Welcome to a wild, snack-fueled ride with comedian Big Ben Kennedy and his longtime friend and fellow Charleston comic, Apples. On this episode of Snackin’ & Yakkin’, the conversation winds through loaded memories about open mic nights, childhood snacks (hello, Piouettes and Yoo-hoo!), and the odd adventures only friends chasing laughs can share. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind closed doors (and open snack packages) in a dynamic comedy friendship, you’re about to find out. Pull up a seat, grab your favorite treat, and get comfy—this one’s for anyone who loves real talk, real comedy, and real snacks.

The Snack Combo: Piouettes and Yoo-hoo

Every great comedy chat needs fuel. For this episode, that meant digging into childhood nostalgia with a beloved snack duo—Pepperidge Farm Piouettes and a frosty can of Yoo-hoo.

Memories Wrapped in Hazelnut and Cocoa

Peanut butter and jelly, chips and salsa, comedy and—cookie straws filled with hazelnut? Yes, please. Big Ben and Apples describe Piouettes as “those cookies with the hazelnut inside”—crunchy, candy straw-like treats that bring you back to after-school TV and kitchen counter sugar highs. Their idea: suck up Yoo-hoo through a Piouette straw for maximum nostalgia. Was it possible? That’s debatable.

Snack Tasting: A Comedy of Errors

The scene: two grown men trying to shake up Yoo-hoo, poke it with a cookie stick, and drink like kids again. The result: “My side of my head’s going to start caving in,” laughs Big Ben, half-choking on sweetness. Turns out, Yoo-hoo’s 11 oz can isn’t enough for two comic-sized thirsts, but neither can resist the taste.

Snack review highlights:

  • Pepperidge Farm Piouettes: Crunchy, hazelnut-filled, excellent for dunking; surprisingly not optimized as a liquid straw.
  • Yoo-hoo: Rich, sweet, classic chocolatey flavor; needs a good shake; one ounce shy of a full soda can. Suspicious!
  • Together: Childhood in a single bite-sip combo, complete with a failed “science experiment” vibe.

That mix of laughter, sugar, and shared memories sets the tone for everything that follows.

How Apples and Big Ben Kennedy Met: A Comedy Origin Story

First Laughs and Awkward Introductions

Every friendship has its “how we met” story. Apples and Big Ben’s began not with a handshake, but with sidelong glances at a Charleston open mic night. First, they crossed paths at the Music Farm during the “Funniest Person in Charleston” competition—though not much was exchanged beyond nervous energy and the expectation to connect “on Facebook.” (Spoiler: at the time, Big Ben didn’t even have Facebook, which instantly set him apart in Charleston’s growing comedy scene.)

The Legendary “Vagina” Moment

The real bonding sparked at The Oasis open mic on James Island, a place voted “number one for powdery drugs” according to local legend. There, a comedian named Katana stepped up with the world’s most awkward pronunciation of “vagina”—a moment so odd, the room froze. Apples and Big Ben, nearly complete strangers at the time, locked eyes mid-silence.

“Did you hear that? I heard that—what was that?”

In true comic style, Big Ben worked the awkward pronunciation of “vagina” into his own set, not to get a laugh out of the room—but to get a laugh solely out of Apples. That tiny, weird moment made it clear they shared the same off-kilter sense of comedy. A friendship was born, sealed by the strange, sacred bond of improv and roasting.

Navigating Comedy Connections in the Social Media Age

Back then, everything was “add me on Facebook or else.” Apples and Big Ben lagged behind on social tech, while the rest insisted, “You’re not a real comic until you’re on Facebook.” Today, it’s all about Instagram handles and instant memes. They joke that, when meeting new comics, it would be easier to just send the “how we met” podcast link rather than retelling the story for the hundredth time.

Through Moves and Miles: Friendship That Sticks

Life took Apples to Colorado for seven years. Yet, whenever he and Big Ben reconnected—whether through FaceTime or a casual phone call—they picked up right where they left off. That’s the mark of true friendship in comedy: no matter how far you travel, your inside jokes never expire.

Comparing Charleston and Colorado Comedy Scenes

Charleston’s Unique Stage

Charleston, South Carolina, boasts an intimate and supportive comedy scene. Main venues like Theatre 99 and Wit’s End Comedy Club give new comics the chance to bomb gloriously or find their groove. Names like Dusty Slay and Derek Humphrey are part of local legend, and the audience—diverse, lively, sometimes brutally honest—sets the tone night after night.

Colorado Crowds: Denver, Boulder, and Beyond

Apple’s move to Colorado brought him to several scenes. Denver had its “hyper-aware” crowd, Boulder boasted a mix of hippie vibe and old money, and Colorado Springs kept its own rhythm. What works in Charleston—laid-back, Southern anecdotes—might land differently out West, especially in Boulder, where jokes could swerve conservative or pivot depending on the audience makeup.

“Where my Colorado natives at? Which tribe—Arapahoe, Ute, Cheyenne…or stolen?”

That kind of humor, Ben explains, can either win over the room or freeze it cold. Fitting in means reading the crowd, not just reciting punchlines.

Takeaways from Two Comedy Worlds

  • Charleston: Open, quirky, deeply connected—great for building relationships and experimenting.
  • Colorado: A patchwork of influences, with each city offering its own tests and rewards.
  • Universal lesson: Comedy’s about making strangers laugh, not just your loyal circle.

Visit the Charleston Comedy Scene Facebook page for more on locals keeping the laughs coming in the Lowcountry.

Comedy Bombs, Accents, and Family Stories

The Thrill (and Disaster) of Watching Comics Fail

Any comic will tell you: dying on stage is part of the job. One stand-out memory? Watching a competitor tank at the “Funniest Person in Charleston.” He’d get on stage, repeat, “Alright, let’s do this,” only to fall apart, joke after joke, as the crowd’s hope faded. Big Ben and Tim Hoeckel rode that catchphrase for months, part sympathy, part comic glee.

Accents, Voices, and Stuck Characters

Apple’s got a knack for slipping into voices—sometimes for hours at a time. Australian, Maine grandma, Marvel’s Venom—the list goes on. Each accent comes tied to family stories or sitcom memories. Big Ben’s grammy, famous in the family for the southern mispronunciations of the words “idea” and “diarrhea” among others, and Apples’ tales of military dads and South Carolinian quirks, fill the air with nostalgia and laughter.

“Don’t f with the babysitter.” Yes, even movie quotes become part of the ongoing banter.

Family, Heritage, and the Comedy Gene

From stories about dads stationed in Vietnam to grandmas dispensing advice about being “the best friend in the living room, the best cook in the kitchen, and a whore in the bedroom,” it’s clear Apples and Big Ben draw on family for both material and grounding. Military moves, growing up in small Southern towns—these shape the punchlines and the personalities.

Charleston vs. Colorado Comedy: What They Learned

Big Ben and Apples learned early that what gets laughs in one place can bomb spectacularly somewhere else. In Charleston, comedy feels like family. In Colorado, it’s a test of reading the room. From working with names like Dusty Slay to taking on new stages as the “new kid,” the key is this: know your crowd, and don’t stop pushing the envelope.

Curious about the best places to catch Charleston’s current comedy scene? The crowd at r/Charleston on Reddit regularly shares advice on where to watch local comics work their craft.

Life Beyond the Mic: Tangents, Movies, and EMS Stories

Movie Buffs, ’80s Throwbacks, and Solo Cinema Trips

Apples has no qualms about going solo to a movie theater, whether it’s Black Panther or something quirky by Tim Robinson. Film talk turns to favorites like Short Circuit, Adventures in Babysitting, and even the mechanics of the Johnny 5 robot. Every reference comes with a memory or a quick-witted aside.

Paramedic Life: The Other Stage

When he’s not riffing about open mic fails, Big Ben brings stories from the world of EMS. He breaks down the difference between EMTs and paramedics: “EMTs can work on the outside, paramedics get invasive.” From handling family emergencies (including his daughter’s febrile seizure) to confronting daily challenges, Big Ben shows how sometimes, the best comedy comes from the toughest moments.

Sales, Procrastination, and Social Media Woes

From retail tales of selling RVs (“It’s a time machine, not a DeLorean”) to confessions of chronic procrastination, Big Ben and Apples lay it all out. Social media is a necessary evil in comedy, but both lean toward minimal screen time, poking fun at TikTok rabbit holes and the endless swirl of notifications.

Collecting Oddities: The Set Decoration Saga

Building a Show’s Identity, One Weird Item at a Time

Big Ben’s set isn’t just for looks. Each guest adds to the shelf a piece of their story— like maybe a knife for doomsday prepping. The point is to create a set overflowing with personality and inside jokes, like artifacts of a roadshow for the true fans.

The Knife Story

Apples brings a spring-loaded pocket knife with multi-use features: break glass, open snacks, threaten imaginary drug dealers. Big Ben’s dad always carried one, able to scratch any itch or (apparently) defend against any foe. Even inanimate objects come with a comic twist here.

Childhood Crushes and Pop Culture

From Elizabeth Shue in Karate Kid to the heartbreak of realizing Johnny 5 isn’t real, pop culture gets the heartfelt roast. True fandom never dies, it just accumulates more stories and, in this case, more memorabilia on the shelf.

Comedy Without Chasing Fame: Goals, Gigs, and Real Talk

Both Big Ben and Apples agree: comedy is about joy, friendship, and making people laugh—whether there are two people in the room or a theater full. Chase the grind if you want, but being “marketable” might just mean being able to riff with old friends and survive a few comedy bombs. They champion being approachable, available for local TV writing, or even undercutting David Harbour for roles—hey, it’s a tough market for comedians named Apples!

If you’re a comic, writer, or just someone with a wild idea, Apples and Big Ben want to hear from you. Find Apples on Instagram at @applesthecomedian, and follow all things Snackin’ & Yakkin’ on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.

How to Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Universe

If you love a blend of heart, humor, and snacks, this is your show. Get more behind-the-scenes treats, bonus content, and a shoutout by joining the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon. Memberships start at $5 and help keep the snack stash stocked and the mics hot. Supporters can see their name scroll by, get inside info, have their photo featured on a digital frame behind the conversation, and claim bragging rights as the biggest snack fans in comedy.

Ready for more? Subscribe to the show on YouTube, or get in on the fun by leaving snack suggestions, stories, or even just to say “hey.”

Laugh often, snack well, and don’t forget: the best stories start when someone says, “Remember when…?”

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