Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: January 15, 2025 - Adam Ray - Stand Up Live - Part Two - In Studio Host: John Holmberg Guests: Adam Ray, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Introduction

In this lively episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness, John Holmberg welcomes listeners to an engaging in-studio session featuring comedian Adam Ray. Joined by Brady Bogen and occasional contributions from Bret Vesely and Dick Toledo, the hosts delve into the intricacies of stand-up comedy, character development, and interactions with fellow comedians and celebrities.

Character Development and Comedy Bits

Creating and Refining Characters

Adam Ray and Brady Bogen discuss the art of developing distinctive comedic characters. Brady shares his journey of embodying various personas:

Brady Bogen [02:44]: "What's his name? Tony Caruso, yeah. 75 years old, Asian comedian."

He elaborates on the freedom characters provide:

Brady Bogen [03:30]: "With any character, there's a lot more jurisdiction to just be a little edgy. I can say stuff that I wouldn't as myself."

Notable Comedy Bits

Adam Ray highlights his favorite character performances:

Adam Ray [02:36]: "We've done so many character things too. The one I really liked is the aging comedian whose wife killed herself."

Brady adds humorously about his interactions during roasts:

Brady Bogen [10:05]: "Tony looks like the vampire that only bites with AIDS."

Roasting Comedians and Celebrities

Roasting Events and Experiences

The hosts recount their experiences participating in roasts, sharing anecdotes about roasting well-known personalities:

Adam Ray [10:03]: "We did a roast of Jelly Roll with Bert Chrysler and Winnie Cummings. It was a lot of fun."

Brady shares a memorable interaction with Bill Burr during a roast:

Brady Bogen [11:15]: "I go, yeah, I got to. They didn't air it, because TMZ put up a thing the next day that said Gron goes after Jews, blacks, and Dominicans."

Encounters with Celebrities

The conversation shifts to personal encounters with celebrities like Jay Leno and Macaulay Culkin:

Brady Bogen [05:58]: "I ran into Jay at the Improv a week prior. He gave us a tour of his garage because he had just gotten some bad health news."

Brady Bogen [16:24]: "I see my wife pulling in to pick me up, and I see Macaulay Culkin on my flight. It was unforgettable."

Adam Ray shares his humorous attempt to connect with Macaulay Culkin:

Adam Ray [18:07]: "He just goes, not now. Don’t think you’re in public."

Maintaining Freshness in Comedy

Evolving Content and Overcoming Staleness

Brady and Adam discuss the challenges of keeping their comedy fresh and engaging:

Brady Bogen [09:19]: "I was getting bored with the monotony of the podcast. I wanted to try something different."

Adam Ray attributes their dynamic content to Brady's presence:

Adam Ray [09:26]: "You have no idea. Sucked all the marrow out of this."

Innovative Comedy Techniques

Brady introduces new comedic techniques to keep the audience entertained:

Brady Bogen [04:34]: "Have you seen Oppenheimer?" - A spontaneous joke to fill awkward pauses during performances.

Audience Engagement and Reactions

Handling Fame and Public Interactions

The hosts share insights on dealing with fame and unexpected public interactions:

Brady Bogen [21:30]: "If you're that publicly demonstrative, you're just hoping nobody saw that."

Balancing Personal and Professional Life

Brady reflects on balancing his comedy career with personal experiences:

Brady Bogen [23:36]: "I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but sometimes it gets overwhelming."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Brady and Adam Ray reflecting on their comedic journeys, the importance of evolving their material, and the value of authentic interactions with both peers and audiences. They emphasize the unpredictable nature of the comedy business and the joy of sharing their unique experiences on Holmberg's Morning Sickness.

Brady Bogen [24:05]: "It's 98. We're good. We're good."

Listeners are encouraged to tune into upcoming shows and stand-up events, promising more laughs and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of comedy.

Notable Quotes

• Brady Bogen [03:30]: "With any character, there's a lot more jurisdiction to just be a little edgy. I can say stuff that I wouldn't as myself."

• Adam Ray [10:03]: "We did a roast of Jelly Roll with Bert Chrysler and Winnie Cummings. It was a lot of fun."

• Brady Bogen [05:58]: "I ran into Jay at the Improv a week prior. He gave us a tour of his garage because he had just gotten some bad health news."

• Adam Ray [18:07]: "He just goes, not now. Don’t think you’re in public."

• Brady Bogen [09:19]: "I was getting bored with the monotony of the podcast. I wanted to try something different."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a deep dive into the lives of comedians navigating the complexities of performance, fame, and personal growth. Through candid conversations and humorous anecdotes, Holmberg's Morning Sickness delivers an entertaining and insightful look into the world of stand-up comedy.