07-15-25 - Steve Byrne - Desert Ridge Improv - Call In

Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Podcast Summary Episode: July 15, 2025 – Steve Byrne – Desert Ridge Improv – Call In
Host: John Holmberg, with Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo
Release Date: July 15, 2025

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Introduction

Holmberg's Morning Sickness (HMS), Arizona's premier morning radio show on 98KUPD, delivered an engaging and laughter-filled episode on July 15, 2025. Hosted by John Holmberg alongside Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo, the show featured comedian Steve Byrne as a special guest. The episode interwove humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful discussions, providing listeners with an entertaining and meaningful morning experience.

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Guest Introduction: Steve Byrne

Brady Bogen kicked off the segment by introducing Steve Byrne, a seasoned comedian preparing to perform at Desert Ridge Improv that weekend.

Brady [00:57]: "Steve Byrne is on there. He's at the Desert Ridge Improv this weekend."

Steve welcomed the live call with enthusiasm, expressing his excitement about performing live.

Steve Byrne [01:09]: "Oh, God, it feels so good to be live. We're coming from live. We are live. That's right. There's a lot of live going on."

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Comedy Style and Live Performances

The conversation delved into Steve's comedic approach, particularly his emphasis on crowd work—a skill he has honed over two decades.

Steve Byrne [03:13]: "I just love doing crowd work. I, you know, I think, I think in this day and age of social media, people think I'll just wing it. I like to do a little bit of everything."

Steve recounted a viral video showcasing his impeccable crowd work, which amassed over 12 million views.

Steve Byrne [03:58]: "That thing went viral, like 12 million views the first time I posted. It just went crazy."

Brady shared his admiration for Steve's spontaneous interactions, highlighting a memorable exchange with a female audience member.

Brady [02:41]: "I think it was so perfect... Steve just shouts out. He goes, 'Not happening. He didn't go to Jared.'"

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Humorous Theories and Banter

The duo engaged in playful and humorous discussions about "Grandma's Clam," a term they coined while humorously theorizing about the evolution of household practices and furniture protection.

Brady [06:26]: "Grandma's Clam is... it's a tad disgusting, but I think we're onto something."

Their banter touched upon generational differences, societal changes, and the decline of certain household norms, all delivered with their signature comedic flair.

Steve Byrne [09:32]: "Genius Steve. I think of feminine hygiene being invented in the 1930s."

The conversation was laced with witty exchanges, such as joking about Steve's stage name and humorous remarks on wearable items and social behavior.

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Documentary on The Amazing Jonathan

A significant portion of the episode was dedicated to Steve Byrne's experience working on a documentary about the late comedian, The Amazing Jonathan.

Steve Byrne [17:04]: "The Amazing Jonathan is the story of a comedian who was really well known and then had a residency in Vegas and just treated himself terribly."

Steve reflected on Jonathan's vibrant yet tumultuous life, his passions, pranks, and the profound impact he had on the comedy community. He recounted emotional moments, including a heartfelt interaction between Jonathan and fellow comedian Bill Burr.

Steve Byrne [22:47]: "Bill and Jonathan are revering each other... The saddest part... is the last comedian that you're actually gonna see is Steve Byrne."

The discussion highlighted the fleeting nature of life and the importance of capturing and honoring the legacies of influential figures in comedy.

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Personal Stories and Friendships

The episode also featured personal anecdotes about friendships within the comedy circle. Steve shared insights about Gary Cannon's coming out and the dynamics of maintaining friendships through significant life changes.

Brady [23:36]: "Gary became gay. And I know that. Yeah, exactly."

Their conversation underscored themes of acceptance, authenticity, and the enduring nature of true friendships despite evolving personal identities.

Steve Byrne [23:45]: "I'm just happy that you can be your authentic self and be happy with that."

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Conclusion and Show Promotions

As the show neared its end, Brady and Steve promoted Steve Byrne's upcoming performances at Desert Ridge Improv, inviting listeners to attend and support live comedy.

Brady [25:00]: "If you want to go this weekend, Desert RidgeImprov.com is where you get tickets."

Brady also shared a moving testament to the impact of HMS on listeners, recounting a story of a caller who found solace in laughter during a difficult time, emphasizing the show's role as a pillar of support and joy.

Brady [15:02]: "A guy walked up to me once... he said, 'you saved my life.'"

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Notable Quotes

• Brady [03:58]: "That thing went viral, like 12 million views the first time I posted. It just went crazy."
• Steve Byrne [03:13]: "I just love doing crowd work. I, you know, I think, I think in this day and age of social media, people think I'll just wing it."
• Brady [06:26]: "Grandma's Clam is... it's a tad disgusting, but I think we're onto something."
• Steve Byrne [17:04]: "The Amazing Jonathan is the story of a comedian who was really well known and then had a residency in Vegas and just treated himself terribly."
• Brady [15:02]: "A guy walked up to me once... he said, 'you saved my life.'"

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Final Thoughts

The July 15, 2025 episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness masterfully balanced humor with heartfelt conversations, offering listeners both laughs and meaningful insights. Steve Byrne's appearances, coupled with the hosts' engaging dialogue, made for a memorable and impactful episode that reinforced HMS's reputation as Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show.

Listeners can catch future episodes on 98KUPD (97.9 FM), the 98KUPD app, or www.98kupd.com every weekday from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

Transcript

[Brett Vesely]

You're listening to the HMS Podcast, brought to you by MMP Guns.com, your most trusted online marketplace for firearms, ammunition and accessories. It's Brett Vesely from Holmberg's Morning Sickness for Game Day Men's Health. Look, guys don't want to talk about or even think about things like testosterone replacement, erectile dysfunction, weight loss or even peptide treatment. You figure, hey, I'm just getting older. It is what it is. Don't believe me? Then you really need to check out Game Day Men's Health. They're your go to Men's Health experts. Everything is done in house. None of this go here for a consultation, then go over here to have your labs done, then back again. I don't know about you, but that's a huge waste of time. So check them out online at Gameday Men's Health dot com.

[Brady]

We've got a special guest, Brady, and this is. I thought he was going to be. I'm a little disappointed. I'm not going to lie. And I think he knows that. Is that we. We were told and it may not be his fault. We were told he was here in Purse.

[Steve Byrne]

He lies all the time.

[Brady]

I wouldn't go that far. I don't know if that's true. Steve Byrne is on there. He's at the Desert Ridge Improv this weekend. And Steve, you are now live with us on the phone, which.

[Steve Byrne]

Oh, God, it feels so good to be live. We're coming from live. We are live. That's right. There's a lot of live going on.

[Brady]

I don't like talking to people on the phone because it's 2025. Those days are over, Steve.

[Steve Byrne]

I know. We should be. I sent a carrier pigeon. It'll be there in about two days.

[Brady]

We should just text this interview.

[Steve Byrne]

Yes, we'll transcribe it. Yeah, that's right.

[Brady]

I'm good. How are you, sir?

[Steve Byrne]

Good, good. Keeping well, Keeping well. Hanging in there. I'm excited to come into Desert Ridge and perform next to a cover band. So I can hear Don't Stop Believing three times this weekend. So it'll be exciting.

[Brady]

I think they got rid of the stage, although I now want to go there and then watch your show. But listen for the band.

[Steve Byrne]

I just love to hear the song play in the background and see. And hear Steve's reaction.

[Brady]

Yeah, here we go.

[Steve Byrne]

I love doing stand up to a baseline. That's.

[Brady]

Yeah, it keeps your rhythm.

[Steve Byrne]

Premiere condition.

[Brady]

Yeah, it's perfect because comedy is all about rhythm and if you don't have It.

[Steve Byrne]

Well, then what are you doing?

[Brady]

I watched you, I watched you do something on the, on the interwebs the other day. Somebody sent it to me and it was the coolest thing I've ever seen. You know, crowd work is always fun. People are good at it. You do it for a while. You did a deal and I don't know, please tell me this was set up because it was so perfect where you talk to. You talk to a girl in the front row and you said, how long you been with this guy? And, and, and she said, eight years. And he goes. Or something like that. And he's like, oh, my God. Wow. And he goes. And he said something, he said something to the guy and you go, well, if you want to take it from here, as if you had set up that he was going to propose to her right there.

[Steve Byrne]

Yeah.

[Brady]

And then.

[Steve Byrne]

Right.

[Brady]

And then Steve just shouts out. He goes, not happening. He didn't go to Jared. And it's very rare that I actually do laugh out loud, but that was awesome. Set that girl's face. You disappointed. She was having so much fun. And then you just destroyed. You took her whole life and just smashed it into a little box. And then they got in the car together and, you know, Steve Byrne is his least favorite comedian now.

[Steve Byrne]

You know, it was a quiet car ride home. Oh, yeah, let's go to the comedy show. Let's have some laughs.

[Brady]

And.

[Steve Byrne]

Well, no, that was totally not scripted. That's why I love doing script, you know, crowd work. I, you know, I think, I think in this day and age of social media, people think I'll just go up, I'll just wing it. It's like I like to do a little bit of everything. I do crowd work for 15, I do monologue topical jokes for 15, traditional standup for 15. And I just been in 20 plus years of doing this, I've always dedicated at least 15 to 20 minutes of just doing crowd work. I mean, since I was in my 20s and I'm 50 now, so it's been a long time. But I love doing crowd work. And that was not scripted at all. It's just one of those things, even when you film it, you don't know how well it's going to do. But that thing, that thing went viral, like 12 million views the first time I posted. It just went crazy.

[Brady]

How long ago was that? Because I just saw it a few days ago and I don't laugh at Internet stuff loudly. I guffawed. That was hilarious.

[Steve Byrne]

Guffawed. I'll take A good guffaw.

[Brady]

You got one. Was it a while ago or is.

[Steve Byrne]

It angry at somebody? When you get angry at somebody, do you take a white glove off and smack them in the face?

[Brady]

Oh, I challenge.

[Steve Byrne]

I'm a dual challenge to you.

[Brady]

I do. I. I say the word poppycock a lot. And I. And I challenge through duels. Yeah, I do a lot of dueling. Yeah, I love peasants. Yeah. Speaking of. Now you.

[Steve Byrne]

Where are you? In the past, you've called. You've called me oriental in the past. I have not.

[Brady]

Not to your face, Steve. Jesus.

[Steve Byrne]

You know, I literally came in a studio. You go, you love this rug because you also are. And then you. Thank you.

[Brady]

I did not say that. I said, you'll love this lemon because you're the same color. That was as far as I ever took. That was where we drew line.

[Steve Byrne]

You go, you said, no, you're from Springfield, Ohio. And I was like, oh, that's it. Ok.

[Brady]

Ruins it, actually. I didn't know you were Asian. I thought you were Haitian. So I tried to avoid all AIDS topics. Yeah. I tried to not talk about aids.

[Steve Byrne]

They're eating the cats and dogs. They're eating. They're eating the cats and dogs.

[Brady]

It's true. Steve, we were talking about this earlier. When you grew up. We're about the same age. I'm a couple years older than you. Did your grandparents have plastic on their furniture?

[Steve Byrne]

Yes.

[Brady]

Okay.

[Steve Byrne]

Yes. I think anybody that takes Centrum Silver has parents that put their. Yeah, absolutely. And it was not to be touched until the holidays.

[Brady]

Did you ever do the math? I have a theory on this. Did you ever wonder why that went away?

[Steve Byrne]

I think. I think the minute people started wearing sandals and tank tops to the airport, that's when this country went to hell.

[Brady]

So plastic was a better time for you?

[Steve Byrne]

Plastic was it? Look at. Think about this, right? There was a time where you would go over to, like, grandma's house and she'd have a nice glass cabinet and there'd be all that fancy silverware that was to be used Thanksgiving, right? And now you go to somebody's house and they have the same glass cabinet, but it's Star wars collectibles. It's like, you know what I mean?

[Brady]

It's very.

[Steve Byrne]

It's like Caliendo's house.

[Brady]

It is toys.

[Steve Byrne]

It's just toys now. It's like, oh, look at my antique toys. It's like, oh, my God, we've just gone to the dumper. In this country, there used to be class, you know, there used to be People who wore hats and ties in the ballpark, and now it's fist fights between different races.

[Brady]

Now you're feeding into my theory here. Because hats and ties to the ballpark were wool. And people back then didn't take baths as often. They were conserving more water and stuff. So they had wool on a lot. They had heavy clothing. They put plastic on the furniture. Because Steve and I think that started to go in the way away in the 80s. And just tell me what you think of my thoughts. My theory here is that the people who were laying the plastic down were the last generation that didn't have feminine hygiene products.

[Steve Byrne]

Commando clan. I need some thumbtacks. I need. I need some thumbtacks and red yarn.

[Brady]

Okay, so you're. You're doing them.

[Steve Byrne]

You're making me do the math here. Okay, so you're saying that women were protecting the nice.

[Brady]

Yes, yes.

[Steve Byrne]

Nice couches because of Grandma's.

[Brady]

Grandma's clam is the phrase that will. Eventually you'll. You'll land on.

[Steve Byrne]

Oh, my God, that's so disgusting. Think about it. Every senior home. Every senior home would still have that plastic, right? Well, no, because they think they're just. Why don't you see more of these people? People like hosing off the furniture?

[Brady]

Because now senior homes, the seniors now dried up, are from the generation that adapted. The ones we're talking about were the World War II generation ones, the Vietnam era ladies cleaned it up and the 80s, and then all the plastic disappeared. The World War II ladies didn't keep it clam dripping. And so they were tired and they had guests all the time. Yeah. Brady brings up clam drippings. It's a tad disgusting, but I think we're onto something. Steve.

[Steve Byrne]

Yeah. I think a retirement home back in the day was called clam broth.

[Brady]

They said clam bacon to the clam broth. Yeah, it's true. Because.

[Steve Byrne]

Yeah. I mean, you got a net. You got a net. And that's what a cello beach blanket broth. That's right. And brothen it up with Grandma.

[Brady]

I wasn't around to put the broth on the cloth. You know what I'm saying? Wet blanket came from a wet blanket. That's it. You hit me.

[Steve Byrne]

Oh, my God.

[Brady]

That was the last generation. Seriously, I've come up with this because in the 80s, they're like, okay, we invented all sorts of feminine hygiene stuff. Grandma's clam is. No, we don't worry about it anymore. Take the plastic off. It's ridiculous. And we don't have it anymore. It just went away.

[Steve Byrne]

It's so crazy. We live in a day and age where Elon Musk's called a Nazi. He's boring holes from London to New York. He's trying to get us to Mars to expand humanity. He's created an electrical, you know, electric cars, self driving. And then like the rest of us, like you sit around driving to work thinking, why was the plastic on the couch? Let me go down this rabbit hole here.

[Brady]

Genius Steve. I think of feminine hygiene being invented in the 1930s. I can't imagine what it was like before, but that's right in the wheelhouse of it. So you have to think of our grandparents and what they went through and their struggle. And that is one of the things they struggled with was clam broth, I guess, as you put it right, all over the furniture. And no, I never claimed to be Elon Musk. I'll go further. Okay, go ahead.

[Steve Byrne]

I'll take one further. I was watching Tombstone, right? And they walk into this brothel and Big nose Kate is there with Doc Holliday and there's all the classy hookers and their Victorian dresses and the Victorian wallpaper and everything. And these cowboys are coming in and they're going upstairs and they're, they're, you know, tapping, tapping the bucks and all that stuff. Like I was going to say tap. Yeah, but you know what I mean. So they're all. And I was thinking in, in retrospect, with hindsight, we're watching this, it's just like, can you imagine the smell that's in that brothel? That's where the term came from.

[Brady]

Yeah. Was broth a word before brothel? Yeah. Was brothel word before the brothel? Which came first, the. The broth or the brothel?

[Steve Byrne]

Yeah, the claim of the brothel. Yeah.

[Brady]

That's disgusting. Oh, I think about that all the time.

[Steve Byrne]

Desert. It's 100 degrees. Yeah. They're in western. It's not like they're. They're in yoga pants and like athletic, athletic leisure wear. Yeah. And these hookers are wearing like Victorian dresses with stockings, high heeled shoes. The cowboys have been in the sun all day. They're not shout. It's like that. Nobody's ever walked into a swim. Go. It stinks in here. Method actors.

[Brady]

Yeah, but, but in fairness, like in, in like, you know, countries that nobody goes into. Well, people do actually go into like a Indian restaurant and say it stinks in here, but they're not used to it. If you're around it all the time, it's normal.

[Steve Byrne]

That's how it was.

[Brady]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that oral sex was invented in the Carter. There was no reason for anybody to go down there.

[Steve Byrne]

Well, you know, look, there's a gas shortage. There wasn't much to do then.

[Brady]

Yeah, it's like, maybe I'll get creative. Maybe one guy's like, you know, the smell on this plastic isn't so bad after. Where's that coming from? But, yeah, I've got. It is. You're right. Elon Musk is doing better work than me. But I never claimed to be Elon Musk, and I'm not getting paid at his level. So this is what I've got. We leave it to Groff. That's right. I leave it to this. Morning sickness.

[Steve Byrne]

Hear the words you say sometimes. I mean, who talks like that?

[Brett Vesely]

It's Brett Vesely from Holmberg's Morning Sickness for Game Day Men's Health. Look, guys don't want to talk about or even think about things like testosterone replacement, erectile dysfunction, weight loss, or even peptide treatment. You figure, hey, I'm just getting older. It is what it is. Don't believe me? Then you really need to check out Game day Men's Health. They're your go to men's health experts. Everything is done in house. None of this go here for a consultation, then go over here to have your labs done, then back again. I don't know about you, but that's a huge was of time. So check them out online at gameday men's health.com Holmberg's morning sickness.

[Brady]

Steve Burns at the Desert Ridge Improv this weekend. But you can't. Why can't you make it in on time?

[Steve Byrne]

Well, I'm actually in. I'm in Tampa right now. I'm one of those. I'm at that age now. Right. We're talking about age. I'm at that age now where, you know, my folks are in Florida retired, and, you know, there's times where you get some health complications that come about. So I was on vacation with my kids and just flew down here, you know, immediately. But the good news is is that the last few days, things have progressed in the right direction. It was. It was looking really grim. I'll be very honest with you. It was looking really, really dire about a week ago. But over the last week, he's made some. Some big, big strides. And I think, you know, the overall picture for comedy for me, if I were to just be blunt for just a minute, is over these years I've done stand up and I'VE gone out in something kicked in where I've met people after shows. They've told me what they've been going through. And sometimes as a comedian, you can be on stage and you're on autopilot, Right. And it's like performing music, like, what am I going to eat after the show? Or stuff. And I'm like, be more present. Be more present. Because there's probably 400 people in this comedy club, and I know for a fact 50 people really need to be here. 50 people really need this laugh. So do the show for everybody, but really give it your best. Go, Joe DiMaggio. There's somebody that's never seen me before here tonight. But then, you know, after this past week, you know, I was talking to Matt Coleman, the wonderful gm, over with all the improv properties in Phoenix. Yeah. And he said, hey, do you want to cancel? I said, you know, I was thinking about this a lot. Sometimes it goes the other way, too. Sometimes it's the comic that really needs it. Yeah. So I think this is one of those weeks where I need to just get up, I need to tell some jokes again. I need to see some faces and see the reaction and just have a healthy distraction. So I'm definitely looking forward to getting out there. And I truly love the club and I love you guys, and thanks for having me and being so gracious.

[Brady]

Of course. And that's a beautiful thing to say. But you did say the comedian needs this and needs to see some faces, but evidently not ours, because you're ducking us.

[Steve Byrne]

I'd love to see you guys. I'd love to. Love to get a beer. And the good news is, in my green room, plastic all over all the furniture.

[Brady]

Oh, right.

[Steve Byrne]

We're going to.

[Brady]

My other theory was maybe grandmas were squirters back then, but that's a different topic for a different.

[Steve Byrne]

Oh, my. Well, that's my favorite soda.

[Brady]

It used to be Squirt. Used to be. They had to think of that.

[Steve Byrne]

I'll no longer be drinking that anymore.

[Brady]

Had to change the name of that, too. It is weird you say that too, because I, you know, I've done this show for 24 and a half years now, and you start realizing that. Congrats through the things, through the tough times of this show, of my life, of things you go through in those, you know, quarter century, you realize that this is my catharsis. This is where I go to feel better. Like, this is where. Again, this sounds stupid, but I come here to talk about Grandma's Clam. Because it's. I'm not getting that. I'm not getting that anywhere else. I'm here to just let loose with things that are. Yeah, it's great advice to say, you know, be present, be around. And I got a guy who walked up to me once, and he's such a nice guy, and he's like, dude, you saved my life. And I'm like, don't do that. I don't want to be. I don't want it. I don't want this show to ever be that important to anyone. And he goes, seriously?

[Steve Byrne]

Goes.

[Brady]

I was gonna do it. I was gonna kill myself. And I had started. Yeah, he said, I started the process and I had the show on in the background, and. And I stopped because you made me laugh and I. And because I'm a jerk, Steve. I thought to myself, how serious were you about killing yourself? You had a morning show on.

[Steve Byrne]

Yeah.

[Brady]

You know, you took time to. You took time to hop on the fart show.

[Steve Byrne]

Well, here's the whole thing. Yeah. The saddest part of this whole story is that the night before he was at my show.

[Brady]

That's weird. Coincidentally, he had mentioned you. He was carving your name into his arm with a razor. And when he got to the wrist, I made him laugh. And he's pretty.

[Steve Byrne]

Stopped it.

[Brady]

I forgot about the Byrne connection on that. That's the thing. What now?

[Steve Byrne]

I forgot he was the only person that ever showed up the next day to a comedy show and asked to return the merch. I remember him.

[Brady]

Yeah, he brought it back. I have to ask you this now. It's been roughly 10 years since you're always. Amazing. Documentary about the Amazing Jonathan.

[Steve Byrne]

Okay. Is that right? Four or five? Yeah.

[Brady]

Oh, it's got to be longer than that.

[Steve Byrne]

No, the Jonathan doc, I think 21ish. Just maybe 2019. Right around there. Yeah.

[Brady]

God, Covid screwed up my ability to do time anyway. You had to rush that. And for anybody who hasn't seen it, the Amazing Jonathan is the story. His toe grew back. Like, there's all sorts of crazy going on. It's an amazing documentary about a comedian who was really well known and then had a residency in Vegas and just treated himself terribly. And you rushed to get this documentary done, Correct?

[Steve Byrne]

I rushed to get it done before he inevitably passed. He was. He was given a grave, you know, diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, which is a degradation of your heart and his. His heart and the function of the heart was slowly degrading. So. Yeah, I mean, just one of the greatest Comic magician, if not the greatest comic magician to have ever existed, but just revered by so many comed. And yeah, just, just had to get this done before he passed. Unfortunately, we did. And I'll never forget, he saw it and he, he said, I love it. And he got up and walked out and I knew he was getting emotional and he's not an emotional guy by, by any means. So that to me was one of the greatest compliments and one of the biggest highs I've ever had in my career.

[Brady]

But did you at any point go, he lived too long for this to be poignant. Like, he, like it was a while.

[Steve Byrne]

I never thought about it.

[Brady]

Like, you thought what you thought, like, because he, like, he didn't die right after you finished, did he? It was a while after.

[Steve Byrne]

A little bit, yeah. I'd say another. Another two years probably after I did it. He, he lived on, but it was diminishing capacity.

[Brady]

It was amazing.

[Steve Byrne]

Look, that's an interesting question to think, but, but it's also like part. You know, he was truly. When you think of rock stars, we think of Motley Crue, Guns N Roses. Like, he would have fit in with any of them. And he was, he was, you know, he was Kinnison. Yeah, I mean, he's right there. I mean, unfortunately, Kinnison cleaned up Zach and you know, but it just, you know, I mean, he literally was a rock star in the world of stand up comedy. And he lived it hard and he partied with, with the best. I mean, he hung out with Prince, he hung out with Steven Seagal. I mean, he hung out with, with everybody crazy. Like, yeah, yeah, yeah. And just one of the funniest, craziest human beings you'll ever meet. I mean, every opportunity had to pull a prank on you, he would. His whole house was booby trapped with pranks. So like, you would walk over and see, he's like, oh, look at this. You'd see this huge, like spider in a glass case. Like, what is this? He's like, I caught that in my pool. You'll never believe it. I was like, you got that in your pool? And as he's telling you the story about it, from the ceiling drops, a huge spider. And you just, whoa, what the hell? You just drop a load in your pants and he just die laughing. He had a booby trapped chair at his desk. He's like, you got to see this. I just got this chair. And this is like he staggered over months. So I go back in, he'd be like, you know, there's this long chair, the huge headboard or whatever, like. And he's like, you got to sit in this thing. It's from the 1850s. It was at Jefferson's Plantation. And I just bought it and feel it. You'll feel the history. So he's sitting there, he pushes button and it slings you back, and you kind of slide down the headboard, and you're like, oh, that's why it was so long. Back issues or anything. Just. Yeah, yeah. Just chuck you around. But, I mean, one of the best.

[Brady]

The reason. But the reason I bring it up is because I remember you talking about it while you did it. You came in here and you're like, we're doing this thing. We're gonna get it out. And he. And you said at the time. And I started to look into it, that guy loved the Amazing Jonathan. That he wasn't going to last long. And you were worried he was not going to make it through the documentary, the actual filming and stuff. I'm more curious because of the stories that started to happen, like, with those last couple years, like, the documentary is such a great thing. And then he. He stuck around for a lot longer than I think most people thought. And I know two years isn't a lot longer with the Eagles, but that thing he did with the stem cells where you. His toe grows back, like, his body started to recover from horrible abuse.

[Steve Byrne]

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you can only fight Mother Nature for so long. Right. And. And he had deep pockets. He had the resources to do it. And there's a lot of people to question the validity of him. Like, is he really sick because he's been such a prankster. Yeah. You know, is this another version of Andy Kaufman?

[Brady]

Right.

[Steve Byrne]

And believe me, I was there. I saw. There's no way. There's absolutely no way. I mean, he was sick, especially towards the end. And I'll never forget. I don't think I've ever told this story to really anybody. But just before he passed, Joel Osborne, the other subject of the documentary, the young man, that was his kind of like, you know, underling and protege. And Joel is actually going to be with me this weekend in Phoenix. But Joel called me and said, you might want to get here because Jonathan's in a real bad way. And I went to see Jonathan, and Jonathan said, could you do me a huge favor? I said, of course. He said, I'm a huge Bill Burr fan. Do you think we could talk to Bill? I said, absolutely. Let me. Let me ring him up. So we FaceTime Bill Burr. And Bill and Jonathan are revering each other. Yeah. Both big fans of each other, both inspirations for each other, both complimenting each other. And Bill's going back to a table read. He goes, jonathan, look, I got to get going. I wish I could spend more time talking here. I just got to tell you how crazy. I mean, think about this, right? We're both comedians. You're unfortunately, you know, on your last legs, and I'm sorry to hear that, but it's really, really, really sad. The saddest part of this whole thing is the last comedian that you're actually gonna see is Steve Byrne. And they laughed and laughed and laughed, and I was crying.

[Brady]

It could have been worse. You could have brought Gary Cannon with you.

[Steve Byrne]

Oh, my God. Well, I said comedian.

[Brady]

Yeah. Oh, that's true. That's true. You know what's funny about Cannon? He. He. A few years ago, Gary became gay. And I know that. Yeah, exactly. The word became should be the thing because he. He texts me and he goes, you know, I'm gay now. And I'm like, I think everybody's known that for years. You, like, you fooled no one.

[Steve Byrne]

How did he tell you it's not helped his career?

[Brady]

No, it did nothing for him. It didn't make him funny.

[Steve Byrne]

You would think in this day and age he'd be. He'd be doing the Pride Parade with Erica Strahd in Hollywood. But, yeah, yeah, you know, we. We've been such good friends for a long time that he said, you're the first person I'm telling.

[Brady]

Really?

[Steve Byrne]

And I said, oh, okay. Well, you know, Gary, I really respect it, and this won't change our friendship. And, you know, I'm just happy that you can be your. Your authentic self and be happy with that, you know, so he was like, look, I really appreciate it. The problem is now every time I call him, he, you know, I'll call him and I'll just hear, Steve, Steve. And I go, yeah. He goes, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. And he goes, 1, 2. Now pull them slowly. Pull them slowly out. And I'm like, gary, please. He's like, I just have these beads. I'm just. Hold on. One at a time, Alan. And now it's become every. Every time I call him, he's in a different sexual act, supposedly with his boyfriend.

[Brady]

Yeah, no, there's a lot of. Yeah, yeah, there's a lot of that. Well, there you go. Well, if you decide to come out at any given time, Steve, please let us be the show you do it.

[Steve Byrne]

On Well, I think you could wrap me up in grandma's plastic. And river, before that, whatever happened, all.

[Brady]

Right, just, you know, the door's open is all I'm saying. If it just, if it dawns on you one day, it's like, you know what? I have never tried. Come here and we'll set you up.

[Steve Byrne]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, maybe after 12 dudes, I'll be like, nah, this ain't for me.

[Brady]

You know, I'm going back. Steve, always a pleasure. Desert Ridge Improv this weekend. Thank you for taking the time and doing this on Tuesday. I'm glad that you could. And if you are here and you, you, you know, you get here early enough, the doors open. You know that, right?

[Steve Byrne]

Thank you guys so much. I really appreciate it and thank you. This is again, it's just a healthy distraction. I look forward to getting out there to one of the best clubs in the country. I really love it and I love you fellas. Thank you so much.

[Brady]

You're back. I hope everything works, man. We'll talk. All right. There you go. We'll see you, Steve. That's right. There it is. I forgot. He's a Cubs fan. He's a Steelers fan. They're basically the same, except for he's far east.

[Steve Byrne]

Me, he's like a rug.

[Brady]

No, he's not like a rug. Maybe you're the racist. Maybe you're the one who said it like a lemon version of me. Steve Burns. Great. If you want to go this weekend, Desert Ridge Improv.com is where you get tickets. Grab them now and get in there. Some of the best stuff you'll see. He's a blast. It's 98k upd.

[Steve Byrne]

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