jen Fulweiler and the Sklar Brothers, with personal anecdotes.
Host Joel Fragomeni previews the week's shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, including an open mic and headliner Brian Simpson, with guest Genevieve.
Host Joel Fragomeni welcomes comedian Josiah Jones and previews the week's lineup at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle.
Host Joel Fragomeni promotes upcoming shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, including Detroit to L.A., a comedy class showcase, and headliners Will Green and Chad Daniels.