Kill Tony
Kill Tony, a live podcast taped in Austin, Texas and all over the world. Featuring Tony Hinchcliffe & Brian Redban and the band with huge celebrity guests.
Kill Tony: The Live Comedy Show Where New Comedians Get Their Shot
Kill Tony is a live comedy podcast and variety show created and hosted by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, with Brian Redban as producer and co-host. The show combines stand-up comedy, interviews, crowd interaction, and unpredictable moments into a format built around giving aspiring comedians an opportunity to perform in front of a live audience and a panel of comedians and guests.
The show debuted on June 3, 2013, and has developed into one of the most recognizable live comedy podcasts. Its central concept is simple: comedians put their names into a bucket, names are selected at random, and those chosen get a limited amount of time to perform stand-up before being interviewed and critiqued by the show’s panel.
What Is Kill Tony?
At its core, Kill Tony is a platform for comedians who want to test their material in front of a live audience.
Each show typically features Tony Hinchcliffe as the host alongside Brian Redban and one or more guest comedians or entertainers. The guest lineup can change from episode to episode, which gives every show a different dynamic.
The most recognizable part of the format is the one-minute comedy set. Aspiring comedians enter their names into the show’s bucket, and performers are selected during the event. When their name is called, they take the stage and deliver their set.
After performing, the comedian joins the panel for an interview. Tony and the guests may discuss the performer’s material, comedy experience, personality, and life. The combination of the short performance and unpredictable interview is a major part of what makes the show different from a conventional stand-up comedy special.
How the Kill Tony Format Works
The basic structure of an episode revolves around several recurring elements:
1. Comedians Enter the Bucket
Aspiring comedians can put their names into the show’s bucket for a chance to perform. Because the selection is random, performers do not know exactly when they will be called.
2. One-Minute Stand-Up
A selected comedian takes the stage and performs a short stand-up routine. The time limit creates a very different challenge from a traditional comedy set because the performer has to establish an idea, deliver jokes, and make an impression in a very limited window.
3. Panel Interview
Following the performance, the comedian sits with Tony Hinchcliffe and the show’s guests for an interview. The conversation can cover the comedian’s background, jokes, career ambitions, and experiences.
4. Feedback and Discussion
The panel discusses the performance and may offer observations about the comedian’s material and delivery. The audience also plays an important role because reactions from the room are part of the show’s atmosphere.
5. Regular Comedians
Performers who make a strong impression can eventually become regular participants on the show. This creates an ongoing connection between individual comedians and the Kill Tony audience.
Tony Hinchcliffe and Brian Redban
Tony Hinchcliffe is the show’s creator and primary host. His role includes introducing performers, conducting interviews, interacting with guests, and guiding the show through its unpredictable moments.
Brian Redban is the show’s producer and co-host. He is also known for his work in podcasting and as a co-founder of the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience.
Their different roles contribute to the show’s recognizable format, combining stand-up comedy with the loose atmosphere of a live podcast.
From Los Angeles to Austin
Kill Tony originally took place at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, one of the best-known comedy venues in the United States.
The show later moved to Austin, Texas, where it went through several venues before establishing itself at Comedy Mothership, a comedy club on Sixth Street associated with comedian Joe Rogan.
The move to Austin became an important chapter in the show’s development. Austin’s growing comedy scene provided a new environment for live recordings while allowing the show to maintain its emphasis on emerging comedians.
Live Audience Is a Major Part of the Show
Unlike a traditional studio podcast, Kill Tony is designed around a live audience.
Audience reactions, comedian performances, panel conversations, guest appearances, and unexpected moments all become part of the episode. This makes the show feel closer to a live comedy event than a conventional interview podcast.
The format has also allowed Kill Tony to move beyond its regular venue and record special episodes in larger locations.
Over the years, the show has appeared in cities across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, including locations such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, London, Manchester, Brisbane, and Sydney.
Kill Tony’s Growing Audience
The show’s combination of stand-up comedy and podcasting has helped it reach audiences well beyond the people attending its live recordings.
Episodes are distributed online, including through YouTube, allowing viewers to watch performances and interviews after the live event.
The format is particularly suited to online viewing because individual comedian performances can stand on their own while full episodes provide a longer-form entertainment experience.
The show has also developed a large community around its performers, guest appearances, memorable sets, and recurring personalities.
Why the One-Minute Format Matters
One of the defining characteristics of Kill Tony is its short performance format.
A comedian normally has only a minute to make an impression. That limitation changes how performers approach their material.
Instead of relying on a long story or extended setup, comedians need to make their material work quickly. For experienced performers, this can be a useful exercise in writing and editing. For newcomers, it provides an opportunity to perform on a significant comedy platform without needing an established career.
The format also means that performances can vary dramatically from one comedian to another. Some performers arrive with carefully prepared material, while others may approach the opportunity more spontaneously.
Guest Appearances
Guest comedians and entertainers are another important part of Kill Tony.
The guest panel can change from episode to episode, bringing different comedic styles and perspectives to the interviews and discussions. Well-known comedians appearing alongside newer performers also create an unusual contrast between established talent and people who may be performing in front of a large audience for the first time.
This combination has become one of the show’s recurring features.
Kill Tony’s Anniversary and Major Live Events
Kill Tony marked its 10th anniversary in 2023, reflecting the show’s long-running presence in the comedy and podcasting landscape.
The production has also expanded into larger venues for special events. Episodes have been recorded before large audiences outside the show’s regular Austin setting, demonstrating how the format can scale from a comedy-club environment to major live performances.
The show’s live-event history includes appearances in numerous major cities and special comedy events.
Kill Tony and the Modern Comedy Podcast
Kill Tony sits at the intersection of several trends in modern entertainment: stand-up comedy, podcasts, livestream-style content, and audience-driven entertainment.
Traditional comedy often depends on established performers appearing in clubs, theaters, television specials, or films. Kill Tony uses a different approach by putting unknown and developing comedians on the same stage as established comedy personalities.
That gives the show a built-in element of unpredictability. Viewers may know the format, but they cannot know in advance who will be selected from the bucket or what their performance will be like.
Where to Watch Kill Tony
New and archived Kill Tony episodes are available through the show’s online distribution channels, with YouTube being one of the primary places audiences can watch episodes and individual performances.
Because episodes are recorded as live shows, viewers can experience the performances, interviews, guest appearances, and audience reactions as part of the same program.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kill Tony
Who created Kill Tony?
Kill Tony was created by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who also serves as the show’s primary host.
When did Kill Tony start?
The first episode of Kill Tony premiered on June 3, 2013.
Who hosts Kill Tony?
Tony Hinchcliffe is the main host. Brian Redban serves as producer and co-host, while guest comedians and entertainers frequently join the panel.
How does a comedian get on Kill Tony?
Aspiring comedians can enter their names into the show’s bucket during eligible live events. Names are selected randomly, giving performers an opportunity to perform a short stand-up set.
How long is a Kill Tony performance?
The show’s signature format gives selected comedians approximately one minute to perform their stand-up material before the interview portion.
Where is Kill Tony filmed?
The show began at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles before moving to Austin, Texas. It has recorded at several Austin venues and is associated with Comedy Mothership.
Is Kill Tony a podcast or a comedy show?
It is both. Kill Tony is structured as a live comedy show but is distributed as a podcast and online video program.
Can new comedians become regulars?
Yes. Performers who make a strong impression can receive recurring opportunities on the show and become regular participants.
Where can I watch Kill Tony?
Episodes and clips are distributed online, including through the show’s YouTube presence and other podcast platforms.
The Lasting Appeal of Kill Tony
Kill Tony’s format is built around uncertainty. Every episode combines professional comedians, first-time performers, guest appearances, audience reactions, and spontaneous conversations.
For aspiring comedians, the show provides an opportunity to perform in front of a large audience. For viewers, the random selection process means every episode can introduce someone they have never seen before.
That combination of stand-up, interviews, live audience interaction, and podcast distribution has made Kill Tony a distinctive part of the modern comedy entertainment landscape.
