This Tuesday, September 13th 9pm at Webster Hall in New York City, Seth Herzog is throwing one hell of a celebration show for his long running comedy showcase Sweet, which turns 12 years old. It’s hard to believe the show has already been around for that long, but it sure isn’t a surprise why. It’s an ever changing scene with venues opening and closing every few months it seems. However, despite a venue and night change, Sweet has survived when other shows have not. A reason why are regular featured bits like a ten-minute set called “What’s On My Mom’s Mind” during which Herzog interviews his mother, Kera Greene.
Here’s what the Comedian, writer, actor, and warm-up for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon had to say when we asked him about his favorite memories up until this point, “Wow, it’s hard to come up with one favorite memory, as there have been so many great weird moments in the show over the years. I think the most recent favorite bit we did was when we convinced the audience I was getting arrested. We set up a whole a story where I had short changed a cab driver and ran to the show. And then at the end of the show, we had a fake cab driver and cop come in and arrest me, and people bought it. And we let the air out, by having the fake cop and cab driver do stand-up in character.”
As for the evolution of the show over the last 12 years, not much has changed because it hasn’t had to. Right out of the gate, Herzog knew what he wanted and stuck to his guns. “In the last 12 years I don’t think the show has changed that much. The only major change is from Thursday to Tuesday nights (not my choice) and I used to try to cram more comedians on the show. Now I try to have less and less time for me and my co-host to do our thing. I never have more than 4 comedians on a show, I try for 3 each week.” He continued, “And I always try to have at least one person who is not doing stand-up something more conceptual. But the vibe of the show is always shifting slightly, and I’m always trying to push it into more of a chaotic direction. We have added more video elements and much more audience participation than in the first years.”
Seth Herzog is probably best known for his “Wonder Woman” routine, during which he wears a Wonder Woman costume and does a dance while lip-synching to the Wonder Woman theme song. He’s toured Iraq performing for the Troops and his credits include Role Models, The Ten, The Baxter, 30 Rock, Chappelle’s Show, Best Week Ever, and Duck Quacks Don’t Echo.
Sweet doesn’t fall short when it comes to surprises each week. “We’ve had many, fun, odd things that happen spontaneously. But I think the biggest surprise, was once I made a joke about Dax Shepard. And then someone in the audience texted him that I was talking about him on stage and he showed up and called me out on the joke I told. We were not friends. Had never met. It was wild, he ended up being totally cool about it and we went out afterwards. Also and infamously, John Mayer showed up and performed one night, after having a very awkward interaction with Kumail Nanjiani on stage. And every blogger in the country wrote about it” said Herzog.
This is what New York City just so special. Everything accomplished when planned isn’t something to bat an eye at, however, a show like Sweet is shot into the stratosphere when spontaneity is welcomed with open arms. And it doesn’t hurt to have your mom involved either to take it all in while being a part of the fun. “It’s been quite the ride having my Mom involved. And how she approaches the show has changed. She knows now more instinctually what will be funny, before she’d just talk about silly things and hope it will work, but now she’s a bit more careful about what and how she talks about things. She knows what gets reactions. Also, for a woman who is retired, it’s been a fun hobby for her that is totally unique. She loves talking about it with everyone she meets. And no one believes her.”
Well, the 12th Anniversary show is already set up to be a very special memory in the timeline that is Sweet. Saturday Night Live‘s Vanessa Bayer will be on hand alongside Michelle Wolf of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Tarik Trotter and Mark Kelly from The Roots, we can only assume his mother, and a slew of other special guests! You aren’t going to want to miss this show if you are in or near New York City.
This Tuesday (September 13th) 9pm at the famed Webster Hall. You can grab tickets right here. This annual seasonal kickoff of Sweet, one of NYC’s most beloved, weekly, downtown, comedy shows, promises to be the best of everything the weekly is: Funny, absurd, and spontaneous.
You can also take a deeper dive not only into the history of Sweet, but the career and life of Seth Herzog by listening to his episode of The Laugh Button Podcast right here. It’s a can’t miss. Just like the 12th Anniversary Show! We’ll see you there!
