Dinner’s On Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Episode: Patton Oswalt—on Love After Loss and What Still Makes Him Laugh
Release Date: December 30, 2025
Location: Levant Bistro & Bakeshop, Echo Park, LA

Episode Overview

In this candid, laughter-filled episode, host Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down with comedian, actor, and writer Patton Oswalt for an honest conversation over a Mediterranean meal at an all-gluten-free bistro in Echo Park. The two old friends navigate a range of topics—from the quirks of aging and holiday traditions, to profound personal loss and the joys (and fears) of parenting. They reminisce about their shared history, discuss the complexities of finding love after grief, geek out on comedy, and reflect on the changing landscape of art and AI. Whether reflecting on deeply personal moments or riffing about gut health and plastic surgery, the conversation is equal parts thoughtful, irreverent, and touching.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kicking Off: Food, Holidays, and the Art of Pie

• The Holidays & Pie Traditions (00:00–01:30)
  • Jesse talks about hosting Thanksgiving and his low-key resolution to "treat myself" this year.
  • Both agree buying pies is easier than making them, but Jesse jokes he might finally brave making his own.
  • Quote: “My resolution is very simple. It’s to treat myself. That’s it.” — Jesse (01:29)

2. Gluten-Free Living, Longevity, and LA Health Trends

• Navigating Gluten Avoidance (03:41–06:20)
  • Patton and Jesse trade stories about being (or trying to be) gluten-free.
  • Jesse recently saw a "longevity doctor," partially inspired by Kardashians.
  • Insight on why gluten in the US may be problematic compared to Europe—pesticides banned in Europe are used here.
  • Memorable moment: Patton’s comedic riff on “leaky gut” (05:32) and being banned from Panera.

3. Serendipity, Courtship, and Love After Loss

• Patton’s Remarkable Love Story with Meredith (07:36–10:47)
  • Jesse brings up Patton meeting his now-wife Meredith after the loss of his first wife, Michelle.
    • Their courtship happened entirely over text for three months—"like the Victorians."
    • “We just texted for three months… then it just sort of happened.” — Patton (08:44)
  • Discussion on grief and finding love: "There's no schedule on the mourning... If love happens, run towards it." (10:00)
  • Reflections on being single-minded post-loss: “My life is for my daughter. And that’s all I wanted to do.” — Patton (11:38)

4. Comedy, AI, and the Imperfections of Art

• Patton’s New Special & Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence (16:11–18:57)
  • Patton plugs his Audible special, "Black Coffee and Ice Water"—out now.
  • Discusses AI in comedy: “It’s insane how… sometimes it goes racist. You’re like, wait, this thing can launch nukes?” (17:09)
  • He critiques using AI for creative work: “We were supposed to invent AI so we could make more art—not have AI make the art.” (17:56)
  • Emphasizes “the imperfection” and irreplaceable humanity in art—citing a John Ford quote: “We can shoot a human face. That’s the most interesting thing on the planet.” (18:19)

5. Parenting & Passing on Passions

• Raising a Worldly-But-Excitable Daughter (19:31–22:25)
  • Describes his daughter as a blend of himself, Michelle, and Meredith: “She got my humor, Michelle’s skepticism, Meredith’s kindness." (20:07)
  • On finding joy: “Nothing makes me happier than when she’s reading a really good book… she hasn’t lost that capacity yet.” (21:17)
  • On sharing interests: Patton is careful not to become “the jock version of the nerd dad” and force his favorites (like Star Wars).
  • “Whatever’s their realm, is their realm.” (22:23)

6. The Craft of Comedy and Sitcom Memories

• Standup Without Cameras & Sitcom Legends (22:25–26:55)
  • Patton loves the looseness of unnamed standup audio albums compared to filmed specials.
  • Reminisces about Leah DeLaria and their time getting mistaken for each other.
  • King of Queens memories: Working with Jerry Stiller, Kevin James, and how natural comedic genius works on set.
    • Jerry Stiller’s entrances could get laughs on non-punchlines; a “weird comedy Jedi master.” (25:28)
  • Jesse reflects on texting hilarity with the Modern Family cast and legendary Ed O’Neill one-liners.

7. Modern Family Guest Spots and Parenting Parallels

• Sitcom Screwball Comedy and Real Life Emotions (28:49–31:42)
  • Patton on guest starring in the “Las Vegas” episode—like “re-creating a screwball comedy.”
  • Parallels between sitcom parenting moments (dropping Lily at school) and real-life rites of passage.
    • "I started crying, and I got really upset. Oh, it was too much for me. I wasn’t prepared.” — Jesse (30:39)
  • Both discuss the bittersweet “letting go” phase with their children, referencing Finding Nemo.

8. Pop Music, Parenting, and Modern Culture

• Taylor Swift, Lyrics, and Genuine Passion (32:34–34:12)
  • Patton takes joy in learning about music through his daughter—“I get an insight into what’s landing with her.”
  • Celebrates Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers as lyricists, and the importance of connecting with art during coming-of-age.
  • “I wish I’d had lyrics like that growing up. It would’ve saved me a lot of hassle.” (33:08)

9. Tabloid Fame, Privacy, and Absurdity

• Personal Anecdotes About Celebrity Culture (35:49–38:28)
  • Patton shares a story about nearly being cropped into a tabloid (erroneously as the “other man”) due to celebrity-obsessed paparazzi.
  • Observes the absurdity of how tabloid stories get built from contextless images: “They can take these photos and do any story they want with them.” (37:53)

10. Theatre, Meryl Streep, and Artistic Integrity

• Stagecraft & Artistic Process (38:28–41:00)
  • Jesse talks about doing Shakespeare in the Park with stars like Al Pacino.
  • Both praise the value of rehearsal, referencing Meryl Streep’s humility: "In those moments of rehearsal, you feel like the worst actor in the world.” (40:27)
  • In a star-struck parent moment, Patton retells being the “agent” for his daughter and wife to meet Chapel Rowan and Meryl Streep at an afterparty.

11. Passion vs. Wealth & The Collector Phenomenon

• True Passion and Life’s Meaning (43:56–46:23)
  • Jesse discusses acquiring the rights to a play about Truman Capote and the intersection of obsession, self-destruction, and artistry.
  • Patton compares the truly passionate with the wealthy who “collect” artists, without personal resonance:
    • "I looked at the record collection [of a rich guy]; it was all ‘Best of’ albums. There’s no actual passion. Did any of this music mean anything?" (45:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Grief and Love:

  • “There’s no schedule on the mourning. ... If love happens, run toward it.” — Patton Oswalt (10:00)

• On AI in Creativity:

  • “We were supposed to invent AI so we could make more art—not have AI make the art.” — Patton Oswalt (17:56)
  • “We can shoot a human face. That’s the most interesting thing on the planet.” — paraphrasing John Ford, Patton Oswalt (18:19)

• On Parenting Independence:

  • “I wasn’t prepared for him to open up the door and just walk out and like, walk to class by himself. ... I started crying.” — Jesse Tyler Ferguson (30:39)

• On Jerry Stiller’s Genius:

  • “It’s like watching this weird comedy Jedi master. Everything you do gets a laugh.” — Patton Oswalt (25:34)

• On Artistic Passion vs. Wealth:

  • “They have nothing that they’re passionate about and it drives them nuts.” — Patton Oswalt (45:04)

• On Taking Risks:

  • “She’ll curse the lesson, but she’ll bless the knowledge.” — Patton Oswalt (reference to passing up the Nutmobile ride, 35:36)

• On Raising Creative Kids:

  • “I want to defend the daydreaming and defend the detaching from reality because that’s going to serve her better in life.” — Patton Oswalt (21:29)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–01:30 | Holidays, pie, resolutions | | 03:41–06:20 | Gluten-free, LA health, longevity doctors | | 07:36–10:47 | Patton’s love story, courtship, love after loss | | 16:11–18:57 | Patton’s special, AI, imperfection in art | | 19:31–22:25 | Parenting: daughter’s humor, reading, daydreaming | | 22:25–26:55 | Standup comedy, sitcom stories, working with legends | | 28:49–31:42 | Modern Family ‘Las Vegas’ ep., school drop-offs | | 32:34–34:12 | Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, generational lyrics | | 35:49–38:28 | Tabloids, privacy, being nearly “other man” | | 38:28–41:00 | Theatre, rehearsal, Meryl Streep | | 43:56–46:23 | Truman Capote, artistry vs. wealth, “Best of” albums |

Tone & Takeaways

Warm, open, uproariously funny, and at times deeply moving, this episode is a testament to both Oswalt’s quick wit and his vulnerability. They oscillate between heartfelt discussion (grief, parenting, art) and irreverent bits (bowel talk, celebrity surgeons, theater war stories), maintaining a breezy camaraderie. Ideal for listeners interested in creativity, resilience after loss, and the everyday absurdities of both fame and family.

If you’ve not heard the episode, this summary captures the abundant humor, wisdom, and relatability—Don’t miss Patton’s stories about texting into love, Modern Family’s group text, or his thoughts on letting AI write your best man speech!