When the Going Gets Tough…
…the tough get going
with creator and producer of NO FILTR COMEDY Show, Michael R. Doyle
Welcome to the all new NO FILTR COMEDY Show page. I must say after six long years, I never thought we would get to this point. This journey hasn't been easy and I must say while it has been an incredible learning experience, it's been filled with so many peaks and valleys that entrepreneurs face along the way.
I’ll never forget filing on July 11, 2014 with the USPTO. I called my father a few months beforehand and said, "Dad, people are using Instagram and keep #hash tagging #NOFILTER. What if we were to trademark NO FILTR and I create the NO FILTR Comedy Show. He thought about it, as I was a young man cash strapped and said, "If you want to file for the mark, I will give you the money, as an early birthday present so you can Trademark it!" I jumped up and immediately thought to myself NO FILTR is exactly what the world needs because journalists were being silenced, comedians started to tip-toe on topics and people started to lose sense of themselves. Backyard BBQ's no longer felt like they did once before because people started to feel uncomfortable talking about certain topics and issues. I could feel that line changing and it was unusual due to the fact that "Freedom of Speech" was like the elephant in the room. It was something we all saw, thought about but very few wanted to discuss. The line was changing in front of our eyes and nobody was on the forefront to stop it!
I remember my mother calling me to tell me that she received a package from the USPTO and immediately told her to open it. She opened the package and said, "You're NO FILTR COMEDY Show trademark was approved on February 24, 2015." I let out a big "Sigh! Now it's time to make the magic happen!" It was the first time in my life that I owned something, felt proud of it and couldn’t wait to produce and introduce it to the world. I was a young man cold-calling and when I say cold-calling, leaving my desk at lunch while working at a global saas company and dialing some of Hollywood’s biggest talent agencies. I would introduce myself as Michael Doyle, the Creator and Producer of the NO FILTR COMEDY Show. They would ask what the show is about and I would go into my spiel. The NO FILTR COMEDY Show is a "George Carlin-esque" political satire comedy show. At the time, it was a similar format mimicking "Last Comic Standing'' and the judges would come from some of the entertainment's best writers, Friars Club members and club owners. The show was created to push back against the fight against "Freedom of Speech" and to take a stance in hopes of having comedians from around the country rally behind us.
Momentum was starting to build, as it should have. I spent a year developing and building relationships in the comedy space looking for us to take this show to new heights. I had the sheer pleasure of meeting some of the industries best in Eric Hanson, Al Martin, Gladys Simon and Barry Dougherty. I would travel the comedy circuit with my talent recruiter Leor Fay and Leor would introduce me to comics who traveled the country. I will never forget while outside a comedy club, Leor introduced me to Marlon Wayans, who said, "I'm going to have my agent call you!" I couldn't believe it! I was nobody and the NO FILTR COMEDY Show was picking up momentum and now all I had to do was find the financing to make this vision come to life.
I invested everything I had in entertaining, traveling the comedy circuit, production meetings, legal, etc. It was time. I needed a break and decided to come home to the Jersey Shore. As my mother picked me up from the train she told me I received an envelope and it was addressed with legal letterhead. I asked if she knew what it was and she did not! We pull into the driveway, my brain now flying wondering what it could possibly be, and I open the addressed letter, only to find out it was a cease and desist from a law firm representing an unknown client. I had no idea what to do. As a matter of fact, I was so naive, I called the same firm who issued that letter to see if they could help me. How would I know? This was all brand new to me. I called my father who educated me on what it meant and what I had to do. Could this really have happened? I spent a year pounding the pavement selling futures and having the time of my life. I'm a man of integrity and genuinely mean what I say. How was this going to affect me and all those I promised to be on the NO FILTR COMEDY Show? Would it jeopardize my relationships and what was in store for the future?
Fortunately, I had an Uncle who was a legendary neckwear creator who had experience with trademark attorneys and pointed me to one of the best in the industry. Some of the panic and fear subsided. However, while looking forward to taking a long weekend to hang out with family and friends, my mind and life were now in disarray.
That Monday morning, I reached out to my Uncle's contact to introduce myself and share my story. Then I shared that over the weekend I did my due-diligence and that this firm is representing a celebrity. Not only is this person a celebrity but they're looking to create and might have already produced a newer and more innovative Joan Rivers Fashion Police that would reach international audiences and have universal appeal. Their goal is to use the mark #NOFILTER. The lawyer asked how I knew and shared that aside from my hunch, I did my homework. How could I not? This show was my everything.
It was the story of David vs. Goliath. This attorney charged me a one time fee knowing that I sunk everything I had into this show and this celebrity was looking to take blood from a stone. My attorney spent two plus years from the goodness of her heart assisting me in this process. As time went on, I was at a complete standstill not being able to solicit or raise money. It was one of the hardest times of my life and then to top it off, I was let go from my sales job due to a company merger. I was given a package and knew that my time was dwindling. The window was getting smaller and the survival mechanics kicked in. I now had to do everything possible to keep my aspirations alive.
I worked in the restaurant business, caddied at a golf course, worked wherever and however I could. The pressures were rising and the ambition was decreasing knowing that as time went on, all of that momentum was lost. My Uncle called me one evening and asked how I was, if I was okay and offered that if I needed a place to stay, I could move in. I appreciated the gesture but believed that if there was anyone who could survive this, it could be me!
Several weeks passed and my Uncle reached out as we spoke daily. He said, "Michael, I give you a ton of credit. I saw you work. the time and money you invested and unfortunately, you're in a place where you're stuck. You can get out of this! Whether it happens a year from now, three years from now or launches you into a different place, you should be proud of yourself! Know that I am! On that note, I think it would be best given your current situation to come stay with me and you can commute in and out of the city as needed and continue to do what you need. I will feed you and take care of you!"
We hung up the telephone and I had to be real with myself, I knew that it was over. For the first time in my life I was powerless and in the passenger seat waiting for whatever outcome that would come from this USPTO dispute. I notified my landlord and packed my bags. Was headed out on a bus to Roseland, NJ. I remember trying to get used to the routine but always felt like I was in the way. It was a weird scenario because I just felt so helpless. Everything I've worked so hard to build was taken. At least for the moment. I came home one afternoon and just broke down crying. How could this happen to me? Why did it happen to me? How could I have lost everything I've worked so hard to build? What was the purpose and what would be the outcome? My Aunt came in the room and gave me a big hug and said, "You're going to be okay! Michael, this is part of your journey. Things happen when they're meant to be and don't lose sight of what I want!" Another guardian angel in my life!
The next year, while ongoing conversations we're being had, I was being briefed as needed; however, both of us refused to drop our case. It even got to the point, where I asked if my attorney could broker a call between her lawyer and client and the client refused based on their celebrity. I was in shock to think that how could they not even entertain a conversation, maybe explore strategic ways we could come together and both win! It was not about ego, this was about creating opportunity out of nothing! In my opinion, this was absolutely bizarre!
I went on to start a charity where we surprised over 75 families with life-changing miracles on Christmas Morning and then delivered over 500 meals to "Heroes on the Homefront" working in our local hospitals. It was a good moment knowing that we could make a difference and bring happiness and joy to families lives in a time where they needed it the most.
I needed something more to fulfill my purpose. We finally reached an agreement to settle the case allowing both parties to use their own name in their respective spaces. It felt good and couldn't have done it without this guardian angel attorney who still remains close and works with me to this day.
Two years ago, I finally felt ready! I put the past behind me, created and produced our B•Inspired Podcast. One of three shows (Shades of Havana & NO FILTR COMEDY Show) I wanted to create in the next two years. The goal was to find people who had experienced life adversity like I had and to remind people who may be going through their own adversity that they're not alone and to not give up. After only four episodes, B•INSPIRED have been heralded by Townsquare Media Group’s 94.3 The Point, one of NJ top radio stations with a listener base of seventy five thousand. In September, we're launching our fifth season and have legendary NJ HOF guests, international motivational speakers and incredibly inspiring guests.
Knowing it would take some time, I started to do my due diligence once again and started to monitor and analyze trends/statistics. What I noticed was that people were tired of the same-old, same-old approach and people were/are wanting to see change. More so now than ever before. I noticed that the line on "Freedom of Speech '' and "Cancel Culture" was/is vastly growing and this could be the time to take part on the right side of history. I also noticed that people are no longer tuning into TV to listen to the hate, divide, false narratives, spin and that what the world needed was "LAUGHTER!" This past year, one of my business partners and Co-Creator and Co-Producer, Rod Weber of the NO FILTR Comedy Show agreed that if we were able to recruit the talent needed to bring this show back to life, that we would set a target date of September, 2021. We also agreed that in order for us to do this show, we could go in the middle and poke fun at the left, the right and everyone. The purpose of this show was to solely reignite conversation, restore laughter and comedy and open debate.
Six months ago, we brought on Bryan Kennedy, Wil Sylvince and Steve Hook as partners. Then sought out Barry Dougherty, Steve Esparra, John Cusumano, Lisa Anderson, Jaye McBride, Erik Bransteen, George Gallo, Joseph Anthony, Flora Gillard, Jimmy Maywalt, Rebecca Gruber, Migual Duval and had over 30 people come out and perform as extras. The momentum that was once lost has been restored with some of the greatest people I've ever met! This journey hasn't been easy and on September 3, 2021 at 7pm for the first time after six years, I can say, "NO FILTR COMEDY Show" is coming to life! We couldn't have done it without this team and their commitment to trusting one another and the process. To have Bryan host this show and lead our team into the future couldn't be more fitting! We have a team that wants to make the world better and influence change. We're stronger together and if we can get back to being who we are, everybody will be better for it!
As for myself, six years ago I bottomed out and lost everything. I didn't know where I was going but kept myself going through the process. I've never let this process change me, but I did learn a lot about who I am. Today, I’m surrounded by a team of 14 incredible comedians, writers, consultants and entrepreneurs who have brought this vision to life on a much larger scale. If this has taught me anything it’s that things don't always happen when we want them too and "when the going gets tough, the tough get going!"
NO FILTR COMEDY SHOW COMING SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 @7PM. THE FIRST THREE SHOWS WILL TALK ON TOPICS SUCH AS CANCEL CULTURE, ALIEN IN SPACE & ALIEN AT THE BORDER AND AWARD SHOWS! WE’RE COMING FOR IT ALL!