Before this year, Johnny B (legally Bell) had already accomplished a lot as a comedian. He’s been a headliner for several years, a podcaster, and radio host on 102.5 -FM The Bone. And he had already won Best of the Bay awards for Best Comedian. Now he’s done all of that again, but in different and better ways.
Johnny B has been closing shows in the Bay area for around two decades. He’s known for a clever mix of aggressive opinions and self-deprecation. In other words, he’s a harsh critic of everybody, especially himself. Nothing new there. But this past year he’s kicked things up a notch as a clear go-to performer in the independent comedy scene. Everybody who books shows knows his name, and he’s on their wish lists when putting together local talent.
Bell is quick to take part in benefit shows, including individual shows to help friends and an annual benefit comedy show to fight epilepsy. He’s a coveted judge in comedy competitions, which guarantees the participants will get healthy doses of good advice and savage mockery. And when he’s not doing his own thing, Bell draws crowds in traditional comedy clubs throughout Florida. He’s established himself as a premier talent in the area.
Welcome to Creative Loafing’s Best of The Bay 2025
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He’s also been a staple on The Bone for several years, where he hosted a late-night show most weekdays. But in 2025 he got called up to a more-prominent spot: Hosting the hour directly following the flagship Mike Calta show on weekday mornings.
Calta’s After Show is a high-pressure timeslot. The station depends on the talent following the popular morning show to keep listeners tuned in. Johnny B has done that, with strong ratings and an ability to keep the conversation going while expanding his own name recognition. He’s not just a guy with a show; he’s an experienced radio voice who keeps up the momentum (and the ratings) once Calta and crew signs off for the day.
Despite those commitments, Johnny B has found time to launch a new podcast with fellow comedians Matt Fernandez and John J. Murray (both previous Best of the Bay winners themselves) called 3 Ugly Mugs.
The project is fast approaching 50 episodes and building a following with sharp sports-themed comedy and conversation. As a passionate Tampa Bay sports fan, Johnny B brings both local knowledge (he’s one of the few natives left in an overcrowded Tampa), sports know-how, and his signature wit to the discussion. Like most of his projects, the show is better for it.
Finally, the comedy scene here (like all comedy scenes) can be competitive, with elements of envy and resentment popping up here and there. While Johnny B doesn’t put on kid gloves and won’t shy away from a battle of insults (which he’s almost certainly going to win), he’s also very supportive of newer comedians with good work ethic. Many people get stage time thanks to him, and if you’re worthy of some extra attention he’ll probably find out about you and offer a couple of spots. When he’s headlining a show, he often hand-selects his openers, giving them important opportunities and giving the audience a solid show from beginning to end. In the past, Johnny B has won Best of the Bay recognition for Best Comedian on both the critics’ and readers’ sides. It’s not our intention to give the same people the same awards over and over. But when a local figure keeps leveling up while staying in the area and supporting comedy and fellow comedians, it’s not something to ignore. When someone deserves recognition, they should get it. Johnny B deserves that recognition in 2025.
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