Killers of Kill Tony brings some of the most recognizable performers from the Kill Tony universe to theaters across the country. Rather than recreating the show’s famous one-minute bucket pulls, the touring production gives established performers more time to develop their material, work with the audience and show what their stand-up looks like beyond a single appearance on the weekly show.
The appeal starts with the comedians themselves. David Lucas became known for his rapid-fire roasting and exchanges with Tony Hinchcliffe. Hans Kim built a following through his recurring appearances and understated delivery. Martin Phillips became a familiar face after earning his place as a recurring performer, while Ari Matti introduced audiences to a distinctly international perspective. William Montgomery, Kam Patterson and Casey Rocket represent very different approaches to performance, from unconventional timing and character-driven comedy to high-energy stage work.
Together, these performers illustrate what makes the Kill Tony ecosystem different from a traditional comedy club. The show has become a place where unknown comics can suddenly attract a large audience, recurring performers can develop recognizable personas, and established comedians can return alongside newcomers and high-profile guests.
At the center of that ecosystem is Tony Hinchcliffe, the comedian who created and hosts Kill Tony. The show began in 2013 with Brian Redban and developed around its now-famous bucket-pull format: aspiring comedians enter their names for a chance to perform a short set in front of a live audience before facing an interview and commentary from Hinchcliffe and the panel. Over the years, that simple idea has grown into a major live comedy platform.
The show’s current home, Comedy Mothership in Austin, has become an important part of that story. The venue provides a permanent base for Kill Tony while the touring production allows its most recognizable performers to take the comedy beyond Austin and onto stages in other cities.
That distinction is important when looking at the Killers of Kill Tony lineup. The touring show does not have one fixed cast that appears at every performance. Instead, individual event dates can feature different combinations of comedians. A particular night may include David Lucas, Hans Kim and Martin Phillips, while another may feature Timmy No Brakes, Ari Matti or other performers connected with the Kill Tony community.
For fans, that changing lineup is part of the attraction. Some people attend because they want to see a favorite comedian perform a full stand-up set for the first time. Others are interested in discovering performers they know from clips, podcast episodes or viral moments but have never seen live.
This guide takes a closer look at the comedians associated with Killers of Kill Tony, how they became part of the wider Kill Tony story, what distinguishes their comedy styles and how the touring format differs from the original show. It also covers the tour structure, featured performers and what fans should know when checking the lineup for a specific performance.
What Is Killers of Kill Tony? The Story Behind the Live Comedy Show
Killers of Kill Tony is a touring stand-up showcase built around comedians who became recognizable through Kill Tony. The concept grew out of the show’s success and the growing popularity of its regular performers. One of the earliest confirmed Killers of Kill Tony dates took place in July 2024, when members of the Kill Tony cast began taking the longer-form live format to theaters outside the show’s regular Austin setting. The project continued to expand through 2025 and 2026, developing into a touring showcase rather than simply an extension of the weekly recording.
Instead of recreating the original show’s one-minute open-mic format, the touring production brings several regulars and fan-favorites together and gives them substantially more time for their own material. The official production describes the concept as a live lineup of performers who have appeared on Kill Tony, with longer stand-up sets presented during the same show.
The touring lineup has included performers such as Ari Matti, David Lucas, Hans Kim, Timmy No Brakes, Martin Phillips, William Montgomery, Ahren Belisle, David Jolly, Dedrick Flynn and Pat O’Neill. The lineup is not identical at every performance, so individual event listings matter when deciding which comedians will actually appear on a particular date.
How Kill Tony Started: From The Comedy Store to a Global Comedy Phenomenon
The story begins on June 3, 2013, at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. Tony Hinchcliffe and Brian Redban launched a live comedy format that gave aspiring comedians an unusual opportunity: instead of booking a conventional open-mic slot, they could put their names into a bucket and potentially be selected at random to perform.
The original concept was built around a strict one-minute limit. After the performance, the comedian was interviewed by Hinchcliffe and the panel, creating a combination of stand-up, improvisation, criticism and roasting that was unusual for a traditional comedy club show. The format remains central to Kill Tony more than a decade later. At Comedy Mothership, comedians still sign up before the show, names are selected, and chosen performers receive 60 seconds before the interview begins.
What started as a small club production eventually developed into one of the most recognizable live comedy shows in the world. The program moved from Los Angeles to Austin and ultimately found a permanent home at Comedy Mothership. Its growth was also reflected in increasingly large live events, including the 2024 Kill Tony tour and two sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden.
That history is important to Killers of Kill Tony because the touring show grew from the community created by the original program. Performers who first attracted attention through short appearances on Kill Tony could eventually build substantial audiences of their own. The touring format gives those comedians the opportunity to present much more of their individual material.
Tony Hinchcliffe and the Creation of Kill Tony
Tony Hinchcliffe is the creator and central host of Kill Tony. His background helps explain the show’s distinctive combination of stand-up, interviews and roasting. Hinchcliffe has built his career around stand-up and roast comedy and has written for eight Comedy Central Roasts. He later appeared in Netflix’s Roast of Tom Brady, further establishing his reputation for sharp, confrontational comedy.
Brian Redban is another essential figure in the show’s history. As co-host and an important part of the original production, Redban helped shape the loose, unpredictable atmosphere that became associated with the program. The partnership between Hinchcliffe and Redban remains part of the identity of the original show.
The move to Austin added another major piece to that identity. Kill Tony is now permanently associated with Comedy Mothership, the Austin comedy club founded by Joe Rogan. The venue provides a regular home for the weekly show, while the touring production takes its performers to audiences outside Austin.
The franchise has also expanded beyond its regular online format. Netflix released Kill Tony: Once Upon a Time in Texas, featuring Hinchcliffe, Redban and guests including Gabriel Iglesias, Harland Williams, Carrot Top and Rob Schneider. A later Netflix special, Kill Tony: Kill or Be Killed, brought together Hinchcliffe, Redban and a panel that included Joe Rogan’s, Tom Segura, Shane Gillis, Jeff Ross and Ron White.
How the Killers of Kill Tony Live Format Works
Killers of Kill Tony is designed around longer performances rather than the rapid-fire structure of the original show. The official production describes it as a touring stand-up lineup featuring regulars and fan-favorites from Kill Tony, allowing audiences to see these performers in a setting closer to a conventional theater comedy show.
This difference changes what audiences see from the comedians. A performer who might have only a minute to make an impression on Kill Tony can use a much longer set on tour to develop stories, build jokes and show a broader range of material.
The touring lineup is also flexible. The touring lineup varies by event, so the comedians appearing at one date may differ from those performing in another city. One date may include David Lucas, Hans Kim and Martin Phillips, while another can feature David Lucas, Martin Phillips, Dedrick Flynn and Ahren Belisle.
That rotating structure gives the tour an important connection to the original show without simply copying it. Fans already familiar with the comedians get to see their full stand-up performances, while people who discovered them through clips can experience their comedy in a longer live format.
Kill Tony vs. Killers of Kill Tony: What Is the Difference?
| Feature | Kill Tony | Killers of Kill Tony |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Live open-mic comedy show and podcast | Touring stand-up showcase |
| Main Focus | Discovering and developing new comedy talent | Showcasing established Kill Tony performers |
| Comedians | New comics, regulars and guest comedians | Kill Tony regulars and fan-favorite performers |
| Selection | Random bucket-pull system | Pre-announced lineup that varies by event |
| Set Length | 60-second sets for bucket-pull comedians | Longer individual stand-up sets |
| Audience Participation | Very high, with interviews, reactions, roasting and spontaneous interaction | More moderate, with the focus on the comedians’ performances |
| Show Style | Unpredictable mix of stand-up, interviews, roasting and live reactions | More structured evening of longer-form stand-up |
| Talent Discovery | Unknown comedians can gain recognition and become regulars | Features comedians who have already built recognition through Kill Tony |
| Venue | Primarily Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas | Theaters, arenas and other touring venues |
| What Fans Get | Surprise performances, comedian interviews and the excitement of the bucket pull | More stage time with familiar Kill Tony performers and their developed material |
| Best For | Fans who enjoy discovering new talent and unpredictable live comedy | Fans who want to see established Kill Tony favorites perform longer stand-up sets |
| Overall Experience | Spontaneous, interactive and discovery-driven | Structured, performance-focused and lineup-driven |
The simplest way to think about the difference is this: Kill Tony is built around discovering what happens when a comedian gets one minute and an unpredictable interview, while Killers of Kill Tony is built around seeing familiar performers deliver substantially longer sets.
For anyone considering Killers of Kill Tony tickets, that distinction is useful. The touring production is not simply a Kill Tony episode relocated to another city. It is a separate live stand-up experience featuring comedians who developed their audiences through the original show, with the exact lineup depending on the specific event.
Meet the Killers of Kill Tony Comedians
Who are the comedians behind Killers of Kill Tony, and what makes each of them worth seeing live? The answer is not simply that they are familiar faces from Kill Tony. Over hundreds of performances, these comedians have developed sharply different identities: some are known for ruthless roasting, others for tightly written one-liners, unusual characters, storytelling, physical comedy or an ability to turn an audience reaction into part of the joke.
That variety is a major part of the appeal of the touring show. Killers of Kill Tony gives these performers considerably more time than the original show’s one-minute format, allowing audiences to see the personalities and comedy styles that made them stand out in the first place. The lineup changes by city and date, so the profiles below explain what makes the best-known performers distinctive while also helping fans understand what they may be getting when they choose a particular event.
Tony Hinchcliffe
Tony Hinchcliffe is the creator and central host of Kill Tony, as well as an internationally touring stand-up comedian with a reputation as one of the comedy world’s prominent roasters. He launched Kill Tony in June 2013, and the show eventually established its permanent home at Comedy Mothership in Austin. In 2024, Hinchcliffe also took Kill Tony to major venues including the Forum, YouTube Theater and Madison Square Garden.
His defining skill is roast comedy: precise insults, quick reactions and the ability to turn an unexpected answer into a punchline almost immediately. That talent is especially important on Kill Tony, where the interview following a one-minute set can become just as entertaining as the performance itself.
Hinchcliffe’s career extends well beyond the podcast. He has written for eight Comedy Central Roasts and appeared on Netflix’s The Roast of Tom Brady, reinforcing his reputation for fast, highly controlled roast writing.
What makes Hinchcliffe particularly interesting is that he created a format in which the host’s personality is part of the comedy. His ability to control an unpredictable room, challenge performers and improvise around their answers is one of the elements that gives Kill Tony its distinctive identity.
Kam Patterson
Kam Patterson is one of the clearest examples of a comedian whose profile grew dramatically through Kill Tony. Originally from Orlando, he began performing comedy in 2021 and later moved to Austin, where his appearances on Kill Tony helped turn him into a widely recognized young performer. His official website describes his comedy as sharp, high-energy and strongly rooted in crowd work.
His biggest strength is energy. Patterson can move rapidly between prepared jokes, observations and interaction with the room, creating performances that feel conversational rather than rigidly scripted. That makes him particularly effective in a live environment where the audience itself can become part of the material.
His Kill Tony success also translated into major career opportunities. Patterson performed with Kill Tony at Madison Square Garden in 2024 and toured as part of Killers of Kill Tony in 2025. In 2025, he also joined the cast of Saturday Night Live for its 51st season, marking a significant step beyond the Kill Tony platform.
For fans, Kam’s appeal is the sense that his performances are happening in real time. Even when he has prepared material, his crowd work and energetic delivery can make the same routine feel different from one room to another.
David Lucas
David Lucas is one of the most recognizable roast comedians associated with Kill Tony. His reputation was built partly on his ability to trade insults with Tony Hinchcliffe and other performers without losing his own comedic voice.
Roasting is his signature. Lucas is particularly comfortable with direct, personal punchlines and quick observations about the people around him. His exchanges with Hinchcliffe became a recurring part of the show’s entertainment, giving audiences the kind of spontaneous back-and-forth that cannot be reproduced in a conventional stand-up set.
Lucas has also appeared in major Kill Tony productions, including the Madison Square Garden special. He remains part of the current touring ecosystem, with recent Killers of Kill Tony dates featuring him alongside comedians such as Hans Kim and Martin Phillips.
The touring format is especially valuable for Lucas because it gives him room to show more than his roast persona. A longer set allows him to develop premises, tell stories and establish a broader stand-up rhythm instead of relying on rapid-fire exchanges.
William Montgomery
William Montgomery is one of the defining long-term personalities of Kill Tony. His comedy is difficult to confuse with anyone else’s: exaggerated delivery, unusual pauses, abrupt shifts in energy and a deliberately unpredictable stage persona are all part of his appeal.
Montgomery’s distinctive quality is the way he makes delivery itself part of the joke. A pause, an unexpected change in volume or an exaggerated reaction can become a punchline. His performances often create a strange tension between the written joke and the way he chooses to deliver it, which is why audience reactions have become an important part of his act.
That style also explains why Montgomery has remained memorable within the Kill Tony ecosystem. He does not simply tell jokes; he creates a recognizable character on stage. A longer touring set gives him more space to build that rhythm and let recurring ideas develop.
He is also part of the current official Killers of Kill Tony performer pool, alongside performers including Ari Matt, David Lucas, Hans Kim and Martin Phillips.
Ari Matti
Ari Matti brings an international perspective to the Kill Tony comedy scene. Originally from Estonia, he developed his comedy career in Europe before building a stronger presence in the North American comedy scene and becoming a recognizable performer at Comedy Mothership and on Kill Tony.
His distinctive quality is the perspective he brings to everyday observations. Experiences of growing up in Eastern Europe give his material a different cultural frame from many American comics, while his delivery remains direct and accessible to a broad comedy audience.
Matti has become increasingly important to the touring side of the Kill Tony universe. The official Killers of Kill Tony performer pool currently lists Ari Matt, and recent event lineups have featured Ari Matti alongside David Lucas, Hans Kim and Martin Phillips.
For audiences, his appeal comes from the combination of international perspective and traditional stand-up structure. He is not dependent on a single character or gimmick; the interest comes from how he turns personal experience and cultural differences into jokes.
Hans Kim
Hans Kim became one of the most recognizable Kill Tony regulars through a very different approach from the show’s louder personalities. His comedy is associated with concise joke writing, dry delivery and a controlled stage presence.
That contrast is part of what makes him stand out. Kill Tony can become extremely energetic and chaotic, while Kim often lets the joke do the work without an exaggerated performance. His understated delivery creates a distinctive rhythm and gives his punchlines a different impact from comedians who rely heavily on physicality or crowd interaction.
Kim’s repeated appearances on Kill Tony helped establish him as a familiar name among the show’s audience, and he has also appeared in major Kill Tony productions. He remains a regular presence in Killers of Kill Tony lineups, including recent 2026 events alongside David Lucas and Martin Phillips.
Seeing Hans on tour also changes the experience for fans who know him primarily from short Kill Tony appearances. A longer set allows him to build several jokes together, establish pacing and show more of the stand-up identity behind his familiar one-minute performances.
Casey Rocket
Casey Rocket represents one of the most unconventional performance styles associated with the modern Kill Tony scene. Rather than relying solely on traditional setup-and-punchline delivery, his performances can involve exaggerated movement, unusual characters, repetition, rapid shifts in energy and deliberately absurd behavior.
His stage presence is the main attraction. Rocket often treats physical movement and character work as part of the joke itself, making his appearances immediately recognizable even when compared with the show’s many different comedic styles.
That makes him particularly interesting for viewers who prefer experimental or highly physical comedy. His performances demonstrate how broad the Kill Tony talent pool can be, extending from traditional joke writers to comics who use the entire stage as part of their act.
Casey Rocket should be considered a prominent Kill Tony performer rather than a guaranteed member of every Killers of Kill Tony lineup. The touring roster changes by event, so fans specifically hoping to see him should check the lineup for their chosen date.
Martin Phillips
Martin Phillips has built his reputation through tightly written jokes, concise delivery and repeated appearances on Kill Tony. He is one of the performers most strongly associated with the show’s modern regular roster.
His defining strength is joke construction. Phillips can pack a short performance with multiple punchlines without needing an elaborate character or theatrical stage persona. That skill is particularly valuable on Kill Tony, where a performer has only a minute to demonstrate writing, timing and stage control.
The touring format gives Phillips a different opportunity. Instead of compressing his material into a short appearance, he can develop longer premises, connect several jokes and build momentum across a complete stand-up set.
Phillips is also a recurring name in Killers of Kill Tony lineups. Recent events have featured him alongside David Lucas, Hans Kim and Ari Matti, while the current official performer pool lists him among the show’s featured touring comedians.
Other Featured Comedians
The Killers of Kill Tony roster extends beyond the most recognizable Kill Tony personalities. The current official performer pool includes Ari Matt, David Lucas, Hans Kim, Timmy No Brakes, Martin Phillips, William Montgomery, Ahren Belisle, David Jolly, Dedrick Flynn and Pat O’Neill.
This rotating roster is important when choosing tickets because the same tour name does not mean that every city receives the same group of comedians. For example, a 2026 San Antonio date featured Ari Matti, David Lucas, Hans Kim and Martin Phillips, while a Seattle event listed David Lucas, Hans Kim, Martin Phillips and Ahren Belisle. Another 2026 date at the Hershey Theatre featured David Lucas, Hans Kim, Martin Phillips and Pat O’Neill.
That variety is part of the appeal. Some performers are strongest in roast comedy, others in concise joke writing, storytelling, crowd work or unconventional stage performance. The result is a touring lineup that can feel different from one city to the next, making the specific event lineup one of the most important things for fans to check before buying tickets.
Killers of Kill Tony Tour Schedule
The Killers of Kill Tony tour continues across the United States and Canada, with dates, venues and comedian lineups varying from one stop to another. Current listings include performances in cities such as Peoria, San Diego, San Jose, Jacksonville, Columbus, Stamford, Wallingford, Boise and Cincinnati, followed by Canadian dates in Winnipeg, Hamilton, Calgary and Vancouver.
Because the comedian lineup is not identical at every event, the most important details to check are the specific date, venue and performers announced for that show. For example, the November 6, 2026 performance at the Morrison Center in Boise is currently listed with David Lucas, Martin Phillips, Dedrick Flynn and Ahren Belisle, while the November 14 show at Taft Theatre in Cincinnati features David Lucas, Hans Kim, Martin Phillips and Dedrick Flynn.
The schedule below brings the available tour information together in one place. For the most accurate information about the current lineup, upcoming event dates and any changes to a specific performance, check the listings on our site, which are regularly updated as new tour information becomes available.
Why Killers of Kill Tony Has Become So Popular
The appeal of Killers of Kill Tony is easier to understand through the stories behind its performers. Many of the comedians now associated with the touring show were not introduced to audiences as polished headliners. Viewers watched them develop through repeated appearances, unusual setbacks, memorable jokes and unexpected career opportunities.
Unique Live Comedy Experience: Seeing How a Comic Changes Over Time
One reason audiences follow these performers so closely is that Kill Tony allows fans to see comedians repeatedly rather than encountering them only once.
Hans Kim is a good example. His first Austin appearance came in December 2021, and he eventually became one of the show’s long-running regulars. His early appearances were often followed by extended interviews in which Tony Hinchcliffe questioned the logic behind his material, personal life and willingness to experiment with jokes. In one 2022 episode with Joe Rogan, for example, Hinchcliffe and Rogan discussed Kim’s habit of trying risky material even when it did not work.
That history changes the experience of seeing Kim on a touring stage. The audience is not meeting an unknown comedian for the first time. They have already watched the experimentation that happened before the longer set.
Audience Interaction: The Moment Can Change Completely
Some of the most memorable Kill Tony moments happen when an ordinary interview suddenly turns into something nobody expected.
Hans Kim experienced exactly this in episode 517. During the show, a woman named Katie, who identified herself as a stripper named Tara, came onto the stage and kissed Kim. Her date Jonah subsequently joined the conversation, and Tony turned the situation into an extended exchange with the entire room involved.
The importance of moments like this is not simply that they are funny. They create a continuing story around a comedian. Viewers remember what happened, recognize the person when he returns and become interested in what will happen the next time.
That kind of accumulated history is difficult to reproduce in a conventional stand-up tour.
Rising Comedy Stars: Kam Patterson’s Unexpected Career Leap
Kam Patterson provides one of the clearest real-world examples of how a Kill Tony regular can move into mainstream comedy.
Patterson began performing open mics in Orlando in 2021 and moved to Austin after gaining momentum as a comedian. His Kill Tony appearances dramatically increased his profile, and he later performed with the show at Madison Square Garden in 2024. In 2025, he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live as a featured player for Season 51. Peacock specifically describes him as a stand-up comedian and Kill Tony regular.
The progression is significant for Kill Tony fans because they could follow Patterson at several stages rather than discovering him only after his television breakthrough.
His story also explains why the audience pays attention to new regulars. A comedian who is relatively unknown today can potentially become a touring performer, television cast member or nationally recognized name later.
Viral Comedy Clips: The Joke Is Often Only the Beginning
The show’s most memorable moments are frequently separated from their original episode and shared as individual clips.
Hans Kim’s 2022 appearance with Joe Rogan is one example. His material about the military, dating and his willingness to experiment with controversial jokes became part of a larger conversation during the interview rather than ending when his one-minute set finished.
William Montgomery has developed a different kind of clip-friendly identity. His deliberately chaotic delivery, sudden changes in volume and refusal to follow conventional interview rhythm have become recognizable parts of his Kill Tony persona. His own biography now identifies him as the show’s longest-serving regular, while describing his performance style as “relentless” and built around his distinctive energy.
The result is that individual moments can introduce people to a comedian before they ever watch a complete episode.
Strong Fan Community: Fans Know the Backstory
The audience’s relationship with the performers is also visible in how much historical detail exists around individual comedians.
William Montgomery is perhaps the clearest example. His connection with Kill Tony has lasted long enough for the show to devote an entire 2022 episode to his family. Episode 564, titled “The Montgomery’s,” featured his parents Larry and Francis Montgomery as guests alongside bucket pulls and regular performances.
That is very different from a comedian simply appearing on a podcast once. Montgomery’s family, stage persona and recurring appearances became part of the show’s ongoing history.
Martin Phillips followed another path. He first appeared as a golden-ticket winner and subsequently became a regular. One documented appearance with Matt Rife in episode 679 shows Phillips combining written jokes with physical comedy and discussing experiences from touring.
These histories matter when the performers appear together on tour. Fans are not just watching a group of comedians selected for the same event. They are seeing people whose careers have developed in front of the same audience.
From Kill Tony Regular to Touring Performer
There is another important part of the story: the comedians’ roles continue to change.
Hans Kim is now a touring headliner as well as a long-running Kill Tony regular. William Montgomery describes himself as the longest-serving regular and has performed in venues ranging from Austin clubs to Madison Square Garden. Kam Patterson moved from Kill Tony performances to the SNL cast.
This progression gives the touring show a built-in narrative. A fan who has followed these comedians for years gets to see how material that was once tested in a short television or podcast appearance develops into a full stand-up performance.
That is ultimately what makes Killers of Kill Tony different from a random collection of comedians. The performers already have individual histories with the audience, and those histories continue when they leave Comedy Mothership and perform together in theaters and larger venues.
Best Performances from Killers of Kill Tony
The performers featured on Killers of Kill Tony have built their reputations through individual moments that audiences continue to remember long after an episode ends. Some became known for roast battles, others for unexpected interactions, and several reached major career milestones in front of the Kill Tony audience. The following episodes and specials offer a useful starting point for fans who want to revisit the performances that helped define these comedians.
Most Memorable Roast Battles
David Lucas vs. Tony Hinchcliffe became one of the most recognizable recurring roast exchanges in the Kill Tony podcast. Lucas’s appearances regularly turned the post-performance interview into a rapid back-and-forth with Hinchcliffe, with both comedians looking for new material about the other.
A particularly good example is the clip published as “Kill Tony: Hilarious Roast Battle Between Tony Hinchcliffe and David Lucas.” The recording comes from one of Lucas’s appearances during his regular period on the show and captures the format that made their exchanges so popular: neither comedian has to wait for a separate roast segment because the jokes develop directly from the conversation.
Another recording, “Tony Hinchcliffe Roasts Me With R. Kelly Song,” comes from Kill Tony #547 and shows a different side of the same rivalry. Rather than relying on a conventional exchange of one-liners, Hinchcliffe turns the roast into a musical joke aimed at Lucas.
Recommended viewing: “Kill Tony: Hilarious Roast Battle Between Tony Hinchcliffe and David Lucas” and the Kill Tony #547 segment “Tony Hinchcliffe Roasts Me With R. Kelly Song.” These clips provide a quick introduction to the roast dynamic without requiring a full season of episodes.
Funniest Crowd Interactions
Kill Tony #517, “Greg Fitzsimmons,” contains one of the more memorable unexpected interactions involving Hans Kim.
After Kim’s one-minute set and interview, an audience member named Katie, who introduced herself as Tara, came onto the stage and kissed him. Her date, Jonah, subsequently became involved in the conversation, giving Tony Hinchcliffe and guest Greg Fitzsimmons an unexpected situation to work with. The episode record documents the sequence as part of Kim’s appearance.
The scene is worth watching because it demonstrates something that cannot be recreated in a conventional stand-up comedy recording: the comedian has to react to an unpredictable situation while the host and guest immediately turn it into material.
Recommended viewing: Kill Tony #517 — “Greg Fitzsimmons.” Start with Hans Kim’s segment rather than watching the entire episode if you want to see the interaction itself.
Breakout Comedian Moments
“Kill Tony: Mayhem at Madison Square Garden” represents one of the most significant recorded showcases for several comedians who later became closely associated with the Killers of Kill Tony touring lineup.
Netflix’s special features Tony Hinchcliffe, Brian Redban, David Lucas, Martin Phillips and Hans Kim alongside Matt Rife, Mark Normand, Jeff Ross, Jim Norton and Dave Attell. The special presents the Kill Tony format on the Madison Square Garden stage, with new comedians given one minute to impress the panel.
For David Lucas, Martin Phillips and Hans Kim, the importance of the recording goes beyond the individual jokes. It documents these performers in an arena environment after they had already established themselves through repeated appearances on the live podcast.
Recommended viewing: “Kill Tony: Mayhem at Madison Square Garden” on Netflix. It is particularly useful for readers considering a Killers of Kill Tony show because several of the performers featured in the touring format can also be seen in this large-scale production.
Viral Stand-Up Sets
William Montgomery’s appeal comes from a very different performance style. His appearances are built around an intentionally unpredictable delivery, unusual pauses and sudden changes in direction, making his segments recognizable even when separated from the full episode.
For a more complete look at Montgomery’s place within the show, “The Montgomerys” is one of the most distinctive episodes to revisit. Rather than treating him simply as another performer, the episode brings his parents, Larry and Francis Montgomery, into the Kill Tony setting and builds much of the recording around his family and established stage persona.
The episode is particularly useful for understanding why Montgomery became more than a recurring comedian. His personality had become familiar enough that the audience could recognize the performance style before the joke itself arrived.
Recommended viewing: Kill Tony — “The Montgomerys.” It is a good choice for readers who want to see the personality-driven side of the performers later associated with the Killers of Kill Tony tour.
A Full-Scale Showcase: Mayhem at Madison Square Garden
For readers who want one recording that brings several important names together, “Kill Tony: Mayhem at Madison Square Garden” is the strongest choice.
The Netflix special includes David Lucas, Martin Phillips and Hans Kim in its cast, alongside Tony Hinchcliffe, Brian Redban and a panel featuring major comedy names. Rather than presenting the comedians in isolation, the special shows how the original podcast format works when transferred to one of the world’s most famous entertainment venues.
It is also a useful reference point for understanding the difference between seeing these performers in the original Kill Tony environment and seeing them as touring stand-up acts. On the Killers of Kill Tony tour, the audience gets longer individual sets; the Madison Square Garden special shows the same performers within the larger format.
For fans who discovered the show through podcasts or clips, the special also provides a useful introduction to how the performers work together in front of a large audience.
Recommended viewing: “Kill Tony: Mayhem at Madison Square Garden.” For anyone planning to attend Killers of Kill Tony, this is one of the most relevant recordings to watch beforehand because it features multiple performers associated with the touring show.
How Comedians Get Featured on Kill Tony
For aspiring comedians, one of the most interesting parts of Kill Tony is that the show does not reserve its stage exclusively for established names. Every episode creates the possibility that an unknown comedian can get a microphone, perform in front of a large audience and potentially turn a one-minute set into a much bigger opportunity.
The process is deliberately simple, but getting noticed is not. A comedian needs to be prepared for a very short performance, an immediate interview and the possibility that the entire room — including Tony Hinchcliffe, Brian Redban and the guest panel — will react to the material in real time.
Bucket Pulls Explained: How a Comedian Gets on Stage
The most famous route onto Kill Tony is the Bucket of Destiny. Comedians put their names into the bucket before the show, and names are then selected during the recording.
The current sign-up process at Comedy Mothership requires performers to have valid photo identification and 60 seconds of prepared material. Sign-ups take place at Shakespeare’s Pub next to the venue during the designated window, and performers must remain available for the duration of the show if they want to be called. If selected, the comedian performs for 60 seconds before being interviewed by Tony, Redban and the guest panel.
The one-minute limit is important. This is not an open-mic set where a comedian can spend five minutes developing a premise. The performer has to get to the point quickly and make the material work within a strict time limit.
That is also what makes the opportunity so valuable. A strong 60-second set can be followed immediately by an interview in which the comedian’s personality, background and ability to respond under pressure become part of the performance.
The process is still unpredictable. The show’s Las Vegas format, for example, has described hundreds of comedians putting their names into the Bucket of Destiny for a chance to perform one minute in front of thousands of people.
For anyone seriously considering trying out, the practical lesson is simple: prepare one minute that you know extremely well, but also be ready for the interview that comes immediately afterward.
Becoming a Regular: What Happens After a Strong Performance?
A successful bucket pull does not automatically make someone a regular. The attraction of the format is precisely that comedians have to prove themselves over time.
The show’s history provides plenty of examples of performers who moved beyond a single appearance. According to the show’s documented format, comedians who perform well can become regulars, giving them recurring opportunities to appear in front of the Kill Tony audience.
The difference between a memorable bucket pull and a developing regular is therefore important. One good minute may get the audience’s attention, but repeated appearances require consistent material, a recognizable stage personality and the ability to handle the interview portion of the show.
Hans Kim illustrates this progression particularly well. He became a regular and eventually built a separate touring career, while continuing to be associated with Kill Tony. His current website describes him as a Kill Tony regular and lists his own touring dates.
The documented episodes also show how the regular system works in practice. Kill Tony #537, for example, featured Hans Kim, David Lucas and William Montgomery as regulars alongside new and returning bucket pulls.
For an aspiring comedian, that distinction is worth remembering: the bucket gives you an opportunity to be seen; becoming a regular requires giving the audience a reason to remember you.
Opportunities for New Comedians: Why the One Minute Matters
A comedian does not need years of professional experience to enter the process.
The episode records contain examples of performers appearing with very different levels of experience. In Kill Tony #564, “The Montgomerys,” one bucket pull was performing stand-up for the first time, while another had ten years of experience. Another performer in the same episode had only two months of comedy experience and was described as giving a strong performance for a beginner.
That range is one of the most distinctive aspects of the show. The stage can contain an experienced comic trying new material immediately before a person performing stand-up for the first time.
It also means that an aspiring comedian should not assume that being new automatically makes the opportunity pointless. A first appearance can demonstrate something more important than experience: whether the performer has a strong point of view, can communicate a joke quickly and can remain composed when the interview begins.
Kill Tony #555 provides another useful example. One bucket pull had nine months of stand-up experience, another person had never performed before, and another was a returning comedian with approximately a year of experience. All were placed into the same basic one-minute format.
For someone considering signing up, this is perhaps the most encouraging part of the format. You do not need to arrive with a television résumé. You need material that can survive one minute on stage.
Success Stories: What Can Happen After Kill Tony
The most compelling reason comedians continue to put their names in the bucket is the possibility of what comes next.
Kam Patterson is one of the clearest modern examples. He became a regular presence on Kill Tony and later performed with the show in major venues, including the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. He was eventually selected for the cast of Saturday Night Live, demonstrating how a comedian’s career can move far beyond the original Kill Tony audience. The show’s episode archive documents Patterson appearing alongside established regulars such as Hans Kim and William Montgomery during his rise.
The same long-term development can be seen in other performers who became recognizable through repeated appearances. David Lucas moved from bucket-pull and regular appearances into touring stand-up, while Hans Kim developed his own touring career alongside his Kill Tony appearances. Martin Phillips similarly became a familiar name through repeated performances before appearing in larger productions.
The important point is that Kill Tony is not a conventional talent competition with a single winner. There is no guarantee that a successful appearance will lead to a contract, a regular spot or a touring career. What the show can provide is something much more immediate: exposure to a large comedy audience and an opportunity to demonstrate what you can do.
What Should a New Comedian Prepare?
Anyone seriously thinking about signing up should treat the one-minute requirement as a real performance challenge rather than simply an open-mic opportunity.
The safest preparation is to have one minute of material that can stand on its own. The opening should arrive quickly, the premise should be easy to understand and the punchlines should not depend on a long explanation.
It is equally important to prepare for the interview. Kill Tony does not end when the 60-second timer runs out. The comedian may immediately be asked about their job, background, relationships, experiences or the material they just performed.
The episode records demonstrate how varied these interviews can become. A comedian may receive a conventional discussion, while another can suddenly find themselves dealing with an unexpected question, a roast or a situation involving the audience.
Most importantly, do not copy the personality of an existing regular. Casey Rocket, William Montgomery, Hans Kim, David Lucas and Kam Patterson became recognizable precisely because audiences could distinguish them from one another. A new performer has a better chance of being remembered by presenting a clear comedic identity rather than trying to reproduce someone else’s style.
Could You Actually Get Picked?
Yes — but the randomness of the bucket should be taken literally.
Putting your name in does not guarantee a performance, and a good performance does not guarantee another appearance. The official sign-up instructions make clear that performers must remain present and ready in case their name is selected.
That uncertainty is part of the attraction. You can spend the evening sitting in the audience, waiting to hear your name, and then suddenly have 60 seconds to prove yourself in front of Tony Hinchcliffe, Brian Redban, guest comedians and a room full of people.
For an aspiring stand-up comedian, that is a rare opportunity even if nothing comes from it afterward.
And if the performance does connect with the audience, the story can become much bigger than one minute. Kill Tony’s regulars, touring performers and breakout names demonstrate what can happen when a comedian repeatedly takes that opportunity and gives the audience a reason to remember them.
FAQ
Who are the comedians in Killers of Kill Tony?
The show features regulars and fan-favorite comedians from Kill Tony, including David Lucas, Martin Phillips, Hans Kim, Ari Matti and others. The lineup varies by event and may change before a performance.
Is Tony Hinchcliffe in every show?
No. Tony Hinchcliffe created Kill Tony, the podcast hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe, while Killers of Kill Tony is a touring stand-up showcase featuring comedians from the show. His appearance should not be assumed for every tour date.
Are the performers different in each city?
Yes. The lineup can vary by city and date. For example, current 2026 listings show different combinations of David Lucas, Martin Phillips, Hans Kim, Dedrick Flynn, Ahren Belisle and other performers. Check the listing for your specific event before attending.
How long is a Killers of Kill Tony show?
Most current venue listings describe the performance as approximately 90 minutes without an intermission. The exact running time may vary by venue.
Can new comedians perform in Killers of Kill Tony?
The touring show features established Kill Tony regulars and fan-favorite performers rather than using the original show’s bucket-pull format. New comedians can instead try to get a spot on Kill Tony through its live sign-up process at Comedy Mothership.
Is Killers of Kill Tony recorded for YouTube?
Killers of Kill Tony is a live touring showcase, not a regular YouTube series like Kill Tony. A full recording is not guaranteed for each tour date, and some venues explicitly prohibit audience recording.