Bad Friends – "Talking Limericks with Louie"

Episode Date: November 10, 2025
Hosts: Bobby Lee & Andrew Santino (with Bert Kreischer, Carlos, and guest Louis C.K.)

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode of Bad Friends features renowned comedian Louis C.K. joining Bobby Lee, Andrew Santino, Bert Kreischer, and Carlos. The conversations flow through personal stories, comedy philosophies, stand-up technique, cultural observations, and insights into the art of evolving as a performer. The episode is a rich blend of hilarious anecdotes, vulnerable discussions about career ruts, advice for creatives, and reflections on Louis C.K.’s new novel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introductions & Catching Up

(00:00–08:00)

• The friendly banter starts with jokes about therapy (especially psychedelic therapy) and dating woes—especially Carlos being ghosted after shows.
• The group riff on LA dating, art girls, and Bobby’s preference for women of mixed Asian heritage.
  • Bobby shares, "Because full is a lot. It's too much... if you go meet parents and they're both whites... that's a lot of defense you got to play." (03:47)

2. Navigating Identity & Upbringing

(08:00–16:00)

• Bobby shares stories of meeting girlfriends' families and feeling like the lone Asian at predominantly white events, using humor to cope ("I have Asian techniques for them to like me. I went to the grand piano and started playing...").
• Wedding fashion among skaters is discussed; skaters’ unique styles and Bobby’s experience shopping for short suits in Hollywood.

3. Louie’s Arrival & Food Adventures

(10:28–16:13)

• Louis C.K. enters—bearing mediocre burgers and sharing his disappointment with Bob's Big Boy.
• He laments, "I sat down and I ate Bob's big burger and it was really disgusting. And I got a vanilla shake, but I had a paper straw so I couldn't drink it." (11:23)
• The group cracks up over Ozempic, Wegovy, and weight-loss medications.

4. Physical Health, Dieting & Ageing

(12:04–16:00)

• Louis C.K. describes his approach to weight and exercise and how, at age 58, he’s learned to balance enjoyment with self-care.
  • "If you prohibit, you're in this constant tension that you then have to binge to release... What happens is your body goes like, 'that hurt.' That was not a good idea. And then that memory makes you go, 'oh, yeah. I don't want that.'" (13:52)

5. Dating & Cultural Insights

(16:08–18:10)

• Discussion on Louis C.K.'s love life—he’s in a committed relationship.
• Louis recounts dating a Korean woman and the cultural nuances, e.g., "when Korean people say hello, they say, 'have you eaten?'" (17:52)
• Bobby shares Korean slang and family customs, bringing humor with his knowledge of dirty words in Korean.

6. On Love, Limerence & Relationships

(22:40–24:58)

• Bobby and Louis discuss the concept of limerence and relationship balance:
  • Louis: "I think we feel, we feel pretty equal and it's nice. You know...I've picked her up at the airport." (23:15)
• They joke about frustrating airport pickups and expectations in relationships.

7. Children, Parenting, & Life Choices

(25:13–26:05)

• The pros and cons of having children are considered:
  • Louis: "Anybody who's on the fence about it should just do it. It's never a mistake. It's impossible for it to be a mistake." (25:49)
• Comparing experiences of family, marriage, and childlessness.

8. Comedy Evolution: Special Material & Artistic Growth

(29:26–37:00)

• Discussion pivots to stand-up craft: Louis advises comedians to lean into personal, unique life material, not hackneyed current-event observations.
  • "You're as good as anybody while you're talking about your family... The other things, you sound just like everyone else." (30:14)
• Bobby voices vulnerability about fearing not killing on stage and being in a rut.
• Louis: "Jokes that kill are traps. They're prisons. I had the same opening joke for like, 10 years...it felt like I was pissing out of my own mouth." (42:21)
• Louis urges: "You need to start going on stage and having bad sets. That's it. You have to. I do it all the time." (36:50)

9. Writing, Workouts, & Artistry

(43:19–46:44)

• Louis describes his process for developing new material: "I'll write down the premise, just the word, like two words, of what it is. And then I wait. I try not to think about it too much till I get on stage and then I explain it to the first audience." (43:52)
• Bobby shares a new bit about his Korean dad killing wolves; Louis encourages him to keep working it.

10. Career, Specials, and Platforms

(50:10–51:14)

• Bert and Louis talk about the business side of comedy specials: licensing, platforms, and why it’s ultimately about creating a "library" of work.
• Louis on performing: "It's a body of work you're compiling over time." (50:42)

11. Louis' Novel "Ingram"

(52:06–66:54)

• Preview and backstory of Louis C.K.’s debut novel:
  • "It's about a little boy who's kicked out of his house when he was like, nine. And he's just walking around Texas and he's alone and life gets really hard for him." (52:25)
• They riff on book launches, audiobook recording challenges, and the decision to self-publish via indie press Ben Bella.

12. Crowd Work, New Comedy Trends & Stand-Up Philosophy

(67:18–68:40)

• The group discusses the prevalence of crowd work on social media:
  • Louis: "I love stand up. I don't enjoy watching that... If someone's enjoying it, they're right, and the person who doesn't like it is...none of their business." (67:52)
• Philosophical takes on artistic preference and chasing audience approval.

13. Comic Idols & Influences

(69:07–71:12)

• Louis lists his own comedic "crushes": Zach Galifianakis, Todd Glass, Jim Norton.
• Todd Glass’s surreal bits are lovingly referenced.

14. Gratitude, Reflections & Wrap-up

(71:15–72:24)

• Overarching appreciation between hosts and guest.
  • Bobby: "I'm just a huge fan, dude. I really am. I just think you're so great." (72:01)
  • Louis: "Thank you. Well, you make me laugh a lot." (72:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Louis C.K. on Comedy Evolution
  "Jokes that kill are traps. They're prisons. And they keep you from...I mean, you're stuck in these bits. It's horrible." (42:21)
• Bobby Lee on Performing
  "When I perform, I don't feel good. I feel pain...I feel disgusted. When I drive home, I don't feel good." (41:46)
• Louis C.K. on Artistic Bravery
  "You need to start going on stage and having bad sets...I do it all the time. Every time I go out to start writing a show, I struggle mightily for months." (36:50)
• On Relationships
  Louis: "I heard somebody talking once about, like, 'I don’t want to be the kind of guy who picks girls up at the airport'... I’ve picked her up at the airport." (23:14)
• Bobby’s Wolf Bit
  Bobby: "When I was 14, my dad goes, when I was your age...I used to kill wolf, right? I go, there are wolves in Korea? So many wolf. You mean everywhere wolf." (45:08)
• On Audience Approval
  Louis: "If someone’s enjoying it, they're right, and the person who doesn’t like it is...none of their business." (67:52)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–08:00 — Dating drama, therapy, and LA scenes
• 10:28 — Louis C.K. arrives (with cheeseburgers)
• 13:52 — Louis on diet and intuitive eating
• 17:52 — Korean cultural greetings
• 23:14 — Louis on acts of love in relationships
• 29:26–37:00 — Deep dive into stand-up, originality, and evolving past safe material
• 41:46–42:31 — Bobby opens up about pain in performing; Louis commiserates
• 50:10 — Comedy specials and the importance of creating a personal library of work
• 52:06–66:54 — Introduction and discussion of Louis’s novel "Ingram"
• 67:18 — Modern crowd work and viral comedy clips: trend analysis
• 69:07 — Louis on his favorite comics
• 71:15–72:24 — Expressed gratitude and episode sign-off

Tone & Original Style

The conversation is casual, irreverent, and deeply honest, with the warmth of long-time friends ribbing each other and exploring insecurities and creative challenges. The group moves fluidly between hilarity and seriousness, maintaining a self-deprecating and open style emblematic of Bad Friends.

Summary Takeaway

This episode captures an intimate, vulnerable, and hilarious moment among top comedians. It’s both a masterclass in stand-up philosophy and an unfiltered peek into the anxieties that drive and hinder even the most accomplished artists. Louis C.K.'s presence inspires deep reflection on comedic growth while keeping the mood light with stories and industry wisdom, making it a must-listen—and through this summary, a must-read—for anyone interested in the inner workings of comedy, creativity, and friendship.