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Comedian Johnny Watson: ‘If there were Christian strip bars, I would go to those instead’
OCT 04 2017
BY BRENT OWEN
Comedian Johnny Watson is never afraid to be honest with an audience. Whether it’s his own contemptibility: “I only date based on looks.” Or his dysfunctional family: “I’ve got brothers and sisters all over the country. I’m the youngest of the ones I know. I’m probably somewhere in between when it comes to the ones I don’t.” He grew up poor in New Jersey, and during a stint in the Navy started hosting talent shows for the crew. He has spent the intervening decade and a half headlining clubs across the country, landing appearances on “Good Morning America” and “Saturday Night Live;” and taking roles in indie films such as “I Killed John Lennon.” He also has “The Johnny Watson Show” podcast, which he cohosts with his mother. Watson headlines at The Caravan this week.
LEO: What was life like growing up?
Johnny Watson: We were a product of the system. We lived on welfare, food stamps, free lunches at school. We had money for a while, but my dad had issues, then my mom had issues, and we ended up being on government programs. They used to call me ‘One Pants Watson’ because I only had one pair of pants I wore to school.
Do you remember your first time doing stand-up comedy?
When I was in the Navy there was always a talent night when we were on the ship, and I would host it. Then when we got into port in Kona, Hawaii, we went to a comedy club. There was like 80 of us. They all started booing the comic and chanting my name, so I ended up going up and telling jokes. The next day my captain came up to me and said: ‘I’d like to see you stay in the military. But if you don’t, stand-up comedy might be a good avenue for you.’
What was your first joke told onstage?
First thing I ever said on stage was an ad lib. It was an open mic at a bowling alley, and there was this all-female bowling league. They kept asking the comics to talk about the league. So I got up there with my zipper down and said, ‘Bowling league? That sucks. Until 15 minutes ago I thought this was a blowing league.’ Yeah, that was a mistake. They turned on me quick. I’ve come a long way. But the first joke I actually wrote, being from New Jersey, it went: ‘New Jersey, we’re a supportive state. If you want to jump off a building we’ll support you.’
So what made you decide to do a podcast with your mother?
Because we disagree on absolutely everything. We’d always fight about it. I thought: So why don’t we just do it for entertainment? She’s great on it, by the way. I’m apparently the only person who doesn’t swear in front of his mother anymore. So doing that has made me figure out different ways of being funny without using the language.
I like that you’re so open about who you and your family onstage.
I’m honest. I talk about how I date based only on looks. I might be exaggerating to a degree. But to be honest, looks are the most important thing on my list. My theory is that it’s all going to end in a fight anyway. If I’m going to be unhappy, I might as well be unhappy with someone attractive. I’m not trying to get anyone to agree with me. I’m just letting them know how screwed up I am. My life is a mess and here’s the recipe. I talk about how I’m a Christian, but I go to strip bars. If there were Christian strip bars, I would go to those instead. I’m not saying it’s right, this is who I am. I don’t believe in life insurance policies. Why give someone incentive to see you dead?
JOHNNY WATSON
Thursday, Oct. 5-7
The Caravan
1250 Bardstown Road
laughingderby.com
$15 | Times vary
Press
WOF Entertainment, Inc., President Mark Lipsky Reports Substantial Film Funding for Development, Financing, Production and Distribution
(external link)
NEW YORK, May 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Lipsky, President of independent film company WOF Entertainment, Inc., along with producing partners Robert Agueli and RJ Konner, would like to announce a significant equity funding agreement.
Mr. Lipsky, has previously produced a number of movies for Eddie Murphy Productions that have grossed approximately $1.5 Billion at just the box office alone. Those films include "Coming to America," "The Nutty Professor," "Another 48 Hours," "Boomerang," & "Harlem Nights" to name a few. He also formerly managed the careers of Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and Chris Rock, among others.
Said agreement will provide funding in the amount of $35 Million for the development, financing, production and distribution of a slate of films to be produced under their WOF Entertainment, Inc. banner.
The Company will be producing the large majority of its films in Puerto Rico. One of its first films will be the music driven "Up the Tempo," to be directed by Christian Suau. Another is the romantic comedy "The Pre-Nup," written by and to be directed by Jonathan Lynn ("My Cousin Vinny," "The Whole Nine Yards," etc.)
Currently the company is in post-production on a made-for-TV comedy special "Functionally Dysfunctional," starring funny man Johnny Watson.
The WOF production team will include movie veterans Frances Lausell and Ben Loggins along with Ricardo Delgado, Lory Molino, Olga Tymshan and Jaimie Austin.
Contact: RJ Konner, Senior Vice President
Tel: 888.208.4565 ext. 203
email: rj@rjkonner.com
SOURCE WOF Entertainment, Inc.
Comedian Johnny Watson: ‘If there were Christian strip bars, I would go to those instead’
(external link)
Comedian Johnny Watson: ‘If there were Christian strip bars, I would go to those instead’
OCT 04 2017
BY BRENT OWEN
Comedian Johnny Watson is never afraid to be honest with an audience. Whether it’s his own contemptibility: “I only date based on looks.” Or his dysfunctional family: “I’ve got brothers and sisters all over the country. I’m the youngest of the ones I know. I’m probably somewhere in between when it comes to the ones I don’t.” He grew up poor in New Jersey, and during a stint in the Navy started hosting talent shows for the crew. He has spent the intervening decade and a half headlining clubs across the country, landing appearances on “Good Morning America” and “Saturday Night Live;” and taking roles in indie films such as “I Killed John Lennon.” He also has “The Johnny Watson Show” podcast, which he cohosts with his mother. Watson headlines at The Caravan this week.
LEO: What was life like growing up?
Johnny Watson: We were a product of the system. We lived on welfare, food stamps, free lunches at school. We had money for a while, but my dad had issues, then my mom had issues, and we ended up being on government programs. They used to call me ‘One Pants Watson’ because I only had one pair of pants I wore to school.
Do you remember your first time doing stand-up comedy?
When I was in the Navy there was always a talent night when we were on the ship, and I would host it. Then when we got into port in Kona, Hawaii, we went to a comedy club. There was like 80 of us. They all started booing the comic and chanting my name, so I ended up going up and telling jokes. The next day my captain came up to me and said: ‘I’d like to see you stay in the military. But if you don’t, stand-up comedy might be a good avenue for you.’
What was your first joke told onstage?
First thing I ever said on stage was an ad lib. It was an open mic at a bowling alley, and there was this all-female bowling league. They kept asking the comics to talk about the league. So I got up there with my zipper down and said, ‘Bowling league? That sucks. Until 15 minutes ago I thought this was a blowing league.’ Yeah, that was a mistake. They turned on me quick. I’ve come a long way. But the first joke I actually wrote, being from New Jersey, it went: ‘New Jersey, we’re a supportive state. If you want to jump off a building we’ll support you.’
So what made you decide to do a podcast with your mother?
Because we disagree on absolutely everything. We’d always fight about it. I thought: So why don’t we just do it for entertainment? She’s great on it, by the way. I’m apparently the only person who doesn’t swear in front of his mother anymore. So doing that has made me figure out different ways of being funny without using the language.
I like that you’re so open about who you and your family onstage.
I’m honest. I talk about how I date based only on looks. I might be exaggerating to a degree. But to be honest, looks are the most important thing on my list. My theory is that it’s all going to end in a fight anyway. If I’m going to be unhappy, I might as well be unhappy with someone attractive. I’m not trying to get anyone to agree with me. I’m just letting them know how screwed up I am. My life is a mess and here’s the recipe. I talk about how I’m a Christian, but I go to strip bars. If there were Christian strip bars, I would go to those instead. I’m not saying it’s right, this is who I am. I don’t believe in life insurance policies. Why give someone incentive to see you dead?
JOHNNY WATSON
Thursday, Oct. 5-7
The Caravan
1250 Bardstown Road
laughingderby.com
$15 | Times vary
Comedians return to bring laughter to Princess Royale
(external link)
Comedians return to bring laughter to Princess Royale
By Kara Hallissey | Jul 06, 2017
(July 7, 2017) Comedians Johnny Watson and Myke Green are back for another season at the Princess Royale’s Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club.
The comedy show takes places six nights a week at 9 p.m. until the end of summer.
“We have a good time and encourage people to sit up front,” said Watson, who is performing alongside Green for their third summer together at the 91st Street hotel. “There is a lot of audience participation and we like to interact. Don’t worry, we are the butt-of-the-jokes.”
The duo will open up about their life experiences, journeys, failed marriages and tell stories about struggles in life during a 90-minute or longer show, which all depends on the audience and guest comedians, Watson said.
“I am dysfunctional and edgy,” he added. “There are no taboo topics. Let me put it this way, they won’t leave the show feeling like I am better than them.”
After making his debut in 2016, Ken Petrini, who lives in Ocean City during the summer, will be master of ceremonies, emcee and host the joke-off this year.
“We tried to get rid of him, but being the snake lawyer he is, we couldn’t,” Watson said. “He said, he’d sue me.”
Petrini was working on his jokes while in the hospital and he turned his tragedy into comedy, he added.
“He was writing jokes with the tubes still in him,” Watson said. “He’s very committed and it’s a pleasure to have him.”
When guest comedians are not in attendance, the show begins with a joke-off where audience members come on stage to deliver their best joke. A prize is given to the winner chosen by audience members as the funniest jokester of the night.
The joke-off puts audience members in the limelight and gets the show rolling for the headliners.
“Another reason I am back, is I get to play tennis [in Ocean City almost every day] with my tennis mentor, Bill “Jake” Jacobs who has become a father figure to me,” Watson said. “He has made me the tennis player I am today, which is a horrible one. Also, ladies and gentlemen, Jack, not Jake, is banned from the joke-off this year [friends from the Ocean City Tennis Center on 61st Street who come out to support the show every year.]”
The shows are geared toward adults with some of its content containing topics on dating and divorce, dysfunctional parents, the military, kids, conversation filth or swearing.
“The participating acts are great, and, it’s a night away from home,” Watson said.
Watson and Green are no strangers to the comedic world and have both performed in all 50 states for more than a
decade.
Watson has been performing for 15 years and credits the last six consecutive summers of Princess Royale comedy shows for helping his career.
Growing up in a self-described dysfunctional family are the punchlines to many of his jokes including his bi-polar disorder, stint in the military and mother’s cancer battle.
“You will find out what has happened to me since last summer,” Watson said. “I will add on to old jokes and add depth.”
Green, who has been entertaining audiences for 20 years, took a break and jumped back into the scene two summers ago.
“Get out for 90 minutes, leave everything at the door, relax and you are guaranteed a nice laugh,” Green said.
“Laughter is infectious, you’re coming to a show that provides good live entertainment and attendees will have enjoyment all evening long.”
The Princess Royale turns its banquet room into a comedy club with curtains, spotlights and pictures of comedians hanging on the walls.
“Food and Beverage Manager Derek Majewski and General Manager Mike Foelber are committed to making it a good show,” Watson said. “It is a team effort and they are very supportive.”
Comedy shows run every night except Sunday, starting at 9 p.m. in the Palmetto Ballroom of the Princess Royale Hotel on 91st Street. Tickets cost $20 per person with two sodas included or $25 with two alcoholic drinks included.
The shows lasts roughly an hour and a half and will run through Sept. 3. Though children won’t be turned away, the show contains adult content with a suggested age of 16 and over.
The Princess Royale will also be offering a dinner special for attendees in Schooners Oceanfront restaurant. For more information, call 410-723-4242.
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SPOTLIGHT ON: JOHNNY WATSON
(external link)
SPOTLIGHT ON: JOHNNY WATSON
Although from New Jersey, Johnny Watson has been all over the United States, working clubs, privates, corporate, and televised events in all fifty states. He is the host of the WATSON N WATSON show, has been on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and GOOD MORNING AMERICA. Watson is a comedian, a teacher, and writer.
When I was able to catch him on the phone for this Question and Answer session about what it means to be Johnny Watson, it was not what you may be expecting. Of course we talked about stand up, screen writing, and the radio show, but when it comes to being Watson, well…
Q: What exactly do you do?
A: I’m a stand up Comic. Above all else, I’m a stand up comedian first.
Q: What else do you do?
A: I’m an actor. I’m a writer, mostly screenplays. I’m a mentor, and here’s the thing, when I was being mentored, there was always this thing about giving back. I try to keep that legacy of guys trying to help out comics. Try to help out with out expecting anything in return. So without sounding full of myself, I try to mentor people without mentoring with others.
I still feel there is there is always so much to learn, to discover. Knowledge is the only thing you can give away without losing it yourself.
Q: How did you get into the business of trading jokes for cash?
A: I don’t know that I trade jokes for money…but I remember in 2nd grade… I came from a real rough upbringing…you have different facets of your persona. We have a personal persona and a public one. I had a lot of tragedy in my personal life, so I dealt with it in a funny way, telling stories, which was a public face. Just like love and hate, tragedy and comedy, I would spend my public life having fun, being funny. That’s how I dealt with it.
Q: Most comedians doing a radio show, a television show, or a podcast look for another entertainer to work with them. You started the Watson n Watson show in 2011 as a debate with your mother. How does that dynamic work, since she is not in the business of being cast as talent, like you are? (Since she isn’t a comedian, singer, actress, or sports star).
A: It just works. My mother and I are very different. Not better, nor worse. I don’t hold back. We have some respect for my mother. As a respect to my mother, we do keep the show clean. She knows of language though. There is volatility to the show about the show, between us. I’m very open.
When my mother gets me upset, I lay it on her, and she goes with it, and that gets me going even more. Now its not just about me and my mother just going after each other, we do talk about very serious topics.
I don’t think there is much of a difference between my mother and performer, she used to be a model and she has been in sales most of her life. When you do sales, you have to be personable, likeable, and usually sales people use humor to get the sales.
There is not a lot of difference between a salesman and a comedian. They have a product to sell and they usually do it through humor. A salesperson has a product they need to sell you, in order to do that they need to make you like the product and like them. I wouldn’t buy a car from a guy who seemed angry.
She is likeable and funny. Now I’m don’t think most sales people are funny enough to do what we do, but if you want to be successful in sales, there has to be a likeability about you and you need to, and she does that.
There is chemistry between my mother and I that works very well. It’s interesting and different. It’s very hard to replicate that chemistry or that relationship.
Q: Johnny, is there anyone you were just super excited to get to work with?
A: I loved working with that SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE cast. That was a great experience. Christopher Titus is a great guy to talk to, great to work with. I really got him, because we have such a similar background. He told me how much he thought I was going to take off in the future. Just a great guy who I wish I had more time with.
Rich Shydner and Tommy Koenig, they were great to meet with. I love that older guard. They paved the way for us. I’m a historian of it. I just wanted to give them the respect they disserve. And they continue to give back. It’s amazing.
watson-3Q: What is your goal in the next year, five years, or ten years?
A: I would like to do one or more of the late night shows, to be in a couple of major films with a significant movie roll, and get few commercials under my belts. And for someone to pick up the one of the screenplays we are working on.
Q: Can we talk about that? Or are you under lock and key about the screenplays?
A: No, I can talk about this. I have a few done.
John McGurck, one of the most talented writers I’ve met in my life. One of the films we wrote together is about my ex-wife, the flight attendant, and another is about me being a compulsive gamble, since I had a problem with that for a while. We are writing about real life.
I would also like to see the radio show get picked up within the next twelve months.
– Johnny Watson will be at WAVES OF LAUGHTER COMEDY CLUB at the Princess Royal in Ocean City, Maryland for the summer. He is also, in preproduction of a documentary about his next step.
BY ANTHONY CRESCENZO
Hackettstown Comedian To Be Featured At Vasa Park
(external link)
Hackettstown Comedian To Be Featured At Vasa Park
TOPICS:Live Comedy
Hackettstown's Chad Peterson, quickly making a name for himself in the world of stand up, will be one of four comedians at a local comedy night.
POSTED BY: MEL OCTOBER 23, 2015
Hackettstown comedian Chad Peterson, a regular on the New York comedy club scene, will be opening a special night of comedy at Vasa Park in Mount Olive on Nov. 7.
Featuring four comedies over the course of the evening, Johnny Watson, of New Jersey, headlines. Carmen Lagala and Zach Sharif, will also perform, in what is sure to be a night of ultimate laughs.
The show will be held in Vasa Park’s Cultural Center, 93 Wolfe Road, Mount Olive. The show is open to the public. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door, with an option to also purchase dinner for an extra charge.
Peterson is fast becoming one of comedy’s rising stars and has been recognized as one of the funniest comics in New England. Ever since he was a child he felt the need to entertain. Peterson took advice from his friends and pursued a career in stand up comedy. He immediately fell in love with it and began to perfect his craft.
Peterson is now doing stand up comedy throughout the Northeast and looks forward to making crowds laugh throughout the United States and the world. In 2011 Peterson moved to Vermont and in 2014 he was a finalist in the Vermont Seven Days Daysies as one of the best comedians in Vermont. He recently moved back to the area here and continues to entertain anyone who wants to listen, and anyone who doesn’t!
NJ-based Johnny Watson will headline the evening.
Watson grew up in a tough New Jersey neighborhood. “I had to do something because I couldn’t fight a lick,” he said. “I was the poor kid on free lunch who always got picked on. I had to be funny if I wanted to stay alive!”
And he’s still funny, making countless fans laugh until they cry throughout North America. Many of his (based on real life) bits are about his family: His heroin addicted dad, apathetic mom, and his own juvenile alcoholism before quitting at age 18.
“I was the designated driver before they had designated drivers,” he says. Johnny has turned life’s hard-knocks into comedy and is loved by audiences for it.
After graduating dead last in his class, Grandma Watson implored him to become a comedian because “It’s what you do best! And…you’re no good at anything else!”
Several years later he remains one of the most popular comics on the circuit. Watson has appeared throughout the United States and Canada at many of the biggest clubs, including HA Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club in New York City, and The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. He has also appeared in numerous TV, film and theater productions.
Lagala and Sharif, are the perfect openers. Lagala is also considered one of the best in New England and Sharif has been honing his comedy on the New York City circuit for some time.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. with seating starting at 6 p.m. For those interested in dinner there is a choice of chicken or pasta, for $10. Vasa Park offers a full bar. It is located just off of Route 46.
For advance tickets go to www.vasacomedy.com. For more information, email VasaParkNJ@gmail.com.
MEET MR. CLEAN (sorta) by Ed Kaz Asbury Park Press
March 30, 2013 at 9:43pm
MEET MR. CLEAN (sorta)
Johnny Watson's jokes are stronger than dirt.
By Ed Kaz !
Johnny Watson has a reputation of being a clean comic. yet that label puzzles him. "Not sure why I’m known as squeaky clean," shared Watson, "I guess I’m cleaner than most but I will still do whatever I feel at the moment. I’m not afraid of the language; it just seems that most of my stuff isn’t that dirty." Well good for you, Johnny, because when I come see you this weekend at Knuckleheads in Toms River I'm bringing a couple of nuns.
ED KAZ!: Johnny! Hard to believe, but it's been six years since we last spoke. Please tell me how your career has exploded as a result of
all the amazing publicity I gave you back in 2007.
JOHNNY WATSON: Are you kidding me? Because of your interview I've been able to do places like The Broken Toe in Miami. Thanks Ed!
KAZ!: Why the heck would anyone want to be a comedian anyway?
WATSON: To get good anti-depressants.
KAZ!: When was that moment of epiphany when you realized that comedy was going to be your life's work?
WATSON: When I told a joke to get out of an awkward moment in prison.
KAZ!: When is it time to retire a joke?
WATSON: Retire a joke? That means I need to write then.
KAZ!: If you could be any superhero, which would you be?
WATSON: Aquaman. I could only help you if the crime is in the water.
KAZ!: What's the dumbest thing anyone has said to you after a show?
WATSON: Are you BonJovi?
KAZ!: If you could have dinner with any three people in history, who would it be and who would pick up the tab?
WATSON: How about three dates with Mila Kunis and we dine and dash.
KAZ!: What's the number one misconception people have of you?
WATSON: That I am a tough guy. What kind of a friggin' question was that?
KAZ!: Is there anything you'd like to ask me?
WATSON: Next time can we do our interview in under six years?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Have a great weekend and please remember to laugh responsibly.
Follow Kaz on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/#!/EdKaz
Spotlight on Johnny Watson
SPOTLIGHT ON: JOHNNY WATSON
Posted June 14, 2014 · 0 Comments
watson-1
Although from New Jersey, Johnny Watson has been all over the United States, working clubs, privates, corporate, and televised events in all fifty states. He is the host of the WATSON N WATSON show, has been on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and GOOD MORNING AMERICA. Watson is a comedian, a teacher, and writer.
When I was able to catch him on the phone for this Question and Answer session about what it means to be Johnny Watson, it was not what you may be expecting. Of course we talked about stand up, screen writing, and the radio show, but when it comes to being Watson, well…
Q: What exactly do you do?
A: I’m a stand up Comic. Above all else, I’m a stand up comedian first.
Q: What else do you do?
A: I do a podcast with my mother. We are the only mother/son podcast on the air.
Q: What do you feel is your comedic persona?
A: I came from a real rough upbringing…you have different facets of your persona. We have a personal persona and a public one. I had a lot of tragedy in my personal life, so I dealt with it in a funny way, telling stories, which was a public face. Just like love and hate, tragedy and comedy, I would spend my public life having fun, being funny. That’s how I dealt with it.
Q: Most comedians doing a radio show, a television show, or a podcast look for another entertainer to work with them. You started the Watson n Watson show in 2011 as a debate with your mother. How does that dynamic work, since she is not in the business of being cast as talent, like you are? (Since she isn’t a comedian, singer, actress, or sports star)
watson-2A: It just works. My mother and I are very different. Not better, nor worse. I don’t hold back. We have some respect for my mother. As a respect to my mother, we do keep the show clean. She knows of language though. There is volatility to the show about the show, between us. I’m very open.
When my mother gets me upset, I lay it on her, and she goes with it, and that gets me going even more. Now its not just about me and my mother just going after each other, we do talk about very serious topics.
I don’t think there is much of a difference between my mother and performer, she used to be a model and she has been in sales most of her life. When you do sales, you have to be personable, likeable, and usually sales people use humor to get the sales.
There is not a lot of difference between a salesman and a comedian. They have a product to sell and they usually do it through humor. A salesperson has a product they need to sell you, in order to do that they need to make you like the product and like them. I wouldn’t buy a car from a guy who seemed angry.
She is likeable and funny. Now I’m don’t think most sales people are funny enough to do what we do, but if you want to be successful in sales, there has to be a likeability about you and you need to, and she does that.
There is chemistry between my mother and I that works very well. It’s interesting and different. It’s very hard to replicate that chemistry or that relationship.
Q: Johnny, is there anyone you were just super excited to get to work with?
A: I loved working with that SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE cast. That was a great experience, Christopher Titus was a great guy to talk to, great to work with. I really got him, because we have such a similar background. He told me how much he thought I was going to take off in the future. Just a great guy who I wish I had more time with.
Ritchh Shydner and Tommy Koenig, they were great to meet with. I love that older guard. They paved the way for us. I’m a historian of it. I just wanted to give them the respect they deserve. And they continue to give back. It’s amazing.
watson-3Q: What is your goal in the next year, five years, or ten years?
A: I would like to do one or more of the late night shows, to be in a couple of major films with a significant movie roll, and get few commercials under my belts. And for someone to pick up the one of the screenplays we are working on.
Q: Can we talk about that? Or are you under lock and key about the screenplays?
A: No, I can talk about this. I have a few done.
John McGurck, one of the most talented writers I’ve met in my life. One of the films we wrote together is about my ex-wife, the flight attendant, and another is about me being a compulsive gamble, since I had a problem with that for a while. We are writing about real life.
I would also like to see the radio show get picked up within the next twelve months.
– Johnny Watson will be at WAVES OF LAUGHTER COMEDY CLUB at the Princess Royal in Ocean City, Maryland for the summer. He is also, in preproduction of a documentary about his next step.
Navy man turned comedian Watson brings laughs to Inn at Millrace Pond on Jan. 10
(external link)
Navy man turned comedian Watson brings laughs to Inn at Millrace Pond on Jan. 10
By Warren Reporter
December 16, 2014
Johnny Watson brings his personal reality comedy routine to the Tavern at the Inn at Millrace Pond in Hope for a special show Saturday night Jan. 10. Hackettstown's Chad Peterson, a regular on the New York/New Jersey comedy club scene, opens up for Watson. (courtesy photo)
Warren Reporter
Too many comedians exaggerate about themselves when performing. Johnny Watson doesn't need to. When Johnny Watson tells a joke about himself and his family, it's real life.
Watson brings his personal reality comedy routine to the Tavern at the Inn at Millrace Pond in Hope for a special show Saturday night Jan. 10. Hackettstown's Chad Peterson, a regular on the New York/New Jersey comedy club scene, opens up for Watson.
Watson, who grew up in a tough New Jersey neighborhood, told jokes to survive. "I had to do something because I couldn't fight a lick," he said. So he told jokes to survive. - "I was the poor kid on free lunch who always got picked on. I had to be funny if I wanted to stay alive!"
And he’s still funny. Very funny - making countless fans laugh until they cry throughout North America. Many of his (real life) bits are about his family, his heroin addicted dad, apathetic mom, and his own juvenile alcoholism before quitting at age 18. "I was the designated driver before they had designated drivers," he said. Johnny has turned life’s hard-knocks into comedy and is loved by audiences for it.
After graduating dead last in his class, Grandma Watson implored him to become a comedian because "It's what you do best! And… you're no good at anything else." After a semester in college and four years in the Navy, Johnny returned to his first love – comedy as his full-time profession. Several years later he remains one of the most popular comics on the circuit. Watson has appeared throughout the United States and Canada at many of the biggest clubs, including HA Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club in New York City, and The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. He has also appeared in numerous TV, film and theater productions.
Peterson, who grew up in Stanhope, started performing stand up in 2009 and has been on the circuit ever since. He jokes about everything from world politics to garbage disposal. Peterson was nominated earlier this year by the readers of Seven Days newspaper as one of the best comedians in Vermont.
Showtime is 8 p.m. Dinner reservations for the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets for the comedy show are just $10 each. The Inn offers an array of cocktails and craft and domestic beers. The Inn at Millrace Pond is located in the heart of historic Hope, just minutes from Route 80, Exit 12. To make a reservation, call 908-459-4884. For more about the Inn, visit www.innatmillracepond.com.
JOHNNY WATSON & CHIPPS COONEY double headlining The Comedy Cove @ Scotty's ~ March 1st & 2nd
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JOHNNY WATSON & CHIPPS COONEY double headlining The Comedy Cove @ Scotty's ~ March 1st & 2nd
By Laurielle (Patch Poster) - Updated Feb 25, 2013 7:00 pm ET
A Double Headliner Comedy show this weekend at The Comedy Cove @ Scotty's headlining Johnny Watson & Chipps Cooney. Johnny is a nationally headlining comic whose star is on the rise. He's earning a reputation as clean and clever with the charm of "the boy next door". Except that you wouldn't want to be his neighbor growing up… Watson, a kid from a dysfunctional home lived in some of New Jersey's seedier neighborhoods with his two brothers and two sisters. He learned to use his razor sharp wit to survive. "I was the poor kid on free lunch who always got my balls busted so since I couldn't really fight, I had to be funny." He started drinking when he was five years old and kept on going until high school, ("I was burned out from drinking by the time I got into high school, so I became the designated driver before they had designated drivers," he says). After briefly attending college in California, Johnny joined the Navy. Once he got out, he turned to comedy as a full-time profession (his grandmother implored him to become a comedian because "you can't do anything else right") And so… a comedy career was born. Since then Johnny has taken life's lemons and turned them into lemonade which he freely shares with his fans! And coast to coast, They Love It! You've seen Johnny at some of the biggest Comedy Clubs in the country and he has also been seen on TV, (most notably Saturday Night Live and Good Morning America and in a host of independent films and theater productions.
Chipps Cooney won America's heart on NBC's "America's Got Talent", and became everybody's favorite "magician" (except Piers Morgan, who let's face it, has no sense of humor anyway) this summer on NBC's "America's Got Talent". Chipps has entertained audiences for more than 2 decades doing his stand up comedy act at The Hard Rock Cafe, The Riviera in Las Vegas, The Claridge, and the Borgata in Atlantic City. He has also performed in New York City at Gotham Comedy Club, Dangerfields, The Improvisation, and the legendary Pip's Comedy Club in Brooklyn. Cooney is a magician who amazes nobody, but entertains everybody. You may recognize him from his hilariously memorable role in Adam Sandler's movie "The Benchwarmers." This show is also featuring the very funny Kevin Dunbrowski
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For Resume And articles on Johnny Watson go to PDF section.
Gordon Mills from the Comedy Nest
Johnny Watson is a pleasure to work with, a gem of a performer who will always do what is asked of him. Whether time is short or long, whether an audience is small or large, he gets the job done. Being a club owner and working with comics for the last 10 years, he is one of the few that leaves his attitude at home (or hotel!). He comes to work with a smile and is extremely easy to work with. He can always vary his set depending on the crowd and is never (hardly ever!) vulgar. Certainly not ever to an extent that would offend. I would have no hesitation in recommending him to any club, network, cruise line, etc. that would be lucky enough to avail themselves of his talent. Oh yes, and by the way, he's funny!!)
From a Fan:
Johnny Watson is a comic who's stand up style is like his hair.. always changing but always maintaining a level of being in style and cool. I appreciate his humorous take on current events, his phobias and relationships. He has a energetic and passionate delivery that pleases all and is never threatening.
He discusses a wide range of topics that everyone can relate to. Audiences get the feeling he is extremely accessible, he is always polite (even when heckled) and, as you can clearly see, loves to be on stage and enjoys what he does best, leaving 'em laughing in the aisles
Woody Allen, Chris Rock, Richard Pryor, Ellen Degeneres, Lenny Bruce, Brian Regan