Joe Rogan Experience Review Podcast

Episode 469: Review of Andrew Santino

Release Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Adam Thorne and Brandon

Episode Overview

In this episode, Adam and Brandon break down Joe Rogan’s recent podcast with comedian Andrew Santino (released September 23rd). They discuss Santino's trajectory in the comedy world, the evolving landscape for comics in podcasting, and the industry's shifting dynamics around the “Rogan Sphere.” The hosts reflect on themes around artistic integrity, the role of podcasts, and the unique challenges comedians currently face.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Santino’s Rise & Place in the Comedy Scene

• Background: Santino is a regular on the JRE, a Chicago-born comic, and co-host of Bad Friends and Whiskey Ginger podcasts.
  • [01:03] Adam: “He’s kind of deadpan… it just takes time to get popular… with Bad Friends and Whiskey Ginger… he shot right to the front. I’m not exactly sure how big that podcast is, but it’s worth millions of dollars, for sure.”
• Santino in the Lineup: Adam recalls seeing Santino at the Comedy Store in LA before he was big, noting his consistent ability to hold his own—“He was at the Comedy Store... a bit of a middle act, but he never was that. He always was funny enough to be there, just takes time to get popular.” [02:20]

The “Rogan Sphere” and Its Reputation

• Moving to Austin and Industry Politics:
  • Adam discusses how being “in Rogan’s orbit” can both help and pigeonhole comics. He compares it to being typecast:
    • [04:15] Adam: “You can kind of be typecast… Once you move to Austin and you’re only at the Mothership, it just is kind of getting that reputation… comedians be more and more cautious… Don’t just go to one place.”
• Comics Staying Fluid: Both hosts emphasize the value for comics to stay on the move and not get too comfortable in one market.
  • [06:21] Brandon: “You can’t just stay in a bubble like that… and that’s what Santino’s doing.”

The Saudi Arabia Comedy Tours Controversy

• Big Names Touring Saudi Arabia:
  • Comedians like Kevin Hart, Louis CK, Bill Burr, Pete Davidson, and Chappelle performed in Saudi.
  • Adam jokes about the astronomical payouts:
    • [07:01] Adam: “They paid Tom Brady $75 million to play flag football. Think about that… You want Dave Chappelle, the number is just infinite.”
• Moral Tradeoffs and Loyalty:
  • Shane Gillis reportedly refused ever-bigger offers.
  • [08:14] Brandon: “You look at someone like Kevin Hart, and it’s like, do you really need this paycheck, dude?... Have you not sold your soul enough?”

The Pure Comedian versus the ‘Yes Men’

• Comedians Pushing Back:
  • The hosts lament a trend where comics agree with Rogan rather than challenge him, likening this to how Rogan flatters tech guests.
    • [13:39] Brandon: “Some of these guests feel a little more like yes men than anything… they’re just kind of nodding their head… and I have an issue with that.”
• Norm Macdonald Example:
  • True comedic purity is compared to Norm.
    • [11:43] Adam: “If you struggle to understand what that means, just start watching Norm Macdonald… someone that could have got a lot more if they wanted to, but stayed true to this comedic path…”

Fan Reactions to Santino’s JRE Appearance

• Santino as a Listener, not Guest
  • There was criticism that Santino mostly listened as Rogan monologued.
    • [09:14] Adam (reading comment): “It was really cool of Santino to watch Joe talk for three hours.”
    • [09:19] Brandon: “This episode was definitely the Joe Rogan experience.”
  • Hosts agree: Santino barely got a word in, and Joe largely dominated.

Comedy & Podcasting Today: Power and Pitfalls

• Podcasting = Freedom for Comedians
  • Hosts extol the flexibility podcasts afford comics, especially as alternatives to late-night TV.
    • [15:12] Adam: “Podcasting is still relevant, it’s still real, it’s still not controlled… there’s no FCC… it’s still a bit of the Wild West…”
  • Example: Adam imagines what Jay Leno’s career might have looked like in the podcast era ([18:25]):
    • “If you were just giving Jay Leno a car podcast where he made jokes and talked about cars, he wouldn’t have needed late night at all.”
• Podcast Inflation:
  • Some podcasters get big enough to “jump the queue” in stand up, sometimes before their skill warrants it.
    • [22:04] Adam: “The cream rises to the top in stand-up comedy… well, it’s not always true when it comes to podcasting because… we’ve seen some guys get real popular… you shouldn’t be having a special right now.”
    • [22:35] Brandon: “You shouldn’t be bombing a Netflix special right now.”

Breakout Stars and Podcasting’s Network Effect

• Shane Gillis, Stavros Halkias, and Nick Mullen
  • They discuss how podcasting has launched comics’ careers (e.g., Stavvy moving from Cometown to arenas).
    • [24:19] Adam: “Who’s the… what’s his name? Stavros. Got him… dude, that guy is brilliant.”
    • [25:34] Brandon (on Nick Mullen): “One of the best podcasters I’ve ever heard… just so naturally funny.”
• Podcasting as an Avenue Out of Hardship:
  • Entry to podcasting now means comics can earn enough to get off the edge financially.
    • [27:59] Adam: “For standups that I knew in 2016 in Santa Monica, that’s an absolute game changer. The amount of people… lived in their car… 500 a week would have changed their whole world.”

Artistic Integrity, Platform Power, and Group Dynamics

• The Dangers of Platform-Driven Comedy
  • The risk: podcasts can reward popularity over craft.
  • But also, podcasts offer free speech haven—a “true free speech type environment,” for better or worse.
    • [30:44] Adam: “It’s either for conspiracy theorists, racist or stand up comedians. And that’s the problem… but… the comedians… that’s the direction they should go.”
• Santino and Rogan’s Relationship Post-Bad Friends/Maron
  • [32:23] Brandon: “Maron’s name dropped… very, like, subtly… but I think that was Joe just being like, Yeah, I know.”
  • [32:38] Adam: “I talked to him for a minute, and then we’re hugging it out.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the influence of the Rogan Sphere:
  “It’s like being James Bond… you’re just James Bond after that.”
  — Adam Thorne [04:15]

• On Rogan Saudi controversy:
  “Imagine what they paid Chappelle… the number is just infinite.”
  — Adam Thorne [07:01]

• On true comedians:
  “If you start kissing the ass of the king, you’re not really the jester anymore.”
  — Adam Thorne [12:49]

• Fan comment on the Santino JRE episode:
  “It was really cool of Santino to watch Joe talk for three hours.”
  — Read by Adam Thorne [09:14]

• Podcasting vs late night:
  “Podcasting is still relevant, it’s still real, it’s still not controlled.”
  — Adam Thorne [15:12]

• On industry inflation and new routes for success:
  “Some of these podcasting comedians have got hyper inflated to where it doesn’t really represent their level of standup.”
  — Adam Thorne [22:04]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:03] — Adam on Santino’s early days at the Comedy Store
• [04:15] — Discussion: Rogan’s “typecasting effect” on comedians
• [07:01] — Saudi Arabia comedy tours controversy and giant payouts
• [09:14] — Fan feedback: Santino as a passive guest
• [13:39] — The dilemma of comics not challenging Rogan
• [15:12] — Podcasting as the new standup path (vs. late night)
• [22:04] — Podcast popularity eclipsing comedy skill
• [24:19] — Stavros and Nick Mullen praised for breaking out via podcasts
• [27:59] — Podcasting as a lifeline for struggling comics
• [32:23] — Rogan/Santino relationship post-Maron episode

Tone & Style

Adam and Brandon keep the conversation lively, irreverent, and good-natured. They pepper their analysis with anecdotes, inside comedy references, and self-deprecating humor, in true comedy-podcast style. Their rapport underscores the episode’s mix of camaraderie, critical insight, and occasional roasting.

Final Thoughts

• Santino is celebrated as a strong comic and podcaster who stays true to his style.
• The JRE format and community are changing—with more careerism, brand management, and complex power dynamics among comics.
• Podcasting offers incredible new opportunity but isn’t always a meritocracy.
• Despite occasional drawbacks, “the true free speech type environment” is still a net plus for comedians and comedy fans.

For Santino fans or Roganheads, this episode is a thoughtful, funny, and critical look into the tough balancing act comedians face in the modern podcasting world.

“Let’s turn this podcast into, like, a pool podcast from now on.”
— Adam Thorne [38:42]