Good News York by Growth Mode Content - GNY EP 33. Feat. Stand-Up Comedian Paul Valenti

Episode Date: May 5, 2025

Good News York: Comedy, Injuries, and Friendship with Paul Valenti In this episode of Good News York, host Mike Brindisi reunites with an old friend, Paul Valenti, a multi-talented comedian, actor, and podcast host. They discuss their early days in comedy, the importance of classic comedians like the Three Stooges, and Paul's journey in the comedy world. Paul shares stories from his performance career, including his time on NBC’s ‘Bring the Funny’ and the physical challenges he has faced along the way, such as breaking his wrist on stage. The episode also highlights Paul’s foray into teaching comedy workshops and his current projects, including his play at the Curtain Call Theatre. Tune in for a mix of humor, touching moments, and behind-the-scenes insights into the life of a working comedian. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:21 Meeting Paul Valenti 01:24 Reminiscing About Comedy Beginnings 04:01 Paul's Journey in Comedy 12:20 The Chris and Paul Show Origins 14:18 Managing ADHD as a Comedian 19:31 Performing and Evolving 28:30 Impact of COVID on Comedy 32:18 The Impact of Social Media on Live Shows 33:03 Navigating the Modern Music Scene 33:59 The Importance of Human Connection 34:18 Chris and Paul's Comedy Workshops 35:02 The Challenges of Viral Fame 42:32 Paul's Injury and Dedication to Comedy 42:52 Journey to NBC's 'Bring the Funny' 52:03 The Impact of COVID-19 on Their Career 58:36 Paul's Recent Projects and Future Plans

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Only available with TurboTax experts. Real-time updates only in iOS mobile app. All right, welcome. It is Monday of Good News York. I am alone again because Matt is out beating people up at the soup kitchen. He's a real jerk. But that's perfect because I am joined, and I can say this, by an actual friend of mine.

He is a comedian, a sketch comedian, stand-up comedian, actor, podcast host. He does it all. I love him so much, and I'm so excited he's here. Mr. Paul Valenti. Paul Valenti, it's a very weak clap because it's just me today. Paul, my man, look at you. I know. I look so pale.

You know, we, no, you look fine. I, you know, I sit here and I'm like, am my friend and I'm like, you know, I'm actually a shitty friend because we've only like talked through social media. We haven't like, we haven't really caught up like this, you know? No, we've been meaning to over the years. I think that it's safe to say that you and I have both fans of each other.

Oh my God. Yes. I don't know about you. I'm a fan of yours. I'm a fan of yours. I, uh, do you remember where we met? I do. I do.

And I've been excited to talk about that. I would love to hear your point of view, because here's my point of view. I, when I started doing comedy back in the day, first took my first crack at it, I started sweeping floors at a local comedy club, and I became the house MC there.

But my goal was I wanted to get to SNL or, you know, move down to the city. And so I started looking up different, you know, I was trying to get gigs down there, and I found this showcase to be an excellent. on S&L. And it was at, it was at a restaurant.

Like we were in the back room of a restaurant. And they had us do 10 minutes each. It was like, you know, eight of us packed in this back hall, back room of a restaurant. And I remember I watched you and I was like, this guy, I love this guy. He reminds me of a young Belushi.

I really, and I still feel that way. and you and I, we hit it off. And we kind of just started staying in touch. And then I made the stupid move of doing my music career instead of my comedy career. And now I'm back at the comedy. But I just thought you were amazingly talented and you were such a nice guy. And it's rare when you stay in touch with people over the years that you meet on a whim, especially in that situation.

And I've done it with nobody else but you. And it's awesome. That's how I keep track of all my friends. I meet them once and then we're like, no need to meet up anymore. We're good. We're good. We have this action or whatever.

I'll follow you on the apps of the socials. And then that'll be it. That's it. Does that sound accurate though? Does that sound like the accurate? it? We've hung out a few times. It was a few.

Okay. It was a few times. It was a few times because I believe I know I went to that showcase twice. I don't remember reforming. I think you did. I think, no, you did. Was it with Chris or did I do something else? No, you were alone, I'm pretty sure.

I think you did stand up. I'm pretty sure. But it, no, it was. It wasn't sad because I, again, I thought I was comparing you to a young Bolution. I loved this. I loved you. That's high praise. Thank you. Well, let's talk about that. Crazy. Let's talk about that.

So, you know, there's a lot to get to between the Chris and Paul show, the Chris and Paul podcast. I know you do some off-Broadway stuff. You've got the workshops. Let's start from the beginning of you getting into comedy and how that all started. Because you live in Connecticut, right? Am I? Now you do. Now you do.

I was living in New York City for 15 years. I moved back just before COVID. Oh, got lucky. Good timing. Yeah. Because I would have got COVID right away. Oh. I know.

Like, yeah, I'm still on a subway. I don't care. I like the polls. I was actually at an audition in the city the weekend of the shutdown. Like when it all started, when all the madness started. I was in the belly of the beast and somehow I escaped with no COVID. But anyway, enough about me. Wow.

Yeah. Yeah. Crazy. A lot right there. It was a lot. So sorry. Nothing. No, no.

Let me see. I want to say we met 2003 or 2004. That's right. It was about 2003 or four. Yep. Three, four. Okay. Okay.

And I had no idea what I was doing. I knew. I knew a few things. I wanted to perform. I didn't know how. I didn't know where. I was very, at that time, very, very influenced by kids in a hall.

Yes. And Chris Farley. And I had a lot of, well, my first, experience to comedy was the three stooges. Good for you, man. Good for you for mentioning the three stooges. They don't get enough love anymore.

They really were pioneers for physical comedy and the thing, you know, the comedy, our brand of comedy. It was angry, but it was, it was brilliant. It opened my eyes. And it allowed me to be silly in school. And I learned about the three stooges in second grade because I sat next to this kid, Pino Sorrow, who I still once in a while keep track in the social media. Good. So every once in a while, well, we'll get a little weight. A little hello.

A little hello or son of Three Stooges meme. Perfect. And he says to me, hey, did you, do you ever watch The Three Stooges? And of course I wanted to fit in. So I lied. Right. And said, yeah. But since I moved, I moved to a new school.

Since I moved, I don't know what channel it's on. So tell me, and he did. And I went home and my, tell my mom, hey, wake me up at 6.30 morning. because I want to watch the three studios. I love that. And then I came in and I came in and I came, you know, do you watch three studios? And we just hit it off, started talking. And my first was, uh, episode was a Shemp.

Okay. Didn't discover Curley until maybe a few weeks later. And I was like, wow. Shep still still think Shep is great as his own thing. Sure. He just out shouted by Curley, uh, because he was out for, you know, so many years. Uh, yeah, that's how he got it. And then when I met you, I was probably in the city for, let's see, a year or two.

But before I went to the city, I was actually in a play called The Three Scroooges. No. A Christmas Carol with the Three Stooges. That's phenomenal. And I was, oh, my gosh, I got to play this role. And that was at this place called Curtin Call where I met Chris in 99. So I met Chris in 99. I did the show in 2001 and 2002.

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and I remember auditioning, and I did my impression of Curly, and I made it to the final audition, and the director said, if we cast you, would you shape? Yes. Yes. I was.

I absolutely will. Absolutely will. Yeah. So because now I got into that show, the guys who directed started opening me my eyes up to. I mean, I knew Abigail Sello. I knew a little bit of Laurel Hardy.

Sure. I didn't know. There was a whole world that I didn't meet, like Buster Keaton, Chaplin, Howard Lloyd. I mean, all these great comedians of the past,

Sid Caesar, Red Skelton. I started knowing, And I was like, oh, so now you started changing my mind. Sure. These guys can get laughs without being crude. And I'm not against me, whatever. But I thought it's like you have to work harder to get a laugh without saying anything. And I loved that.

So I was trying to fit in that out when I met you. So I was probably all overplayed. So I couldn't tell you. No. I think, did. I, but you mean, you could. No, that, no, that checks out because that's why I, I said a young. Volushi, you were like an old soul to me.

Like I could tell that you, you got it. Like you had all the, the characteristics of those traditional classic pioneer performers. And so obviously, you have talent, but obviously that's what you were watching because I could see that, you know, in your act. And I think that's awesome, man. I think, I think it's great that you, you know, it's 2025 and people are still out there paying homage to the greats that, you know, we all would. be here doing it if it wasn't for those guys, you know? Right. Of course.

Absolutely. And I remember when you were on stage and you had my humor because you were doing some physical stuff yourself. Yes, I was very physical. I don't remember where you were mimicking, but it was funny. And the way you were just like wriggling your body something. Yes. But I was laughing my ass off.

You were the only one laughing. I think. I think, yeah, hello. I think I may have been doing like, God, this is awful. I think I was doing different porn positions. I think I was, I do. I think I was talking about how like people watch porn

and like they, you know, it used to be just missionary. And now it's like they're getting so creative. And I think I got up on the stool. That might have been. That sounds like something I would have been doing then. But either way. You know, I do remember the casting director, we got done.

And I basically cornered him before he left. And I was like, look. I was like, I have dreamt to be on S&L. Please, like, just give me that shot. And I scared the shit out of him. But it worked because I got on twice as an extra. But that's when I met you. And then as the years went on, we stayed in touch.

And it kind of seems like I said, you know, Paul Valenti, you know, sketch comedy, stand-up, actor, you're doing it all, but it seems like the Chris and Paul show has kind of been your main gig for a long time, and you guys were on, just a few years back, you were one of the finalists on the NBC show,

Bring the Funny, which blew my mind because, again, we just talked about, I knew you for all these years, I knew your talent, and then all of a sudden you're on an NBC show, I'm like, yes, finally, dude, he fucking got his break. And, you know, I was so proud. And it's funny because I have a friend of mine, her and her husband, watched the show. And they were talking to me about it.

And they mentioned, they're like, oh, I loved this Chris and Paul guy. I'm like, wait a minute. And I'm like, is that? That's how I found out you were on the show. So I turned. Oh, you? Yeah, no shit. And I catch the highlights.

I'm like, that's my buddy, Paul. I can't believe it. So they thought it was the coolest thing that I knew you. And then I told him he's really, he's not that cool. but I'm kidding. He hides for me. He doesn't, he doesn't, he doesn't, that's right. Right, that's right.

I know, I'm bad at that. So, anyway, I digress. I, uh, you meet Chris in 1999. Talk about how the Chris and Paul show and, and all of this came together. Okay, so I'm going to give you the, uh, the end of version because there's a lot of things that have to. Dude, it's just you and me, babe. We got the time. Do you have a day?

We have a day. Yeah, everything's very vivid to me. I do have this incredible memory of what happened in sequence, most of the stuff. But, you know, I'll put down my keys or my phone. What does it do with my phone? Where is it? Was it, you know, I just said, you're idiot. But you asked me about a, like, you're not.

You know, most gigs, I do have a visual. I don't know. It's like an emotional connection. They said the things you remember the most is the things you have an emotional connection with. Oh. Yeah. They, you know, they. They all say.

Those people that say. Yeah. The they's. Yeah. They say. They're friends with everybody, right? They're friends with everybody, right? When you're at the party.

Who was there? Everybody. Everybody was there. Yeah. Yeah. Same people. Right, right. It's like a club.

They club and they, what they say means, no matter, it does have to act, you know, be connected to facts or anything. It's just like they say it. And if they say it, then it, it overrides everything. Well, they said. Yeah, well, they. Well, if they said, then I guess. All right.

Yeah. That's such a weird phrase. I know. I heard they know what they're saying. You know what they're saying? Yeah. You know what they said? I hate that.

They say. No. Yeah. Our language is so weird because we say a lot of things. Sorry, I'm going here enough. No, it's fun. I love that. That was fun.

I don't know quickly. I was diagnosed ADHD last July. Oh, dude, you're new. Welcome to the family. It's wild, isn't it? I was with my psychiatrist. I mean, I'm sorry, gosh. My therapist just 2018.

And we've always talked about it. but she couldn't diagnose me. And then I realized how much problems I was having. Yeah. And then she says, well, let's see if I'm finding a psychiatrist. And I did. And I'm medicated and it's a game changer. Though I forgot to take it this morning.

Oh, good. A little chatty. I take a little, I take Ritalin. I, too, got diagnosed in 2019. even though my entire life, everyone was like, you've got ADD because I was, you know, but the myth is everyone's like, squirrel. And like, yes, the focus is a very big part of it.

But they don't understand, like, I don't know, have you ever put your keys in the refrigerator? You know, like, it's not just about focus. It's emotional control. It's racing thoughts. It's obviously the focus part of it. So I get it, man. And when I finally started going to therapy and getting Medicaid and getting a handle on, it was a game changer.

Because it's a superpower. Like, the way I explain it is like it's the best and worst. So it's like, you're listening to a podcast right now. Driving, working out, walking the dog. If you're into podcasts, chances are you have something to say too. With RSS.com, starting your own is free and easy. upload an episode and we distribute it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and hundreds more. Track your listeners, see where they're from, and start earning from ads like this, even with just 10 listeners a month.

If you've been thinking about starting a podcast, this is your sign. Start free at RSS.com. You're listening to a podcast right now, driving, working out, walking the dog. If you're in a podcast, chances are you have something to say too. With RSS, com starting your own podcast is free and easy upload an episode and we distribute it to apple podcasts spotify amazon music and more track your listeners see where they're from and start earning from ads just like this if you've been thinking about starting a podcast this is your sign start your new podcast for free today at rss dot com the same thing that allows me to be so fast and be able to improv and be able to think of outside of the box ideas is also a

the same thing that I can't sit down at night and watch a show and relax because I have 54,000 thoughts on a conveyor belt going through my head, you know? So I was always like, I want to have quality of life, but I don't want to curb my creativeness, you know? Right. Say for me, yeah, yeah, all of a sudden my brain went, and I still had things to do, but I wasn't overwhelmed. Right.

When I would have a bunch of things to do, like, oh, I got it. And my place would be a mess, and that was my head. But every time I would organize my thoughts for a second, it'd be nice and also get messy again. Now that I'm on it, I have things here, like notes here. Everything's organized. I have a to-do book that every day, then I write in now. Dude, I live by my calendar. My iPhone calendar.

I mean, it's so bad, it's like, oh, 2 o'clock, breathe, clip my toenails. Like, my wife jokes, like, I can't believe you put that stuff in your phone. And I'm like, I can't believe you don't understand that I need to put this stuff in my phone, you know? Whatever works, you know? Yes. When I went back to college, I talked texted my papers. Because I started to realize, how the hell am I going to write a paper? I don't, I can't say, I know what to write, but I just hate doing it.

Dude, I would take my phone. I would talk, text my papers into my phone, email it to myself, put it into Microsoft Word, edit it, and then submit it. And I thought I was cheating. And I told one of the professors, I was like, listen, I just want to be open and honest. That's what I've been doing. And they're like, that's not cheating. Those were your own thoughts. They're like, you're managing your ADHD.

So, brother, I get it. Yeah. Well, that's what I started doing. It was always very hard for me. I had all these ideas for scripts. and when Chris and I would have ideas, it was so hard to write a whole sketch and rewrite it and rewrite it and rewrite it.

And it was so overwhelming. And Chris and I, especially in the beginning, we would, oh, shit ideas. I mean, Chris is an idea maniac. For every one idea came up, but Chris came up with five things. So we just had a pile of ideas. Then I just started, okay, just write bits down.

And then Chris had, started rehearsing the bit, okay, let's do this, let's do that. But we do it so much that we would start memorizing movement. So that's how I was able to do that. So now I can write bits. So I accept it. Just write bits. Right.

You don't have to work the whole thing and then take the concept. And that's why I think our show is great because it's very loose. It's not like, though here. I mean, we do have some structure. But when it comes to the physicality or anything else that pertains to that sketch, it's fresh all the time to us. That's great. That makes sense.

Absolutely. I know, and I feel for you because, you know, I struggle so much. I have so many, you know, script ideas, some that I've started. And I try to explain to people that it's not like I don't want to. That's the hard part about it is I really want to write that and finish it. But my brain, I'm like in this paralysis where it's like I can't just sit in. do it. And that tug of war can be debilitating, especially in the field that we're in, right? You know, the creative field. So I love that you've found a way to manage it, like you just

explained. So let's talk about the Chris and Paul show. So you meet Chris in 99. Now we'll bring it back. We'll do like a Tarantino. Now we're going back. You meet Chris. How does this come about the Chris and Paul show? We met through a mutual friend. I was doing. doing a show and I knew of Chris because we all ran around in the same circle. Yeah. And the very first time I met him, I was in a lobby of the theater that we were performing at and they were doing some instructions. So there was boards that they were pieces of wooded throwing out and who was showing off to

all the the girls in the cast and I can break wood. Because I was into martial arts. Then Teal was taking martial classes. Yeah, I can do this. And then Chris comes in and he goes, hey, what are you doing? I'm just breaking board. It's like, let me see. So he grabs a board and I'm about to go.

And he goes, never mind. And he ran out. So that's our first interaction. And then I saw him in noises off. And I saw him the stage and I thought it was like, holy crap, this kid is funny. Yeah. And then we, uh, then my. friend Darren and I were in a play

and we were talking to say I want to be like kids in a hall I want to do a sketch trip I should know what to do I goes you should talk to Chris he's really funny he has he he likes a comedy a lot and we all met there was like ton of us that went over Darren's house and we all just started writing a show we didn't know what we were doing but Chris

I guess in the beginning of the year his senior year he talked to the he talked to one of the um the teachers and say, hey, I want to do a comedy show at the end of the year. So he's like, yeah, do whatever. So it was the Crystal O'Neill comedy show. So for like months, we're working. We're thinking, well, where could we before?

We're before. And then when you see it, Chris Williams was, wait a minute. I have a show, the Chris O'Neill comedy show at the end of the year. And we could do this there at Stanford High at Chris's high school. So it was great. So we did that. And we did this show on May 20th. than 2000.

And that was our first, I guess, Chris and I were staging, we had the footage of one of the sketches we wrote called Who the Hell is on First? Where everyone's trying to explain the joke to me and I don't get it at all. Dude, that's great.

That is great. Yeah. Who the hell is on first? I don't understand this. Yeah. Yeah. We're probably going to post it soon. We're actually revamping our social media's and we're going to start posting like old stuff. That's great.

But yeah, so that was the first thing. And Chris and I remember, I guess Chris goes, I knew I wanted to work with you because I came on stage at the end of that sketch with a lullip and Chris gives me the live because would you like some? And I took from a put in my mouth. And you can see Chris almost break and the audience laughs and Chris goes, that's when I knew I wanted to work with you. it's yielded or anything.

And that was it. And then it basically shrunk to where Chris and I were mostly doing most of the stuff together. And then Chris goes, let's go into the city. Let's let's go. I know a couple of guys that go in. We could do that too. So I called New York Comedy Club and I said, hey, I manage these two guys. And we would love to do show.

He's like, yeah, yeah, I just come down with your feet. People. Like, oh, okay. Exactly. That's New York, man. Yeah. And then we started performing in New York County Club, but we didn't know where to put sketch comedy.

So we did our two-man act on that New York comedy stage. And then that's how we started to grow up. We did this probably like eight years to find our voice. But we knew what we wanted to do. We just didn't know how to do it and how to mold it. Sure. Especially then. You know, you didn't have as many different choices of outlets, you know, it was, it's tough because that's why the dream for us, like I like stand up a lot.

But I enjoy sketch. I enjoy bits. And now with TikTok and, you know, Instagram and all that, you can do that on the regular, you know, but back then it was like you either had to perform it live or there really was only a show like SNL, which was obviously the toughest nut to crack. So I know what you mean in trying to find your way, but you guys did. And so you started performing, you would do that two-man show at comedy clubs. And then didn't you transition to theaters as well? Because I know you. Eventually.

Yeah. Eventually, we went to the people's improv theater. And our first show there was Chris actually had a Miss Cousin's Wedding for that. It was, we did three shows in December. Oh, wow, we have three shows in a row. So we got a book there And we have it on film And it's horrible

It's the worst But have you Yeah but at the same time You gotta go easy on yourself Have you ever met anybody Who's turned on the tape of their first anything And been like man We really nailed it right out of the gate

You know like It's part of the deal And I mean I think it's better than you probably think So if If I was to go to a Chris and Paul show now What do I expect? It's a two-man show, obviously. Is it just straight improv?

Do you have scripted bits? Is it a little bit of both? What am I getting at a Chris and Paul show live? So, well, Chris and I, we roughly do an hour. And a lot of it is, you know, more physical, not dialogue when it's necessary. Sure. And a lot of audience participation. I love that.

And if you saw the, what do we do? The balloon bit where we brought Chrissy Teigen on stage. Yes, which checked that out. Yeah. Yeah. That was one of our favorite bits. And that's, gosh, that bits probably 2009, 2010. But we, but we, and the good thing, what I love about Chris and I was always tweaking the bits and see how can we shift.

can it move? Is it done? Do we try to solve this? Do we throw it? So him and I are very good at knowing what's good, knowing what's still good, and knowing what can be improved on. Sure. And when we started doing the balloon bit where Chris is a balloon and I blow him up and then

he flies away, we felt like, oh, okay, what we can do more bits with the audience and have them, you know, be part of them, not make fun of them. Right. What I love about that bit is, and it works every time, I'm not having to give it away now, but, well, basically, you know, they give on the balloon and, you know, when I, they go to clap and then they don't realize they like over the string, and that's when Chris goes off. And it's so good, the reaction, because, you know, there's a point out that the song has a big crescendo and I pointed the purse and they go,

why did you let go of the bullet? And it just settles in. But we love to make people feel a part of it. So over the years, we've written tons of sketches where there's audience volunteers. Now we're trying to do like half half, but it was always a good three or four bits where people knew was coming. So yeah,

so you did audience volunteer, volunteer stuff. a lot of classical music, a lot of very, very in tune with Busterton and then Laurelum Harvey. But also some twists are very morbid. Yeah, and I love that.

You know what is? It's like a giant kids show. It's two giant kids. We're in his kid show and all of a sudden it takes a dark time. No, see that, and that's why you and I get along. Like, I love that bit you guys did where you're at the funeral. and like it's all emotional

and then I don't want to give it away but at the end like it just you know it flips and you're essentially making fun of something I just I love that and I think dark humor has a place especially nowadays

Of course So the Chris ImpaS show How often are you guys performing now Just a couple times a year Are you I know you tour Are you primarily doing it in the city still Where are you at with that? No we so we have a

a couple of venues. I mean, here's the thing. And Chris and I are pivoting more towards social media now because that's wherever we were talking to our agent about it. And that's probably the direction to go. Well, because we found out

before COVID, Chris and I would would, well, he will remember, Chris was in Book of Mormon. From 2012 to like 2017. On Broadway?

On Broadway? Yeah, he did. No shit. He did two and a half years on the road. He was the first tour for Book of Mormon, the first tour, Book of Mormon. And then he did Broadway for two and a half years. And when he came to Broadway, it was great because then, you know, I would produce some of these shows.

And I'd call Chris up. I say, hey, you want to come perform? It's been doing a spot to me. He's a yeah, yeah, yeah. So he would come right out for the show, Broadway show. and come do, you know, 15 minutes with me. That's amazing. It was the greatest because we just fell right into it.

Chemistry, man. Yeah, it is. Well, that's the thing about the only thing Chris and I had that would held us together, because even when we were younger, we were still trying to find our creative flow. Yeah. And there would be a lot of fights, but we'd be, we could figure out. We would get frustrated with each other.

Like, no, no, we got to do this. We got it that way. But every time we got on stage, I mean, we were just, It was flawless. And it shows. Yeah, we learned shorthy together. And then we started just agreeing together. I said, what works?

And Chris figured how I worked. I figured out Chris worked. And now it's just easier to be in the same page with each other, get there faster. And yeah, so we were doing a ton of shows. And in New York City, we were selling out all the time. And we had our fan base, if you will. And then after COVID, It's been tough to sell shows.

It's not just you, though. I hope you know that. Yeah, I know. It's tough. You know, it's hard for me personally, just as a human being, but also as a performer. I'm trying to get, like, everything feels weird to me since COVID. And I can't gauge of it. I can't gauge if it's, you know, is it my mental health?

Is it post-pandemic still? Is it because I'm now in my 40s? or I just had a second kid. All this shit happened all at once for me, so it's hard to, like, pull it apart and figure out why things feel so different. And, you know, am I not plugged into the scene as much as I thought I was,

or are people just not going out anymore? And I'm starting to find the more people I talk to that I think it's just, I think society was always heading in this direction with social media and not being out as more. But I just think the pandemic kind of microwaved it, you know? Yes. It did.

Yeah. I feel like... You're listening to a podcast right now. Driving, working out, walking the dog. If you're into podcasts, chances are you have something to say too. With RSS.com, starting your own is free and easy. Upload an episode, and we distribute it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, and hundreds more. Track your listeners, see where they're from, and start earning from ads like this.

Even with just 10 listeners a month. If you've been thinking about starting a podcast, this is your sign. Start free at RSS.com. Like, it's, well, and it's all so easier to connect with someone because I can go do a show. We don't know who's going to show up and you're trying to message people. And but the whole thing about social media is you're looking to catch algorithm too. Yes. So it's, it's, everyone has the access to do everything, right?

So now we're all on the same playing field. So we went to the, we went to the theater and you had a, you know, the show. People will talk about it and go to the theater. Yep. And that's fine. Now they're like, well, I'm on social media. Don't you on social media? I mean, if Christopher's on social media, I might as just watch them there.

Right. But nothing is better than live shows. I think it made a mentality. And now we have a whole group of people who don't know. what it's like before cell phones. I know. So they've been connected where I still think a live show is great. But now we're looking, everyone's looking at KISS the algorithm.

And now everyone has the same equipment. How do we get her head of? Yeah. I think it's competition. It's more. Well, it's just oversaturation because, you know, for every five talented people on social media, there's probably 500 who have no business being on there.

And we're just oversaturated with that stuff. So it is hard to stand out, but it's an interesting time because, you know, in the music world, I've found the new thing I just caught on to some bands haven't even played a show yet. They're just like uploading, like they create their own music video or they take a video of them at rehearsal and they build, you know, hundreds of thousands of followers. And then the demand is, okay, now we can go out, which is actually the right way to do it. But back in the day, you used to go on and perform so people would buy your music and come to the next show. It's a strange. It's strange navigating this. We're going through a different.

Something's happening. I don't know where it's shifting just yet. I mean, obviously, everything is going to go online, but what's going to do to live shows? Yeah. I mean, I just. I don't know. I mean, I'm curious what you think. I just have this.

I have a theory. but maybe it's more of a hope. I can't ever imagine that live shows and face-to-face performance and socializing is ever going to die. I mean, you need that as a society. I mean, do you feel that way? Yeah.

I think this is, I think it's so important to have that human connection. That's why I'll probably talk about it later but Chris and I do workshops now. Yeah, I was going to transition to that. Yeah. We do workshops together.

We have the Chris and Paul Comedy Workshop. which we touch on physical comedy. And then I do team building workshops and other workshops. But what I love about improvisation is the connection that you can get working with people. Yep. And I feel like sometimes, yeah, that's missed because, yeah, it means now this is doom scrolling. So yeah, that's cool. That's cool. That's cool.

This guy's really funny. Yeah. okay, we'll go to a show. Right. Yeah. I don't know. So I feel like, well, here's a thing also because a lot of people, like the 500 people that aren't funny, but they'll have this one great viral bit that they fart and give you the middle finger. That's it.

And they're like, that's hilarious. And they show to all their friends. But they wouldn't go to a show to go see a guy fart. I'm going viral. Right? It's so hard to navigate that You know It's I don't understand it

No it's an exciting time But it's also nerve wracking Because you're just like I chalk it up to like I just remember being a kid and being like I wonder what it's going to be like in the future And as of like the last two to three years I'm like I think we're finally in the future now

Like I think we're here Where they are now just trying to Yeah It's like settling Like it's still bubbling and trying to figure out it's, it's, it's, it's, so I'm glad you mentioned the comedy workshops. That's where I was going next. I think it's amazing that not only, you know, do you perform as much as you do, but you're, you know, doing the justice of passing on your knowledge and teaching workshops. How do people, I know you, you can be booked, you can go to schools and do it?

Do you do it privately? What's the deal for the comedy workshops? So when we do shows, we also implement a workshop that we go to. We just came back from the comedy arena, which is in McKinley, Texas, and our McKinney, Texas. And we do the show, we do four shows, and we do a workshop either Saturday or Sunday. And it's all the people from the theater. No. Yeah.

it's great and we've been there for for three years we absolutely love the comedy arena um jared who uh runs it an amazing person he's who uh always treats uh his is uh his uh talent with the almost respect and he's friendly and that's what kind of that that's what you want and then so when we started doing our workshops he's like yeah of course yeah by all me i think you're great you guys should be doing this and and it's been successful. I started teaching workshops probably around 2012, 13. I became fascinated with improv

because I saw a lot of bad improv shows. I bet. But it was creating community. So yeah, they do a show. They do a $5 show and they all go and hang out and then we're joking around and, you know, just being friendly. Like, okay. So don't care how bad your improv is as long as you guys are getting the other community. I was like, there's something there. Yeah.

So it took me a while to try to figure that out. So I started teaching what I know, what I've learned from improvisation to what works for me. And then I started expanding that into physicality and what I love to do. And then I started expanding that to, okay, what is this really connection, uh, improvise? do and it kind of meshed it with philosophy for acting and perform so see art is all

I spread it improv and I don't know like improv is everything but I think improv I know because I've seen improv helps with a crossboard with everything it does especially with human connection I just did a team building for

a new Vance hospital and it was 12 or 13 health educators Wow Okay and me going to my tough room more But I told them my philosophy And I gave

I was given them games of example Of how to connect Yeah With with each other And they were having a blast And I mean, as soon as that We got that first left, not because what I was doing, because of what they were doing.

And most of them were friends. Some of them met for the first time. A lot of people know each other from online. There were several educators from Zimbabwe who were doing something at the, I guess they were doing some classes there. And so there are people invited. Hey, we're doing this team building thing. And no problem.

It just came. And they were blown away. One of the dentist, she came to me, said, would you ever come from Zambal? I'm like, yeah. Keep your province in Bombay. He has cranes. Yeah. Yeah.

But it wasn't like, my first thing is like, let's not be funny. Let's just connect. Sure. That's all. It's simple connect. And I think that's what we mess. We miss out on. I don't, there's no judging.

Because we do have a lot of judging in the world. Even before all this crazy stuff happened with politics, they were still, I remember when I was a kid, making fun of people. Oh. And I go, ooh. to me, that's cringing out. Yes. And I have a couple of your friends like, oh, look at that. I just.

I know. I know. It's when I think back to, you know, I actually was saying recently, thank God. There wasn't social media back when I was a teenager in my 20s. Like, you know, the dumb shit I would have said and done. Yeah. Things have changed so much. And have you gone back and watched some of like your favorite 90s movies and been like,

what did they just say? Let me too. There's so much shit that went over our heads that I was like, that's not a good thing that we said there. No, but I think that's great that you teach. So you, in other words, when you go and travel and perform the Chris and Paul show, you'll make a weekend out of it and also include workshops that weekend as well. Yes.

And we have a little theater that Chris and I met at. We do workshops there. There's a couple theaters we're doing. Now we just started working with this company called Unthinkable, unthinkable comedy. Okay. Based out of Westchester. Nice.

And it's his husband and wife, Gary and Sarah, who are amazing people, who we were kind of running around the same circle. We kind of knew each other. And they were part of this improv troupe that actually was part of my show was producing Sketch Block. Nice. And Gary sent me pictures.

Yes, that's right. We did, we did bump into each other. So when I sent them my resume, I was like, I know this name. And they were like, oh, I know this name. And then we found them in that. Then everything opened up like, great. So now they teach in schools.

And so now I'm teaching kids from first grade all the way to 12th grade, which is great. Do you feel that same fulfillment that you get when you're on stage and you're interacting with the crowd and you're connecting? Do you find that when you're. teaching and you make that connection with the student does it scratch that same itch for you? Oh yes, yeah.

For both Chris and I. And also it's my, it's easier in my body. Well, sure. I'm going to tell you what to do now. You do it. I'm old. You flip off that stool. Dude, yeah. I mean, well, I don't know if I noticed. I don't know if you see this. What do you got?

Oh, my God. I broke my wrist on stage. No. Yeah. Did you? During bring the fun. Oh my God Well dude you're killing it because that's literally where I was transitioning to next Paul Valenti with me you are on the NBC's Bring the Funny You were one of the finalists

And I wanted to talk to you about that But we'll go back to the beginning of that How did you break you broke your wrist during like the recording of the actual episode? No No We all right So going into Bring the Funny we get there

I think the third or fourth day we have to film our first bit okay so like okay so here it is we're going to do your first bit and then if you don't make it you go home like oh wow so Chris and I like all right let's just put on a great performance

and Chris and I work our asses off every day just to just to make sure we stay on And then we ended obviously staying for three and a half weeks. And then we went back to say we're going to film the finale in September. So Chris and I figured, okay, what we're going to do for the finale? And meanwhile, let's promote a show and say we want to get loose in practice. Maybe we can help us come up with ideas.

And July 20th, we do a show at the pit. You know it's bad when you remember the exact date. Oh, yeah. And we did the show. We did the show. And then at the end, we go, hey, we love that show so much. We're going to do it backwards. So we do this thing.

I feel it was called that. That song whenever for it was called. Yeah, yeah, the horse racing. Oh, yeah, yeah. So we do a little show backwards. It's the way we're doing silhouettes of the bit. Like we'll do it a quick second that we'll do it backwards. I love that.

And the third or second to third to last bit, I do a prep fall, but I'm pushing up as I'm going. I'm anticipating me bouncing back up. Right. And my whole arm fell of sleeve. And I go to run towards Chris and I can't lift my left arm up. So I just keep on going. Whatever. And then we go, we clean up the stage in a choreographed way, go back into the,

believe there's a door on each side, we fix our ties, and we close the door, and then two seconds we're supposed to come back out. And I didn't come out. I fell to the floor. Oh. In pain. I was like, what the hell did I do? I must have dislocated it.

I come out. I put my arm around. Chris is Paul, where are you? Where are you? He looked at me as, what are you doing? I put my arm around. around him, I told him, I said, I think he broke my wrist. And there's a picture of me telling Chris that I broke my, I broke my hand or wrist, whatever

it is, and I go in and my wrist is like, oh, I dislocated it, not knowing that. Well, you did. Then I guess the structure holds it up, it went, boom, and like this. I had no idea. So I'm like trying to fix him. Like, maybe. I'm just, I'm just for such a fucking cheat. Easy, dude.

We know you, you performed in front of healthcare professionals, but that doesn't make you a pro. Right. My God, man. And so... We had a film in September, so I got the operation within that two weeks to fix it, but my hand was a balloon.

And if you watch our finale in the balloon, the way I'm holding my hand, there were still... I think I took the cast off, but it was still a week. I was still going through... Sure. need some therapy for that.

So yeah. See, if you weren't sure, if you were dedicated to your craft before, we know that now. Yeah. How did NBC bring the funny come about? I know we got to get you out of here in a minute, but I want to get to that. So, yeah. Excuse me. All right.

Yeah, there was a guy who was at the pet, Alan, who was awesome to Chris and I. He was one of the, he was the artistic director there at a time. And he says, hey, I have someone who are looking for sketched duos. They're doing this show sometime next year. And Alan says, I love the third game and hat. I really like you guys. You're listening to a podcast right now, driving, working out,

walking the dog. If you're into podcasts, chances are you have something to say too. With RSS.com, starting your own is free and easy. Upload an episode and we distribute it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and hundreds more. Track your listeners, see where they're from, and start earning from ads like this, even with just 10 listeners a month. If you've been thinking about starting a podcast, this is your sign. Start free at RSS.com. Thank you so much.

And he so they reached out to us and we sent them a couple of videos didn't we think about it. Like, okay, here's a couple videos, whatever. Over the years, I've got whatever.

Yeah, we know it's like, whatever. We have to sit down with Comedy Central. We've had sit downs with agents, managers, we love you. We don't have to do with you.

Sometimes, whatever. I get it, man. Just another thing. Another thing. Like, yep. And then, and then they break your heart.

Phone calls started getting, we met them and shorter and shorter and shorter. I was like, oh, wow, they really like us. So February 12th, we flew to L.A., and we, no, it's 13th, 14th, 15th, that's right? On Valentine's Day, we audition for all the execs. And Chris and I were just, we've been, Chris who came off of, I think, Book of Marmar at that time, but we have really performed a lot that much because we're both in Connecticut now. Sure. And so we're out of breath.

We do wear two bits. We're out of breath. Yeah, and they're asking us questions. We're trying to give your breath. But we got a standing ovation, which is really cool. So we walked out and. Was this just for the, just for the execs are in the room or on the, yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. And one of the producers comes up to us is going to produce our singing. And she says, you guys signed everything? Yeah. Because you guys are on a show. Like, why did we just walk down? like they wanted us, which is amazing. So that whole experience there was so cool because I guess everyone liked us.

And it was such a great ride. We're like, you know, we're just here just to have fun. And even though it was funny because Chris and I think it was like bar to half bartending. It wasn't really working how much. Our meals are the craft table. Yeah, baby. For shipping. Yeah.

So that was a great fan. We got to, you know, we got to perform with Michael Longfell who's on SNL now. Yeah. Such a gem that he is a gem. I actually just saw him in Ithaca. He opened for Colin Jost. Yeah. I was actually just talking about him last night, actually.

He is one of my new favorite cast members. That's a, dude, that's an amazing story. You know, the other cool part of that is that, you know, sometimes the worst part, is that time between, you know, the audition and when they call or don't call, and you just have to sit there and question and you didn't have to. Like, that's a very rare situation that they immediately tell you, we want you. So you must have nailed it.

I mean, yeah, I guess. So when they liked what they saw and the videos we sat down. But yeah, we just kept on doing our stuff. The cookie, see that here's a thing quickly. The cookies, which are closer bit. It's the only video from Bingney that's not on YouTube because they couldn't get the rights.

Because John Legends, all of me, we used. And our videos were getting like 30, 40, 50,000, can you imagine if we were able to show the cookie where that would have taken us or took us? I don't know, the proper... Yoko again.

I'm fine, bitch. No, but, yeah, so that's what happened, but, you know, and then we got the balloon for the finale. but yeah all in all was great experience what was the premise of the show I mean obviously it was a comedy show I forget what the

because I think it wasn't sketch comedy troops you were one it was stand up right and then you guys were everything it was everything any kind of comedy music blacks stand up backs everything and the grand prize

was like grand prize was like money in a show holy 250 oh that's all man that's I don't have a split it with Chris, though.

Yeah, exactly. Fuck that. It helped us tremendously and it helps us put us on the map. Yeah, I was going to ask you, what did you, did you notice a change after the show in being recognized, getting book, popularity, anything like that? Well, yeah, our social media bumps and then we started doing some more social media stuff. And then we started creating a tour. We got an agent and, you know, he's helping us book places at casinos. We're getting places at theaters and everything's moving and grooving.

And then we have a gig in Charlotte and we're like, hmm, everything's being weird with COVID. We just found out some people are getting COVID. We land in Charlotte and we found out that Tom Hanks had COVID. We're like, oh. Uh-oh. The guy from the owner from the Charlotte Club, he goes, guys, we have like 30 cancellations. Like, should we still do this? No, no, you still have a good.

crowd up there, but this is what's going on. And so Chris and I implemented hand sanitizer and her act. That's phenomenal. It went fairly funny, but then that's our last thing. Chris and I had a serious talk where he's like, I don't know if we could do this. Like me, I'm always like, no, it'll be fine. Yeah. But when I was feeling eerie watching the TV and Chris came down and goes,

Donella, who is with us, she's our stage manager, we all sat there. I'm like, we can't do this again. We're, you know, we're kind of, we're just nowhere to go. I know. That's when our tour shut down. We had 40-some odd shows booked. Yeah. That's tough, man.

That's what happens. We've been curling out of it ever since. We were starting to get some more gigs in 2022. And then I fell in a hole and I got a laceration on my leg. Bro. You, uh, I know I'm going over time here, but there's a lot that's happened. Don't worry about that. You kicked the shit out of yourself.

You broke your wrist What'd you do? You fell in what? So When COVID came I went back to Is Chris beating you? Blink twice if Chris has been

No, he's not, not at all. All right. I never do anything. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.

No, no. Chris is amazing. He's always been supportive of your injuries. My injuries and my adventures. Yeah. A lot of ventures, him and I.

And, yeah, I might, so I was, I was bunch of bartending. I hated bartending. I didn't hate, I love bartending. I hate it. What hell is going on with COVID? Because now people are being dicks. Yeah. And so it was tough to be in that world.

Yes. People were expecting more. And so my sister said, hey, would you like to work with me at this, this client shop? and I said, yeah, you know, maybe I need a change. She'll let you know if a 9 to 5 job. I had had 9 to 5 jobs since like 2007. Yeah.

I was like, I said, you know what? Yeah, you know, I'll do it. I'm kind of over the bartending and the scheduling. And so I was very lucky because I was Alabama appliance, amazing people. They were a family-owned business. and everyone at work with is amazing and so supportive. And they knew who I was, who I was, because of my sister. And you know, who I am.

Yeah. They're all very welcoming. And they knew that this is what I want to do. Sure. So they were supportive of that. Yeah. Yes. And their daughter's in Second City.

And she's super talented. So they understood all that. And so, yeah. So they knew my direction. Anyway, go into. to go into where I got hurt, I was working in a, we're delivering some appliances,

and there was a lot of construction going on. Someone opened a water valve, a name Tell Me. And as I was walking out, it was gravel. And then it was like, it was like a hole that I could, it was very, it was cement. I couldn't see anything.

And it felt right in. And I go to grab my leg. I go, Oh, they're going to hell of them going. This is not good. This is not good. And then I go, I fell in a hole. I mean, any reaction is warranted at that point.

I mean, nothing sounds dumb. My God, man. So blood, sweat and tears, literally you've given to this profession. Paul Valenti, I love you. You're great. Before we. Before I go, I just got to tell you how amazing. you are and I've been following you and

how super talented you are. And I, when you got on Howard Stern, you and I were big fans, so you're up Stern. We still talk about Howie. I listen to it later. All day, every day. Hey, Boner. Hey, Boeh, hey, Boone. I think that's my favorite

drop. I think that's my favorite drop officially. Definitely, it's something one time, but I'm always going around, you know, saying I'm go for you, go for you. Goof for you. Me too. Or I'll just say, if someone says something about inches, I'll go, four inches is fine. Well, yeah, we have, I mean, it's so great. But you and I connected over that.

But when I saw you on our favorite show, it blew my mind. And your song was amazing. And your music is amazing. And you are such a great performer. And to be super nice, too. And you think you're just a hell of a person. Oh, man. So that's why I always, I always wanted to say,

oh, this kid is why I want to say in touch. because I think you and I relate in a lot of same ways. We're kind of like that. We have the energy. We have the same energy. That's why we connected to begin with. I think we had the same passion, same humor, same drive and ambition. And you have never had any reason to have to support me or believe in me.

And you always have. And, you know, there was a time. I was going through a lot the last few years before I took this gig. and I really took a I was going through a lot mentally and you took the time to call me man and you left the nicest voicemail because of course I didn't answer

and I did mean to call back but we ended up talking but I just want you to know how much that meant to me and I'm being completely serious that that honestly was something that kept me going and really picked me up when I needed it and I'll never forget that

and I love you, man. I love you too, man. You're the best. You're the best. Before we go, though, tell me what's going on now. Give me the plugs, because we're going to, when we edit this, we'll put up all the graphics on the screen and the whole nine. What's going on now? You're in a play, right?

Yeah, I'm in a play called a jukebox for the Algonquin. It's amazing. It's, uh, Paul Strolley, who, who. Oh, that's nice. Brilliant is a brilliant playwright. He's actually done a one-man show. Super funny. I'm actually going to meet him next week

because he's coming to the show. But this is the first time it's playing in the Northeast because I did an opening in Chicago. And then Jeff Daniels was doing it. Oh, wow. Yeah. So it's, it's, it's, it's, the art imitates life. I just got my dad involved with assistant living.

So this play takes place in Assistant Living. Oh, my God. Are you thinking me? That's amazing. I play this character, Tyler, and basically the people in Assistant Living basically want to sell weed, and they use me so they can buy this jukebox for their housing. You know, you should lie and just tell the directors,

like, listen, I'm such a method actor. I'm so dedicated that I put my own father and assisted living just so I could really, you know what I mean? So I could just really feel like the character. Dude, that's outstanding. So that's May 1st through the 18th I saw. Where will that be? At current call where Chris and I met.

Awesome. Full circle, man. And the director, Lynn Conno, Charles, who's amazing. This is the first time I did a show with her since 99 where I did good man, Charlie Brown. So it's reuniting with Lynn, his amazing too. So I'm very, very lucky that I'm still doing it, and still get to perform. And Chris and I are doing a bunch of workshops,

and we're putting together some more classes, eventually, to teach. And then, yeah, we're doing a lot more videos now. We have a plan to put out some more stuff on the socials consistently. Yeah. A couple of years during a pandemic, We made a, what's it called? Apocalypse Live, which we did at Top Show in Apocalypse.

So you can see us on video. You can see us on YouTube, all of them. You can see what we do. Chris and Paul Show. Let me make sure I got the, is it chris and Paul Show.com? And you got the Chris and Paul podcast. Again, Paul Valenti, actor, comedian, he breaks his limbs for you.

Workshops. Check him out on social media. We'll have all that info on the screen. Paul, thank you for your time. It was so good to catch up with you, buddy. You might think you're lucky that you're still doing this. And maybe to some degree, yeah, there's luck involved. But you're doing this because you're talented and you've put the work in.

And this is what you're supposed to be doing, man. And I'm just happy that you could join us on good, join me on good news. New York. And, yeah, maybe next time we do this, maybe I can do an in-person visit. Dude, that would be, we're going to make it happen. I'm convinced you and I are going to perform in some capacity or be in the same room or stage at some point. It's going to happen.

Well, I am, I'm actually working on a few shorts. That's my solo event. We'll talk more about that. Yeah, we'll talk. My people, you know, my people will call your people. they will call they will call the people

tell us what to do yeah they said we can't do it but um listen Paul Valenti I absolutely love you and thank you

for coming on the show uh good news York this has been a really fun episode and we'll be back tomorrow Tuesday news day and a bunch of other shit

Mike Brindisi Paul Valenti uh Chris and Paul show dot com and we'll have all his socials on there he's got beautiful teeth and scars to prove it. What happened there?

Hockey injury. I was literally going to ask if you play hockey. Yeah. I don't have a baby. I had a baby tooth there. That knocked out. That's part of the list. My mom's like, well, we're not going to be.

No. Yeah. Well. Not a quick teeth. There it is. Paul Valenti, the toothless wonder here on Good News York. Thanks.