Los Angeles-based comedian Billy Anderson was born in Texas, grew up in Georgia, and moved to Seattle six years ago.  He began performing stand-up soon after, and has since become one of the Pacific Northwest's most successful comedians. 

Anderson has been a finalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition, performed at Bumbershoot, and is host and co-creator of The Gateway Show, the most popular marijuana-based touring comedy show in the country. 

But in October of 2015, he encountered personal tragedy when fellow comedian, friend and roommate Meredith Flanders committed suicide. Anderson found her body two days later, and afterward, struggled to come to terms with the ordeal. 

On this episode of AYS, Anderson talks about that day and its impact on his life, his success thus far in comedy, and why he never wants to visit Andover, Massachusetts ever again. 

November 13, 2017

For more on the Gateway Show, check out http://gatewayshow.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/gatewayshow/

Billy Anderson photo courtesy of The Gateway Show

Intro/outro music: "Come On," courtesy of Free Peoples, a Bay Area roots band.

Episode 14: Billy Anderson - "It was like sirens going off in my head"

Nate Holk grew up in Bremerton, Washington, and moved to Bellingham 12 years ago to attend Western Washington University, where he graduated with a linguistics degree.

About a year-and-a-half ago, he began performing stand-up at local open mics, and hasn't stopped since. But unlike the majority of other white men on local stages, Holk is different: he performs from a wheelchair, the result of an accident he suffered at age 16. 

On this episode of AYS, Holk talks about overcoming both physical disability and substance abuse, why he jokes about life's difficulties, and what it's like to perform in front of a soda fountain. 

February 7, 2018

Intro/outro music: "Come On," courtesy of Free Peoples, a Bay Area roots band.

Episode 15: Nate Holk - "My legs didn't move at all"

Bellingham's Kent Loomer grew up in Ferndale and spent many years away from Whatcom County, joining the U.S. Air Force after college and living in Florida, Colorado and Hawaii. He moved back to the Bellingham area shortly before Ryan Stiles' Upfront Theatre opened in 2004. 

A self-improvement workshop led him to promise himself he'd take an improv class, and since then, Loomer hasn't looked back, performing in thousands of improv shows at the Upfront and across the country. He's also a SAG-credentialed actor with roles in commercials, TV shows and feature films. 

On this episode of AYS, Loomer explains his love of improv, his friendship with Ryan Stiles, and how he wound up working security detail for a former U.S. President. 

February 21, 2018

Photo courtesy of Kent Loomer

Intro/outro music: "Come On," courtesy of Free Peoples, a Bay Area roots band.

Episode 16: Kent Loomer - "Everything is possible with the word 'yes'"

"Are You Serious?" is a comedy interview program where local and regional comedians get real, talking about personal challenges and how those relate to their craft. Hosted by Matt Benoit and airing Sunday nights at 11 p.m. and Monday nights at 10:30 p.m. on KMRE 102.3 FM.

"Are You Serious?" Podcast

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