Comedian Brad Williams

In his latest comedy special ‘Starfish’ — now streaming free on Youtube — comedian Brad Williams explores new themes, sharing insights on his personal life including marriage and fatherhood, and offers his unique take on topics like craft beer controversies and the humorous potential of politically charged product ads. I had the pleasure of speaking with Williams at the Comedy Cellar in New York, where topics ranged from whiskey to spending time with Robin Williams, and how he appreciates the quiet moments in his shows as much as the laughter.

You’re a whiskey fan?

I have a fondness for whiskey, especially scotch. Previously, I was more of a ‘frat house’ drinker — let’s do shots of tequila! — until my wife introduced me to the world of quality scotch, which is smoky and peaty. I previously thought I disliked scotch, but I soon realized that I only disliked poorly made scotch. Additionally, I am part owner of a brewery in San Diego known as Thorn Street Brewery. (Laughs) The location is as straightforward as the name suggests.

What was your first drink?

The initial beverage that made me ill was titled ’99 Bananas.’ The sweetness is deceptive, akin to ingesting candy, which led to an unfortunate college experience where I ended my night in a bathtub, thankfully devoid of water. Additionally, being of shorter stature, a bathtub provides ample space for stretching out (laughs).

What was your first ‘favorite’ cocktail?

Originally, my preferred mix was Jack and Coke. However, I’ve since developed a fondness for a drink known as ‘Gold Rush.’ It is a delightful concoction of whiskey, lemon, honey syrup, and ginger. Highly recommended.

Comedian Brad Williams

Tell me about the new special ‘Starfish.’

Look, there will always be dwarf jokes. I’m a little person. I don’t know how to write jokes from the perspective of a six foot guy. But on this special I dive into a lot of different topics and I’m really happy to leave my comfort zone. I’m at the stage of life where I’m a father and I’ve been married a few years now. I want to give something new. As a comic I love the laughs. I live off of those. But the moments that really get me excited are the silences.

What’s great about the silences?

Because if the audience is quiet and that’s what I planned — I’ve got ’em. There’s a moment where I reveal something about my daughter and the audience goes quiet. I can tug at your heartstrings a little bit knowing that I have a joke to bring you back.

I want you to feel everything when you come to my show. I want you to feel joy and laughter. But I also want you to think a little bit. And I want you to be sad. Then I want to bring it back and always have you leave happy. There was a famous speech by Jim Valvano at the ESPY Awards where he said something like ‘if you can laugh, cry and think on the same day — that’s a hell of a day.’ And I want to make people do that — but in just an hour.

Do you find it hard to work out the material for your specials in clubs while people are taping with their phones?

I call people out. Hey dude, I’m working on stuff. Let’s put the phone down. There’s a joke in my special that I’m the most proud of — about the Bud Light transgender spokesperson controversy. When I first told the joke it was horrible. And then I got it to a point where it was getting laughs, but those weren’t the kind of laughs I wanted. They were aggressive. So I keep tooling with it. And I finally got the joke to a point where it’s the right laughter. The message reflects my personal beliefs. Nailed it. And you need to be allowed that process.

Comedians more than most artists must embrace the possibility of failure to truly succeed. To finely tune what is both funny and stirring, one must occasionally cross boundaries only to realize they’ve gone too far, then dial back. Comedy cannot be rehearsed alone with just a mirror; it does not provide feedback. Instead, it demands the presence of a live audience to gauge the reaction.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 26: Comedian Brad Williams of Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil performed during the premiere at New York-New York Hotel & Casino on May 26, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What surprised you about doing standup that you didn’t know beforehand?

Comedy holds pleasant surprises, among which is its equalizing effect, regardless of a comedian’s fame or fortune. Even someone as renowned as Jerry Seinfeld follows the same backstage routines as any other comic, walking through the kitchen to reach the stage and using the same modest greenroom. This aspect of comedy is a powerful equalizer and inherent humbler.

Ever shared a drink with one of your idols?

As a dedicated fan of the Denver Broncos, I once had a memorable opportunity. The John Elway car dealerships were hosting a Christmas event and invited me to perform. I immediately accepted. Following my performance, Elway led a standing ovation. He always treated me kindly, but his appreciation deepened after seeing me perform. Post-show, we grabbed drinks together; Dewars and soda were his choice. He later invited me to a Broncos game. Despite my wife being nearly due with our child, she encouraged me to go, understanding what it meant to me to see the game with Elway.

How about with one of your comedy idols?

It was an incredible evening. Though I couldn’t share a drink with him since he was abstaining, I received possibly the greatest compliment of my career. After performing at a small club in northern California, I encountered Robin Williams backstage. He rushed up to me, exclaiming with enthusiasm about my performance. He compared me to “Prozac with a head,” a remark I cherish enough to consider for my epitaph.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – APRIL 19: Comedian Brad Williams performs on stage during Moontower Comedy Festival at The Paramount Theatre on April 19, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)

Did you get to spend some time with him?

The next night. He’s doing a show at the same theater because he lives up there and that’s where he would go to work stuff out. After the show I go back to the greenroom and there is Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, myself and Mort Sahl all talking comedy. It was the greatest night ever.

People think of backstage at a music concert but not a comedy the show.

You have so much adrenaline going after the show — no matter how many times you do this you still want to hang out. So there are the late night diniers and the late night bars where all the comics go after work. That’s where we say all the things we can’t say on stage because we’ll get canceled or booed or attacked or whatever. And we’re all trying to make each other laugh. And when comics are trying to make each other laugh that’s the good stuff!.

One of the most intimidating places in the world of comedy is right behind me. (Pointing) That’s the comic’s table at the Comedy Cellar. I’ve been doing this 20 years. And whenever I sit at that table, I’m terrified (laughs).

Brad Williams will be on tour all summer throughout the United States. Click here for dates.

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