Steve Byrne Interview: Tell the Damn Joke

Apr 07, 2017

Das Hat

Star of the comedy special Tell the Damn Joke, Steve Byrne has had a decades long comedy career. As his fourth special hits the airwaves he took the time to speak with us about his life, his career and his amazing sense of humour.

Das Hat: I have to ask the question: Why call the special, "Tell the Damn Joke?"

Steve Byrne: I titled it that, as you see in the special I had asked my wife permission to do a joke about her having, potentially, a big butt. And so I remember the negotiation scenario and eventually she capitulated and said "Steve, just tell the damn joke". So that's essentially what happened, I not only got permission to tell the joke, but she also gave me a great title.

DH: The show, you do talk about her a little bit, and not in the most flattering sense. Does she actually ever see your shows?

SB: Oh she came to the taping. Yeah, she's a great sport and she's extremely patient with me so it's so funny because what the audience sometimes hears is "My wife's got a big butt" while what she hears is "I love you, I think the world of you" so what she hears is the set up. She doesn't pay attention to the punch line as much because all the things she wants to hear are laced in there and that is done on purpose, yes.

DH: Aside from just her, you are introduced by your family. Which I thought... Read more