Known for his “great likability,” Michael Palascak is bringing a hilarious show to Walton Arts Center IN April. Read more about how he started in comedy, his inspiration and his advice to other comedians!
Palascak grew up in Wabash, Indiana, began his career in Chicago and now resides in Los Angeles.
And yes, you’ve probably seen him on either “The Late Late Show with James Corden” or “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” or even on “A Little Late with Lilly Singh,” “Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Conan” or his Comedy Central special. He was a top-five finalist on “Last Comic Standing” where one judge claimed, “my first impression of Michael was a great likability. This is a guy that could star in a sitcom.”
Palascak gets a lot of his inspiration from fellow comic Mitch Hedberg, who inspired Palascak to explore the world of stand-up comedy. Palascak explained that he felt a connection with Hedburg because he was more introverted, which was similar to Palascak’s personality.
Being a middle child, Palascak, of course, felt the need and desire to entertain and get attention. He realized by second grade that stand-up comedy was what he wanted to pursue although he was never the “funny” kid in class. His parents were naturally funny as well, Palascak attributes his sense of humor to them. He got used to hearing and telling jokes as a young kid in his household.
Palascak’s likability allows him to relate to his audiences in a real way which sets up the huge laughs he gets from his sharp, personal material. Palascak explained that when he’s on stage, he tries to talk to the audience like it’s a normal, everyday conversation. He encourages other comedians to give themselves freedom to be who they are.
“In a lot of ways, he represents the ideal antidote to the sort of unbridled cynicism that pervades much of contemporary stand-up,” said Drew Hunt of The Chicago Reader. “Michael’s optimism continues in the new National Lampoon series: The Bright Side where he takes a positive stance on a negative topic that can be funny and ridiculous. Palascak shared that eventually his YouTube series may become a book in the long run.
Consistently writing and performing, Palasack recently released both a new album, The Internet Live through 800 Pound Gorilla, and a new stand-up special on the Dry Bar app, 1984.
Try out The Comedy Zone for a fun date night or night out with friends when Michael Palascak takes the stage on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 pm. Tickets start at just $21, so grab yours now!