One of the many highlights of my experience at the Beyond Reality Event at the Mt. Washington Hotel was getting to see comedian Mike Brody perform. I had seen him eat hot sauce with Jason, Grant and Britt on Ghost Hunters, and watched some of his stand-up online but seeing comedy in person is always the best time.
When Mike performs he mixes his love for the paranormal into his comedy routine and it’s a completely unique form of entertainment. His wit is razor sharp and he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll meet.
Mike was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to answer a couple of questions for us at Tara Normal.com!

Q: When did you start doing stand-up comedy?

Mike Brody: I started in September of 2000 in Iowa. Although I don’t feel like I really started going after it until February of 2002 when I moved to Minneapolis and started performing 6-7 times a week at open mics. In Iowa, there was one open mic a month in my town. Minneapolis is graet. There is and always has been a great comedy scene there. Some of the best, most clever comics in the country are from there or have started there. So it was great to learn from them.

Q: Who are your biggest comedic influences?

Mike: My two biggest influences are Mitch Hedberg and Bill Hicks. It’s weird, but I don’t think my style actually resembles either of theirs. But both of them made me realize that comedy could be whatever you wanted it to be. You could be original and still make “mainstream” audiences laugh. Also, I grew up devouring all those 80’s comedy shows like MTV’s Half-Hour Comedy Hour, A&E’s Evening at the Improv, etc. And my group of friends from high-school/college influenced my humor a bunch too. They were some of the funniest guys I ever met, but they just couldn’t do it on stage I guess. Hard to be a comedian when you’re plumber from Mason City, IA, I guess. (True story: He is bald and works for Roto-Rooter. Go figure.)

Q: I was lucky enough to see you perform at Mt. Washington last April. I’ve never seen a comedian do ‘paranormal’ comedy. When did you decide to combine your interest in the paranormal with your stand-up?

Mike: Well, I’ve always been interested in the paranormal since I can remember. So when you do comedy, you write about what you are interested in and what you know. So it just kind of came about naturally. Next thing I knew I had a good chunk of paranormal material and I was getting offered to do shows for Beyond Reality Events. It’s a dream gig. What other gig can I talk about the Mothman and not even have to set up who he is? They already know! It rules. And generally paranormal people have a good sense of humor so it’s always a blast. One lady got touchy about Succubuses, but I’m not going to argue with that.

Q: Do you find your sense of humor helps while investigating? At least to keep the edge off? I think if more people had a sense of humor with Freddy Krueger he might’ve let them live, you know?

Mike: It just depends. I love comedy and I love the paranormal. People know I’m a comedian during investigations, but I don’t want them to think I don’t take it seriously. Because I do. It depends on who I’m with. I kind of free-lance around with different groups and sometimes I’m all business. But if you get me together with the Wolfe Manor boys then look out. Those guys are hilarious. Seriously, they crack me up. But I guess comedians look at things differently then some people? Sometimes I’m not even trying to be funny and people laugh. We were doing a K-2 session at Mt. Washington down in the basement and I asked “Do you watch us in the shower?” and people laughed. I think it’s a very valid question! I pity the ghost that watches ME in the shower, though. Must be slim pickins. Oh, and Freddy Krueger just wants to be loved. Dude’s like Bugs Bunny sometimes. All he needs is some Acme bombs or anvils. Tears of the clown. Or in this case, the psychopathic undead burn-victim janitor.

Q: You recently spent a night to investigate Alcatraz (Check out his article of the investigation at Ghost Village.com!) You were awarded an Alcatraz Overnight Badge as a result of your bravery. Be honest, are you going to wear the badge everyday? I totally would.

Mike: I already wear it. I sewed it to the front of my shirt and I wear that shirt everyday. Then I go to Boy Scout meetings and point to my shirt and say “You’re not that special!”

Q: Glorious. Would you ever want to help Tara Normal on a cartoon mystery? We could probably arrange so you could drive the Mystery Machine or at least punch Fred.

Mike: Uh, YESSS! Wait, which one was the hot one? Velma? No, I think that was the one that looked like Peppermint Patty. Just hook me up with the hot one. And if you can make it look like I don’t run like a duck (like I do in real life) I would appreciate it.

Awesome! We will make sure when you run in the comic you run like a champion and hook up with Daphne (that’s the hot one) all at the same time because that’s how we roll. That’s the beauty of comics- you can be anything you want to be. We actually want to be at one of Mike’s comedy shows right now and you should too! Check out his website for all his tour information and watch videos of his stand-up!
http://www.mikebrody.com/Mike_Brody/COMEDIAN_MIKE_BRODY.html

You can also read his blog here: http://mikebrodycomedian.blogspot.com/

Thank you again Mike for answering our questions and we’ll see you in a Tara Normal comic soon!

Here’s Mike on UFO’s!