Stand Up Scuttlebutt
by Rick Fink Jr
Hang out for conversations with comics in Boston and beyond. We talk about the behind-the-scenes stuff and life in general from the perspectives of comics, which is rarely normal.Check us out online: standupscuttlebutt.comFollow us on Instagram: @standupscuttlebuttProudly sponsored by APC Pest Control, Perez Martial Arts, Royal Pizza, and Winslow Design.
Episodes
-
E307: Lloyd “Legacy” Sharp: MJ Impersonator, Wrestling Fan, and Self-Expression Expert
From the best and worst of modern technology to professional wrestling and Michael Jackson, this week's conversation with comedian Lloyd “Legacy” Sharp covers plenty of ground. Rick takes a particular interest in Lloyd's unique sense of style, which leads to a discussion about his fashion choices...
-
E306: AJ Hapenny: Paperback Comedy, Wedding Bells & Random Questions
AJ joins Rick to talk about his years working the New England stand-up circuit, the evolution of the local comedy scene, and the experiences that come with making a career out of making people laugh. AJ also discusses Paperback Comedy and his work producing live shows. And when he's not...
-
E305: Kathy Gilmour, Boats, Bruins & Boys’ Clubs
Kathy Gilmour has spent much of her life on the water—and now havigates the Boston comedy scene. Kathy joins Rick to talk about working on the open water, from New England all the way down to the Florida Keys. With a degree in marine biology, she’s done everything from sightseeing tours and…
more -
E304: Jay “Tank” Renaud, Hollywood Adventures & Building a Comedy Empire
Jay “Tank” Renaud joins Rick to talk about his years in Hollywood as an actor and comedian who, ironically, never landed comedic acting roles. From appearances on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Boston Public to touring with Gallagher, opening for Brian Regan, and partying at Donnie Wahlberg’s…
more -
E303: Lahna Turner — Come What May, Ralphie May & Pounds of Power
Lahna Turner joins Rick while she’s in Boston for the screening of Come What May at the Boston Film Festival. The deeply personal documentary tells the story of her late husband, comedian Ralphie May, from his rise in comedy to his battle with addiction and the complicated reality of loving…
more -
E302: Rickey “Fish” Fennell — Maximum-Security Guard, Jamaica Plain & Childhood Close Calls
Rickey “Fish” Fennell is a Massachusetts guy through and through—and if you somehow miss that fact, his accent should clear things up pretty quickly. This guy has stories! Rick can’t get off the subject of Rickey’s former career working as a unit guard overseeing 70 inmates at Boston’s...
-
E301: Mona Forgione, Singing Telegrams, Roller Derby & Stand-Up
Mona Forgione enters the Scuttlebutt Studio for a conversation that proves stand-up comedy might not even be the most interesting thing she does. Mona performs singing telegrams, which can mean showing up to tap dance for a complete stranger or arriving dressed as Jesus and leaving an…
more -
E300: Good Vibes, Great Advice & the Man Behind the Character with Rodney Norman
On a very special 300th episode, Rodney Norman sits down in the Scuttlebutt Studio for a wicked fun conversation. You might know him as that hippie on Instagram who interrupts your doom scrolling with daily affirmations delivered with equal parts sincerity and absurdity. Or maybe you’ve caught…
more -
E299: A Coach’s Advice for Youth Sports Parents with PJ Thibodeau
PJ Thibodeau returns to the studio, and things get weird right out of the gate with funeral plans and taxidermy—two topics that somehow become intertwined. From there, Rick and PJ talk about embracing ADHD, PJ’s liberating approach to getting things done without lists, and their very strong...
-
E298: New Jokes, Old-School Punk & No Tattoos with Aaron “Tiny” Smith
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…
more -
E297: Mark Riley | Hockey, Comedy & Questionable Childhood Decisions
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...
-
E296: Rich Condon – One Man's Trash, Another Man's Next Project
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...
-
E295: Marriage, Baseball & Stand-Up with Andrew Della Volpe
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...
-
E294: Uncle Yak, Magic, Mind Games & Studio Mayhem
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…
more -
E293: Mary Beth Collins, Awkwardness, Online Dating & Off-the-Map Travel
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…
more -
E292: Matt McArthur, Comic, Bagpipe Legend & World Cup Folk Hero
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...
-
E291: Ajay G — Betting on Yourself and Trusting the Process
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...
-
E290: Carolyn Plummer, Comics Come Home, Nudist Resorts & Electric Grills
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…
more -
E289: Heart Attacks, Hoops & Comedy with PJ Thibodeau
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…
more -
E288: Steve Wheeler: Comedy, Alaska & Bad Social Skills
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...
-
E287: One-on-One w/ Will Noonan
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…
more -
E286: Interdimensional Alien Demons Are Here!?
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…
more -
E285: One-on-One w/ Paul Gillespie, Cheap Laughs
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…
more -
E284: One-on-One w/ Sarah Fitz, Boston Comic
Boston comedian Sarah Fitz (@notsarahfitz) joins us for a wide-ranging conversation covering today’s economy, the rise of AI, and how both are shaping everyday life. We also get into lighter topics like Jeep truck design and culture, what’s showing up in our social media algorithms, and a candid...
-
E283: Lookmaxxing Is Out of Control
Is forgetting your wife’s birthday an honest mistake… or grounds for immediate separation? Rick and Liz kick things off by putting one husband on trial and deciding whether this is a harmless oversight or a career-ending marriage move. Then it’s time for the listeners to take over—and they do not...
-
E282: Houston, We Have a Conspiracy
This week, Rick and Evan blast off into the world of conspiracy theories—starting with the viral claim that Artemis II mission is being faked with green screens (because apparently NASA mastered CGI but still struggles with livestream buffering). From there, they break down the greatest hits of...
-
E281: AI That Thinks… and Acts? (Plus Rockets, Religion & Reality)
We kick things off by tipping our cap to NASA for the successful Artemis II launch—yes, including finally fixing the onboard toilet (progress comes in many forms). From there, we zoom out on why space exploration still matters, then get into the wild realities of launch: the speeds required to...
-
E280: The Dad Bod Reality Check
Rick opens the show with a confession: he’s crossed the 200-pound line, and that’s the point where something has to change. For Gen X guys balancing work, family, and a slowing metabolism, the dad bod can sneak up quickly—and sticking to a plan is easier said than done. Evan follows with “Fat Guy...
-
E279: Public Behavior Hall of Shame
In this episode of Small Town Scuttlebutt, the crew dives into the ever-blurring line between comfort and basic public standards. Rick opens the show with a proclamation that’s apparently more controversial than it should be: pajamas should not be worn on airplanes. Inspired by a recent Boston...
-
E278: From Cuba to the U.S. — Rolando Perez’s Story
In this one-on-one episode of Small Town Scuttlebutt, Rick talks with friend, sponsor, and local business owner Rolando Perez about his family’s journey from Cuba to the United States. His family left by boat during the Castro era with $47 and the risk of being captured. Although Rolando was only...
-
E277: David Ssewanyana, The Long Road to Citizenship
In this one-on-one episode, Rick sits down with his friend and barber, David Ssewanyana, to hear the incredible story behind the man holding the clippers. David shares what inspired him to leave Uganda, what it actually took to become a U.S. citizen, and the sacrifices most people never see. At a...
-
E276: Things People Do on Vacation
You saved the money. You booked the trip. You just want five days without nonsense. So why is some guy named Todd up at 6:03 AM claiming four pool chairs with towels? This week, Rick kicks things off with a proclamation: Resort chair-saving is not just annoying — it’s a moral failure. For those…
more -
E275: Improv Works—On Stage, On Teams, and in Life with Jared Todd Littlejohn
Improv instructor and actor Jared Todd Littlejohn joins Rick to break down why improv comedy is so entertaining—and why its lessons matter way beyond the stage. From truly listening to trusting your instincts, Jared explains what makes improv work when it’s done right. The conversation also…
more -
E274: Kathe Farris (Go Cork Yourself)
Rick is joined by Boston-area comic and neighbor Kathe Farris for an episode that perfectly sums up New England living at its finest. They kick things off with the New England Patriots heading to another Super Bowl and how casually cool it is to live near the stadium—especially when a flyover...
-
E273: Followers Don’t Clap
Rick flies solo this week and tackles one of comedy’s newest identity crises: when did Instagram followers become a stage credit? Comics and content creators may both be performance artists, but they are not the same thing — and Rick breaks down why that distinction matters. He also reacts to the...
-
E272 – Winter Survival Mode, Dad Guilt & the Anti–Dry January
It’s the heart of a New England winter, so Rick, Liz, and Evan talk about the real, practical ways people keep themselves sane when it’s dark, cold, and relentless. Whether it’s staying active, leaning into competition, or just finding small daily rituals that make winter feel survivable, they...
-
E271: The Man Cold Episode
Rick is sidelined with the dreaded man cold, so Liz and Evan take the wheel and ease everyone back into reality after a long Christmas break. They cover the emotional whiplash of re-entering responsibilities, renewed hope around the Patriots, early excitement over Drake Maye, and the unsung…
more -
E270: Stand-up Comedy, Social Media & Dating After Divorce with Melissa Rush
Rick goes one-on-one with Melissa Rush, a Boston-based stand-up comedian, for a candid conversation about comedy, ADHD, and modern adulthood. They discuss living with ADHD—and whether it’s a disability or a superpower—dating after divorce, and the realities of promoting stand-up comedy on social...
-
E269: Mike O’Brien, Stand-Up Comic & Media Whore
Rick goes one-on-one with comedy buddy Mike O’Brien, a man who somehow balances three full-time identities: stand-up comic, Boston Duck Boats tour guide, and the go-to “guy on the street” anytime a local TV news crew needs a quote right now. If there’s a microphone within 50 feet in Boston, Mike...
-
E268: Beavers, Bureaucracy, and the Cost of Being Polite
We kick things off with Liz doing her absolute best to maintain composure while telling a story about beavers—yes, the animal—and failing spectacularly. Immaturity levels are high early. Then Rick and Evan break down (and role-play) a very real email exchange between Rick and the corporate real...
-
E267: Pantone Panic: It’s Just a Color… Right?
Rick kicks off the show with his annual adventure: attempting to buy his wife the perfect birthday gift. He and Evan both admit that surprising their wives is statistically impossible, emotionally hazardous, and spiritually defeating. Liz assures them this is universal—her husband can’t pull it…
more -
E266: Is There a Curfew for Stupid?
Rick and Liz return from the holiday break ready to catch up—while Evan attempts to recover from a Monday Night Football hangover. The gang dives into the late-night suburban scandal of a Ding-Dong Ditch gone wrong: When are you officially too old for this prank? And is there an appropriate,...
-
E265: Ambition Meets Contentment: And Ambition Is Confused
An article in the Boston Globe asks a big question: Why are so many young, ambitious women suddenly convinced a woman's natural place is in the home? Liz brings the highlights, and the gang unpacks the tension between ambition and contentment with plenty of laughs. But first! Rick shares a text...
-
E264: Neighbors From Hell
This week on Small Town Scuttlebutt, the gang digs into stories about neighbors who make you question humanity. One guy gets reported to the HOA because his garden looks too nice. Another woman tells her neighbor to stop looking at her dog because it makes the dog upset. Are these people real—or...
-
E263: You're Registered at Target? You're 6!
The gang sounds off on the latest parenting trend: birthday gift registries for kids. Is this thoughtful or just tacky consumerism wrapped in a bow? Plus, a new “New Rick vs. Old Rick” moment as he wrestles with how to handle an airline inconvenience — Zen traveler or vengeful passenger? Liz...
-
E262: Around the Table: Comedy, Corruption, and Kids
This week on Small Town Scuttlebutt, Rick kicks things off with big news about a new comedy show he’s hosting. Then Evan dives into the NBA gambling scandal with his trademark mix of excitement and conspiracy. Finally, Liz opens up about her 17-year-old son’s shifting priorities and the parental...
-
E261: Trad Son or Big Baby?
When does “living with Mom” stop being traditional and start being tragic? There is a growing trend of grown men staying home while their mothers head to work—and pay the bills. Also, Rick enjoys a trip to NYC while hoards of angry people in his small town assemble on street corners for No King's...
-
E260: Richie Welch - Contractor by Day, Comic by Night
In this episode, Rick talks with Richie Welch — a contractor by day and a stand-up comedian by night. Richie represents the fourth generation of his family working at Welch Corp, a major player in Boston’s construction and redevelopment scene. When he’s not on a job site, he’s performing or...
-
E259: Weird Local News in the USA
This week on Small Town Scuttlebutt, Rick, Liz, and Evan cover the kind of news that makes you wonder if anyone’s in charge anymore. A brand-new house gets built on land that was never even sold, a squirrel goes feral, and Rick finds himself fending off a pack of 30 cyclists who confuse the road...
-
E258: Agree to Disagree (and Still Be Friends) with Jim James
Rick sits down with his longtime friend Jim James for a conversation that’s less about winning arguments and more about asking questions. The two dive into current headlines—Pete Hegseth shaking things up at the Department of Defense, Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, Bad Bunny snagging the Super Bowl...
About this show
Hang out for conversations with comics in Boston and beyond. We talk about the behind-the-scenes stuff and life in general from the perspectives of comics, which is rarely normal.Check us out online: standupscuttlebutt.comFollow us on Instagram: @standupscuttlebuttProudly sponsored by APC Pest Control, Perez Martial Arts, Royal Pizza, and Winslow Design.
Hosted by
Rick Fink Jr
Categories