Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: First Date with Lauren Compton
Episode: Sean Patton’s Guide to the Perfect NYC First Date
Date: February 17, 2026
Guests: Sean Patton (Comedian, actor from FX’s "English Teacher")
Theme:
Lauren Compton “dates” comedian Sean Patton on the show, exploring how to spot red flags and what makes someone truly dateable, all while uncovering Sean’s unique take on the perfect first date in New York City. The conversation is hilarious, irreverent, and packed with honest takes on dating, city life, and the joy of a really good burger.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Orleans, Mardi Gras Culture, and Moving to NYC

• Sean’s Roots: Opens with Sean’s upbringing in New Orleans and the distinct family-friendly versus wild sides of Mardi Gras.
  • "You can see tits whenever you want... throw beads at your phone." (Sean, 01:32)
• Transition to New York: Now based in Brooklyn after nearly 20 years in NYC.
• Roberta’s Pizza Debate: Lauren gushes about Roberta’s, Sean realizes he confused it with Speedy Romeo.
  • "Maybe I've never been to Roberta's... Everything you just said could be anywhere in Brooklyn." (Sean, 03:16–03:49)

2. Barbecue Rivalry (Franklin's vs. Terry Black's)

• Barbecue and Lauren’s Family Legacy: Sean reveals his preference for Terry Black’s (Lauren’s husband’s family joint) over the more famous Franklin’s, especially due to line length and efficiency.
  • "Go to Terry Black's because you don't have to wait in line for six hours." (Sean, 05:30)
  • Discusses absurdity of waiting hours for barbecue, and Sean tells an amusing tale about forgotten barbecue, an after-hours party, and an emotionally charged one-night encounter in San Antonio.

3. Sean’s Current Relationship & Dating Philosophy

• Sean’s Girlfriend:
  • Together for about a year; met after she attended his NYC show as a fan of his TV work.
  • Spontaneous connection: conversation during his set, mutual southern roots ("She took a rifle class in middle school... so southern!" — Sean, 11:13)
  • Immediate chemistry led to a first kiss that very night.
• NYC Living Dynamics:
  • Values space and independence: "We have our spaces, and it's great when it's like, 'Hey, you're home, I'm home. We're doing our own things.'" (Sean, 16:29)
  • Sean’s fondness for the subway, cabs, city bikes; the joy of getting 20,000 steps a night as a comic.

4. Dating in NYC & The “Perfect First Date” Blueprint

• Sean’s Confession: Not much of a dater; jumps into relationships quickly and intensely. Lauren is similar — "If I go on a date with you and I like you, I'm already 75% in." (Lauren, 21:00)
• Sean’s Ultimate NYC First Date (20:00–43:00):
  • Season: Autumn, because "the leaves are changing, you get to wear light jackets and you’re not all sweaty."
  • Start: Meet at the Brooklyn Promenade for a scenic walk (aim for 30–42 minutes, not the originally proposed hour).
    • "That half hour walk will set the tone..." (Sean, 25:52)
  • Provisions: Pick up beers at a bodega en route—public drinking is sort of tolerated post-pandemic.
  • Dinner: Keep it unfussy—suggests the original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, strongly advocates for Shake Shack over In-N-Out or Five Guys.
    • "Shake Shack...that’s the best fucking cheeseburger ever of all of the chains. Over In-N-Out, over Five Guys." (Sean, 30:13)
  • Activity: Ping pong in Tompkins Square Park or in the West Village (bring your own paddle/ball!).
  • Comedy Detour: Impromptu set at Gotham Comedy Club ("but I make it look like we just walked in and they ask me to go up!" — Sean, 34:16), then repeat at the Comedy Cellar.
  • Nightcap: Bar hop through West Village, including gay bars ("I’m a bear. … It’s flattering. I wish I were gay; I’d have so many options." (Sean, 40:09)).
  • Ending: Either a romantic kiss and goodbye or a platonic fall-asleep-cuddling scenario, building anticipation for next time ("the build of anticipation" — Sean, 41:14).
    • "She wakes up earlier … realizes she's lost four pounds from all that walking...and then we have morning sex." (Sean, 42:40)

5. Comic Relief: How NOT to Do a First Date

• Both hosts recount nightmare first dates:
  • The “talks way too much” guy and how one woman coolly called off the date outside Cantor’s Deli.
    • "He just talked, didn't stop to listen, didn't ask barely any questions about me…" (Anonymous recount, 22:57)
  • Lauren’s solution: just drink more to ride out a bad date.
• Inventive exit strategies: bring B12 disguised as “party drugs” (23:55), or use hidden fart machines to test a date’s vibe (24:19).

6. Austin & South by Southwest (SXSW) Tangents

• Lauren and Sean swap notes on Austin’s evolution, South by Southwest culture, and the over-the-top world of corporate festival parties.
  • "South By is just a lot of companies that come to Austin, rent out spaces, have a party, and then have a lot of money to throw around." (Lauren, 49:56)
• Sean’s wild anecdotes: getting paid $5,000 to hang out and tell jokes at a bar when a tour fell through.
• Both agree: SXSW-style dates are a nightmare (unless you thrive in chaos).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Seeing Boobs at Mardi Gras:

  • "You have the Internet, right? ...You can see tits whenever you want. Right now." (Sean, 01:32)

• On Waiting for Barbecue:

  • "People will bring a lunch to wait in line to eat lunch at Franklin's. That's fucking insane." (Sean, 05:14)

• On His DMs:

  • "My DMs are rife with gay men that look exactly like me who have zero filter. It's flattering. ...I wish I were gay." (Sean, 40:09)

• On First Dates and Anticipation:

  • "As I've gotten older, there's part of me that appreciates the...build of anticipation." (Sean, 41:14)
  • "She wakes up earlier than me…realizes she's lost four pounds from all that walking…and then we have morning sex." (Sean, 42:40)

• On the Joys of Walking:

  • "One of my favorite things about being a comedian in New York is how many steps you get in." (Sean, 17:46)

• On the NYC Comedy Scene:

  • "In New York, I love not having a car. ...If I need a car to go on road gigs, I'll rent one or I'll take a train." (Sean, 19:08)

• On the Worst First Date Venue:

  • "South by Southwest...terrible first date. Horrible. Or the greatest first date ever, because if you can make a connection in that way, you're meant to be." (Sean & Lauren, 52:30–52:44)

Important Timestamps

• 00:50 — Sean’s New Orleans roots and how Mardi Gras is truly celebrated
• 02:36 — Life in Brooklyn and the Roberta’s pizza debate
• 04:39 — The great Texas Barbecue debate (Franklin’s vs. Terry Black’s)
• 06:28–09:51 — Sean’s wild road story involving leftover barbecue, an after-party, and an emotionally charged hotel night in San Antonio
• 10:00–11:19 — Meeting his girlfriend at a show and instant chemistry
• 16:47–17:49 — Why Sean loves transportation and walking in NYC as a comic
• 20:00–43:00 — Sean’s perfect NYC first date: walking, Shake Shack, comedy clubs, bar-hopping, and the "cuddling vs. anticipation" dilemma
• 22:57–23:32 — The first date disaster outside Cantor’s Deli and how to bail
• 49:11–52:44 — SXSW stories, corporate party absurdity, and how those parties are a "terrible first date"
• 53:24 — Sean plugs his tour, website, and encourages fans to check out “English Teacher”

Final Notes & Tone

The episode is playful, high-energy, and candid, with Sean and Lauren riffing on the cultural quirks of both New Orleans and New York, trading barbs about barbecue, and building an elaborate (and very walk-heavy) NYC fantasy date. Both approach dating with a mix of humor, skepticism, and a heartfelt appreciation for authentic connection—whether that’s through sharing a Shake Shack burger or racking up Fitbit steps across Manhattan.

For Listeners:
You’ll get an insider’s guide to both the magic and misery of NYC dating—plus plenty of comedy, food arguments, and honest laughs about what it means to really click with someone—all without ever setting foot in a nightclub line or waiting six hours for brisket.