Laugh with Me – "The Eulogy of Mr. Joy On Purpose"

Host: Jeremy Odom
Guest: Lavetti Vegas
Date: February 22, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this special episode of "Laugh with Me," Jeremy Odom stages a comedic "funeral" for the persona of a fellow comedian, "Mr. Joy on Purpose" (Ben Webb), exploring the gap between outward positivity and backstage attitudes in the comedy scene. With biting humor and playful roasts, Jeremy and frequent guest Lavetti Vegas deliver a eulogy to an identity they claim was more gatekeeper than joy-bringer, using satire to discuss authenticity, rivalry, and the realities of aspiring comedians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Mourning with a Twist

• Jeremy opens with tongue-in-cheek solemnity, declaring, “it is in fact a day that we will memorialize the passing of Mr. Joy on purpose” (02:36).
• He playfully frames the episode as a funeral for not the man (Ben Webb), but his performative persona.

2. Who Was “Mr. Joy on Purpose”?

• Jeremy describes the persona as “a man so committed to joy that he felt he needed to ration it… he audited it” (04:35).
• The eulogy insists that Webb’s online positivity masked a condescending, gatekeeping streak:
  • “Mr. Joy on purpose was a man who claimed to spread positivity… as long as you’re not a threat to him” (05:19).
  • Webb’s characteristic comments are parodied: “Well, actually, to love the craft is to make peace with embracing the grind… way to go, comedian. End quote.” (06:40).

3. The Comedy Community and Benchmarks of Inclusion

• Jeremy notes the tribalism and competitiveness among comedians:
  • “Ben treats shared interests like an exclusive country club… you just got into that? Oh, that’s cute. I’ve been into that since before it was good.” (07:15).
  • “This was the work I had to put in for it. And you will too. Then Ben will label you… make you feel as if this is what you are and only will be.” (07:31).

4. Backstage Reality: The Myth vs. The Man

• Lavetti Vegas chimes in with a stinger:
  • “He was Mr. Joy on flyers, but backstage, whole different guy.” (09:30).
• Jeremy jokes about how Webb’s energy can dim the room:
  • “It’s like he has a dimmer switch for other people’s confidence. Joy on Purpose.” (09:39).

5. The Roast – Comedic Eulogy and Song

• Lavetti and Jeremy riff with roasts and poetic send-offs, exemplified by Lavetti’s refrain:
  • “Raise a drink to the king of Na Na tonight. Gate so small, ego so wide. But the crowd still laughing on the other side.” (10:08, 11:11, 13:12)
• Jeremy continues the roast:
  • “He could turn a birthday party into a performance review. Some people clap. When you win… Ben would lean in and whisper, that’s cute. Comedian.” (10:27).
  • On Webb’s response style: “He doesn’t celebrate wins. He evaluates them.” (10:27).

6. Symbolic Burial and Call for Authenticity

• The eulogy “buries” the Joy on Purpose persona and introduces a replacement:
  • “We lower him gently into the ground next to his unused good for you comedian stickers… we welcome his new honest identity, Mr. Gatekeeper on purpose.” (12:20).
  • “No more inspirational branding. Just a man standing proudly at the entrance of fun, checking IDs. Like Joy has a minimum credit score.” (12:30).

7. Message to Ben Webb and the Scene

• Jeremy ends with a (mostly) conciliatory note:
  • “Ben. Dude, relax. Not everything in Omaha needs your approval. And with that, we lay to rest Mr. Joy on purpose.” (13:00).
  • He encourages not to take things so seriously and recognizes the value of humor and camaraderie: “Sometimes some folks get together, they write some jokes down… and they just happen to connect with people just enough that they too could be nominated right next to you. That’s okay, even if it is a podcast.” (14:12).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On calling out the persona:

  • “Today we bury Mr. Joy on purpose. The untimely passing of a persona, a brand, a lie. Joy on purpose, may he rest in mild inconvenience.” — Jeremy Odom (04:52)

• Satirical self-help jab:

  • “That’s not a name, that’s a mission statement written by someone who thinks smiling is a personality. Joy on Purpose sounds like a self-help seminar hosted by a guy who corrects your grammar mid-hug.” — Jeremy Odom (09:39)

• Best burn on gatekeeping:

  • “Ben would lean in and whisper, that’s cute. Comedian.” — Jeremy Odom (10:27)

• Outro zing:

  • “We sprinkle dirt over the velvet rope. We say goodbye to the patron saint of ‘you probably haven’t heard of it’… Just a man standing proudly at the entrance of fun, checking IDs. Like Joy has a minimum credit score.” — Jeremy Odom (12:20–12:34)

• Lavetti’s Farewell Chorus:

  • “Roast in peace, Mr. Joy. Raise a drink to the king of Na Na tonight. Gate so small, ego so wide, but the crowd still laughing on the other side.” — Lavetti Vegas (11:11, 13:12)

Memorable Segments (Timestamps)

• [02:36] – Jeremy introduces the “funeral” of Mr. Joy on Purpose
• [04:35–06:40] – Satirical eulogy and breakdown of the supposed positivity persona
• [09:30] – Lavetti’s backstage observation and start of musical roast
• [09:39–10:27] – Dismantling Joy on Purpose’s actual effect on others
• [11:11, 13:12, 13:54] – Refrain of “Roast in peace, Mr. Joy” and poetic eulogy lines
• [12:20–12:34] – Final symbolic burial and “Mr. Gatekeeper on Purpose” reveal
• [14:12] – Jeremy’s closing message to Ben, the audience, and the comedy community

Tone and Style

Jeremy employs irreverent satire and affectionate roasting throughout. The episode lampoons the performativity and hierarchy in local comedy, urging a more genuine, less competitive approach. Both Jeremy and Lavetti keep the tone playful – biting but rooted in shared experience and camaraderie.

Summary

This episode of "Laugh with Me" uses the device of a comedic funeral to eulogize and bury the persona of “Mr. Joy on Purpose”, unpacking frustrations with performative positivity and exclusion in the comedy world. With sharp wit, roast-style humor, and plenty of inside references, Jeremy Odom and Lavetti Vegas call out the duality observed in some community figures, and ultimately advocate for authenticity and inclusive joy in their scene.

Ideal for listeners who appreciate:

• Inside comedy culture commentary
• Satirical roasts with heart
• Reflections on authenticity and camaraderie among creatives

New to the show?
As Jeremy puns at the top: “If this is your first episode…you’re like, what is he talking about? If you listened to the last episode, you’re also thinking, who the hell is that?” (02:36). But by the end—whether you know the players or not—you’ll recognize the universal comedy in peeling back the curtain on positivity, one punchline at a time.