Before this year, Johnny B (legally Bell) had already accomplished a lot as a comedian. He’s been a headliner for several years, a podcaster, and radio host on 102.5 -FM The Bone. And he had already won Best of the Bay awards for Best Comedian. Now he’s done all of that again, but in different and better ways.
Johnny B has been closing shows in the Bay area for around two decades. He’s known for a clever mix of aggressive opinions and self-deprecation. In other words, he’s a harsh critic of everybody, especially himself. Nothing new there. But this past year he’s kicked things up a notch as a clear go-to performer in the independent comedy scene. Everybody who books shows knows his name, and he’s on their wish lists when putting together local talent.
Bell is quick to take part in benefit shows, including individual shows to help friends and an annual benefit comedy show to fight epilepsy. He’s a coveted judge in comedy competitions, which guarantees the participants will get healthy doses of good advice and savage mockery. And when he’s not doing his own thing, Bell draws crowds in traditional comedy clubs throughout Florida. He’s established himself as a premier talent in the area.
Welcome to Creative Loafing’s Best of The Bay 2025
At a time when being online can be insufferable, and taking care of business in the real world gets overwhelming, these winners give us a chance to log off, take a breath, and check out that cool thing our neighbors are up to…