Comedy producer, writer and show runner Mike Reiss won four Emmys during his thirty-six years writing movie scripts, American TV shows and countless episodes of The Simpsons. ‘Entertainment Weekly’ called Season 4 of The Simpsons “the greatest season of the greatest show in history”. Mike Reiss lectures regularly throughout the USA and onboard cruise ships including Cunard’s QM2. This Summer Mike makes his UK debut visiting London, Stockport, Birmingham and Brighton. His talk also features ‘The Science of Jokes’ and a Q&A when Mike answers the fans favourite question “Just how do The Simpsons always manage to predict the future “ ‘Secrets of The Simpsons’ is a two-hour presentation including interval and the Q&A.
Review by Richard Lambert
Meeting Mike Reiss in person is every bit as enjoyable as you’d hope. Warm, charismatic and effortlessly funny, he immediately puts the audience at ease, creating the feeling of spending an evening with an old friend who just happens to have helped shape some of the greatest comedy ever written.
Using his laptop to share clips and examples from across his extraordinary career, Reiss takes us on a laugh-filled journey through his remarkable body of work. Every story lands with impeccable comic timing, and his natural wit ensures there’s never a dull moment.
The second half is where the show becomes something truly special. Reiss deconstructs several famous jokes, revealing the mechanics behind why they work and why we laugh. It’s an eye-opening masterclass that’s as educational as it is entertaining, leaving you with an even greater appreciation for the craft of comedy—and for one of its true masters.
The Q&A is equally memorable. Faced with a couple of surprisingly brutal audience questions, Reiss responds with humour, grace and complete good nature, turning potentially awkward moments into some of the biggest laughs of the evening.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer, an established comedian, or simply someone who loves to laugh, this is an absolute must-see. Hilarious, insightful and genuinely inspiring, Mike Reiss delivers a masterclass in comedy that you’ll leave talking about long after the applause has faded.
London 26 July – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Stockport 29 July – The Plaza Theatre
Birmingham 30 July – The Crescent Theatre
London 2 & 3 Aug – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Brighton 6 Aug – Komedia Comedy Club
Tickets: Click here