Comedy Survivor Week 13 - The Final Four

Johnny Mac delivers Daily Comedy News and apologizes for audio peak distortion before covering Kid Rock’s Comedy Jam returning for its fifth year at the 2026 Nashville Comedy Festival on April 13 at the Ryman, benefiting the Kid Rock Foundation, with a lineup including Kevin James, Kathy Griffin, Shane Gillis, Joey Diaz, Heather McMahon, Morgan Jay, and Nate Jackson. He notes Matt Rife threw the first pitch at a Reds–Red Sox game and wants a Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers game remake, and shares John Mulaney’s book club pick The Monkey Wrench Gang. He highlights Webby Awards details (including entry fees) and nominees such as Conan and SmartLess, plus SNL and late-night nods, and reports Trevor Noah will host YouTube’s 2026 Brandcast upfront. Other items include a Wall Street Journal profile of Seinfeld trivia champions, Amy Schumer’s swimsuit post, Kathy Griffin bleaching her hair, Jay Leno’s emissions-law push, Melbourne Comedy Festival picks, clips from Dave Thornton and Nathan Chin, and last-day voting for Comedy Survivor featuring Sebastian Maniscalco. 00:38 Kid Rock Comedy Jam Lineup01:39 Matt Rife Reds First Pitch02:17 John Mulaney Book Club Pick02:50 Webby Awards Nominees04:29 YouTube Upfronts With Trevor Noah04:49 Seinfeld Trivia Champions05:57 Schumer Slimmer Griffin Blonde06:41 Jay Leno Law Smog Exemptions07:22 Melbourne Fest Clips Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

Johnny Mac covers comedy news including Rob Schneider clarifying his social media comments supporting a mandatory draft with no exemptions to deter wars and stop “other people’s kids” from dying. Jon Stewart critiques the White House Ballroom Project after a New York Times report describing odd design elements, and contrasts Trump’s detailed ballroom defense with his war answers; the press secretary says it will cost taxpayers nothing. Whitney Cummings jokes about leaked FBI Director Kash Patel emails. Billboard’s February 2026 top touring comedians list has Nate Bargatze at #1 (six of seven months), followed by Jo Koy, Katt Williams, Bert Kreischer, and Jim Gaffigan; the script also notes a New York Times headline calling Andrew Schulz a major political journalist and details his new film role. Other items: Andy Samberg’s rom-com “42.6 Years,” John Mulaney’s Graceland story, Netflix airing AFI’s Eddie Murphy tribute May 31, a Comedy Night for Immigrant Rights lineup, Wanda Sykes on truth in comedy, Maria Bamford and Jackie Kashian interviews, TJ Miller teasing a new Deadpool idea, Melbourne comedy events, and “Comedy Survivor” voting targeting Sebastian Maniscalco. 00:16 Rob Schneider Draft Debate01:16 Jon Stewart Ballroom Roast02:31 Whitney Cummings View Joke02:49 Top Touring Comics Rankings03:48 Andrew Schulz Movie Casting04:35 Andy Samberg Romcom Update05:07 Mulaney Graceland Story06:08 Eddie Murphy AFI Tribute06:50 Wanda Sykes On Truth07:41 Bamford And Jackie Stories09:23 TJ Miller Deadpool Talk10:07 Melbourne Comedy Picks11:13 Comedy Survivor Voting Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

The plot forces JD and Dr. Park to work together when hospital board member Mr. Walton is hospitalized after being found passed out; suspicion falls on his trophy-wife stereotype, but the cause is ultimately two medications interacting poorly. Turk helps Elliot navigate a new romance with a pilot, and the episode features more Turk/Elliot teaming. The episode includes Rowdy appearing in JD’s office and ends with JD, Turk, Todd, Amara, and Deana at a bar. Johnny cites Zach Braff on John C. McGinley returning in the final two episodes and hopes for more recurring characters in a potential season two; Scott Foley jokes about not returning but says scheduling prevented it.00:21 Dr Park Feels Like Dr Cox01:01 Workplace Romance Setup01:30 Board Member Medical Mystery01:57 Turk Coaches Elliot02:03 Bar Tag and Todd Bit02:30 Rowdy Returns and Cox Tease03:09 Braff Talks Missing Characters03:42 JD and Elliot Co Parenting04:13 Scott Foley Sean UpdateBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

Rob Schneider is urging a restored U.S. military draft with two years of service for 18-year-olds, prompting a Michael Imperioli joke. NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa went viral for an Inner Circle Dinner comedy sketch about cat adoptions and political dynasties. Howie Mandel posted an apology to Kelly Ripa after joking about “looking great for 70” and then quipping he “does look great for my age.” Russell Brand’s trial on seven rape and sexual assault charges was delayed to October 12 and is expected to last two months. Josh Johnson will host the 30th Webby Awards May 11. Adam Sandler is set to remake the 2001 French drama “Timeout.” Other items include Megan Gailey on 800 Pound Gorilla, Jeff Dunham’s car series and collection, a Melbourne comedy true-crime tour by Matt Bell, Russell Peters’ $2.1M tax reassessments, and Gabriel Iglesias discussing Ozempic and a declined $1M endorsement. 00:15 Rob Schneider Draft Rant01:14 Host Pushback and Fact Check01:53 NYC Mayor Comedy Sketch02:34 Howie Mandel Apology Saga04:10 Russell Brand Trial Delayed04:27 Webby Awards Host Announced04:46 Adam Sandler Drama Remake05:39 Jeff Dunham Car Series06:38 Melbourne True Crime Comedy Tour08:17 Gabe Iglesias on Ozempic Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

One Comedy Survivor goes home, and only four remain! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

Johnny Mac delivers daily comedy news, highlighting Arsenio Hall’s Conan O’Brien appearance where they revisit Jay Leno’s Tonight Show history while noting Leno’s participation in an abused-animals benefit and referencing his 2019 “Standup for Animals” remarks. The show addresses Bert Kreischer claiming Dollywood is closing; a Newsweek fact check says the park only closed early for a few hours and is not shutting permanently. Mark Normand tells the LA Times a “best of gay porn” VCR label in his special was a friend’s joke, discusses his stage fist pump, avoiding overly kid-focused material, how comedy gives him purpose, and his view that comics chase virality due to booking pressures while advocating a middle ground on internet clips. Other items include Comedy Survivor results coming at noon Eastern, recommendations (Joe Dombrowski; Last One Laughing UK), Diane Morgan’s rail safety video comments, Noah Gordon Schwartz’s YouTube series on prediction markets, and Melbourne comedy festival show notes. 00:19 Arsenio and Conan Talk Leno02:03 Dollywood Closing Rumor03:16 Newsweek Fact Check03:50 Mark Normand LA Times Q&A06:09 Comedy Survivor and Watch Picks06:35 Diane Morgan Rail Safety07:41 Prediction Markets Comedy Series08:28 Melbourne Fest Highlights Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

 Johnny Mac reports on a controversy involving Tonight Show warmup comic Seth Herzog, who drew backlash during a Guggenheim Museum BTS taping after asking “anyone here from the north,” which some interpreted as a North Korea reference; TMZ says he apologized and was replaced by Ryan Rice for the subsequent Rockefeller Center taping, though it’s unclear if related. The episode notes Seth Meyers is taking three weeks off until April 20 and Jimmy Fallon two weeks off starting April 7. Cheryl Hines responds to Chelsea Handler’s claims about buying a “toxic” $6M house from Hines and RFK Jr., saying she knew of no issues and suggesting Handler wants attention. Mack discusses a Deadline report on Netflix targeting podcasts, high talent costs, meeting audiences where they are, and whether carrying a weekly podcast could reduce incentives to buy comedy specials. Other items include Leanne Morgan throwing a ceremonial first pitch at Tennessee, a rumor Kelly Ripa is freezing out Howie Mandel, and Melbourne International Comedy Festival show recommendations. 00:19 BTS Warmup Controversy02:25 Late Night Shows Breaks03:06 Cheryl Hines vs Chelsea Handler04:23 Netflix Podcast Strategy06:42 Leanne Morgan First Pitch07:08 Kelly Ripa Freezes Howie Mandel08:23 Host Celebrity Encounters09:02 Melbourne Comedy Picks Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

Johnny Mac delivers a Saturday Daily Comedy News briefing featuring late-night jokes about the Army’s enlistment age increase and ICE agents being sent to airports, with riffs from Seth Meyers, Josh Johnson, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jon Stewart. He covers negative reactions to Bert Kreischer’s appearance during Netflix’s MLB opening-day coverage, including Dan Le Batard’s criticism and social media complaints. Mac confirms Bill Maher will receive the Mark Twain Prize after earlier White House denial, citing administration comments and Jeffrey Goldberg’s response. He shares comments from Mark Normand about his rapid-fire Netflix special and release timing, and Nate Bargatze discussing problem drinking insights inspired by Rob Lowe. Other items include Kevin James being spotted at a Kentucky Kroger, PaleyFest LA announcing a Scrubs cast event, Mac’s near car mix-up, and Hannah Gadsby explaining the sock-puppet format of Wolf, views on spoilers, fandom, and a Melbourne festival late-night-host concept. 00:17 Late Night Jokes Roundup01:21 Bert on Baseball Backlash02:42 Bill Maher Twain Prize05:24 Mark Normand on Netflix06:48 Nate Bargatze on Addiction07:43 Kevin James at Kroger08:25 Scrubs Update and PaleyFest09:02 My Car Almost Stolen10:08 Hannah Gadsby Sock Puppet11:30 Spoilers and Taylor Swift12:37 Melbourne Fest and WrapBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

Johnny Mac previews Netflix Is a Joke Festival programming, highlighting the Roast of Kevin Hart (hosted by Shane Gillis), Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade featuring Chris Rock, Nate Bargatze at the Intuit Dome, and “A Night of Too Many Stars” hosted by Jon Stewart with a large guest list, plus other billed acts and shows. He notes frustration trying to reach Netflix PR. He also flags new releases: Jimmy O. Yang’s “Finally Home” in theaters and Julio Torres’ “Color Theories” on HBO/Max. Food-related items include Jim Gaffigan discussing continued GLP-1 use to curb cravings, Gabriel Iglesias describing rapid weight regain after Ozempic, Diane Morgan going vegan and sharing recipes, and Tig Notaro’s comments on vegan stigma. He suggests selling Mark Normand in the “comedy stock market,” mentions Margaret Cho’s political/personal set, and details Jo Koy listing his Las Vegas mansion for $11.25 million. 01:14 Netflix Is a Joke Highlights03:08 More Lineup Deep Cuts04:43 New Specials Out Today05:39 Gaffigan on GLP-106:53 Fluffy Ozempic Rebound07:52 Vegan Comics Talk Food09:31 Comedy Stock Market Pick10:19 Margaret Cho Politics Tour11:06 Jo Koy Vegas Mansion Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.

Johnny Mac delivers a daily comedy news briefing led by Mark Normand’s account on Tuesdays with Stories of Netflix wanting a "Muslim joke" removed from promo clips, which a Netflix source strongly denies, saying only his reps were on the call and the story is embellished.The episode also covers Vince Vaughn telling Theo Von late-night shows became agenda-driven and less authentic than podcasts; Johnny’s continued criticism of Stephen Colbert amid news of a new Lord of the Rings project involving Colbert and his son; costs and ratings for SNL UK; SNL’s new short-form “The Rundown” with Colin Jost and the next live show on April 4 with Jack Black and Jack White; Last One Laughing UK’s return; Tim Dillon on TSA lines; Louis Theroux with Stuart Lee; Netflix developing a scripted comedy with Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo; Eliza Schlesinger’s Jeep campaign; a Laughing on the Lake festival headlined by Bert Kreischer; Melbourne Comedy Festival picks; Langston Kerman joining an NBC PI comedy; and a last-day vote reminder for Comedy Survivor. 00:24 Normand Netflix Clip03:19 Netflix Source Denial03:57 Vince Vaughn on Late Night06:13 Star Trek Ruiner Colbert and Lord of the Rings08:32 SNL UK Costs10:33 Last One Laughing UK11:20 Tim Dillon idea for TSA11:56 Van Halen's 515014:14 Festivals And New NBC17:04 Wrap Up Survivor VoteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening.  $4.99/month John's Substack about media is free.This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.