Overview of Danny From Kill Tony Tells His Wild Edmonton Stories | TFATK Ep. 1145
This episode of The Fighter and the Kid features comedian Danny Martinello (Kill Tony) visiting the show and trading long-form stories and reflections. The conversation mixes hunting tales (Texas/Alberta), rough-and-tumble work on Canadian oil rigs, stand-up/industry experiences (MSG win, moving to Austin), odd and sometimes dangerous nightlife encounters, MMA/boxing talk, and a few topical rants. The show also includes routine host banter and several sponsor/read ad breaks.
Key topics covered
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Hunting trip stories
- Axis deer vs. whitetail; Danny’s first kill (axis), a follow-up hog/pig hunt at night with night-vision gear (no pigs seen).
- Discovery that some high-antler bucks require very expensive tags (example cited: ~$14,000 tag for a very large buck on a high-fence ranch).
- Butchering/processing choices: backstrap, chorizo, pelt, heart, and notes on “gamey” meat being the result of butchering mistakes (hitting a gland).
- Wagyu steak around the hunt fire — Danny praises the Wagyu as exceptional.
- Reflections on why hunting fees and tags fund habitat/public land conservation.
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Early adult life and blue-collar work
- Worked on Alberta oil rigs/refineries to save money for comedy; described brutal shifts, extreme cold (down to −36°C), hazardous conditions (SO2 leak, hazmat precautions) and pay as compensation for dangers.
- Anecdotes about “smoke pit” open mics with co-workers.
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Comedy/performing career
- Kill Tony appearance(s), a four-person joke-off win at MSG, and the pressure/“do-or-die” mentality of that kind of contest.
- Move from Toronto/New York to Austin: cheaper, growing scene, felt “ground-floor” opportunity; performing at local shows (Mothership, Act Off every second Wednesday).
- Upcoming/ongoing gigs and media: Moody Center New Year’s Eve with Kill Tony, Off the Hook (Naples FL), Grand Comedy Club (San Diego/Encinitas), and acting work (Office Movers Season 2 on Crave).
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Anecdotes and nightlife
- Wild partying/after-show story in Edmonton with large, organized Serbian men — witnessed drug use and a chaotic party, plus a lost border collie storyline (dog eventually returned).
- Multiple stories about encounters with Hells Angels / outlaw biker culture and reflections on “brotherhood” vs. criminal reality.
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MMA / boxing / combat sports talk
- Discussion of current UFC/boxing topics: Sean O’Malley status in the division, upcoming fights (e.g., Patty vs. Gaethje talk), rumors (Ronda Rousey vs. Katie Taylor boxing talk) and fighter/weight-cut realities.
- Praises for fighters like Justin Gaethje, Kayla Harrison, and commentary on Olympic wrestlers’ advantage.
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Miscellaneous cultural and topical threads
- Jabs at celebrity space flights (Katy Perry/Joe Bezos), Canadian politics (Trudeau), immigration/politics and media, viral videos skepticism (dog vs. snow leopard clip), and a long side-discussion about geese vs. turkey as food/behavior.
- Short segment noting Keith Jardine’s film directorial success (Kill Me Again) and positive Rotten Tomatoes/audience reaction.
Main takeaways
- Danny’s hunting experience was vivid and mixed: meaningful (meat, process), expensive for trophy hunts (high-tag fees), and rewarding when done with experienced hunters and good butchers.
- Working the Canadian oil fields was physically grueling and dangerous but financially allowed Danny to pursue comedy in the U.S.
- Moving to Austin was a deliberate career decision — less expensive than NYC, a thriving scene, and a chance to “get in early.”
- Live comedy remains a grind: social media following doesn’t automatically convert to ticket sales; building local credibility and consistent performance matters.
- The episode blends humor, personal anecdotes, and frank commentary; Danny comes across as practical, self-aware, and grateful for mentorship/opportunity (notably Tony Hinchcliffe and the Kill Tony crew).
Notable quotes & insights
- On trophy hunting costs: “You can kill him, but it’s going to be $14,000.” (about a huge buck tag)
- On eating venison: “It’s basically a glorified forest cow. It’s a skinny cow — delicious.”
- On hunting and conservation: hunters’ fees/support help preserve wild habitat and some public lands.
- On Austin vs. New York: being on the “ground floor” of Austin’s comedy scene felt like the right career move.
- On oil-field hazards: “There was a site-wide evac... people were calling their wives; some guys were going to the explosion bunkers.” (describing an SO2 leak scare)
Noteworthy anecdotes (short)
- MSG Kill Tony win: Danny won a “four-person joke off” during the MSG night; called it a gladiatorial moment.
- Drugged-out Edmonton party: convinced to try blow; turned into a chaotic night with heavy drug use and a hot tub invite he declined.
- Border collie rescue: Danny found a scared dog after the party, attempted to reunite it — story had a tense ending but dog returned to owners.
- Hells Angels / biker culture: multiple stories and impressions—affection for the “brotherhood” vibe but awareness of criminal/outlaw reality.
Practical info / action items (for listeners)
- Follow Danny Martinello: watch his Kill Tony sets and follow him on social for tour dates.
- Catch Danny live if you’re nearby: mentions include Moody Center (NYE with Kill Tony), Off the Hook (Naples FL Dec 12–13), Grand Comedy Club/Encinitas (Dec 5–6), and regular Mothership/Act Off appearances in Austin.
- If interested in hunting: note high fees for trophy tags on some ranches; consider game processing options (backstrap, chorizo, pelt) and ensure knowledgeable guides butchering properly to avoid “gamey” meat.
Sponsors / ads present in the episode (short list)
The podcast includes several ad reads interleaved with content:
- O’Reilly Veriscan / O’Reilly Auto Parts
- Fabletics
- Rubrik Agent Cloud
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- RUGIET (ED treatment)
- Signos (glucose monitoring)
- True Classic (apparel)
- Magic Mind
- Pluto TV (ads are woven throughout the episode and often break up long segments)
Who should listen
- Fans of Kill Tony and the Austin comedy scene.
- Listeners interested in authentic hunting stories and meat-processing details.
- People curious about the intersection of blue-collar experience (oil rigs) and creative careers (stand-up).
- MMA/boxing fans who enjoy sideways discussion about fighters, matchups, and weight-cut realities.
If you want a focused short-listen: skip to the hunting stories and meat-processing sections for vivid first-person detail, or jump to the middle of the episode for career/comedy anecdotes and Austin/industry reflections.
