Monday
Nicole Pence
Nicole Pence is an Emmy-nominated journalist living in Central Indiana.
Pence joined FOX59 in 2014 to help launch a brand new newscast, “FOX59 NewsPoint at 11PM.” NewsPoint will debut in the summer.
Most recently, the NATAS Lower Great Lakes chapter nominated Pence for an Emmy award for her work as a broadcast anchor in April of 2014.
Before coming to FOX59, Pence solo anchored Indianapolis’ number-one rated weekend morning program, Weekend Sunrise on WTHR. Pence helped to increase ratings nearly twenty percent year to year. Pence left WTHR in November of 2013.
Previously, Pence was nominated for a 2010 regional Emmy Award for her work at WLEX-TV in Lexington, Kentucky as the main morning co-anchor. Pence also received second-place honors as “Best News Anchor” in the 2011 Kentucky Associated Press Awards.
Prior to working at LEX-18, Pence reported for Indiana’s NewsCenter (NBC/ABC/CW) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A midwestern girl, Pence grew up in Columbus, Indiana. She graduated Cum Laude from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana with a double major in Communication Arts & Sciences and Spanish and a minor in Political Science. She also earned her Master’s of Public Affairs (MPA) from Indiana University-Purdue University at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indianapolis with high honors.
In her spare time, Pence loves to travel. She lived with a family in Segovia, Spain, studied cooking in Italy, climbed the Great Wall in Beijing, China, crawled through the Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt, and tangoed in Argentina!
Pence is involved with several Central Indiana organizations, including Make-A-Wish, Pacers Cares, and the DePauw University Alumni Association. Follow her on twitter.
Tuesday
Costaki Economopoulos
Costaki Economopoulos is a comedian, true, but he’s also a football fan. Those two factors alone make him the perfect candidate to give us a comedic look back at the NFL each week with his new feature that’s also been picked up by The Huffington Post and Bleacher Report. With his Greek heritage, it’s not surprising that he’s been described as a “joke philosopher,” and we’re sure he’s not the only one saying that. Costaki is also a talented joke writer who’s punchlines have been heard on “The Tonight Show,” Showtime, BET, and MTV. Follow Costaki on facebook and twitter. Visit his website here.
Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee is Number 1 on the field as the punter for the Colts, and he is number one in the hearts of sports fans in Indianapolis. Well, at least he’s in the top 10. Drafted in 2009 out of West Virginia University, McAfee has not only been an important part of the Colts specials teams (and emergency QB if needed), he’s also become one of the faces of the franchise off the field. Follow Pat on twitter. Check out the Pat McAfee Foundation.
Jeff Dunham
His television specials and series have been the highest rated programming in Comedy Central history, his DVD sales have reached seven million units, his videos have received a half a billion views on You Tube, and his live concerts have become mega-events played in front of sold-out arenas worldwide. No wonder Time Magazine wrote that he is “the most popular comedian in the United States” and Forbes named him to its Celebrity 100 list of most powerful entertainers three years running.
Today, Jeff Dunham is a phenomenally successful global entertainment brand. Dunham has, of course, plenty of help on-stage: his entourage of signature characters who are there to challenge and chastise his every sentence. There’s Walter, the grumpy retiree; the beer-swilling, NASCAR-loving and resolutely red neck Bubba J; the furry and manic Peanut; José Jalapeño, the spicy pepper from South of the border; the bumbling skeletal Achmed the Dead Terrorist; the almost as dead long-lost son of Achmed, AJ; and Peanut’s own ventriloquist dummy: Little Jeff. They may have all been conceived and hand crafted by Dunham, but his characters, who are anything but dummies, have now taken on a life of their own, each with their own legion of fans.
Having toured and performed to sold-out venues across the globe over the last 28 years, comedian Jeff Dunham will be calling Las Vegas his exclusive home with the announcement of his residency show “JEFF DUNHAM: Not Playing with a Full Deck” opening Friday, Nov. 28 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The show is produced by AEG Live.
Follow Jeff on twitter. Visit his website here.
Craig Gass
Modern media insists we categorize talent– you know, put folks in boxes according to their entertaining skill set. It works fine for the one-dimensional. He’s a movie star, she’s a singer/songwriter, he’s a comedian, she’s a stripper. You get my drift. Which brings us to the hydra-headed multi-faceted, standup comic, impressionist, actor, renaissance freak (yes, freak) genius, Craig Gass.
His eclectic resume is scripted from two decades of working rooms, following leads, embarrassing and endearing strangers while building a modest and devoted fan base. Craig didn’t pursue a particular career path, the career happened to Craig; in no small way thanks to his uncanny ability to capture the voice and idiosyncrasies of the celebrities he impersonates.
Craig began doing standup in 1993 by hitting the grueling, bumpy comedy circuit road and cultivating his craft in whatever crappy bar or club would have him. Shortly into the new millennium, shock radio kingpin, Howard Stern, took Craig under his massive, media wing. The Mt. Vernon, New York son of deaf parents made frequent, freaky appearances on Stern, blowing listener minds with his uncanny impressions of notorious celebrities like Christopher Walken, Gene Simmons, Gilbert Gottfried, Tracy Morgan, Sam Kinison, Al Pacino and Metallica drummer, Lars Ulrich. In 2004, Craig’s unique ability to sound like famous people led to a co-starring role on CBS’s hit sitcom, King of Queens.
Wednesday
Dave Dugan
Dugans Aren’t Losers is the name of Dave Dugan’s latest comedy tour and forthcoming CD, both peppered with Dave’s dry, laidback everyman style that has led to several national television appearances including The Arsenio Hall Show, HBO, COMEDY CENTRAL, FOX, A&E and VH-1.
Dugan’s unique humor and observations have also led to over 200 appearances on the nationally syndicated BOB AND TOM SHOW… (where his portrayal of the mean-spirited, politically incorrect, adult bully Bart McCallister has become a fan favorite.)
In addition to headlining at theaters and clubs around the country, Dave’s ability to adapt to each audience and customize content to best fit their industry has made him a highly sought after emcee and corporate comedian. An award-winning voice actor, you have likely heard Dave on national commercials such as Bacardi, Erie Insurance, Suzuki, Bass Pro, etc. In addition, he is heard weekly on FOX SPORTS ONE as a voice for NASCAR RACING promos and features. Follow Dave on facebook. Purchase his live comedy at his website.
Thursday
James Sibley
James Sibley is a favorite across the U.S.A. With regular appearances on Bob & Tom Radio, The John Boy & Billy Big Show and XMSirrus Radio its sure you’ve heard him before. Maybe you have seen him on NBC’s “My Name is Earl” or with Billy Bob Thornton in “Mr Woodcox”.
A divorced father of four, James draws from experiences we all share everyday bringing the mundain to hilarity. With a “sitting in the living room talking” feel to his shows audiences across the country instantly fall in love with this regular old guy down the street delivery.
Chris Porter
Best known for his third place finish on the season 4 of Last Comic Standing, Chris can also be seen on his own “Comedy Central Presents” special and “Live at Gotham”. Chris Porter has been a touring comic since he was 23. Since the beginning Chris’ raw energy and unique perspective has distinguished him as one of the elite comics in the industry.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Chris brings a true stand-up experience to his live shows. There are no sound cues, no puppets, and no catch phrases. Just gut wrenching laughter drawn from his own experience and observations. Chris can also be seen on his own “Comedy Central Presents” special and “Live at Gotham”.
Friday
Justin Willman
Justin Willman is an American magician, actor, comedian, and TV personality. The Guardian dubbed him as “some kind of variety Voltron with a comic flair that marks him out as the leader of the pack”.
He’s a regular guest on The Tonight Show, Ellen, and Chelsea Lately; and he hosts the shows Cupcake Wars on the Food Network and Win, Lose or Draw on the Disney Channel.
He also tours regularly with a magic/comedy live show that Time Out says, “has to be seen to be disbelieved.”
Brooks Wheelan
Brooks is a cool dude from Iowa. He went to University of Iowa and got a biomedical engineering degree, but then pursued comedy. Most recently Brooks was a cast member NBC’s Saturday Night Live and appeared on CONAN to do stand up. In 2013 he made his television debut on Comedy Central’s Adam Devine’s House Party. And in 2012, he was invited to perform at the New York Comedy Festival as a part of Comedy Central’s Top 10 Comics to Watch, and was a breakout performer as a new face at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal as well as the Comedy Central South Beach Comedy Festival. Brooks is currently headlining throughout the US and chilling pretty hard.