KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marco Summers is a comedian and podcast host from Kansas City known as Funny Marco. He is pretty humorous and his success story makes him easy to root for.

Despite a burgeoning entertainment career, Marco’s stop last December at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City was canceled due to low ticket sales, he said.

So how did the KCMO native handle the setback? Marco made no excuses, which I found quite admirable. He didn’t place blame or anyone nor did he bad mouth the city. The cancellation inspired Marco to perfect his craft, he said.

“Just go harder and keep working,” Marco said.

The first season of Marco’s “Open Thoughts” podcast featured well-known stars such as fellow comedian and actor Kevin Hart, rapper Nicki Minaj, and professional wrestler and actor John Cena, just to name a few. He said he secured most interviews by sending guests direct messages on social media.

“I didn’t have a booking agent so it was just DM’ing a lot of people but some have reached out,” Marco said.

He has also embarked on a comedy tour in which he sold out multiple venues in other cities. In short: the hometown kid has done quite well for himself over the last few years.

And then the Kansas City show fell through. Undeterred, Marco forged on, using the moment as fuel.

“I understand, where I come from… it’s not money just laying around so I have to understand that,” he said. “I just got to make it to where people are like, ‘I got to see him.’”

Recent reports that Marco sold the rights to “Open Thoughts” for $8 million was a ruse, he said. Although the news was false it did create a buzz in media circles before the second season of the podcast dropped Oct. 21. The latest episode drops Tuesday on Youtube, Spotify and other streaming platforms.

Marco, 32, is known for his wit and dry humor. He also has an interesting backstory — Marco was employed as a maintenance worker at Kansas City Water from January 2017 to August 2018, according to Melanie Etchells, a public information officer for the city.

Marco said he attended Ruskin High School but when asked what year he graduated, he replied: “I don’t remember.”

I couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking — the deadpanned reply was true to Marco’s comedic style and that approach is what I think makes him successful.

I spoke with Marco recently via Zoom. He lives in Atlanta but spends time in Los Angeles while producing the podcast. When we talked, he said he plans to book another show here before the end of the year. A time and place has yet to be determined, he said.

But if and when he does announce a stop here, Kansas Citians that love comedy should flock to the venue in droves. I believe we should wholeheartedly support one of the city’s own.

Not only that, Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council should seriously consider recognizing Marco and highlight his rise from former city employee to being a popular podcast host and comedian.

In the first episode of the new season of “Open Thoughts,” the featured guest was reality television star and actress LaLa Anthony. Musical artist Miquel appeared in the second episode.

In the episode with Anthony, she reminded Marco that he’s come a long way from prank videos and interviewing people on the street as he did before the podcast success.

“Look where you started and look where you’re at now,” Anthony said. “You know how many people from where you’re from and never made it out and not doing anything with themselves? It’s a big deal.”

Anthony was right. Not too many people with area ties have found the level of fame and notoriety Marco has obtained. This father of three from south Kansas City should be honored and supported here for his achievements.

Below, Marco answered questions about what fatherhood means to him, if we should expect any surprise guests on his podcast, why he claimed he sold the rights to “Open Thoughts” and a few other topics. The conversation was edited for clarity and length.

Toriano Porter: At what point did you discover this talent you have for comedy and making people laugh?

Funny Marco: It’s been all my life. I just had good energy. I ended up turning it into something when I started seeing people using the internet in different ways. So I just started doing videos when I worked at the water department.

TP: I read that you started off by doing prank videos. Talk about the evolution of going from prank videos to Season 2 of “Open Thoughts?”

FM: When we stopped doing pranks, I just started interviewing people on the streets of Atlanta. I was getting people’s thoughts in COVID. I was paying homeless people to get their thoughts. It was kind of hilarious. It went from interviewing people on the streets of Atlanta to celebrities.

TP: How did you get Kevin Hart to appear on your podcast?

FM: I just kept DM’ing him and finally (he) got to see it and he told me to give him a call. We’d been talking back and forth for about a year. I was randomly in L.A. and I went to his office and that’s when I asked about the interview. I found a camera team in L.A. and they came and recorded it.

TP: How were you able to get Nicki Minaj to come onto your show?

FM: She reached out. Her album was coming out and I asked her if I could sit down and talk with her. She told me that I need $100,000. She was trolling me. She told me she’d love to sit down with me.

TP: What has that evolution taught you?

FM: Don’t be afraid and ask for help. Just ask them. In Season 2, I’m getting help behind the season. I don’t have no pride in asking the right people for help.

TP: Should we expect any surprise guests in the new season of the podcast?

FM: I’m pushing for Barack Obama and his wife to do them together.

TP: What do you tell people about yourself?

FM: Number one, I believe in God. I don’t think about tomorrow. I just enjoy the day I’m in. I live today like it’s my last day.

TP: What was your reaction to your comedy show in Kansas City being canceled?

FM: It’s just more on me — keep working harder.

TP: You’ve said you had to move out of Kansas City to be successful. Do you still feel that way?

FM: I felt like it would be easy to go around Kansas City and make videos because people knew me. If you go somewhere new I knew it would be hard. It’s more entertaining to try to fight through that.

TP: What advice do you have for anyone from KCMO who feels they may need to move elsewhere to find success?

FM: If you want new things you have to do new things. You have to be able to sacrifice. I was broke for about two years but it paid off.

TP: What’s the story behind the (false) $8 million deal to sell “Open Thoughts?”

FM: I just be talking. I like to manifest things. Anything I do, I already claim it. It’s just like a kid saying I want to go to the NFL.

TP: What’s it like being a father?

FM: It’s amazing. You just have to be present. Being a father is never an ending job.

TP: Does your child think you’re funny?

FM: My oldest daughter (age 12) thinks I’m not.

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(Toriano Porter is an opinion writer and member of The Star’s editorial board.)

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