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How Max Meisel Is Changing the Comedy Game

Max Meisel told E! News how he’s helping the stand-up world evolve with BackDoor Comedy. Plus, find out who his dream guests are.

By Jenna Naphtali Jul 19, 2024 7:58 PMTags
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Max Meisel is bringing the magic to stand-up with his creation: BackDoor Comedy.

In less than a year of production, Max has managed to curate an event where adults of all ages can mingle, have a good laugh and let loose.

Overall, he’s looking to reimagine the way people view comedy. 

"For me, it was all need-based,” Max recently told E! News. “I was getting very bored in traditional comedy shows. I just felt like there was a stiffness in the room."

The comedian added, "It’s like you sit, you walk in right before the show starts, there’s a two-drink minimum, you watch, and then you leave. And I thought that there was a lot of other elements that were left on the table."

Max is all about the element of surprise. “I love seeing everyone walk in and whether they’ve been to one show or 10,” he continued, “they are surprised and dazzled in some way like, ‘There’s an aerialist dropping from the ceiling. Oh, there’s ice cream here? What is this? What’s going on?’”

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Not only is Max looking to turn comedy into a party, but he’s also helping create a safe space for his female-dominated audience. “What also makes the show great is people are really ready to get out of the bars and off the apps,” he explained. “They want to find a cool authentic space to meet somebody.”

Courtesy Max Meisel

As for his dream comedy guests? Iliza Shlesinger and Nikki Glaser.

Simply put, Max said, "They would hammer this crowd.”

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