Comedian / Writer / Scamp

Steve Calechman’s fifth grade teacher changed the course of history. On his report card she said that he had “an excellent use of humor but his map of Norway needs work.” While difficult to handle, Steve decided to give up on a career in geography, but he began to consider a life in comedy for the first time. Aside from annoying classmates, Steve didn’t do anything until two years later, when in 1981 he played his first big and still best paying show at his bar mitzvah. His set was tight. The three-piece powder blue suit was sharp. And the rabbi had trouble following him. Steve imagined that one day it might be worth driving for hours to roadside bars, VFW halls, and even a zoo, to try and recapture the thrill.

It wasn’t until 1991, a year after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, that Steve decided to completely disappoint his parents by embarking on dual careers – low-paying comedian and low-paying journalist. Both found him stuck in near-empty rooms late at night. As a comedian, at least he could do the droning on about traffic patterns. Things have since improved.

He’s told jokes at the Roman Coliseum and into Elvis Presley’s microphone. He’s auctioned off pinball machines and been spanked by a Hollywood actress – all in the name of charity. He’s emceed the Boston Jewish Film Festival’s Fiddler on the Roof sing-along. He’s shilled couches, mashed potatoes and the weather in commercials. He’s been named a comic on the verge of breaking out by The Boston Globe. And in the most direct approach to revisiting his glory days, he’s performed at numerous temples where dinner has usually been chicken. And everywhere he’s been, people have found him, if not extraordinarily funny then at least mildly competent.

The journalism career has also grown, allowing Steve to combine his reporting and comedy skills. He’s a contributing editor for Men’s Health. While he hasn’t made it to the chest-shaving beat, he has written about the difference between a sweet potato and a yam, the consequences of objecting at a wedding, and how to get a song out of your head. He’s working on making this into a musical, except for the getting the song out of your head part, since that would be counterproductive.

Steve's also proud to say that he didn’t abandon his early love for geography. He knows all 42 state capitals.

If you would like to hire Steve for a show or event or be put on his mailing list, feel free to contact him.

In Other News:

For the third season, I'm working as the announcer for the Boston Lobsters tennis team. Tennis is an ancient sport using racquets and fuzzy balls and sometimes Gatorade if you need to replenish. Along with the sponsor requirements, I explain the rules, help people lose their inhibitions and give the players nicknames as part of their introductions. For Martina Navratilova, hers was Top Cat. Matches are at the Ferncroft Country Club in Danvers. You should come and experience the magic.

Comedians worth checking out:

And special thanks to:

Geoffrey James, a fine writer who helped put this site together.