SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - TelAve -- Joseph Neibich — an actor, director, producer, comedian and writer who also goes by Joseph Nybyk — was honored as the 2025 Best Comedian by Tucson Weekly.

He will perform at Laffs Comedy Caffé on Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29, during a show headlined by comedian Pauly Casillas.

Neibich serves as a house emcee at Laffs, and has performed the same role at Laugh Factory, Stand Up Scottsdale and the Comedy Spot in Scottsdale.

A Gilbert native, Neibich attended UA, but earned a degree in political theory and prelaw from Sewanee: The University of the South.

In 2000, he started his stand-up career and found success. He has performed at casinos, clubs and colleges nationwide, as well as cruises and corporate gigs.

Early in his career, he had the chance to work the door at the Comedy Store in Hollywood.

"From Jay Leno to David Letterman to Richard Pryor, pretty much everyone started working the door at that club," Neibich said.

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"Every single one of us would have paid for the job. They would have Joe Rogan pop in, Andrew Dice Clay, Chelsea Handler, all the biggest people… Being able to watch the best of the best nightly — and they're going up at like 1 in the morning to work on their craft — they really show you the dedication and hard work it takes to make it in comedy."

At the beginning of his standup career, Neibich would tell stories about tending bar and meeting celebrities at the Beverly Hills Hotel and other places where he worked.

"I met everyone who's anyone, and I was there when the queen visited," he said. "I was there when Michael Jordan visited… You'd look out into the restaurant and see Ben Affleck having dinner with Jennifer Lopez. I met Bono…I met every living president up until Barack Obama… (Arnold) Schwarzenegger, I saw him in the hotel several times."

He often jokes about these experiences in his standup today.

"I talk about it for a good 10 minutes of my set, just the antics of the rich and famous and being a young bartender trying to make it in Hollywood," Neibich said.

For more info go to https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/renaissance-man-the-weeklys-best-comedian-takes-center-stage/Content?oid=36904018