Mike McCarthy was born in Boston but has lived in Memphis for four years now making a name for himself in the Memphis comedy scene. He was a finalist in The Funniest Person in Memphis competition, is a current member of the improv group, Running Gag, and a founder of The Comic Film Society (think live version of Mystery Science Theater 3000).
So how did Mike get started? "It always was my dream to be a stand-up comedian," said Mike. "After my Iraq deployment with the Army, I had some down time, so one day I just decided to look up a local open mic, and it's been the biggest part of my life ever since."
As for Jared, he started improv with the famed Groundlings in L.A. He found his way back to Memphis and is having a great time with doing comedy here. "I found out what made me laugh here," says Jared, "That inspired the experimental stuff that I do a lot. The jokes I do are based on my past which is primarily set in Memphis. Memphis is one of the greatest places I have ever lived, and I've never considered anywhere else home."
You can find both guys at the Memphis Comedy Festival February 16-19.
The Running Gag improv show will be at Cheffie's Cafe on March 2nd.
Mike and Jared's Memphis Recommendations:
Music Venue
The Shell, P&H
Place to eat
Swanky's Taco Shop, Earnestine & Hazel's
Place to be enlightened
Republic Coffee, Memphis Zoo
Other local artists
Brandon Sams, Stephen and Michael Kline, Katrina Coleman, and basically all other local comedians.
Other places
Poplar Lounge Monday Night Open Mic
Worthy Conversation with Mike and Jared
Mike McCarthy
Jared Herring
Other
