Today I sat down with Pat Dean, comedian, booker, and the reluctant chip liaison of the Velveeta Room, one of Austin’s longest-running and weirdest comedy venues.
Pat opens up about running a club while being a comic, the chaos of Sixth Street crowds, and how a room full of confused tourists can somehow become comedy’s greatest crucible.
We talk about booking comics fairly, why hacky material still kills (and why that’s a problem), and the bizarre art of crowd work in the TikTok era. Pat also shares some behind-the-scenes club stories — including the time Jimmy was supposed to be security at a Joe Rogan show… emphasis on supposed to.
Also: why bombing at Velv feels like existential loneliness, Austin’s comedy explosion post-pandemic, and how many illegal guns one comedy club staff can possess before it's "a bit much."
If you’re a comic, club rat, or just someone wondering how comedy actually gets booked — this episode is for you.
📍 Chapters
00:00 - Meet Pat Dean: Comic, Booker, Chip Guy
00:55 - What It’s Like Running the Velveeta Room
02:05 - Yes, Pat Buys the Chips Himself
04:00 - Pat’s Comedy Origin Story: Northern Virginia to Austin
06:00 - The Velv: Austin’s Lovable C-Club
08:44 - Toughest Room in America? Why the Velv Has a Reputation
10:21 - Bombing So Hard It Feels Lonely
12:10 - Booking Comics: Who Gets the Spots & Why
15:40 - Crowd Work vs Actual Material: The TikTok Era Dilemma
19:00 - Jimmy "Secures" a Joe Rogan Show
21:40 - Guns, Door Guys, and Texas Logic
24:30 - Managing Comics Without Losing Your Own Spot
28:00 - Austin Comedy Before vs After the Boom
30:40 - The Type of Comic Pat Likes to Book (and Avoids)
33:20 - Why Hack Material Still Works (and Why That Sucks)
35:00 - The "Cover Joke" Theory for New Comics
36:45 - Jimmy’s Joke Gets Stolen in New Orleans (By a Friend)
👇 Check Out Pat Dean
📺 Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thelanalaxcorporation/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patdeanrules/
The Velveeta Room: https://www.instagram.com/thevelveetaroom/
💥 Support the Show & Unlock Bonus Content
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thejimmyclifford
🎧 Listen to Pator Bullsh*t
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6bKpv7OqbyBq2tVesZDnUR?si=_atdK0udQmqOX17g_d4_RA
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pastor-bullsh-t/id1820050017
🧢 Follow Jimmy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejimmyclifford/
Twitter: https://x.com/notjimclifford
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejimmyclifford
📢 SPONSORS
Want to sponsor Pastor Bullsht*? Hit us up: Jimmy@arrogantmenace.com
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
The views and jokes expressed are for comedy and entertainment only. Don’t sue us—we're comedians, not your lawyer.