Pedro Franco is not your average stand-up comedian. In a fiercely competitive market, he’s carved a name for himself in the international comedy scene, earning regular spots at top clubs across Austin Black Rabbit, Vulcan Gas Company and East Austin Comedy Club. His sharp wit and unique perspective, honed by fluency in both English and Portuguese, have catapulted him onto the international stage. A recent appearance on the wildly popular “Kill Tony” podcast, where he impressed even the notoriously critical Tony Hinchcliffe, caught the attention of some of Brazil’s biggest comedic stars. One of them was Mauricio Meirelles.
Meirelles, a household name in Brazil, is a comedian who achieved prominence through viral YouTube sketches before dominating the stand-up scene. He extended an invitation to Franco that would dramatically alter the trajectory of his career: opening for two of his sold-out shows in Rio de Janeiro, speaking to audiences of over 1,000 people. We sat down with Franco to discuss this pivotal moment and the profound impact Meirelles has had on his comedic journey.
“After my appearance on ‘Kill Tony’’, he reached out to me personally on Instagram,” Franco explains. “He made himself available to help me in any way I may need.” This generous offer stemmed from Meirelles’ own rise to fame, a journey rooted in online innovation.
Meirelles’ career took off in 2007 on stage, later fueled by the power of YouTube. He transitioned from television shows like “Legendarios” and “CQC,” a Brazilian show with a massive 1.5 million viewers weekly, to creating viral content. His sketch “WebBullying,” resonated deeply with audiences and helped propel him to being one of the biggest comedic names in all of Brazil. This online success paved the way for sold-out theater shows where audience members volunteered to have their social media accounts hilariously hijacked live on stage.
“He’s arguably one of the most successful stand-up comedians in Brazil today,” Franco affirms. “He’s well-respected in the industry and a big voice in the community.” Meirelles’ influence extends beyond mere popularity. He’s credited with expanding the reach of stand-up comedy in Brazil, a relatively young art form compared to its American counterpart.
“His sketch ‘WebBullying’ grew so popular that he now sells out consistently across the country in venues for 1000+ plus attendees,” Franco elaborates. “But before the sketch, he performs an hour of stand-up. That has helped stand-up comedy grow immensely and also started to ‘wake up’ people to stand-up comedy in Brazil. Stand-up started in America in the 1920s, but in Brazil, it started only 20 years ago. Mauricio was one of the pioneers of stand-up comedy in Brazil.”
What has Franco learned from this influential figure? According to Franco, he learned the importance of dedication to craft and a relentless focus on writing. “Think about comedy constantly,” Meirelles advised. He also instilled in Franco the importance of prioritizing quality over quantity in social media, emphasizing the value of cultivating an audience that appreciates and respects the work. But perhaps the most crucial lesson, Franco reveals, is the imperative to support and encourage others in the comedy community.
The opportunity to open for Meirelles in Rio de Janeiro proved transformative for Franco. Performing in Portuguese for a sold-out crowd of 1000+ people demanded a different approach. “The material is totally different from what I do in English,” Franco explains. “The cultural references, timing, and pace are all different in Portuguese.” This forced him to hone his skills, adapt his delivery, and broaden his comedic range. “This really helped me grow as a comic and expanded my skills.”
Franco’s collaboration with Mauricio played a pivotal role in solidifying his position among Brazil’s comedy elite. As one of the founding figures of Brazilian stand-up, Mauricio’s endorsement and partnership provided Franco not only with invaluable mentorship but also with credibility within the quickly expanding international stand-up scene. Franco’s pioneering work as the first Brazilian featured on the “Kill Tony” podcast, alongside this esteemed association and touring work, positioned Franco as more than just an internet sensation—it marked him as a transformative figure with the ability to shape and expand stand-up comedy in Brazil and abroad.
Pedro Franco’s trajectory clearly demonstrates the power of talent, hard work, and a little bit of mentorship. He has quickly established himself as a comedian to watch, making strides in both the English and Portuguese-speaking comedy worlds. With the continued support of figures like Mauricio Meirelles, Franco is poised to continue his significant work in the global comedy landscape.
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