The Suncoast Post Interview with AGT All-Star Finalist Mike E. Winfield
I first saw Mike on a Carnival Cruise I was on and I laughed the whole night! He was on America’s Got Talent in 2022. During that time Mike played some shows in Tampa at Side Splitters Comedy Club and I caught one, which was hilarious. He was gracious enough to agree to an interview. He is currently a finalist on AGT All-Stars. The finale will be Monday, February 27th on NBC. Be sure and check it out to see if Mike is the winner!
SP: What it was like for you when Simon hit the Golden Buzzer?
MW: The last thing I expected was to get the Golden Buzzer, let alone from Simon. I never really considered getting it. Not that I didn’t think I was deserving, I just know how AGT has been for previous comedians. My only goal was to perform and do my best to get to the next round, which would be the finals. That moment was surreal for me. It happened in slow motion because I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. It was one of the greatest moments in my career!
SP: When did you first realize you were funny?
MW: I remember being in first grade and always making people around me laugh. My Mom would always laugh and say “Oh Mikey”. I’ve just always enjoyed seeing people laugh. I never really thought to become a standup comedian, but I’ve always wanted to attach myself to joy.
SP: Who are your comedy heroes?
MW: Martin Lawrence is one of my comedy heroes. I used to watch Def Comedy Jam and he would host and destroy the audiences. He had an unmatched level of charisma and it showed me that comedy is about the entire package.
SP: What was the first club gig you played?
MW: I played at a comedy club in Sacramento called Laughs Unlimited. It’s in a place called Old Sacramento and for short, they call it “Old Sac” which is weird. My first gig was not fun, but it was necessary.
SP: When did you start doing the “Punchliner” Comedy Clubs on Carnival Cruise ships and how is that experience?
MW: A buddy of mine who does comedy got me in the “Punchliner” so he could act as my agent and make money off of me. I ended up getting inside the cruise line but they wouldn’t allow him to be my agent. I still think he’s a cool guy and I understand.
SP: You also do some acting, how did that come about?
MW: Throughout my time doing standup, I’ve been able to come by some auditions and every blue moon I’ll land one. One of the biggest ones was on NBC with “The Office”. That’s one of my biggest credits to date. Hopefully, those doors continue to open.
SP: What has the AGT experience been like? What made you decide to do it?
MW: People are recognizing me wherever I go and hopefully buying tickets. It’s too soon to tell since, as of today, I haven’t even performed in the finals. I’ve been doing standup close to 20 years and AGT just made sense. I knew I had a lot of jokes and the right jokes to win in front of the entire country.
SP: Was Howie Mandell’s offer on America’s Got Talent on live TV a shock to you?
MW: I was completely shocked. I knew at that point I had killed it and was riding a wave.
SP: From what I can find on the Internet you would win $500K. Anything else go with that? What would you spend it on? lol
MW: The dollar amount that you would win is not $500,000, it is actually $25,000. And it doesn’t matter how much money I would make because I would have to give it to my wife anyway, so she could buy stuff for the house and say that it is for all of us. She hates when I say that. What goes with that? Lots of bragging rights and huge opportunities. If I won $500,000 right now I’m not really sure what I would buy. Actually I do. I think I would get as many extravagant palm trees as I could afford with it and plant them around my new house. If I win the actual amount of $25,000, I guess I could buy one tree.
SP: Are you coming back to the Tampa area? I am so happy for you!
Thank you! I’m going to return to Tampa in September. I’m doing four shows at Side Splitters Comedy Club. I love that place. That was one of the first clubs that gave me an opportunity. Every time I go to the club I’m reminded of how much fun it is to be there. And I love Tampa too, because they have a lot of moms!
Good luck Mike E. and you can check out all about Mike at www.mikewinfield.com
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