November 9, 2025 • 21 mins
Mark Schiff returns to give us an update on his comedy career spanning almost 50 years, discussing his ongoing tour with Jerry Seinfeld, creative projects, and reflections on finding fulfillment in stand-up comedy. Scott and Mark reconnect over memories from Laughs Unlimited while exploring how Mark has maintained both a successful career and personal integrity throughout decades in the business.
• Currently touring with Jerry Seinfeld, playing to audiences of 6,000+ people
• Co-hosts a podcast called "We Think It's Funny" with Danny Robell
• Published author of two books: "Why Not?" and "I Killed: True Stories of the Road by America's Top Comics"
• Writes biweekly humor articles for the Jewish Journal
• Discusses the different career paths comedians take and why he stayed focused on stand-up
• Shares his approach to representing Jewish identity through comedy during challenging times
• Currently working on a Christmas movie screenplay with Brian Ross
• Concludes with a hilarious bit about shopping at Costco
Check out Mark's biweekly articles at JewishJournal.com, listen to his podcast "We Think It's Funny," and look for his upcoming projects including a Christmas movie co-written with Brian Ross.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Announcer (00:04):
This is another episode of Stand-Up Comedy, your
host and emcee celebrating40-plus years on the fringe of
show business Stories,interviews and comedy sets from
the famous and not-so-famous.
Here's your host and emcee,scott Edwards.
R. Scott Edwards (00:21):
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the
podcast.
Man, oh man, I'm so excited.
One of a terrific comic greatfriend, been on the podcast many
times, but he's coming back forthis second short interview so
we can kind of catch up onwhat's going on.
Let me bring him onto the showand then I'm going to tell you a
little bit about him.
Ladies and gentlemen,originally one of the funniest
(00:43):
men in the universe out of NewYork City, now working regularly
in Los Angeles, my good friendMark Schiff.
Wow, Mark, so good to have youback on the show.
Mark Schiff (01:02):
Boy that sounded like the crowd used to have at
Labs Unlimited 6,000 people.
R. Scott Edwards (01:08):
Yeah, we crammed them into the room that
sat 200.
It was amazing.
Mark Schiff (01:11):
By the way, you had the worst dressing room in the
history of our show business.
I remember sitting in the backthere.
There was a little ramp, wasn'tthere back there or something?
Yeah, and you stored the beerand everything in there.
I was just sitting therefreezing in there.
Thank you very much.
R. Scott Edwards (01:29):
Well, I tried to keep it real.
Hey, let me catch the audienceup on who you are.
Ladies and gentlemen, MarkSchiff is a longtime friend of
Jerry Seinfeld.
In fact still tours with himfrom time to time.
He has been on the Lettermanshow.
He's been on the Carson showWell, the Tonight Show,
Letterman show.
He's been on the Carson showWell, the tonight show with
Johnny Carson.
He's had his own HBO specialand if that wasn't enough,
(01:51):
you're kind of a Renaissance man, Mark.
You've written a book calledwhy not?
That's doing very well.
And you have a terrific podcastcalled you don't know, shift.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Yes, go ahead.
I was just going to say MarkSchiff is a gentlemen actually.
Yes, go ahead.
I was just gonna say MarkSchiff is a very funny guy and
it's so nice to have you back onthe podcast.
(02:11):
Mark, I see that you're doingshows all around.
You're touring with Jerry.
You're doing a lot.
How's comedy treating you?
Mark Schiff (02:19):
so it's never been better.
And let me just say my podcast.
I have a uh, that was the oldname.
We have a new podcast called wethink it's funny.
I have a new co-host, dannyrobell, and uh, it's doing very
well.
This podcast we've had onjerry's uh, so I thought it's
gonna be on soon.
We said bull rise, we had reno,we had, uh, margaret show.
(02:41):
Yeah, everybody it's it's doing, so it's called we Think it's
Funny.
That's what they should tuneinto.
My book is doing great and I'malways touring with Jerry.
In the last two weeks I waswith him in North Dakota, in
Grand Forks, north Dakota,houston, texas, indiana, and I
can't ever remember the fourthplace.
And last Saturday night weplayed 6,000 people in Houston
(03:05):
in an outdoor theater.
Thank god jerry's good so hecan follow me.
R. Scott Edwards (03:09):
So that's all I got to say well, that's true,
and it's apparently.
If you want to see the world uhtour with jerry seinfeld,
you're going to some amazing uh,exotic places rand, forks,
north dak.
I know I mean I just getgoosebumps thinking about it.
Mark Schiff (03:28):
Yeah, no, we're having a great time in Victoria.
Jerry and I are friends andwe've been friends.
We started together in 1976.
His first day of comedy.
He met me at the comic strip.
We became friends in 1976 andwe remain friends.
I've had the pleasure oftouring with him nonstop the
last 25 years.
R. Scott Edwards (03:45):
Yeah, it's pretty amazing.
In fact, ladies and gentlemen,if you go back and find the
interview with Mark, you'll hearsome great stories about Larry
Miller, paul Reiser, jerrySeinfeld a great group of guys
that all got started in New York, and I'm glad that you caught
the podcast name up for theaudience.
By the way, you't know, shiftis still out there, so if you
(04:08):
want to hear some earlyinterviews, it's still out there
.
But look for the new podcast.
We think it's funny.
It sounds like a great idea.
Mark, you're always bringingthe funny, whether it's an hbo
special tv.
Uh, you've done some stuff.
You've really been around as acomic entertainer.
Stand-up comedy has been yourwhole life.
(04:31):
Would you say that you've beenfulfilled.
You know, creatively speaking.
Mark Schiff (04:38):
Good question.
So yes, it has been since I wasa little, you know, like 23
years old.
I've been doing this for 50years, almost, you know, 48
years.
I have done something that mostpeople don't get a chance to do
I've worked nonstop in showbusiness for my entire career.
This is actually an amazingthing to do.
I never got the big sitcom, butI don't care.
I've worked, and creatively,that's up to the individual.
R. Scott Edwards (05:02):
Stand-up comedy fulfills every creative
need possible if you're willingto put the time and work into it
yeah, I think that's a truismand I think that, uh, it is a
salute to your humor and yoursuccess and that you've been
able to go.
You know your whole life, yourcareer, in comedy, because we
both know a lot of people thatgot in and out or had huge
(05:25):
success, like your buddy jerryor it, um, didn't make a living.
Mark Schiff (05:30):
So you've seen both spectrums, yeah, and I would
say making a 50-year career outof stand-up comedy puts you in
the top five percent, the of thefunniest people out there so
let me say you know, one of thethings that Jerry and I
specialize in is we've neverwanted to entertain a select
(05:51):
group, we've always wanted toentertain everybody, and comedy
now is bigger than ever beforein history.
Nate Bargatze is selling at18,000 seats two shows in one
night.
It's unbelievable.
But a lot of comedians aredoing their story now and it's
about reaching their littlegroup and we've never felt like
(06:15):
doing that.
We want to reach it.
You know our goal was to getinto Vegas, where you know
everybody was there, not justyou know this group or that
group.
You understand what I mean,scott.
Like you had at the club, allwalks of life people were there
and that's who we had to reachto be successful at Raps
Unlimited.
R. Scott Edwards (06:34):
Yeah, I think that's true and I think, as a
producer of comedy, thatreaching a broader audience was
not only good for me as abusiness owner, because you want
everybody of various incomesand backgrounds to come in and
be entertained self to a broaderaudience also for the comics.
(07:02):
Like you said, you can play inIdaho or Texas or the south or
LA or New York and you're stillgoing to find the funny with
your audience, as opposed tosomebody that is a little too
niche and they're only going todo well in the south or they're
only going to do well in the bigcities, right right, that's
right.
Mark Schiff (07:17):
That's.
That's exactly we want.
We want to, and all we careabout is entertainment.
We I just had this conversationwith jerry the other day we're
not into teaching anybody.
We're not into showing people.
All we want to do is send themhome with a belly full of wraps
and that they had a good time.
R. Scott Edwards (07:33):
That's it well , I think.
I think it's a a great to have.
And what's interesting is that,even though you and Jerry have
had slightly different paths,you you both understand the
value and you get somethingpersonally out of performing for
(07:54):
a room full of strangers everynight.
And that has to be true because, as we just talked about,
you're both still doing it.
You know, 50 years later, andwe both know that Jerry doesn't
need the money.
I don't know about you, butyou're doing it because you love
the industry.
Mark Schiff (08:11):
Yeah, no, absolutely.
We just love doing what we'redoing right now.
One area I've never succeededat and I think you remember when
you used to pick up thecomedians to take them to do
radio at 6 am.
R. Scott Edwards (08:25):
Right.
Mark Schiff (08:26):
For some reason when I did those there were some
comedians.
When they did radio they wouldfill the room.
When I did radio I just neverreally was able to pull a group
of extra people in.
I don't know why.
I mean on the podcast it worked, but when I went to radio at 6
am in the morning those peopledidn't seem to come out at night
.
So I've got to work on my radioskills, scott.
R. Scott Edwards (08:48):
Either that or you're just not a morning
person.
Mark Schiff (08:52):
I mean, you know, maybe radio is going to have
research and come back.
I'm going to be ready next time, Scott.
R. Scott Edwards (09:00):
Well, there you go.
Next time.
Hey, uh, mark a couple of yourbuddies uh, paul reisner and
larry miller.
Both went into tv and moviesmostly movies but got off the
stage as as stand-up comics.
I know you had an hbo special.
You've done some spots on someshows and you've written for
(09:20):
some.
Tv is, at what point does anentertainer choose a path,
whether it's going to be, youknow, stay on the stage or go to
film and video, or maybe gointo directing and writing.
Is it, uh, something that theperson chooses or does the
career choose you?
Mark Schiff (09:41):
that's also a good question.
So I was never offered.
I had a pilot uh deal that thatI had.
But the truth is I was neverable to really perform like
these guys in a tight situationand auditions and stuff like
that.
I was very bad at it and Jerryactually, luckily when he
(10:05):
auditioned he got on the showBenson he did a couple of.
They fired him, but when he hadhis own show where he just
stepped in there and he was ableto put together the best show
on TV, risers are natural In theroom.
You know he could wow anybodyhe's auditioning for and I just
never had that skill and I gottoo nervous in the rooms and it
(10:27):
just never happened.
But you know something, I don'tcare.
I mean I've always worked andI'm proud of the work that I've
done.
I've maintained longfriendships, long marriage.
You know that's another thingthat I'm proud of.
Going on the road a lot of guyslost their families.
They started scooting around.
Jerry and I have talked aboutit.
That's something we're neverinterested in.
(10:48):
We're just interested inperforming, staying true to the
wives and doing the best we can.
R. Scott Edwards (10:55):
Well, I appreciate you sharing the story
about Jerry Seinfeld being onBenson the TV show and then
getting fired, which is so funnybut, of course they got rid of
him so fast.
Mark Schiff (11:06):
It was unbelievable but?
R. Scott Edwards (11:07):
but we all know a success having his own
show, which is interestingbecause Paul Reiser, as you
mentioned, or Larry Miller couldfall into any role and make it
work.
Jerry had to kind of create hisown world and you've done your
own world, but all on stage.
So we have we're talking forvery successful standup comics,
but all with a slightlydifferent path.
(11:28):
I think that's one of theinteresting aspects of our
industry.
Mark Schiff (11:33):
Everybody takes a different path.
You know, uh, I wrote a playyears ago called the comic Larry
.
Larry Miller starred in it andit was about an Asian comic who
is on his down and out and inthe last moment before he
commits suicide he tries to helpanother person.
It was a terrific play.
Neil Simon loved the play.
(11:53):
He came to see it.
So people said to me Mark, whydidn't you start it?
You know you're a comic and youknow you're in the 50s.
Why don't you do it yourself?
I said because Larry Miller isa better actor than I am and I
would ruin my own play and Ididn't want to do that.
And you just got to know whoyou are and what your
(12:13):
limitations are and be willingto accept that.
R. Scott Edwards (12:17):
Oh, that's yeah.
That's really good advice, Mark.
Thanks for sharing that, and itis so true.
You don't want to go outsideyour own comfort zone to force
something when there's somethingan alternative.
As a producer, I'm alwayshaving to try to find the right
talent, the right acts to mix tomake a good show, and you don't
(12:38):
always succeed.
But it takes more than justbeing funny.
You have to be able to see thebig picture.
I also wanted to share with theaudience that you do a lot of
fundraisers and a lot ofspecialty shows.
You're a real advocate for theJewish community.
There's been some anti-Semitismbuilding in this country.
(13:01):
As a comic, I know that youdon't bring that to the stage,
but how do you find your role inwhat's going on?
Mark Schiff (13:10):
So I do a lot of Jewish events and there, you
know, I not an issue.
I don't bring it to the youknow when I'm out with Jerry and
neither see, but they know.
But on on Facebook, you know,I'm very open about my
Jewishness.
I post up all the time and onInstagram and my podcast, we
(13:31):
think it's funny, it's, it's,it's, it's a very funny, uh,
honest podcast and we also talkopenly about, uh, our Jewish
values.
So everybody has to do.
If everybody did a little moreto help whatever situation they
think needs help, it would be amuch better world.
And I'm doing uh, and I'm goingto Israel for the 10th or 11th
(13:51):
time in October with my wife, sowe do what we can.
Yeah, that's amazing, mark andI'm going to Israel for the 10th
or 11th time in October with mywife.
R. Scott Edwards (13:58):
Oh, that's cool, yeah, that's amazing, mark
, and I think you bring up agood point that to fight
anti-Semitism, I think just be agood Jew, be yourself and show
(14:18):
the world through in your case,through your comedy, through
your podcast and through justwho you are all the important
aspects and positive aspects ofthe jewish community and, uh, my
hat's off to how you stand upto what's going on and are being
yourself, which I think is soimportant so, and, by the way,
if you're good, my hat's on, notoff.
Mark Schiff (14:31):
so there you go, your yarmulke is on.
My yarmulke is on, so I got youthere.
R. Scott Edwards (14:40):
Well, I appreciate the position you take
and what you're doing, so thankyou for that.
And, of course, I've had achance to see some of your work
in the Jewish community as astand-up comic and I know that
in these challenging times it'snice to have a positive voice.
But, more important, you'rebringing laughter to a group of
(15:03):
people.
In fact, whether it's in Idaho,texas, or a Jewish fundraiser,
I think one of the importantaspects of being a talented
comedy writer and performer isthat you're bringing
entertainment and kind of adistraction from the world to
your audience, and that'simportant, right?
Mark Schiff (15:23):
Absolutely.
Yeah, absolutely.
You know, by the way and Idon't even know what to say I
write biweekly, not bisexualbiweekly.
Every other week I write astory for the Jewish Journal.
So if people go tojewishjournalcom and put my name
in, mark Schiff, I have over ahundred articles that I've
written for the newspaper over ahundred and most of them is not
(15:46):
about being Jewish, it's just.
It's kind of in the Dave Barryhumorous type of vein.
So if you want to get some goodlaughs, go to to
jewishjournalcom, put my name in100 articles.
By the time people hear this,it'll be 120 articles.
So enjoy yourself.
R. Scott Edwards (16:01):
Well, I appreciate you sharing that.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, aman that stands on his
principles and brings comedy tothe world, our Jewish friend,
Mark Schiff.
Great job, Mark.
Mark Schiff (16:14):
Thank you, Scott.
R. Scott Edwards (16:17):
And thanks for coming back on the podcast and
sharing a little bit aboutwhat's going on with you.
I'm going to make sureeverybody knows about.
We Think it's Funny.
The new podcast what's comingup for 2026?
Do you have any big shows?
Are you planning any projects?
Mark Schiff (16:33):
I've got about 15 shows scheduled with Jerry
coming into the next year, Atleast up until December.
I'm writing a movie with myfriend Brian Ross and, believe
it or not, two Jews writing aChristmas movie.
That's funny, let's face it.
Who wrote the best Christmassongs?
The Jews.
So if they can write the bestsongs, we can write the best
(16:54):
Christmas movies.
And I just keep writing myarticles, doing my stand-up and
doing my podcast.
That's pretty full-time for me.
R. Scott Edwards (17:04):
Well, that is terrific.
And one last thing we want tomake sure we plug is your book
why Not?
Which I know has done wellsince it came out.
Have you thought about doingany of their books, or is that
one enough to fulfill your needcreatively?
Mark Schiff (17:20):
Great question too.
I have enough stories foranother book, so once I get a
chance to pull it together I'llsend it to my agent in New York
and see what they have to say.
Maybe there's another book, andif not, you know I wrote two
books, don't forget.
I wrote I Killed with RichScheidner, the quintessential
road stories book.
You know there are a lot ofyoung comedians who find that
(17:42):
book, so it became the roadBible.
I Killed True Stories of theRoad by America's Top Comics,
which I wrote with RichScheidner.
R. Scott Edwards (17:50):
I'm so sorry I forgot that I have a copy
sitting right in front of me.
I had so much fun reading it,being in the industry those
stories really touched thatgeneration of the 80s and 90s
and being a road comic.
So, ladies and gentlemen, yougot the book I Killed and you
have why Not?
You got the podcast.
We Think it's Funny.
We Think it's Funny and youhave an upcoming special with
(18:13):
Brian Ross about Christmas.
You are a busy, busy, creativeman and the fact that you took
time to share with my audienceis much appreciated.
Ladies and gentlemen, the oneand only Mark Schiff.
Thank you, sir, for being onthe show.
Mark Schiff (18:27):
Thank you, sir, my hat's on to you.
R. Scott Edwards (18:32):
And his hat's still on.
Wow, what a fun short interviewwith my good friend Mark Schiff
right now.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Danny mentioned Costco.
I'm a big Costco fan.
You like Costco.
You like going there?
Yeah, my wife and I go there.
Dayton, we go to Costco BeforeI go to Costco, I'm an idiot.
I think I'll spend $70, $80,$1,700 later.
I'm buying mustard for the next111 years, just cases.
(19:00):
I bought 200 batteries, aabatteries.
I don't even own a flashlight.
People come to my house, I givethem here.
Take some mustard with you andtake some batteries.
It's on me.
I gotta get rid of these so Ican buy some more.
I looked in this one guy's cart.
He had six cases of Drano andsix cases of toilet paper.
(19:24):
I'm thinking what kind of dietis this guy on that?
He needs this type of firepowerand they sell everything at
Costco.
This is absolutely true.
They sell coffins at CostcoCoffins.
What is this?
An impulse?
Announcer (19:44):
buy.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
I'm online with my wife.
I go honey, I don't feel good,I've got a headache, my feet
hurt.
I'm going to go have a coffinwhile we're here.
You know you look a little paleyourself and it's 30% off the
second one.
Just keep it in the garage.
We need them.
You know, right before COVID Ibought a brand new car and I
didn't have.
I don't have a place to park inmy house.
(20:09):
I got a little house, you knowLA, you know 1,600 square foot,
$40 million house and it's veryexpensive to live near other
Jews.
It's very expensive.
So I bought.
So I had a park in front of myhouse.
I got a brand very expensive,so I had to put it in front of
my house.
I had to bring the car.
So I bought a car cover for$160.
I covered the car, came out thenext morning Somebody stole the
(20:31):
car cover.
So I figured this is a one-off.
I bought another one, I coveredthe car, next day gone.
Then I bought the third one andI figured I covered the car and
I got in the car.
17 hours.
I lift it up, I go ah.
R. Scott Edwards (20:51):
There's a heart attack, drops dead.
Speaker 4 (20:56):
I pull out the Costco coffin and bury it in the
backyard.
Sometimes life has a way ofworking itself out.
R. Scott Edwards (21:02):
All right, ladies and gentlemen, we'll be
back next week with some greatstand-up comedy.
Thanks, Mark.
Mark Schiff (21:08):
Thank you.
Announcer (21:08):
Scott, bye, bye.
We hope you enjoyed thisepisode of Stand-Up Comedy, your
host and emcee.
For information on the show,merchandise and our sponsors, or
to send comments to Scott,visit our website at
wwwstandupyourhostandmccom.
Look for more episodes soon andenjoy the world of stand-up
(21:30):
comedy.
Visit a comedy showroom nearyou.
This is another episode of Stand-Up Comedy, your
host and emcee celebrating40-plus years on the fringe of
show business Stories,interviews and comedy sets from
the famous and not-so-famous.
Here's your host and emcee,scott Edwards.
R. Scott Edwards (00:21):
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the
podcast.
Man, oh man, I'm so excited.
One of a terrific comic greatfriend, been on the podcast many
times, but he's coming back forthis second short interview so
we can kind of catch up onwhat's going on.
Let me bring him onto the showand then I'm going to tell you a
little bit about him.
Ladies and gentlemen,originally one of the funniest
(00:43):
men in the universe out of NewYork City, now working regularly
in Los Angeles, my good friendMark Schiff.
Wow, Mark, so good to have youback on the show.
Mark Schiff (01:02):
Boy that sounded like the crowd used to have at
Labs Unlimited 6,000 people.
R. Scott Edwards (01:08):
Yeah, we crammed them into the room that
sat 200.
It was amazing.
Mark Schiff (01:11):
By the way, you had the worst dressing room in the
history of our show business.
I remember sitting in the backthere.
There was a little ramp, wasn'tthere back there or something?
Yeah, and you stored the beerand everything in there.
I was just sitting therefreezing in there.
Thank you very much.
R. Scott Edwards (01:29):
Well, I tried to keep it real.
Hey, let me catch the audienceup on who you are.
Ladies and gentlemen, MarkSchiff is a longtime friend of
Jerry Seinfeld.
In fact still tours with himfrom time to time.
He has been on the Lettermanshow.
He's been on the Carson showWell, the Tonight Show,
Letterman show.
He's been on the Carson showWell, the tonight show with
Johnny Carson.
He's had his own HBO specialand if that wasn't enough,
(01:51):
you're kind of a Renaissance man, Mark.
You've written a book calledwhy not?
That's doing very well.
And you have a terrific podcastcalled you don't know, shift.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Yes, go ahead.
I was just going to say MarkSchiff is a gentlemen actually.
Yes, go ahead.
I was just gonna say MarkSchiff is a very funny guy and
it's so nice to have you back onthe podcast.
(02:11):
Mark, I see that you're doingshows all around.
You're touring with Jerry.
You're doing a lot.
How's comedy treating you?
Mark Schiff (02:19):
so it's never been better.
And let me just say my podcast.
I have a uh, that was the oldname.
We have a new podcast called wethink it's funny.
I have a new co-host, dannyrobell, and uh, it's doing very
well.
This podcast we've had onjerry's uh, so I thought it's
gonna be on soon.
We said bull rise, we had reno,we had, uh, margaret show.
(02:41):
Yeah, everybody it's it's doing, so it's called we Think it's
Funny.
That's what they should tuneinto.
My book is doing great and I'malways touring with Jerry.
In the last two weeks I waswith him in North Dakota, in
Grand Forks, north Dakota,houston, texas, indiana, and I
can't ever remember the fourthplace.
And last Saturday night weplayed 6,000 people in Houston
(03:05):
in an outdoor theater.
Thank god jerry's good so hecan follow me.
R. Scott Edwards (03:09):
So that's all I got to say well, that's true,
and it's apparently.
If you want to see the world uhtour with jerry seinfeld,
you're going to some amazing uh,exotic places rand, forks,
north dak.
I know I mean I just getgoosebumps thinking about it.
Mark Schiff (03:28):
Yeah, no, we're having a great time in Victoria.
Jerry and I are friends andwe've been friends.
We started together in 1976.
His first day of comedy.
He met me at the comic strip.
We became friends in 1976 andwe remain friends.
I've had the pleasure oftouring with him nonstop the
last 25 years.
R. Scott Edwards (03:45):
Yeah, it's pretty amazing.
In fact, ladies and gentlemen,if you go back and find the
interview with Mark, you'll hearsome great stories about Larry
Miller, paul Reiser, jerrySeinfeld a great group of guys
that all got started in New York, and I'm glad that you caught
the podcast name up for theaudience.
By the way, you't know, shiftis still out there, so if you
(04:08):
want to hear some earlyinterviews, it's still out there
.
But look for the new podcast.
We think it's funny.
It sounds like a great idea.
Mark, you're always bringingthe funny, whether it's an hbo
special tv.
Uh, you've done some stuff.
You've really been around as acomic entertainer.
Stand-up comedy has been yourwhole life.
(04:31):
Would you say that you've beenfulfilled.
You know, creatively speaking.
Mark Schiff (04:38):
Good question.
So yes, it has been since I wasa little, you know, like 23
years old.
I've been doing this for 50years, almost, you know, 48
years.
I have done something that mostpeople don't get a chance to do
I've worked nonstop in showbusiness for my entire career.
This is actually an amazingthing to do.
I never got the big sitcom, butI don't care.
I've worked, and creatively,that's up to the individual.
R. Scott Edwards (05:02):
Stand-up comedy fulfills every creative
need possible if you're willingto put the time and work into it
yeah, I think that's a truismand I think that, uh, it is a
salute to your humor and yoursuccess and that you've been
able to go.
You know your whole life, yourcareer, in comedy, because we
both know a lot of people thatgot in and out or had huge
(05:25):
success, like your buddy jerryor it, um, didn't make a living.
Mark Schiff (05:30):
So you've seen both spectrums, yeah, and I would
say making a 50-year career outof stand-up comedy puts you in
the top five percent, the of thefunniest people out there so
let me say you know, one of thethings that Jerry and I
specialize in is we've neverwanted to entertain a select
(05:51):
group, we've always wanted toentertain everybody, and comedy
now is bigger than ever beforein history.
Nate Bargatze is selling at18,000 seats two shows in one
night.
It's unbelievable.
But a lot of comedians aredoing their story now and it's
about reaching their littlegroup and we've never felt like
(06:15):
doing that.
We want to reach it.
You know our goal was to getinto Vegas, where you know
everybody was there, not justyou know this group or that
group.
You understand what I mean,scott.
Like you had at the club, allwalks of life people were there
and that's who we had to reachto be successful at Raps
Unlimited.
R. Scott Edwards (06:34):
Yeah, I think that's true and I think, as a
producer of comedy, thatreaching a broader audience was
not only good for me as abusiness owner, because you want
everybody of various incomesand backgrounds to come in and
be entertained self to a broaderaudience also for the comics.
(07:02):
Like you said, you can play inIdaho or Texas or the south or
LA or New York and you're stillgoing to find the funny with
your audience, as opposed tosomebody that is a little too
niche and they're only going todo well in the south or they're
only going to do well in the bigcities, right right, that's
right.
Mark Schiff (07:17):
That's.
That's exactly we want.
We want to, and all we careabout is entertainment.
We I just had this conversationwith jerry the other day we're
not into teaching anybody.
We're not into showing people.
All we want to do is send themhome with a belly full of wraps
and that they had a good time.
R. Scott Edwards (07:33):
That's it well , I think.
I think it's a a great to have.
And what's interesting is that,even though you and Jerry have
had slightly different paths,you you both understand the
value and you get somethingpersonally out of performing for
(07:54):
a room full of strangers everynight.
And that has to be true because, as we just talked about,
you're both still doing it.
You know, 50 years later, andwe both know that Jerry doesn't
need the money.
I don't know about you, butyou're doing it because you love
the industry.
Mark Schiff (08:11):
Yeah, no, absolutely.
We just love doing what we'redoing right now.
One area I've never succeededat and I think you remember when
you used to pick up thecomedians to take them to do
radio at 6 am.
R. Scott Edwards (08:25):
Right.
Mark Schiff (08:26):
For some reason when I did those there were some
comedians.
When they did radio they wouldfill the room.
When I did radio I just neverreally was able to pull a group
of extra people in.
I don't know why.
I mean on the podcast it worked, but when I went to radio at 6
am in the morning those peopledidn't seem to come out at night
.
So I've got to work on my radioskills, scott.
R. Scott Edwards (08:48):
Either that or you're just not a morning
person.
Mark Schiff (08:52):
I mean, you know, maybe radio is going to have
research and come back.
I'm going to be ready next time, Scott.
R. Scott Edwards (09:00):
Well, there you go.
Next time.
Hey, uh, mark a couple of yourbuddies uh, paul reisner and
larry miller.
Both went into tv and moviesmostly movies but got off the
stage as as stand-up comics.
I know you had an hbo special.
You've done some spots on someshows and you've written for
(09:20):
some.
Tv is, at what point does anentertainer choose a path,
whether it's going to be, youknow, stay on the stage or go to
film and video, or maybe gointo directing and writing.
Is it, uh, something that theperson chooses or does the
career choose you?
Mark Schiff (09:41):
that's also a good question.
So I was never offered.
I had a pilot uh deal that thatI had.
But the truth is I was neverable to really perform like
these guys in a tight situationand auditions and stuff like
that.
I was very bad at it and Jerryactually, luckily when he
(10:05):
auditioned he got on the showBenson he did a couple of.
They fired him, but when he hadhis own show where he just
stepped in there and he was ableto put together the best show
on TV, risers are natural In theroom.
You know he could wow anybodyhe's auditioning for and I just
never had that skill and I gottoo nervous in the rooms and it
(10:27):
just never happened.
But you know something, I don'tcare.
I mean I've always worked andI'm proud of the work that I've
done.
I've maintained longfriendships, long marriage.
You know that's another thingthat I'm proud of.
Going on the road a lot of guyslost their families.
They started scooting around.
Jerry and I have talked aboutit.
That's something we're neverinterested in.
(10:48):
We're just interested inperforming, staying true to the
wives and doing the best we can.
R. Scott Edwards (10:55):
Well, I appreciate you sharing the story
about Jerry Seinfeld being onBenson the TV show and then
getting fired, which is so funnybut, of course they got rid of
him so fast.
Mark Schiff (11:06):
It was unbelievable but?
R. Scott Edwards (11:07):
but we all know a success having his own
show, which is interestingbecause Paul Reiser, as you
mentioned, or Larry Miller couldfall into any role and make it
work.
Jerry had to kind of create hisown world and you've done your
own world, but all on stage.
So we have we're talking forvery successful standup comics,
but all with a slightlydifferent path.
(11:28):
I think that's one of theinteresting aspects of our
industry.
Mark Schiff (11:33):
Everybody takes a different path.
You know, uh, I wrote a playyears ago called the comic Larry
.
Larry Miller starred in it andit was about an Asian comic who
is on his down and out and inthe last moment before he
commits suicide he tries to helpanother person.
It was a terrific play.
Neil Simon loved the play.
(11:53):
He came to see it.
So people said to me Mark, whydidn't you start it?
You know you're a comic and youknow you're in the 50s.
Why don't you do it yourself?
I said because Larry Miller isa better actor than I am and I
would ruin my own play and Ididn't want to do that.
And you just got to know whoyou are and what your
(12:13):
limitations are and be willingto accept that.
R. Scott Edwards (12:17):
Oh, that's yeah.
That's really good advice, Mark.
Thanks for sharing that, and itis so true.
You don't want to go outsideyour own comfort zone to force
something when there's somethingan alternative.
As a producer, I'm alwayshaving to try to find the right
talent, the right acts to mix tomake a good show, and you don't
(12:38):
always succeed.
But it takes more than justbeing funny.
You have to be able to see thebig picture.
I also wanted to share with theaudience that you do a lot of
fundraisers and a lot ofspecialty shows.
You're a real advocate for theJewish community.
There's been some anti-Semitismbuilding in this country.
(13:01):
As a comic, I know that youdon't bring that to the stage,
but how do you find your role inwhat's going on?
Mark Schiff (13:10):
So I do a lot of Jewish events and there, you
know, I not an issue.
I don't bring it to the youknow when I'm out with Jerry and
neither see, but they know.
But on on Facebook, you know,I'm very open about my
Jewishness.
I post up all the time and onInstagram and my podcast, we
(13:31):
think it's funny, it's, it's,it's, it's a very funny, uh,
honest podcast and we also talkopenly about, uh, our Jewish
values.
So everybody has to do.
If everybody did a little moreto help whatever situation they
think needs help, it would be amuch better world.
And I'm doing uh, and I'm goingto Israel for the 10th or 11th
(13:51):
time in October with my wife, sowe do what we can.
Yeah, that's amazing, mark andI'm going to Israel for the 10th
or 11th time in October with mywife.
R. Scott Edwards (13:58):
Oh, that's cool, yeah, that's amazing, mark
, and I think you bring up agood point that to fight
anti-Semitism, I think just be agood Jew, be yourself and show
(14:18):
the world through in your case,through your comedy, through
your podcast and through justwho you are all the important
aspects and positive aspects ofthe jewish community and, uh, my
hat's off to how you stand upto what's going on and are being
yourself, which I think is soimportant so, and, by the way,
if you're good, my hat's on, notoff.
Mark Schiff (14:31):
so there you go, your yarmulke is on.
My yarmulke is on, so I got youthere.
R. Scott Edwards (14:40):
Well, I appreciate the position you take
and what you're doing, so thankyou for that.
And, of course, I've had achance to see some of your work
in the Jewish community as astand-up comic and I know that
in these challenging times it'snice to have a positive voice.
But, more important, you'rebringing laughter to a group of
(15:03):
people.
In fact, whether it's in Idaho,texas, or a Jewish fundraiser,
I think one of the importantaspects of being a talented
comedy writer and performer isthat you're bringing
entertainment and kind of adistraction from the world to
your audience, and that'simportant, right?
Mark Schiff (15:23):
Absolutely.
Yeah, absolutely.
You know, by the way and Idon't even know what to say I
write biweekly, not bisexualbiweekly.
Every other week I write astory for the Jewish Journal.
So if people go tojewishjournalcom and put my name
in, mark Schiff, I have over ahundred articles that I've
written for the newspaper over ahundred and most of them is not
(15:46):
about being Jewish, it's just.
It's kind of in the Dave Barryhumorous type of vein.
So if you want to get some goodlaughs, go to to
jewishjournalcom, put my name in100 articles.
By the time people hear this,it'll be 120 articles.
So enjoy yourself.
R. Scott Edwards (16:01):
Well, I appreciate you sharing that.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, aman that stands on his
principles and brings comedy tothe world, our Jewish friend,
Mark Schiff.
Great job, Mark.
Mark Schiff (16:14):
Thank you, Scott.
R. Scott Edwards (16:17):
And thanks for coming back on the podcast and
sharing a little bit aboutwhat's going on with you.
I'm going to make sureeverybody knows about.
We Think it's Funny.
The new podcast what's comingup for 2026?
Do you have any big shows?
Are you planning any projects?
Mark Schiff (16:33):
I've got about 15 shows scheduled with Jerry
coming into the next year, Atleast up until December.
I'm writing a movie with myfriend Brian Ross and, believe
it or not, two Jews writing aChristmas movie.
That's funny, let's face it.
Who wrote the best Christmassongs?
The Jews.
So if they can write the bestsongs, we can write the best
(16:54):
Christmas movies.
And I just keep writing myarticles, doing my stand-up and
doing my podcast.
That's pretty full-time for me.
R. Scott Edwards (17:04):
Well, that is terrific.
And one last thing we want tomake sure we plug is your book
why Not?
Which I know has done wellsince it came out.
Have you thought about doingany of their books, or is that
one enough to fulfill your needcreatively?
Mark Schiff (17:20):
Great question too.
I have enough stories foranother book, so once I get a
chance to pull it together I'llsend it to my agent in New York
and see what they have to say.
Maybe there's another book, andif not, you know I wrote two
books, don't forget.
I wrote I Killed with RichScheidner, the quintessential
road stories book.
You know there are a lot ofyoung comedians who find that
(17:42):
book, so it became the roadBible.
I Killed True Stories of theRoad by America's Top Comics,
which I wrote with RichScheidner.
R. Scott Edwards (17:50):
I'm so sorry I forgot that I have a copy
sitting right in front of me.
I had so much fun reading it,being in the industry those
stories really touched thatgeneration of the 80s and 90s
and being a road comic.
So, ladies and gentlemen, yougot the book I Killed and you
have why Not?
You got the podcast.
We Think it's Funny.
We Think it's Funny and youhave an upcoming special with
(18:13):
Brian Ross about Christmas.
You are a busy, busy, creativeman and the fact that you took
time to share with my audienceis much appreciated.
Ladies and gentlemen, the oneand only Mark Schiff.
Thank you, sir, for being onthe show.
Mark Schiff (18:27):
Thank you, sir, my hat's on to you.
R. Scott Edwards (18:32):
And his hat's still on.
Wow, what a fun short interviewwith my good friend Mark Schiff
right now.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Danny mentioned Costco.
I'm a big Costco fan.
You like Costco.
You like going there?
Yeah, my wife and I go there.
Dayton, we go to Costco BeforeI go to Costco, I'm an idiot.
I think I'll spend $70, $80,$1,700 later.
I'm buying mustard for the next111 years, just cases.
(19:00):
I bought 200 batteries, aabatteries.
I don't even own a flashlight.
People come to my house, I givethem here.
Take some mustard with you andtake some batteries.
It's on me.
I gotta get rid of these so Ican buy some more.
I looked in this one guy's cart.
He had six cases of Drano andsix cases of toilet paper.
(19:24):
I'm thinking what kind of dietis this guy on that?
He needs this type of firepowerand they sell everything at
Costco.
This is absolutely true.
They sell coffins at CostcoCoffins.
What is this?
An impulse?
Announcer (19:44):
buy.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
I'm online with my wife.
I go honey, I don't feel good,I've got a headache, my feet
hurt.
I'm going to go have a coffinwhile we're here.
You know you look a little paleyourself and it's 30% off the
second one.
Just keep it in the garage.
We need them.
You know, right before COVID Ibought a brand new car and I
didn't have.
I don't have a place to park inmy house.
(20:09):
I got a little house, you knowLA, you know 1,600 square foot,
$40 million house and it's veryexpensive to live near other
Jews.
It's very expensive.
So I bought.
So I had a park in front of myhouse.
I got a brand very expensive,so I had to put it in front of
my house.
I had to bring the car.
So I bought a car cover for$160.
I covered the car, came out thenext morning Somebody stole the
(20:31):
car cover.
So I figured this is a one-off.
I bought another one, I coveredthe car, next day gone.
Then I bought the third one andI figured I covered the car and
I got in the car.
17 hours.
I lift it up, I go ah.
R. Scott Edwards (20:51):
There's a heart attack, drops dead.
Speaker 4 (20:56):
I pull out the Costco coffin and bury it in the
backyard.
Sometimes life has a way ofworking itself out.
R. Scott Edwards (21:02):
All right, ladies and gentlemen, we'll be
back next week with some greatstand-up comedy.
Thanks, Mark.
Mark Schiff (21:08):
Thank you.
Announcer (21:08):
Scott, bye, bye.
We hope you enjoyed thisepisode of Stand-Up Comedy, your
host and emcee.
For information on the show,merchandise and our sponsors, or
to send comments to Scott,visit our website at
wwwstandupyourhostandmccom.
Look for more episodes soon andenjoy the world of stand-up
(21:30):
comedy.
Visit a comedy showroom nearyou.
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