Mike Rowe’s Comedy Journey from Small Town to Big Stage 

This is one writer with cred. If you are a fan of iconic shows like King of the Hill, Family Guy, and Futurama, you probably know the name Mike Rowe. And his humor and humility is on full display while discussing his journey with Pete Schwaba, host of Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba. Rowe tells Schwaba, growing up in a small town, he didn’t have immediate access to big comedy clubs or a clear path to the entertainment world. So he forged his own. 

“I would sneak into bars to try out comedy routines, even if I had to perform between music acts,” Rowe says. “It was a little wild. But I loved it, and I just went with my instincts.”

LISTEN to the full interview here:

His instinct led him to the opportunity to work with Rodney Dangerfield, one of his comedy idols.

“I’m 17 and sent Dangerfield a bunch of jokes on a whim,” Rowe explains. “And Rodney Dangerfield calls me personally to offer advice and encouragement. That was huge for me and it made me think, maybe this could really happen.”

Rowe has also navigated the world of TV writing. He and Schwaba share stories about various writers rooms and experiencing both collaborative atmospheres and tense environments. And he fondly describes his time on Futurama.  

“Creativity flourished without hierarchy or ego,” he says. “Everyone’s ideas were welcome, and it was always about making the best show possible.”

And it’s some of Rowe’s favorite kinds of comedy created there. The kind with heart. His Futurama episode about Fry’s reunion with his mother struck a particular chord with viewers and earned him a Writers Guild Award. 

“It’s those moments where humor and emotion meet. That’s where I feel like I’m doing my best work,” he says.

And now Rowe’s career isn’t the only creative journey in the family. His son is dipping his toes into comedy. 

“I tell him to follow his instincts, just like I did,” Rowe shares with a laugh. “I only wish he’d spend less time on video games and more time writing!”

And Rowe tells Schwaba he has a new book, It’s a Funny Thing: How the Professional Comedy Business Made Me Fat and Bald . It chronicles all of his experiences in show business. 

“I wanted to write something that would let people, especially young people dreaming of a career in entertainment, see the real journey,” Rowe explains. “It’s not a ‘how-to’ book, but it is my story. And hopefully it’s inspiring for anyone out there with similar dreams.”

WATCH the entire episode here:

---