Laugh with Me – REWIND: I Did a Roast Battle

Host: Jeremy Odem
Date: December 10, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode is a special "Rewind" installment where host and comedian Jeremy Odem revisits a memorable highlight from his year: his first-ever stand-up Roast Battle. Jeremy shares behind-the-scenes details of competing in Omaha’s “Salty 16” comedy tournament, reflects on his performance, and relives the battle with honest self-assessment and playful commentary. Listeners are treated to an inside look at the challenges, misfires, and small victories of trying something new on stage in front of a live audience.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Challenge of Stepping into the Roast Battle Arena

• Jeremy’s Excitement and Nerves

  • Jeremy emphasizes the personal challenge: stepping outside his comfort zone to compete in a Roast Battle for the first time ([03:01]–[04:56]).

  • He openly admits he lost, but is proud for trying:

    “I went in with a strategy, I executed it, and you know what? Hand up. I lost. And that’s okay. Because sometimes you can’t win, and you can’t win if you don’t try.” ([04:02]–[04:29])

  • He describes the format: a 16-seed, single elimination bracket, hosted by Caleb Salvatore ([05:23], [06:21]).

2. Preparing for the Battle

• Writing Jokes and Having a Strategy

  • Jeremy shares his approach for writing: some jokes tailored specifically for his opponent, Andy Wolf, and some general roasts that could apply to anyone ([06:21]–[08:24]).
  • Preparation involved researching Andy’s act and persona.

• Insights on Roast Styles

  • Jeremy reflects on different strategies for roast battling—opting for cleverness or going for sheer meanness ([06:21]–[07:20]):

    “There’s people who are just like, I’m going to be as mean as possible… or I need the most clever joke, or the most outlandish joke… There's so many angles to it.”

3. The Battle: Play-by-Play and Reflection

Entering the Room

• Jeremy realizes immediately the crowd and venue may not suit his jokes:

  “When I walked into the Beach House Bar and Grill in Omaha, Nebraska… I should have known my jokes were not going to play. That’s on me.” ([10:07]–[10:41])

The Exchange of Jokes ([13:24]–[27:01])

• Andy Sets the Tone Early

  • Andy opens with a barb before Jeremy’s even on stage:

    “I don’t really think it’s fair that you’re going to make me roast someone that looks like a burn victim. He’s not even up here yet. You’ll see.” ([13:24])

  • Jeremy, in hindsight, wishes he shot back immediately but instead just laughs it off ([13:34]).

• Jeremy’s First Joke

  • Targets Andy’s baldness:

    “I did experience something today that I know you’re never going to experience ever again, and that was this fresh haircut. Hey, you’ll be there one day, Mike.” ([14:30])

  • Jeremy explains for listeners:

    “…He’s bald, by the way. Shaved bald. Like bald bald. That’s where that joke came from.” ([14:55])

• Bombs and Recoveries

  • A Trump-related inflation joke lands flat:

    “He voted for Trump just because he thought you were going to save a buck on a dozen eggs.” ([21:18])

  • Jeremy’s self-deprecating analysis:

    “That should have killed. That joke’s funny… It was met to silence. Luckily, it moved on.” ([21:24])

• Andy’s Attempts

  • Some of Andy’s jokes also bomb. Example:

    “To have his way with the unresponsive patients, it’s disgusting, but it has earned him the nickname the Jolly Green Giant.” ([22:29])

  • Jeremy’s verdict:

    “That bombed. His joke bombed, too… What was that? I still don’t understand the joke.” ([22:29]–[22:51])

• Joke with the Most Laughs

  • Andy tries a soul joke:

    “The closest thing that ginger Jeremy will ever come to having a soul is if he buys a Kia.” ([20:51])

  • Jeremy’s pride:

    “Notice that my joke got way more laughter than the random Kia joke.” ([20:55])

• Edgy Material

  • Andy tries a “downs” joke related to football:

    “Captain CTE here, used to play quarterback in high school… but he does look like he has more downs than a football game.” ([24:31])

  • Jeremy’s retort:

    “You hit me with a downs joke. You think that’s believable? That I played quarterback? That team sucks.” ([24:43])
    “I did play football there… but I never made the field. I promise you that…” ([24:53]) “I might look like I drank Mountain Dew as a kid, but I certainly don’t have downs.” ([25:24])

• Risky Jokes from Jeremy

  • On Andy’s dating life and “type”:

    “Andy… had a tough time with love… You have a specific type… Hopefully you’re into Asians.” ([23:08])
    “I thought that one would bomb, but he just got this look that Asians would be into. That’s it.” ([23:17])

• Bonus Round

  • Andy:

    “Jeremy has a podcast, but it’s so bland that I’ve got more flavor out of a box of Cheez Its.” ([26:22])

    • Jeremy’s reflection:

      “That joke bombed so hard. No laughs. Because everyone knows this ain’t a bland podcast.” ([26:31])

  • Jeremy:

    “He has in his act—it costs nothing to be a nice person, but it’s also free to be an… I’d also like to add, free is what your wardrobe looks like. Thank you. I like your sneakers. Thank you. That joke bombed. But it was good.” ([26:41])

The Results and Aftermath

• The audience decides the winner by applause; Andy wins with more noise ([27:40]–[28:12]).
• Jeremy’s reflection on losing:

  “I do feel like my joke writing was far better than Andy’s. I’ll take them on again. I’m not scared. I a hundred percent do not feel like I just got destroyed by that guy in that round. Now I got less claps, I had less noise. It was all based on this noise meter. That’s okay. Hand up, that’s what decides it. I lost, I lost the round.” ([28:24]–[28:56])

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Trying New Things:

  “You can’t win if you don’t try… you also can’t lose if you don’t try, right?” – Jeremy ([04:29])

• Audience Burn:

  “I don’t really think it’s fair that you’re going to make me roast someone that looks like a burn victim. He’s not even up here yet. You’ll see.” – Andy ([13:24])

• Self-Awareness:

  “I should have known my jokes were not going to play. That’s on me. Hand up. And that’s alright. Like, that’s… that’s the game.” – Jeremy ([10:30])

• Bombing, but Owning It:

  “That should have killed. That joke’s funny… It was met to silence. Luckily, it moved on…” – Jeremy, on his Trump/eggs inflation joke ([21:24])

• Reflecting on the Experience:

  “I do feel like my joke writing was far better than Andy’s. I’ll take them on again. I’m not scared.” – Jeremy ([28:24])

• On Losing:

  “Now I got less claps, I had less noise. It was all based on this noise meter. That’s okay. Hand up, that’s what decides it. I lost, I lost the round.” – Jeremy ([28:56])

Important Timestamps

• [03:01] – Jeremy introduces the roast battle theme
• [06:21] – Details of prep, joke writing, and opponent
• [10:07] – Venue mismatch realization
• [13:24] – Andy’s opening jab about Jeremy’s looks
• [14:30] – Jeremy’s first roast joke about Andy’s baldness
• [20:51] – Andy’s soul/Kia joke, laughter breakdown
• [21:18] – Jeremy’s Trump/eggs inflation joke bombs
• [24:31] – Andy’s football/Downs joke and Jeremy’s retort
• [26:22] – Bonus round, “Cheez Its” joke fails
• [27:40] – Result announcement and crowd applause
• [28:56] – Jeremy’s reflection and sportsmanship

Tone and Style

Jeremy’s narration is self-aware, playful, and honest—he’s quick to poke fun at himself and call out the awkward silences, but maintains pride in his effort. The episode is less about competitive victory and more about the comedic journey and being willing to “get up there and try it.”

Final Thoughts

• This episode offers a funny, frank look into the realities of live stand-up, especially in the unpredictable format of a roast battle.
• Jeremy encourages listeners (and himself) to keep trying, enjoying the process more than the immediate results.
• He finishes with a challenge and an invite—Andy is welcome back on the podcast for a rematch, and Jeremy is ready to “do it again…damn it.”

Perfect for anyone interested in stand-up, comedy writing, or simply enjoying cringe-worthy stage moments with a host who laughs as much at himself as he does at others.