Tom Rhodes Smart Camp

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Scott Capurro Aug 17, 2014

Show notes

This episode was recorded in Edinburgh, Scotland.

When I moved to San Francisco in 1991 openly gay comedians did not play at the regular clubs in the city, they performed at Josie's cabaret and juice joint in the Castro. It was at Josie's that I first saw Scott Capurro perform. He stood out among all the other comedians that night because he made my sides hurt with laughter.

It was only a few years later Scott would be the first openly gay comedian to bust through the barriers of the regular club scene there. He was like the gay Jackie Robinson busting down the door for all the other gay comedians who would eventually be able to work the regular rooms.

Scott's comedy has always been dark, twisted and controversial just the way I like it. I once had an interviewer ask me of those years in the 1990s when I lived in San Francisco "Did you know you were a part of history when it was happening?" The answer is "No." I just was enjoying my friends killing audiences and getting inspired by them to lift my game higher by always bringing my best.

For many years Scott has lived in London and is a veteran taking part in his 17th Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has stirred up controversy and created many firestorms from crafting his thoughts into jokes at this festival.

We talk about his years of doing Edinburgh Fringe, his life in London and the tragic passing this week of Robin Williams, who Scott costarred with in the movie Mrs. Doubtfire.

Just recently has Scott reappeared in my life and I have to say that I have missed him. He is never lazy in creating his material for the stage and never one to back down from bringing out thoughts that upset more conservative tastes in the audience.

To me he is more than just a gay comedy icon, he is a friend who I respect greatly and a performer I love to watch crushing the bugs of prudishness. It is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Scott Capurro!

Intro song: Cutting Room (Hot Pants) – Oceanliners

Audio Cameo: Graham Brophy

End song: I Loves You Porgy - Diana Ross

Recorded at our big wooden kitchen table of our lovely Edinburgh Festival apartment , Edinburgh August 2014

Andrew Maxwell Aug 13, 2014

Show notes

This episode was recorded in Edinburgh, Scotland

Andrew Maxwell is the kind of guy who you would want on your side in a debating hall, on the football pitch or in a barroom fistfight. Andrew is one of the few human beings that tickles the living shit out of me just to hang out with him. He is a street fighting man originally from Dublin, Ireland who has lived in London for the past 20 years.

I first met him 15 years ago at the Comedy Store in London and he has since gone on to be one of the greatest friends I have ever known. He is one of my favorite people to stay up all night with laughing and talking about everything that comes to mind. His brain is packed with vital information concerning life, history and the general Ninja secret of high level comedy performance.

Regarding the Edinburgh Fringe festival, he has been one of my main sources for advice and guidance that I have sought out over the years leading up to me finally participating in it this year.

He is an exciting performer to watch because he never backs down from the challenging remarks he offers on any topic and his television specials are made with great intelligence equally his great humor.

He is not only one of my favorite people to hang out with but a performer who inspires me every time I see him. Never lazy, never without great thought put into each performance. We recorded this at my kitchen table in my rented Edinburgh apartment just a few hours after I saw him perform this year's hour show at the Assembly Rooms on George street.

In the conversation we talk about the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence, his great moments at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, near death experiences and as he puts it "The proper way to rinse a cunt."

It is my pleasure to present to you now, the one and only Andrew Maxwell!

Intro song: Cutting Room (Hot Pants) – Oceanliners

Audience: Ashna & Suraya

End song: Lightning’ Hopkins - Mojo Hand

Recorded at our big wooden kitchen table of our lovely Edinburgh Festival apartment, August 2014

Yisrael Campbell Aug 11, 2014

Show notes

★★★★★ Tom Rhodes Radio Review for Yisrael Campbell in ‘Circumcise me’

Greetings from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

At a later date I will talk about my personal history with this festival but for now I want to tell you about the magnificence of the biggest and greatest arts festival in the world. There are literally thousands of shows happening here on all manner of topics but the one thing that all of them share is that they each belong to the family of storytellers. I have been racing around the city as much as possible taking in as many different shows as I can and one of the shows I have loved most and that knocked me out is 'Circumcise me' written and performed by Yisrael Campbell.

It is the story of his life and how he went from growing up Catholic in suburban Philadelphia to being an orthodox Jew living in Jerusalem. As is pure in every hero's story it was a bumpy ride to reaching the top of his spiritual journey. Yisrael is a reformed alcoholic, philosophical sage and stand up comedian with clear eyes discerning the continual crisis Israel faces and how best to deal with tragedy when it strikes your life.

I first encountered the bright light of his personality after my first show of the festival run that he attended. I enjoyed his show 'Circumcise me' so much that I went to it twice. I laughed, I cried and stood on my feet clapping wildly when it finished. His story is epic how he became the person that he is today and I would much rather watch a film about his life instead of another dull super hero sequel.

Until then we have his show and this conversation about his life's journey.

At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival review's are very important so let it be known that Tom Rhodes Radio gives 'Circumcise Me' 5 stars! 5 Bravos! and 5 Hallelujahs!

(5 stars are the best you can get on an Edinburgh review) If you are in or anywhere near Edinburgh during his run I highly recommend you put this show on the top of your list of must see shows. It is my pleasure to present to you now the one and only Yisrael Campbell!

Intro song: Cutting Room (Hot Pants) – Oceanliners

Audio Cameo: Ashna making lasagna in the background

End song: The Weight - The Band

Recorded at our big wooden kitchen table of our lovely Edinburgh Festival apartment

Lucas Molandes, Ramin Nazer & Sara Reihani Jul 29, 2014

Show notes

A few weeks ago I performed at Helium in Portland and Lucas Molandes was my feature act. Lucas is from Austin, Texas. Austin is a spiritual center of edgy original comedy and Lucas decided to take the trip West with two other Austin comedians, Ramin Nazer and Sara Reihani.

The set up showcase sets in California and other gigs around the North West. They called it 'The Good Grief' tour and I got to do shows with them in Salem, Oregon and Arcata, California on my drive back to San Francisco after my week in Portland.

While I was in Portland I wanted to watch the World Cup final somewhere cool and Ashna found The Kennedy School. The Kennedy School is a former elementary school that has been turned into a hotel, cinema, bar, restaurants. This conversation was recorded in the back courtyard of the Kennedy School on a lovely July evening the day after the World Cup final and our week together at Helium.

I respect any young comedian who invests in themselves and takes a chance to expand his horizons by trying to do comedy in far away places, to take a chance on yourself to show people what you can do so they book you in the future.

That is why I respect Lucas, Ramin and Sara for taking this journey West.

The best souvenir of any trip is the memories you create and these 3 great friends are in the middle of a trip they will talk about as long as they live.

Ramin Nazer has a new comedy album out now called 'You were funny too'. It is well worth your money to buy it and 2 of my favorite tracks are played in this recording. Remember to support all your favorite comedians on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. because numbers are important and the bean counters of this business look at things like that. Prepare to get fuzzy tingles in your heart as I present to you now Lucas Molandes, Ramin Nazer and Sara Reihani.

Intro song: Cutting Room (Hot Pants) - OceanlinersAudio Cameo: Chris Durant from Savage Henry MagazineStand-up clip from the album: 'You Were Funny Too' by Ramin NazerStand-up clip from YouTube: Lucas Molandes Live at Coldtowne 2-1-2013End song: Witness - The FreysRecorded at the Kennedy School in Portland, OR - July 2014

Nevada Rhodes Jul 21, 2014

Show notes

This episode was recorded in Seoul, Korea

Nevada Rhodes not only has the best last name ever he is a one man volcano bursting with fabulosity. He is tall, blonde and muscular living in Seoul, Korea where he not only speaks fluent Korean he is also one of the stars of the long running hit Korean TV show 'Strange TV Surprise!' He also does stand up comedy and that is how I met him.

I love traveling and presenting to you the many beautiful lunatics I know all over the globe but Nevada is not a lunatic, he is one of the sweetest, most sincere, loving human beings I have ever met. We recorded this on his rooftop garden in Seoul where two ducks and one chicken live among the bountiful array of plant life. He is like the heroine of a Disney animated cartoon the way he cares of all of the life sprouting on his roof and he also teaches Korean children about musicals.

He tells me that living in Korea he feels more free than he ever did in the United States. Of growing up in America he said "Being my fabulous faggotty self I learned from a very early age if you make people laugh they won't beat you up."

When I am in Seoul I always have to stop by and see my friend Nevada because he allows himself to be fabulous which in turn allows others around him to be fabulous. It is my pleasure to present to you now, the one and only Nevada Rhodes!

Intro song: Cutting Room (Hot Pants) - Oceanliners

Audio Cameo: PJ Crowell from San Francisco

End song: 19 días y 500 noches - Joaquín Sabina

Recorded in Seoul, Korea May 2014

Jonathan Atherton Part 2 Jul 14, 2014

Show notes

This episode was recorded in Kuala Lumpur.

Jonathan Atherton built the comedy scene in Singapore and now he just opened the first full time comedy club in Kuala Lumpur called The Crack House.

When he first appeared on my podcast one year ago I got a tremendous response from people saying that thought he was the most interesting man in the world.

His stories about selling shoes to prostitutes in Kenya and smuggling gas into Uganda captivated me and anyone else who heard them. Now he has lived in Malaysia for one year and has just launched the Crack House comedy club.

If this podcast had a bigger budget I would have dropped confetti on his head.

In this episode we talk about the disappearance of the Malaysian airlines plane,

how he is not afraid to go off and party with angry Nigerians all night,

the sad and untimely death of Vernon Lewis "Life is too short to die with bitterness in your heart." How Malaysian police are the best police money can buy, the crude humor that Australians are born with and how we could all learn from an ancient Hindu ritual and suffer more to psychologically elevate yourself of guilt.

He is a man that I respect and admire because he forges much darkness with the light of laughter. Get yourself another big portion of the one and only Jonathan Atherton.

MinhHa Pham Jul 03, 2014

Show notes

MinhHa Pham is a comedy superstar waiting to happen. She just needs a few more years of experience and developing material. Her love of comedy is pure and she is from the most unlikely breeding ground for comedians of Hanoi, Vietnam. I met her last year while I was performing in Hong Kong and she told me all about the new young comedy scene that is happening in Hanoi and it peeked my desire to return there.

My Father flew helicopters in Vietnam, was shot down, survived, saved another soldier's life and was rightfully decorated as a war hero. I love my Dad and the topic of Vietnam was very dear to our family.

In 1994 I was one of the first Americans to go to Vietnam after the travel ban was lifted and I filmed an hour special for Comedy Central there called 'Viva Vietnam!" Since filming there I have always wanted to return and since it had been 20 years since I had been there I set up a show there on my next tour of Asia. Filming 'Viva Vietnam!" we went all over the country and Hanoi was my favorite place so for this visit I spent a whole relaxed week there.

Dan Dockery who owns the House Of Son Tinh is a beautiful lunatic from England who drove me all over the city at night on his motorcycle in the rain. Of all the great things I did that week nothing was more fun than the show I did at the House Of Son Tinh and MinhHa Pham opened the show for me.

She is young, attractive and likable so I knew she would do well on the stage but I was honesty blown away at how smart and funny her jokes were. She graduated from the university of Minnesota and started doing stand up comedy at Gotham comedy club in New York City 2 years ago. Now she is back living in her hometown of Hanoi forging this new art form and expanding her horizons while more stage time in cities around Asia. If she is this funny after only doing it for 2 years then I easily predict that she will be as massive as she would chose to be. It is a mighty claim but nonetheless you will be pleased to know such a person as MinhHa Pham exists. I am grateful to her for giving me the reason to return to a place that I loved and was deeply meaningful to me.

This conversation was recorded at the Hanoi Social Club just a few hours before our show that night. As much as I love my new expensive killer microphone I think it may have been too good because of all the chaos of noise happening outside of our open air window. The streets sounds of Hanoi, car horns, scooter horns, communist propaganda loud speaker announcements, there were moments while we were recording that the city burst out with a plethora of crazy noises. That is the charm of Hanoi and you can hear it in full effect on this recording. It was blazing hot, the windows had no glass and Coca Cola on ice never tasted better.

It is my pleasure to take you all the way to Hanoi in this episode and introduce you to the one and only MinhHa Pham!

Jason John Whitehead Jun 27, 2014

Show notes

This episode was recorded in Los Angeles.

I first met Jason John Whitehead about ten years ago at The Comedy Store in Sydney. Then I worked with him in Jakarta and Bali. He is from Nova Scotia, Canada, started being a comedian in Edinburgh and cut his teeth Manchester and London. He has done nine one hour Edinburgh shows. He is also a veteran of the world wide comedy circuits and now he is living in Los Angeles. He is one of the most pleasant people in comedy. Last month when I was at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles a young comedian got punched in the nose right in front of us. He go over the details of that epic knock out between comedians, he advises me on doing the Edinburgh Fringe festival and he explains what he likes most about living in North America instead of England. It is my pleasure to present to you the one and only Jason John Whitehead.

Ritch Shydner Jun 13, 2014

Show notes

This episode was recorded in Burbank, California. Ritch Shydner is a comedian I always looked up to an admired while I was growing up, having watched him on Johnny Carson, David Lettermen and his HBO special. I had known him for years before I ever knew that he was there at El Brookman's in Washington D.C. the night my father took me there to see comedy when I was 12 years old. That night changed my life forever and Ritch remembers some of the details more clearly than I do. The fact that he remembers the night there was a kid (me) in the audience that night makes my love and respect for him hit hyperspace. He wrote a book called "I Killed" which was a compilation of the greatest comedian road stories of all time. That book remains text book learning for young comedians looking to gain insight on the business of comedy. He writes for Bill Maher and in recent years has been helping turn Bill Maher's book "True Stories" into a screen play. Everytime I run into this man at the clubs he always puts a smile on my face. He is a warrior who grew into a wise man. He is a wise Buddha of comedy wisdom and knowledge. It is my pleasure to present to you the one and only Ritch Shydner.

Duncan Trussell May 30, 2014

Show notes

This episode was recorded in Los Angeles.

I have only been friends with Duncan Trussell for a few years but he has already skyrocketed to the top of my list of people that I love hanging out with. We never talk about mundane topics like sports or weather, we always go to higher planes of love and consciousness as we do in today's episode that was recorded on a pleasant late Spring evening while we sat outside on Duncan's front porch.

In this conversation we talk about spirituality, the transformation of evil souls into good ones, neurological science and most bend bending of all is his theory that we are all unknowingly building a time machine for the future.

He has his own podcast that I have appeared on twice called the Duncan Trussell Family Hour. I like how when we get together it is mental ping pong hitting ideas back and forth. When we get together it is wise to roll recording equipment and if the universe was balanced correctly he and I would already have a TV show together.

Aside from having a brilliant mind he also very easily always cracks me up.

It is my pleasure to present to you now, the one and only Duncan Trussell.