Buffalo Comedy: Jason Pomietlasz has questions for Piskor, Key

(Above, L-R: Jake Piskor and Jameel Key. Photo of Jake Piskor via https://www.homebrewedcomedy.com/team/jake-piskor. Photo of Jameel Key via @jameel.key.9).

By Jason Pomietlasz

The 2026 Buffalo’s Funniest Contest had over 60 aspiring comics take the stage and Jake Piskor emerged as the new king of Buffalo comedy. Piskor has been on the local scene for a while and hosts the longest running open mic at Nietzsche’s Bar on Tuesdays with fellow comic and 2024 Funniest winner Jake Sampson. He was kind enough to answer a few penetrating questions. 

What does it mean to you to win the contest ?

“It’s truly an honor and accomplishment, considering how many people enter every year, and how much of a grind it is just to make it to the final round. I consider every comic that has won this contest as some of the most talented people to ever grace a stage in Buffalo, and I don’t take it lightly to be placed among such talent.”

How long have you been doing comedy and what do you think about the Buffalo comedy scene?

“I started in 2017, so I think with the shutdown from COVID-19, it’s been about eight years. I think the Buffalo comedy scene is full of talent, and its audiences truly make you a better comedian, because their sense of humor is arguably within the highest of standards, as is many blue collar cities. To quote the late Bruce Wilson, ‘Performing comedy in Buffalo is like training with the weights on, and when you get to perform in other cities, it feels like the weights come off.’”

How important is “the hang” to you and do you have a dream green room hang ?

“When working with household name comedians or comics for the first time, the hang is what separates the most talented from good humans, and it truly leaves an impression no matter which way it goes. I’ve been asked to work with other comics based on the fact that we had a good time together, and most often, comics that tour together truly enjoy each others’ comedy first and foremost. I don’t have a dream green room hang, because I always expect the worst and hope for the best when working with someone, that way I’m never disappointed.”

What’s one thing you would change about the current state of comedy?

“There seems to be a divide on ‘edgy comedy’ and ‘material you can’t joke about.’ To me, anything is fair game as far as a topic or premise, and the greatest of comics can take something dark and make an audience laugh about it, because of their likability, trust and writing. With that being said, not everyone is going to enjoy every comedian, that’s the beauty of the art form, but the difference between creativity and spewing hate is a fine line that we seem to be divided on, and I don’t think that will ever change. It’s just part of humanity, but the darker the topic that you experience as a human, the more likely you are to be able to find the humor in what others may seem as ‘not funny.’ Again, there’s a difference between joking and disguising hateful words as ‘I was just joking.’”

Jameel Key

Jameel Key is recording his first comedy album at Helium Comedy Club this Wednesday, July 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets available here: https://buffalo.heliumcomedy.com/shows/357505. Key is a veteran of the Buffalo comedy scene and won Buffalo’s Funniest in 2017. He’s ready to put his wealth of material into the zeitgeist and he was also considerate enough to answer a few questions. 

How long have you been doing comedy and what do you think about the Buffalo comedy scene?

“Thirteen years, since March of 2013. The local scene is friendlier and more people are do-it-yourselfers, with local shows way quicker than before.”

What’s the best advice someone gave you when you started out and what advice would you give someone starting out?

“I don’t remember getting advice because people were more standoffish with new comics. 

I would say worry about writing and being funny instead of trying to impress other comics and trying to make other comics laugh. That’s not the audience you do this for.”

How did you prep for the recording and what are your expectations after it’s released? 

“I honestly didn’t prep for this as much as I wanted. I did a lot more prep for the original date.  Did a couple of headline gigs before it was supposed to happen. I am hoping to work more from this.”

How important is “the hang” to you ?

“The hang isn’t important to me, if it happens organically I’m all about it.”

What are your long term comedy goals? 

“I feel like it’s already long term. My goal was always just to work on a regular basis at clubs.”