Podcast Summary
Discussing comedy events, awards, and upcoming shows with Tom Rhodes: Listeners encouraged to check out Tom Rhodes' shows in Las Vegas, vote for their favorite comedians in Laugh Spin's annual awards, and purchase tickets to the hosts' shows through their website. The hosts also shared their favorite spring cleaning takeaway: post-clean clarity and affordable alternatives like Mint Mobile's $15 a month wireless plans.
The podcast episode features the hosts discussing various comedy events and awards, as well as upcoming comedy shows and guest appearances. Tom Rhodes, their guest, is currently performing in Las Vegas at the LA Comedy Club, and they encourage listeners to check out his shows. They also mention Laugh Spin's annual reader's choice comedy awards and encourage listeners to vote. The hosts also remind listeners to purchase tickets to their shows through their website, and they share some personal anecdotes. Additionally, they mention their favorite spring cleaning takeaway, which is the post-clean clarity and the discovery of more affordable alternatives, such as Mint Mobile's wireless plans for $15 a month.
Unexpected bond between Tom Segura and Tom Rhodes: Despite initial impressions, connecting with people based on shared interests can lead to unexpected friendships
Tom Segura and Tom Rhodes, two comedians, had an unexpected connection during a comedy special filming in Amsterdam. Despite initial impressions, they hit it off and discovered a shared interest in philosophy. Rhodes, known for his intense stage presence and unique voice, was compared to Burt Reynolds in his prime. The conversation between Segura and Rhodes' father, which was unexpectedly discovered by Segura, further solidified their bond. The unexpected friendship between the two comedians showcases the power of connecting with people beyond first impressions.
A heated argument between roommates about sexual prowess: Some individuals assert their masculinity or heterosexuality through explicit language and crude descriptions.
The conversation between two roommates on a train escalated into an argument about sexual prowess, with one man attempting to prove his heterosexuality through explicit descriptions. This conversation, as shared by comedian Tom Rhodes, highlights how some people may use crude language and explicit details to assert their masculinity or heterosexuality. Rhodes also discussed his comedy career, including his latest hour-long special "Colossus of Me," which is now available on Netflix, and his experiences performing in different parts of the world.
Dutch disdain for celebrity: The Dutch value normality and modesty, which leads to a lack of interest in celebrities, making for a unique hosting experience for the speaker.
Dutch culture values normality and modesty, even towards celebrities. The speaker, an American comedian, shared his experience of hosting a late-night talk show in the Netherlands and how the Dutch people's unimpressed attitude towards fame affected him. He moved to the Netherlands after falling in love and ended up hosting the show when he was about to move back to the US. Despite the unexpected turn of events, the Dutch people's lack of interest in celebrity made him feel more at ease. The Dutch expressions "don't get your head above the grass" and "if you're born a dime, you'll never be a quarter" reflect their disdain for those who stand out. However, the speaker also enjoyed the unique experiences the show offered, such as exploring Dutch culture and meeting political leaders. Despite the occasional silly elements, like bikini girls and word-of-the-day segments, the speaker considered it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
International comedy tours bring personal and financial rewards: Comedians who travel extensively to perform internationally can connect with diverse fans, expand their comedic horizons, and earn substantial income.
Performing stand-up comedy on an international level, especially after having a successful TV show run, can lead to a unique and exciting experience. The comedian becomes a more desirable and valuable commodity when they return to countries where they've previously performed. Fans eagerly await their return, and the comedian may even be able to earn substantial income during their visits. International travel can be a challenge, but the rewards can be significant, both personally and financially. Comedians like Tom Segura, who travel extensively to perform, represent the next generation of comedians who are taking stand-up to the next level, with global audiences and calendars filled with international gigs. These opportunities allow comedians to connect with fans from diverse backgrounds and expand their comedic horizons.
Exploring Comedy Internationally: Comedians can expand their reach and gain unique experiences by performing internationally. Cultural exploration and understanding are essential for successful performances and personal growth.
Comedy has a universal appeal and there are numerous opportunities for comedians to expand their reach internationally. The speaker shares his experiences performing in various countries, including Asia and South America, expressing a strong desire to continue exploring the comedy scenes abroad. He also emphasizes the importance of cultural exploration and understanding, which can lead to unique experiences and insights. The speaker's curiosity and passion for learning about different cultures are evident, as he shares examples of local insults and expressions. Ultimately, the speaker encourages comedians to broaden their horizons and consider the benefits of performing internationally. He believes that engaging with diverse audiences and immersing oneself in new cultures can lead to personal growth and professional development.
Unforgettable cultural experiences in South America: Traveling to new places brings excitement, adventure, and unique cultural experiences, but also requires adaptability and understanding of local customs.
The speaker and his father have had some unforgettable experiences traveling to various countries in South America, particularly Argentina and Peru, where they encountered unique and sometimes chaotic cultural events, such as soccer riots and flare incidents during games. The speaker also shared an amusing story about an incident involving a fart during an intimate moment with his wife, which led to a playful argument. Overall, the conversation highlighted the excitement and adventure that comes with traveling and experiencing new cultures, as well as the importance of maintaining a strong bond with family.
Comedian's Trigger: White, Entitled Audience Members: Every performer handles hecklers differently, and experiences with disruptive audience members can shape their approach to comedy.
Everyone has their unique experiences and triggers, especially when it comes to dealing with hecklers during performances. For this comedian, his trigger is white, entitled audience members, particularly in the United States. He shared an experience where a woman talked during a friend's performance, and he became enraged, leading him to confront her. Despite this, he acknowledged that internationally, audiences tend to be more well-behaved during shows, and he has encountered respectful hecklers who challenged him in a productive way. Ultimately, every performer has their own way of handling hecklers, and these experiences shape their perspective and approach to comedy.
Disrespectful Audiences in American Comedy Clubs: American comedy clubs' casual atmosphere can lead to disrespectful behaviors from audiences, hindering comedians' authentic performances and connection with the audience.
The lack of respect and attention from audiences during stand-up comedy performances in America can be disheartening and demotivating for comedians. The casual environment of comedy clubs, where alcohol and snacks are served, can make audiences feel entitled and disconnected, leading them to engage in distracting behaviors like texting, talking, and even playing games during shows. This disrespect can shut down a comedian's vulnerability and authenticity, causing them to revert to less sophisticated material. The root cause of this issue lies in American society's conditioning that each individual is important and their lives matter, leading to a lack of manners and consideration for others, including comedians and their performances.
Handling disruptive audience members in comedy clubs: Clubs have different policies for dealing with disruptive individuals. It's crucial for comedians and staff to understand the nuances and respond appropriately to ensure a positive experience for all.
The handling of disruptive audience members varies greatly among comedy clubs. Some clubs have strict policies to remove disruptive individuals, while others allow them to stay for the sake of not losing customers. The Comedy Store in London, for instance, uses closed-circuit televisions to assess the situation before taking action. However, there are instances where seemingly disruptive individuals, such as those with disabilities or those who are just having a good time, are misunderstood. It's important for comedians and club staff to be aware of the nuances and to approach each situation with care and consideration. Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment where everyone, including the comedian, can have a good time.
Discussion about Hanukkah and favorite Jewish women: Participants revealed their preferences for Bette Midler or Barbara Streisand, based on their entertainment styles, perceived personalities, and sexual compatibility.
During a playful discussion about Hanukkah and famous Jewish women, the participants expressed their preferences for Bette Midler or Barbara Streisand if they had the chance to "fill up and seal shut" with one of them. The conversation revealed that both women have unique qualities and that the preference for one over the other was based on personal opinions about their entertainment styles, perceived personalities, and sexual compatibility. Some found Bette Midler to be more fun and lighthearted, while others preferred Barbara Streisand's dominance and bossiness. Ultimately, the conversation showcased the participants' appreciation for the entertainers' talents and the diverse range of preferences within the Jewish community.
Discussing romantic encounters with Woody Allen and Mel Brooks: Exploring hypothetical scenarios with humor can lead to unique insights and potential opportunities, but it's important to consider ethical implications.
During this conversation, the speakers discussed the hypothetical scenario of having romantic encounters with famous Jewish comedians Woody Allen and Mel Brooks. They mused about the potential experiences and the unique aspects of each encounter, acknowledging the potential challenges and benefits. Ultimately, they concluded that both men could provide unique experiences and opportunities, leading to career advancement. However, they also acknowledged the ethical considerations and potential negative consequences of such actions. The conversation showcases the speakers' sense of humor and their ability to explore hypothetical scenarios in a lighthearted and entertaining way.
Exploring the unintended consequences of recording private moments: Be cautious and aware of surroundings when engaging in private activities as technology makes it easier to share moments unintentionally, leading to potential embarrassment or scandal.
The ease of recording and sharing private moments through technology can lead to unintended consequences, as illustrated by various celebrity sex scandals. The speaker shares his experiences of discovering old Woody Allen stand-up routines through a sex tape and reminisces about the past difficulties of filming compared to today's accessible technology. He then discusses the Hulk Hogan scandal, where Bubba the Love Sponge set up a secret recording of Hulk having sex with his wife. The speaker expresses his disbelief and disgust at the situation, emphasizing the importance of being cautious and aware of one's surroundings when engaging in private activities. He also shares a hypothetical scenario about having to choose between ejaculating clam chowder or instantly shitting during a sneeze, and concludes that the former would be preferable if his wife enjoyed clam chowder. Overall, the conversation highlights the potential risks and complications of sharing private moments in the digital age.
Personal preferences and experiences shape our lives: Our preferences and experiences significantly impact our choices and can even influence major aspects of our lives, such as food and relationships
Personal preferences and experiences can significantly impact our choices and even shape significant aspects of our lives, such as food and relationships. The speaker's wife dislikes clam chowder, but the speaker's strong affinity for it leads him to continue enjoying it, despite the potential inconvenience. This preference has even influenced his sexual life metaphorically. The speaker also shares a story about getting sick from undercooked bacon at an American mall during a layover, which was his worst flying experience. Overall, the discussion highlights the power of personal preferences and experiences in shaping our lives and the importance of adapting to new situations.
Food and Family Memories: Eating certain foods before flying can lead to unexpected incidents, but family traditions and memories bring joy and pride.
The speaker has had some unpleasant experiences with food and flying, particularly when it comes to eating certain types of food before flights. He shares a story about eating Mexican food before a flight to Africa, which resulted in an embarrassing incident. The speaker also mentions that his family, being from Washington D.C., has a strong connection to the city and takes pride in their unique way of speaking. The conversation then shifts to a memory of the speaker's brother getting angry at a guest in their home for rooting for the wrong football team. The speaker finds the memory amusing and relatable, as his family's strong feelings towards their city and teams are a source of pride for him. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of family, traditions, and the unique experiences that shape our identities.
Tom Rhodes shares experiences interacting with black people using different voices: Tom Rhodes finds shouting or yelling in the streets a civil act for black people and practices various shouting styles for voice-over work
Tom Rhodes, a comedian, shares his experiences of interacting with black people using different voices and the reactions he received. He recalls an incident where he successfully pranked Big Daddy Kane, a famous hip hop artist, by yelling out his name in a black voice. Rhodes believes that shouting or yelling in the streets is a civil act for black people. He also shares an experience in Fairfax where a black man recognized him with a shout, creating a special bond between them. Rhodes is trying to get voice-over work and practices different shouting styles for various products. He finds it fun and entertaining. During the conversation, they discuss Tom Rhodes' website and social media handles. Asha, a guest on the show, shares that she grew up in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and although it's a liberal and hip place, smoking weed after a certain age is looked down upon. Rhodes and Asha imagine themselves on a vacation together, enjoying dinner, drinks, and the sunset.
The Dutch Balance Work and Leisure with a Reasoning-Based Moral Code: The Dutch prioritize reasoning and safety, treating industries like prostitution and drugs as regulated business opportunities, and have a unique, pragmatic approach to societal issues.
The Dutch society, despite its liberal image, has a strong work ethic rooted in Calvinistic Christian values. This balance between work and leisure is reflected in their approach to industries like prostitution and drugs, which are regulated and treated as business opportunities. The Dutch prioritize reasoning and safety, recognizing that people will make choices outside of societal norms, but aiming to minimize harm. The Dutch are historically great business people, and their logical, pragmatic approach to societal issues has led to unique solutions, such as free, clean drugs for addicts. This reasoning-based society contrasts with the American perception that morality is tied to Christianity, making it difficult for Americans to understand the concept of a moral code outside of religious contexts. The Dutch national anthem reflects their historical roots, with the first line stating "I have German blood in me," despite their complex relationship with their neighbors to the east.
Dutch vs US prison systems: Rehabilitation vs Retribution: The Dutch prison system focuses on rehabilitation, while the US system prioritizes retribution. This difference in approach can impact the success of reintegration into society.
The Dutch prison system, compared to the United States, prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. This approach, as discussed, is seen in Norway's prison islands, where inmates are given the opportunity to reflect on their actions and reintegrate into society. In contrast, the US prison system is often criticized for its focus on retribution and the dehumanizing conditions that can contribute to recidivism. Additionally, Tom Rhodes shared insights about his experiences in the entertainment industry, including the recent independent release of his album "Colossus of Me" on iTunes and Amazon, and his new special "Light Sweet Crude" on Netflix. He also mentioned the importance of community and shared experiences, such as podcasts and dinners, which he hopes to continue in the future. Overall, the conversation touched upon the themes of rehabilitation, creativity, and connection.
