Comedian Mark Normand took us behind the scenes of his 2024 stand up tour

Over recent years, when Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Burr, and Roy Wood Jr. have been asked to name their preferred rising comedian, they all pointed to the same person: Mark Normand. Even though the 40-year-old has already been prominent in the comedy sphere, Normand has risen his profile by consistently performing several shows a night in various New York City bars, clubs and theaters. His dedication and tenacity have finally begun to pay off. Netflix released his one-hour special "Soup To Nuts" in July 2023, and he is soon embarking on his "Ya Don’t Say Tour" across the nation that includes performances on consecutive nights at New York City's Beacon Theatre on January 26 and 27. He assured the New York Post during an interview that he will be keeping his foot on the gas, having already prepared fresh material.

Describing himself as a "whore for stage time," Normand shared how he performed six sets just the previous night and even did a show at a bar after a concert at the 2,500-seat Lyric Theater in Baltimore. The comedian treats his craft seriously and values the effort audiences take to attend live comedy shows, aspiring to deliver a memorable experience. He underscored his commitment to raising serious discussions through comedy, using his new set on cultural appropriation as an example.

The Netflix is a Joke Festival will return to Los Angeles from May 2 to 12, 2024, featuring over 300 shows at 35 venues. The lineup includes major comedy stars like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Bill Burr, David Letterman, and Matt Rife, with household names like John Mulaney, Jon Stewart, Ali Wong, Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman also scheduled to perform. Tom Brady will also participate in "The Greatest Roast of All Time," where he will be the subject of comedic barbs from Jeff Ross and other celebrities. Normand's latest Netflix special, "Soup To Nuts," was released in July and touches on familiar topics such as drinking, relationships, and male strip clubs, all rendered in his unique style.

Normand has been active in the industry since 2006 and has released three specials along with a half-hour set on Netflix. He treats comedic craft with great respect, ensuring that he has delivered substantial material and put in years of work before taking on an hourlong Netflix special. He also gives credit to his colleagues, noting the business smarts he learned from Amy Schumer and performance strategies he picked up from Seinfeld. He revealed a humorous anecdote about an incorrect etiquette move on the road with Louis CK, and also recalled last summer's memorable time on the road in Bert Kreischer's "Fully Loaded Comedy Festival." Normand also took his show internationally to Europe and Australia and remarked on the different audience responses, such as the unusually heavy applause from Amsterdam crowds.

Normand has a recurring gimmick of introducing himself as Kevin Hart at the closing of his sets, a tradition he started due to the embarrassment he felt after bombing early in his career. He maintained the joke and even continued it during his "Tonight Show" appearance and.

The interviews and venues precede his highly anticipated "Ya Don’t Say Tour." Normand will be joined by several noted comics on stage and others who regularly appear in the New York City comedy scene, Sean Murphy, Mae Planert, Anthony DeVito and Marcus Monroe included. In an act of paying it forward, Normand highlighted Ian Lara and Anthony DeVito for their talent and potential. While hundreds of renowned comics will tour next year, some of the highlights include Joe List, Sam Morril, Bert Kreischer, Nate Bargatze, and Nick Mullen.