March 6, 2025 • 38 mins
Voted Columbus’ top comedian, Henry Allen has built a name for himself both locally and nationally. He sits down with Boxer and Sarah to share more about his career path, insight into what makes Don’t Tell Comedy’s pop-up shows exciting, and how Columbus continues to grow as a great city for comedy. If you love to laugh, this episode is a must-listen!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yes Columbus, An Experienced Columbus podcast keeps you in the
know of what's happening in the art city Columbus. The
number one soccer team, the number three beer city, a
top ten culinary destination with the largest concentration of fashion
professionals in the US. Join us each week with special
guests for an inside look at a destination that invites
(00:23):
visitors and locals alike to explore. By the end of
each episode, you'll be asking yourself, can all of this
really exist in one city?
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yes Columbus.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Well, welcome back to another episode of Yes Columbus, An
Experienced Columbus Podcast. I am your co host Boxer, along
with my co host sarahs Sarah.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Good to see you again.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Good to see you as well. Thank you. It's hard
to believe we're already on to the second half launch
of our Yes Columbus, so be on the lookout for
new episodes with even more amazing guests. Before we hop
into this week interview, it's time for our headliner segment,
where we highlight a recent story or accolade about Columbus
(01:07):
and we have some major culinary news to share. Three
Columbus spots landed on the prestigious James Beard Awards semi
finalist list for twenty twenty five. We are so excited
for Avishar Barua, chef and owner of Agne and Joyas,
who is named a semi finalist in the Best Chef
(01:27):
Great Lakes category, Lawbird, which is an Outstanding bar category,
and Dan the Baker, one of my personal favorites, a
semi finalist for Outstanding Bakery. If you haven't already been
to these spots, check them out. The finalists will be
announced in April of twenty twenty five and the winners
will be named in June, and we are rooting for
(01:48):
all of that.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Congrats to them.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
But by the way, you mentioned Dan the Baker, that's
one of your favorites.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yes, I have yet to go to Dan the Baker.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
Oh you got it. Sometimes there's a little bit of
a line, okay, it is worth it, and they move
you through quickly and everything he makes is phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I mean that says it all right there. If there's
a line to something that means it has to be good.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
It's been a very unassuming spot as well.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
So love it, love it, love it.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Can't wait.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Well, boxer, it's time for our behind the Buzz segment. Today,
we're speaking with Henry Allen, local committity and co producer
of Don't Tell Comedy Columbus. Welcome Henry, Hello.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Thank you for having me and read.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
It's good to finally meet you, by the way, in person.
You know you're making a name for yourself here in Columbus.
I see that you've been voted the number one comedian
in Columbus by Columbus Underground.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Congrats, by the way.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Yes, also co producer of Don't Tell Comedy and back
when You're what just nineteen, you became the youngest ever
winner of the prestigious Columbus Funny Bone, Funniest Comedian and
Columbus Contest.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yes. Yeah, I've been doing standing up a long time,
so it's a lot of different stuff that we've kind
of accomplished.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
I have always been fast to buy comedians one of
the most talented groups I feel that are out there
and put themselves out in front of everyone.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
By the way, very vulnerable.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
But what inspired you to become a comedian? Was it
a light bulb switch one day or what not.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Necessarily, I just wanted to be in show business so
badly I wanted to be like an actor director, and
then I didn't really know how to get into that.
And there was this guy that was had that Comedy
Central special whenever he was basically my age. He was eighteen.
I was about to turn eighteen, and I was like,
I'll just start doing stand up because that'll give you
opportunities and things like that. And then now it's like
(03:34):
fourteen years later and I have three big ones, funniest
in Columbus. Don't know I have so far. Also, I
wanted to say when you guys were my favorite part
when you were reading these like outstanding categories for bakers
and stuff and boxes, just going.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
I'm making him hungry. That's why we highlight these amazing spots.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
That's been I've been up since two Aay.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
This guy needs a snack.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Oh, because you're on those radio hours two am. Why
you're like a house of cards, like on the treadmill,
like it's.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Practically his bedtime right now, Henry, I have to ask you,
you could have gone to New York, LA.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Why did I Why stay in Columbus. Well, some people
like to advance their career. No, I'm just playing. I
don't know. I never really went. I never saw the
need to it would. I mean, it's very beneficial. There'll
be people that are going to like open mics and
they're all right, you know, and then they moved to
New York for like three years, and then you see
him again and they're like incredible. So like there are
(04:38):
benefits to go to bigger cities like New York or Chicago,
things like that. I just haven't really seen the need
to like move there yet where I am. But I
love going to cities and performing. I was just in
Philadelphia last weekend and that was pretty fun, like doing
shows will be in Pittsburgh. So I do like to
go to other cities, but just to move and like
live in a four hundred square foot apartment and pay
(05:01):
five thousand dollars a week or whatever its is, Like,
I know those aren't real tenant numbers. I feel like
Sarah's like, you've never rented a place in your life.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
No, no, I completely agree. I think the quality of
life in Columbus is much higher and better than what
you could get in some of the other cities. And
it's amazing that you've been able to build your career
while still residing in Columbus. And just can you tell
us a little bit more about that, so you know,
(05:30):
how did you get to this point and how often
are you performing and give us a little bit of
insight into how you got here.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
I perform anywhere from like two to eight times a week. Wow,
So it just depends on the weekend where you're like booked.
Like Boxer said, whenever I won this contest at the
Columbus Funny Bone, I just kind of got lucky when
I was younger, and then that got my foot in
the door there so I could like host shows because basically,
when you work at a comedy club, you can be
(05:59):
like a host, a feature, or a headliner. The club
books the host, the feature usually comes with is like
the opening act, and the headliner is who you pay
to see. So whenever I won this contest, I just
got to start working there randomly on Thursdays and Sundays
and then just kind of built a reputation with them.
So I got very lucky in the fact, because the
Funny moone is really hard to get into, so it
(06:19):
was just kind of lucky for me. And then since
then it's just like you keep doing it. Some people
are like, oh, I'm going to do it until I'm famous,
and I'm like, I'm like, look, I get recognized in
the Hilliard up target all the time, so I'm already
I'm pretty famous.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
It's a good target.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
They're all good targets. We haven't been.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Henry Allen Is with Us is this week's guest on
Yes Columbus and Experienced Columbus podcast.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Henry.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
For those that don't know about this, can you tell
us a little bit about the Don't Tell comedy and
what that's about.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Don't Tell is a nationwide production company. It's in over
two hundred cities, and their whole concept there are so
prize pop up shows with secret lineups from comedians from
all over the city. So they'll be like it'll be
like don't Tell Short North. So you know the area,
you know the day you buy tickets, you don't know
(07:13):
where the location is. Then the morning of the show
you get like an email with the address and then
you go to the address. It'll be at like an
I doctor place. What are those optometry offices? Yeah, it's
called them like a glasses face man, So it'll be
like at some optometry office and a lot of the
shows are byob and yeah, they're pop up comedy shows,
(07:35):
great audiences anywhere from like forty to one hundred and
eighty as a room we have. Now, wow, that's brilliant.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
How long has the company been around?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So don't tell on the national level, I want to
say it's like five is years, Okay, maybe a little more,
and then don't tell. Columbus is coming up on three years.
Oh wow, the Columbus one is one of the top
ones in the country.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
So I know the Columbus comedy scene specifically is one
of experienced Columbus twenty five reasons to visit Columbus and
twenty threenty live it is.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Ye did you know that I did not. I'm learning
right now. Yeah, there's some other things on that list,
like the North Market.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Or you know, it's kind of what's new, so new exhibit.
So Cosi, for instance, has unofficial Galaxies exhibit coming in May.
That's the largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Whoa,
so just you know things like that.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
That's really amazing. They found somebody in their mom's basement
that has collection.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Henriy, I know you talked a little bit about how
it works with these specific pop up shows. You what
is it like though, for the performers, for the audiences,
what's some of the feedback that you.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Get from this so that you've heard about.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
My favorite thing about Don't Tell with the audience is
it's like a different type of person that comes to
the show. Okay, because I do a lot for the
Funny Bone and it's at the Easton Mall and people
have to like drive out there, and they're there for
like the chicken tenders, and they're like, you're talking to
them and it's just like, I know, right, and they're like,
we got these tickets through a text message. Who are you?
(09:06):
And it's like, okay, I know. They're like, we want
to see Reba MacIntire. She doesn't even do stand up?
What are you talking about? My gosh, But don't Tell.
It seems like it's just there. Everyone's happy there. Yeah,
and it's so nice, like not being in no shade
to Jackson, Ohio, but like it's so nice, like not
being at like a average Joe's or like a Roosters
(09:27):
and Jackson. You're like trying to do stand up and
people are like playing pool and want to fight you
and stuff like that. Don't Tell crowds or they're just
so happy and it's I mean.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
They are there for the show, yes, excited.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
So, Henry, is it like a concert where every venue
is different on how people are going to react?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Definitely didn't even think about that with comedy.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
And the more intimate in comedy is the better. Like
you want to place with a low ceiling, you want
people really close, you want it to be kind of
dark on them, you want good sound things like that.
Places where it gets like kind of bad is when
you do like a hotel ballroom and there's like speakers
in the ceiling and it's like a wireless microphone environment. Yeah,
(10:09):
and like everybody's just like sitting at these tables and
you're like a big dance floor. The closest person to
you is like fifty feet away. Yeah, and they like
don't even care about you at all. They just like
want to eat more cake. And you're like, so you
guys watching.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Netflix, although you Henry, and tell me if I'm wrong here.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
You know.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
What does seem to work though, is when I watch
the I love watching the Comedy Central Roast. Oh yeah,
and that looks like a big ballroom, But that seems
to work.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I'm not sure why I Uh, that works more because
one they know what they're getting into.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Okay, I don't know. Those make me so uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Maybe that's the point.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I don't know. And also it's like they're on a
like the whole stage, everybody's up there. It's almost more
of like what's the word I'm looking for, just like
a not like a play, but it's just more it's not.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
A team ever, yeah, a bigger production.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Obviously you're not alone up there exactly, okay, And then
there can be kind of like a disconnect when it's
just you by yourself, everyone's really far away. But if
everyone's really far away and you have ten people on
stage with you and you guys are all interacting together,
it's more of a thing like that. I love doing roasts,
though I don't really roast people like comedians do roast battles.
Oh yeah, And I don't really do those as much.
(11:24):
But I do this thing for the Hilliard Rotary Club,
and it's like the Ohio State Michigan. It's called the
Great Debate, and you like roast Michigan and whatever. It's
really fun.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Oh my gosh, that's amazing. We need you to come
back on and yeah, would you come around.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
I will do whatever you guys want whenever you want awesome.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
We'll exchange numbers after this.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Okay, No, I'll just give it to you right now
because I don't want to miss my opportunity. Oh I
love it.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
So we want to dive into the comedy scene here
in Columbus a little bit more. Columbus has become a
notable hub for comedy, with a growing scene of talented
local comedians and unique venues. How would you describe to
your friends the overall comedy scene here in the city
and what makes it stand out compared to other places
that you perform.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
I think that it stands out. It's surprising how much
is going on. Like whenever other comedians hear about the
Columbus scene, they don't realize, Like I mean, there are
shows going on basically every single day of the week.
And then don't tell us doing four shows a week
in Friday Saturday. The Attic is an independent club in Columbus.
They have you know, shows five days a week as well.
(12:37):
One thing that I think Columbus is good for though,
is it's like a good test, Like if you can
do well in Columbus, that makes kind of do well anywhere.
Like I've seen people come from other cities who maybe
just do things specifically for that city, and they come to
Columbus and people are like, what are you talking about?
So I feel like you have more of a wider range,
(12:59):
if that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Yeah, because the Columbus, you guys know, this is a
test market for a ton of different products. Has always
been that way, So it's also a test market for
comedy as well.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Sure, so now, yeah it is. It's nice, though, to
get outside to do shows from because like, if you
do too much stuff in your own city, then you
start doing like local references a lot. Yeah, Like, oh,
it's more busy than broad Street in here, and then
you go somewhere and then people are like, we don't
even have a broad stream. What are you talking about?
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Is there a big difference between performing here and performing
like in Chicago Philadelphia?
Speaker 3 (13:35):
What are the differences?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Not really with Chicago and Philadelphia, but some other places,
like those I would say in my experience are similar
to the audiences here. Oh okay, I did these shows
in this place in California that was like outside Oakland
Ones and it was so bizarre. We did five shows
two Friday to Saturday, one Sunday. I do everything on
a scale of one to ten, Like that's how I
like judge. Like my performance. First show on Friday was
(14:00):
like one of the best shows I've ever done, like
a nine point three. I'm the best. Yes, that show ends.
Second show on Friday like one of the worst shows
I've ever done. It was like a two point one.
But what way to back? Yeah, that's how you kind
of judge. You judge it on like that, how well
you connect with them, They're like laughter, how much, how
(14:23):
frequently you're getting laughs, how big those laughs are? Things
like that. Yeah. So then like Friday night, I'm like
all mad. I'm like, I'm gonna show them who they're
dealing with. The next day on Saturday, first show one
of the best shows I've ever done, like a nine
point seven, and I'm like I'm back late show arguably
the worst show that I've ever done.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
You should only do one show a night.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
That's the answer.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
That's the answer.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
That's the answer. So I think just like the inconsistency
sometimes in other cities, But it's also interesting because people
laugh differently, Like in Florida. I feel like shows I've done.
People are like like they like are like they're watching
a fight, like yeah, like cheering along yeah, and like
(15:07):
places in Texas people whistle a lot, a lot of whistles.
If it's a good one, that's weird.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
I can actually see that. See boxer has a really
great big laughter, so he's a good he would it's
probably annoying story, I know.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
No, I love it.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
I'm a little little softer.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I haven't laughed since nineteen ninety seven. I take everything
so literally. That's my problem.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yeah, I think that's my issue as well.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
If someone's trying to like joke with me too, I'll
just be like too like dialed in, Like, oh, what
you've been joking? Sorry? Would people find who?
Speaker 4 (15:37):
Would people find out.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
What you do?
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yeah? But they do.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
They automatically switch to this, Oh I'm gonna make him laugh.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
I'm gonna if I could make him laugh.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
No, it's more so like tell me a joke. Oh
you think you're funny, you're a comedian to make me laugh?
Tell me a joke right now? I have like they
don't want to make you laugh as much. They want
like you to like make them laugh.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Yeah, they want to hear why the chicken cross the room.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Yeah, and I'm like, look, I'm looking at candles in
this Target and Hilliard, So can you guys leave me alone?
Speaker 4 (16:07):
Feel like the Target and Hilliard is like a reoccurring
a lot of inspiration from. Where do you get your inspiration?
Where do how do you develop the content? Is it
Columbus that inspires you? Is it where you live? Are
there things that.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
It's for my life? I think where whether it's I'm
in Columbus doing whatever, that's where I spend most of
my time. So things come from that. I do a
lot of stories about my life. I am the youngest
of seven siblings. Oh yeah, and I'm the only boy,
so I have six older sisters, so I do a
lot of sister stuff. I do a lot of stuff
about my mom my dad. I'm also an auctioneer you are, yes,
(16:46):
I have a third generation and like a family auction business,
so I do some like auctioneering things material about that.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
I'd love to see you at.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
I feel like you need to we need to like
hear this.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Oh yeah, I don't think that's on the script.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
Though it's not on the script.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
It's actually kind of underwhelming though, because people like hear
that you're an auctioneer, and they get so excited. I'm like,
pretty chill with it. I'm like, you guy, just want
to buy this counter or not?
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Oh so you're not going really fast like old school auctioneire.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
I'll auction something for you.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
That's action. What do you want to about this water bottle?
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Okay, I'll just U want me to like just fake
take bids or take Yeah, I'm like, oh on the
pure life water bottle? Who give ten dollars in the
water bottles ten twelve and a half to get twelve
and after fifteen fifteen, fifteen, fifteen, seventeen and a half
to get seventeen seventy hours or twenty would get twenty
twenty to twenty two and a half, twenty two after
twenty five, twenty thirty thirty to thirty five, thirty five
and forty forty for that little water bottle you're thirsty
fifty dollars. Hey, that was good.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
That was really good.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
So yeah, it's very the rest of him, right, A
lot of just selling random stuff. You're in a field.
And and that's helped with my my stand up comedy,
I think because I'm not really like uh, I'm cool
with silence, Like if you say something in the audience
is just like listening. Like some comedians like, oh my gosh,
you don't get ruffled by that. I'm like, I've been
(18:04):
performing for years with you don't laugh, don't worry about that. Yes,
that's most comedians go for the laugh. I like to
go for the silence. So I feel like auctioneering has
helped with like just stage presence and things like that.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
I can totally see that because when you're in your
element as an auctioneer, just from the people I've seen
in the past, they zero in on either someone that's
bidding and they stop itting, or someone that's over in
the corner and they'll try and I don't know, pick
on them, but that that seems to really help get
(18:38):
the bids up a little bit or get them motivated
a bid.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Yeah, there are. It's all about motivation, yea with and
sorry to make this now an auction talk.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
It's interesting.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Yeah, yeah, just the that's the whole thing with like
a live auction, live meaning like in person with the auctioneer,
it's all about just like kind of not trying to
pit people against each other. But yeah, yeah, I want
to make it fun. If it's people are having fun
and being included, of course they're gonna be like yeah, sure,
i'll bit more or whatever.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
I bet you do a great job at that head ray.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
Oh if it's like a bunch of like older ladies
and I'm selling like baskets, like Longenburger baskets or something.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Hot item, hot items.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
And they're like, oh, I have a granddaughter you should meet,
and then she'll be like sixty seven. I'm like sixty.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Seven maybe a little old for you, never expecting that.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
I have to ask you to really zero in on
your favorite venue in Columbus to perform at. Would you
mind telling us which one that it is, which one
you're really fond about?
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Well? Can I have like a couple Yeah? Well sure yeah. So,
like I said, I love I love the Attic in
Old Town East. That's a great one. There's another one
called Hashtag Comedy Company.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Can it takes some notes?
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Yeah, just hashtag. Maybe it's not comedy company, but it's
in like the Short North, Okay, And it is run
by like an improv troop and like comedians, And that's
a very fun little venue. I don't know when this
is gonna come out. I'll actually be there March seventh.
I don't know for a LOUTI plug stuff, but I
like that. A lot of the Don't Tell venus. There's
this Coalboalt Studios. It's really fun. There's like this optometry office.
(20:22):
It was like the Columbus not Eyeworks, but it was
like the Optical co or something like that.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
It was like kind of what themology office is very interesting.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Yeah, that was fun. I did this joke. I don't
know if it'll be funny, but I'll tell you guys.
They were like because in eye doctors offices there's like
glasses everywhere. Yeah, and just like randomly during my set,
I was like, oh yeah, they wanted me to tell
you guys just feel free to take whatever you want
off the walls. But a lot of those like Don't
(20:52):
Tell venues are just fun because it's like random spots.
You know, we did like locks bagel shop.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
Oh my gosh. I love the surprise element of Don't Tell.
That's you know, it's like we're going to go to
a comedy show. It's going to be really fun. You
kind of know the general area, but then you show
up and sometimes it's a venue you've never been to.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
And the comedians that Columbus brings in are very good,
Like basically all of the headliners have like whether it's
a Tonight Show appearance or some show in Hulu or
it's like the people that aren't necessarily doing like nationwide arena.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
Yet but they might yet, but they will will.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Be in like three years.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
That's so awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Is that a dream Henry to do like a venue
like that?
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Oh yeah, that'd be cool. I would like to do. Yeah,
I mean more tickets you sell, the happier everybody is.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Sense.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Yeah, that's true. For lack of a better term, but yeah,
I right now like performing in smaller places just because
I do a lot of like crowd interaction and I'll
like talk to people a lot and like talk about
their jobs and whatever. So if it's a smaller room
and everybody can kind of see everybody, I can go
a long time, like a new sixty minutes, an hour
and a half ever. Yeah, But if it's like a
(22:01):
bigger room and you have to do like all material
meaning like things that you've written, I'm like I'll do
eight minutes. It's like I just like to it's more comfortable.
I guess, but it just usually goes better for me.
So if it was like you're a nationwide and you're
performing to like some abyss of thirty thousand people.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
Just big lights on, yeah yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
And silence in there.
Speaker 4 (22:22):
Silence that's hard.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Yeah, Yeah, it's fun.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Though you have a favorite memory from any of those
venues that stands out for you?
Speaker 3 (22:29):
M favorite from performing from there?
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Yeah, I guess. I have a couple I hosted for
Bruce Bruce once. You know Bruce Bruce is he's a comedian,
kind of an older guy, but he was like really
popular and like the early two thousands and now also
but I like drank Hennessy for the first time with
him and like his entourage, and that was like maybe
(22:54):
the funnest I've ever heard was wow, I don't know,
just more like jokes you say that like really landed well,
Like that whole glasses thing. I like, like, oh, that
was funny. Yeah. I mean I've got to meet a
lot of my comedians that I looked up to, and
that's cool. It's never good to sometimes meet your heroes,
(23:16):
though some of them are kind of weird and you're like, oh,
I really liked you in this thing. And they're like
walking around. Yeah, they're like barefoot, making tea in the back,
and you're like, this is weird.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Well, who defined who defined or influenced your style?
Speaker 2 (23:33):
I have a couch of guys. I think that because
when you start, you I don't know if emulates the
right word, but you kind of fall into a little
like you find people you like and you're not taking
their material, but you'll maybe be like, oh, I like
how they hold the microphone or things like that. So
Bo Burnham is a comedian who I really like. He's
(23:54):
one that like inspired me a lot growing up. Kevin
Hart early Kevin hartly and he kind of became like
a mogul and like had some weird stuff that he
did to like police officers and his wife and it's like,
oh easy, Kevin. A guy named Jeff Tate. He's like
a dude from Cincinnati. Yeah, travels all over opens for
Tom Sigarella. He was like a guy that I saw
(24:14):
whenever I was starting. He was selling tickets in the
box office at this comedy club in Cincy, and then
he like did ten minutes at the end of this
show and I was like eighteen, and I watched him
and I'm like, that's my dream in life is to
sell tickets in a comedy.
Speaker 4 (24:28):
Club box office and then go do the show.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
And do the show. And then when I was like
twenty two or something, twenty three, I got a job
at the Columbus Funny Bone, like working in the box
office and selling tickets and like performing.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
I was like, I have arrived.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Yeah, like I should have aimed a way higher. I
could have been anything, and I sold myself short.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Well your you know, career isn't over yet. Yes, oh right,
so many so much more ahead as a beak right now. Yes,
I mean obviously, yes, which boxer?
Speaker 3 (24:56):
And I would you, Henry? Would you say?
Speaker 1 (24:59):
And I think I know the answer to this, But
would you say that Columbus is probably one of the
best cities for comedy?
Speaker 3 (25:04):
I mean, you're still.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Here, so yeah, uh yeah, I think it's one of
the better ones for sure. I mean there are ones
that have more opportunity, like New York or Chicago or
even Austin now, but like Austin had a crazy influx
of comedians and like Joe Rogan builds this comedy club
there and that brings like a lot of very good comedians.
(25:27):
But that also brought like a lot of like comedians
to oh, so like it kind of gets washed out.
But they're just like some cities have more opportunities. But
I like Columbus because I mean, I stay pretty busy
and the audiences are I feel like you get everything
from I'll do a show at like a pizza place
for eight people, and then I'll do a show at
(25:48):
like the Funny Bone for like four hundred. Ah, this
is cool.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
Any predictions for the future of comedy in Columbus where
you think it's going. Obviously the city is continuing to
change and grow, so is our comedy seem.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
That's a good question. I hope that like a club
opens up more like downtown. Is the Piano Bar still there?
The one that was like by nationwide? It's not that place.
Do you remember that place? I always thought that would
be like a really cool comedy club because it was
like kind of the seats were like dug into the
(26:21):
ground and like the stage was kind.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
Of elevated, Yeah, elevated.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
At Yeah, very intimate for sure. So I would love
if a place like that would open up, so it
would just be like another venue.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Well, I think it's available for lease. So we pulled
our money together.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Maybe you shave your head for sure to buy this club.
I would do that for you. Henry, Wow, hair grows.
Get the Clippers and then we can maybe call it
like boxers bald to that.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Let's call it something with Henry exactly.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Well, I do like my ha Henry Allen. So I've
always thought something cool with like ha. I like that
never really capitalized.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Oh yeah, gosh, this was meant you were meant to be.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
You were meant to be.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Yes, yours are hot.
Speaker 4 (27:13):
Yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Yes, my dad, he's like, you were meant to be
an auctioneer. Meant to be. Dreams are stupid. Auctioneering is
the best, you.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
Know, shifting gears just a little bit. In twenty twenty five,
we welcome one of a kind festivals and parallel dining experiences,
top of the line sporting events and more. It's never
been an easier time to say yes to a trip
in Columbus outside of comedy. What are some of your
favorite things to do in Columbus And if you had
(27:43):
to add another reason to visit the city, what would
it be.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
I love sports, so all of the whether it's the Clippers,
or the crew or the Blue Jackets, whatever I think.
I mean, I love going to sporting events. That's my
favorite thing to do, probably in Columbus. What was the
second part of the question?
Speaker 4 (28:02):
Other places that you like to visit in Columbus. M
I have a favorites, favorite restaurants.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
I love a museum. Museums are fun. I love just
looking at stuff and walking around. Is that pretty boring
to you? No, I don't great. Probably like to go
to pilates or spin class or something. What do you
like to do?
Speaker 4 (28:22):
I actually don't do plates or spin. I do love
to do yoga, to do hot yoga. I have done
hot yoga, but I have a whole story about hot yoga,
so I don't do it any do. It's like it's
a little too like people breathing on you and a
little cheek post in certain environments and it's the yeah,
but it's really good for you, and so always looking
for a new venue.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
And other people's hot breath on you.
Speaker 4 (28:43):
That's what I mean. It's like that, it's like other
people's hot breath on my back. But one of the
things I do love about Columbus is the ability to
be able to walk around and get from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Obviously you've got the short north, You've got the arena
district right here. German Village is so close downtown. So
I think our neighborhoods and the walkability versus other cities
(29:05):
I've lived in is pretty pretty great for sure.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
Henry.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
What about because someone listening or maybe a few that
are hearing this always wanted to be a comedian or
they're looking to be one, any advice for them?
Speaker 2 (29:18):
My advice is to just start, Okay, do it. Yeah,
That's kind of why I started, because I, like I
was saying earlier, wanted to be in like show business.
But it was just like, go ahead and start now,
because why am I going to wait until I'm thirty
five and start? Like, just just do it, and there
are so many different paths to making it, yeah, where
(29:38):
like there isn't really a set way to go and
there are so many different ways to accomplish it. So
just like do it and only like, just do it
for you. Don't worry about the audience because that's when
it gets weird because you're like, maybe they'll like this.
I don't think this is funny, but maybe they'll like it.
And it's just like do whatever you think is good
and funny that you have fun with. Just get up
(30:00):
as many times as you can.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Hey, I can't think of any out the top of
my head, But are there any comedians with ties to
Columbus that you've.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
Admired, tied to ties with Columbia.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
Any ties at all? I don't know, but that you've
admired or that came from here.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
Well, I mean whenever I started, actually, Matt Rife was starting. Dude,
it's right. Got about Matt ryanteen, he was fifteen. He
moved away pretty quickly though, to like Atlanta, and then
you know, got on different shows like MTV and stuff
like that, and now he's like one of the biggest
comedians in the world. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Well, that's a good one right there. I totally forgot
about Matt. That's a good one right there. So the
second annual Columbus Comedy Festival will return in September. Did
you take part in the first one, by the way,
I did, Yes, Okay, so what can we expect from
this second one? Because you're a part of the development
and planning.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
Right so I am kind of like a consultant okay,
you know with a Columbus Underground. You guys know Walker Evans, right, Yeah,
he has done a lot for the festival and everything
like that. The first year was good. The venues we
did don't Tell at the museum that was pretty fun.
There was like, what's the like glass blower that's in
(31:14):
in the museum. It's like, oh, it's a kind of
a silly last name, but it's like really famous.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
You mean Chahuy?
Speaker 2 (31:23):
Yes that Oh yeah, okay, I knew there was like
I know we too, as we like performed in front
of one of their like art pieces like for the festival. Yeah,
it's pretty fun. So yeah, what I you can expect
from it is just like good locations, good comedians. A
(31:44):
lot of people come in from all over the country.
So I'm excited to do a second one because the
first one was very fun. The only thing that I
didn't love about the first one was venues are so
important for comedy. So like one of the venues was
like kind of a big space, oh where it was
like an airport hangar or like a it looked like
(32:05):
it used to be like a coals.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
Which seems like it could be cool potentially, but just
like acoustics or yeah, and to your earlier point too,
just about the intimacy of the audience and reactions. And
I could see that being a challenge.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
So that was just kind of one thing that we
were like, oh, this sound like isn't really good. I
actually did this joke where because there were these like
purple lights kind of that you would see at like
a reception for a wedding, which are like not stand
up comedy lights like usually they were like a spotlight.
It was like some weird thing that people do, like
the electric slide underneath. So it's like, I don't know,
(32:39):
two hundred people in this like room for I don't
know fifty thousand, and I know, yeah exactly right, and
I'm like I've been on safe for maybe like a
minute and a half or two minutes, and it's like going, fine,
nothing really crazy. But this dude comes over and he
like adjusts the purple light a little higher, and I
just kind of said to him like, hey, adjusting that
light isn't going to make this room or intimate, and
(33:01):
like it was just such a people like realize that
I was like also present, like oh this does kind
of stocking here and that like worked and stuff, So
there are things you can do to like kind of
bring people in. Yeah, but I'm excited for this year
of the festival. Do you have a list of the
venues and stuff that are going to be on there
at all?
Speaker 3 (33:18):
I do not, not in front of me.
Speaker 4 (33:19):
No, And I'm not sure that they're all defined yet.
So but that is absolutely something we'll be sharing a
little bit closer to time.
Speaker 2 (33:25):
And it's just so nice too because it's you know,
over a three day span, so you can get up
and perform six times in those two days, three days
or whatever.
Speaker 4 (33:35):
What a great opportunity. How about the role of social media?
The social media, you know, just even in your career,
getting other people to notice you, to come and see you,
does that play a critical role?
Speaker 2 (33:48):
That plays a huge role? And can we have people
follow me from this? Can?
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Absolutely, That's what I was going to say, this is
flag away.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
Yes, follow me on all social medias at the Henry Allen,
like the Ohio State University, it's always I know, I
wish it was just Henry or like Henry Allen. That'd
be great because sometimes I'll be like, oh, it's the
Henry Allen and people are like, oh, the Henry Allen.
I'm like, no, it's the Henry Allen. They're like, d Henry.
I'm like, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (34:15):
Do you have the T shirts that have the big
D on the front?
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Yeah? If I want to get sued, am I right?
No way? So yeah, social media follow me at the
Henry Allen And it's very important because you basically what
stand up in comedy is now is like finding your
audience and then getting those people to come see you.
We're before, in like the nineties or eighties or whatever
(34:41):
the past, it was like get on the Tonight Show
and then like Johnny Carson. I'm saying Johnny, but there
are people listening that are like, we've never even heard
of Johnny.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
Carson, Like Jimmy Fallon.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
Yeah, is that like Johnny rockets the restaurant. It's no,
like they would call you over to the couch and
then you were like a huge name in the country,
you know. So now it's more like you get all
these people to follow you and like, really they want
to invest in you. I want to like feel like
they know who you are and stuff. And then my
(35:11):
goal was basically I just want to be able to
go to any city in the country and be able
to sell like four hundred tickets. I would be like, oh,
on the happy.
Speaker 4 (35:18):
That's pretty amazing.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
Yeah, and Henry not that it doesn't help, but it's
really not necessary to try to make it on Kimmel
Fallon when you do have platforms like YouTube and Instagram
now at TikTok and do your own promotion for sure.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
And there are like comedians that have podcasts that they
get like triple the views that like, yeah that the
Tonight Show gets or whatever, or before it was like
that was the number one thing. It's like, oh my gosh,
that's like the number two hundred and fifty eight thing now,
you know. It's just like there are cooking shows in
San Francisco that you can get on. There are like, oh,
we have twice as many views as the Tonight Show.
(35:54):
You're like, holy co wow.
Speaker 3 (35:56):
Yeah, that's that's just absolutely crazy.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
Well, we're starting to wrap up your Sarah, are we.
Speaker 4 (36:03):
Yeah, so we have two segments left, So our next
one is called Columbus Classics. This podcast is all about
uncovering what's new, but we also love the tried and
true places and experiences. Can you tell us about a
classic Columbus experience you love. It could be a neighborhood,
a restaurant, or anything.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Man, there are just so many things that I like
about Columbus. Can I use the Blue Jackets? Is that
share its too?
Speaker 1 (36:31):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (36:31):
Absolutely big?
Speaker 4 (36:32):
No use the Blue Jackets.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
We went to a lot of games like growing up,
like with my dad and my sisters and stuff like that.
So something about a blue Jacket game. I'm like, man,
this is like a little nostalgia. Yeah, and it feels good.
I still am not used to the cannon.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
Oh really?
Speaker 2 (36:50):
Who Henry?
Speaker 1 (36:52):
Before we close out this episode today, just the last
segment that we have is a brand of of course
the title of the podcast. And what are you saying
yes to in Columbus this season?
Speaker 3 (37:05):
This year?
Speaker 2 (37:06):
I think I'm saying yes to more shows. Basically, if
someone's like, hey, got a show, come do it.
Speaker 4 (37:11):
Yeah, that's awesome. We can't wait to see you out
and about in Columbus.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
And yes, I hope you guys come to a show.
Any show that you guys want to come to, let
me know and I'm happy to make it will And
if you want to do a roast on your other show.
Speaker 4 (37:23):
He does want to do a roast.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
Are you kidding? Yes, that happen. We could make you
a regular, would you?
Speaker 1 (37:28):
But then you're gonna want me to start You're gonna
want to start charging for me to go.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
Okay, I I think if I'll do it a few
times and see if there's any like if people are
coming to watch, then that's cool. If it's like I'm
losing traction, I'm like, hey box or any forty four bucks.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
Well, thank you so much for being a guest today.
Speaker 3 (37:48):
I really appreciate this.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
Of course, if you're looking for a night of laughter
with a surprise lineup, of course of talented comedians at
some of Columbus's best kept secret venues by the way
that we talk about in this podcast, all you simply
have to do is go to Don't Tellcomedy dot com
and for more things to see and do around the
city of Columbus, you can visit Experience Columbus at Experience
(38:12):
Columbus dot com.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
Thank you, Henri, thank you, Henry.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
All right, goodbye.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
That's a wrap on this week's episode of Yes Columbus
and Experience Columbus podcast. Tune in next week as we
take you on a tour of what's new, what's hot
and what makes Columbus a city on the rise.
Yes Columbus, An Experienced Columbus podcast keeps you in the
know of what's happening in the art city Columbus. The
number one soccer team, the number three beer city, a
top ten culinary destination with the largest concentration of fashion
professionals in the US. Join us each week with special
guests for an inside look at a destination that invites
(00:23):
visitors and locals alike to explore. By the end of
each episode, you'll be asking yourself, can all of this
really exist in one city?
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yes Columbus.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Well, welcome back to another episode of Yes Columbus, An
Experienced Columbus Podcast. I am your co host Boxer, along
with my co host sarahs Sarah.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Good to see you again.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Good to see you as well. Thank you. It's hard
to believe we're already on to the second half launch
of our Yes Columbus, so be on the lookout for
new episodes with even more amazing guests. Before we hop
into this week interview, it's time for our headliner segment,
where we highlight a recent story or accolade about Columbus
(01:07):
and we have some major culinary news to share. Three
Columbus spots landed on the prestigious James Beard Awards semi
finalist list for twenty twenty five. We are so excited
for Avishar Barua, chef and owner of Agne and Joyas,
who is named a semi finalist in the Best Chef
(01:27):
Great Lakes category, Lawbird, which is an Outstanding bar category,
and Dan the Baker, one of my personal favorites, a
semi finalist for Outstanding Bakery. If you haven't already been
to these spots, check them out. The finalists will be
announced in April of twenty twenty five and the winners
will be named in June, and we are rooting for
(01:48):
all of that.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Congrats to them.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
But by the way, you mentioned Dan the Baker, that's
one of your favorites.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yes, I have yet to go to Dan the Baker.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
Oh you got it. Sometimes there's a little bit of
a line, okay, it is worth it, and they move
you through quickly and everything he makes is phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I mean that says it all right there. If there's
a line to something that means it has to be good.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
It's been a very unassuming spot as well.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
So love it, love it, love it.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Can't wait.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Well, boxer, it's time for our behind the Buzz segment. Today,
we're speaking with Henry Allen, local committity and co producer
of Don't Tell Comedy Columbus. Welcome Henry, Hello.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Thank you for having me and read.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
It's good to finally meet you, by the way, in person.
You know you're making a name for yourself here in Columbus.
I see that you've been voted the number one comedian
in Columbus by Columbus Underground.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Congrats, by the way.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Yes, also co producer of Don't Tell Comedy and back
when You're what just nineteen, you became the youngest ever
winner of the prestigious Columbus Funny Bone, Funniest Comedian and
Columbus Contest.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yes. Yeah, I've been doing standing up a long time,
so it's a lot of different stuff that we've kind
of accomplished.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
I have always been fast to buy comedians one of
the most talented groups I feel that are out there
and put themselves out in front of everyone.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
By the way, very vulnerable.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
But what inspired you to become a comedian? Was it
a light bulb switch one day or what not.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Necessarily, I just wanted to be in show business so
badly I wanted to be like an actor director, and
then I didn't really know how to get into that.
And there was this guy that was had that Comedy
Central special whenever he was basically my age. He was eighteen.
I was about to turn eighteen, and I was like,
I'll just start doing stand up because that'll give you
opportunities and things like that. And then now it's like
(03:34):
fourteen years later and I have three big ones, funniest
in Columbus. Don't know I have so far. Also, I
wanted to say when you guys were my favorite part
when you were reading these like outstanding categories for bakers
and stuff and boxes, just going.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
I'm making him hungry. That's why we highlight these amazing spots.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
That's been I've been up since two Aay.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
This guy needs a snack.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Oh, because you're on those radio hours two am. Why
you're like a house of cards, like on the treadmill,
like it's.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Practically his bedtime right now, Henry, I have to ask you,
you could have gone to New York, LA.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Why did I Why stay in Columbus. Well, some people
like to advance their career. No, I'm just playing. I
don't know. I never really went. I never saw the
need to it would. I mean, it's very beneficial. There'll
be people that are going to like open mics and
they're all right, you know, and then they moved to
New York for like three years, and then you see
him again and they're like incredible. So like there are
(04:38):
benefits to go to bigger cities like New York or Chicago,
things like that. I just haven't really seen the need
to like move there yet where I am. But I
love going to cities and performing. I was just in
Philadelphia last weekend and that was pretty fun, like doing
shows will be in Pittsburgh. So I do like to
go to other cities, but just to move and like
live in a four hundred square foot apartment and pay
(05:01):
five thousand dollars a week or whatever its is, Like,
I know those aren't real tenant numbers. I feel like
Sarah's like, you've never rented a place in your life.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
No, no, I completely agree. I think the quality of
life in Columbus is much higher and better than what
you could get in some of the other cities. And
it's amazing that you've been able to build your career
while still residing in Columbus. And just can you tell
us a little bit more about that, so you know,
(05:30):
how did you get to this point and how often
are you performing and give us a little bit of
insight into how you got here.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
I perform anywhere from like two to eight times a week. Wow,
So it just depends on the weekend where you're like booked.
Like Boxer said, whenever I won this contest at the
Columbus Funny Bone, I just kind of got lucky when
I was younger, and then that got my foot in
the door there so I could like host shows because basically,
when you work at a comedy club, you can be
(05:59):
like a host, a feature, or a headliner. The club
books the host, the feature usually comes with is like
the opening act, and the headliner is who you pay
to see. So whenever I won this contest, I just
got to start working there randomly on Thursdays and Sundays
and then just kind of built a reputation with them.
So I got very lucky in the fact, because the
Funny moone is really hard to get into, so it
(06:19):
was just kind of lucky for me. And then since
then it's just like you keep doing it. Some people
are like, oh, I'm going to do it until I'm famous,
and I'm like, I'm like, look, I get recognized in
the Hilliard up target all the time, so I'm already
I'm pretty famous.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
It's a good target.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
They're all good targets. We haven't been.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Henry Allen Is with Us is this week's guest on
Yes Columbus and Experienced Columbus podcast.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Henry.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
For those that don't know about this, can you tell
us a little bit about the Don't Tell comedy and
what that's about.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Don't Tell is a nationwide production company. It's in over
two hundred cities, and their whole concept there are so
prize pop up shows with secret lineups from comedians from
all over the city. So they'll be like it'll be
like don't Tell Short North. So you know the area,
you know the day you buy tickets, you don't know
(07:13):
where the location is. Then the morning of the show
you get like an email with the address and then
you go to the address. It'll be at like an
I doctor place. What are those optometry offices? Yeah, it's
called them like a glasses face man, So it'll be
like at some optometry office and a lot of the
shows are byob and yeah, they're pop up comedy shows,
(07:35):
great audiences anywhere from like forty to one hundred and
eighty as a room we have. Now, wow, that's brilliant.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
How long has the company been around?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So don't tell on the national level, I want to
say it's like five is years, Okay, maybe a little more,
and then don't tell. Columbus is coming up on three years.
Oh wow, the Columbus one is one of the top
ones in the country.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
So I know the Columbus comedy scene specifically is one
of experienced Columbus twenty five reasons to visit Columbus and
twenty threenty live it is.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Ye did you know that I did not. I'm learning
right now. Yeah, there's some other things on that list,
like the North Market.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Or you know, it's kind of what's new, so new exhibit.
So Cosi, for instance, has unofficial Galaxies exhibit coming in May.
That's the largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Whoa,
so just you know things like that.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
That's really amazing. They found somebody in their mom's basement
that has collection.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Henriy, I know you talked a little bit about how
it works with these specific pop up shows. You what
is it like though, for the performers, for the audiences,
what's some of the feedback that you.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Get from this so that you've heard about.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
My favorite thing about Don't Tell with the audience is
it's like a different type of person that comes to
the show. Okay, because I do a lot for the
Funny Bone and it's at the Easton Mall and people
have to like drive out there, and they're there for
like the chicken tenders, and they're like, you're talking to
them and it's just like, I know, right, and they're like,
we got these tickets through a text message. Who are you?
(09:06):
And it's like, okay, I know. They're like, we want
to see Reba MacIntire. She doesn't even do stand up?
What are you talking about? My gosh, But don't Tell.
It seems like it's just there. Everyone's happy there. Yeah,
and it's so nice, like not being in no shade
to Jackson, Ohio, but like it's so nice, like not
being at like a average Joe's or like a Roosters
(09:27):
and Jackson. You're like trying to do stand up and
people are like playing pool and want to fight you
and stuff like that. Don't Tell crowds or they're just
so happy and it's I mean.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
They are there for the show, yes, excited.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
So, Henry, is it like a concert where every venue
is different on how people are going to react?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
Definitely didn't even think about that with comedy.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
And the more intimate in comedy is the better. Like
you want to place with a low ceiling, you want
people really close, you want it to be kind of
dark on them, you want good sound things like that.
Places where it gets like kind of bad is when
you do like a hotel ballroom and there's like speakers
in the ceiling and it's like a wireless microphone environment. Yeah,
(10:09):
and like everybody's just like sitting at these tables and
you're like a big dance floor. The closest person to
you is like fifty feet away. Yeah, and they like
don't even care about you at all. They just like
want to eat more cake. And you're like, so you
guys watching.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Netflix, although you Henry, and tell me if I'm wrong here.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
You know.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
What does seem to work though, is when I watch
the I love watching the Comedy Central Roast. Oh yeah,
and that looks like a big ballroom, But that seems
to work.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I'm not sure why I Uh, that works more because
one they know what they're getting into.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Okay, I don't know. Those make me so uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Maybe that's the point.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I don't know. And also it's like they're on a
like the whole stage, everybody's up there. It's almost more
of like what's the word I'm looking for, just like
a not like a play, but it's just more it's not.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
A team ever, yeah, a bigger production.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Obviously you're not alone up there exactly, okay, And then
there can be kind of like a disconnect when it's
just you by yourself, everyone's really far away. But if
everyone's really far away and you have ten people on
stage with you and you guys are all interacting together,
it's more of a thing like that. I love doing roasts,
though I don't really roast people like comedians do roast battles.
Oh yeah, And I don't really do those as much.
(11:24):
But I do this thing for the Hilliard Rotary Club,
and it's like the Ohio State Michigan. It's called the
Great Debate, and you like roast Michigan and whatever. It's
really fun.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Oh my gosh, that's amazing. We need you to come
back on and yeah, would you come around.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
I will do whatever you guys want whenever you want awesome.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
We'll exchange numbers after this.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Okay, No, I'll just give it to you right now
because I don't want to miss my opportunity. Oh I
love it.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
So we want to dive into the comedy scene here
in Columbus a little bit more. Columbus has become a
notable hub for comedy, with a growing scene of talented
local comedians and unique venues. How would you describe to
your friends the overall comedy scene here in the city
and what makes it stand out compared to other places
that you perform.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
I think that it stands out. It's surprising how much
is going on. Like whenever other comedians hear about the
Columbus scene, they don't realize, Like I mean, there are
shows going on basically every single day of the week.
And then don't tell us doing four shows a week
in Friday Saturday. The Attic is an independent club in Columbus.
They have you know, shows five days a week as well.
(12:37):
One thing that I think Columbus is good for though,
is it's like a good test, Like if you can
do well in Columbus, that makes kind of do well anywhere.
Like I've seen people come from other cities who maybe
just do things specifically for that city, and they come to
Columbus and people are like, what are you talking about?
So I feel like you have more of a wider range,
(12:59):
if that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Yeah, because the Columbus, you guys know, this is a
test market for a ton of different products. Has always
been that way, So it's also a test market for
comedy as well.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Sure, so now, yeah it is. It's nice, though, to
get outside to do shows from because like, if you
do too much stuff in your own city, then you
start doing like local references a lot. Yeah, Like, oh,
it's more busy than broad Street in here, and then
you go somewhere and then people are like, we don't
even have a broad stream. What are you talking about?
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Is there a big difference between performing here and performing
like in Chicago Philadelphia?
Speaker 3 (13:35):
What are the differences?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Not really with Chicago and Philadelphia, but some other places,
like those I would say in my experience are similar
to the audiences here. Oh okay, I did these shows
in this place in California that was like outside Oakland
Ones and it was so bizarre. We did five shows
two Friday to Saturday, one Sunday. I do everything on
a scale of one to ten, Like that's how I
like judge. Like my performance. First show on Friday was
(14:00):
like one of the best shows I've ever done, like
a nine point three. I'm the best. Yes, that show ends.
Second show on Friday like one of the worst shows
I've ever done. It was like a two point one.
But what way to back? Yeah, that's how you kind
of judge. You judge it on like that, how well
you connect with them, They're like laughter, how much, how
(14:23):
frequently you're getting laughs, how big those laughs are? Things
like that. Yeah. So then like Friday night, I'm like
all mad. I'm like, I'm gonna show them who they're
dealing with. The next day on Saturday, first show one
of the best shows I've ever done, like a nine
point seven, and I'm like I'm back late show arguably
the worst show that I've ever done.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
You should only do one show a night.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
That's the answer.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
That's the answer.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
That's the answer. So I think just like the inconsistency
sometimes in other cities, But it's also interesting because people
laugh differently, Like in Florida. I feel like shows I've done.
People are like like they like are like they're watching
a fight, like yeah, like cheering along yeah, and like
(15:07):
places in Texas people whistle a lot, a lot of whistles.
If it's a good one, that's weird.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
I can actually see that. See boxer has a really
great big laughter, so he's a good he would it's
probably annoying story, I know.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
No, I love it.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
I'm a little little softer.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I haven't laughed since nineteen ninety seven. I take everything
so literally. That's my problem.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yeah, I think that's my issue as well.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
If someone's trying to like joke with me too, I'll
just be like too like dialed in, Like, oh, what
you've been joking? Sorry? Would people find who?
Speaker 4 (15:37):
Would people find out.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
What you do?
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yeah? But they do.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
They automatically switch to this, Oh I'm gonna make him laugh.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
I'm gonna if I could make him laugh.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
No, it's more so like tell me a joke. Oh
you think you're funny, you're a comedian to make me laugh?
Tell me a joke right now? I have like they
don't want to make you laugh as much. They want
like you to like make them laugh.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Yeah, they want to hear why the chicken cross the room.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Yeah, and I'm like, look, I'm looking at candles in
this Target and Hilliard, So can you guys leave me alone?
Speaker 4 (16:07):
Feel like the Target and Hilliard is like a reoccurring
a lot of inspiration from. Where do you get your inspiration?
Where do how do you develop the content? Is it
Columbus that inspires you? Is it where you live? Are
there things that.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
It's for my life? I think where whether it's I'm
in Columbus doing whatever, that's where I spend most of
my time. So things come from that. I do a
lot of stories about my life. I am the youngest
of seven siblings. Oh yeah, and I'm the only boy,
so I have six older sisters, so I do a
lot of sister stuff. I do a lot of stuff
about my mom my dad. I'm also an auctioneer you are, yes,
(16:46):
I have a third generation and like a family auction business,
so I do some like auctioneering things material about that.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
I'd love to see you at.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
I feel like you need to we need to like
hear this.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Oh yeah, I don't think that's on the script.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
Though it's not on the script.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
It's actually kind of underwhelming though, because people like hear
that you're an auctioneer, and they get so excited. I'm like,
pretty chill with it. I'm like, you guy, just want
to buy this counter or not?
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Oh so you're not going really fast like old school auctioneire.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
I'll auction something for you.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
That's action. What do you want to about this water bottle?
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Okay, I'll just U want me to like just fake
take bids or take Yeah, I'm like, oh on the
pure life water bottle? Who give ten dollars in the
water bottles ten twelve and a half to get twelve
and after fifteen fifteen, fifteen, fifteen, seventeen and a half
to get seventeen seventy hours or twenty would get twenty
twenty to twenty two and a half, twenty two after
twenty five, twenty thirty thirty to thirty five, thirty five
and forty forty for that little water bottle you're thirsty
fifty dollars. Hey, that was good.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
That was really good.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
So yeah, it's very the rest of him, right, A
lot of just selling random stuff. You're in a field.
And and that's helped with my my stand up comedy,
I think because I'm not really like uh, I'm cool
with silence, Like if you say something in the audience
is just like listening. Like some comedians like, oh my gosh,
you don't get ruffled by that. I'm like, I've been
(18:04):
performing for years with you don't laugh, don't worry about that. Yes,
that's most comedians go for the laugh. I like to
go for the silence. So I feel like auctioneering has
helped with like just stage presence and things like that.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
I can totally see that because when you're in your
element as an auctioneer, just from the people I've seen
in the past, they zero in on either someone that's
bidding and they stop itting, or someone that's over in
the corner and they'll try and I don't know, pick
on them, but that that seems to really help get
(18:38):
the bids up a little bit or get them motivated
a bid.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Yeah, there are. It's all about motivation, yea with and
sorry to make this now an auction talk.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
It's interesting.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Yeah, yeah, just the that's the whole thing with like
a live auction, live meaning like in person with the auctioneer,
it's all about just like kind of not trying to
pit people against each other. But yeah, yeah, I want
to make it fun. If it's people are having fun
and being included, of course they're gonna be like yeah, sure,
i'll bit more or whatever.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
I bet you do a great job at that head ray.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
Oh if it's like a bunch of like older ladies
and I'm selling like baskets, like Longenburger baskets or something.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Hot item, hot items.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
And they're like, oh, I have a granddaughter you should meet,
and then she'll be like sixty seven. I'm like sixty.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Seven maybe a little old for you, never expecting that.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
I have to ask you to really zero in on
your favorite venue in Columbus to perform at. Would you
mind telling us which one that it is, which one
you're really fond about?
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Well? Can I have like a couple Yeah? Well sure yeah. So,
like I said, I love I love the Attic in
Old Town East. That's a great one. There's another one
called Hashtag Comedy Company.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Can it takes some notes?
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Yeah, just hashtag. Maybe it's not comedy company, but it's
in like the Short North, Okay, And it is run
by like an improv troop and like comedians, And that's
a very fun little venue. I don't know when this
is gonna come out. I'll actually be there March seventh.
I don't know for a LOUTI plug stuff, but I
like that. A lot of the Don't Tell venus. There's
this Coalboalt Studios. It's really fun. There's like this optometry office.
(20:22):
It was like the Columbus not Eyeworks, but it was
like the Optical co or something like that.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
It was like kind of what themology office is very interesting.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Yeah, that was fun. I did this joke. I don't
know if it'll be funny, but I'll tell you guys.
They were like because in eye doctors offices there's like
glasses everywhere. Yeah, and just like randomly during my set,
I was like, oh yeah, they wanted me to tell
you guys just feel free to take whatever you want
off the walls. But a lot of those like Don't
(20:52):
Tell venues are just fun because it's like random spots.
You know, we did like locks bagel shop.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
Oh my gosh. I love the surprise element of Don't Tell.
That's you know, it's like we're going to go to
a comedy show. It's going to be really fun. You
kind of know the general area, but then you show
up and sometimes it's a venue you've never been to.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
And the comedians that Columbus brings in are very good,
Like basically all of the headliners have like whether it's
a Tonight Show appearance or some show in Hulu or
it's like the people that aren't necessarily doing like nationwide arena.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
Yet but they might yet, but they will will.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Be in like three years.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
That's so awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Is that a dream Henry to do like a venue
like that?
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Oh yeah, that'd be cool. I would like to do. Yeah,
I mean more tickets you sell, the happier everybody is.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Sense.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Yeah, that's true. For lack of a better term, but yeah,
I right now like performing in smaller places just because
I do a lot of like crowd interaction and I'll
like talk to people a lot and like talk about
their jobs and whatever. So if it's a smaller room
and everybody can kind of see everybody, I can go
a long time, like a new sixty minutes, an hour
and a half ever. Yeah, But if it's like a
(22:01):
bigger room and you have to do like all material
meaning like things that you've written, I'm like I'll do
eight minutes. It's like I just like to it's more comfortable.
I guess, but it just usually goes better for me.
So if it was like you're a nationwide and you're
performing to like some abyss of thirty thousand people.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
Just big lights on, yeah yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
And silence in there.
Speaker 4 (22:22):
Silence that's hard.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Yeah, Yeah, it's fun.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Though you have a favorite memory from any of those
venues that stands out for you?
Speaker 3 (22:29):
M favorite from performing from there?
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Yeah, I guess. I have a couple I hosted for
Bruce Bruce once. You know Bruce Bruce is he's a comedian,
kind of an older guy, but he was like really
popular and like the early two thousands and now also
but I like drank Hennessy for the first time with
him and like his entourage, and that was like maybe
(22:54):
the funnest I've ever heard was wow, I don't know,
just more like jokes you say that like really landed well,
Like that whole glasses thing. I like, like, oh, that
was funny. Yeah. I mean I've got to meet a
lot of my comedians that I looked up to, and
that's cool. It's never good to sometimes meet your heroes,
(23:16):
though some of them are kind of weird and you're like, oh,
I really liked you in this thing. And they're like
walking around. Yeah, they're like barefoot, making tea in the back,
and you're like, this is weird.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Well, who defined who defined or influenced your style?
Speaker 2 (23:33):
I have a couch of guys. I think that because
when you start, you I don't know if emulates the
right word, but you kind of fall into a little
like you find people you like and you're not taking
their material, but you'll maybe be like, oh, I like
how they hold the microphone or things like that. So
Bo Burnham is a comedian who I really like. He's
(23:54):
one that like inspired me a lot growing up. Kevin
Hart early Kevin hartly and he kind of became like
a mogul and like had some weird stuff that he
did to like police officers and his wife and it's like,
oh easy, Kevin. A guy named Jeff Tate. He's like
a dude from Cincinnati. Yeah, travels all over opens for
Tom Sigarella. He was like a guy that I saw
(24:14):
whenever I was starting. He was selling tickets in the
box office at this comedy club in Cincy, and then
he like did ten minutes at the end of this
show and I was like eighteen, and I watched him
and I'm like, that's my dream in life is to
sell tickets in a comedy.
Speaker 4 (24:28):
Club box office and then go do the show.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
And do the show. And then when I was like
twenty two or something, twenty three, I got a job
at the Columbus Funny Bone, like working in the box
office and selling tickets and like performing.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
I was like, I have arrived.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Yeah, like I should have aimed a way higher. I
could have been anything, and I sold myself short.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Well your you know, career isn't over yet. Yes, oh right,
so many so much more ahead as a beak right now. Yes,
I mean obviously, yes, which boxer?
Speaker 3 (24:56):
And I would you, Henry? Would you say?
Speaker 1 (24:59):
And I think I know the answer to this, But
would you say that Columbus is probably one of the
best cities for comedy?
Speaker 3 (25:04):
I mean, you're still.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Here, so yeah, uh yeah, I think it's one of
the better ones for sure. I mean there are ones
that have more opportunity, like New York or Chicago or
even Austin now, but like Austin had a crazy influx
of comedians and like Joe Rogan builds this comedy club
there and that brings like a lot of very good comedians.
(25:27):
But that also brought like a lot of like comedians
to oh, so like it kind of gets washed out.
But they're just like some cities have more opportunities. But
I like Columbus because I mean, I stay pretty busy
and the audiences are I feel like you get everything
from I'll do a show at like a pizza place
for eight people, and then I'll do a show at
(25:48):
like the Funny Bone for like four hundred. Ah, this
is cool.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
Any predictions for the future of comedy in Columbus where
you think it's going. Obviously the city is continuing to
change and grow, so is our comedy seem.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
That's a good question. I hope that like a club
opens up more like downtown. Is the Piano Bar still there?
The one that was like by nationwide? It's not that place.
Do you remember that place? I always thought that would
be like a really cool comedy club because it was
like kind of the seats were like dug into the
(26:21):
ground and like the stage was kind.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
Of elevated, Yeah, elevated.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
At Yeah, very intimate for sure. So I would love
if a place like that would open up, so it
would just be like another venue.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Well, I think it's available for lease. So we pulled
our money together.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Maybe you shave your head for sure to buy this club.
I would do that for you. Henry, Wow, hair grows.
Get the Clippers and then we can maybe call it
like boxers bald to that.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Let's call it something with Henry exactly.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Well, I do like my ha Henry Allen. So I've
always thought something cool with like ha. I like that
never really capitalized.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Oh yeah, gosh, this was meant you were meant to be.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
You were meant to be.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Yes, yours are hot.
Speaker 4 (27:13):
Yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Yes, my dad, he's like, you were meant to be
an auctioneer. Meant to be. Dreams are stupid. Auctioneering is
the best, you.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
Know, shifting gears just a little bit. In twenty twenty five,
we welcome one of a kind festivals and parallel dining experiences,
top of the line sporting events and more. It's never
been an easier time to say yes to a trip
in Columbus outside of comedy. What are some of your
favorite things to do in Columbus And if you had
(27:43):
to add another reason to visit the city, what would
it be.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
I love sports, so all of the whether it's the Clippers,
or the crew or the Blue Jackets, whatever I think.
I mean, I love going to sporting events. That's my
favorite thing to do, probably in Columbus. What was the
second part of the question?
Speaker 4 (28:02):
Other places that you like to visit in Columbus. M
I have a favorites, favorite restaurants.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
I love a museum. Museums are fun. I love just
looking at stuff and walking around. Is that pretty boring
to you? No, I don't great. Probably like to go
to pilates or spin class or something. What do you
like to do?
Speaker 4 (28:22):
I actually don't do plates or spin. I do love
to do yoga, to do hot yoga. I have done
hot yoga, but I have a whole story about hot yoga,
so I don't do it any do. It's like it's
a little too like people breathing on you and a
little cheek post in certain environments and it's the yeah,
but it's really good for you, and so always looking
for a new venue.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
And other people's hot breath on you.
Speaker 4 (28:43):
That's what I mean. It's like that, it's like other
people's hot breath on my back. But one of the
things I do love about Columbus is the ability to
be able to walk around and get from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Obviously you've got the short north, You've got the arena
district right here. German Village is so close downtown. So
I think our neighborhoods and the walkability versus other cities
(29:05):
I've lived in is pretty pretty great for sure.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
Henry.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
What about because someone listening or maybe a few that
are hearing this always wanted to be a comedian or
they're looking to be one, any advice for them?
Speaker 2 (29:18):
My advice is to just start, Okay, do it. Yeah,
That's kind of why I started, because I, like I
was saying earlier, wanted to be in like show business.
But it was just like, go ahead and start now,
because why am I going to wait until I'm thirty
five and start? Like, just just do it, and there
are so many different paths to making it, yeah, where
(29:38):
like there isn't really a set way to go and
there are so many different ways to accomplish it. So
just like do it and only like, just do it
for you. Don't worry about the audience because that's when
it gets weird because you're like, maybe they'll like this.
I don't think this is funny, but maybe they'll like it.
And it's just like do whatever you think is good
and funny that you have fun with. Just get up
(30:00):
as many times as you can.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Hey, I can't think of any out the top of
my head, But are there any comedians with ties to
Columbus that you've.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
Admired, tied to ties with Columbia.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
Any ties at all? I don't know, but that you've
admired or that came from here.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
Well, I mean whenever I started, actually, Matt Rife was starting. Dude,
it's right. Got about Matt ryanteen, he was fifteen. He
moved away pretty quickly though, to like Atlanta, and then
you know, got on different shows like MTV and stuff
like that, and now he's like one of the biggest
comedians in the world. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Well, that's a good one right there. I totally forgot
about Matt. That's a good one right there. So the
second annual Columbus Comedy Festival will return in September. Did
you take part in the first one, by the way,
I did, Yes, Okay, so what can we expect from
this second one? Because you're a part of the development
and planning.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
Right so I am kind of like a consultant okay,
you know with a Columbus Underground. You guys know Walker Evans, right, Yeah,
he has done a lot for the festival and everything
like that. The first year was good. The venues we
did don't Tell at the museum that was pretty fun.
There was like, what's the like glass blower that's in
(31:14):
in the museum. It's like, oh, it's a kind of
a silly last name, but it's like really famous.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
You mean Chahuy?
Speaker 2 (31:23):
Yes that Oh yeah, okay, I knew there was like
I know we too, as we like performed in front
of one of their like art pieces like for the festival. Yeah,
it's pretty fun. So yeah, what I you can expect
from it is just like good locations, good comedians. A
(31:44):
lot of people come in from all over the country.
So I'm excited to do a second one because the
first one was very fun. The only thing that I
didn't love about the first one was venues are so
important for comedy. So like one of the venues was
like kind of a big space, oh where it was
like an airport hangar or like a it looked like
(32:05):
it used to be like a coals.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
Which seems like it could be cool potentially, but just
like acoustics or yeah, and to your earlier point too,
just about the intimacy of the audience and reactions. And
I could see that being a challenge.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
So that was just kind of one thing that we
were like, oh, this sound like isn't really good. I
actually did this joke where because there were these like
purple lights kind of that you would see at like
a reception for a wedding, which are like not stand
up comedy lights like usually they were like a spotlight.
It was like some weird thing that people do, like
the electric slide underneath. So it's like, I don't know,
(32:39):
two hundred people in this like room for I don't
know fifty thousand, and I know, yeah exactly right, and
I'm like I've been on safe for maybe like a
minute and a half or two minutes, and it's like going, fine,
nothing really crazy. But this dude comes over and he
like adjusts the purple light a little higher, and I
just kind of said to him like, hey, adjusting that
light isn't going to make this room or intimate, and
(33:01):
like it was just such a people like realize that
I was like also present, like oh this does kind
of stocking here and that like worked and stuff, So
there are things you can do to like kind of
bring people in. Yeah, but I'm excited for this year
of the festival. Do you have a list of the
venues and stuff that are going to be on there
at all?
Speaker 3 (33:18):
I do not, not in front of me.
Speaker 4 (33:19):
No, And I'm not sure that they're all defined yet.
So but that is absolutely something we'll be sharing a
little bit closer to time.
Speaker 2 (33:25):
And it's just so nice too because it's you know,
over a three day span, so you can get up
and perform six times in those two days, three days
or whatever.
Speaker 4 (33:35):
What a great opportunity. How about the role of social media?
The social media, you know, just even in your career,
getting other people to notice you, to come and see you,
does that play a critical role?
Speaker 2 (33:48):
That plays a huge role? And can we have people
follow me from this? Can?
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Absolutely, That's what I was going to say, this is
flag away.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
Yes, follow me on all social medias at the Henry Allen,
like the Ohio State University, it's always I know, I
wish it was just Henry or like Henry Allen. That'd
be great because sometimes I'll be like, oh, it's the
Henry Allen and people are like, oh, the Henry Allen.
I'm like, no, it's the Henry Allen. They're like, d Henry.
I'm like, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (34:15):
Do you have the T shirts that have the big
D on the front?
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Yeah? If I want to get sued, am I right?
No way? So yeah, social media follow me at the
Henry Allen And it's very important because you basically what
stand up in comedy is now is like finding your
audience and then getting those people to come see you.
We're before, in like the nineties or eighties or whatever
(34:41):
the past, it was like get on the Tonight Show
and then like Johnny Carson. I'm saying Johnny, but there
are people listening that are like, we've never even heard
of Johnny.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
Carson, Like Jimmy Fallon.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
Yeah, is that like Johnny rockets the restaurant. It's no,
like they would call you over to the couch and
then you were like a huge name in the country,
you know. So now it's more like you get all
these people to follow you and like, really they want
to invest in you. I want to like feel like
they know who you are and stuff. And then my
(35:11):
goal was basically I just want to be able to
go to any city in the country and be able
to sell like four hundred tickets. I would be like, oh,
on the happy.
Speaker 4 (35:18):
That's pretty amazing.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
Yeah, and Henry not that it doesn't help, but it's
really not necessary to try to make it on Kimmel
Fallon when you do have platforms like YouTube and Instagram
now at TikTok and do your own promotion for sure.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
And there are like comedians that have podcasts that they
get like triple the views that like, yeah that the
Tonight Show gets or whatever, or before it was like
that was the number one thing. It's like, oh my gosh,
that's like the number two hundred and fifty eight thing now,
you know. It's just like there are cooking shows in
San Francisco that you can get on. There are like, oh,
we have twice as many views as the Tonight Show.
(35:54):
You're like, holy co wow.
Speaker 3 (35:56):
Yeah, that's that's just absolutely crazy.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
Well, we're starting to wrap up your Sarah, are we.
Speaker 4 (36:03):
Yeah, so we have two segments left, So our next
one is called Columbus Classics. This podcast is all about
uncovering what's new, but we also love the tried and
true places and experiences. Can you tell us about a
classic Columbus experience you love. It could be a neighborhood,
a restaurant, or anything.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Man, there are just so many things that I like
about Columbus. Can I use the Blue Jackets? Is that
share its too?
Speaker 1 (36:31):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (36:31):
Absolutely big?
Speaker 4 (36:32):
No use the Blue Jackets.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
We went to a lot of games like growing up,
like with my dad and my sisters and stuff like that.
So something about a blue Jacket game. I'm like, man,
this is like a little nostalgia. Yeah, and it feels good.
I still am not used to the cannon.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
Oh really?
Speaker 2 (36:50):
Who Henry?
Speaker 1 (36:52):
Before we close out this episode today, just the last
segment that we have is a brand of of course
the title of the podcast. And what are you saying
yes to in Columbus this season?
Speaker 3 (37:05):
This year?
Speaker 2 (37:06):
I think I'm saying yes to more shows. Basically, if
someone's like, hey, got a show, come do it.
Speaker 4 (37:11):
Yeah, that's awesome. We can't wait to see you out
and about in Columbus.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
And yes, I hope you guys come to a show.
Any show that you guys want to come to, let
me know and I'm happy to make it will And
if you want to do a roast on your other show.
Speaker 4 (37:23):
He does want to do a roast.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
Are you kidding? Yes, that happen. We could make you
a regular, would you?
Speaker 1 (37:28):
But then you're gonna want me to start You're gonna
want to start charging for me to go.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
Okay, I I think if I'll do it a few
times and see if there's any like if people are
coming to watch, then that's cool. If it's like I'm
losing traction, I'm like, hey box or any forty four bucks.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
Well, thank you so much for being a guest today.
Speaker 3 (37:48):
I really appreciate this.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
Of course, if you're looking for a night of laughter
with a surprise lineup, of course of talented comedians at
some of Columbus's best kept secret venues by the way
that we talk about in this podcast, all you simply
have to do is go to Don't Tellcomedy dot com
and for more things to see and do around the
city of Columbus, you can visit Experience Columbus at Experience
(38:12):
Columbus dot com.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
Thank you, Henri, thank you, Henry.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
All right, goodbye.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
That's a wrap on this week's episode of Yes Columbus
and Experience Columbus podcast. Tune in next week as we
take you on a tour of what's new, what's hot
and what makes Columbus a city on the rise.
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