Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona: Episode Summary (March 7, 2025)

Episode Title: Tone Bell - Tempe Improv - In Studio
Host: John Holmberg
Guest: Tone Bell
Location: Tempe Improv, Arizona
Release Date: March 7, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of "Holmberg's Morning Sickness," host John Holmberg welcomes comedian and actor Tone Bell to the Tempe Improv studio. The conversation delves into Tone Bell's experiences in the entertainment industry, his upcoming projects, and personal anecdotes about his career in acting.

Tone Bell's Career and Current Projects

Tone Bell discusses his latest project, a Netflix series titled "Survival of the Thickest," set to release on March 27, 2025. The show is an adaptation of Michelle Buteau's book and revolves around a plus-sized woman navigating love in New York City alongside her two friends. Tone Bell plays one of the female protagonist's friends, challenging the common misconception that his character is the "gay best friend."

• Quote:
  Holmberg [04:35]: "I don't know anything about it, but I saw that it's got a."
  Tone Bell [04:44]: "Actress, Comedian. Very funny. Good for mom. Michelle Buteau. New special came out, I think New Year's Eve on Netflix. Very funny."

Tone also shares his relocation experiences, oscillating between Austin and Los Angeles, highlighting Austin's emergence as a new hub for comedy following the establishment of Rogan's club.

• Quote:
  Tone Bell [04:22]: "I'm going back and forth now, so. Last time I saw y'all, I was living in LA, like, 100%. But now I'm going back and forth between Austin and la."

Experiences Filming Intimate Scenes

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Tone Bell's experiences filming sex scenes. He provides a candid account of a particularly challenging scene where he had to wear a bag over his genitals to obscure them during filming due to personal grooming choices.

• Quote:
  Tone Bell [06:35]: "I have not said this anywhere else, and I probably shouldn't, but I'm gonna say it anyway. So, you know, like when you have to get that. So I mean, shirt comes off, pants comes off. I think I'm wearing sandals in this scene. It. It's. There's a bag that you tie on onto your junk."

Tone elaborates on the practical difficulties of maintaining the disguise throughout the scene, including the bag frequently slipping and requiring adjustments, which led to humorous interruptions on set.

• Quote:
  Tone Bell [07:06]: "It does not do it because that bag fell off."
  Hemberg [07:18]: "Yeah."

The conversation also touches on the technical aspects of filming such scenes, including camera angles and director directives to ensure modesty while maintaining the scene's integrity.

• Quote:
  Tone Bell [09:14]: "I'm pretty sure she didn't look. What do they call the. The fake. The fake hair. I'm pretty sure they had Mergens."

Upcoming Projects and Awards

Tone Bell discusses his ambition and participation in upcoming projects. He mentions a new movie he's shooting in a few months and hints at another exciting project involving a character interacting with two older men, aiming for award recognition.

• Quote:
  Tone Bell [16:14]: "Yeah, March 27th is the. Yeah, March 27th is the. When it drops on Netflix. And I got. I'm shooting a new movie in a couple months, and then there's one that I'm. We're working at the contracts now that I'm extremely excited about that."

The conversation shifts to awards, with Tone Bell recounting his nomination for the NAACP Image Award against Mike Epps, who notably did not attend the ceremony.

• Quote:
  Tone Bell [17:07]: "Who I was up against, Mike Epps, who I think won, but he didn't even show up. And I was like, at least I'm here."

Holmberg encourages Tone on his achievements, highlighting the potential for future accolades.

Personal Anecdotes and Advice

Towards the end of the episode, the discussion becomes more personal. Holmberg and Tone Bell share humorous and heartfelt moments, reflecting on the importance of family relationships. They emphasize appreciating and maintaining connections with grandparents, urging listeners to reach out and cherish these bonds.

• Quote:
  Tone Bell [20:28]: "If you still got him in your life, love your grandfather."
  Homberg [20:35]: "You're gonna see some things in the next."
  Tone Bell [20:44]: "He's been through a lot, and you don't know. You have no idea what he's still going through."

Tone concludes with a piece of advice, encouraging listeners to call their grandfathers and ensure they are doing well, even if it means stepping away from distractions.

• Quote:
  Homberg [20:55]: "Call grandpa today and make sure he's all right."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Tone Bell promoting his upcoming performances at the Tempe Improv and sharing final words of wisdom about valuing family relationships. Holmberg thanks Tone for his candid and entertaining participation, leaving listeners with both laughter and thoughtful reflections.

• Final Quote:
  Homberg [21:04]: "Tone Bell, Arizona's most powerful rock media station."

Notable Highlights:

• Tone Bell's Netflix Series:
  "Survival of the Thickest" explores themes of love and friendship with a comedic and heartfelt approach.

• Challenges of Filming Intimate Scenes:
  Tone's humorous recounting of wearing a bag during sex scenes offers an insider's look into the acting process.

• Award Nominations:
  Tone's nomination for the NAACP Image Award underscores his impact in the comedy and acting spheres.

• Emphasis on Family:
  The heartfelt advice to cherish and maintain relationships with grandparents adds a meaningful conclusion to the episode.

This episode provides an engaging blend of humor, personal insights, and industry anecdotes, making it a valuable listen for fans of Tone Bell and followers of Arizona's leading morning radio show.