Laughs, real talk, and a rush of nostalgia come together in this lively episode of Snackin’ & Yakkin’! Host Big Ben Kennedy teams up with Charleston’s own comedian Rossi Brown for a memorable session full of personal stories, sharp punchlines, and craving-inducing snack reviews. From the realities of sickle cell anemia to cracking open rare snacks and revisiting the golden age of MTV, this episode leaps from hilarious to heartfelt and back again. “I’m downtown Rossi Brown, beloved comic of Charleston,” sets the vibe—get ready for a wild snack-fueled ride.

Meet Downtown Rossi Brown: Comedy’s Local Legend

Rossi Brown is a fixture in Charleston’s stand-up scene. The comic’s stage energy, sharp writing, and honesty explain why his episodes are always anticipated. Previous Snackin’ & Yakkin’ guest—Stan Shelby—gifted Rossi the lasting moniker Downtown Rossi Brown, a nod to MTV’s iconic Downtown Julie Brown, mixing comedy roots with pop culture flair.

Sickle Cell Battles and Community Care

Living with sickle cell anemia means Rossi faces real health hurdles—low oxygen in his oddly shaped blood cells leads to slow healing, often tacking days or weeks onto simple injuries. He’s preparing for hip replacement surgery, and charity within the comedy scene recently brought in $2,500 to help with medical bills. Big Ben showed true support, buying VIP tickets without hesitation. It’s a testament to the tight-knit nature of Charleston comedy.

Key facts about sickle cell healing:

  • Healing is slower than normal due to less oxygen in the blood.
  • Each recovery requires adding days or even weeks.
  • Life includes coping with procedures and surgeries.

Read more about Rossi’s journey battling sickle cell and how the community supports him in this feature by the Red Cross.

Immunity Tales: Comparing Scars and Miracles

Big Ben brags about a burn that healed at lightning speed, wryly attributing his “invincibility” to swimming in flooded New Jersey streets as a kid. He laughs, “I think I caught a micro dose of everything on Earth.” It’s quirky kid memories versus chronic health battles, told with charm.

Quick immunity “boosters” cited:

  1. Swimming through questionable floodwater
  2. Getting every childhood vaccine
  3. Working in healthcare
  4. Coming out relatively unscathed every time

Chasing Spicy Dill Goldfish: The Snack Hunt

The show then dives into a taste test: limited edition spicy dill Goldfish. These snacks are in such demand that Target, Walmart, and Food Lion could barely keep them stocked—probably because of Rossi’s own buying sprees! The snack strikes as crispy, airy, and brings a burst of sour dill spice that tingles the throat.

What makes them different:

  • Larger and puffier than regular Goldfish
  • Bigger crunch and more pronounced sour note
  • Pair perfectly with a cold Fanta

Fanta: A Soda with a Surprising Backstory

Rossi and Big Ben unravel Fanta’s little-known Nazi Germany origins, leaving both startled. Still, even knowing that, Rossi confesses he can’t resist a pineapple or blueberry Fanta—“I’m a hypocrite, yes, but where else am I getting that flavor?” There’s playful debate about “black” versus “white” soda preferences:

Classic flavor favorites:

  • Grape Fanta
  • Strawberry Piggly Wiggly soda
  • Pineapple Fanta
  • Orange Fanta (for the more classic crowd)

Seafood Stories and Local Flavor

It wouldn’t be Charleston comedy without talk of seafood. Oyster roasts, blue crab feasts from Baltimore’s Chesapeake Bay, and the debate over king crab legs versus local traditions all make an appearance. Both comics recall how food favorites reflect regional pride and changing times.

Sushi Grade Salmon and Meal Hacks

Sushi grade has them both stumped. What does the term actually mean? Does your favorite sushi joint really use specialty fish, or just thaw out something from Costco? Both agree: sometimes laziness wins and it’s Uber Eats all the way, especially after surgery.

MTV, VJs, and TV’s Changing World

Rossi’s nickname connects to Downtown Julie Brown, but it’s also a symbol of a bygone MTV era, with VJs spinning music videos in set programming blocks. That era was replaced by reality TV—The Real World launched as a “true” look at young urban life, then evolved into anything but, just booze and strangers in a house.

MTV’s evolution in brief:

  • VJs and music video culture
  • Launch of The Real World (jobs required at first!)
  • Shift to reality shows and away from music

Reality TV: Chaos and Scripted “Realness”

They fondly remember the wilder seasons of The Real World/Road Rules Challenge, especially Hawaii and Vegas. They also reveal the not-so-real aspect, like family members on The Osbournes who refused to be part of the show (and were literally blurred out).

Iconic Tees and Snackin’ Merch

Rossi’s Keith Haring shirt brings 1980s NYC and MTV vibes into the room. Meanwhile, Big Ben slyly plugs his own merch from Snackin’ & Yakkin’, inspired by Butterfinger, Snickers, and a throwback Doritos logo. Check out unique snack-inspired designs and support the show at Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Shop.

Snack Monopolies: The Hidden Empires

Ever notice most snacks are owned by a handful of companies? The comedians list Frito-Lay, Pepperidge Farm, and the powerhouse Nestle, which reportedly owns hundreds of brands across different industries. Those “tiny” companies under one big umbrella bend the idea of monopolies.

Examples of brands under big umbrellas:

  • Nestle: snacks, cosmetics, drinks, more
  • Frito-Lay: chips, crackers, and snack classics
  • YUM! Brands: Taco Bell and KFC

Private Snack Time and Pop Culture References

Rossi doesn’t eat out often—he’s more likely to munch secretly at home, like a raccoon with takeout. He jokes about needing extra calories due to sickle cell, and he and Big Ben call out their Unbreakable alter-egos: “You’re Bruce Willis, I’m Samuel L. Jackson!”

When Stuffed Crust Changed the Pizza Game

Not everything we love has always existed. Stuffed crust pizza was a sensation in the ‘90s. Pizza Hut and Papa John’s flipped the game, inviting eaters to start at the crust. Now, people take it for granted—young folks assume there’s always been cheese-filled pizza rolls.

Butterfly Effects and Flashbacks

Spoiler alert: The Butterfly Effect isn’t just an Ashton Kutcher film. It’s based on Ray Bradbury’s short story about small changes making a huge difference. The original DVD cut of the movie even had a darker, much-discussed ending.

Sketch Comedy and Stand-Up Roots

Mad TV sketches (“Okay, okay!” from Miss Swan), Will Sasso’s gags, and Def Comedy Jam’s raw energy molded both hosts. Conan O’Brien’s absurdity added spark, too.

Favorites from their comedy influences:

  • Miss Swan’s wild takes
  • Will Sasso’s impressions
  • Def Comedy Jam with Martin Lawrence

Charleston Comedy: Shows, Shoutouts, and Cross-Promotion

Big Ben launches into heartfelt praise for Rossi’s recent headline set—especially the Harry Potter bit about a “black Snape and Slytherin’s drumline.” The benefit crowd cheered and left no doubt: Rossi’s a star. Past guests and friends constantly reference each other, building a true comedy community.

Catch Rossi in the Charleston scene, and follow him on Instagram at @rossirbrown.

Final Bites

Snackin’ & Yakkin’ isn’t just a comedy podcast; it’s a celebration of food, stories, and laughter that pulls Charleston comics together. From spicy snacks to sharp social takes, each episode serves up something special—just like the scene itself. Check out the latest, grab some spicy Goldfish, and don’t forget to watch the full episode right here on YouTube.

More episodes on the Blog!