Heart Attacks, Elderly Sex, and a Scalded Baby: Mikey B’s “Honorable Scumbag” Comedy Special Is Out Now
Lately, I’ve been living in extremes. One week, I’m working out daily; the next, I’m glued to the couch binging Christmas movies. My diet follows the same chaotic pattern: clean eating one day, a multi-week holiday food bender the next. Even the weather in Dallas, Texas, mirrors this oscillation—65 degrees in the morning, plummeting to 25 by night.
So, it feels oddly fitting that my recent comedy consumption has also swung between opposites. After enjoying the glossy, big-budget Netflix special by Nate Bargatze, renowned for his clean, family-friendly humor, I found myself clicking on a scrappier, independently produced YouTube special.
Enter Mikey B and his aptly titled debut, Honorable Scumbag, an exploration of life’s messier and more jaw-dropping moments.
If Nate Bargatze’s comedy showcases the polished craft of clean jokes, Mikey B’s special reminds me why I’ll always have a soft spot for the gloriously tasteless and unfiltered.
There’s something undeniably magnetic about a comedian who’s willing to bare humiliating and intimate experiences for the sake of making complete strangers laugh.
In Honorable Scumbag, Mikey B dives headfirst into the chaos of his life, delivering unashamedly raw and vulnerable material. He recounts, for example, the surreal moment of having his groin shaved in preparation for life-saving heart surgery, followed by the awkward aftermath of the medical staff speculating about his sexual orientation while he lay intubated but awake and unable to respond.
The special doesn’t shy away from bizarre and taboo topics. Elderly sex, child endangerment, homophobia, drug use, and even a unique encounter with DMX all make appearances.
On paper, this might sound like the territory of a shock comic, but labeling Mikey B as such would be short sighted.
Having watched Mikey B perform countless times in the Dallas/Fort Worth comedy scene, and even interviewing him on my podcast, I can confidently say he’s far more than just a purveyor of shock value.
His comedy doesn’t aim to provoke outrage or court controversy for its own sake. Instead, Mikey uses his storytelling abilities to transform the absurdities of his life into something both hilarious and strangely relatable.
Mikey B reminds me of the kind of character you think is the villain at the start of a movie but who, by the end, becomes the underdog you’re rooting for.
His brash, unfiltered comedy might initially catch you off guard, but as his stories unfold, you realize there’s a deeper charm and a kindness to his humor.
Yes, his material is outrageous. But it’s also authentic, rooted in real-life experiences that, while shocking, are shared with a carefree, almost cathartic humor. Mikey doesn’t just recount his stories; he invites you to laugh with him at the strange hand life has dealt.
Take his account of being clinically dead and brought back to life. For most people, this would be a harrowing tale, but for Mikey, it’s just another day at the office. A wild anecdote delivered with his signature casual wit.
Sure, some embellishments might sneak into the mix, this is comedy after all. But what sets Mikey apart is his ability to balance the outrageous with the human, crafting tales that are equal parts shocking and endearing.
Honorable Scumbag reminded me that comedy doesn’t need to take sides. It’s a space where all kinds of performers can share their craft in the way that feels most authentic to them.
I’m grateful to live in a time when I can enjoy a squeaky-clean set like Nate Bargatze’s and, in the same breath, a debaucherous routine like Mikey B’s
Honorable Scumbag is streaming now on Mikey B’s YouTube Channel. Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think.
Travis Wright is the host of the “I’m a fan of…” podcast. If you enjoy music and comedy, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out the You Tube Channel. Thanks!
