Chasing Comedy

Is Shane Gillis officially uncancellable? Are today's biggest comedians forgetting how to write actual jokes? And was Eddie Murphy really one of the greatest stand-ups of all time?

On Episode 68 of Chasing Comedy, comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into the latest Shane Gillis controversy, the absurdity of cancel culture, and whether podcast fame is replacing actual comedic talent. The guys debate Eddie Murphy vs. Richard Pryor, why Steve Martin walked away from stand-up, and whether celebrity impressions are the laziest form of comedy.

Plus, Led Zeppelin's outrageous rock star scandals, Lenny Bruce...

Is Sebastian Maniscalco killing comedy radio? Can you manifest your way to success, or is that just another excuse to avoid doing actual work? On Episode 67 of Chasing Comedy, comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin tackle the SiriusXM comedy shakeup that's leaving working comedians furious and potentially out of a paycheck! The guys debate whether social media is ruining stand-up, why talented comedians struggle to survive, and who's really to blame for the industry's changing landscape. Plus, Dustin discovers the power of manifestation, Brian reveals how fake kidnapping letters launched his voiceover career, and the two dive into...

Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin are back for another hilariously chaotic episode of Chasing Comedy! This week, the guys debate Alien, Terminator and Rocky Horror, revisit the rise and fall of Andrew Dice Clay, and discover why Brian’s middle name might make him sound like a presidential assassin. Then they workshop new material about fake addictions, doomscrolling and our obsession with phones before stumbling onto a new legal defense every comedian needs: “comedy entrapment.” If you give a comic the perfect setup, you can’t complain about the punchline.

Robot pets for the elderly, bad comedy advice, ICE for chipmunks, and a prostitute with a time machine—Episode 65 of Chasing Comedy goes everywhere. Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin debate whether animatronic pets for seniors are comforting or horrifying, break down the changing rules of stand-up, and work through new material in real time. Then things completely derail when they develop a plan to save humanity by sending an escort back through history to fix the childhoods of future terrible people.

Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into the crowd work takeover and ask whether social media has changed what audiences expect from stand-up comedy. Plus, Dustin shares a bizarre story involving a comedian who was dead…then wasn’t…then apparently was, the guys debate whether comedians actually laugh at roasts, battle social media algorithms, and tackle “chaotic optimism,” manifestation, and the insanity of trying to make a living telling jokes. It’s another unpredictable episode of Chasing Comedy!

Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin take a hilarious deep dive into the movies that shaped Generation X, the generational divide between Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z, tattoo culture, and the behind-the-scenes process of writing stand-up comedy. From comfort movies and dad issues to bad tattoo decisions and building the perfect joke, Episode 63 is packed with sharp observations, nostalgic laughs, and comedy shop talk.

Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin discuss why horror movies are thriving while comedy films struggle, the impact of technology on our attention spans, the future of stand-up, AI, social media, classic books, and the ever-changing entertainment industry. Plus, they brainstorm new comedy bits, tackle pop culture, and spin the Comedy Wheel for another hilarious episode of Chasing Comedy.

Joe Matarese joins Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden for a hilarious deep dive into stand-up comedy, aging, AI therapy, growing up in the golden age of arcade games and roller-skating rinks, and more. From comedy war stories and changing audiences to nostalgic memories and the challenges of life on the road, Joe brings his signature honesty and sharp wit to one of the funniest episodes of Chasing Comedy yet.

On Episode 60 of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden are joined by comedian and podcast star Jared Freid for a hilarious deep dive into roast culture, crowd work, hecklers, comedy fame, podcasting, and the changing world of stand-up. From Netflix roast controversy to nightmare Uber drivers and comedy club chaos, this episode is packed with sharp takes, behind-the-scenes comedy stories, and nonstop laughs.

Comedian and actor T.J. Miller joins Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden for a hilarious deep dive into roast culture, stand-up comedy addiction, Hollywood, cancel culture, sports, classic comedy movies, and the weird realities of modern fame. The guys break down Kevin Hart roasts, Shane Gillis, Christmas movies, public bathroom anxiety, boomers on TikTok, and why comics can never truly quit stand-up. One of the funniest and most honest episodes of Chasing Comedy yet.

On Episode 58 of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden are joined by comedian Adam Muller for a deep dive into comedy contests, bombing on stage, self-producing stand-up specials, and building a comedy career later in life. The guys break down Netflix comedy shows, Comedy Cellar politics, joke writing, and what it really takes to survive in stand-up comedy today. Funny, honest, and packed with behind-the-scenes comedy stories.

In Episode 57 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into the reality of being a working stand-up comic—when to experiment, when to play it safe, and why even great comedians rely on jokes they’re tired of. Brian also shares hilarious and personal stories about growing up with his dad—the voice of many commerical and cartoon characters like Snarf from ThunderCats—and how that shaped his comedy. It’s a funny, honest look at the grind behind the laughs.

In Episode 56 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin riff on why stand-up movies rarely work, pitch a parody of the genre, and stumble into a hilarious bit: “You couldn’t write the Bible today.” Plus, they workshop jokes live, debate comedy vs culture, and break down a killer premise about blocking people in real life vs social media.

In Episode 55 of Chasing Comedy, Brian and Dustin dive into one of stand-up’s biggest debates: what actually makes a comedian a “hack”? From cruise ship comics to joke stealing, they break down the blurry line between originality and survival in comedy.

It’s a mix of comedy philosophy, real industry talk, and absolute chaos.

Brian Scott McFadden sits down with comedian Chuck Nice for a hilarious deep dive into the chaos of stand-up comedy. From bombing at corporate gigs to crushing impossible rooms, they break down why most jokes fail, how comics actually build material, and what separates “friend funny” from real stage funny. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at a wild corporate roast—and an AI that tries (and fails) to write comedy.

Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden break down stand-up in real time—riffing on arena openers, IKEA relationship tests, and a ridiculous TaskRabbit bit that spirals into comedy gold. A chaotic, funny look at how jokes actually get built.

Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden riff their way through apocalypse anxiety, doomsday bunkers, and a time traveler who fixes petty problems instead of history. From Karen at a Renaissance fair to aggressive dogs and comedy “Tourette’s,” this episode captures the raw, chaotic process of building stand-up bits in real time.

In Chasing Comedy Episode 51, Dustin shares stories from performing on the Nateland Cruise while Brian helps break down new bits. A deep dive into joke writing, comedy life, and refining material on stage.

In Episode 50 of Chasing Comedy, the guys dive into the realities of performing stand-up on cruise ships—breaking down the highs, the challenges, and the art of adapting to wildly different crowds. From there, they riff their way into developing new material, including a hilarious time travel premise about fixing bad sets and missed opportunities.

They also explore the tricky balance of political humor, punch up bits about cults and “drinking the Kool-Aid,” and dig into everyday absurdities like germs, buffets, and post-pandemic social habits. It’s a raw, funny, behind-the-scenes look at how comedians build jokes in real...

Episode 49 goes from lobster heists in Maine to generational warfare, AI taking everyone’s jobs, and whether comedians are “punching down” or just telling the truth. Brian, Dustin, and Adam spin the wheel, workshop bits, debate art, argue about music, and spiral into classic Chasing Comedy chaos.

In Episode 48 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin workshop a bit comparing stand-up to flying a plane — and debate what a “plane crash” looks like for a comedian. From bombing and black box recordings to cruise ship crowds and aggressive stage energy, the conversation turns into a deep dive on fear, authenticity, and finding your true comedic voice

Part writers’ room, part therapy session — all comedy craft.

We accidentally made the Top 100 stand-up comedy podcasts… and immediately questioned its legitimacy. In Episode 47, Dustin Chafin and Brian McFadden break down what it means to be ranked, why they’re probably stuck at #80 forever, and how most of the show is still just talking about what the show should be.

They dig into cruise-ship comedy pressures, bombing vs. adjusting, airline etiquette meltdowns, and a surprisingly heated debate about hat cases, man cards, and public overreactions. Add in unfinished bits, AI joke experiments, and classic Chasing Comedy chaos, and you’ve got another episode that’s equal parts in...

In Episode 46, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden dig into the strange realities of stand-up comedy—from trying to stay “clean” on stage to completely losing control when a sign-language interpreter shows up. The conversation winds through cruise-ship comedy nightmares, fake TV laughter, bombing while trapped with audiences, and why stand-up comedy movies almost never work.

They also riff on Zoom therapy, AI-generated nonsense, crowd-work role-play ideas, and the growing gap between what comedians expect and how audiences actually laugh. A funny, honest, behind-the-scenes look at the chaos, psychology, and absurd expectations of life as a working comic.

Episode 45 of Chasing Comedy finds comedians Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden riffing on lost items, human hoarder pockets, hecklers gone wild, audience meltdowns, and the fine line between chaos and comedy. From drunken bachelorette disasters to becoming accidentally famous in Shanghai, this episode is packed with real stand-up stories, joke breakdowns, and nonstop laughs.

In Episode 44 of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden break down the realities of modern stand-up — from arena shows and bombing in front of thousands to crafting the perfect opener and surviving unpredictable crowds. Brian shares a wild onstage fall in front of 15,000 people, the guys talk local jokes, originality in comedy, and why comics secretly love small rooms. Honest, funny, and brutally inside baseball for stand-up fans.

On Episode 43 of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden workshop new jokes and swap wild stories from the road. From NYC bedbug nightmares and airport meltdowns to Spirit Airlines chaos, cruise ship madness, childhood punishments, and emotional-support chipmunks, the guys break down comedy in real time with nonstop riffs and punchlines. A sharp, fast, behind-the-scenes look at how comedians build material.

In Episode 42 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin break down the realities of modern stand-up — from scripted crowd-work clips and the artifice of reality TV to micro-celebrity culture and the struggle of fitting new bits into a set. The guys swap stories about tiny-crowd drop-ins from huge comics, debate the “pretentious waiter” joke, and explore how comedians cope (or don’t) with today’s chaos. A fun, insightful look at how jokes are built, tested, and rewritten.

Brian and Dustin dive into a wild mix of comedy talk, music stories, and full-on riff chaos. They swap tales about weird concerts, opening for the wrong famous people (looking at you, Sinatra Jr.), and the pain of performing after a punk band empties a festival tent for free pizza. They also workshop new jokes about followers, Jesus, Jonestown, and what modern festival really matches “high-energy crowds.”

Then the guys spiral into an epic brainstorm: a gritty, prestige-TV reboot of Scooby-Doo starring a burned-out Shaggy, washed-up Daphne, and a whole new set of weird modern mysteries. Plus: Ben...

Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin explore whether AI can actually write stand-up comedy — or if it’s just digital hackery. From Dustin’s wild Mexico vacation story to Brian’s Franken Berry childhood confession, the guys test AI’s punchlines, roast bad metaphors, and debate what makes real comedians irreplaceable. A hilarious, thought-provoking episode about the heart, timing, and chaos of live comedy.

Chasing Comedy Episode 39 dives into the chaos of stand-up at arenas, growing up in a dysfunctional family, and why sometimes you just have to let Scooby-Doo save the bit. Comedians Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden shares stories of trying new jokes in front of 18,000 people, family vacations gone sideways, and the unsexy truth of long-term relationships — all with plenty of comedy detours along the way.

🎙️ In Episode 38 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden sits down with Boston comedy legend Tony V to talk about the roots of the Boston comedy scene, his stories from Aruba and Vegas with Robin Williams and Bobcat Goldthwait, and his philosophy on stand-up. From acting in CODA and The Town to crafting bits about coffee, science, and self-driving hearses, Tony shares sharp insights and hilarious stories that showcase why he’s one of comedy’s greats.

Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into the absurd world of cruise ship buffets, Titanic “hot poor privilege,” and a Chipmunk-costumed fling that sparks a furry confession. Along the way they meet the “GOAT of shoplifting,” roast their therapists for taking August off, and put AI comedy to the test in a wild A.I.merican Idol segment.

Host Brian Scott McFadden is joined by comedian and wordplay wizard Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central, Netflix, Amazon, Dry Bar) for a fast, funny, and thoughtful conversation about the craft of comedy.

They dive into Myq’s obsession with language, the balance between writing and performance, and why sometimes the journey of a joke matters more than the punchline. Along the way, you’ll hear riffs about:

Hamlet’s “Tooth B or Not Tooth B”

Couples that share everything… including squids and monks

Steakhouse hecklers and comedy tropes

Meditation, noticing, and the crea...

In this episode of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive into cruise ship chaos, dark family stories, and the emotional toll of being funny through pain. Dustin shares his wild excursion through a fake jungle in Mexico—complete with dead fish, fake monkeys, and sewage leaks—while another reflects on caring for a dying father and somehow finding humor in the moment.

They also unpack supplement obsession (St. John’s Wort, Alpha Brain, Adderall), rage issues, and the mysterious “Anything and Everything” shoplifter who may be the most enlightened thief of all time.

From pad...

🎙️ In this episode of Chasing Comedy, Dustin Chafin is joined by comedian Greg Romero Wilson (The Greg Wilson) for a wild ride through the world of stand-up, self-tape auditions, old-school gaming consoles, and TikTok fame. Greg shares hilarious stories about SpectraVision regrets, a bizarre anti-pedophile PSA series, his jingle-writing hustle, and why Red Bull is “liquid cocaine.” They also dive into patriot cosplay, fake camo shame, and the time a rogue shot glass injured an audience member mid-show. A fast, funny, and revealing episode you don’t want to miss.

Chasing Comedy Episode 33 with professional comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Charles McBee!

On this episode of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden chats with comedian and writer Charles McBee about viral video comedy, nostalgic obsessions, and stand-up comedy's evolution in the digital age. From candy cigarettes to Hostess cakes and seahorse reproduction, they dive deep into weird bits, strange pets, and how Charles crafts his hilarious throwback content. Plus, the Wheel of Premises sparks a wild riff on parrots, snakes, and Komodo dragons.

Dustin Chafin and Brian Scott McFadden tackle everything from hotel breakfast scams and Salvation Army punchlines to the comedy gold hidden in your mom’s junk drawer. They break down the difference between club comics and podcast stars, take jabs at modern military fashion, and even put AI to the test as a comedy writer. It’s a hilarious deep dive into bits that bomb, bits that kill, and the weird stuff people keep in drawers.

Chasing Comedy Episode 32 with professional comedians Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin!

In this explosive (literally) episode of Chasing Comedy, Brian joins us from Rome, fresh off a harrowing trip to the Middle East that turned from charity gig to missile-dodging misadventure. What was supposed to be a feel-good charity tour in Israel quickly turned into a real-life remake of Escape from New York… except with more cruise missiles and fewer eyepatches.

Brian breaks down the chaos of performing stand-up in Jerusalem right before airstrikes started flying. From cheering audiences to air raid sirens in 24 ho...

In Episode 31 of Chasing Comedy, Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin dive headfirst into a hilarious, soul-baring journey through comedy, childhood trauma, and bizarre religious rules. Dustin opens up about his past as a Mormon missionary (yes, with a masturbation ruling from church elders!) while Brian shares the story of writing a murder mystery at age 8, complete with toilet paper punchlines and devastating fatherly critiques.

The comics tackle everything from bizarre Mormon caffeine bans to the rise of terrifyingly convincing AI deepfakes. Brian reveals his lifelong obsession with Hamlet, dreams of staging Shakespeare in a comedy club...

This episode of Chasing Comedy is part therapy session, part comedy jam, and part complete derailment — in the best possible way. Brian Scott McFadden and Dustin Chafin explore everything from existential crises to cruise gigs, from fake celebrity stand-up to the ethics of charging a dying man for comedy coaching. (Yes, you read that right.)

🧠 Topics Covered Include: