SideSplitters owner Bobby Jewel trashes local comedy scene

Matt Ward came to Knoxville a few years ago and has revitalized the comedy scene here. I've had the privilege to work with Matt on a number of projects, but his tireless efforts have yielded astounding results. He's booked many up-and-coming comics (imagine if you had the chance to see Bill Cosby back when he was 25), organized a number of fundraisers (despite the "we hate money" attitude of groups like local cancer orgs), and has created, almost from scratch, a vibrant local comedy scene featuring a range of open mics across town.

In all my years of organizing and publishing I've rarely seen a person so dedicated to the greater good than Matt.

So it is puzzling that Bobby Jewel, owner of our local comedy club, would take to the stage to actively call Matt a "piece of shit." That's not only unprofessional, it's outrageous and untrue. If Bobby had any vision whatsoever, he would realize that COMEDY FANS can help his business. I don't think Matt has ever booked a single comic that Bobby would have ever bothered with -- the lone exception possibly being Doug Stanhope. That show, at Relix, sold out. The first 3 rows were seated and waiting almost an hour before the show. At SideSplitters they have to assign seating and force you to sit in order for that to happen.

Also, how do you like paying outrageous prices and a 2-item minimum for a "free ticket" show? Is the food good? Are the beers to your liking? There's a market for everything, but Bobby is running something lesser than a Walmart for comedy. 

Anyway, here are his words about Matt Ward (from a witness), a friend, a business partner of mine but also a force for good in the community (having given his time to SEEED and other causes) oh and also a father of a young son. I guess Jewel doesn't mind bad mouthing a man who has to feed his family. 

"So, I just witnessed Bobby Jewel, owner of Sidesplitters, take the stage after one of the worst open mics I've seen and call Matt Ward a piece of shit, by name. Then telling the crowd Matt isnt funny, and that if you want to just talk on stage and be a piece of shit then you can be Matt Ward, THEN telling the comics if you want REAL advice, come talk to him after the show. I was blown away. Matt has done more for comedy in Knoxville than that fat fuck Bobby Jewel EVER will."