Podcast Summary
Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode: 08-15-25 - Steve-O - Tempe Improv - In Studio
Date: August 15, 2025
Host: John Holmberg with Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo
Guest: Steve-O
Episode Overview
This energetic episode welcomes the infamous stuntman, comedian, and former Jackass star Steve-O as he joins John Holmberg and the HMS crew live in studio. On the eve of his “Crash and Burn” comedy tour at the Tempe Improv, Steve-O reflects on his evolution from daredevil prankster to multimedia stand-up comic—and how his relentless drive for audience approval (and outrageous stunts) traces back to a childhood of constant attention-seeking. Laced with unruly stories, honest admissions, and signature gross-out humor, the conversation blends laughs with candid insights into self-destruction, reinvention, and the art of distraction in troubled times.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Steve-O’s Comedy Evolution and Multimedia Shows
- Comedy Career Longevity:
- Steve-O admits he never expected stand-up to last this long, having now performed for 15 years.
- “I definitely cared about not wasting people’s time... it’s been a pretty radical journey.” – Steve-O (02:19)
- Steve-O admits he never expected stand-up to last this long, having now performed for 15 years.
- Blending Stunts and Stand-Up:
- He began with classic stand-up but quickly realized integrating on-screen stunt footage would create a unique experience.
- “I was like, this is the first multimedia stand-up comedy special. This is epic. And it worked super well.” – Steve-O (03:10)
- After exhausting old material, he forced himself to create and film new, dangerous stunts for his next shows.
- He began with classic stand-up but quickly realized integrating on-screen stunt footage would create a unique experience.
2. “Crash and Burn” Tour: Breaking New Personal Boundaries
- Pushing Physical Limits:
- Steve-O reveals his body is “not okay now,” having severely injured himself filming for this tour.
- “After this, I’ve broken myself filming.” – Steve-O (04:35)
- Steve-O reveals his body is “not okay now,” having severely injured himself filming for this tour.
- Escalation from “The Bucket List” Show:
- Each tour raises the stakes. Steve-O struggles not to repeat past tricks—resorting to even more extreme ideas, including involving anesthesia and other risky medical feats.
- “My body’s not okay now... there are moments that were—death was on the table.” – Steve-O (04:33, 08:07)
- Each tour raises the stakes. Steve-O struggles not to repeat past tricks—resorting to even more extreme ideas, including involving anesthesia and other risky medical feats.
- Illegal and Uncensored Acts:
- Steve-O shares that parts of his act are too illicit or dangerous for mainstream platforms like Jackass or Netflix.
- “I go out of my way to make sure that I’m doing stuff that’s illegal because... I wouldn’t be able to do it for Jackass.” – Steve-O (05:05)
- Steve-O shares that parts of his act are too illicit or dangerous for mainstream platforms like Jackass or Netflix.
3. Outrageous and Risky Stunts
- Anesthesia and Medical Assistance via Fans:
- Steve-O recounts recruiting medical professionals (incognito) from his social followers for stunts involving epidurals and general anesthesia.
- On recruiting: “I’ve had a 100% success rate... asking for my fans to provide something.” – Steve-O (06:18)
- Medical staff would disguise themselves (as clowns or in hazmat suits) to protect identities while assisting in these stunts.
- Steve-O recounts recruiting medical professionals (incognito) from his social followers for stunts involving epidurals and general anesthesia.
- Vasectomy Olympics & Sperm Count:
- Describes getting a vasectomy on camera, then immediately riding bareback on a horse, followed by being “a piñata” and letting kids hit him post-surgery.
- Discusses surprisingly high sperm count before vasectomy, despite years of self-harm.
- “I clocked in, I believe, at 51 [million].” – Steve-O (10:36)
- Skydiving Stunt Details:
- On “skyjacking” (servicing himself while skydiving) and wild video evidence punctuating his set.
4. Childhood, Psychology, and Seeking Approval
- Early Signs of Attention-Seeking:
- Steve-O shares childhood report cards pointing out his desperate need for peers’ approval—often backfiring.
- “Steve, like, desperately seeks the approval and praise of his peers, but…the way he goes about it brings about the opposite result.” – Steve-O (17:12)
- Anecdotes of pulling out teeth for shock value and eating dangerous amounts of salt at school.
- Frequently alienated peers rather than impressing them, recognizing as an adult that he “tried too hard.”
- Steve-O shares childhood report cards pointing out his desperate need for peers’ approval—often backfiring.
5. Disturbing Early Experiences
- Exposure to Inappropriate Content:
- As a child, was given VHS tapes of “I Spit On Your Grave” by a creepy handyman in his London apartment building.
- Recited graphic scene details for show-and-tell as a fourth-grader, alarming teachers and peers.
- “I watched [I Spit On Your Grave] as an adult and it messed me up way bad.” – Steve-O (23:45)
- Reflecting on Past and Future:
- Steve-O doesn’t blame his weird childhood for everything but admits he’s always been different.
- “I was already messed up at that point.” – Steve-O (24:23)
- Steve-O doesn’t blame his weird childhood for everything but admits he’s always been different.
6. Philosophizing and Embracing Professional Distraction
- Role in Society:
- Steve-O jokes about “distracting” audiences from the world’s problems—calling himself a “professional distraction therapist.”
- “I’ve devoted my life not to solving problems… but distracting people. I’m a professional distraction therapist.” – Steve-O (25:18)
- Promises an immersive, worry-free comedy experience at the Tempe Improv this weekend.
- Steve-O jokes about “distracting” audiences from the world’s problems—calling himself a “professional distraction therapist.”
- Closing Banter and Affection for Arizona:
- Steve-O expresses genuine affection for Holmberg and the show: “I love you guys so much. I always tell you, you’re like, top three favorites.” (25:47)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|--------------|----------------| | 02:19 | Steve-O | “I definitely cared about not wasting people’s time… it’s been a pretty radical journey, man.” | | 03:10 | Steve-O | "This is the first multimedia stand-up comedy special. This is epic. And it worked super well." | | 04:35 | Steve-O | “After this, I’ve broken myself filming.” | | 05:05 | Steve-O | “I go out of my way to make sure that I’m doing stuff that’s illegal… [otherwise] I wouldn’t be able to do it for Jackass.” | | 05:33 | John Holmberg| “I think it’s battery to shave someone’s head against their will.” | | 06:18 | Steve-O | “I’ve had a 100% success rate whenever I’ve gone on my social media asking for my fans to provide something.” | | 07:13 | Steve-O | “The epidural guy was dressed up as a clown. And the general anesthesia guy was in a hazmat suit.” | | 08:07 | Steve-O | “There are moments that were—death was on the table.” | | 09:01 | John Holmberg| “I have a theory that the bigger your elbow skin is, the more scrotum skin you have…” | | 10:36 | Steve-O | “The average man has 20 to 30 million sperm per milliliter… I clocked in, I believe, at 51.” | | 17:12 | Steve-O | “Steve, like, desperately seeks the approval and praise of his peers, but…the way he goes about it brings about the opposite result.” | | 18:23 | Steve-O | “… as the class begins, I just violently rip out this tooth, the blood’s flowing like…” | | 23:45 | Steve-O | “I watched [I Spit On Your Grave] as an adult and it messed me up way bad.” | | 25:18 | Steve-O | “I’ve devoted my life not to solving problems… but distracting people. I’m a professional distraction therapist.” | | 25:47 | Steve-O | “I love you guys so much. I always tell you, you’re like, top three favorites.” |
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:41-02:39] – Welcoming Steve-O, comedy career reflection
- [03:10-03:50] – Multimedia in stand-up, evolution of shows
- [04:08-05:05] – Crash and Burn tour, taking risks, illegal stunts
- [06:12-07:13] – Recruiting medical professionals for stunts
- [08:47-10:07] – Vasectomy Olympics & sperm count stories
- [17:12-19:22] – Childhood attention-seeking behavior
- [22:16-24:16] – Early exposure to disturbing films, show-and-tell story
- [25:01-25:36] – Society, “Distraction Therapist” philosophy
- [25:47-26:07] – Steve-O’s affection for Arizona and HMS
Tone & Atmosphere
- The conversation is spirited, raucous, and often jaw-droppingly graphic—true to both Steve-O and the HMS crew’s established style.
- The jokes are brash, the camaraderie clear, and the willingness to overshare generates both laughter and a sense of behind-the-scenes authenticity.
- Under the outrageous humor runs a thread of self-awareness and open discussion of psychological needs and boundaries, providing depth behind the spectacle.
Useful for New Listeners
This summary captures the wild humor, candid vulnerability, and creative evolution that define Steve-O today. Whether you’re a longtime Jackass fan, a stand-up comedy devotee, or just in need of a distraction from the seriousness of the world, this episode offers a mix of shocking stories, honest reflection, and relentless enthusiasm that keeps the laughs (and occasional winces) coming.
Steve-O performs at Tempe Improv through Sunday. For tickets: TempeImprov.com.