Are some people just born funny? Can a sense of humor be taught? What does being funny even mean? Join moderator Sarah Austin Jenness (The Moth) as she sits down with comedy professionals to ponder these deep and important comedy questions. Panelists include: Eddie Brill (Late Show w/David Letterman), Kevin Scott(Improvisor), Brian Balthazar (HBO MAX), Lauren Kincheloe(Stand-up Instructor).
SARAH AUSTIN JENNESS joined the staff at The Moth in 2005, and as Executive Producer, she has worked with hundreds of people to craft and hone their personal stories. She is one of the hosts of the Peabody Award-winning The Moth Radio Hour, and launched The Moth's Global Community Program -- coaching storytelling workshops in the US and Africa to highlight world issues including family homelessness and public health. Moth stories she has directed in the past decade have been told during the UN General Assembly and as far afield as the Kenya National Theatre. She believes stories have power and can change the world by creating connection.
Eddie Brill is a writer, actor, producer and stand-up comedian. He spend years as the warm-up comic/ Standup Comedy Coordinator for The David Letterman Show. Eddie was the architect and former creative director of the Great American Comedy Festival. Eddie is on the board of advisors for TCCFEST.
Brian Balthazar is a television personality, executive producer, and pop culture commentator. He recently appeared on the HBO MAX competition series “Human Vs Hamster,” which is a real show - as a sideline correspondent and co-host alongside Saturday Night Live’s Sarah Sherman and NFL Network host Kyle Brandt.
In between hosting specials and series, Brian regularly appears as a “talking head” on television news programs including the Today Show and NBC News Daily, providing entertainment headlines and hilarious spontaneous remarks. (Hilarity is subjective.) Previously, he appeared as a recurring guest on The Wendy Williams Show, providing the Inside Scoop on celebrities and segments on What’s Trending.
A sought after expert on pop culture who provides both insight and irreverent humor, he’s been a regular guest host and panelist on a variety of shows including Page Six TV, The Talk, Amazon Live, People Now! and a number of shows and documentaries appearing on VH1, Tubi, and more.
Brian blends his continued passion for trends, humor and pop culture as the head of his own production company, Balthazar Entertainment, where he creates and executive produces shows for cable networks and streamers. He draws upon his previous experience as a respected television producer who launched the fourth hour of the Today Show with Hoda and Kathie Lee, as a co-executive producer of The View, as well as many years at HGTV executive.
LAUREN KINCHELOE
Lauren is a writer, teacher, and raconteur. After over two decades in comedy and theater in NYC and LA, she relocated to Kingston, NY in 2019. In 2021, she founded the Squalid Gold Comedy School, where she teaches stand-up to students of all ages. Her alumni regularly pack local venues, with some going on to open for nationally touring acts.
Kevin Scott began performing and creating comedy while at the legendary Harry S. Truman High School in Levittown PA (profiled in Drama High and the inspiration for NBC’s Rise). He received his comedy training in Chicago in the 1990s from the Second City. He then performed with Bang Bang (which also featured Tracy Letts, Kate Walsh and Michael Shannon). In New York he has performed with Burn Manhattan and Centralia t
He’s also been a regular performer and teacher for The Peoples Improv Theater since it was founded. He’s taught continuously since the ’90’s for the Second City, Gotham City Improv, The People’s Improv Theater and for various other groups and organizations. His students have gone on to work in TV and movies (Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, The Office and more) Kevin is also a filmmaker and director and has had his work shown on the Sundance Channel and Comedy Central.