Craving a good snack and a better laugh? Fans of stand-up and road stories, you’re in for a treat. In this jam-packed episode of Snackin’ & Yakkin’, Big Ben Kennedy sits down with comedian Rollin’ Jay Moore for a session bursting with Cheez-Its, cruise ship tales, and honest talk about comedy, family, and the little things in life that make us laugh (or grind our teeth).

You’ll find the full episode right below—but stick around for the highlights, funny stories, and a look behind the scenes.

Let’s Talk Snacks: Cheez-Its, Oreos, and Comic Crunch

Every episode of Snackin’ & Yakkin’ kicks off with some lovable nosh, and this time, Rollin’ Jay Moore enters with a clear favorite: Cheez-Its. “Man, I love me some Cheez-Its.” he admits, right before riffing on how they always stay in your teeth and manage to sneak back into your day. They’re nearly as dependable as Oreos, which can turn up in your teeth at the weirdest moments.

Of course, not all snacks are equal. The debate over why Cheetos linger on your teeth sparks a round of squirrel jokes and memories of snack foods following you through the day—a small but true struggle in the life of any snacker or performer.

Snacks, as Big Ben explains, aren’t just fuel for the show. They’re a perfect icebreaker, grounding each episode in friendly, everyday moments—and they reveal a little bit about everyone who visits the set. Want to join the snack-fueled fun? You’ll find Snackin’ & Yakkin’s YouTube channel and their Patreon community always open for new taste-testers and supporters.

Meet Big Ben Kennedy: Baltimore Roots and Stand-Up Routes

Big Ben Kennedy isn’t just a funny guy with strong snack opinions. Raised in “Charm City” (aka Baltimore, Maryland), Big Ben jokes about his hometown’s reputation—charm, carjackings, and all. He grew up in Glen Burnie, just outside Baltimore, before life and marriage pulled him south to Charleston, South Carolina.

And Rollin’ Jay Moore’s journey? Classic comic hustle. Jay spent years crisscrossing the country, living in California for a stint, and playing crowds from the Northeast to Alaska. That means plenty of comedy clubs where memories blur together—sometimes you forget if you’ve been there before, or even if you’ve already met the folks you’re talking to.

Rolling into the Stage Name

Crowds and club owners often confuse him with the other Jay Mohr, a Hollywood comedian. The confusion started when Jay moved to California and agents advised a stage name switch. His real name, Joseph Roland Moore, became Rollin’ Jay Moore after some playful nudging from agents who thought “Rollin’” sounded just right for a comic on the move. The new name stuck—though not without a few stories about mix-ups in clubs and face-to-face encounters with the other Jay Mohr.

The Cruise Ship Comedy Circuit

Rollin’ Jay Moore isn’t your average landlocked comic. He’s known for making crowds laugh on cruise ships, especially with Norwegian and Princess Cruises.

Life as a cruise ship comedian includes:

  • Performing while the ship sways (sometimes a little too hard—think falling stools and rolling crowds)
  • Staying where comics rotate through the same rooms, sometimes finding 20-year-old stains from past gigs
  • Access to crew bars where drinks cost next to nothing compared to the public areas (“a crew bar vodka drink is maybe a buck sixty, upstairs it’s nine dollars”)
  • Building up a wild collection of stories, including hurricanes, wild sea conditions, and encounters with passengers and staff

Catch Rollin’ Jay Moore on social media for show dates and a taste of his comic adventures: @rollinjaymoore.

Comedy on the Road: Balancing Gigs, Gas Money, and Family

Touring is tough—and not as glamorous as it sounds. Big Ben recalls driving hours for shows that barely paid enough to cover gas and snacks, let alone a hotel room or a family meal. In the glory days, $100 for a 20-minute set seemed huge. But inflation, higher gas prices, and clubs still offering 1980s pay rates mean road comics now face a choice: stay local or take a financial hit.

Big Ben juggled gigs in up to eleven states a year before smartening up and focusing closer to home. Baltimore made for easy road trips—head a couple hours in any direction and you land a show. Down South, it’s a longer haul between cities and fewer big-name sports teams (a point Big Ben laments, still missing those Orioles games).

On the Road with Friends and Fears

Traveling for comedy brings its own cast of characters. Big Ben shares memories of touring with the late Erik Myers—an electrifying talent on stage, but, like many comics, battling personal demons off-stage. The brotherhood (and sometimes the heartbreak) of working comics stays with him.

Flying, on the other hand, is a necessary evil. Jay jokes, “I’m not afraid of flying, I’m afraid of crashing,” bringing up nervous first flights in tiny planes with young pilots in baseball caps. Overseas gigs bring jet lag so bad you forget if it’s morning or night—the mark of a true comedy road warrior.

“When you’re in the air and look out the window, it’s like you’re not moving. But when that plane comes down and you’re close to the ground, you suddenly realize how fast you’re really going.”

Family, Health, and Growing Up (Sort Of)

Being a comedian means plenty of nights away from home, and Big Ben opens up about the family choices behind his move south. He wanted his son to know his grandfather, a privilege Jay never had. That shift to Charleston made life a bit slower and put family front and center, but came with new responsibilities—like taking on roles as an EMT and, later, Paramedic.

Living with ADHD…and a Lot of Pills

Jay talks openly about his hypertension, ADHD diagnosis (later in life), and his new relationship with a “three-a-day pill container.” “I went from never taking a med to a full-on, lined-up tray by age forty-seven,” he laughs, reflecting on weight loss, mood stabilizers, blood pressure medicine, and those vitamins everyone swears are magic (but maybe just make for pricier pee).

“I used to think vitamins helped. Maybe they just make me feel better because I’m taking them. Or maybe it’s all in my head.”

Parenting, Psychology, and Fears

Big Ben’s grown-up son, now a psychology major and producer for the show, often keeps him grounded. Whether it’s advice to trust pilots (“they didn’t go up in the air to crash today”), or reminders to stay pragmatic, it’s clear that ambition runs in the family—if a little differently for each generation.

Nicknames, Comedy Identity, and Industry Mix-Ups

Names matter in comedy, sometimes more than the jokes. Jay’s story of always being mistaken for Jay Mohr is a lesson in branding and mistaken identity. Clubs expect one guy and get another, sometimes disappointed, sometimes amused.

Even Big Ben Kennedy, host of Snackin’ & Yakkin’, has been caught in the nickname game. Known as “Big Ben Kennedy,” he’s faced funny looks from bookers who expect someone else—maybe of a different race or style. It’s a reminder that in comedy, the label on the tin rarely matches the contents.

“Are nicknames like that just for Black comics?” Big Ben asks. Jay laughs, “They either think I’m a stoner or expect another Jay Moore. You never know what you’re going to get.”

Pets: Birds, Dogs, and Accidental Pet Prisons

Jay and Big Ben go off-script with a wild ride through pet stories. Big Ben has a cockatiel (Bobby) who’s more foul-tempered than fun. She’ll bite your finger if you try to let her out, then squawk like a kazoo, and occasionally get stuck somewhere in the house needing rescue.

Not to be outdone, there’s also Jake the Labrador-pit mix (or “Pitador”), a big-hearted mutt who’s oddly terrified of the bird. Apparently, birds can rule the roost after all.

Key pet quirks:

  • Cockatiel: Loud, bites, escapes but needs help getting down
  • Dog: Big, sweet, afraid of the bird
  • Cat: Also scared, runs upstairs when the bird comes out

Pop Culture, Nightmares, and Growing Up on Horror

Both hosts share a vital education: 1980s and 90s horror movies. Big Ben’s first real scare came from Nightmare on Elm Street, which sparked a life-long love of horror (and plenty of sleepless nights as a kid). Freddy, Michael, Jason, Chucky—Big Ben’s watched them all, sometimes rooting for the villain because they’re just more interesting.

“Freddy would kill you based on your own vices. If you liked drugs, he’d come at you with syringes instead of knives on his glove. That’s twisted, but also smart writing.”

Ben brings up Charleston’s backlot ties to recent Halloween movies, produced by Danny McBride. They both agree: horror sequels rarely top the originals, but the nostalgia is unbeatable.

A Peek Behind the Snacks: The Studio, Show Flow, and Quirky Gifts

Snackin’ & Yakkin’ started simple, out of a garage, but quickly leveled up. The show’s laid-back vibe—no forced segues, genuine laughs—makes for the kind of banter you wish you could have with friends over a bowl of Cheez-Its.

Jay brings a classic, only-in-comedy souvenir: his Norwegian Cruise Lines crew badge (with his name misspelled “Jay Rollin Moore”) as a gift for Big Ben’s studio shelf, right between the Game Boy and the “They Live” lunch box. It’s a mark of the odd, wonderful world of being a comic who works everywhere, even the high seas.

Podcast highlights:

  • Snacks as icebreakers
  • Guest gifts for the “snack shelf”
  • No-script, no-pressure interviews
  • Studio setup built for laughs, comfort, and plenty of snacks

Follow the Laughs: Links, Resources, and Where to Find More Comedy

Plus, you can leave Big Ben your own snack story or comedy question at (607) MY SNACK (607-697-6225). No Cheez-Its required.

The Snacky End: Why Comedy and Conversation Still Matter

Rollin’ Jay Moore and Big Ben Kennedy prove that the best comedy isn’t just written—it’s shared, piece by piece, over snacks and stories. Life—like jokes—is better with a bit of mess, some friends who get it, and time to reflect on what really matters.

If you dig real talk, laughter that stings a little, and the glue that keeps families (and comics) together, pull up a seat and check out the latest episode. This isn’t just about snacks and stand-up; it’s about hanging on to your passion, even as you ride the waves—on stage, off stage, or out at sea.

Hungry for more? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ community and keep the comedy coming. And maybe…pick up a box of Cheez-Its for the road.

And check out more episodes over on the blog!