Club Shay Shay – Brad Williams (Part 1)

Date: April 8, 2026
Host: Shannon Sharpe
Guest: Brad Williams (Comedian)

Episode Overview

This episode of Club Shay Shay features stand-up comedian, actor, and podcast host Brad Williams. Shannon Sharpe and Brad dive deep into Brad’s experiences as a little person in comedy, his upbringing, career journey, handling misconceptions, perspectives on humor and offense, and the influence of his late father. The exchange is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, with candid stories and sharp observations about society, comedy, and life with a disability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brad’s Comedy Identity and Misconceptions

• Beards, Dwarves, and Identity (03:55–04:41):

  • Brad explains how having a beard helps people see him as an adult.
    • “When I’m clean shaven, everyone thinks I’m five.” (Brad Williams, 03:56)
  • Shannon shares a childhood story about mistaking an adult little person for a child.

• Mix-ups with Fellow Little People (08:11–09:47):

  • Brad gets mistaken for other famous little people (Peter Dinklage, Wee Man).

  • Quote on collective responsibility:
    "If Dinklage is on the Epstein list, we're all..." (Brad Williams, 08:36)

  • “Now I’m friends with Wee Man... he’s actually starting to get some people walking up to him saying, ‘Are you Brad Williams?’ That was the greatest news I’d ever heard in my entire life.” (Brad Williams, 12:05)

2. Navigating Life and Fame as a Little Person

• Public Encounters and Etiquette (14:33–15:08):

  • Brad jokes about photo protocol with fans:

    • “Just don’t put your arm on my head, okay? My head’s not your goddamn armrest. Remember, I’m at the perfect height to punch you in the dick.” (Brad Williams, 14:46)

  • On being picked up by fans: absolutely not okay.

• Being Mistaken for a Child (16:07–17:39):

  • Brad recounts how kids are confused by his size and how parents of different races handle it.

    • “Black kids are the most honest. If it comes up, it’s coming out, Brad.” (Shannon Sharpe, 16:52)

    • “1% of the time [kids] are like, ‘Yeah, but you’re still short as fuck.’ And then I gotta put my foot through the kid. And that’s rare, but it happens.” (Brad Williams, 17:33)

3. Family Influence and Upbringing

• Preparation for Teasing (18:42–20:19):

  • Brad’s father (not a little person) prepped him with comebacks to handle teasing.

    • “My dad was a trial attorney, so he had the gift of gab... My dad and I would write comebacks.” (Brad Williams, 18:55)
    • Example comeback on the first day:
      “A kid walked up, went like, ‘Haha, you’re little.’ And I went, ‘Haha, your mom doesn’t live with your dad anymore.’” (Brad Williams, 19:35)

  • Lesson: prepare for “the world that is, not the world that should be.”

• Sibling and Parental Dynamics (21:47–23:38):

  • Brad's sister is average-sized; his parents gave equal discipline and expectations.

  • “Equal punishments.” (Brad Williams, 30:18)

  • On discipline:
    “If I started it, I was in trouble. If I finished it, good job. We’re going out to Sizzler that night.” (Brad Williams, 31:14)

4. Disability, Comedy, and Culture

• Navigating 'Cancel Culture' and Offense (38:52–47:24):

  • Brad defends comedians’ right to attempt jokes, noting audiences dictate what works.

    • “Freedom of speech does not exist for the speech you agree with. First Amendment is there for the speech you disagree with.” (Brad Williams, 41:10)

  • Commentary on offended audiences:

    • “It almost seems now that people go to things to be offended.” (Shannon Sharpe, 45:23)
    • “If you post a clip where a whole audience is laughing, then it’s funny, no matter what you thought.” (Brad Williams, 45:48)

• Disabled Humor & Shared Struggle (43:21–44:36):

  • “Really good jokes come from struggle, and really good sense of humor comes from struggle.” (Brad Williams, 43:24)
  • Disabled people are rarely the offended ones; often, it’s someone “on their behalf.”

5. Career Journey and Milestones

• Specials, Stand-Up, and 'Live on Short Street' (07:22–08:01):

  • Brad’s special, Live on Short Street, is named after a theater on Short Street; reflects his high-energy humor and rapid-fire jokes.

  • “I tell jokes for people that have ADD. If you don’t like a joke, wait 12 seconds, there’s another one coming.” (Brad Williams, 07:44)

• Early Jobs and Comedy Start (55:38–63:14):

  • Worked at Hot Topic and as a character host at Disneyland (“not one of the seven” dwarves – 56:35–57:13).

  • Initial break: Carlos Mencia called Brad on stage after telling dwarf jokes – Brad got laughs and was hooked on stand-up.

    • “He called me up on stage... my answers got laughs. I wasn’t trying to be funny.” (Brad Williams, 62:12)

  • Wanted to be a sports announcer; left college a year early for comedy.

• Dwarf Conventions and Dating (10:53–12:19):

  • Hilarious tales of “dwarf conventions,” where he says little people find their “hot” moment.
    • “For a week... you go to the dwarf convention and you’re hot, Shannon.” (Brad Williams, 11:13)

6. Challenges, Loss, and Fatherhood

• Parenthood and Next Generation (21:15–21:44):

  • Brad’s daughter also has dwarfism. He plans to raise her as his father raised him.

• Father’s Illness and Legacy (47:57–52:31):

  • Brad’s father survived skin cancer but later died from ALS.
    • “My dad got to see me film specials. He got to see me get married, have a kid... So he saw it.” (Brad Williams, 50:57)
    • “My father passed away, I was wrecked, but I’m lucky because I had a dad that caused that kind of grief.” (Brad Williams, 52:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Moment | |-----------|---------|--------------| | 03:56 | Brad Williams | “If I’m clean shaven, everyone thinks I’m five.” | | 08:36 | Brad Williams | “If Dinklage is on the Epstein list, we’re all...” (about collective responsibility among little people) | | 14:46 | Brad Williams | “My head's not your goddamn armrest. Just remember, I’m at the perfect height to punch you in the dick.” | | 16:52 | Shannon Sharpe | “Black kids are the most honest. If it comes up, it’s coming out, Brad.” | | 18:55 | Brad Williams | “My dad and I would write comebacks... so if the kid says this and I say this, then say that.” | | 19:35 | Brad Williams | “‘Haha, you’re little.’ And I went, ‘Haha, your mom doesn’t live with your dad anymore.’” | | 41:10 | Brad Williams | “Freedom of speech does not exist for the speech you agree with. First Amendment is there for the speech you disagree with.” | | 43:24 | Brad Williams | “Really good jokes come from struggle, and really good sense of humor comes from struggle.” | | 62:12 | Brad Williams | “He called me up on stage... my answers got laughs. I wasn’t trying to be funny.” | | 50:57 | Brad Williams | “My dad got to see me film specials. He got to see me get married, have a kid... So he saw it.” |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Beard, Identity, and Childhood Stories — 03:55–04:41
• Dwarf Conventions & Dating — 10:53–12:19
• Photo Requests & Fan Encounters — 14:33–15:08
• Parental Preparation for Teasing — 18:42–20:19
• Cancel Culture, Offense in Comedy — 38:52–47:24
• Career Start at Disneyland / Hot Topic — 55:38–57:13
• First Standup Experience — 62:12–63:14
• Dad’s Illness and Passing — 47:57–52:31
• Handling Joke Theft — 71:45–76:05
• Mentors and Hardest Comedians to Follow — 76:05–79:39

Tone and Language

The conversation is fast-paced, irreverent, self-aware, and unflinching. Brad’s comedy is high-energy, honest, and daring; both host and guest are open, occasionally raw, but always aiming for humor, connection, and insight. Brad’s attitude toward difference is both self-effacing and empowering, reflecting both his lived experience and comedic skills.

Recap for New Listeners

This episode provides a comprehensive, entertaining insight into Brad Williams’ journey through standup, life as a little person, and the nature of comedy in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. There are belly laughs and poignant moments—especially regarding family, loss, and being true to yourself. Both Williams and Sharpe tackle difficult themes with warmth, candor, and a big dose of humor.

To continue the conversation with Brad Williams, head to Part 2 on your preferred podcast platform.