Episodes

  • Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 016 - "Sundae Scam (Ghirardelli Dubai Chocolate)"

    Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 016 - "Sundae Scam (Ghirardelli Dubai Chocolate)"
    Nov 24 2025
    Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. 00:00 Scammed buying a Sundae 03:50 Budgeting games 06:10 Jake does another podcast (Pokemon) 10:57 Airport scam 16:57 Travel unlocks the brain 17:30 Jake gets a comedy offer(comedy union) 23:24 Sam Miller rules 24:23 Mark gets good karma 28:00 Jake works with Dale Jones (merch sales) 34:02 Jake asks Mark about merch 38:04 Dale Jones handles hecklers 39:40 Expired protein shakes 41:30 Jake eats too many nuts 44:33 Mark is an idiot (post office) 49:25 Jake talks parades 50:50 Irreverent 53:15 Mark is an idiot (tacos) 55:33 Colorado Springs comedy competition 58:55 Vail Comedy Festival submission tape reviews 1:01:00 Plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: Airport scam within a scam, Jake 5 show weekend pay, final accounting of Mark's 18 night run, does set length matter?, social media influencer does a comedy show, cancer comedy story, candy cane nightmare, driving into the sun, sleeping in fast food parking lots, opening joke is important, audience needs to like you
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 015 - "Chris Herren"

    Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 015 - "Chris Herren"
    Nov 17 2025
    Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. This episode has stories about ID hijinks, haircuts, measuring comedy, Sam Tallent, an existential crisis, themed comedy tours and more. 00:00 Mark and a French Mathematician 01:40 Jake speaks French? 07:36 Mark competes with World Series in Medford, OR 09:12 Mark complains about showroom seating 12:00 Medford Oregon is beautiful 12:25 Jake talks seating (Mark talks cults) + Amelia Airheart and Apple Cider Vinegar 17:22 Mark talks about Chris Herren (and prop 50 in CA) 20:50 Halloween comedy 22:46 Mark sleeps in car in San Francisco 23:52 Mr. Beast idea! 24:19 SF car and shows logistics 26:28 Mirthquake San Francisco Monday night show 30:44 Mark teases money details for Patreon and Jake talks Mirthquake (improv team) 32:40 Regular comedy customers 34:10 Jake talks Improv (money) 36:51 Mark talks "Always Bookin'" Comedy podcast (narcolepsy) 40:15 WSOC registration fees and tips and tricks for World Series of Comedy 48:03 Prop comedy and taxes 51:52 Jake library prank 54:45 Cheaper Than Therapy (comedy club show) 56:08 Dale Jones 59:30 Denver Broncos Story (Jake) 1:00:53 Patreon and plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we cover: male comics love to gossip, negotiating an event center gig, generating contracts, a "famous" comic, a "famous" comic coincidence, Never Say Die Tour accounting, exclusive Patreon poster offer, Eeland Stribling, Deep Cover movie (spoilers), Tom Dustin, comedy concessions, surprise pay, Roofman movie
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 014 - "Enthusiastic Eccliastics"

    Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 014 - "Enthusiastic Eccliastics"
    Nov 10 2025
    Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. This episode has stories about ID hijinks, haircuts, measuring comedy, Sam Tallent, an existential crisis, themed comedy tours and more. 00:00 Totalitarian state 01:53 Jake fails at pumping his own gas 03:30 Don't hold the door for Jake 04:49 Escalating sneeze dialog 06:15 A little person no-show 12:09 In the weeds about 6-7 13:35 Jake tells an ID story 18:04 Mark tells a roller coaster food story / senior center comedy / "Always Bookin' Comedy" podcast 22:16 Seattle is Asia Central 22:55 Jake tells a haircut story 28:54 Measuring comedy objectively 32:32 Sam Tallent (Mark "judges" one of his jokes) 37:55 Annoying Washington trees 39:15 Mark has an existential crisis 43:20 Asking how many years have you been doing comedy 46:15 6-7 46:30 Mark's existential crisis is resolved 47:52 Themed comedy shows 51:30 Greek grammarian 55:55 Enthusiastic Eccliastics 59:35 Patreon teaser and plugs Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers Mark talks about Never Say Die tour budget recap, social media influencer show recap, working at a BARK ENTERTAINMENT Comedy Club, asking for a guest set, politics of Denver Comedy Works, versus deals, merch as a feature (with photo), Auctioneer gig, review nightmare, YouTube shorts, and AI clips (Mark's opinion).
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 013 - "Cooper Flagg ice cream"

    Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 013 - "Cooper Flagg ice cream"
    Nov 3 2025
    Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. This episode has stories about the Denver Broncos, a theater show in Idaho, Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival, the Good Fortune movie, Salt Lake City, an explanation of evangelical, drinking comedy shows, digital billboard with Mark Masters on it, Deep Cover movie, Stavros Halkias, Cooper Flagg, Jerry Seinfeld and more. 00:00 Jake does a weird interview 12:47 Broncos never say die - Mark goes to a game 15:00 Show in Bremerton, WA 15:48 Should Mark take a night off? 16:32 Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival networking turns into a gig 19:10 Mark talks about sleeping in his car 19:42 Good Fortune movie teaser for Patreon 20:00 Salt Lake City, UT 20:25 Mark's genius plan to boost comedy income 21:08 Mark talks about a run with Short Jake 22:06 Bringing equipment to gigs 24:05 Jake talks about bringing equipment to gigs (Nashville and negotiation) 26:18 Holiday weekend gigs 27:20 MP3 player 28:00 Twin Falls, Idaho show 32:35 Merch sales 34:00 Not Good Yet book 35:12 Richland, WA show 37:18 Jake has two very different shows (and explains to Mark what evangelical means) 48:59 Amuse Booze - Denver show in memoriam 50:40 Mark has a question for Jake about a spot at a big chain club 54:16 Mark is on a digital billboard 55:20 Deep Cover movie 55:49 Mark gets recognized 57:20 Mark tells a Stavros Halkias story (Stavvy) 58:00 Mark tells a Jerry Seinfeld ice cream story (Cooper Flagg) 59:10 Jake tells a story about a Best Of show 1:02:36 Wrapping it up (Mark's poster is displayed) Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers Mark talks about a bad show, we discuss negotiating money for a show (with specific dollar amounts), and cover the question: how much do you charge?, Mark reveals details about his senior center show booking, Jake reveals details about one of his shows, Mark tells a crowd work story, they both diver deep into the Good Fortune movie, and Mark does an impression of a brown guy (with voice)
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 012 - "don't be the funniest person in your scene"

    Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 012 - "don't be the funniest person in your scene"
    Oct 27 2025
    Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. This episode has stories about Kentucky Fried Chicken history, an interaction with a cop, making yourself a presence in a secondary comedy scene, Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival, becoming a Comedy Store door guy, Mark's "Never Say Die" tour, pinball machines and more. 00:00 DMV Vending Machine 02:30 Jake Colfax Avenue Moving Day Story 05:12 Mark gets pulled over 06:40 Get "Anxiety Club" movie at Jolt.film 10:10 Comedy in French Lick, IN 12:40 Frisco, CO Comedy Show (part of Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival) 13:50 Jake runs a hotel for a week 14:40 Turning off pinball machines 17:10 Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival is different 20:00 Zack Chapaloni talks to comics and gives advice 23:20 Mark Masters live in Denver 24:30 Jake explores "moving" to a secondary scene 26:30 Out of town comic hack 28:10 Crackers Comedy Club in Indianapolis, IN 34:10 Zack Chapaloni advice - don't be the funniest person in your scene 43:00 Comedy Story "Door Guys" 46:30 Jake talks about word economy 49:05 Mark asks Jake if any jokes did not go well in Frisco, CO 51:45 Mark talks about a barber shop comedy show with Jenny Zigrino 54:28 Dirty Dr. Pepper with nutmeg, maple syrup and heavy cream 56:45 Patreon teasers 58:30 Mark gets a nice email and reads it 59:35 Mark has a minor celebrity at his show 1:00:18 Mark shows his "Never Say Die" tour poster and shares upcoming dates Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we reveal a Kill Tony bucket spot person, mental health, inside ticket sales of Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival, a new marketing secret for comedy shows, and we work on some new and old jokes.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 011 - "wristband shenanigans"

    Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 011 - "wristband shenanigans"
    Oct 20 2025
    Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. This episode has stories about talking to a fan after a show, comedian websites, drive through fast food tipping thoughts, a show in Park City, Utah with a surprise parking twist, comedy intermissions, Con Air and David Chappelle, flying show running equipment with Pelican cases, a joke at 1 Night Stans in Michigan gets punched up, the guys share some raccoon facts and write some jokes live for Mark's upcoming charity event benefitting the rehabilitation of raccoons, and more. 00:00 Jake does a show where the host does not show up 03:00 Comedy Club architecture 03:30 Mark makes a mistake scheduling an 18 show run 06:50 Mark tells a crazy Comedy Works story 10:48 Jake's heart sinks with a booking situation / government shutdown 13:25 USO military comedy tours 13:54 Cruise ship comedy tours 16:56 Grand Rapids, MI early ticket sales 17:55 Versailles, Kentucky 18:38 Cocktail lab comedy show 22:54 Aspen story with a cocktail twist (wristbands) 30:40 Working at Louisville Comedy Club (wristbands) 34:25 Mark does an all-woman show 37:06 Kill Tony golden ticket 42:25 Kill Tony clones and 1 minute spots (Colin Quinn) 45:20 Comedy cassette tapes 47:00 Jeff Foxworthy 49:00 Jake does a show with Ron White 50:30 Ricky Valez story (Dan Soder) - Comedy Works 54:20 Nate Baratze Porsche story 55:10 Mark on open mics, Showcase of the Mondays 57:45 Jake is the best of Louisville (local comedian) Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we reveal a Kill Tony bucket spot person, mental health, inside ticket sales of Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival, a new marketing secret for comedy shows, and we work on some new and old jokes.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Mark and Jake Try To Make It (Elon Altman) Episode 010

    Mark and Jake Try To Make It (Elon Altman) Episode 010
    Oct 13 2025
    Special guest Elon Altman from New York City! Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. This episode has stories about... and more. 00:00 Introducing Elon Altman 00:30 Elon Altman Tries To Make It 01:32 Jake and Elon discuss if NYC open mics are bad 03:05 A mouse that churns 03:55 How to get good in NYC comedy 07:30 Industry at bringer shows 08:10 Taking comedy more seriously 09:45 Al Martin owner of the New York Comedy Club 12:35 Laughing Buddha mics 13:50 Comedians that are 10x your level 14:20 Derrick Stroup (Jake story) 18:45 More about Al Martin (Emilio and Scott) 20:05 Comic Strip Audition 21:10 Late Night at Comic Strip 22:50 Eddie Murphy manager 24:18 Gotham Comedy Live on AXS TV 25:00 Doesn't matter how early you show up (Jake) 26:30 Elon running shows? 28:10 Comic vs. Producer 29:50 Pick one club or many? 31:30 Brendon Sagalow 33:18 Getting out of NYC with festivals (Laughing Derby, Red Clay) 36:00 The Jewish Circuit (Private clean shows) 39:55 Worst possible intro for a comedy show 41:10 Bringing opener to private 41:55 Regular club spots and lies to fill in the crowd 45:00 Ray Liota in audience 47:08 Bill Burr story (Elon) 48:10 Roast Battle (NY Comedy Club and The Stand) 52:00 Comedy Cellar momentum until ... 52:50 Zoom shows 54:00 Modi (opening for) 57:15 Comedy Cellar Recommendation 58:30 Comedy Cellar Audition 1:01:25 Schtick or Treat - Ozempic Ralphie May Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis Elon Altman http://www.elonaltman.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/elonstagram https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers Elon talks about his Comedy Cellar audition, Jake tells us a bad comedy review story and Mark shares an all time yearly low for his comedy.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 009

    Mark and Jake Try To Make It Episode 009
    Oct 6 2025
    Mark and Jake Try to Make it is your favorite podcast about two comedians trying to make it in comedy. This episode has stories about talking to a fan after a show, comedian websites, drive through fast food tipping thoughts, a show in Park City, Utah with a surprise parking twist, comedy intermissions, Con Air and David Chappelle, flying show running equipment with Pelican cases, a joke at 1 Night Stans in Michigan gets punched up, the guys share some raccoon facts and write some jokes live for Mark's upcoming charity event benefitting the rehabilitation of raccoons, and more. 00:00 Nate Bargatze in Denver - Fist Fight 02:05 Records broken by Nate Bargatze 04:04 Recognition Laughter (Nate Bargatze) 05:38 Buying Tickets (Nate Bargatze) 07:25 Ticketmaster ticket fees (Nate Bargatze) 11:10 Opening Acts (Nate Bargatze) -- PATREON has names 12:00 How to measure your success on stage 14:20 Jake Denver Nuggets story 17:00 Arena Comedy 19:50 Crowd work comedian trash talk (name in PATREON) 21:55 Trash show story - game show concept show 24:45 Can you joke about Charlie Kirk 26:00 Writing topical jokes 28:15 Shut up everybody 30:00 Comedy competition attitude 31:00 A Charlie Kirk joke 32:10 Joe List at the Comedy Works in Denver 33:40 Luke Mones (SNL on stage) 34:17 Comedy Works New Talent teaser (PATREON) 36:30 Frisco Comedy Show - stuck in traffic with Monica Nevis and Alvin Kuai 39:50 Do social media ads work to sell tickets 44:17 Tour dates on comedy website - Steven Rogers 46:38 Dustin Nickerson story 50:36 Mark gets offered a bad gig and comedy pay 54:00 Salt in a wound Mark Masters and Big Jake Hovis are mostly clean comedians, available for your event, contact us with info below: Mark Masters https://www.markmasters.co (contact form) Big Jake Hovis https://www.bigjakecomedy.com Follow https://www.instagram.com/bigjakehovis https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMastersComedy SUBSCRIBE for more episodes https://www.patreon.com/markandjake JOIN for exclusive content This week for Patreon subscribers we talk about something crazy that happened at Comedy Works New Talent Night, a secret to making money in comedy, Nate bargatze openers with names and Jake spills about another comedian.
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    58 mins