Michael Palascak is a comedian who grew up in Wabash, Ind., began his career in Chicago and now lives in Los Angeles. He has appeared on all the late night shows and has his own Comedy Central half-hour special.
Michael also was a Top 5 Finalist on Last Comic Standing and has his own Internet show where he looks on the bright side of things most people consider negative — like pollution, traffic or losing your job.
Michael will be in Louisville this week headlining at Planet of the Tapes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30. Tickets are available here.
Michael took the time to answer 5 Questions from Louisville Laughs.
Louisville Laughs: You have performed on all the late night network shows from Stephen Colbert to Jay Leno. What was the best experience?
Michael Palascak: First off, performing stand-up on late night network television is one of the top experiences of my life ever. Performing 5 minutes in front of a live studio audience that will air for everyone in the country that has a television is fun on all the shows and every one of my experiences was special in it’s own way.
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno was my debut, and Jay was very interactive — he met me before the show and took pictures with my family. He gave me a watch.
The Late Show with David Letterman was my second, and so I was relaxed. I felt like I enjoyed the whole thing a lot. Doing stand-up in New York City is really special, and so it was a lot of fun warming up the set at The Comic Strip the night before. And then Ed Sullivan Theater and Letterrman’s show are so iconic.
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and The Late Late Show with James Corden are the ones I’ve done the most in that theater, and it’s really special because it’s so intimate and I’ve gone back there the most.
The crowd is right there and they’re great. And I live close by and they send a car to pick you up. It’s really cool.
Before my set James asked the crowd to really be a good crowd and that makes all the difference. Conan was amazing because he was the cool, young guy that everybody liked when I was in college and he was very nice, too.
And Lilly Singh was super fun because they had such a different fun show and I was one of the first batch of comics to do the show and Lilly was great.
And Colbert was great for some of the same reasons Letterman was — Ed Sullivan, NYC, iconic. And I still love hearing him introduce me on the YouTube clip.
You are described as a “likable” comedian. How does that help you engage with the audience, and are there ways for comics to be more likable?
I just do my best to be a good comedian.
What is your comedy horror story?
I think the only comedy horror story I would’ve had is if I hadn’t ever done stand-up or if I had quit or something. There have been for sure moments that someone watching might think would be really hard for me to get through or experience, but I really am grateful for it all and have enjoyed all of the experiences for what they were.
I used to do greenskeeping at a cemetery. I worked 60 hour weeks on a blistering hot metal machine at a car factory in rural Indiana. Stand-up comedy is a privilege and a joy.
You have more than a million views on YouTube. What’s the key to getting people to watch your comedy videos?
All those views came from my Comedy Central half hour, Colbert, Conan, and my Dry Bar special. So I just got material on channels that already have a huge following.
You released a new comedy album and a Dry Bar special this year. You must have kept busy during the pandemic.
I recorded both before March of 2020 and then it takes a little while to get them edited and deliverable. I did, however, shoot a web series about 90% by myself out of my apartment during the pandemic called The Bright Side.
It was really fun to make and it’s really funny. It’s a show where I take things that normally people find negative or bad — Ghosting, Traffic, Losing Your Job, Dictators — and I attempt to find the positive.
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area. If we missed your event, let us know. (Information on how to sign up for open mics at bottom)
8 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents Never Say Die Comedy Hour (or Two) open mic. Never Say Die bar. Performers can message Louisville Laughs or email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com for a spot. Free
8 p.m. — Scary Funny Comedy Show with Davonte, 2901 S. Fourth St. Tickets $10
9 p.m. — Full Circle Comedy presents Laugh Time at MG’s Prime Time with Jeff Bodart, MG’s Prime Time CafeTickets
6:30 p.m. — Good Stand Up Comedy: Late Matinee at Kaiju featuring Mandee McKelvey with open mic after. KaijuFree. Message Dog + Mouse House to reserve a seat.
7 p.m. — Sunday Night, Live!, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, 21st In Germantown
7 p.m. — Plush Family Benefit with comics Teresa McCammon, Rich Ragains, Jamie Utley and Tom Mabe The Caravan Louisville
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents Comedy at Ten20 Craft Brewery open mic Sign up in advance at LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com or message Louisville Laughs on Facebook
7 p.m. — Sunday Night, Live!, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, 21st In Germantown
9:3o p.m. — Comedy Attack open mic KaijuShow up and sign up
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
Sundays — Sunday Night, Live!, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, 21st In Germantown Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign up
Sundays — Comedy at Ten20 Craft Brewery open mic. Every first and third Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Sign up in advance by messaging Louisville Laughs on Facebook or emailing LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 8 p.m. Fully vaccinated individuals can message Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic or email MondayNightLateMic@gmail.com.
Tuesdays — Comedy open mic, 21st In Germantown. Show up and sign up. List out at 7:15 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Message Ehrin Dowdle with questions.
Wednesdays — Comedy Showcase at Black Jockeys Lounge, 8 p.m. and Amateur Night the last Wednesday of each month. Reach out to Demetrius Wheeler if interested in a spot.
Thursdays — Thursday Night Comedy Bites. The Bard’s Town. Show at 8 p.m.
Thursdays — Comedy Open Mic at Red Top Hot Dogs, 1127 Logan Street. Show up and sign up. Sign ups at 8:30, show at 9. For information, message the Dog + Mouse House Facebook page.
Fridays — Louisville Laughs presents Never Say Die Comedy Hour (Or Two) open mic, Never Say Die bar and art gallery, 3900 Shelbyville Rd, St. Matthews. Every third Friday of the month. To sign up for a spot email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area. If we missed your event, let us know. (Information on how to sign up for open mics at bottom)
8 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents Never Say Die Comedy Hour (or Two) open mic. Never Say Die bar. Performers can message Louisville Laughs or email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com for a spot. Free
9 p.m. — Full Circle Comedy presents Laugh Time at MG’s Prime Time with Jeff Bodart, MG’s Prime Time CafeTickets
6:30 p.m. — Good Stand Up Comedy: Late Matinee at Kaiju featuring Mandee McKelvey with open mic after. KaijuFree. Message Dog + Mouse House to reserve a seat.
7 p.m. — Sunday Night, Live!, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, 21st In Germantown
7 p.m. — Plush Family Benefit with comics Teresa McCammon, Rich Ragains, Jamie Utley and Tom Mabe The Caravan Louisville
7 p.m. — Sunday Night, Live!, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, 21st In Germantown
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
Sundays — Sunday Night, Live!, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, 21st In Germantown Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign up
Sundays — Comedy at Ten20 Craft Brewery open mic. Every first and third Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Sign up in advance by messaging Louisville Laughs on Facebook or emailing LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 8 p.m. Fully vaccinated individuals can message Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic or email MondayNightLateMic@gmail.com.
Tuesdays — Comedy open mic from Full Circle Comedy, 21st In Germantown. Show up and sign up. List out at 7:15 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Message Chris Bowman or Full Circle Comedy on Facebook with questions.
Wednesdays — Comedy Showcase at Black Jockeys Lounge, 8 p.m. and Amateur Night the last Wednesday of each month. Reach out to Demetrius Wheeler if interested in a spot.
Thursdays — Thursday Night Comedy Bites. The Bard’s Town. Show at 8 p.m.
Thursdays — Comedy Open Mic at Red Top Hot Dogs, 1127 Logan Street. Show up and sign up. Sign ups at 8:30, show at 9. For information, message the Dog + Mouse House Facebook page.
Fridays — Louisville Laughs presents Never Say Die Comedy Hour (Or Two) open mic, Never Say Die bar and art gallery, 3900 Shelbyville Rd, St. Matthews. Every third Friday of the month. To sign up for a spot email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area. If we missed your event, let us know. (Information on how to sign up for open mics at bottom)
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents Comedy at Ten20 Craft Brewery open mic Sign up in advance at LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com or message Louisville Laughs on Facebook
8 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents Never Say Die Comedy Hour (or Two) open mic. Never Say Die bar. Performers can message Louisville Laughs or email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com for a spot. Free
9 p.m. — Full Circle Comedy presents Laugh Time at MG’s Prime Time with Jeff Bodart, MG’s Prime Time CafeTickets
7:30 p.m. — Louisville Laughs open mic at The Bard’s Town with host Jake Hovis, The Bard’s TownFree
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
Sundays — Sunday Night, Live!, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, 21st In Germantown Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign up
Sundays — Comedy at Ten20 Craft Brewery open mic. Every first and third Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Sign up in advance by messaging Louisville Laughs on Facebook or emailing LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 8 p.m. Fully vaccinated individuals can message Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic or email MondayNightLateMic@gmail.com.
Tuesdays — Comedy open mic from Full Circle Comedy, 21st In Germantown. Show up and sign up. List out at 7:15 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Message Chris Bowman or Full Circle Comedy on Facebook with questions.
Wednesdays — Comedy Showcase at Black Jockeys Lounge, 8 p.m. and Amateur Night the last Wednesday of each month. Reach out to Demetrius Wheeler if interested in a spot.
Thursdays — Thursday Night Comedy Bites. The Bard’s Town. Show at 8 p.m.
Thursdays — Comedy Open Mic at Red Top Hot Dogs, 1127 Logan Street. Show up and sign up. Sign ups at 8:30, show at 9. For information, message the Dog + Mouse House Facebook page.
Fridays — Louisville Laughs presents Never Say Die Comedy Hour (Or Two) open mic, Never Say Die bar and art gallery, 3900 Shelbyville Rd, St. Matthews. Every third Friday of the month. To sign up for a spot email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area. If we missed your event, let us know. (Information on how to sign up for open mics at bottom)
7:30 p.m. – Laughs In The Lounge Comedy Open Mic special Sirius XM taping with comics including Rich Ragains and Lucious Williams. The Caravan LouisvilleTickets
8:30 p.m. — Microphone Assassins High Horse Wednesdays All-Entertainment Showcase and Open Mic, High Horse Saloon. Sign ups at 7:30.
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents Comedy at Ten20 Craft Brewery open mic Sign up in advance at LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com or message Louisville Laughs on Facebook
9:30 p.m. — Comedy Attack open mic KaijuShow up and sign up
8 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents Never Say Die Comedy Hour (or Two) open mic. Never Say Die bar. Performers can message Louisville Laughs or email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com for a spot. Free
9 p.m. — Full Circle Comedy presents Laugh Time at MG’s Prime Time with Jeff Bodart, MG’s Prime Time CafeTickets
Sundays — Sunday Night, Live!, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, 21st In Germantown Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign up
Sundays — Comedy at Ten20 Craft Brewery open mic. Every first and third Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Sign up in advance by messaging Louisville Laughs on Facebook or emailing LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 8 p.m. Fully vaccinated individuals can message Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic or email MondayNightLateMic@gmail.com.
Tuesdays — Comedy open mic from Full Circle Comedy, 21st In Germantown. Show up and sign up. List out at 7:15 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Message Chris Bowman or Full Circle Comedy on Facebook with questions.
Wednesdays — Comedy Showcase at Black Jockeys Lounge, 8 p.m. and Amateur Night the last Wednesday of each month. Reach out to Demetrius Wheeler if interested in a spot.
Thursdays — Thursday Night Comedy Bites. The Bard’s Town. Show at 8 p.m.
Thursdays — Comedy Open Mic at Red Top Hot Dogs, 1127 Logan Street. Show up and sign up. Sign ups at 8:30, show at 9. For information, message the Dog + Mouse House Facebook page.
Fridays — Louisville Laughs presents Never Say Die Comedy Hour (Or Two) open mic, Never Say Die bar and art gallery, 3900 Shelbyville Rd, St. Matthews. Every third Friday of the month. To sign up for a spot email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
