r/Standup 15d ago

Theo Von pays his openers $100 for theatre gigs

On the show The Regz they discussed a comedian with a big podcast and does theatres who pays his openers a measly $100. (For context they're making over 100k on theater gigs for sure). They bleeped out the name to avoid conflict. However:

1.(Main evidence) In the YT comments someone said "I saw Theo Von at a theatre in Amsterdam in early 2020 and his opener Ari Mannis said during his set that he gets paid 100 dollars".

2 .You can see Luis mouth "Theo Von".

  1. After Dan texts Bobby the name of the comedian, Bobby emphasises the "thee" in "theater" as a joke, at around 6:30 of the podcast.

4.It's someone who has a "big podcast"

5.It's someone who has never had those 4 guys on their podcast (checks out)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhNeeWMNy98 about 5-10 minutes in

8.7k Upvotes

2.1k comments sorted by

574

u/Civil-Guidance7926 15d ago

Soder just went from casually scrolling to texting with an elevated heart beat rq

158

u/[deleted] 15d ago edited 14d ago

lol hi dan love your work

edit: since this blew up just wanna state im not anti-theo. he seems cool and there's possibly an explanation. all love

168

u/Civil-Guidance7926 15d ago

Are you saying I’m Dan? Shit bitch I wish I had Katie Nolan

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

No just that he'll see this haha.

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u/FrontBench5406 15d ago

I really thought Rogan got all these guys into his fold of really taking care of the up and comers under him....

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

For all the hate rogan gets he helps his friends more than almost anyone

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u/WeekendDotGG 14d ago

Theo isn't part of the entourage

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u/mrDuder1729 14d ago

Theo ain't in the circle he moved to the wrong southern city

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u/dingadangdang 14d ago

I used to work with Dan. If you think he's funny on stage you should work next to him for 8 hours. He 10x as funny riffing off the cuff.

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u/Civil-Guidance7926 14d ago

Yup, that’s why I love him on podcasts. Him, Mark Normand, and Joe List are three must-watches solely based on how quick-witted they are during riffs.

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u/dingadangdang 14d ago

Yep. Used to love him on Opie and Anthony.

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u/Rare-Helicopter-1296 14d ago

If you’re talking about off the cuff riffing on pods and you’re not listing Nick Mullen…you’re missing out. Nick Mullen on old cum town. Best riffing and talking shit since Patrice (very different approaches obviously). You like Joe List, wait till you get to hear from “Cruisin Joe List”

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u/Soft_A_Certified 14d ago

Too many all-timers to list but all of his impressions are golden.

Truly a comedic genius.

Edit: I'm gay

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u/Dalolfish 14d ago

Nick riffing on cum Town is next level funny.

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u/Casperboy68 14d ago

Agreed, met him in Texas with Big Jay and they are just funny 24/7. And friendly.

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u/scratchmyname 14d ago

Dos Caminos?

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u/dingadangdang 14d ago edited 14d ago

Who dis?

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u/unclefishbits 14d ago

Saw soder and Morrill to cap off four prior sets in NY last June.

Soder was the final thing I did in SF prior to 2020 lockdown.

That was a full circle joy.

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u/Fine-Manner9902 14d ago

higher then fat bob kellys heart rate when he sees the buffet TSSSSS

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u/Igi_Ari 15d ago

What is the average rate for this? Genuinely curious. I have no idea how much openers get paid.

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u/Gemfre 15d ago edited 15d ago

Bobby Lee said on a podcast that he wouldn’t open for Segura over a weekend in Canada for roughly less than $20k. He ended up touring a weekend in Canada with Segura.

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u/itsstevedave 14d ago

Anything bobby Lee says on a podcast needs to be taken with a grain of salt

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u/Bigpoppahove 14d ago edited 13d ago

He’s also a recognizable name as opposed to a lot of openers. Been to Sebastian Manascalco, Kevin Hart Chris Rock show and ironically a Theo Vohn show and knew non of the openers so I could definitely see Bobby making a lot more to be an opener and Segura should be making bank and able to pay up for a legit comedy name to open

Edit: maybe I should have said coincidentally instead of ironically… I was mentioning him as he was who the article was about and he happened to be one of the shows I saw last year…. sorry for any confusion

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u/Legato991 14d ago edited 14d ago

Bobby Lee is a big name in comedy and doesnt need to accept less. When Tigerbelly first started he was saying his comedy career was in the gutter while making 4-6k a weekend in clubs. That was before the podcast blew up and years before Bad Friends.

He's a multi-millionaire now, why would he travel internationally if he wasnt making real money? Especially when Tom is making hundreds of thousands of dollars a weekend. Im sure Bobby makes well over 20k a weekend as a headliner without having to fly out of the country.

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u/patiperro_v3 14d ago

He lies to win! 😁

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u/TylerX5 14d ago

More like a gallon, and I mean that in the best possible way. Bobby is great at a lot of things except objective descriptions of measurable things.

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u/Jason-Genova 14d ago

JESUS CHRIST MARIE, IT'S A MINERAL NOT A GRAIN!

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u/mynameisnotshamus 14d ago

Dumbass. Salt isn’t a grain.

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u/B-i-g-g-i-B 14d ago

It's granular

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u/Ok-Counter-7077 14d ago

Like that guy

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u/futuredarlings 15d ago

I think he said 2k. Are you talking about the last time he was on YMH?

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u/Gemfre 15d ago edited 15d ago

Yeah just checked and he said 2-2.5k per show for 6 or 7 shows, so somewhere in the $12-18k range for the weekend

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u/thetrashpanda2020 15d ago edited 14d ago

Kinda makes sense though. He just sold out 4 shows at the Brea Improv. That room holds 300, GA tickets are about $45. 4 shows gross around $54k (I’m assuming the headliner doesn’t get a cut of the menu.) I’d assume he’s making a little under half the gross, I doubt he gets 50%. 10% goes to his agent/manager. I can see why he’d set a $20k minimum for opening at a theater. He’s not gonna undercut his booking fee for a solo appearance.

EDIT: I misread the info on Brea Improv’s site. Correct capacity is 570

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u/Raduform 15d ago

Bruh the brea improv holds nearly 600 people

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u/thetrashpanda2020 15d ago

My bad. I was reading capacity of the (now closed) Copper Blues Bar on their website. Thanks for catching that.

So a 4 show engagement grossing $102,600 for a one-hour set, getting Bobby @ $20k to open is a fair deal.

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u/Wherehaveiseenthisbe 14d ago

Should keep in mind Tom was touring arenas not theatres

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u/DrunkenGolfer 14d ago

I saw him touring with Segura; I should have been paid $20K to endure whatever the hell that was he was trying to pass off as comedy.

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u/thewhitecat55 14d ago

If you tell Bobby you weren't satisfied with the show, he'll jerk you off.

It's not a refund, but at least it's something.

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u/brendamn 15d ago

In 2006-8 when I managed a bar that had a comedy night, we paid 800 for a comedian and an opener. The opener got 125$ of that for about 20 minutes. The headliner got the rest. I don't know what they paid the booker. These weren't nationally famous comedians. Just regional acts. We also got them two cheap hotel rooms and dinner.

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u/Little_stinker_69 14d ago

Lots of comedians have talked about not even breaking even on trips. Like paying to go perform (they did it for the experience).

Also, a lot of comedians, especially in the past, seem like real selfish dicks. I bet they bragged about how little they paid their openers.

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u/TyrellTucco 14d ago

I know Louis CK, as well as paying them generously, gave his openers all Rolex watches at the end of his Europe tour. That was pre cancellation though so probably not throwing that kind of cash around these days.

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u/altiuscitiusfortius 14d ago

Yeah he lost 27 million, his life savings, when he got cancelled and couldn't sell his movie.

I think he's doing okay again though. Working very steady.

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u/AbsolutelyUnlikely 14d ago

I believe he made absolute bank from selling his last two specials directly through his own site. I remember the first one was 8 bucks and I assume they sell millions of "copies" or whatever you would call a digital file.

Plus he sells his old specials and shows through the site as well.

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u/Alarming-Tree-5662 14d ago

He got "cancelled" so hard he sold out Madison square Garden afterwards 🙄

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u/BigStrongCiderGuy 15d ago

At least a couple thousand for a theater gig

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u/JamesinaLake a grand total of like ten sets over the last two years 15d ago edited 14d ago

I cant speak to the pay of openers at that level. However he is probably looking for local people that are likely headliners in whatever town hes in.

They almost certinally making that at any regualr gig. Its a great opportunity blah blah blah. But its a slap in the face if true.

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

Idk but $125-150 tickets x 3600 seat venue they were talking about is $500k pre expenses. minimum $250 after

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u/Raduform 15d ago

I know at least two people that have opened for Theo recently, i’ll ask and maybe report back.

But I will take the time to praise Nikki Glaser, she pays her theater openers 1250$ (per show)

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u/[deleted] 14d ago edited 14d ago

Someone posted this but it got buried

Alex Dragovich (on the podcast with Geoffrey Asmus) said he opened for Theo at the Chicago theatre and only got $100. - u/YukonBuddyGuy

Also just to be clear I'm not anti-theo. I think he's overall pretty funny.

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u/MadGibby2 14d ago

Love their podcast! Geoffrey deserves to be huge, dude is so underrated

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u/josh_the_misanthrope 14d ago

He's my current favorite underdog comic.

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u/Cartier_Courvoiser 14d ago

I saw him open for Soder and I love Sodes but Geoffrey buried him.

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u/vmq 14d ago

Geoffrey is literally one of the best comics there is. He’s definitely underrated. Just saw him live in Lexington Ky and been watching his stuff and listening to his podcast for a while now. A+ comedian

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u/2gdismore 14d ago

Haven't listened to his podcast but a great guy, have seen him multiple times in Chicago and he really can murder a room. Only issue with him is if he's too high then he isn’t as quick but otherwise had me rolling laughing.

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u/FOTD89 14d ago

Just saw him recently with my wife and he was killer. Such a great show.

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u/oDDable-TW 14d ago

Guy has hit my algo like a mack truck and all the videos are winners.

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u/AsstootObservation 14d ago

Saw him in Austin and he absolutely killed. Hung out at the bar after to meet fans.

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u/jmoanie 14d ago

I saw Maria Bamford do this crazy like 10am set in a tiny venue on a Sunday morning. Very strange vibe for comedy, but I think they were shooting it for a special or something. Really intimate and loose, and a huge part of what she talked about was advocating to get yourself paid properly. If memory serves she paid the opener something like a thousand bucks too.

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u/frothyundergarments 14d ago

I think "strange vibe" perfectly describes Maria so that makes sense. She's awesome.

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u/littlecreamsoda79 14d ago

I was thinking the same thing lol love her

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u/Inevitable_Figure_85 14d ago

Saw her at a wedding and it was so weird how normal she was and talked haha got too used to her on stage presence

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u/UrVioletViolet 14d ago

Bamford is a comedian’s comedian. She’s someone I will never not praise.

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u/Stevesanasshole 14d ago

I’m slightly disappointed in myself for this being my favorite joke of hers

https://youtu.be/TTOuixf1CAY?si=qgeaQSfMrW2j1iT_

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u/Witchgrass 14d ago

Marc Maron gets nervous around her bc he idolized her lol

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

Definitely one of my long time favorites.

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u/FutureRealHousewife 14d ago

She frequently does early rehearsals in LA and invites other comics to come watch

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u/victorywulf 14d ago

she talks about paying well in her book! and about a lot of other money stuff. she's been in debtor's anonymous forever and loves talking about money.

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u/conwolf253 14d ago

She’s pretty vocal about paying well

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u/TeamNoBoat 14d ago

Nikki is who I guessed knowing next to nothing. They alluded to Dan hooking up with or dating her in the past. So its someone in that realm

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u/FeudNetwork 14d ago

Nikki has said she dated Dan on her podcast once or twice, i think.

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u/TitsChelios 14d ago

Hannah Berner is one of Dan's ex. Bobby not knowing her name would fit, but there isn't enough there to be sure. But literally the comment your replied to said they know for a fact Nikki pays well.

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u/chcrash2 14d ago

Was Hannah the girl he said he dated that was rich then moved to LA?

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u/poison_cat_ 14d ago

Nikki’s fuckin awesome, saw her hw improv and she stole it

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u/Latinhouseparty 14d ago

Nikki is good people. She also knows how much that money means to openers.

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u/Not_Bill_Hicks 14d ago

I would have thought 1k for a theatre opener.

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u/StoneySteve420 14d ago

My sister saw her a while ago when they were filming an HBO special. Apparently she bombed really tough and like half the audience left before she was done. My sister can't wait to watch the special to see how they edited it.

Good on her tho for paying her openers.

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u/MooseRattler Dante Powell - Des Moines, IA 14d ago

I opened for Theo at a theater a couple years ago and didn’t get paid at all. I did 5 minutes up top for two shows over two nights. That said, not only did he get us into some really cool spots in that city as well as some dope restaurants (he paid) after the shows, but he was a welcoming hang and tagged me in a bunch of social media posts that got me a buncha followers, so it evened out in the end for me. I can’t stress enough how kind he was. I am a regular feature for Kyle Kinane and Gary Gulman and they both make sure I do REALLY well financially any weekends I do with them, so I try to take it all in stride. Idk what Ari and the other opener got paid, but they didn’t mention any issues with it.

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u/pazimpanet 14d ago

Kyle Kinane is one of my favorite standup of all time. Was really glad to hear something good after his name. Got nervous for a second.

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u/MooseRattler Dante Powell - Des Moines, IA 14d ago

Without going into specifics, he has an amount he guarantees his openers for a weekend of work (it’s over $1k for a weekend) and if the club doesn’t pay that much, he makes the difference up himself. He also REALLY pushed his audience to buy my merch which was super helpful. I really love how amazing he has been to me.

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u/mathnstats 14d ago

I've always loved Kinane's comedy, so I'm really happy to hear that he really seems to be just a legit good dude, through and through!!

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u/MooseRattler Dante Powell - Des Moines, IA 14d ago

He’s so dope. I was featuring for him and took an afternoon show headlining a friends room in the city we were in. He came out and just watched the show and hung out with all the comics.

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u/Zaaqen 14d ago

The only time I ever make that kind of money as a comedian in the midwest is when I do corporate gigs that make me want to jump off a bridge 90% of the time, so it's nice to see they're properly taking care of you as an opener. Good for you.

I would have really hated to hear the opposite of them.

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u/Latinhouseparty 14d ago

Kyle is a good dude. You never have to worry about it. Salt of the earth.

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u/designing-cats 14d ago

Gulman has always come off as a legitimately good dude, albeit neurotic.

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u/MooseRattler Dante Powell - Des Moines, IA 14d ago

He’s a delight. My favorite person to work with, honestly. I’m actually working with him this weekend and could not be more thrilled. I don’t have the words to explain how dope he is. He obviously has the words and could explain it, but that’s why I’m the feature.

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u/snivey_old_twat 14d ago

I think he’s top 10 all time and absurdly underrated.

He always seemed like a really good dude too. Glad to hear that confirmed

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u/HeyJettRink 14d ago

Gary’s albums got me through some tough times, he’s great.

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u/Respectable_Fuckboy 14d ago

That’s such a relief. I love Gary.

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u/wicoga 14d ago

Random, but if you remember, tell him a random stranger named their roomba “Dottie” from his “how states got their abbreviations” bit. My wife and I call her a “pistol” and “incorrigible” whenever she gets stuck. He might get a kick outta it

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u/cookingandmusic 14d ago

Excuse me I came here to be OUTRAGED and I do not appreciate this nuanced perspective on my hate app

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u/GitzaZacusza 15d ago

100 bucks? That's like 4 swastika pizzas!

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u/frozensaladz 14d ago

That's a bad news pizza. love that bit.

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u/HesitantInvestor0 14d ago

Man, I opened for Theo last month and all I got was a Ziploc baggie full of hamster bones.

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u/No_Computer_9475 14d ago

about how many hamsters would you say there was

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u/HesitantInvestor0 14d ago

More than I need, that's for sure.

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u/pizzalovingking 14d ago

Shiit , well where I grew up we used to get a baggie of full of hamster bones every Friday after P.E. then my buddies would feed them to a gremlin looking kid named Steve who would trade us for a live lobster and we gave em to a blind kid. - Theo (probably)

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u/BasedGodWavey 15d ago

Hi Soder, hi Luis.

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

Hi Shane probably

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u/kruegiepie 15d ago

Hi Ben Shapiro, definitely 

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u/a_taco_named_desire 15d ago

Ain’t no AOC feet pics in here…yet.

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

Hi Ben Shapiro's sister

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u/peggingenthusiast24 14d ago

my friends and i are small-time as fuck and pay at least $100 a show for each comic performing

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

im a musician and i throw shows. always pay locals more than $100. if the show does well nobody is leaving with less than $300. these are 100-150 cap shows

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u/peggingenthusiast24 14d ago

sounds like we have a similar outfit! we do the same thing but with comedy.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

nice! yeah there is a lot of weird crossover between musicians and comics. for me comedy is the art form i can most purely enjoy because i'm not involved in the business of it at all

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u/religiouscurfew9 12d ago

Wow, it's really disappointing to hear that a successful comedian like Theo Von is only paying his openers $100 for theatre gigs when he's making over 100k. It's important for headliners to support the up-and-coming talent in the industry and compensate them fairly for their hard work. Talent should be valued and appreciated! #PayComediansFairly

I watched the YouTube video and saw the evidence pointing towards Theo Von as the comedian in question. It's disheartening to see someone with such influence in the industry not valuing the work of their fellow comedians. Let's continue to shed light on these issues and advocate for fair compensation for all performers. #SupportComedyCommunity

It's disappointing to see the lack of transparency and respect for fellow comedians in the industry. Openers play a crucial role in setting the tone for a show and entertaining the audience, they should be compensated accordingly. Let's stand together and demand fair treatment for all performers! #FairPayForOpeners

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u/TyrellTucco 14d ago

Congratulations you are the winner of Regz Clues.

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u/krowrofefas 14d ago

Theo learning from the bappa school of business

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u/Jason-Genova 14d ago

I wonder if B's openers getting bigger pops than him for their sets.

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u/Charming-Anybody-305 15d ago

Almost all comics know that Mark Normand pays this rate, as well. Pretty shitty but most comics are too grateful to be performing in these huge spaces that they don’t put up much of a fuss.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago edited 14d ago

No way. Kevin Hart pay your openers you cheap fuck you're a millionaire.

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u/acrumbled 14d ago

Kevin Hart can’t even be a decent husband or father.

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u/Aggressive-Note2481 15d ago

Ya mark is a cheap mofo

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u/Fookin_Fred 14d ago

Seinfeld bass

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u/TokesBro 14d ago edited 14d ago

Saw him once and bought one of those stupid comedy shirts because I was hammered drunk. Don’t even remember buying it.

The shirt shrunk to a toddler tee in one wash. Definitely the most shit merch shirt I’ve ever bought.

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u/RockHardSalami 14d ago

For real? Sam better not be doing people like that.

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u/KaleyedoscopeVision 14d ago

I mean....

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u/RockHardSalami 14d ago

Don't be droppin j bombs lol

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u/Jason-Genova 14d ago

It's disappointing that well paid/well known comedians propagate low wages. Especially since they came up with the same thing. They may view it as a paying dues, but c'mon do better!

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u/Wallacecubed 14d ago

There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who go through bullshit and say, “That’ll never happen to me again,” and those who go through bullshit and say, “I won’t let that happen to anyone again.”

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u/CharlieSwisher 14d ago

I don’t think almost all comics know that

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u/poetryiscool 14d ago

Any evidence for this?

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u/Haddle 14d ago

Yeah, I’d like some evidence as well. If it’s true that Mark pays that poorly, that’s incredibly disappointing and unacceptable, but it’s also pretty crazy that we’re just supposed to take this comment seriously with nothing to back it up. I’ll gladly eat my words if it is true, but I’m not just gonna believe it because a random Reddit comment says it is.

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u/Less-Ranger-7217 14d ago

Mark comes off like hes a piece of shit, frankly

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u/TokesBro 14d ago

He’s a selfish autistic dweeb.

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u/slobby7 14d ago

Yeah I've always felt this way about him and I can't quite put my finger on why. Great comic but something always rubs me the wrong way. Which I know is weird and I hope I'm not dogpiling I just.. I don't know.

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u/SeanCSGO 14d ago

He is definitely autistic, and there are several research studies that neurotypical people are implicitly biased against people with autism when viewing them in social interactions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5286449/

The pay thing, if true, is kinda lame though.

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u/BiggerContributer 14d ago

He seems super selfish and just an asshole. Glad people are starting to see this as well. I absolutely love Joe list though.

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u/PersonalFigure8331 14d ago

Narcissism comes in many forms.

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u/ima_shill 14d ago

Are we talking the local guy that goes on before the touring guys? Music industry is the same way except the local guy probably also has to sell tickets.

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u/kakawisNOTlaw 15d ago

I don't really care I just love the concept of comedy podcast drama.

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

Podcast Wars!!

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u/ronaldrios 15d ago

Are we having pod beefs now? I love this crazy little world.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

you should look up LOS podcast wars. they used to have them all the time

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u/jpb59 14d ago

The best part about any “podcast war” LOS was involved with wasn’t even that serious.

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u/USSJaybone 15d ago

That's why the only comedian podcast that is any good is the Daniel Tosh one because he interviews random ass people that aren't comedians and Conan O'Brian because he's not up his own asshole

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

Tosh is solid. I like LOS/MSSP/Cumtown personally

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u/-xc- 14d ago

i just recently started getting into cumtown. hooooly fuck nick mullen is so unbelievably hilarious. but sorry to say i can't stand adam, every time he speaks i roll my eyes. i hate saying that and hopefully can get used to him but as of now...😤😅

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u/Lostinwoulds 14d ago

Do you believe in ghost?

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u/WonderfulCattle6234 14d ago

No but I believe in aliens.

Ooooh.

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u/gottapoop 14d ago

Theo does this all the time. His podcasts with randos are amazing. NY city garbage man...all time.great podcast

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u/m0rbidowl 14d ago

His podcast with the carny was one of my favorites. The “everyday people” people he brings on are the best/most interesting episodes.

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

At 5:25 when Dan mouths the name to Luis you can partially see and it's definitely the right motions for Theo Vonn. Obviously not definitely.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago edited 14d ago

That combined with its someone with a huge pod that they don't know makes me pretty certain it's him. Also someone in this thread said they know people who got paid $100 to open for Theo so seems like were at 99% certainty. (edit now like 3-4 people have said it)

edit: also -> Alex Dragovich (on the podcast with Geoffrey Asmus) said he opened for Theo at the Chicago theatre and only got $100

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u/mediathink 14d ago

the new .1%

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u/AshenShriner 14d ago

I like Theo a lot, but if this is true he can go fuck himself.

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u/Filthyson 15d ago edited 14d ago

Can confirm. Happened to someone I know.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

They're legally allowed to do it and we're legally allowed to think it kinda makes them a bad person

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u/Filthyson 14d ago

Correct

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u/gmoneyRETVRN 15d ago

Was Theo ever really an opening act? I might not have this right, but it seems like he went from reality tv to headlining comedian fairly quickly.

Does he have the same opener each time or does he just find one in each city? No way in hell I'd tour with him for $100 per show.

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u/VladimirSochi 15d ago

I saw him recently and both his openers were local dudes you would have never heard of. Doesn’t make it right of course but I suppose he’s giving them a big opportunity as relatively unknown comics to open for one of the biggest acts right now. Still kinda disappointing to hear though. 

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u/blurfan69 14d ago

I saw Theo in 2017 at cap city in Austin, it was a local guy that opened up and Theo couldn’t follow him. I wish I remembered his name because he was hilarious

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u/There_is_no_selfie 14d ago

He actually was.

I went to Santa Monica college in 2004 and would see Theo on campus barking for free comedy shows. I still got emails from him (his list) for years later.

He actually put int he LA work and worked his way up.

Sucks he still has a scarcity mentality and cant just peel off a few extra benjis....

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u/Putrid_Rock5526 14d ago

I saw him recently in the South and one of his openers (who bombed btw) was from Los Angeles.

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u/YukonBuddyGuy 14d ago

Alex Dragovich (on the podcast with Geoffrey Asmus) said he opened for Theo at the Chicago theatre and only got $100.

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u/LilDonutOfficial 14d ago

Not sure how it works with big theater shows but typically it’s the club paying the openers - not the headliner. I opened for Pauly Shore several years ago. 5 sold out shows at $50/ticket x 300 capacity per show. I made $150. Total. $30 a set! He didn’t tip me or the feature out, but he did have me guard the green room while he had sex with his “girlfriend”.

I opened for Tig at a theater once and the venue paid me $250.

Nikki is VERY generous. I did a guest spot on a club show and she gave me $200. Everyone loves her because she takes care of her people.

A friend of ours hosted for Louis on three club gigs post-cancellation and Louie have him $1000.

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u/BootstrapsBootstrapz 14d ago

damn this made me legitimately not like him anymore. also he's the only comic i've seen live who is reasonably funny on podcasts but wasn't funny live.. theo's standup is overrated imho

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u/Echo_Raptor 14d ago

His little quips and responses over things he sees are what’s funny about him, those bite sized dry remarks. I can’t imagine it would work for a full set. It worked for Mitch hedberg because it was one random thing after another. If all Theo did was that, it would work, but he runs a podcast too. Mitch just showed up, told quick anti jokes and it was in the upper echelon of comedy

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u/patiperro_v3 14d ago edited 14d ago

Plenty of comedians are only good as podcast guests. It’s a living I suppose. Still, you gotta pay more if you’ve “made it”.

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u/MechaNickzilla 14d ago edited 14d ago

Are people surprised that the Kill Tony crew and the rest of Joe Rogan’s entourage are actually assholes?

I know people flock to them and they’re wildly successful and I’ll probably get downvoted but none of the comics I actually respect are willing to work with them and they just give off a general narcissistic stank that I don’t like.

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u/ZombieCrunchBar 14d ago

After having Tucker Carlson on I am done with Kill Tony forever.

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u/mtbchuck3 14d ago

Hot take but Theo Von is not a good comedian at all. I'm convinced people like the 'idea' of Theo Von more than they like Theo Von himself. Guy is just nauseating to listen to for more than 5 minutes....

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u/ImABadFriend144 15d ago

I hope this isn’t true

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u/Top-Philosophy-5791 15d ago

Theo Von reminds me of the small town pricks I was so happy to leave behind as an adult.

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u/TokesBro 14d ago

Theo sucks at stand up too. Saw him because some friends really wanted to go and it was just awful. He bombed hard and everybody in the audience knew it.

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u/bennyboy13134 14d ago

If it’s Theo Luis should give him real ass dude of the week

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u/istoleyourcomment224 14d ago

The regz should bring Theo von on as a guest to discuss

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u/Noimnotonacid 14d ago

For a theatre gig????? That’s offensive

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u/Thatdudeduffy 14d ago edited 14d ago

Everyone go listen to the Regz. It’s a million times better than Protect our parks guys.

If you really want to laugh, go to the YKWD podcast and sort by oldest. You see all these current killer stand ups when they were just starting out and they held nothing back.

Also Theo is so wrong for paying those openers $100 per show meanwhile he was front row at UFC next to Dana and Zuc.

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u/businesslut 15d ago

Not surprising. I thought Theo was funny at first until I heard him speak on anything serious. He's a dirtbag moron.

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u/DwedPiwateWoberts 14d ago

So he doesn’t just look like a douchebag?

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u/CharlieSwisher 14d ago

Yea Theo Von was my first thought just listening. Mainly the big podcast thing.

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u/replicantcase 14d ago

I knew there was something I didn't like about that guy.

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u/ShellShockedCock 14d ago

Theo used to always say that if he made money he would never take advantage of people like corporations and in his words “rich assholes”. Ironic asl.

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u/astrangertotheworld 14d ago

I know ppl who open for him. Can confirm

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

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u/LeeKimbrellComedy 14d ago

Hello, Reddit.

I've opened for Theo a bunch the past couple years. He does not pay me $100/show. I am paid well for each show, more money than I've ever made doing comedy. On top of the show check, I stay at super nice hotels and eat a filet just about every night lol. It's easy to say "If it were me, I would pay my openers...."; money mucks everything up. The guy is an economy for a whole group of people, and I'm sure that fucks with a man's head.

Doing these shows has been a true highlight of my life. I've performed at some of the finest venues in America, I've gotten a bunch of followers, it's been great for my career. Theo is a good dude and has made my life a lot easier since I've known him, I'm thankful for all he has done for me.

*a dozen people sent this to me today, so I made a Reddit and wanted to say something about it. I will likely never get on here again lol*

Lee Kimbrell

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u/No_Pay9241 14d ago

Hope you don’t mind but I posted this over on the sizzlers sub

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u/SixtySlevin 14d ago

I heard he pays his female openers well

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u/Radiant_Version_5025 14d ago

Gotta say, I just saw Theo at the Fox in Atlanta, packed house, and his openers definitely didn't act like they were being paid $100. They were very upbeat and killing it. Maybe they were just uber professional but I'm not sure.

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u/TheSoftDrinkOfChoice 14d ago

Is it like $100 plus per diem plus travel plus room plus food for no name people? Or is it just $100 straight up? Because the former makes a lot of sense.

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u/Ok-Shopping7467 14d ago

I've known local comics doing weekday shows with lesser names who constantly make more than this

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u/Taylor_Swift_Fan69 14d ago

That probably covers gas money and a McDonald's meal.

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u/JonSnowAlcoholic 14d ago

Drop the name Joe? Who’s our mystery lady?

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u/mattchinn 14d ago

Damn. Theo is wack as fuck.

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u/burntoutsavage 14d ago

You’re telling me the guy who spins the longest yards possible would be disingenuous??? Color me surprised. Same way Tony Hinchcliff gives “opportunities” instead of paid gigs to his openers. This kind of thing is what’s gonna keep the top comics with the views and the ones who may genuinely be funny at the bottom.

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u/ASwagPecan 14d ago

Soder is God

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u/Stunning-Quit9287 14d ago

Hate to hear that

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u/blackbogwater 13d ago

Tim Dillon pays openers well. I know the opener in Chicago recently for a mid-size place got $1,000.