Bad Friends – Episode: The Slow Clap

Hosts: Bobby Lee & Andrew Santino
Guest: Michael Turner
Original Air Date: April 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode revolves around the fallout of a hilariously awkward encounter between Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino at The Comedy Store, sparking a wider conversation about friendship boundaries, comedic etiquette, and the ever-blurring lines between business partners and genuine companionship. The duo is joined by comedian Michael Turner, with the trio touching on topics like addiction, dating apps, AI’s impact on modeling, family backgrounds, memorabilia, and Asian-American cultural quirks.

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps

1. The Comedy Store Incident: The “Slow Clap” ([01:39]–[08:08])

• Bobby and Andrew recount a run-in at The Comedy Store: After a tough set, Bobby gives Andrew a sarcastic slow clap in the hallway. Andrew interprets this as condescending, creating tension that spills over into an analysis of their friendship and work dynamic.
• Memorable Moment:
  • “The slow clap got me good all the way home. No music. And all I can hear is—[slow clap]—looping through my head.” — Andrew [07:40]
• Resolution: They hash it out on-mic, ultimately apologizing and reaffirming that their relationship is both business and—most importantly—friendship.

Notable Quotes:

• “Grabbing a friend's wrist is generally considered crossing a physical boundary, especially to your boss.” – Andrew [06:10]
• “I care about you more than this. I consider you my friend first.” — Andrew [08:31]

2. Quitting Smoking & Dealing with Anxiety ([09:11]–[12:45])

• Bobby shares his latest attempt to quit smoking: Sparked by a “tar loogie” and the recent death of his dog, Bobby gets vulnerable about addiction and anxiety.
• Andrew encourages him: Cites his own father's health struggles with smoking and stresses the body’s ability to recover.
• Humorous Aside: Bobby justifies his quitting method:
  • “I’m not a scientist, as you know. I just… the loogie dried, it looked like tar. Science.” — Bobby [10:07]

Notable Quotes:

• “If I’m being honest… my biological father is perpetually sick because he smoked for 45 years.” — Andrew [12:05]
• “Addiction knows no bounds. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what color you are, how much money you have.” — Andrew [34:06]

3. Friendship, Business, and Comedy Etiquette ([25:01]–[32:00])

• Backstage banter & hosting etiquette: The hosts recount giving and receiving comedic “slams” when introducing other comics, exploring the fine line between playful ribbing and holding grudges.
• Learning from veteran comics & paying it forward: Bobby shares lessons from experiences on the road and teaching/tormenting openers with onstage “challenges” like requiring a bit or physical gag.

Notable Moments:

• “I do a one-minute rule with Ramsey Badawi – he doesn’t get to go onstage for a minute after his name is announced. Throws him in the well.” — Bobby [27:48]
• “The teacher doesn’t need to know the lesson; the student figures it out.” — Andrew [30:23]

4. The Absurd World of Social Media & AI ([36:12]–[42:44])

• Late-night TikTok habits: Andrew claims to put his phone down early, but Bobby calls him out for sending TikToks at 12:15am.
• AI models & dating app deception: The hosts reflect on their inability to distinguish real influencers from AI-generated women, and the hazards of filters on dating apps.
• Innovating a new dating app:
  • Their pitch for the app “First Thing in the Morning” — requiring users’ profile photos to be taken as soon as they wake up, no filters allowed.
  • “Let me see you first thing in the morning… There should be a dating app where everybody looks like this. That would be amazing.” — Andrew [40:41/
  • “First Thing in the Morning is the app Bob and I are creating.” — Andrew [41:52]

5. Michael Turner Joins: Cultural Cross-Talk & Midwest Logic ([50:01]–[63:14])

• Turner talks relationship with an Asian family: Comparison of adopting Filipino or Vietnamese families into one's life, their unique quirks, and parallels to hippie white culture.
• Discussion of military service, living in the Midwest, and survival skills:
  • “You either leave the Midwest at 18, or you die in the Middle East.” — Michael Turner [54:51]
• War movie favorites: “Full Metal Jacket” cited as formative for all three.

Notable Quotes:

• “Koreans are elite Asians.” — Michael Turner, with Bobby agreeing [52:34]
• “If you cross [a Vietnamese family], it’s the most combative. If it ends, I’m telling you—we won!” — Michael Turner [73:34, referencing Vietnamese family support/loyalty]
• “I want to high kick you so bad right now.” — Bobby [73:13]

6. Memorabilia, Music, and Meaning ([59:16]–[65:03])

• Discussion about Jim Irsay’s massive memorabilia auction (sports, rock ‘n’ roll, even movie props).
• The appeal of “useless” objects from history or movies:
  • “If you had unlimited funds, Mike, what would you buy?” — Andrew [61:57]
• Heartfelt moment: Bobby and Andrew discuss emotion seeing Chris Farley’s Tommy Boy jacket at David Spade’s house.

7. Closing Reflections: Emotions, Boundaries, & Changing Relationships ([69:00]–end)

• Bobby admits to being distant toward Michael Turner in the past; Michael responds honestly, recalling Bobby’s awkward “high kick” greeting.
• All agree: Playful violence is Bobby’s love language.
  • “I will only kick you if I like you!” — Andrew [70:34]
• Comparison of Asian in-law quirks:
  • Sleep anywhere, eat anything, never waste food [72:03–73:13]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “I’m the only boss where the employee is matched to the CEO.” — Andrew [05:32]
• “Addiction knows no bounds. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what color you are, how much money you have…” — Andrew [34:06]
• “First Thing in the Morning is the app that Bob and I are creating. It’s a dating app where you take a photo… right when you wake up.” — Andrew [41:52]
• “You either leave the Midwest at 18, or you die in the Middle East.” — Michael Turner [54:51]
• “Koreans are elite Asians. You’re aware of this, right?” — Michael Turner [52:36]

Episode Structure & Flow

1. Opening Banter & The Comedy Store Incident ([01:39]–[08:08])
2. Personal Health & Smoking ([09:11]–[12:45])
3. Business vs. Friendship ([25:01]–[32:00])
4. Social Media, AI & Dating Apps ([36:12]–[42:44])
5. Guest Segment w/ Michael Turner ([50:01]–[63:14])
6. Cultural Cross-Talk: Asian Families & Midwest Upbringing ([69:00]–[73:14])
7. Memory Lane: Memorabilia & Movie Talk ([59:16]–[65:03])
8. Emotional Closure & Playful Farewells ([69:00]–End)

Useful Timestamps for Key Topics

• Slow Clap Story: [01:39]–[08:08]
• Smoking & Addiction: [09:11]–[12:45], [34:06]–[35:34]
• Comedy Store Etiquette: [25:01]–[32:00]
• TikTok/Phone Use Confrontation: [36:12]–[37:50]
• AI and Dating App Invention: [39:20]–[41:59]
• Michael Turner Joins / Midwest & Asian Culture: [50:01]–[75:00]
• Farley’s Jacket & Memorabilia: [63:14]–[65:03]

Tone & Style

• Irreverent, fast-paced, and often self-deprecating.
• Moments of genuine vulnerability (particularly around addiction and friendship).
• Playful ribbing and confrontational humor used as signposts of affection.
• Willingness to broach “taboo” or edgy topics—always through the lens of absurdity and camaraderie.

For New Listeners

This episode is quintessential Bad Friends: the chemistry and real history between Bobby and Andrew are on full display. It features a great blend of behind-the-scenes comedy shop talk, genuine emotion, and completely unhinged brainstorms (like “First Thing in the Morning” dating app). Michael Turner fits right in, bringing both Midwest heart and sharp comedic observations.

Catch it for the friendship drama, stay for the odd yet touching look at how comedians cope, connect, and constantly roast each other.