Killtony

Kill Tony is a live comedy podcast where random open-mic comedians are pulled from a bucket and given exactly 60 seconds to perform their best material in front of a live crowd. After the clock runs out, host Tony Hinchcliffe and the celebrity guest of the week interview and roast the performer with unfiltered feedback. The combination of unpredictable unknowns and major comedy names is what drives the format's loyal following.

The Ooka is a cannabis pipe that gets passed around among the hosts, band, and guests during Kill Tony tapings, and "pass the ooka" has become one of the show's most recognizable running phrases. It captures the loose, anything-goes atmosphere that separates Kill Tony from a traditional stand-up showcase or interview podcast. The phrase even appears regularly in the show's YouTube hashtags, signaling how central it is to the brand's identity.

In October 2024, Tony Hinchcliffe made a joke about Puerto Rico during a Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City, which drew swift backlash from politicians, Latino advocacy groups, and fellow comedians. The incident put Kill Tony and Hinchcliffe into the national news cycle in a way that divided even his existing fanbase. Hinchcliffe defended the remark as consistent with his roast-comedy background.

Brian Redban is Tony Hinchcliffe's longtime co-host on Kill Tony and handles much of the show's live production and technical direction. He is also widely known as the original producer and co-host of The Joe Rogan Experience before departing that show in its early years. His deep background in podcasting made him a natural fit for Kill Tony's fast-moving live format.

Tony Hinchcliffe is an established stand-up comedian who has written jokes for multiple Comedy Central celebrity roasts and headlined his own specials. He is closely associated with The Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, the comedy club where Kill Tony regularly tapes. His roast-writing pedigree and long friendship with Joe Rogan were key factors in building Kill Tony into a major comedy platform.

Kill Tony is primarily filmed at The Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, a comedy club closely associated with Joe Rogan that has become the show's home base. The show also tours regularly, taping episodes in cities across the United States and at venues around the world. Austin home tapings tend to draw the largest and most dedicated live audiences.

Yes, Joe Rogan has appeared on Kill Tony multiple times, including as a guest on episode number 775. Given Rogan's close friendship with Tony Hinchcliffe and his connection to The Comedy Mothership where the show tapes, he is one of the most naturally recurring high-profile guests. Other major names like Shane Gillis, Tom Segura, and That Mexican OT have also made recent appearances.

Aspiring comedians typically enter a random lottery or sign up through the venue on nights when Kill Tony is taping, and selection is not based on experience level or prior credits. There is no traditional audition — just a chance at exactly 60 seconds in front of a live crowd and celebrity guests. A standout Kill Tony moment can go viral on YouTube overnight and meaningfully accelerate an unknown comic's career.

Kill Tony has surpassed 770 numbered episodes as of mid-2026, making it one of the longest-running live comedy podcasts in existence. New episodes release on a weekly basis, and the show's sustained pace across that many installments reflects both its dedicated fanbase and the reliability of its live-format structure. The deep back catalog also gives new fans a substantial archive to explore.

As of 2026, brands sponsoring Kill Tony on YouTube include Tecovas (Western boots and apparel), BlueChew, PrizePicks, Talkspace, and Ethos. The sponsor mix reflects the show's predominantly male adult audience and spans categories from men's health to financial entertainment apps. Ad reads are typically delivered live during tapings, which fits the show's unscripted, in-the-room atmosphere.