Aries Spears Talks Cancel Culture, Comedy Evolution, and Staying True to Himself

Aries Spears is a legendary comedian and impressionist who has been commanding the stage since the age of 14. Known for his breakout work on MAD TV and his savage crowd work, Aries has become renowned for his edgy, unfiltered takes and ability to reinvent his set with every performance. With a career spanning over 36 years, Aries draws inspiration from greats like Eddie Murphy, prides himself on quick wit and improvisational skills, and never shies away from exposing the raw realities of the comedy world. In addition to standup, he hosts the popular podcast "Spears and Steinberg," where he continues to push boundaries and spotlight real, unvarnished perspectives on entertainment and life. Takeaways: Resilience is Essential: Aries details the mental and emotional challenges of comedy, emphasizing that the business can "beat your spirit up," but staying in the game means believing in yourself, even when support from loved ones is lacking. Mastering Your Craft Means Versatility: Aries likens standup to being an all-star quarterback—you must have the material (playbook), but true greatness comes from the ability to improvise crowd work, proving you can win no matter what the audience throws at you. Legacy Is in the Eyes of the Fans: Despite feeling he hasn’t fully “arrived,” Aries acknowledges that comedians often become benchmarks for new generations, and sometimes strangers (fans) provide more validation and appreciation than family or the industry. Sound Bites: “If you’re going to be a complete comedian, you need to have all the facets of your game on point... there were no weaknesses in Mike [Michael Jordan].” “Hollywood is like an uncle that molested you but put you through college.” (quoting Chris Rock) “I never cut my comedy cocaine. I’ve always kept it 100% Bolivia Yayo... there’s nothing better than having that laugh you feel like you’re not supposed to have.” Quote by Mick: “You are to [my kids] what a Pryor and a Redd Foxx were to me… Everybody can’t go to where you and I were from a database of history and comedy. So you are that benchmark to a lot of people, bro.” Connect & Discover Aries: Website: https://ariesspears.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariesspears/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariesspears/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Z6Tbjk4AesZwwGggZC7qQ FOLLOW MICK ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mickunplugged LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website : https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices