Editor's Note: This interview with comedian Dave Ross was conducted for Best Comedy Tickets. Some of the links and videos are now defunct. This is for portfolio purposes.

John Eide was the first person to take me under his wing when I moved to Chicago. I didn’t have a car and had no clue how to find open mics. I showed up to one, did a set, and John immediately offered me a ride to another. After that, I’d see him at mics all over the city, and we’d hit up as many as possible. He was a friendly welcome to a Chicago Comedy scene that can feel intimidating when you’re new. Thanks, John, hope you’re doing well.

It’s interesting to look back and see how online ad campaigns—especially pre-TikTok—were already shaping what comedy would become. These weren’t just commercials; they were backdoor pilots, short films, sketches with a brand attached. The line between content and advertising was blurring, and comedians like T.J. Miller were right at the center of it.

Conducted by Gary Miller — Originally Published January 27, 2016 on BestComedyTickets.com I n January 2016, I had the opportunity to...