KFC Radio: Feits Recaps Touring With Bert Kreischer (Weekend 1): His First ARENAS

Podcast: KFC Radio (Barstool Sports)
Release Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Kevin "KFC" Clancy, John "Feitelberg" Feitelberg, Jackie Nichols
Main Theme:
Feitelberg returns to KFC Radio after his first weekend on tour performing stand-up in ARENAS as an opener for Bert Kreischer. The episode offers a deep dive into his journey from Barstool blogger/podcaster to arena stand-up, the emotions, challenges, and wild behind-the-scenes moments from the road—including his first time hitting the big stage, camaraderie among standups, and some hilariously gross tour bus encounters.

Episode Overview

Feitelberg (Feits) chronicles his initiation into arena-level stand-up comedy as a guest opener for Bert Kreischer’s national tour, reflecting on the nerves, excitement, and oddball happenings that come with life on the road. KFC and Jackie share their perspectives as friends, colleagues, and onlookers, both proud and amused by Feits’s transformation from Barstool fixture to bona fide comedian.

• Tour stops discussed: Hartford (CT), Baltimore (MD), Hershey (PA), Richmond (VA)
• Key guests: Bert Kreischer, Pete Lee, Ian Bagg

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. First-Time ARENA Stand-Up: Nerves, Prep, and Performance

(00:55–14:00, 39:35–58:00)

• Stage Presence Over Material:
  KFC and Jackie note that what stood out was Feits’s natural ease and “immediate stage command,” more than any single joke.

  “His stage presence was immaculate… he was so comfortable.” – KFC (02:18)
  “It was just himself… giggling, getting everyone to giggle with him.” – Jackie (02:55)

• Pre-Show Nerves & Support:
  The group reminisces waiting for Feits to go on, with friends and family in attendance amplifying the pressure:

  “I felt like I was watching one of my kids go on stage.” – KFC (06:08)

• Backstage Chaos:
  Feits relays the stress of being told he needed to hit 15 minutes “exactly,” with a stage manager pacing and insisting on minute-precision.

  “If you’re not gonna be 15 minutes exactly, then, God, tell me ahead of time… Make it 12 then, just say 12!” – Jackie paraphrasing crew (04:02)

• Imposter to Comic Transition:
  The hosts reflect on how people tend to “freeze your first impression,” but a career can change:

  “He started as a blogger and a podcast… 30 years from now it's like, well, I've been a stand up comedian for 25 years…” – KFC (01:56)

2. Being Mentored by Bert Kreischer & Pete Lee

(26:22–29:50, 48:48–52:57)

• Mentorship Moments:
  Bert pulls Feits aside pre-show to offer wisdom—noting the size of the room “doesn’t matter”—and offers post-show notes, all with the energy of a true comedic mentor.

  “He was giving me advice... what's the biggest crowd you've ever done? ...Ah. Then it’s the same… you don’t need advice.” – Feitelberg on Bert (46:57)

  Pete Lee acts as a cheerleader:

  “Pete's waiting for me offstage every night being like, 'You're awesome. You killed it.'” – Feits (51:33)

• Constructive Critique:
  Pete Lee and Bert provide real-time feedback: Don’t move so much on stage (avoid giving the cameras a workout), and always ditch the hat so facial expressions can sell a joke.

3. Comedians’ Camaraderie, Road Life & Bus Culture

(19:11–25:42, 60:19–62:22, 61:38–62:38)

• Tour Bus Sleepovers & Adult Bonding:
  The comedians highlight the magical, almost childlike, fun of life on the “tricked out” bus—a rare chance for adult sleepovers, watching movies, shooting jokes, and decompressing after the show.

  “It's the closest thing you get to an adult sleepover.” – KFC (19:12)
  “It’s the best sleep I’ve ever had in my life.” – Feits (60:43)

• Inclusion and Friendliness:
  All on Bert’s crew, per Feits, have been “the nicest, most supportive, encouraging people”—countering toxic stereotypes about stand-up.

• Earning the Spot:
  The hosts reflect on how you don’t get to open for Bert just because you’re funny; you have to fit in off-stage too.

4. Biggest Stages—What Changes (Or Doesn’t) in Comedy

(46:57–48:01, 50:40–57:53)

• Crowd Size Revelation:
  On stage, once the lights hit, you only see the first few rows; after that, it’s a “black abyss,” which helps reduce nerves.

  “You can see the first few rows... after that, it’s just black out there.” – Feits (47:08)

• Material Evolves Night-To-Night:
  Feits learns to adjust his set both in duration and in tone depending upon crowd, region, and feedback.

  “Doing 10 [minutes]... hits a lot, not as much quiet tension.” – Feits (58:38)

• Risk-Taking, Tension & ‘Proper’ Comedy:
  Jokes are sometimes “tense” or push the envelope, but never for shock’s sake. Finding the right edge without “trying to get cancelled” is essential.

  “Getting the groans, but then getting the laugh is like the best you can do.” – KFC (59:16)

5. Gross-Out Comedy, Ear Hygiene & Tour Bus Hazards

(19:49–25:40, 64:00–66:06)

• The Infamous Ear Cleaning:
  A “hygienist” on tour volunteers to clean anyone’s ears. Feits brags (then regrets) having never used Q-tips—his “jackpot” ears are displayed for all.

  “She was sticking needles in my head… I didn’t know I had an itch there for 20 years… I felt a lot better now.” – Feitelberg (65:00)

• Jackie and KFC’s Ear Confessions:
  The hosts banter on the allure (and repulsion) of earwax-removal videos and whether Jackie must now undergo the same procedure on air.

6. Imposter Syndrome, Confidence, and Peer Validation

(12:03–14:35, 72:21–73:33)

• Overcoming Doubt:
  The crew talks about fighting imposter syndrome, the need for real confidence, and that even established comics bomb—so the journey never ends.

• The Gift of Support:
  Bert’s simple post-show praise hits different:

  “There was… a look where he’s like, ‘You’re so good.’... That was the first time I ever felt like I was actually good.” – Feitelberg (72:21)

Notable Memorable Moments & Quotes (w/ Timestamps)

• On Feits’s Stage Presence:

  • “His stage presence was immaculate.” — KFC (02:18)
  • “He turns… he has the perfect… laugh at yourself in the right amount.” — Jackie (08:04)
  • “You could stop today with his stage command…” — KFC (02:46)
  • “I hate talking up there. I like just hanging out, and be like, yeah.” — Feitelberg (48:18)

• On the Nerves:

  • “Nerves are starting to set in.” — Feitelberg (05:27)
  • “I felt like I was watching my kid go on stage.” — KFC (06:08)

• Mentorship & Feedback:

  • “He was giving me advice…then he goes, ‘Ah, then it’s the same. You don’t need advice. It’s the exact same then.’” — Feitelberg recounting Bert Kreischer (46:57)
  • “Pete’s waiting for me offstage every night being like, ‘You’re awesome. You killed it.’” — Feitelberg (51:33)
  • “Bert was telling me ‘don’t wear a hat on stage.’ So much of the joke is in your eyes.” — Feitelberg (53:57)

• On Crowd Size:

  • “After that, it’s kind of just black out there.” — Feitelberg (47:11)

• Gross-Out Ear Cleaning:

  • “She keeps going, giving me, like, knowing nods. She’s going, ‘You’re doing it right. No Q-tips.’ I was like, I don’t think I’m doing it right. I’m the only disgusting freak in the room!” — Feitelberg (65:41)

• On the Comedy ‘Bus’:

  • “It’s the best sleep I’ve ever had in my life.” — Feitelberg (60:43)
  • “It’s the closest thing to an adult sleepover…” — KFC (19:12)

• On the Turning Point:

  • “There’s a lot on the horizon now… It’s kind of like launch pad to just go now.” — KFC (33:46)
  • “Now it’s just like consistency… One day he’ll look up and he’ll be doing arenas on his own.” — Jackie (33:55)

• Validation from Bert:

  • “...when we got into the room afterwards, and Bert just kind of gave me a look where he’s like, ‘You’re so good.’”—Feitelberg (72:35)

Other Highlights

• Arenas vs. Comedy Clubs:
  Feits discusses how few comics in the world can actually do arena-size tours (Bert, Tom, Kevin Hart, etc.) and recognizes the uniqueness of his own opportunity.

  “Arena tours? Probably like 15 people can do that…” — KFC (67:12)

• Balancing Comedy, Content Creation, & Life:
  The group explores how live experience and stepping outside comfort zones fuels not only comedy, but all creative work.

  “Living is the most important thing… you have stories now.” — KFC (76:56)

• Quirky On-Tour Moments:
  Bert banning hats, the “frolicking” walk-on, and the banter about who snores loudest on the bus.

Conclusion: The New Chapter

Feits’s first week as an arena opener for Bert Kreischer is a rousing success—judged by the laughter in the crowd, the praise of peers, and the support of friends. The KFC Radio crew is both reflective and celebratory, recognizing a turning point as their once-blogger-turned-podcaster friend steps boldly into the stand-up spotlight.

> “It’s like meeting a new John…I think it's just comedian John.” — Jackie (82:54)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro & First Impressions: 00:55–14:35
• Pre-Show Nerves & Insight: 39:35–45:57
• Mentorship & Comedy Lessons: 46:57–53:57
• Ear Cleaning Debacle: 64:00–66:45
• Arena Tour Life & Bus Culture: 19:11–25:42; 60:19–62:22
• On Stage, On Confidence: 72:21–74:05
• Comedy Community Reflections: 74:29–78:10
• Wrap-Up & Next Steps: 82:42–83:02

Listen if you love...
Behind-the-scenes standup stories | Humorous Barstool friendship dynamics | Comedy career transitions | The weird, gross, and heartwarming life of the road