Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Guest: Marcello Hernández
Release Date: January 26, 2026
Episode Theme:
A lively, candid, and often hilarious two-hour conversation between Dax, Lily, and rising SNL star Marcello Hernández, exploring his immigrant family background, the winding road to stand-up and SNL, generational and cultural divides, how formative hardship shapes creative drive, and the fine-edged messiness of growing up.
Episode Overview
Dax and Lily welcome stand-up comic and SNL cast member Marcello Hernández, noted for his Netflix special American Boy, to discuss his upbringing in a Cuban-Dominican immigrant family, the culture clash of relocating from Miami to Ohio, the bittersweet pivot from aspiring soccer star to comic, his circuitous route to SNL, and how family, discipline, and identity feed his creative voice. Throughout, the trio delights in generational slang debates, the nuances of growing up “between” worlds, and the joys and anxieties of new opportunity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Gifts and Icebreakers (03:09–07:45)
- Marcello brings Marshalls gifts for Dax and Lily, leading to playful banter about discount shopping, “girl dinner” meanings, and holiday attire.
- Quote:
“I think we’re all sponsored by money, so I got you some stuff.” —Marcello (05:06)
Family Structure and Influence (08:00–15:00)
- Marcello describes being raised by a trio: mom, dad, and a meaningful stepdad, each with distinct backgrounds (Cuban, Cuban exile, Dominican).
- The group explores immigrant parent dynamics, “earning” affection, and generational gap realities.
- Quote:
“My mom is the president, my sister the vice president... the little girl gets to do whatever she wants. My mom is living vicariously, giving her the childhood she didn’t get.” —Marcello (14:40)
Language, Process, & Accents (10:00–11:10)
- Discussion on code-switching between perfect English and “spicy” Spanish.
- Marcello discovers he writes jokes faster in Spanish, revealing creative process.
- Quote:
“If you leave me in Miami for an hour, it’s gonna get a little bit spicy… I can write faster in Spanish.” —Marcello (10:18)
Being on the Generational “Cusp” (12:00–13:15)
- Marcello feels both Gen Z and Millennial: tech savvy but steeped in older, immigrant-influenced values.
- The visual, “grabbing” way he communicates is tied to millennial/immigrant hybrid energy.
Childhood in Miami / DR Patriotism (18:00–21:00)
- Split childhood between Miami and frequent trips to the Dominican Republic with his father.
- Vivid contrast between American and Dominican kids: DR children “grow up fast,” are less coddled, more formal in language and manner.
- Quote:
“A Dominican kid, he might be 12, but he’s 40. It’s a different energy.” —Marcello (19:11)
School Discipline & Early Soccer Dreams (21:13–26:30)
- Marcello’s discipline struggles in Miami’s Jesuit boys school; soccer as primary identity ("my wife").
- The humbling experience of being given “number 50” jersey—eventually maturing into a disciplined, standout senior.
- Choosing between Division 3 soccer offers and stand-up, with pivotal family support and the pain of quitting the team.
- Emotional recounting of telling his coaches and teammates he's leaving soccer to pursue comedy.
- Quote:
“Soccer was my wife. Stand-up was my mistress… My heart beat so fast for it. I don’t get that feeling with soccer anymore.” —Marcello (24:45)
College, Comedy Beginnings & Model Arab League (39:46–43:28)
- Adapting (sometimes awkwardly) to small-college Ohio life, including joining Model UN/Arab League and the Latin students club.
- “Boys night” vs. “Gettys” (Miami slang for house parties), and the cultural shock of Ohio's gender-skewed, beer-fueled gatherings.
- Quote:
“The vibe in Miami was four guys and six to seven hundred girls. In Ohio, it was boys night. The boys were like, ‘How many kegs do we have?’ I’m like, ‘There’s no girls in the field!’” —Marcello (38:00)
Stand-Up Grind, Pandemic Hustle, and Internet Breakout (46:58–54:05)
- Marcello’s odd jobs in NYC: selling comedy tickets, “selling electricity” door-to-door (“You’re not gonna compete with Con Ed…” —Dax).
- Pandemic derails live work; returns to Miami, becomes obsessive about COVID precautions, and nearly loses creative hope.
- Begins making short videos in his parents’ home—one (“I use an accent when I feel uncomfortable at a supermarket…”) goes viral.
- Builds up “a quilt out of $200 gigs”: social media content, writing for a friend’s YouTube, writing stand-up for others, and touring with Tim Dillon.
SNL Breakthrough and Audition Story (56:42–60:10)
- Marcello moves back to NYC at Tim Dillon’s urging, grinds at open mics and hosting gigs.
- Lands a Just for Laughs showcase, is discovered by SNL scouts, and undergoes the infamous “no laughs” studio audition gauntlet:
- “Did they laugh?” “Yeah.” “What could be scarier?” (58:15)
- Recounts multi-tiered callback process; notification comes weeks later in a call from all his agents: “They’re offering you a spot on the cast.”
- Crying with his mom, the ultimate validation.
- Quote:
“My mom was freaking out. My mom started smoking cigarettes again, going back to soccer mom, freaking out.” —Marcello (57:32)
Creative Honesty and His Netflix Special (60:10–64:07)
- Dax lauds American Boy for its specificity, authenticity, and the innovative opening (Marcello’s mother introduces him on stage, “so the audience knows our relationship is loving before I talk about all the times she hit me.”)
- Quote:
“I was never hit hard. I was hit a lot. That’s it.” —Marcello (61:59)
- Marcello’s drive is rooted in wanting to reward his mother’s sacrifices, “to give her good experiences after all the stress I caused.”
- Quote:
Children, Discipline, and “Deserving” (67:30–72:19)
- Discussion of immigrant parents’ mix of sternness, discipline, and pragmatism: you earn acts of kindness, you’re not coddled.
- Marcello reflects on merit: “If I was a star when I was a kid, I would've been treated like one… So if you’re a kid and you're not being treated like a star, there’s a reason.”
- Dax examines shifting generational parenting styles, keeping the strengths of both.
Social Commentary, Immigration, & Empathy (72:20–78:45)
- The conversation turns to cultural elitism, immigrant striving, and the nuanced meanings of “whiteness” and family closeness.
- Marcello introduces his maxim:
“You cannot expect from a person that comes from extreme circumstances a moderate response.”
- They discuss expectations, judgment, and applying empathy in a polarized world.
Memorable Moment: Auditioning for SNL (58:08–59:35)
- The anxiety-filled waiting room, learning Devin Walker got cast before him, then going in to meet Lorne Michaels.
- “He didn’t say, ‘See you soon.’ It was just, ‘Nice to meet you.’”
Sabrina Carpenter, Celebrity Encounters & Friendship (79:10–81:25)
- Dax’s daughter’s obsession with Sabrina Carpenter leads to Marcelo revealing they’re friends (“she’s really down to clown, she’s an actress”), recounting the viral Domingo bit at her LA show and a Hollywood crossover moment.
Current Projects and Affectionate Farewell (81:32–82:32)
- Lily and Dax celebrate Marcello’s ascent and plug his stand-up special American Boy (on Netflix) and upcoming film with Kevin Hart (72 Hours).
- Reaffirmation that Marcello’s palpable hunger and joy are infectious.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
On growing up between cultures:
“I’m good with the phone, but my immigrant parents put that mentality in my head… I have that older generation energy too.” (12:03–12:53)
-
On why he waited before going on podcasts:
“I didn’t want to be someone that went on a podcast and then there was nothing to watch.” (17:28)
-
On immigrant parental pressure:
“This is a woman you are scared to show the C. Scared to not say thank you to the waitress, to not be an exemplary young man—because she’s spooky!” (28:04)
-
On quitting soccer for comedy:
“I told my coaches… I’m bawling, it’s ugly cry. The coach goes, ‘You going to tell the guys? Because you’re a big boy.’” (30:10–31:02)
-
On the “magic trick” of his special’s family introduction:
“For me, the reason I did that is because for a long time, my grades weren’t the best, and I was never like, this exemplary child. My mom as a person is an example… And whenever something good happens to me, all I can think is, I can’t believe that she gets to see this.” (62:41–63:54)
-
On empathy for extreme behavior:
“You cannot expect from a person that comes from extreme circumstances a moderate response.” (76:12)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:09–07:45 – Marshalls gifts, banter, and family icebreakers
- 08:00–15:00 – Family structure, stepdad stories, generational clash
- 18:00–21:00 – Childhood split between Miami and Dominican Republic
- 21:13–26:30 – Soccer dreams, discipline, quitting the team
- 38:00–43:28 – College life “Gettys”, Model Arab League misadventures
- 46:58–54:05 – NYC hustle, pandemic adaptation, viral videos
- 56:42–60:10 – SNL tryouts, the emotional journey to the cast
- 62:41–64:07 – Honoring his mother, the “why” behind his comedy special’s structure
- 67:30–72:19 – Parenting, “deserving,” and immigrant values
- 72:20–78:45 – Culture critique, empathy, and social perspective
- 79:10–81:25 – Sabrina Carpenter, celebrity camaraderie
- 81:32–82:32 – Farewell, projects plug, mutual admiration
Tone & Language
The conversation is warm, open, self-effacing, and often raucously funny. Dax’s self-aware, curious style matches Marcello’s candid energy and storytelling flair. Both blend vulnerability with irreverent, whip-quick riffs, frequently looping Lily into generational and cross-cultural quips.
Most Memorable Moments
- Marcello’s emotional retelling of quitting soccer and announcing it to his team—highlighting his drive and sense of duty.
- “Magic trick” of starting his special with his mom’s introduction, immediately endearing the audience and recontextualizing stories about immigrant discipline.
- Generational game: “Say a name, say what it conjures”—highlights the differences in reference points and cultural perception (“Lily” as pond/frog vs. “feminine product”).
- SNL audition anxiety: The moment post-audition, learning some castmates had clear feedback and the ambiguous “nice to meet you” from Lorne.
Conclusion
This episode offers a rich, heartfelt, and entertaining exploration of how family, culture, and adversity shape a comedic voice—while providing insightful glimpses into the creative hustle, the immigrant experience, and the kinetic energy that comes with breaking through. Marcello’s origin story and observations are not just inspirational, but deeply funny—a testament to the messiness, humor, and ultimate joy of becoming yourself.
Recommended: Watch Marcello’s special American Boy on Netflix and look out for his upcoming film with Kevin Hart, 72 Hours (July 2026).