Bad Friends — "New Episode on Patreon Today"

Hosts: Bobby Lee & Andrew Santino
Date: April 17, 2026

Overview

In this episode of Bad Friends, Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino dive into the unwritten rules and etiquette of the stand-up comedy world, using their trademark mix of vulnerability and razor-sharp wit. They share personal pet peeves, recount on-stage interactions with fellow comics, and gleefully roast each other and their peers. It’s a candid look behind the curtain at how stand-up works and why certain “rules” exist, sprinkled with stories about mic-stand jokes, walk-ons, and the unspoken pecking order among comics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Mic Stand “Gag”: Who is the Joke For?

• The recurring practice: Comics (or hosts) adjust the mic stand’s height either too low or too high, often as a joke targeting the performer’s stature—especially someone shorter like Bobby.

  • Bobby (00:01): “I yelled at the host for putting the mic stand low.”
  • Andrew: Relates, admitting he’s done the same, but calls out how it’s often “their laugh—not my laugh. It’s their residue laugh.” (00:15–00:36)
  • Bobby: “Yes, leftover laugh. Well, they’re not even on stage. They try to get a laugh.” (00:37)

• Brad Williams example:

  • Andrew (00:47): “I do the opposite...I put it as high as I can.”
  • Bobby: “That’s the same thing.”
  • Recognizing it makes extra work for the next comic rather than adding to the show.

The Unwelcome Stage Walk-on

• Bobby’s story (01:34): Recounts when Steve Byrne unexpectedly joined him on stage mid-set.

  • Bobby (01:34): “Walked up on stage and goes, ‘Let’s do a duo. Let’s play with the crowd.’”
  • Expressed his anger at being interrupted: “It made me so mad.” (01:57)

• Andrew’s experience (02:05): Steve Byrne did the same at a recent show, but Andrew “welcomed it with open arms”—highlighting different comfort levels with surprise collaborations.

• Cultural angle:

  • Andrew (02:14): “He’s half Korean.”
  • Bobby: “You gotta be a fully to pull that kind of stunt…It’s like I’m in the middle of a setup and all of a sudden, ‘What’s up?’ Without asking. And it’s just like, I don’t like that.” (02:19–02:21, 02:28)

The “Feature Smile” and Other Green Room Etiquette

• Feature comics giving “the smile” after a killer set:

  • Bobby (02:51): Describes the “feature smile”—the opener giving the headliner a smug, satisfied smile after crushing it on stage.
  • Bobby: “If you do feature smiles again...I need a frown. I know how well you did. I heard it.” (03:12–03:15)

• Andrew’s advice (03:19): “I tell my features: no smiling at all, no comedy. I say go up there, say hello, tell people where you’re from, and that’s it. And then get off.”

  • Both jokingly advocate for an utterly joyless, humble approach from openers.

"Needy Hosts" & Navigating Professional Friendliness

• Pet peeve:

  • Bobby (03:41): “I hate needy hosts.”
  • Explains resentment toward hosts who seek feedback: “Was that good? Funny?”
  • Highlights the awkwardness when comics are expected to reassure hosts after every set.

• Andrew’s concern: Critiques discussing local comics on-air, worried it will “ruminate feelings again,” but Bobby defends the honesty as a teachable moment. (03:59–04:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bobby Lee (regarding mic stand jokes):

  • "It’s not my laugh. It’s their laugh…It’s their residue laugh." [00:15–00:36]

• Andrew Santino (on following Brad Williams):

  • “I put it as high as I can. That’s the same thing.” [00:47–00:51]

• Bobby Lee (on Steve Byrne’s stage walk-on):

  • "You gotta be a fully [Korean] to pull that kind of stunt.” [02:16–02:19]

• Andrew Santino (on dealing with feature comics):

  • “I tell my features: no smiling at all, no comedy. Just get off.” [03:19–03:30]

• Bobby Lee (on needy hosts):

  • "I hate needy hosts." [03:41]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:01–00:37: Mic stand height jokes—why they bother Bobby and Andrew; who the joke is meant for.
• 01:34–02:21: Stories about uninvited comics crashing sets; the difference between being “fully” accepted to do it.
• 02:51–03:19: “Feature smile”—the green room aftermath of a killer opener set.
• 03:41–04:08: Bobby vents about needy hosts; Andrew questions airing grievances about local comics.

Tone & Style

• Frank, irreverent, and playful.
• The hosts oscillate between roasting each other and venting sincerely about behind-the-scenes annoyances.
• Plenty of meta-commentary on comedy, and a willingness to break down personal boundaries for the audience’s benefit.