The Bio
standupMIKE WELCHcomedian
Comedy should provoke, should challenge, as it has done throughout history. Don't let political committees & watchdogs, liberal or conservative, dictate to you what you can & cannot laugh at.
Mike Welch is a professional comedian who flunked high school speech, twice. Formerly the host & producer of his own TV show, COMEDY CLOSET, a sculptor & a cartoonist for NATIONAL LAMPOON and THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Mike looks something like a Renaissance composer or a bohemian college professor & has been described as 'The Frugal Gourmet on acid'...'Erma Bombeck meets Edgar Allen Poe'...'The cocky intellectual' & 'Woody Allen without the neuroses.'
He grew up in a sensory deprivation tank called Iowa where he studied acting, creative writing, long sentences & various escape routes. He eventually defected & now lives in the San Francisco Bay area spending his spare time watching blank tapes & leading a double life of comedian & gamma radiation accident.
Respected as a writer as well as a performer, he is constantly being approached by other comedians to write for them.
Instead of props & tricks, Mike prefers to rely the skillful use of wording, timing, stage presence & delivery. He deals with the issues in his life & life in general via the use of irony, sarcasm, satire & jokes. He is edgy but accessible, cocky but likable. He is smart & insightful, but reaches out & relates to the audience, conveying to them that not only is he smart & hip, but so are they.
Setting the boundaries of what is to come, he can shock you, make you think, push you to the edge & endear himself to you in the first few minutes. When he shocks, he doesn't threaten, but wakes you up, challenges you. Mike is not afraid to express his opinions.
When he makes you think, he doesn't go over your head, but takes you on a leap. When he pushes you to the edge, he courts you back. When he endears himself to you, you'll want to take him home and...(sorry out of space).
Besides being currently in demand for corporate events, Mike is currently working throughout the country where you can catch his act everywhere from 'A' clubs to one-niters at Pete's Plumbing & Pasta Pit.
He has worked with The Righteous Brothers as well as many comedy giants, including Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, Ellen De Generes, Brian Regan, Kevin Pollak & Dom Irerra.
Mike is also a regular guest on The Alex Bennett Show on LIVE 105 in San Francisco.
What people are saying about him:
'The most improved act of the year.' ~~Jimmy Goings, owner/booker ROOSTER T. FEATHERS COMEDY CLUB, Sunnyvale, CA
'I do recommend you check out Mike Welch's set. He has an abstract way of looking at things. One of the funniest comics standing today. Mike has a way of twisting the most normal situations around and putting them in his unique perspective.' ~~LOS GATOS/SARATOGA INSIDER
'He takes a sort of goofy, cynical look at everything from malls and medical care to relationships, marriage and parenthood.' ~~Michael Orrichio, THE SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS
'If Mike would just apply himself, he would be capable of outstanding work.' ~~HIS THIRD GRADE TEACHER
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The Resume
MIKE WELCH, COMEDIAN A TUBE OF COMEDY OINTMENT FOR FAST, SOOTHING RELIEF
Formerly a cartoonist for "NATIONAL LAMPOON" and "THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE", MIKE WELCH is a stand-up comedian who grew up in a sensory deprivation tank called Iowa. He eventually defected and now lives in the San Francisco Bay area where he lives a double life of comedian and gamma radiation accident.
As the 'cocky intellectual' who has broken out of the 'generic white guy' box, his act has been described as "The Frugal Gourmet on acid" & "Woody Allen without the neuroses." Currently working throughout the country, you can catch his act everywhere from 'A' clubs to one-niters at Pete's Plumbing & Pasta Pit.
"He takes a sort of goofy, cynical look at everything from malls & medical care to relationships, marriage & parenthood." --Michael Oricchio, San Jose Mercury News
"One of the funniest comics standing today. Mike has a way of twisting the most normal situations around and putting them in perspective." --Los Gatos/Saratoga Insider
* * * CLUBS (partial list):
COBBS COMEDY CLUB, San Francisco, CA
CATCH A RISING STAR, Reno, NV
PUNCHLINE, San Francisco & Sacramento, CA
TOMMY T's, San Ramon, CA
ROOSTER T FEATHERS, Sunnyvale, CA
LAUGHS UNLIMITED, Sacramento & Citrus Heights, CA
THE COMEDY CIRCUIT, Midvale, UT
THE FUNNYBONE, Boise, ID
THE HOLY CITY ZOO, San Francisco, CA
STARLITE CRUISE SHIP (Pacific Star) , Mexico
KONOCTI HARBOR INN (With the Righteous Bros.) Clearlake, CA
* * * RADIO:
Regular guest on the Alex Bennett Show on LIVE 105 KITS San Francisco, CA
* * * CORPORATE GIGS (partial list):
TANDEM COMPUTERS (TANDEM UNGERMAN BASS NETWORKS) Cupertino, CA
CALIFORNIA MICRO DEVICES San Jose, CA
WYSE TECHNOLOGY San Jose, CA
LORAL ROLM San Jose, CA
RAYCHEM CORPORATION Menlo Park, CA
HEWLET PACKARD Palo Alto, CA
IBM San Francisco Bay (Hornblower Yacht Cruise)
CHRYSLER CORPORATION Pleasanton, CA
SURFACE SCIENCE LABORATORIES Mountain View, CA
VANSTAR Oakland, CA
SILICON VALLEY ASSOC. OF ADVERTISING AGENCIES Redwood City, CA
ST. JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Parent Support Group, Clean & Clever Comedy Night, San Jose, CA
SAN JOSE BREW HA HA FESTIVAL, 1997 San Jose, CA
FOUNDATION PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Sacramento, CA
TURLOCK COUNTRY CLUB Turlock, CA
HOME DEPOT Sunnyvale & Modesto, CA
SAN CARLOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE San Carlos, CA
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, NCO CLUB Fairfield, CA
CREST THEATER HOMELESS BENEFIT Sacramento, CA
* * * REFERENCES (BOOKERS) :
TOM SAWYER, Owner Cobbs Comedy Club, SF (415) 928-4445
ROBERT & JESSICA JENKINS, Owner Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club (408) 736-0921
DONNA RICHARDS, Portland Night & Day (503) 654-0498
SUZI ARCO, The Entertainment Connection (408) 275-6325
TRACY FORESTER, Trafor Productions (415) 343-9334
ROBBYN ESPERANCE, The Entertainment Agency (707) 447-8383
ROBERT E. BANUELOS, Banuelos Management (408) 929-3648
* * * * * * * standupMIKE WELCHcomedian
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Copyright 1997 Mike Welch