In Junior High, Ross mowed enough lawns to switch instruments and buy an electric guitar. Unfortunately, he didn't mow enough lawns to buy an amplifier. So his talent went largely unnoticed.

  As a senior in High School, Ross made an unlikely Student Body President. His only true political aspiration was to fight for the right to sing the unabridged lyrics to “Louie, Louie.” 

  A High School All Conference football player, Ross was awarded a scholarship to play for the University of Puget Sound – a small NCAA-II school whose pride became swollen when they defeated famed Slippery Rock State. Although he was often the player voted most likely to be “shaken up on the play,” he did obtain a Business Marketing BA degree within four years…an achievement he's convinced is a school record.

  In college, Ross and fellow linebacker, Ron Reeves, (whose name is mentioned here for the express purpose of embarrassing him) tried to make extra money as a singing comedy duo. However, Ron abandoned the team at the first sight of a real job and Ross was forced to joke solo. His occasional income had to be supplemented by writing ad copy for desperate carpet companies. “3 Rooms for $399” was his writing peak. He also blew his savings on what he was sure would be the “next big thing.” Ross invested everything in America's Only Stereo and Pet Shop. Yeah, right. It was about as successful as chocolate bicycle tires and soon folded.

  Business failures aside, his jokes still managed to get laughs. In fact, he 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. These were busy times for Ross; who also hosted a daily four-hour afternoon drive radio program on KJR-AM. He never played accordion music. Ross 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.” Ross could finally get some sleep. 

  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.” He also taped game show pilots for NBC and ABC. A disturbing and almost profitable pattern was developing.

  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. He chatted it up with celebrities and enjoyed an upscale daily cheese tray. 

  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. Two new careers came from his corporate exposure. He found that many top company executives are plagued with stage fright. So, Ross is frequently asked to work one-on-one as an executive Public Speaking Coach. Secondly, he has taken a special interest in the decay of Customer Service in this country. With as much traveling as he has done, hefound that good customer service was as rare as a five-legged chicken. 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. And has co-created a new Comedy talk/game show for the USA Network – set to launch in 2002. Bottom line? Ross still says he prefers the exhilaration of performing before a Live audience. Just as long as he doesn't have to accommodate accordion requests.

COMEDIAN –MC: Organizations find Ross to be the perfect “after dinner” entertainment. His humor is always clean, original and customized to fit your group.

Are you nervous about an upcoming Awards Banquet? Don't worry. Ross Shafer, as your Emcee, is your answer. His years of experience hosting network television shows (including the Intl. Miss America Pageant) and hundreds of corporate presentations will guarantee that your event is kept fun, lively, and on pace. 

HUMOR YOUR STRESS AWAY: This popular seminar program gives your attendees practical tips for handling stress in the workplace; using humor. Its funny, interactive and extremely effective in helping to encourage Teamwork and Creativity…especially when the pressure is on!

FROM HERE…TO THERE: This funny, motivational keynote is based on Ross' personal journey. Ross went from managing a pet store in a small town… to competing in the late night talk show wars against Johnny Carson and David Letterman. He has great stories and a wonderfully inspiring lesson for anyone who wants to achieve the seemingly impossible. The Five Points of the message are: (1)Every Success has a Roadmap. (2)When you are lost, Ask for Directions, (3)Expect Roadblocks and Detours. (4)Want a shortcut? Take an Original Route. (5) HOW you get There matters.

MANY HAPPY RETURN…CUSTOMERS: This funny and sometimes shocking keynote speech is based on Ross' research for his many training films on the subject of Customer Service. He isn't bashful about naming the names of some of the most appalling customer service goof ups he's ever encountered. And of course, the best ones are highlighted, as well. You'll never see Customer Service the same again.

Topics:
Humor – “Humor Your Stress Away” 
Comedy – "Clean" After Dinner/After Lunch Entertainment 
Roasts – (Custom Comedy written to & for specific individuals) 
Motivation – “How to Keep Getting Up in the Morning” 
Inspiration – “Getting From Here to There” 
Peer Pressure – “Getting Along with Your Co Workers” 
Achieving Goals – “Goal Setting is for Wimps” 
Teamwork – “It's not my job anymore, it's Ours” 
Sales – “How to Create Customers out of Thin Air” 
Failures – “And, then we got Canceled…again” 
Creativity – “The Only Way to Keep from Going Goofy” 
Stress Management – “Humor is Your Best Defense” 
Customer Service – “From the Horses Mouth to Your Cash Register” 
Credibility Building – “From the Way You Talk to the Awards You Win” 
How to Become Famous – “Use the Media to Promote Yourself & your Business”
Stage Fright – “The Edge you've been looking for” 
Award Winning Performance – How YOU can Become an Expert in Your Field

FEE RANGE: $6,000 - $10,000

VIDEO & PRESS MATERIAL AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST