Josh Means Business

Sacramento comedian Josh Means splits his debut special into two distinct halves, prioritizing a community roasting session over a traditional hour of solo material. Filmed at Laughs Unlimited in his hometown, the first twenty minutes feature Means running through a set of stand-up that touches on everything from the politics of Kyle Rittenhouse to the logistics of working with kids. He performs with a self-effacing energy that sets up his own vulnerabilities before handing the microphone over to his peers.

Because Means serves as the president of Roast Battle Bay Area, the remainder of the show is dedicated to a live roast of Means himself. A lineup of Northern California comedians, including Colin Casados and Kala Keller, take the stage to systematically dismantle his career and personal life. The March 2023 release, distributed by Four by Three, subverts the standard vanity project by turning a solo debut into a showcase for his local scene.