Ross Shafer is a remarkable comedian with a remarkable resume who happens to be the author of two books full of advice for businesses large and small. He's also the author of a cookbook. In his comic role, he's been a regular guest, and occasional host, on comedy/talk shows for major networks and cable channels since the early 1980s. As an author and business advisor, he's produced a series of witty videos focusing on Human Resource managers and their efforts to motivate employees. Another of his books, "Nobody Moved Your Cheese," takes on the delicate issue of accountability and self-motivation. In a seemingly unrelated vein, his "Cook Like a Stud" offers 38 recipes that men can prepare in the garage, using their own tools. The element linking together this whacky and diverse set of offerings is Shafer's insistence that a bit of humor is essential to the success of any enterprise. And humor is what Shafer brings to your event.
Ross won the 1983 Showtime Comedy Laugh Off…and virtually overnight (six grueling years) major nightclubs and corporations were duped into hiring Ross to open shows for Dionne Warwick, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Neil Sedaka, and other famous people with good voices.
In the summer of 1984, a Seattle television station (KING-TV) had the notion to produce a weekly comedy/talk show called, “Almost Live with Ross Shafer” and launched a search for a comedian with that name. Imagine Ross' amazing luck. In the four years Ross was at the helm of Almost Live, the show collected almost 40 Emmy Awards; six going to Ross for his work as Host, Actor, and Writer – and the prestigious IRIS award for the “Best Entertainment Series” in the United States; which can only be explained as a typo.
He also became a regular contributor to Dick Clark's “TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes” and appeared with Dick as a guest when Ross successfully changed the Official Washington State Song to “Louie, Louie.”
For a while, critics claimed that with his massive head of hair, Ross looked more like a game show host than a comedian. So, in a semi-hostile takeover, the USA Network hired Ross to host their game show, “Love Me, Love me Not.” Under the illusion that Game Shows were somehow culturally important, Ross was offered (2) Ross Shafer Comedy TV Specials, plus a recurring role on Fox Television's “21 Jump Street.”
About the same time, the Fox network lost Joan Rivers as the host of their flagship late night program, “The Late Show.” It competed against Johnny Carson and David Letterman and came complete with scenery, a band, and comfortable talk show seating for six. After a bevy of rotating hosts, Ross was hired as the permanent guy.
Ross continued to perfect his stand-up act and told jokes on, “Evening At The Improv” “Comic Strip Live,” “The A List,” and a cavalcade of others. Next came, “Days End, a nightly ABC entertainment magazine co-hosted by Ross and Matt Lauer. The show lasted 6 months and Ross has always wondered whatever became of Matt?
Ross also became a published author with the comedy cookbook, “Cook Like A Stud”…38 recipes men can prepare in the garage using their own tools. And he wrote and produced the highly acclaimed comedy CD, “Inside the First Family,” a send up of the Clinton Scandals. You're right if you think Ross had too much time on his hands.
Oh yes, and there was the successful run as the host of ABC-TV's “Match Game.” The show still plays every morning on the Game Show Network. All along, Ross has continued to perform for corporate audiences worldwide.
Ross has taken a special interest in the decay of Customer Service in this country. So, rather than complain about it, he has written and produced a dozen funny HR Training Films on the subject; which are now distributed all over the world.
What about comedy? Besides his speaking schedule, Ross is a comedy and game show consultant for the USA network, Bravo, Comedy Central, Broadway Video, and TNN.
Jay Leno says this about Ross. "Finally a motivational speaker without the speech. Ross Shafer is one of the funniest guys I know." With the success of his book, "NOBODY MOVED YOUR CHEESE!" Ross has been called, "America's Accountability Watchdog." Ross' hilarious approach to self-motivation is a result of transforming himself from a miserable pet shop manager to a SIX-TIME Emmy Award winning comedian and writer. He has hosted several Network Talk & Game shows; including "THE LATE SHOW" on FOX, "DAYS END" on ABC, "THE NEW MATCH GAME" on ABC and "ALMOST LIVE" for NBC.
Ross also has a passion for resurrecting customer service and has written and produced (14) funny Human Resource Training Films on Customer Service, Sales, and Motivation.
But he is most proud of his best selling cookbook… COOK LIKE A STUD -38 recipes men can prepare in the garage…using their own tools!