The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 150 - The Past Times with Mike Bridenstine
Nov 7, 2025
Stand-up comedian Mike Bridenstine shares wild stories from his new book, Kansas City Comedy, revealing shocking anecdotes like a fake FBI sting and a performer feigning paralysis. He recounts a chaotic open-mic night involving a rotting possum and a vacuum. The hosts dig into quirky news from 1927, including an alderman's kiss with a robber. From a Colorado ruling on drinking at home to a bizarre Oklahoma biscuit bill, the conversation is filled with humor and absurdity. They also discuss the humor in modern theater and share heartwarming tales like a 93-year-old's second marriage.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Wild Kansas City Comedy Tales
- Mike Bridenstine describes bizarre Kansas City comedy stories he researched for his book, like fake-paralyzed performers and violent robberies tied to club owners.
- He recounts the possum-and-vacuum open-mic incident that provoked vomiting and a lifetime ban as emblematic of that scene's chaos.
Possum, Vacuum, And A Bombed Set
- Kyle Paris brought a rotting possum on stage, put a vacuum in its mouth and triggered mass vomiting and threats from the club manager.
- The stunt earned a lifetime ban and became legendary among local comedians as a perfect career-ender.
Private Intoxication As A Right
- Judge C.W. Haynes ruled a man can legally get as drunk as he pleases inside his own home if he doesn't breach the public peace.
- The 1927 ruling framed private intoxication as a protected personal liberty during Prohibition.
