Charlie Berens
Charlie Berens is an American journalist, and comedian, who is best-known as the creator of the online video series Manitowoc Minute. He has been featured on FOX, CBS, Funny or Die, TBS Digital, Variety, and MTV News. His observational humor often focuses on the Midwestern United States.
Early life
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.Career
Television journalism
Berens began his career working for the MTV News show Choose or Lose. He covered Wisconsin state politics and was arrested while covering protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention. In 2012, Tribune Media recruited Berens to host the comedic news show Nightcap. While a reporter for KDAF-TV, Berens won his first Regional Emmy.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.
Berens has been featured on Funny or Die. His comedic mashups, including "If Jack Dawson was Really from Wisconsin," have garnered more than thirteen million views. He authored the book The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink, and Eat...Everything with Ranch.
''Manitowoc Minute''
In 2017, Berens created Manitowoc Minute, a weekly comedic video series. The name refers to the Wisconsin city of Manitowoc. His "Oh My Gosh!" Tour, inspired by the series, sold out theaters across Wisconsin. Berens partnered with Madison brewery Ale Asylum to launch a beer inspired by Manitowoc Minute called Keep ‘Er Movin’.Other ventures
Berens Old Fashioned Brandy
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.Straight Outta Sconsin
In 2024, Charlie Berens teamed up with the regionally popular 1990's musical group SHAD-RAPP, who helped pioneer the genre of Midwest humor. Charlie debuted his rapping skills on their comeback single titled Straight Outta Sconsin.