Unprotected Sets - Season 1

When you are one of thirteen children you've got to stand out – or stand up – to get attention. After her dreams of becoming a WNBA player were cut short by a tragic accident, Zainab found her way to the stage – and now she is about to break out from the pack again. Her smart and edgy storytelling is informed by her experiences growing up in Harlem in an African-American Muslim family.

Raul was born in Mexico, crossed the border with his family, and was raised in Texas. After serving three tours of duty on the front lines of Afghanistan and Iraq for the US Army, Raul sought the comfort of comedy to help with his PTSD. He truly sees the comedy in tragedy and his act highlights the lighter side of everyday life and war.

Daniel is a fifth-generation Texan. Growing up in the nineties in Hurst, Texas as a gay boy who didn't fit in had its challenges. Daniel's unique take on being an empowered gay man in the heart of Texas is as powerful as it is funny.

There is more than meets the eye with Alabama native Rocky Dale Davis. Raised by a single mom who worked tirelessly to keep food on the table, Rocky is often misjudged as your typical Southern white boy. However, Rocky's progressive outlook in his material takes turns you wouldn't expect. Rocky is sure not to alienate liberals or conservatives as no one in the audience is safe when he takes the stage.

Named Atlanta's best stand-up comedian in 2017, Mia Jackson has caught the eye of comedy superstar, Amy Schumer. She is the country girl next door you want to be best friends with as she delivers hilariously snarky jokes about highly relatable subjects. She's proving to audiences everywhere that she can handle herself in this "Boys Club" of comedy.

Rob Christensen was born and raised in Brooklyn. Looking to fit in, he found himself joining a crew and selling drugs. To escape that lifestyle, he joined the Air Force, went to college and found stand-up – a discovery that changed his life. This episode was shot in San Diego, California at the American Comedy Company in the Gaslamp District. Rob's no-holds-barred comedy slays the room. We also get an intimate look at his past life and how comedy changed his life for the better.

Becky Braunstein is literally one in a million. As an Alaskan Jew, she has hilarious stories of just how bizarre it is to live in the Last Frontier while still trying to observe the Sabbath. After an unexpected life change, she made the move from Alaska to Portland and tried stand-up comedy. Now a survivor, she's taking the Portland comedy scene by storm.

Mohanad is living the American dream. He recently fled his war-torn homeland of Libya and is pursuing a career in comedy. As an immigrant from a no-fly country, his keen observations about American life are razor sharp and unforgettably funny. While many comedians perform for the love of the spotlight, Mohanad is performing for survival, because he knows he can't go back home.

Paris grew up in a large family in the D.C. area. Paris was always the class clown, earning detentions and finally ended up in Special Ed. She got into college and after two years, realized that wasn't for her. She returned home only to be encouraged by friends and family to give comedy a shot. After killing at one open mic, she never looked back.

Like any real Midwesterner, Shane is riddled with depression and was never supposed to talk about it...until now. Shane takes a deep, yet comedic look at traditionally taboo subjects like suicide and depression. His act is entirely self-deprecating and personal and he uses his own struggle with mental health as a vehicle for expression and healing. But much like his personal life, he balances out his act with other topics like CrossFit and science.

Jessa spent her childhood going back and forth between parents, one of which was a drug addict. She married early, had a child, and started hitting open mics. She left her husband and started doing stand-up full time in 1997. Shortly after that, her life took a turn when she became addicted to crystal meth. Through her recovery from her addiction, she found her way back to comedy.

As comedy continues to expand its boundaries to include a broader variety of voices, Scout Durwood is shining in the spotlight. Scout knows what it's like to be the outsider and has created a place for herself onstage with an act unlike any other. She seamlessly blends original songs, absurd dance, and provocative stand up comedy into one hilarious performance.