Small Town Scuttlebutt

Aaron “Tiny” Smith joins Rick to talk about the grind of performing stand-up comedy and the challenge of finding new material at 50. Tiny also looks back at his years as the singer for punk rock band The Thickness and how his time in music compares with life in comedy. Along the way, Rick and Tiny discover they’re both members of the increasingly exclusive no-tattoo club, weigh in on the popularity of video games, and talk about the comedians who have influenced Tiny and still make him laugh.About Aaron “Tiny” Smith: Tiny is a Boston-based comedian who has performed throughout New England, including comedy clubs and festivals around the region. His stand-up special The Spoons was recorded live at the Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain. Before comedy, Tiny was the frontman for Boston punk rock band The Thickness.Sponsored by Perez Martial Arts: Build confidence, discipline and strength at Perez Martial Arts with programs for kids, teens and adults. Find the right program for you at PerezMartialArts.com. "In Family We Trust."

Hattrick! Mark Riley is back for the third time! Beyond stand-up, he's host of Chirping Zebras, and a former NHL referee. Normally, you're not supposed to like refs but Mark is the rare exception. He shares hilarious stories from the rink and what it takes to control a hockey game when tempers flare.On a personal level, we discuss the questionable decisions we all made growing up in the late 1900s. Then we wrap up with a conversation about podcasting, including Mark's show Chirping Zebras, which recently featured Rick's childhood hero, Bruins legend Rick Middleton.This week's episode is sponsored by APC Pest Control. If unwanted pests have moved in, trust the local professionals who've been knockin' 'em dead since 1981. Learn more at apcpest.com.

Stand-up comedian Rich Condon has built a reputation for finding the funny in everyday life, but offstage he's just as passionate about something else: bringing old, forgotten machines back from the dead. In this episode, Rich shares his love of rescuing everything from cars and mopeds to just about anything with an engine. Armed with patience, know-how, and an eye for a bargain, he buys unwanted projects on the cheap, breathes new life into them, and sends them back out into the world—often finding a new home through Facebook Marketplace.

Andrew Della Volpe is a New England stand-up comedian, host of The ADV Show podcast, and a former collegiate catcher whose baseball background still shapes the way he approaches comedy today. We talk about his meticulous restaurant research before a night out, celebrate his first wedding anniversary with stories from dating through married life, revisit his days behind the plate as a power-hitting catcher, and get his prediction for where the surging Red Sox will finish this season. We also dive into the discipline it takes to stick with stand-up, how baseball prepared him for the highs and lows of the comedy grind, and wrap things up with Andrew's upcoming appearance at the Hampton Beach Comedy Festival and his own podcast, The ADV Show.

Uncle Yak has spent decades blending comedy and magic into a one-of-a-kind act. On this episode of Stand-Up Scuttlebutt, he talks about what first drew him to magic, dealing with skeptics, and why comedy became an essential part of his performances. Along the way, he leaves Rick completely baffled with impossible card tricks, reveals personal information he seemingly couldn't have known, lights a fire in the studio, and even shares stories from his days performing as a clown.

Mary Beth Collins is a comedian known for her sharp writing, self-deprecating style, and what she proudly describes as being "level 10 awkward." She also claims to be the oldest person living in Boston's Seaport neighborhood who occasionally gets mistaken for Owen Wilson.In this episode, Mary Beth joins Rick to talk about writing, refining, memorizing, and performing stand-up comedy. They also swap stories about the realities of online dating, living in Massachusetts while constantly traveling, and finding humor in awkward moments.

A well-established Boston comic with years in stand-up, Matt found himself at the center of one of the wildest scenes Boston has seen in a while when 60,000 Scottish fans—better known as the Tartan Army—descended on the city for the World Cup. Armed with his bagpipes, Scottish heritage, and larger-than-life presence, Matt became a central figure in the celebration, helping strengthen a bond between Boston and Scotland that will last forever! From leading the charge in packed pubs across the city to appearing on Fox Sports alongside Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, Matt was everywhere. His run even earned him airtime on BBC back in Scotland. In this episode, Matt breaks down what it was like becoming an unofficial ambassador during Boston’s Scottish takeover, the surreal media attention that followed, and how a stand-up comic ended up becoming a citywide symbol of one unforgettable World Cup moment.

Ajay G is one of the most unique voices in New England comedy—a Boston-based stand-up comic, award-winning storyteller, startup mentor, and tech entrepreneur originally from Mumbai, India. Known for his clean, sharp storytelling style, Ajay has performed on PBS, ABC, NPR, and stages across the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Indonesia, and India. He’s also a multiple-time Moth performer, comedy festival favorite, and somehow balances life as both a comic and a serious business mind. Ajay talks with Rick about Indian culture, the challenges of assimilating to life in America, and how a colonoscopy may have accidentally launched his stand-up career. Ajay also shares his unconventional path from dropping out of Harvard University to launching his own social networking platform, which has amassed nearly five million users. Along the way, he tells wild stories about entrepreneurship, reinvention, and betting on yourself.

Comedian Carolyn Plummer joins Rick for the first episode of the newly rebranded Stand-Up Scuttlebutt. Carolyn is one of New England's most recognized comics, having performed at TD Garden as part of Comics Come Home. Carolyn shares stories from her comedy journey, including performing at a nudist resort, which is as awkward as it sounds. Then Rick and Carolyn discuss the challenges of moving, the summer jobs that helped shape them, and why neither of them has ever gotten a tattoo. Carolyn's also attempts to justify buying an electric grill. The episode wraps up with spirited opinions about music as Carolyn shares her love of the Grateful Dead and Rick explains why Phish is the worst band to ever exist. Sponsored by APC Pest and Termite Control - APCPest.com

PJ Thibodeau is one of New England's most respected stand-up comics, a longtime basketball coach, and a guy who's somehow managed to shrug off two heart attacks and keep moving forward. PJ joins Rick for a conversation about life in your 50s, from AARP memberships and staying healthy to simplifying life and focusing on what really matters. They also pull back the curtain on stand-up comedy, sharing stories from the road, observations about the comedy scene, and the interesting characters you meet along the way. It's a funny, honest conversation about aging, perspective, and finding the humor in all of it.

Rick and Steve Wheeler talk comedy scene personalities, the quirks comics all seem to have, and the social behaviors that probably shouldn’t happen in public. They also get into growing up playing sports and how that shaped their personalities, confidence, and approach to life.Steve shares what it’s really like splitting time between New England and Alaska — the endless daylight, what people actually do for fun, and whether the dating scene lives up to the rumors.

Rick sits down with comedian, actor, and director Will Noonan for a wide-ranging conversation about stand-up, creative ambition, and trying to make sense of the world we’re living in. Will reflects on building his comedy career between Boston and New York, producing comedy specials — including his own special, Live in Boston — and the realities of pursuing a creative life. Along the way, the conversation turns philosophical, covering success, authenticity, modern life, and what it means to keep evolving as a person and performer.Proudly sponsored by Royal Pizza.

The U.S. Government just released files on UFOs and UAPs from a kitschy-looking website that seemingly trivializes the material. So what exactly is going on? Are we talking aliens, interdimensional beings, or demons?Rick and Evan Walsh dive into the latest conspiracy theories flooding social media while trying to separate reality from algorithm-driven insanity. But in a world where AI can fake audio, video, and pretty much everything else, how do we know what’s real anymore?Rick brings his trademark skepticism and cynicism while Evan enthusiastically leans into the rabbit holes. Whatever these things are, one question remains: are they good for humanity… or very bad news?You decide.

Rick sits down with Paul Gillespie of Cheap Laughs to talk about migration from city life to the suburbs. They get into what you gain, what you lose, and what just gets… more annoying.From adapting to a fast-moving, always-on world to the oddly specific frustrations of small-town living—it’s a mix of perspective, pettiness, and reality.They also dig into comedy: how their styles evolve, what audiences are responding to right now, and why everyday annoyances might be the best material out there.It’s a grounded, funny look at growing up, settling down, and still finding things worth complaining about.

Are "store hours" just a concept? Is an appointment really necessary to buy a toilet? Why do assholes ride bikes en mass? The answers to these riveting questions await. Also, guest Marie Connor talks about roasting Trump with Kathy Griffin, featuring for Stormy Daniels, and being a lesbian on the road in Texas. Giddy up!

We're going to solve the world's problems! Master edutainer Dr. Lauren Beitelspacher revisits the basement for a chat about the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Show highlights include plenty of facts, comedic reactions, and everyone's shirts come off. Wait, huh?

The Tinder Swindler is examined in a new segment called Bunghole of the Week. Our State of the Podcast Address is delivered with much tomfoolery and ballyhoo. A licensed mental health counselor gives advice for those with ADD. Also, some guys get spa mani-pedis before a wedding.

MA Rep. Shawn Dooley has heard it all on social media. Now he's handing out tips on having compassion for the trolls. Wait, what? Yeah, he actually thinks civil discourse can be regained in these volatile times. This should be good.

What do Kid Rock, Nathan Hale, and Tom Selleck all have in common? Absolutely nothing. But we compare them anyway.

If skeleton is a fringe sport then two-man luge is a cringe sport! Hey pal, get your own sled, you look ridiculous! Also, China censors foreign media? Give them a gold medal for meeting expectations! Let's go U-S-A!

Another blizzard? For some this means sledding, building forts, and maybe a day off from school. For others, it's time to get your affairs in order because we're all going to die! Panic at the grocery store, flipped-up windshield wipers, and silly meteorologist jargon - it's all a sham!

Millions of Americans are quitting the workplace and most are doing it wrong! Management expert, Brett Poirier gives sound advice to the jaded worker. You'll learn about professionalism, etiquette, and the rejuvenating effects of... sunless tanning?

If you are engaged or even thinking about marriage you will surely benefit from Mike's hot takes on Big Day prep. With only a month before the wedding, he breaks down everything you need to know about vendors, groomsmen, and being smart with your reception dinner seat selection process.

Hot takes on sledding. Bob Saget gave us a promo and we remember him fondly. New Year's resolutions. Guest Jeff Buell from Adventure Base Camps talks about the virtues of yoga and mountain biking in Moab.

Two college guys working at Starbucks, Bash Armani and Shea Wise, come back to the basement for further examination. The world is on fire but their generation seem so friggin' optimistic! We throw all the stereotypes at Gen Z and see which ones stick. How short is their attention span? Why are they always so busy? Do they really spontaneously combust if they can't access wifi? Also, Betty White passed away.

If you clicked this episode looking for something positive you should keep scrolling. You should also get your eyes examined because it says "2021" in the title! This week we look down our noses at the simple minded plebes who amuse themselves on TikTok. It's getting real bad, like, Color Me Badd, bad. Also, Daryl Strawberry* and Mario Lemieux* in studio! *Rookie card

Former novice-level figure skater, Holly Rand presents her argument that figure skating is a sport? Another Covid breakdown. Wardrobe issues at work. Trippy holiday cookie swaps and cat trivia!

A newspaper article makes fun of the Girl Scouts and people on social media are losing their minds! The Christmas card tradition is officially ruined. Bad Christmas tree ornaments are the best! Also, purging Amazon isn't hard, we'll show you how.

Class is in session as Dr. Lauren Beitelspacher from Babson College breaks down the evil ways of Amazon (seriously, they'll ruin the world if we let them). Also, we help you get into the holiday spirit talking Christmas lights and breaking down the most perfect movie of all time, It's a Wonderful Life.

Monster stereo towers of the 80s, unreliable technology everywhere, supermarket shopping hack, Scuttlebutt Sky Chopper traffic report, wicked awesome new bit ideas, and another infomercial critique.

Wait! Give us 30 minutes before you kill someone who gets between you and that sweet doorbuster deal! We keep it chill while the world around us burns. Guest Liz Daly returns with some tips to reduce holiday stress. We also have fun with a new game called "5 Things".

Mike updates us on his wedding. Kathe reflects on hers. Rick doesn't care about wedding talk. Plus hot takes on hobbies, stress relievers and other ways to defeat your social media addiction. Also, mediocre motivational speaking.

Delayed prize giveaways from our live show (listen for details!). Hot takes on the issues that matter: giving over-directions, giving the wrong directions, rude landscapers, loud landscaping equipment. Nothing is spared!

Grievances, grievances, and more grievances! From affordable housing to the school board, from cement trucks to NIMBY, nothing is left unturned as listeners stuff the Grievance Box with their beef. Guests: Jim James (stand-up comedy) and Rolando Perez (ninja tricks).

We're talking about parent information night, the morning commute, and yoga pants. Also, the guillotine, Dixie Mafia, and necrophilia!

This week's drivel covers Yeti coolers, playlists, a clown on stilts in the alley with a sledgehammer, and some weird towns in the U.S.

Another fall fruit to pick! The Boston Marathon in Fall. Runaway zebras. Facercize and a passing reference to Kissing Booth 3.

"It's time to coordinate outfits and go apple picking with lots of pictures!" Does this sound like you? If it does, we need to talk. Also, do you have a favorite apple? There's so many varieties now it's hard to pick just one but we help you figure it out.

"Missed Connections" posts on Craigslist can be hit-or-miss but we found some gems and we read them to you with panache. Otherwise, the rest of the show digs into observational stuff like, staring up at the sky, all forms of entertainment "on ice", and other whimsical topics.

How do you feel about going back to school? Let's talk about it! Plus, super-long school emails, the last summer book club meeting, and more continuing ed commentary.

Small towns, small problems. Like, animals living in your cabinets or dying in your driveway. Whah? It's complicated but we break it down for our Scuttlebuds. Also, what do tattoos, ice cream sandwiches, and hurricanes all have in common? Absolutely nothing! But our tangents cover all that stuff and even more! Enjoy.

Barf bags and Kathe's performance at Nick's Comedy Stop (the two are not related). Wanna be a florist? How 'bout a writer? Perhaps an expert in hurricanes? These are just some fantastical adult ed. courses being offered right now! Also, snarky T-shirts, why? And, quarantine dogs need more boundaries. Fin.

Kelly MacFarland is a Boston-based comic with some impressive credits, two albums, and a ton of upcoming shows. Whether she's performing in a barn or a huge arena, Kelly makes the audience feel like they're all just hanging out together. Hey, wait a minute, that's what we're doing on this episode!

Frivolous phone calls, citizens arrests, and horse molesters. It's all here as we hang with officer P'tah Johnson of the Brookline (MA) PD. Join us as we pick his brain and get the real scoop from a police officer's perspective.

Good grief! Halfway into this "30 Annoying Things" list and we're convinced the author got her journalism degree out of a cereal box. Spare us the cliches and city-slicker perspective. Some people only wish they were greeted with forced politeness in public. So, let's reflect on what we have and try to make the best of it.

A hit piece came out railing against small towns and it ain't pretty. We're not just going to sit here and take it either. No! We are going to just sit here and talk about it! Let's do our best to keep it positive as we debate things like having to drive everywhere, gossip always getting back to the wrong person, and the use of the word adorable. Oh, what's that? We're out of time? Well, at least we get through the first half of this list.

Perfect attendance this week! Captain Mike sets sail on a boat that was intended for someone else. Kathe ponders a career in mumble rap. Rick's brain is getting gigantic with all his summer reading. More classifieds too!

Rick is taking all the credit for this week's show because he's the only host who felt like showing up! He's upset. He feel's betrayed. He's writing these show notes in the third person! Keep Rick company as he digs into the Scuttlebutt Vault of Lost Bits and dishes out more old lady problems, brutal honesty about working together, and a "buyer beware" infomercial review! It's all here! You won't get any smarter but you'll feel better about yourself after listening to these knuckleheads.

Are you sitting down? Good, because you're not going to believe this, this episode is loaded with knowledge! Our very own Mike Paige takes us through a journey back in time to the Revolutionary War days and delights us with the true history that debunks some of the stuff we learned in school. Paul Revere and Sam Adams aren't exactly the guys you've read about. Revolutionary War Trivia, a tangent on breast feeding, and so much more! So let's party and light up those illegal fireworks!

Mike Paige reads the Declaration of Independence with some pointers on what to listen for.