Brian Simpson

He filmed the first special ever shot at the Comedy Mothership in Austin, anchoring him in that city’s club scene. He is a fixture there, bringing a heavy, grounded presence to lineups full of higher-energy acts.

His usual move is constructing a careful, methodical defense for an abrasive idea. He leans into his own stubbornness, defending archaic rules for men or explaining why he fundamentally enjoys being a hater. The laugh rarely comes from the initial shock of the statement. It comes from the logical, brick-by-brick rationale he uses to back it up. If a crowd groans at a setup, he just stares at them until they finish, then picks up exactly where he left off. He is funnier the more annoyed he pretends to be.

He grew up in foster care and served in the Marine Corps. He uses those facts on stage to explain his lack of patience for everyday complaints. He has already been through worse, so minor inconveniences just bounce off him. He also hosts a podcast, bringing that same skepticism to conversations with other comics.