Veteran comedian, actor and HQ Trivia host Matt Richards brings his quick wit and lifelong love of strip clubs to the ED Awards Show stage. Don’t miss his Hulu special debuting on July 10!
Stand-up comedy and strip clubs have more in common than most people realize. Both trace their roots to vaudeville. Both demand confidence under the spotlight, the ability to read a room in real time and the instincts to win over an audience that’s never shy about sharing its opinion. Success in either world comes down to timing, authenticity and knowing how to pivot when the unexpected inevitably happens.
Those shared qualities make comedian Matt Richards a natural choice to host the 2026 ED “Honors” Awards Show (August 25, Penn & Teller Theater) during the ED Expo at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Armed with razor-sharp wit, effortless improvisation and thousands of live performances under his belt, Richards understands how to command a room without ever making it feel rehearsed. Whether he’s delivering a perfectly timed punchline, riffing with audience members or navigating an unscripted moment, he’ll bring the same charisma and professionalism that define the industry’s best feature entertainers.
Get your ED Awards Show tickets ($59) and Expo 2026 badges right here!
“I’ve been doing stand-up since I was 14 years old,” Richards says during a phone interview from the road. “Back in the day I even worked in strip clubs, especially Cheetah’s on 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue in New York. I’d pass out flyers and occasionally MC. It didn’t pay much, but I think I made enough for a couple of free drinks.”
For Richards, the connection between comedy and adult nightlife has never been accidental. Long before television appearances and comedy festivals, strip clubs were simply part of the landscape.
“I’ll tell you right now, this ED Awards show is going to be epic. Getting to perform at the Penn & Teller Theater in front of this crowd, meeting people I admire and sharing that experience is going to be nothing but fun. I’m not just excited to host the awards. I’m excited to experience my first ED Expo. What a way to spend a week in Vegas.” – Matt Richards
Today, Richards is one of comedy’s most versatile performers. In addition to performing stand-up across the country, he’s an accomplished actor, writer and television host. He currently hosts the popular trivia app HQ Trivia and has appeared on ‘Flatbush Misdemeanors,’ ‘That Damn Michael Che,’ ‘2 Broke Girls,’ ‘School of Rock,’ ‘K.C. Undercover’ and ‘Bizaardvark.’ In 2018, he was named a New Face at Montreal’s prestigious Just For Laughs Festival, an honor widely regarded as one of comedy’s top showcases for emerging talent.
Behind the camera, Richards has built an equally impressive résumé. He was a writer and producer on the WGA Award-nominated ‘That Damn Michael Che’ and has created content for projects featuring Snoop Dogg, along with numerous television and digital productions.
Despite his growing success in Hollywood, Richards admits his appreciation for strip clubs has never faded.
“If there are naked women, that’s where I want to be,” he says with a laugh. “Honestly, I feel at home in strip clubs. There was a place called Lace in New York where I used to cash my comedy club checks. It was the best bank in the world. I even went there back when Cardi B was dancing and everyone knew her as Bicardi. So, yeah, hosting the ED Awards feels pretty natural.”
It’s that combination of authenticity and self-awareness that has made Richards a favorite with audiences. His comedy is observational, conversational and never forced. Rather than relying on flashy gimmicks, he connects by making people feel like they’re part of the show.
Those instincts are exactly what make for a successful awards show host.
Unlike a scripted presenter reading from cue cards, Richards thrives in live environments where anything can happen. Awards shows demand someone who can keep the evening moving, recover seamlessly from surprises and create memorable moments without stealing the spotlight from the honorees.
“Whenever I’m on the road, chances are I’m hitting a strip club on my night off,” Richards says. “I’ll admit it. Sometimes I even go by myself. It gets lonely out there.”
Years of touring have also made him something of an accidental connoisseur of gentlemen’s clubs across the country.
“I’ve probably been to clubs in almost every city I’ve worked,” he says. “I’ve got my home-base clubs in New York where everybody knows me, but some of my favorites are down South. Tootsies? Man… I’ve fallen in love every single time I’ve walked through those doors. What a club.”
The ED Awards celebrate excellence throughout the adult nightclub industry. It’s an evening that honors legendary careers alongside emerging talent, recognizes business leaders and entertainers, and brings together professionals from across North America for one night of celebration.
That balance of prestige and personality requires a host who understands that the evening isn’t about them. It’s about elevating the people being recognized while keeping the audience engaged from opening remarks to the final award.
Richards is suited for that role.
His New York upbringing shaped a comedy style that’s smart, quick and refreshingly conversational. He’s comfortable thinking on his feet, adapting to the energy of the room and finding humor without forcing it. It’s an approach that’s perfectly suited to an audience of nightclub professionals who appreciate authenticity every bit as much as entertainment.
“I’ll tell you right now, this ED Awards show is going to be epic,” Richards says. “Getting to perform at the Penn & Teller Theater in front of this crowd, meeting people I admire and sharing that experience is going to be nothing but fun. I’m not just excited to host the awards. I’m excited to experience my first ED Expo. What a way to spend a week in Vegas.”
If his résumé is any indication, attendees can expect an evening filled with quick laughs, spontaneous moments and the kind of polished professionalism that only comes from decades onstage.
And if history has taught Richards anything, it’s this: whether it’s a comedy club or a gentlemen’s club, the best nights always begin with a great audience.
Richards can be found on Instagram at @mattwasfunny. His first comedy special premieres on Hulu on July 10.
