Bad Friends Podcast Summary
Episode Title: Bobby’s Flu Game w/ Tom Segura
Hosts: Bobby Lee & Andrew Santino
Guest: Tom Segura
Release Date: January 26, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, comedians Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino are joined by longtime friend and fellow comedian Tom Segura. The episode is themed around Bobby’s upcoming comedy special, drawing a parallel to Michael Jordan’s iconic “Flu Game”, as Bobby himself is under the weather but determined to perform. The three riff on comedy specials, friendship dynamics, showbiz politics, therapy, favorite LA restaurants, absurd hypothetical scenarios, and recent streaming projects, all in classic Bad Friends chaotic style.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Bobby’s “Flu Game” and Upcoming Comedy Special
- Bobby’s Under the Weather: Bobby discusses how he’s not feeling well just days before taping his first stand-up special, drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan’s historic flu game.
- Quote: “Michael Jordan’s flu game—probably one of the greatest. He scored 38 points while battling the flu… so this could be your flu game.” — Andrew (06:18)
- Saving Energy for the Performance: Bobby jokes about being celibate to “save his chi” for the special, referencing advice given to professional fighters.
- Quote: “I’m saving up my comfort for the special.” — Bobby (03:10)
- Tom’s Advice: “That's the best advice. You should save your chi. For sure.” (03:22)
- Nerves and Preparation: Tom reassures Bobby about having nerves before a special, suggests taping multiple shows, and reminds him he can “cut it up” in editing.
- Quote: “It’s healthy to have some nerves because it’s meaningful to you… You’ve done this 10,000 times.” — Tom (59:05)
Key Segment: Discussion on Bobby’s special, why he chose director Louis Katz, and teasing about Tom directing (11:49–13:00)
2. Comedy Special Production and Directing
- Director Choice: Bobby picked Louis Katz to direct, explaining he wanted someone who knows his act.
- Tom’s Special Experience: Tom has released six specials (all on Netflix), listing various directors he’s worked with.
- Lighthearted Mockery: The hosts and Tom play out a fake phone call scenario where Bobby hypothetically asks Tom to direct the special, poking fun at the gatekeeping in comedy.
- Quote: “Why would I ask and get rejected by you?... I would never reject you.” — Bobby & Tom (12:26)
- Time: (12:26–13:12)
3. Friendship Banter & Self-Sabotage
- Hostile Affection: Bobby repeatedly roasts Tom, then apologizes, exploring the love-hate comedy dynamic.
- Quote: “There’s a part of me that just can’t give my love, and so I attack.” — Bobby (39:16)
- Therapy & Emotional Awareness: All three discuss their therapy routines, with Bobby reflecting on his tendency towards self-sabotage in close relationships.
- Quote: “Can you bring that up in therapy this week?” — Tom (39:26)
- Therapist Boundaries: Insight into boundaries with therapists, not wanting them to consume their comedy.
- Quote: “I don’t want them to know anything. I want that to be kind of like a complete disconnect.” — Andrew (29:29)
4. Viral Moment: Tom & Christina ‘Stranded’ in the Caribbean
- TMZ & Podcast Fame: Tom recounts how being briefly stuck in the Caribbean (Caribbean?) with his wife became tabloid news after they posted a casual video online, leading to jokes about not being missed.
- Quote: “The only thing I heard from people was, ‘I hope you stay there.’” — Tom (05:03)
- Time: (04:39–05:14)
5. LA Food Spots & Absurd Stories
- K-Town Korean BBQ Recommendations:
- Bobby shouts out favorite spots: Parks BBQ, Chosun Galbee, Gabin, Agassi Gopchang, and Super Jeep Suppogee.
- Wild Anecdote: Bobby describes witnessing an old Korean woman die right outside Chosun Galbee (“…they had the white thing all over her, right? And I was smoking a cigarette.”) (19:44)
- Vegas Dining with Tom: Bobby reminisces about their extravagant tasting menu experience at Jose Andrés' Bizarre Meats and being “keel[ed] over” with food.
- Quote: “He feeds us absolutely everything on that menu, and to the point where we’re like, I think we’re all gonna throw up.” — Tom (26:08)
6. Pop Culture Dissection
- Movie and Show Reviews:
- Tom and Bobby riff on recent films (Battle, Korean movies), walking out on bad ones (House of Gucci), and Sean Penn’s legendary performances.
- Tom on House of Gucci: “House of Gucci…is an absolute piece of shit.” (51:09)
- Ryan Murphy’s Shows: Extended riff on Murphy’s obsession with hypersexualizing content.
- Quote: “Everything he does, it’s like, sexy, sexy, cum. It’s like a teenage boy.” — Andrew (54:39)
- “Power Gays” in Hollywood: Bobby tells of late-night IHOP meetups with Hollywood’s powerful gay men.
- Quote: “Every Friday night, I would go to the IHOP in West Hollywood…Brian Singer, Spacey—all the power gays.” — Bobby (53:50)
- Time: Power Gays = (53:28–54:19)
7. Hypotheticals, Roasts, and Category Play
- Imagining Awards (Golden Globe for Comedy Podcasting):
- The guys riff on what their acceptance speeches would be like if Bad Friends ever “won” an award (“I’d have to pinch myself every day because I’m just living in gratitude.” — Bobby, 33:47)
- Jokes about never being nominated and the politics/red tape involved (“You have to pay to be nominated.” — Andrew, 35:24)
- Absurd Scenarios:
- Hypothetical—if Bert Kreischer slept with Tom’s wife Christina, what would Tom do? (“There’d be confusion, panic, and anger…then some humor.” — Tom & Bobby, 40:54)
- Fluffing up for on-camera nudity (“Would you do dick out in a movie?” “100%.” “Papa Blue Chew.” — Tom & Bobby, 57:35–58:01)
Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp
- Opening Salvo: Aggressive greeting and the “emperor eyes” bit (00:57–01:17)
- Phone Call Bit, Hypothetical Directing (12:26–13:14)
- Energy of Comedy Shows: “Every time [Bobby] gets introduced, it is just like thunderous.” — Tom (10:17)
- Heartfelt Moment: “You’ve been a friend, real comrade. And I apologize for being so negative.” — Bobby to Tom (09:26)
- Food Story: “I went to Chosun. Even though we saw…the last time I was there, I saw a dead body in the front.” — Bobby (19:29)
- Jose Andrés Story: “He just gives you, goddamn, every dish at multiple restaurants until you want to throw up.” — Tom (26:08)
- Therapy Boundaries: “I don’t want them to know anything…complete disconnect.” — Andrew (29:29)
- Award Riff: “What would your speech have been if you won a podcast?” — Andrew (31:18)
- The ‘Power Gay’ IHOP Summit: (53:44–54:10)
- Golden Globe Joke Speech: “I’d walk the opposite direction of the snake [aisle]…” — Bobby (31:44)
- Reflecting on Vulnerability: “Bobby is afraid of getting too close to the sun...He doesn’t want his heart broken.” — Andrew (42:25–42:34)
- Bobby on Self-Sabotage: “There’s a part of me that just can’t give my love, and so I attack.” (39:16)
Other Highlights
- Season Plugs:
- Tom’s special “Teacher” now on Netflix.
- “Bad Thoughts” Season 2 coming in May.
- Bobby’s special “Finally” taping in San Diego (“3D, 4HD, the whole thing. Dolby.” — Bobby)
- Bobby’s Healing Phase: Discussion about Bobby dating but “healing” rather than leaping into new love (41:56–43:08).
- Roasting Ryan Murphy: Extended riffing about his tendency to “horny up everything” (54:39–55:20).
- Fluffing Joke: If they did nude scenes, who would be the “fluff” on set? (“That’s your gay nightclub name is Fluff.” — Andrew, 58:08)
Overall Episode Tone
The episode is playful, fast-paced, and a mix of sincere camaraderie and relentless roasting. Bobby’s anxiousness about his special anchors the episode emotionally, while Tom and Andrew oscillate between encouragement, irreverent hypotheticals, and inside-comedy meta commentary. The dynamic is, as ever, honest and unfiltered, capturing the unique ecosystem of successful, but still deeply neurotic, touring comedians.
Recommended Segments (Timestamps)
- Bobby’s Flu Game special talk: 03:00–07:07
- Tom & Christina “stranded” viral story: 04:39–05:14
- Director choice & fake phone call: 11:49–13:14
- Awards show riff & acceptance speeches: 31:18–34:42
- Korean BBQ & dead body story: 19:22–20:13
- Jose Andrés Vegas food story: 24:31–26:28
- Therapy and comedian boundaries: 28:28–30:32
- Self-sabotage reflection: 39:09–39:39
- Hollywood “power gays” bit: 53:28–54:19
- Ending advice for Bobby’s special: 59:05–61:17
Closing
This episode delivers both raw comic chaos and surprising sincerity, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the anxiety, competition, and care underpinning the world of stand-up. For fans of comedy, it’s a revealing and hilarious hangout among three seasoned comics at very different points in their careers—but all still very much “bad friends.”