38 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 11-17, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com ONSTAGE These days, comedian Josh Johnson is a busy man. Like, no joke busy. Widely known as a correspondent for Comedy Central’s long-running satirical recap The Daily Show—he was promoted to co-host in July of this year— the 35-year-old Louisiana native has also produced multiple comedy specials and maintains a prolific YouTube channel. His ongoing Flowers tour, which began in January of this year, continues to add dates. “The throughline of all of it is that you are a comedian doing comedy,” Johnson told Wired. “As long as you are doing that and you are doing it for the people who show up, you are going to grow.” But how and why he maintains this breakneck pace may not be as exhausting as it seems. “I want to make quality for the people that come to the show and I want everyone else that I share it with to enjoy it,” the Emmy-nominated comedian said. The Flowers tour, named for the comedian’s encouragement for audience members to give “metaphorical and literal flowers” to one another, has dates scheduled through May 2026. As of December the tour has had over 150 performances across the globe. Following many shows, Johnson posts videos on his social media outlets, sometimes the length of an entire set. What is most remarkable about his volume of material, however, has been his ability to consistently deliver fresh laughs that not only make audiences raise their eyebrows in shock, but also nod their heads in agreement. “I’ve had to make a point to really learn to articulate everything that I’m thinking,” Johnson told The Curve Magazine in a June 2021 interview. “I think that’s where my sense of humor comes from—not really being able, for better or for worse, to see things the way other people do.” Johnson is known for a controlled type of onstage humor: less physical and somewhat unique from the shorter, punchier jokes required for the latenight format. His jokes continue to resonate on a kind of cerebral level, taking their time to unwind and enthrall. “What I enjoy about doing The Daily Show is that collaborative aspect,” Johnson told Rolling Stone. “In stand-up, you get to see my most raw feelings on a subject.” Josh Johnson: The Flowers Tour 7pm Monday, Dec. 15. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. Sold out; $40-$60. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com. JOHN CAFARO Running Joke Josh Johnson brings his ongoing Flowers tour to the Golden State Theatre. By Jesse Herwitz Veteran comedy writer and performer Josh Johnson has said his cerebral edge comes from knowing that the things that make a person unique can also ostracize them. GIFT One GET One MONTEREY LANES 2161 N. Fremont St., Monterey 373.1553 VALLEY CENTER BOWL 1081 S. Main Street, Salinas 422.9031 STOP IN TODAY AND RELIEVE THAT HOLIDAY STRESS! *Promotional gift card valid 1/2/15-3/31/15. Not valid for alcohol of for league fees. is Holiday Season, spread a little cheer …and keep some for yourself! Buy $100 worth of gift cards and get a $20 Promotional Gift Card FREE* Buy $50 worth of gift cards and get a $10 Promotional Gift Card FREE* Give the perfect gi that can be enjoyed by everyone on your holiday list, PLUS get a gi card for yourself! MONTEREY LANES 2161 N. Fremont St., Monterey 373.1553 VALLEY CENTER BOWL 1081 S. Main Street, Salinas 422.9031 Buy $100 worth of gift cards and get a $20 Promotional Gift Card FREE* This Holiday Season, spread a little cheer …and keep some for yourself! STOP IN TODAY AND RELIEVE THAT HOLIDAY STRESS! *Promotional gift card valid 1/2/26 - 3/31/26. Not valid for alcohol or league fees. Buy $50 worth of gift cards and get a $10 Promotional Gift Card FREE* Give the perfect gift that can be enjoyed by everyone on your holiday list, PLUS get a gift card for yourself! Gift One Get One
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