#903 - Tony Hinchcliffe & Brian Redban

Tony Hinchcliffe (born June 8, 1984) is an American stand-up comedian , writer , and podcast host renowned for his insult comedy and roast-style performances. He created and hosts the live podcast Kill Tony , a variety show originating in Los Angeles and now primarily recorded in Austin, Texas , where amateur comedians draw names from a bucket to perform one-minute sets critiqued and roasted by a panel of professionals. Hinchcliffe has contributed as a writer to multiple Comedy Central roast specials, including material for the Justin Bieber roast, and performed as a roaster in events such as the All Def Digital Roast of Snoop Dogg and the Roast of Tom Brady . His comedy specials include the one-take Netflix release One Shot in 2016 and the 2025 Netflix production Kill Tony: Kill or Be Killed , derived from his podcast format. Hinchcliffe's boundary-pushing humor, which often targets race, ethnicity, and public figures without restraint, achieved wider visibility through his October 2024 performance at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Madison Square Garden —highlighting his association with Trump—where jokes about Puerto Rico , Latinos, and Kamala Harris provoked backlash from mainstream outlets amid accusations of racism , though consistent with his established roast battle style. Tony Hinchcliffe was born on June 8, 1984, in Youngstown, Ohio , a city historically associated with steel industry decline and organized crime during the mid-20th century. He was raised primarily by his single mother, Joy Hinchcliffe, along with siblings, in a working-class household on the city's north side, amid economic hardship and a reputation for tough neighborhoods. Hinchcliffe attended Ursuline High School, a private Catholic institution in Youngstown, where he later noted connections to local figures like actor Ed O'Neill , an alumnus whose role in Married with Children influenced his early interest in comedy. The environment was marked by challenges, including exposure to street life and family dynamics complicated by his biological father's absence from daily upbringing, though Hinchcliffe has recounted learning in adolescence of his father's alleged ties to Youngstown's mob activities—claims echoed in his podcast appearances but met with some skepticism regarding embellishment . These experiences in a gritty, post-industrial setting shaped Hinchcliffe's formative years, fostering resilience amid reports of a non-traditional family background that included unverified anecdotes of illicit activities like numbers running by his mother. Hinchcliffe's interest in comedy emerged during his childhood in Youngstown, Ohio , amid experiences of bullying in a challenging environment, where he employed humor as a coping mechanism. This early use of wit to navigate adversity laid the groundwork for his later professional pursuits. Influenced by comedians such as Jim Carrey and Don Rickles, he drew particular inspiration from Carrey's depiction of Andy Kaufman in the 1999 film Man on the Moon , which motivated him to seek opportunities at historic venues like The Comedy Store . In 2007, at age 23, Hinchcliffe relocated to Los Angeles to launch his stand-up career. He secured employment as a doorman at The Comedy Store , a position that provided close access to performances by established comedians and facilitated his entry into the local scene. Soon after, he began performing at open mic sessions at the club, marking his initial forays into professional stand-up. This immersion allowed him to refine his delivery and material in a competitive environment known for fostering emerging talent. Hinchcliffe's early sets at The Comedy Store emphasized sharp, observational humor that evolved toward insult comedy , reflecting influences from club regulars and his personal background. By consistently appearing at these venues, he built connections within the industry, setting the stage for subsequent writing and roasting opportunities.

Brian Redban, born Brian Alan Reichle on August 4, 1974, in Columbus, Ohio, is an American comedian, podcast producer, and media personality best known as the original producer and engineer for The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), which he helped launch with its first episode on December 24, 2009. He is also the founder of the Deathsquad podcast network, which supports multiple comedy-focused shows, and he currently co-hosts the live comedy podcast Kill Tony alongside Tony Hinchcliffe. Redban's career in podcasting began in the late 2000s, where he played a pivotal role in establishing early technical infrastructure for shows like JRE, including engineering audio and video production from Joe Rogan's home in California and later from dedicated studios under the Deathsquad network. As a stand-up comedian, he has performed nationally at comedy clubs across the United States and contributed to the growth of the podcasting medium by producing and supporting numerous independent comedy podcasts under the Deathsquad banner. His work has been instrumental in popularizing live-streamed comedy podcasts, with Kill Tony gaining recognition for its unique format of featuring emerging comedians in a talk-show style setting. Beyond production, Redban has appeared as a guest on various episodes of JRE and maintains an active presence in the comedy scene, often blending his technical expertise with on-air humor. His contributions to podcast technology and comedy have positioned him as a key figure in the evolution of digital media entertainment since the early 2010s. Brian Redban, born Brian Alan Reichle on August 4, 1974, in Columbus, Ohio, grew up in the Midwestern city that shaped his early years. As a native of Columbus, Redban spent his formative years in the community, where limited public records indicate a typical upbringing in the region without specific details on family dynamics or personal influences emerging from available sources. While details on childhood hobbies or local events from his pre-adult life remain sparsely documented, his Ohio roots provided the foundational environment before his interests extended toward media and entertainment. Brian Redban, a native of Columbus, Ohio, entered the comedy scene through producing videos for comedian Doug Stanhope and was later hired by Joe Rogan to film, produce, and edit videos during comedy tours, while also performing as a stand-up comedian during his early years in Los Angeles. His initial foray into media work included video production for live comedy events, demonstrating his growing skills in capturing and editing audio-visual content within the entertainment industry. A notable example of this transitional phase occurred in February 2007, when Redban filmed the onstage confrontation between comedians Joe Rogan and Carlos Mencia at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California, an event that underscored his hands-on involvement in the local comedy ecosystem. Through these early gigs and production roles at comedy clubs, Redban honed his abilities in audio and video technology, transitioning from amateur efforts to professional contributions in the field. These experiences laid the foundation for his later media endeavors. Brian Redban began his technical career in media production in the early 2000s, initially working as a self-taught video editor while employed at a Gateway computer store in Ohio. Around 2003, he was hired by comedian Joe Rogan to handle full-time filming, production, and editing of videos for Rogan's website, marking his entry into professional broadcasting roles outside of traditional radio or television. Prior to this, Redban had reached out to other comedians, such as Doug Stanhope , to offer his services in website design and video production, where he filmed and edited footage of Stanhope's shows for online distribution before platforms like YouTube existed.