On this edition of It’s Always Funny in Salt Lake City we had a chat-chat with the ostentatious (I don’t actually know if this word works, I am just trying to sound smart) Jamie Maxfield.  He is the youngest grandparent on the comedy scene and thus very much has the authority to parlay an extensive amount of knowledge on us.

We discuss presidents, podcast and problems.

Check out Jamie at Lumpy’s on Friday or in Tooele on Saturday.  Do it for the kids.  For their future.  For America.

Describe yourself in 10 words or less?

Husband, Father, and Grandfather with the face of a baby.

You have to eliminate one type of food from the earth.  What would it be and why?

Rice cakes. Because its the worst kind of cake. With or without frosting.

You just became a grandpa.  You’re old. That is not a question… just a statement.

Ahh, do you want me to answer or are you just rubbing it in my face. With BenGay.

Who are your 5 favorite US Presidents?  Come up with an interesting alternate profession for each if they had never become president.

Reagan, I think he would have been a good actor.
Kennedy, I think he would have been a great stunt man.
Lincoln, He would have been a great movie critic.
George Washington, I think he had what it takes to be a dentist.
Thomas Jefferson. A Pimp of course.

180166_1844687878011_4858726_nWhy did you start doing stand up comedy?

It was a blood oath I took with my friend Ben Fuller. We always loved comedy and comedy writing so we promised each other we would give it a shot. It got in my blood and I have never been the same since. Its a lot like getting Herpes, you never get rid of it.

Who are your biggest inspirations in comedy?

I love the guys I grew up with. Its not because they were the best. Its because they got me to love it. I loved watching Carson with my dad. I enjoyed Cosby and his ability to tell a story. But my first comedy I remember just loving and walking around repeating to everyone was Eddie Murphy. I was at that age were it really stuck with me. Keep in mind I do not go back and watch or listen to these because I know it will ruin it for me if I did. Like so many things you grow up loving. Once you become an adult you relies that it was not that good, but you did not know better.

How long have you been doing comedy?

5 Years

Who has been the biggest help for you in your comedy career?

My Dad. My  sense of humor comes from him. He had an amazing ability to take anything and make it interesting.

WTP LogoWhat is the “Where’s the Punch” podcast about?

Its about joke writing. Writing is the funniest part of stand-up. I love it. I love to hang out with some funny people and talk about stuff and make fun of it. So I thought it would be a good idea to get some funny people around a table, talk about how they write jokes, and bounce new ideas off each other. Its a fun podcast and only 30 minutes long so you don’t have to commit your evening to listen to it.

How can people check out episodes of it?

We are on iTunes and Pod-O-Matic. You can also find us on Facebook where we post links to all the episodes.

What are some of your favorite moments on past episodes?

Just laughing with each other. Not one stands out but I know each one has been a blast.

Who do you want to try and get on upcoming episodes of “Where’s the Punch?

Most of the guest are local folks but every now and then we get an out of towner on the show. I would like to get more touring comics on the show. Its fun to hear new views on comedy and comedy writing.

1208483_10201952623678266_1105016385_nWhen is the next episode going to come out?

A few weeks. I don’t have them on a schedule. We record when ever we get together at a show.

What advice would you give to those wanting to do a podcast?

Get a good mic, have a point or theme, and keep it short. No one wants to listen to you ramble for two hours.

You’ve had the chance to work the stage at The Ice House, Comedy Store and Planet Hollywood among others.  What was your favorite place to perform?

Believe it or not Cheyenne Wyoming. I went there to open for Guy Siedel. The room was not made for comedy or a live performance. It was long and skinny with a side room that had window holes cut out of it where people were standing and watching. The mic was straight of the stage of The Price is Right. Guy and I thought it was going to be a train wreck. Turns out the people rocked and we were treated like rock stars. Its the little rooms out in the middle of no where that are the funnest. The people are happy to see you and they pay attention. The large room in big cities are fun and I enjoy them but the people have tons of things to do and they see comedy all the time so they are not as excited to see you.

336399_435090239865222_858290660_o (1) (1)You were able to perform at some comedy festivals this past year.  Which ones did you attend and what was you experience?

I did the SLC Comedy Carnival and the Idaho Laugh Festival. I love festivals. No competition, just a bunch of comics enjoying performing and supporting each other. I’m not big on the competitions. I know you have to do them but I have always gotten more out of festivals, not just the whole experience but I tend to make more contacts and meet people who can help my comedy career.

You are starting a new showcase show out in Tooele.  Give us some details on the show.

Feb 8th at 7PM at Allstar Sports Bar and Grill in Tooele. Its part of the Allstar bowling alley. I know what you are thinking, comedy at a bowling alley? But the room is perfect. Small, low ceiling, and a great sound system. Thats what I look for when booking a room. It needs to be a place where comedy can shine. Plus the manager has been supper supportive. That is what make or breaks a room.

What is one joke that you have done that has stood out or been a crowd favorite?

I don’t know. I am like most comics. We hate our jokes. We tell them over and over again. Its like wearing the same pants. People who have not seen them think they look great but you just want to wear some shorts. Thats why I keep writing jokes. I love all my new jokes, but they are not always the best ones. I have a handful of jokes that always work.

461571_3788086661766_1281739080_o (1)What do you think of the Utah Comedy Scene?

We need more. We need to do a better job of reaching out to the public and letting them know what we have here in Utah. We have a lot of talent. Utah is full of great comics but the public at large has not embraced the Stand-up comedy scene. I think we have a lot of room to grow. We need more rooms that can attract a larger crowd. Its tough. I enjoy all the places we have and we have some great rooms. Wiseguys is a great comedy club. They bring in great out of town headliners every week. The rooms are great for stand-up. When it comes to stand-up thats the place the public thinks of first. We need more places like that. Places where people who are like “hey, lets go see comedy. Should we go to A, B, or C?” There are a few independent rooms that are great as well. If you are just getting started these are great room to get more stage time. Lumpy’s is a good room. K-Town Comedy brings a great crowd, and a few others that host open mics. The Complex had a long standing room but the public did not show up. In many of these rooms its up to the comics to promote the show but we are comics. We don’t have a lot of friends and the friends we do have don’t really want to hang around us. I know of cities smaller then SLC that have more clubs. We don’t even show up on the map nationally when people are asked about comedy. It would be great if a few folks from SLC would blow up on the national scene and draw some attention to this city.

Where do you see it in 5 years?

A lot of the same. Until the public in SLC knows that comedy is not a sin and that the lord does not frown on loud laughter we will struggle to grow as a comedy market. I love SLC and the scene we have. I just wish the rest of Utah loved it as much as I do.

What is the thing happening in the comedy scene that you are really excited about?

We keep getting more and more rooms. Which is great. Lots of the local comics are great at starting new venues for stand-up. We need a few more to become a “Place to Go” for comedy.

936100_10152899551750475_345328540_n (1)Who are some of your favorite Utah comedic performers?

The law makers of Utah. They crack me up every year. But sometimes I don’t think they are trying to be funny. People who are trying to be funny would be Guy Seidel, Spencer King, Levi Rounds, Christopher Stephenson, Arther Carter, Dean Weber, Blake Bard, Spence Roper, Christian Pieper, Patrick Ramirez, Key Lewis, Jay Whittaker, Jason Harvey, Steve Soelberg, Keith Stubbs, Cody Eden, Marty “Plug King” Archibald, Andy Gold, Natashia Mower, Travis Tate, Andy Farnsworth, Brian Pope, Michael Schooley, Mike Grover, Jordon Mazziotti, Josh Gret, Barbara Gray, Melissa Merlot, Seth Tippetts, Paul Sheffield, Toy Soup — Improv — and of course, John Morison.

856273_243203649190470_1460919083_o 1014318_10202915065466656_1549921153_nWhat shows do you have coming up?

Lumpy’s This Friday. The Comedy night at Allstar Sports Bar and Grill this saturday. March I will be on the show at 5-Monkeys. And I have a tentative weekend at Wiseguys in Ogden in April. You can always catch me doing guest sets at Wiseguys as well. Follow me on twitter if you must see me. I do a great job of telling people how great I am and where to see my greatness.

How can people connect with you?

www.jamiemaxfieldcomedy.comfacebook.com/jamie.maxfieldtwitter.com/JamieMaxfieldyoutube.com/user/jamiemaxfieldcomedy, search for Where’s The Punch Podcast on iTunes.