An Evening of Stand-Up Behind The Scenes at The Comedy Cellar, The Bars and Dinner With Sam Morril

My friend Danny, the founder of Punchup.live (Social Leverage Fund 4) knows a lot of comedians. He knows I love comedy as well and am fascinated with the world of stand-up.

A few months back he introduced me to his friend Sam Morril (Instagram here)and last night we all went out for dinner - including my daughter Rachel - and a night behind the scenes as Sam performed two sets at The Comedy Cellar.

Sam is also prolific writer and working on his own ‘mockumentary’ and feature film. We got a private screening from Sam at his place before we headed out for the evening.

He and his best friend Mark Normand have also started (self funded) their own Whiskey Brand called Bodega Cat and have a very popular podcast ‘We Might Be Drunk’.

I have been to The Comedy Cellar hundreds of times over the decades, but never through the back doors and the lens of a working stand-up, let alone one of the best on the planet. Sam has been touring the world. The Comedy Cellar’s main stage is in the basement above the ‘Olive Tree Cafe’. Sitting with Sam upstairs as the show went on below, a bunch of comics stopped at our to say hi to Sam including the legend Neal Brennan.

When they came to get Sam for his set, we walked downstairs behind him and sat down as he took a few extra steps to the stage to perform. It was wild to be chatting with him one minute (see picture below about 30 seconds before he went to perform) and the next see him take the stage to perform.

After the set we left with him and walked around the corner to the other Cellar stage where he performed a next set with all new material so we would not be bored.

After the sets, Sam took us to a few of his favorite bars in the neighborhoods around the Village and we had a hilarious time.

I pushed Sam hard to let me do ONE minute before he took the stage but to no avail. Sam also believed I would have been crushed and I have to agree. Sam was very patient and open as I peppered him with questions about other comedians, the life, the business and the grind.

It would not be a night out on the town with me if I did not cause trouble. At Sam’s favorite post set bar The Spaniard, I got carded which which I quickly escalated because of the absurdity (the bouncer did not find my buzzed silliness on point) which got me banned for the evening.

Sam came to my defense outside, tried his best to fix the situation and resorted to Instagram DM to settle the score (see below). He says this story will make his next podcast…their guest is Jerry Seinfeld! Sam also called me his ‘friend’ in the DM so I got that going for me!

I get to do a lot of cool things, but Sam made it a great evening for Rachel and I. Many thanks Sam and Danny.