Theo Von – Comedian

Embarking on Reality Television Stardom (2000–2008)

The laughter-packed journey of Theo Von kick-started at the tender age of nineteen when he took the spotlight on MTV’s Road Rules: Maximum Velocity Tour in 2000. Hailing from Louisiana State University, he joined the show, marking the dawn of his entertainment career.

Von’s fervor for reality television continued as he became a prominent figure on MTV’s The Challenge, the spinoff series derived from The Real World and Road Rules. His indelible mark was left on Battle of the Seasons, The Gauntlet, Battle of the Sexes II, and Fresh Meat, where he triumphed in two and clinched the runner-up spot in one.

In 2006, Theo Von humorously competed on the fourth season of Last Comic Standing, emerging victorious in the online domain.

Conquering Comedy and Hosting (2012–present)

Theo Von’s magnetic presence extended to hosting as he took over the reins of Yahoo’s popular online TV recap show, Primetime in No Time, starting from 2011. His hosting prowess further blossomed on TBS’s hidden camera delight, Deal With It, a production masterminded by Howie Mandel, spanning three successful seasons from 2013 to 2014.

While delving into acting through cameo roles in TV gems like Inside Amy Schumer and Why? with Hannibal Buress, Von candidly confessed that earlier opportunities in acting didn’t captivate him due to conflicting schedules with his touring and podcasting commitments.

Theo Von’s comedic creativity soared with the release of Man Up, his uproarious three-episode scripted comedy show that graced Comedy Central in 2018. Despite a brief stint in the big-budget film The Tomorrow War (initially known as Ghost Draft), where he was enlisted by none other than Chris Pratt, Von withdrew due to time constraints, a move he discussed on his podcast.

Stand-Up: From Louisiana to the World

From his roots in Louisiana, Theo Von embarked on a remarkable stand-up comedy voyage. At the age of 23, following his MTV escapades, he packed his bags and headed to Los Angeles, dedicating himself to the world of stand-up comedy.

In the glitzy realm of Hollywood, Von encountered hurdles as talent agents pigeonholed him as a reality TV star, often skeptical about his prowess as a comedian. Determined and resilient, he persevered and broke free from this stereotype, taking years to etch his identity in the comedy circuit.

A comedic milestone crowned Von in 2006 as he seized the title of Fan Favorite during the fourth season of Last Comic Standing, a testament to his innate humor. Touring his set nationally, he also lent his laughter-inducing talents to five international USO tours, including a memorable performance at Guantanamo Bay.

Not one to shy away from innovation, Von catapulted “crank texting” to popularity in 2009, launching a blog of these amusing exchanges. This venture was later embraced by CollegeHumor as a regular column.

The spotlight of Comedy Central’s The Half Hour shone on Von on June 1, 2012, while his comedy journey was further fueled by appearances on esteemed platforms like The Arsenio Hall Show, Hello Ross, Chelsea Lately, Watch What Happens Live, @midnight, and This Is Not Happening. In 2016, Netflix premiered his debut hour-long comedy special, No Offense, filmed at the illustrious Civic Theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana. Continuing his laughter legacy, he embarked on the riveting three-month national tour, The Dark Arts Tour, in the summer of 2019.

Podcast Royalty and Engaging Conversations

The digital age welcomed Von as a podcasting trailblazer. As of 2023, he stands tall as the host of This Past Weekend, his single podcast endeavor. His charismatic presence also graced the podcasting realm as a former host of King and The Sting (and Wing). With a recurring guest slot on renowned comedians’ podcasts, such as The Joe Rogan Experience, Joey Diaz’s The Church of What’s Happening Now, The Fighter and the Kid, and Bobby Lee’s TigerBelly, Von’s candid conversations continue to captivate.

Early Ventures: The Comedy Sideshow and Allegedly

Von ventured into podcasting territory with The Comedy Sideshow, which premiered in April 2011. Recorded at the iconic Improv Comedy Club in Hollywood, the show spotlighted comedians and other entertainers, amassing twenty-three episodes before concluding in November of the same year.

Collaborating with filmmaker/journalist Matthew Cole Weiss, Von embarked on the weekly podcast Allegedly with Theo Von & Matthew Cole Weiss in 2015. This dynamic duo explored “alleged” tales encompassing celebrities, humor, trauma, dating, success, and failure. With 123 episodes, this podcast marked a vibrant chapter in Von’s podcasting journey.

Evolution to This Past Weekend and The Golden Hour

In December 2016, Von’s podcasting odyssey took a new direction with the inception of This Past Weekend. This captivating long-form video podcast features Von’s storytelling prowess, voicemail responses, and insightful interviews with guests, all contributing to a memorable auditory experience. May 2019 marked the celebration of the podcast’s 200th episode.

Collaborating with fellow podcaster Brendan Schaub, Von soared to podcasting glory with King and The Sting. A phenomenal launch catapulted it to the coveted number 1 spot on the iTunes Podcast charts in the US, as well as high rankings in the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, and Australia.

The podcasting landscape evolved in January 2022, as Von, Schaub, and Chris D’Elia embarked on a new era, renaming the podcast King and The Sting and Wing. Von’s thoughtful hiatuses from podcasting witnessed guest-hosts stepping in, eventually leading to the renaming of the podcast as The Golden Hour on November 4, 2022, with the charismatic actor Erik Griffin taking the reins.