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Charlie Berens

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Charlie Berens
Berens in 2017
Berens in 2017
Born (1987-04-27) April 27, 1987 (age 38)
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
Years active2007–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2015; div. 2020)​
Comedy career
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • video
GenresObservational comedy
Subject(s)
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2013–present
GenreComedy
Subscribers2.66 million[1]
Views2.2 billion[1]
Silver Play Button100,000 subscribers
Gold Play Button1,000,000 subscribers2022
Last updated: June 3, 2025
Websitecharlieberens.com

Charlie Berens (born April 27, 1987) is an American journalist,[2] comedian, and creator of "Manitowoc Minute",[3] known for his southern Wisconsin accent. He has been featured on FOX, CBS, Funny or Die, TBS Digital, Variety, and MTV News. His observational humor often focuses on the Midwest.

Early life

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Berens was born into a Catholic family as one of twelve children. He grew up in the Wisconsin towns of Elm Grove and New Berlin. He graduated from Marquette University High School and studied broadcast journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.[3]

Career

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Television journalism

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Berens began his career working for the MTV News show Choose or Lose.[4] He covered Wisconsin state politics and was arrested while covering protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention.[5] In 2012, Tribune Media recruited Berens to host the comedic news show Nightcap.[6] While a reporter for KDAF-TV, Berens won his first Regional Emmy.[7]

In 2014, CBS Sports Network hired Berens to host the sports gameshow You're So Money and PMC made Berens the host of their comedy/entertainment news brand @Hollywood.[citation needed]

Berens has been featured on Funny or Die.[8] His comedic mashups, including "If Jack Dawson was Really from Wisconsin," have garnered more than thirteen million views.[9] He authored the book The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink, and Eat...Everything with Ranch (2021).[10]

Manitowoc Minute

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In 2017, Berens created Manitowoc Minute, a weekly comedic video series.[11] The name refers to the Wisconsin city of Manitowoc. His "Oh My Gosh!" Tour, inspired by the series, sold out theaters across Wisconsin.[12] Berens partnered with Madison brewery Ale Asylum to launch a beer inspired by Manitowoc Minute called Keep ‘Er Movin’.[13]

Other ventures

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Berens Old Fashioned Brandy

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In 2024, Charlie Berens launched his own signature spirit—Berens Old Fashioned Brandy, a nod to his Wisconsin roots and love for supper club culture. The brand quickly gained traction across the Midwest and beyond.

Card Sale game

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On September 1, 2022, Berens and Dane Schaefer launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for their project Card Sale, a card-based party game with a Yard Sale theme.[14] The campaign was fully funded in 48 hours,[15] and ultimately raised three times their original funding goal of US$11,700. Card Sale officially launched in January 2023[16]

UW-Madison winter commencement

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On December 18, 2022, Berens gave the keynote speech for the UW-Madison Winter commencement at the Kohl Center. During the speech, Berens talked about his experiences struggling as a young journalist after graduation while working in pieces of his Wisconsin comedy routine. Every graduating student received a free copy of his book and he held a signing event at the University Book Store on State Street.[17]

Nicolet Law

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During Super Bowl LIX, Berens appeared in an ad for Nicolet Law.[18]

The CripesCast podcast

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In June 2020, Berens launched The Cripescast, a podcast interviewing musicians, artists, comedians, and creators to discuss their stories and connections to the Midwest.[19]

Personal life

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Berens married TV host, actress, and former Miss Wisconsin USA Alex Wehrley in 2015.[20][21] They divorced in late 2020.[22] He resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is Catholic.[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b "About Charlie Berens". YouTube.
  2. ^ "2013 Lone Star EMMY Awardees | National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – Lone Star". Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  3. ^ a b McCollum, Maureen (December 29, 2017). "'Manitowoc Minute' Creator Charlie Berens Keeps 'Er Movin'". Wisconsin Public Radio. Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  4. ^ MTV News Staff. "MTV's Choose Or Lose Taps Local Reporters To Cover Presidential Election". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  5. ^ "'Keep 'er movin:' Meet Charlie Berens; you know him best as the 'Manitowoc Minute' guy". FOX6Now.com. May 15, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  6. ^ "CW33: Nightcap". Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  7. ^ "2013 Lone Star EMMY Awardees | National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – Lone Star". Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  8. ^ Web, Best Of The (March 8, 2019). "The Untold Story of 'Legends Of The Hidden Temple' Will Leave You Speechless". Funny Or Die. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  9. ^ "If Jack Dawson Was Really From Wisconsin". Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  10. ^ Berens, Charlie (2021). The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink, and Eat...Everything with Ranch. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063074965.
  11. ^ Prouty, Alyssa (April 5, 2018). "Charlie Berens of 'Manitowoc Minute' Talks Sconnie Humor". Milwaukee Magazine. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  12. ^ "Oh My Gosh! Tour".
  13. ^ "Keep Er Movin' Light Lager".
  14. ^ Jacobs, Kylie (September 3, 2022). "Charlie Berens launches card game on Kickstarter with fellow Wisconsinite". nbc15.com. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  15. ^ Newhouse, Ben (September 3, 2022). "Charlie Berens launches Kickstarter for card game, fully funded within 48 hours". wearegreenbay.com. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  16. ^ "Card Sale". boardgamegeek.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  17. ^ UW–Madison Winter Commencement keynote speaker Charlie Berens, archived from the original on December 20, 2022, retrieved December 20, 2022
  18. ^ "Charlie Berens feigns bean casserole injury in Nicolet Law ad during Super Bowl". bizjournals.com. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  19. ^ "CripesCast". CripesCast. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  20. ^ "From Wisconsin, With Humor". UWAlumni. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  21. ^ Todaybirthdays. "Alex Wehrley - Facts, Bio, Age, Personal life". www.todaybirthdays.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  22. ^ VLOG: House Hacking, BRRRR Strategy, Buying in a Sellers Market & More, archived from the original on March 13, 2021, retrieved March 23, 2021
  23. ^ "Charlie Berens on Instagram: "Born Catholic, raised guilty...#standup #catholicfamily #miracle"". Instagram. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
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