Mike Polis has been tagging along with his dad, Jeff, ever since he started doing comedy.

Now he’s getting his own turn at the microphone.

Mike will serve as master of ceremonies at a New Year’s Eve comedy show at Americas Best Value Inn.

“ I have always seen my dad doing different shows and practicing around the house and I couldn’t help myself,” said Mike. “It’s in my blood.”

He made his debut in Owatonna at a Thanksgiving weekend comedy show.

“It went well,” Mike said.

Jeff said as he started watching his son, he was hiding in his seat. But as Mike told his story, Jeff listened, and noticed that the crowd was smiling.

“I actually teared up,” he said.

Mike tells stories about going to school in Minneapolis. He tells a story about his neighbor, who he calls “Two Piece Pam,” then he and his college roommate, fellow 2006 Albert Lea High School graduate Josh Elwood, do a rap song about it.

“Every comic I know has a ‘signature’ joke,” Mike said. “My dad makes jokes about his height. I tell a story and end it with a rap.’”

Jeff said he recently had the opportunity to attend a comedy boot camp in Los Angeles, where 30 up-and-coming comics got tips from 13 headliners.

“They did a lot of one-on-one, so I was able to bring back what I learned,” Jeff said.

“It is nice having my dad around to inspire me to continue with comedy. He is always helping me with my routine and giving me pointers on what I can change. He is the first one coming up to the stage when I walk off after my show and that is awesome!” said Mike.

The one thing he tells his son is that his stories need to be believable, Jeff said.

Mike said his family is always making jokes about something — whether it’s on a holiday with his extended family or just father and son watching the game.

“We are always trying to come up with new material and think of different jokes we could use,” Mike said.

Jeff joked that he often writes down funny things that are said at home to use later. Now, he needs to check and make sure Mike’s not writing it down, too, he said.

Mike will be graduating from Augsburg College in May with a degree in communication studies. Because of this, getting up in front of people is no problem, he said. He hopes to then find a job in the southern metro area and continue with comedy.

“Hopefully one day you will see my dad and I on stage together on TV. Conan O’Brian, here we come!” Mike said with a laugh.

Elwood started playing his guitar when he turned 17. He has been playing music in Mankato and Minneapolis. He has his own recording equipment and loves to record his own stuff at home.

“ I love being able to go downstairs and play some stuff and come back to it a couple days later and listen to it,” said Elwood.

“My roommates and I have been making some music in our basement and push each other to get better. We are always giving each other suggestions on stuff and helping each other out in different aspects. It is really fun to play and record with your friends,” Elwood said.

Music is not only a hobby, but it’s a passion for him. “I have always wanted to continue my music career and it is at that point in my life where I am able to do that.”

Josh has been opening up shows for Comedy Live, Jeff Polis’ production company. He open the show on New Year’s Eve and will play afterward, too. He plays everything from blues to up-tempo, easy-listening music. He even gets out his harmonica, his roommate said.

“I am really excited to have my friends and family come out and listen to me play live in front of my hometown crowd,” Elwood said.

“I’m excited for Albert Lea to hear him,” added Mike. “I love his music. He’s playing all the time at home.”

Headliner for the show is Dean Johnson. Johnson has appeared in comedy clubs, banquet halls and special events throughout the United States, in Canada and the Cayman Islands.

He has served as both guest and host on numerous radio and TV programs, and has appeared on stage with a wide range of well known personalities including The Smothers Brothers and Louis Anderson.

Minneapolis Star-Tribune critic Colin Covert wrote: “Johnson mixes homespun observations — with some sly satire worthy of Steven Wright.”

He’s given concerts at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Ravinia Festival in Chicago and Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, Ill.

“He plays the ukelele,” Jeff Polis said.

Johnson has also performed at these comedy clubs: Acme Comedy Co., Comedy Gallery, Coconuts — Grand Cayman, Hollywood Laugh House and Merv Griffin’s Resorts in Atlantic City.

Johnson holds a master’s degree in theater arts and is a certified auctioneer and honorary colonel.

Featured comic will be John Kunik, a professional actor and director for more than 20 years. He’s portrayed Tony Nunzio Sr. in Hey City Theatre’s popular, long-running production of “Tony and Tina’s Wedding.”

Kunik made it all the way to the finals of the 2002 Twin Cities Laff-Off!

He uses his persona and a droll delivery, combined with an uncanny sense of timing, to leave his audiences rocking with laughter while cheering his “Why didn’t I think of that?” observations.

Jeff Polis said both the headliner and featured comic tell clean jokes.

People won’t be seeing the elder Polis in the audience on New Year’s Eve; he’s doing his own show in Faribault that evening.

In fact, he’s been busy this year. He sold his Quiznos store in Albert Lea on Nov. 1 to concentrate on his other business, Commercial Gaskets. That gives him time to pursue comedy, he said, adding he’s been in two feature movies and three movie shorts.

He loves the fact that his son is starting to do what he loves to do so much, and is happy to give him a hand getting started. “It makes it fun for both of us,” Jeff said. “I can help him avoid the downfalls and things not to say and get through all the words to the funny stuff.”