STAND-UP GLOBAL
Downstage Entertainment is proud to be working with Stand-Up Global (www.StandUpGlobal.com), a full service comedy management company, to bring their artists to venues all over the country.
Stand-Up Global also produces hundreds of live events annually and owns and operates Joketix.com (ticketing platform), MerchPark.com (merchandise platform), TheComicsGym.com (podcast platform), and WatchLiveNow.com (live streaming platform). Five of Stand-Up Global’s artists that we are highlighting are:
NICK DI PAOLO
In this day and age of politically correct/”woke” comedy, Nick Di Paolo's brutally honest performances are reminiscent of what great stand-up should be: laugh-out-loud funny, socially relevant, and coated with some recklessness.
His pointed political opinions and razor-sharp wit make him ideal for talk radio. He currently hosts “The Nick Di Paolo Show” Mondays through Thursdays (available on TheComicsGym, Patreon, Facebook, and others), has been featured on “The Nick Di Paolo Show” on SiriusXM, and “The Nick & Artie Show” on DirectTV.
Late night talk show fans have seen him perform on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Conan. He was Emmy-nominated twice for his writing on HBO’s The Chris Rock Show. Nick has also had three half-hour standup comedy specials on Comedy Central, and four one-hour specials: “A Breath of Fresh Air” (2019), the immensely popular “Raw Nerve”, “Another Senseless Killing” and “Inflammatory” which was recorded at Comix Comedy Club at Foxwoods Casino. He was a regular guest on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and was a fixture on many Comedy Central Roasts.
In addition to stand-up comedy, radio, and writing, Nick has had TV roles on FX’s Louie, Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer, HBO’s The Sopranos, Cop Show, and Louie CK’s critically acclaimed Horace and Pete, and numerous sitcom appearances.
Jim florentine
For nearly 25 years Jim Florentine has been making audiences around the world laugh across nearly every type of media.
Jim has recorded six stand-up comedy albums and shot four full-length specials. On television, Jim hosted 7 seasons of VH1 Classic's That Metal Show and lent his voice to the groundbreaking Crank Yankers on Comedy Central. On radio, Jim has been a regular on The Howard Stern Show, the Opie & Anthony Show, and he currently hosts his own program on Sirius XM. In addition, Jim is a best-selling author, world-renowned voice over talent, and has been featured in the film's Beer League with Artie Lange and Trainwreck with Amy Schumer.
Jim’s podcast “Everybody is Awful…Except You” has been met with rave reviews.
Jim's TV & Radio Appearances include: VH1 Classic's That Metal Show, Comedy Central's Crank Yankers, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, The Howard Stern Radio & TV Show, NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly, NBC’s The Apprentice, HBO’s Inside the NFL, CBS’ Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Fox News’ Red Eye, E!’s Chelsea Lately, and the MTV Music Video Awards.
luis j gomez
Luis J. Gomez is a comedian, writer, podcaster, and producer based in New York City. He is most known for being one of the hosts of the popular podcast Legion of Skanks. His television appearances include NBC's "Last Comic Standing", Comedy Central's "Roast Battle", TruTV's "Comedy Knockout", two seasons of NBC Seeso's "What's Your F@%king Deal?!", and more.
Luis co-hosted "The Countdown" on Sirius XM's RUSH channel 93 alongside former UFC middleweight Champion Michael Bisping for 2 years. In 2017 they turned the show into the podcast "Believe You Me" which debuted at #1 in iTunes Sports.
He regularly appears on Bennington, Jim Norton and Sam Roberts, The Bonfire and UFC Unfiltered.
Recently, Luis performed at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and was named a "Breakout Performer" by Time Out NY. In 2016, Luis started the GaS Digital Podcast Network with his good friend, and fellow podcaster, Ralph Sutton. He hosts three podcasts on the network (Legion of Skanks, Believe You Me, and Real Ass Podcast). That same year he co-created the comedy festival Skankfest NYC which has now sold out 3 years in a row and has amassed a cult-like following among comedy fans worldwide.
KURT METZGER
Kurt Metzger is one of the most talented writers and stand up comedians today. A Philadelphia native, Kurt started in the local scene with friends and comedians Kevin Hart and Big Jay Oakerson. Kurt moved on to New York, where he performs regularly at New York’s top comedy clubs, including Stand Up NY, Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, and the famed Comedy Cellar. A local favorite, he was accepted to Montreal’s prestigious Just For Laughs Festival, where he was a standout performer on their ‘New Faces’ show. Kurt has appeared on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, VH1’s Best Week Ever, CBS’s The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Showtime’s White Boyz in the Hood.
He has also guest-starred in IFC’s Z-Rock as well as Comedy Central’s ‘Important Things with Demitri Martin.’ A prolific joke writer, Kurt served as a writer for Chappelle’s Show as well as the Comedy Central Roast series. He also became a series regular on Comedy Central’s animated Ugly Americans series, providing the voice of Randall Skeffington. He has appeared on Kurt released his new album Kurt Metzger Talks To Young People About Sex to strong reviews from both comedy critics and fans. In 2012, Kurt taped his hit one-hour special White Precious.
ARTIE LANGE
For over 30 years Artie Lange has been making people laugh as a stand-up comic, television and film actor, best-selling author and radio host. Starting in the comedy clubs of New York City, Artie helped to create the popular sketch comedy group Live On Tape. His breakout work with Live On Tape led him to TV as one of the original series regulars on FOX’s Mad TV and then as a regular on Norm McDonald’s The Norm Show.
In 2001, Artie became a beloved regular on The Howard Stern Show, and was featured in the films Old School, Elf and he starred in Artie Lange’s Beer League.
His first memoir, Too Fat To Fish was published in 2008 and debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at #1. Upon leaving the Stern Show, he continued in radio both with The Artie Lange Show and subsequently The Anthony Cumia Show while continuing to tour as a stand-up comedian.
Artie returned to television in 2015 with guest appearances on The Jim Gaffigan Show followed by the HBO comedy series Crashing. He is currently working on his 4th book, a film documentary of his life, and his new Podcast, Artie Lange’s Halfway House (1.5MM+ views), has been receiving rave reviews since its December 2, 2019 debut.