By Joanna Orland
Long-running podcast and media empire Comedy Bang! Bang! is taking its show on the road for the 2026 Ground Beefing Tour. Fans of CBB will know exactly what to expect from the live show as it’s essentially a “straightforward” taping of Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast. Host Scott Aukerman brings out an array of top-tier comedians who are in character, and improvises hilarious interviews with them. It is a very silly and satisfying event to witness live, and adds a layer to the comedy podcast that you could only experience in person.
This year’s tour started at Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall, where Scott introduced himself and the show to a ravenous audience. His first guest was his iconic frequent collaborator Paul F. Tompkins in character as pizza mogul, spokesperson, and mascot, Little Caesar. Recurring characters Bruce Banner / Lil’ Hulk (Jessica McKenna) and Bill Walton (Dan Lippert) followed, and Will Hines as time-travelling barista, Time Hortons, closed the show. It is all as ridiculous as it sounds.
‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’ Has an Enthusiastically Devoted Fanbase
If you’re at a Comedy Bang! Bang! live show, odds are that you are at least a bit familiar with the format, comedians, or characters. Judging by the audience’s enthusiastic reaction, it’s safe to say that this was very true for the Toronto crowd. They were anticipatory for recurring bits like the balcony report, and absolutely gleeful to see their favourite improvisers and characters take the stage.
The audience is a huge part of why this show has endured for 17 years so far, with no end in sight. They heightened a very funny character improv show into an infectiously funny riot. One lucky fan even joined the group for Bill Walton’s new game show attempt, “Balls or Balls.” It was absolute pandemonium.
Jessica McKenna and Dan Lippert Bring On the Classics
Since most in attendance were already somewhat or overly familiar with Comedy Bang! Bang!, it was an extra special experience for them when recurring characters Lil’ Hulk and Bill Walton made appearances. Jessica McKenna as Bruce Banner and Lil’ Hulk was a particular standout. She was hilarious as the twofold character, especially when demonstrating the screaming Bruce trapped inside the mind of Lil’ Hulk, or the raging Lil’ Hulk trapped inside Bruce. Her characters’ newfound love of impressions was also ingenious, and the repeating bit escalated perfectly throughout the show, even bringing Paul F. Tompkins on board to perform the bit.
Dan Lippert was also on form as Bill Walton with his newfound love of game shows. He persevered through trying out his new format, but what Lippert was really a master of was keeping the game of his character going. He knew exactly how to reinforce the bumbling nature and mistakes that Walton was making in this segment, and found the funny in the incompetence.
Paul F. Tompkins — The “F” Clearly Stands for “Funny”
Whether or not one is familiar with Comedy Bang! Bang! doesn’t really matter, because Paul F. Tompkins is alone worth the price of admission. He’s quick-witted, good-spirited, and next-level funny as he improvises. He is so naturally talented as an improviser, he can easily get the audience on board no matter who he’s playing.
As the 2’3” tall founder of Little Caesars pizza, his absurd backstory and adventures were so beautifully stupid, it became impossible not to laugh. An immortal from Ancient Rome, the inventor of pizza, having been abducted by aliens multiple times, and murderer of Truman Capote, the silly ideas just pour out of him. Obviously Paul and Scott have collaborated for many years — they work so well together that their rapport makes their interview segment flow with a relaxed ease, drawing the audience in for every inane story they come up with.
While the Comedy Bang! Bang! Ground Beefing Tour is mostly for fans of the podcast, any fan of comedy will easily enjoy the show. With a seasoned host in Scott Aukerman, a reliable comedic savant in Paul F. Tompkins, and an array of surprise guests, it’s hard not to find it funny. The backstories are an added layer, but by no means the main enjoyment of watching the character arcs unfold on stage. This show is for comedy and improv fans as much as it is for Comedy Bang! Bang! fans.
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Comedy Bang! Bang! Ground Beefing Tour 2026
Starring Scott Aukerman, Paul F. Tompkins, and the Comedy Bang! Bang! All-Stars
Tickets are now available at CBB World
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Check out our interview with Scott Aukerman
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