KILL TONY

Kill Tony is basically an open mic night that got strapped to a rocket. Every week, host Tony Hinchcliffe and co-host Brian Redban invite aspiring comedians to perform sixty seconds of stand-up in front of a live audience in Austin, Texas. After each set, Tony interviews the comedian, offers feedback ranging from genuinely helpful to brutally honest, and the regular panel of comedians riffs on what just happened. The results are chaotic, unpredictable, and frequently hilarious. The show has been running since 2013 and crossed 760 episodes, which means thousands of comedians have stepped up to that microphone. Some absolutely bomb, some surprise everyone, and a handful have gone on to legitimate comedy careers. The show has become a genuine launching pad in the stand-up world. The guest comedians who join Tony on the panel each week include names like Joe List, Matt Rife, Donnell Rawlings, and other touring comics who bring different energy depending on the lineup. What makes Kill Tony addictive is the tension. You never know if the next person up is going to crush it or freeze completely, and both outcomes are entertaining for very different reasons. The interviewing style walks a tightrope between encouragement and roasting, and Tony reads the room well enough to know which approach fits each performer. Episodes run close to two hours, which is long, but the variety-show format means the pace stays fast. The 4.4 rating from over 5,400 reviews reflects a passionate fanbase that fills live shows to capacity. If you have ever wondered what it feels like to do stand-up for the first time, this show will either inspire you or terrify you, probably both.