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Mark and Jake Try To Make It | LaughTrack

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Mark and Jake Try To Make It

Mark and Jake Try To Make It

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Episodes

Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 065 - "Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival 2026"Nov 2, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Sleep recovery 01:15 Evansville, IN 01:38 Long drive shorter 02:40 Summit City 03:50 Knoxille, TN 04:12 Sub Shop Comedy 05:25 Sandwich artists 07:30 Mark Chalifoux (Cincinnati, OH) 13:00 Small town Colorado (Stratton & Meeker) 13:55 Sold out 150 seater 15:10 Competing comedy festival - Trailhead 19:50 People hate to be sat 24:50 Jake does a gimmick show 26:26 Mark's cowboy hat 32:15 Costume comedy show 36:38 Funniest white guy on the lineup 38:35 Comedy Fashion 47:30 Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival 47:35 Jennie Weaver (St. Louis) 48:34 Bob Alper (Vermont) 51:09 Johnny Ater (Maine) 54:55 A bad clean comedy festival 56:56 Suit comedy 57:44 Steve Hofstetter 59:42 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:00:53 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Dry bar taping pay, St. Louis / midwest thoughts on Colorado festival comedy, clean but problematic topics, lying in comedy, the cost of comedy festivals, low pay gigs worth, Rodney Norman, Mark Chalifoux book joke, John Novosad, potential joke theft of street joke, suits in comedy, rescheduling because of big pay, airport parking, paying Mountain Fresh Festival comics
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 064 - "Mark Normand and the retardant jacket"Oct 26, 2026 · 1 hr 3 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Do comedy specials pay? 02:40 Gaming the algorithm 06:48 Reposting videos 08:20 Jake sleeps on a couch 10:38 Jake sleeps in his car 12:50 1700's sleeping tech 17:07 Mark Normand at Comedy Works 19:50 Comedian speed 22:05 Comedy warehouse vs. Comedy factory 24:04 Retiring jokes 27:35 Caleb Synan 31:16 Coming up with stories 37:16 Jake is ageist 38:25 Young people are more social 40:09 Story prompts 42:45 Mark's joke style 43:40 How many means? 45:55 8 hour gig (grisly raccoon) 47:20 Keystone, CO 48:50 The power of hosting 51:29 Roasting at corporate event 54:41 Was that gig fun? 56:54 How to tell a company is fun 57:35 Comedy in a Walmart 1:00:22 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:02:00 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Is Mark Normand dumb?, Nate Bargatze, Clean Comedy Collective, Walmart Comedy, Roast joke about executive, corporate pay, comic beef, special pay
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 063 - "Pilot Announcements Infuriate"Oct 19, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake is late 01:06 Dog at airport 03:40 Airplane nap 05:16 Starling internet on United 06:15 NETFLIX downloads 06:40 Pilot announcements stink 08:38 Mark's Big Great Comedy Weekend 10:02 Jake talks Turo 12:06 AVIS stinks 12:26 Marks weekend continued 14:15 Mason Jennings 15:32 Comedy add-on 17:09 Egyptian Theatre donation 18:28 Mummies 19:42 Bodies exhibit 20:10 Jake holds a human heart 23:20 FILM@Vail Comedy Festival 24:10 Jake sketch story 28:20 Film Freeway 30:45 Comic trope 35:45 Bad Improv 36:32 Good Improv! (Richard Simmons) 38:15 Spanish laughing guy meme 40:10 A tale of two Improvs 43:22 Mouse Couch Improv 45:03 Fisher Brewing 46:00 Bad standup 47:00 Hard or soft? 47:50 Jake's economic riddle 53:30 Game used gear 54:20 Louis CK New Balance sneakers 56:10 Mark's aspiration 56:49 Minor league baseball 58:21 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 59:49 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Bad comic, secrets of the game, Turo secret, Park City pay, secret about a streaming show, confidential gossip, Marks new joke bombs but Jake likes it, joke crushes and Mark gets mad, different perspectives, car feature, Jake's weird show offer, meme plans, national booker story, comedy competition notes, we didn't get in but some people did, holiday gig quandary, saying no nicely, marks big offer
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 062 - "Bookstore Comedy"Oct 12, 2026 · 1 hrMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Winston Hodges 04:28 Drew Carey 05:15 Comedy Club shuts down 09:55 The show must go on 10:40 Ethan Simmons Patterson 12:40 Not on social media 15:10 Transition Lenses 15:39 Louisville Comedy Panel 17:45 Ray Lau 22:57 Is social media evil? 27:00 Fading glory in comedy 28:10 Mark gets fact checked 28:57 BRUT by Sam Tallent 31:25 Bookstore Show in Denver 32:54 Jake produces a show 36:40 Lineup snob 39:24 Mark gets recognized 40:55 Squeeze everybody's time 41:15 Mark's big mistake (Mary Mack) 43:10 Venue disputes 46:15 Andrew Orvedahl is great 48:30 Jake's show 50:40 50+ year old comics are bad? 53:20 Impostor Syndrome 54:25 Mark tags a joke 55:52 Jake wants to teach comedy 57:05 87 year old comedian 58:13 Patreon - www.patreon.com/markandjake 59:29 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Paying late night comics, polarizing figure, lineup organization, show runner middle, running the light, mark gets borked, why the room was so good, mystery old comedian, Mary Mack gives Mark a note, Mark likes a joke Jake does not, Kill Tony, bad comedy vibe, Jake pay/booking question for Mark, post show conundrum, intern dreams, Mark and Jake meet the same booker, Penn & Teller secrets, Jake's ethics homework, porch pirate, Jake workshops a joke,
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 061 - "BCC Please"Oct 5, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min00:00 Jake fasts 04:09 Jake goes to Chattanooga, TN 04:54 Mike Palascak and Jay Leno 06:18 Mark breaks Jake's fast 07:38 Fasting for 40 days 10:07 Flat Earther forum 12:00 Mark needs Dentures? 13:35 Comedy Catch Comedy Club 17:40 Lying in comedy 18:10 Carnival ball toss tips 20:40 Lying is OK 22:25 Logical fallacy 23:10 Do jokes travel? 25:45 Penn & Teller 28:14 Shadowbanned 29:28 Prison guard jokes 33:15 Joke Truther 35:33 Lying is like a cow gate 37:08 The Moth 39:42 You can't fire me, I quit 46:18 Maturity in the face of rejection 49:30 Ninja Pizza oven 54:38 Pizza cheese 55:45 Accidental calzone 56:30 BCC please 1:00:30 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:01:06 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Pizza secret, moral quandary, another pizza secret, white elephant, cornballer, faceless corporation, should this tape be destroyed, easter egg hunt, speed limits, comedy club pay, comic discussion, feature pay, merch sales, generous headliner, Montrose
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 060 - "Opening for Tom Arnold"Sep 28, 2026 · 1 hr 6 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake at the Lake 03:43 Mark and Tires 06:12 Jake's First Car 09:15 Alignment exception 10:44 Is Mark a lake guy? 12:24 Great uncle 16:04 Private Jet Money 17:34 Dog Stars movie 18:54 Clean Comedy Challenge stinks 20:05 Drew Davis (Nashville, TN) 20:42 Mild racism (allowable) 21:26 Jake does not like music 23:32 Youth Pastors 24:32 Leslie Norris 24:57 Clean Comedy Collective 27:50 Beaver, UT 30:15 Moving Tickets 32:10 Mark opens for Tom Arnold 34:38 Fog machine 35:35 35 minute set 36:38 Hanging with Tom Arnold 37:37 Jake's surprise set length 40:00 Set construction 42:07 Squeaky clean 43:12 Brain division 43:47 Mark's crazy gig 46:45 Latino economic conference 49:48 Corporate wisdom 40:08 Birthday gig 52:29 Gig timing 53:28 Gig or client should win? 54:52 Activity book 56:40 Crowd Work questions 59:32 Prized possession 1:02:25 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:03:56 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Mary Mack, Comedy club pay, paying comics, hotel incidentals, comic that quit comedy, feeling ripped off, an amazing library story, repair story, stolen goods on ebay, magician beef, lies and truth in comedy, Jake shares a joke and Mark gives him an idea, Tom Arnold show, Vail Comedy Festival win
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 059 - "Some Dude Feeding a Bear"Sep 21, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake in Boulder, CO 02:29 Jesse Carter 04:19 Denver Zoo (Lion brothers) 07:08 Bear feeding 08:19 Idaho Springs Beau Jo's Pizza 09:21 Early leave changing 09:50 Canon Beach in Oregon 10:52 Janae Burris 12:52 Comic cancellation 14:50 Comic conundrum (pay and gigs) 17:13 Replacable 19:04 Unavailable 19:52 r/standup and Jon Lovitz 21:55 Chris Kattan 22:34 Gypsum, CO 24:12 Oversharing 26:18 Comedy Works New Faces Semi-Finals 27:27 Dylan Kantor 31:29 Leah Bonnema 34:00 Sam Tallent and Janae Burris 34:13 Ben Dailey is a boring white guy? 35:49 Everybody is immensely interesting 38:18 Premature white hair 39:19 Magic patter 40:47 Sarah Sherman / Squirm 41:10 Jeremy Lomax 42:22 Carrot Top 43:18 Jake Golf Heckles 47:00 Taping tips 49:16 Golf heckle improvement ideas 50:28 Bose S1+ Speaker 52:45 Comics can learn from magicians 56:05 Stay away from the magic 57:43 Obviously a liar on stage 59:15 Pre-crowd-work 59:44 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:00:44 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: August finances for Mark, crazy gigs, comic vouch thing, Krackpots Comedy Club, Colorado comedian rankings, complaining about audience, comedy couple, headliner struggle, Nateland, Comic Cents Comedy Club merch, comic pick up secret, golf heckle jokes, questions for Mark, Steve Martin, does Jake lie, Tom Arnold, Mark asks Jake a question, Jake driving tip
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 058 - "Action Jackson vs. Motion Mark"Sep 14, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Mark's Cookie Cookbookzine 06:05 Action and Motion 07:40 Jake is in Denver 09:15 Casa Bonita was bad 14:10 Auctioneering Fantasy Football draft 18:55 Macguffin 19:48 Jake is producing a show 23:04 Invisible headliner 25:45 Genuine comedy 26:19 Public speaking trick 27:50 Shotgun comedy (SESH) 30:05 New comics 31:50 Mark's annoyance with hosts 33:37 Denver Bears (what kind?) 34:30 Woodland Hills, CO 35:50 Mark pops up an outdoor comedy club 38:30 Travel stool 40:28 Reunion testimonial video 41:18 Sleeping audience member 41:43 Magic Conference 46:25 Magic practice 47:58 Lance Burton 51:09 Cancelling gigs 52:54 Tom Arnold 54:08 Theater comedy 54:40 Addressing yourself 56:25 Theater merch line 58:52 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:00:07 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Nate Bargatze's Dad, Pay what you want, Mingle with magicians, Zine margins and tips, cookie recipes, thousand dollar purchase, off the truck eBay buys, Jake buys new equipment, festival submission tip, Jake quitting services, comedy statistics, getting discounts, escrow and deposits, big event venue search, theater pay, burying a comic
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 057 - "The Clean Comedy Challenge Stinks"Sep 7, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Do you have more poop jokes? 03:15 Saying no to gigs 06:18 Jake gets an offer 07:40 Getting info from bookers 10:05 Throwing a comic a bone 12:45 Clean Comedy Challenge (Jake no like) 22:38 Overpriced and underdelivers 27:13 Kellen Erskine 29:39 Silver lining 35:14 New comedy club name mystery (KY) 43:23 Comedy Cellar Brilliance 46:25 Lying audience 48:32 High School reunion jokes (Casper, WY) 53:39 DJ 55:05 Jake is writing a book 1:00:12 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:01:12 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Bob Zany joke, Headliner pay, Guest set pay, Fear on stage, TV show application, magic, Vegas bus, Fantasy Football gig, negotiating gig pay, campground comedy, improv, Vegas comic, new segment idea
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 056 - "Mango mania"Aug 31, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Brooklyn Cat Cafe Comedy 02:40 Ugly Home story 04:20 Carmen Lagala 05:20 Emily Catalano 06:30 Mark new jokes 07:05 Mark is nervous in NYC 08:01 Brad Upton 09:03 Caitlin Peluffo 10:04 DTCCC 13:07 Payment methods 14:20 Applying to competition 15:50 Jake Travel Story 18:00 Found money 19:28 NYC Food 20:56 Ice Cream House in Boro 21:45 Venchi Gelato 22:18 Little Cupcake Bake Shop 23:04 Mango mania 25:32 Cincinnati breakfast sausage 26:40 Cheong Fun (food cart) 28:10 Los Tacos No. 1 28:56 Bleecker Street Pizza 29:15 Improv in Cincinnati 33:20 Improv pathway in NYC 34:48 Sam Tallent 35:45 Jake first time at NTN 36:24 Mark meets Jim Gaffigan 38:20 NYC Joke 39:40 Major Destim (no phone) 43:10 Looking for a place to live in NYC 44:55 New Comedy Club in Louisville, KY 50:10 New Open Mic 52:36 NYC mics 53:56 Jack Crawford (NFL) 55:45 Comedy Cellar (MacDougal) experience 56:43 SESH Comedy 57:58 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 59:39 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Dan Soder secret, pay at NYC shows, national touring act texts Jake, Mark met one of his openers recently, how to work the Comedy Cellar system as a customer, Mark hiccups with no phone, Comedy Cellar lineup, Jake gets a huge compliment, tech fixes for Jake, Jake books a good gig, Mark hacks for Broadway tickets in NYC, mystery at Radio City Music Hall, Jake's Book of Mormon story, Mark's NYC joke, Mark's corporate pay
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 055 - "Mark goes no phone for 6 days in NYC"Aug 24, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Airborne Carbs (Lambert's) 03:51 A meal with Zoltan Kaszas 05:33 Jake wins a free steak 07:00 Mark does comedy for nutrition professionals 11:45 Frito Pie 12:55 Mark's brain is full 15:34 Aquarium Comedy Mystery 19:05 Red Rocks (backstage) 20:40 Denver Aquarium 23:15 Ice Cream in NYC (Morganstern's) 24:12 E-town carpool 28:30 Car nap 29:50 NATELAND LIVE 32:35 Apples (Dusty Slay) 35:20 Comedy in a manger 36:18 Greeley, CO (Adam Tiller) 38:52 Jared Chandler 39:38 Mark gets a glamour shot 41:10 Addie Lynn 41:30 KY Headshots 42:40 Mark tries a new joke 43:27 Nate Bargatze gets drunk 44:00 NYC Open Mics 45:59 Working with Zoltan 48:10 Jake tries a new joke 50:30 Al Jackson 51:35 Walking NYC with no phone 55:00 Zombies in NYC 57:25 No phones in Haiti 59:30 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:00:16 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Bad comedy festival, High Plains Comedy Festival, Funniest person in the midwest contest, comic relocating to Los Angeles, Comics from Denver in New York City, 5 shows at Denver Comedy Lounge, Cincinnati comedian, Kill Tony, Nashville comedy, Seattle comedy, RISE Comedy Festival (contest festival), festival tips and heartache, AJ Wilkerson, Mark gets a kick in the nuts by not having a phone, Jake gets a kick in the nuts, car trouble, car investment
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 054 - "Mark's Cookie Recipe Book"Aug 17, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Bristol Farms The Cookie 02:00 Knock off recipes 04:49 Reddit recipe disaster 06:30 Merch convo with producer 08:00 You can't copyright a recipe 13:35 Playbill assembly 16:40 The hot sauce guy 17:00 Lighters (Erik Escobar) 18:30 Bad lighting at comedy room 20:10 Ballcap on stage 27:15 Wally's (Popcorn Buc-Ees) 32:20 John Oliver vs. Buc-Ees 35:20 Pizza Hut (original store) 38:52 Thick Skin ejection 43:50 Blazing Saddles movie 45:10 Spacebars movie 46:10 White Men Can't Jump movie (original) 47:40 Jake watches documentaries about polygamy 54:45 Mark does a corporate 58:36 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:00:16 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Mark's cookie secret, poached venue drama, Thick skin bomber, New Talent Night standby, New Faces wildcard show, Competition comedy, an insane questionnaire, roasts, pay drama, High school reunion show
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 053 - "Los Angeles Flat Earther"Aug 10, 2026 · 1 hr 3 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Los Angeles flat earthed 01:00 Baked Potato train 03:40 Colombian Exchange 07:05 4th of July Nerd 10:15 Summer of Watermelon 11:44 Teacher appreciation contrast 12:55 Los Angeles Comedy 13:30 Brand new rental car 14:25 Papp Johnson 20:10 Professional seat fillers 22:20 Be nice (in comedy) 25:30 L.A. Country Club comedy 28:30 Mark sees Bill Burr 32:50 El Segundo Comedy with Cooper Lyden 33:42 Andrew Orolfo 36:30 Moving for comedy 37:03 Jake in Austin, TX 40:55 "Well see about that" 43:04 Pro move by headliner 43:59 Mark gets aggravated 47:15 Jake booked last minute 50:36 Blair Socci 53:05 Dave Chappelle 53:42 Postcard Hail Mary 55:12 Direct Mail 57:28 Athens Comedy Fest (update) 01:00:18 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 01:01:40 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: New York comedian drama with name reveal, comedy misinformation, Comedy Works New Faces, Comedy competitions dirt from Jake, a terrible comedy festival with name reveal, World Series of Comedy, name reveal of "slimy" booker, a moral business quandary in comedy, magic show disappoints Jake, booker who writes long emails name reveal, festival rejection letter (Mark), Bill Burr premises, festival lineup review
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 052 - "LIVE and in person with Mark chewing gum"Aug 3, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Driving into Kentucky 01:30 Jaundice bridge 02:47 Mark's Tour Poster 04:02 Iowa City, IA 10:30 Mark's merch 11:33 Mark's note to comics 13:20 Trying not to laugh 14:16 Jake's triple feature 17:00 Feature pay 18:15 Mark's new books 19:15 Feature merch 22:45 New listener comments 24:33 iTunes Five Star Review 25:30 A new Mark Masters in Denver 27:49 Lisa Lane 32:00 Comedy show standby 36:40 Read 'Em and Weep 37:30 Cookies & Cream Ice Cream 39:26 High Point Creamery 40:12 Baskin Robbins Bubblegum Ice Cream 41:45 Mark is stressed at the ice cream store 43:15 Social Contracts and lines 45:50 Hershey's Drive-In Hand Dipped 47:30 Jake's Golf Heckling 50:15 Mark's driving logistics 55:04 Jeff Arcuri 59:28 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:00:02 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Iowa City pay, Midwest run pay, Fleming show pay drama, Jake works for a testimonial, how far would you drive for X dollars, getting paid in cash math, Mark's book margins, inside baseball for Denver comedians re: Comedy Works ladder, drinks with Comedy Works headliners, New Talent Night notes, Anthony Crawford, competition season, scamming a competition, brain worms, advancing at Comedy Works
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 051 - "Lawnmower talk in Waco and OKC"Jul 27, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Mowing Lawns 04:30 Extension Cord Lawnmower 07:50 Zero Turn Lawnmovers 12:45 Bad backs 14:40 Stage Socks 15:45 Grocery Gym Bag 17:17 Shoe Spectrum 20:00 Back recovery tips 21:20 Mark sleeps in his car 23:42 Go Bananas in Cincinnati 24:06 Jake's Car Breaks Down 27:29 Phone a friend (road work) 28:40 AAA 30:40 Mechanic from comedy club 32:57 Mobile Oil Change 37:14 Stay in your car 39:00 FIFA World Cup 40:10 Mark solves penalty kick controversy 42:25 Big Flight Attendant 44:35 Loaded gun in Airbnb 46:45 Columbine 49:10 Blood face painting 50:00 Outdoor comedy donkey 51:02 Mark's flex 52:28 TommyKnocker Root Beer 53:18 Jake does a state fair 54:36 Hot Dog Eating Contest 57:00 4th of July routing 58:25 In person episode 58:49 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 59:44 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Heckling experience, Comedy Competitions, Check drama for headliners, Comedy poster, Hotel drama, Credit card limit, Greeley show pay, Comic Cents comedy club, Idaho Springs pay stuff, Clean Comedy Profanity, Comic Cents pay, Comedy Fort, Frustrated headliner, Midwest travel logistics, Road dog money, Working for free
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 050 - "Kumail Salami"Jul 20, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Episode 50! 00:22 Mark does 10 shows in 10 nights 00:40 Desert Ridge IMPROV 04:28 Carmen Lynch 05:15 Barnes & Noble tip from Pete Holmes 06:50 How good is smoking? 08:48 Losing our VAPE crowd 10:05 Rick Bronson's House of Comedy 11:00 Back stage at IMPROV 11:35 Patrick Keane and Jackie Tinsley 12:25 Jake does Puppet Club 15:09 Buying a puppet 18:30 Hand Rod puppet act-out 22:15 Puppet Open Mic 26:10 Cookie Monster has man hands 30:08 Randy Feltface 35:30 Never leave the stage 36:00 Mike Miller opening act gives Mark a gift 38:30 Stir Crazy Comedy Club 39:35 Cartoon check 41:58 Comedy Club Closure 42:39 YouTube Jail 44:32 Jake did Improv in Denver 47:50 Negative Improv troop 49:52 Rory Scovel 53:30 70-30 56:36 Stinky Stairs 57:20 Kumail Salami 58:20 Toy Story 5 1:00:32 https://www.patreon.com/MarkandJake 01:01:30 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: SiriusXM, Tom Segura's email (Whitney Cummings), Subaru Outback, Gas money, Profit or Loss on Arizona run, Quality Inn, Home2Suites, Spare tires, AAA, Bryson Banks, Sammy Anzer, Nate Bargatze
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 049 - "This Old Comic"Jul 13, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Mark melts in Arizona 03:30 Pale Pineapple 04:40 Mark Roasts Blind Comedian 11:22 Comedian With No Face 12:26 JP's Comedy Club 19:38 Krackpots Check Drop 21:48 Comedy Club Clocks 24:02 Is It HACK To Use A Comedy Formula? 32:59 Jake's Father's Day Gig 40:25 Belen, NM 43:22 Love On The Spectrum 45:10 Paleta! (In Belen, NM) 49:23 Steve Byrne 57:30 Big Bad Audience 58:10 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 59:43 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Jake's big booking with money reveal, Jake's revenue goal check-in, Mark's missing check, Collecting comedy money, Mark's big gig, Jake's got beef with a comic, Mark wants to reveal a comic stole a joke, Mark talks about Denver FRINGE Festival money
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 048 - "SpaceX GoPro"Jul 6, 2026 · 1 hr 4 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Dumb and Dumber screening 04:12 Community movie viewing 06:10 Film screening cost 09:15 Planet of the Tapes Comedy Club 12:08 Secret magic meeting 17:30 Mentalist show 22:12 $1000 gig 23:05 SpaceX joke 25:50 Steve Martin magic 26:15 Vail Comedy Festival Wrap Up 26:56 SM58 Replacement Grille 28:20 iPhone mic 30:50 Repair SM58 grille 31:26 Mark has a fail at GoPro Mountain Games 34:00 Matt Cobos headliner, dirty show success 37:56 Allman Brothers and drones 38:56 Fireworks 40:28 Jake headlines Krackpots Comedy Club 50:40 Bachelorette party love 1:01:15 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:01:49 Pelican case comedy equipment bonus content 1:02:20 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Podcasting company, Jake project list, Jake book, Jake charge for event, YouTube secrets course, should you monetize YouTube, keeping a log of shows, Jake's different book idea, Mark's big book idea for Jake, not everybody loves Mark, planning Louisville, Jake hosts a tryout
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 047 - "Schemed Expertise"Jun 29, 2026 · 1 hr 3 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Bristol, TN Blue Ridge Comedy Club 02:30 Premium front row 04:20 Party Bus 09:35 Bo Vance from West Virginia 10:50 Las Vegas, NV 12:50 Comedy competition ranking 14:32 Nervous on stage 16:30 Jake crushes 17:40 Denver FRINGE Fest 20:35 Mark has a panic attack (social anxiety) 22:40 Ratio Beerworks Comedy Show 23:04 Thursday night FRINGE 25:20 Friday night FRINGE 26:24 Jokes with Content 27:54 Tech at FRINGE 28:30 2027 FRINGE idea 31:05 Schemed expertise 32:40 Personal material at FRINGE 33:33 Mark's mistake at FRINGE 35:17 Bonus content on https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 35:45 Tech issues with podcast 37:47 New FRINGE pitch - Bitsplainer 42:06 Jake church comedy 45:33 Mark hosting Dumb and Dumber 55:18 Jake can't count books 56:15 Jake book talk 1:00:20 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 1:01:00 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Podcasting company, Jake project list, Jake book, Jake charge for event, YouTube secrets course, should you monetize YouTube, keeping a log of shows, Jake's different book idea, Mark's big book idea for Jake, not everybody loves Mark, planning Louisville, Jake hosts a tryout
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 046 - "Teenage Spinach"Jun 22, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 RISE Comedy Club 04:25 Small Room in back 06:10 ZOOM Improv 06:52 Michael movie 07:55 Zoltan Kaszas reel 09:39 Mark is late 11:00 Teenage spinach 11:30 RISE Feedback Mic 14:04 Amherst, TX 15:20 Find Your Comedic Genius (book) 15:44 Boom Mic moment 20:10 Mark's old people show gets dirty 25:00 Comedy recession indicator? 27:55 Casa Bonita 36:00 Denver FRINGE Festival 39:42 YouTube shenanigans 41:30 American Hour ideas 43:32 Summer is competition season 49:38 Movie talk - The Breadwinner 57:20 Moviepass 58:30 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 59:00 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: private headliner reveal, is this sex joke dirty?, comic pay mix-up, behind the scenes at a comedy competition, show light, magic club story, Mark in Louisville, bachelorette jokes, magic at vail comedy festival, comedy and magic, spoiled magic surprise for Jake
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 045 - "FILM@Vail Comedy Festival 2026"Jun 15, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Vail Comedy Festival in the books 02:15 Walkie Talkies 06:45 Feminine Energy 07:45 May Mountain Weather 08:30 FILM@Vail Comedy Festival 11:05 FilmFreeWay.com 14:15 ON A STRING (Feature Film) 16:00 Ryan Reiss (BEFORE WE GET STARTED) 19:40 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 22:00 Pop Up Movie Screen 25:05 Film Technical Issue 29:40 Jake's Fallen Tree 36:00 Chuck Roy at Loonee's 39:00 Moving to Denver for Comedy 40:30 Denver showcases 44:00 Mark is inspired 44:40 Tom Thakkar 45:04 Robby Slowik 45:14 Casey Balsham 46:01 Nick Vatterott 47:15 Jake Sketch 49:00 Nick Vatterott Falls - https://youtu.be/MZP_OLj_9f0?si=H_80aLIl69gJllxf 50:15 Tommy Hoarder and the Search for Missing Keys 54:24 Free Gelato at Vail Comedy Festival 55:15 Magic at Vail Comedy Festival 56:16 https://www.patreon.com/markandjake 57:40 Vail Comedy Festival comic roll call 59:22 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Comedy writing group beef, Kill Tony, one liner comedy, hosting joke, Caravan comedy club, Sunday show story from festival, bad Denver showcase, NYC in August seeking spots, hard to host at a festival, Marks big festival mistake, festival finances, performance deposit
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 044 - "Stinky Stairs"Jun 8, 2026 · 1 hrMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake has stinky stairs 07:15 Jake\'s Home Comedy Club 08:35 Mark gets a review 11:19 Patreon.com/markandjake 12:00 Eminem lyrics 12:50 Adult graduation party 16:18 Amherst, TX 19:37 Clips to old clients 22:05 Mark\'s best private gig joke 25:08 Always Bookin\' Comedy 25:28 Jake\'s High School gig 32:00 Vail Comedy Festival 34:00 Eagle Valley Library District 37:43 Jake produces two shows 46:55 Sandwich board 48:30 Don\'t Tell at a gym 51:00 Noah Reynolds 51:55 Jake should be proud 52:40 Mark is going to Louisville, KY 57:39 Patreon.com/markandjake 58:30 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: 4 star review, recovery show with a band, adult graduation comedy pay and selfie, awful comedy show, getting paid struggle, venue contract issues, comedy show lighting, bachelorette jokes
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 043 - "Mark gets kicked in the teeth"Jun 1, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Adult Bingo with Jake 07:40 Clean Bingo 08:20 Comedy Works New Faces 21:20 Comedy competitions are crap 25:32 Focus on the process 26:40 Make the crowd riot 29:05 No Doubter 30:25 Material strategies 33:00 Lady falls on stage 36:14 Jake producing shows 38:35 Spotlights 43:25 Vail Comedy Show 45:08 Meta ads 48:20 Should you book expensive comics? 50:36 Mark does Beer Barn 52:21 Should you hang? 55:30 Mark gets kicked in the teeth 57:27 patreon.com/markandjake 59:15 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Comedy Works New Faces Competition, Atsuko Okatsuka, beer barn pay, ComedyTicketing.com affiliate codes, clean show ages, typo on show flyer, Jake gets heated, senior home show, video idea, save the cat, Vail Comedy Festival marketing, Bachelorette jokes
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 042 - "Funeral Comedy"May 25, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Funeral Comedy 04:16 Jerry Seinfeld and fame 05:20 Carla Clay 06:46 Expired milk 07:52 Funeral comedy tips 11:05 Father's Day Comedy 11:50 Michael Jackson movie 13:05 Booking comic drama 17:41 Funny AF with Kevin Hart 24:56 Salma Zaky 25:55 Should Mark do this comedy festival 39:10 Joy on stage - correctional facility! 43:55 Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival 45:32 Jake's hosting opinion 48:35 New Faces Contest 01:00:03 Patreon.com/markandjake 01:01:08 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Athens Comedy Festival, Festival cost, Bend Comedy Festival, Salma Zaky negotiations, Mark big pay day, Funeral gig pay, organizer comic relations at festivals, hotel secrets, Mark and Jake agree on a comedy beef, a bad comedy festival, adult bingo, Krackpots comedy club, headliner drama, scam organization, bachelorette roast joke brainstorming
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 041 - "Hamburger at a Chic-Fil-A (Atlanta, GA)"May 18, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Trader Joe's Soda 02:20 Carla Clay 03:35 Not Grizzled 05:40 Underpaid 07:27 Comedy Competition 09:15 Thick Skin inquiry 11:40 Driving logistics 12:49 Thick Skin explanation 14:35 Red Eye for Mark 16:34 Empire Comedy Club & Lobster Roll in Maine 19:05 Ice Cream in San Francisco 20:20 Fisherman's Wharf 20:40 Lombard Street 21:42 Alcatraz 23:20 Laugh Shack in Portland, ME 25:02 Team Hotel 25:42 Funny AF with Kevin Hart 26:36 Doubletree free cookie 27:49 Jake car sleep 28:46 Jake drive KY to CO 30:50 Jake goes Viral 37:25 Portland, ME Donuts 41:52 Mark Crowd Work 42:16 Salvatore's Sandwich 43:47 Jake body cam 49:00 Bad Teachers 52:14 Should Mark do this comedy festival? 56:17 Jake books a show in Nashville 56:54 Johnny Ater 57:52 Great Falls Comedy Club 59:20 patreon.com/markandjake teasers 59:40 Plugs 01:00:05 vailcomedyfestival.com Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Thick Skin, Tattoo challenge, Brandt Tobler, Thick Skin pay, Idaho Springs show, dirty comedy, comedy travel costs, car rental craziness with Aombre, wrong pay at a gig, national booker rumors and drama
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 040 - "Donuts in Portland, ME"May 11, 2026 · 1 hrMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Trader Joe's Soda 02:20 Carla Clay 03:35 Not Grizzled 05:40 Underpaid 07:27 Comedy Competition 09:15 Thick Skin inquiry 11:40 Driving logistics 12:49 Thick Skin explanation 14:35 Red Eye for Mark 16:34 Empire Comedy Club & Lobster Roll in Maine 19:05 Ice Cream in San Francisco 20:20 Fisherman's Wharf 20:40 Lombard Street 21:42 Alcatraz 23:20 Laugh Shack in Portland, ME 25:02 Team Hotel 25:42 Funny AF with Kevin Hart 26:36 Doubletree free cookie 27:49 Jake car sleep 28:46 Jake drive KY to CO 30:50 Jake goes Viral 37:25 Portland, ME Donuts 41:52 Mark Crowd Work 42:16 Salvatore's Sandwich 43:47 Jake body cam 49:00 Bad Teachers 52:14 Should Mark do this comedy festival? 56:17 Jake books a show in Nashville 56:54 Johnny Ater 57:52 Great Falls Comedy Club 59:20 patreon.com/markandjake teasers 59:40 Plugs 01:00:05 vailcomedyfestival.com Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: New income source, testimonial videos, hardened by failure, weird crowd work, Ray Lau, Mark Maine money, sticker money, Nick Gordon, Roast show, bad comic, chairs, Maine run final accounting, secret to comedy, Comedy Works New Faces
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 039 - "Red Eye Anxiety"May 4, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake is petty (soda) 06:35 Buffalo Wild Wings 10:36 Murray, KY show 12:05 Host privilege 12:40 Seating show stress 19:00 Late show thoughts 21:00 House of Nanking (San Francisco, CA) 25:20 Manufactured scarcity 27:15 Redeye anxiety 29:05 Should Mark do this festival? 32:31 Fresh bookings 36:20 Janae Burris 37:05 Clean feature 41:05 Comedy union 46:20 Jake home show 48:05 Meta ads 50:55 Vail Comedy Festival 52:05 Learnmore Jonasi lawsuit 54:36 LAUGH Louisville 57:40 Derrick Stroup 58:30 RISE Comedy clean showcase 59:50 patreon.com/markandjake teasers 1:00:38 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Didn't like a comedian, vibe better than me, Cincinnati comics, lighting the headliner, Derrick Stroup online show story, Nate Bargatze movie, pay for a gig specifics, complain about a comedian, cancelling gigs, stiffed for pay, Derrick Stroup pay
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 038 - "Wheatland, WY Root Beer"Apr 27, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake gets panhandled 05:55 Mercury Cafe (Denver, CO) 07:04 Teens gone wild 10:37 Wheatland, WY 12:22 A&W Root Beer 16:47 Zagnut bar (Ray Harrington) 19:07 Buc-Ee's 22:27 Golf heckling 28:13 Neg 30:42 Most expensive ticket please 33:00 Jake's Home Comedy Show 36:49 Always Bookin' Comedy 39:00 Chairs! 41:40 Should Mark Do This Comedy Festival? 47:50 New Bedford, MA 48:25 Mic Stand Height 50:35 West River Comedy Club 51:35 New Bedford, MA help 52:55 Ticket update and chair layout 53:45 Bathrobe headliner 55:06 Jake Crowd Work 59:20 Patreon teasers 1:00:29 Plugs 1:02:05 Vail Comedy Festival May 22-24, 2026 https://www.vailcomedyfestival.com Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Insult Comic (Key & Peele), Mark's book confession, Denver Fringe Fest, Ran Barnacle, comedy competition, Comedy Works New Faces Contest, New Talent Night surprise guest, New York City trying to make it, Mark the feature/opener, Noah Reynolds, Competition pro-tip, Jake YouTube Driving, Book on tape suggestion, sensitive joke, internet comment rant from Jake, booking question, Ben Dailey, Patrick Scott
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 037 - "Arcade Expo Exposed"Apr 20, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Louisville Arcade Expo 10:03 Comedy at the arcade expo? 12:04 Avon, CO comedy show 24:46 Mark is cynical 25:56 Spring break comedy 27:50 Jake in Nashville 32:06 Are women funny? 34:42 Mark at Comedy Works 36:12 Should Mark do this festival? 39:34 NextStop Comedy 41:05 Jake's TV challenge 49:45 Jake's Comedy Writing Meetup 52:45 Jake's challenge 55:43 Mark's ascension 58:45 Patreon.com/markandjake 59:59 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: FILM@Vail Comedy Festival, show ticket check, poaching bribe, Mark's crazy theory, comic reveal, booking complaint (roar), twist to the bribe story, great comedy term revealed, Ft. Wayne Comedy Club, where are the punchlines?, crowd work into material, theater lineup note, Nashville coffee shop show, New Bedford MA "friends" show, flying with show equipment, YouTube comments
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 036 - "Chris Farley Fringe Fest"Apr 13, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Mark hosts a movie 02:42 Out of order episodes 04:15 Dumb and Dumber 10:35 Silly movies 14:15 Chris Farley 15:38 Surely You Can't Be Serious 17:15 Audiobooks for free 18:25 Little Rocks of Butter 19:35 Denver Fringe 25:50 Jay Leno 26:20 Jake's book idea 31:20 Greek Grammarian 32:00 Mark's Comedy Show 34:23 Show lineup question 46:40 Jake's theory on selling tickets 48:20 Cruise Ship Work 50:49 Podcasts can make money 51:40 Matt Rife 52:52 Patreon notes 53:31 The failure is what makes you good 53:58 Sandhill cranes Jurassic Park 55:27 Duluth, MN big boats 56:20 Weird places and seeing things 56:48 Baroque Art 58:30 Plugs 1:02:35 Patreon.com/markandjake Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Dumb and Dumber Laserdisc, revealed headliner, Gary Gulman, dense jokes, Brad Upton, Washington state comedy, Jake comedy frustration, driving logistics, Comedy Catch Comedy Club, Matt Rife Providence RI, Cruise Ship money, headshot conundrum, politics on stage, clean comic, be a clown
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 035 - "Out of order, really ep. 33.5"Apr 6, 2026 · 1 hr[So sorry, this episode is from between episode 33 and 34 due to an error by Mark] Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 St. Patrick's Day Hat 01:03 Dimitri Martin bit 01:48 Festival tape reviews 04:15 Jake talks about a bad comic 05:16 More festival tape tips 07:23 Panda Express 10:16 Mark is an idiot segment 15:40 Dalton, GA comedy show 17:10 Mic issues 18:01 Selling 200 tickets update 19:09 Themed comedy idea from Jake 28:47 Gorgeous sunset (image) 29:47 Joe Praino website 32:24 Porch Pirates 36:30 Trash disaster 40:15 Jake haircut story 42:10 Should Mark do this festival? 46:45 Comedy is easier as a man 47:21 Hannah Jones is leaving Denver 47:54 Patreon teaser - why Mark doesn't want to get passed at Comedy Works 51:15 Fringe fest update from Mark 53:58 Raanan Hershberg Breckenridge Sell Out 58:23 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Jake gets paid after 4 months, Mark hits the jackpot, Hannah Jones, Gianmarco Soresi, Hershberg & Stroup, feature pay at a club, Jake bids too little, Mark's hot take on Comedy Works, some info on a comic we discuss often, Jake's corporate gig, Google reviews, wind down and wrap up
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 034 - "Wide is Good (in comedy)"Mar 30, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake gets asked for clubs he's worked 04:35 Jake guitar mic story 08:52 Mark gets a guest spot request 10:56 Awesome bathroom locks 11:52 Jake glimpses into bathroom stalls 15:20 Airplane bathroom tech 15:40 Bucee's Bathrooms 17:05 Should Mark do this festival? 21:00 Pete Holmes book 23:20 Vail Comedy Festival drop out 24:10 Fringe Fest Denver 26:23 Jake does storytelling 31:20 Derrick Stroup special Nostalgic 34:05 Jake finds a new venue 38:10 Jake's home show update 40:32 Wide is good 43:50 Mark has flight attendants at a comedy show 45:01 Vail Comedy Show now has 100+ reviews 45:43 Google reviews 48:26 Facebook reviews 50:52 Best Western Plus in Ogallala, NE 53:50 Hotel breakfast waffles 57:40 Hotel breakfast bacon 59:31 Patreon update 1:00:01 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow / bigjakehovis / @markmasterscomedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes / markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Street comic, not getting paid by club, WSOC host run-in, Vail Comedy Festival dropout, New Bedford Massachusetts, Colorado gig contract, Voicemail, poaching, festival overlap, guest spot shenanigans, some comics make a lot of money, vacation comedy, great show, front row story
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 033 - "Can-kles Crowd Work"Mar 23, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Mark's patience pays off 01:32 Getting better club spot 2:58 Fragile comic ego 04:01 Mark reads a text 05:16 Comics on posters 06:15 Raanan Hershberg 06:32 New ComedyTicketing.com feature 08:24 Rion Evans 10:38 Jake's got a busy night 11:08 Kearney, NE 11:54 Crowd work and Ray Harrington 16:25 Jake is wrong (calendars) 17:24 BCE vs. BC 18:56 Church billboard jokes 21:55 Can-kles 22:50 Bringer show 27:22 Mutiny Information Cafe open-mic 28:15 Illustrating comedians 29:27 Mark gets a caricature 30:44 Should Mark do this festival? 39:30 Power Slap 48:25 Billy Graham 51:45 Vail Comedy Festival rejection email 59:05 Patreon plugs 59:55 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow / bigjakehovis / @markmasterscomedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes / markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Comedy Festival dirt, ranking festival comics, cringy comedian bio, Yoshee, Sam Tallent, Vail Comedy Festival and Mark break all comedy convention, festival tape story, tape reviews, FILM@Vail Comedy Festival submission, a famous comic's book, venue staff turnover, Derrick Stroup NETFLIX special
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 032 - "Guillotine Guards"Mar 16, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 GeoGuessing updates 04:50 Is Comedy Art? 08:28 SNL Movie (Saturday Night) 14:14 Mark has a new joke 18:30 True Grit (movie) 19:27 ComedyTicketing.com 27:01 Jake + Ukelele? 31:10 Guillotine guards 32:20 Open Mic booking win 35:55 Mark Dentist story 40:32 Jake Dentist story 42:38 Mark shares a survey response 44:06 Movie chat (comics who make movies) 46:30 Jake IG DM story 48:18 Amos Gill, Australian comic 50:20 Cincinnati Bengals comedy 51:45 National booker inquiry 54:50 Bachelorette party comedy 56:10 Phone call win 57:31 Booking changes 58:36 Bad gigs 59:10 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow / bigjakehovis / @markmasterscomedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes / markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Mark quote for Bachelorette party, Jake's money algorithm, Jake rants about bad comedy, Mark is losing confidence, comedy tutoring, national booker show story by Jake, comedy union bidding, Jake's struggling feature, Mark's struggling feature, racist audience member, Cavin Eggleston, hosting can be degrading, gun at a comedy show, Last Best Comedy Club, lost venue for Vail Comedy Festival, Kellen Erskine
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 031 - "Yahtzee!"Mar 9, 2026 · 1 hrMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake comedy conundrum 05:10 Missing headliner 08:28 Mark booking Maine gigs 12:05 Comedy philosophy - take the money 13:46 Unlikable booker 18:20 Booker communications 24:20 Everybody's getting pushed down 25:10 Frisco Comedy Show 25:30 Hotel hack 27:00 Kearney, NE 28:16 North Platter, NE 29:21 Ogallala, NE 30:00 Back to hotel hack 34:34 Short Jake 37:00 Edward Bell 38:14 Etta Mae 39:59 Mark Dentist update 42:40 Parade story 45:10 Jake's themed comedy show 46:50 Big airport 49:00 Vegas public bus 50:22 Jake in Vegas 52:20 Expensive pets 57:49 Mark shares a joke 58:48 Plugs 1:00:44 Patreon Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Jake spills, middle of the road, Ran Barnaclo, Jay Leno, passed at Comedy Cellar, race jokes, money philosopher name reveal, outbidding comics, patching up comedy relationships, featuring headliners, comedy ego, manager advice, what comics make selling out comedy clubs, When book, Marcello Hernandez, Shane Gillis, what is making it?, quitting comedy, more name reveals
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 030 - "Shadow of the Broad Brim"Mar 2, 2026 · 1 hrMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Gypsum, CO 01:10 Bad cop at comedy show 02:40 Mark goes to Texas 03:45 $1000 Cowboy hat 07:25 Patagonia returns 09:55 Feature privilege 12:30 Apology to vegans 13:50 Hats on stage 14:32 Beef tenderloin 16:17 Co-working space comedy 17:40 Question for Jake 19:10 Reggie French 20:15 Long sets 21:20 Nervous to perform? 22:09 Clean Comedy Showcase 22:50 Mike E. Winfield's Dad 24:10 Jake's Dad 26:00 Jake's Mom 28:06 Stage shoe superstition 29:00 Comedy timer 29:40 Hyena's Dallas stories 31:20 Mark's 5 minute tape fail 34:20 Jake's fun show 37:50 Hawaiian audience (Tumua) 50:05 Tumua's comedy crew 43:00 Mike E. Winfield 45:30 Derrick Stroup sells out shows 46:19 Gimbal purchase fail 50:10 Don't Tell Comedy Dallas 53:20 Jake has the worst take about peaches 54:26 Jake encounters a cherry 55:27 Honeydew takes 56:07 Jake's blueberry story 58:13 Plugs 59:16 Patreon teasers Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: comedy pay etiquette, Mark private pay, pay disparity at Comedy Works, emotional pay difference, talking about pay with other comics, booker pay scenarios, Kellen Erskine, papered room, Mark gets the shaft, Ticketing platform, comedy club out of business
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 028 - "Leave the car running at the memory palace"Feb 16, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Viral YouTube Short 01:01 Grand Rapids, MN 02:25 Jake's car story 03:15 Colfax Avenue 04:13 Mark festival disaster 08:56 Jake joke stolen? 11:20 Money roller coaster - Intellistage 15:40 Jake travel Nashville vs. Cincinnati 17:30 Bad comedy festivals? 19:10 Evaluating comedy festivals 20:57 Vail Comedy Festival headliner announcements 22:42 Festival attendance thoughts 26:14 Vail Comedy Festival is great 27:03 Corporate gig check 28:10 Too much time with another comic? 29:30 Long drives with comics (Austin) 31:28 Jake loves magic! 34:30 Mathematical facts (deck of cards) 35:34 Memory Palace 39:13 Running cars redux 40:50 Don't Tell Comedy in E town 41:35 Mark is bad at geography 44:04 GeoGuessr 48::59 Trevor Rainbolt 49:58 Amazing Randi - an honest liar 52:10 Jake's books in progress 53:30 Log home building 56:35 Whiplash movie 57:27 Gary Gulman fake documentary 57:45 Giro dreams of sushi 58:46 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Comedy festival rip-off, getting old milestone, sensory deprivation tank, ice cream floats are the Plymouth Rock of desserts, bidding a show, terrorist demands, incognito headliner, Jake does not finish books, immersion reading, Mark's monthly newsletter, shorts, field book, Mark's writing process, set lists
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 027 - "Tiny Jesus Super Bowl"Feb 9, 2026 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 0:00 Super Bowl 00:40 The R word and headliner drama 05:00 The comedian club 09:53 Comedy politics (Austin, TX) 11:23 The Voice and ugly people 14:15 Politics of booking 16:15 Pro Epstein jokes 17:25 Robert Kraft massage parlor 18:01 Jake is pro bullying? 18:32 Conan O'Brien 19:50 Jake is snowed in 22:15 Coal rolling 25:34 Dr. Mario on Nintendo 26:33 How Nintendo guns work 28:30 Jake makes omelettes 30:00 Mark's poster backdrop 30:40 Anthony Crawford is worth more 33:57 Paying comedians who would do it for free 34:38 Different buckets of comedians 39:20 Jake asks Mark a comedy scheduling question 41:39 Jake expands his senior comedy 42:35 John Candy documentary 43:46 Jake's little Jesus toys 45:40 Jake's Kill Tony plan 47:36 The Painted Porch bookstore 48:15 Hulk Hogan story 51:45 Picture of tiny Jesus 52:24 Mark's prediction about Jake on Kill Tony 54:09 Comedy Contest butterflies 54:40 Mark gets angry about registration fees 56:10 Steamboat Comedy lodging 59:01 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Comedy festival rip-off, getting old milestone, sensory deprivation tank, ice cream floats are the Plymouth Rock of desserts, bidding a show, terrorist demands, incognito headliner, Jake does not finish books, immersion reading, Mark's monthly newsletter, shorts, field book, Mark's writing process, set lists
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 026 - "-20 Degree Comedy Shows"Feb 2, 2026 · 1 hrMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake in Austin, TX 07:30 Jake meets Thor 09:30 -20 degree sold out show (Minnesota - Duluth and Grand Rapids) 11:15 Airport breakfast 12:30 Insulting to chickens 14:45 Poster 15:30 Derek Jeter bats 18:15 Too many Austin homeless jokes 20:45 Signed comedy posters (Derrick Stroup) 21:40 Jetbridge with snow 23:00 Winter storm driving 25:00 Mark 5 minute tape errors 29:45 Jake at The Mothership 33:30 Jake wants to bask 35:20 Jake and Kill Tony 41:10 Booking New England tour 45:30 Jake costume store update (Alamo too) 49:40 Crowd work mascot 51:35 Snowy drive 54:15 Jake secret show in home 57:05 New joke from Jake 58:00 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: O'hare airport, money at sold out -20 degree show, club pay, Jake gigs money, nursing home gig, Jake likes a gimmick show, Jake plans a Southeast run, de-icing planes, road touring money saving tips, guest spot audition, Superior WI, TSA karma, airport lunch, mark bombs a joke, Jake shares a new joke
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 025 - "Raanan Hershberg is Morbidly Jewish"Jan 26, 2026 · 1 hr 1 min00:00 Mark talks big Comedy Show logistics 04:00 More logistics, up lights 06:35 Is it winter in Vail? 08:15 Mud season 11:15 Manor Vail Lodge is beautiful 12:11 Raanan Hershberg special 13:15 Check in process 13:45 Jake in Austin, TX 15:30 Jake meets his match in Little Rock - Lucas Smith 17:35 Wednesday stage time in Arkansas 18:25 Booking a New England run (table scraps) 19:50 An inefficient business (comedy) 20:50 Rozco's Comedy Club 22:30 Jack-butt 23:05 Ryan Long 25:00 Five minute tape ethics 26:55 Editing YouTube shorts 28:20 Recording the audience 30:00 Jake recording open mics strategy 32:00 Nate Bargatze and other successful comic wives 33:27 Fun tripods 34:33 Mark lighting mistake in Frisco, CO 37:15 Mark loves Gypsum, CO 40:00 Dusty Slay 41:20 Jake house show (his house!) 45:10 Mike Hammock 48:00 Comic lineups 49:40 Stage time for show/club owners 51:00 Eddie Ifft & Friends 52:00 Mark is over allocated 53:20 Plymouth Rock sucks 54:20 Costume store going out of business sale 56:00 Sober Drunk Santa dot com 57:25 Jake cold calls nursing homes 58:38 Plugs (Raanan Hershberg - Morbidly Jewish) Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Raanan Hershberg, Nursing Home cold calls, Kill Tony, Comedy Seminar, filming post event reviews, musical chairs at mountain hotels, ticket donations, Vail Fire Department, renting hotel space, comedy poster in progress, Steamboat Comedy, gondola comedy, feature privilege, school corporate gig, working out a joke to make it more dumb, mark's body is breaking down, 55+ community
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 024 - "New York City Comedy Tourist"Jan 19, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min00:00 NYC Comedy Cellar Jon Laster 03:28 Peter Revello and Ryan Hamilton 06:00 NYC is clean 08:00 ALL OUT on Broadway - Jim Gaffigan and Ben Schwartz 11:45 New York Comedy Club (Meka Mo, Rojo Perez) 15:15 Performing in NYC 17:12 Brad Upton in Louisville, KY 28:13 Comedy is a roller coaster 34:20 Comedy competitions 38:45 Denver comedy vibe 42:18 Mark business win and scheduling 45:28 Jake the Roastmaster 49:44 Comedy reviews 52:09 Eddie Ifft New Year's Eve Comedy Works 55:04 YouTube Short "Face Line" goes viral 56:10 Jake's "Bulletin" idea 1:00:18 Patreon plug 1:00:35 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Corporate pay reveal, Narcotics Anonymous Conference show, Dallas Texas comedy drama, Mike E. Winfield, Racial drama, packed to the gills, Jupiter stupider, 2026 bookings, Monique Marvez, Jake headlining in Michigan, comedy contest headliner
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 023 - "STRANGER THINGS in Venezuela"Jan 12, 2026 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake gets recruited for MMA 06:00 Wing upgrades? 07:10 Comedy Works New Talent Night 13:32 Mark submits to a festival 15:51 Limestone Comedy Festival is canceled 17:45 Mark NTN cookies 19:36 Mark gets braggadocios 21:35 Mark NTN notes 23:55 Jake submission video review 25:00 Jake is visiting Colorado 25:52 Steve Vanderploeg pyramid scheme 27:38 Stranger Things 32:56 Mark smartest move of the year! 35:32 Mark aggravation of the year 36:39 The dirt on Mark Masters 37:33 Food warning in NYC 40:19 Jake soda flex 41:05 Agree to disagreeable 42:48 CONAN booking error 44:24 Jake dumb move (Ray Lou) 46:24 Physical jokes 47:26 Jake dumb move (driving) 51:15 Movie theater worthy TV finales 53:35 New Year's resolution (teaser) 56:35 Mark 700 seat theater preview 58:32 Hacked by Chinese 59:00 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Festival reveal, Flyover Comedy Festival, World Series of Comedy 2026, Chinese Hacking screenshare, 2026 slow down year?, review score wonkiness, show gig parlance, comic name reveal, bummer booking inquiries, how many comics on a show, resolutions, another comic name reveal
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 022 - "Blackout comedy chicken wings"Jan 5, 2026 · 58 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake has wings 01:00 Water park head bob 07:45 Price is right on wings 08:06 Update on Georgetown Comedy Show (no power) 09:35 FEMA of laughs 11:42 Jake's Comedy Business idea 13:30 No alcohol comedy 14:37 New Orleans comedy business win 15:47 Mark Masters comedy club 17:10 Comedy Heights in San Diego, CA 18:10 Clean comedy guidelines 21:30 2026 Comedy projects 24:15 Austin Black 24:55 Empire, CO 25:35 250 seater in Denver 26:50 Pleasureville 30:00 Jake gets dental work 32:55 Avatar movie notes 33:35 Surprise corporate for Mark 36:05 Performing on big stage 36:50 Dane Cook child bride 39:30 Mark Masters in Northern Minnesota 41:55 Jake show in Austin, TX 48:45 700 seat theater 50:25 Best food at comedy gig 51:08 New Talent Night at Comedy Works 52:15 Denver Fringe Festival 53:50 Faxing it in 56:05 Patreon teaser 56:44 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Comedy Works New Talent Night, Five year wait to change joke, Christmas joke, Audiobook gifts, how does Patreon work?, exploring Jake's top line revenue for 2025, Jake's personality test, Mark is a tastemaker on Google Maps, Jake's 2026 Goal, Mark's show running concern, repeat comedy business, Mark says no to a show, Mark's 2026 Goal
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 021 - "Christmas movies for Pete Lee"Dec 29, 2025 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 0:00 No power comedy (Georgetown, CO) 06:30 Brandt Tobler's book "Free Roll" 08:20 Mark's Laserdisc collection management 09:10 Christmas movies (Laserdisc) 12:40 A Babe movie surprise (Christmas) 14:30 Jake teaches Mark improv comedy 27:15 Improv people money 29:25 Bad crowd work 30:20 Jake's Big idea about crowd work 32:27 Sklar Brothers 35:28 Crowd work Dry Bar 36:52 Mark and Jake Tour? 38:20 Mark's big idea - Thin Skin 39:50 Don't bet against Mark Masters 41:05 Pete Lee's 80 minute set 42:40 Jay Pharaoh story 46:35 Fiona Cauley sold-out Tuesday 47:30 Corporate gigs 49:30 Jake Funeral story (tight five) 53:20 Senior center comedy (Mark) 57:00 Jake needs to kill time 58:25 Positive roasting 59:00 Mark's Surgery gig 59:20 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Mark and Jake plan a co-hosted comedy show, Pete Lee spicy stuff, Joke stealers, should you be able to pay for jokes, day time gig money, funeral joke revealed, Georgetown comedy power update, Mark's surgery gig, filming challenges, gig versus show, headliner requirements (Mary Mack)
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 020 - "Mark tells his favorite street joke"Dec 22, 2025 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Calzone, a big hot pocket 06:04 Keto Pizza 08:40 World Trade Center 9/11 09:30 Brazzini's in Nashville, Indiana 11:00 Teenage aspiring hijacker 11:25 Holocaust Museum 12:40 Back to Calzones! 15:10 Tell me a joke 16:35 Tell them your favorite street joke 16:50 Mark tells a street joke 17:47 Jake tells a street joke 20:34 Mark tells jokes to rocket scientists 21:05 Corporate comedy secret 23:20 NORAD Cheyenne Mountain 23:55 Jokes for surgeons 24:37 Jake corporate advice 27:15 Don't Tell Comedy 29:00 Mark shares riffs 30:50 Jake tells Jeff Allen story 37:30 How to hold a microphone 41:00 Roastmaster Jake 41:30 Jake tells A Christmas Carol (1 hour) 47:15 Mark hosts New Talent Night at Comedy Works 52:00 Janae Burris crushes 56:45 Comedy Streak gimmick 59:20 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Secrets of hosting New Talent Night at Comedy Works, Jake shares the hardest part of hosting, Holiday clean at Comedy Works, Jake ranks Louisville comedy clubs, Jake reveals pay for Charles Dickens reading, Mark cashes in on a gamble with corporate talks, Mark and Jake procrastinate, gig categories, A Christmas Carol, Mark gets feedback, overheard grovels, Comedy Works gatekeeping, comics that belly ache, Comedy Works promotions
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 019 - "Big Jake Hovis is a Feature's Feature"Dec 15, 2025 · 1 hr 3 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake gets screwed 06:00 Mark gets busted 11:25 Is everything meaningless? 12:17 Apollo 13 for dumb people 13:56 Mad at Target 17:38 Jake's Wife price check 19:03 Jake's Wife thrifts 20:45 Mark and Jake try to get on TV game shows 23:55 Mark does a run with Graham Kay 32:35 Comedy show running is a logic puzzle 33:50 Cody at Eagle River Brewing 34:25 Jake Crowd Works 45:35 Derrick Stroup 48:09 Brent Gill 50:44 Ben Roy 56:53 Chris Porter (feature's feature) 1:00:20 Patreon teasers 1:01:25 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Jake's big booking secret, Mark's 2025 body count (states), Mark's corporate talk money, how to get a five minute tape, Nathan Lund first ever Comedy Works headlining show, medical emergency at a comedy show, Sam Tallent headlines Comedy Works, a joke from Janae Burris, Noah Reynolds and Brody Stevens, Jake gives Mark corporate set-list composition advice
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 018 - "Dog Poop at PHX"Dec 8, 2025 · 1 hrMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 0:00 PHX dog poop 2:45 Bad holiday jokes 4:30 Jake's brother funny airport story 9:50 Mark runs the light at Comedy Works 14:30 Mark asks for this Comedy Works tape 17:00 Recording audio for comedy sets 17:45 SiriusXM 19:40 Question about money 20:15 Jake goes up at Zanies in Nashville 24:39 Thick Skin at Comedy Works 28:08 Crazy Colorado Springs story (Mark) 30:35 Elementary School businesses 34:45 Show Shoes 35:35 Stranger Things 37:43 HBO Guy 38:36 What to do while driving 41:46 Masterclass (Jake) 46:24 Jake's honest friend at shows 49:45 Chris Rock working on jokes 51:30 Getting up at Zanie's 56:30 Sending a message 56:45 Pay at Zanie's 58:58 In a green room with Nate Bargatze 59:20 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Green Room with Nate Bargatze, plus Dusty Slay, Jeremiah Watkins crowd work story at Skankfest, Dusty Slay on Tonight Show and stolen jokes, Jake asks Mark about parallel thought joke stealing (Jerry Seinfeld and Orny Adams), Chad Daniels at Comedy Works - Mark's favorite joke, Jokes about the r word, Mike Hammock and Anthony Jesselnik and joke stealing, Mark doesn't get a joke but Jake does right away, and Mark works on Surgeon jokes
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 017 - "Skankfest Gianmarco Soresi"Dec 1, 2025 · 1 hr 1 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Jake gets shekels 04:54 Skankfest Comedy Festival 06:33 Beignets and soda 09:00 Airplane drink cups 11:00 Should Jake start a festival / Jake's first tape 12:50 Brad Williams 14:55 Jake does corporate shows 17:20 Comedy in a suit 19:16 Louisville Gala 22:28 Gianmarco Soresi 29:45 Jake Corporate (Mark lost internet) 33:50 Mark is an idiot (scam update) 36:16 Jacket season at TSA 36:50 Power of the common enemy 38:00 Jake event timing 43:22 3E's Comedy Club setlist 45:36 Gianmarco Soresi joke pattern 47:50 Lakewood comedy show story 53:26 Mark is annoyed (chic fit a) 56:29 Sandwich name 59:42 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: How to drop out of a gig, Nathan Lund, Skankfest name dropping, Skankfest secret bathrooms, Jeff Dye and Doug Stanhope, the best joke Jake has ever heard, Harlen Williams, Sam Tallent, Instagram counts, shotgun comedy terms, Sam Jay Shawn Gardini story, update on 18 night run accounting, Oklahoma City Jake money, Mark holiday party pay
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 016 - "Sundae Scam (Ghirardelli Dubai Chocolate)"Nov 24, 2025 · 1 hr 2 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Scammed buying a Sundae 03:50 Budgeting games 06:10 Jake does another podcast (Pokemon) 10:57 Airport scam 16:57 Travel unlocks the brain 17:30 Jake gets a comedy offer(comedy union) 23:24 Sam Miller rules 24:23 Mark gets good karma 28:00 Jake works with Dale Jones (merch sales) 34:02 Jake asks Mark about merch 38:04 Dale Jones handles hecklers 39:40 Expired protein shakes 41:30 Jake eats too many nuts 44:33 Mark is an idiot (post office) 49:25 Jake talks parades 50:50 Irreverent 53:15 Mark is an idiot (tacos) 55:33 Colorado Springs comedy competition 58:55 Vail Comedy Festival submission tape reviews 1:01:00 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Airport scam within a scam, Jake 5 show weekend pay, final accounting of Mark's 18 night run, does set length matter?, social media influencer does a comedy show, cancer comedy story, candy cane nightmare, driving into the sun, sleeping in fast food parking lots, opening joke is important, audience needs to like you
Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 015 - "Chris Herren"Nov 17, 2025 · 1 hr 3 minMark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. This episode has stories about ID hijinks, haircuts, measuring comedy, Sam Tallent, an existential crisis, themed comedy tours and more. 00:00 Mark and a French Mathematician 01:40 Jake speaks French? 07:36 Mark competes with World Series in Medford, OR 09:12 Mark complains about showroom seating 12:00 Medford Oregon is beautiful 12:25 Jake talks seating (Mark talks cults) + Amelia Airheart and Apple Cider Vinegar 17:22 Mark talks about Chris Herren (and prop 50 in CA) 20:50 Halloween comedy 22:46 Mark sleeps in car in San Francisco 23:52 Mr. Beast idea! 24:19 SF car and shows logistics 26:28 Mirthquake San Francisco Monday night show 30:44 Mark teases money details for Patreon and Jake talks Mirthquake (improv team) 32:40 Regular comedy customers 34:10 Jake talks Improv (money) 36:51 Mark talks "Always Bookin'" Comedy podcast (narcolepsy) 40:15 WSOC registration fees and tips and tricks for World Series of Comedy 48:03 Prop comedy and taxes 51:52 Jake library prank 54:45 Cheaper Than Therapy (comedy club show) 56:08 Dale Jones 59:30 Denver Broncos Story (Jake) 1:00:53 Patreon and plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: male comics love to gossip, negotiating an event center gig, generating contracts, a "famous" comic, a "famous" comic coincidence, Never Say Die Tour accounting, exclusive Patreon poster offer, Eeland Stribling, Deep Cover movie (spoilers), Tom Dustin, comedy concessions, surprise pay, Roofman movie

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