Podcast Summary
Discussing the importance of a clever comedy special title: A memorable title can significantly boost a comedy special's success, even during challenging times.
Creativity and humor can be found in unexpected places, even during challenging times. The discussion between the hosts revolved around their shared love for comedy specials, with Jesus Trejo's "Stay at Home, Son" being a recent favorite. Trejo shared how he came up with the title for his special and the importance of a clever and memorable title. The conversation also touched on the challenges of naming a comedy special and the impact of a good title on a show's success. Despite the ongoing pandemic and the difficulties it presents, the hosts remained optimistic and continued to find joy in their shared passion for comedy.
Struggling with Influence and Discoverability in Comedy: Separate fan and pro, avoid unintentionally copying peers; discoverability on smaller platforms can help audiences find your work
As a comic, it's essential to separate yourself from being a fan and a professional. Watching peers' work can be challenging since you see their progression and may unintentionally incorporate their material into your own. The interview discusses this struggle with Louis C.K.'s comedy, and the speaker's own experience with watching friends' performances. Additionally, having your special on a platform like Showtime, with fewer offerings compared to Netflix, can make it easier for audiences to discover your work. Ultimately, the goal is to continue growing as a comic and connecting with fans in person once the pandemic subsides. A memorable joke shared in the conversation, about a father commenting on his child's teeth resembling the LA skyline, left a lasting impression on the speaker.
The speaker's comedic style is influenced by his love for visual jokes and cartoons: The speaker's humor is shaped by his appreciation for visual storytelling, influenced by cartoons and comedians like Buster Keaton, Three Stooges, and Laurel and Hardy.
The speaker's comedic style is influenced by his love for visual jokes and cartoons. Growing up, he was obsessed with cartoons like Bobby's World, Eek the Cat, and Sharky & George. His introduction to comedy came from Mexican comedians like Chespirito and Cantinflas, who were known for their physical comedy and ability to transcend language barriers. The speaker's appreciation for these comedians influenced his sense of humor and his affinity for visual jokes and slapstick comedy. He mentions comedians like Buster Keaton, the Three Stooges, and Laurel and Hardy as influences, highlighting the importance of physical comedy in his comedic style. Overall, the speaker's comedy is shaped by his love for vivid imagery and the comedians who have mastered the art of visual storytelling.
The Evolution of Comedy: Adapting to New Circumstances: Artists must stay true to their vision while adapting to new circumstances in comedy, as physical connections and in-person performances remain valuable.
Comedy, like art, is constantly evolving and requires progression to keep audiences engaged. The speaker shares his personal connection to physical comedy, inspired by figures like La India Maria and the Three Stooges. He reflects on the history of comedy and how it has changed over time, with artists like Lenny Bruce pushing boundaries. The speaker also expresses his reluctance towards virtual comedy shows, citing his preference for in-person connections. Despite selling out shows before the pandemic, he intends to honor those tickets and perform for those audiences when it's safe to do so. Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision while adapting to new circumstances.
Embracing the Unique Qualities of Virtual Shows: Despite initial guilt and unease, artists can find value in virtual performances and appreciate their unique qualities. Keep striving for growth and setting new goals in your artistic pursuits.
The transition to online performances during the pandemic brought up feelings of guilt and unease for some artists, including the speaker. However, after trying it out, they came to appreciate the unique qualities of virtual shows and recognized their place in the entertainment industry. The speaker also shared their admiration for the comedian they were speaking with, who they had met through a comedy store, and reflected on how their own journey in comedy had started with a sense of awe and distance towards Hollywood. Despite the initial challenges and unexpected turns, they emphasized the importance of striving for growth and setting new goals in their artistic pursuits. The speaker's nostalgic memories of discovering Hollywood as a kid added depth to their appreciation for the opportunities they've had in the comedy world.
Long Beach: A Place of New Beginnings: Moving to a new place, like Long Beach, can represent a fresh start and the opportunity to pursue dreams despite financial struggles and uncertainty.
Long Beach, California holds a special place in the speaker's heart due to being the first place he landed when he moved from his hometown of Chicago in pursuit of his dreams. The speaker expresses great respect for anyone who chooses to move to Long Beach, having grown up nearby but still unable to make the move himself. The city holds a sense of urgency and determination for the speaker, representing a new beginning and a chance to make a better life for himself. California, in general, was seen as a magical place where opportunities could be found, despite the challenges and financial struggles that came with the move. Ultimately, the speaker's story highlights the importance of following one's dreams, even when faced with obstacles and uncertainty.
Living on a Budget in Los Angeles vs New York: While LA offers lower living expenses, personal preferences and opportunities in NY can outweigh the financial challenges
While both New York and Los Angeles have their unique charms and challenges, the cost of living significantly impacts the experience. The speaker shares that it's easier to live on a budget in Los Angeles compared to New York, as the expenses for transportation and housing are generally lower. However, the speaker's personal preference for the city lifestyle and community in New York remains strong. Despite the financial challenges, the speaker values the energy and opportunities that New York offers. The speaker's perspective highlights the stark contrast in living expenses between the two cities, emphasizing the importance of considering personal preferences and financial resources when deciding where to live.
People have varying preferences for water and living environments: From the ocean to a lake, water holds a special place in people's lives and evokes unique experiences and memories
People have different preferences when it comes to water and living environments. While one person may dream of living in a bustling city like New York and enjoying the ocean view, another might prefer the peacefulness and tranquility of a lake and the simple pleasures of nature. The conversation also revealed that people have unique experiences and memories associated with water, such as growing up near the ocean or having a fondness for the calming presence of a lake. Despite these differences, it's clear that water holds a special place in many people's lives and evokes strong emotions and memories.
Youthful experiences with cars and alcohol: Childhood influences shaped our preferences for cars and alcohol, leading to memorable experiences in high school and college despite potential dangers.
Growing up, our experiences with cars and alcohol shaped our memories in significant ways. The speaker reminisced about driving old, unreliable cars in high school and the adventures that came with them, including getting a friend in trouble for speeding and lack of a license. The group's introduction to alcohol happened in college, with the speaker preferring whiskey over beer since childhood due to family influences. The college years were filled with parties, keg stands, and heavy drinking, but the speaker's tolerance and ability to handle alcohol were much higher than they are today. The conversation ended with a promotion for Manscaped, a brand the speaker has previously endorsed for their grooming products. Overall, the discussion showcased the impact of youthful experiences on our lives and the lasting memories they create.
Revolutionizing Personal Grooming with Technology: Discover the Weed Whacker for painless nose and ear hair trimming. Debunk the myth that hangovers are solely caused by dehydration with DHM Detox. Reflect on nostalgic experiences shaping relationships with beer.
Technology is revolutionizing personal grooming, making it easier, more effective, and less painful. I recently discovered the Weed Whacker, a 9,000 RPM dual motor rotary blade system for trimming nose and ear hairs, and I was impressed by its efficiency and painlessness. The grooming industry is evolving, and it's time for us to upgrade our entire manscaping routine. Another interesting topic discussed was the misconception that hangovers are solely caused by dehydration. While dehydration can contribute to the symptoms, the real culprit is the buildup of alcohol's toxic byproduct in the bloodstream. DHM Detox, a product containing the plant extract DHM, can help mitigate these symptoms by neutralizing the toxins and reducing the severity of hangovers. Lastly, the speaker shared a nostalgic story about his early experiences with beer, which led him to develop a strong connection with the beverage. He fondly remembered the golf course where he worked and the man who introduced him to Heineken. These experiences shaped his relationship with beer and contributed to his appreciation for the beverage.
Unexpected incidents at a golf driving range: Accidents can occur unexpectedly, prioritize safety, and camaraderie and community are essential in the workplace
Even in seemingly mundane situations like working at a golf driving range, unexpected incidents can occur. The speaker shared a story about a man named Bob who would surprise everyone by showing up with beers for the workers. However, one day, the speaker got knocked out while shoveling balls from the cart track. Despite the humor in the situation, it serves as a reminder that accidents can happen unexpectedly, and it's essential to prioritize safety, even in everyday tasks. Additionally, the camaraderie and community among the workers were evident in their shared experiences and support for each other.
Discovering the joy of golf: Golf is a fun and inclusive activity for all, emphasizing respect and self-competition, with more accessibility than ever before.
Golf, despite being seen as an exclusive and expensive sport, has the potential to be an enjoyable and accessible activity for everyone. The speaker shares his personal experience of learning golf through working at a golf course and receiving lessons in exchange for helping out. He emphasizes that the sport is not just about appearance but rather about respect for other players and having a good time. He also mentions how golf has become more accessible over the years with the increase in public courses and decreasing costs. Despite the common perception of golf as an old rich white sport, the speaker encourages more people to try it out and enjoy the community and self-competition aspects of the game.
Working as a caddy in golf clubs: Difficult experiences but potential benefits: Despite challenging experiences, the speaker acknowledges potential benefits of working as a caddy in golf clubs, including gaining a diverse perspective and making valuable connections.
Working as a caddy in golf clubs, an experience the speaker had as a kid, was a difficult and often demeaning job. He recalls being underpaid, treated disrespectfully, and even subjected to racist remarks. However, he acknowledges that the golf course attracts successful people from various backgrounds, providing unique opportunities for interaction and learning. Despite his negative experiences, he recognizes the potential benefits of the job, such as gaining a diverse perspective and possibly making valuable connections. However, he believes that the cultural issues within golf clubs need to be addressed for him to fully appreciate the game.
The intersection of passions and opportunities: Unexpected outcomes can result from combining different passions and opportunities. Embrace individuality and allow athletes to express themselves, leading to wider appeal and engagement.
The intersection of different passions and opportunities can lead to unexpected and significant outcomes. This was evident in the story of Huston's encounter with George Sinful, who introduced him to the marketing world and ultimately helped him pursue his dream of becoming a comic. However, the golf industry, with its elitist mentality and lack of freedom of expression, missed out on attracting younger audiences and embracing the unique personalities of its athletes, such as Tiger Woods. The controversy surrounding Woods' personal life served as a reminder that athletes should be allowed to be who they are, without judgment, and that their talents and achievements should be celebrated separately from their personal lives.
Focus on enjoying others' talents, not judging them: Enjoy Tiger Woods' golf comeback for resilience, determination, and inspiration, while appreciating his impact on golf and breaking barriers.
Despite personal moral and ethical differences, individuals should focus on enjoying the talents and achievements of others, rather than judging or banishing them for their private actions. Tiger Woods' comeback in golf serves as an inspiring example of resilience and determination, and golf's mental challenges make it a unique testament to self-stability and mental fortitude. Woods' impact on breaking barriers for non-white golfers adds to his significance in the sport. The game's parallels with life, such as dealing with setbacks and staying patient, make it a beloved pastime. Woods' golf career has provided moments of joy and inspiration, even from his early comedic attempts, and his comeback serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance.
Understanding context and audience in comedy: Early comedians learn from mistakes, workshop jokes, and adapt to audience reactions to improve performance.
Even the worst jokes can find an audience, but understanding the context and audience is crucial for a comedian. The speaker shared some of his earliest jokes, including one about a yellow range ball that some audiences mistakenly perceived as an Asian joke. He also discussed a joke about a man's last meal request, which he thought was hilarious due to his misunderstanding of the situation. The speaker acknowledged that he was young and inexperienced in comedy at the time and that some jokes bombed while others unexpectedly worked. He emphasized the importance of workshopping jokes and learning from failures to improve as a comedian. The conversation also touched on the role of physical comedy and sound effects in delivering jokes effectively. Overall, the conversation highlighted the challenges and joys of finding humor and connecting with an audience.
The importance of having a backlog of jokes for comedians: Maintain a steady flow of content by having a reserve of jokes, acknowledging the transitory nature of comedy, and supporting comedians by consuming their work.
Comedy, like cooking, requires having material in the chamber to keep the process going. Comedian Hazen White shares his experience of performing old jokes until his special was released, then retiring them and moving on to new material. He emphasizes the importance of having a backlog of jokes to ensure a consistent flow of content. Additionally, White highlights the transitory nature of comedy, acknowledging that even jokes he once hated but that worked well were eventually replaced with new material. White encourages audiences to watch his special on Showtime and emphasizes the importance of supporting comedians by consuming their content.
