Brian Posehn
A giant metalhead unpacking his lifelong nerddom at a slow, defensive lumber.
6 specials · 2002–2017
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Brian Posehn uses his imposing physical size to underline his absolute harmlessness. He speaks in a low, resonant drawl, delivering setups from the back of his throat. He tends to plant himself at the mic stand, shifting his weight while he catalogues his physical flaws. When a punchline hits, he gives a small, satisfied smirk. When a bit misses, he leans closer to the microphone to complain about the crowd’s taste, dropping his deep voice into a defensive whine that contrasts sharply with his frame.
Specials
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A metal-infused stand-up set for the ultimate pop-culture dork.
Self-released · Album · 58 min
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The Comedians of Comedy with Zach Galifianakis, Maria Bamford & 1 more
Four alternative comics test unpolished material in indie rock clubs.
Netflix · 1 h 43 min
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A deadpan half-hour of heavy metal and self-deprecating nerd humor.
Comedy Central · 22 min
On stage
He has been in the room for alternative comedy since the movement took shape. He frequently plays rock clubs and theaters to audiences who share his obsessions. He is a reliable voice for the aging geek, proving that a comic can build a long career out of being a married father who refuses to drop his lifelong attachments to heavy metal and action figures.
His act is built on self-deprecation that stops just short of actual self-loathing. He describes his bodily decline, his dietary failures, and his parenting choices with the exact same flat seriousness he applies to science fiction. He hides tight, traditional joke construction inside a slow, stoner-inflected delivery. He is funniest when analyzing the everyday indignities of inhabiting a body he clearly resents. The only time his deliberate pace breaks is when he gets genuinely agitated about a piece of pop culture, speeding up his cadence to defend a childhood favorite.
His frequent television work matches his stage persona. Whether he is dropping into a sitcom or voicing a cartoon, he plays a large, strange man who is entirely comfortable being exactly what he is.
Turning points
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1995–1998
Breakthrough on Mr. Show with Bob and David
Posehn broke out as a core performer and writer on the seminal HBO sketch comedy show, earning two Primetime Emmy nominations.
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2004–2005
Participation in The Comedians of Comedy Tour
Posehn toured small indie music clubs alongside fellow alternative comics, documented in an acclaimed 2005 film and subsequent Comedy Central series.
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Debut Album Live In: Nerd Rage on Relapse
Posehn established his signature nerd-metal crossover by releasing his debut comedy album on prominent metal label Relapse Records.
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Launch of Actual-Play D&D Podcast Nerd Poker
Posehn helped pioneer early tabletop comedy broadcasting by premiering Nerd Poker on Earwolf before transitioning to an independent fan-supported production.
At a glance
Fans also like
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David CrossAs Posehn's longtime collaborator on Mr. Show and With Bob and David, Cross shares a foundational background in alternative comedy, sketch writing, and irreverent observational humor.
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Doug Benson
A close contemporary who featured Posehn in Super High Me, Benson shares a relaxed standup rhythm rooted in pop culture and stoner comedy.
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Sarah SilvermanPosehn co-starred on The Sarah Silverman Program and appeared in Jesus Is Magic, sharing an edgy, taboo-challenging comedic sensibility.
Podcasts
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Nerd Poker · host
An actual-play comedy Dungeons & Dragons podcast featuring Posehn and fellow comedian friends running tabletop campaigns.
Also on screen
- 1995–1998
- Mr. Show with Bob and David
- 1999–2002
- Mission Hill
- 1999–2003
- Just Shoot Me!
- The Devil's Rejects
- 2007–2010
- The Sarah Silverman Program
A clip to start with
A clip of Brian Posehn