Bad Friends Podcast
Episode: Theo Von & Rimbo The Kimchi King
Hosts: Bobby Lee & Andrew Santino
Guest: Theo Von
Date: March 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features comic Theo Von joining Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino for a characteristically irreverent, hilarious, and occasionally heartfelt catch-up. The trio dives into stories about stand-up, revisits absurd childhood moments, riffs on Asian representation in comedy, dreams up comedic roles for Bobby, and explores the chaos—and camaraderie—of life in comedy. There’s plenty of friendly ribbing, improvised bits, and a surprising dose of vulnerability regarding personal growth and friendship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Theo Von’s Return & Life in Nashville

• Theo discusses living in Nashville and not planning to move back to LA (03:32).
  • “I don't think so. I'll come back more to visit more.” – Theo
  • He talks about the city’s growth and his evolving relationship with the LA comedy scene.
• Stand-up scene in Nashville: Theo highlights clubs like Zanies and City Winery, as well as the challenge of popping into shows (15:04).
• Work-life balance: Theo shares that he’s taking a break from the heavy touring hustle after being “very busy” and prepping for another special (15:49).

2. Comedian Banter & Bits: Confessions, Regrets, and Absurdity

• Tiger King’s DMs: The group jokes about being contacted by Joe Exotic (Tiger King), riffing on his crimes and possible podcast crossover (01:22).
• Animal bits: Multiple running jokes about petting cats “the wrong way” and prospective roles in “Nateland” theme park (01:33, 04:08).
• Faux-country song improv (03:02, 03:06): Rewriting stereotypical country lyrics for fun.
• The “Funk Monks”: A tangent about a fake/funky band and odd band names (06:00).
• Dreams and sleep stories: Bobby shares a dream about camping with Andrew, and the group riffs on how dreams end when you pee or spit (11:10–12:16).
• Comic confessions: Bobby admits to feeling regret over his breakup, late-night loneliness, and pondering “what could have been” (08:11–09:15).
  • “Sometimes. And I go, what could have been? I think I made some mistakes.” – Bobby (08:21)
• Playful confrontation about looks: There’s a recurring gag about Theo’s and Andrew’s looks compared to Zac Efron and Chris Hemsworth (20:05–21:00).
  • “When you really see a real good looking guy... then I look at you, I go, oh, Theo's ugly.” – Bobby (20:44)
• Asian comedian face-off: Bobby asks where he ranks among Asian comics (26:35). Theo reminisces about seeing Bobby “in the wild”—more outgoing since being single (27:44).

3. Stand-Up, Comedy Specials, and the Art of Taking Feedback

• Upcoming specials: Theo talks about retaping his special, “just wanting to get it right” and possibly filming in Erie, PA, or Jacksonville, FL (15:49–16:50).
• Bobby’s special — ‘Finally’ on Hulu: The group jokes about alternate titles (“Steve’s Brother” and “Genie’s boy”), the creative process, and naming conventions (17:24–18:09).
• Notes from other comics: They debate giving and receiving feedback, especially from “open micers,” and when to take advice seriously (38:29–39:36).
  • “Now I just—tell me you have a note for me.” – Bobby (38:32)
• Acting and auditions: They share stories of LA audition rooms, casting futilities, and the realities of being typecast (52:54–56:40).
  • “If the room was cold, I would up... I'd be just like, I'm done. I can't do it.” – Bobby (57:21)
• Comic movie pitches:
  • Bobby fantasizes about Oscar-worthy roles: the Chinese inventor of gunpowder, the “king of kimchi,” and inventing orange chicken (34:12, 41:10, 48:03).
  • “Orange Chicken Day. That's when I knew about it.” – Bobby (50:20)

4. Medication, Mental Health, and Ageing

• Mental health meds: Extended discussion of Lexapro and escitalopram, effects, and when to taper off or “switch it up” (31:23–32:20).
  • “I've been on, I think, for 17, 16 years probably…”
• Exercise and wellness: They contrast Bobby’s and Mark Wahlberg’s daily routines, joke about “young lungs,” and the need for walkers or “bed wells” (60:22).
• Smoking: Bobby confesses he’s back to smoking and struggles with not moving enough (59:53–60:22).

5. Asian Food Culture and Facetious Documentary Pitches

• Invention of kimchi & orange chicken: Absurd historical reimaginings, where Bobby would play the central, accidental inventor (41:10–44:44, 48:03–50:00).
  • “We use jars as trash cans, right? So then I was just—let's throw it away... and then I threw away salt too.” – Bobby (43:15)
• Fun with food origin stories: They riff on “Bus Boys”—Theo’s upcoming movie, and life as underdog comics (57:55–59:02).

6. Friendship, Vulnerability, and Looking Ahead

• Six-year podcast anniversary: The hosts reflect on their evolving friendship and keeping things fresh (10:19–10:49).
• Absence and reunion: Bobby and Andrew express they genuinely miss Theo since he left LA, discussing the impact of distance on their friendship (14:26).
• Heartfelt close: Theo opens up about isolation, taking inspiration from Bobby’s newfound openness, and the value of doing rather than waiting (67:28–67:50).
  • “Sometimes I'll get into spaces where I isolate and stuff. So I'm trying... not do that, you know?” – Theo (67:29)
  • Bobby: “I want to say something real... there's so much about you that I relate to. We're very similar in so many different ways.” (68:08)
  • Theo: “I love you too.” (68:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ex-Girlfriend’s Baby:

  • Bobby: “I play with it. He bites my face.” (07:05)
  • Theo: “Is there any feelings when you hold it? Like, man, what are you doing, man?” (07:07)
  • Bobby: “Sometimes. And I go, what could have been? ...I think I made some mistakes.” (08:21)

• On Receiving Notes from Comics:

  • “Now I just—Tell me you have a note for me.” – Bobby (38:32)
  • “Open micers doing that a lot. Yeah, that's wild.” – Andrew (38:55)

• On Asian Representation and Competition:

  • “When it said Asians, it was him. It was the Boscos... sometimes I would beat them. Yeah, that fucking got to beat the fucking Boscos.” – Bobby (54:00, 54:27)

• On Mark Wahlberg’s Daily Schedule:

  • “When he's having his meal three is when I go to sleep.” – Bobby (61:19)
  • “Meal seven. What is he, a hobbit?” – Theo (61:47)

• On the Invention of Kimchi (Improv Scene):

  • Bobby: “I took the cabbage and threw it in the... trash cans... And then the trash guy doesn't pick it up for a long, long time... I pull it out, I take a bite, I go, delicious.” (43:13–44:44)

• Genuine Friendship Beat:

  • Bobby: “There’s so much about you that I relate to. We're very similar in so many different ways. And so my heart really goes out to you all the time...” (68:08)

Important Timestamps

• Theo on Nashville life and LA return – 03:32–04:05
• Animal/petting jokes & Nateland theme park – 01:33–04:31
• Comic dream jobs and regrets – 08:01–09:18
• Giving & Taking Notes in Comedy – 38:29–39:36
• Mark Wahlberg/Health routines – 60:33–61:47
• Inventing Kimchi/Orange Chicken bit – 41:10–50:20
• Warm-hearted close ("I love you, man") – 68:08–69:20

Tone & Style

The episode is delivered in the rowdy, self-deprecating, and fast-paced style that defines Bad Friends. For every outlandish riff there’s a moment of real vulnerability, especially in exchanges about friendship and regret. The dynamic between Andrew, Bobby, and Theo is playful but endearing, full of inside bits, familial teasing, and honest reflections on their journeys as comics and people.

Summary

This episode is a celebration of comedy, absurdity, and authentic friendship. With Theo Von returning, the trio embrace nostalgic reflections and new bits, improvising entire comedic films, sharing real stories of creative struggle, poking fun at themselves and each other, and ultimately reaffirming the value of connection—onscreen and off. It’s a must-listen for fans of comedy that doesn’t take itself seriously, but always keeps it real.