Nashville, TN – 13 years since releasing his last DVD, legendary comedian James Gregory has a new film, “Beef Stew for the Brain.” Titled in contrast to the sensitive “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” James Gregory unleashes his less-than-politically-
Millions of people know James Gregory either from seeing him live - he plays to sold out shows virtually every Friday and Saturday night - or from listening to him on syndicated radio shows such as The John Boy & Billy Big Show, Rick & Bubba, Steve & DC’s Morning Show, and Bob & Tom. Every year he averages 150 morning drive shows and is heard by over 10 million listeners. For the rest, Atlanta Magazine claims, “the funniest man in America just might be the most successful comic you’ve never heard.”
“Beef Stew for the Brain” was conceived of, directed and produced by comedy veteran, Lenny Sisselman, who has produced comedy shows for over 26 years and worked with performers such as Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld and Tim Allen.
“I’ve had the privilege to work with many of the best comedians over the last quarter of a century," says Sisselman, “and I can honestly say that there is no comedian with a more zealous fan base than James Gregory. It seems that once he takes the stage, he’s got you. It’s his affability, charm, wit, presence, genuine affection for his audience, and the ability to tell a story as well as any comedian living or dead. James could do nothing but lead-ins to jokes, never give a punch line, and still murder every night.”
James Gregory is at the top of his powers. He doesn’t tell redneck jokes or use blue language. Much of his humor is centered around brilliant imitations on stupid relatives, obsession with the weather, and spoofing health addicts, modern parents and out-of-control environmentalists. On conservation of the spotted owls, Gregory quips, “When’s the last time you walked into a pet store and said, ‘Dang! Your out of owls!’” He is such an accomplished actor that you actually believe he is the fat aunt after a huge meal.
Listening to James turns the clock back to when life was simpler, where people sat on the front porch and gossiped about what covered dish the neighbor’s brought to the last funeral. “That was a different time. I saw that book about raising families, ‘It Takes a Village?’ Try telling that to my momma. All she needed was a switch. Which she made me go git!”
“We have a lot of terrific comedians on our show, and James is my absolute favorite!” said Randy Brazell, General Manager and Executive Producer of The John Boy & Billy Big Show, which boasts 4 million regular listeners.
The bulk of the DVD features James Gregory performing live at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tennessee to a sold out crowd and an eventual standing ovation, with every minute as sumptuous as the last. Even as the credits roll, we hear a hilarious interview with James Gregory on The John Boy & Billy Big Show. Special features include video of James Gregory on-the-air with John Boy and Billy telling more funny stories.
James rails on everything from overly modern parents, to losing our connection with our neighbors by immersing ourselves in technology. When James’ buddy tells him about his fancy new phone that is able to get the weather report from anywhere in the world, James responds, “Well maybe I do need one of those modern phones. Because earlier today when I was at the Waffle House... the cook said to me, ‘Excuse me, sir. Do you have any idea how hot it’s gonna be in Pakistan today?’ I had to say, ‘I’m sorry, I got an old phone. I can’t help you.”
For more information, and to view the trailer, visit: http://www.thebigshow.com/
Additional Published Accolades for James Gregory
James Gregory is in a class all by himself... his humor transcends all barriers: social,
economical, racial or whatever.
ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
James Gregory doesn’t take the stage, he takes the room. You know from the outset that
he’s taken control... all this Georgia boy has to do to get a laugh is just stand there and
clear his throat. The audience has fallen in love with him before he delivers the first line.
THE SEATTLE TIMES
James Gregory is, in fact, an actor…He doesn’t just crack off one-liners, he tells funny
stories. But he also tells stories funny, often taking minutes to get to the punch line. The
buildup is often as hilarious as the payoff…
ATLANTA MAGAZINE
Gregory is a legend...each time you see him, he’ll be better than the time before. That
can be said of only a very few entertainers.
AUSTIN-AMERICAN STATESMAN
His rapport with the common man, his knowledge of the past and his insights about the
present have made him a crowd-pleaser for two decades.
THE TENNESSEAN
No one does it better... picking up small details and vignettes of American Life and
finding absurdity in them, this is vintage Gregory.
SAVANNAH FREE-PRESS
To call this man a Southern comedian would be an insult to his genius...he can get more
laughs from the set-up than most can get from a punch line.
THE DAILY TEXAN
He was on stage for an hour...a standing ovation brought an encore of another fifteen
minutes, a second standing ovation brought him back for ten more minutes…then he
leaves, the audience sits there for a few minutes as if they’re wishing Gregory’s show
would last forever.
THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN
Not until James Gregory takes the stage does the room erupt. From the moment he
opens his mouth the crowd is with him. It is an exquisitely-
WEEKEND MAGAZINE
