(Cell phone Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Nationally touring comedian Jim Florentine brought his signature edge and unapologetic style to a sold-out crowd Friday night at the Kenosha Comedy Club, tucked inside the Wyndham Garden hotel.
Florentine, known for his no-filter humor and off-the-cuff crowd work, had the audience laughing nonstop throughout a high-energy set that leaned into his hallmark irreverence. He didn’t shy away from controversy either, referencing a recent incident in Seattle where his scheduled appearance was canceled over concerns that he wasn’t “progressive” enough for the venue.
In February 2024, the Capitol Hill Comedy Bar in Seattle pulled four comedians from its lineup — Dave Smith, Luis Gomez, Kurt Metzger, and Jim Florentine — with shows originally scheduled between April and October. Florentine’s act, while crowd-pleasing in Kenosha, was deemed too politically incorrect for the bar’s neighborhood, with venue staff reportedly concerned about how the comics and their fans might be received in the area.
Florentine took it all in stride during his set, joking about the cancelation and shrugging off the controversy. After the show, he stayed to take photos and sell merchandise, engaging with fans well past the final round of applause.
He also gave an exclusive post-show interview with Kenosha County Eye, where he spoke about his connection to the area and his long career in comedy. This marks his fifth visit to Kenosha.
“I like it here,” Florentine said. “The people are laid back, polite — not like where I’m from in New Jersey. Everyone says hello.”
Florentine rose to prominence in the early 2000s as the voice of several characters, including “Special Ed,” on Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers. He later gained a cult following as co-host of That Metal Show on VH1 Classic, and his comedy albums and stand-up specials have earned him critical acclaim for blending dark humor with personal storytelling.
He currently hosts a show on SiriusXM’s Ozzy’s Boneyard (Channel 38) every Thursday at 5 p.m. and recently released a free comedy special on his YouTube channel: YouTube.com/JimFlorentineComedy.
When asked if he adapts his act depending on the audience, Florentine said he rarely changes much. “Unless it’s something hyper-specific, I just let it fly,” he said. “If the crowd is fun, I’ll riff. Otherwise, I stick to the set.”
He noted that his material tends to follow his life experiences, which keeps the content personal and evolving. “Whatever’s going on in my life, that’s what I talk about,” he said. “I don’t really hang on to old bits. I move on.”
Florentine also gave credit to the Kenosha Comedy Club and its owner for building a strong local comedy scene. “I skip Milwaukee and Chicago and just come here,” he said. “It’s a great room. The crowds are always strong, and it’s a good vibe.”
Fans can find Florentine online at JimFlorentine.com or follow him on Instagram @JimFlorentine.
.
.
.
.
3 Responses
The joke about the behavior of people waiting for bathrooms was hilariously relatable. If you’ve ever been to Wrigley Field, you know.
I’m a big Jim Florentine fan! Was great as a guest on the Howard Stern show before that show went all woke and downhill….
Jim was great Saturday, so was Don Jamieson. Great evening, the whole music festival was kick ass. Many great tribute bands.