All Of It - Episode Summary: Matteo Lane Talks Pasta, Humor, and His New Comedy Special
Podcast Information:
- Title: All Of It
- Host: Alison Stewart
- Guest: Matteo Lane
- Episode Title: Matteo Lane Talks Pasta, Humor, and His New Comedy Special
- Release Date: May 13, 2025
- Description: A deep dive into comedian Matteo Lane's new cookbook, his Italian and Mexican heritage, and his upcoming comedy special.
1. Introduction to Matteo Lane's Cookbook
The episode opens with Alison Stewart introducing Matteo Lane's debut cookbook, "You, Pasta Sucks", accompanied by humor and enthusiasm about the book’s unique title and content.
Quote:
- Alison Stewart [00:28]: "His debut cookbook is as much a love letter to Italian food as it is to Matteo's family and culture."
Matteo elaborates on the blend of recipes and essays, emphasizing that the book is not just about cooking but also about sharing personal stories and cultural anecdotes.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [02:53]: "It's an homage to my family, my tradition, my culture, and just fun stories."
2. The Humorous Edge of "You, Pasta Sucks"
Alison praises the cookbook's title, noting its comedic flair which perfectly aligns with Matteo's persona as a comedian.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [03:31]: "If you're walking around Barnes and Nobles or the Strand or you're looking for a book, especially you're trying to figure out new recipes or something, and you walk by a book that slightly insults you by telling you your pasta sucks, I'd be intrigued."
Matteo discusses the intentional humor behind the title and how it serves to attract readers while reflecting his comedic style.
3. Family Influence and Cultural Heritage
Alison probes into Matteo's family dynamics and how growing up in a vibrant Italian household shaped his personality and comedic voice.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [05:50]: "Through all their trauma, clearly used humor as a way to deal and cope with their trauma. No alcoholism, no drugs, just humor. My family enjoys sitting around and laughing, and I just picked up on that as a young kid."
Matteo shares heartfelt stories about his family, highlighting how humor was a coping mechanism and a central part of family gatherings.
4. Authentic vs. Americanized Italian Cuisine
The conversation shifts to the differences between authentic Italian dishes and their Americanized counterparts. Matteo criticizes common misconceptions and alterations in Italian recipes abroad.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [07:49]: "It's just a few simple rules that sort of live under your nose. And I think when people sort of apply them, you can take what's really simple cooking and elevate it to a level that makes you feel like, oh, wow, I learned something, and it does taste better."
Alison and Matteo delve into specific examples, such as the proper preparation of carbonara and the misuse of ingredients like oil in pasta water.
5. The Art of Carbonara and the Importance of Guanciale
Matteo provides an in-depth explanation of authentic carbonara, emphasizing the significance of traditional ingredients like guanciale.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [11:30]: "Guanciale... it's the buccal fat removal of the pig. It can cook in its own fat, so when you're making carbonara alla grigio madrigiana, you don't have to put a bunch of olive oil or garlic."
He illustrates how specific techniques and ingredients are essential to preserving the integrity and flavor of traditional dishes.
6. Exploring Mexican Heritage
Matteo opens up about his Mexican roots, discussing the complexities and challenges of embracing this part of his identity given his family's history.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [19:03]: "The older I get, the more curious I am about my Mexican heritage... I want to shed light on that and explore that and continue talking about it and be proud of it."
He expresses a desire to explore and celebrate his Mexican heritage, hinting at future projects that might delve deeper into this aspect of his background.
7. Journey into Comedy
Alison shifts the discussion to Matteo's career in comedy, exploring how his personal experiences and cultural identity influenced his comedic style.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [20:39]: "I didn't think it was a thing that was for me... I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, So I was 23 years old. That was the first time I ever saw an openly gay man do stand up."
Matteo recounts his late introduction to openly gay comedians and how figures like Joan Rivers and Kathy Griffin inspired him to pursue stand-up comedy authentically.
8. Evolution of LGBTQ+ Representation in Comedy
Matteo reflects on the progress made in comedy regarding LGBTQ+ representation, acknowledging the increase in queer comedians and the shift towards authenticity.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [22:17]: "Now there's so many queer comics out there in all different types and ways and shapes and forms. And it's so, so cool to watch."
He highlights the importance of visibility and representation, noting how the comedy landscape has become more inclusive and supportive for LGBTQ+ performers.
9. Crafting Comedy and The Role of Innate Talent
In discussing what it takes to excel in comedy, Matteo emphasizes the blend of innate talent and relentless hard work.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [23:50]: "Some people really just kind of have it... If you have even that tiny little bit of spark of just naturally being funny, you just have to work really hard."
He compares comedy to singing, suggesting that while some aspects require natural ability, dedication and practice are crucial for success.
10. Upcoming Comedy Special: "The Al Dente Special"
Alison introduces Matteo's new comedy special slated to stream on Hulu, titled "The Al Dente Special", explaining the playful connection between the title and Matteo's comedic style.
Quote:
- Matteo Lane [17:42]: "Honestly, I wish I had a more creative answer, but that was the name of my tour at the time. And they were like, what's the name of your special? And I panicked, and I was like, al dente. And that was it."
Matteo shares anecdotes from his special, including humorous interactions with celebrities like Gayle King and stories from his personal life.
11. Closing Remarks
The episode concludes with Alison summarizing Matteo's projects and expressing enthusiasm for his upcoming works.
Quote:
- Alison Stewart [24:56]: "He has a new comedy special called the Al Dente Special, streaming on Hulu this Friday. It was nice talking to you, Matteo."
Matteo reciprocates the positive sentiment, highlighting the enjoyable nature of the interview.
Key Takeaways:
- "You, Pasta Sucks" is more than a cookbook; it’s a blend of recipes, personal essays, and cultural narratives that reflect Matteo Lane’s Italian and Mexican heritage.
- Authentic Italian cuisine emphasizes simplicity, tradition, and specific techniques, which Matteo passionately advocates for in contrast to Americanized versions.
- Matteo’s journey into comedy was influenced by his late exposure to openly gay comedians and his desire to authentically represent his LGBTQ+ identity.
- The evolution of comedy now includes a diverse range of queer comedians, contributing to a more inclusive and vibrant comedic landscape.
- Matteo’s upcoming special, "The Al Dente Special", promises a mix of humor rooted in his personal experiences and cultural observations.
Notable Quotes:
- Matteo Lane [07:49]: "It's just a few simple rules that sort of live under your nose."
- Matteo Lane [11:30]: "Guanciale... it can cook in its own fat."
- Matteo Lane [19:03]: "I want to shed light on that and explore that and continue talking about it and be proud of it."
- Matteo Lane [22:17]: "Now there's so many queer comics out there in all different types and ways and shapes and forms."
- Matteo Lane [23:50]: "If you have even that tiny little bit of spark of just naturally being funny, you just have to work really hard."
This episode of All Of It offers an insightful and entertaining exploration of Matteo Lane's multifaceted career and personal heritage, blending humor with heartfelt storytelling to engage listeners who are both fans of his comedy and those interested in cultural narratives.