logo
TJ Habersaat Doing Time stand-up comedy book interview

TJ Habersaat Doing Time stand-up comedy book interview

New York Post18-07-2025
Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change.
In 2021, comedian JT Habersaat was sitting at home when an epiphany dawned upon him.
'I was reading a lot of books at the time and realized there's no real oral history of stand up,'The Godfather of Punk Rock Comedy' told The Post in an exclusive interview. 'There was a 'Saturday Night Live' one, which was really great, and there were some others that dipped their toe in the water but nothing like what I had in my head.'
So, for the next three years, Habersaat, 49, took it upon himself to contact well-known comic friends of his like Weird Al Yankovic, Patton Oswalt, Maria Bamford, Doug Stanhope and the cast of 'Kids In The Hall' as well as dozens of underground road dogs who haven't had their moment in the sun yet to share their warts and all experiences from starting out at open mics (Part One: 'Humble Beginnings') to dealing with hecklers (Part Two: 'The Life') to anything and everything in between (Part Three: 'Check Drop') in his recently-released tome 'Doing Time.'
Advertisement
'It's a 155,000 word mixtape,' Habersaat quipped. 'If I start to think about the work that went into it, my head hurts.'
When viewed from a 10,000-foot vantage point, readers will find that the multi-talented comic-author has created a hybrid of the best of comedy podcasts like Marc Maron's 'WTF,' Pete Holmes' 'You Made It Weird' and Mike Birbiglia's 'Working It Out' with a laser focus on what the experience of slinging jokes and make 'em ups onstage is really like.
Habersaat explained 'it's important for comics and comedy fans to hear from Patton Oswalt about when he was sleeping on floors or when Todd Glass was 20 and opening for Gloria Gaynor at a state fair. It humanizes everyone.'
Now, with the book on shelves, the DIY artist is promoting 'Doing Time' and on the road opening for Brian Posehn, who fans may remember from 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Just Shoot Me' and 'Mr. Show with Bob and David.'
Advertisement
The pair will be at NYC's City Winery on Monday, July 21.
For more on 'Doing Time,' working with Posehn (as well as with the 'Bitter Buddha' Eddie Pepitone) and everything in between, check out our chat with Habersaat below.
Why should people read 'Doing Time'?
There have been a lot of books about the history of comedy but not really one about people that do it at a bunch of different levels. My book is full of comedians telling you 'this is what it's really like.'
Advertisement
Also, I feel like a lot of people are unaware that there's a working class comedy scene. Comedians like Carmen Morales, Dante Powell, Mo Alexander. They're comics and it's their job.
What inspired you to become a chronicler of comedians?
With much aggravation, I realized I was the guy for the job and this was something that I felt really needed to exist.
When writing, it was important for me to not insert myself into the book. I wanted to be an archivist, stay quiet and let the people speak. The goal was for 'Doing Time'to be warts and all, but not tabloid-y. I wasn't looking for people to talk s– which can make for juicy reading.
Advertisement
Who was your favorite person to interview?
Gregg Turkington, who plays Neil Hamburger onstage. He hadn't done interviews in over a decade.
I didn't know he used to road manage Mr. Bungle and Link Wray. He did a lot of rock and roll stuff. After a pre-interview, he finally agreed to participate and we talked for almost three hours. Now we're good pals.
And now he's back to not doing interviews.
What 's Brian Posehn's act like these days?
We've been doing shows together for well over a decade. When we first met, he was much more considered the 'metal guy' and I was much more the 'punk rock guy.' So we really bonded on that front.
Nowadays, Brian's act is a lot more experience and observational-based. He isn't telling as many rad Slayer stories. He's talking about what it's like to be an aging metalhead stoner raising a 15-year-old and having strangers come up to you and say 'you're the nerdy geologist from 'The Big Bang Theory'' while wearing a Slayer shirt.
He'll also talk about very serious things about a near-fatal car wreck he was in last year to absurd moments on the road.
Advertisement
Do you guys have anything special planned for the City Winery show on July 21?
Sometimes we invite secret guests because it's New York City. We've had people like Todd Barry and Gary Gulman. Different people drop in. You don't know who's going to be with us.
And, since we haven't seen each other in awhile, Brian and I are going to be in really high spirits. For two curmudgeons, that always makes for a good show.
Plus, because it's New York, you want to bring it a little extra.
Advertisement
What's it like opening for Eddie Pepitone?
The best. What's so unique about him is that he doesn't do crowd work, but he pulls things out of the air every night.
I've seen him do a headline set without even touching his material. Not like 'you there, sir. What do you do for a living?' He's not good at that but he'll pull s— out of the air from us walking around a particular city during the day. I have never met another comic that can do what he does.
We have we have a bunch of dates kicking off the end of this month on the East Coast for a week of shows.
Advertisement
(Editor's Note: Pepitone is on tour this September and October).
Chicago Now christened you the 'godfather of punk rock comedy.' What inspired that title?
When I first started doing standup, I opened for a lot of bands like Riverboat Gamblers, Off With Their Heads, The Murder Junkies, The Sword and Lydia Lunch and did stuff like the Van's Warped Tour and the Punk Rock Bowling Fest in Las Vegas.
So my background has always had one foot in that world. Before I got into standup, I ran Altercation Magazine and I've always gravitated more towards nontraditional. For better or worse, punk rock is in my DNA, I can't escape it.
Advertisement
What would you say has been the craziest moment of your career?
Working with Andy Dick. He was beyond intoxicated, wearing a dress and singing Christmas carols. He did 25 minutes ago, flipped up his dress, said 'here's my balls' and then fell offstage.
What do you think stand-up comedy looks like in ten years?
Bill Burr is probably going to be doing important work. I think Jim Jefferies and Doug Stanhope are still going to be doing it. And I think Maria Bamford is going to be doing some amazing left-of-center Andy Kaufman stuff.
I think there's going to be a lightning strike and a fire burnout at a certain point. And the people that are left standing, much like in the nineties, if it's in their blood, they're still going to be doing it.
I don't think standup will be as omnipresent as it is right now in ten years, but I think it's always going to be there.
Other than standup, what is next for you?
I have a screenplay idea I'd like to tackle.
After that, I'd like to work on a new hour. My last hour came out like two years ago. So I've got a new 30 minutes, but I'd like to finalize a new hour.
And, I want to launch an independent film festival that encompasses horror, cult and punk rock documentaries.
Basically a lot of things that are very creatively fulfilling but not necessarily moneymakers.
What comics really excite you these days?
There's a comic in Austin named Avery Moore. She's done Just For Laughs and is part of a hilarious duo called The McCuewans with Mike Wiebe , which is a fake Christian couple that doesn't know they're repressed.
Jim Jefferies. He has a control of a large crowd unlike anyone I've ever seen. I don't think he's dropped a beat on any of his specials. That's another level of lion tamer.
Kyle Kinane. He writes at a level that never lacks quality and puts out an incredibly funny new special every year. He keeps getting better and more insightful and more real and more personal.
Chad Daniels. He recorded two specials in the same night because was more cost effective. Two totally different hours, two totally different 500-person crowds. I don't understand how he does it.
Ali Siddiq. He's one of the most natural-born storytellers I've ever seen. It's like one long conversation, moreso than someone doing bits.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Still need more comedy? Check out our list of all the biggest comedians on tour in 2025 to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Happy Gilmore 2' star Haley Joel Osment makes first red carpet appearance since arrest
'Happy Gilmore 2' star Haley Joel Osment makes first red carpet appearance since arrest

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

'Happy Gilmore 2' star Haley Joel Osment makes first red carpet appearance since arrest

"Happy Gilmore 2" star Haley Joel Osment made a rare red carpet appearance months after his April arrest made headlines. The former child star, now 37, walked the film's red carpet Monday, July 21, at Lincoln Center in New York City. He wore a floral shirt, and white pants for the affair, pairing the look with a matching jacket and slip-on suede loafers. "The Sixth Sense" star appears in "Happy Gilmore 2" (released Friday, July 25 on Netflix) — the brainchild of comedian Adam Sandler — as new character Billy Jenkins in the sequel to the beloved 1996 golf comedy. Osment's appearance at the premiere marked his first major public outing since he was arrested this spring and charged with disorderly conduct for public alcohol intoxication and possession of cocaine at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area resort in Mammoth Lakes, California. 'Happy Gilmore 2': The wildest celebrity cameos, from Travis Kelce to Ken Jennings Earlier this year, Osment apologized for his use of a slur in a statement shared with People and the New York Post April 18 after his arrest footage surfaced. The footage, shared by Page Six, shows Osment calling an officer a "Nazi" and hurling an antisemitic slur about Jewish people. "You'll wish you treated me nicer," Osment said to the officer. As he was escorted into the jail in handcuffs by two officers, the actor said, "Good luck." Osment told the outlets that "I'm absolutely horrified by my behavior. Had I known I used this disgraceful language in the throes of a blackout, I would have spoken up sooner." He added that "the past few months of loss and displacement have broken me down to a very low emotional place." Osment continued: "But that's no excuse for using this disgusting word. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to absolutely everyone that this hurts. What came out of my mouth was nonsensical garbage - I've let the Jewish community down and it devastates me. I don't ask for anyone's forgiveness, but I promise to atone for my terrible mistake." Contributing: Saman Shafiq

Rachel Zegler returns to ‘Evita' — one day after suffering health scare mid-performance
Rachel Zegler returns to ‘Evita' — one day after suffering health scare mid-performance

New York Post

time2 hours ago

  • New York Post

Rachel Zegler returns to ‘Evita' — one day after suffering health scare mid-performance

The show must go on. Rachel Zegler, 24, returned to her role in 'Evita' on Friday, July 25, after abruptly leaving the London Palladium one day earlier due to a mystery illness. The actress marked her surprising return on her Instagram Stories, where she shared several photos of herself back on stage at the West End theater. 10 Rachel Zegler returned to her role in 'Evita' on Friday after abruptly leaving the London Palladium one day earlier due to illness. Instagram/@lulukener 10 Rachel Zegler marked her return on Instagram, where she shared several photos of herself back on stage at the West End theater. Instagram/@loesnikken Zegler also shared a clip of herself taking a final bow at the end of Friday night's show. 'An incredible performance,' one fan captioned a photo that Zegler later posted. 'Me walking into the Palladium for a two-show day here at Evita,' the actress added in another pic shared Saturday morning. 10 The actress also shared a clip of herself taking a final bow at the end of Friday night's show. Instagram/@joshhopkins Although the 'Snow White' actress suddenly left 'Evita' on Thursday evening due to an unspecified illness, People reported that her departure was not announced until intermission. Bella Brown, Zegler's understudy, took over during the musical's second act and performed the production's signature song, 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina.' The London audience was so pleased with Brown's performance that they gave the young starlet an almost five-minute standing ovation. 10 tktk Instagram/@rachelzegler 'Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry,' the actress wrote on her Instagram Stories after Thursday night's show. 'They are pillars of a show! A proud day to be at 'Evita.'' 'What a lucky audience getting to see both me and MY ANGEL REG ZEG!' Brown added in a follow-up post. The Post reached out to Zegler's rep for comment. 10 Rachel Zegler and cast attend the press night after party for 'Evita' at the London Palladium on July 1, 2025, in London, stars as the former first lady of Argentina, Eva Perón, in director Jamie Lloyd's revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. The production, which kicked off in June and is scheduled to run through September, marks Zegler's London stage debut. 'I couldn't be luckier,' the actress wrote on Instagram before the musical's opening night. 'I have such a deep love for everyone who has touched this production.' 10 Rachel Zegler attends the press night after party for 'Evita' at the London Palladium on July 1, 2025 in London, England.'I never thought I would get to live my dream this way. Surrounded by the most amazing people. I feel so held,' she added. Zegler also revealed that starring in Jamie Lloyd's 'Evita' had always been a dream of hers. ''Evita' has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' together on my back patio,' she told Deadline in March. 'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honor unlike any other.' 10 Rachel Zegler out and about in London during a break from 'Evita.' BACKGRID 'The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company,' she said. Still, the 'West Side Story' star's 'Evita' performance has not been without criticism. During the iconic tune 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina,' Zegler leaves the London Palladium stage and performs the song from an outdoor balcony while those in the audience stay inside and watch from a screen. 'I'm excited to see her, but not sure how I feel about paying that much to watch the most iconic moment on a screen,' one person complained. 10 Rachel Zegler performing 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' from a balcony outside the London Palladium. John Rainford / 10 Rachel Zegler performing 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' from a balcony outside the London Palladium. John Rainford/INSTARimages 'Sorry, are you saying I've paid that much for 2 tickets and she's singing the biggest number outside at people who haven't paid?' another paying theatergoer fussed. However, others praised the 'incredible' and 'emotional' balcony scene. 'Absolutely stunning idea and a beautiful symbol – while the rich sit inside the theatre watching from the screen, Evita is outside on the balcony of the theatre addressing all those who can't afford to go to the theatre and/or are living on the streets of London,' one attendee gushed on X. 10 Rachel Zegler and backup dancer Nathan Louis-Fernand at a Sabrina Carpenter concert together on July 6. BACKGRID Meanwhile, Zegler has been enjoying her time behind the scenes of 'Evita.' She was spotted kissing backup dancer Nathan Louis-Fernand at Hyde Park earlier this month, and the pair were pictured holding hands at a Sabrina Carpenter concert on July 6. Zegler previously faced backlash while promoting Disney's live-action 'Snow White,' which flopped at the box office earlier this year. After slamming those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 election, she allegedly butted heads with co-star Gal Gadot over their differences regarding the Israel-Palestinian war in Gaza.

Jade Shenker of Netflix's 'Owning Manhattan' dishes on labiaplasty
Jade Shenker of Netflix's 'Owning Manhattan' dishes on labiaplasty

New York Post

time3 hours ago

  • New York Post

Jade Shenker of Netflix's 'Owning Manhattan' dishes on labiaplasty

A Big Apple realtor famous for wheeling and dealing on Netflix's hit series 'Owning Manhattan' went to Turkey for her boldest renovation to date: labiaplasty. 'The experience was amazing…and I'm already feeling the confidence boost one million percent,' Jade Shenker gushed to The Post less than three weeks after going under the knife. Soon after ending her nearly decade-long relationship last year, Shenker, 29, learned about labiaplasty from a girlfriend who had just undergone the cosmetic genital procedure — also known as 'designer vagina' surgery — and was immediately sold on the idea, she recalled. Advertisement Jade Shenker couldn't be happier with her labiaplasty experience earlier this month, she told The Post. Helayne Seidman 'Even though I like dressing sexy and that makes me feel confident, as far as being intimate, I've always been very shy. Especially being newly single, I was like, why can't I have that same confidence in other areas of my life?' Shenker said. For 'purely cosmetic reasons,' she reached out to Upper East Side plastic surgeons who charge nearly $15,000 for the procedure, but didn't feel inspired by the interiors they designed. Advertisement 'Their before and afters were okay,' Shenker said with a shrug. But all bets were off when she came across Dr. Mehmet Bekir Şen, a plastic surgeon dedicated to the procedure in Istanbul, Turkey. 'I loved the aesthetic of his work versus anyone else's work,' Shenker said, noting that the Euro doc's ooh-la-la vulvas looked 'evenly puffed and less pigmented' than other designer vaginas she'd seen. Advertisement The Upper West Sider signed up for the full package, which included reshaping the vaginal 'lips' by removing excess tissue with a scalpel or laser, cutting the clitoral hood and 'puffing' the labia majora, by using fat from her inner thighs. She originally booked the procedure for July 9, but moved it up to July 4 after an ominous warning from her astrologist. 'There was a full moon on July 10, so she was like, 'Jade, I prefer you not get it done on the 9th because it's too close — we're already in a retrograde and doing it so close to a full moon, it would be more likely that you'll have complications and it will take you long to heal,'' Shenker said. She walked 10,000 steps without a problem just a day after two hour, $5,500 procedure. Advertisement And her new coochie is as couture as the penthouses she hawks. 'This surgery proves that cosmetic stuff is not about other people…it's literally just about how I feel,' Shenker said. 'I wanted and paid for the perfect vagina,' Shenker boasted. 'This surgery proves that cosmetic stuff is not about other people — it's not about the male gaze or the female gaze — it's literally just about how I feel. It's me feeling like I am the person that I want to look at in the mirror every day,' she added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store