Katt Williams

Summary

Good One: A Podcast About Jokes – Episode Summary: Katt Williams

Release Date: December 10, 2024
Host: Jesse David Fox, Vulture.com Senior Editor

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of Good One: A Podcast About Jokes, host Jesse David Fox welcomes back the multifaceted comedian Katt Williams. Building on their initial conversation from Summer 2022, Jesse highlights Katt's recent appearance on the Club ShSh podcast—a monumental interview that garnered over 85 million views, making it the most popular interview in YouTube history. Jesse encourages listeners to watch their hour-long, live-recorded interview from the Vulture Festival on YouTube.com/vulture for an in-depth exploration of Katt's comedic genius.

Katt Williams' Comedy Style and Craftsmanship

The discussion kicks off with a focus on Katt Williams' distinctive comedic style. Jesse plays a snippet from Katt's iconic 2007 special, American Hustle, to set the tone.

Physicality in Comedy
Katt emphasizes the importance of physicality in his performances, likening his approach to timeless comedians like Charlie Chaplin.
“I just appreciate physicality as a part of the craft. You know, the ability to let somebody watch you present what you're trying to present.” (07:34)

Integration of Sound Cues
Katt delves into his early adoption of sound cues in stand-up, a move initially frowned upon in the comedy scene of the late '90s. He shares how blending hip hop elements with comedy enhances the emotional and experiential connection with his audience.
“Hip hop and comedy were together... because the streets are where the best comedy is found.” (11:05)

Preparation for the "Heaven on Earth" Tour

With his tour titled Heaven on Earth set to begin in January, Katt discusses his meticulous preparation process, focusing on storytelling and maintaining relevance amidst ongoing news events.

Developing Material Amidst Current Events
Katt explains his strategy of reserving 25% of his material space to accommodate unforeseen events, ensuring his comedy remains timely and impactful.
“I allow myself 75% of what I'm going to talk about just because there are still events that have to transpire.” (14:20)

Choreographed Performances
Contrary to many comedians who rely on crowd work, Katt maintains a highly structured and choreographed performance style, emphasizing rehearsed physical bits over improvisational interactions.
“Where you're in that situation... it was such a wonderful comedic Time to be alive.” (15:24)

Reflections on Past Interviews and Controversial Jokes

A significant portion of the conversation reflects on Katt's widely viewed Club ShSh interview and his fearless approach to tackling sensitive topics.

Impact of the Club ShSh Interview
Katt acknowledges the profound reach of his Club ShSh interview, expressing pride in his ability to convey honest and unfiltered perspectives.
“I am extraordinarily proud of everything that I do just because I know how hard I worked on it.” (28:22)

Controversial Jokes and Their Consequences
Katt discusses his bold jokes about Michael Jackson from Pimp Chronicles, addressing the backlash and personal reflections that followed.
“My job is to be funny first and to voice the opinion of a group that doesn't get to have their opinion out there.” (31:26)

Inspiring Audiences
An inspiring moment unfolds when Katt shares a story about an Olympic athlete who found motivation in his Tink Tink joke, highlighting the unintended positive impact of his comedy.
“This is doing it for. Like, when I'm writing this, I'm hoping that somehow it's what somebody needs.” (36:11)

Acting Ventures and Industry Relationships

Katt offers insights into his acting career, particularly his Emmy-winning role on the critically acclaimed series Atlanta.

Collaboration with Donald Glover
Katt recounts how Donald Glover approached him with a role, emphasizing trust and the seamless integration of his authentic self into the character, which ultimately led to Emmy recognition.
“If you do the role right, you're going to get an Emmy for it.” (42:36)

Influence on Other Artists
Katt shares a humorous anecdote about advising Steph Curry on shooting techniques, asserting his behind-the-scenes influence on the NBA's greatest shooter.
“I'm responsible for the greatest shooter in the NBA without question.” (49:12)

Relationship with Prince
Revealing his close friendship with the late Prince, Katt describes his role as a barometer for Prince’s personal decisions, showcasing his trusted position within the entertainment circle.
“I was like the nigga barometer for Prince.” (47:30)

Perception and Legacy in Comedy

The conversation touches on Katt's absence from hosting Saturday Night Live despite being parodied nine times, which he takes as a badge of honor reflecting his unique standing in the comedy world.

Impressions and SNL
Katt reflects on the lack of invitations to SNL, interpreting it as recognition of his authentic and unfiltered comedic style.
“I take it as a badge of Honor that they don't fuck with me.” (52:14)

Standing the Test of Time
Discussing the longevity of stand-up comedy, Katt compares it to other enduring art forms, asserting his intent to continue performing well into his later years.
“This is our craft. Bob Hope was 171 years old.” (53:56)

Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

As the episode wraps up, Katt shares his relentless drive to improve his craft, expressing excitement about the evolving world and his role within it.

Commitment to Growth
Katt emphasizes his continuous pursuit of excellence, striving to surpass his previous performances with each new show.
“I've got to be better than I fucking just was.” (55:47)

Embracing Change and Exploration
Acknowledging the ever-changing landscape of comedy and society, Katt positions himself as an explorer navigating new territories in his stand-up journey.
“We are in an entirely different world than the world I just left.” (57:27)

Final Remarks
Jesse and Katt conclude the episode with mutual appreciation, leaving listeners anticipating Katt's upcoming tour and future projects.

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Notable Quotes

• “The streets are where the best comedy is found.” — Katt Williams (11:05)
• “I allow myself 75% of what I'm going to talk about just because there are still events that have to transpire.” — Katt Williams (14:20)
• “My job is to be funny first and to voice the opinion of a group that doesn't get to have their opinion out there.” — Katt Williams (31:26)
• “I'm responsible for the greatest shooter in the NBA without question.” — Katt Williams (49:12)
• “I take it as a badge of Honor that they don't fuck with me.” — Katt Williams (52:14)
• “I've got to be better than I fucking just was.” — Katt Williams (55:47)

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Conclusion

This episode of Good One: A Podcast About Jokes offers an in-depth look into Katt Williams' dynamic approach to comedy, his influential role in the entertainment industry, and his unwavering commitment to his craft. Through candid conversations and insightful anecdotes, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of what makes Katt Williams a standout figure in the world of stand-up comedy.

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For more detailed insights and the full conversation, visit YouTube.com/vulture.

Transcript

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[Jesse David Fox]

Hello and welcome to Good One, a podcast about jokes. I'm your host Jesse David Fox. This week Katt Williams returns to the podcast. I first interviewed Kat back in the summer of 2022, and in that conversation we go over a lot of the basics of his writing process, so I definitely recommend checking that out if you haven't already. That said, you've already started this episode, feel free to continue. You don't have to like go back and listen to that first. They're not sequels in that way, but if you find yourself with another hour, it's a fun conversation. And speaking of fun conversations, in the time since I interviewed Cat, he famously, slash infamously appeared on the Club Sh Sh podcast in which he, over the course of three hours or so, scorched earth about many things he saw in modern comedy that he didn't love. With over 85 million views, it is the most popular interview in YouTube history. That said, if you want to make this episode compete with those numbers, head over to YouTube.com vulture to watch our conversation, which was filmed live at Vulture Festival in November. Our interview was only an hour, but I found it to be comparably sprawling, covering everything from his most famous jokes to the hall of Fame basketball player whose life he changed. Before we start the episode, as this is the holiday season, I just want to take a moment to say my book, Comedy How Comedy Conquered Culture and the Magic that Makes It Work, is available to buy on paperback. It'll make a great gift for the comedy nerd in your life. May I suggest if you're listening to this podcast, asking someone to buy you the book if you don't have it yet. But enough about me. One thing about this interview is our conversation started with me playing a clip of one of Katt's all time most famous bits when he opened the special American Hustle, with him pantomiming various ways in which one could dance to Rick Ross everyday Imp hustlin'it. Is an incredible bit, but if it's not obvious by that description, a very visual joke. We'll only play a snippet here, but please go check it out on YouTube. And again, speaking of YouTube, if you'd like to watch this interview, head over to YouTube.com vulture so here is Katt Williams.

Hello. Thank you for coming to Vulture Festival. I am Jesse David Fox. I'm a senior writer at Vulture. I'm the host of Good One, a podcast about jokes. I'm the executive producer of Vulture Festival. I'll be moderating this panel where I'll be talking to a comedian with 13 specials to his name. An Emmy award, one of the highest grossing touring artists of all art forms. The undisputed king of underground comedy. Before we open with our conversation, I wanted to play one of the openings of Cat's specials, which I believe is the greatest opening in the history of standup comedy. It is from his 2007 special American Hustle. So we're going to play this clip and then out comes Katt Williams. Here is Katt Williams.

[Katt Williams]

Yes, sir.

[Jesse David Fox]

Please welcome Cat Williams. How's it going?

[Katt Williams]

How are you?

[Jesse David Fox]

I'm good.

[Katt Williams]

Good.

[Jesse David Fox]

You didn't, you didn't like, you know, do you not like watching yourself?

[Katt Williams]

I get on my nerves.

[Jesse David Fox]

And when you like, is. Is there something about that joke? You're like, all right, that's it. Did you pick too much?

[Katt Williams]

I did so many jokes about forbidden topics and things in the future. And, you know, but that joke. That's the one.

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, we have other things to talk about, which is an opening joke.

[Katt Williams]

Well, I love it. I love it.

[Jesse David Fox]

I'll ask this. Do you remember coming up with that idea?

[Katt Williams]

Yeah. So in my career, I believe that's probably the only joke that I stole. So, yeah. Yeah. The truth is always good, even if it's about you. So the way that joke went, I had that joke written and I wanted to do that joke where I play the song and then discuss all the iterations of that song and then play the song again. And I had this female comedian that was working with me at the time, and she was like, you know what you should do. You should just keep bringing the song back. And I was like, that is fucking brilliant. Like, just keep bringing it. And she was like, yeah, just keep bringing it back. The same song again and again. I was like, yeah, I guess that probably will do it. That is so fucking brilliant. And then right after I did it, the day it was gonna air, somebody came and was like, you know, somebody else does this joke and they're really, really great. And yeah, it was JB Smooth, who is a magnificent fucking comedian. But I hadn't met him at the time, didn't know his work. And. Yeah, so that's why that joke is always special to me. Because.

[Jesse David Fox]

The thing about it, I think that is specifically you, is the sort of the physicality of the act outs that the premise might be something some other comedian might do, but the physicality of it. When we last spoke, you talked about how with your specials, you want to try to display different skills. Was there something with that bit that you're like, oh, I want to try to do something with this that I haven't done yet, or, like, try to do physicality in a specific way.

[Katt Williams]

I just appreciate physicality as a part of the craft. You know, the ability to let somebody watch you present what you're trying to present. It's just very important in the craft and not in any jokes in particular. But that's always one of the levels that has to be dealt with before a joke is ready for consumption.

[Jesse David Fox]

Because the joke is like, it's a contemporary thing, but, like, it's like a Charlie Chaplin bit. It's like a joke that could have existed at any time in the history of performance.

[Katt Williams]

Right. Which is, you know, that's when you did a good job with the joke. Like the joke that I did with Steve Irwin and the Crocodile Hunter, like, that was another one of those, you know, just because that's how I talk to people, you know, is trying to let them see me in the circumstance, if that makes sense.

[Jesse David Fox]

What does Rick Ross think of the bit?

[Katt Williams]

Who cares? Who cares? Like, we helped make that a hit across the country. And what did we get for it? Nothing.

[Jesse David Fox]

Was it expensive to license 80,000? That's pretty, pretty expensive.

[Katt Williams]

But I've tried to. I've tried to do that with my specials. Like, you know, add a piece of the physical culture to what I'm doing. And yet it costs money. But it also conveys the message.

[Jesse David Fox]

In what way?

[Katt Williams]

It's a connector, you know what I mean? Like, the people that fuck with me, fuck with me because I'M actually living this real experience that I'm narrating. And so that's about emotion and feeling and that's what music is all about. So it's important.

[Jesse David Fox]

When did you start using sound cues in Your act?

[Katt Williams]

In 1997.

[Jesse David Fox]

Do you remember the joke?

[Katt Williams]

No.

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, do you remember this circumstance?

[Katt Williams]

No, I just always had a. That was part of my communication was the weed we're smoking, the music we're listening to. The girls were fucking the, you know.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Katt Williams]

The legitimate. You see why I get on my nerves. Like I just say shit and then I think about it a second later and go, you didn't have to say it like that. But yeah, it's a part of the experience. So, yeah, I needed the music cue. Like back in the day, it was frowned upon to be a comedian that used music in any way. So, like, understand you're getting paid $45 and 20 of that you have to give to this DJ just so he'll play 11 seconds of this song so you can get to the stage and 11 off, you know, so you might.

[Jesse David Fox]

As well pay him to do something during the middle.

[Katt Williams]

You got him there. At this point, it's a major investment. But I always felt like hip hop and comedy were together and they had been in my life and so I wanted to mimic that.

[Jesse David Fox]

In what way do they inform each other?

[Katt Williams]

Because the streets are where the best comedy is found. It's where tragedy, not just where tragedy happens, tragedy happens anywhere. But the streets is where tragedy happens and you have to get over it today, tomorrow there's a whole different thing that's going to happen that has nothing to do with this. So you don't get to wallow in the muck for very long because it begins again. So that's what always made the best hip hop music and comedy. I felt they were linked.

[Jesse David Fox]

So you have a tour starting in January, correct? Yeah. What are you doing right now for it? I mean, you're playing thousand seed venues in two months.

[Katt Williams]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

As we've talked about before, other comedians, they'd be like, oh, I'm out at the clubs or whatever. But that's not nature of your process. So I'm curious, two months out, what have you started doing?

[Katt Williams]

So this is the look in the mirror for an hour at a time, trying to see if I'm telling this story without the words, if that makes sense. So there's a process where I'm really just walking through it and yeah, that's where we are. It's just such a wonderful comedic Time to be alive.

[Jesse David Fox]

In terms of subject matter, I'm saying.

[Katt Williams]

If you hunt jokes for a living, like, this is. God damn, Mike's ass was out. You know what I mean? Like, the combination of that and Kamala not getting votes in her own household, the combination is crazy. Like.

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, I was gonna ask. By asking now, did you watch the. I guess you'd call it a fight, the thing that was aired, the Mike Tyson event.

[Katt Williams]

What does that mean? I guess you can call it a fight.

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, fairly. They sort of, like, walked around each other.

[Katt Williams]

If you and I fought each other, there's only going to be 18 punches.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's fair.

[Katt Williams]

It's going to be a real fight, though, you know?

[Jesse David Fox]

So what did you think of the fight yesterday?

[Katt Williams]

I'm just. At the end of the day, this is all entertainment, you know? And what a blessing for Mike to be able, at this point in his life and career, to be able to throw 18 punches and get $1 million per punch for a total of $20 million. You know what I mean? And if you got a ride off into the sunset, you know, that's a. It's a good way.

[Jesse David Fox]

So you. So you basically have. What you're going to talk about, and now you're like, how will I present it?

[Katt Williams]

75%. Yeah. I allow myself 75% of what I'm going to talk about just because there are still events that have to transpire in this final piece of 2024, and. Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

What's that mean?

[Katt Williams]

People are still being exposed on the Daily. Sir.

[Jesse David Fox]

Got it. Yeah. Because you still. You got two months and you want to be up to date, so you need to have space just in case news comes out?

[Katt Williams]

Not just in case. Oh, when news comes out. Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

So when you say you're thinking about it, are you at your house just sort of like walking through the hour, being like, okay, what if I do this here?

[Katt Williams]

Absolutely. Rehearsal, blocking. Yeah, the whole thing.

[Jesse David Fox]

Because for a thing like that or all your physical bits, it is mapped out or it is really is choreographed, essentially.

[Katt Williams]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

What made you work that way? You know, because you are. So there is a sort of looseness to your performance on stage. I think people would be like, oh, he's just make. I mean, like all comedians, people think they're just making it up.

[Katt Williams]

He's a great actor.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah.

[Katt Williams]

Yeah. There's no looseness.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. I was going to ask. There's a comedian, when they are starting out, after they've done a special, they might, like, fill out an hour by doing crowd work and I've not seen or even heard you talk about extensive crowd work. Crowd work is very common in standup right now. There's lots of people posting crowd work clips. I was curious your opinion about it.

[Katt Williams]

I love crowd work, but that's not the level that I'm on. So if people pay $10 or $20 to come see you perform, then it's okay for you to do crowd work, but my ticket prices say that nobody wants to hear no fucking crowd work from me. Where are you from, Cat? Tell your fucking jokes. Don't. Yeah, so, yeah, I don't really just. I don't really have the liberty for crowd work.

[Jesse David Fox]

And, yeah, you've said that you name the tours based on what you imagine the world will be when the special based on that tour comes out.

[Katt Williams]

You listen to a lot of shit I say. Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

To be fair, you said that to me when I talked to you two years ago. So I just remembered.

[Katt Williams]

Two years ago. Why the fuck would I remember what I said to you two years ago?

[Jesse David Fox]

I know, but I did. So then I remember it and I break it to you. So you said that.

[Katt Williams]

Thank God I tell the truth. Okay, go ahead.

[Jesse David Fox]

So this tour is called Heaven on Earth, Right?

Why?

What are you telling us about? Where the world will be when the special comes out.

[Katt Williams]

When I said that to you, what I meant was that I have to name the next tour ten months in advance. You know, so it's an expectation of where the feeling or mood might be at that particular point in time. And that way I can subconsciously prove to the audience that I know things in advance. Right. So this tour is called Heaven on Earth. Just in case we're in the golden era, in the golden age, and the Antichrist is here and it's time to get busy. Just in case.

[Jesse David Fox]

Just in case, I was gonna ask, I believe three specials in a row you've talked about Donald Trump. Donald Trump is the President Elect. Do you tend to continuing that conversation or. What do you mean?

[Katt Williams]

Please don't take the prophecy out of my statements. Okay, so what I was talking about that whole time was Joe being too old to be in his position and how the other guy being a lunatic would be seen as better than someone derelict. Now, it's not my fault that it came to pass. It just did. Right? And the conversation I'm having with the people that I'm talking to, like, we have real, honest conversation, no matter how that goes. So if we see a lady pretending to be black just because we know black women, you know, we're gonna notice.

[Jesse David Fox]

Is there, as you said, each tour you try to do something one different comedically. Is there a different, a new type of comedy or part of comedy you want to bring to this new tour?

[Katt Williams]

Absolutely, absolutely. Yeah. I think this is the best me, this one, just because, you know, I've been hurt so much in my experience that I kind of ignore the pain, you know, and focus on the check. And for the first time, I'm in a position where I'm not receiving pain. Like, you know, my comments are edifying and people want to protect me at high cost. And, like, I literally just read comments all day and laugh until my stomach hurts. Like, that's what I do all day. So coming from now, this place, telling jokes, I think it's just going to be just a whole new side of me.

[Jesse David Fox]

Is it more optimistic, more personal?

[Katt Williams]

Yeah, definitely more. I don't think you can get more optimistic. Like, I'm optimistic to the point of ignoring pessimism, you see. So, like, that's not a new experience for me. But knowing there's power and understanding how power works, all of that is a little bit different than walking in your power. It's, it's just a different little, little swagger from within. So I, I, I'm excited that I'll be in that frame.

[Jesse David Fox]

Is it, Are you working on it for a Netflix special specifically, can you say, will you say.

[Katt Williams]

Like, the outlet is never part of the process? I don't, I don't want to be disrespectful, but their addition to the process is financial, so. Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, I'll ask this. You, you know, you are. Many of your specials open with someone introducing by saying, the undisputed king of underground comedy. And I'm curious what that title means to you. And when you work with a place like Netflix, do you feel like you still have retained that? What does it mean?

[Katt Williams]

You're saying because the underground king thing is because of lack of mainstream support and the fact that I was able to do what I was able to do without that support is how I got that position. Now that I receive some support, does that take away from that? Probably, probably. But I'm saying I'm, I'm, I'm anti establishment, so I can never be the establishment. You know what I mean? Like, even if I'm at the Diddy party, I'm there to tell you, See what I'm saying? Like, I'm there to see who the fuck is in here and what do y'all get from being in here? So Nobody likes to have me around. I'm there for bad intentions.

[Jesse David Fox]

I wanna bring up, let's. I have a bunch of clips from standup, but since you brought that up, I'll go with that direction first.

[Katt Williams]

So don't blame me.

[Jesse David Fox]

No, I'm not blaming you. I'm just following your lead.

[Katt Williams]

So don't follow my lead.

[Jesse David Fox]

So specifically you told us that was going to be your role in our culture from way back in Pimp Chronicles. Can you play clip number six?

[Katt Williams]

They be having these big ass mansion parties. And the mansion party, the whole mansion is a party and then it's a separate party in the little rooms. I ain't been famous that goddamn long. I'm excited than a motherfucker to be at the mansion party. You be looking in all the goddamn rooms and you fuck around and look in the wrong room and shit.

[Jesse David Fox]

So that's what you're talking about.

[Katt Williams]

No, look, this is what, this is what the people that love me are gonna love. Like even in the situations where I'm in those situations. Like for example, this one, like this doesn't happen at Diddy's house. This is at somebody else's house, right? So it's like 11:00 noon. This party gonna be at 8, 9:00. You feel what I'm saying? So I'm there throughout the day. I know this is just a regular house. Like there's nothing special to this house. And then the specialness happens and I'm there and I know I gotta leave, but I ain't gotta leave before I see who comes. Because that's my job as a reporter to the people. And I said coming in that that's what I was gonna do. I was gonna be an unbiased reporter.

[Jesse David Fox]

So it's been almost a year since the Club Sh. Shay interview. A lot has happened with the aforementioned Diddy in the time since. What do you make of the situation currently?

[Katt Williams]

I didn't, I didn't misspeak almost at all in that interview. Some things I should have explained better than I did, you know, like when I said I read 3,000 books in a year, people was like, come on, God damn. But I did. That's the fucked up part. Like, so I don't know how old you are, but I'm old. Speed reading was a thing that you were like, I learned how to speed read. You know what I mean? And I was in a situation in my family life where it was very strict. So I wasn't even allowed to go to pizza parties even when they were on school time. I couldn't go, you know what I mean? And that was fucked up for a. That's cool. In his spirit, like me, you know what I mean? So there was this program where if I read a hundred books, I got a pizza party and they got me a whole pizza. So I would go in the library and I would get all of the books that were 150 pages or less. Time life had a whole system of 5,000 books. Yeah. But anyway. Club Shae Shay. Yeah. I was trying to do something there that hadn't been done. I was trying to. I thought that I had figured out the algorithm mathematically and I thought that I could show that. And when I wrote it out, I wrote it out to kill the careers of the people I was talking about. Right. But it was so vicious that I erased all of the knockout blows and just left the jabs so that the comic I'm talking about knows that I know your real story. I'm gonna tell this, but you know what else I know? Yeah, I was.

[Jesse David Fox]

Do you want to tell any of those stories now?

[Katt Williams]

Just one. I'm saying.

[Jesse David Fox]

Well, it's interesting. So you. When you think about the work, the. That interview, which is the most watched interview in the history of YouTube, like, how do you do.

[Katt Williams]

Could you just say that again a little more slowly for me?

[Jesse David Fox]

Just, that interview, which is the most watched interview on YouTube, the most viewed, most viewed, most watched interview on YouTube in history.

[Katt Williams]

In YouTube history.

[Jesse David Fox]

In YouTube history.

[Katt Williams]

Wow.

[Jesse David Fox]

How do you fit it into. When you think of your career and the work you do, the art, the acting, like, is that interview a thing you're proud of in the same way you're proud of your specials?

[Katt Williams]

I am extraordinarily proud of everything that I do just because I know how hard I worked on it, no matter what it was, Right. So even if it was a three hour interview, like I wrote it like it was a movie, like it was just a movie with me as a star and this nigga as the co star and how I can, right? So. But it's interesting to see how things play out. Like I'm addicted to cigarettes and I smoke weed, you know, so if I'm in out of a situation where I can do those things, I have these coping mechanisms that I do, you know, that I wouldn't think everybody would notice. But I'm saying if he's rubbing his pants for three hours, I guess people are gonna notice. So that's what I'm saying. Like, I make mistakes, but I'M always trying so very hard to be doing something that the people that like me can be proud of that.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. Even your interviews, you approach as a continuation of the conversation you're having.

[Katt Williams]

Everything. Yeah, everything.

[Jesse David Fox]

I think the joke that I think really built your reputation as a person who's willing to talk about things that others were not, especially in this area, was also from Pym Chronicles, the joke about Michael Jackson.

[Katt Williams]

Fuck Michael. Him.

[Jesse David Fox]

Fuck him.

[Katt Williams]

I don't give a how good you can sing and dance. I got babies, you nasty. You can't play with little boys, booty holes. And some of y'all looking at me like, I can't believe you saying that. It's a setup. Fuck a setup. Don't nobody say the same shit about you for 20 goddamn years. What the is you talking about? If a motherfucker call you a crackhead for 20 years, bitch, you are smoking crack. Whitney done smoked her kneecaps off and we still talking about, uh, Michael. He spent his whole life trying to be a white woman. His whole motherfucking life. Then as soon as a nigga get in trouble, now he want to be surrounded by Muslims and shit. Michael, you ain't no motherfucking Muslim. You can't even be a Muslim. You got a white woman pork face. How you gonna be a Muslim? Half your face is pork. Michael. Fuck Michael. Don't get on TV and lie to us and tell us shit don't make no fucking sense. This nigga climbing up in trees and shit, talking about, don't you climb trees? No, motherfucker. We got bills and shit. Take your Peter Pan ass and make some peanut butter or some shit.

[Jesse David Fox]

What? You know, it's very funny. But, like, what made you tell the joke? Did you get pushback? Did people think you shouldn't have talked about it?

[Katt Williams]

I shouldn't have. Honestly, like, some of these things are. The reason that the enemy decides to go ahead and let you be famous is your ability to tear down your own kind, no matter how high they are. On the other hand, my job is to be funny first and to voice the opinion of a group that doesn't get to have their opinion out there, Right? So as a black man, if you don't love yourself, you don't love me. So those were the jokes of a guy that was hurt, you know, by an icon. And so I was telling those jokes. The fact that years later, Janet Jackson says she still loved me despite the jokes that I told about her brother is probably one of the most magnificent things, you know, just because I say a lot of hilarious shit, but it costs me every time, you know, Like, I'm never unscathed in these situations.

[Jesse David Fox]

And what is is it a thing that you battle with when there are certain things you're like, I shouldn't talk about it or and are there not? And it's not even about do you regret? But as much like, is it a struggle that you do? Are there jokes you do that you regret years later? Do you accept that that is who you were at the time?

[Katt Williams]

Oh, don't get it twisted. I have no regrets. Like, in each situation I'm trying to do what the black superhero in my position would do. So if that works out well, then glory be to God. But if it's fucked up, I just take it and move on to the next thing because I know that that's what the black superhero would have done regardless.

[Jesse David Fox]

We'll be right back with more Katt Williams, live from Vulture Festival.

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[Jesse David Fox]

Now back to Katt Williams live from Vulture Festival.

So I asked some comedians about what their favorite joke of yours were. And the joke I got most often was from your 2008 special, Pimpin Pimpin. About a joke, a joke about an athlete who lost their legs and was given metal legs.

[Katt Williams]

That motherfucker had to be in tune with his star fucking player. Cause sometimes motherfuckers ain't gonna have your back like you think you should. And this motherfucker now gotta come in on his aluminum racing legs and race again. And he gotta try to come in and be all calm and smooth and not draw too much attention to himself. Wait a minute. Yeah, you gotta go over there and sign up first before you race. Okay? Yeah, they said I gotta sign up first. It's no sign up at all. Tink, Tink, Tink, Tink, Tink, Tink, Tink. He all at the starting line, you know. Motherfuckers fucking with him, doing all sorts of unnecessary exercises with their legs and shit. Just on your mark. And the craziest thing happened. This not only started running, this started winning. And you know a hater can't stand a goddamn winner. And the last place you want to be in a foot race is behind the. With no goddamn foots. That's the last. I bet that motherfuckers is mad as my leg's tired. Ain't your legs tired? His legs ain't tired. He just tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. Just paper clips and sparks everywhere. But you gonna have to be in tune with your star fucking player. Cause these haters do not play fair. These hating ass motherfuckers at the Olympic Committee let this motherfucker race and then waited till he won and then disqualified him and said, and I quote, he had an unfair advantage. Are you talking about the motherfucker running with no goddamn legs? Now who the fuck you talking about?

Poor little Tink Tank.

Think about that when you. You think you having a bad goddamn day. Poor little Tink Tink. Ain't that a bitch?

[Jesse David Fox]

That one do you think is funny? You're laughing at this one?

[Katt Williams]

No, I think he's funny. I think he's funny. But yesterday I was being there was this thing. I was one of the GQ men of the year. And thank you. I can't believe I just dropped that. But yeah. So while I'm there, this guy I Think his name is Hunter. He's an Olympic athlete. And he comes to me and he goes, kat, I need to talk to you. I just need to tell you this story. And he's like, I was born without my legs, and I grew up listening to your tink Tink joke. And that's what let me know that I could do this. Like, understand, like, this. What the. I'm doing it for. Like, when I'm. I'm writing this, I'm hoping that somehow it's what somebody needs. You know what I mean? Like. Like. And a lot of times it doesn't happen where you think it's gonna happen. That's why I don't. I don't argue with God about the message. I just. Whatever it's to be said, I try to say it, but. Yeah, what a boomerang joke that was. Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

Do you remember seeing that story and being like. Like, go from. You see that story exists.

[Katt Williams]

Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

The noise, ting, ting to the phrase poor, poor little thing. It is just sort of like. It is. I mean, it's very good, right?

[Katt Williams]

Because to be someone who can inspire others first requires that you are inspired by others. Right? So the truth of the matter is I gather inspiration from places, and that's what helps me to do what it is I'm doing. And so it's easy to be able to let you in on some of this inspiration, where it comes from. And at the end of the day, as a comedian, that's all you're selling is your point of view.

[Jesse David Fox]

Did you follow the story afterwards of the poor little chickpea? If I believe correct, Right.

[Katt Williams]

Because understand, my God is the greatest comedian, right? So, like, it doesn't matter how it's set up. He's gonna do it funnier. Like. And he. He always comes through. And the whole. The whole thing was when I did the joke, right? I was like, I wonder, was this fucked up for him? Like, I hope I didn't, like, fuck with his spirit doing this joke, but the Lord didn't let me worry about it. Come to find out he's a motherfucking murderer. So it all made sense in the end. Take that. Take that. Diddy be wanting to party, and you gotta tell him no.

[Jesse David Fox]

So, you know, you talk about there's acting in this joke, and I was curious. I want to talk about your relationship to acting, and I'll talk about. Let's start with your Emmy winning role on Atlanta. Can you talk about the story from Donald talking to you, offering you the part to how you approach that role.

[Katt Williams]

If you can't read letters don't have a relationship with you. But if you can read, you only need to see a flash of the letters to be able to put it together. Does that make sense? Right. So now that I've explained how this little process works, when God works with slow people, that's how he works with me, right? So everything that comes from God, for me, he makes it super simple. I don't have to look for it. He just goes, bam, there it is. And that's how I know it's him. Right. Donald Glover comes to me and he goes, cat, I got a role for you. If you do the role right, you're going to get an Emmy for it. I said, what? Off topic. I said, you saying I gotta get the role, turn it into something, and if I turn it into something, I can get the Emmy. He was like, no, if you do this the way it's supposed to be done, you can get an Emmy right off this row right here. And I was like, well, I'm gonna get the Emmy. So he was like, so let's go over the script. I was like, I don't give a. About the script. I'll see the script when I get there. Cause you telling me I already got it. Yeah, yeah, right. So the trust in the process, you know what I mean? I have a otherworldly process. So my faith is legendary. Like, I don't need nothing. Just go that way. I'm already that way. I don't care what's over there. None of that. So it was the same thing with this project. Like, he just had the script. Everything was perfect. And then when I got the role, I understood that the things that this character was saying is the things that people wanted to hear me say, you know? And in acting, that's when you get the best out of the role, is when it's an actual person to you.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. How much do you like acting? How much is it a priority to you to do more acting? More TV or movies? You know, like, you've done dozens of work, but, like, is it a thing that you're like, dozens. 40?

[Katt Williams]

60? Yeah.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's four.

[Katt Williams]

Five dozen. Five dozens. No, five dozen. 60 is a lot.

[Jesse David Fox]

All right, 60. But, like, is it a thing that. Do you want larger roles and more things? No.

[Katt Williams]

Okay. It's not. It would be facetious to say I don't like. Right. But everything has a cost. You know what I mean? And I'm so very unwilling to pay most of the cost of things, you know? Regardless of what you get from it, like, yeah, it's almost not worth it. So that gives me a freedom that I just read what you send me. So if you read, if you send me something and it's good, I'm going to do it. It's a pretty simple process.

[Jesse David Fox]

You discussed you've read many books especially particularly like autobiographies. Do you plan on writing a book one day?

[Katt Williams]

I've been, I've been writing a book the whole time. That's what I learned from autobiographies is that whether you know it or not, right, the life you're living is your story. That's your book. And so the only thing you have to do in a fucked up period in your life is remember that I can end this chapter right the fuck now. Matter of fact, the chapter is done. New chapter, chapter, new. And you can really move like that. So I, yeah, but I'm saying at each point that I've considered it. Thank God I didn't write it then. The ending wasn't there. Like, who writes a book in the middle?

[Jesse David Fox]

You know, you've mentioned that, you know, you had a long term friendship with Prince and you said specifically he trusted you with cars, women and lyrics. Do you remember a lyric he ran by you?

[Katt Williams]

Okay, okay, so don't, don't get it twisted. Like, that was not the hierarchy of our relationship. I was, I was a, I'm an underling. Like, like, no, he's not running shit past me. It's not like that. But I was like the, I was like the nigga barometer for Prince. You follow what I'm saying? Like, like, like I, I would let Prince know when he had crossed the line, you know what I mean? Like on the streets, you know what I mean? Like, nah, my n A, no more blouses. Like, okay, you know what I mean? Because he, you gotta understand, like, you got a different life if you've been a millionaire since you was 18 years old legitimately. Like, like this was a person that could not buy a shirt at a store. Like, he just couldn't. Because you can't be wearing the same shirt as him. You follow what I'm saying? So for somebody to get their clothes made, they whole life is a whole different thing. But yeah, he didn't have to run shit past me like that. It was, it was on a whole nother level.

[Jesse David Fox]

The other thing you once said that I had to ask about is, you once said you were the one that told Steph Curry to shoot from deep.

[Katt Williams]

Look, it doesn't anybody that knows me know I don't claim the shit that I do. That's not part of doing it. It's doing what it is and letting that be it. But I am responsible for the greatest shooter in the NBA without question, right? So now I'm gonna tell this story and the jury will decide whether or not I'm being facetious or not. Here it goes. It's 30 seconds. So at this time that I meet Steph Curry. Steph Curry is not in the NBA. I'm hiring Steph Curry to do these. I'm doing these celebrity basketball games for the LA Children and Family Services. I do a celebrity basketball game for them every year, right? So I got this guy named Stephen Curry that comes and is on the team and I give him five grand, right? This guy comes out, people miss, say his name, don't nobody know who he is. Nobody cheers when we say his name, right? But this dude comes and he passes that half line, and as soon as he passes the half line, he can shoot from anywhere, from there to the three point line, any part there, right? So now the first game, this guy scores like 40 points, right? And he don't break a sweat because he's not running like all the other basketball players are running down the court. He's not, he's just staying right there. And nobody guards you right there. And that's where he's shooting from. The next game, the next year, he scores 50 points. I said, hey, dude, you out here making five grand for a celebrity basketball game, but you one of the greatest shooters that ever existed. Do you understand that if you to take your game to the NBA, that they either have to change something or you'll be the greatest shooter that ever existed? He said, what, what are you saying? I'm. I said, they don't have a defense for the area that you can shoot in. Like nobody has ever prepared defense for out here. You're taught to run to the three point line and then start defense. If you can shoot before people can start defense, you'll be the greatest shooter that ever lived. Now, I'm not saying he took that advice and went on to do that, but he took my advice and went on to do that. So.

[Jesse David Fox]

I asked you this a couple years ago, but have you been asked to host SNL in the years since and would you do it?

[Katt Williams]

There has never been a person that has been parodied nine times on Saturday Night Live and yet never been invited other than me. So I at this point, take it as a badge of Honor that they don't fuck with me.

[Jesse David Fox]

In general. What do you think of impressions of you? Is there an impression of you that you like, that you've seen? You're like, that's me. Or that's me that I like about me? Is there an impression of you? I feel like this is a straightforward question.

[Katt Williams]

A lot of times when people are doing an impression of you, they're really showing you how they feel about you. You know what I mean? So for a Saturday Night Live to have an impression of me and have a woman do that means they think I'm a bitch. And I understand that that's what they're saying when they do that, you know? So, yeah, it doesn't bother me at all. I understand how the game goes, and I understand that if you love me, I know why you do. And if you don't fuck with me, I understand why. My job is to be worthy.

[Jesse David Fox]

In a recent interview, Andre 3000 was talking about wrapping as he's gotten older and how he has less interest in it. He said wrapping is like a recipe. Some recipes call from fresher ingredients, you know, Then he explains that some recipes you can use frozen ingredients, but some taste better with fresh ingredients. And he says he prefers hip hop with fresher ingredients. You're around Andre's age. I was thinking about how you think about stand up as you're getting older.

[Katt Williams]

You're multilevered and creative. That's really good. Okay. So as far as the Andre 3000 thing is concerned, he is a true artist, and we always knew that about him. It requires you to be sponge like, which means whatever it is you're giving your attention to, you also reflect that from your mirror. Right. So he's moved on to another musical journey for himself. So I think the only thing that's important is that he's as true to that as he was when we were loving him. Doing hey ya. You know, for the other part of the question, it doesn't really relate to our craft. That's one of the blessings of standup comedy, is this is not basketball. This is not the NFL. We don't age out. You know what I mean? So a red Fox at 60, 70 years old is just as potent. John Witherspoon worked until his body didn't. Like, you know, this is our craft. Bob Hope was 171 years old. Like, you know what I mean? So we have a craft that you can continue to do into your hundreds. And that is my intent.

[Jesse David Fox]

When, you know, we play some clips from earlier in Your career. When you're looking at that and you think about the standup you're doing now, what excites you about the phase or the chapter you're in with your standup currently?

[Katt Williams]

I'm always just trying to be better, you know, so it doesn't mean that it always happens, but it's always the intention is I've got to be better than I fucking just was. Like, there's no purpose of me doing something again if I'm not, you know, so that's how I feel, and that's how I live. And as I explained to you, I'm in one of those positions, and I wouldn't say it if, you know, it wasn't the case. Like, I'm really taller than I've ever been, you know, and happier and almost not in the pursuit of anything. And I miss the people that I talk to for a living, you know, I, like, miss the conversation with them, and I wasn't able to finish it. So, you know, like, no matter what your friendship is with people, if you got good friends, like, you're always a little excited to see your good friends, you know, and the more time it's been, the more you're excited. And we got so much we got to catch up on. And that's. That's always my standup experience. Experience.

[Jesse David Fox]

Yeah. And that's how you're feeling right now with it two months away because you're excited to talk to your friends again?

[Katt Williams]

Well, I'm saying, like, by the time we talk, like, we are in an entirely different world than the world I just left. You follow what I'm saying? Like, Trump has just introduced the death row artists. You know what I mean? Like, it's been to go down. You know what I mean? And this is right after the inauguration. And, you know, this is a new world. And here I am as an explorer, and that's the fish out of water story that comedy is really built upon, if you understand.

[Jesse David Fox]

Katt Williams. Thank you guys so much for coming. Thank you, Kat.

[Katt Williams]

I appreciate you guys have a good evening.

[Jesse David Fox]

That's it for another episode of Good One. Good One was produced by myself and Jelani Carter. Gautam Shrike did our theme song rated review and rate the show on Apple Podcast 5 stars. Please email any comments, questions or laughing around suggestions to good1podcastgmail.com or tweet @us.oodonepodcast. i'm Jesse David Fox and you can follow me essiedavidfox. Buy my book, comedy book, wherever books are sold. Thanks for listening to Good One from New York Magazine. You can subscribe to the [e-mail] Pod be back next week with another episode. Have a good one.

[Katt Williams]

Welcome to Good One show about talking them jokes. Hey hey hey hey. Good one. It's a good one.

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