Behind The Funny artwork

Behind The Funny

381 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 108 ratings

Scott Higgins and Ace Aceto have 50 years combined of standing in front of crowds and making people laugh. Now they go Behind The Funny with entertainers in all stages of their career from national headliners, to comedy writers, to newer comics just starting out. Why did they start, what drives them, and what were some of the obstacles? Join Scott and Ace as they go Behind The Funny.

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Episodes

Episode 122 - Best of 2019 pt 1

January 02, 2020 02:53 - 1 hour - 64.1 MB

We celebrate the new year by looking back at 2019.  In this episode we look back at heroes we talked to and old friends we reconnected with...

Episode 120 - I'm F***ing Ed Waugh

December 26, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 74.7 MB

We finally get the Ed Waugh in for a conversation.  We had his partner AJ Hapenny in awhile ago in an episode call Who The F*** is Ed Waugh.  He finally has a chance for rebuttal.  Ace and I enjoyed learning what put Ed on the comedy stage and continues to drive him.

Episode 121 - I'm F***ing Ed Waugh

December 26, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 74.7 MB

We finally get the Ed Waugh in for a conversation.  We had his partner AJ Hapenny in awhile ago in an episode call Who The F*** is Ed Waugh.  He finally has a chance for rebuttal.  Ace and I enjoyed learning what put Ed on the comedy stage and continues to drive him.

Episode 120 - Rogue Island Comedy Festival Pt 2

December 19, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 60.5 MB

Part 2 of our conversations at the 2019 Rogue Island Comedy Festival.  This episode we talk to Justin Williams, Dave Neal, and Janet Hyde.  Thanks to Doug Key and Katie Latimer for having us at the festival.

Episode 119 - Rogue Island Comedy Festival Pt 1

December 12, 2019 03:26 - 1 hour - 54.1 MB

Part 1 of Ace and Scott at the Rogue Island Comedy Festival with Frank Gazzero, Nick Callas, Alyssa Limperis and Luke Mones.  Thanks to Doug Key and Katie Latimer for inviting us.

Episode 118 - Comedy And Correctness

November 27, 2019 23:38 - 1 hour - 70.2 MB

Comedy and political correctness don't often mix well together, so we decided to have a panel of veteran and newer comics to discuss how being PC is affecting comedy.  Joining Ace and Scott this week; Joe Hebert, Derrick Fonseca, and Brad Pierce.

Episode 117 Boston Comedy Festival 2019

November 21, 2019 03:34 - 1 hour - 119 MB

Our live podcast at the 2019 Boston Comedy Festival with comedians Jordan Lauterbach, Sean Rosa, Chris Nakis, Tanael Joachim, and Vinayak Pal

Episode 116 Mike Donovan "Comedian, Author, Historian"

November 13, 2019 03:10 - 1 hour - 53.6 MB

Mike Donovan is one of Boston's best comedians, a legend.  Ace and Scott were honored to talk to him.  He has written 81 books, including several based on history.  Mike's comedy career started before there were really any clubs.  He built any amazing career and was even selected to go to Hollywood and read for a sitcom that went on to be hit with a really big star.  You can find Mike's books at https://mikesbooks.southcoastsbs.com/  

Episode 115 Nick Albanese "Little Buddy"

November 07, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 72.5 MB

Ace and Scott talk to long time friend Nick Albanese.  Nick is a very funny comedian but has made a name for himself as a playwright and an actor.  His one-man show "The Last Sicilian" has been a huge hit.  Nick has had a lot of wow moments with celebrities and we enjoyed the stories.

Episode 115 Nick Albanese "Little Buddy/El Chapo"

November 07, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 72.5 MB

Ace and Scott talk to long time friend Nick Albanese.  Nick is a very funny comedian but has made a name for himself as a playwright and an actor.  His one-man show "The Last Sicilian" has been a huge hit.  Nick has had a lot of wow moments with celebrities and we enjoyed the stories.

Episode 114 - My Paranormal Story "Scott Scared Sh**less Part Deuce"

October 31, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 75.5 MB

Our friend Tom Stewart stopped by to discuss the new episodes he has coming out on his podcast My Paranormal Story.  If you listened the last time he was on, you know how much Scott loves this discussion.  Ace enjoyed this a little too much.  Tom brought some friends, EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomenon), as examples this time which just added to the fun. 

Epidode 113 - Frank Santos Jr "The R Rated Hypnotist"

October 24, 2019 18:05 - 1 hour - 62.7 MB

Ace and Scott are hypnotized by this weeks guest.  By his stories that is.  Frank Santos Jr was this weeks guest and we start by reminiscing about Frank Sr, who Ace and Scott both had worked with.  Ace especially had some great stories.  Frank Jr has certainly made a name for himself and built his own legacy.  You think comedians have crazy bad gig stories, wait til you hear some from a hypnotist.

Episode 112 - Jeremy Furtado "No, No It'll Be Fine"

October 17, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.4 MB

Ace and Scott talk to long time friend Jeremy Furtado this week.  We discuss his comedy career and his famous doppelgänger...

Episode 111 - Brad Mastrangelo "Live From The O.G."

October 10, 2019 13:21 - 1 hour - 51.2 MB

This week Ace and Scott travel out of the Ace-ment to have a conversation with Brad Mastrangelo.  We discuss Brad's beginnings in comedy which was based on a dare and how that built into him being one of the go to funny comedians in the Boston comedy scene and on cruise ships.  

Episode 110 - Amy Pontes "Creepy Hands, Warm Heart"

October 03, 2019 13:16 - 1 hour - 64.4 MB

Behind The Funny continues our talks with radio personalities.  Amy Pontes is Lite Rock 105 in Providence RI weekdays from 10am - 3pm.  We talk about her strange route to radio as well as her comedy improve career and her times doing standup.

Episode 109 - A.J. Hapenny "Who The **** is Ed Waugh"

September 26, 2019 02:10 - 1 hour - 70.2 MB

Ace and I like to ask people for a few career wow moments.  AJ is the first person to start his career with them.  AJ is constantly working at becoming a better comic, he even left the podcast and went and did a set.  We talked about his comedy as well as his fundraising he does with his partner Ed Waugh.  Who has yet to make it to the podcast...   For previous Behind The Funny Episodes download the free app Radio Public where ever you download your apps 

Episode 108 - Dave Sinclair "The Dad from Family Circus Does Comedy"

September 19, 2019 14:20 - 1 hour - 60.1 MB

Dave Sinclair has that every dad look, then add comedy and you have the dad from Family Circus.  When Ace made this reference during this podcast, I could not stop laughing.  Dave is a great comic that now is producing events at Kilburn Comedy Cove in New Bedford MA.  He took the long route to comedy but we're glad he got there.  Go to http://kilburncomedycove.com/ for info.  ACE5 coupon code for $5 off Ace Aceto in November 2019

Episode 107 - Brian Mulhern "He's Got A Lot Of Hartman"

September 12, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 113 MB

Brian Mulhern is a very accomplished radio personality and comedy writer.  Brian is a go to go for any comedy roast dais.  The conversation centered around his time working with the Phil Hartman from SNL & News Radio.  They became close friends and worked on a lot of projects together.  We talked about Phil's death, which led us into Brian's own struggles with depression.  We started off with some laughing moments but got pretty deep.  It was not only interesting, it was pretty therapeutic .

Episode 106 - Brendan Kirby "Live From The Ace-ment"

September 05, 2019 14:42 - 1 hour - 128 MB

Brendan Kirby is the co-host of the Rhode Show on WPRI 12 but his entertainment beginnings were in comedy.  He is an accomplished comedy writer who interned on Late Night with Letterman and even spent time in LA where he encountered Jay Leno and received feedback from Jay on his material.  He is a favorite on the dais of any roast he is on.  He came up with our new studio name, the Ace-ment.

Episode 105 - Rodney Norman "The Rodney Chronicles: Dragonflies Will Sew Your Mouth Shut"

August 29, 2019 14:43 - 1 hour - 72.7 MB

Rodney was introduced to us by another guest we had scheduled who ended up sick and suggested Rodney.  Ace and I have been Facebook friends with Rodney for awhile but did not know him personally.  This turned out to be a really fun conversation.  Started comedy in Utah and now resides in CT.  He is a great guy with a great story.

Episode 104 - Al Ducharme & Bernadette Pauley "It's Amazing She Hasn't Killed Him Yet"

August 22, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 71.8 MB

Al and Bernadette are a comedy power couple and long time friends of Ace's.  Ace refers to them as the upper classmen from the Periwinkle's days.  Though they are both from New England, Bernie got her start in comedy in New York.  That's where they met before they were married.  They both put out a lot of video content online and Al tells about getting the gig on Bill Burr's "F Is For Family" on Netflix.  Al's bad gig story was one even Bernie hadn't heard before.

Episode 103 - Ray and Derek "Ray Talks Thru It, And Derek Too..."

August 15, 2019 13:59 - 1 hour - 77.7 MB

Ray Harrington and Derek Furtado return to Behind The Funny to talk about their new project "Undependent".  It's a pilot they shot about two documentary film makers.  We talked about comedy festivals compared to film festivals.  Ray plays six degrees of separation bringing things full circle from the Comedy Connection in RI to making videos to Be A Man up to Undependent.  We start off with Ray describing what it would be like having Derek on your bank robbery crew and I could not stop laughi...

Episode 102 - Juston McKinney “I Shoulda Bought A Tiger Instead”

August 09, 2019 00:42 - 1 hour - 61.7 MB

Ace and I traveled to the Winners Circle in Salisbury MA to talk to Juston McKinney and man was it worth it.  Fresh off his recording Marc Maron’s WTF podcast he still had a lot to say that he didn’t say on WTF.  He’s a very accomplished comedian with an unbelievable story.  From a tragic childhood, to being a sheriff, to TV holding deals.  He’s lived quite a life.  Ace knew Juston but I really enjoyed getting to know him.

Episode 101 - Drug Abuse and Fur Babies

August 02, 2019 01:54 - 1 hour - 71.8 MB

Drug Abuse and Fur Babies, hard to describe this episode but Ace and I invited Alan Moreau and Derek K Moore in for a discussion on all things comedy.  We start off congratulating Derek for being signed by an agent, the conversation then takes on a life of its own but it turned out to be a fun conversation.

Episode 99 - Ray Harrington “Be A Man"

July 25, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour - 81.6 MB

This episode was a long time coming. Ace has been working a while to put this one together.  We know Ray would be a great guest.  He’s a very funny comic and we are both big fans of his documentary “Be A Man”.  We loved hearing his insights on making the documentary and highlights from his comedy career.  This is one of my favorite episodes.

Episode 98 - Red Peters "Ballad Of A Man Called Red"

July 17, 2019 13:48 - 1 hour - 66.7 MB

What an awesome conversation we had with the legendary Red Peters.  He has had an amazing career and his songs are known by comedy fans everywhere.  He is a musician and a songwriter who has made 5 CDs.  After appearing on the Howard Stern show, Red had his own show on SiriusXM called the Red Peters Comedy Music Hour.  Ace and I love hearing peoples wow moments and funny bad gig stories and Red had some of the best.                                                          https://secure.bays...

Episode 97 - Dave Decker "Too Clever For His Own Good"

July 11, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 45.9 MB

Ace and I traveled up to Salisbury MA to meet with Dave Decker at the Winners Circle.  Dave Decker is regular in the comedy scene from Boston to NY.  Dave and I have been Facebook friends for awhile by this is the first time we had a chance to talk.  The conversation started with a funny moment when the loud speaker blasted the next order number that was ready and we were off and running after that.

Episode 96 - Billy Winn "No Time For Achy Breaky Hearts"

June 27, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 46.3 MB

Ace and I travel to Hartford CT to meet this weeks guest Billy Winn.  We met at City Steam Brewery Cafe in the Brew Ha Ha comedy club green room.  Billy is not only a veteran comic, he has had a great career as a radio dj.  Billy's 30 plus years provided a lot of great stories for this episode.

Episode 95 - "The Bitch Undersold It" w/ John Morris & Jay Burns

June 20, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 101 MB

Ace and I enjoy getting to know comedians but it is always a blast when we invite a couple friends in for a discussion.  John Morris and Jay Burns join us this week.  We started talking about health and John's recent health scare and from there we discussed SNL, working through jokes, and on.  When comedians get together we tend to throw shots at each other and this one was no different.

100th Pt 2

June 14, 2019 02:47 - 1 hour - 62.4 MB

Ace and I are proud to put out our 100th show Pt 2.  We discuss and play clips from our first three seasons.  Order of clips and discussions are:  1) COMEDY SCENES w/ Tony V, Bill Campbell, Charlie Hall & Frank O'Donnell, Mike McDonald 2) META w/ Derek Furtado, Sue Costello 3) FAMILY Cathy Murray, John Morris 4) PARANORMAL w/ Mike  Murray, Tom Stewart 5) FUNNY STORIES w/ Tony V, Mike McDonald 6) ONE LINERS w/ Frank Santorelli, Jay Burns, Brian Vincent, John Perotta, Mike McCarthy

100th Show Pt 1

June 07, 2019 00:36 - 1 hour - 82.5 MB

Ace and I are proud to put out our 100th show.  We discuss and play clips from our first three seasons.  Order of discussions and clips are:  1) 100th show w/ Scott Higgins 2) Diverse backgrounds w/ Joe Hebert, Steve Donovan, Matty Blake, Chris Zito 3) Heartfelt stories w/ Amy Tee, Phillip Anthony, Sue Costello, Poppy Champlin, Jess Miller 4) Controlling comics w/ Mike McCarthy, Charlie Hall, Frank O'Donnell, Stephanie Peters 5) Festivals w/ Jim McCue, Doug Key 6) Recording Environment w/ Ma...

Episode 94 - Ken Rogerson "The Funniest Man You Never Heard Of"

May 30, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MB

Ken Rogerson is literally the Funniest Man You Never Heard Of.  Ace and I have always enjoyed working with Ken.  A CT native like myself, he started comedy in Chicago before migrating to Boston during the comedy boom.  He was featured in the documentary "When Stand Up Stood Out" which was about the Boston comedy explosion.  He has appeared in the show Rescue Me as well as movies like Something About Mary and Fever Pitch.  Ken has spent his life making people laugh, and still does it as well ...

Episode 93 - Chance Langton "Still Crazy After All These Years"

May 23, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 62.3 MB

Chance Langton is a Boston comedy original.  He was part of the original comedy boom and is still entertaining crowds today.  He worked with Rodney Dangerfield and Eddie Murphy, you know, just to mention a few.  One of Adam Sandler's favorite comics.  In fact, Adam had Chance sing in his movie Eight Crazy Nights.  He has had an amazing career and Ace and I were thrilled to go along with him as he reminisced about it.

Episode 92 - Alan Fitzgerald "I Knew I Wanted To Say Offensive Things"

May 16, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 85.5 MB

Alan is a very interesting case study to say the least.  He lives life like he does comedy, on his own terms.  He does not possess a filter on stage and yet finds the funny in situations others would not talk about out loud.  Armed with a quick wit and biting sense of humor, he is a lot of fun.  

Episdoe 91 - Mike Flynn “Flynzo”

May 10, 2019 20:02 - 1 hour - 97.1 MB

Mike “Flynzo” Flynn was integral part of the start of my comedy career.  His open mics were where I first built my act.  He’s had quite a comedy career himself.  I met Ace at one of Flynzo’s open mics.  This one was close to home for me.

Episode 90 - What Is A Comic Genius?

May 02, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 107 MB

What is a comic genius?  Many people have been called a comic genius but what makes somebody one.  Ace and I are joined by Roman Pierce (Chatty Charlie), Derrick Fonseca (The Fonz), and Tom Stewart ( My Paranormal Podcast ).  We discuss what qualities a comic genius has and who we consider one.  The conversation then turns towards local comics who have these qualities and who we admire.  It was a fun conversation and these three brought a lot to it.

Episode 89 - Chris D "Because Who Can Pronounce Dimitrakopoulos"

April 25, 2019 13:00 - 1 hour - 113 MB

I remember the first time I worked with Chris D, I did not want to follow him.  Off stage he is quiet and reserved, onstage he takes on several personas.  He has a quick with and he is a great story teller.  Ace and I enjoyed getting to know more about Chris.

Episode 88 - Kristine Blinn "The Funniest Teach I Never Had"

April 18, 2019 18:01 - 1 hour - 80.6 MB

Ace and I both have worked with Kristine Blinn before, and always enjoy watching her perform.  She's very funny and delivers a great performance.  But who is Kristine off stage, that's what we wanted to know.  What drew her to comedy?  Is it hard being a high school teacher and comedian.  These questions were asked during this conversation.  PLUS, the original Mango dropped in, and he brought snacks.

Episode 87 - Comedian G Funny "The Undercover Brother"

April 11, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 160 MB

This week Ace and Scott talk to Greg Howell aka Comedian G Funny.  He is a long time friend and accomplished comedian.  Hailing from North Carolina, he made his way to Boston and started his comedy career.  He is such a naturally funny story teller.  He is one of the funniest comedians you haven't heard of yet.

Episode 86 - Sue Costello "It's On Like Donkey Kong"

April 04, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 56.3 MB

Wow, that's all I can say about this episode.  Sue Costello was an amazingly open and honest guest.  Ace and I were hanging on every word.  She really shed some light on the entertainment industry from a woman's point of view.  

Episode 85 - Rogue Island Comedy Festival Pt 2

March 28, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 75 MB

This week is Pt 2 of our conversations with comedians performing at the Rogue Island Comedy Festival.  This episode includes conversations with Sam Evans, Miguel Perez, Alan Fitzgerald, KC Arora, Nore Davis, and finally Rogue Island Comedy Festival founder Doug Key.  Ace and I cannot thank Doug Key and Katie Latimer enough for allowing us to be part of this amazing festival and for treating us so well.

Episode 84 - The 2018 Rogue Island Comedy Festival PT 1

March 20, 2019 12:37 - 1 hour - 68.7 MB

Ace reached out to Rogue Island Comedy Festival co-founders Katie Latimer and Doug Key and asked if we can come down one night of the festival and talk to some of the comics.  What a blast!  We made some new friends, talked with some old friends and watch a lot of great comedy.  We talked to enough interesting people we had to divide this episode into 2 parts.  Enjoy Part 1 with John O'Conner, Dave Neal, Dylan Krasinski, J Smitty, George Civeris, and Chrissie Mayr. 

Episode 83 - Brian Beaudoin "I Like Pranks, But I'm Not Paying For Them"

March 13, 2019 18:07 - 1 hour - 107 MB

This week we have a RI orignal, the original mango, Brian Beaudoin joining us.  We discuss pranks, Saved By The Bell, working the road, celebrity friends and hell gigs.  Ace and I could not stop laughing.  Brian's a great story teller and a lot of fun.

Episode 82 - Steve Donovan "We Found Waldo"

March 07, 2019 14:59 - 1 hour - 111 MB

Probably best known for his morning radio show, but Steve Donovan is an accomplished stand-up comedian and television show host.  He has a quick rapid fire wit, so Ace and I needed to be on our A game to keep up.  Steve told a few of the funniest stories I've heard since starting Behind The Funny.  Enjoy!

Episode 81 - Matty Blake "An Entertainment Renaissance Man"

February 28, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 75.2 MB

Matty Blake has done stand up comedy, improv, voiceover, acting, hosting Drilling Down: The Curse Of Oak Island, and radio DJ, just to name a few.  Matty started comedy shortly after Ace and they come through the ranks together.  Friends ever since, they told a lot of stories.  I did not know Matty like Ace did so I really enjoyed getting to know him.  Considering this was our second attempt at recording this episode, I got to know him well.      

Episode 80 - Maya Manion "Meeah Likes Mashed Potatoes"

February 21, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 70 MB

Maya Manion comes from a funny family, not really.  Mom liked her brother best and let her know it.  Her brother used to tease her like crazy about it.  Combine that family situation with growing up in a boring town and you get one very funny witty comedian.  

Episode 79 - Derek Furtado "Comedy Psychology 101"

February 14, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 86.9 MB

Derek is comedian that likes to live in the uncomfortable moments of life when performing.  He brings up subjects normal people would never talk about out loud, except he's not normal, he's a comedian.  Well liked by audience and well respected by other comedians.  He has managed friendships with some of the biggest names in comedy.  He is also an award winning film maker.  The discussion Derek, Ace, and I had went deep into the psychology and sociology of comedy.  Derek's is a very interest...

Episode 78 Patrick Collins "The Comeback Kid"

February 06, 2019 21:44 - 1 hour - 86.3 MB

  Patrick Collins is not only a comedian but also produces some very successful comedy shows.  Pat had two starts in comedy, one at 18 and another one years later.  His early run in comedy he did open mics with comics like Patrice O'Neal and Dane Cook.  Growing up in an Irish family helps your comedy chops as well.  https://collinscomedyevents.com          This weeks sponsor, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K                         https://amzn.to/2WKg5wr

Episode 77 - Colleen Galvin "My Mouth Gets Me In Trouble"

January 31, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 76.1 MB

Colleen Galvin has been a regular on the New England comedy scene for awhile.  She is quick witted and very funny.  Ace and I have known her for awhile but did not know all the stories we heard on this episode.  She overcame many obstacles and bad dates, which made for some very funny stories.

Episode 76 - Mike McDonald Pt 2

January 24, 2019 10:00 - 43 minutes - 36.6 MB

Part 2 of our conversation with Boston Comedy Legend Mike McDonald.  He started in the late seventies and has been a headliner in the New England comedy scene ever since.  Any comedian would love to have Mike's career.  Ace and I have looked up to and worked with Mike for many years, now we get to know his back story.  www.comedianmikemcdonald.com

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