BWCS sits down with local legend and Funny Bone emcee Brad Wilhelm. Brad is an extremely active member in the both the Bloomington comedy community as well as the Bloomington community itself. In the third edition of BWCS’ interview series, the “Brad to the Bone” host discusses his comedic life.

BWCS: How long have you been working in comedy? Where did you get your start? Why did you want to do comedy in the beginning and did you ever foresee the path it would take you on? Did you watch a lot of comedy growing up? If so, who inspired you the most or in general who did you find funny?

BW: I have been working for traditional stand up shows for over 12 years. However, since 1987 I had been doing comedy rock and roll shows with my 2 man absurdist band, The Tone Ales, and then with a full blown punk rock/theatre band called The Plastic Cheeses. Each show featured a theme and skits written to fit that theme that were enacted between song sets. One of those themes was a wrestling show that evolved beyond the band into a series of high profile ( and high expense) comedy wrestling shows that featured large casts. Lights pyro, sets, and multimedia. I wrote and produced those as well as acted in them.
As a kid growing up in the 70s I loved, LOVED I say, Richard Pryor and George Carlin. We used to sneak their albums and listen to them in darkened basements so no one’s parents knew we were listening to such filth. Then I had the Steve Martin “Let’s Get Small” album memorized…
In High School, I was more of a sketch guy. SNL was at its peak, Monty Python were still making movies (I still to this day love the Monty Python albums and films. Life of Brian is on my top 10 movie list), and the National Lampoon was still publishing UNBELIEVABLY bright and hysterical magazine. (Do yourself a favor and find any NL collection from 1971-79).
The one stand up from this time that I still love is Andy Kaufman. Everyone calls Andy a genius now, but when he was performing, most people didn’t get it. He made me cry from laughing so many times.Ah, sweet nostalgia.
Then there were the movies of that time: Animal House, Caddyshack, Stripes, The Rutles TV show, and on and on. These are what formed my view of funny – not stand up. I HATED stand up in the 80s during the comedy club boom. A lot of great writers and stand ups came out of that time, but that’s not what was being shown on TV.

Wait, what was the question?

Oh right. No, I never saw myself as a stand up comedian (still don’t) or working in stand up comedy. I didn’t like it.

In 1992, The then owner of Bear’s (not the current owner) asked me to MC a Karaoke night he was starting. I don’t sing, so I just announced, and that slowly evolved into me making sarcastic, biting remarks to the participants before and after their performances. It was always packed with drunken Greek IU students and they WANTED me to cut apart their friends.I hated it. But, for 5 years I got 5 hours weekly, unscripted crowd work.

In 97 Bear’s asked me to take over their Monday night comedy show, and I said yes to get me out of Karaoke. Over the next 12 years I developed a real admiration and appreciation for the art form that is stand up comedy. Whew.

BWCS: You hosted Comedy Caravan at Bear’s Place for many years, can you explain the falling out that occurred between you and the management?

BW: Essentially, I was fired for hosting a one night show at the Funny Bone as a favor for a friend. I checked with Tom Sobel who books the Comedy Caravan and with Bear’s manager, and they had no problem with me doing it. The owner did,
so without discussion, I was asked to never come back after 12 years.

And I haven’t.

BWCS: You now host shows regularly at the Funny Bone Bloomington. Can you tell us about the show you host? And also can you compare your experiences working the Funny Bone versus working at Bear’s Place?

BW: I am now the regular Thursday night host at the Fabulous Funny Bone. I also do weekend nights on occasion.It’s night and day between the 2. I’ve had to adjust my style to fit a more traditional hosting role. Bear’s was like the wild west – and I was the kindly yet firm sheriff who played by his own rules.
At the Funny Bone, it’s a “real” comedy” club, and I have to perform accordingly. It takes more discipline from me since I RAN the show. At the Funny Bone, I am given more freedom than any of the other MCs I think, but I’m not running the club.
Which is the way it should be. I love the time I get at the FB, and am eternally grateful that they give me the opportunity to be a wiseass once a week.

BWCS: You have worked in comedy for quite awhile and have worked with a lot of great comedians. What are some of your personal favorites that you’ve gotten to work with over the years? Do you have any particularly interesting/funny anecdotes you could share concerning working with or meeting one these comedians?

BW: Most of my funny anecdotes are not for publication in any form.
But my favorites are Ron Shock, Greg Morten, David Crowe, Maria Bamford, Chad Daniels, Auggie Smith, Greg Warren, Jeff Caldwell, Jimmy Pardo, …the list goes on and on. There are also many comics who I’ve worked with over the years that I now call my friends.

BWCS: Are their any comedians coming to town in the near future that you are particularly excited to work with and why so? If you could request any living comedian to work with, who would it be and why?

BW: Todd Glass is someone I’ve never worked with and I find very funny. Stewart Huff is coming as a headliner and his is one of my best friends in comedy. Great guy and an act like no one else in the business. Tommy Johnigan is coming up to and he’s great both as a comic and a good guy. Greg Warren will be here for New Year’s Eve and THAT should be amazing. And Maria Bamford is coming back as well.

Of course I’d love to work with the big names like Chris Rock or Jon Stewart, but that ain’t gonna happen. I’d like to work with David Cross, but I’m betting he’d be a dick.

BWCS: Since you have a lot of experience in the world of comedy and have worked with some of it’s biggest stars, do you have any advice for young comedians trying to make it in the business? Also, do you enjoy working with younger comedians? And if so, why?

BW: If I don’t enjoy it, why can’t I say “Why not”? Thankfully I DO enjoy working with the younger local comics. They are full of optimism and enthusiasm, where “seasoned” vets can be surly and depressing. My general advice is usually similar – 1)“Force yourself to write everyday – even if its crap.” I compare it to a shot gun blast. You might fire 99 pellets that miss, but one is bound to hit. (That’s my dating advice too) and 2) Get on ANY stage ANYwhere ANYtime you can. There is no substitute for stagetime. Do your stuff in front of people who don’t care. Develop the skill of crowd work. Learn to read an audience. Learn how to bomb with grace and learn from every time you perform. There is no way to teach that, you just have t do it.

BWCS: You are not only greatly involved in Bloomington’s comedy community, but also readily involved in the greater community of Bloomington itself. Can you share with us what current projects in which you are currently involved? Can you share with us any particular rewarding experience you have experienced over the years?

BW: Well, my “real” job has been as the Director of Rhino’s Youth Center for the past 17 years. We’ve grown it from a one night a week all ages club to a nationally recognized youth center and I’m very proud of that. I work with a lot of local social service providers on youth issues, and currently serve as the Director of the Southern Indiana youth VOICE , which is a state wide – youth led, anti tobacco industry movement. I also serve on the the executive committee of the United Way agency Directors association and the local board of the Governor’s Commission for a Drug Free Indiana. And I’m a ridiculously devoted Dad to my 10 year old daughter, Samantha.

My job itself is very rewarding, but also stressful and immersive. That’s why those 10-15 minutes I get onstage each week mean so much to me. It’s the one time that I feel completely in control and at ease. I don’t get “stage fright,” I get excited.

BWCS: When you someday retire from doing comedy, what would you want your legacy to be?

BW: Best Comedy Host Ever.

BWCS: What does Brad Wilhelm want for Christmas?

BW: Peace on Earth…nah I really want a new recliner.

BWCS: Favorite Mitch Hedberg joke?

BW: No one particular fave.

BWCS: Anything you want to plug and/or say in parting?

BW: Onstage now, I say that the Bloomington Funny Bone is the best Comedy Club in the mid west. I mean that sincerely. The line up of amazing top flight comics each week, the devotion to giving young comics an outlet and stage time, and the fact that the Thompsons are GOOD people make that statement true.

Thanks to Brad Wilhelm for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer these questions and be sure to check out Brad every Thursday at 8 p.m. as he hosts Brad to the Bone at the Funny Bone Bloomington (4th & Walnut).

To view other entries in the “This Comedic Life” interview series click here.

Interview conducted by Joshua Murphy